Best/worse/What did I learn today? Chat with friend old & new..all welcome..

Morning all, calling for snow today but for now there is just a light sprinkling, just enough to make all look so clean.

Been up since 3:30, couldn’t sleep so though I might as well get up..sipping coffee while enjoying the tree lit and rotating.

No plans for the day except a quick trip to the drug store later once they have my prescription ready, other than that I’ll playing craft room before Santa’s Workshop closes for the season and elves take a much needed rest.

Ohhh can’t wait to see what was in your Santa Warren box..leave it to Paul to get into the fudge lol

What is on your agenda today?

I finally fell asleep about 4:30 am and woke up 5:40 am. Going to be a long day but I don't have to go out unless I choose to do so.

A doctor making house calls. Remember when that was standard in Ontario ? Kudos to your doc Betty.

Stay safe and well.

This message was edited Dec 23, 2018 8:26 AM

Am sure we will both need a nap this afternoon Dianne..I made pillows, making a,coffee then heading downstairs to make inserts, tidy up craft room then town for,a,few,things..always a few things lol

Been to the village and back home. Needed a few things in case I get inspired and bake.Did buy a lovely bouquet of flowers - all were 20% off.

Lane is VERY icy under the snow. I see that at least 2 vehicles went off the lane. Probably a visitor or someone new to the lane. Both are trouble spots even when you know the lane.

Took a nasty spill when I went to check on Frank's. My left knee is already swelling up. Fine walking on the way up but coming down there was some ice under the snow on the hill and plop down I went.

Ashes cleaned out, fire blazing maybe I will lay on the sofa in front of the stove. The heat might just lull me to sleep.

What's everybody up to for Christmas ? Quiet, low key day here Christmas Day - just the way I want it.

Stay safe and well.

This message was edited Dec 23, 2018 12:09 PM

At least he didn't have to go to the hospital.... had to call EMTs last night. Ben used toilet and the pain was too great when he tried to get up. Fire Department came, eventually got him up and transferred to bed. Took me an hour just to clean up everything.

If I have more weeks like this one, I will not have a choice but to have Ben moved to some kind of facility. He does NOT get it. Friday he had the caregiver buy him 2 1/2 gallon cartons of Egg Nog (at 200 calories a 1/2 cup) and 1 gallon of chocolate milk! Ben uses 12 oz glasses and has several a day!! THIS purchase was after I talked to him about the calorie content and begged him to stop drinking the stuff. He started buying/drinking the stuff before Thanksgiving. Not exactly heart healthy stuff and his by-pass is over 50% compromised now.

He's had phantom pain from hell. He knows one of the triggers is carbohydrates. His dress pants that had gotten falling off loose are now too tight.

The temptation to pour out the Egg Nogg is great. He continues to gain weight and his mobility is increasingly compromised. Right now, he thinks all the mobility issues are the sciatica issues, I don't. Every time he entered a facility he loses weight because the food is not very good and they control the portions.

I could go on & on but what's the point really. I guess there is really nothing I can do about Ben but there is about me and my health. I refuse to let him compromise my health with his lousy choices. I WILL get a good night's sleep, even if it means I need to clear out the office and put a twin bed in there. I have slept in the guest room for the last 3 nights. Or better yet, get him a hospital bed and put him in the office. Then he can have it as warm as he wants, stay up as late as he wants and sleep in as late as he wants. He's going to drink as much Egg Nogg, eat as many cookies, slurp down as much ice cream as he wants anyhow, until he is hospitalized or in a facility, or dead at home.

I am sad. I am angry. I am turning into a bitter old harpy.

Oh Pat, it’s not a wonder when you are giving so much of yourself and he is not mak8ng any effort to look after himself..shaking my head..maybe a scare that you will have to find him a facility might jolt him into reality. Have you spoken to his family? Add that then sleepless nights, we’ll you just can’t continue the way you are without putting your health at risk.

