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

yaaaaaaaaay Dianne posting!! SO missed you, girl!!!!

Betty - don't know where Mom was going, but don't think it was the bathroom. She just wanted "OUT" of the water.... whether she thought she was laying, or standing in it I don't know, but she kept talking about it and was so annoyed when no one seemed to see it...... those were in her "less than lucid" moments.
Heard from Alice re: mom today. Alice et al (my siblings) needed to come to an agreement about where mom used to live - sr's residence. We all agreed to let the apt go, because $2100/month with the knowledge (from the Drs) that Mom will NOT be returning there, is an awful amount to "throw away". They say she'll last weeks, not even months, so the likelihood that she gets into a care home is slim.

Here's some good news, btw - my knee...... the one I got the cortisone shot in..... is FINALLY showing improvement and strength! I'm a little tenuous on it yet, but it started to feel better last night!! woo hooooo! I couldn't believe the sensation of strength in it! It's been almost 3 years since I injured it, and 13 days since the shot, so I thought it just Wasn't "taking". There are some for whom the cortisone does not work... really thought I was one. The Dr said I would start feeling the effect in 3 to 4 days........... and 13 days later....... oh well, at least it finally "took"!!!!!

Morning,

Light dusting of snow, cold but bearable..heard a few birdies singing so best I put some birdseed out. Always know we are on the downswing when they start chirping.

Omg, I always leave the back deck screen door open, went to open door for Riley and two cats went running, guess they like being out of the cold and find my settee comfortable, going to have to close the door. Don't mind them resting there but worry about flees. Hmm can flees survive this cold?

Liz, label was called Valentina. Loved the Xmas tree pattern, just might get a few done..tks for thinking of me!

Susan, yippee, you'll be doing the jig for sure on St.Patty's day. Glad the shot worked..wish I could have tried cortisone biput was warned against it..will be difficult for family to go get mom's personal items, almost like giving up but practical thing to do

Speaking of mom's, spoke to mine late afternoon and she had been cleaning and was a lot calmer..am sure that it's because Mike,Kim and Sharon are business people, responsible for planning and they talk in a strong voice and very matter of fact and it sounds as though they are not being compassionate.

LindaKay, that is expensive considering it's within USA. Know you are all disappointed..hugs coming your way.

"M"' you've only days left re your sitting assignment, although you love the kids it will be nice getting back to your own schedule..nothing like a wood stove heat, warms you right through.

Off to check out your lk Crissy..

Gab in a bit

Morning everyone! It is so good to come here in the early morning and 'see' everyone. So much has gone on since I was last online but please know I read all of your posts. We sure lead busy and sometimes challenging lives.

Susan I am glad the cortisone shot finally started to work. I am the same way when I get one - takes a good week or so before it kicks in. The first time I was very discouraged that I didn't feel any relief after a few days.

Crissy girl you sure did yourself a good one this time. Glad you were able to make it to the hospital in spite of the weather. Being in so much pain is no fun and I know it must have been bad as you are no wimp. Sounds like the 'outside' work at your new job will suit you to a T. I know you love interacting with people.

Mary I don't do pictures but your parcel was fantastic. You all are just going to have to visualize.I am enjoying the Advent calendar in January. I don't really celebrate Christmas anymore now Santa Warren isn't here to share it with me but I did decide to celebrate Epiphany in January. It was fun, I even pulled out 1 of the wooden Victorian feather trees and decorated it. Just the 3 ft one but it was beautiful. I put the tree skirt Barb made me around the base and it looked just like it should be there.The cookies were yummy and the bath salts have been put to good use too. Is Trader Joe's a chain? I know I am forgetting everything but the boys sure were happy. Duke immediately took the black Kong and chewed it so the 3 balls were separate. What a fantastic toy he made.... he and Diesel race around with 1 of the balls in their mouths teasing each other or they hide them so it is sort of like an Easter Egg hunt for them . Bedlam ensues as they search for them but considering with all the ice they can't play outside it is a great way for them to work off their surplus energy. They are a little leery of the big red Kong but I think once they have it outside on the grass instead of the noisy floor they will have a blast. They do love the treats that go inside it though.Duke looked askance at the Christmas biscuits you included until he tasted one - lol. Duke is still very frightened of some new things and something like a new shaped biscuit can throw him off for a minute or 2. Oh I forgot to say I love the mints!!

