Mary Ann, sorry to hear about your nose bleed this morning.  I imagine that can be scary.  Hope all will right itself soon.  Hugs

Thanks, Joan.  The other one lasted over a month and I hope this one lasts permanently.  It's more aggravating than anything else. 

Mary Ann

I've had that, in much smaller doses and much less scary, a couple of times now, Mary Ann.  I rather expect it was a beginning of a kind.  Both times it was the same nostril all of a sudden. out of the blue. starting up a bleeding.  Couple or more bloody Kleenex later, and it was all gone.  Scary stuff, but hoping it might make it a mite less so if I let you know you are not alone.
One thing I really, really detest and shudder hard at is the taste and smell of blood right up close like that.  Ick!

MaryPage, I bloodied more than a couple of Kleenex.  When I was registered, the man gave me a pack of tissues, I think there are 10 to a pack.  I used most of the pack.  Then I had a hospital towel around my neck that was catching some of the blood.  I'm not in any pain, but its irritating that it happens at all. 

I'm glad I'm not alone.  Thank you!

Mary Ann

Good afternoon, cloudy, but no chance of rain.  Which we need badly.

MaryAnn, I am so sorry about another nose bleed. The fun of old age.

Larry, I can remember when we first got married, on Saturday nights we could afford to take the bus one way to the movie in another town. Then most of time time we had to walk home.

[[[
Mary Ann. Now you are not taking, I think it is called CUMI Something like that. I have a friend in UK takes it and for least little thing he bleeds awful and has to go into hospital. Usual for overnight.  Last month was fishing and got a fish hook into his hand. Could not stop the bleeding. He has nose bleeding also. His usually start as he is sleeping. Had to by a new mattress last time as bled so much.

Now I wonder, when I try doing that as to why those 2 first brackets show up in black.

One of my fondest memories, one which actually takes a lurch and turns a sad corner when I think about the fact that there were literally tens of thousands or more young couples doing the same sort of thing on a Saturday night in my day, and probably none whatsoever these days, is this:  we'd invite 2 other couples to our home, or they would invite us.  We'd have a 6 pack of beer and a 6 pack of coca-cola and a big of potato chips.  They'd bring maybe a small snack and/or some pop or beer.  We'd set a couple of packs of cards on the table, and each of the six of us would open a roll of 50 pennies we had financed ourselves with.  With which we had financed ourselves?
Anyway, we would sit around and play Penny Ante Poker, with the dealer calling the name of the game, until one by one our pennies had been lost and that person turned into just a watcher.  We had a ball.  We roared laughing over the little twists and turns of the game itself, and at the really stupid jokes we told.  We were young and broke and knew how to have a good time on the cheap. 
Usually the guys called for straight Poker, but we gals each had favorite games we'd learned about from reading a paperback book (twenty-five cents for a paperback back in those days) that told how to play, oh, it must have been AT LEAST a hundred different games.  Of Poker!

MaryPage,  I know two couples and their many friends -who have done exactly that for all their married lives.   My two sons and their wives - and now, the adult children join in when they're home from college and careers.
It's still happening - just doesn't make the news.

When I was young and a poor military wife, all of the wives whose husbands were overseas, would get together and play poker, dominos or rummy for Oreos at least once a week or more. We were almost to a t, pregnant and having at least one child under three. This was in San Antonio, Ft. Sam, during Vietnam.

Card games are the thing when all my bunch get together.  No poker but something where however many that want to play, can.  31 I think it is called.
Start out with three pennies and it goes down to were you have none and then you get one round "on your honor".  Lose it and bye-bye, you a watcher and not a player.  Noisy is an understatment.

Oh, that is music to my ears, Callie!

Speaking of music to my ears, we usually had our victrola going with the songs of the day, which played one at a time;  we'd have to jump up and change it constantly.  This was before we were the first couple on the block to get a STEREO that played a bunch of records.  Woo hoo!  Did we have everyone over or what, when that happened!  Neighbors dropped by just to listen to the demonstration record, which had a train choo-chooing along from one stereo box to the other, placed on the OTHER side of the record player itself, and a man walking across a floor from one box to the other.  We were all in such great awe!  It's been EONS since a stereo required two separate sound boxes!

