I was a volunteer driver for my Old Darlings.  Never charged them a penny, and, what's more, I took them out to lunch once a week and I Paid!  Well, after we were married Bob insisted on paying.  Bless his sweet darlingship himself, he insisted on joining us once each week!
I did not belong to any organization.  What happened was, they were my neighbors, and I left my apartment to go somewhere one day and found Mina standing by Emma near the front entrance and Emma was weeping.  Of course I stopped to ask what was wrong, and Emma, at 90, had just lost her license.  Mina never learned to drive (she was older by 8½ years), and they were so upset; well, naturally.  So of course, being a total idiot, I soothed them by assuring them, as I helped carry up the bags of groceries they had bought that day, that I would drive them.  Things got so busy with the places they wanted to go, I had to finally get them to understand I had a life, too, and could only DEDICATE one day a week to their errands, plus the occasional special event day.  They adjusted, and also utilized one of those volunteer organizations and the county Senior Van when&if available.  It worked, and I grew older right along with them.  It is a good thing they both died before I had to give up driving!

Girls: I have a small question: My GP yesterday advised  me to take Nexium for my heartburn (or indigestion). Have
any of you taken this??It is now an OTC drug but still
expensive---like $24 per box of 42 capsules!
Joy

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/drugs/drugsafety/ucm322355.pdf

What is the most important information I should
know about NEXIUM?
NEXIUM may help your acid-related symptoms, but
you could still have serious stomach problems. Talk
with your doctor.
NEXIUM can cause serious side effects, including:
•    Diarrhea. NEXIUM may increase your risk of getting
severe diarrhea. This diarrhea may be caused by an
infection (Clostridium difficile) in your intestines.
Call your doctor right away if you have watery stool,
stomach pain, and fever that does not go away.
•    Bone fractures. People who take multiple daily
doses of Proton Pump Inhibitor medicines for a long
period of time (a year or longer) may have an
increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine.
You should take NEXIUM exactly as prescribed, at the
lowest dose possible for your treatment and for the
shortest time needed. Talk to your doctor about your
risk of bone fracture if you take NEXIUM.
NEXIUM can have other serious side effects.

{{{{{Marilyn}}}}}

Joy....there are a lot of acid reflux meds out there OTC.  You may need to try Nexium and then something else if that doesn't work.  Have you found any foods that cause it to act up?

Cold, windy, but bright day here.  Off for Friday Night Fish Fry in a bit.

Jane

Joy, I can't tell you yea or nay - just what works for me. And, of course, all drugs have side effects - just part of the decisions we have to make.

I've taken omeprazole (generic for Prilosec, the forerunner of Nexium) for years.  I started it for heartburn/GERD, and have continued it for that and to prevent stomach problems with the NSAID I take for osteoarthritis.  I take omeprazole daily, as prescribed by my doctor.  It's covered by my drug coverage with the Rx, and since it's generic, is quite cheap for a 90-day supply.  I've tried reducing the dose, and the symptoms return almost immediately - so I stay on it.  If you decide to take it, ask your doctor to prescribe the generic version, and it won't cost nearly as much as the OTC version.

Marilyn, surviving hard times is wonderful and I'm proud of you for doing that.  You've made a new life for yourself.  Hurray!

Sandy, your quote from Michelle Obama is a great one.  I did see parts of her speech about "The Donald" and I agree with her--and many other women about his contempt for and treatment of women.

Sharon, give John my best wises for a happy 78th birthday. I hope your dinner out is yummy and both men enjoy the celebration.

