Best/worse and what did I learn today…a place for all, come join in

Condolences Susan, omg what a shock, you must feel numb. Did you take cancellation policy not that that matters at a time like this. Did you know she was so I’ll? How very sad! Hugs

Big smile here Dianne, that is quite a game you play..my bones hurt too much to stay in a cool home, I’d do without food before I’d do without heat. What time of year was it last year that you started using wood stove?

I can sure understand how you wouldn’t miss SG after working that many hours/years.I’ve had the 2nd of Greg and Mel’s hanging on coffee table, likely a mornings worth of work but not working on it, I too getting tired of them..now I am in a dilemma, bought all the glass to make Georgian Bay scene (sat here quietly this morning outing copper foil on bevels for Jeff’s..wanted to put a yellow kayak in it but saw a really nice one with a kayaker so think it’s a change of plans, your thought?

Lindakay I really do have a list, but 2 moms keep changing day/time so I will play it by ear, not going anywhere..


Got 1/2 the craft/Sewing room cleaned, might put in another 1/2 hr


Didn’t have breakfast, think I will have stew that way if Brianna comes after school I will be fed…Yummy

Should have asked Grayson for some of his goodies,

With frost I think I will bring in a few plants, omg that coleus is so big, maybe not lol and will cut some flower that are in bloom, might as well have a bouquet vs them freezing.

Just want to say again how sorry I am Susan, a great loss of a friend.

Betty, take some cutting from the coleus. They root real easy.

Yes, I was to fly there on Sunday. Last night about 11:30 she video conferenced me, and now I know why her speech was so garbled. I thought she had just woken up & was tired. I told her to get some sleep, and disconnected from the call.............. her daughter & son-in-law that live with her would have been asleep (1:30 their time). I don't know if I could have helped or not, but......... I'm devastated.

This message was edited Oct 3, 2022 11:11 AM

Susan, I am so sorry for your loss of a dear friend. I still miss my two best friends and they both died over 10 years ago. But I have many fond memories I keep and their contact information is still on my computer and phone.

Yes, Betty, how did you gouge your leg. You let that one slip by. We are still in the low 90s and will be for about 3 more days then we will settle into the 80s. Halloween is when we start getting colder and windy. i cannot fathom making 12 pies.

Karen, you are in the count down. And, I agree, what a wonderful relative to come down to drive the truck back. What a blessing.

Linda, did you make any calls. You must make those calls. There is no reason your insurance cannot provide you with a doctor closer. There has to be some insurance regulations regarding that. And the first place to go is the American Cancer. They know all of the rules and ways to get help from your county and state.

I went to the dermatologist last Wednesday. Looks like someone punched me in the nose. My nose has been in the Nevada sunshine 80 years and being a gardner, outside many of those years. I also have very fine hair. So I had a spot on the top of my head and several on my upper and lower lip and of course, my nose. Burned a lot off. Right now the end of my nose is very red. Hopefully it heals lighter. I am actually very lucky because some of the people that live here and are in the sun all of the time have skin that looks like leather. I think my skin looks good because of my English blood line. And my blue eyes indicate I have Viking blood running through my veins.

Diane, I have a plan like that but it is when will I turn on the AC. My brother upin thr mountains in Nevada heats with wood. They have a whole crew of young relatives and neighborhood friends that go into the mountains and bring back wood for him and many of the seniors that live in the very small town. My brother did it when he was younger and they are just carrying on the tradition. He is a year young than me. One of his grandsons lost the tip of a finger splitting logs. Got it sewed back on and appears to be functional.

I am proud of myself getting on here early today. You all have a wonderful day.

Susan, that makes it even harder just having spoke with her, there are no words.hugs

You are lucky Sharon you don’t have skin cancer..must hurt like the dickens having the spots treated/taken off. Do they tell you that you must stay inside for awhile?

Yikes on getting tip of finger off, docs can do so much putting limbs etc back on..wonderful thing they do.

Dianne, did you order more wood? My brother Bernie is j heating now with wood and little wood left..best he get some ahead as i doubt he will be going to Florida..they have rv but parks might not be operational so before snore comes he has to put that as priority #1

Marie came and brought me banana cookies right out of the oven, Ziggy wanted out so now it’s to get him back in.

