I have found through the years that  people tend to respond differently
to situations...   for example:  like
planning a head ...   When I was younger I functioned best "playing it by ear", " going with the flow, and or seeing which way the tide turned"....       

And that worked real well for me, for
much of my life.    But since I reached
the age of 70.... My MO has changed
dramatically.   
And I am very uncomfortable being
surprised by last minute plans.

In fact,  I have learned to stop and think
a bit before committing myself to any spur of the moment,  last minute suggestion...
(when at one time,  I would have been
leading the pack!)  .... 

So I understand Callie how upsetting last minute changes in plans can be.... 
Very frustrating and upsetting...

There are many ways to approach  "changing
situations",  in the future...  so perhaps you
need to determine what you need to
prepare for in the future with the
people who have a different MO then
the what you are comfortable with.

My now having to depend on other people makes the task  "doing things my way"  a
little more complicated and frustrating....
but Peaceful co existence can be accomplished
as long as I continue to keep
my well being a high priority. 
And not let that slip by...

(This is when I miss "not have my own
wheels" the most...   other wise I could come
and go at my own speed.)

Try not to get discouraged Callie..
And be strong. 


Sandy
   

   

I did two more bags of leaves this afternoon and then I went to the store to get the last minute stuff I needed for my pies and for just existing. 

Shirley, I looked up your leaf thingies and in the process discovered two things I want.  One is a LEAF CLAW.  It's sort of like the yellow things but you don't have to bend over so far.  I can't find them right now anywhere but Amazon but my local hardward store guy was VERY interested and they are in his order book.  The other thing was called a LEAF BUTLER and it's a doodad that goes in a leaf bag and then pops open to keep it ope for putting leaves in.  I'll have both of those items for next leaf season.  My birthday is in April and that's a perfect time to get them both.

I have to go feed the doggies and scrounge up some supper for me and then I'm going to mix up the pumpkin pie filler and have it in the fridge for easy doing tomorrow.  The pie crust is already mixed, rolled and in the pie tin.

Enjoy your evening...even you Callie!

Callie--I used to be much more flexible than I am now.  I like to know what the definite plans are at least 2 weeks ahead.

Sandy--Guess you and I feel somewhat alike.

Janie--Hope you get the leaf "thingeys" you want.  You're sure organized in getting things ready to finish making the pie.

Sandy,  thank you so much for the encouraging words.

I'm really not upset - kinda getting a giggle out of how everyone was confused about who said what to whom.

Positive side is that I have everything ready for my "contributions" to the dinner - and will be able to sleep in tomorrow and Thursday while everyone else is dashing about at the last minute.
I can also sleep in my own bed, watch what I want on t.v.  and don't have to pack a suitcase.   

And - quite frankly - 4 or 5 hours with the Group will be plenty.

I had another bad night last night. Leg woke me up with a bad pain, so I got up and paced the floor till it was better, then I slept later this morning.

Had a beautiful surprise visit. Gary called me about 9 o'clock, just as I was getting ready to visit with you all, saying he and Dori were coming over. in 20 minutes. Well!! Not only did Gary and Dori arrive, but my Grand son Ryan and his wife Ricki from McCall Idaho,but my three GREAT Grands. Zachary, Jeremiah John and Ashley June. Ages sis, three and one year. Wow !!!!! I was overwhelmed with Joy. They stayed till about eleven, then I had a recovery time..I really was overwhelmed with happiness and weakness. Ricki leaned over and whispered if I was getting tired, and I had to admit I was, so she packed them all up and they left. I am still up there floating around on cloud nine.

So i had lunch, on to choir practice, then to Balance and exercise, then to our Clinic. I told the nurse how bothered I had been with my leg, and I wanted to remove the bandage and let the leg breathe for a change. I just felt it needed oxygen. She agreed with me. I told her my doctor would see me tomorrow, so she wanted me to wear a breathable bandage, then come down and see her in the morning so she could check it out before the doctor arrived.

So that was my day. Now I am on to see how our Joe is doing.  I pray they are home by now, safe and sound.

Gloria, I thank God that you have a new doctor that is truly following up on your physical ailments. That is half of our healing…just knowing that we are in good hands, and a person that really cares.  I wish you God's best blessings on good health and lack of pain.

I hope Bis hears from Kate before I go to sleep tonight. I know God is watching over them all, but it will be a comfort to hear they are safely home.

I hope we hear that Joe, Kate and Finlay arrived home safely.

Hi June!  I'm waiting for news of Joe and family's arrival home also. 