We played Elmer's Tune and Peg O' My Heart and Paper Doll and Chattanooga Choo Choo and Sentimental Journey and Dream and Stardust and Deep Purple and Serenade in Blue and so on and on.  This was BEFORE the stereo.

Back in the late 50s 60s. until the children got older that was our Friday and Saturday nights also. Only ours was making 2 Pizza's and 2 Gal. of Martha Dare wine. I think that was the name. $3.99 a gal.  Also used pennies. But later we paid for dollars. Sort of broke up as some could afford to lose money and others couldn't. Not fun then. One couple lost their mortgage payment. That was the end for me. with 3 or 4 couples

Jeanne, I take Eliquis, a blood thinner.  I am not happy that I have to take two tablets each day - one in the morning, one at night.  All the doctors say Eliquis is the safest of the blood thinners and the lowest dosage is the two-a-day I am taking.  The "leakage" from my nose has lessened to thin old blood and there isn't much of that.  I'll sleep on a towel on my pillow tonight.

Not being part of a couple, I didn't get in on any of the card parties and fun things that couples did.  I know my friends got together with other couples.  One couple of my  friends celebrated 70 years of marriage early this week.  They graduated from high school with me, in fact, I think we had a half dozen couples who graduated together in our class. 

Our PBS station is having a fund raiser "A Salute to Vienna", all music, right up my alley.

Mary Ann

Hi everyone.  We had a very nice late afternoon rain yesterday that lasted for a couple of hours and it didn't seem quite as hot.   Our high for today is predicted to be 91 degrees with a chance of late afternoon showers again today.

Yesterday was a laid back day although I managed to stay busy.  I did the weeks washing/drying and putting away.  Then I fixed dinner.  I fixed Tilapia (the first time I ever fixed fish) and the Balsamic Mushrooms that Pat likes (also a first).  Happy to say both turned out well.  I haven't a clue yet what we will have for dinner tonight. I plan on staying home all day again today.

Joan, nice that Dan can share his pictures with you and tell you in person of his experiences while away.

Mary Ann, it has probably been at least 20 years since I watched the McLaughlin Group and don't remember that last part.  I do remember his brusk introduction of the topics.  Sorry to hear you had another bout with the nose bleed and had to return to the ER.

Patricia, I checked the Blue Cross/Blue Shield list yesterday for the drugs that Pat takes and none of them have been taken off of their formulary.  I still need to do that for my list of prescriptions.  I did check her medications with the CVS/Caremart list to see if mail order would be less expensive and found three that would be, including the inhaler she has for the asthma where we can get it for half what we pay Walmart. 

MaryPage, I agree with you on the taste of blood in my mouth--ugh!

deAngel and MaryPage, when Pat and I first married and then while the kids were little we would sometimes go to a drive-in movie.  We also played bridge with a couple who had no children and they would always come to our house to play, which we did after the kids were in bed.  This was always on a Friday night.  In Moore, Oklahoma we played bridge often with a couple who also had small children and we alternated houses.  All of that was many years ago.

JeanneP, were you thinking of coumarin or warfarin, which are used as rat poisons.  I have never had to take either one and sure don't want to.  My former BIL did and he had to have blood tests done fairly often to assure the dosage was right. 

Callie, it is the time with family and friends that are important.  My folks and grandparents always played games as did my sister and I when we got old enough to join in. 

MaryAnn, I had a bad two-day nose bleed years ago, and they cauterized the tiny capillaries. I have a small opening in the nostril wall that causes some issues, more as I've gotten older. My father and two sisters had theirs done years ago, but I never did and should have. I hope your problem will soon have a solution.

