November! Let Us give Thanks!2017-11-03T16:51:32-04:00

Home Forums General Quacker Chatter November! Let Us give Thanks!

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    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hello November. It’s once again time for us all to count our blessings.

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    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hello Everyone,
      We are finally back home from our trip to New Mexico. We got home Thursday about four o’clock. This year we got smart and took three days to drive out and three days to drive back. Going down we made a stop in Kansas City to pick up my jewelry that I was having reset at a jewelry store down there. They weren’t done with the ring and the pendant yet but I did get my three stone ring back. The next night we stayed outside Oklahoma City and the following day we got to Clovis. We stayed there overnight and then the next morning took off with Brent for Ruidoso. Wendy was coming down later that night after she finished work and dropped her son off with his dad. So Greg has a friend from his Choir days who has a summer home outside Ruidoso in Cloudcroft and he really wanted to see him so he calls him up and says we want to come by. He says his wife is gone for the weekend but he wants to see us. I should have known I was in trouble when he asked Greg if he had 4 wheel drive and that he would meet us in town so we could follow him back to the house. Now Girls I have lived in Illinois all my life and I am a dedicated flatlander. I have been in mountains before and have never been comfortable with it but this was an entirely different story. We are going up a gravel road on a mountain at a 60 degree angle with no rails-inches from the edge of a 2000 foot drop off to an elevation of 9000 feet. Halfway through Joe stops comes back to our car and says for the rest of the trip up no matter what don’t stop just keep going. Well by this time I am crying and mumbling “we’re all gonna die” over and over. I thought I would faint when I got out of the car and I immediately went inside the house and didn’t move or even get close to the windows while everyone else is looking around. Never again! And I kept telling Greg that he owed me big time! So then it starts to get dark and it’s time to leave and Greg asks Joe if we can follow him back down the mountain and he proceeds to tell a story about how the lady next door was in a hurry going down and drove off the side of the mountain and was stuck between two trees about 50 feet down and it took four hours to find her because there is no cell service. This is just what I need to hear. So we go back down and I am just about throwing up thinking of making the trip and I get in the car, put my coat over my head and start saying the rosary. Well here I am so we got down safely but never again! If Greg wants to see Joe it will have to be on flat land or at his other home by Dallas.
      Wendy’s parents live in Ruidoso so we met them and went out to eat with them a couple of times. We also went shopping in the little stores and galleries in town and I found a Christmas gift for my friend and we bought some art work. Monday morning we went back to Clovis and left Tuesday to start the drive back. We have gotten very efficient at packing and unpacking the car. Now I have a pile of two weeks worth of laundry to work through over the weekend. I spent today just sort of chilling and catching up on bills and such. We had a good time and Brent seems to be doing really well. Wendy is such a nice woman and they seem happy together. She bakes and decorates cakes and does such a cute job on them. I wished she lived closer as I would order cakes from her.
      This morning my SIL emailed me with the news that she is in the hospital with pneumonia in both lungs and probably will be in for a week. Her wedding is supposed to be November 11th so they will have to change it. I think between losing her dog, planning her wedding and getting shingles that her immune system just has been so compromised. I’m glad that I didn’t get to order this one thing with the wedding date before we left as it wouldn’t be right. I’d rather give it to them late and have the date right. Whenever that will be now. I will have to cancel our hotel reservations too when we find out exactly what will be going on.
      Adele,I hope Tillie’s doctors appointment went well and the searching for words is nothing serious or permanent.
      I also hope you get a chance to rest and recuperate too.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster
      Well, I read your post to Gary, and his response was ….” no thank you.” I guess he forgets snowmobiling, when he told me to get up huge inclines
      ( mountains, really) and said not to stop, no matter what….LOL I will say they were not 9000 feet in the air! I would have been crying. Was Greg concerned driving? I will bet this will be a 4 figure piece of jewelry….LOL LOL
      So glad the trip was a huge success, and you got to spend some time with Brent and his girlfriend. Also thrilled that you like her!
      OMG- we will all have to start praying hard, for your SIL. that is awful that she has to change her wedding date.
      Tillie’s doctor appointment went well. He wants to do an ultrasound of her carotid arteries again, to check and see if he is missing something. He thinks the gabapentin (generic for Neurontin) she has been taking may be the cause of the speech issue and her trembling hands. So we are stepping down the dosage- one in am and one in pm for a few weeks, then one in the pm, permanently. this med has to be gradually reduced. I hope it works, as it is an easy fix.
      here is a funny for you. We are in the waiting room, and in walks an obvious Quacker, so, of course, I say,…..quack, quack, and point out Tillie is a Quacker too. We both said goodbye to her when we left. We were able to take Tillie out for Chinese at a place we love, and that does not deliver. She really enjoyed it. We are all exhausted. Gary is falling asleep in the chair, watching me type. We are off to change, and into our recliners….LOL
      So glad you are home, all safe and sound.
      Adele

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Gail, your story of driving up and down that dangerous mountain just sends chills up and down my spine! I would have been crying and praying all the way. I am so afraid of the heights like that. I am so glad you all made it okay and had such a wonderful visit with your son. I know you all miss him so much. I remember how once when we were younger we took all the boys out to Colorado in Dec. of all months to visit one of Jerrys brothers. It was freezing cold and I have never seen so much ice and snow everywhere. And on top of everything; his brother just INSISTED that we go up this huge mountain to a ski lodge and let the children and Jerry have a day of skiing; while I stayed in the lodge by the big roaring fire drinking hot chocolate. It was like you said looking straight down and he was just driving like it was nothing. I was mortified. Jerry kept saying “everything is okay” but it wasn’t. Yes, you need something large and very sparkly for enduring that. Glad you all are home safe.
      I am not looking forward to changing the clocks this weekend. It gets so dark so early here when we do. Makes us want to go to bed early because it seems like it should be later. How do you all feel about it? Poor Joey is working all weekend; and he will have to turn his clock back while at work. That is hard to do; believe me; I remember doing it working the night shift.
      We are just doing leftovers for dinner tonight. I have little lock and lock bowls of this and that in the refrigerator; and so it will be a smorgorsboard of whatever for us. Neither of us seems hungry for anything in particular. So this should be interesting LOL
      Just found out yesterday that Neal and his little family will not be able to come home for Thanksgiving or Christmas. It just breaks my heart; but I had to put on the “proud of you, son” face and let him know that we understand that he has to do what his job says. We have talked about taking the train out there; but know by what he was telling Joey that he has very little vacation time since he and Sarah have been using his PTO a day at a time taking little day trips seeing all the sights out there. So really don’t think he would have much time to spend with us. We will see as we learn a little more.
      Take care everyone and have a good weekend. Hugs from Tenn. Barbara

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      It sounds like you had a nice lunch out with your friends. It was nice to have a toast even though it was with water and sodas. You were all thinking of her and she knows that. She was probably sitting there with you.
      We had some lightening here last night so could not get on here for very long. I missed out on all the chatter from yesterday. Will have to catch up later or maybe just start new on here. I cannot believe that Thanks giving is not that far away. Will have to start planning my menu for that day. We will be a small group this year. I will just be us and one other of the kids but will make a big meal anyway.
      I will be praying for Tillie. I hope that reducing the medicine will help her. It makes it hard when you have to take medicine and find out that it is causing you problems also. What a mess.
      One reason we do not give clothes to our Good will the people that work there go thru the bags and take what they want. They do not pay for it so that is not right that they do that. That is going to people that cannot buy clothes if it is not the clothes the money helps people out. That really made us think before we drop anything off there now.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      That would have been a scary trip going up that mountain road. I am glad that you made it up and down okay. I would have been with you sitting in the middle of the house and not looking out the windows. That was good that you did not have to spend the night. You really would have been crazy before you left.
      Other then the mountain thing it sounds like you had a good time. That is so nice that Brent has found a nice woman and is happy. Sounds like she has really nice parents also. It makes it nice when you can go and visit the parents also and enjoy yourself. It is sad that they live so far away but sounds like you had a nice trip out there. It is a shame that your jewelry was not ready yet though. Will they just send it to you when it is done?
      It is fun going into the little shops and just seeing all the different things that they have. Usually they are different then what you find in your area. We want to go to Branson after they get all the Christmas decorations up and just look around. I have heard that it is really pretty there that time of year. Do not want to stay there but just to drive around and look and maybe go to a show and stop at a few shops. They had some wooden wind chimes there and I would like to go and get another one. The one we have is falling apart we have had it for so long.
      Will be praying for your sil. That is so sad that she has to change the wedding date and everything. It is a good thing that you did not order that gift. It would be impossible to get the date changed on it. Hope that she gets better soon so she can get married soon.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a good night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      I like it when the clocks go back an hour. That gives us an extra hour of sleep. Maybe we will not need to take naps after that. lol It does get dark earlier but it get light earlier in the morning. That is rough when you have to turn the clocks back when you are working. You have to work that extra hour an lose that much sleep. I am really into sleeping tonight. I must be really tired.
      We have to do that to. Have all the left overs for dinner. It seems like sense there is just the two of us we have a lot of leftovers. Too many I think. It is just so hard to get use to cooking for just the two of us. I guess that it is nice we do not have to cook as often we can just fix the leftovers in the microwave and eat.
      That is so sad that they will not be able to come home for Christmas. That would be a long trip if they cannot visit with you during that time. Maybe they will have more time later and you can go then. It is hard to put on a happy face when you hear all of that. My daughter that lives in Tennessee will not be able to come home for Thanksgiving but they are planning to come home for Christmas. That is if nothing happens and Stephen does not get enough time off. The kids will have time off though so that will be nice. Army life is not easy.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great week-end
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Barbara
      I am so sorry your Itty Bitty will not be up for any of the holidays. I know how you feel. It takes all the joy out of the holiday when all cannot be together. It just plain breaks your heart. I wish I could say something to make you laugh, but, nothing funny has happened here lately.
      We have those nights, when I take out a lock n lock and have no idea if it is soup or a gravy. Bobby keeps reminding me I need to put a piece of tape on them and say what they are. But, then that spoils the surprise….LOL
      We hate the clock change too. Actually, Massachusetts is thinking of opting out form the change. They will vote for it, if the rest of New England goes along with it. So far, no decision. I think all the states should get rid of it. It just plain makes everyone out of sorts for 2 weeks a year.
      The weather up here just got cold again. We went out with short sleeve shirts, and no jackets the last few days. i hope your weather is sunny.
      i hope you find a really sparkly shirt to wear today, to lift your spirits.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi colleen
      that is awful about the workers at the Good Will store down near you. That is just not right. Why do people do such mean things?
      I would still make all the dishes we love at Thanksgiving , if less people were coming, just like you. it is only once a year that we have things like sweet potato casserole, and Delmonico potatoes. We may not have everyone here either. Steph ahs told me she does not want to come for the holidays. Last year, Amanda did not come. i keep thinking of how they will feel, if this is the last holiday my Mom will be with us. At her age, you just never know. the way people have been dying aorund here, you never know who will be here next year. All we can guarantee for is today.
      We are going out for an early dinner with Al and Winnie, and Joanne. We are meeting at Applebee’s. Do you have one of those in your area?
      I hope you do not have any more storms today. You have a had a lot of those lately. The storms we have been getting are rain and wind. there are still people out of electricity up here, and I am amazed at that. We have had a break from them for a while. I hope you get a break too.
      Adele

