The truth is, we Never stop missing them.

I've been chasing down someone with the authority to fix a refill prescription for me all morning.  Started at Eight, and did not wrap up until almost nine.  I get my blood pressure soaring if I try to tell the story, so I won't.

Chip is going to take me downtown this afternoon.  While he takes himself into Mason's Lobster Rolls to get me a Connecticut version (hot roll with hot lobster covered generously in melted butter) and himself an old-fashioned Sarsaparilla, I will hi myself across and up the street to McBride's Gallery for my annual artist-drawn Christmas cards.  We do precisely this every year.  He also takes me down on Christmas Eve to see everything in the Great Quiet of everyone being gone.  I love seeing our community Christmas Tree all lit up.  I no longer shop, so I do not go down for Midnight Madness.  Every little store is open until midnight on December Thursdays before Christmas.  The sidewalks of Main Street are filled with happy shoppers, and every store has its free treats on a card table: might be punch and cookies or cocoa and donuts or a variety of cheeses with mulled wine.  Who knows?  It is huge fun, and you Always run into some folks you know.

Carolers in Colonial costume stand on street corners.  Violinists and Cellists play their hearts out.  This beautiful old town sets the stage & props.

I cannot abide football, but give a whoop or two for Sue's beloved Alabama for me, Sharon, please.

Good morning everyone! Jane, I'm glad I'm not the only one because many people have looked askance at me when I try to explain. Misery does indeed love company when you feel validated. I still have more goodies to get thru; sweet potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and celery are leftovers, But not a sweet or a dessert remains. It's funny how that happens.

Mary, I spent two years in Knoxville. I believe that's across the state from Chattanooga?  I'm sorry for John's death. My daughter died of cancer at 18 and would have been fifty on December 12th. I still tear up when I think of her.

Both of my parents died at 87, five years apart. Altho my mom had had Alzheimer's for several years prior. My father had high blood pressure, multiple strokes and smoked right up to his death. I'm not sure if it was the strokes or the smoking that got him. The nurse gave him his morning juice, joked a bit, and then went to her cart in the hall for his meds. He was gone in those two or three minutes.

I don't have to go anywhere until the first midweek of December, and looking out my window thru the ice fog; and no one else has been out either.

A great good morning to you MaryPage! I don't shop either. I mail out gift cards early and my nephews, nieces, and sister seem to enjoy them the most. We don't have the community spirit of Baltimore but we have lots of decorations and sales plus a year-round Christmas store, I no longer go out for. We also have two convention centers that hold weeklong Christmas sales, one for established businesses and one larger one for local crafters.

MaryPage, I have never been a shopper, and started giving money years ago. Like jane has said - it's always the right color ... Green!

patricia, Chattanooga is just south of Knoxville - basically where TN, GA, and AL meet. And I haven't thought to change my profile. I moved from Chattanooga about two years ago. Health issues necessitated my living closer to one of my daughters. Margaret "drew the short straw", and I'm now living in an assisted living place in Tullahoma, TN, about half-way between Chattanooga and Nashville.

addendum - well, now I can't figure out how to change my information. Oh, well...

If you are under 5 years of age, you get books from me for Christmas & birthdays.  I adore children's books, so this is no chore.  And it is all better done on line these days, anyway.  I much prefer Barnes & Noble to Amazon.

From five up, the family is most happy to receive money.  The little kids feel they have arrived at the doors of age & wisdom, with their very own funds.  Few can tell you precisely what those funds will command, but they are sure it is "Lots!"

Will is the one with real wisdom.  He has put his into savings, like Forever now.  Will is a 7th grader going on seventy-five.  When he was small, Debi & I called him Christopher Robin.  Now his hair color has changed (naturally) and he wears large black-rimmed glasses.  We know his present character, too!  Can't fool us?!

Harry Potter to perfection!

A cold, grey day here on the bay.  Son Rob reports a light dusting of snow down there in Columbia, but Bayside shores have been spared that.  For now.

Columbia is 45 minutes away.

Yesterday, Chip took me "downtown," it takes all of ten minutes to get there, where I bought my boxes of Christmas cards fr0m McBride Gallery and brought home a warm lobster roll.  Life is Good!

Good morning all! MaryPage, I bought a few Christmas items for me from a catalog you thought I'd like, Bas Bleu. My favorite is the 2022  calendar for seniors. It's full of funny and pithy sayings!

