Tisie….I love you girl, and I have saved what your Mother said about the "blahs". Thanks dear friend.

Hal, my husband thought I was weird too, because I didn't like fried calves brains. I made them twice for him, and said, "no more". It nauseated me.

I love you people…..my lunch is growing cold, but I have no appetite anyway, but I will eat it.

My dinner has just been delivered. I am still full from lunch, so I will probably put most of it in the freezer. I'm better. Still feel very tired, but cough has improved. Things that are minor when we are young seem to be much slower in healing as we age. I'm sure that is a normal reaction, but I don't like it. I want to be "up and at'em, full speed ahead. out there and liven' it up. At the same time, I thank God that I am still here with you all, and interested is all of YOU ! I love you, and thank God we are still together. Amen.

well it is time to bid you all sweet dreams and good night, hope to see you all tomorrow.

Lloyd

Well been a bad day for my son-in-law.  Got a call from his son's family in Houston and his son had a heart attack.  They took him, SIL Son into operating room for a triple bypass and SIL and daughter gathered up their things for a fast trip to Houston from San Antonio, this is the daughter that lives very close to us.  She called later and ask that we check her house for packages that were coming, we did and they did, got them safely secured.  Good news though.  He only needed a double (if you can call that good) and he came through the operation with flying colors and expected to make complete recovery, no visible heart damage.  Thank you God,

Off to bed, up early in the morning.

Nite, nite, God Bless and Sweet Dreams.

Sorry about your son-in-law's son, Hal.... you are right about 2 better than 3 by-passes..... the big pain is having those ribs cracked & at that point fixing 1 is as painful as 5!  Best wishes to him, important part is no damage to the heart muscle!

I am too tired to think tonight, had another day of wrapping up the "winterizing" ... son was over & blew out water in the hoses, blew out the pool pipes after I got the water down below them yesterday.  Surprising how much water stays in those pipes after draining down, & in the hoses.  Now time to start on the house.  Got to get rid of some stuff before the dusting & getting out decorations.  Will take care of all that tomorrow, time to get to bed.  The wind has been terrible today & shifting around.  Interesting to watch as it shifts... the leaves will sail down the street from one direction & the watch as it switches around.  Finally winter is here and I am ready!  Sweet dreams to all.

Good morning everyone..

We are off to the city for a cardio appointment. Thankfully the rain that has been falling most of the night is not freezing.

Hal, prayers for your sil for a speedy recovery .

Larry, I was in and out in less than 1/2 hour Costco wasn't that busy first thing in the morning. I did buy some gifts there but not many. Stocked up on paper produce, produce and vitamins.

Gloria, I don't leave hubby too long so I don't dally long in a store. Hope you get your computer working to where you want it. Your daughter is going to have a hard time doing very little for a while. Great husband she has!!!

Better move it.

Enjoy your day everyone..

Good Morning Everyfriend!  My daughter leaves today for home in Texas.  I'm going to miss her!  I have to work this morning so won't even be around to see her off! 

I hope everyfriend's day is as special as all of you are!

Bad night.  Woke a little after 3 and didn't get back to sleep.  I am out of water pills, I miscounted them and only had one for yesterday and suffered the consequences.  I see the doctor at 820 so should get my refill (there was none on last script). 

Tissie I thought we would have some of your weather when I got up, but it is calm and doesn't feel that cold.  Suspect that the front is just North of us and will come zooming in about the time I leave for my appointment.  It was suppose to be light rain, windy and temp dropping down into the 50's today and 40's tomorrow. 

Tissie,, I haven't talked to Steve yet but I was wondering if they did crack his son's ribs.  New procedure they don't do that.  And if you got to have to have heart surgery I guess Houston is where you want to be.  It is suppose to be the primer heart surgery capital.

Well coffee smells done, so I am going to go get a cup before I get in the bathroom.

Hall sorry for Sil's Bad luck. but we all have him on prayer chain for complete recovery. I had a heart attack a few years back and they put two stents in me and I am doing fine for the most part. ( GOD TAKES GOOD CARE ) oh yes we are still having warm spring like weather so far and even had a little rain yesterday. but looks like it ended last night is currently 28 º and only supposed to get to 46 º today. Have a great day.

