Best/Worse/What did I learn today! chat with friends!

Very nice box Betty. Love Miss Mouse.

Not sure if she's Mrs. rudolf?? Lol

Just after I posted some of the girls came to visit with me, June, Darlene and Ann..had gifts in hand, got gift cards for the big garden gallery..can be used either in Midkand or Barrie..just put the topping on an already wonderful day!

Must be on drugs, camera wouldn't work and couldn't figure it out..

June -nickname the clown..
has to have more operations on her wrists

Ann

June and Darlene

Must be on drugs, camera wouldn't work and couldn't figure it out..

June -nickname the clown..
has to have more operations on her wrists

Ann

June and Darlene

Darlene just put her mom yesterday into a seniors complex for 3 months while re-couping..today she went and purchased all the things her mom thought her apt. needed..Mike wanted to do those trio candles for the staff at his work..he had the wood cut and through the summer Darlene painted them all..today she dropped them off at Mike's work..there were tears shed..staff sure do miss Mike!!!

She does look drained ..

Happiness short lived
Just sick over the shooting causing over 20 deaths for most so young their lives cut short! saying the young man (shooter) may have had asperghers syndrome, you know my Kyle has that, just trembling that something lke this could happen..likely I'm not making sense...

I am also in shock. Watched President Obama'a statement. Just cannot fathom this. kb

I am just sick.......worry every day my daughter goes into a classroom..especially teaching high school.

It boggles the mind....how can such evil be visited upon babies? And it seems that the shooter took out his own mother before shooting all those kids and other teachers....it is a sad day for our entire country.

I am numb ... and just cannot imagine what those parents are feeling right now.... I will be praying for the parents and our country... so much evil is permeating everything everywhere it seems...

Morning all,
Woke several times during the night with thoughts also of how those families must be shock,reality not yet setting in..some perhaps losing more than one! Had to turn news off, so overwhelming..like watching 9/11

Decided as I couldn't sleep I'd get up and start my day..nothing pressing to do..few stops early morning for gift delivery then home to relax..long day tomorrow.

Hugs for all of you,

Crissy, sitting here with Mrs. rudolf..she is just sooo cute..girls almost took her home yesterday. I had to search them as each left. Lol

Tony is here. The news has been heavily reported here, too. We both cried a little. It is so quiet and peaceful here now it is hard to comprehend such brutality and the sorrow caused by it. Tony and I both have some difficulty with this season anyway so we aremoving on slowly.

I am working on putting bows on my third big bag full of stuffed animals. I drive around and see who's out on Christmas morning. There are several places where the children know to watch for me. I also drive through town on my way to Tony's so I stop for anyone who is out and about. My friend and neighbor Barbara has agreed to be an assistant "elf."

My nurse friend Lee reminded me how much even a small gesture of appreciation means in her profession. She and her husband fly down here from Canada for the winter so I happily brought her a few "treasures" from Costco. She has had three open heart surgeries as the doctors had to search for some "extra" thing in her that was causing her heart to beat up to 200 beats a minute.

There are three women who live close to me: Dana, Lee and Barbara. I like all of them. They don't all like each other. I insist on staying out of their squabbles and avoid taking sides as I really like all of them and know that each of them can be difficult. I, of course, never am. ha. I wonder if the massacre in Conneticut will help us all to let go of petty stuff.

With big hugs for all you, my friends, katie

Bless you for being so generous with your gifts for the kids! I know they truly appreciate them!

Afternoon everyone..

Started out early, just got in and am ready for a nap..ohhh what pretties I got at Suzanne's..spoilt I am and KNOW it! I'll have to take photo's..got the prettiest ighty, almost hate to wear it..Mary, I was so surprised..Susanne while on our boat ride in New Orleans bought a print of the Natchez and had it framed for me..now to figure out where it shall hang..likely my bedroom..she also bought me a metal flower. Blck and red, again for my bedroom. To top it off, received USA dollars.

Katie, really with all the trauma you've recently had re trips to USA and operation it's a wonder you you even think about Christmas let alone being so organized with gifts for the young ones..they will be so pleases!


Have a turkey cooking, for who, just me!! Jeff said it wouldn't be turkey tomorrow, are having the meal catered..well I want turkey so thought I'd wet my whistle and cook one for tonight.....oops forgot cranberries, perhaps I'll take a ride to town and get some..now if I don't sleep through the cooking and burn it..lol
Nodding off as I type..guess its lay down time..

Finally finished these
The runner is for my brother's wife for her birthday - Dec 24th!!! The colors on my computer make it look orangy but it is really a very pretty coral...
The placemats are two of eight that I did. The rest went to my three brothers...