My mother played the accordion, alto sax, piano or organ and everyone in my family sang. All except me as I could rival a frog in croaking and of course wanted dearly to sing. My daughter also loved to sing and had a voice sweet enough to solo in choir.

We had lots of time around the organ or the accordion and many games on Sunday evening after supper. It was a wonderful family time that seems like another world now.

No one here likes to play cards except for bridge, and that is not my game.The large 1000 and more piece puzzles also seem to be popular as well as bingo or bunko games in an afternoon. Many also get together to have lunch at the senior center or to go to one of the pools for an afternoon. Several are also talking about classes which I am also thinking about.

There is lots of having coffee here which seems to be a byword for a gossiping session which has always bored me. I can't seem to work up the enthusiasm for who is doing what to whom or why.

Some new clubs are sprouting up for fall, singing and crafts are two, and there may be more coming. Out of the 196 apartments here, there are about twenty you commonly see. I've wondered just what the others do, perhaps they are like me and online?

Farrah now not only talks to me about joining in with her but she will sometimes bring a toy and drop it at my feet. She isn't shy about letting you know what she wants or needs.

Good morning, pouring rain, and no rain was in the forecast,  Of Course the big Polish Fair started to day, goes for two days, all streets in Polish town are closed

MaryAnn, I am taking take Plavix and one  baby asprin at night. The wound on my leg is much better, but did start to bleed last night when I left the bandage off, it is over six weeks since I hurt it.

Larry, we played card every Friday night for years, had cookes, candy and soft drinks.  One of my friends daughters said to her, how did you and Aunt Gloria have so much fun, and not spend money? In those days we made our own. Did not have to go out and drink.

Patricia, my mother was taking accordion lesson, when she was killed in a car train accident she was 52. As a child she had taken piano lessons for 7 years.  Mark also played the accordion.

Larry, Dan had about 50 pics.  He relived the whole thing over my shoulder  telling me where it was and who was who, etc.  I am so happy he had a great time and finally got to see it all.  He has wanted to go for years.

Gloria, I grew up surrounded by music and "make your own fun," and it was indeed wonderful memories. Music is like our heartbeats, we need it to live.

Joan, I'm so glad that Dan got to go and that he has the photos to keep it with him always!

T Y Angel, me too. 

We've had a very interesting afternoon, having a tornado warning.  I don't know how many people are without power, but all are in the SW corner of the county.  Many trees and power lines are down.  A friend of Tom's was on his way south headed for California (he was married two weeks ago and they will live in California).  They were near the area of the tornado warning so he got in touch with Tom who had him come to our condo.  I could see how the tornado was going so I didn't worry too much that it would come toward us.  I did not go to the basement and when Tom listened to the TV and computer more, he stayed upstairs too.  My rain gauge showed about three inches of rain.  We had no damage in our area, no outages. 

Larry, I took warfarin for a while after my hospitalization in 2005.  They found I had two blood clots - one in a leg and one in a lung.  Now I am taking Eliquis to prevent strokes.  I am a bit puzzled but I am not a doctor and I don't now the technacalities - but I have not had clots in over 11 years.  Taking two Eliquis a day is the lowest dose and Eliquis is the safest of the blood thinners, so I follow the doctor's orders.  But I feel Eliquis has thinned my blood to make it possible to have the nose bleeds.  I have another packing in that nostril and will have it out Monday.  My PCP is going to refer me to an ENT doctor.  I am less than thrilled.  Patricia, the first nose bleed I had (early July), the doctor cauterized the spot that bled and that held over the weekend.  What followed was much more serious.

Patricia, today as Kendrick stretched out on the floor, I took note of his length.  I didn't measure him with anything except my eyes, but I would swear he is four feet long from the tips of his front paws to the tip of his tail.  He is a lonnng cat!

Gloria, I wonder if by taking so long to heal, that your leg will heal better.  I hope so.  My mother, Norm and I played card games but Dad seldom joined in.  He did play bridge and belonged to a bridge club many years after Mother died, but I doubt my mother knew anything about bridge.  I loved to listen to both of them play duets on the piano.  Mother would also play and she, Norm and I would sing - mostly hymns â€" but that stopped after she died.  My mother died from injuries from an auto accident and she was 48.