Lloyd

Good morning everyone, rain in the forecast again for later today. After we broke a record for the warmest Novenber here on record now the rains will be back. Rain for Friday night/Saturday might turn to snow.
The church they found there is a small one with caring people. Yesterday one of the parishioners called them for SIL to meet them at the road that leads to the ranch, he drove down there and they had brought them 4 meals, even some desserts. Never would have been done in San Diego.

HAL  I have already deleted Skype from this machine, grandson told me to try from Facebook but did no good so will try your way later. Thanks. I am beginning to wonder if it is me that keeps messing up and not the PC. Your potato cakes are what my Mom used top do and I have done it, too, but added an egg.. Love them. At times I would add some sharp Cheddar cheese just for a difference.

JUNE  don't blame you, I would not like brains either. I remember my parents liking blood pudding, just the thought turned me off.

HAL  we really feel it when something happens to our children. Like my daughter not telling me about the cancer till the operation was over. The doctor said they got every thing so I pray he is right and it does not return. I feel worse that I cannot be there with her. My SIL has been doing housework and laundry and washing dishes and watching over her. Things he has never done in 43 years of their marriage.

SHIRLEY  for the first time I am not looking forward to cold weather. Maybe once I see the beauty of snow I will get the old love of winter return, hope so.

AMY  my SIL has always been good to my daughter but what he is doing now is something I never expected.

JANE  we always look forward to a child coming for a visit but so sad when they leave for home again.

LLOYD  God sure has taken care of you.

  Hi Everyone.  We have an overcast morning but will get into the mid-70's this afternoon.  My main activity today will be to go for the second day checkup on the cataract surgery at 1:20 this afternoon.  I was to remove the eye guard when I awoke this morning.  On my way home I plan on stopping at Costco to return this second Chromebook.  It had worked fine for 3 or 4 days but last evening it froze about 7 times and I decided I didn't need that hassle in my life.  So I guess it will be back to a regular laptop rather than a Chromebook.  Yesterday everything went well and there has been no pain or problem.   

Gloria, neither Pat nor I enjoy just looking around in a store.  I want to find what I have gone after and get out of the store as fast as possible. Of course, Pat doesn't have that problem when it comes to online shopping as I think she really enjoys that since it can be done from her easy chair.  Glad your daughter is doing so well.  Have you tried uninstalling and then reinstalling the Skype program? (I see that Hal has made the same suggestion.)   I know that vinegar has many useful purposes and drinking it is one of them.  My granddaughter has been drinking some with honey three or four times a day to try to help lose weight. 

Hal, I didn't see your suggestion to Gloria before I wrote the same thing to her.  I hope your wife doesn't read your postings or I think you will be in trouble called her weird.  You are a braver man than I.    It sounds like your dog was happy with the way she was before the grooming.  Sorry about the SIL's son having the heart attack but sure good to read there was no heart damage.  It sounds like he should have a complete recovery. 

Shirley, it sounds like your winterizing procedures are about done and sure that was a relief. 

Amy, hope the cardio appointment goes well.  Glad you don't have to deal with slick roads to get there.  I like to get to Costco when they open as well.  Isn't it shocking how fast the bill at Costco goes up. 

Jane, it sure seems like a short visit by your daughter but sure you had an enjoyable time while she was with you.  Hope your day at work goes well. 

Hal, I haven't heard of the new heart bypass surgery where they don't have to crack the ribs.  That would certainly make recovery much quicker and easier. 

Lloyd, nice to read that your stents are still doing what they are designed to do.  I have had six stents put in over the years and unfortunately they have all closed up now. 

Gloria, just using Skype would not be a reason that it stopped working unless you had deleted a needed file or something and know you wouldn't have done that.  The idea of blood pudding also is very unappealing to me or kidney pie.  I can relate to your SIL in that I had never had to do the cooking until this last year when Pat just wasn't up to doing so.  I can also take care of the washing of clothes and dishes. 

Jane, I think we all have a tendency to follow traditions that we grew up with and then pass them on to our children.  I guess it is a part of our heritage.  I don't remember my mother ever making potato pancakes and Pat has never made them. 

