BEST/Worse/What Did I learn today?chat with friends new &old

I stand tapping my foot too Betty. Glad to hear your going to call the Dr.
Thanks for the twister template. I got my wreath done.

Can you believe I just got in from work. Well, at 10:30.

Thank you all for stepping up and putting BESSIE LOU on the wall for me!!

AND Bessie!!! What are you thinking! You would have told me off a good one for putting
something like that off.

Ok, big gentle hugs for you....I know it is hitting the fan right now. We all love you dearly.

I have to get to bed, another long LONG day tomorrow.

Will send you some pics tomorrow of finished projects. Right now they are all in "the process" of becoming something.

Debbie

Morning everyone .. we are presently awaiting 'SNOWMAGEDDON' here in Northern Ont
I promise not to send it to you Betty ..
I spent a few hours thinking about your 'dilemma' .. are you taking calcium and, most especially 2000 IU of Vit D on a daily basis.
When my arthritis was diagnosed i had been taking calcium and magnesium and Vit D for about 2 years. Saved my left hip, but, the type of arthritis I have ate up my right, which is why I do chemo every Friday.
Going to the surgeon will not automatically put you in the hospital Betty, he will read your xrays/MRI and give you OPTIONS .. by the time I saw one, I was in a wheelchair .. my ONLY option was surgery ..
Giving you a HUGE hug .. this news couldn't have come at a worse time for you.

Adding to 'groan list' .. have just learned a good friend from nursing has pancreatic cancer, we had wondered why she wasn't at the luncheon the other day .. I certainly found out why ..
So, I'll be going to see her sometime soon .. Jewel IS just that, a Jewel .. always happy and positive ..

Debbie, sounds as though you have busy days ahead, watch your back!

Off shopping again today BEFORE the snow arrives, and, of course, to the gym ! Was easier getting Lorna out of the pool yesterday, but, I did speak to management with regards to having a lift available, I guess it's all liability. Having her fall and injure herself is just as bad. And, it isn't easy for me to get her up and out ..

Take care all

Toodles

~M~

This message was edited Dec 4, 2013 8:24 AM

Morning all

big sigh, woke up to 54 degrees in the house..furnace not working

Greg came to check if I'd done something to the thermostat, nope, sending one of his guys to check it out

so home waiting for him..thank goodness for fireplaces right Dianne

Sure hope you get your furnace fixed soon Betty!

still waiting for the repairman..

be back to chat in a bit..off to post on the snowman workshop thread

hip bones connected to the back bone...back bone connected to the shoulder bone!!! and the head bone !!!!! makes PERFECT sense !!!!

Read more: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1343019/#ixzz2mW9QBs9F

Oh my gosh, Betty...Please don't play around with this. I copied what Thunder said because it's so true, every thing connected you really need to Believe it, pictures, especially those ex-rays and such don't lie!

Gentle shake go have this taken care of, because, yes we Do LOVE you and would hate to see you unable to do all the things you love to do.

Well said Everyone!

OK...So i gave my 2 weeks notice last night. Last day is Dec. 12! It was just awful to have to do it, but Retail just is not my cup of tea. I was hired to do one position and i am in fact doing everything but, which has taken a pretty bad turn on my emotional state. My home life, EVERYTHING has been placed on hold for the job...I gave it my all and then some, My Manager was completely understanding said he would give me a raving personal reference...

Hope you all enjoy the day! Damp but fairly warm here.
woohoo, i am off to Michaels fr supplies this morning, and drop Julia at work.

Betty, I hope your heat gets fix, yep got to love fireplaces.

Judy, glad you will be out of that trauma/stress..enough in the world that you don't need the extra added to it. Steve likely urged you to do so..money / health insurance is always nice but not worth one losing ones health over it.

Ohhh, a lady of leisure again..doing the happy dance, well not quite.
How is Jacob doing?

Just talked to mom, she was calmer this morning.
Mike/Kim is bringing her to an apartment building today just to get an idea what 680 sq. feet looks like, Jim really wants her settled in. She has the car packed to go to Sharon's this evening with her clothes and Jim's

Because of the freezing rain Sharon still hasn't made it to the hospital..if Jim could pace I'm sure he'd be pacing.