Mary, Auburn/Opelika has an organization called "Village Friends, Village People".  It was founded by a woman here who read the same article I did about a Boston neighborhood which had young professionals living in a neighborhood with retirees.  The youngsters started a group list of themselves who would be willing to shop for and take the retirees places they needed to go.  After the woman's mother died, she started a group called Village Friends who will shop, take others to appointments, to the grocery, etc.  The fee for these services is paid up front ($249/year).  I had the president and an employee of the village friends come to my home (and Tim, too) one day shortly after I came home from the hospital.  After they described the services available, Tim was overjoyed.  He still likes to take me to my doctor appointments as he thinks I'll forget to tell him everything the doctor says.  So I paid the fee and when I need to go to the store or this morning when I went to visit my ophthalmologist for my annual check up, I called early in the week and was assigned a driver for both days.  The drivers are volunteers who check the website for appointments with people who need help and so far, someone has answered my requests.  So far I've only asked for weekly trips to Kroger, except for today.  The man who took me today is a church friend.  The woman who took me to Kroger yesterday has taken me to Kroger before.  I don't know how many volunteers they have, but this has been a great help to me.  And yes, this organization is a GREAT THING!  I didn't realize how awful it would be to be unable to drive myself. 

MaryPage, kudos (is this spelled correctly?) to you for helping your LOL's, but also for limiting it to times that you were able to take them places.  That's the nice thing about this service--volunteers are not paid, but can limit the amount of driving they do for others.  I try not to ask unless I really have a need.

Joy, I know next to nothing about Nexium, but it looks like Angelface has the straight scoop.  I thought it was something like a stronger aspirin, but she's given you the whole scoop on it and hopefully you can make a decision about whether you can or should take it. 

I'm going outside to turn the water on my newly planted pansies for a bit.  We haven't had rain here since April (I think--I was out of it in April and May because of my stay in 3 different hospitals).  My azaleas really need serious watering, but I just don't have the strength to drag the hoses around.

Have a nice evening, Buddies.
Sue

P.S. where is Jane today?  Oops, I just started to post this and see Jane is here now.

Hi Jane.  I'm glad you have sunshine today, but cold and windy aren't my cup of tea.  Enjoy the Friday Night Fish Fry.

Joy, just for information purposes, and definitely not to tell you that you should do the same as I do, I have had a gastroenterologist for years and years now.  She has me on Ranitidine, which is a generic for Zantac, for my stomach (acid reflux, indigestion, gerd, gastritis, hiatal hernia) and on Dicyclomine, a generic for Bentyl, for my IBS.  Have been taking both for simply ages now, and I do not know of any side affects.  Both are prescriptions.
What is the news of your family's progress with the flooding problems?

Mary Page and others: My family (3) that are flooded out are (1) he has done all the work himself and has had the
floors (on 1st floor) refloored (sp) with beautiful hardwood
floors.  I have only seen them via Facebook though.  They
are living on the second floor---the rest of the flooring, etc. on the bottom floor (except for the hardwood floors)
has not been repaired. (2) dtr is living in a travel trailor on her property. (3)grandson and family are renting a very cute small home and WERE SO LUCKY TO GET IT while their home is being repaired. However, it is far from the
school the 2 girls attend and requires a LONG trip to bring
them to school.

Angelface: Thanks for the info re: Nexium.  When I see all
the possible side effects I think I will just lose the $24 that
cost me and NOT take.

You're welcome Joy! I know when I read your post, it reminded me of something I had read and that is what came up.

I am probably the only living woman who took too many Bayer aspirin during a bout of strep and ended up with quite a bill and three days in the hospital with a dialysis machine!

I was disappointed that my hallucinations were not of the pink elephant or dangerous variety. I simply saw mice everywhere and an abundance of dust.   

Now I am very careful to follow any and all instructions. Each morning I take four 800 mg. each capsules for my osteoarthritis. However, acetaminophen does a number on your liver. I just today saw an article about  Advil or ibuprofen, which doctors are warning not to take after 40.

http://www.ba-bamail.com/content.aspx?emailid=22934

Pretty soon we will be totally out of options!I have such a time with medications that I only alternatingly use Pepto-Bismol or Milk of Magnesia, and or Imodium.

I have IBS, Diverticulitis, chemical food Allergies, Lactose Intolerance and other abdominal issues. I recently had to add apples and raisins to my OMG NO! Food list. Sometimes it is like playing Sherlock Holmes as symptoms can take up to three days to appear, either bloating or unexpected shooting diarrhea I blamed everything on my colon cancer in 2000.