Patricia, we too made our own fun.

Sorry for the book!

Mary Ann

Well, Mary Ann, I felt quite worried about you after viewing the evening news and seeing Grand Rapids in distress.  Wow! 
So I am so glad you posted.
I have never taken a blood thinner prescription, but I do take one Baby Aspirin every OTHER day.  My cardiologist agreed to my going to every other day in order to cut down on the just under the skin blood splotches all over my hands and arms.  It did cut down enormously, but I still have some.  He won't let me take any less, so I guess I am stuck with them.  And my nose bleeds came from just plain old fashioned old age thinness of skin and membranes.

Mary Page.  I have a appointment with my Doctor this month. Dermatology is a 6 week wait anymore. I use to be able to get in in a week. They have 4 Dr. and can't keep up.  I am getting some blotches that I hate. He use to check on a couple on my back but now I have a few on my arms. I know he is going to say it come as we age. Got to much sun years ago.  I have tried everything but it doesn't work. I don't take asprin or anything like that.  Going to ask him also if at times I get rash. Wonder if it is some food alergies. Eating a lot of Walnuts for one thing. Use to have such good skin.

Hi, Y'all..... 
Because of Afib,  I fight the battle of making sure
that my blood is thin,  but not too thin....   (yee gads!)
So I can relate to what you all are saying.   

I am on Coumadin,  which is closely watched by my
the "Coumadin Team" of doctors at the hospital.   

I practice "due diligence" in order to maintain my
well being and have been since 2112 ...   
This will continue for the rest of my life.

What ever inconvenience Coumadin  causes me,
is a small price to pay for the rewards that I
get by making sure that I take it as prescribed. 
   
It is a small price to pay to avoid complications 
(strokes) from Atrial Fibrillation. 

I am just thankful that there is this medication
that I can take, til I don't need it any longer.


I am sorry that you are still having nose bleeds,
Mary Ann..


Sandy

Sandy, I don't mind taking the Eliquis but I would think they could lower the dose when it thins the blood too much.  Before Eliquis I was taking one 325 mg aspirin a day.  For all those years between 2005 and 2014 I did not have trouble.  And I don't like the trouble I'm having now.  Even my PCP agreed with me, but he's not the one who prescribed Eliquis and I am not about to ask him to change the dosage. 

The tornado went into central Grand Rapids but did skirt our area.  We have a dark sky now and I don't know if we'll have severe weather or just rain.  Radar shows rain west of us do I am sure we'll have something.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, My doctor does not want me to take a blood thinner, because my P.A.D. causes me to bleed too easily, so he gives me what is called a "vein relaxer", this is what it is:

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that dilates (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow.
Amlodipine is used to treat chest pain (angina) and other conditions caused by coronary artery disease.
Amlodipine is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

I take two other hypertension medication, and they cause dizziness and weakness. So sometimes the cure is worse than the illness.
Larry, I pray the Good Lord continues to give you the strength and stamina to all all the additional chores that you feel you have to assume now. There are alternatives to give you help, even if they are a bit costly.
Angel, I am with you in avoiding gossip parties. We have enough sense to live our own lives, and not the lives of others.
Gloria de, I am sorry that you lost your mother at such a young age, and so tragically. My Mom lived to the age of 90, till alzheimers too over her life.

June, I will say that none of my meds cause dizziness or light headedness.  I take only four prescription meds.  Others I take are mostly vitamins and my doctors have a list of everything I take.  Every doctor seems to have a computer and can check my meds plus previous visits to any doctor who is associated with Spectrum Butterworth Hospital system. 

The cat hasn't come in to tell me it's time for bed, but I am sure he will be in here soon.