Janie Sweetie, we may have to wait till tomorrow to hear about the "kids"...our Bis is probably worn out and sound asleep. I know how I felt about just a two hour Happy visit, where poor Bis has really suffered. So I am going to turn in now, and I hope you are in a good sleep too. Hugs girl.

And Hugs to all the rest of you ! God loves you, and so do I. June

Sorry friends.  I fell asleep watching the evening news.  They called about 7 p.m. to say they arrived home safely.

Good Wednesday 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!!




Umbrellas

One day on his way to work, my husband stopped at the cafeteria as it began to rain.

Forgetting that he hadn't brought an umbrella, he reached for the nearest one when he got up to leave.

"That's my umbrella," a woman immediately scolded.

Abashed at his mistake, he walked on to his office. He was drenched by the time he arrived.

Once there, he discovered three umbrellas that he had left in the office over the months, and he decided to bring them home at the end of the day.

That afternoon he ran into the same woman who had confronted him earlier.

She looked at the umbrellas, then at him, and tartly remarked: "You did real well for yourself today, didn't you?"



Seize the Moment!

By Sergei Sosedkin
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthian 5:16-6:2

Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2
Ivan was a university student in Moscow who called in many times during our live radio broadcasts. He seemed genuinely interested in Christianity and had many questions about Christ’s teaching. But when he was invited to make a commitment to Jesus, Ivan rejected it outright: “I’m too young for something like that! I have my whole life ahead of me.”
Does Ivan’s logic sound familiar to you? Regardless of our age, many of us still look for an excuse to delay making a commitment to God, thinking that we have lots of time on our hands.
You probably have heard the ancient saying “Carpe diem.” It’s a Latin aphorism that can be translated as “Seize the day.” Sayings with similar meanings can be found in many cultures.
The Bible also tells us about the urgency of making our commitment to God. The apostle Paul urges us not to delay when it comes to our salvation. We are privileged to live in an age of grace, when the gospel is proclaimed throughout the world. That is something to be thankful for. But it may not be that way forever. Also, we never know when our life on this earth will endâ€"whether by illness or accidentâ€"slowly or suddenly. But it will endâ€"when we die or when Christ returns.
So I urge you to believe in Jesus and find peace with God today, before it’s too late!
Father, give us wisdom to appreciate the opportunities we have. Let us lean on Jesus for our salvation today and always. Amen.


Keep love in your heart.  A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.  The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring.

~ Oscar Wilde

JOAN...
....good morning.......good news, they have made it safely home.....that is one thing less to worry about...

Good Morning Bis and  Vanilla-Jackie and all that follow. bis glad you had a good visit and they got home
fine shape. it is always good to have company also good to relax to your Owen afterwords. Have a great day. a genital breeze from south today feels good out on deck.

Lloyd

Good morning, Vanilla-Jackie.  You're right--one less worry.

Lloyd--Good morning.  I was glad to get the call that they got home safely.  It's a bit chilly here, but no breeze.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  Happy day-before-Thanksgiving!

Bis, I'm so glad to hear your family is safe home.  Now I'm going to go get my coffee and get the pies started.  When that's finished, I'll have one less thing to worry about.

Have a lovely day Everyfriend!

Good morning, Janie.  Now that they are home safely, I threw that worry in the trash.  I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of those pies baking.

Good morning everyone.
Tad chilly here with a temp of +4 ° F....but lovely clear skies.

Nothing planned just try and put those dust bunnies away, maybe pick up the vehicle from the garage and do a bit of sewing.

I won't be here on Thur morning as we have an early appointment in the city for 7:30 am. Please say a wee prayer for hubby as they are going to shock his heart to see if they can get him back into rhythm.

Jane, will check the hidey hole later for some pie 

Jackie, good morning

Joan ,good to hear the kids made it back home alright.
Thank you for breakfast.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Good morning, Amy.  4° is bone chilling COLD.  I will say extra prayers for your husband that when they shock his heart tomorrow it gets back into rhythm.

This is errand day--so I'll see where I'll end up.  Maybe breakfast out.

pumpkin pie in the oven...smelling wonderful!  OK Amy, I'll put some in the Hidey Hole.  I'll also say a prayer for your hubby for a successful procedure. 

My Canadian grandson is in Baltimore to celebrate his second Thanksgiving this year.  This one is with his mother and sister.  He says dual citizenship is one of the blessings of Thanksgiving.  You get two of them.

Janie--I'll check the hidey hole later for some pie.  Thank you.  How nice that your grandson gets to celebrate two Thanksgivings.

Today is going to be clear but cold, maybe not  even reaching freezing.  But it's the best day for travel for folks gathering with friends and family.  And since tomorrow is expected to have some rain, mixed snow and rain, and possibly sleet, the roads will probably be crowded today.

