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Thank you Dianne..

Cannot imagine how Darlene must be feeling...I had 3 weeks to comprehend what was to happen, she had but a minute

Told her there are just no words to express my thoughts

I called when you were on your last call, I suppose - got your VM

You would not have gotten me Susan, I'm at work..my home telephone is set up for business calls for when I switch at 4:30. Appreciate you call.. I'm ok

((((((((Betty))))))))))) Wish I were there with you........

Betty just be careful on way home.
Not sure there are any words I can say to comfort you.
Just keeping praying for Mike and Darlene. ..And we are all with you with our Arm wrapped around tight.

Hope Jeff feels better soon, boy that flu sure is making rounds.

be back in bit.

Mike is with the Lord!! Darlene said he looked peaceful ..

Only sister who can stay with her tonight is highly allergic to cats..was a message on my machine from Darlene asking if I could come over..I called, she said nobody would leave until they knew she had someone with her

She said after they leave I could leave but absolutely not

Packing pj's and off I go..switched phones to here to have to be back for 8:30 but Dar said she would be ok for a few hours seeing as she has to be at funeral home at 11

Didn't want you worrying, not sure if I'll have wifi so thought I would post now

Betty, My Heartfelt condolences.

Very glad to hear you will go be with your friend.

Just called mom to let her know I would not be home tonight as she said she would call..she just got a call that her last living Aunt, Theresa passed away. She was never married, worked on the boats..was in a home, they will have a service at some point but not in near future...her life was sailing, church and quilting..

Betty and Darlene,
My heart is so heavy tonight as I think of what today has been like for both of you. Actually for all of you girls. You are such a close group and when one hurts, you all hurt. My prayers will be with you through these next difficult days. Please know how much we care and that we will be with you in spirit.

Sorry to hear about your Mom's Aunt Theresa! Lighting a candle, and saying lots of prayers!

Well said Barb...sending prayers and hugs as well.

Sending my prayers to each of you tonight.
Take care ...

Beautifully put Barb, Thank you.

Getting a fire going and prayers being said for all of you, Betty.

very sorry for Your's and Mom's loss..

Good for you, Betty - Darlene needs you right now, even if she says she doesn't.
Sorry to hear about your mom's loss of her aunt.

Checking back in. More hugs.

Holding hands with everyone. We are all together here for you Betty with lots of love.

Dmailing you now Susan ((HUGS))

Evening, such wonderful words from all of you..
Had a few drop ins and now Darlene is on the couch covered in the afghan I made her, I'm sitting in chair covered with blankie..telephone just rang so she is talking to a friend and here I am gabbing with you my friends..

Got to stop making blankets, Darlene said my blanket covered Mike outside in the snow and went to the hospital with him! I received a beautiful blanket in a swap and Ann's hubby had it all through his illness..said it kept him so warm..she returned the comfort blanket after he passed..so I'd best worry about giving out blankets..

I'm just chatting, making nonsense conversation

Darlene hasn't eaten so will tell her I haven't either and only way I will eat is if she doesn't

Oops she just ask me about eating.
Gab after

Betty -
I would say a Blanket from you is like a Giant HUG.... so please be happy that you were there to Hug Mike and Ann's Hubby when they needed it most...
very symbolic... never give up on making or giving blankets....I'm sure they were very comforted to have them there when they needed them....

I agree, Betty - giving the blanket to someone does not mean it's bad luck - just means an angel gave them a warm "Hug" when they needed it more. And you're the earthly angel that gave them the blanket.

"WHAT" Susan said ((HUGS))

You guys are such sweethearts..

The eating thing did not go well, we each ate a muffin, Darlene maybe 1/2 of one

Now trying to settle in..she wanted to go lay on basement chesterfield, would rather we be on same floor but she says she would feel more comfy..this is such big house..likely 5x the size of mine..woulnt you know. It's sub zero temps outside and with cathedral ceiling it's a bit cooler than what I surely have my house temp at..but have 4 blankets so am toasty

Betty, get some rest...its going to be a very long week. So sorry about Mama Frans Aunt passing. The Aunt sounds like DH's Aunt. Never married, traveled and she is a handful. Long story there, could write a book.

Do not ever stop making your blankets, they comfort and warm each and every one. AND...you couldn't be with Mike...but he knew you were there because of that blanket....and so did Annes husband. You kept them warm and loved in their most time of need.

Hugs,
Debbie

Well said everyone about Betty making her blankets. So our Betty llisten up - think of all of the comfort and love that would be missed out on if you didn't make those blankets.

Will you be able to sleep at all tonight Betty? I imagine your mind is whirling at a million miles per minute and added to that not being in your own home has to have an effect.Has a funeral date been set?

