Not  much new so just cheking in this morning. We will probably go out for then usual Mexican food  for dinner.

I had a good, but very tiring quick trip to New Orleans for Nick's graduation.  Jon drove me down on Tuesday, went to graduation on Wednesday, and out to dinner with Jon, Stacie, Nick, and Stacie's parents.  Got up early on Thursday, Jon drove me back to Alabama and up to Birmingham to pick Alex up from college and then down here to my house.  They brought Alex's dorm fridge, TV, and winter clothing and left it in my utility room.  They'll pick that all up when he goes back for his Junior year.  It's hard to believe he'll already be a college Junior!

My friend (and our College pastor) Rachel took me to lunch today at my favorite, The Amsterdam Café.  We had a tasty lunch, lots of girl talk, and she took me to the library afterwards and let me browse while she donated a lot of books for the library volunteers annual book sale as she is having to retire from her pastor's job (special pastor to our college students) because of her health--lots of seizures, and nerve damage from those.  She's going home to Birmingham, will live with her parents--also pastors and work at UAB in a counseling job.  She's sold her home here and the Session has voted to pay her salary through next year at this time.  I'm so sorry she has to leave the ministry, but know this is best for her.

I've been resting and reading the rest of the day--and am watching a John Wayne/Maureen O'Hara movie.  I don't have any plans for the weekend except going to church and to the farewell reception for Rachel afterwards.

It's good to be home!
Sue

What a whirlwind trip, Sue - glad it was a good one.  I know it's tough for your friend, and for you with having her move away.

Marilyn, enjoy your Mexican dinner.

Have a wonder Memorial Day weekend, Buddies!

Quiet weekend here. We've decided to wait on the Chihuly until a non-holiday time so I can enjoy slowly.  Lots of traffic as there are graduation parties galore and, of course, the campers headed to the State Park north of us.  I'm satisfied to be right here at home with my back porch and peace and quiet.

Ray's gone off to the groceries...looking for ribs for Monday and chicken breasts so I can make some more chicken salad for lunch time.

Have a good weekend, Buddies!

jane

Sue, that does sound like a tiring quick trip, but I know you enjoyed being there.  Sorry about your pastor and friend.

Jane, probably a good decision to avoid the crowds this weekend.  Sounds like you will be eating well though.

Marilyn, enjoy your Mexican dinner.

I had my knee surgery yesterday and am still in a lot of pain. Having to use crutches and help from John to get up and down.  I'm going to try to borrow a walker from a neighbor, as I think that will be easier to get up and down out of chairs.  I didn't sleep very well last night, so have been dozing in my chair this morning.  The Dr said it was bone on bone and probably would have to have a replacement in the future.  Yea! John has moved my recliner into the living room so I can watch TV and also so it's not so difficult to get up off the couch.  He's being a good nurse.

All for now. Sharon

Jane..what's your recipe for chicken salad?  Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend...it's a quite stay at home for mr....Darlene

Sharon..didn't see ur post...hope you get pain relief and help getting up and Dow.  Prayers for fast recovery Darlene

My neighbor brought over her walker, so happy about that.  It turned out the pain med RX was for Vicodin generic and I'm allergic to it. It's written on all the paper work. Don't know why they did that. I called the after hours Dr and am waiting for a call back. I have hydrocodone, but it isn't too helpful as it is old.

Thanks, Darlene.
Sharon

Sharon.....so glad you're home.  I hope the on-call doc calls you back soon.  They shouldn't have made that mistake.  Good thinking on the walker!

Darlene....very simple...I am NOT a fancy cook!  . I boil a chicken breast ...or more, depending on how much I need, until it flakes wih a fork.  In the meantime, I cut a celery stalk in small slices, chop up walnuts into small pieces, wash and cut green seedless grapes into quarters, and cut up a half or whole red delicious apple in small pieces.  I shred the chicken and add to the celery, grapes, walnuts, and apple.  I then mix Light Mayo with a bit of dijon mustard and a bit of sugar if too tart...personal taste.  Leave out the mustard if you don't like that taste.
I mix it all together and refrigerate.

Ray and I worked outside for a couple hours...with breaks, of course. 

