Gloria--It's humid here most of the time.  Usually from Dec. to March we get some days that are not so humid.  I'd be too cold if I put my heat, when needed, on 68°.  When I have to switch to heat, I set it at 73°.  I've had the same experience with Ensure--no weight gain.

Vanilla-Jackie--Perhaps you could take medicine for your depression.

Phyllis, I did not notice any heart reaction when I think I first had A-fib (although I didn't know it by name); I would have a strange headache at the front of my head.  I called it a "halo headache".  I was using a wrist monitor and would take my blood pressure each time (I took it daily, but this usually happened in the early morning hours) and my BP would be higher than usual and my pulse rate would be very much higher.  I'd go to the doctor the next day and of course, everything was back to normal.  He'd get after me because I was using a wrist monitor, saying they were inaccurate.  He did not pay attention to the fact the pulse rate was much higher than normal.  At times it would be over 100.  This went on for two or three years at least.  In March of 2012 I was in Florida, visiting Norm and Dot, and on the day I was to fly home, I had an attack.  I flew home OK but that particular time marked the first time things did not return to normal.  Again, my doctor pooh-poohed my results because of the wrist monitor.  Incidentally, I had and have a cuff monitor but I could not get it on my arm properly so don't use it.  Tom was not living with me at the time.  In January 2013, I had several days where the readings were higher than they had been, so went to the doctor.  He told me my pulse (heart) rate was so fast he could not count it and that is when he sent me to a cardiologist at the Heart Center connected with our hospitals. 

The cardiologist put me on Eliquis, saying I could no longer take aspirin but could take Tylenol if I needed it.  I have not heard from the cardiologist yet, but I think I am to see him this month.  I'm leaving for Indianapolis next week for a few days but we can fit it in.

Joan, I have taken Toprol for probably 10-15 years and the cardiologist put me on two a day.  I also take a diuretic.  I am not happy with how things have gone in my so-called "Golden Years", although when I read about others' troubles, I am in good health!  I really can't complain.  I can still walk without a walker; I don't have the stumbling or shuffling, but sometimes I think I walk like a drunken sailor!  I can walk across the parking lot, then across the street to the mail box but I don't walk much further.  But, then, I'm 92 and I can't expect my health of 50 years.

More than anyone wants to know!

Mary Ann

Mary Ann--I'd say you do very well for a 92 y/o.  I hope you continue to only have minor medical problems.

Thank you, Joan, I try to eat wisely and take relatively good care of myself.  I don't have any age goal in mind; I just take each day as it comes.

Mary Ann

Jackie, I don't think Gloria meant her remark to be harsh and uncaring.  Just stating an opinion.  We all hope for the best for everyone but we all, me included, have problems which restrict us in lots of ways. Babe, we love you so don't take things said as offensive. 

By the way you talking about eye problems and MS, sometimes MS can cause loss of sight.  But it normally returns.  Don't you see an eye doctor?  If not I would talk to your other doctors about the problem.

Well, they discharged me from my physical therapy this morning with a stern lecture on continuing my exercises at home or else.  The else being I will be back in the same shape I was in, not that I am in that great of shape now, just more leg strength, but I see the neurosurgeon next week and she wants to see what he says.  She also mentioned vitamin B-12.  Does anyone here take B-12 to increase your energy level?

When I was having a problem with losing weight (mostly from not eating enough calories) I used Ensure Plus. I still drink it on mornings I have to leave early and haven't had much breakfast. It has 350 calories and 13 grams of protein. I have grown to love the taste so it's kind of a treat for me.

Jenny - I saw the photos of Kate with the cheerleaders on FB. So cute! What fun it will be to watch that game!

Phyllis - Sorry about the report from your cardiologist, but it's good that you found out and can take meds for it. Hope the sick feeling was just a stomach bug and wasn't related to the meds.

Gloria - 68 would be a little too cold for me in winter!

Mary Ann - I can understand your feelings about the doctor not recognizing a problem sooner. I have always had a fast heart rate but a few years ago it went haywire. Felt like my heart was beating outside my chest. My pulse was 200 and blood pressure very high. It only lasted for a few minutes. I learned to recognize what was happening and the cardiologist gave me hints on how to slow it down. As long as I take metaprolol it doesn't happen. Considering your age, I think you do remarkably well! As I used to tell Gladys, I want to be like you when I grow up! 