Sure hope Dianne that fall didn’t put something out of whack..y just a skim of snow here, enough with ice underneath to make walking treacherous.

Tomorrow I will have the family in the afternoon, Chinese for supper, open gifts. Not sure if Jeff and boys will spend the night or go home and be in their own beds Christmas morning.

Christmas Day I’ll drop into Suzanne’s, then supper at Greg and Mel’s..
Am sure by early evening I’ll be ready for bed.

My to do list today..
Flour for pies
$$$ for Caleb and Braedon
Wine for 10
wine stockings

Can do all of it here in town or I could take a drive to Barrie to fill in aaafternoon.

((((Pat)))) Vent away - its a safe place for you to do that and you know you have all of us supporting you.No wonder you are at wit's end. Follow through with the idea of a hospital bed .... you NEED your sleep.

Betty the village was insane traffic wise - I'd hate to think what Ktown and Barrie would be like. When I was in Ktown last Monday I parked at the very outer edge of the parking lot. It is much easier for me to walk a little farther than battle people driving like they are crazy. A few years ago I read an article in the TO Star that followed a study taken at all the major TO malls at Christmas shopping time.If you wanted to park close to an entrance and the lot was full circling for approx 10 min will score you a spot close to an entrance. Heavens in that time you could have walked to the door.

My left knee is the size of a watermelon and it hurts.This is the knee they want to do a replacement on. Darn ..... I want to put that off for as long as I can. Hoping to get my cataracts done first. To quote my sweet, sweet dad "This growing old is for the birds". Thankfully the TH had already had 2 lengthy walks so they are good. In fact Diesel is probably saying Thank the Lord.

Chinese food sounds good.That's what my cleaning lady is going to do on Christmas Day when she visits her DB in Ottawa. She was dithering about what to do as her DB is a bit of a recluse. I suggested Chinese food and she sure liked the sound of that.

Susan did you get everything cleared away for Doug ?

No nap so now I hope I can sleep tonight.I'm chatty so I know I am really tired. lol

Maybe you should get checked Dianne if it’s that swollen..how right your dad is, aging isn’t for the weak at heart. As for shopping I have a handicap sticker but only use it when I’m at my worse. It’s just starting to snow and blow, but lightly.
Wouldn’t want to be shopping in the city, imagine tomorrow will be almost impossible..didn’t do Barrie, only reason I was going was for something to do.

Did go to foodland for flour and iquor store..yikes lcbo was $117

When I was in town yesterday I ran into a friend of Roger and I, guess he’d be 75, he looked 100..really made me wonder how people see me..I often say I’m years older, that way people think I look good, so laughing!

Pat, sorry to hear about what Ben is doing. Not good for either of you. Can you talk to his Dr. and have him make the decision to place him in a facility?
Dianne, please have your knee checked out. You don't need it to get worse.
Todd and I are driving to San Antonio to my son's place, on the 28th for a late Christmas.

Pat *Gentle Hugs* Ben's obviously well past understanding his health issues, but we don't want YOU getting sick, looking after him. Do what's best for both of you.
Dianne - PLEASE get your kneee looked after. Best to have knee replacement just before the nice weather hits so you can get out & walk around to exercise it, but you do need to do something now.
Betty - I don't have, nor want, POA for Doug. He has a nephew 2 hours drive away, a daughter in Ontario, and a brother & other family in Nova Scotia. I love him dearly & will do what I can for what's best for him, but do not want POA. Found out today that he will have his old phone # back on Dec 26th, so that's good. I'll find out what his Health Card # is, so I can pass on the info to an authorized hearing specialist and see if she can find an affordable option for replacing his hearing aids, but that's as far as I will go. I'll tell him her ph# and see if that helps. She lives near us, but will go to Calgary for some appointments. I think he's been going to a private hearing specialist & that costs mucho $$ so he won't go there anymore.

I understand your reluctance to have the responsibility of being POA.