I sit here in my nice warm and dry and quiet house and thank the Lord that I no longer have to worry about preparing and serving a feast for ten or more - some years including the appetites of three teenagers and two outdoor workers.  They sure could eat!   

Hi everyone.  We have another repeat day of the last several, i.e., clear, cool and no rain.  We are to get into the mid-60's today.  I had a good doctor's visit yesterday.  My blood tests were good and my platlet count was even up 3 points.  I must have been the last appointment for the morning as the doctor stayed in the room with me and talked a lot.  While there they gave me the Prenair 13 pneumonia shot.  Apparently the pneumonia shot I had about 8 years ago covered 23 different kinds of pneumonia and this covers and additional 13. 

This morning I plan a quick trip to pick up checks at the Credit Union and stopping to get a birthday card for Christian, our Nigerian "Grandson's", 20th birthday.  He is in college in Southern Georgia.  He called us a couple of weeks ago and said he was really enjoying college.  He is just a freshman as he immigrated legally only a few years ago and was held back in High School a year because of the difference in the school system he had attended in Nigeria and that here in the US.  We met Christian at our church and befriended him and he asked if we could be his American grandparents, which delighted us. 

Pat placed are second Walmart grocery order online yesterday and I will pick it up after 3 pm this afternoon.  We expect Scott to join us for dinner this evening and then have Thanksgiving dinner and spend the day with us tomorrow.  Pat decided that rather than deal with a turkey this year we would have one of the Rotisserie chickens from COSTCO, which I got yesterday when I stopped to pick up my new glasses and a few other items there.  She has the rest of the menu for tomorrow planned and we will do whatever preparation we can today.

Joan, I think it was very wise to explain to Finlay why his dad is not feeling well.  That will help him not build it into something it isn't.  Hard to beat homemade lasagna.  It is one of my favorites.  I was glad to see that Joe and family had arrived home safely.

Shirley,  you didn't really miss much by not getting to ride on a tractor draw bar.  The only broken bone I have ever suffered was falling from a load of hay and hitting my arm on the draw bar of the tractor when my dad stopped and I lost my balance.  You are right about pulling together.  Hope all is well with the new little boy and his mother. 

Callie, much better to spend time with the grandchildren than cooking.  I agree with you on the 4 or 5 hour visiting duration. 

June, what a nice Thanksgiving visit for you getting to see your grandchildren.  Being around those little ones with all that energy can be very exhausting and I see you had that reaction.  I hope you had a better night last night without the leg pain.

Hal, it was Herb Holden I was remembering about the computer advise.  At least it was a name starting with an "H". 

Sandy, like and you Callie I also like to plan ahead.  If I don't I find I don't get much done. 

JaneS, keeping the leaf bag open was always a problem.  Fortunately I no longer have to worry about leaves.

Amy, your poor husband has sure had a lot of health problems during these last few months. I hope the shock treatment solves that problem.     

AMY....
...I shall certainly hold good thoughts for your hubby tomorrow as he faces yet another hospital procedure......as my procedure too is tomorrow....

Good morning everyone,I went grocery shopping yesterday. Son called me and asked if I would like to go and I said yes. First time I have been to the market in almost a year. Felt good to see some new things and I stocked up. Of course I was worn out when I got home. I do like him being retired.

PHYLLIS  this new doctor really moves. She said she wanted to send me for an Ultrasound and after I got home yesterday I got a call from the place to go to. Will have to check for transportation and make an appointment. A good doctor is so hard to find these days. Makes me wonder where they got the license to practice.

LARRY  seems like the last 2 doctors I had did not care to take care of their patients, just go every 4 months so  they could make money.

JOAN  I think I was worried more about Finlay with Joe going to the hospital. It is hard for youngsters to understand when a parent gets rushed to the hospital. You must have heard from Joe otr Kate by now, how is he doing? I hope Kate did not drive straight though but stopped overnight.

SHIRLEY  all I have to do later is make stuffed celery. Have the cream cheese out of the fridge so it will soften. That I can do sitting down. I think all mothers worry even when there is no need to. Pray the new baby is healthy and mother is doing great.

CALLIE  you were really busy getting everything ready yesterday. Was at the market yesterday in early afternoon and wow was it crowded. Have not been in a market before a holiday in several years.  Enjoy the family gathering.

JANE  I had managed to get all my appointments in spring or autumn and now I have some during the winter. I tell all those I have appointments with in the winter that if it is snowing I will cancel. I am cautious of who I travel with on winter roads. New doctor asked why I changed and when I told her she was shocked he could call himself a doctor.