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Hello ladies. So foggy and misty here today with bouts of rain every so often. We rode into town a while ago since today of all days we find we are completely out of milk; orange juice and bread. We had already talked about just having a sandwich for dinner; and that’s when we discovered we were out of just about everything. There were so many at the store today. I know it’s only going to get busier with Thanksgiving not so far away. You know Colleen; I will be making a big dinner even though just Joey and Lisa will be coming. He has to work Thanksgiving night and the night before; so we will not do our dinner until probably Saturday that week. We have had to do that most holidays. But all I want is for us to be together. It seems so strange for others to understand that we are cooking when everyone else is having leftovers; but we just have to find something for Jerry and me to do to try to keep me from crying all day. I just can’t seem to break the habit of cooking as though each and every one was here loading up their plates. Hope everyone has a wonderful day with friends and family. What are you all’s plans? Here’s the question for you, do you call it dressing or stuffing with your turkey? Do you all like sweet potatoes; or do you do a casserole or candied yams? We call it dressing here; and I love mashed up sweet potatoes casserole with a crunchy topping but not Jerry; he insists on opening a can of sweet potatoes, adding lots of butter and some sugar, and letting it simmer until all the flavor blends together. Making myself hungry; so better stop this.
      Colleen; we had the exact same problem when we tried to donate clothing that Jerrys Mom had for years; but were still good. The people at the donation drop off would go through all of it and we actually saw them loading up their trunks (Jerry was looking, I was inside the store) That was so discouraging. We had had to box it all up for them to take it, and then to see that really bothered us. I tried to get so many of the donation places to come to our house so I could donate things to help unclutter our home; but they just won’t come. What a mess. I still have so much that I need to donate, but just no where to give them to. Any ideas from anyone?
      Did something to my back a couple of days ago. It is better now, thank goodness. Have no idea how I hurt it, but my right ribs in the middle down the back was hurting. I felt it when I did it; like I had reached too far or something and it kept me with a heating pad on my back for a while; but it is so much better now. Hope you all are doing good. DD, I love your pictures of the fall leaves and your kitty cat. Ours is a snuggler too. Especially as the days get cooler. There is nothing he likes better than a rainy day. This time of year he likes for us to put a cardboard box on the foot of our bed for him to get into at night. He fits right in there and I know it keeps him warm. How is Cuddles doing Sue? Have you ever tried making those homemade cookie doggie treats for him in the oven or microwave. I have a thing mold I bought at Petco that had the recipes (carrots, sweet potatoes, oats, etc.) and it’s like milkbone treats that you buy at the store. Our puppies love them.
      Well, better go for now. Hope you all are okay and having a great weekend. Take care everyone. Hugs, Barbara

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      Just a quick note to let ya know I’m still around. Not much news from this end. the weather has turned cold & damp. the mountains are getting piles of snow. It won’t snow here till Jan. if it does at all. I’m down to the valley floor, so it has to get pretty cold for it to snow down here.
      I haven’t read all the posts yet, so will do that tomorrow & catch up on all the news.
      Today marks 7 yrs that Jewell came home with me. She celebrated by sleeping most of the day, lol.
      talk to ya later.
      dd

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    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      It is mean that they take all the best things and leave the others for the people to buy. I do not think that Salvation Army does that though. I am trying to find a place to where they have a drop off or find out if they will come and pick things up. They have those boxes around that are supposed to be for poor people but have heard that they take those clothes to second hand shops and sell them there. So it is hard to find a place to take them here.
      Maybe Steph will change her mind by the time that the holidays come around. We are going to cook as much as we usually do and see if anyone around here has no where to go for the holiday. Sometimes our one neighbor does not have a place to go and we invite them up here. We will probably do the same thing this year. Sometimes they will come up here and other times they will not. Just have to see what is going on with them.
      We do have Apple bees around here. I think that they have good food but the service is slow. So we end up waiting a long time for our meal. Ron won’t eat there but the girls and I do. That sounds like a good time with Al, Winnie and Joanne. Is Joanne there daughter or just another friend? I hope that you have a good time and a good meal.
      We are supposed to have storms tomorrow. We have been warm and now a cold front is coming in.We need the rain but not the storms. We will see what happens. Hope that you do not get anymore storms for awhile.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a good night.
      Colleen
      p.s. How is Tillie doing? Hope that she is a little better.

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      That is the only problem with working in nursing. You have to work all the holidays and they really take advantage if you are single. That is nice that you are cooking the dinner on Saturday so they can come and enjoy the day with you and Jerry. Will you bring Jerry’s mom to your house to eat with you?
      We call the stuffing both sometimes. It depends on who is here. We like candied sweet potatoes and have them every year. We also have mashed potatoes with gravy on Thanks giving but potato casserole on Christmas. That way we do not have the same things on both holidays. I do not know what meat we will have for Christmas. It is too close to Thanks giving for us to have turkey again and we ham on Easter.
      It really is aggravating to have the workers help themselves to the things that we donate. I do not understand why they let them do that. I will find a place that will give them to the people that need them if I can. Everyone says that Salvation Army does not do that so will try and find them in our area. They seem to be a good group. You are like us we live so far out that a lot of places do not want to come here to pick things up. I will let you know if the Salvation Army does or not.
      Well that is about all from here. Not much going on. Talk about being boring that is me and Ron.
      Have a good night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      You have really had Jewel for a long time. She is such a pretty cat. She must be a lot of company for you. IT is nice to have an animal in the house. We have tried to get my mom to get a cat but she will have nothing to do with that. She does not like animals in the house. She says that they are too messy.
      That is nice that you do not get that much snow. I love snow though and am happy when we get a good snow fall. I just wish that we had a horse and sleigh to ride in during the snowy season.
      I like you pictures they are so cute. Well that is about all from here. Have a good night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Barbara
      I have done things like that, and been in agony for a few days. Then, one wrong move, and it hurts again. When i do that, i ice and load up on the Alleve. I do not remember if you can take an aspirin based proctor not- I o know someone on here can’t. I notice when I am stressed, that it tends to happen.
      I wish I could make you laugh. You need a good chuckle. Or, retail therapy, as Gail says. I got a new lamp, whihc I said was for my anniversary. It is really more of a loss lamp. I am secretly calling it my Maxine lamp. Do you like pretty colored lamps? I love them. they add sparkle and shine to a cold dreary evening.
      It is gloomy, cold, and drizzly up here. I have no energy to bake today, as it was an eye opening dinner for me last night, whihc may make you laugh. We went to Applebee’s. I have been there many times when it was not so busy. We had 5 people ( this is an important part to my tale of woe). So, I was on the side that had 3 people, and I was on the wall side. Well, all of us are not small people. Winnie was next to me, and Al on the other side. Al was practically in the aisle, and I could not move my arms enough to eat comfortably. I had to hold my left arm in front of me, so Winnie had enough room to eat. I was so sore when we left, between the back and the arm, I was very grumpy. Gary was yelling in the car, about how grumpy I was, and I said it was because I was painfully aware that I am too fat to sit in a lot of places. That stopped The Husband for yelling about how much he hates Applebees. So, I will definitely say I will not be a patron of Applebee’s, from this day forward.
      So, now I have to consider the accessibility of the parking to a restaurant, and the closeness of the seating. Life gets very complicated for the ample bodies dining experience. ( this is my new term for a comfy dining experience). i hope I made you chuckle, as I hope you pictured The Husband going nuts in the car over how much he hated Applebee’s steak.
      I think it a perfectly fine idea to have your Thanksgiving dinner any day you want. It is the people around the table that are important, not the actual date of the meal. You could get those nice sides form the Q for you and Jerry, and make a small turkey breast to enjoy Thursday, and then watch the Hallmark movies…..maybe even put up your tree later in the afternoon.
      You know, I started putting up my tree on Thanksgiving night with my kids, after I was divorced. the kids thought it was great, and loved it. It became tradition, and it was a happy way to spend the night. In reality, it was because the house was so painfully empty when we came home form my parents’, that I invented the tree decorating, with the carols blasting, to fill the void. One year, a few years ago, Heather was alimenting that we did not do the tree that night- it was after one of my spine surgeries. Well, I told her how the tradition really came about, through loneliness, and she was aghast. We had a good chuckle about how family traditions begin. Some are happy, and some are sad. But, they all have the same result- smiles and good feelings in the end, and that is what it is all about. We have to find our happy places, no matter how they emerge. We have to save ourselves, and eat chocolate.
      We love you Barbara. I always say I wish we all lived closer, as we could share our holidays when we are missing people. We are blessed to have this site to share our thoughts.
      Love, Adele
      PS….I am goign to bake that pie tomorrow! tonight’s dinner is scrambled eggs and English, for me Tillie, and Gary….LOL

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD!!
      Love the turkey pics!
      Happy Birthday to pretty Jewell.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      OMG, Barbara….I forgot..

      We call it stuffing. I love a sweet potato casserole. I had the sweet potato casserole for a side with my uncomfortable dinner last night…LOL
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      Read my post to Barbara, as Gary will not eat there anymore either. I will not go, unless it is for lunch, with no more than 4 people….LOL
      That is a nice thing to do, to invite people who have nowhere to go. We did that form time to time. Seems like everyone over here has a place to go now. At least for this year. I hope Steph changes her mid too, as you never know when it will be anyone’s last.
      I hope you did not get any bad storms. It has been a very active weather pattern.
      i hope you can find a place to donate without people taking your nice things. Do you have a local church that helps people in need? One that has a food bank, maybe? This is really awful, and I feel so bad for you. You just want to give your nice things to someone who needs them.
      It is gloomy and cold here. yuck. winter is coming.
      adele

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Thank you for the good laugh Adele; with your Applebees “squished in” meal. I know you won’t believe this; but WE have had the same problem. It was at a local steak house in town; and we were meeting our neighbors for dinner. It is very very hard for Jerry to sit in a straight back chair; just kills his poor back; so what does he do as soon as we go inside? He says “can we please have a booth?” The little waitress made her way with us following like ducks behind as Jerry was jabbering away, and lo and behold our booth looks like it came straight out of a doll house! By then; the other couple (he is the one who has had 3 strokes) had trudged all through the restaurant, and he probably weighs about 350 or more, and Jerry is around 250, and I am a perfectly sized 2X. It was one of those horrific experiences of having to literally mash our bellys against the wooden booth and wedge ourselves in. It was so small you could not have sat a third person on the side if you had to. Talk about uncomfortable and embarassing. Jerry and I were constantly knocking elbows together with each bite. THen came the horrendous chore of prying ourselves out once we finally finished. Our neighbors wife if not as large as me; so she seemed to be okay; but when we finally got to our car and Jerry went to open his mouth; I just gave him that look and said there was nothing he could say to me that would make what we just went through any better, and he said, well they should have told us it was so small. I did have to laugh at him though, when he said half of his meal was sitting in his throat because the table had cut off the bottom half of his stomach. SO I am right there with you on this one. We can just add this to our list of “must have’s” when going someplace. LOL This is one of the reasons that we don’t get out all that much. We have adjusted to our needs here at the house; but the world seems to be made for size 10. I know one of my problems (beside the fact I love to eat) is that I don’t get in enough movement. Jerry and I took a long walk outside today to see the leaves all changing colors, and talk of days gone by.
      Was so lonely today. The thought of everyone being away for the holidays is so hard for me. Neal has asked me to sykpe with him on Thanksgiving and help him cook dinner. So I am writing down step by step now; because I know I cook by memory and look and taste, more than by measuring. I just don’t want to leave out something simple that would make a big difference for him. Thanksgiving was always the boys favorite meal, and it will be good to have Joey and Lisa here when they can come up on Saturday. You all will be eating your leftovers (or getting tired of them) by then. Colleen, I ordered some of those chocolate covered pretzels this year for the Dec. delivery. I had them once before; and they were so good. I will be using some as little gifts for our neighbors too. Love they come individually wrapped. WHat are the children hoping Santa brings this year? Bet they are getting excited.
      We will put our little tree up on Thanksgiving day. I have one of those old timey porcelin trees about a foot tall with the lights on the tips that I got from the Q that we also set up in the middle of the bar with a Santa with forrest animals around his feet by the tree. It has a timer and looks pretty. I would love a real tree. I will have to see what Lisa is thinking about doing.
      Happy BD to Jewell, DD. Sounds like he spent his special day doing just what kitties love to do. Mabey Auto Kitty is the reason I love an afternoon nap LOL Glad your weather is better. Our son in Ca. is having nice weather now. Thank God the fires have gotten better for all of you.
      I just heard of the tragic news from Texas of those poor people in their church and the terrible things that happened today. God help us all.
      Just don’t feel like writing any more now. Praying for those in such pain and for all of you. Take care, love Barbara

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      WHAT’S WRONG WITH PEOPLE??!! Yet another (!!!) mass shooting today. This time in a church!! I apologize for yelling, but it’s becoming tooooo commonplace anymore!!! I haven’t read all the posts yet so if I don’t respond don’t feel bad. I’ll get to it eventually.
      I hope everyone remembered to turn the clock back last night. I thought it was gonna be soggy today, but so far it’s been fairly nice. Cloudy with some breaks of sun now & then.
      I’m gonna go back & read the posts so I’ll have something good to write about.
      dd

