Best/Worse/What did I learn today? Come take a chair and chat with us…newcomers always welcome!

All is well in Las Vegas. We have hd more rain in January than we got all last year. And we need it. The good news is the West side of the Rockies are getting lots of snow. when it melts, it flows into the Colorado river which help fill up Lake Mead and Lake Powell.

I worked in my garden today. The temp was 47 but totally sunny, so as long as I was in the sun, it was lovely. I am thinning my ivy and trimming it lower. Then after trimming piling on the compost, alfalfa mash and chicken manure. That combination will kick it in the butt in the spring. We have a few cold nights coming and I am very concerned about my succulents. Going to move some of my rized one into a sheltered area.

Betty, I was trimming this afternoon and was sitting on a very large boulder and moved myself with a scooch forward. Sudden pain in my back. I stopped immediately. I have only had that pain one other time since my back surgery. The first time I was pulling on a hose and it would not move so I yanked it. I will never do that again. With a back, you just do not know what will set it off.

Betty, your gnomes are adorable. Valentine day is one holiday I do not decorate for.

Dianne, so sorry you have to deal with ice. Both of my brothers live in Northern Nevada and for the first time in many years they are dealing with snow. But then it will rain and then snow again.

My daughter and her husband are going to ark City to ski this weekend. I sent them the weather report that shows the high will be 31. They have lived here their entire lives so not used to the cold.

Karen, I am so sorry you have to deal with this. You would think in this day
and age they would have a solution.

Pat, not sleeping is torture. All the treasures you found sound great. Hope you find what you want on your next trip. How are the new puppies?

My son, his wife and son were here last week. They left Luke with me and my daughter and continued on to Utah to go golfing. Part of his 60th birthday celebration planned by his wife. Luke and I had a great time. He is now 13. When his parents got back, he completely changed and started whining about everything. I was shocked.

It is time for me to take Emma for her afternoon walk. Hugs to everyone.

Betty, I wasn't denied care. I was refusing because the bills were piling up and it stresses me if I can't pay on time.

Betty, Todd's appointment was 10 this morning. Doctor said no surgery, he is too sick to go through surgery. He also has to put on at least 20 pounds. He has prescribed a med to make him hungry. Then he had to do lab work before he left, and the Dr. Ordered new images. We left and met my son at Arby's for lunch, then started driving home. About half way home the nurse called, told us his lab showed his hemoglobin was 6, should be 13. We were told to get to the nearest hospital before he had a heart attack. So we are now in the hospital for transfusions. I am spending the night with him. They will check his blood again after the 2nd unit, and go from there.
Needless to say he's not happy.

I am sure Todd was NOT happy but at least the labs caught some of the problems and response was immediate. I hope the new meds help with restoring his weight. I understood he was eating OK, yet the med was to help him be hungry?? I guess I am missing something. It's been that kind of day!
Karen, I hope they can get you medical answers AND financial ones too, I know that is a worry.
the liquation place was a zoo and none of the things I went back for were available and I got OUT quickly!
Sharon, I have no update on the puppies. I have none seen them in days. I only go when Adam is alone in the house & he has been gone to work out of town. Due back today.

He is eating, but still losing weight. 85 pounds so far. Doc wants him to gain weight before he will even think about doing surgery.

Sorry for the loss of your friend Eric, Betty. Sounds like he was an uncle to the boys. Great memories.
I found out about silicone flower molds for decorating cakes & bought some leaf & flower molds on Friday. I decorated a cake for tomorrow's senior meeting. I'd hoped that Bea would be there, so celebrate her 80th birthday from Jan 5th. She won't be, because she has a former exchange student (from years back) visiting from South America. They've ended up being friends with him and he's been here a few times. This time he's brought his partner. She's never been to Canada.

Oh so sorry Todd has had a set back. Hoping they get his hemoglobin back up. I don't eat much when I'm low either, no appetite. They need to keep a closer watch on him and his levels. My new normal is 10. Yes his should be at least 13. Keeping you and Todd in my thoughts.

