Sasha - Maybe those letters mean you've been targeted for deportation . . . but to where?

 

Sasha, I bought a similar toy for Kendrick, not as large as the one Patricia has for Farrah, but he's not too interested in it.  I will put the ball in the groove and move it and he's interested until the ball stops.  There is a slot for catnip and he knows how to get to the slot and get at the catnip, but when that is gone, so is his interest. 

Annie, Tom's daughter bought him a mechanical mouse where the mouse is attached to a larger mouse that has the battery.  I can only use it in the kitchen because it doesn't work good on carpet.  The toy goes straight ahead, then veers to the left.  He is mildly interested in the toy. 

Maybe I should see if I have a ball of yarn and see what he'd do with that.  However, as far as I know, I gave away all of my yarn recently, so that is out.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, I left all my yarn behind when I moved here, but I missed having a bit of it...I use it for various things that need to be tied up before tossing in trash, so I bought a used ball at our trash and treasures store..she didn't charge me for it.

We had a gorgeous day out here. 84 degrees, a light balmy breeze. I have had two walks, and now in for the night.

June, I am going to a wedding in Indy in late May.  The instructions say "formal" but I may wear my usual "Sunday go to meeting" clothes.  But if I wear a dress (not formal) I thought I might like to knit or crochet a shawl.  Without yarn, and I'm not going to buy any, I'm going to forget that idea.  The family won't mind this "little old lady" wearing slacks, top and sweater. 

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, I would do as you plan to do, wear what is comfortable for you. A dress might require shoes with heels, and you would end up falling. I doubt very much that anyone would even notice how we "elders" dress. The Bride is the focal point..not the guests. Go, enjoy, and be comfortable !

June, that probably is what I will do - wear what I want.  I will say that if I do wear a dress, my "good" shoes have only a one-inch heel and I can manage that.  I'm not sure what she means by "formal"; it could mean no jeans and such.  The bride is 26 so this is not a really young person's wedding. 

Mary Ann

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
      to
MARY ANN!!

shirleyn

Sorry I haven't been in lately.  A lot of stuff going on in my life.
shirleyn.

Hi everyone.  It is another lovely Sunday morning here in South Carolina. I really have nothing to write about yesterday as spent almost the entire day laying in the bed as just couldn't get rid of the dull pain in my chest.  I did get a good nights sleep and got up feeling better this morning.  I fixed Pat's breakfast and emptied the dishwasher and am now having my breakfast.  I am very hopeful that I will be up to attending Sunday School and Church this morning.  Pat will not be attending. I will pick up something for our lunch and that will be it for today.  I plan on watching the end of the golf tournament down in Texas in the late afternoon. 

June, I wonder the same thing about Mary Page.  Sometime ago Patricia, who is also among the missing, said that Mary Page was involved with some other things and didn't have the time to post.  I didn't realize you lived that close to Disneyland. You are having about the same temperatures we are having here in South Carolina, i.e., in the mid-80's. 

Marilyne, I observe the same thing in any public place, including restaurants, where people all seem to be glued to their smart phones.  I must admit I will do the same thing in waiting rooms but will willingly stop to chat with someone.  However, many people don't wish to talk.  The behavior of folks has certainly changed in the last 10 years in terms of the cellphones.

Sasha, surprised to see that you have a cat that isn't particularly smart.  I thought all cats probably had that characteristic.  At least that cat knows where to find her food. 

Mary Ann, Happy Birthday. Kendrick and a ball of yarn would likely make a big mess although undoubtedly Kendrick would have a great time with it. The wedding participants surely don't expect the attendees to go out and get tux's or formal gowns.  Perhaps they just are asking that people well their Sunday best and not shorts and flipflops.  I see, in reading your later postings, that we are on the same wavelength in terms of the "formal" in the invitation.

Shirleyn, always a pleasant surprise to see a posting from you.  I just hope you are doing OK.

Thank you Shirley and Larry.  This is number 93.  This afternoon we are going to go to Terry and Jan's.  This was planned before Terry was admitted to Hospice, but also because of his physical condition.  I understand yesterday he went out to supper with Geoff and his wife.  Which would mean that their baby is here.  I know we're having hamburgers and cake (made by Dot).  Dot's son is here from Chicago so we did not go to church this morning and Dot will not be at our meal. 

Larry, I hope you get some of your strength back.  I know it bothers you because you like to be active.  Yes, Kendrick would make a mess of a ball of yarn, but I think he'd enjoy it.