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    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Barbara
      First, I have to say, i cried laughing so hard at your experience. been there, done that, got the t shirt, as they say. We have to keep laughing at ourselves. I have told Gary so many times, that as we age, we need the best sense of humor about ourselves. I really wish the restaurants would think about different sized people when they re model. Even the 99, one of our favorites, has remodeled, and they made it ALL BOOTHS. Gary cannot do booths, as his weight is in his cute chubby belly. So, when we ate there for our anniversary, i said to him….guess we will not be here anymore either. Getting out of the booth is so difficult, and everyone looks at you. Thank God we have our sparkly stuff on!
      Dear God, what is appending in this world? A pregnant woman, a small child and many others lost their lives, just praying today. A small safe town had this happen. What was in this sick Devil’s mind??? No human could have done this. I am absolutely heartsick. All those good people went to church, and never thought for a moment they would not be home to share dinner together. this is the second church they have gone after. I do not remember what state the other church was, only that the people were black, and the Devil who killed them was white. Everyone in this country needs our prayers, every day.
      Barbara, coking with Neal that day may do you some good. that skype is such a great way to be part of their day. I just wish you could hug that way. Amanda and Heather stopped by with Aizen for a little bit today. I “hugged the stuffing out of him”, as I always say. I tell him to open his mouth so I can see if I left any stuffing inside, and then hug him again, to get the rest of the stuffing. he really gets a kick out of that. I am so sad for you not being bale to hug your Itty Bitty. I am secretly praying (not a secret anymore….LOL) something will happen to allow them to visit, even for just a weekend. You are in my prayers, every night.
      We are watching Madam Secretary tonight- I love that show. Do you watch it?
      Love you, Missy Barbara!! I wish I could hug the stuffing out of you!

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      I am right there with you DD.
      I am thinking I need to up-grade my gun permit to a license to carry, and take it with me everywhere I go. A 67 year old woman should not feel she needs to arm herself. If that man had not chased him out with his gun, more people would have died.
      My gun has been in the family for generations- it was my Nonnu’s pistol he had at his barber shop. My Dad then got it, and then it became mine when he died. I have a license for the house only. I have never loaded it, nor tried to shoot it, but I am thinking we all may need to take lessons. (Gun is locked, with an additional trigger lock on it, and the 4 bullets I have are locked, and stored separately from the gun) What is this world coming to?
      I am against gun violence, and contribute to the Sandy Hook requests. We have to get the automatic weapons off the streets. I have no idea what kind of gun this Devil used. May he burn in Hell forever. God and all the Angels need to be with all those poor families.
      Wish I could hug the stuffing out of all of my Quacker friends.
      Love, Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      HI Ladies,
      I’m back. I read all the posts & took some notes. Thank God for that neighbor that shot at the shooter today. He took out after the guy too. He may have hit the guy cuz he crashed & was found dead. I sure hope the neighbor hit him. Whoever it is I hope they give him a medal!!!
      Onto happier subjects, we don’t want to give too much time to the enemy.
      I did get a chuckle out of the adventures at the restaurants, but I have to say I’m surprised the waitress didn’t seat you in a more suitable place. Seating five people in a booth is ridiculous!! Didn’t they have one of those circular booths? Corner booth? Or a table? I can’t see 5 people of any size, unless they’re kids, sitting in a booth. Four, yes, 5 NO. Maybe it’s just me. I haven’t been to an Applebee’s in many yrs so I don’t know how their seating is arranged.
      Gail, OMG We have mountains out here, but nothing like that!! Why would anyone want to live that high up a steep grade? What about an emergency? We use 4 wheel drive in winter to get around in the snow, & up to the ski resorts. That would be like driving up to the top of Mt. Hood!! I’m pretty sure there’s no roads to the top.
      Colleen, Have you tried giving to a woman’s center for domestic violence victims? Or a local church that gives out clothing to the needy? I have friends who volunteer at the their local St. Vincent de Paul. They give out stuff to the needy free of charge. I used to give clothes I didn’t want anymore to them & they would fllyyyyy off the racks.
      Adele, I was given gabapentin for my sciatica but I had a reaction so I was given something else. It could very well be an allergic reaction to it. The side effects alone are enough to scare me into not taking it.
      Barbara, I’m sorry your family won’t be able to come home for the holidays. That comes with being the low man on the totem pole. I’ll pray for a miracle for ya.
      Ok ladies, I see some things I’ve never heard of so you’ll have to fill me in. I haven’t heard of potato casserole, Delmonico potatoes, or sweet potato casserole. Is that what they sell on the Q every yr? If I was going to have company, I’d love to get that dinner special with either ham or turkey from Corkeys & the sides. Right now I don’t have any plans for T’giving. the church across the street always has a lovely dinner for the neighborhood, & the homeless.
      After a busy busy Friday, I was glad to have the extra hour of sleep. I overdid it & paid for it. I’m using that massager a lot. It feels so good on the back of my neck & shoulder, & down on my lower back/ under my left leg. I wasn’t sure it’s work, but it does!!
      With the time change it gets colder sooner at night & it’s gonna be cold the next few days. It’s been snowy up in Seattle which is early for them. I thought something looked funny during the Seahawks game today.
      I start decorating early because growing up it was always(!!) a fight!!! So, as soon as I was able to, I started decorating the day after thanksgiving!!! I used to go out & get a real tree, either buy one or go out to a tree farm & cut my own!! Not any more!! I had to go to artificial trees when I was taking care of an elderly woman that was allergic to everything!!
      Well, I’ve rambled on long enough.
      Have a good week ladies.
      dd

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    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      You made me laugh about the booths at Apple bees. I know exactly what you are talking about. We use to have that problem when all the friends that I went out to lunch with. They have one booth that will accommodate a big group but we are all crammed in there and cannot hardly eat. Some of us are not exactly tiny tots either. We made it though and had a good laugh about it. That is funny that you got Gary to stop talking. That is usually hard for me to do when Ron wants to complain.
      I do not know of a church that will take clothes to donate. If they have a food pantry that is all they want to give away. A lot of them said that they do not have the room to give the clothes away in the church. We have a lot of small churches around here and some do not have a basement. So that is hard to store things.
      We had storms today but they were not really all that bad. We had a tornado watch out for awhile but it never got bad enough for it to happen. We did have strong winds for awhile but they did not do any damage. We are supposed to have cold weather all week this week though. I think that this was the end of the warm weather. That is what they are saying but who knows. They are very seldom right.
      That is funny that Heather did not know the story on why you put you tree up on Thanksgiving. Kids do not remember things like that. It must have been fun to tell her the story again and she got a good laugh and a good memory.
      It would be nice if we all lived closer. Just think of all the fun we could all have. We all have become pretty close on here and that makes it nice. We know that we are here for each other.
      Well that is all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      That will be so much fun just cooking with Neal on skype. It will feel like you are there and helping with the meal. I am like you do not go by recipes just do it by memory. I do have a couple of recipes that I have to read when making but not many. I always add a little extra of this spice and that.
      Have you ever asked them for a chair to put by the booth? I have done that before. Especially when my back is really hurting. Even if it is more comfortable for me to sit in the booth it is not comfortable when we are scrunched in. They always seem to do that. It is also good to have a pillow in the car to use when you have to sit in a chair. That takes a lot of pressure off the back. People may give you funny looks but as long as I am comfortable when I eat that is fine. That is just stuff that we try might work for you it is worth a try. I have found the joy of take out. It is so much better then eating in a restaurant.
      I did not listen to the news today. I cannot stand to hear all of this bad news all the time. We may all just have to jump all over the people with the gun. They are going to shoot any way so might as well try and save as many as we can. I think about those people that were on that plane 9/11 and they all decided to crash the plane rather then crash into that building. That really took courage. I guess that we are all going to have to find our courage and defend ourselves.
      I do not know what they all want yet. Just two of them. Ethan wants a white robe, shoes and clothes and Kaylee wants rocks and jewelry making kit. Yes she really wants rocks she is like Ron he collects rocks. None of the others have said anything yet.
      We got a smaller tree this year. I am not sure how I feel about it. It is a five ft. tree and we are use to have a 6ft tree. It is going to be hard to get use to. We got it from qvc and I hope that I am not going to regret it. We will put ours up on Thanksgiving night also. It will seem funny because Melissa and Stephen usually help us put the tree up.
      well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      We have been looking all over the place trying to find a place that will take this stuff. We do not want to have to drive into St.Louis to give this stuff away. That may be what we have to do. It is so aggravating.
      The potato casserole is something that I make from scratch. It is just shredded potatoes, cheese, sour cream and salt and pepper to taste. Everyone seems to enjoy it so we have it every Christmas. I just make the candied sweet potatoes with marshmallows and brown sugar. This was passe down from my mom and my grandma. Most of the recipes that I use are passed down like that.
      That is really good that massager is really working for you. If you still have the number for it I would like to look it up and maybe order one. That would be so nice to have. I am tired of having a sore back.
      The pictures that you posted are so cute. Do you like owls? Christine Brailsford really likes them. So that is why I asked. The ones with all the hair are cute. I guess it is feathers not fur.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I don’t think Greg was as scared as i was going up and down the mountain but he had a certain level of concern considering he had himself me and his son in the car. I forgot to say also to add insult to injury Joe had two elderly dogs and the dachshund bit both Greg and Brent when they were going into the house. I stayed clear of him myself. Fortunately they both had on jeans and he didn’t break the skin. So all in all it wasn’t a welcoming experience. lol
      I don’t know what is going on with my SIL’s wedding as she texted me yesterday and first thought she would be home today and texted again later saying she wouldn’t be out before Wednesday. I think she’s nuts if she gets out Wednesday and still has the wedding. She will be miserable and won’t enjoy it at all. Both her fiancee and i have told her everything can be changed and not to stress but I know she had this all planned out perfectly and now just wants to go through with it. If they cancel I hope they decide soon as we have hotel reservations that I don’t want to get charged for if if don’t use them. I’m glad I didn’t get a chance to order this one thing I was going to get with their wedding date on it before we left for vacation as the date would be wrong if they cancel. I’d rather have the date right and give it to them late. So now I’m just playing a waiting game until they decide what they will do. She’s getting better just not rapidly-as we all know as we age these things take more time.
      I don’t mind the time changes. I like the extra hour of daylight in summer when we can be outdoors longer.
      Boy do I hear you with the whole booth thing. We always ask for a table in restaurants that offer both tables and booths. Sometimes it is hard for me as an ample bodied person to get between chairs in crowded restaurants. It can be a challenge as the world is not made for plus sizes. The worst was last time we flew I had to ask for a seat belt extender-it was humiliating. The weird thing was we had flown the year before and I had not gained any weight between the two trips so the only thing that I can figure out is my weight redistributed or the plane was smaller and thus the seats were also smaller. Flying anymore is like being in a can of sardines anyway.
      That’s a sweet story about why you put up the tree when you did. It would have made a part of a good Hallmark movie. Necessity really is the mother of invention and you made lemonade out of lemons. Mothers have to be so creative sometimes. It’s wonderful that your ruse was so effective that all your children remember form those times was the happiness you brought them.
      I would be careful about ever using that gun. It sounds like it has been sitting around unused for a long time and I would be afraid that it would misfire and hurt you after all these years of sitting idol. I wonder if a gun person somewhere could check it out and maybe even fire it for you to see if it is even still usable. If you are thinking about concealed carry or something I would definitely go to a gun range and have someone teach me how to use it. We are not gun owners here except for a pellet gun which i have never used or ever would use.
      It seems like every week we hear of another mass shooting. I wish there were answers to why this happens and how we can prevent it. Right now all we can do is try to be aware of our surroundings and say a lot of prayers. Sometimes there are no answers. i don’t believe they ever came up with a reason why the man killed those people in Vegas and that is now more than a month ago.
      The world can be beautiful and the world can be terrible. If only we can make more beautiful than terrible-I hope so.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Barbara,
      That will be a fun new experience to Skype with Neal while he prepares Thanksgiving dinner.
      I agree with Adele-it doesn’t matter what date you celebrate the holiday-what matters is the people around the table.
      I always promised my kids that i would never make a fuss if they had to be somewhere else on a holiday. I did that because my MIL insisted it wasn’t “the holiday” unless the kids were there on that exact day-thus i never saw my parents on a holiday once i got married. Of course they lived 800 miles away and my inlaws lived two hours away so that made the decision for us too. Even though Brent is far away so far at least we see Jenny for the Holidays as we go to her house for Thanksgiving and they come here for Christmas. They are lucky that both sets of parents are close by. I remember when we were young and newly married and my parents lived in Louisiana. We just didn’t have the vacation time or the money to visit often-it was so far away. Now we are older and have the time to do stuff with the kids but they are younger and have to work-so there’s always a conflict with being in different stages in our lives.
      We call it stuffing here-but Kim who was brought up in the south always used to make corn bread dressing to bring to Thanksgiving. To tell you the truth none of us really liked it as we were used to regular bread stuffing. My grandmother made the best stuffing-I wish i knew what she put in it. We don’t eat sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving as none of the kids like them. Kim used to make a gooey casserole with all the stuff and Brent would eat them in that. I just like the yams candied-I boil some sweet potatoes and slice them up and fry them with butter and brown sugar-my Mom used to make them in the oven but i can never get that nice browness to them in the oven. I love sweet potatoes and am always happy when I find a restaurant that offers a baked sweet potato on the menu. I often make them for just Greg and I with ham.
      I am like you-I don’t get in enough movement. Mostly because between my back and hips and ankle often it just hurts to move but i know i should move more. I do have a recumbent bike and should start using that again.
      Please do not be sad-remember your children love you no matter if they live near or far.
      Hugs,
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Colleen,
      I hope that you will love your new five foot tree. Maybe you will find it a lot easier to manage. It seems as we age we all have to make concessions and cannot do all the decorating that we once did. gosh when we first moved here i decorated every room in the house and the last few years I have cut back dramatically-both inside and out.
      I have heard too that they decorate beautifully in Branson. That would be nice to see. Jenny mentioned one time about maybe sometime in the future we all could meet Brent and Wendy in Branson for a vacation. That would be awesome. I really liked it there. The shows were all pretty awesome and i think there would be something for all ages to do. The kids would probably like Silver Dollar City. I hope that we can do that someday.
      The jewelry store will send my jewelry when they finish with it. I’m hoping that he will finish it so I can have it by Christmas. I can’t wait to see what everything looks like as a finished product.
      You know every once in a while i get a card in the mail that some one or other will be in the neighborhood picking up donations-I think one is the epilepsy society and the other might be a veterans organization. I know jenny has people pick up stuff for her-I’ll ask what organization she uses.
      You know i didn’t used to like to put stuff in those boxes that were used by people operating resale shops but after i thought about it i figured I had stuff I needed to get rid of and I was helping someone else earn a living with my discards and they were putting food on their table and being entrepreneurial sorting through all this stuff and getting it ready for sale and maybe even employing some other people and giving them jobs. When i looked at it that way I still felt like it was helping someone out so I don’t mind donating to resellers anymore.
      I hope Stephen and Melissa will get the time off to come home for Christmas. The grands will be excited to tell you about their new home and school. I wonder if it will stay warmer where they live now?
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      DD,
      It sounds like that massager is really helping out. I love when i find some tool that makes my life easier or more comfortable.
      Do you think that you might go to that Thanksgiving dinner in the church across the street from you. How wonderful of them to have something like that.
      I love those fuzzy little owls. i would like to see something like that in real life. They are so cute.
      Did Jewell get a special treat for her seven year anniversary? Pets are such good companions.