Ooooh Betty has a new pretty nightie for next time Mr. Eye Candy UPS man comes to the door!!!! I am with you on the turkey!

Barb, those are beautiful!!! Lots of hard work. How is Norm doing?

Paul is painting the foyer trim & staircase. I am cleaning my desk and area. OMGosh it is a total mess!!!

Tony finished putting together metal shelves for my storage room. I can now start putting things back together. It will all take a while but I'm hoping to end up able to find things.

Neighbor Dana helps a lot with Christmas by bringing lots of stuffed animals back from her summer in Washington State. She goes to lots of garage sales and people often give them to her when she explains where they are going. It's a big help, especially since two thrift stores who have helped me over the years have closed.

And one reason I do the Christmas thing is to remind myself that my family of origin did not have to ruin every Christmas with depression, self-pity, alchoholism, anger etc. The big day here is Christmas eve and lots of adults get drunk and so are hung over on Christmas morning. By getting myself out as Santa, I give the lie to my dysfunctional family of origin and provide children here with an alternative way to celebrate Christmas.

I spent most of the morning washing dishes. They've been accumulating the last few days while I had a stomach bug. Will do laundry tomorrow if I'm doing OK.

Barb, love the runner and placemats.

Dianne, how are the dizzies?

hugs, katie

Thanks for the kind words.
Katie, I think what you do there is just wonderful. The kids will never forget your kindness...

Keep going with the desk Deb. The end of the year is coming and we all know what follows and we will be trying to find every darn deduction we can!!!

Got my notice from Social Security and my deductions from my check for prescriptions went up another $30.00 ($360.00 less to me each year) and then another notice from my health insurance saying my monthly premiums are goin up $12.00 a month. They keep going like this and we won't have any checks left!!!!

Norm is doing pretty well. His incision from the lumpectomy is weeping. We need to see if he needs a drain put in as there are no lymph nodes under that arm. This is the bodies way of taking care of a problem. It found a route to drain fluids so it took it!!!! We see the doctor next Wed and for now gauze pads are working well. Other than that and being tired, he is doing really really well. His fourth and final chemo is Wed and so far so good!!! We were approached at the last chemo to be part of a research study regarding nursing care of cancer patients. We both signed up for it; he as the cancer patient and I as the caregiver. It will last for three years!!! It involves monthly phone converstaions so we said sure we would help.

Are you resting now Betty????

Barb, love the runner and love the way you've combined printed designs and blocks together..am going to have to put those on my to do list. Your family will so love them. We are going to have lonely sewing machines now that our Santa lists are almost done. We shall have to go on the hunt for a special project, have any in mind??

Katie how strong you are, and yes, life is what we make of it..difficult to beat Christmas depression blues but if we gear ourselves to make and do things for others, to see the joy we bring people then what can we be but content.

Debbie, yes I will have to send myself some packages through ups just to view the eye candy. Sounds as though you and Paul got energetic and taking over those unfinished chores.

Watching 'one true thing'. Really not something I should watch, already wiped a tear

Was resting then Jeff called, wanted an idea of something to get me, said USA $$$ are fine but have to at least have one gift for me to open, told him I'm spoilt and absolutely nothing on my Santa list..should I have told him about the long rm sewing machine. Lol

Barb, with Norm improving daily and the chemo not being as hard on him you'll get to enjoy the Christmas festivities..great that you've both signed on to be part of the research program..

everything going up, after paying over $100 for my two meds the other night I can't wait to turn 65 to get my meds for just a few $$$

Now that I'm awake, might go finish quilting the piece I was working on early this a.m. With nobody left on my Christmas list I get to keep this one. Lol

Have you wrapped Sean's skates for his mom?

Pretty jammies, top and decorative items I got today..might wear the top and matching earing tomorrow when I go to Jeff/Julie's

Chilly downstairs, that or I'm cold when I'm tired..going to finish quilting though so I have something to hand sew tonight or tomorrow morning..doubt we shall leave here until around noon or so

Mom's skates are all wrapped!!!

I have no idea what the doctor visit copay amounts are going to be next year but it sure makes it that you don't go to the doctor unless you absolutely have to go. Norm's insurance co- pays just jumped $10.00 a whack. If he sees his primary care doc it is $40. If he sees a specialist (which all his cancer docs are) it is $50 a whack. This is on top of the amount they take out of his pay each week!!!! If he goes to the emergency room, it is $300.00 deductable unless he is admitted to the hosp!!!! The insurance companies are getting so rich on the backs of the little guy now...We have access to his records at the hospital and each of these treatments he is getting costs $45,000.00!! Yes, forty five thousand!!!! Treatment number 4 is next week making it $180,000.00. We have no idea of how much of that we will be responsible for but we'll be washing dishes for a loooooooonnnnngggg time!