We were told by the doctor this morning, the 2 units of blood didn't do anything. We are waiting on another one to arrive. Praying this one does something.

Morning, it’s 30F feels like 19F, storm which is a mix I’d snow, freezing rain starts this afternoon.

Lindakay, there are no words, know you are beyond yourself with worry, can understand why Todd just wants to be home. Those numbers are dangerously low.sending major prayers and arm wraps as Judy would say.please update when you can.

Karen didn’t mean they turned you away, in my thinking, mine only, when one isn’t going for treatment because of cost, its a kind of a refusal of aid. Just listening to USA news, saying there was a survey Re medical services and 52% said very poor, i would have thought figures much higher??

Susan, have seen those moods, need photo of your cake. Poor Abe’s, she will miss out on her cake but others will enjoy..is it regular icing you use in moulds? Believe Walmart has some moles but michaels has mega cake decorating supplies.

Cake decorating is probably the only thing i would have loved to try but haven’t. My grandfather was a baker..should look at community courses in Barrie and see if any are being offered…like i need something else to do

Not a wonder Pat that this new store was busy..it’s a place I imagine that if you don’t buy when you see it forget it..sorry it was a disappointment. Looking forward to puppy photos.

Sharon that is very cold for your region..imagine your home has heating system?

yikes i cringed when i heard the word ‘boulder’ first thing that came to mind was ‘she didn’t’ lol. Did much freeze?

Hear you about the different attitude your grandson had when parents arrived, my kids would say how on earth can you take the 4 young boys together for a trip? Easy, layer down the rules and the one year i turned car around and took them home, no trip so that was the end of not behaving, was best thing i could have done, sure did hurt me doing so.

Golf trip was quite a birthday gift, hope she enjoyed.

Been laying on the couch all morning, noticed the wind is getting stronger, storm might be sooner than expected…time to get out of my nighty and warm up the car, hair cut at 10:30

Sharon just received a drawing an artist did that she commissioned

Beautiful drawing of Sharon!

Linda, you & Todd are in my prayers.
Betty, that picture is wonderful!!! What a great idea.

Just got back home from picking up my new 4X4 Bronco Sport. Wouldn't you know freezing rain is to start around noon so I was anxious to get it and get home. The lane is a dangerous mess of ice and it just walked right through it. Lots of fancy doodads I have to learn how to use. I was disappointed there is not a CD player in it. Bruce told me everyone uses their phone for music now or the radio. Couldn't ask for a better sales team than what I had. They explained everything carefully and put their cell numbers into my phone so if I had a question I could call. lol

LK sending you and Todd positive thoughts and prayers.

Betty I laughed about you turning the car around as I would have done the same thing. Some parents just don't understand the concept of consequences. Threaten all you want but make sure you follow through.

Zeke is just full of beans this morning. He is annoying Chaos to no end. He better watch as Chaos will put an end to the nonsense.

Karen how are you feeling today? I sure hope your doctor's notes get into the right hands quickly.

Pat were you able to get a chance to talk with Adam ? How's Stanley ?

I need to fill the bathtub incase the power goes off.

Stay safe and well everyone.

Beautiful painting of Sharon and her love.

Sharon I so envy you being able to work in your gardens.

Betty they didn't turn me away. I turned myself away. They cannot help what they have no knowledge of. It's very hard to ask for financial assistance. I felt I would rather go without than beg. It's also a hard ship to feel I'm a burden to any one. My mother was awful about it and in the end her selfishness killed my father. We are shaped by our growing up experiences. I was fortunate to be found and loved by Walt. Our family is awesome and full of love.

This message was edited Jan 19, 2023 5:01 PM

Dianne, the freezing rain must be passing further south and missed me but i am sure the snow will soon start soon.

4x4 Bronco sport..sounds snazzy, I will have to check it out online once i finish my post. I wish I had a CD player in mine..have Sirius radio but still not a cd. You must not have had many miles on your trade in? Guess chaos knows Zeke is but a pup and let’s him do get his own way. What a great idea, never thought about filling up the tub for water, guess toilet runs without power, need the water to make it flush.