      Gail

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      For those interested in the massager here is the info on it. HoMedics 3D Shiastsu heated massage pillow, V34241, $38.92 + s&h $5.50, six easy pays of $6.48. 3 colors, Glacier blue, plum or snow leopard.
      It’s a fairly nice day today. No wind or rain, just chilly. I got out & went to the Dollar store today, big mistake. LOL.
      I don’t have much to say today, so I’ll sign off for now. Have a great week
      dd

      Attachments:
    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      We were at a table, and it was tighter than a booth. they had 6 chairs at the table, and they were so close together, even a very thin person would have had to pull the way out, to sit in the chairs. Then add larger people, and it was ridiculous. Six kids could have sat there comfortably.
      Delmonico potatoes are a casserole- with a combo of milk, butter and cheese added. Then there are potato casseroles than have even more cheese in them. We have a recipe for one called “cheesy potatos”. Any “Au gratin” potato casserole has a lot of cheese in them. One thing they all have in common is butter, and milk, or cream. It is a way to make potatoes even more fattening than they already are….LOL
      It was over 70 here today, but gloomy all day. We are supposed to have some rain, and possible thunder, then a lot cooler, real fast. I do not think we will get any thunder, as it has not been sunny or warm enough, I think.
      Well, i got so many phone calls today, I never even got to the apple pie. The apples are washed, and on the counter. I will do it tomorrow.
      I hope you had a lot of fun at the dollar store. It is Gary’s favorite place to shop in the world.
      Tillie says she is doing ok on the lesser dose of the gabapentin, so that is good. Maybe we will be bale to get her down to one pill. I hope so. I think as you age, your sensitivity to pills gets more severe too.
      Hope your night is good, and you get to watch DWTS.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      ‘ We certainly could have a lot of fun together! just the food we would bring to the party would be great. Not to mention the sparkle and shine….LOL
      Well, when I told Heather about the story, she was amazed. She always loved that we put the tree up that night, and it extended the Thanksgiving fun. She had no idea the concept came out of my loneliness the first year I was divorced. Some times unhappy things make happy things happen. It is like that old adage….when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
      I am so glad you did not get any nasty storms, or tornadoes.
      It was funny when Gary stopped about the restaurant. I think I made him feel bad. he knows i make a lot of jokes about our weight, and he says it is not as funny as I think it is. Personally, I owuld rather laugh than feel bad about myself. there is not much I can do to lose weight, as I have so much trouble moving. It is a struggle to lose a pound. you really need to move to lose. I do not eat large portions, and only eat 2 meals a day. I have a half of a bagel with light veggie cream cheese, one hard boiled egg, and an orange every day for breakfast, with coffee, of course. In the afternoon i try to have either some protein (like some ricotta, or fresh mozarella) and maybe fresh fruit. Once in a while a cookie, with tea. I like a cup of tea on the afternoon, when I have time for one. then, dinner. When I bake something, I keep the portion in control too. I also try to bake things that have protein or fruit in them for fiber. Of course, for celebrations and birthdays, the baked goods are more fattening….LOL I also have one cab at dinner, like if I have a roll, no potato. I try to do my best, but there are times when I am under stress that I will have a few more pieces of chocolate….LOL Tonight for dinner I had a salad, with fresh ricotta, and a tomato in the salad. When Gary gets home later, I will have a snack with him while he eats, for my carb. I try my best. Some days my best.
      I hope you had a good day, and watch DWTS tonight.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      funny what you said about making lemonade- that is what I just wrote in my post to Colleen.
      That awful tragedy yesterday is making me sick. All those people, and the ages of those children. I did not watch the news tonight, as I just could not hear it again.
      I do not even think I could fire the gun. It is heavy, and my hands are not strong enough. All I could do is point it at someone, if that. I Forget I am a gun owner, until something like this happens, or it is time to renew the permit. I am an avid supporter of getting rid of the assault weapons, and limit the amount of ammunition someone can buy.
      I did see the story of the man who shot at the gunman, and his story will be used by the NRA, I am sure, to justify not limiting weapons at all. I also heard it was another error in information not being available when he bought the gun. That has to be handled. it is unacceptable.
      On the positive side, Amanda went for the job at a restaurant in the Town next to ours, and she got it. She starts training next week. She is very excited. I am thrilled for her.
      I cannot believe it is 2 weeks to Thanksgiving. i did get a chance to change the everyday dishes to the holiday dishes today. I have to wash the crystal over the weekend, and get the tablecloths etc out and ready to use. One of these days, i may use paper products….LOL
      I hope we can have some smiles when we watch DWTS tonight. I hope the families affected can get some peace tonight too. I have been praying for all of them, and asking God why there is so much evil in this world lately.
      Hope you had a good day.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      i do hope you and maybe even your friends Critt, and the lady, (forgot her name) can get to dinner at the church across the street. It is so much more fun with a lot of people on a holiday. I hope you will not be alone.
      Adele….I am off to clean my little fishie…..LOL

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      We are having another foggy rainy day here today. Jerry has gone out to visit his Mom; and he took my I Pad to show her a couple of new videos Neal sent of the baby. She just loves to see them. I was going with him; then remembered I had to pick up a box at the post office that they had left us a message about being too large to fit in our mailbox. It turned out it was something for Lisa from Amazon, and I thought it was one of those soft supportive seats I have ordered for Jerry. You and I must have been thinking on the same lines, Colleen, because after that last uncomfortable restaurant episode, I thought that if he could just sit in a regular chair without it hurting his lower back so badly; that mabey we could have a little more choice about where we are seated. I am hoping this helps. Have any of you all ever had a broken tailbone? Know it’s a crazy question, but the hard seats on most restaurant chairs hurt his sacrum; and the booths are padded at least. The upper part of his back has rods down both sides; so he can sort of tolerate that position. Gosh, like you said Adele, getting older isn’t for the weak. But I am so grateful for what we are able to do that I get ashamed for complaining or even worse for getting down about it. Lord knows; we have SO many things to be thankful for.
      By the way, I forgot to tell you that when Jerry was helping me to stand up at a movie; a young person said, I don’t know what they have but hope we don’t catch it. I didn’t know about that until after we got out to the car (we were with the same neighbors as before) but I just fell out laughing when Jerry told me. He waited to tell me until after we had let out our friends, but it just struck me as so funny. When you are young you just feel so frisky. So we must be quite a sight to behold, and part of the entertainment. LOL
      DD I am so glad the massager is working good for you. I have one too, that I use mainly on my shoulder blades. Sometimes it sort of feels like it just tightens up all across there, and the massager has heat and sort of kneads like you are kneading bread, all across there. It hurts, but then it feels so much better as it begins to “loosen up”. Love the little mouse family Thanksgiving picture. You always make me smile with your pictures. Thank you.
      Adele, I love lamps too. One of my favorite lamps really looks like something you might imagine seeing in a “lady of the night” places. It has a beautiful stained glass globe of mosaics and florals of many colors, with a rim all around the bottom of a band of green with bright red circles, and then as if that is not enough, it has hanging all around the bottom like purple raindrops beads about 2 inches long. It is just beautiful to me, and I love all the colors and hanging beads. Bet you have some lovely ones too. I know that Gail has beautiful decorating tastes. Did you ever finish your redecorating projects, Gail? It can be so much work but is so nice when it all comes together. Did you finish your bathroom Colleen? I know I get behind on so many things.
      Well, guess I have rambled on too long. Hope everyone is okay. I really do apologize to you all about my “down” mood here lately. You are so right, Gail, when we are older we find all this time on our hands, and I forget how hard it was when young to “make things happen” while juggling home, family, work etc. Glad the young ones have some things to help some now, but know it is still hard on them.
      Take care everyone. Your Tenn. buddy, Barbara

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Colleen,
      You might want to check out your local Sunshine Division. They take donations of food & clothing, esp this time of yr. It’s thru the local police here. I’m pretty sure it’s a national organization. Can’t hurt to check it out.
      dd