Mary, I had to look as I only knew Knoxville was ninety minutes from my then-husband's folks in Siler, Kentucky. Knoxville is next to Virginia and North Carolina. One thing that has always fascinated me about the lower 48, as it's commonly referred to here, is how close everything is.

Sometimes you can ride all over one seeming city with only an occasional street sign telling you you've exchanged one city or town for another. In Alaska, other than small towns and villages, it is four hundred miles or an eight-hour drive to get from here to another similar city. And that is driving partially over two sets of foothills and ridges. Of course, as we are the largest state in size and second only to Wyoming for the lowest population, that makes sense.

Yesterday I had an email from 23 and me stating that they'd received my DNA sample and were processing the sample. A few years back, I sent a similar sample to Ancestry and found that my family was correct in their tales. We are over fifty percent Irish, then a combo of Welsh and Scot with two percent Swede and four percent Norwegian.

Also that up until my generation, we had always been farmers, no rich uncles in this family! The DNA trail was fascinating to follow the family's trip westward from Charleston to Missouri, Kansas, and finally Colorado and Alaska. The unfortunate part was Ancestry attempting to push me to pay at its lowest, ninety-nine a year, to research my family tree. I already had a self-printed book by a maternal uncle pre computers. A few years back, a CD was sent via a cousin of family photos to the drawings, daguerreotypes, and other early forms of photography.

The 23 and me sample is per DNA tendencies for certain traits and diseases. I already know cancer, strokes, and dementia were common within both sides of the family.

MaryPage...your visit downtown sounds absolutely delightful! 

Patricia...wonderful thing about the internet and this group, that we each do KNOW about the "invisible pain" we endure and can chat with each other and feel vindicated, I guess. 

Mary...they all seem to love the color "green"...at least nobody has yet returned the gift to me as "unwanted."   

I did my "financials" this morning and then took myself out for lunch and mailed my $$ to Uncle Sam and "Greedy Kim"  (my governor who...guess what...I'm NOT fond of).  So they're paid up for this year. 

I also got my eye appt made for June.  When I called last year after my appt in May, they said they're only doing 6 months in advance.  I'm always concerned I'll forget. 

It's in the 50s again...incredible for the end of Nov.  I guess I have no excuse not to go our for, at least, a short walk.

Take care and stay safe and healthy,

jane

Put my name on the list of weathervanes.  I have osteo arthritis, and the worst of it is in my hands.  Sometimes, if there is going to be a REALLY BIG storm rolling in, my hands hurt so bad I can hardly stand it.  My rheumatologist says I am not crazy.  She gives me that stuff in a tube to put on my hands, but it does not do much good, because I am constantly having to wash my hands.

Quote from: MaryPage on December 01, 2021, 10:44:04 AMPut my name on the list of weathervanes.  I have osteo arthritis, and the worst of it is in my hands.  Sometimes, if there is going to be a REALLY BIG storm rolling in, my hands hurt so bad I can hardly stand it.  My rheumatologist says I am not crazy.  She gives me that stuff in a tube to put on my hands, but it does not do much good, because I am constantly having to wash my hands.

That's what I have MaryPage. For me, it's a combination of the barometric pressure changes and all those dings I picked up over my life.

MaryPage...me, too, on the list for whom that cream doesn't work.  It does nothing for my hands or knees or any where else.  The ONLY thing that helped was my chemo mix and I'm not going to go that way.That mix kept my cancer gone for 32 years now, so it was worth it...but it was sure hard on my body and I was just 48 at the time.

It's an overcast dreary Dec. day here...but mild...51 at the moment.  I did try to walk yesterday, but I didn't get far before I turned around and came home. 

Wisconsin family is coming down this weekend for a visit.  It'll be good to see Patricia and Donal.

Stay safe and healthy,

jane

Hi Buddies....not much new going on with me...still warm enough to walk....plan to do very little Christmas shopping.....like many others going to give $ to the older grands....hope all are well and avoiding the newest virus "......take care

Nothing much to report here...55 degrees but a chilly wind.

Take care and stay safe.

jane

Crazy weather here - Nashville had a high of 74*!! And the high predicted for tomorrow is 79!  Then back into the 40s on Monday. No wonder Covid and the flu are rampant at this time of year.

Stay healthy!

Mary...you are so right about the goofy weather.
 Same here...but high near 60 and then to drop tomorrow and all next week to highs in the low 30s!