Mary Ann

Hi everyone on a nice 77 degree morning here in South Carolina.  I am ready for Sunday School and Church but still need to read the Sunday School lesson.  After church I will stop and get something to bring home for our main meal of the day.  I seem to be gaining a wee bit more confidence in the kitchen as each day passes.  Last evening I fixed the hamburgers and we finished up some left overs.  Now I am going to have to cook some more things for our meal on Monday.  Pat is only slowly, if at all, gaining ground.  She was able to sleep laying down yesterday afternoon and then again last night so guess that is a step forward.  She is still experiencing the muscle spasms when she stands or moves a certain way.  Nothing else on the schedule for today. 

Patricia, it sounds like you had a very musically talented mother and was raised with a lot of music in your home.  My mother never had the opportunity to play a musical instrument but loved music and saw to it that my sister and I had weekly piano lessons.  That is something I have appreciated all my life although very seldom play anymore as I soon tire when I sit at the piano.  My dad was not a singer but mother loved to sing and sang in the church choir for many years.  I so wish I still had the strength to sing in the church choir but now even holding big hymnal is very tiring and I have the words of the hymnal on my iPhone so don't need to hold the heavy book.  It sounds like the activities at your place are picking up for the fall.  When we men have coffee we spend our time solving the world's problems and recounting life experiences.  I agree with you on needing music to live. 

deAngel, the Plavix keeps the blood slick and the aspirin keeps the blood thin, as I am sure you are aware.  Sorry to hear it takes so long for the wound to heal.  We never ever went out to drink.  I grew up a teetotaler so we also just had soft drinks and homemade desert when we had friends in.  It sounds like you also come from a musical family. 

Joan, it brings a parent joy when we know our child has accomplished a long held goal.  Will Dan be attending future events like the Sturgis trip?

Mary Ann, what a storm you had.  That is a lot of rain and it sounds like there was a lot of damage.  I see the doctor parade is continuing for you with your referral.  I see you also had a musical family.  I remember that Norm had an electric organ that he liked to play. 

MaryPage, I take a baby aspirin everyday but so far haven't experienced the bruising that often occurs. 

JeanneP, I was sort of shocked a few years ago when the Dermatologist told me I had some barnacles on my skin and some other spots that fortunately were not cancerous. 

Sandy, you certainly need to keep your blood thin as don't want another stroke and if Coumadin is what is needed than certainly must be taken. 

June, have never heard of that medication you take.  There really aren't too many different things that have to be done here.  I now cut back to only one plant to water on my front porch and three in the back.  My two tomatoes will soon be removed as they have quit producing.  I know I can get further assistance if I feel I need it.   

Larry, it is funny in a way with Norm's electric organ and my 1891 Steinway upright piano - we both had to put the instruments in the lower level of our condos and therefore, they seldom got played.  When Norm was in his first condo, the organ was on the upper level, but when he and Dot moved to the second condo there was not enough room on the first floor for the organ.  Our condos are similar, but Dot's is a bit larger.  When I lived in a house, the piano was on the first floor and got played occasionally but when I moved to the condo, the piano went in the family room and I only played the piano when I was doing the laundry - which wasn't too often!!!

It is much cooler here today but very comfortable.  It will warm up to the mid-70s by afternoon.  The sun is shining and I don't expect another tornado for several years!

Dot is elsewhere today (I forget where} so we won't be at church this morning, nor will we have our brunch at Mr Burger.  We'll both survive.  Dot went to a family (her side) wedding and they were to stay overnight.

Lots of whitecaps on Lake Michigan now.

Mary Ann

Good Morning Everyone..   It is a nice
sunny day here on the rocky coast of Maine.   

Good for you Larry,  stepping up and filling in
for your wife while she is laid up and can't
get around to her usual chores.   

Even though cooking has not been "your thing",
you seem to be taking to it now that you
have had a many successes...  And even though
you  cooking may never get to be "your thing",
it must feel good to know that rustling up a meal
for your self and Pat,  is really possible.

We are never too old,  as the saying goes!! 

Have a good day,  everyone!
Sandy