Jeanne Lee.  Was surprised to hear that you are in the hospital but good to hear you are doing OK.  Yes, very wise to listen to those doctors and take good care of yourself. 

good morning, it is a little after 11, on a beautiful Sunday morning, sun shinning, and very low humidity.  I am waiting for a friend that called last night to say she would be out about a this time. She is coming from up the Island Levittetown.

Larry, I just wanted to Say Scott will find his own way.  I know cause I still care for my DIL's in Fla. and Mass.  After 10 years I said to them you have to get on with your lives, they also were young women when my sons died. Linda went out with a man for a year. Now she said she is happy living and independent life. I worry cause she holds down 3 jobs to keep the same house. My other DIL who's son is now in the hospital. Still say's no one will ever replace Dennis. She is still in the same house in Fla.

Jeanne Lee, sending you hugs and good thoughts. 

Oh, Jeanne, how awful for you, and how splendidly you are handling it all.  Sending you all blessings and good wishes for a speedy and total recovery.
I have successfully put together and baked and set out to cool casserole number one for today's big feast, and am now working on number two.  Have fretted and worried for several days now as to whether I would be able to get ready on time, but not to worry:  I am well ahead of schedule for a one thirty departure time.  Travel time equals 30 minutes!
Have a great day all!

Sandy, a rule I learned some years ago about dieting.  I went to a one week school on dieting.  Two biggies I learned, if you are serious keep a food dairy and if you really have to go off your diet, do it deliberately and get back on your diet without a guilty conscious.  One day of eating too much of a "good" thing will not kill you or cause you to gain weight.

They also taught us to not deprive yourself of any food, just keep to reasonable amounts and within your limits.  Count carbs and calories.  Another way to look at it was to consider each day.  You are given a check with a certain amount and you can either spend it all at once or make it last.

Not lecturing, just telling you how they taught us.  And it worked as long as I followed it.  But in those days I drank a little too much.  But they did cover that aspect too.  Again moderation and water chasers or low carb beer.  My problem I kept forgetting "moderation".   

MaryPage, what kind of dishes?

Dot and I did our usual Sunday thing - church then OTB.  We varied our usual meal at Mr Burger, aka the Cholesterol Pit, splitting a tuna melt and each having a piece of coconut cream pie.  We each ate half of our pies before the tuna melt came, then could not finish the pie so brought that home.  Because it was Communion Sunday, we were later getting to Mr Burger and it was crowded when we got there.  Of course, we have only one service at 9:30 this summer, so it is more crowded anyway.  We did find a place to sit.  Dot gets the order and I get the eating utensils.

Tom was gone when I got home but came back about 15 minutes ago.  I think he is headed for a nap. 

I am watching the last round of the golf tour in Akron Ohio.  None of the players have good scores considering it is the last day.  Jason Day and someone else lead with a -5 which is more like a second or third round score.

It is about 80 degrees here now and that is about where it is predicted so we might go higher.

Jeanne Lee, I think I commented elsewhere about you being in the hospital so I won't add to that except to say I'm sorry you are still there.

Mary Ann

Seems like everyone having good weather but me. Here in C/U it has been storming since midnight with no let up.  Temp 59 deg . Thinking I may turn the furnace back on. Shame as lot of people do the 4th of July get togethers today outdoors. Tomorrow could be the same. I usually go out of town to a big get together that has gone on for years. Just 38 miles away . It is always out side and so not even going to bother driving over.

I can see MaryANN that nice for you. The Grand Surf beach crowded and some of the tents up. Can they camp all night on the Beach?

JeanneLee. Hope you get to go home tomorrow. That did come on fast. Good Dr. did all the testing.

Now we can buy Ice cream in the stores here in sizes from about a pint. Qt. 1/2 gal and Gal.
If I do buy it is just in the smallest. So many choices now and different makers. Seems Tom and Jerry a favourite of people.  I do like to buy the Milky Way Ice cream bars. That is enough for me. One bar.  We do have a Ice Cream outside place here. "The custard Cup" Famous for at least 60 years. People line up daily. I will stop there if I pass buy. Just buy a cone of Lemon. Use to be small for $1. now $3. Very good though.

At least today as it is raining so hard one can watch lots of sport going on at this time.
The Tour De France Bike racing and Big Tennis in London on.  Looks like both places having good weather. Such a crowd at the Tennis.

