Good evening, cool cloudy day

I wrote a long post yesterday to nearly everyone, and I do not see it.

I know how you feel Larry, being tired and weak.  I see the doctor again on Friday, but if I have nothing done, I will just get weaker. If I have one procedure  I could have a stroke at MY AGE. There is that word again

MaryAnn, a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY, you have caught up to my 93. I am also so sorry to read about Terry.  My thought and prays are with you and your family.
 

Gloria de, I am not far behind you and Mary Ann, I will be 93 if I make it to Nov. 30th. I am feeling very old today for some reason, but like you, there is not much the doctors could do about it. I refuse any kind of invasive surgery, and there is no pill for what ails me....I take enough pills already, don't want any more. So my dear, we enjoy each day the Good Lord delivers to us and be thankful for what we are and for the wonderful friendships we share. Have a good night my dear friend. Hugs, Love and Prayers. June

Gloria, thank you very much.

June, there are days I feel every one of my 93 years but usually I run on one speed.  I don't have a burst of energy, but I also do not get exceptionally tired.  Years ago I started taking Vitamin B complex and I was told that we do not store Vitamin B so I take one daily and I think that's the reason I don't get really tired. 

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, I will ask my doctor about Vitamin B complex. I always take an Adult Vitamin, but I don't know how much B it contains.  I hope you are able to have a good nights sleep my friend, concern about your nephew should not keep you awake. you need your rest.

I have been taking Vit. B Complex for many years.  Started it when I was having problems with my bowling arm.  It sure helped me. 

MaryAnn, a friend told me about Terry and I wanted to express my sympathies. I am so sorry this is happening and happening so soon after Norm and Tim! I hope that Jan will have the help she needs and I wish you, Tom, Jan, and your entire family, peace.

Patricia - Good to see you back! I've been wondering how Farrah is doing, and if Spring has arrived in Fairbanks? 

Hi everyone.  We are going to have an overcast day getting up only into the mid-70's with no predicted rain.  My big activity for today is our monthly Adult Fellowship luncheon at Church.  Our entertainment today should be fun as it is two men, one plays the piano and the other the tuba.  They sing and tell jokes and apparently are very entertaining.  I am going to take the rest of the morning very easy as yesterday worked a little too much and wasn't up to attending my noon meeting.

Mary Ann, it is certainly understandable that Geoff would come to see his father alone as that long trip with the baby that young would certainly be a challenge. I remember what it was like going on a car trip with our two small children as they were 15 months apart.  Of course, we were young and it was before car seats but also before paper diapers.  It must seem like a stone over your head waiting to receive the call about Terry's passing. 

deAngel, I am reconciled to accept whatever God has planned for me the rest of my life here on earth.  I hope I am around for a long while yet but that is not for me to know.  I just try to make the best of each day. 

Patricia, sure glad to see your posting as have been worried about you as know you were not feeling too well the last few times you posted.  I miss hearing the tales of Farrah as she keeps you entertained each day. 

Patricia, it is good to hear from you again.  Thanks for your sympathy.  We still have not heard anything from Jan or family.  Seeing Terry Sunday, I really felt the end was near, and it is, but not as near as I thought.

Joan, I've been taking B complex for many, many years; I have no idea how many.  I remember each summer I'd have a red face and I don't know how I got started with B complex, but I did.  I remember going to the doctor about the red face and I was already taking it in either winter or summer and it was decided I'd take it year round.  It must have been at least 60 years ago.  I do feel it helps me, not for my red face but my every day energy. 

Dr June, I usually sleep well, as I did last night.  I worry more about Tom because he has lost/is losing his two brothers at young ages.  Tom will be 60 in July.

Larry, I remember driving with Tim, Tom or Terry on the passenger seat of the car when they were babies.  Before car seats, but they did have those seats that hooked over the bench seats and there was a steering wheel.  I don't remember what diapers they had, but this was 58-61 years ago.  The three boys were 2 1/2 years from oldest to youngest.  And remember holding out your arm to keep the kid from falling forward when you stopped the car, especially suddenly?  Those were the days - or were they?

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - I hope all of your family members are doing well this morning.  I really admire Jan, for being able to handle so many serious family problems.  I'm thinking about Terry, and hoping he is comfortable and at peace.  I am assuming that he is aware of his circumstances?