Had my haircut, told her to cut it short,easier to maintain when you are laying down all the time a s sweating..funny thing happened, she had a metal milk can at her door, her hubby bought it this fall, he bought it from marketplace, had a beautiful design, old barn along a river set in winter with pine trees, it was one I painted.

Was going to take a run toMidland and pickup a few things, instead i went to Foodland as my coffee was almost half price so bought a few, wind was howling, cold outside so bought the fixings for a nice stew, it’s sure to warm me up.

Going to get my electric throw and cover me up as my back is still causing pressure when I’m on my feet for any amount of time, hopefully a bit if knitting.

Prayers that Todd responds with another unit of blood. This must be so hard for you.

Beautiful picture of Sharon, Betty. I'm sure that will go in a place of honor. Is that Inuk in the painting?

Can't wait to see your new ride Dianne.
Betty, what a coincidence the milk jug was one you painted.
Thank you all for the prayers. This is very hard on both of us.

Dianne, Chaos will knock some sense into Zeke when he has enough of his nonsense! A new 4 x 4 sounds like fun!!

Adam has plenty of time to talk with me and has not. He has also ignored my texts.

Stanley is his naughty self. He was running thru the room like a crazy kitty, He hit my serger pretty hard when he didn't make his jump quite perfect. Didn't do any damage to anything.

Yes, Karen you have been very blessed with Walt and his extended family. He found a jewel when he found YOU as well.

Pat, Walt and I have both been blessed. We really needed each other. I guess it's how we knew so soon it was right.
So sorry Adam is not being the person he should be. It's hard sometimes when you try to help someone and they resent you for it. You can only hope that down the road they will look back and see you were really on their side all along.

I tried to garden again today but only got an hour in and then the sun went behind the clouds and became instantly cold. I do not function in the cold. So I headed inside and cleaned the two cat litter boxes, cleaned my Tupperware drawer and got rid of anything that did not have a lid. Then I headed outside to find a large pot I was going to plant a large ficus tree that being delivered tomorrow. I moved the pot to the driveway and gave it a good washing. It is a gift and I have a perfect place in the dining room for it. I made hummingbird food this morning, so after dark I went outside and got the feeder, cleaned them and then reset them where they were. I didn't want to take it away from them until they were asleep because it was so cold.

Linda, I am so sorry about your Todd. I will include you and Todd i my prayers.

Karen, you are so blessed to find such a honey to spend your life with.

Pat, how immature to avoid talking about their moving. That would tell me the pre-qual for a home loan is not going good.

Diane, that sound like a great cr. I have an attachment I can attach to my laptop that plays DVD. I am sure they have the same for CD's. When I got in my car on Monday, my entertainment center was completely foreign to me because my son and his wife had driven the SUV to Utah and they had their I Phone's music hooked up to my radio. All my grandchildren do the same thing so I guess we are just as smart as them, so we cn do it. I found out by mistake I had a CD player in my car but it is a 7 years old. I pressed a button on the screen and out pops a CD player.

Betty that is a wonderful drawing of Sharon and her dog.

Time has slipped by and it time for Emma and I to get ready for bed. Hugs to you all.

The 3rd unit of blood worked enough for us to go home last night. His numbers came up to 9. We were told to follow up with family doctor in a week.
Thanks for all the prayers.

Adam eventually came over, we went out to very late lunch & talked. The prequalifying is NOT going well. part of the issue is trying to get qualified before he has completed 2 years of "commission work". His paycheck is dependent on the miles driven & that varies some so it's considered commission work. The lender has reached out to his employer to better understand Adam's paychecks. Adam says he has approached several other lenders now.

I can assure you that Andrea will NEVER look back and even see that she was given any help or provided with any kindness.

Praying he finds a lender soon.