Just got the heat back on, main memory frame board, Greg will order one, likely will get it today or tomorrow..young man showed me what to press should it go off until he comes back to put it in..chi ching, chi ching..why do these things happen weeks before Christmas? Not end of the world..if it were a craft item that cost the same I'd likely not blink so best I just pay and say 'oh well'

Debbie, sure hoping that she'll lose your number before next year when she needs more inventory.

"M"heavy outside, few snowflakes but to be expected this time of year..watch you don't fall

LindaKay, you feeling any better? how's your dad doing?

last night's santa's workshop

even the furries showed an interest or was it they were waiting to see if Santa would drop in?

Doing a bit better with each day. Dad is doing good.

Both good news
Drats heat went off again, here is hoping the unit I need is at the suppliers in Barrie

Hi y'all ... couldn't let this Christmas season go by without dropping by and saying hello. I always think of each one of you during this special time of year.

And my goodness ... no wonder ... I sure needed to come back and check in ...

Betty ... shaking my finger at you! You *better listen to the gang! So sorry to read your news but am sending positive prayers your way.

Oh my gosh ... a new Grandma! DEBBIE!! Sorry for screaming your name. I just couldn't help it! I'm just so happy for ya girl! And guess what? I'm gonna be a great aunt again in July! Big Grin!

Dianne, just want you to know how much you've been in my heart and prayers during these days ... I always wisper a prayer for you.

Barb, thanks so much for sharing Betty's ornament last year.It's right here on my tree!

Okay, so much to catch up on but have to go for now. Off to get mine and Moses picture with Santa.

Wow I missed one day of reading.... lots of chatter going on here! Lol. Looks like all are doing well. We are here in Michigan. Been very foggy and kinda humid here latley. We are having a christmas party for work in a couple weeks. We have decided to find some jgly christmas sweaters. One of my coworkers ideas so I went to salvation army got somethjng not to tacky then I went to goowill got something a little better. So funny we used to wear those all the time. I went on to a web site. Ugly christmas sweaters.com they wanted 125.00 for some of them. Wow. Sure wish I still had mine, any good recipes for a dessert? I have some but want som ething different for our party. I would appreciate it. Thanks, Ronna

Wanted to pass this alert on to you all....Folks just can't seem to behave....

http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/2-million-stolen-passwords-facebook-twitter-google-yahoo-others-leaked-2D11691630

Time to change passwords.

I'm a loser.... sent Santa Warren today with NO card, NO letter, NO picture....

I hope my recipients understand but I did have some extenuating circumstances which I can explain once the pressies are opened....

HUGS
Mary

Morning

On the run, will post in a bit



This message was edited Dec 5, 2013 5:13 AM

Oh my. I just realized I did not put my card in my box either. Sorry buddy.

Now ya got me thinkin .. but I do remember selecting a kinda 'special card' for my Santa Warren buddy, hopefully it went IN the box !!

We have more SNOW!! Have shoveled 3 times since 7pm last evening, the dogs are SO happy with all the snow, and Lorna is busy with her little ATV ploughing out driveways.
I guess we got about 8" all totalled and more to come ...

Wishing everyone a HAPPY day

~M~

Stay warm everyone! Our weather liars keep telling us we have freezing temps coming. It was supposed to be last night, now they have it pushed back to Monday.

I hope to send my Santa box this weekend. It has been a bit hectic.....and I don't see light at the end of the tunnel til maybe SUNDAY!!!

Miss you all so much!!!

Debbie

it's 50F, imagine..could have wore shorts this morning

called the doctor's office, the receptionist started to laugh, said I knew you would call back once you thought about it!

so she will advise my doctor and he will book appt. for consultation. she said one of the best clinics dealing with replacements is right here in Barrie..said the 1st consult I'll have to bring my xrays (maybe that's when he'll tell me there was a mix up) and that the appt last anywhere from 3-4 hrs..do all kinds of tests then make their recommendations all in this visit so that is good news.

On the Jim report OMG and OMG again tripple time.
Mom is so working herself and everyone else into a tissie..you know how she wanted Jim to go home for a month and not Sharon's but it wasn't Jim's wish because he wanted to go to Sharon's..said mom can't look after him and also because the nurses and physicians he'll have at Sharon's are same that will be at the Pallative Care hospice.

Well guess mom told Sharon this morning that her brother Jerry would be visiting today and that he'd see that Jim goes home for the month..Sharon told her it's none of Jerry's business nor is it any of her business as to where Jim will stay his last days..Jim made a choice and Sharon will see that she keeps his wishes.

