What's happening in your neck of the woods? #22

I talked to Marilynne's DH. She doesn't have access to wireless, so no internet. Lorna's surgery isn't until tomorrow.

Thanks for keeping us up to date, echoes - much appreciated.
My thoughts & prayers are with her, Lorna & her family

susan

I just got off the phone with Marilynne. Things did not go well with Lorna's surgery yesterday. Please say a few prayers for Lorna today.

This message was edited Sep 13, 2009 9:40 PM

Oh my, this is awful news, but thanks for letting us know.

oooooooh poor Marilynn.........and all the family!

My thoughts and prayers are with them all.....

~Susan~

This waiting stinks. I sure hope Marilynne is being kept better informed today. Somehow the no news is good news doesn't see to be the thing here.

Dropping in with a 'hi' and 'prayers'

Do hope Lorna's operation went well..

Won't be long the gardens will be put to rest for the winter, have you been happy with yours? Just did my morning walk around with coffee in hand, still have color, beautiful yellows...I've planted 14 trees, 10 shrubs, 8 rose bushes, 6 phlox (blue/red) so already imagining what springtime will bring..lol..

As recreation co-ordinator for most of my life I was already planning events/programs for the next season so habits die hard...for me it's Christmas planning..I know, give me a slap..lol..

Been a good girl, dieting...doing the weight watchers and in 2 weeks I've lost 6 lbs..not a lot considering Suzanne (SIL I work with) started same day and joined Berstein..she's lost 22 lbs..looks fabulous..kind of discouraging..but I'll continue my trek, goal is 20 lbs. by Christmas Day..should be easily an attainable goal don't you think..

I'm off to enjoy this beautiful fall weekend, couldn't ask for better weather...

So much to do and so little time..

Enjoy your day..take time to pick a flower

Betty, you have been missing too long.

Marilynne and Lorna's trip to Winnipeg is turning into a nightmare. Surgery yesterday didn't work and neither did the blood thinners. Please remember Marilynne and Lorna today.

I'll let Marilynne explain more when she gets back online.

This message was edited Sep 13, 2009 9:38 PM

G'morning, all!!
Betty - good to see you. I've been thinking of getting peat moss for my tender roses, and finding a spot to store my dahlias and my one brug.... I have about 15 dahlias, and (like everyone else who gardens!) a space issue with my house LOL
No basement = omgoodness, where do I put them, when my DH uses the porch for a tool shed - in addition to the outside shed he has hahahaha) and will likely store them in the porch..........

I've never grown tender roses before, nor brought in plants from my garden.
Can we say "almost garden newbie"? S'funny, at my age I wouldn't have thought so, but I'm going in a totally different direction, in a totally different growing season from what I grew up with. Gone are the 4-5 month summers, and I get 1 pure month of gardening in the shadow of the mountains lol This year is a bit different - we got much more rain, and a 2nd month of gardening, so I feel fortunate in having a lush garden yet! And tomatoes ripened IN the garden, without a GH!

Ah well, we'll see what next year brings when I replant my Dahlias & Brug, and take a look at my tender roses ^_^

TCE1 - hagd, and cya soon!

~Susan~

Any news from Marilynne re Lorna?

I picked up a new foster dog last Monday - she has been very stressed and it has taken a while for her to start to come out of her shell. I think she may have a new forever home soon as the lady who adopted Trouper in the spring ( and then had to have him put down in the summer) has asked for 'first refusal' - Sasha will do well with her I think.so I hope that works out.Yesterday Sasha was spayed. At the same time I realized one of my cats - Chelsea - really was not well - and showing it -so I took her into the vets and the news was not good - early liver and kidney disease - and I opted to send her on her way over the Rainbow Bridge. She was 13 - she and her litter mate Jazz have been with me since they were 10 months old. It is a sad day in this house!

So sorry about Chelsea, Carol. A difficult decision to make and so hard to say goodbye.

Marilynne is still here with Lorna. Another surgery is planned for Monday at the St. Boniface Hospital so they will be here for awhile yet.

Sorry for your loss, Carol. It is such a hard decision to make, but good that she will not suffer. Here's hoping Sasha finds a good loving "forever" home.

Carol, it's a hard choice to make but loving your Chelsea for 13 years and choosing for her a graceful and non suffering twilight of her life is most gracious. it sounds like a good fit Sasha and Trouper mom.

DSO and Cooper ran into a pair of very territorial Corgies yesterday in the forest. Both have flesh injuries and look achy as well today.

Lots of errands today, best get moving.
TTFN

Sunset at French Beach, just past Sooke BC

Carol, you have my sympathies, but you chose the right thing. Not that it makes it any easier.

Am hoping that things go better for Marilynne and Lorna.

We got home on Tuesday afternoon from our week-long trip with DH's 44 yr-old Porsche. If you like to look at pics of old cars, you'll find them and those of the West Baden Springs Hotel at http://violaann.smugmug.com/Cars/East-Coast-Holiday/9665157_SFMCm

Ann

Carol - it must be painful for you to bear, but you did the most loving thing you could - seeing her out of her pain......