Jackie - I hope you'll get well enough to take Benji on the promised walk but I'm sure that he is happy just being with you.

I've worn bifocals since I was in my 40s. My vision is complicated now by macular degeneration. Fortunately it has progressed slowly.

Hal - I have taken B-12 and it does help. You do need to have a blood test as I found I was taking too much!

Joan - It's another hot day so hope you are staying inside. We should be getting some better weather in about a month. When it cools down there's no better place (IMO) than Florida!

Good morning from the Interior. We had another frosty morning and a high of 59 so late autumn is here before we experienced early fall!

When we had Dairy Queens here, I used to love a lime dilly bar. Those bars were so good!

I had company today, and Farrah actually stayed out with us, sniffed their shoes and canes and then went to get her green felt mouse and played with it! I guess we can say she's become an average cat!

I'm leaving soon to get a cut and color, back to red again, so will have to post a photo before the gray comes creeping back! 

Everyone have a great day!

Hal, I don't take B-12 itself, but I have taken B-Complex for 40-50 years.  I learned that we don't store B vitamins but need to take it daily.  I feel taking the B-Complex keeps me on an even keel and I don't get overly tired.  I never have had boundless energy, but I just keep going like the "energy bunny". 

I have wondered since you mention your therapy - one thing you had to do was be able to get up from a chair without support of chair arms.  How are you doing with that?  I find I usually need help, but if I have my laptop in my hands, I can get up OK.  Crazy!  Must be I need some balance.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann--You have a good approach to life.

halkel--Guess if you want to maintain your improvement, you WILL do PT at home.

Beverly--I drink 2 bottles of Ensure Plus each day and still don't gain weight.  I sure do hoped we get cooler weather in a month.

angelface--Farrah has really become social.

Mary Ann, they sit me in a straight back chair, with no arms, and the PT holds his hands out, palm up, and I placed my hands above his hands and then raise myself to an upright position, had to do it ten times, actually did it about nine and half times....   I didn't touch his hands, they were there for support only if I needed it.

Hal.  I have been having B-12 injections for some time now. As much as I hate,injections have continued because
I believe it helped my strength in getting around. Guess when you are 94 I cannot expect to be able to run, but I do expect to be able to move about with walker.
I am so fortunate that my daughter is able to give me these at home as she is a retired nurse.
I also take Iron Max tabs,recommended by Dr.
Like Mary Ann I cannot get out of a chair  like that.

Hal, the blizzard sounds like something I would really enjoy. When I worked at a Cafe when in high school, the waitress made the ice cream choices as ordered, the chocolate malts is made had malt powder in them and the ice cream was very rich with cream..Mn. had a lot of dairies. And we used just a dab of milk, just enough to make the ice-cream go to a thick liquid. Oh……..SO GOOD.

Jenny, our good people here are still taking care of my needs. I go down each day for a new bandage on my shoulder blade, and b.p. check twice a day. Someone got their hours screwed up though and I was wakened at two a.m. for a check, then could not fall back to sleep, so I had a wonderful nap this afternoon.

Jackie, I well recall when I was in school, we were taught at a young age to do the "heel to toe" style of walking. Thank you so much for the reminder. I am practicing it now and find that it sure does cramp up some muscles in my lower leg, so I will continue doing it till I get used to it and have no cramps. Thanks again ! You have surely helped quite a few of get back to a proper style of walking.

Lloyd, I am SO glad to read that you are finally taking care of yourself and getting the needed rest and healing. I pray you will continue that resting, it is truly the best way for your poor body to heal is to give it time in rest in order to do the proper job.

Bis, I just love the comment of the little boy "playing God". I wish all of us would allow ourselves to be that innocent again. Then we could truly love our neighbor as we should love ourselves , as we are told to do, by God Himself.