I went to a big quilt show last month (the one where I met up withCheriffic) and my sewing machine dealer was there. He was named dealer of the year by Janome!!! He is a great guy. I was looking at the new Horizon Memory Craft 8900 QCP machine with the wide neck. It is 11"+ to the right of the needle! He is willing to swap even for the embroidery machine I got a year ago because he knows I haven't used the embroidery part much at all. I just couldn't get the hang of loading patterns into the machine. Sometimes I can do things easily and other times i need to be shown over and over. His shop is over an hour away and with this oxygen it is a pain in the neck to go back and forth all the time. Anyway, I am considering this....
Go to the Janome.com website and check it out!!!

Norm just came back from food shopping so I'll catch you all later....

It was in the fabric shop when I was there the other week, fell in love with it..what is the cost in your neck of the woods?? My Janome 9000 is 20 years old, paid a mint at the time for it, don't think it owes me anything but I want a straight sew with large throat for quilting only so hate to spend 4 or 5 thousand for one,,too old for that and as you say, more technical the are the more difficult to learn, kow you can indeed teach old dogs new tricks but not dumb dogs..is there such a thing,

I have to tell you, although we complain about waiting times we here in Canada are so very lucky..no extra charge for doctors and most times none for hospital stays as well..don't know how you do it on your side of the border..I think many die without proper care! You would need a full time job just to pay for medical.

When Roger died he was in the hospital about 2 weeks with specialists galore, never cost us one penny..

Turkey is cooking as is turnip and potatoes..trying to talk myself into going down to Foodland and it's taking a lot of talking.lol

Not sure what ones you are looking at, but here are two sites with prices

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=pd_sl_5hdidxbngb_b?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asewing+machines+janome&keywords=sewing+machines+janome&ie=UTF8&psrk=janome+9000+sewing+machine

http://www.acesewvac.com/janome-sewing-equipment.html?gclid=CLKK65mlnbQCFQyk4Aod5yEAIQ

Nice pressies you got from Suzanne! Hope you did not burn the turkey?
Love that machine Barb! Let us know when you get it, so we can send you our quilting to be done! ;) glad to hear Norm is about to be done with his Chemo treatments! Hard to believe they cost so much money!
Debbie, you have your cleaning done yet?
Anyone know what to give a dog that has an upset tummy. Our new dog, Luna has been eating grass, and getting sick. She is a German shepherd.

Think the 2nd link shows the machine we are speaking off, doesn't list the price though..not sure why I keep thinking its just under 7k. One has to do a lot of sewing to justify buying it.. Wow and double wow..

Wether or not I have energy it's off to Foodland for brown sugar and cranberries

Is she eating grass because she is sick, don't they normally do that?? I would say your best suggestion is from Debbie our resident doctor and vet..we sure depend on her

Did you know a musician by last name of Green who taught in Winnipeg moved his family to The loveliest of areas..yep, he lost his child yesterday in the massacre..they moved in but one month ago

Linda Kay, did you change the brand of food she was getting before adoption? Cut back to a couple smaller feedings, no treats....and maybe you can mix a bit of
rice in her food for her.

Well, 3/4 of my desk is cleaned off, and a huge garbage bag filled up. Changed the kids pictures around and now have a small pile to sort & file.
I don't think it is ever going to get done! lol

Just a quick second...

Yes LK - For a Sick dog... mix some pumpkin mash with chicken broth and rice..... It worked for Belle many times...

Barb so glad to see you write so much...
Sorry I can't write more now but will pop back later...
HUGS
Mary

I don't know what kind of food she was eating before. I have pedigree can and crunchies for her. I will give her some rice and see if that helps. She has not eaten anything today. just drinking a lot of water!

The Pumpkin mash is the key... I keep a can of it now... "Just in case"

I'll have to admit... I'm not a big advocate of Government run Health care.

When my medical care is on the table I would prefer Doctors to compete for my money.

I grew up with Government health care... (military) and it was substandard.

Even though we had free health care (military - DAD) MOM would send us to her health care providers...

Just my $.02. I can't stand hearing you folks waiting 2 hours for care... it just makes me tear up....

Hugs all
Mary

Morning all..

How is the pup doing this morning Lindakay? When did become dog parents again? Any update on your dad?

Lots of questions for early Sunday morning..Lol

Mary,mi think a few hours wait is worth the not worrying if you have money to get immediate care, best of specialists care for us without cost..the wait is not because of cost it's because of a large shortage of doctors entering the field..