Jim, who ALWAYS says 'it's whatever you want Fran' raised his voice, never ever in 43 years have I heard him raise his voice, told her Sharon was right, that is where he wants to be and it's none of their business...that wasn't good enough though she kept at it, finally he told her if she couldn't behave to go home and come for small visits...lordy/lordy

I take a shift on Saturday so I'm sure if mom is still there I'll hear all about it.

then Sharon told me that mom wanted the bag of material she gave me back, said she could make some pillows..yikes, told all the girls yesterday to take what they wanted and all is gone lol
I've so much stuff that I'm not storing all her craft things..nope I'm not.

Then Linda dropped into the office this morning, some of you met her, she's the cousin I was raised with and then she married Roger's brother so also became my SIL..we'll yesterday she found a large lump in her breast, so will go see the doctor this morning..another thing to worry about

Big sigh

Wanted to say, who ever has my name for the Santa Warren gift exchange, if it's not too late and you are from USA please send it to Debbie, a lot less costly and I'll get it next time we meet..tks

Mary, you are too cute! with all going on can't believe you joined in BUT on the other hand know how much you enjoyed this tribute Santa Warren swap..how are things going on the business side..

for others forgetting their cards, lets make a game and see who your swap bud thinks sent the gift.

Ronna, sorry sweetie, I'm not the best sweets maker, great in the pie department but not little eats.
Ugly sweater swap, sounds like fun. Once was invited to a tacky gift party, declined to go, it would be the one time I'm sure I'd pick a gift only to find the same item in the house of the individual putting on the party so best not make enemies..lol

Ronna have you made Baileys Irish cream fudge? It is so easy to make, and taste so good.


BAILEY'S IRISH CREAM FUDGE
24 oz milk chocolate chips ( 2 - 12 oz. pkgs.)
12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
14 oz marshmallow cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 c bailey's irish cream
4-1/2 c granulated sugar
12 oz evaporated milk
1/2 lb butter or margarine

1 In a very large bowl, combine the milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet chips, marshmallow cream, vanilla,and Bailey's Irish Cream. Set aside.
2 Line a cookie sheet with foil. Lightly spray with cooking spray.
3 In am medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar, evaporated milk, and butter. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Cook slowly and stir constantly for 10 minutes.
4 Pour the hot mixture into the bowl with the chips. Stir slowly by hand to combine. It is important to do this step by hand NOT with a mixer. Stir for approx. 2-3 minutes.
5 Pour fudge into greased pan and chill to set.

No- bake Oatmeal Cookies

2 c sugar
1 stick butter
1/2 c milk
3 Tbsp cocoa powder
2 tsp vanilla flavoring
2 c oatmeal, uncooked
2 spoonfuls of peanut butter (optional)

1 In a saucepan, mix together the sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil.
2 Once it has come to a boil, turn heat to medium and stir continuously for 5 minutes.
3 Add vanilla flavoring.
4 Remove from the heat and add oatmeal.
5 Add optional peanut butter until well blended and drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper.
6 Cool completely and Enjoy!

LindaKay I might even try those

I gained 5 lbs. just reading the fudge recipe. Shame on you LK.....:-)

Both are so easy to do.

will try them hopefully before christmas if not with all going on it will be after christmas.

Mom just called, calmer, thank God
she was sitting with Jim, she's going over their finances, what Jim would like her to do, what she wants to do etc.

went on when I found myself alone how she suggested an appartment and how I wouldn't hear of it..had to remind her differences in ages..she's 82, not able to do what a 47 or 57 year old can do

feel queezie listening to Jim so calm, as always, thinking about her well being while he knows he won't be here much longer..

This afternoon he's making a list of who he wants to get what..shivering at that one.

I made a joke, he always likes to wear his hair short as can be, driving him crazy, so I'm going to cut his hair on Saturday, how brave of him to let me do so..he said he'll look as spiffy as can be ..

Betty, you, your mom and Sharon will look on this later and be so grateful Jim is so calm and able to basically "give you a road map of what follows". Ross did that with me and at the time it was so difficult to deal with. Later when I came out of my "zombie state", I realized how caring he was and how hard it must have been for him to do all of this for me and our children. He came me advice how to handle the company stock which otherwise I think I might have disposed of at the time. Glad now I had his list to follow.