Beautiful picture of Sharon - so lifelike.
Linda Ky - here's hoping that Todd improves some more. I saw your post that he improved from 6 to 9 - good stuff! Now, to get to 13!
Well, my quilting coaching venture will not happen. Maureen, upon hearing that I would teach quilting decided that, in this tiny hamlet of 306 people, SHE would each quilting too. Well meaning person said maybe we could both teach at the same class. Tell me ladies, does that sound like a good idea?? Four students & two instructors? As it is, it seems that Maureen is boycotting me (she & Estelle) because neither of them came to the senior's meeting, nor Crib on Wed. Estelle is the one who kept telling me that I needed to find a man in my life. I told her most emphatically "NO". Ladies, I may not want to be, but I'm still married. Even if I weren't, the only eligible guy (who is now Estelle's boyfriend) smokes, and I told her I would not be involved with a smoker. I feel that smoking is a personal choice, and I don't get on a soapbox about it. Adults will do as they wish, but I wouldn't be nvolved with a smoking man. I think Estelle was insulted, and now she (and her friend Maureen) won't have anything to do with me. I can't apologize for how I feel. They usually do, but didn't come to the meeting yesterday. It was only 3 of us and a guest. More of an info session, certainly not a meeting. I wore my kilt etc, for Robbie Burns' birthday. It's not until the 25th, but nothing is happening that I'm attending. I wore my mother's tartan - Hamilton. Having lost the weight, it fits so much better now.
Sorry, I didn't take any pictures of the cake. I have about half of it left so if you don't mind a picture of a mangled cake lol I put it in the freezer for next Tues.

A picture of 1/2 a cake would be fine!!! Goodness Maureen & Estellle seem to have reverted to high school drama!

Evening all, for some reason i couldn’t get on , know Rogers tv acted up..
the sound didn’t match the visual then it kept cutting out but I’m here now.

Pat, just getting rid of if Andrea would be thanks enough..glad you were able to have lunch with Adam, guess he is torn between wife and mother. Hope approval of a mortgage comes soon…did you get to see the puppies?

Susan, I’d say it’s all high school drama..bet you looked smashing in Scottish attire.. love tartan. Perhaps you could advertise that anyone wishing to learn quilting that someone would be available to help out and see how many want to learn.difficult in a small community, sometimes you have to wonder if it’s worth it, so much energy goes into these programs.

Lindakay, how isTodd today, is there any home testing available..how would you know when it’s that low? Guess you would see him failing? With new Ed’s has he eaten a tad more today?

Dianne, did you get more of that freezing rain today? We had flurries that amounted to a few inches.

Sharon must be cold for you not to be out gardening. My today “to do” was cleaning la cupboard, how can I have 14 lids that don’t have lids?? Guess it’s like socks, where do they go? Did you get your ficus tree? I have the Angel plants inside, proper name escapes me, in the fall i cut them down into little stem starters, they were doing well but since Christmas one pot has the plant is dropping leaves and maybe bug bites, anything you can suggest to make sure i don’t lose them?

Spoke with Liz, she says she is ok and that her part of California hasn’t been affected,,rain was great for gardens but ground

Doctor just called, lordy I get frustrated..

That is 2-3 time I say I have a medical issue and he goes back into his files ad refers to the scope I had in 2018, imagine 5 years ago big sigh.

I had 4 thinks marked down to discuss, here Doctors only want to discuss one issue per visitor call, today i had 4 and don’t think I gave him opportunity to finish the call.

1st. Because self inflicted stupidly i am entering 3rd week with back problems, is
Are there meds that can help, increase several of what intake and maybe pick
Some Robax which might help relax muscles. I am to rest it, that the back pain
Might return with a vengeance should I decide to do stupid things rest rest rest

2nd, told doctor i was suffering since hernia on left side of naval had been acting up So he looks at his computer notes again and says apparently the notes from
Of 2018 scope says I have a hiatal hernia and will book an ultra sound ad surgeon will call me within 30 days, we must be working on different calendar.

I said 1 had one more thing, every time I eat I get pain and pressure in my chest, right in middle of my boobs and have to put pressure with my hand to help ease the pressure.