Hacking this morning, wouldn't you know it would be the day we have family Christmas..wind is up, calling for rain/snow mix..glad I'll not be driving to the city unless of course these pressies don't fit in Greg's vehicle then I'll have to also fill my car..

Coffe time

when I make an appointment with my DR, I usually wait about 5 mins...seriously never a long wait.......butttttt whenever you have to make an appt with a specialist around here, you can most certainly expect to wait at least 1 1/2 hours in waiting room and another 1/2 hour after you get into exam room!!!! and Hubs sees mostly specialists!! I always bring some kind of stitching, and usually a book.

hubs has very good insurance so his co pays are little, or none. I don't have a co pay for my primary Dr., but have to pay various percentages for specialists. Mary if you do not have to wait...I say Lucky you !! it is the prescriptions that are killers !! I use two inhalers on a daily basis, one is $ 65.00 and the other is $45.00 and that's my co-pays with ins. I take a few pills every day, they are not bad, one is $18.00 a month with ins. and a care coupon my DR gave me. other wise it would be $ 145.00 with my ins. my other one is $10.00 a month, not using insurance but using a different card my Dr got from drug co....some of hubs medications would be down right unaffordable if not for his insurance. and it seems the prices just keep getting higher !!! now I know many have it much worse, I am blessed that we both have insurance, when I look at the bills for lab work or such and see what I would have had to pay without ins. YIKES My Dr. gives my son a break on cost for visit, he does not have any ins. and the lab she sends him to has a sliding scale based on income, and they only count HIS income, not ours.

I can not help but wonder what it would be like if we did not have to pay for any medical, including prescriptions??? I think there might be some healthier people, I know a few families that rarely go to the DR as they do not have ins. and just can not afford it!!!


yes LK when did you get a new baby?? picture please?? welcome to the family Luna!!!!

So feel for you all re medical and prescriptions..

Are you home for the day Thunder?? Nice day just to flutter from thing to thing or just rest..highly unlikely you rest..bet your sewing room is still filled with pressies to finish.

Sitting, pillows propping me up as to lessen pain, two kitties laying at my side purring, peaceful..keep trying to nap until Greg gets here at 11:00 but I'm trying.

Have a load of wash for the dryer, should go and do that but then I look at the stairs and think maybe tomorrow...got up far too early, got a little piece finished using the twist method, binding did not take as long as expected so here I sit clock watching and behaving myself.

What do you all have planned for the day?

Not much planned for today here. The weather is to turn nasty in a while with freezing rain and snow. I have finished my Christmas sewing and Norm is tired from chemo so it will be a Christmas movie day I think. He will most likely fall asleep watching and I will do some cross stitching and turn the volume low for him. I made 14 containers of spaghetti sauce the other day so I'm thinking an easy pasta dinner too.....

Please take it as easy as possible today Betty. If you need to take your car, let your grandson drive for you.....

No, I have to go to work for 10. have tomorrow and Tues off will be doing much sewing, I hope. hoping hubs does not need me to go shopping with him?? never know if his pain levels will allow him to do the driving?? or the lifting. when your whole body is in pain it is very hard to drive standard, and lifting just a gallon of milk is very painful.. so I may need to go? when the weather changes, to cooler temps he gets very achy, sore. for awhile I am hoping for two reasons....hate to se him in such pain, and of course I would much rather stay home and sew, than to go shopping...

Hope Y'all have a great day !!! Many Many hugs to everyone ♥♥♥

This is Luna... She is a precious little girl. And she is doing much better this morning. When I went to San Antonio for the wedding, my son's neighbor needed to find a home for his Mom's dog, as she could not keep it in the apartment any longer.


Well, I made a batch of the Baileys fudge last night, and OH MY GOODNESS, it is so good! Even Todd likes it, and he is not a sweet eater! it is not overly sweet, and the Bailey's flavor is not overpowering, but you sure can taste it! Now I need to find someone to give it too, as it made a huge cookie sheet full of fudge! And it was so easy to make!

Betty, have a great day for your Christmas today! Merry Christmas!

Looks pretty icy out there Barb, guess the northern are are having bit of the same.
Sounds like a real per Christmas day..been watching Christmas movies all morning, nice to be dong it.

I am hoping that Norm as this week progresses that he gains back his strength, know he couldn't be in better hands.

Greg decided to take the truck, better on bad roads and said he knew he'd need one as he saw what was under the tree...

Soon there will be but a few packages and Christmas bags under the tree..almost sad when they are no longer there..

Think I'll go make myself a turkey sandwich as we will be skipping lunch..

You have my address LInda Kay!!!!! I am only kidding....