Best/Worse/What did I learn today? Come sit a spell..newcomers always welcome..

Got to pack my bags, must see if Debbie can meet us for breakfast in the morning

Likely leave 5

I sent the program off to a friend to finish. She worked on converting a photo of Ben into art and is adjusting it. We found a very special picture of Ben to use. I LOVE it, he is leaning on the grill of a car, hood up, his grimy and greasy up to his elbows, oil on his shirt and smudges on his face. My son saw it and smiled "THAT is so BEN!" and it truly is.
My oldest son & wife come into town this afternoon. I am not feeling as overwhelmed. All the sorting of paperwork and cleaning out the desk is being stopped and tabled for later. I picked up the death certificates today. One foot in front of the other...

Baby steps Pat, with time in between to fall back and regroup.

Thinking of you Pat.

Saw Betty for breakfast, got her in all kinds trouble. Just love her purchase. Hoping they are home safe soon. Soooo cold here. I think 18!

Pat you’ve been in my thoughts today, now that Ben is at rest it’s time to take care of you....hugs

Just got in from Buffalo, gave our Debbie a hug from you all.
She is bad, before we even met up at Cracker Barrel she already eyed the garden goodies and thought I should buy a couple of froggies, sitting on a a bench holding an umbrella that has solar light dangling to make it seem as though is raining..
She talked me into it..almost $100 once taxes were paid, more is you do the exchange but Rita had given me usa Christmas money as did a little lady we won’t name so home it came, along with a gift certificate for joanne’s where I bought the 16 1/2 inch square ruler,6 spools of thread etc..all and all I got spoilt!!

Now I’ll gaze out at the snow covered gardens and wonder where my froggies will go

Ooooh I likes froggies. Used to collect them. Daughter bought me a figurine for outside of two boys playing leapfrog. Somebody thought it should be theirs and it disappeared. Never seen another just like it.

Morning all,

Seems milder this morning, shovelling can wait til later..

Pat, hope all went according to your arrangements yesterday and today you can take a few minutes to yourself...warm/caring hugs coming from all of us..

Karen,I’ve been lucky here, don’t recall anything going missing but then 90% of my gardens are in back yard.

Was up early this morning, was in a terrible dream and happy when I woke..hate this haunting dreams, anyway it gave me an early start to putting Valentine’s Day away and start taking out St. Patrick’s day decorations, didn’t buy much stateside, just wasn’t a lot..did manage to buy 3 half yards of st patty fabric, had a few at home..thInk I’m going to just cut squares, put them together and tie vs quilting as it only ever comes out for a month...right now decorating that little seasonal tree lol
What I did buy though is 2 pairs of st, Patty’s socks..might later try my hand at making a few gnomes 😜

Karen I will bring in my froggies when next I go to the car..they are probably 2 feet plus

Debbie, so glad you had the chance to meet up with Betty.
Can't wait to see your frogs and other goodies.

My figurine didn't go missing here it was in MI when we were close to Detroit.

lindakay, did give her a hug on your behalf...got a big smile.

I’ve been taking down valentines and setting out for St Patty’s, sun shinning in, Ziggy getting comfy on the coffee table and I’m thinking I best get up from sitting or that will be the end of getting things done..

Oh, meant to say cbd sure is helping these old bones

Must get out and get my froggies but before I do must tell you that when I opened one of the decoration boxes I found a treasure..will take a photo and send it..you will know why it’s a treasure!

Glad to hear the CBD is helping you.

My entire body aching less is a big improvement..

Now who can tell me why this find was so special

Oh Betty! Is that from Barb? Gosh, just found a table runner from her over holidays.

That I did, the minute I saw it, green for St. parrt’s Day just knew it was Barb saying hello to all of us...

Told you cbd oil was helping, got a few things out, some downstairs, anxious to get a quick throw together together, even have a cherry pie I made in the oven, ribs out for supper..so nice to have some days feel feeling my old self.

I was so sure I bought a little banner that I can decorate but no can find, maybe in the car

Looks so pretty! I love the the Irish quotes and want to do a few and hang around.

I think of Barb every time I go past a certain Timmy's where I met her and Norm.
Even when reading the "memories" that come up every day on FB, the ones from those who passed....especially Barb touch my heart.

Those memories are precious Debbie
Although I am still in my nightie I think I should go unpack the car and shovel..
Picked my today’s to do, drats , guess I have to dust everything in my bedroom but first shovel lol

Pie out of the oven, didn’t burn it nor did I burn the pie shell guess it means I’ll have to make a chocolate pie later.

I knew that was from Barb as soon as I saw it. Miss her so. Really regret I never got to hug her in person.

Oh Karen she was soft spoken, so giving, you wanted to smile when she smiled....one could help but love her. I so hope Norm has found happiness with his new wife, Barb would have wanted him to be happy.