He then says that it is also a symptom of hiatal hernia or heart issues and wants bejincase it is not he wants me in his office tomorrow, Saturday visit as 12:30

Obviously I did not know about this hernia and likely I did more damage causing it to grow from the work I stupidly did at Christmas and the shovelling because i can’t use my left arm so i put the shovel on my tummy and ouch the shovel, somethings it’s a hard push
My apology, took my pills and typing my update, just not good, falling asleep ad i type.
I’m

I also because of chest pain need to go to see Dr. Land. at his office at12: What 30 tomorrow.

Am sure i can finish proper update tomorrow as it’s hard not to fall asleep.

The pain when you eat, and the partial relief when you push against it all part of the hiatal hernia symptoms. Still good to get heart issues ruled out.

Yes, I do feel sorry for Adam. He is married to a witch. I actually feel sorry for her as well. She is totally incapable of using adult reasoning. She is a very unhappy woman and has systematically eliminated all of her own family and most friends. .

I saw the puppies briefly, they were all napping and I can sure see the growth even a few days difference means. Adam says they have their eyes barely open and scooting, not really walking yet.

I sorted out all the jeans that are too big & I'm cutting them up into squares to make another jean quilt. I need to stop for a day or two, my hands are killing me from deconstructing the jean seams.

Here's the partial cake lol
It was easy to press the fondant into the silicone molds, pop them out, and press them into the buttercream icing. I got the molds at Michael's.
Yes, they're acting like juveniles. It hurts, but I won't lower myself to their standards. I hear that Maureen fell on the ice last night & hit her head, so I emailed her to dee how she is. No concussion (no headache) just a bump on her head. She's fine, she says.
I'm going to do a lot of quilt blocks & will take them to Wellness on Tuesday.

Todd is feeling a bit better today. Says his body doesn't feel depleted.
There are no home test. Doctor has to draw blood. When my back flares up, I have flexeril to take. It's a muscle relaxer. I have to take it a bed time, because it will put me right to sleep.
Glad to hear you see the doctor tomorrow. Your chest pain vould aldo be caused by your pancreas or gall bladder. What you described was the same pain i had. see if you have prilosec to take. One pill in the morning before you eat or drink anything. Especially coffee.

I worked in the garden today for about 2 hours. It was very cold thus morning so I had my garden helper clean my dining room French door windows (3), they were very dusty. I removed the sheers and was startled they were so dusty. Then we moved to the garage to water the plants being protected from the winter cold. He had already watered the plants inside. Then I drove my neighbor to her pedicure appointment. Her son usually takes her but he had an emergency. We have been neighbors for 20 years. She is not well. On oxygen and weak. What I did not know was she was such a back seat driver. I had to chuckle over all of the instructions she was giving me. I came back and just got started in the front landscape when it was time to go pick her up. Same on the way home. Turn here, next light, etc, etc. This nail salon is about 15 miles from our homes and I know the area like the back of my hand. I got her back in her home, got her settled and then dead headed her snapdragons that I had planted about a month ago.

Once home I went back to gardening in the front landscape. Got about 2 hours in before it got cold. But not done yet, we cleaned the windows on my car and vacuumed it. Then I was done. I was tired and cold.

Betty, hopefully you will find the right Doctor before they kill you.

Pat, I am so sorry but that is a rule that applies to anyone that is not guaranteed a set amount of salary each month. You have to average their income over 24 months. Any loan officer should have told them that when they were interviewed. Maybe if he had a good year and after 6 months into the second year he was averaging the same, they might approve him with a higher down payment. He is wasting his time getting a different interview because the outcome will be the same.

Susan, those two women are brats or another b word. How petty.

Linda, so pleased Todd's blood levels went up.

Been a long day and you are all in my prayers. Hugs, Sharon

You'd think by the time Maureen as a senior would act better. Estelle is a "princess" pure & simple. She wears pretty little boots with no insulation or tread, then complains that it's icy. It's icy in appropriate boots, let alone skimpy ones. When we went carolling for 1 1/2 hours, she put her feet into the sink to warm them up. She thought it was funny that we took her picture. Likes to be the center of attention. Yup, she's the one who refused a lap blanket and was cold when we were outside for that long. She's in her 50's, has lived in AB for 20 years, and still can't dress appropriately. Yup, a princess. I jokingly called her that, and as God is my witness, I didn't say anything else that she should have taken as an insult. I will maintain that she's a princess LOL