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I hope that we like it. We use to decorate a lot of the house here also. We put up two trees and all kinds of decorations. But now we just put up the one and do not do the second. We might this year because if Santa comes to the house we want the kids to have a place for just their things from Santa. Then if they do not want to put things away right away they do not have too. The other kids will not bother them.
      They do have all kinds of things to do in Branson. They have the ducks to ride in and those are neat. You see a lot of people riding in them with kids. Those will ride on the road and then go right into the lake. I think that is what makes the kids so excited to go on them. I know that the girls liked to go on them.There was only one place that I would never go to again. I was an antique toy museum. What made it a bad place is it had all the toys that I use to play with when I was a kid. It is terrible to find out that you are an antique.lol
      That would be so nice if all of your jewelry came in time for you to wear it for Christmas. That would really be nice. You can have a sparkly top and sparkles on your neck and fingers.
      We never get any of those cards here. I guess that there are not enough houses on our road for them to come down here. If they keep building up like they are we might though.
      Your sil will not be as spunky as she thinks when she gets out of the hospital. She will need time to rest and get her energy back. Pneumonia can really take the strength out of you. Maybe when she gets home she will change her mind. That would be disappointing to have to postpone your wedding when you have been planning it.
      I do not understand why restaurants and airplanes do not think before they do stupid things like that. Have they not looked at half the population in the states. There are very few skinny people that would fit in those booths or in an air plane seat. Not that I know that much about seats in an airplane since I do not fly but they should know. I have heard people complain and say that some people should have to pay for two seats. Well that is not right either.
      Did you watch dwts tonight. I was really happy with who got voted off the show tonight. I will not say who it was just in case someone did not watch it.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a good night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      We could have some good meals if we all lived close together. I can just imagine all the goodies that you would bake. We would all really gain weight if we lived close together. Then again we may all be laughing and talking so much that we would not eat much.
      You had a good idea on how to cheer yourself up. Sounds like it was a lot of fun for the kids also. I do not even remember why we started putting up our tree up on Thanksgiving. I guess we started when we got an artificial tree. We use to get a real tree.
      It is just better to laugh then to get upset. Some of the waitress are not too bright. So you have to give them instructions and they will do the right thing then. That would have been aggravating when you go out to eat you want to be able to enjoy your meal and not sit all scrunched up.
      I am going to have to get off here. My computer keeps shutting down. There must be something wrong with the internet tonight.
      Have agood night
      Collen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I know I laugh and joke about my weight too in order to diffuse any situations that might come up because of it. I figure if I insult myself it takes away the power of anyone else who might want to say something negative. It’s basically a defense mechanism. But it still hurts if someone makes a comment-I am the same person inside that I was as a size 8-it’s just the outside package that is different. People can be so insensitive sometimes. You are a lot more aware of what you eat than I am. I basically eat what I cook. And I must say baked goods are my achilles heel. Love cakes and cookies.
      In our travels around the country there are some areas where I just assume most people are carrying. You just don’t see signs on hotel entrances that say no guns allowed in the Chicagoland area like you do in some other states. I always remember when Brent worked as a bouncer at a bar in New Mexico and you had to check your gun and your spurs at the door.
      I’ll bet you are overjoyed that Amanda won’t be working in Boston anymore. I guess she must have gotten tired of the drive and the tolls and the difficult parking too. Parking must be the same around Fenway as it is around Wrigley-the fields are now in neighborhoods with very little parking available. That’s one thing that is an advantage about going to the White Sox games is they have a newer field with an actual parking lot but I doubt they would ever move Wrigley or Fenway as they are considered iconic. However, if Fenway is anything like Wrigley even though there have been improvements over the years the place is just old old old and it shows.
      I don’t have anything to get ready for Thanksgiving as Jenny has it at her house. I just bring whatever dishes that she tells me to bring and the rest is all hers. I think I am loving Thanksgiving more and more since it is a day of family and relaxation for me.
      I have used paper and plastic for Christmas the last couple of years. I figure three of our guests are kids and they could care less if there is china and crystal on the table. All they care about is if Gigi and Grandpa and Santa left stuff under the tree for them. lol
      Which reminds me I will have to ask Jenny for a list for them soon. I just do all the shopping for them online anymore. Then I don’t have to worry about going out driving in the snow and cold. I remember my mother in later years did all her shopping from catalogs. Internet shopping is the catalog shopping of the future-which is now. She would have loved doing that. I’m all for doing everything that makes life easier.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Barbara,
      No I have never broken my tailbone so I have no idea what that might feel like. It sounds awful and painful.
      I must admit it gave me a chuckle when you told the story about you and Jerry getting up from your seats in the theater. Young people really have no idea what it feels like to get older as their bodies just work right all the time. maybe it’s a blessing that they don’t know what they are in for.
      Our redecorating projects kind of got put on hold after I had the problem with my eye last summer. We still need to get the kitchen floor refinished and get new carpet and then do some updates in the kitchen plus some indoor repainting. It’s so hard getting all these things organized. Of course with the holidays everything gets put on hold. Maybe early spring we will get back into the swing of things.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      We still put up two trees but I don’t know for how much longer. I guess as long as Greg can get stuff up from the basement for me. He started going to the workout room in the motels when we were traveling and says his feet have been actually less numb since he has been doing that. We have no idea why but he has continued to workout at home since it seems to be helping him.
      We have ridden in those ducks too over at the Dells. I didn’t realize they have them in Branson too.
      Did you ever go to the Titanic museum there. That was interesting. And of course we went to the Butterfly Palace-I couldn’t pass that up. lol
      I like going to those antique toy museums and revisiting some of the things we had as kids. Of course it does make you feel old and antique yourself but it is fun to see some of those old toys again. I still wish my Mom had never thrown away my Ginny dolls and my bride doll and my Mobo horse.
      I haven’t seen DWTS yet so thanks for not telling who got eleimated. Mondays are tough as there is a two hour Voice and a two hour DWTS so I usually fall asleep before i get to watch DWTS unless i have had a nap.
      Gail

    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      It is snowing like crazy here. I hate it. We are to get 2 inches. Then much colder. Teens at night & 30’s during the day. I need to be rich so I can have a winter home somewhere warm with no snow. If I do not see the sun soon I may scream.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Sue,
      I can’t believe that you are getting snow already! Yikes! Too bad that you don’t have relatives that live in a warmer climate that you could visit during the winter. Even a break for a month during January or February would be nice. I really feel for you. I imagine we will get some snow in the next few weeks. I hope your snow stops soon.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Barbara
      You never have to apologize for your feelings. We all have down days, and sometimes weeks. We are all here to make each other smile, and help through the tough stuff.
      We are amusing to watch. I bet we give many people a chuckle. We are here to entertain the younguns….LOL
      How nice Jerry gets to show his Mom how Itty Bitty is growing. This new technology has it’s good points. you must have been disappointed that it was not the seat for Jerry. I know how he feels, as I have to choose my seat carefully, so my back will not cry.
      I finally made the apple pie recipe, and we are having it for dessert tonight- with hot dogs and beans….LOL Ill attach a pic.
      I would love your lamp! the more color the better, and then add the sparkly beads hanging. I would be in lamp Heaven. Isn’t it funny, we all love shiny pretty things??
      It is cold here. Perfect time for baking.
      Hope your day was good!
      Adele

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    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail!
      It certainly is our defense mechanism. I called Winnie last night, and the two if us had a good laugh at the incident.
      i do all my shopping on line too. It is rare you cannot get something on line, and it has not been “picked over” at the store. comes all nice and wrapped in plastic. It is the way to go. I have noticed stores are closing their physical locations.
      I may still go out for Thanksgiving. I had a little tantrum today….LOL Gary thinks we should not go out. Bobby thinks it is a great idea.
      I did the pie today. finally.
      I was not surprised by the athlete being voted off DWTS last night.
      No guns are allowed in any restaurants up here, that I know of. That was a funny sign- leave your guns and spurs at the door. What about their attitudes? LOL Everyone should leave them at the door.
      I am thrilled that Amanda will be out of Boston. She is so excited. You are right- Fenway is in an old area, and was never menat to have as much traffic as they do have. they constantly up-grade some of the seats, though. They do try to keep it nice. But, I have not been there since the 1970’s. So, what do I know??
      I hope you are having a good day- cold here.
      The carpenter I had do the deck is coming tomorrow to repair the fence. My neighbor is afraid it will fall this winter. this is the 3rd person tyring to get it to stop leaning. We will have to replace it soon. Yuck.
      I am going for a shot in my other knee tomorrow. Fun, fun, fun.
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Adele,
      I hadn’t heard you say you were thinking of going out for Thanksgiving. I think we may have done that a few times with my MIL when not very many family members came into town. I think it was fine. Hey-you got to try it to know if you like it or not. I think she may also have done the thing where you can order the turkey and the sides from the grocery store and just bring them home and heat them up too. I feel the food and where you have it is not as important as the get together. In later years I made most of the sides here and schlepped them all into the city and she just made the turkey in her oven. What a pain in the ass that was!
      We are still waiting to see what the xrays for my SIL say tomorrow morning. I feel they are cutting it pretty close. If they cancel the wedding I hope our hotel has at least a 48 hour cancellation policy otherwise we will be eating the cost for at least one night. I still think she’s crazy to get out of the hospital on Wednesday (if they release her) and have a wedding on Saturday. I know she doesn’t want to change all the plans but I think she will be miserable. I think everyone better keep a good eye on her so she doesn’t faint at the altar. it’s a Catholic mass and ceremony so we know it is not short. Well hopefully I’ll get the scoop tomorrow morning.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      You are so right. We need to direct the waitresses, as they really do not have any idea that a larger person needs more room to be comfortable. I do not think that is any of the training they have.
      i bet you started to put the tree up because you could as it was not a real one. It makes the house look so festive, and everyone loves to look at it, day or night. I know Gail (think it is her) keeps hers up until the first week in January- Little Christmas.
      You have been having a lot of trouble with your internet lately. Can you call them to come and check your wiring? It may be too old, coming in from outside, or an animal could have chewed through some of the wires. i hope you can find a solution, as it is so aggravating when things do not work right.
      Do you believe it is snowing in the western part of our state? They said it will be rain when it gets to us on this side. the snow is coming, faster than we realize.
      I go for the shot in my knee tomorrow. I have to go alone, so i hope it is nto too bad….LOL Every once in a while, they hit a “fat pad”, as they call it and it hurts a lot. I hope I am lucky tomorrow. Even so, I am still a lot luckier than those poor Angels in Texas.
      Hope your internet is better, and that your day went well.
      Adele

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Cloudy and cold here today. Gosh, Sue, snow already! Burr, I am cold just thinking about you in it. Please be careful. We want to keep that brand new knee doing great. Do you put boots on little Cuddles when she goes outside? Our dogs see snow a little sometimes, and they love it. THey run and play and jump around like bunnies.
      Gail, I surely hope your SIL will reconsider having her wedding so soon after release from the hospital. Pneumonia is so serious; and takes so long to really recover. I just don’t see how she could muster the strength to go through everything and not literally pass out. How far do you all have to travel to the ceremony? I know how we think things just must go according to plans; but looking back afterwards, we see how much better it would have been to have just changed the plans and everything would have been okay. Good luck for them and you all whatever she decides to do.
      I just always laugh and say inside all this fluff is a 120 pound lady. It is better for me to “decorate” my fluffy parts than to try to act like I am something I’m not. It just looks so bad to me when I see a lady who is wearing her clothes so tight. I like being comfy.
      We have been using paper plates and cups for a few years now; even on holidays. I found some really pretty plastic goblets at Big Lots. Have you seen them, Colleen? I thought they were glass when I first saw them. So I got a set of those. And I make sure that I get the themed paper plates for the holidays. Also found a pretty Thanksgiving and Christmas tablecloth of vinyl or some kind of material that I can just throw away if it gets messed up.
      Glad to hear that exercising is helping Greggs feet Gail. Mabey it is by increasing the blood flow in his feet. But for whatever reason; I’m glad. Jerry and I were reminising about how we used to play tennis everyday for a minimum of 3 hours after we got off work; and how much we loved it. Course; that was prechildren. He said he thought we could do it again and wanted to know if I still had our tennis rackets? I held back a chuckle; but said, “honey, mabey we should just start with keeping up with our promise to walk out to the pond everyday and back; and then we can go from there” Knowing all along, that the only “promise” we have kept so far is our nightly read (and even that falls by the wayside some nights due to one if not both of us dozing off) But we have good intentions. LOL
      Your pie looks delicious Adele. Bet your home smelled yummy. I started watching my holiday baking program last night on the Food Network. Just love to watch the bakers. You should enter the Pillsbury Bake Off contest. You come up with some great ideas.
      Have a good evening everyone. Talk soon. Hugs, Barbara