June, I am with you with regard to eating calves or any animals brains or other organ parts.  I don't like the taste or smell of fried liver either.  Glad to see your cough had improved yesterday.  Rest can do wonders for us as we let our bodies fight off colds and other ailments.  I am very glad you are still with us also. 

Good morning.  I just finished writing a long message and lost it.  And, I just don't know what I did.  That just frustrates me so much.

So, for now, I will just say Hello to all the friends and hope you all will have a nice day.  For the ones that aren't feeling well,  I hope that today will be a lot better day for you. 

It is kind of a dreary day here.  A good day to stay in and read and then eventually a nap will happen.

Wishing all of you a nice day.  Will try to get back later.

Joy

Hal, I'm sorry to hear about your SIL's son's heart attack and it sounds as if he is mending OK.  Norm's single bypass was in 1976 and lasted until he died in 2015. 

I send very few Christmas cards these days and I've gotten started.  I have a message to put in a few of them, plus pictures in another few of them.  I hope to have them in the mail by the end of the week. 

Dot and I will go to a Christmas Tea put on by the Women's Fellowship of our church.  Actually all of the women of the church are members of the Women's Fellowship.  We have a short service first, then refreshments.

It is windy in our area and Lake Michigan has lots of whitecaps, in case you look.

Mary Ann

Hal:  Your SIL's son must be very young for his heart problems.  Prayers for a total recovery. 

Jenny:  The house was down to 68 here and I am not housecleaning right now - so the heat is on.  What a whiplash change.  And, it colder for you.  Also, barely any snow at Grand Lake - people had better start water restrictions early next year.  One of our sons is getting our house ready for neighbor relatives coming from Texas and Missouri for a funeral - they need a place to stay.  I have beds and a trundle bed and so forth and really, there is no motel or hotel close.  Don and I had treats at Kneader's today - hope you and Bob have tried that place.   

Jane: I can tell you one breakfast meal that goes over really well with company.  It is very easy. 

Overnight Steel Oatmeal

Place all in a crock pot and set on low when you are ready to go to bed.

4 cups water
1/2 cup half/half or milk
1 cup steel cut oatmeal
dried cranberries and other dried fruits
Spoon in cinnamon to your choice amount
(I stir in a little agave syrup at this point)

Stir and be sure the temperature is set on low.

Serve with more milk, agave syrup (my choice) .

Our relatives who drive out in the morning ask for this breakfast as they climb in their cars for a long distance drive.

If you can wait a couple of weeks, I will check recipes when I get home as I do have a mandarin orange spinach salad with toasted almonds that is OK too. 

Jane:  Need to mention that I double/ at least - the steel oatmeal recipe.  It has to be the steel cut not ordinary oatmeal. 

Been out & about this morning & more errands before night falls....

Hal & Larry, I have a feeling the procedure you hear about without cracking the ribs is the one to replace the aortic valve through the artery. My cardio Dr explained to me "that is for people not expected to live more than a year & too fragile for open heart".  5 years later we have a whole clinic doing the "quicky" replacement of the valve, but don't think that is for by-passes.  5 years ago (time flies) Cleveland Clinic was considered top for valve replacement, the by-passes were done because "Medicare wouldn't pay to do stents whe they are already in & open".  Any diagnosis after this will be the doppler type, my research shows they get the same results as the more invasive heart cath.  Procedures change fast and I hope they find an easier way to replace by the time my kids need help (if they do).

I'd better shut up & hit the road or it will be getting dark before I get home.  Still cold but sun is shining... UGGs feel good & so does a heavy winter coat.  Talk later tonight.  Everyone behave! 

We are on edge around here.  Son Mark called last night to update us on the fires in his area.  The winds were terrible and many more fires are burning now as a result.  His golf course was evacuated early this morning and his housing area is still in pre-evacuation status.

CAROL, it really got cold here last night.  Burr. The sun warmed us up some but it is really chilly out there. 

HAL, I do hope your SIL’S Son is doing much better this morning after his surgery. 

MARY ANN, hope you and Dot enjoyed the service and the Christmas Tea. 

LARRY, every time I turn around now I am seeing something advertised about the Instant Pot you and Pat have.  Before, I had never heard about one. 

JANE, I am sorry you had to leave for work before it was time for your daughter to leave for home.  It sure was nice that you all were able to get together to pay your respects to your family friend.