Jeannie Lee, enjoy your rest in the hospital because you probably never get  that at home!

The last time I was in the hospital for an extended stay was because of bad side effects from a prescribed medication. I spent that time hooked up to a transportable blood cleaner and had blood taken every four hours.

As I am one who is anemic, my blood platelets have no oxygen. What this means for me, besides being unable to donate blood, is that it is an undertaking to get that blood at all!

They would have me hang my left arm straight down and wriggle my fingers as they used a size 20 needle to pierce the vein. If I stopped wriggling my fingers or raised my arm, the blood would not come out! The night nurse even asked me if she could bring her son who was studying Phlebotomy, to watch one of these blood taking events. I was rather surprised to find myself feeling like a lab specimen myself!

I was situated behind the nurses counter and was told later as they couldn't help but laugh as I was having some hallucinations. I knew they weren't real, the mice and spiders cavorting around my room, and I was, according to those nurses, sternly telling each one to go back where they came from as I knew they were not real! 

The medication worked fine for many, but I am one of those unfortunates who sometimes have opposite reactions to medication.

JeanneP, you are right, we are having very nice weather.  It is around 80 degrees and the sun is shining.  I will go out on the deck later when I let the cat out there.  I haven't looked at Grand Haven recently, but I think they don't allow camping tents on the beach.  There is a camping area there, also for RVs.  Some people have the small tents that are open at the sides but provide shade.  PS - I did look at Grand Haven and the tent I saw was for shade only, not camping.

Dot has lived in Grand Rapids about 25 years but isn't familiar with a lot of the city.  In fact, I know the north end quite well, but the other sections aren't familiar to me, either.  Dot has been working at Hospice lately once a week - with Terry's wife, who is the head of that Hospice.  She has had a particular route to take and has to cross the Grand River.  The bridge on her route over the river is going to be out of commission until September so I gave her an alternate route.  If it is confusing to her, Tom will take her over the route once to get her familiar with it.  As long as she knows how to get from Point A to Point B she's OK, but take the bridge out of her route and she's lost.

Patricia, they have trouble getting blood from me, too, but never to the extent of your experiences.  When I was last in the hospital, they had to draw blood from the back of my hand and when I had a blood draw recently, they did the same thing.  When they've been able to get blood from my elbow, I've ended up with bruise marks. 

I've been watching golf and it just ended.

Mary Ann

Patricia, with me it is just the opposite of that rule:  i.e., when I am in hospital, I get SICKER, not better!  If my doctor had not been aware of this, they would have kept me in longer after my surgery last January, but fortunately he knew, and they had to let me go.  I cannot sleep in the hospital, and after 42 hours without a wink of sleep I was hallucinating like crazy, and it just got worse and worse.  Once home, I sank into my own dear, perfect bed and slept like Rip Van Winkle.  Woke up to NO hallucinations!  Haven't had any since!  We are all different, and for me a hospital is a killer place.

MaryAnn and MaryPage, I have pernicious anemia and am allergic to Ferris Sulfate, or iron. I also have a blood pressure average of 90 over 60 and can get dizzy and migraines from too much sun. I well remember missing out on so much of my childhood due to either migraines or recuperating from one of my nine eye operations.

I also have issues with balance and coordination from having spinal meningitis as an infant. I don't let it get me down or use it as any excuse, but it does make things difficult such as being a cause of my arthritis, and no real depth perception or peripherical vision. Another issue is that many medications simply do not work for me, or they produce the opposite of the intended result. I just expect the unexpected such as a dose of Darvon at the dentist put me as drunk as the proverbial skunk! Also, sleeping pills either prescription or OTC can make me stay up for days!

Another example, anesthesia doesn't always keep me under. It's noted on my records at the hospital, my home copies and at the doctors. Before any operation, I make a point to bring it personally to the physician's attention. I don't think they believed me because afterward I was told they had to stop the operation four separate times and put me deeper as I was awakening! And of course, that padded the bill!

On a side note, I cannot sleep in a moving car, train or airplane. On one 14 hour plane trip with a three-month-old in an infant seat and a small dog in a carrier, with three hours or more layovers, I was a mess on final arrival and my daughter was of course raring to go!

An early fourth of July card for you!