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      What kind of flooring did you decide on for the kitchen? Our floor is starting to rip in a couple of spots, and we have to eventually get to it.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Sue!
      I can’t believe you are getting blasted with snow! We usually get it before you, as we are more north. The western part of the state is getting snow tonight, but, not a lot. by the time it starts to rain here, they said it will be all rain. I hope they are right, as i have to go to the doctor tomorrow for the shots in my other knee. I have not had them in 18 months, and I am started to get the “warning signs” it is goign to hurt again.
      I hope the snow melts, and the sun comes out for you tomorrow.
      Glad to hear from you!!!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      So glad Greg’s legs are feeling better. i am sure you are both very pleased about that.
      I am still praying for your SIL. I hope she can do what she wants to do, and continue with her wedding. She needs a lot of prayers for success this weekend. You will all be so worried about her, nobody will have a good time. Every time she goes to the ladies room, there will be a a parade of women following her to make sure she is ok. That poor thing. I am praying she gets good news from her tests.
      Tillie’s blood work came back good. We got that news today, and that was good. She is also refusing to go out on Thanksgiving. I do not know what i am goign to do at this point. I thought it would be so much easier, but, it is turning into a disaster. At this point I am thinking McDonalds is fine….LOL i am so conflicted over it this year. I am changing my mind every hour.
      they liked the apple pie, so that was good. I have to take the good news where I can get it….LOL
      I hope you are having a good night! You are so lucky that Jenny does all the cooking, and everyone just goes there, with no problems.
      Hey….is Greg all retired yet? That owuld be nice for you on a lousy day, to have him home to snuggle with.
      don’t forget to take your birth control pill…..LOL LOL
      Your nutty buddy…..Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Barbara
      Thank you for the nice compliments. the house smelled yummy. Nothing like the smell of apple and spices. The best ever.
      The crew liked the pie, so that was a winner. this one was made with some boiled cider. Boy, is that pungent.
      do you believe we had hot dogs with beans, and the apple pie? You can’t get more American that that menu….LOL I needed something simple for dinner, after doing the pie.
      I have to say, when i look in the mirror, I am quite shocked at the old, chubby lady who is looking at me, with the gray hair. Who is she, and why is she in my house???
      I really should give it up, and go the paper plate route. It is so much easier. I make everything so hard on myself, like I am still 20. I am not. You and Gail are right, it is the people not the dishes that is important….and the food, of course. That may be why I am so conflicted over this year’s holiday season. I need to get myself together. All the loss could be getting to me too. I try to forget those. I keep thinking if this will be Tillie’s last holiday season. Talk about being Debbie Downer. I need to get my MoJo back, keep looking on the bright side, and smile, no matter what. the glass is half full. it has to be.
      Hope I did not depress you.
      Love, Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      Just finished reading the posts. Adele, you are a character!!! I can’t believe Sue is getting snow so early. We have snow in the mts but not down here.
      We had a couple dry, but cold windy days here, but the rain is coming back. that should warm it up abit. When that east wind blows into town it’s bitter cold that goes right thru you no matter how many layers you have on.
      Maybe God is trying to tell her something about the wedding. When I get a road block to my plans it’s usually His way of saying no. And it’s always in my best interest. He knows best.
      Were you guys talking about Tiffany lamps? They are sooooo beautiful, esp when there is a pattern in them like flowers, butterflies, etc.
      Adele, I think it was you that asked me about the theme song from SWAT last week? The only thing I can think of is the theme from the original show
      SWAT from back in the day. Don’t ask me what decade it was on, I don’t remember.
      Have you ever thought about using cement to secure the fence? The fence posts? What kind of fence is it?
      I wanted to get that Christmas tree TSV sooooo bad, but I was afraid to add more to my already long list of easy pays. sigh. I LOVE the lights on a tree!!
      I guess I better go for now.
      talk to ya later.
      dd

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    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      I agree with Adele you never have to apologize for being in a bad mood or down mood. We all get like that sometimes.Just hope that sometimes after you get on here it cheers you up or at least makes you feel better.
      Well i will tell you an embarrassing story about going to the movies. This happened when my eyes were still bad. The lights were out in the theater and we went to sit in our seats and my daughter told me that I could sit on the end. I thought she meant the end seat and I almost sat in some mans lap. He started talking really loud and said mam I am sitting here. I was so embarrassed that I wanted to move but my daughter was laughing to hard to make her understand. I bet that guy lets people know where he is sitting from now on and does not wait until they are getting ready to sit down.
      Well i got an email today saying that the Pillsbury Dough boy is 52 today. That is sad that this biscuit boy is younger then I am. I thought are they sending me this to make me feel old? I do not know the dough boy personally so why did they send it. Oh well that is another piece of useless information. lol
      We did not get our bathroom done. The tiles are still in the box under the bed and I guess they will be there until we die or move. I started to take up some of the carpet in the bathroom and Ron said that if I did that it would stay like that for a long time. He is working on his trucks and lawn mowers and tractors and does not have time to do the floor in here.
      I have seen those goblets and they are really cute. We have never bought them though. We always have a little one that can not use them and they are the ones that want to. They are nice tough. Might have them for the Thanksgiving though we will not have Aliza here that day. That is a good idea thanks Barbara. Do you have a dollar tree where you live? They have really cute holiday plates that are only a dollar a package. They are the paper ones. They have them with Santa on them and poinsettias on them and all different designs. We go there for all our paper plates for holidays.
      we had a lot of rain here last night and it turned cold. So hope that it stays that way and does not keep getting hot and cold and everyone will be sick.
      that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      That is really good that Greg is getting the circulation back in his legs by exercising. That really is a big help. Hope that he keeps doing it and keeps his feet from going numb.
      Ron thought that the tree we had was getting to be a pain to put up. He said that it was heavy and we needed to get a smaller one.Since Melissa will not be here this year to help with it we got the smaller tree. It will be interesting to hear what the girls think about it. It will be okay it will just take some getting use to it.
      We have never gone to the Titanic Museum we went to the Ripleys Believe it or not one. It was pretty interesting. It is the one that is slanted when you look at it from the outside. Ron did not like it but we went with Christine and Stewart and we liked it.
      My mom kept some of my dolls for me and that was it. She gave me my Polly Anna doll and bridesmaid doll a few years ago and the kids have really messed up their hair. So have to find a place to take them to have their fixed again. They have people that do that down here. I guess that started after the American Girl doll store moved in the St. Louis area.
      That was so nice that you got to spend so much time with Brent and his girlfriend. Sounds like he is doing really good there and enjoys living there. It was nice that you took your time and got to see a lot more. That is the best trips.
      Well that is about all from here. It is really getting late and I have one more to answer. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      Our internet went down for the night. After it did it to me when I was trying to write to you I got on the main page again and did the two birthdays that there were. It went off then and did not come back on until this morning. We had a lot of heavy rain last night and that was probably what the problem was. We usually do not get on here when it is raining or storming.
      We keep our tree up until the 6th of January for Little Christmas also. We use to do the whole wise man thing where we would put them farther away from the manager scene and move them closer everyday after Christmas. We do not do that now since the kids are not home anymore and they do not keep up the tradition. They take their trees down right after new years.
      Oh my gosh it is too early for snow. I am hoping that we get some snow but not this early in the year. I could not believe that Sue was getting snow already. It really came fast. Hope it stays rain where you are so you can get to the doctor safely. That makes it bad when you have to drive in the snow. I hope that your shot goes well. That is hard when they hit the wrong spot. That really hurts. They did that to my back once and that was painful. He had to the needle back out and put it in a better place. I am glad that he had not started putting the medicine yet.
      How is Tillie doing? Is she having any more trouble with her eyes? I hope that the shot will take care of it and she will not have any more pain or trouble with it.
      Well that is about all from here. It is really getting late and I need to get to bed. I have to get up early in the morning. Your pie looks delicious. Did you see the Chew when Kate Hudson was on there? She made a caramel apple pie that looked so good. I think that i will try that for Christmas.
      Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      It is hard to resist those trees that they sell on qvc. We just bought a tree from there. This is the second one that we have bought from there. We had the first one for years and it is getting to be too much to handle. So we got a smaller one. Hope that this one lasts as long.
      Glad that you are not getting any snow there. It is too early for snow anyway. Do you get very much snow when you get it? I know that you have said that it mostly snows in the mountains. I bet that looks beautiful.
      I liked your pictures. I thought the one with the turkey names was funny. That would be some strange names that is for sure. Glad that you keep posting the pictures you and Gail both. They always cheer everyone up.
      We have seen commercials that Swat was coming back on but we did not watch it. I cannot remember it from when it was on before. Did you recognize any of the people that were on the show?
      well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Sue,
      You are really getting snow early. Be careful if you have to go out anywhere. You sure do not want to fall and get hurt.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      DD,
      I agree the lights on that tree yesterday were so interesting. I could see just playing with the lights and doing something different everyday that the the tree was up. I’m always changing around the home decor so that would have been right up my alley. But I like the trees that we have now and there is no reason to replace them. (Unless we take them out of their boxes this year and they don’t work) lol
      For some reason i don’t have any recollection of the program SWAT from the first time it was on. I must not have watched it. So it would be like a whole new show for me.
      I have some of those Tiffany lamps from when the Q used to sell them. One with dragonflies, one with butterflies (what a shock!) and two floor lamps with flowers. I do love them all.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Barbara,
      I have not heard from my SIL yet today so don’t know if the wedding is on or off yet. I agree with you-even though we don’t want to change our plans sometimes it is really the best thing. Having had pneumonia myself last summer I don’t know how she imagines that she will be well enough to go through all that but it’s not my decision to make.
      The wedding is two hours away but we were going to go in and stay in the city Friday and Saturday night since Greg’s brother from Minnesota was coming in early too so we would have a chance to visit with them.
      I haven’t even used our dining room for Christmas dinner the last few years. We just sit around the kitchen table and that has placemats and a table that I can just wipe down. It’s a good thing we don’t have to use the dining room since i have my recumbent exercise bike in the living room we have to move it into the dining room to put up the Christmas tree in the living room. Good thing the other exercise machines are in the basement. lol
      Maybe Greg’s exercise is loosening something in his back as we thought the numbness in the feet and legs was from the bulging disc and the spinal stenosis. We thought all that was pressing on a nerve somewhere. Whatever it is from it is working so he intends on keeping it up. He is much better about following through on that stuff than I am. I am like you guys-I have good intentions but often that’s as far as it goes. However, I am impressed by those three hour tennis games in the old days. I can understand how that would have had to be prebaby. Once the kids come along you don’t get much time to yourself for another 18 years. lol Thank goodness God gives us lots of energy in our younger years.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      Thanks for telling us about the dough boy-now we will know just in case it ever comes up in a trivia game. You just never know when that information could be useful. The doughboy is cute-he and I have the same figure. lol But it looks cuter on him than it does on me. lol
      Thanks for the heads up on the dollar store having cute paper plates and napkins. We just had a new Dollar Store open in our town so I will have to check them out. I like having seasonal paper plates and napkins and our WalMart does not carry much of that.
      We once went to the Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum in the Wisconsin Dells. It was fun and interesting. Glad that you and Stewart and Christine liked it. Speaking of Christine-how is she doing?
      I guess you would have to take the dolls to a doll hospital to get their hair fixed. I imagine there must be someone in Saint Louis that does that. Or someone at an antique shop somewhere.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Our kitchen floor is wood so we will not be replacing it but it needs refinishing badly. All the planning stopped when i had the eye trouble this summer so maybe we will start planning again after the holidays.
      The business will probably be sold by years end but Greg won’t be done working yet. He will be staying on for a year and a half or so to complete the transition and make sure everyone knows what they need to know to keep the business running. So I won’t need that birth control yet. lol Actually, when he is completely done working I’m afraid that he will drive me nuts. He is one of those people who is always doing something and at this time of my life i like to just chill and read a book or watch TV and just mostly relax and just do the chores that must get done. Summer isn’t bad because he can golf and fish and he’s always doing something in the yard but winter is going to be horrible. I’m afraid there will be more fighting than snuggling on the couch. lol
      I’m glad Tillie’s bloodwork turned out well. Have you learned any more about her eye?
      Why doesn’t anyone want to go out for Thanksgiving? Do they think it will be too crowded or they just don’t want to give up the tradition? Just tell them it will be a new adventure-you don’t have to do it forever-you just want to try it this once. If you don’t like it you can do something different next year. I know you want to do it since you won’t be having the whole group this year and you will miss that. Maybe if you explain that to all parties involved they would be more willing to support you.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Well, the wedding is on. Got a text saying she was being released from the hospital and she had a wedding to attend. lol
      I hope that she is strong enough to do all this. I had to jump online then and finalize details for their gifts. I was waiting on one thing as it had the wedding date on it and I was unsure what it was going to be. Everything will be delivered directly to their house so we will just give them a card telling them to expect something coming.
      Adele, I hope your knee shot went well and you’ll be doing the high karate kick with Angel tonight on Chick’s Nite In.
      Whoops-you don’t get Q2-well you could watch it online if you wanted.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      The fence man did the repair today. he said it will hold up through all a winter can throw at it. The bottom of the fence is rotting, posts included. It is a cedar fence, and close to 20 years old. It has to be replaced, and this guy said he will put cement in the holes. We have a lot of ledge up here- as you can see form the pic I posted a while ago from “the mountain”, as I call it. Every time they dig, it is solid rock. This guy said the fence man did no put cement in the holes, hence the moving of the posts. I guess to get almost 20 years out of a fence is ok. I am putting up the plastic stuff- no more need to do anything….LOL Not looking forward to that.
      Yes, the Tiffany lights. I love the beautiful colors, and I am a sucker for one that goes on sale, especially with the use of an extra coupon….LOL
      I hope I remember to google that theme song- it is making me nuts…LOL
      Dinner is ready, so got to go eat- LOl sandwiches- had the shot in the knee today.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      OMG Coleen