Susan, the flower molds turned out very pretty. From what I have seen, it appears that many senior women start to go thru the high school pettiness all over again as they age. We expect that behavior from immature teens but it's startling to witness in "mature women"!
It's one thing to "not to know better" but to dress inappropriately for the weather consistently is just plain stupid.
Sharon, with all the coming and going it's a miracle you got work done!!! My Dad was a terrible backseat driver. My theory is there are 100 ways to go "there" and it doesn't have to be a certain way for it to be Ok.
Linda, hopefully Todd will continue to improve and feel better.

Thank you Pat.

Afternoon, you can see a storm in the working but hopefully it will be after I return home. Presently in doctor’s side office..oops here he is

Thank you, Pat. I enjoyed decorating the cake, and knowing that I can do it more quickly, is simple efficiency!
As for pettiness in senior women, I realize that there are more widows than widowers, and if you add to that the women who want the companionship of a man then add insecurity, then (in my case, anyway) they'll see a single woman as a threat. In God's eyes, I'm still married & am not looking for another man in my life. I've had some of the ladies insist that I find a man and love - it will happen when I least expect it, etc etc etc. I have too much on the go, I tell them, to add a man to the mix LOL
One of my friends still wants to learn how to quilt, so we'll do a log cabin log quilt on Feb 3rd, at Silver Willow Senior Centre

Beautiful cake Susan. Glad you are still doing the quilt class.

Betty, what did the doctor say today? Everything ok?

Morning, sky is dark but might be the time of day.

Susan, you have me wanting to bake a cake this morning and decorate but i only have can icing,.. glad you are going to co sew/quilt with your friend…lucky lady to have 1 on 1 instructions.

Pat how is Todd making out, do you think his meds given him an appetite.

Deb, saw you post about the death of a furry loved one.. was he from one of you litters?

Sharon found a couple who will house sit while she is gone, $450 a week..have to say when she booked her African safari she didn’t realize $$ for specialty clothing, meds she would have to take with her, was $170 for an injection and 2 more next week..by time time she adds what she needs bet it’s about same as safari.

Don’t know about my appointment with doctor yesterday, no answers but said i would get a call from hospital lab for scan on my tummy Re hernia near belly button, he will send the doctor who found the hiatal hernia 5 years ago to see if they will do test to seeif see if it’s grown and causing the pressure when i eat which is between the breast and just in cast making an appointment with a cardiologist..guess that is all that can be done.

As for the back, i did a number on it and rest,time will fix it. Adding to all those meds i take for my shoulders take robax

As for the hiatal hernia he said they are not successful with results after surgery, for now take Rolaids ,thumb etc.

Promised myself I would stay in bed at least til 10 as it’s Sunday and i have no plans but nope, up at 6:10. The gnome project is next Sunday so rather than have the kids paint the wooden hearts and wait for them to dry and have black paint all over the table i might place them on coffee table and paint them.

Coffee time, maybe toast and honey..

Enjoy your day

Sorry to hear you still have to wait.
Todd's pills aren't working yet.

Just have to wait and see how long..
Drats not good about the meds.
Is Todd mostly in bed?

Snowing now after being dull and gray all day.

Pat I am listening to KCTS9 'Moments to Remember'. Having a brother and sister almost 12 years older than me and a mom who listened to a lot of radio has exposed me to many decades of music. To quote a contestant on American Idol a few years ago "I come from a family of great music listeners." I thought my mother was going to lose the plot when she heard me listening to the Stones, the Doors, Joplin and Bruce Springsteen. Only sinners and poor scholars listened to that trash according to my mother.

Betty did you get snow today ? I'm thinking you sent snow my way. How were you feeling today?

LK how are you and Todd doing today ?

Susan still bitter cold your way ?

Zeke had a play date with Piper, Keiran's dog. It sounded like they had quite a hike. Zeke is sacked out on his blanket.

Has anyone heard from Liz?

Need to figure out if I am going to have cereal or toast for dinner.