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=6254578154341&source=jl999&utm_medium=internal_email&utm_source=pickup&utm_campaign=receivercontent

Patricia, as far as I know, my medications do what they're supposed to do.  I can believe it is hard on you to have opposite results or no results at all. 

I find now that I really am old that my walking is very erratic.  I have not gone to a cane or walker yet but I can see it in the future.  I have to cross our main road to get to the mailbox.  We don't have a lot of traffic, but we do have some.  When I get to the road, I stop and look both ways before I cross over and so far I've been fortunate that no one has come around the corner on two wheels.

Thanks for the 4th of July card.

Mary Ann

I loved this when I saw it on Pinterest!

Love it!

          HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Hi everyone.  Happy 4th of July.  It will be another very hot day after reaching 100 degrees here yesterday.  The only activity I have planned for today is to attend a meeting at noon. Sure not looking forward to getting back into the car after the meeting as last week the car registered 106 degrees inside when I got back into it.  Fortunately it doesn't take too long to cool down.  We heard a few fireworks last night but nothing close.  I am sure there will be more this evening. 

It is amazing how much the four little birds are growing each day.  The parent birds were very aggressive this morning when I went out to water the flowers with one coming close enough to my ear to hear the flap of its wings. 

A friend sent me a link to a very interesting, if a bit frightening, video.  It involves GM and China.  http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=Lvl5Gan69Wo

deAngel, wonderful that you still have a relationship with your DIL's in Fla and Mass.  I have to admit that in the back of my mind I have this little fear that we might outlive our son, who also has heart problems among others.  However, I do not let myself dwell on this thought as we can never know these things. 

MaryPage, I enjoyed seeing the pictures you sent me yesterday.  That is a cute baby and a nice looking group from your family gathering. 

Hal, when I did the Weight Watchers program a few years back keeping a dairy was part of the program and because I knew I had to do that I was very careful to plan so I stayed within the limits.  I should do the program again and get rid of 20 pounds but am not so motivated at this time but am trying to do better on moderation.

Mary Ann, your lunch with Dot yesterday sounds good.  I like a big scoop of tuna on a salad but don't think I ever tried the tuna melt.  Of course I have tried coconut cream pie (many times).  I watched the last three of the golf match in Akron and was shocked how Jason Day's game fell apart at the last few holes.  Did you see the cute pictures of the winner with his little son.  It must be a long day for little ones like that to spend at the golf course.  It was another nice $1.8 million payday for Dustin Johnson, the winner, to add to a similar payday two weeks ago when he won.

JeanneP, I sure would have been glad to exchange some of your weather for some of ours.  We had some thunder in the late afternoon and thought we might get a little rain but it was not to be.  COSTCO serves frozen yogurt at their snack bar and you get a big serving even when you order small.  I like it as it has no after taste and cost $1.50.

Patricia, you must be a doctor's nightmare in trying to treat you.  My SIL is the same way as was Stacey is being allergic to many medicines.  I haven't been able to donate blood for many years due to having had Hepatitis C as well as for all the heart medications I take daily.  However, I have no problem having blood taken.  I liked your little saying from Pinterest.

Patricia, love your 4th of July card, especially the ending.

Larry, I've had tuna melts in different places, but I like the one at Mr Burger the most.  Even in another of his restaurants it is different.  It is two slices of Kimmel Rye toasted, then a mixture of tuna, mayo and chopped vegetables.  I am sure there is seasoning, but I don't know what.  I sometimes have the tuna melt alone, but with no pie.

It is already over 70 degrees here at 10:30 and we should go over 80 degrees.  We have been invited to Dot's for lunch with the provision if we get a better invitation, we should take it.  I doubt we will have a picnic because Dot has no place to have a picnic!  She has also invited our friend, Else.

Mary Ann

Larry, your video is indeed frightening, but not surprising anymore.  And most people could care less. Sad.

Since the advent of stocks and stock purchases being available to the public that had its beginning in the eighteen nineties, are you surprised? That most companies stock is offered worldwide and has been for over a century. Many, many businesses such as Kraft, Palmolive, Disney, most cruise lines such as Carnival,General Motors and many others have the largest blocks of stock owned by people such as Germans, Arabs, Belgium and the Japanese.

