Best/Worse/What did I learn today?Chat with friends new&old

Be so careful, M!!!!

Yay! So happy things are going well, Mary!

You sound chipper, Katie! Hope that means you're feeling well.

Betty, love all the projects. Your stained glass piece doesn't look scrappy at all! It looks beautiful!

So sorry, Grace...oops, I mean Crissy! ;o) Hope you do as your told so you heal quickly.

Hey, Barb , we're getting lots of snow this year as well. The other day we had rain for a few hours which was nice cause it washed the salt off the car! Back to snow today. Coming down in little tiny flakes so I'm sure it will stay around for a while!

LK, how's the weather? I know you were getting some cold that you weren't used to a while back. Is it still cold?

Marian...just come to Ohio and have a real snowy Christmas....I won't make you work a lick!! ^_^

Still 29 in the mornings then it has been getting to 60 in the afternoon. Still windy so it does not feel like 60.

Dropping in for quick hi

Anyone have $$$$ st aside? Think someone will need to bail me out of jail if my mother continues her ravings

Sharon is beside herself

Jim is about to ask mom to leave Sharon's

Can that man not have peace for the days he has left..

I don't look to confrontation but I'm seconds away from telling her how I and most of us feel

She may never speak to me again but you have to do what you have to do

Aunt Muriel went to Sharon's, her dog guess smelling her dogs pee's all over Sharon's new rugs,..it's only been a month or so since they have been out in

Then mom was acting up, Sharon went to do the beds, someone set. The big stained glass piece I did for her for Christmas, blankets on the floor waiting for sheets to be put on, Sharon stepped on the piece, total breakage she says..sat and cried and juried..told her I'd make another, not a poroblem

I did manage to visit the elderly relatives..omg what a nice feeling coming out of their homes, the love, the serenity and thinking thinking and uplifting..they are all on my dad's side of course.

Home and a blizzard and to bed I went..have photo's, will post in a bit

Prayers needed

Sending lots of prayers Betty. I would have told her a long time ago, she will get over it. Jim's peace and happiness should be number 1!

M, I see toppings on ice cream in your future. I have never made a successful batch of fudge!! Not sure what I do wrong as I do have a candy thermometer but alas...no luck. Oh well.

I can imagine how lovely the fresh fallen snow is Barb. I do remember my time I spent in Canada with my brother and SIL. I had never experienced snow until that year and oh the memories I have. Mostly hitting ice patches under the snow and learning how to fall gracefully. If one can do that. :-)
For all who are getting the snow and ice, please be careful and stay safe. Warm too while you are at it.

Crissy, what a bummer!!! Really glad to see you posting again. Please take care of your arm.

I guess Dianne is still snowed in and not able to get on line. Hope she is okay.

Off to see where we can put a small tree out of the reaches of a small kitten. Not sure that is really possible but will attempt to do so. Thinking larger tree will go on front porch and can share with the neighbors.......besides it would be nice being the area is so wooded and the lights shining would be cool.

Front porch tree would be nice!

Mary - congrats on the Opening, and 2nd day sales!
Marilyn - maybe you Should write a book?
Crissy - sorry to hear you're "one-handed"!
Dianne - hope you're reading this real soon, and the storms have stopped.......
Thunder - what a wonderful "Angel" thing to do - $30k !! yikes
Barb - we woke up to about a foot of the soft white "stuff" today too........ pretty tough driving the car through it! Hope yours is more "manageable"!

Sorry if I didn't mention your name - apparently I missed 2 days of posts.......Love you all, my dear dear dear friends!

I just got back from my Dr app't - Knee specialist.... apparently I'm to have a cortisone injection on January 2nd am.
I’m not a candidate for knee replacement. And, the torn meniscus is only slight, while the Osteoarthritis in my left knee shows a widening of the space between the (joints?) and is getting worse. My right knee is fine, but obviously the fall in April 2011, and then another in July 2013 really “worked it’s magic" on my left knee.
The Dr said, maybe in 5 or 10 years, I will need a knee replacement, but not now.

Susan, I had numerous cortisone shots before my knee replacement. They help a lot. Can you get a 2nd opinion re: replacement? It beats the heck out of the shots. it's been a little over a year since I had the surgery and the difference is amazing. Also, Dr. Oz had a knee specialist on the other day. You might check that out to see if there are non-surgical things you can do that might help.