I looks as if it's going to rain again, but it was a nice day...temp perfect for me...low 70s.

Jane

Phooey - the message I just finished just vanished.  I bumped something on the laptop, and it went poof!

Re chicken salad - it's like meat loaf or stew - no two makings are ever the same - but usually always good.  Anyhow, when I did something like that, I used a rotisserie chicken from the grocery.  No cooking involved.  I loved getting those chickens - would usually get at least 3 meals out of one, then boil the bones and skin to make chicken broth for the freezer.  I'd really get my money's worth out of one.

Sharon, I'm sorry you're still having so much pain, with no appropriate meds.  The getting up and down is always the hardest part with knees.  I try never to sit on a couch - they're always low and soft, making getting  up really painful.  And you could just use an extra cushion, too.  Bathrooms are touch, too, if there's not what they're now calling a "comfort height" toilet.  I made sure my apartment had them before I signed my lease.  But I hope you're better soon.

I'm at Margaret's now.  We're going to spend most of tomorrow in Nashville, having lunch with Jean, and visiting with friends.  She'll take me back home on Monday. 

Mary....enjoy your weekend get away!!

It's a beautiful day here...sunny and warm.  I need to get out and walk before it gets too warm or the rains come in again.  Yesterday  was that way...nice and then storms appeared about 5:30...and we got buckets of rain.

Have a peaceful and safe weekend, Buddies!

jane

Hi Gals, much better news today. I didn't really need the new RX anyway. I took more of the old + my tramadol and was fine. Oh, ice pack too.  I slept well last night, was able to walk unaided this morning. Still can't get up and down out of chairs very easily, so keeping the walker at hand. I was allowed to take the bandages off today and shower and boy, did that feel good.  Just have bandaids over the openings. Amazing how they can do so much through such little holes. Just a couple stitches in each.  I have PT Tues and Thur. That should be fun!  But I can drive myself. It's close.

Mary, sounds like you're having a nice weekend with the girls.  I do have a comfort height commode, but the walker slides right in on the sides to help me lever myself up.

Jane, your chicken salad sounds good. I don't usually put apples in, but the rest is what I do.  Enjoy the good weather.

Hi to all.  Sharon

Hi everyone not much is new here for us today. I have taken Freckles for a couple of walks and will be taking her for another very soon.

We went to church this morning as usual on Sunday morning. I sand on the m ike up front with  the others on the last  song. the pastor joined in too on his guitar.

The sun is shining  and the temp is 56°

Hi Every Buddy.  Kris's Dad, Dave, died yesterday.  I haven't talked to Tim today so don't know when they'll have a funeral.  I think it will depend on when the family up in Ohio and also Alaska can get down here.  Tim will let me know when he finds out about it and he'll come and pick me up for the service.

I did go to SS and church this morning.  Olyne picked me up and brought me home.  After the service we had a reception with cake and punch out on the lawn for Rachel.  I met her parents and her beloved nephew--her niece was at the beach with girl friends.  I'm really going to miss her.  I chaperoned a lot of her Student's work groups, especially during Katrina clean up, and she was new as I was, too, so we became pretty close. 

I've put my trash out for tomorrow's pick up, but it'll probably be out there until Tuesday.  After I got it all down to the curb, I remembered that Memorial Day is one of the Mondays where our trash is picked up the next day.

I hope you have a nice holiday with good weather.  It looks like we might have some heavy rain later tomorrow evening.  I won't mind because we need it!

Sue

Sharon, glad you're "over the hump" pain-wise.  It is so much easier with those little incisions.

Marilyn, I know your contributions to the services are greatly appreciated.

Sue, sorry to hear about Kris's father, but you've said it was just a matter of time.  It's good he's at rest now.

We've had a long, good day today.  We had lunch with Jean and two of her friends, then spent some time with my friend, Flo Jean.  Beth's birthday party was a rousing success.  There were probably 40-50 people there - all relatives and friends.  Mostly we knew her children, spouses, and children (all grown). She was surprised, and I think, very pleased.  We left fairly early, but still didn't get back to Margaret's until about 10:30.  So it was a long day, but a good one.