In the US unless courts determine that someone needs a guardian, and the guardian makes the decision, NO ONE CAN force someone into a facility. Not even all the Adult Protective Services complaints for self-neglect will force someone into facility. All I need is for APS to decide I am not providing adequate care and I can lose my job. We have a paid caregiver so at least I "share" the responsibility.

Sure do understand your frustration Pat, you can't help someone who won't help themselves. I think you should follow through on the hospital bed in the office. At the very least you will get the rest you need to carry on.

For all practical purposes, Christmas is over for me. There will be Christmas morning here with the kids but for the most part we will just be spectaters.


Furnace went on the fritz here while we were up north. No worry about freezing, we have another furnace upstairs and a wood stove, but another big bill just isn't on the agenda now. seems it's just one thing after another. Things we want to do are taking a back seat to the things we have to do.

Morning all, had enough snow last night that I imagine Andrew will come and plow, more on its way so they say..

Dianne, how is the swelling this morning?

Oh Karen, that is terrible, hope this home won’t be a money pit..maybe it will be an easy fix.

How are things going Pat?

Well it’s pie morning so will finish my coffee and get at it..family come this afternoon, would be nice to have a little nap before they do

This message was edited Dec 24, 2018 5:31 AM

Good morning everyone. It's a chilly one. I still think it feels so cold to me because we have had such mild days so far.

Swelling has started to diminish on my knee but my pain level has grown more intense.I rooted around and found some pain patches but they are 8 years out dated .So I will see if I do get any relief. Took a couple of my Rx sleeping pills so I did get about 3 hours of a good sleep. The TH will be getting no long walks today..

Oh Karen why does something like a furnace go on the friz just after you move in. The same thing happened to us with 1 of our houses. To quote Richard Dawson :"ah the fickle finger of fate"

Using 2 canes to help me get around. And now I will use them to help me find the banana I peeled, took 2 bites of and then put down to do something. Beginning to think Chaos scarfed it down..

May your Christmas Eve day be everything you want it to be. Sure going to miss boiling lobster and making New England Clam Chowder with crab meat.

Glad the swelling is down Dianne, not good news about the pain though, if it continues a trip to emerge for you..is it snowing in your neck of the woods? Did you find your banana? Maybe you were like me this morning, wanted to read pie recipe and went looking in every room to find them, finally sat down thinking where to heck did I put them only to find I had them on..losing it..am sure though if you didn’t find it the Th enjoyed the treat.

Pies are made, just meringue needs done on the lemon meringue once they cool down, and there I went as well, put things back in the oven when it cooled only to remember I need oven for meringue. Lol

Andrew didn’t get here yet, hate to leave because I’ve a Christmas gift for him..need to go to foodland and only gone a few minutes but as sure as I stand he will come minute I’m gone.

Called Chinese restaurant and added a few dishes see8ng as Jeff reminded me Braedon is a vegetarian grrr

Dianne - hope you find something to diminish your pain.
We're off to town to do last minute gift delivery & get a box of chocoates for Carol to give to Dianne - we three are going to Dianne's for Christmas Eve dinner. Tomorrow we're going to Olds for Christmas Day dinner @ the Legion. We also have a gift to deliver to a shut-in friend/neighbour. She'd fallen on her knee & isn't putting any weight on that leg yet - it's been a month. Good thing she has family around.

https://www.jacquielawson.com/ecard/pickup/r8cf6592f381749c2acdd231cc53a40e5?source=jl999&utm_medium=internal_email&utm_source=pickup&utm_campaign=receivercontent


From me on Christmas .. not on much in this thread, but do pop in off and on.
Our celebration is tonight ... was to have been at 3:30pm but.. DUH !!! I put the turkey on at 250 degrees instead of 325.350 .. wasn't wearing GLASSES ..
Quiet here, hope you all enjoy the holidays .

HUGS

~M~

Betty, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas dinner. Did you forget any pie this year?
Susan, sounds like you have a busy Christmas schedule.
Beautiful card "M". Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas "M", ours is all over was last Sat. in MI.