I'm feeling better than I have in a long time. Thank goodness. Did major clean-up on my pation yesterday. Tony and I were laughing today because it doesn't look much different but I pointed out that I had filled the large garbage can to overflowing so It was clear I had done something. Long-term depression leads to a seriously need for a deep cleaning of almost everything.

Today we sent to town and I got more Christmas bows for the stuffed animals. I have a large tote full of candy and will have several large bags full of stuffed animals. I am not doing much of anything else until all is ready for my Santa gig. I did get out my lighted snowman so we can put him up tomorrow.

Betty, I was thinking about your mother this morning. One problem with really sellfish people is that they don't realize that there is any other way to be. Any attempt to wake her up to Jim's needs will be futile. Dealing with her selfishness is probably a lot of wat has made you the generous person that you are. Wish you could drop kick her into next year or put here in a care facility so Jim and the rest of you could have some peace.

crissy, please take care of yourself. No more broken bones.

hugs all around, katie

apparently the "minor" tear in my meniscus isn't causing a problem, so they won't be "cleaning it up" by removing the "flap"..... it's simply not that serious they say.
My osteoarthritis, however, is the reason for the pain, and the cortisone shot is all he's recommending - that, and weight loss lol
It was a specialist I saw today, and had to be referred by my regular Dr.

Betty .. HUGE HUGS with regards to your Mom difficulties .. and, a suggestion which you may want or not want to try.
I haven't a clue if your Mom (or anyone in your family) has a religious affiliation ... or, knows of a Pastor or Priest who is good with people like your Mom .. sometimes a good talk with someone of 'the cloth' is a help .. but, like Katie says, I doubt your Mom is going to change her stripes .. and THAT is so very depressing/sad, especially for Jim ..
And, poor Sharon and the glas piece, I can imagine she dissolved in tears ..
Quite the situation ..

Our supposed LAST shopping trip was a F L O P !!! .. it was nice to be out together, meeting friends etc, but jeeze, we have had about 7inches of snow, and, I drove the CAR to town !!
I have picks from around the yard and one of the prelit Xmas tree ..

Happy to hear from everyone, and to the lurkers a wink and a hello ^_^

Toodles

~M~

We did get to town today but it was a chore. At least the plow did come through. We are up to a foot of snow now. Took hubby over an hour to clear out enough so we could go. That's it for us though we can sit here for at least a week now.

It was beautiful this morning, but......

Your photos are so pretty - both of you. Don't you wish it would stay that clean? I don't think we would mind it so much!!!!

We live in a garden apartment now and this was our first snow while living here. It has been shoveled up to our window sill and now I'm wondering if they will shovel any more toward us!!!!
I would really hate to lose the light.....

Getting ready to head out to do a small shovel, Lorna is out on her machine plowing and DH is ON THE ROAD to a class .. my shattered nerves ..
Thankful it is NOT as cold out .. the dogs are just so wired .. we have paths layed out for them, (spoiled), they run up and down and role in the snow.
Almost tempted to make a snow angel .. BUT .. I'd likely (for sure) get stuck in the snow and not able to get up LoL ...
Love your pic Marion, much like here ..
Barb, I sure do hope they don't shovel away your light !!!

Off I go

~M~

Love those snow pictures but you all can keep that snow up your way please?

Betty I'm sending more prayers up to you, you've certainly have had a tough time of it this year.

LOL Marilynne I'm going to come up there and make a bent arm snow angel. I love your pics, and your dogs are so cute!

The snow pictures are sooooo gorgeous, wish that weather wasn't so debilitating and slippery.

Katie I am so glad that you are feeling better!! Depression is for the birds.

Barb I would love your company!!!

I got a box from Liz!!!!!!!! Thank you thank you!! I got two homemade scarves, a tote with nail polishes in it, a kitchen towel, shampoo & conditioner, hand soap, WOW!!!!

glad you like them crissy

Barb, ours pretty much stays nice and white. They don't salt here and only sand the main roads and at intersections and hills. Here they just plow. Our county roads are kept better than in town. I expect we'll be getting snowmobiling company before long. We are very close to the main trails. One of my cousins DGDs tried to trick him. She sent him a message from her Ipad pretending to be me saying they needed to come up right away. He called and made her get on the phone to "fess up". I just told her I agreed and to tell him so.

Mornin ^_^
Sure is 'Christmassy' outside, AND, cold :-(
Those frigid temps decided to come on back .. ahh well, it IS winter ..

Up early as my NEW car has to have the trunk latch repaired, Toyota needs it for a few hours, so Lorna will follow me in, and then we'll go to the gym, she can work out and then we'll swim.
After , just MAYBE, I'll get some shopping done !!!