It's good to see a post from you, Shirley; I hope both you and Danny are getting along OK.  Someone asked me yesterday if I had been south and I told him "no".  I do miss going to the Strawberry Farm, especially with you, but I do not miss Florida.  The only reason I went down each year was to visit Norm and Dot.

A long time ago, I sent a message to MaryPage and she told me in return that she would not be returning to S&F.  She was recovered from her sciatica.  I don't know the reason for Patricia's absence.  I think I saw a short post from her recently, but I don't know where.

Intellicast radar looks like we will have a nice sunny day today.  We won't be in the 70s or 80s, but no rain is expected.  What more can I wish for on my birthday!!!

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

It looks like you have a full day ahead of you, and will be celebrating your birthday with lots of your family members.  Good to hear that Terry felt well enough to go out to dinner last night with his son and dil.
Hope you have a great day!

Larry, some years back we were invited to our Nephews wedding in England and it was a very formal affair.  I bought a tux and wore it that one time and it has been hanging in the closet ever since.  Must have been 13 or 14 years ago.  The trip I don't count as we visited family.

Mary Ann a very Happy Birthday to you hope you have a great one.

Larry happy to see you up and about today and feeling better.

Mary Ann, a very happy Birthday to you. 🎶🎶🎶

Sounds like a great family Birthday Party, Mary Ann. Happy Birthday.

Must have missed the notice earlier, sorry about that

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY ANN.

MARYANN.  Glad you are getting to be with some of family for your Birthday.
Have a nice one. You have gotten a few more babies in your family this year. Such a blessing. I never thought I would get to see Great Grands. maybe see Great,Great grands if I behave like you.

Happy Birthday, Mary Ann.  Sounds like you will have a very nice day with your family.  You are doing great for 93.  Just keep on "keeping on".   Have a wonderful day !!!!

Joy

Thank you, everyone, for my birthday wishes.  I'm waiting for Tom to return so we can leave in about a half hour. 
*************************8
We left for my party and we're back again.  It probably was the most interesting and strangest birthday I've ever had.  For one thing, Terry is not going to last the week, in fact, if I hear tomorrow that he has died, I won't be surprised.  Tom said Terry cannot see and I know his mother could not see the day before she died.  Erin is here from Indps and Geoff is here from CA.  Geoff was to fly back this afternoon, but he cancelled his flight.  People kept coming and going, most of them Jan's family, one couple was a friend of all three nephews when Norm had his boat at Grand Haven. 

James and Alicia came with the twin girls and I got to hold one of them, Johanna, I think.  They are so tiny and look so fragile.  They really were very good; I did not hear one cry from them, but they did fuss a bit, nothing serious.  Terry and Jan gave me a bouquet of beautiful roses - pale yellow edged in peach with a few lilies mixed in.  James and Alicia gave me a card addressed to an aunt, but Alicia had written great great whenever the word aunt showed up.  Tom paid for the food. 

With the news about Terry, I told Tom to take care of himself.  All of us had a good time, visiting with one another. 

Other than the sadness about Terry, it was just as I wanted - no gifts. 

Joan, there was no advance notice about my birthday.  In fact, if Shirleyn had not said something, I might not have mentioned it at all, on the other hand, after it was over, maybe I would have.  Who knows?!

Mary Ann

Thank you, Sandy.  #93.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, I'm glad you were able to spend time with family and friends on your Birthday. I am so sorry to hear that Terry is failing, it must have cast a pall on the celebration, but being still there for you was a Blessing. Your roses sound like they were Peace roses..a favorite of mine. I hope they last a long time.

Happy Birthday Mary Ann!

Mary Ann,  I am sorry to read about your nephew, Terry, being so sick.   It was nice that you got to their house for a little while.  I am sure it was a bittersweet day for you.  Not a very good way to try to celebrate your 93rd birthday.  Thoughts will be with you and your family during this sad time.

Even tho you have said that he hasn't been well for a long time,  it does seem like he certainly went down very quickly.  I am glad that he got to see the new grandchild.  That must have been a very traumatic trip for him. 

Joy

Thank you Beverly and Joy.  Terry had shock treatment for depression several years ago, within the last 20 years, but I don't remember how many.  He has been on SSI and unable to hold a paying job because of that.  He was a computer engineer prior to the treatment.  He has functioned OK and sometimes was better, other times not.  I think it was the plane trips to and from California that brought the sudden decline.  He was hospitalized for pneumonia and very low blood pressure while there, then came home a couple of days after his release.  And everything went downhill from there.  I hope for his sake that he goes soon.