Sharon came with her son, he will do some reno’s Here..starting with washroom, then new ceiling in the little cafe, whoever did the ceiling sure did a mess of it..I’ve 3 projects, last, most important is basement ceiling but that is major work so will do these 2 then start saving my pennies for the big project.

Offered them bike, both passed on it...guess I’m going to have to eat it all on my own.they kept telling me how delicious the ribs smelled so mouth watering for those first..will be an early night as I’ve put in a good day, even got to knit about an inch on my throw..now while I sit and relax I’m finding what fabric I have, cutting into squares and marking, don’t feel like being downstairs so it’s something I can do while resting.

Time to cook carrots and potatoes..what are you guys having for eats tonight?

Keep dropping in checking to see if Pat has posted, she must be exhausted, do hope she is resting..

Meant to add that Jeff and Caleb were chatting this morning..small post
The plays cannot be released til season roles have been posted by university and theatre

Keep dropping in checking to see if Pat has posted, she must be exhausted, do hope she is resting..

Meant to add that Jeff and Caleb were chatting this morning..small post
The plays cannot be released til season roles have been posted by university and theatre

I took the last guest to the airport this afternoon. I also got a call from a friend who didn't know Ben had died. He called to ask if he could visit "Us" this afternoon. Needless to say, I had to tell him that I buried Ben yesterday. I will have many more opportunities to inform unknowing friends and I am not sure how long before that gets easier. Never? Anyhow, Dave is coming early evening after his meeting.

I am grateful the funeral is over, I was little disappointed that only 1 of Ben's daughters came to the house after the funeral, they other 2 went directly on to Yakima. Youngest daughter, Emily was in town with autistic son Nurdin. and their 11 year old daughter without her husband. Emily and kids were staying with a cousin in Yakima. Familiar environments are easier on Nurdin, Yakima is 2 hours away.

I'm tired, but taking care of myself. Things will get better. It will just take a while, getting all the medical supply stuff out of the house will also make it easier to handle this change.

I expect to go back to work on Wednesday, but who knows? We will see how I handle the work environment when it happens. I'm a little concerned, I deal with caregiving, difficult life choices and sometimes dying, all as part of my work. Frankly I will be facing a lot of "how is your husband doing?" questions as I meet with my established clients and caregivers.

The first picture is the one I used in the newspaper and the 2nd was in the funeral handout thing, I don't know what to call it. I LOVE that picture, that truly captures Ben. All oily and smudged, working under a car hood. That was taken about 16 years ago, before we were married. It got LOTS grayer over the years and lost more hair on top (much to his regret).

the Eulogy that his daughter Rebecca delivered: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19vG8E2xcipi8FyftuL-AZpeCmWEdjHuRk3cwoXi4tuc

That was a beautiful Eulogy and testament to Ben.

This message was edited Feb 16, 2020 8:22 PM

Morning all, Ziggy wouldn’t let me sleep this morning so it must be a warmer day.

Ran my bath, but thought I’d come check to see if you had dropped i Pat, glad you were able to share Ben’s Eulogy. The final passage touched my heart, in fact I copied it, so hope you don’t mind. Looking at his photo’s I see a cheery man with a gleam 8n his eye. Maybe you should give it a full week, focus on getting the medical equipment out so when you come home it’s not something you will be fac8ng, surely they will understand. To be honest Pat no it never goes away, what happens is we learn the cope and move on.

I remember these friends who were summer cottages, the man Roger knew for years had dropped in one summer weekend, bottle in hand asking me where the old man was, which is how they referred to each other,,,with it being Christmas and New Year’s Day he died many we didn’t even think to call so it was difficult to get the words out..those times will be many and difficult for you.
Hugs

Bath time then hoping to get a small throw done, picked my jar ‘to do’ says clean craft rooms guess between sewing I will have to tidy up 😟

Karen are you safe from the flooding ? I saw on the news how bad the flooding was..... a whole house collapsed into the river. Sending positive thoughts you are safe.

Pat I agree with Betty. Take your time and get yourself sorted out.I don't know about you but I had several pieces of equipment to return. None of them could come on the same day. I needed to get them out of here just for my emotional state of mind. And like Betty it never gets easier for me.Sending you positive thoughts, hugs, prayers and strength.

LK your weather ?

Betty did you ever share the pattern for that absolutely beautiful scarf(?). It fit around your neck with the main part being in the front? I forget what that is called. Cowl ?? I'd like to start a knitting project.

I am at sixes and sevens this morning. I can't stay at anything long. I am flitting around getting no chore completed.Maybe I will just go to the kitchen and concentrate on it. I don't believe this but there are still some things I didn't put away when I got back from grocery shopping yesterday.