Crooked arm snow angels would have been fine and dandy, but, I didn't attempt it LoL
While I was shoveling, Piper kept at my heels with 'things' in his mouth .. took me a bit to realize he had found the bag of old toys I had bagged up and put outside so the house didn't look like a kindergaten playroom for puppies LoL .. he made a hole in it , and, now the patio has a duck, and a fox, a turtle and some rawhide bones strewn over it .. tooo funny !!

Off for my cuppa, then ON TOYOTA we're off to town !

~M~

Sorry to hear about the new car repairs, but sounds like an easy fix!
Amazing how fast the furry kids can mess up a room!

Oh M, don't think I posted that picture.......that much snow in Florida would make headlines for sure. LOL Would love it see it though.....just not have it stay around so long.

In the upper 30s at this time but atleast we are not having drizzly weather. Have a few errands I need to do but just dragging my feet this morning.

Think I'm about ready for Christmas. One large tote full of hard candies, lots of plastic cups for the candy and two big garbage bags full of stuffed animals, each with a Christmas bow. Hard to believe how this has grown from a few toys and candies ten or twelve years ago. Must find my Santa costume and check for any needed repairs.

I'm continuing the endless cleaning/organization here. Tony will repair a couple of shelves tomorrow so I can put fabric back. We still have some mice and the dogs have destroyed a couple of the shelves searching for them.

Usually, I feel more energetic and creative after Christmas has passed so I'm trying to get some space to work ready.

The pictures of snow are pretty but I don't miss the reality of it.

hugs, katie

Well thank you Mr. Freeze...Windshield cracked all the way across this morning.

Karen, that is not a good sign! Will insurance cover that type of damage? Have room here if you need a break.......definitely when you get moved to Tennessee.

Funny thing the cost is just what our deductible is. Sure would love to Marion. I'll just have to settle for hoping I can make the gathering in April.

Now that is pretty cold when it cracks a window like that!

where's our Betty today ?
Always worry when we haven't heard a pip nor squeak ..

Lorna and I were swimming in the Athletic Club pool today, looked outside and the snow was blowing around in a frenzy !!
By the time we had showered and dressed and walked outside, it was totally a -8F situation .
My car was NOT ready, had to order the part .. so.. back again whenever :-(

Katie, you fer sure sound busy .. who gets the Teddy Bears and candy ?

Time to do some Shake and Bake chicken ..

Toodles all

~M~

very unusual for no Betty all day???? makes me worried

I agree Thunder. Where is Betty?

Morning all,

Snowing here again this morning, enough for everyone, want me to ship some.

Not to worry about me, difficult time as you all know

It's 'stop the world and let me off' kind of day yesterday

More family and friends having hardships so I sewed and sewed just to keep busy, ended up with 3 table candle table runners..great escape

Doctor dropped in to Sharon's yesterday and changed Jim's meds..he was having severe luscinations..here is hoping he had a better night

Read all your psts, need a coffee and will be back later

Not to worry if I go AWOL from time to time

Morning all ..

Good to hear from you Betty, and I know how life can sneak up on us and make us just sit back (or, sew back) and stay as calm as possible.
Remember me at this time last year ? Could hardly walk and had Xmas preps plaguing me even though DH and Lorna were willing and able to do it all ..
The computer was the last place I could be .
I just SO wish you temperate seas over the next while ..

Remains cold here .. but, that's to be expected.
I think Lorna is going to go and work out, that means me with her, no swim today though .. I need to actually DO some stuff !!

Take care all

Toodles

~M~

warmed up to a balmy -5

not 9am and already disagreement with Sharon..

she is insisting all plans can be changed so we go to her house Christmas day to be with Jim/Mom

that got a lot of hard feelings going for me..first of all my kids never even got a card for Christmas all their lives, always ignored, it was Brian/Brian/Brian who to this day at 46 still lives with them..my kids always felt unloved by her

so for me to say, put your plans aside and go to grandma's and Jim's just NOT going to happen.

Jeff called last night and with all going on, Julie's schedule as she owns a store in one of the biggest malls in Ontario she's working day and night..to help out her mom is doing a meal Christmas eve..then Jeff's kids are with their mom until 1:00pm on Christmas day..after that they will come to my house

Greg/Mel and the boys are busy Christmas morning, then the boys have girlfriends to contend with but will come to the house at supper

Sharon feels ALL plans should be set aside under circumstances..my kids already changed Christmas plans to accommodate me as they thought I was going to Florida, NOT going to ask them to do so

e-mailed her a few times, no response so guess I'm the uncaring cold person she thinks I am

Personally don't think Jim needs everyone over Christmas day..each taking a day to drop in would be more practical



and that's how my day is going

Betty, you are right. Jim doesn't need that crowd....and it will feed into your Moms drama.