Hoping all my dear friends here have a very Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone. It's a winter wonderland out there.

Busy day here - totally unexpected.. 2 different sets of friends dropped in this afternoon.for a visit. I was very proud of the TH. They did show they do have party manners.

Swelling of my knee is going down slowly. The 8 year out dated pain patch is giving me some relief. Thank goodness,

Sleep well. Going to bed if nothing else but to read. Sweet dreams hopefully full of sugar plum fairies.

This message was edited Dec 24, 2018 9:09 PM

Evening all, kids all left
Everyone enjoyed themselves and loved their gifts..Melanie was so excited for her quilt ladder..boys lived their quilts and all had a chuckle over their beer mitts.
Asor theoies, Greg and Jeff fought over the banana cream pie, Jeff won out..nobody ate any, Jeff took his home as did Braedon and Caleb..rest will go to Greg’s for supper tomorrow.

Got $$$, kids wondered if I would buy another sewing machine, not..have enough of them, will find something I want I’m sure.

Couldn’t find my camera, iPAD photos not the best but I’ll share a few

Few more

NO they are not playing with their cels, all checking photos from Greg’s 50th

Boys leave thursday for university, another 6 months before I see them again

This message was edited Dec 24, 2018 8:40 PM

Looks like a beautiful day Betty!

It was, tired now, finishing hot chocolate then beddy bys for me.

Sweet dreams.

Merry Christmas all. Vern has been giving me fits for about 5 days. Very confused and ordinary. Family coming tomorrow for Christmas dinner. Our weather has been in the 60s all December but will be in mid 40's by Thursday. Moved my ficus trees into the garage today.

Housekeeper was suppose to be here today but begged off at around 10am. Oh well, house not that dirty. She will be here Friday.

Again, Merry Christmas and Hugs to all of you. Sharon

MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone..

Hope today is special for you in every way!

Got the house back in order, waiting for daylight so I can get all paper and boxes to the fire pit and then just relax..sitting here having coffee with Ziggy by my side..perfect weather today for all travelling.

Have a load of wash on, cousin Gary is coming over early to pick up his quilts, see from Facebook he is already up, early riser like myself so I imagine he’ll be here soon..then it’s laze around till I head out to Suzanne’s for a visit . Going to Mel amd greg’s For 4.

Christmas miracle, Mel’s silk has been improving steadily since they took her out of intensive care..from 152lbs down to 96 but making great strides towards healing.
The doctor agreed that it might do her good to be out for a few hours today, she will be at Greg and Mel’s. Mel has been so good to her, sent Kyle with a Christmas outfit for her to wear today,nthere is a secret gift exchange, gave her $20 to get something out of hospital boutique so she feels she is participating..do hooe she is well enough to come.

Should look at weather forecast for the week, thinking of going to buffalo for a day to stock up on fabric lol SHARON was going to come with me but she is sick with bad cold..maybe Suzanne has things to exchange at kohl’s and would take the drive.

Other than that not much going on, antsy so who knows, one might start Christmas 2019 quilts lol

Do have the best day ever..

Merry Christmas everyone.

Merry Christmas all !!! May your day be filled with love and happiness.

It is just stunning when you look outside. You need sun glasses the sun is so bright.

Swelling is going back up in my knee and it hurts like blazes. If it is not better by Wed.I will have someone drive me to the ER. Pain patch effect is wearing off but won't put another one on after I come back home after I visit some neighbours for a sip of Christmas cheer.

Enjoy your day !!

This message was edited Dec 25, 2018 11:31 AM

wishing you all a very merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! We are headed to my sister & DBIL's shortly for gifts and "food". Not having a sit down dinner this year. Going to take it MUCH easier with finger foods. I've bought shrimp, cheese cake, ham and cheese with little slider buns, deviled eggs, home made sugar cookies etc... Clean up will be a breeze comparatively!

Same to you Liz and Kenny.

