Best/Worse/What did I learn today? Chat with friends..

Fabulous pictures. Hey Cookie, I like the live "eye candy" better!!! LOL

well, live 'eye candy' she could not pull his hair off OR could she..guess it depends on how excited she gets..lol

Excited about getting my name..today is deadline and within the next few days likely have a name to pack a box to..now how cool is that..

ah - how great is that?!?! c'mon, want a name!! lol

Norm is doing very well. So far no bad reaction to the chemo last Wed. but the doc did tell us it usually starts to show up between treatment 2 and 3. He may have another laser surgery on Wednesday but it is not definite. His next chemo is on Halloween-the 31st. Between the price of gas and the co-pays on the insurance, we are watching the pennies. I can't believe how the prices have gone up. Norm's co-pay to see a specialist (which of course is what his doctors are for this) is now up to $50.00 per visit. Last month alone he was seen 5 times!!!! And they say it is going to get worse. Will need to stop eating if this keeps up!!
Loved the pictures and it is soooo great to put the faces to the names. Thank you Betty. I'm so glad you all had such a great time.

Wow Barb, that is a lot of $$$, by end of month budget is all used up..worth it though if we can get Norm well!

Don't cut on the food, cut on fabric and we'll all mail you some..

Don't know how anyone can afford to get sick anymore.

Am glad he's feeling ok through the treatments

Geeze Barb - I agree with Betty, it's expensive to get sick....
I also agree that we can supply fabric while you have breakfast, lunch, and dinner!! (does that include butter tarts for snacks? lol)

Barb, I will be bald to help with fabric too. What kind of fabric do you need for the hospital bags for the kids?

I got home about 2:30 on Sunday afternoon. I had a great time but was so tired that I went right to bed for a nap. The dog climbed in next to me and we had a nice sleep.

Back to the trip...I got in Friday night around 5:00 as did Joyce and Birdie. Betty and Ann got in earlier in the day and had already browsed the Outlet Mall there at Birch Run. The five of us got together for a drink and dinner. Judy and Linda Kay got in late Friday night and Karen came in to meet the rest of us for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Of course we had to shop there, too. After breakfast we made our way to Bonner's Christmas Shop. You could spend a week in this place and never see it all! We split up to shop and everyone ended up with plenty of goodies to take home. Following that we went to lovely fabric fabric store were I was a very bad girl....lots of pretties came home with me. It was a small store with limited sewing and cutting space but lovely variety of fabrics that were very new to me.
The rest of the bunch walked down Main Street to visit the little shops even through it was pouring rain the whole time. I took time out to walk the dog and shop through the Bavarian Inn. We met at the Inn for dinner the German way; family style and then off the Betty's motel room. We chatted there for a while and Karen had to leave to got to Sterling Heights to meet her husband and Judy and Linda Kay had to drive back to Grand Rapids. The five of us said our goodbys shortly after and left the next morning.
We packed a lot of fun, laughs, hugs and shopping in a short time but none of us would have missed it for the world.
Don't want to forget the goodies that were gifts from our buddies. My bag from Betty had templates for several sewing projects, a wonderful pin cushion made from a pretty china cup and saucer, a lovely wind chime and many packets of seeds from her garden. Joyce had made mushrooms for us and the Kahlua
Cake from Marion. Linda Kay made reversible Kleenex boxes/ Thanksgiving to Christmas. I was so impressed I am making some for the Bazaar.

Hi...very quick...I'm home, was famished, ate and now really must take a nap
See you in a bit!

Janice - what a wonderful trip, and all the friends and goodies!! Wow

Judy - take it easy girl, you did just get out of the hospital!! Do you have a BP machine to monitor yourself?

Glad you are home safe and overly pleased Judy that you will go rest!
Quite an adventure for you, we could see you weren't well and yet you were a trooper. All thanking LindaKay for looking after you like a 'mother hen'.

Janice, on one of the sewing threads I posted all the links for the templates I sent, hope you make use of one or two! I just loved the material you purchased..was a small shop but lordy it had great fabrics. Imagine that the upstairs seeing as they do weekend retreats (sewing) is quite spacious

Glad to near your home Judy! Go lay down in your own comfy bed and get some rest!

I'm not a sewer, and I thought the place was amazing! ^_^

Glad everyone made it home safely!

Bertie said something about saving her money for Canada....guess she took the invitation to heart!

Betty made me the most beautiful Christmas runner for my dining room table. I can't wait to put it on there!

LK, I just love the tissue box cover! It looks so cute sitting in my bathroom! Fall this time around!

Forgot to tell you.... :o(

Bertie and I BOTH left our pillows at the motel.

Omg NO!! And after Janice telling us her story about forgetting hers..will they send it to you.

You just made my day, glad Bertie took it seriously...how much fun will that be.

Rained most of the day, wind is up, chilled to the bones so water is already in tub and waiting for me, guess it will be an early night if not a relaxing one.