HAL  that is the best I have seen is a while. Nothing like a puppy to make every one happy. Sure made my day watching it.

CALLIE  I like planning ahead but at times like yesterday I jumped at the chance to go to the market. Of course today I feel it but I did enjoy being with my son.

JUNE  now that was a wonderful surprise to have your family there. I know you enjoyed seeing your great grands, especially the baby. Thank you, I am glad to finally find a doctor that cares for her patients.

JOAN  glad they are home and now Joe can see his own doctor. You are all in my prayers. Hot cereal for me with blueberries. Cute chuckles. Food for Thought is another keeper. Thank you for all today's goodies.

LLOYD  dun is shining here but still windy and in the 30's.

AMY  prayers for your hubby tomorrow. I hope it works for him.

JEANNE LEE  we have drizzle in the forecast for tomorrow. As long as it is above 32° the roads should just be wet.

LARRY  wonderful that Christian keeps in touch with you.

JACKIE  good morning/afternoon for you.

Amy, when my husband had the shock to get his heart in rhythm, they asked me to stay with him to keep him calm.... until time to do the deed, when I was escorted out.  The nurse explained the shock would "raise his body off the table".  He was knocked out to do it. They used the paddles several times & then, with the tech for pacemaker/defib in the room, used that device and it did the trick.  Cas was concerned that they used up his battery time but they insisted it did not. 

After he got home & for days he tried to hide the fact he was a little upset that his chest hurt.... when he finally told me what was bothering him I told him what the nurse said about shock being so hard it lifted him from the bed and he was so relieved there was a simple cause for his pain and not "something gone wrong".  They should have warned him what to expect... so keep that in mind if they don't tell your husband he will be sore.  (((hugs))) to you both.

Joan, glad the kids got home safely & you got a nap in .... The happy visit turned nightmare must have been very difficult and wearing on nerves & body.  Extra R & R for you a must!

Janie, about the leaf scoopers, I have a big plastic tub on wheels that I put a bag liner in (use strips of duck tape to hold the edges to the sides... I rip off about 8" of tape & then tear it into 3 long strips to hold down the top & then use one of those strips to wrap around the top of the bag after I give it a twirl & poke a finger to let air out.  Those paddles are just enough smaller that when I scoop up a basket full in one swoop, I can push them down into the bag before turning loose & don't have them blowing away.  I buy a box of those plastic bags from Sam's like my husband used.... must be 45 gal or more.  I have half a tree on the ground this morning so will be picking up today.  My dumpster is full as I am cutting down an old evergreen, little by little.  After no color at all on our trees, all of a sudden they are brilliant yellow & red. 

Have a million things to do today so better get moving.  Wishing everyone a wonderful Wednesday (how about that, Callie?)  If not perfect I hope you can pick out at least one happy memory to hang on to.

Joan, I love the Thought of the Day.

Oh, Gloria, I haven't had stuffed celery in years!  Just bought another stalk yesterday so will see what I have to stuff with, mixing up the meat spread for gr-daughter & may send along some stalks for her to fill... will let her eat it any way she likes but remember my mother using the meat spread to stuff... along with pimento cheese that she mixed herself.  Now you've got my mouth watering!    

Good Morning Everyone!

Another beautiful day here, we had a front come through last night but all the rain stayed North and East of us.  Sun more than likely got a good rain.  Hope she is doing okay.

Janie, happy to hear your bunch got home safely, hope Joe was able to get in to see his doctor in a timely manner.  Bad time of the year trying to get in to see someone, everyone has so many plans for the holidays.

Gloria, bet there was a bunch of new items to checkout at the grocery store. 

All you ladies cooking up a storm, going to be lots of goodies to eat in the hidey hole.  My wife just came in and informed me that there is a package of cranberries sitting on the counter by the fridge that I can cut up while sitting listening to the radio......hehehehe.

Jackie, I hope your procedure goes well and is successful.  I know you aren't looking forward to it. 

Amy, same for your hubby. I am sure he is not looking forward to being cut on and the old heart messed with.  I too have afib and may face the same thing.  Afib, it seems, gets lots of us, boys and girls, in our later years.  Although I think it is June's son that has it and had the procedure and it was quite successful.  My cardiologist keeps tabs on my heart and tells me I am on the edge of needing a pacemaker.  Heck, doesn't surprise me, seems like everything else is in need of work or "watching"......

Well tomorrow is the big day.  I see Wal-Mart is going to open at 6PM tomorrow to kickoff their black Friday.  And they have some big screen TV's starting at 248 dollars.  That ought to make for some pushing and shoving.  I hope Janie has a good day, I think she said she had to work a shift tomorrow.