Pat, friend sherry is doing finger foods as well and for same reason..bet it will be extra tasty knowing no big clean up.

Just took a quick ride to Suzanne and Lenny's, don’t know how they did it, grands spent last night with their dad, today gift opening, Suzanne’s tree surrounded by gifts and those girls patiently were waiting to open after supper, the young one kept saying she was starving, too funny, she had a late lunch but thought if she said she was hungry they would eat then gift opening lol

Just going to pack up pies and secret Santa gift and head out again..then Christmas will be over.

Christmas Eve went to a friend's for dinner, and today went to the Legion for their Christmas Day turkey dinner.

Oh my!! My nephew's 10 YO daughter cooked the Tri-Tips in the Traeger, they were awesome!! My brother brought homemade chocolate peanut clusters, soooo smooth and yummy. We sent leftovers with youngest son, came home with some as well. Left LOTS of food. We all have a tendency to prepare like we are the only one feeding the group!! LOL

Hope all had a very Merry Christmas,

Sitting and relaxing this night, and knowing tomorrow Betty will be pulling totes out to put it all away! Sit and relax!

Quiet day, light dusting of snow.

Debbie

Morning all, light snow, rather pretty..had a great Christmas!!

Glad you are resting Debbie.

Omg Debbie you know me so well, just finish8finishing coffee and heading out to back shed for emptytotes..have to check if $$$ store open this Boxing Day as I need 20+ rolls of silver tape to tape up lids to totes so mice don’t get in them, forgot about buying them.
i will start, one tote at a time...

Rather than spend night in buffalo, might just take a quick run tomorrow or Friday,there and back, have to look at Lewiston ny weather forecast

What are you all up to today?

1st breakof the morning, snowing quite heViky, about 1/2 done except for changing all Christmas quilts in 3 bedrooms..decided I would fill all the totes, let them warm to room temperature so that tape will stick to lids..figure by 3 Christmas will be away then it’s get 8nto the back shed before accumulation of snow..I’d have left Christmas up until after New Years butits mild out and nit 2 ft if snow to get to shed so bestimake it easy on myself.

Have turkey and also Chinese I can warm up sodont have to stop to make eats..

No posting so you all must be busy

Off toundecirate the fireplace, only think I don’t like taking down

Betty think twice about going over the border. There is a freezing rain warning in some areas over the night Thurs and on Fri.

Think I might have to go to ER tomorrow. The pain in my knee is quite intense and it is hard to climb stairs - like even 1 step.

Nice quiet day yesterday. Made myself a traveller's mug of Warren's answer to what ails you - Crown Royal (rye) and gingerale and walked up to the neighbour's. I used a cane. Kieran (my garden helper) his sister and cousin wanted to walk me home. lol Actually I think they wanted to see Diesel and Chaos.

Sounds like you had a great day Pat. Just what you needed.



This message was edited Dec 26, 2018 12:00 PM

I am here. Betty you amaze me with your energy. We are just sitting here, coffee in hand, watching the news about the volcano/earthquake in Sicily. Lots of damage.

Dianne I hope you can get in to check your knee.

This message was edited Dec 26, 2018 10:36 AM

Dianne i will have to check weather for sure then before I take off..
Glad you were able to spend time with neighbors. Rogers rye and coke would have tasted good as a Christmas drink but thought better of it seeing I’m taking meds.

Haven’t had news on LIndakay, will have to turn it on, been too busy this morning, Lordy what a mess one makes taking down Christmas, thought to myself, if anyone would drop in unexpectedly what a disaster they would see but I am making headway.

Yes I’m really pushing myself but it needs done..with snow coming down I’m thinking I’d best run in fir the tape before it gets worse .,have 14 b8ns filled, about 5 I didn’t bring in this year, all Christmas quilts off the beds..hoping to fine space bags to store Christmas quilts.,gee, almost to the po8nt I’ve too many..was thinking if something happened to me whaton earth would they do just with Christmas lol