I also take vitamin B-50, and have for at least 25 years.  I take one of those a day after breakfast, along with a 500 mg of vitamin C.  I have no idea if they have helped me over the years, but I will continue on. 

I saw the cardiologist yesterday for the results of the echocardiogram.  He said it was okay for my age, and happy with the results.  My bp was 190/85, and my heart rate was on 45.   Needless to say, that is not good, and now he wants to take me off the beta-blocker and try me on a different medication.  I tried to explain that I have "white coat syndrome", and that my bp is never near that high at home, but he didn't care!  So I'll be trying yet another med.

Patricia - I hope we see you back here today.

Larry - a couple of things I wanted to comment on in your message, but I've already written too much, so I'll return later with more.  Now it's off to the eye doctor, to have my glaucoma pressure check and also that procedure where you look into the machine, and click the clicker, when you see a flashing light?  Can't remember what it's called?     

Marilyne, I went to the eye doctor last Friday.  My pressure check was 11 in both eyes which she said for my age was good.  I also had the "click the clicker" test.  My right eye was not good, but it hasn't been for many years and it's the peripheral vision, not the inside side of the eye.  She sometimes takes a picture of my eyes but did not this time.  I think my optometrist is very thorough but we didn't solve my problem this time.  One thing, I raised the size of the font and that has helped but there are some places where I can't raise it and I don't see it good.  I have 93 year old eyes, but 18 year old lenses (cataract surgery). 

My bp in the doctor's office has been from 137/70 down to 122/70 or in the vicinity.  I had had a couple of readings of 190/?? by the nurse, but I asked the doctor to take it and it was down.  I don't know why I had 190. 

I don't know what happened, but you're going to get a lot of open space at the bottom of this post.

Mary Ann

Good, the space wasn't as large as on my computer.

Mary Ann

MaryAnn.  You are right about traveling with babies. Mine are all far away and I can't believe what they go through with young children. Granddaughter come down from Connecticut with the 3 children. Was awful when they were little. One is 9 now and the twins 5. Came for a month. Now along with all the stuff. You have to put little one in car seats all the time. That is a big pain.

I was just over getting my final check up for the year I hope.  Good news as test on  Carotid Arteries he was happy with. So was I.That was the main one.

While there I met a nice lady having tests she was 94 Looked 80. Talked outside for a hour. Told me that she and husband moved into the Assisted living Apartment where the member of your family lived about 3 years ago. she  knew them. Still sees his   son. Think must be her attorney. Place is called Windsor of Savoy. I need to start looking at place but not ready to pay $43 hundred a month at this time. Awful prices these place. Very nice  But lots I would not use.

Jeanne, I know what you mean about assistant living There is  the only one out here is beautiful and right on the LI Sound, but it is something I could never afford. At 93 it is somewhere I should be, but this is my mobile, I can get around in it.  I have a lady who comes in every two weeks, cleans and makes my bed.  I can still do the laundry, etc. cook a little.  My neighbors are beautiful people they help with the putting out the garbage, bring in the paper and mail. also sending over food.

Jeanne, I'm not sure I knew Vern and Gudney were in Assisted Living, but he was 97 when he died and she was a few years younger, maybe 94.  As he was with Carle Clinic, I am sure he made a good salary so could afford the amount.  Where Norm was, I think in his case the amount was about $3,000 a month, but that includes all meals, room, and I don't know what else; Dot would have to spell it out because she is the one who took care of the finances when he was there.  It probably is where i would go if I didn't have Tom here.  I don't like the cost either.

Gloria, I know what you mean about staying put - I own this condo and I am able to pay the costs associated with it - utilities and monthly fee.  As long as I am able, I will stay here.  At 93, how many years do I have left? 

Mary Ann

Lindancer.  I feel that way also.  I take it slower and don't do the heavy work like I use to.  Have a big yard which I have cut weekly. Send all my laundry out which comes back ironed and looking beautiful. Like cooking and can go out daily as lots to do in this town being a University town. Still drive. Like to go movies. Library has a lot going on. So keep really busy.  Also I have lived alone for 55 years now and I never was one for lots of people around. Not a Joiner. Just in thing I do enjoy.  So I will try and stay in my place. Hope a few years yet.
I know it bothers my daughter in Texas but around there where she lives. I wouldn't care for it . Time will tell. So far health has been good for me.