Illnesses filling up the hospitals again. Covid at rates last seen LAST Dec.  One  local woman had to be sent to Burlington, IOWA...150 miles south east of here...no beds in Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque or Iowa City for her...severe Covid. 

They're saying Influenza A is all about, too.  I am seeing a lot more people with masks, but maybe that's because I'm doing my shopping early. 

Stay safe and healthy,

jane

Better Safe than Sorry!

I think this virus is coming at us from all directions.  The rate at which it is changing what it can do and how fast it can do it is scary stuff.  I shall continue to stay at home except for medical appointments.

Hello to all Buddies. Question for all y;all. Did y'all miss me??
I've been relaxing and taking it easy since Thanksgiving resting my foot and ankle for today.
 Tonight is the big night!! I am going to the Symphony with Jeannie (Sonja's Mom) We are going out to dinner first then on to Eureka to hear the Orchestra celebrate Christmas. Sonja is going to stay here wit Keith.
The caregiver didn't show up yesterday to clean my house , Said she had a family emergency.She texted me at 2:10 am, 3:50 am and 5:02 am saying she had insomnia and couldn't work today either needed sleep. I texted her back and said I needed sleep too.Also that she needed to be more dependable, she should have called yesterday to tell me she couldn't make it, instead of texting me in the wee hours.  GRRRRRRRR I am very upset with her.

Hi Gals. Hope I can remember all I read to comment on. First of all, I'm one of the creaky weather forecasters too. Voltaren helps my knee, but I can't put it on my back according to the directions. Tramadol and Tylenol are my only helps and then not much.

Mary, your Sat. TG gathering sounded wonderful. I know you were glad to see everyone. I'm sure John's birthday is a sad time for you.

Jane, I know rheumatoid arthritis is a lot worse than osteo so I can only imagine what you're going through. I go to bed in pain and get up in pain and can only work for a half hour or so before I need to take a break.

I wish I had some of the TG leftovers you gals are enjoying. That's the price of eating out at the dining room.

MP, Annapolis sounds like the place to be at Christmas! It sounds so old timey and nice.  Would love one of those lobster rolls.

Darlene, I hope your weather settles down. I sure wish ours would.

I mentioned in my last post that Bunny seemed off her feed. Well, Thurs. afternoon & evening she began vomiting and had diarrhea and wouldn't eat or take a Pepcid, so Friday we took her to the vet and it seems she has a severe kidney problem. They have kept her over the weekend.  However, he called this AM and said she was much better after being hydrated by IV and given antibiotics. She even ate and drank some which she hadn't done since Thurs noon which she vomited up.  We'll find out Monday AM what the prognosis is, but he was pretty positive this AM. Fingers crossed.

We had several accidents in the house, so I've spent a lot of time cleaning up spots.

My eye appt is Monday. I think I need new glasses for reading at least.

Marilyn, I just saw your post. I'm glad you've been taking it easy and am so glad you're going to have a night out.  Sorry about the caregiver. I've heard that good ones are hard to come by. I turn my phone off at night, so the texting wouldn't bother me.

No other news here.  Stay healthy and safe. Sharon
PS, I like the new decor too.

Marilyn, glad you've gotten a night out. Too bad about the caregiver - unreliable AND inconsiderate - definitely not what she'd like in a recommendation.

Sharon, glad Bunny is feeling better. Always tough to deal with.

My youngest, Jean, was in the hospital last night. She took herself to the ER yesterday after an episode of (sorry) extreme rectal bleeding. Fortunately it was not repeated after a 24-hour stay and she was released with instructions to get a colonoscopy ASAP. She does have diverticulosis, so a ruptured diverticulum is a possibility. Hopefully it won't be repeated.

The big news today for our little town is that after a perfect football season, the high school team went on to win its first Tennessee State 4A championship. Things are very bright around here.

MaryPage...I'm sure you're right...about covid.  Makes me rely on online shopping.  I avoid people who aren't vacinated or are sick, I get what I want, I know if they're out, and it's delivered right to my door. 

MaryZ...Yikes on Jean.  I'd guess you're right on the cause of the blood, but glad she took herself to the ER and they kept her. 

Sharon...hope your little Bunny is improved enough to come home and stays healthy.

Marilyn...how was the dinner out and the concert.  Wonderful of Sonia to stay with K.  Texting about her problems in the middle of the night would not sit well with me, either.


Having a great visit with Donal and Patricia.  They're just relaxing and doing nothing!