Betty my heart aches for Jim. I wish there was something we could all do to help lessen that burden he and your family are carrying. You are being a saint with your mam even if you don't think you are.

~~~ to everyone. I will be back later. So much to catch up pon.
Dianne

Dianne, Jim passed on January 6th..blessing really..now comes dealing with mom.

Sharon contacted me this a.m....she is all but done with mom, that means t will be me..yikes I dread it. Sharon is in Virginia breeding one of her dogs, thought time away might do her the world of good but seems she has taken the problems with her.

She was stopping at Joann's along her travels and said shed pick some fabric for me..always thrilled to get fabric

Off to Fabricland

Betty in my blitz reading I missed it. Sorry! While one hates to see such a sweet man pass I am sure his being out of that horrific pain is a comfort to you. My sincerest condolences to you and your family. You are right in a way it was a blessing. Now your dealing with your mam is going to be another story. I am positive it will take every ounce of self control you possess but know I am right there supporting you.
D

Home to shovel and visit my puppers and kitter kat .. Lorna is busy doing her ploughing jobs, took me 45 minutes to do the patio and walkways (dog paths).
OH, we got about 5" of fluffy white snow !!
Driving is kinda tricky .. but, doable.
Takes me about half an hour to get here from Murrays ..
I am T I R E D !!!!!
One of the Bostons like to sleep UNDER the covers !! I about jumped outta bed when Molly jumped up on the bed and proceeded to dive under the covers, and, she stayed there til 7am when I got up,
Love the kids, but, miss my own home ..

SO nice to see you posting Dianne :-)

Best get off of here .. I find Murray's computers (All touch pads) to be difficult to use ,,

Miss y'all

~M~

Sounds like you got a wonderful package from Mary. Maybe she took pictures before she sent them. We are still waiting to see what Mary got!

Sure hope Mary took photo"s of your pressies Dianne..seems the pooches made out like bandits. Lol.

Karen, how did your day go..did you manage to not say anything today?? Maybe she is young and just needs direction..perhaps you can make a list of to do's and which would she like to undertake.

As for mom, just heard she burnt another bridge, my nephew is moving out! I do not blame him one bit! Know I have to call her tonight but dreaded it.

Went to fabricland, got more Xmas fabric (I'm addicted) and they had the most gorgeous panel for tree skirt..had to laugh, a panel consisted of only 1 half so had to buy 2 panels in order to make one tree skirt

Then Spoke with Sharon, she picked up a lot of xmas fabric for me, she was so excited I dared not say I needed no more.

Quiet here today

One can never have enough fabric Betty!

Sorry I didn't get back right away. Stuff happens! Vet says that it is likely a fracture. So she gave a weeks worth of ant inflammatory and said she thought it would heal on its own. She doesn't have a temp, and she's eating and drinking. The swelling has really gone down and tho she's not using that paw much, she is putting it down some. So, thank you all for your prayers! They were surely answered!

We went grocery shopping today. Now trying to get more put away and baby's crib put together. Slow going but have said I would like it done by end of week-end. Serious job hunting next week.

That is great news Joyce, amazing how much doctoring they do themselves.

LindaKay, am starting to get there though! Soon have enough to keep me going for several years..almost got 2 big totes full..was so tempted to go back and buy a few more ore printed Christmas tree panels but didn't..defeats the 'home made' part of the gift.

Are there many jobs openings up in your region Karen? Would you be sitting the baby?

Katie how are you today?

Bit the bullet and called mom, she said she was busy today, made a comment abut Bryan, I said 'guess it's time you part company' then I changed the subject..she talked about going somewhere for a few days, asked when my houseguest was coming home, guess I really should have offered her coming here for the weekend..guess when I talk to her tomorrow I should invite her..

Although I promised myself I'd stay up nil at least 8pm its not going to happen, heading to bed..will try to prop myself up and maybe read a bit.

Betty make sure she understands the invite is just for the weekend.