Lights need to be turned off in craft room and lock the door then it’s bedtime for me..just have to keep looking and call8ng Ziggy..dark by around 7-7:30, maybe he will know it’s bedtime and come in

Have a niceevening


As for the gouge, my skin is so thin anything I bump into lifts the skin and i don’t take blood thinners but pharmacy says in most pills I take there are blood thinners so that doesn’t help. I was unloading the dishwasher and went to pass it and leg got gouged on corner of the stainless steel door, i put the flesh back down and put one of those large bandaids on it , seems I’m always hitting the same spot, once on dishwasher door again. Today i left covering off and wore one of my light dresses as the pant leg rubbing was aggravating it.

Kyle just dropped in to use the microwave, sat and chatted awhile and was off again..he spoke about incidents that happened the day Jaimie’s brother died..a fighting off people wanting to take photos..the owner of the dump truck whose son was driving at the time was pushing Kyle when following police orders told him he could take photos..police saw him pushing Kyle, told the guy one more push and he would be in handcuffs. No sooner did the cop turn around he took photos, officer saw that and went and took his camera.

Well i did not have a class tonight,,lord i was glad because I don’t know if i could have done it.

I did sit though, did a bit of solder clean up and did front with black patina, tomorrow i will do front. Probably why neck is so bad.

I would have asked Kyle to help me bring in a few heavy plants i want to see if i can overwinter but he was off to another call so i didn’t even ask.

Drats, missed 3/4 watching Monk rerun

Prayers for you Susan.

Susan, I am sorry to hear of your friend's passing.

Betty, it hurts just hearing the description of that leg wound! the costume is adorable. I have a feeling your family does not know how lucky they are to have to do some many wonderful things for them.

Linda, I do hope you can find an affordable option that means Todd's needs. I agree, look into. I would guess there are special clauses in your insurance to help.

Sharon, that was VERY sweet and kind of you. The cost of a venue can be just outrageous, and I am sure your yard is way prettier than most! Less than '50 days until my son's wedding.

Karen, it will be wonderful to see your beautiful collections enjoyed by others now. The countdown has begun!

Dianne, I guess it is possible to burn out even on a favorite hobby!

Debbie, good luck at the dog shows.

It was a good trip. Saturday, Carrie & I cleaned, sorted the master bedroom closet. We even got Dana to go thru his clothes. Now I have a bunch of their clothes to rehome. Then we sorted and cleaned her 2 tables that serve as her desk. It had been set up as L and we changed it to l l so she had more room for the 3rd monitor she will need in another week when her job position changes.

Sunday, we sorted and cleaned the roll top desk that had become a dumping ground. I also cut and sprayed chemicals on the blackberries. They are such VICOUS plants!! I will try to cut more the next time I go but first I want to find some heavier, more protective clothing! The blackberries are encroaching on the shed entry.

Carrie sent me home with several portions of frozen homemade soup & chili, a couple of bags of frozen entrees that they didn't like. I'll give them a try, they are things I normally like, orange chicken & a beef stir-fry.

Tomorrow I will move everything out of the pantry that I had kept for myself in the North side of the house. I am setting up an area for a pantry here. I will also move some of my stuff out of the kitchen & store it away. I don't need a lot of it here. I have their first rent check.

Betty, my skin does the exact same thing. My biggest problem is Emma. She gets excited and will just over or next to me and she always gets my arm and I get a very large triangle tear.

I went into my courtyard around 1 to clean up some leaves. Three hours later I had trimmed the fig vine, removed river bottom rock away from vine and rearranging irrigation and then putting back the rocks and then cleaning up the big mess I had made. I was tired when done, but so happy.

Pat, sounds like you had a fun time. But I am a strange person. I love cleaning up messes.

Susan, again, I am so sorry for your loss.

I am happy in most activities if I am working with a loved one. Carrie appreciates the help and I enjoy helping her make their home better & more attractive. I am happier pulling weeds talking to a friend or family member than sitting on a couch talking.

Morning, sunshine day here, so hoping it’s like this for our Thanksgiving weekend

Ohhh what a gift, the quilt looks magnificent on the bed, bet they were thrilled.
Always nice getting frozen eats, will keep you fed while you play.much the same here, love doing things with and for family and friends but I prefer it being done here.

Sharon, Sharon, that sounds like heavy work for you..same here, when Ziggy claws skin breaks so easily..hard to watch everything so always mega cuts for us I guess.,mega scars.