Take care and stay safe and healthy,

jane

Afternoon, Buddies!

A cold, wet, windy day here.  I went to WalMart for those circular batteries Don said I needed for my house alarm fob and he got it open ... batteries in now...and it works!! 

Good to be inside.  Don and Patricia are here until noonish tomorrow.  Weather will be better for traveling and he has an online meeting at 10:00 am he can do from here. 


Stay safe and healthy,

jane

Just had a tornado go through our area. Sirens, etc. We were all huddled in a closd hall waiting for the all-clear. Obviously, we've been allowed to go back to our apartments now. They've said there is some damage around town. Guess we'll hear later.

Margaret's on her way to pick me up for a 6-month dental appointment.

Good morning...went to walk...made one lap around track and came home...Norther blowed in and wind right out of the north...20 to 30 miles an hr...at least....we have had unseasonably warm weather...I've started on my Christmas cards...not many this year....today is wash day...so better get with it...hope everyone is healthy and safe

Good morning from the Interior. Last night I went to bed at minus 34 and woke up to plus 24. This evening we're expecting a 2-day snowstorm which should be in quotes because it's only supposed to deliver 0.4 inches of snow.

Mary, a tornado would terrify me! I'm glad you are okay with no damages.

I posted some photos if you'd like to see what an arctic winter looks like.

https://www.seniorsandfriends.org/index.php?msg=209054

Afternoon, Babes!

Mary...yikes on the tornado...scary stuff.

Patricia...thanks for the pictures!

Family left about 1:00 pm after Donal had 2 or 3 meetings online here. I'm so glad he can do that.
 It was a wonderful visit and they seemed to like the quiet.  Donal also took with him Ray's fishing tackle box.  That would make Ray very happy.

As Darlene said, winter has blown in...wind advisories for 35-45 mph.  And now 22 degrees, so wind chills are lower, of course.  OK with me...I'm not going anywhere!

Nothing going on here until Thursday when I have to go to CR for a rheumatologist appt and lab work.  I'm making a list of a couple other places I want to go while I'm down there.

Take care and stay safe!

jane

Good morning, Everyone!

It's a very crisp 12 degrees here, and I'm inside in my winter comfy clothes. 

Once I get an energy spurt, I'm going to get the sheets and towels from the weekend  "done up."   Is that a common expression in your part of the world?

Hope everyone is well and safe,

Jane

Good morning, Jane and all who follow; it's 8:18 this morning and seventeen degrees. We're still snowing; however, only one inch expected from yesterday and today. Tomorrow we slide back down with an expected high of four.

I've got to find a couple of items on my list, but I keep wanting to stay home and snuggle rather than go out and be proactive.  I've heard the expression done up from my Missourian side of the family and put up from the Kansas side. It is usually meant to organize, set right, or a little more out of the ordinary.

Patricia...you're correct
.  I recall my Grandmother "putting up" items she was canning.  It's a midwestern thing/expression like "redding up" meaning to straighten up ,etc., I guess.

This Midwestern had her plans for the day change.  After breakfast, I just didn't feel good.  I think my avocado Eng. muffin was somehow too rich for me, this morning.  I went back to bed and am just now back up.  Everything has calmed down, but tonight will be a little potato soup, and I'll try to do laundry tomorrow. 

Blessed retirement!

Stay safe and healthy,

Jane

Years & years ago, I recall someone I worked with saying something to the effect that she had to red up the table, and the rest of us hadn't a clue what she was talking about.  We all joined in the conversation, and the group conclusion was that the expression meant to Ready up the table: i.e., set the table for a meal. This gal was from Pennsylvania, and she believed it was an expression the Amish in her area used.

Actually, I cannot remember knowing anyone else, ever, who used that word; but over the many years I have often thought of that conversation.

MaryPage, it means to clean up the dishes and return the kitchen to rights from my Missouri cousins and to put up from my Kansas cousins. Now "put up" seems to be referring to preserves and canning.

Here I am Yes  I am here. Finally!! I got the X-rays on my foot, ankle and wrist today. I really like my new Doctor. She is very thorough.

Tomorrow I am going to make some sourdough bread, I got the Starter from Jeannie.

Good to hear from you, Marilyn. What did the x-rays show?  I love sourdough bread - kept a starter going and baked it for a number of years.

Nothing much going on here. Good visit to the dentist on Monday. And get the "beauty treatment" on Friday - haircut, mani/pedi.

Stay warm and well, Buddies!