Barb is never far from my mind. I miss her so much. I have a few fridge magnets she sent me - of course all dog related so I see those every day. I too found a tree skirt she had made. I don't put up a tree anymore so I drape it around the huge pointsettia I buy.

Stay safe and well.

We are fine here, haven't had rain in a few days so no flooding. We did have some a while back but we are high enough to be safe at any rate. We could possibly get trapped here as we are above the road but it would be short term.

Betty, I love your projects you are working on. I love Barb's teddy bear. Wonderful memories I am sure.
Love the text with the boys too.
Pat, that is a beautiful eulogy for Ben. Well written, and you could tell he was a wonderful person.
When my Mom passed, we knew we had a week to get the home packed and cleaned. With Dad being handicapped after his strokes, he couldn't stay by himself. My brother took him to Washington to stay with him, then I had him here for a few years. That 1 week, made all of us go through Moms stuff quickly. What the family didn't want, it was donated to churches, libraries and salvation army. We didn't have much time to reminisce, and I am glad it was done that way. And after 53 years of marriage, there was a lot of stuff to go through.
But like you said, everyone does things they way they feel is right. Please take your time, and take care of yourself.
Dianne, our weather is not bad. Cloudy and humid, but not much rain.

Ahhh you know Dianne, I did share it,step by step with photo, now who or where did I put or share it with.

Greg just called, he was crying, they just hot back from having Sophie put down, her birthday is tomorrow. She went out yesterday Nd Kyle and Greg had to carry her inside, later she cried to go out but pee’d where she was, last night Melanie said she lit during night to go out but couldn’t, pee’d where she was so they made the right decision although it was a hard one

Last week when I doggie sat

What a beautiful girl she was. It's never easy to let them go.

Ben was such a sweet, gentle bear of a man. Not very tall, long torso and impossibly short legs. He explained that during the time of maturation that the leg bones would have grown the most, his family was VERY poor, before state help for families.
The meeting with Dave was sweet, and he promised to stop by at the end of the week when his job assignment here is done. His girls are growing like weeds, it's been over 6 years since I have seen them at 1 YO and 3 YO, imagine 7 and 10 now! His wife is stilling working in the same job, he's gotten a promotion and is now project manager. Time marches on.
As Kevin talked with his brother Dana Friday night, I learned more about Kevin's plans in near future and about move/ career possibility, all news to me. Made me sad that he has not told me about this prior. Probably was just uneasy about this decision and timing. He's probably relieved that his younger brother Adam and daughter Sam will be moving in shortly. Then Kevin can leave without worrying about me. It will be good to spend time with Adam and Sam.
Off to the dental appointment, consultation for oral surgery.

That she was Deb, heavy hearts

Let’s hope Pat that Kevin’s move is for the best..you had so much going on, under such pressure that I can see why he didn’t tell you. So glad you will have someone staying with you, when are they expected?

Every time I hear of someone going to the dentist I think how lucky I am to have dentures. Lol. Hope things go well for you.

Was just messaging with Debbie, they were brining her FIL to the hospital, wasn’t doing well, ams sure prayers would be appreciated.

Finished using up my St, Paddy scraps of fabric, thought I’d get a little throw but not!

So sorry to hear about Sophie. Never an easy decision.

That was the point we had to decide to let our Babe go. Poor girl couldn't manage to stand any more and we knew it was time. Molly is still doing OK but we can tell she's worse. Very seldom gets up to go out and not eating much.

Pat - we all grieve with you for Ben. You have my deepest condolences.
Betty - yes, I've been very busy, not sick at all
between bowling, and now taking piano lessons, and our Library being open during an Open House in our Arena, doing the cleanup of the library & cataloguing books, I've been crazy busy. In a good way though :)
I saw something about you taking meds for the pain, and it's working well?

Morning, no girls today, June’s still sick and Pat decided that with weather warning on she would stay home. Oh Lordy, this new garbage pick up is the pits, put my 2 bags out just before seven and at 7:04 they were there, I liked the noon pick up better.

Susan, so nice to see you post, you are at your best when you keep busy, just don’t overdo. How is the piano lessons go?

Brian dropped in with Sharon re reno’s to washroom, tub I picked had bad reviews, odd shape inside so I will have to go and order one this morning so he can get started. Need a single sheet so I can quilt the St. Paddy’s piece I did yesterday

Betty, can you place your garbage can out the night before?

I will have to buy one I guess, usually I carry one bag at a time, easier for me with my shoulder, but construction bags actually so I can pull along drive lol. They just changed from one bag and recycling every week to 2 bags one week and recycling the next week, now they say bottles,paper,cans can all go together.. it’s ok, I’m complaining for nothing as I am always up before six