Phyllis, I'll have to admit that my fall was my own fault. I was late for a program and was rushing too fast, plus dragging my feet. I keep telling myself, "we are never too old to learn" so I pray I can obey your loving order. I am sorry you are having Afib, my youngest son is diagnosed with that also. He did submit to and electric shock treatment that made the heart go back to a more normal rhythm , He still has to take metoprolol to assist the heart. But it works pretty well. Acts up now and again, but lightly.

Jackie, You have the right idea my friend. when we are stuck with a problem that limits what we can do, we have to be grateful and thank God for what we CAN still do. I am sending you a prayer to "stay strong" in your good attitude, and be thankful.

Hal, I agree with how you evaluated Gloria's message to Jackie. I know Gloria would never be intentionally unkind. It is just that the written word can be read differently by different individuals, I know in the past I have hurt the feeling of others, but it wasn't intended. I have never taken B-12, but I have taken vitamins that contained a certain amount of B-12, and i have know others that have if prescribed medically and it worked well for them. I hope it works for you, and DO keep doing your physical therapy. There are so many ways we can help ourselves to better health, don't lose out on what you have been taught.

Beverly, Gary bought me two cases of Vanilla original Ensure, and I feel it truly is helping me. I still tire by the end of the day, but I have picked up in energy and attitude. I know I felt like I was going down hill a bit for a while there. Better already.

Mary Ann, In our Balance and Exercise class we are given the exercise of rising from our chair unassisted with hand holds. Several of our ladies can easily do it. I cannot. I need to balance on the chair arms. I think most of us females are heavier in the hip and rear area as I find too that if i rise holding something with a little weight, I can rise easily, or if I am sitting on a higher surface, like my bed, there is no need of using my hands. I call that heavier area my "ballast".

Time to have my second b.p. reading, then some supper at home and perhaps a program at 6;30. We'll see how it goes time-wise.

June, when I was first diagnosed with A-fib, the cardiologist had me have a cardioversion - the shock treatment - and it worked for one or two days.  Then I could tell my heart beat was back to the uneven rhythm. 

Most of the time I'm sitting on upholstered chairs and I think those are harder to get out of with no help from the chair arms.  When I get up from a dining room chair, I usually have a plate or two in my hands and that helps my balance.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, the first cardio versiion Gary had did not work so when he came to he allowed them to do a second time, and it did work. He has been relatively free of the fibrillation now for going on a year, so he was happy he had it repeated, even tho he gets the fibs now and then. He said he would not go through that procedure again.

I am going to toddle off to bed now. I am tired and tomorrow is a new day that I intend to be thankful for. Have a peaceful night dear hearts and a happy tomorrow. I close with Prayers, Love and Hugs. June

Good Saturday morning, Everyfriend.   There's cherry toaster strudel to accompany your coffee or tea. I wish everyone a good day!!




Aunt Emma

A couple's happy married life almost went on the rocks because of the presence in the household of old Aunt Emma.

For seventeen long years she lived with them, always crotchety, always demanding.

Eventually, the old girl passed away.

On the way back from the cemetery, the husband confessed to his wife, "Darling, if I didn't love you so much, I don't think I would have put up with having your Aunt Emma in the house all those years."

His wife looked at him aghast.

"My Aunt Emma!" she cried. "I thought she was 'your' Aunt Emma!"



Others May, You Cannot!
(By G. D. Watson 1845-1924)

If God has called you to be really like Jesus, He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility, and put upon you such demands of obedience, that you will not be able to follow other people, or measure yourself by other Christians, and in many ways He will seem to let other people do things which He will not let you do.

Other Christians and ministers who seem very religious and useful, may push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans, but you cannot do it, and if you attempt it, you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.

Others may boast of themselves, of their work, of their successes, of their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing, and if you begin it, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

The Lord may let others be honored and put forward, and keep you hidden in obscurity, because He wants to produce some choice, fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade. He may let others be great, but keep you small. He may let others do a work for Him and get the credit for it, but he will make you work and toil on without knowing how much you are doing; and then to make your work more precious, he may let others get credit for the work which you have done, and thus make your future reward ten times greater.

The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch over you, with a jealous love, and will rebuke you for little words and feelings or for wasting your time, which other Christians never feel distressed over. So make up your mind that God in His infinite sovereignty, has a right to do as He pleases with His own. He may not explain to you a thousand things which puzzle your reason in His dealings with you, but if you absolutely will yourself to be his love slave, He will wrap you up in a jealous love, and bestow upon you many blessings which come only to those who are in the inner circle.