That part will be tricky. Lol

Oh Betty, maybe you should rethink this. If you're getting along on the phone, maybe you shouldn't press your luck!

I know but I'm feeling guilty, she said she had to go away for a few days, I said where, she said she didn't know

Tomorrow she has the nurse dropping in to dress her leg, it's not getting better, they are quite concerned about healing process..been since early October..life sure gets complicated doesn't it

Betty I am with Joyce on this. Don't let the guilts get to you. You all need some space and time to grieve Jim.Having your mam come for the weekend which she could prolong into a very long stay just seems not great for either of you. What about taking her to a hotel even into Barrie for a couple of nights? Nice neutral territory and I bet your mam would think you were spoiling her. Well maybe not but it could be a treat for you.

While I was blitz reading I missed a whole thread. M condolences on the loss of your friend Jewel. I am so glad to read her send off was a grand one. Where I come from there is a humdinger of a celebration after the funeral with lots of food, music, dancing and drinking. It took me years to realize that not every community celebrated a death that way.

I spent all of the time I didn't have internet access battling the elements as did most of you all. I had snow, ice, bitter cold and freezing rain only to have it start all over again. The freezing rain was horrid. Dogs still can't go out for a big walk as it is just too dangerous. At 160 lb if Diesel went down I could never get him back up. At 1 point we had so much snow the plow guy had to bring his 2 plow trucks plus a front end loader to open up a path on the lane. But to be quite honest I would rather have snow than the dreaded freezing rain. Last weekend I got all of the snow and ice off of the upper deck - the ice was almost 4 in thick in spots... an inch in others.

Susan I was happy to read you were able to go and visit your mam.What a lovely treat for both of you.Winnipeg colder than Calgary?

Katie I broke my promise and took quite a fall. Banged up the knee I had the replacement in quite badly. So its 2014, do you think we can renew our promise to each other not to harm ourselves?

Crissy how are you doing?

Barb how wonderful for you to be able to go to the library once a week with your neighbour. Good for you getting out and walking the halls to get some exercise. Once the nice weather comes ( or should I say if??) is there a place for you to walk outside? Have you talked to Thea lately?

LK how are you feeling today? That's an outlandish price for a ticket to fly to Michigan.

Need to walk the pups before the coyotes start their nightly serenade and spook poor little Duke.
Dianne

Morning all

Dianne sure hooe you are not waking to a winter wonderland! So glad I'm home today....

Great suggestion Dianne about the hotel Dianne, have to see her mood today when I speak to her..she has been speaking with Bernie, I'm sure as he wasn't there throughout the recent events that she will have lots to tell him..his car is not working right now but his wife may be off Saturday so he may travel to visit and do a few thing for her..here is hoping he does.

Was thankful as likely you were last weekend to have some milder temps so the snow could pack up...can yu remember such a winter..duke and diesel were a godsend, great company when housebound for so long,

Was up early this a.m. Went in and did groceries, have a nice stew cooking, going to put the bread machine on..big stew means o cooking all weekend. Lol getting lazy aren't I?

My thoughts is to take the bin with the hockey jerseys out and see if I can finish top and bottom today so when I finish quilting the quilt on the frame I can get this one on it.

I so hooe I will be housebound next 2 or 3 days, time to regenerate.

Hooe you are all having better weather and you have something more exciting than I to do.

Photos to make you smile!!!

http://www.boredpanda.com/animal-children-photography-elena-shumilova/

ahhhh, quite the photographer

first photo reminds me of my St.Bernard 'Chico'

Ahhh downstairs is relatively uncluttered. Onward and upward.

Good morning!

Thanks barb enjoyed the pics...

Snow has finally stopped, Murray's snowblower decided to NOT run for Gord. So we shoveled the complete driveway..lordie, we were about totaled after that!