Bitter cold here, sure hope the Escape starts as DH has a 9:15 am apptment with Dr Death here in the village. This is just a regular catchup apptment so we can fill our GP in on what is going on and changes in meds. Not sure right now if all of the problems DH is experiencing with his lungs,chest/rib areas and throat are radiation effects or a chest cold settling in. Lands that is all that he needs - a chest cold.Truly think that the effects of the radiation are starting to show their ugly heads.On Fri he sees the Palliative Care doc in at the CC.His caustic/bitter side is starting to show its still there but I think the steroids are the cause. I just walk around with my hearing deliberately not working or I would be crushed or in tears by his words. Thank goodness it is not happening constantly but the barbs still hurt if you let them.Sometimes he doesn't even realize what he has said and truly feels awful when he realizes what was said. But I need to be a better person and step above the words.

Our friends who teach in Indonesia and are home for Christmas are finding these bitter temps we have right now a bit too much. Initially they were quite happy with the temps when they landed. There it is always over 100*F and usually a very high humidity factor. With my curly hair if I lived here I would constantly look like I had a Brillo pad or bedsprings coming out of my head.lol They get very inexpensive flights to what we consider or at least I do exotic places. The get a 4 day weekend each month plus other longer times off for various Indonesian/Muslim holidays so travel alot.They have already been to Bali 4 times and hope to go back at least twice more before their contract is up at the end of May.

Barb how are you doing? You have been on my mid a lot these last few days. Glad you have some answers to things going on in your body. There is nothing worse than grey - I can handle things that are laid out in black and white whether I like them or not. It is the grey unknowns that scare me.

Mary is your sweet, lovely boss back from her holidays? Oh joy! Email coming your way today. It helps if one presses 'Send'. lol at me.

Judy - fire outside or in? I think because we have the wood stove on 24/7 I feel the need to have my fire outside. I have a small pit area where there is a great wind block plus with snow on the ground I can blanket the fire with it.Tad chilly on the cheeks though!

Need more coffee and to stoke that fire. I swear this time of year that wood stove smacks its lips when I put wood into it and then says Give me MORE!!!

Later,
Dianne

Nice aroma of French Vanilla coffee wafting through the house! need more than 2 cup of warm stuff inside you this morning in order to get moving.

Make sure you all do something nice for yourself today ladies.
Dianne

Good morning all. It is a tad chilly here this morning too. It was 2* at 6am and it is only 6* now. Norm left looking like the Michelin snowman-he had on so many layers!!!! We still have NO snow!!
Betty-both Norm and I are holding you and the girls close today. Norm woke up several times during the night and when I asked him why he said he couldn't get Mike off his mind. I think the suddenness of it all got to him. And then he started playing the what-if thing too. That certainly kept him awake as well. I'm glad he has an easy day today.
I need to get some laundry started - BBL....

Morning all,

Sleeping off on, awake about every hour to check the time, listen for Dar, hear no sounds so doze off again. Doubtful i will doze off as its later than my normal wake time.

Wonder if it is possible that being so exhausted and taking a gravol that she might have slept right throu..sure hope so!

Yes Dianne, funeral arrangements have been basically set..Viewing Friday night. 7-9 pm, Saturdayt service at 1:00 with viewing 12-1;00.. She is now looking into where to have
The gathering for the luncheon??

Dianne, armwrats for you during this difficult time..at times Roger's words were cutting and difficult, almost unbearable to listen to..it was the severe pain he was going through and not meant to directly attack..not sure how the endure not only the pain but the heartache of knowing all they hold dear will soon be list to them...what courage it must take to even get
Through the day with these thought on their mind, then add meds to the equasion...

When in clear frame of mind, They must also spend a good deal of time also worrying about us, how we will manage, being alone? Financially? What will become of us? Just so overwhelming..please give Santa Warren a hug for me..saddened that he is in so much pain..how lucky he is to have you by his side..one has to wonder is the quickness way Mike went was not the best?

Now that you mention it Dianne, I hope me vehicle starts as well..should have plugged her in..guess if it doesn't start first crack can always do sp for a few minutes..yuk these Canadian winters,,when is spring again?

Melanie was telling me that Kyle was out snowmobiling the other day..called her from other grandma/grandpa's..quite the trek, would take ,e 1/2 hour by cay..worry about him doing it alone..if he broke down he would have his cel but if he hit something??? I taught and issued snowmobile permits when they were first mandated about 25 years or so, will have to teach or remind Kyle of travelling in buddy system, the letting someone know at least the direction you are travelling in, the stay with machine always, survival techniques..wonder how many I will remember..thank god there is no lake running yet.

brrrrrrr indeed, ladies - here it's a balmy +3c, and this afternoon it will be +13! Mind you, we have another chinook coming on top of the current one! Poor people with migraines from the barometer change!

Well, off to work for the first time since the company closed for the holidays on Dec 23rd!

The above post was from 6:00am, not sure why I lost connection at Darlene's..luckily I had cut to paste on iPad just incase I could save it..

Just arrived home and it pasted..

Guess we should all have a 'to do' list for we or those left behind Barb just incase...