Settle it forever, then, that you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit, and that he must have the right to tie your tongue, or chain your hand, or close your eyes, in ways that He does not seem to use with others. Now, when you are so possessed with the living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will know that you truly are on the road to being like Jesus.



“Until you value yourself, you won’t value your time.  Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.”

~ Scott Peck

Good morning everyone..

Rather nice here ,no humidity at the moment!!

We did have a great day at the quilt show. We sold tickets on a lovely quilt for a while, then we took in the show! I didn't do too bad, only buying two panels,one of old barns and one of covered bridges and there was a lot of eye candy to soak in!!!

Jackie,your words are a lot of comfort, thank you.

Joan ,thank you for breakfast.

Enjoy your day everyone..

JOAN
Good morning to you  and friends.

AMY
How nice to go to a quilt show and was interested that you bought some material of covered bridges.  We do not have coveted bridges in Australia so was keen to see them when visiting.  All so different and bet they all have stories to tell.

Good morning, Amy.  We have enough humidity for all of us.  It sounds like you had a really nice day yesterday without spending too many $$.

junee--Good morning.  It was wonderful that you got to see things you don't have in Australia when you were visiting.

Good morning.  Joan and all who follow.

Joan, thank you for the cherry strudel this morning. I am happy it is a "cyber" strudel, as I  am off for blood work and can't have any
"real" breakfast until afterwards.  My son is taking me and hopefully, he won't be in too much of a hurry to get back. There is a new Dollar Store opened in the shopping center near me, and I am hoping to get there.  At least to take a few minutes to look around and pick up a few things.  I can get in and out pretty quick.

We are still having temperatures in the low 90's for a couple more days and then really going down into the high 70's.

As I have mentioned before, I do not mind the heat.  I am just not looking forward to those chillier days and what will follow later.

It is a pretty sunny morning here in Central Maryland this morning.

Hope all the friends will have a great Saturday.

Joy

Jackie,  I certainly don't think that Gloria meant to sound "harsh" with her comment.   I am sure she just meant it as a general comment.  Almost everyday when I ask someone how they are,  I get that same comment " no sense complaining.... can't do anything about it".  Most of us can't do things we did a while back and true,  complaining isn't going to change things. 

I think that most of us here are very compassionate friends and wouldn't say anything that they thought would be hurtful. 

Joy

Good morning, Joy.  Labs here aren't open on Saturday.  Good that your are so your son can take you.  I bought many things--especially cards, gift bags, wrapping paper, package adornments etc. at the Dollar Store when we lived in Arkansas.  Their prices are a fraction of what like items cost in the Hallmark store or even a drug store.  Here the closest one is about 20 miles, so I don't go very often.

Good Morning Everyfriend!  I didn't post much yesterday because I really didn't have anything to add to the discussion.  I sympathize with everyone who is coping with ongoing health issues and I thank God every day for my own health.  I hope you all are finding a measure of comfort from your coping and that it is helping you to deal with the problems.  I care deeply for my friends in S&F and I'd be lost without this contact. 

I've heard some geese flying over several times but this morning when I was in the yard with the doggies I actually SAW not one, not two but 3 vees of them flying right over my house.  I'm sure I said before that I am on a direct flight path from the river to a man made pond where they often spend the night and feed in a farmer's fields.  During this time of year, there are geese on the pond almost every time I pass.  Once I walked over that way and I tried to count them and when I got to 150 I gave up.  The pond was almost solid with them just sitting there making night noises.

I'm going to finish the tomatoes today.  I'm making sauce for cooking use and since it has to reduced to less than half, it will be cooking for a good chunk of the day.  Then it will have to be canned.  I'm not sure what I'll be doing while it's cooking but I'm sure I can find something to get into.

Amy, congratulations on your "find" at the quilt show. 

Good Morning, Joy.  So glad you are checking in regularly.

Everyfriend, have a lovely day!