If they do it in "shifts" with a family here and there through the day...would be better and not so
overwhelming. AND...some of the younger crew seeing Jim like that, might not be good.

Hang in there, it is still a week away, and Sadly Jim is fading. BIG BIG Hugs

Good Morning and Good Day,

Wow, finally got a minute to watch that utube Thunder! Wowee, just spectacular and boy did i get choked up!!
I absolutely love when Children sing...Thank you so much for sharing...lol watched a few videos by the adorable Kaitlyn Maher while I was there...yup, tears...Also wanted to Thank you for the "tease" of Blooming plants. your Christmas Cactus is gorgeous. My friend Marge's Christmas Cactus bloomed almost all year!
It was always amazing to watch.

Karen, just love how you switch your Grands pictures!! Always nice to see.

Barbara, you it just makes me smile when you share your time with Sean...hehe, so glad he ended staying the extended time, See, there is something to be thankful for snow storms.

Betty, Oh my sweet friend, I am sending deep and heartfelt ARMWRAPS to you.
So much going on and rather heart breaking during this time. i don't blame you one bit for just sewing all day. I sure hope it took away some of the overwhelming feelings...Not really sure what to say about your Mom at this point, maybe she is acting out more so, because she is afraid? oh goodness, so sorry her dog has ruined Sharon new carpets, Thats just aweful...
You know, i think your right too, about not asking you kids to change their plans, I am sure they all intend to see Jim and Grandma at some point during the Holidays, most likely Jim will enjoy a visit individually oppose to an overwhelming crowd of noise, although well intended...
As for Jim, I keep you and him in my thoughts and prayers.

I again look at the photo of Alex and Addy and just smile.

Speaking smiling, Crissy!! So great to see you. So sorry you got a broken elbow, yikes hope you heal up quick and thoroughly...
Susan, always good to see ya post too...Hope you are doing well and just keeping busy.

Debbie, Thanks for the update on Dianne...oh goodness, sounds like she is snowed in!!
You and Paul have a wonderful heart! So glad the young friend will come to you for recovery.

My mind is just full of stuff I need to get done and say...Time is running out and i am SOOO behind it's driving me bonkers.

Well, lets see in and among my rush to grab the phone, I have manage to slam my foot into the solid wood bed post. I went to the Doc, said it's probably broke, can't tell unless i get an x-ray. Said they will just tape toes together and wear a boot...so He taped it for me and told to wear a bigger shoe as no to bang it into anything, sigh. very painful. Still have tone of shopping, but was completely down...
Today i am off for mailing some packages, get back early and work on my Santa Warren pressie, will have to do a couple of all nighters, big smile, not to worry, you are worth it, and you Will get it before Chriswtmas!

Soo...Have to tell you all, Petrie is fine, lol just a baby so pretty uh dumb yet! It suppose to be a pretty quiet bird. I have to agree, until we leave the room, screech, screech oh my gosh. But what can i say, she is already spolied to pieces.I have to remember it is still a baby and need the extra snuggle time. Three times a day she get nestled in my or someones hoodie...She is getting used to each of us and what we will "let" her get away with. It's kind of nice she don't fly yet, a little less worry for the time being, unless of course you come home to television and lights on, cage door wide open...walk through the house expecting to find her with one of the kids only to find a completely empty house!! OMG!! where is my baby bird, search hi and low, under things, in things and everywhere, Birdie was just gone and no kids...heart racing, practically in tears text Breenie, WHERE is The Bird??? Get a txt back...Don't worry we have her! forget the txt, Call her immediatley, What ya mean you have her, where are you? Heavy laughter in my ear, we Took her shopping!! Carried her in their jackets and took her to the mall, i am almost had a raging fit. Was told not to worry she was having fun, she was fine....They came back a while later with a bag of Bird goodies and toys that she picked out herself! Yeppers only my kids would allow their baby to choose her own toys, lol not too spoiled....Yes, yess they heard a mouthful starting with are you crazy?!? from us about the danger of what they did, and i told them never do that again! Hands on the hips, heard them whispering how they should have left a note.

Well Jakes last two days of classes...They are preparing quite the meal for their final and they only have 20 minutes of prep time! But he has his usual Casual attitude.