LindaKay, Ann was bringing her tissue box cover to the group that sews for the church bazaar to see if they can duplicate..loved mine!

Joyce, glad you lked the runner...

Hurricane Paul is still moving this way. We checked two wbsite this morning whne Tony got here and before he left. I am prepared, as much as I can be. Tony shopped so I stocked up on food for the dogs and cats. If it start raining tomorrow Tony will stay home. We think it will be Wednesday but we know never to trust a hurricane.

I slept all afternoon. Feel better but still have a headache.

My dog Rosie died. I don't know what happened by it was very sudden. I'm in so much pain myself it hasn't really registered.

Must feed th other dogs and go back to bed. Sleep is hleping.

hugs, katie

Oh Katie, I am so so sorry about Rosie. Loosing our pets just hits us so hard, and when we are already down...its worse. Sending hugs, and please Stay safe!

I am married to a "Paul" and know the damage they can do! lol

Hugs
Debbie

((((((Katie)))))) sorry to hear about your furry, Rosie. It's difficult to lose a loved one.....

I just wanted to stop in to let you know you will have your names for the Christmas swap by Thursday at the latestl. I apologize for not getting them out sooner but I spent over 4 hours today at one of the hospitals in Kingston seeing my Neuro Opthmalogist, having my vision field tests and some other assorted vision tests done. I am sorry to say I am just worn out and can't tackle the list tonight. I am excited to do this but the doc wanted me to rest my eyes for the next couple of days.

Debbie were you able to contact Crissy about a new mailing addy?

Loved looking at the pics. You all looked like you were having a blast!

Dianne

Dianne, re-emailed her...should have it tomorrow. If you need help....let me know. I hope all is well, feel better. Did you get your MRI set up yet?

Debbie

Awe ((HUGS)) Katie... on losing Rosie... do you know what happened? Nothing to affect the other pups, right?

Dianne don't worry we'll get our names when we get them... Looking forward to it but you need to take care of Dianne that's priority...

LOVE the pics everyone! I feel exhausted like I was with ya'll and drove home. Such Happy Smiles....

Joycet; the hotel might mail your pillows back to you... you can try?

Glad everyone & LK were looking after Judy...

(HUGS)
Mary

I have left pillows before, all I had to do was call the motel, tell them what room, and they mailed them COD.

I'm confused.......they send you your own pillows that you brought with you to the hotel?

I agree with Mary, Dianne - we'll get the names when we get them. As soon as we do, Katie & I will make plans to get a giftie to our Christmas buddy!!

Morning all,

Katie, here's hoping the storm moves off its path..you sure don't need this extra worry! Sorry to hear about Rosie, is indeed difficult to lose a furrie friend. Your headache could likely be due to the weather, keep safe!

Dianne, do not worry about our names right now, we've lads of time to get them out. Already said, it's important that you look after you..when will you get the results of these tests?

Mom called yesterday, aunt Muriel will not be coming with us this weekend, she remembered she promised to cook and help out at the church. Mom says Jim is excited about going with us but I can almost guarantee come Friday Jim will suggest going to the cottage to get things in order would be more productive..

Darlene called as well, she and the girls will come painting today, might help her to settle into a routine again. Her mom is healing well, long process though.
Time to get a move on

Thanks everyone for being so understanding. Thanks Debbie for getting Crissy's addy.
Dianne

The rain has started here so Tony won't be back until it's over. I put the sandbags in place. Got an email from Dana with the info that this rain is from a cell not the main hurricane so it may not last but we know not to trust a hurricane.

For the moment, the rain is coming down fairly gently but steadily so much of it should soak in, at least here where I've amended the soil.

Dana and Tom were due to leave tomorrow - don't know what this will do to their plans, especially if the road goes out.

I'll get my propane light out of the van and have it, my propane stove and candles ready for if (when) electricity goes out.

When Tony put my roof on I told him not to spare expense on fasteners and it held up through Hurrricane John, which was our worst, and several others so I feel prretty safe.

I slept well and don't have a headache this morning. I'm grateful for all I have, inclluding all my friends here.

hugs, katie

Susan, if you forget anything in a motel room, all you have to do is call them tell them your name and room number, and they will send your items for postage, most of the time COD.

Morning everyone!

Be careful in that storm Katie!

You certainly sound organized but guess if the storms keep brewing in all your regions you have to be. When is it expected to hit..feel the same, love my DG family!

How are you doing Mary? are things settling down?

Dianne, again, absolutely no hurry..are you feeling somewhat better today?

What do you and dad have planned for today LindaKay??? guess he cannot go out until he gets ok from the doctor. is he able to play cards or just enjoys you sitting near his side?

Hope Judy had a good nights rest. I slept fairly well for going to bed early..took some pain killers and I guess they worked. Today I'm sitting with feet elevated, computer at edge of desk so I can put pressure on my back into the chair. Feel like someone layed a bag of brings on my shoulders..