I know your other four-footed family are grieving too....I remember when my cat, Smokey, had to be euthenised and her kitten, Baby (if you can call a 2-yr old cat a kitten), suffered loss for her mom for almost a solid year. She went into a depression and used to lick her fur off her belly. She kept prowling the house calling and looking for Smokey.
Baby had her mom for two years when Smokey got sick and the vet could not find out what was wrong.

Take care, and I hope we can "be there" for you.
~Susan~

BRRRR, chilled to the bones, have my furnace on..guess it's that time of year! No use complaining, fall itself is pretty in my neck of the woods so best enjoy it before the white stuff flies...

I've been busy these past weeks, working on the house again on the inside/outside...as of yesterday have new patio door in back bedroom (think I'll move into that one because the view of the gardens will be worth the smaller room..lol) and a new glass insert metal door for the basement entrance...today, am hoping they'll have installed 7 indoor doors...all bring on more projects..deck for the patio door, new stairs for back entrance and panelling, trim/handles etc for the doors..etc.etc. you know how it goes, fix one thing and the whole house has to be decorated around it...lol..

Waiting for a ride into work today, car getting new motor for the heater/airconditioner..6 hrs. they say to install it + cost of motor..most like around a $2K job...have extended warrantee..only thing I didn't know is when you get something done you have a 'deductable'..now isn't that something...be glad to have wheels again...

Tonight is shopping, having a duel birthday party here tomorrow so lots to be done..rather than home sick on Tuesday I should have endured and taken today off...I'm from the old school, can't take a Friday, just wouldn't do, nor a Monday, then not Thursday because it's a payday sooo if you are going to be sick, must be Tuesday or Wednesday..aren't I silly?

Praying for those in need and sending smiles to all others...

Sorry for your loss, Carol. They rely on us to do the right thing - but it's so hard. She was lucky to have you and vice versa.

Shannon

Haven't checked in here for awhile. Had a haircut this morning and a Doc appt. this afternoon. Haven't seen my GP in a year or more and thought it was time to touch base and get some referrals for massage therapy, new orthotics, etc. Stopped by a local "produce" shop (although they have very good meat and fish too). They had a special on salmon fillets and I got three large ones. they are nice to have in the freezer or to cut up into individual serving sizes. I like to poach them and serve them cold if things are busy.

They also had pie pumpkins - 5 for $5. I like to cook them down as the flesh is so much nicer than what you get in a can. But I don't like the regular grocery store price of about $3-4 each.

Have a meeting tonight at church. We are about to embark on a $2,800,000 renovation of an aging Christian Education wing which is where "we put out faith into action". It's nearly 50 years old, badly insulated with all systems failing on it. It's costing a fortune to heat and to patch up as the heating, plumbing, roofing systems all fail. so, the timing may not be great, but we have to do it.

The church has about $700,000 as a result of bequests and has to raise the rest and they are embarking on an every member canvass. We agreed to visit some people and there is a training session tonight.

Most of you will have noticed that there is a new gnome and two stuffed mounties - a bear and a moose on the road again. I still wonder what happened to the last person who had Dave, Bullwinkle and Jerome.

Ann

Where is everyone? Did I put the kiss of death on the thread - no posts in 5 days?

I'll be checking in occasionally, but the next week will be VERY busy as I prepare for and Ottawa Symphony concert next Monday. We had string rehearsal and viola section rehearsal yesterday. First Full rehearsal is tonight. That's a compacting of the schedule by a full week. Bruckner's 3rd Symphony has an awful lot of awkward notes.

Have a great day.

Ann

Here this morning Ann...

Sky is so dark and low that I almost feel I can touch it..torrential rain..guess it's all part of fall..

Been extremely busy with renovations...every Jan.1st I make a list of 'to do's' with regards to house improvements..just finished everything on my list with 3 months to go..needless to say I'm excited..past week I've put patio door in back bedroom, replaced 7 indoor doors, new metal/with full glass insert door on back entrance basement...all needing trim and trim painted...hard when you are alone, everything is left to me/me/me...

On Friday I had a great surprise...

Last Saturday I did a birthday party for my mom's 78th and my brother's 60th..guess we were joking about how long it would take me to want a deck built..said all my renovation budget was gone..on the list for spring of 2010..we'll, there were quite a few at the party who just built new decks and all got talking..

Friday when I got home, my son, my brother had on Thursday all collected odds/ends from everyone and I came home to a new 8' x 7' deck..with a big front and back deck I just wanted a sitting area off the back bedroom overlooking the gardens...so thrilled I was...

Old habits die hard, because I was recreation co-ordinator for Georgian Bay Township I was always planning the next season's events so here I am, planning Christmas projects because I host many 1 day workshops so lots to do over the next few weeks..

This weekend I travel to Meaford, about 100 miles for the Applefest/Screcrow event, then it's Thanksgiving and then to Frankenmuth for shopping and getting a taste of Christmas...

Where does the time go?

Will be back more often now that I've got my mojo working..lol..

Hope weather is better in your neck of the woods...enjoy your day...