Mary Ann

Hi everyone on a cloudy and rainy morning here in South Carolina.  We had a nice shower early this morning and I don't know about the night as didn't stay awake to find out.  I have a batch of Sausage Muffins in the oven as Pat finished her last muffins this morning.  I am getting the process down to where it doesn't take very long and I put things away as I use them.  I am resting while they cook and later this morning want to make up some coleslaw, which I have mentioned for a couple of days.  If I feel up to it I plan on attending my Monday noon meeting but I have a couple of hours before needing to make that decision. 

I did get to Sunday School and Church yesterday.  We had things here for lunch so didn't have to stop and get something to bring home.  After lunch I turned on Don's radio program and closed my eyes.  I don't think I heard all the pieces that were played but enjoyed what I heard.  I got up and watched the end of the golf match.  It was nice to see someone win on his 180 or 181st try.  That is determination. 

I just read the following devotional thought this morning and want to share it for those who care to read it:

The Great Physician
(Author Unknown)

Welcome to the Great Physician
Office hours are as you come,
He's a Specialist in all problems
And His day is never done.

He can heal a heart that's broken
He can mend the spirit, too,
No matter what your ailment
He does have the cure for you.

His fee for service never alters
He serves rich and poor as well,
He's our one chance for Salvation,
He alone saves us from Hell.

There's no fee for services rendered
All He asks is that we believe,
That He bled and died to save us
And all His blessings we receive.

Do you have a special problem
That is troubling you this hour?
Then just simply leave it with Him
You can find no greater power.

Don't delay in seeking treatment
Please, my friend, don't hesitate,
For His office is soon closing
And He'll shut and lock the gate.

I wouldn't want you to suffer
While the Doctor's so close by,
Your whole life will be much better
If my Physician you will try.

In Case of Emergencies . . .

When You Have Sinned . . . Call Psalm 51
When You Deal with Fear . . . Call Psalm 34:7
When You Need Someone to Trust . . . Call Proverb 3:5
When Someone Comes Against You . . . Call Isaiah 54:17
When You Need Christian Assurance . . . Call Romans 8:1-30
When You Need God's Mercy . . . Call Psalm 56
When You Get Tired of Doing Good . . . Call Galatians 6:9
When You Get Angry . . . Call Ephesians 4:26
When You Feel like You Can't Go on . . . Call Philippians 4:13
When You Need Help . . . Call Psalm 121

Mary Ann, I bet Terry's spirits were improved by having Geoff, wife and baby there and getting to see them and Erin once more time.  I heard yesterday that Florida is having a lot of wildfires already this year.  Sorry to learn that Mary Page won't be returning to our discussions.  She is a great writer and I enjoyed her descriptions of her surroundings and family activities as well as memories of the past.

Hal, I have never worn a tux and have no intentions of doing so.  When Pat and I got married I did get a new suit and it was a beautiful but not expensive wedding. 

Mary Ann, it sounds like Terry being at your birthday was very much like we experienced when we celebrated Stacey's birthday on Saturday and she died about three days later.  She was saying her goodbyes to us that day and we had no idea her time was so short but we now believe she knew it wouldn't be long. 

Larry, it ended up that Geoff came alone and I can understand them not wanting to travel with a six-week baby on a plane.  I was surprised that James and Alicia came up from Holland with the twin girls, what with all of the gear they had to bring along - two car seats and two portable cradles plus bottles, diapers and who know what else.  I know we all appreciated it and both James and Alicia spent some time with Terry. 

Geoff and Erin are still here - waiting.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, belated Happy Birthday.  I'm so sorry to hear about Terry.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I just looked at Grand Haven.  Are they dredging the river/canal again or are they replacing the catwalk?

Mary

Mary Ann, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  I hope the end is peaceful for Terry.

SCFSue

Mary and Sue, thank you.  Tom told me today that Geoff had flown back to CA because he had some business to attend to.  So far, no news about Terry, but I wish for his sake that it would be sooner rather than later.  We all will miss him very much.

Mary, I am not sure what they are doing at Grand Haven.  It could be dredging the channel, but I know they are to work on the south pier (which is the one we see).  It is hoped they will rebuild the catwalk.  There has been talk of not replacing it, but groups have formed to have them replace it and possibly raise money for it. 

When I was small, we could walk on the catwalk but eventually, the catwalk was off limits because of the safety factor.  My folks used to pack a picnic and we'd go to the lake, sit on the sand and go into the water.  It usually wasn't as crowded as some days now.  Some years the beach was wide, other years the water came up higher so less beach.  We also didn't have to pay to get into the park, or any park and now you can buy a sticker or a certain license plate that gets one into all of the state parks. 

Mary Ann