Need to have breakfast as I believe Pat and June are back this morning

Carrie was very happy with it. Most of the "family projects" were more like your Mother's day list, outdoor work. I miss getting together with siblings, parents & sometimes cousins for those projects. Painting the outside of my parents' home, taking a tree down, digging a pool for my sister & building decks, laying sod, general outside labor.

I'm another with tissue paper skin. My arms and legs are covered with white spots from skin tears. Often I don't even realize what i've done till someone says you're bleeding. Packing has been really hard on me for skin tears.

Susa missed saying my prayers are with you, hadn’t sunk in i bet.. i’m sure you’re not counting the days anymore and when it comes to the day you were flying out to really get you about Susan‘s passing.

Pat I like you I’m really missing my Mother’s Day or work days because of Covid. families aren’t the same anymore where everyone gets together everyone seems that there’s so much to do in their own lives, hoping that changes.

Wow Karen I can just imagine all the marks on you, I know it’s caused by old age but there has to be something else behind it. Many including I used to have so many bruises but now you just touch the skin and like it’s like you took a knife to it and lifted have to the leg or arm skin no fun, Hopefully the move will soon be behind you and you’ll get to enjoy not so much running around and into things and that’ll help I’m sure

I have to get my haircut

My arms are tan and the scars show up like a road map. I still bruise and if I do cut or scratch myself, it looks like I am bleeding to death. We were getting ready to put Vern's hospital bed in our bedroom. Each night when we moved him to our bed, his skin would tear. They told us we had to stop moving him. They were coming to move the bed the morning he died.

Pat, I had a blast working on the rental home's landscape with my SIL and GS. My daughter was out of town. I had to laugh because at the end they asked me if I ever stopped or sat down. Not usually, until I can't move any more. I've learned, if you stop, you can't get started again.

I am going to finish my taxes today and get them to the accountant. Then I am going to thin some radishes and make something for the green beans and pea to grow on. I pickled many jars of fresh cupid sweet peppers. Small, round pepper. Vern's old care giver helped me on Saturday. He died over 3 years ago and she still comes to see me every Saturday. Only problem is she has a foul mouth I am trying to fix. She was a cook in the hotels and know a lot of different things about cooking. She peeled the garlic in a flash. We also pickled a fresh head of cauliflower I purchased from Trader Jos. I had two jars of store purchased tamed jalapenos. I mixed some of those up with some sliced dill pickles. I purchased a jar of spicy pickles and they were a dud so I made my own.

I currently have three male hummers fighting over the back garden feeder.

When I went to the dermatologist last week, I told him this old face had been in the Nevada sun 80 years. Says no to bad for 80 years. My nose looks like I ran into a wall but it is healing good.

Betty, my weather report for your area show rain for 3 days starting now and for the next 3 days. Please send some of that down here.

I would much rather weed than vacuum. Landscaping besides being hard work, it just plain FUN. Sooo rewarding!! I often thought that if I had wanted a 2nd career (or should I say 3rd?) I would have loved to go into landscape design. However, with health, and now seriously compromised hand strength, I could not realistically hope to work in that.

Pat, that quilt is beautiful.
My skin is beginning to get tjin and bruises easily.
Susan, will be flying down for the funeral?
Sounds like everyone is busy doing things.

Morning all, was up at 6a.m. So keep looking at clock thinking it should be 9a.m.
A sunshine day, once i cook my cranberries i will go cut grass and sit and paint the came on this window hanging so I can get it off the coffee table.

Sharon you are right calling for rain for this Thanksgiving, right now 40% rain, maybe it will come early morning and the rest of the day will be sunshine. You are terrific for an 80yr old.. kudos for all you can do.

Pat if my housework isn’t done I cant concentrate on gardening but yes much rather be gardening.

Just cooked cranberries for Marie and I, went out and am burning the fire pit, will cut some plants down until 2 then back in to relax..really am trying my best not to overdo.

Thanks Linda, I was pleased with the way it turned out.

Sharon, I'm a lousy housekeeper so it does not take much to distract me from household chores. In some ways Stanley has made me a better housekeeper. He is such a naughty boy & loves to play "gravity" so I am forced to put away stuff, so he does not push it to the floor.

I had my grandson help me empty my pantry. It was a converted coat closet, so it held a LOT. I have put as much as I can on the shelves in here and I am giving the rest to friends. I also have another 2 small cabinets to stack to create a little more room for storage. Things are coming along & I feel good about it.