Mary Ann, In 1960 my husband moved us to Brunswick, Maine, to join his first P3V squadron.  When we got there, the squadron was deployed to Sigonella, Sicily.  He was given 3 days to get our 9 month old baby and me settled and then I had to drive him down to a Naval Air station in
New Jersey to catch a military flight to Sicily.  We had a canvas car seat which I put in the front seat on the way back to Maine.  Just as we were leaving the N.J. turnpike and onto the freeway going into NYC, Bill wiggled out of one of the leg holes and fell to the floor.  He screamed bloody murder and I couldn't get into the pull off lane for about 15 minutes.  Finally got him back into the car seat and drove the rest of the way with one arm on the car seat!  What a nightmare!  Oh, the joys of life as a Navy wife!   We loved it, but it did have its drawbacks.

Sue

Sue, that must have been scary.  I've often thought of how kids just trust us that everything is going to be OK when we drive somewhere and they are infants. 

My memory of taking Tim from Norm's house to mine, a distance of about two miles gives me shakes now, but at that time it was nothing - he was less than six months but not a newborn, but I just laid him on the seat so he was at the back of the seat and I was very conscious of the fact he could roll off.  He didn't and we made it to my house OK.  This would have been about 60 years ago.  We did things in those days that people wouldn't think of today. 

Mary Ann

Mary Ann and Sue, now days they would call it child abuse, I suppose.  Sue, I can remember many PCS with three tired, worn out and cranky kids and no place to feed them or let them rest.  Also remember the first "throw away" diapers we used, those things smelled to high heaven when they got wet, we only used one bunch then back to the "wash and wear" diapers.

For the civilians PCS means permanent change of station.

Hi everyone on a beautiful and sunny morning.  We will be getting up to around 85 degrees this afternoon. 

I will probably stay home today until late this afternoon when I will go to the Church for our Wednesday night dinner and expect Scott and Jennifer to come and eat with me.  Then they will be out to visit with us for awhile.  Pat is planning on attending her craft group at Church this morning and will stop by the beauty shop for a haircut on her way home.  She got up before I did this morning and prepared her own breakfast. 

Yesterday I did attend the Adult Fellowship meeting at the Church.  We had a basil tomato soup and salad with dessert.  The program was the piano and tuba duo and they made a very pleasing combo.  The man playing the piano was probably 80 and the other man probably in his late 60's or early 70's. They said they were both self-taught.  They played a combination of secular music and a couple of old standards.  The pianist played in a very upbeat, almost boogie  woogie style.  It was a very enjoyable program.

Mary Ann, when I got the call from the Hospice nurse that Stacey was in the ER and was dying they told me it was so urgent that we might not be able to get to the hospital before she was gone.  However, we did get there and in a couple of hours they transferred her to a Hospice facility and she stayed in a coma state for another 48 hours.   I just did a search and found that paper diapers were first available in 1948.  I didn't realize they were available back when our kids were little. 

Marilyne, I have taken a calcium with vitamin  D for a number of years after being diagnosed with osteoporosis.  My doctors have me on no other vitamin.Glad your echo cardiogram was OK.  My wife gets rather frustrated when her doctor tells her she is doing OK for her age.  That is a very high blood pressure.  Mine is always low, somewhere around 100/60 although the last time it was taken at the doctor's office the bottom name was in the 40's.  Do you have glaucoma?  My dad had that and I go faithfully every year to get my eyes checked but no indication of a problem other than the cataracts. 

JeanneP, when I see the young mothers struggling to get infants in those backseat car seats it makes me thankful that I am the age I am.  Glad you had good news on your Carotid Arteries. I hope you are able to stay in your home for many more years.  I am sure in your community there are many senior services available and the same for Mary Ann.  It sounds like you keep as busy as you want and enjoy getting out and doing things.

Sue, what a frightening incident with your son wiggling out of his car seat.  It sounds like the traffic was terrible even back then in that area.

deAngel, you are fortunate to have such wonderful neighbors and that you are still able to live alone. 

Hal, I am pretty certain we never tried the paper diapers as probably couldn't afford them at the time. I wasn't sure what PCS met so thanks for the explanation. 

With my first two children  (in the late 60's)
we didn't have Pampers.    But when I had my second set in the late 70's.  Pampers were on the shelves,  with lots more coming there after.   

They changed "diaper" care for every,  for the better...
So I am glad that they came along in my my generations of baby making.     