Larry, you know I would just as soon have a nice roast beef instead of Turkey.  And as a kid we always had roasted chicken, a couple of big hens roasted stuffed and surrounded by dressing in big banking pans.  I have suggested something other than Turkey and was shouted down, tradition you know, but who's.  Certainly wasn't mine.

Anyhow, everyone have a great day.  And ladies without you there would be no Thanksgiving or any other special days for that matter and us men do appreciate it and love you even though we don't tell you enough.

Second pie is out of the oven and cooling.  My work is done.

Yes, HAL, I do have to work a shift tomorrow 8 a.m to noon.  WE do not close at all on Thanksgiving.  It's just that the Black Friday sales begin at 6 p.m.  I'm really glad my shift will be over and I don't intend to be anywhere near WM at 6 p.m. tomorrow.

Now I'm going to nip out to the local hardware store to see if I can get a bit of Christmas shopping done.  Enjoy your day Everyfriend.

HALKEL...
...you've got it in one.....do we ever look forwards to these invasive procedures?   

Hal, when I was young and my mother was alive, we always had stuffed chicken on Thanksgiving.  Turkey wasn't a big thing then and a small turkey would have been too much for our family of four.  I think the first turkey I ever had was the first T-Day after my mother died and our neighbors invited us to eat with them.  There were six of them and three of us so we could take care of a big turkey.  I have fixed turkey for our family but this year we are going to a restaurant/grille with great-niece Annie, her friend and his daughter.  No my ideal T-day with no leftovers so Tom got a turkey breast the other day and we'll have that soon. 

We are going to Sheridan MI to pick up Tom's former MIL and take her to Holland MI from where she and Tom's son and wife will drive to Northport MI for the day.  Northport is on one of the fingers east of Traverse City; Tom's former wife lives there.  We're all scattered these days.

Mary Ann

Just noon time, cool, still windy sunny day.

I just came in to say  Joan, I was also so happy that your family got home safely. Many prays were answered.

Also Amy, am saying a pray for your husband

Gloria, my husband always made the stuff celery, and corn bread dressing. He would get our his mothers old hand written directions for that.

Hal, my A-fib was caused by a valve problem & nobody has mentioned it since that valve was fixed.... I've made it clear they aren't going to crack these old ribs again~  I don't take meds for it, had a terrible reaction when I took some that first week or so and been nearly 4 years since & no problem that I know if. 

My husband had the first small pacemaker-defib ever used in KS.... spent nearly a year with the "pocket" being infected and all I can think of was he said he never-ever felt it shock him. I do know it was working on the day he died, I took him in for a check up because he fell a few days before.  The pace-maker tech was there and verified the time he fell, the times the heart really raced and he wasn't near the bedroom where the monitoring stuff was, so it did monitor,  not just in bed as he thought. 

The year before the cardiologist told me it was time to turn off the defib... gave me a shock & I never knew if he told Cas.  Cas didn't talk about it to me so I was uneasy every night in fear it would be shocking him and as the doctor explained, "his heart muscle was too weak to restart".

When he fell (Wed.evening) he wouldn't let me call 911 or our sons. I had the large bandages left over from my heart surgery (only 5 month prior), so covered every part of his exposed body.  I'm convinced with all the blood thinners he was bleeding as much internally but the doctors didn't mention it. He had a routine blood test the morning after his fall but the nurse didn't comment on all his bandages, and a call back the next day because the blood test was not good, and later in the day a call from the cardiologist to come in on Monday, so I'm guessing they all knew the end was near, he died the night after the visit to the cardiologist. But he was in his own bed as he wished for, and a peaceful look on his face to obviously they had turned off the defib.

Only reason to be so graphic explaining is I did not know what to expect & neither did he.  He lived longer than any of the doctors expected, he was very limited in what he could do the last year so was honestly ready to go, not eager but so little left that he could do.  Even his speech & hearing had failed the last few months.  All of you having heart problems in here are a long way from what his last years were like.... so keep up the good thoughts! 

I better get moving, hair wash day & errands to run before I can mix the meat spread & deliver this evening when the "kids" get home from the hospital.  Need to pick up leaves before "possible T-storm over the week end".  Had e-mail from my brother.... with a pic of him in a hospital bed... so will plan a trip to visit a few hours sometime this next week.  He is 90, so naturally I worry.   

Mary Ann, enjoy your Thanksgiving where ever you might be!  You have a busy life and are the most wonderful Aunt anyone could have.

Lindancer, you had an amazing husband, cooking & all.  My husband could build the house with a kitchen but had no clue what it was for except to re-heat whatever he found in the frig or fix himself a bowl of cold cereal.