Sending a hug and please tell Jim what a wonderful person I think he is to do this for everyone. Truly is the sign of a loving and caring person in my book.

Like Jim and Ross my Warren was very calm and practical making sure all the business was taken care of and that any odds and ends pertaining to our life were all tidied up. Like Marion once I emerged although I am not so sure I have emerged completely I realized how much Warren loved and cared for me by making sure all of these things were done. Jim is to be commended on his stand . He knows that whatever he does won't be right in your mam's eyes but he will have the peace of knowing he did whatever he needed to do to take care of her and himself in his last days. Wish I was there to give this fellow Welshman a huge hug. Betty would you please do that for me when you see him next? My mam was born near Cardiff, where was Jim born or his family from in Wales.

All of you don't fret about your Santa Warren gifts and cards. I had a little talk with Santa Warren last night and he said don't sweat the small stuff which was his standard answer when I was getting myself into a tizzy I haven't even mailed mine out yet since we are all confessing. It will be there before Christmas with lots of love and hugs included in the box..... And maybe I will remember the card.

Our lane is a mess. I ventured out the mile to put out the recycle but didn't even dare try to sally off to the village. It has been "drizzle" and rain all day so driving is risky.

So glad you are going to the specialist Betty. A lady from the village chose to go to Barrie to have her replacement done rather than here in Kingston. She was very happy with all of her care.

Lights are flickering and I paid the bill so that means hydro will probably be out soon so off I go.

LK I think I will try the fudge, just need a couple of things so I can.
Dianne

Dianne, will certainly give him a hug for you..will also ask where in Wales he was from. Will be picking up his sister Saturday to take her with me.

Was upset though with mom, here Jim's wanted to retire for 20 years up at the cottage and she wouldn't hear of it..now she says she just might rent an apartment and spend summers at the cottage grrrr Jim must be so hurt by hearing her say that.

Yes,Dr. Jilesen said they are some of the best..best part of it is they are local.

They weren't calling for a storm here Dianne but they say the winds are so high right now, thankfully there is no snow otherwise you'd not see.

Wish I could send you some of this 80 degree weather.

Dianne, I doubt you are completely out yet....not saying that in a mean way but it takes longer than a year as people as so quick to tell you. Sad part is there are about 6 months I did things I have no memory of .....like preparing a big Christmas dinner for my family and my DILs family. No clue about any of it. I think it is nature's way of healing us during this time. We truly were blessed to have had such loving caring men in our lives.

Take care and don't venture to far in that nasty weather...unless it is south to thaw out. :-)

I'm so glad that you dear friends have had such honorable men in your lives. Betty our prayers continue......

Whoosh! We have WINDS, lawsie, about blew Lorna and I over walking across a parking lot, and, with it, of course, the blowing and drifitng snow .. it's GREAT to be a Northerner ^_^

I applaud Jim for standing up for himself and putting his foot down .. too bad your Mom has such spite Betty ..

Not sure if I mentioned it, but a colleague of mine has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she's 60 and a really amazing person .. I dropped by today to just give her a hug and a card .. almost wish I hadn't, what a shock. Am used to seeing clients fail and bald, but, not a friend.
We'll be getting together again closer to Christmas.

LindaK, I have printed off the fudge recipe, and will make some maybe this weekend, just have to get 'the stuff', my grandkids will love it, as will Lorna's Dad !

Betty, all the best re the consultant, any 'timeline' mentioned? If anyone knows how you feel it'd be me .. altho, you seem to be pain free in the hips, but, have your pain in your neck/shoulders .. all said and done, it's a work in progress to get you back to YOU ..

Went fishing for supper (at the grocery store) have sole fillets wrapped around spinach and asiago cheese .. hope it tastes OK ..

Santa Warren gift exchange should be interesting .. LoL .. proves how busy we all are ^_^

Best get a move on, dogs to feed

Toodles

~M~

Sorry to hear about your friend "M" Lord sure works in mysterious ways!

pain is mostly in the spine, so much pressure..helps taking all the pain meds though..shoulder, neck/arm is small potatoes lol

love how you 'fish' "M"
didn't hubby do enough of it and put his catch in the freezer or is he supportive of catch and release?

dropped 9 degrees since morning..time to turn up the furnace..love heat!

well must have a hot bath, get my gear together it's
'make and take stained glass snowflake night'
now why did it sound like so much fun back in August and not so much tonight??