Sandy

I take Calcium with Vitamin D also.  I've taken it since I broke my leg in 1983 and there are times I feel it is helping me, however, I have osteoarthritis and signs of osteoporosis. 

I just returned from a funeral of a long-time, but not close, friend.  The funeral was well attended.  Dot and I went.  The woman was one who attended our 8:30 am service at church.  We have so few people at that service that I sometimes am afraid the church will do away with it, however, since we have this new minister, over-all attendence has increased.  Sad to say, but we lost a lot of members because of our former minister.

It is a lovely day and our temperature is 75 degrees.

Terry is still hanging on but Jan told Tom last night that he is going downhill.  i don't think he is suffering, however, he is on morphine so there must be some pain involved.

Mary Ann

Things look calm at Grand Haven today. See a couple of people sitting on the beach but look wrapped up. Maybe it is not that warm yet.  It is 70 again here but getting ready to rain.
Wish I could get in the mood to do some Spring cleaning. Just cant do it yet.

Good afternoon, I shell not mention the weather. Only will say I hope one of the Baymen is think about building and ark, he could make a lot of money. I said I would not say anything, but would you believe rain including next Monday!

MaryAnn, Prays and thoughts are still going to you and family.

Larry, in 1947 when Dennis was born, I never heard of pampers, or buying formulas already made. there was 7 years between Dennis and Mark. When we drove to Charleston to see his folks Cyriel made a board  to fit in on the back seat, so Mark could play, but left room for Dennis to put his feet on the floor.  I guess god was watching out for the kids, in all those years of traveling we never had and accident.  Lots of times they would like to ride in the front seat with us. Of course no belts.

I remember those baby carseats from long long ago . . . they hooked over the back of the seat, with two metal hooks . . . the seat was made of flimsy canvas, with two holes for the babies legs. When removing the baby from the seat, sometimes the entire seat would come out of the car with the baby! LOL!  Especially as they got older and had longer legs and were wearing shoes. Then,you just sat the baby on the back seat and hoped that he/she would lie down and go to sleep . . . but instead, they would stand up on the floor, right behind the driver!  The next step, was letting them sit beside you in the passenger seat.  That was when you started throwing your right arm out in front of the child, every time you came to a stop, or were in heavy traffic.

When the babies were newborns, or before they could sit up, whoever was sitting in the passenger seat would hold the baby on their lap.  I recall sitting there while my husband was driving, holding and feeding the baby, while my three year old was bouncing around the back seat, or standing right behind me, kicking the back of the seat.

We were all fortunate, that our children survived those years, but those car seats were all we had, and everyone was in the same boat. (or should I say, the same car).

Good morning from a gray/brown Interior. Our spring is basically an ugly, dusty period where it rains off and on for about two weeks before the trees green up in early May and flowers bloom about Memorial Day. There are still one or two patches of sodden black snow piles but it is in the mid-forties at night and late fifties to early sixties midday. Such is the Arctic in Springtime.

Farrah is doing well. She is becoming outgoing with frequent visitors and doesn't hide from strangers. She is still playing field hockey and whack the mole with me and Alan although Dora says she'd rather just enjoy watching from the couch. I had a small gathering and Farrah went about the guests sniffing legs, purses, & shoes and getting petted. She is fine as long as no one attempts to pick her up or restrain her.

When I go to bed, she will eventually come running in and come up to the top of the bed before leaping up and over me on my pillow before curling up in the space between pillow and wall. I still flinch occasionally as she moves up and over my head but she has never even grazed me. She likes to watch the birds out the window and the balcony doors but they eventually disperse about Memorial Day so she might be later disappointed. I have played different bird songs but she is no longer quite as interested if she doesn't see something outside.

It has been a sad time here as Zeb, one of the triplets is back in the hospital. From what I understand, the continued oxygen and other medical procedures are as hard on his infant body as is the lung weaknesses. So it is a waiting and praying time.

We had building letters as someone or someones have been dropping large quantities of bread pieces from a balcony onto the grounds for birds. Not only is it a lease violation, but it can cause serious issues for the birds as they may ignore nutritious foods for pieces of bread non-nutrition and become malnourished.

And folks complained about last years garden plots policy of first come, first served. So now they will hold a raffle for the fenced in garden plots. They supply the dirt and built up garden bed, you supply seeds, care, and water.