I'm still having trouble getting up and down from chairs, toilet, etc.  I also am having a lot of trouble staying awake. Otherwise progressing.

Sue, so sorry to hear of Kris' dad's death, but it sounded like it was time. Still not easy for the family.

Mary, sounds like you had a great day yesterday.  Fun to surprise a friend on her birthday.

Marilyn, I'm sure the church really appreciates your solos.  And Freckles appreciates her walks!

My cleaning girl is here. John is playing bridge. So all is normal here.  Sharon

Back from my first PT.  Have ice on it now.  I just hate the thought that I'm going to have to have a full knee replacement, maybe 2 this year.  This is bad enough and as Mary knows replacement is a whole lot worse.  Okay, I just had to whine a little.  Hopefully, it will be better tomorrow.  Sharon

Mary, thanks for you sympathy--and you are right--it was time.  The funeral is tomorrow morning and Tim will pick me up at 9:00 as I will be sitting with the family.  He and Ard have adopted several shelter dogs and they requested in lieu of flowers that people either donate to the Hospice Facility where he died or to the Humane Society in Phoenix City where they adopted dogs, so I opted for that.

Sharon, have you or John looked at a place which rents equipment for the handicapped?  Tim bought me an elevated chair which sits over the toilet in my bathroom off my bedroom as well as a stable chair for my shower so that I can sit while showering.  They really help me feel secure.

It's been cloudy here today and not so hot, so I've had 2 trips outside and down the driveway to pick off the many brown dwarf gardenias on the large bush next to my driveway.  I'm still not finished, but can only work at it a little bit at a time.  They are gorgeous this year.  My large blooming gardenia in the back yard only has one gardenia on it.  It doesn't get as much sun as the front bush. 

Sharon, you were posting while I wrote this one.  I'm sorry about the prospect of having 2 full knee replacements.  I do hope tomorrow is better.  (Big HUGS!)

I hope all are well and have had a good day.
Sue

Sharon, the PT is just hard - and SO important.  I always loved it when they brought the ice pack at the end of the session.   You'll probably when (and if) you have to have the replacement.  I really was doing pretty well until this kneecap thing last week.  Half the time I'd forget about it completely.  I'm still glad I went to the rehab facility after the surgery, though - it was a good decision for me.  Especially with both physical therapy AND occupational therapy (getting dressed, bathing, etc.) every day.

Sue, it sounds like Tim has gotten you all that great equipment.

We had a great weekend.  Margaret brought me home yesterday and then spent about an hour working on various stuff on the deck.  She had gotten me some plants (Boston ferns and geraniums and hibiscus) and moved some of the hanging stuff.  Anyhow, it's looking really good.  I hope I can keep them alive.

I drove by my old house this morning - first time since way last year.  To my surprise, it's on the market again.  I'm surprised the folks are leaving after such a short time.

Sleep well, Buddies!

Nighty night Mary Slkeep tight don't let the bed bugs bite.

Not much new here, Plumber coming tomorrow to work on those two plugged ujp sinks. I think it really is only the one but they are both connected bathrooms back to back. I am so glad to get it done after all theses month they hve been out of commission. Keith couldn't seem to figure out how he did  it the last time he did, before the plumbers last trip her a couple of years ago. His memory just isn't what it use to be.

I slept pretty good, Marilyn - and not a single bed bug.    I hope Keith appreciates having you around to keep things running.   

A lovely day here.  I just came in from having some deck-sitting time.  Enjoy the day, Buddies!

The PT yesterday really stirred up the pain in my leg. Couldn't sleep got up and iced it and finally went to bet at 5 AM. I don't remember if I told you about the mess up with my pain RX or not.  I am allergic to Vicodin and they prescribed me Vicodin in spite of the fact that it was on every sheet of paper they had. Fortunately, my pharmacist caught it. I was doing okay without it until I started the PT and now, I need it desperately, so they are going to write one and then have John drive all the way up to pick it up after he gets home and then have it filled for me.  What a mess.  I have Tramadol but that isn't strong enough for surgical pain.  The PT told me not to do exercises today and just rest it, so that's a relief.  Just venting again.  Sharon

Vent all you need, Sharon!!  Pain is pain and without meds, it's unbearable.