Joyce, you've seen her studio, should be fun though..once I get there I'm sure I'll enjoy

won't have to cook supper, made a big batch of spaghetti and meatballs last night, most of it will go in the freezer but I'll keep just enough out for din/din

gab later

Betty, I am glad to hear that Jim has put his foot down, and told your Mother what he wants! Sounds like he should have done it a long time ago.
M, sorry to her about your friend as well!
Have fun in your class tonight Betty. Sounds like you got your heater fixed?

Linda that fudge sounds heavenly!!! And I have made those n0-bake cookies too. My kids call them "MUD COOKIES".
I'm so sorry about your friend "M". It is difficult I know. My best friend is on her way home from Philadelphia as I type. She has just had an eye removed as it was full of melanoma. Now I am praying it is no where else.... I will be going to help her with appointments if I'm needed. She lives 50 miles away but I'll go anyway.
Betty I too am glad that Jim stood up for what he wants. Now I just hope Fran doesn't stop that from happening.....
Keeping you all in my prayers as I ask for yours for my friend Kathie....

Will send prayers for both your friends Barb and "M"

Thanks for kind words re Jim, Saturday I shall have a talk with mom, something has been upsetting me all afternoon

As Jim lay there she was telling me that she would like just to sell house, get an apartment, keep cottage and spend 1/2 year at each

Saying very bad words right now

We tried and tried to tell them to do exactly that for decades, she would have none of it and now she sits near his bedside and says that is exactly what she wants to do

In mega pain tonight, took pain killers, will fo to my class but might be home before it ends

I'm a complainer right? Just not used to living with this kind of pain

tell me to shhshhh

Linda thanks for the fudge recipes. I know how to make theonote bakes by heart... lol. They are a favorite at my job. The fudge sound wonderful. Never had it.

Hi Everyone,

I'm dealing with pain and it's good friend depression and am glad to have company, Betty. Pain sucks and there's no way around it.

Also dealing with the downside of a subtropical climate - pests. Bugs and mice. We had some rain yesterday which will probably add to the mosquito population which has been bad lately. I think the ones we have here are a little more poisonous than northern ones adding to my general low-energy week. Ants have invaded my bedroom - again- and I'm finding mouse droppings. If the dogs see or smell mice, they tear things apart hunting them, putting my feeble attempts to straighten up and organize further back. Whine. snivel.

My sprained ankle is still sore and somewhat swollen. I've been tryin to stay off it. Not real hard this week as I have also had a stomach bug. Today my right wrist is sore, probably from over-use of the TV remote, desparately seeking something that will entertain me.

Betty, glad you are arranging for the consult re: surgery. There are some things you can do before the surgery to help yourself. I managed to lose fifty pounds in the months before my knee replacement and it helped me and it got the message through that I was not going to be a passive patient. You can also ask at the consult about any exercises that might help you prepare. An exercise bike is one of the best things for after knee replacement and I got one for about $100 through Walmart online.

And, given all that is going on for you right now, I'd urge you to get a massage or two or three. Give yourself up to letting someone else take care of you.

As always, Tony is a great help to me. I know he's worried but I remind him that I have to baby my ankle and it's just no fun. It's also not real serious so he doesn't have to worry about me.

Looking back on how those of us who have been through one or more of these surgeries have handled it, it seems to pre-op time is more stressful than the actual surgery and post-recovery. For most of us, the surgery has resulted in huge and wonderful changes. Absolutely no regrets except maybe about how long I delayed in getting it.

big hugs to all as i head back to bed with a heating pad for my ankle, katie

Lordy Katie, so much for you to deal with health wise let alone the wee critters! Would be easy to catch germs..dangerous re mice droppings.

Must baby that ankle otherwise how will you play Snta come Christmas..is the paining ankle due to the accident.

LindaKay, Melanie and Rita looked at your recipe, think we will have a bake off with the fudge recipe

Although I didn't want to go out tonight I ended up having fun with the girls. Everyone was doing Christmas gifts, mostly slumping glass, interesting projects..Gayle was doing a crèche out of stained glass and of course I was doing my snowflake.

Love the snowflake, might make another tomorrow..it's 18" in diameter, so very pretty. Not sure where I shall hang it.

Dianne, they no longer can get glue chip bevels so I had to use the clear, any idea where I could get some??

Also fll in love with her new soldering iron, so light weight and has the heat control built right into it..wonder if Santa could put it on his list..