I just always keep my Dr. Prescription for omeprazole filled. Just filled it. it is about $34 for 3 months. I have 3 refills but only ever get it fill once a year. Just use it if I am going to be eating certain Foods.  I never use the OTC . Always insist the Dr. give prescription as usually as cheap or even cheaper than OTC copies.  Remember that when the go to OTC that to those pills a powder if added which is Magnesia.  Need to watch that. 

http://www.ba-bamail.com/content.aspx?emailid=22934

"When most of us have head or back pain, instead of bothering our doctor we simply reach for an Ibuprofen (otherwise known as Advil) bought over the counter. After all, these pills are advertised for just such minor emergencies, so what could be wrong with them? According to the latest FDA health warning backed up by this 2013 study in The Lancet, Ibuprofen is a risky drug that increases the likelihood of strokes and heart attacks. The danger is particularly pronounced in those over 40.

This article will update you on this important health warning, while providing you with some alternatives to over-the -counter-medicine that will not harm your health.

Note: The main contention of this article is that Ibuprofen should be avoided. This warning is no substitute for a doctor’s advice. Always consult your doctor for specific advice relating to your health."

My doctor has been telling me most particularly NOT to take Ibuprofen or any thing like, because those drugs will really mess me up what with the meds I am taking every day.  And that is all I know about that.  I don't take them, that's all.  I just don't take them.  I don't have them in the house.  I am told that in case of emergency, I may take Tylenol for a short time.

Overcast, windy 50 degree Saturday here, and we're getting company in a couple hours. I'm having trouble getting going this morning.  I hope I can find a forward gear soon.   

Jane, I've been having the same problem this morning. Still haven't found the forward gear. Have fun with your friends.

Joy, it is cheaper to get an Rx for omeprazole than to take Prilosec OTC.  Nexium is  a high powered med for Gerd.  I've never taken it.  I take the omeprazole  every other day now as I have taken it for years and that's not a good thing. I can't seem to get by without it.  I also take 2 probiotics a day. That seems to help my system. However I have IBS also and some other things set it off. I'm glad your family has decent housing while they wait on repairs. Nice that the son can do a lot himself.

Mary, hurray on the good cards yesterday, but bummer on the duplicate game. It's nice that you have offered to take the lady to her errands occasionally.

Sue, I agree that the Village Friends is a great organization. I'm so glad it is available for you. We have a club called Helping Hands and Volunteers that provides rides to some extent, but not as much as your group.

MP, I used to take ibuprofen all the time, but stopped when I was put on an RX for fibro pain. I'm so glad I did. I saw the article this week also. I never thought there was a problem unless you took too many at a time.

We had a lovely dinner last night.  I had scallops and risotto and asparagas. John had sea bass. Not sure what else came with it.  The other couple had crab cakes that were HUGE.

I've done my devotions and SS lesson so far and that's about it for today.k

Hi to all I haven't mentioned.  Sharon

Sharon...I've been thinking of taking a probiotic daily....which do you use.   I take ibuprofen on occasions...mabey I need to rethink that. Candy

Good almost afternoon, Buddies.  I didn't get up this morning until almost 9:00.  After breakfast, I went outside and worked on cleaning up one of my flower beds.  I cut out died out foliage--2 trugs full--but one at a time.  I came inside and rested between trugs.  I love working in my yard, but it does tire me quickly.

Sharon, does your Helping Hands group charge a fee?  I'm glad our Village Friends group does have a fee because it makes me feel more willing to call them.  Tim does a lot for me, stops by 2-4 times a week to check up on me, but has his own business to run and having paid the fee, I call early in the week, tell the employee when I need a ride and she puts the request online to volunteers and so far, I've always had a volunteer.   

Ugh, Jane, on 50* and chilly wind.  I hope it gets warmer before your company arrives AND that you're feeling chipper when they get there!