Good morning, Janie.  That was a lot of geese that you saw.  I stepped out on my screened porch this morning and heard lots of "honking".  There are ponds nearby.   Oh my, I just know your homemade sauce is delicious.

Good Morning everyone. I cant speak for the rest of you,but I i know I sometimes say things  in a hurtful manner not intended to come out like it dose. so please forgive me for my short comings. I have met a few of you in person and
never had a personal bad meting with anyone.  the shame is the ones we lost that the lord is taken home. but he knows when he needs us up there. it is evident he don't want me yet all the hard hits in the head I have received. must e telling me to shape up. Hope you all have a great day. wish i had the money to travel and meet all of you I have not met in person as yet. we got 3" and 4 tents of hard rain last night about 10:30 as i went to bed.

Lloyd

 Joy I am with you on not intended to be hurtful . It reminds me of ( there is so much good in the worst of us , so much bad in the best of us , it behooves the rest of to talk about the rest of us.) Have a great day.

Lloyd

You are all such nice and wise people.  I enjoy reading your posts so much and would really miss coming here everyday.

Thanks to all of you who share this AFib problem.  Your stories encourage me...and calm me.  The last thing I want to do is obsess about this because it is what it is and I have lots of company, apparently.  You all just go on with your lives and that is what I intend to do, too.

I thought I heard geese the other morning, as well.  And there are signs of autumn everywhere.  The angle of the sun has changed and long shadows are being cast down in the woods.  The temps. are still too high but they will gradually come down and soon we will all be talking about how cold it is.  Except Junee, of course, who will be storing away winter clothes and getting out summer ones to wear.

We are in danger of starving around here so we must get to the grocery store today along with some other errands to do.  Have a great day, everyone.  BTW, stop and say a little prayer in remembrance of 9/11.  I hope America never again experiences such a day as that one in 2001.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if for the first time in our lives the whole world would be at peace?

the geese are so commonplace here we just tune them out here.

Lloyd

Good morning, Lloyd.  I sure hope you have no more "hits in the head".

Phyllis--Good morning.  I've noticed the shadows getting longer, too.  It won't be long, and it will be dark before supper time.  Go slowly if you must get out and restock the pantry.  I certainly will say a prayer for 911 and pray we never have anything similar again.

The tomatoes are on their first cooking and I'm on my second glass of ice water for the day.  It's supposed to get into the 90s today from late morning to early evening.  I can take that if it continues 70s night time.

Along with all the other signs of Autumn that you've all mentioned, there's another.  When I pass the high school I see kids in football uniforms.  And when I pass Bucknell stadium, I see college kids in football uniforms.  And the Halloween candy is arriving at WM.  Many of the commercials on TV are touting Pro Football!  TIS THE SEASON!

Hi everyone on a beautiful day here in South Carolina.  I have watered my flowers, emptied the dish washer, pulled up my tomato plants and got things ready to fix my frozen fruit after Pat gets up.  I am hoping my energy level will hold up for awhile this morning so I can accomplish a number of other small tasks that have accumulated.  I do need to fold the sheets I laundered last night and do another big load of washing.  Pat's eyes seemed better yesterday as she was tolerating the light better and she was walking somewhat better.

Jackie, thanks for the pasta suggestion and it sounds good.  Unfortunately, pasta is one of the items Pat is avoiding now as she tries to stay away from things made with flower or sugar.  That has limited what she can eat a lot.  We often have canned tuna in a lettuce salad for an evening meal.  Glad to read you had a better day yesterday.  I don't read complaining in your postings merely stating what your day has been as we all do and I learn a lot I didn't know about MS from your information shared.  At least your grandson's exposure in France will be short.

Joan, sure there are no lactose free Dairy Queen products as it is considered a dairy product. 

Hal, glad to see your physical therapy appointments have concluded.  Keep up the good work.

Beverly, I am with you in terms of 68 degrees being too cold to be comfortable during the winter.  That is one suggestion I would not follow.

June, I always preferred malted milk shakes but you seldom seem them served anymore. 

Amy, I bet your husband was shocked at your very limited purchasing at the quilt show.    Glad you had a nice time.  Those sound like the type of panels that Pat would enjoy.

Joy, usually the Dollar Stores are not too big and the isles not too long.