Sue...I'm glad Tim's coming to get you for Dave's funeral.

Mary...enjoy your deck.

Marilyn...hope you've got your bathrooms back and working.

Darlene...hope all is well with you.

jane

Jame everything is working again.

Marilyn...Good news after these many weeks!!

Beautiful day here and we need to do some outside work...fertilizing plants, transplanting a clymatis, etc.  Nothing too strenuous, to be sure!

Happy June the Oneth!!

jane

Hi Gals, a little better today. I got the meds by 6 PM so had 2 doses by bedtime ( I go to bed late). Slept well. Was still hurting a lot this AM but went to PT. She did some different things including massage and an electrical stimulator to try to reduce the swelling. I am now back home with ice on it and eating lunch.

Marilyn, glad you got the plumbing problems cleared up.

John took Bunny to the vet for yet another urine test. She still has bacteria, so will have to have an xray of her bladder on Friday.  Does it ever end?  She was so upset this morning when JOhn took her in and then when I left that John actually took her for a walk.  Probably a first.  She still is sulking though.

Jane, I hope you don't have to work too hard on the lawn.  I love clematis too. We have 3 plants cliimbing on our trellis by our patio as well as Carolina jessamine.  The latter only blooms early spring and the clematis all summer. Our lawn needs mowing, but not sure when they will be doing our pod. It has rained so much, it has really grown & is supposed to rain again Sat & Sun.

Hi Darlene, Mary, Ginny, Joy, Sue. HOpe you have good days.   Sharon

No, Sharon, we don't do "hard work" outdoors anymore.  We have it mowed every week by a local guy's lawn service and we have the actual landscaping and putting down the mulch yearly done by a mother-son landscape company.  We just do the watering and I try to do some minimal weeding.  We used to do it all, but no more. 

I watered with Miracle Gro this morning and then went to the Court House to get our license tags and then to the bank across the street to cash in 2 EE bonds that have reached their 30 yr maturity and on to the Grocery Store. Now, it's rest and catch up on my household bookkeeping. 

jane

Well I wonder what the third thing will be to go wrong. Today it is the garage door. The whole unit that raises and lowers the door has to be replaced because it is so old they won't work on it. It has no safety latches on either side of the door and that is mandatory these days. So the new unit will have a battery back up incase the power goes off and also will work on WiFi. I just hope there is also a remote control to open the door.  My friend who is taking care of our cats will need to come in through the garage so the two younger cats don't escape when she opens the front door. if she come in through the garage and closes that door and they get out they will only be in the garage.  We do not allow those two cats to go outside.

Well it is not time to take freckles over to the hospital to meet with the other teams who will be visiting the patients with us. Then after that I have to go for the yearly smashing.

Marilyn...surely it will have remotes...usually several...since some cars need those to be programmed to open on the garage down opener on cars. 

jane

Hi Buddies.  This morning Tim came over at 7:30 to take me to my final appointment with the neurologist.  She said I'm doing fine and that it's OK for me to start back on Ceterizine which I take in the pollen season for my allergy.  She said it won't interfere with my other meds--and that makes me really happy as my nose has been running like a sieve.  Since I took it so early in the morning, I'll take one at bedtime and will in the future take them at night.  Afterwards he took me to Kroger where I shopped for next week's groceries.

Bonney and Terri picked me up for bridge this afternoon.  We played at Ethel's house.  She had coconut cake for dessert.  I had pretty good cards and was third with over 2000 points.  Olyne was top with 2200+ and Terri with 2100+.  Third doesn't win any money, but it was fun to get good cards and a high score.

It started sprinkling when we were getting in cars to come home--and now it's settling down to a nice heavy rain.  I hope it rains all night!

Sharon, I'm glad you're feeling a bit better and hope the healing and new meds help.  Take it easy and let John pamper you.  Keep us posted.

Jane and Marilyn, glad to see your posts today.  Marilyn, I hope the garage door fix happens soon. 

Does anyone hear from MaryPage?  I miss her--and you, too, GinnyAnn.

Sue