For under $270, INCLUDING parts! I have the new door up. While the contractor, Tim, was here, he also fixed the sewing room door that was hung up and screeched when opened and closed. He fixed a kitchen cabinet that had too shallow of screws and the guides had pulled out. He adjusted the front screen door. THEN, when he was done, he vacuumed up all the mess including the garage (most of which he had NOT created.) I am a VERY happy camper!

Carrie had sent me home with a bunch of stuff to rehome, I had Tim go through that he claimed things he could use. A down duvet, a bag, book & shampoo.

Big sigh, must be overwhelming Susan..hugs

Lindakay, guess it comes with getting older..perhaps when working in the gardens wearing long sleeve blouses and gloves.

Gee whiz Pat, Tim is a keeper, you should have told him there was a few pieces of dirt in your living space and have him vacuum.

Well, I could probably plant CROPS in my living space! LOL... I did buy carpet cleaner today.
I have been messing around with the 2 cabinets, I think I know how I want to work with them and how. Now to get them glued, screwed and secured, not to mention painted. With Stanley I don't dare just stack them & not secure them to the wall. They are only about 5 feet tall when stacked and he will jump from dresser that the TV is on directly to the top of the new cabinets so I had best plan for it.

Mega work ahead of you, what we do for our furries.

Drats, Ziggy came in just as it started to get dark, i went on back deck to close the screen door and out he went so now i get to stay awake until i hear him at the door grr

a LOT has changed since I last posted here.
I can't cancel or edit the flight, so if I don't go I lose the $$. I've spoken to both her son & daughter & they're looking forward to meeting me, so I'll be going after all. They're glad for me to stay with the daughter (Amy), son-in-law and 3 grandkids. I certainly cannot afford 8 nights in a hotel. They won't be having a service for Susan - can't afford it. Susan didn't make any plans for a service for herself. So there won't be a lot of planning etc to do.
Anyway, I drive out from home at 5:30 am Sunday, and John will take me to the airport, and pick me up on the 18th when I return. I should be home by 10:30pm Tues the 18th.
I'll do some shopping for dinner on Monday - want to have a semi-traditional Canadian Thanksgiving. As I said to Amy, her mom & I shared a love for turkey.
I'll be helping out with the cost of groceries & what cooking I can do for the family. She said the grocery store is only 30 minutes walk away. I'm a walker.

that Ziggy is a scoundrel!

Hope Ziggy comes in. Soon.
Susan sorry you. Can't cancel your flight. Maybe the trip will help give you closer.

I'm sure it will give me closure.
Did someone here ask if her death was expected? No, although she was still suffering with her foot from the car accident last Dec, no one realized the state of her health. She was not one to complain, nor go to the Dr. She was given permission to drive, but I think all this time not being able to, she wasn't getting out all that much. It was a huge stress to her. They didn't do an autopsy (because of her age, they said it was Natural Causes - her AGE? she was only 61), so they really don't know what the reason was for her death.

I am so sorry that the additional burden of not knowing the cause of her death is causing further stress and grief. 61 is WAY TOO YOUNG to be dying. We cross posted earlier and I had not seen your post that you were going or lose the money for the flight. I hope this time will be beneficial to you & the family's healing.

That's way too young.

Oh, oh, it’s still morning, overcast, cold with more chance of rain.

I think it’s wonderful you are still going Susan, you will get to hear stories about Susan by family, that is always enjoyable and much laughter..getting to know her family will be nice..so glad you are going..try to enjoy as much as you can.

Ziggy came home shortly after i posted, thank goodness and now asleep on the couch. What a life..

Was doing my list of ‘to do’s”, yes a list.

Got all my time organized as to what i am doing..Friday is pie day, I will set the alar.for 5:00 tomorrow, figure I have 12+ pies to make, a few for my niece, a few for Darlene/johns, Mel’s Thanksgiving at park, then my Thansgiving here Sunday, I enjoy baking pies, my thing 🥰

Then it hit me, no pie plates so I was sitting in Midland at 9 waiting for door to open to buy 12 metal pie plates, the glass ones i will keep here as i never seem to get pie plates back.