MaryPage, I very rarely take aspirin, never have taken Tylenol or any of the others of that type.  Fortunately I have very little pain with my bad leg.  The brace is very uncomfortable by the end of the day and sometimes my leg has lots of pain--I have tramadol which I can take if needed.  I think I've taken 3 at bedtime since coming home in June.

Angelface, thanks for the information on Ibuprofen.  I think we'd all be better off if we had this kind of information--probably printed out so that it would always be on hand.

Jeanne, it sounds like you've found a system that works for you.  How often do you fill the prescription?

Joy, I'm glad to hear the good news that your son is able to do his own repairs and that your daughter is able to live on her own property and grandson and family found a place to live, also, even though it's a long drive to school.  Is it the same school they were attending before the storm?  My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and all who've lost their homes in that storm as well as the ones on the east coast who are flooded now.

I'm in for the afternoon now.  Auburn is not playing football today, so I am watching Vanderbilt and Georgia. Georgia just scored another touchdown, so they are ahead 13-10.  I'd like to see Vandy win.

Hi Darlene. You were posting when I was getting ready to check out.  I hope you're having a good Saturday. 

Have  nice Saturday, Buddies.
Sue

Darlene, I take Probiotic 10 from Vitamin World. You can order it on line.  It has more than just lactaid type enzymes.  I take one in the morning and 1 at dinner.  Seems to help me.

Sue, no our group does not charge. It is a volunteer organization. I have driven before, but so often the trips are into Charlotte and I hate to drive there unless absolutely necessary.  The group also collects donations for Back to School, Thanksgiving, Easter, and an angel tree at Christmas. Oh yes they also collect for the Domestic Abuse Center.  They do a lot of good.  You wouldn't believe the amount of things donated for all of those things.  They also take gift cards or checks from those who can't shop and will use those to fill in what's needed, like turkeys for TG or hams for Easter.

Sharon

SCFSue.  I will get the 90 day prescription filled about 1 time a year. Think I still had some from the last year left but I just don't use them  Will go over a week and not take one.  LIke I say, I seem to know the few things that I eat that will bother me a little. Then I will take one a hour before eating.
Same with the Advil.  Maybe my thumb with bother me if I type a lot or sometimes lifting something heavy. I will take a Advil and within a hour it is O.K.  Just not into taking pills.  Now I had all my leg Arteries taken care of year and half ago. Will be checked in 6 more more months. the main ones in my neck area I will get done next week.  They do Sona on all that every year. We Have one big area of the Clinic /Hospital here that Just does Arteries/veins  and I believe they do people who have had stroke problems also. and Diabetics I see checking in.  I got started about 10 years ago as my mother had trouble with her legs. Had Varicose veins bad  and did pass from having Thrombosis, so I sort of got ahead and they just let me know when time to come in. Fun watching the machine as it shows your blood flowing all through your veins.  They did close a couple of my small ones last time  in my legs and sent the blood over into the main artery.  Its worth having the test done.  Medicare seem to cover it as all I see it a bill for the 20% . Even though people say don't need doing a Mamo at my age but they call or send a letter every year as the same  time. Only take 10 min. and they have done that now for over 35 years.
That is another reason I hate to move from here down to Texas. So use to having things done and all within 3 miles of my house. Would hate to find new Dr. and hospitals who watch out for when things need doing.