      That movie theater story is hysterical!!!!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey everyone……
      the theme song from SWAT is the old theme song from Baretta. I am very proud of myself for googling and figuring it out….LOL

      Hey Colleen
      What a nice tradition that is to move the manger closer and closer to the tree. We each have something we do that makes the holidays so warm and fuzzy.
      That is awful that you cannot get on the internet during rain and storms. Are you still able to see tv? good Lord, what else are you supposed to do i n a storm?
      I recorded the Chew as I was at the doctor’s. Sounds like a good show- hope to view it tomorrow. Caramel apple pies are delicious. Amanda made one once. It was very yummy.
      Tillie’s eye is a tiny it better. She said she can see a little through the big black spot, so that means the blood is going away, and the shot is working. Her next shot is the Monday after turkey day.
      It is cold up here- they are talking about frost on the cars for tomorrow, that will need to be scraped. Yuck. Winter is upon us. I hope I can get all the 3 Ortho Visc shots in, and be lucky it will not be snowy or slippery on the days I go- I will have to go 3 weeks in a row- shots are 7 days apart. doctor siad the knee got worst. Oh well. At least I am still breathing.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      So, the Tv is doing a story on the wild turkeys in Massachusetts. The population has increased, and people are freaking out over them. They have been causing traffic jams…..LOL LOL We had one on the other side of Town that decided a gas station was it’s home- it was jumping in trucks, and running after the people wanting to get gas. Last night they said Cape Cod is having a coyote/wolf mix tormenting them. The good people of Massachusetts have been losing their minds over the turkeys and coywolves- I think that is what they called them. Just heard our official state “game” bird is a turkey…LOL
      I think this is very amusing to the dearly departed Pilgrims, who must think the good people of Massachusetts have all become wimps. We have. My neighbor got Bobby in the supermarket and said she has repeatedly called the police on the coyotes we have as one sits in her driveway, and her poor dog is going to have a heart attack. Can you imagine the local police talking about my neighbors, and me?? Too funny.
      Do you like the wood in the kitchen? If you had to choose, would you do it again, or do tile?
      We are going to have some very funny posts from you, once Greg retires. Something for all of us to look forward for.
      Did you know Bells seasoning comes from Boston? they just said that on the show I love too- Chronicle. Another made in Mass featured product. One of those 30 minute news magazines. Love that show.
      So the crew is working on my guilt. THEY are the ones saying this could be Tillie’s last Thanksgiving, and i need to reconsider. It is working. I would feel real bad if it were, and I had changed everything. Dam. I really thought going out would e a treat. Apparently I am the only one, and Bobby, who thinks that. Funny how it is the 2 main cooks who feel that way…….
      read my posts to the girls for the other news of the day….off to the recliner…..
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      I hope your shot in the knee went well, & you’re feeling better. My left knee has been bothering me lately. It actually went out from under me when I was at the grocery store recently. I’m glad the fence repairman came & fixed it. No wonder it’s falling apart, 20 yrs old. If you replace it, what do you think you’ll put in, if I may ask? I’m glad you figured out the theme song was from Baretta. I googled swat too, & all I could find was the show from the 70s. And of course the newest one. It’s a shame Tillie doesn’t want to go out for dinner. I’d sure be up for it, lol.
      Colleen, that story about the movie theater was funny. When I was going to the movies, I;m surprised I didn’t sit on somebody’s lap. It takes awhile for the eyes to adjust to the darkness. I don’t go to the movies anymore, cuz they’re waaaaay toooo expensive. and there isn’t any I want to spend that much $ on. I didn’t know there’s a Titanic museum in Branson. I’ve been fascinated with it ever since I can remember. I recorded several specials on it when A&E ran them yrs ago. And of course I saw the movie several times. (and not because of Leonardo do Caprio) lol Do you know how long it’s been there? I know there was a traveling museum that went across the country, but it never came close to me. Of course.
      Adele, do you live in the country? I know there are some wild turkeys south of here & they take over & are nasty. Did you know the turkey was supposed to be the national bird?
      Well, that’s about all from here.
      dd

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    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      I don’t know how long the Titantic museum has been there. I just know it was there when we were in Branson about seven years ago. Whatever year the Quackers went to Branson that was the year we went also. In fact we were there the same dates that they were there. I met some ladies from the group when I was out shopping one day when Greg drove down to Arkansas to do some business.
      If you are fascinated with Titantic stories you would enjoy that museum. When you go in everyone gets a card with someone’s name on it and at the end of the tour you find out if that person survived the sinking.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      We are getting really cold tonight too. I think it said down to zero. Yikes I wasn’t expecting that yet.
      Well the wedding is going to go on so I hope the other shoes that I ordered fit me and that the pants that i have never tried on fit and won’t be too long. I better check these things today.
      I used to have pictures of our flocks of wild turkeys on the old site. One morning I woke up and there was a whole flock in the front yard so I posted the pictures-don’t know where those pictures are anymore. Probably on an SD card somewhere. I always am amazed how the wild turkey sightings always stop around here right around Thanksgiving.
      Wow! I am surprised that a coyote and a wolf would mate-didn’t even know they had wolves on Cape Cod.
      Maybe instead of calling the police you need to call a wildlife organization of some kind. I know out here the police would think we were crazy if we called about a coyote. I’m not sure what the police could do about the coyotes anyway as I don’t imagine they could shoot them in a residential area. When you drive through the country and see all that open land it’s too bad they couldn’t be relocated to those areas. Or relocate themselves to somewhere less populated. But that’s not gonna happen as long as they have plenty of food to eat.
      I believe it was Ben Franklin that wanted the wild turkey to be our national bird-It hardly measures up to the majesty of the eagle. I’m glad old Ben didn’t win that battle.
      I think I would do the wood floors in the kitchen again. They are warmer than ceramic but I think tile is easier to maintain. I do like those wood look tiles that they have now.
      I never heard of Bell’s seasoning-is it like Lawrey’s seasoned salt?
      It is interesting that the non cooks are the biggest protesters about going out. Will it just be the four of you? You, Gary, Bobby and Tillie? If they insist on staying home maybe make a more simple scaled back dinner without all the fancy dishes and glasses. Make it as easy for yourself as possible. Maybe there’s still time to get some of those Saint Clare sides from the Q.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster!
      The knee is sore, which is expected, from the shot. It will go away in a couple of days. I have been putting ice on it.
      So you are all having the wedding this weekend. I will be praying she is ok, and has the strength to enjoy herself. Actually, I hope you all have a good time.
      So, what did you get them? I bet we are all dying to know, not just me.
      Hope you have a great time!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Dd
      The shot went well, thank for asking. The knee is sore, whihc is expected. i ice it for 2 days, about 4 times a day, for 2 days, and then I am good to go.
      I will do the plastic/vinyl stuff. that way, no more painting, or repairs. Everyone seems to replace their fences with it nowadays. I really hate that the fence will be my 0% financing project for next year.
      We live in a town. But, Route 1 goes right through the middle of the Town. You owuld think we were in the country with all the crazy coyotes and turkeys. They keep building and land disappears. When we first got this house, across the street was a farm. I loved that. I was told nobody could build on the farm land for 100 years, as that was the deal with the Town. Well. the farmer died, his kids did nto pay the real estate taxes, and the Town took the land. they sold it to a developer, who built huge houses, each on a half an acre- that is the building code minimum in the Town- or, at least it was the rule. The houses sold for over 700,000 when built. Now, they go from the high 800,000 to a cool 1,000,000. Can you imagine pay a million for a 3 to 4 bedroom home? They are big, but, seriously? It is nuts for property in Mass. the city of Boston is worst. they sell 1 bedroom condos for a million.
      Hope it not too cold out there- it is here. I did not know the turkey was supposed to be our national bird. how funny is that. Oh yes- turkeys are nasty little things.
      Adele
      PS…i am glad I figured it out too, as it was making me nuts trying to remember.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      Oh no, it will be the total group- 17 people. Heather will make the sweet potato casserole, and Bobby will get the potatoes through the ricer thingie. The broccoli/cauliflower casserole is really easy, and I will have it prepped the night before, as well as the par boiling of the au gratin or delmonico ones- still not sure which one we will do. I will also do a homemade cranberry sauce, as that is one smell I do not want to miss cooking.
      I succumbed to the pressure, as Marissa is right,. God forbid this is Tillie’s last one. I would feel awful if sh did not get all her favorites.
      I was shocked at the wolf and coyote too. Apparently, they have been common here for years. First I ever heard of it was last night on the show I love- Chronicle.
      Tonight Chronicle is doing Italian food all over the Boston area, and surrounding suburbs. I love that show.
      Hope you have a good time at the wedding. How is your SIL?
      The police tell all of us to call the Environmental Police. Useless, as they tell you a coyote is doing what a coyote does. They did tell me it is normal to see them out in the day. I think it is nuts, as it is just a matter of time until someone gets hurt.
      Hope you do not freeze at the wedding!!
      OMG….I forgot to tell you all this. A lady who sat next to me at the doctor off ice yesterday leans over and asks if I had Quacker on- of course I did. She then says she almost bought the set I had on, but was afraid of stripes. Seriously? She was half my size….LOL LOL
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Funny right after I wrote about the turkeys this morning i walked into the kitchen and there was a flock of about a dozen. I was watching them walking through the yard and the very last one in line had kind of a limp. he must have had an injured foot or leg at one time. i felt sorry for him as he was the slowest one and probably easier for predators to grab. Not sure what preys on turkeys. I know dogs will. got into it with the guy down at the end of the street one time when his dogs were in my yard attacking a couple of turkeys. The man was so rude to me-I’m sure he never would have talked to me like he did if Greg had been there. If the situation had been reversed and it had been my dogs i would have been so apologetic and would have offered to clean up all the feathers from the yard. It was a mess. But we never let our dogs run loose onto others property. Some people think the world is all about them.