I've just come from Coffee at my pool. It reopened today after September maintenance and while I didn't do aquafit, I DID go for coffee and I learned the unbelievably sad news that one of my favourite aquafit and Red Hat friends as well as a valued member of my handbell choir, passed away this morning. She was found by another member of the group who had stopped by her house and came to tell us at the pool.

She had been battling breast cancer, but it was thought that the surgery (last February) had gotten everything. The chemo did NOT go well and she was too ill to receive her final dose. She recently spent a week in hospital with a blood clot, but was sent home. She may have had difficulty getting her regular blood thinner injections. While I had bad feelings about the way everything was going and the eventual outcome, the suddenness of this has come as a total shock and I'm having a bit of difficulty typing and weeping at the same time.

I think maybe I should put my angst and shock into practicing some Bruckner.

Ann

Sorry Ann, my condolences.

Marilynne was leaving Wpg this morning and hopefully Lorna will be flown to a Thunder Bay hospital, today or tomorrow. I know they will both be so happy to be back home.

Betty, glad you have your mojo back.

So sorry, Ann. News like this can be devastating. I pray the day gets better for you.

I'm sorry for your loss, Ann.

Shannon

Ann - what a thing to hear for you today - really sorry for your loss...((((((Ann)))))))
I know what you mean about our woes vs others - Sure beats heck out of my small work frustrations!! It's a shock for you, f'sure.....

Betty - what a lovely surprise to come home to - 2 of 8x7' decks, instead of one small one! How wonderful of them to make these for you ^_^

Take care all - just popped in for a minute.

~Susan~

Hi everyone ..

First of all .. I want to thank all of you for your kindness re prayer and positive thoughts for Lorna.
She remains in St Boniface Hospital in WPG .. she has had 5 surgeries .. 3 failed bypasses to restore the blood flow to her left foot .. and finally an amputation of her left leg below the knee. These 4 surgeries were at Health Sciences Centre .. she went to St B for the removal of her spleen, as it was felt her blood disorder was the cause of the left leg clot.
Leaving her today was one of the hardest things I have ever done .. AND .. she did not get flown home :-( It is now a guessing game.

I had the most wonderful fortune to meet ECHOES and her husband, who ferried me about in their convertible on a very warm summers night. We went for dinner by the lake, and ice cream (gellato) .. what an awesome couple!!
Echoes was also my support as I trudged through each days hurdles. MG99 was my head to head nurse consultant .. how wonderful to have such marvelous friends.

My sincerest condolences to Carol and Viola ..


~M~

Marilyn - how worried you must be for Lorna........I can't begin to understand what you must be going through.......

So pleased you got to meet Brenda & her DH! I didn't get to, when I visited my folks in May.......
One of these days we'll meet ^-^

~Susan~

Marilynne - I'm glad you are home though it must really sadden you to leave Lorna behind. I certainly hope that she will undergo no more setbacks.

Ann

Ann, so sorry on the loss of your friend. It never gets easier when we lose someone close.

Marilynne, so glad you are home safe. Lorna will follow soon.

Nice to see you back Marilynne. We miss when you are gone. Praying that Lorna will be home again soon as well. Even though you had to leave before her, I am sure she greatly appreciated the time spent with her during her hospital stay.

Looks like tomorrow will be the day for Lorna to fly back home (into hospital) to Thunder Bay. We are ecstatic !! Her parents will be arriving soon after to visit for a week or 2. They will no doubt be quite shocked .. but .. as I told them .. "she is ALIVE' .. that clot could have really done a number on her (moreso than it did).

~M~

Great news! So happy for you all. ^_^

Lorna should be back in TBay by 6pm today :-)
Going to be a long day for her waiting to go. Seems we have had a 'mantra' for several weeks .. 'hurry up and wait' LoL !!

Cheers

~M~

The above MANTRA has become an Albatross around my neck !!!!!
Lorna left Wpg late and is at present in flight in the dark !!! She is NOT a lover of flying, so, I can imagine she is going to be quite upset !!!
Think I best wait til tomorrow to go to the hospital.

~M~

No GOOD news to report, so, will just wish everyone a great weekend.

My gardens are KAPUT due to 3 very heavy frosts ... when I'll get time to take them down is anyones best guess.

Toodles

~M~

awwwwwwwwwww Marilyn........ ((((((((((The Devine Miss ~M~))))))))))

Here's a little chuckle to take us into the weekend.


I need a small favor .... if it's not too much trouble.

We're going away on vacation, and I need a friend to come over to water my plants while we're gone. The plants are mostly geraniums and begonias. If the weather is real hot they'll probably need to be watered twice a day only.

I'll be gone only 21 days.


Attached is a photo for your reference, (please see below).

I'll send you a post card while I'm gone.

Thanks. I know I can always rely on you, my good friend.


P.S. The ladder is in the garage (if needed)! Thanks sooooooooo much! I really, really appreciate your help.

LOL

Chuckle, chuckle,chuckle.

"only twice a day" "ladder....IF needed" LOL
roflmfbo!!