This has been a day of absolute perfection here on the bay.  So clear you can see forever, with lots of bright sunshine and everything, lawns, water, trees and sky, looking as though they've just been freshly scrubbed or painted.  So far, we have not had real cold.  Days are mostly in the high sixties or low seventies.  It is supposed to heat up for a few days now, and then switch back to cooler.  I am content if the weather gods just want to repeat today forever afterwards.
Had a lot of fun this morning.  Granddaughter Jenny does the Morning Edition for NPR in Kansas City most weekends, and she was emailing me during the breaks.  They have moved Emily, who is in her 5th and last year of Architectural School at KSU, into the basement and given her room to Simon.  Becky, his grandmother, went over and took him to look at paint colors.  He changed Emily's yellow walls to a shade of Robin's Egg Blue that I would have chosen for myself.  Becky painted the room for him.  A couple who have been living in Jenny's community are moving back to Europe, where they are from, and they had a big sale of their stuff.  Jenny got the most gorgeous bedroom chest and nightable, again, stuff I would want in MY house, for about a third of their original cost, and they are barely used!  So Max and Simon are happy to each have their own room.  As soon as Emily lands a job, she will get her own digs.  Max, the baby of that family of 4 children, ran for Class Representative for his 5th grade class, and WON!  I am not sure what that is.  We used to have Student Council Rep.  Do you suppose they are one and the same?
Anyway, I had a lovely back and forth morning with Jenny.  I love catching up with family news of any kind or dimension.

Talking about Ibuprophen and other pain meds. I take Meloxicam if I have to, No other pain pills OTC or otherwise. I have an essential oil blend for headaches that I put on my temples, for headaches. I use the Cannibis blend massage oil for my back, knees elbows etc places that I can rub it on.

It has been a wild weekend here with the storms, There was a tornado  about 150 miles north of us, lots of lightening and thunder  last night, twice it hit so close we thought it was in our back yard. It really scared freckles and the cats. Harry Cat was still outside and we couldn't find him to bring him in until the wee hours. I had shut off both surge protectors for the computers so those were  all good. No damage that we can see sound the house. Morfe Thunder lightening and rain expected  later.

Regarding Nexium-----
I have taken 2 pills---1/day for 2days----and I will not be taking any more. (there goes $24.00). After taking the 2nd one I had a bout w/diarrhea).  I don't really know if it
was the Nexium that did it, but it will be a long time before I risk it again.  I'll just stick with Tums. Pepcid AC, or such.
Joy

Wasn't expected but we are having a good storm today.
Just turned on to Don's Program and got out my Iron board with a big bag of Ironing. I just have put it off for 2 weeks. He plays for 2 hours and so will stick to it and get it all done.

Overcast but warm here today.  Company is on their way back to St. Charles, and I've started washing of all the bed linens, etc. 

Nothng more planned for today...laundry will keep me busy.

Jane

Marilyn, I'm so glad you had no damage. The poor furbabies were probably terrified though. Give them some pets from me.

Jeanne, I hardly ever do ironing any more. If I have something that absolutely has to be ironed, I take it to the cleaners, like some of John's shirts.. However most of the things I buy are perma press.  You are so lucky to take so few meds. Good luck with your carotid artery surgery. Hope it goes well for you.

Jane, the sad part of having guests is doing the laundry and remaking the beds.

We've been to SS & church, had lunch, John has put in a load of towels, and I havve a potroast in the oven. Now I can play.  All for now, Sharon

Only my one load of laundry for me today.  I've been getting some knitting done - almost finished with a sweater vest for Sarah, watching Sunday Morning and some of Book TV. 

Marilyn, I'm glad you didn't have any damage.  The Pacific Northwest is really getting hammered.

Jeanne, I'm with Sharon - only more so.  I haven't ironed since they invented permanent press, and haven't even owned an ironing board or iron for years.  If it has to be ironed, I don't own it.  LOL

Wonderful philosophy maryz, mine too!

Sharon.  No. Not having any Carotid Artery  Surgery. It is just that I have a sona  on both it and my legs once a year. Just to see that no blockage or anything. Like I said I did have a couple of small blocks down by my ankle and they just cut them off and send blood over to a large Artery.  Sort of think that this is something that got started couple years ago. I was one of this surgions first at Christie Clinic here in town but now they have 5 specialist in the Dept. and always full office. It take a while the first time and only do one leg at a time. next in a month. It is like sticking needles in all your veins. Then they Wrap. I had a couple of dark veins behind my knees for awhile.  It took care of draining them. They also suggest that you use compression hose if on feet for a long time. Driving a long way or on a Plane.. I don't think it is told to a lot of people. I see men in there.  It cost a lot and some insurances will not pick up the expense. Like I said. They got Medicare to cover part of mine and I paid the difference but the Medicare seem to be O.K paying the yearly checking.  Will know after next visit on Wednesday.
Every on should have the Carotid  Artery checkup done . Insurance or not.  I think that hospital will do that for about $200. About the same as the Mamo Sona.  They put all than Gel on you for all of it. Legs also. Blood clots are common as we age.