So i am going to go on tabby and post some cute pics...
but first, i really got to jump in the shower, lol sitting offending myself, ackkk.

Enjoy the day everyone, Betty, sure hope your day is as calming as you deserve.

Betty, can you talk to the doctor or other non-relative caregivers. I'm sure they would agree that it would not be good for Jim to have a housefull of company., rather than the plans you have already made. That's my advice. It will deflect this being about what you want vs. what Sharon wants.

Neighbors here have a Chevy Suburan for sale. Dana and I will go look at it this afternoon.

Very quiet here. I did not sleep much last night. Not a lot of pain just couldn't sleep. Will try to stay awake until tonight.

Got some Christmas present to wrap for Tony's family.

The candy and toys are for local kids. I have a route that I take every year and groups of kids watch for me and come swarming. They are all very appreciative. Many Mexican adults "celebrate" Christmas by drinking a lot on Christmas Eve. Then on Christmas day the adults are hung over and the kids have nothing to do and no adults who want to do anything. I like to give the children a sober experience that focuses on them. There is a group like Lions Club that gives an organized party for the local kids but they mostly load them up with a lot of sugar and a lot of kids from outlying areas are not able to attend.

hugs, katie

Sad that Christmas has come to this, katie - the adults should be ashamed of themselves! I'm sure there are a few out there that care, but it sounds like overpoweringly they don't. Bless you for your caring!

Awesome Katie, I had wondered whatcha did with the bears and candy, very nice ^_^

Betty, when DH Dad was passing, at the family home, relatives from Quebec arrived (3 of his brothers and 2 sisters) other family helped out with housing them, but, meals were a bit of a huge chore .. and Gord's Dad was totally 'out of it', in bed, besides myself, there are 2 other nurses in the family and we were pretty much sedating him as he was in such pain. ANyway, it was all a bit much looking back on it. Would have been nice had the relatives visited individually ..
I wish you well with this ... so unfortunate it's happening at this time of the year.

OMG, re Petrie going shopping .. laughable now, but, when you realized she was 'gonezo' you must have had a FIT!! Glad it all turned out.

Best go put the roast in the oven ..

Toodles

~M~

Judy I would have had a fit as well. Going outside in your cold temps is the not the best idea!

G R O A N !!!!!!!!!! Someone knock me out and waken me on January 2nd !!
Lordie, everytime i think I am DONE .. I realize I am NOT.
I looked at the calendar for the weekend and the M-T-W of next week, and it is FILLED with 'stuff' to be done, or, to do ..
Good thing this comes but once a year .. I for one, am not a HUGE fan .. back in the day when I was in Girls school the preperations by the Nuns made the season so special. so simple, so reflective .. no glitz or glamour, just our choir and our parents .. sigh .. best 'get with the times'.

Hugs all around, I am out for the count in just a bit, have to be up and on the road early tomorrow morning.

CHACHING!!!!!!!!!!!!

~M~

I think it is wonderful that the kids like the birdie, and want to be friends. Buy goodies.
Etc. etc. .... my kids all hate my birds!!!!
Butttt I sure hope you got it through to them it probably not a good idea to take her out in the cold !! Oh my.
My Kyle has/had at least one final every day this week ! Said he wasn't worried about any of them .
The drama Momma DIL posted on facebook that she thinks she broke her hand!! ?? Waiting for an update ??
58* here. I was pressing some fabric and my glasses kept fogging up !! I put the little heater in my sewing room. Waiting for it to warm up. Got to do some cutting.

Betty every one over at once would be ridiculous !!! Those who feel the need, should visit when they want to. Sending you big hugs. ♥♡♥♡♥

I so agree with everyone else about visiting individually rather all at once. It is just to overwhelming to the person who is sick not to mention the stress on the family. My sister and I finally had to start restricting people as they came into the nursing home to see mom......just got to be way to much on her. Sending hugs and prayers for this very difficult time for all.

Thunder, we aren't very warm here either. Been thinking about you a lots lately.

Had our annual winter check up on our ac/heating system today and boy I was not prepared for the news. The downstairs units defrost cycle doesn't work at all and it is so old that parts are no longer available. I thought it would work forever but alas we have had to turn it off and use space heaters when downstairs. Thankfully we have some very efficient ones and hopefully we won't have a prolonged spell in January of freezing temps. That is usually when we have them. Come spring the unit will be on the replace list.....the joys of home ownership. Could be worse so won't complain to loudly.

Stay warm and safe all.