I remember not having car seats and I also remember coming back with my family from a river trip and Dad stopping at a serious accident scene to see if he could help. He picked up a child's boot that felt uncommonly heavy and upon inspection, found the foot and ankle still inside. Those past times were very lucky for us without those seatbelts and car seats.

Poor Kendrick.  I let him out on the deck, then went to do something else and forgot about him.  I was sitting at the computer and it started to rain.  I got up to check the doors and the rain was coming from the south so I closed the front door.  I looked to the slider and there was Kendrick, very unhappy, and he let me know he was unhappy because he was quite vocal and that is unusual for him.  I let him in and he was none the worse for wear; he did not get wet because of the overhang at the pond side of the building.

Marilyne, you mentioned the kids standing behind the driver - Joyce (Norm's first wife and mother of the boys) had to return something to Sears downtown.  They had a Chevy Chevelle which I had not driven, but I was to drive around the block while Joyce did her errand.  The car had power steering and power brakes, neither of which I was familiar with (you can tell how long ago that was!).  Terry was standing behind me and he had a balloon.  I stopped suddenly and he lurched against the back of the driver's seat.  He said, 'gee, whiz, you almost made me bust my balloon'.  He probably was about three, which would make it 1962.  He didn't break the balloon, fortunately.

Another time I was driving the Chevelle and the seat went back as I pulled out onto the road.  So I sat on the edge of the seat all the way home.

We keep waiting for word about him, but none so far; death is a slow process.

Patricia, it is good to get a long post from you.  You have been missed.  Kendrick is good at sniffing people too, if he is bold enough to be in the same room.  If a person stays long enough, he will return, but usually he heads for the lower level when there is a stranger present.  Kendrick likes to lie beside the slider and watch the birds.  He gets in his "stalk" position if one lands on the deck.  The mourning doves are there and sometimes land on the railing posts and he'll watch them for quite a while.  My bird clock doesn't interest him.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - That's a cute story about Terry and the balloon.  I can just imagine him standing right behind you, breathing down your neck, as the saying goes. That was the favorite spot for toddlers back when they had free reign in the back seat.

Patricia - Seems that where there are birds, people will feed them bread . . . even though they are told not to.  We have a nice county park here, which is a refuge for many species of water birds.  There are signs all over the place asking visitors to "PLEASE don't feed the birds".  People ignore the signs, and bring bags of bread and teach their little kids how to tear up the bread and throw it to the birds in the water and on land. It's really a shame, but people won't stop, "Because it's fun for the kids".    

I don't know much else, but Terry passed away last night.  Jan called Tom and he didn't wake me when he came home last night so I just heard this morning.  Terry was 58. 

Mary Ann

Hi everyone.  We start today off on an overcast note.  We do have a 40% chance of rain today and will be getting up into the high 80's this afternoon. After a pretty much wasted day yesterday spent mainly laying down resting, I feel more alert.  I will be picking up my friend at the assisted living facility and we will go downtown for coffee with other friends.  I will take him home, as usual, afterwards and if I still have enough energy will go back downtown to attend the Wisdom group with the pastor.  That will be it for today unless Pat wants to go out to eat this evening.  We did have a nice visit with Scott and Jennifer after our dinner at Church last evening.

Mary Ann, my condolences to you, Tom and all of your family.  Fifty-eight is just too young.  Even when we know the passing is coming it is still hard to accept that it is a reality. 

Sandy, I guess our children came to early to benefit from the Pampers type diapers. 

JeanneP, I certainly wouldn't want to sit on the beech of Lake Michigan at this time of year especially if I had to be wrapped up in a blanket.

deAngel, I hope you are keeping your oar for the ark well polished in case it is needed.  We also had to buy special formula for our children and I think it was called Infameal.  When our son was born he just wasn't gaining weight from nursing and the doctor told Pat that the poor child was starving and thus the Infameal.  I agree with you that it is a wonder our kids survived when compared to the way children are protected today. 

Marilyne, I had sort of forgotten about those types of infant seats.  Your comments of riding in the car with infants and young children sure bring back memories.

Patricia, so glad to see your posting as I have been missing your reports from Alaska and the happenings with Farrah.  I can remember the dirty snow banks in Anchorage as the snow began to melt.  It sounds like Farrah is trying to keep you challenged to come up with new ways to entertain her.  It does sound like the raffle for garden spots would be a good idea and thus fair to everyone.