Good afternoon, Buddies.  I went to SS and church, but had Olyne bring me home after church--so no BK burger today.  I had a frozen salmon cake, some fresh broccoli, a ripe pear, and some baby carrots for lunch-plus a very small dish of ice cream.  I've just come inside from a walk in my neighborhood and putting my newspapers and plastic crates on the curb for tomorrow's trash pick-up.  After I eat something for supper, I'll roll the big bin down to the curb, too.  I'll be watching Poldark at 9:00 this evening.  And Mary Page, I watched Grantchester last night.  These 2 programs are favorites which I don't miss.

Sharon, your community charity group obviously does a lot of good.  It's nice that you have residents who have the time and also are healthy enough to participate in it.  It sounds like you have a lot of participants in that very worthwhile program.

Jeanne, I do understand not wanting to move to Texas when you have a good situation with your medical doctors.  Are your daughters able to visit often or merely infrequently?  Bob and I had planned to move here in Auburn when we became less able to care for our farm, but since he died in 2002 I tried to stick it out down there.  2002 and 2003 were OK--not much rain and I could keep up with the lawn mowing (we kept 10 acres of the 40 mowed).  However, by 2004 it rained a lot in the spring and even into the summer.  I was starting the tractor almost every day and decided enough was enough!

MaryPage, I'm pretty sure that a Class Representative is much the same as a student council.  Good for Max!  I'm sure he'll enjoy working with other class leaders and it'll be good training for more responsibility when he's older.

Marilyn, it sounds as if you won as far as the heavy storms went.  I hope you've seen the last of them today.  Harry Cat must have found a hidey hole to stay safe during the storm.

Joy, I'm sorry about the Nexium episode.  At least you'll be able to use the previous remedies, like Tums, etc. that you have used in the past.

Jane, I hope you're rested up after finishing the visitors laundry.  I also like to get that done right away so it doesn't interfere with other tasks I give myself for certain days. 

Mary, I seldom get out my ironing board, but last week I washed a blouse I bought several years ago from Coldwater Creek and no matter how soon I get it out of the dryer, it needs ironing.  I don't wear it very often for just that reason!  I've been doing laundry about every other day--with small loads.  I save my "work" clothing--old jeans, t-shirts, etc.--for one larger load.

Hi Bubble! 

I'm off to check on tonight's TV schedule.  I know that Poldark will be shown on PBS at 9:00.  I think I'll check my library's online website and see if they still have Winston Graham's novels.  They usually move things written a while back out of the main library.

Sue

Sue, I love Grantchester, too, and have all of the books, as well.  Ditto for Poldark.  This is the second time someone has filmed Poldark as a miniseries, but I love it so much that I have watched it both times.  Loved all of the characters each time, but loved the first actor who played Poldark best.  Did you know the original actor (1975 series) plays a smaller part as an older man in this 2015 series?

But my really big favorite series is the Australian one that PBS is running right now:  A PLACE TO CALL HOME.  Oh, but I love it!  I watch each episode twice, which is a Joy.  We have 3 PBS channels, you see, and two are carrying it, but at different times.  I like it even better than Downton Abbey!  If you get a chance, give it a try.  Oh, and I like the great house better, as well and all.  It is called Ash Hall in the series, but in real life it is Camelot in Kirkham in New South Wales.  Gorgeous!

I have purchased Season 1 of this series on DVD for Debi for Christmas, since she does not get a chance to see it.  It is on sale at Barnes & Noble.