Getting lazy but will have to push myself today as I have a 4pm and a 6pm class

That is my day..

yes, it's way too young. In her 50's a Dr told her that she had the lungs of a 95yo woman, but since then she'd moved out of her sister & BIL's basement (which was found to have a LOT of mold, and was drafty - been in this home for 4 years), and quit smoking in 2019 when she visited me. Having the car accident last Dec where her lung collapsed probably made it much worse. Whether that was the cause or not, we'll never know.
I am looking forward to seeing the family in person that I have been following the events of for these 7 years. I was "there" for a lot of their ups & down, birthdays & passings, and I'm sure they don't know how much, but they do know how much their mom & I meant to each other.
Hoping everyone here has a good day.
Betty - enjoy baking those pies!
I'll be doing fruitcake when I get home :) (gotten orders for them already!)

Enjoy your trip Susan. It will be nice to hear family stories.

Young lily went home, loves her groggy

Had another at 6 but think she forgot, not going to message her incase she says she will be here in a sec lol

Garden work tired me out😜

Sometime online friends are as precious and loved as family..they will know how much you both enjoyed each other’s company Susan

Think I will make a coffee and enjoy the newspaper I just brought in full of flyers

If she is not here in the next ten minutes my light ps to off, passed my bedtime

What is a groggy?

Meant froggy

Oh her froggy is CUTE! No wonder she is happy!!!

I had lunch with good friend/former SIL (my ex's sister). We rarely get the time to see each other, it was wonderful. I got the 80+ fabric hearts made for her son's Celebration of Life that is scheduled in November. The hearts were made from his plaid shirts and have twine hangers on them.

Afterwards I went to a thrift store and came home with clothes for grandson to try on. He has homecoming on 10/22 and needs appropriate clothes. I got lucky and found NEW black dress shoes in his size and several pair of pants to try on & some dress shirts. SCORE!

I need to find that frog pattern. That's so cute.
Nice score on the clothes Pat.

Adorable froggies!
Nice Score, Pat! We have several stores around here that sell new & gently used. Still called Thrift Stores though.
Thank you for the thoughts & wishes re: Susan. Two more sleeps & I'll see Susan's family.
Yesterday I bowled 9 games. Three were for the current day, The other 6 were for the time I will be away, and on the 20th we have a Senior's meeting, and as president I have to be there each month. Anyway, I slipped and my right leg went under me so I was sitting on my twisted ankle. I got up (asked for no help because these seniors couldn't easily help me up anyway). and continued to bowl, but not as well. My ankle was a little swollen and certain movements hurt, but I iced it and this morning it's fine. Icing behind my knee because it's still & a bit swollen, but icing it helps. By tomorrow I predict I'll be fine. I certainly need to be walking full strength on Sunday.
I exchanged for USD $ yesterday, and boy it's expensive. For $200 USD, I paid $284.12 CAD!!!! YIKES! That will pay for the taxi from the airport & Monday's dinner, and other stuff. I hear things are cheaper in the US than Canada. I won't be spending a lot of $$ though. I'll be buying Post Grape Nuts while I'm there. A friend here, from NB, like Grape Nuts ice cream, and you can't get Grape Nuts in this part of the country, only Canadian Atlantic provinces and in the US. I'm not paying $40 to Amazon for a box lol For those people (loyal customers) who continued to buy Grape Nuts during the shortage in 2020, Post cereal will reimburse them up to $115!!

Who knew Grape Nuts were a thing??
The hearts. Some of his shirts were used to make centerpiece Pumpkins & later a quilt.

These hearts will be attached as appliques? What a loving memory :)

they could be used as Christmas ornament or I suggested room freshener by putting a drop of essential oils on them, NOT before the gathering of course!! Can you imagine us poor people with asthma and fragrance allergies?? Holy cow!

I had something similar hanging from a doorknob for years. It was a reminder to me to be grateful. There is ALWAYS something to be grateful for.

I had no clue there was a grape nuts cereal shortage either.
Beautiful hearts Pat.

Evening all, had my bath, spread cbd oil all over me and not trying to find a comfy position.

A lot of work went into those hearts, what a wonderful idea…how creative you are..don’t think there will be many left…before I finished reading i was thinking about those who are affected by essential oils, for me at home i love them.

That pattern will have to make its way to you Lindakay…thought i did that years ago?

Susan, not many more nights..even though I’m sad for you I’m also excited for you..yes the price of US funds makes one think about going stateside to Xmas shop.
Hope you can get online there.you just know one of these days you are going to break something with your bowling.

Karen, you busy packing?

Bet Dianne you have your wood stove going

Did 13 pies + a wee one, all except doing the 3 meringue, chocolate and coconut cream filler..wanted to finish today but body said bed for you old gal