It's a very long driveway, double wide, facetimed with Murray and Alison last evening, said the machine has a few idiosyncrasies! No kidding!
The kids are so great, but, totally messy. After Gord drove them to school this morning, I started to tidy up...my heavens... I picked up 11 drinking glasses, and 4 luncheon sized plates, wrappers on and on...
All in what they've been taught... Hate to say that.

Betty, good luck with the decision re your mom.. Give it some good long serious thought.

Ha... Just looked out the deck doors, there are 4 deer just a few feet away.
Will have to commit it to memory as if I move the 3 dogs will know something is up.

Gonna sign off. Don't like using this tablet.

Hugs all around

M

Snowing here as well "M", great day to be in..just put the fireplace on in the basement, bones are feeling the cold. Nothing more peaceful than looking out and seeing wildlife..must be hard for them this winter finding food with all this snow...you are sitting till when? DidGord stay with you..yep, no picking up after themselves, parent find it easier to do it themselves than take on the task of teaching the kids..


Ann dropped by, she listened to my tales of doom/gloom then I listened to hers
we sure are up to doing something, roadtrip/roadtrip!

haven't done a thing this morning..guess I should pick one thing, one little thing and get it done but then mentally I say nahhhh..need a good kick in the pants.


Starting to smell the stew, won't be ready for lunch but I sure will enjoy supper. best I look for something easy to make for lunch then come downstairs ..maybe if I look around the room or the blackboard that has 'to do' projects written on it, something will interest me and I can get something done


You are making progress Karen, how does it feel having a small one in the house? all shovelling done, drive cleared?

If nothing else I emptied the bag from Fabricland and oooh'd and ahhh'd at more pretty xmas fabric..I especially like the tree skirt panels

might call Linda and asked her to go pick me up a couple more

HI everyone,

I'm still here. Lots of pain in the morning. I'm usually at least mobile by late morning. Talked with Tony about getti ng a bathtub set up ao I can have a hot soak as I don't want to increase my pain meds. Am also working on some dietary changes to try to decrease inflammation. Taking my schizandra both to help curb inflammation and for protection of liver as the pain killers are not good for it. Always something.

Betty, I have a funny fantasy of you moaing and groaning to your mother about all your pain and problems (not mentioning her, of course, or how largely she fits into all this). I think it would be funny if you just ignored her complaints and continued to list and relist yours.

While you're at it, make as many out-of-town plans as possible. Things where she cannot be included.

I'm amazed Sharon lasted as long and as well as she did. She's up for sainthood in my book.

Good news that you don't need surgery but you still have a lot of pain to deal with Be sure your mother knows how difficult it makes things for you and see if she feels up to caring for you? Oh, God, I'm just laughing over this. "Mom, please bring me a cup of hot tea" etc, etc etc.

Seriously, with all the people baling on her you really need to protect yourself. Some people will drain you til you're as dried out as a raison and they will jsut move on with no gratitude and nothing but complaints about all you didn't do.

Chronic pain is stressful and exhausting. I find myself sometimes yelling at the dogs who are, fortuneately, more forgiving than most people would be. It's just that I'm so tired of dealing with the chronic pain. Don't forget how it affects your life. You know what a disaster it would be to have your mother with you for any length of time (i.e., more than a few hours). Better to keep it from happening than to have to deal with getting rid of her when she tries to settle in permanently.

I once told my niece whom I love that, to the extent that I tried to get along with other family members - and it was a lot - I threw my life away. Which is why I'm so adament with you.

Anyway, it's another nice day here and I'm going to work a little on kitchen organization. It's coming aong slowly but iti's coming.

I work to organize my craaft stuff, but I drift off into fantasy land and start palying with fabrics. Fun, but not much progress.

hugs, katie

Sorry your still in a lot of pain Katie!