For the time being looks like the rain has stopped. Did it again all night. Do say that will rain later in the day.  Parade started at 11am and the Fireworks tonight will be at 9PM. Hope they do them.
Been quiet across the Highway. "Known as Little Mexico". The whole area. They love sending up fireworks and usually go on all night on the July 3rd. By law not suppose to do it. Was quiet last night so maybe they will try tonight.  Sometimes the Shells  of the big ones will be found over on our side of the Highway. We use to think could start a fire but I think to far away.



Going to try this as I hate making salad for one all the time but don't like to keep lettuce and stuff in the Fridge. Will try 4 and not put the dressing on until time to eat.

*
SALAD IN A JAR.


"Layer spinach, beets, carrots, and garbanzo beans in a canning jar and top with homemade dressing for a portable salad or a fun appetizer for dinner parties."
Ingredients

    1 cup baby spinach leaves
    1 cup shredded beets
    1 cup garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
    1 cup shredded carrots
    5 half-pint canning jars with lids and rings

    1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
    1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
    1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    2 teaspoons honey
    salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

    Layer 1/4 cup spinach, 1/4 cup beets, 1/4 cup garbanzo beans, and 1/4 cup shredded carrots in each of 4 jars.
    Combine olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in the remaining jar; place lid on jar. Shake until dressing is evenly combined. Pour 1/4 the dressing over each salad.

  In the summer of 1776, when the Declaration was signed, the population of the nation is estimated to have been about 2.5 million. (Today the estimated population of the U.S. is 322.7 million.) One of the most widely held misconceptions about the Declaration of Independence is that it was signed on July 4, 1776.

In fact, independence was formally declared on July 2, 1776, a date that John Adams believed would be “the most memorable epocha in the history of America.” On July 4, 1776, Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence. However most delegates did not sign the document until August 2, 1776, according to the National Archives.

Good morning from another misty, cloudy, rainy day from the Interior! I wonder what is going to happen to the big city-wide celebration and others more modest that have been planned?

Farrah has surprised me again. Some idiot has twice now shot off fireworks that you can only hear as the fog and mist predominate. Most people do not bother as the light, if not rainy as it is today, would be bright and sunny on a blue background! This is why we have our big fireworks celebrations in December, something this fool never got the memo for!

But back to Farrah, this is the second time loud noises never bothered her or even caught her attention more than a quick look to see if I was concerned. She is turning out fine.

Today, Tom and I went to Dot's for lunch.  Two other friends were there too.  Tom left early, supposedly to go to Holland but he e-mailed me that he was not going at that time and was going to take a nap.  I did not get his message until I came home and didn't read it until much later, so I was surprised to hear noises downstairs.  Anyway, at 4:50 he has just left for Holland where son James is having friends over to celebrate. 

Dot had fixed sloppy Joes, potato salad, jello salad and veggies and dip.  After Tom left, the rest of us sat around the table and gabbed.  We ate around 1:30 and broke up about 3:30. 

The cat and I sat out on the deck after I got home, but it was too warm for both of us so we came in.  Last night there were fireworks nearby and he didn't cringe when they went off, but I could see he was uncomfortable with the noise.  He was happier inside.

Tonight I hope to remember to watch the PBS show but I don't know any of the performers so I don't know how long I'll watch. 

Mary Ann

I don't get a good picture of the Grand Haven beach so I don't see many people, but there are a lot of boats in the water.  I think those boaters are swimming just beyond the limits and if they were fishing they'd be further out.  The stats show water and air temps at 68 degrees.

Mary Ann

MaryAnn,   you might want to watch the  4th of July show on CBS........  The Boston Pops 4th of July show.   It is on 9 p.m. Eastern time.   I prefer that to the one from the Capitol that is on PBS at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.   Are you in the Eastern or Central time zone?   They both last for 90 min . so you might want to switch back and forth.    I would have forgotten about either of them had you not mentioned it.

It is raining in my area and a lot of the fireworks displays have been cancelled.  Some re-scheduled for tomorrow night and a couple just cancelled altogether.   

Hope you enjoy whichever show you decide to watch.

Your lunch with Dot sounds like it was delicious.

Joy

MaryAnn. There have been a lot of people on the beach all day today.  So many walking over the causeway  or whatever the call that bridge going out to the little building. Suppose they don't want to walk on sand.