With Dad's brain damage, he can't read or recognize things like cards, so he watches a lot of westerns on TV. This afternoon he has a Dr.'s appointment to have his toe checked, then we are going to a freinds house for home made soup and visit for a bit, then back home.
I am gong to go visit Deejay/Susie on Friday. Looking forward to seeing her again.

Sure hope you shoulder pain eases up soon!

((((((Linda Kay's Dad)))))) I know it's tough for the entire family, but wanted to give your Dad a hug........

Thanks Susan!

Oh, I do not have a sewing machine here, but I did bring yarn, as I am crocheting granny squares.

Betty you should make yourself one of those rice/herb heating pads. like a bean bag.....put in rice, and rosemary or lavender, lemon balm...what ever scent you like... heat in micro wave for just a minute, minute and a half.....and put on your shoulders if you make a long narrow one you could drape it across both shoulders.......

If I sit too long at the sewing machine and / or computer my lower head hurts like crazy, and into neck and shoulders......heat pad helps...

Dianne, no hurry...we just want you to feel better soon...BIG gentle hugs.

I should have known that, we talked about you making yourself an afghan..
Will be nice for you to meet up with Deejay, sure wish she could have joined us on Saturday.

Am sure by the time you get home tonight your dad will be plum tuckered out

Have one of the heat and cold compress units I bought and they just aggravate...have to just do nothing and keep arms below the waiste.

Good morning...

Yes, I did get a very good sleep, thank you.

Katie,I was very sorry to hear of your loss...

Dianne, hope the tests go well. You take care of you first and formost.

Betty, Please get in some rest too...you have been non stop go.
EVEN the energizer bunny does needs a recharge.

Lol I have o much to say...I will make the time to sit and write on a real computer.
Novel will coming ssoon.

OH Barbara, ikes and yow, a big increase on copays...I know this is crazy with how quickly it adds up. BUT I am so gl the treatments are working.

Alright I have some errands to run...first things first get glasses fixed! I am so tired of Magooing around, soon will have wrinkles from squinting, hahaha. Then Walgreens to check BP, Library and home to get somethings done....

Ok...Thanks Dr. MOM! And now here is Nurse Mom....
SUSAN! Sigh, and yes I am yelling. The ONLY "Waste" of time is if you don't get checked out thouroughly..every and all concerned nneed to check all aspects of your health. 2 YEARS AGO I did not have blood pressure so high I could have astroke worse...turns out, over that durration of time I my pressure wasrising and rising and my body has llearned to adjust., lets get back to you, the only waste oftime is if you dont get yourself to doc emergency or wheree er...let them go through their rulling things out, its what they haveto do!! So bring something to do while waiting...Im goi.g to tell you what I tell my kids, dont come posting an arguinment, Ive already read alland it seems to me that you need to take/make the time to figure out whats going on...If something horrible happens to Susan, then that would be an awful Waste to everyone who Loves you
Personally, I think self diognosis and guessing what your helth issue is, is a bigger waste of time then a second chest exray or whatever test needs to be done...now, pack yourself a go bag of stuff to hand sew, read or write, whatever and DO waste the medical people time thats what they get paid for. Okok quitting my yelling at you! offering a tight armwrap, be brave and justgo do it!

Well now I really got run..

P.S.
If i didn't Love you or care, i would have kept my mouth shut!!
...(that sorta for lurkers who don't know me)

Betty, My doctor warned me against long-term use of a shoulder brace, as muscles atrophy very quickly. However, when my should get real sore I use the brace for a few hours or overnight and I find that immobilizing it for a few hours helps a lot.

It's raining gently now.

hugs, katie

Yay! Judy! High 5.....see Susan!!! Lots of people care what is going on and trying to help. Don't make us put you in the naughty chair time out.

Judy so happy to hear from you and that you are "minding" the docs and all that. I hope you are!!!

Glad everyone had such a good time on the trip.

Here is a bit of color from NY.

Debbie

Good girl Judy...make Walgreens a weekly stop unless you pick up a BP cuff of your own....as for finding out what is wrong for any of us....JUST DO IT...like Nike says....grin
Hello to you all.

Katie, so sorry for your loss of Rosie, was she very old? Keep a close eye out for spiders and scorpions trying to escape the wet weather. Fingers crossed that hurricane slips past you with minimal impact....seems the waters in both oceans is still warmer than usual....not usual to get named hurricanes that far up the alphabet this late....although, it seems to be on a 7 year pattern..(Wilma in 2005)

Betty....sounds like the pain may be from driving long distances and holding your arms up...you may need to look into a lumbar support, or use your heat packs when driving. so many activities you do put your body in that position....typing, sewing, driving, crafting...tend to sit with arms raised, shoulders hunched and head slightly forward...all put stress on the upper back and neck.

Good thoughts to Barb, Norm Dianne and LK's Dad.

Hope everyone sees a bit of sunshine, even if it is only in a smile.