SHIRLEY, sounds like you are bundled up good for you outing....

I hope you all have a good rest of your day.

Jenny

Hal, and my Thanks to God, along with yours. We are saddened to learn of older folks like us having health ailments, but when it comes to the younger folks it seems to hurt even worse. This case turned out to be very encouraging. Thanks be to God.

I have been incarcerated in my room for the third day now. Until they find the reasons behind my minor illness they do do not want to take a chance on spreading it. The one benefit is having three free meals a day delivered to my apartment. I canceled all three today as I have so many leftovers from yesterday and the day before. I had a throat culture done yesterday, and was scheduled for a blood test today, but they didn't show up, an outside concern does that work. And so it goes. I still have plenty of reading material on hand.

Joy, I really hate it when I have written a long point, and then somehow manage to send it off into the long-beyond, never to found again.

Mary Ann, I retired from sending out all greeting cards, except by using a paid card company but now they are unreliable. Gary and Dori include me in family cards and checks. They are so good to me.

time to hit the pillow…I get tired just doing nothing…or perhaps I am just lazy, or old?

I love you people. June

This is a message for Jane:

I bought some of that Almond Bark chocolate and I am planning on making some of those thin mint cookies out of the Ritz crackers and dipping then in the chocolate flavored with peppermint.  I just want to know, does that chocolate stay hard,  once it is hardened up,  I put them in the fridge for a little while, but wondering  if  the chocolate  will get soft when out of the fridge???  I have made them a long time ago and just can't remember what kind of chocolate I used.   

They are having a cookie swap here and I can't stand too long at a time to make cut=outs or even the drop cookies, so I thought I would make these mint ones.  They are easy and I can make them sitting down.

Thanks!!

Joy

JOY, once the chocolate is st it will stay that way as long as they are not near a heat source or in the sun...just like any other kind of chocolate.  I never thought of mints.  What do you use to flavor them?

I came home to a surprise today!  Santa (in the form of my Texas daughter) and an elf (in the shape of my Lewisburg daughter) bought and set up a new CD player for me.  Mine hasn't worked for about 3 years now and I really missed it.  I've been playing music on the TV channels but it's just not the same as hearing my own collection collection.

Another special day is drawing to an end.  I hope all of you are feeling the love of the season and giving it too.  I wish you all good health, happiness and contentment.

Jane, thanks. I kind of thought that it would.  I guess that kind of chocolate is just about the same as the little discs.   I know if you use plain chocolate chips, they set if you put it in the fridge,  but gets soft when left out. 

I just use the peppermint extract.  I know it is about 1/2 tsp.   If you google Faux Thin Mints,  it will give you amounts of the crackers.  I always have to look the amounts up.

Here is link to how to make them....even with a video.   http://allrecipes.com/recipe/10112/thin-mint-crackers/

Here is another one,,,,, a little different.......https://www.averiecooks.com/2012/07/homemade-thin-mints.html

Thanks, again.

Joy

Jenny, the Tea today was very nice.  We had a good attendance for the size of our church and the fact that many young women have jobs outside of the home.  Many of the women looked very festive in Christmas clothing.  Our entertainment was six girls playing Christmas songs on their violins.  They come from a family of 10 children, all of whom play the violin, but the boys did not come with their sisters.  The oldest sister is 15 and the youngest six.  After the violinists left, we had our refreshments and one of our church members baked several Red Velvet cakes for the Tea.  Our pieces were very generous so I have an idea there was more cake than really needed.  It was good.

I am watching the Hope College (Holland MI) choirs and their vesper program.  It is a yearly event and is shown on our PBS station.  A faculty member is doing some reading and I can tell by the sleeves of her robe that she has her doctorate.  It is a good program and I have enjoyed it for many years.  Holland is only about 40 miles from here.

We are at the beginning of a cold spell which will probably last for quite a while.  Being early December, it probably is time but last night when I went to bed, the temperature was 60 degrees; that will not be so tonight.  Brrr.

Mary Ann

JUNE! I hope you get a good night of rest.  I am sorry to read you are incarcerated in your room.  I do hope you feel much better very soon and you can resume your normal schedule. 