Want you all to know that I read many of your posts to Darlene last night, she was indeed touched..infact she said the minute it happened and wasn't looking good her first thought was call Betty and ask her friends for prayers..

As Dar walked with me to my car, we came down a few steps and there was a bare spot almost like fetal position NOT covered in snow or frost, Dar stopped and reflected that this was the spot Mike really passed on..wondered is snow would ever stay there? Felt so bad

Remember last year the tremendous amount of snow you had Barb?? Best it stay frigid, article like, less snow that way!

Working from home, think I'll take a quick bath (in case telephone rings) get in Jammie's..

Hope Susan you are not to inendated with piles of work..drive safely

thoughts and prayers to you and darlene

Betty my thoughts and prayers are with you and Darlene. Dianne hugs coming your way.
Well the kids are back in school and house put back together.
Spent alot of time with sister on phone talking and texting really hard on her I think most. This is
the first Christmas since mom past.


This message was edited Jan 4, 2012 10:50 AM

Morning everyone! Thanks for the coffee Dianne! Please drive carefully when going to the Dr.
Betty, are you home today, or at the office?

LindaKay, transferred telephones to house when I left office yesterday so am working from home IF you can call it work..organized a few things re schedules for when Paul and Suzanne return Friday other than that, few personal calls..mostly with Ann and then June keeps checking up on me???

This morning when I returned from Dar 's, Cathy had left me a note to say she had been at 7am to let Sailor out...thank goodness for friends

Laura, was starting to fret, the 1sts of every holiday/anniversary/birthday is the hardest....sorry to hear your sister is having such a difficult time..thank the Lord you and she working through it..nice for you I bet getting into a routine. Any projects on the go?

It is so difficult to lose someone and the way in which they go can make ripples that go on for years. My Mother went quickly and my Dad had a really hard time of it. I was worried about his being in depression until he met Frances, his second wife. But for Mother, it was the best way. She was fastidious about her person and she would have had to have a colostomy bag if she had lived and she would have hated that.

On the other hand, Frances lingered for 6 months with her mind sharp but her body giving way. Hard on her, Dad, and kids but it gave them time to prepare and have questions answered. So do we want things to be easier on them or ourselves? Either way, we never get over missing them.

Good point Janice..we talked about that last night, the watching day after after day seeing them in so much pain, hurting inside, worrying, feeling helpless and having that reminder for the rest of our lives or like Mike, opening the door to clean the BBQ, thinking about guests coming for steak dinner and just gone..Darlene can remember the laughs the shared earlier in the day...it's apples and oranges isn't it?? None any better than any other...some say 'but you got to say goodbye'. Not really, I found we played games, how does one say ,you only have days/perhaps hours..do you want to talk about our lives, our love our kids? No..no can do, so we would banter with each other..

Remember Roger said he could he could be home for New Years, mad at me because I had a drivers permit that would allow me to drive an ambulance ..because I told him Toronto ambulance drivers were in demand over Christmas and couldn't make the 2 hr drive to drive him home he felt because i wouldnt drive it to take him home i was because i didn't want him home..try convincing him otherwise. Lol

Then a few laughs,

when New years eve day they transferred him to sister hospital for the 'shut down unit' nice name right? Guess nurses wanted to make sure he was with it..asked him what day it was, did he know where he was going, did he know birthdate, wife's name etc. by the time I reached the hospital they brought him to and while waiting for his room his grabbed my hand and said the caregivers were very tricky, in order to get into the club I had to know specifics so best he give me questions and answers so I wouldn't be shut out..

Memories, don't they bring you back to the day, trick of the mind right?

Janice, how were your holidays...hooe you managed to rest..and Stacey and Jonathon??

Your words are so true Janice. In my mind, I don't want them to go but in my heart, if it is right, then I pray for the Lord to take them quickly. No matter how fast or slow there is always confusion and no matter how prepared you were, you don't remember half of it. It all gets taken care of eventually....

What are you and Norm up to today? Myou said he had an easy day, does than mean he's home keeping you out of mischief?

When Bob's mom passed away, she was in the hospital for a surgery (he was never told what it was) and she suffered complications and passed away the same day. He was called, and within 4 hours was in London but she'd gone less than 2 hours before he got there (while he was flying).
I mentioned Mike's passing to him and that it was quick and he was only 56 - 1 years younger than I and 5 years younger than Bob......... makes you stop & think, doesn't it?

I know my day is easy...... there's a bit of Doc management to do, but otherwise........ nuffin!

Does so Susan!

You think you have a nuffin day. Lol. Hat a hot bath, can't warm up, on the chesterfield in jammies, blanket to make me coze, fireplace going...quite the work from home kind of day!

Too lazy to get up and make myself something to eat...thinking of projects sitting on the craft table that I could start

Just too comfy to do a d*^% thing!

Perhaps your body is saying "stay put and don't do a d**n thing" and perhaps YOU should listen...for once. O:)