How much are fabrics where your at? Do you have large fabric stores like Joann's or Hobby Lobby? Are you working on any sewing projects?

Betty, that tree skirt is beautiful!

Loving having Amelia here, she's such a funny little thing. Guys got all the snow cleared away for now, I'm sure we'll get more before long.

Betty that is a beautiful tree skirt print. Would make a loverly tablecloth too and look in the corners, matching place mats.

I managed to get into my sewing room today. Had several pairs of pants to alter for GGD. She's a chunky monkey so we have to buy big to fit around and then shorten. Want to make my DD a cover for her new Kitchen Aid mixer. They are soooo heavy it's better to keep them out and cover than to try to put away.

Then I can get back to my tree skirts. If you can spare a 5"x5" piece of some of your pretty new Christmas fabrics Betty, I would dearly love to have some.

Oh Katie, I always get a kick out of your suggestions, shaking my head and smilling..don't encourage me please.

Sorry to hear you are still xperiencing so much pain, hot baths will surely help. Nthe fabric you purchase is from USA isn't it? I too wonder what kind of stores in yur region..maybe you could tell us a bit more about life in Mexico...where would you have to go for big city shopping? Would the prices in mexico be a lot less than USA just not as much choice?

Kyle just dropped in, nice visit! He is off snowmobiling, energy in youth makes one realize just how the years are passing..wasn't that long ago I was the one lookng forward to Friday night to travel north and go snowmobiling for the weekend. Now I'm looking forward to hot bath and quiet evening.

With all going on I had forgotten about the squares I promised..will get them done tonight, promise.

I did go downstairs and play with placement of quilt blocks I made yesterday..actually this particular tree skirt will be quite easy to make, just have to put more thought into colors needed

Shame on me Karen. I have some squares cut for you and haven't gotten them out the door yet. I promise I will get them mailed tomorrow unless Norm has to work. We are expecting snow so I won't be going out. If he does then I will get them mailed Monday morning...

Oh No shame on anyone, I just thought I would go begging to Betty because she's getting so many new Christmas fabrics. LOL

That may be true but I promised these a while ago!!!! They WILL go out.....

Started to cut some out, many are from Joann's, Florida & Buffalo etc so many you will have but did buy from Fabricland so hopefully some you will not have

Rita came home, said she missed 'home', said the stew sure sounded inviting.

Called mom, no answer, will call later if no answer will email Mike/Kim to see if they know where she may have gone.

Thanks Barb,

Betty I hope your mom hasn't gone AWOL.

Just emailed my brother and his wife to inquire..

Know she was having an assessment re her leg this mornimg, surely they wouldn't hospitalize her and she saying her kids don't care and not call us??

Maybe she just went out for a bit and I'm over reacting!

Hope your mom turns up, and all is well, Betty.

I'm a lurker, but have followed you all through the joys and sorrows of the past several months, and feel as though I know you all so well. (edited to say, gee, that sounds creepy!!)

I have some exciting (at least to me) news, that I thought I'd share! My girl Sissy finished her AKC championship today in Novi Michigan! She is the second from this litter to finish, my first homebred champion!

Deb

This message was edited Jan 17, 2014 5:15 PM

Congrats Momcat, Betty's sister also shows and we have Stu in the quilting forum who does shows too. Beautiful Afghan.

I remember Betty mentioning her sister, I didn't know about Stu, but I don't frequent the quilting forum. My mom used to quilt, but I have never tried. Most of the quilts I've seen pictures of are just so incredibly beautiful. I wish I was that talented!

Deb

Congratulations Deb, Sissy is a gorgeous girl on her AKC Achiement..how proud you must be!
Yes, Sharon's Inuuk has won I believe 5 or 6 Best of Breed at Westminster show..
She also now has another of her dogs competing..

You both have lots of patience

Deb, How old is Sissy? Do you have a trainer?
Sharon is on her way home from Virginia, brought one of hers to have bred..
Nothing like having champions

Welcome Deb. Congrats on the dogs. She is beautiful.