MARYANN, the tea sounded delightful and I would have enjoyed hearing the sister violin group play.  I have been watching our local PBS Station each night this week.  They have the best entertainment.

JANE, happy, happy for you getting your new CD player....your elves are very sweet to give you this early Christmas present. 

Son Mark and Megan are still in their home, but the truck and car are packed and ready to go at a moments notice if need be.  The neighborhood within 2 blocks of them has been evacuated so I do not understand why they have not been.  There are horse properties all around him and those neighbors have all evacuated.  Still no definite news if the club hose at his golf course has burned or not.  I continue to hold positive thoughts and am saying lots of prayers that they will be safe. 

Pleasant dreams to EVERYFRIEND!

Jenny

Jenny, the fires are really bad out there in California, for the life of me I cant understand why a little common sense cant be used and keep the underbrush cleaned up. 

Well my appointment with my PC doctor went pretty well, I guess, he wants me to see the lung doctor and re-evaluate my COPD.  He would like to change my puffer that I use.  He takes his time and listens to what I have to say.  But he cant turn back time and make me 60.

My wife and I got our SOC pay statement yesterday showing us how our big 2% increase will affect what we get.  HA! mine all went to my Medicare premium and I will take home a mind boggling 3 dollars.  Ditto for my wife, all her increase went to her Medicare premium and take home remains the same.  I now pay more premium than she does.  Guess cant gripe they didn't cut it.  Merry Christmas.

Well going to put me to bed and hopefully sleep most of the night.  Good Night, God Bless and Sweet Dreams.

Janie, Congratulations on your new record player.  You have some exceptional Elves in your family.  Bless them

HAL, we are going to be rich.....Bob is going to get a whopping 7$ and mine is a wash!  Oh well....at least we aren’t going have to pay more! 

well It is that time for this old Man, also I am having that dizzy head again this afternoon. Good Night and sweat dreams.

Lloyd

Good morning Everyfriend!  I'm up and attem this morning!  I punched the "play" button on my new CD player and I have Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing Christmas music.  Nice to wake up to!

We're waiting out the doggies pills right now and then we'll have breakfast The day will begin with a will.  I work this morning and I'm trying to think where the nearest place would be to buy decorated computer paper.  Maybe WM will have filled their shelves today.  I'll check that out first.  We used to have a Staples here but they moved out last Spring.  I might have to go down there but I'd rather not have to drive anywhere. 

I wish you all love, health and happiness!  Enjoy your day.

 JaneS good Morning I wish back to you a great day and everyone that comes later. it is 34 º here now mostly clear, calling for a high of

Good morning everyone..

The high winds have not stopped  ,started yesterday and all through the night. Dr appointment went well, she is cutting one pill in half with hopes that does the trick. We will take the script in this morning as the drug store will be making up the blister packs soon. I hope to do some baking today .

Jane, what a lovely surprise to come home to.

Jenny, I hope your son and wife are safe from the fires. Can't imagine having to leave ones home at the drop of a hat.

Lloyd,stay away from the machinery if you are dizzy, rest for you today..

Better get a move on it.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Good Morning!

Well our temp is 44, believe it or not, "they" say possible snow flurries in the hill country, how bout that.  We are suppose to have lite rain today.  Hope so.

I woke up this morning and tried to roll over and go back to sleep, twisted and turned and finally just got up and have the coffee on and turned up the heat.  Maybe a nap later on.

Not much on tap today.  Have a eye doc appointment tomorrow at 1 and I need to go down and renew my drivers license. 
The leafs are rapidly filling my yard from my two big Red Oaks, will be glad to see them all come down and the yard guys get them mulched up.

Some musings:  I have to wonder why a Priest would murder and rape a young lady, a man who supposedly wanted to dedicate his life to helpings others.  Why would a punk think he has a right two swagger after committing a drive by that killed a 10 years child, asleep in her bed.  a more cowardly act could not have been committed by anyone, just think, driving by in the dead of night spraying bullets at a house where people are sleeping.  And the guy who walks up to a church, dressed in black, dressed in costume? Like a child going to play at war? Except he actually kills 26 people who couldn't feel more secure, secure in the house of God.  Are we even suppose to understand? All acts of stupidity, they prove nothing except life can be snuffed out in an instant.

I hope everyone has a great day.