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      Just a quick note. Did you see where John Hillerman passed away? He was Higgins on Magnum. I always thought he was British.
      dd

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    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      Are you glad that the business sold are were you hoping it would take a little longer? It will not be too bad once you get use to Greg being home all the time. He will do some strange things when he first is off. There is not telling what they will be. Ron always went around feeling the side of the freezer and the fridge. Telling me how hot they were. He has given that up because he has discovered that he has been retired for a long time now and they are still working. It is just a few of the little things that you are use to that they will drive you crazy about. One thing that will help you out though is Greg has all his music stuff downstairs and he can go down there and work on his music. There are just some days that you will send him to the store or to go visit someone just for some peace and quite. lol
      Christine is doing okay. She lost a friend recently and she is upset about that but other then that she is fine. She is just so good hearted and she takes things hard.
      I agree restaurant need more business on Thanks giving. We should all go out to eat and just enjoy ourselves. The women have to do all the cooking and cleaning up afterwards. That is very unfair. So we should all go on strike and not cook anything. We will be eating at our house also. So I have no room to talk. We never go out to eat because of my middle daughter. Ron loves the left overs and so that is the excuses that I get here.
      I will be saying a prayer that your sil will do okay at the wedding. She sure is planning on doing a lot right after coming out of the hospital. I hope that it all works for her. This must just be really important to her. It will be fun to hear all about it when you come home and the gifts that you bought for her.
      We do not have as many animals come in the yard because of the dogs. We see the turkeys in the woods but not in the yard. We had a deer in the front yesterday and Austin just laid there and watched it. Snoopy was in the back so he did not know that the deer was there. He would have chased it. It is fun to watch the turkeys roam around. One problem that we have here is turkey buzzards. We had one trying to get one of the guineas about a month ago and Ron went out there and made enough noise that it flew off. Those things are a menace.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      We do not move the manager we move the wise men. They will not supposed to have arrived at the manger until little Christmas. So we would move them and the camels closer everyday. It was nice for the kids.
      Our tv goes out a lot also. We have a satellite and it still goes out a lot. If it is windy sometimes it will move the dish thing and we have to move it back or wait for it to move to find the signal. It is not fun out here in the country. We cannot always use our cell phones either. That is why we kept the land line. At least we do have a phone that we can call out on.
      I am so glad that Tillie’s eye is doing better. That is horrible not to be able to see. It would be hard to get use to. Still praying for her here. Hopefully the next shot she will be able to see even better.
      Did your grand quit her job in Boston? Where is she working now? I bet it is a relief for you to know that she does not have to drive up there and back home from work. I have really missed out on a lot of info on here. I must not be reading all of the posts that I missed. I hope that she is happy with her new job.
      When we have coyotes or red wolves come into our yard we have to call the animal guys now I cannot remember what they call them. They will come out and check it out. We had a bear in our area and they came out to see if they could figure out where it went and if it went back to where it was supposed to. I will have to ask Ron tomorrow. He is sleeping already so that is when I get on here. If he is awake or in the house he asks me a million

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      questions. It would not let me type anymore on there so I continued on another spot.
      I do not blame you for wanting to go out for dinner on Thanks giving. That would be nice but it is nice that they are going to bring dishes to eat. That will make it a little easier. I had never heard of caramel apple pie before. Did you like it? I just hope that it is not so sweet it will have the kids bouncing off the wall. Oh well it is only one time a year.
      It is fun to run into another quacker. I did something at my mom’s doctors office that I never thought that I would do. The woman working at the desk was talking about my dream jeannes. She said that she had thought of buying them but did not know if she would like them. She I got up and rolled up my pants leg so she could see the inside of it and feel the material. After I did that I was so embarrassed. My mom just looked at me like what are you doing.The receptionist said that she was going to order a pair after seeing them but not sure if she meant that or if she was just wanting me to get away from her. She probably thought that I was crazy.
      Well that is about all from here. I hope that you read both parts.
      Have a great night
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD.
      I thought that John Hillerman was English also. What was he? I do not think that I ever saw him in anything that he did not have the British accent. That is sad that he died he was a good actor.
      We have not gone to the movies in years either. They do not have a lot of movies that I even want to see anymore. If there is one it will not be long and it will be on TV and you can watch it then. Going to the movies is not like it use to be. The popcorn cost more then it does to get into the movies. It is just a waste of money like you said.
      I guess that it has been there for at least 7 years. Gail went in it to take the tour. We went into the Ripleys and it was nice that has been there for a long time. They have a lot of museums in Branson. They had the Roy Rogers museum there for a while but they moved it back to California I think that is where it went. That was really interesting also. They had his horse in there it was stuffed. It just had all the old toys and a replica of the kitchen that was in their house. Just different things like that. I cannot remember how many kids that they had.
      I can remember when the deep sea divers went in to find the titanic and see what they could find. I cannot remember what they said that they found it has been too long ago. They also had the old woman that played on the Titanic and she talked about making the movie.
      Well I guess that I better go. This is down as far as it will let me go. I do not know what is going on with this stupid computer tonight.
      hav e good night Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Adele, i hope that you saw the part two of my post. For some reason it would not let me go past that point so started a new one. Forgot to say that I am glad that you got thru the shot in your knee okay. Hope that the ice will help it and you will be up and running or walking kind of fast soon.lol
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      They are pretty to see. I do have to admit, the dam coyotes are pretty spectacular to view, if they are not on your property. they are huge, and have real bushy tails. the color is a beautiful bunch of brown shades- they must have their winter coats on….LOL

      We have not seen flocks of turkeys over here, since the coyotes have landed. Once n a while, a bunch will hang aorund. Not anymore.

      That is awful about your neighbor. I am lucky with my neighbors on this street. plus, a dog not on a leash is not allowed, as we are not in the country. Still, who is defending their dogs killing another animal? Yuck.

      Are you ready for the wedding? How is your SIL? Still praying she does well, and looks beautiful.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      I did not hear that he passed away. I bet it will be on the news tonight.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      I did read both posts. That was weird.
      the country doe shave it down sides. I would love all the cool campfires you do, the fairs, and the hay rides, etc. That part I would love. I remember way up in NH they have only satellite dish TV. If it stormed, no TV.
      I am glad Tillie is seeing a little through the black spot too. But, she is still saying everything is blurred that she sees. I hope it does not stay that way.
      Amanda did give her notice to the Boston restaurant 2 weeks ago. She has been goign between the 2 places- the new one for training.
      Over here it is the Environmental Police that you call for a wild animal.
      It is freezing up here- in the 30’s. Gary is still outside with Frankie. they covered the last outside furniture today, the set n the deck. They also put out the 2 Christmas trees on the front lawn. Gary even wanted to put out the 2 Nutcrackers I got from the Q last year, and I said no. I have the beautiful Fall wreath Winnie gave me on the door, and the 2 metal pumpkins I got from the Q last year. I will change those out on the day before Thanksgiving.
      I think that is so inventive to move the wise men closer and closer to the manger. Kind of like moving the Elf on the Shelf….LOL
      We still have a land line. My cell phone loses the charge so fast, it would make me crazy.
      I am amazed I have been running into a Quacker the last 2 times I was out. I love it, as you feel like you have a friend, as soon as you see them.
      I have resigned myself to realize I am cooking on turkey day. I do not feel bad about it. Tillie is happy, so that is all that counts. Steph said she is coming, so that is good too. I have not washed the crystal yet, as I am still being careful with the knee today. I will wash it over the weekend. I have decided to use the clear crystal glasses for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I will not wash all the colored glasses, so it will be a little easier. I will do paper for dessert, with our daily mugs for coffee. So, this weekend, I have to make sure I have everything I need.
      Gail said she has never heard of Bell’s stuffing mix. I am shocked, as I thought it was all over the US. they have a small box that is a Bell’s seasoning you put in with your fresh bread, and a large box of pre-mixed stuffing that you add the veggies and saute them in butter, and then add to the stuffing mixture, with water. It is really yummy. We have used it for generations. i have never mixed up a stuffing mix from scratch. Do you have Bell’s stuffing in your area?
      Hope it is better weather out there. the sun is shining up here, but, it is cold.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      Forgot to say. I loved the caramel apple pie. She had a recipe, and used those caramel squares you get at the grocery store. It had a nice flavor to it.
      Adele

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Hello everyone. It is cold here this evening. Bet it must give you all a chuckle when I say cold and it is snowing and lots colder for you all. But we “down South” folks think that temps below 40 give us reason to shiver and shake LOL I can usually know if Colleen says she is getting cold weather that it is soon to be in our back yard too.
      We used to go to Branson years ago when the boys were little and we would be about an hour away in Arkansas camping with them at a national park area. They used to love to go camping and float the river. We always would plan a days trip leaving early in the morning driving to Branson, and visit all day at Silver Dollar City. THen we would drive back to our camper after the park closed that night. You talk about some tired folks by the time we got back to our camper. But we all loved it. SOme of our happiest memories are of those trips. Joey would always get this giant home baked cinammon roll on his way out of the park and eat on it all the way back to the camp grounds. Neal would have his stash of old timey candy that he had gotten during the day and Buddy would have a funnel cake. Jerry and I split a funnel cake too while he was driving, and the boys would literally fall asleep with their “goodies” in their hands. Isn’t it kind of neat that several of us have been to the same place? I remember when Jeanne took the Quakers to Branson. I don’t think she was too happy with it though if I remember it right.
      Gail, I have a Tiffany style floor lamp with the dragonflys too. It sits by Jerrys recliner and he loves it too. He was actually the one who said “you should get that it’s really pretty” It’s so colorful that everyone just seems to like it.
      Our itty bitty is really growing. He has 4 teeth on the top now and 2 on the bottom. I am so concerned about sending his Christmas gifts; after someone took his birthday present that was left in front of their door. Guess I will have to send everything where it has to be signed for. It was sent by amazon, and since they recieve lots from them, I thought it would just be considered another box by whomever took it. It just seems he changes everyday.
      Everyone take care. DD. I can’t thank you enough for all the pictures you post. Some make me laugh, others remember days gone by, love the owl ones. I cant seem to access any of you alls pictures on this site. Could someone tell me how? I would love to post some pictures of mine, but I guess you would have to say I am just not in the know where this is concerned. Talk soon friends. Hugs from Tn. Barbara

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      You are right the country does have its up side too. We do not have as much traffic or people walking around. If anyone if walking around we all know that they do not belong here so we are all watching to see what they are doing. It will not be as nice if we keep getting new people in this place. We may have to move to another place further out.lol
      At least Tillie is seeing and that is better then before. Maybe after the next shot it will take away some of the blurriness. Both of our moms are troopers. They take what comes their way and keep going on. If it makes Tillie happy that you are having Thanksgiving at home that makes it all worth it.
      I think that the people that we call are the environmentalists. They are good about coming out or sending someone out to check things out. The only time that we had a problem is when someone shot a goat and a pregnant dog and dumped them on our road. Everyone wanted them removed and it took a long time to get it done.
      Wow Gary is in the Christmas mood early this year. We still do not have our Thanks giving things out. Have to do that tomorrow. I cannot wait to put the tree up and get the Santa’s out of the closet. They are out for such a short time.
      I agree it is fun to run into another Quacker when you are out. We do not have that many but it seems like we are getting more and more. Maybe we are spreading the joy of sparkle and shine and inspiring other people.
      That is so great that Steph is coming for Thanksgiving dinner. I bet the boys will be excited to be there with you and everyone else. Will Johnny be able to be with them or does he have to work? I am not sure if you said that he has a route now or he is still working in the post office. Those poor guys have to go and empty the mail boxes that are on the street and get them to the post office.
      I have not heard of Bells either. I make my own from scratch though so that is why I have never heard of them. When we go to the store I will look and see if they have any.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      It is nice to have all those memories of taking the boys to Branson. It is a shame that Jeanne did not like it. I wonder what happened to make her feel that way. They have so many fun things to do. Maybe that was the problem they did not know where all the best places to go were. You almost have to go out on your own and look around to find these places. we love going there and have had some good times there. Silver Dollar city was a really neat place.We went when they had all the people from foreign countries come over to perform. They were there from all over the world and then they have the regular country singers that are there most of the time.
      I talked to Melissa tonight and she was saying that it was really cold there also. Her husband wanted to move south because it is always so warm there. He was surprised today though. I had to tease him about it. It was in the 40’s today but early in the morning it was in the upper 20’s. That is too cold for this time of the year.
      That is sad that someone took Colin’s birthday present. They should have returned it when they saw that it was something for a child. It is better to have them sign for it and not just leave it. He really has a lot of teeth now. They grow so fast and soon they are walking and talking. We cannot believe that Aliza is walking and talking now. She is a little character. I bet our Colin is also.
      The pictures that I have posted on our my page. You have to go there and click on the photo thing. I have never been able to put it on the main page though.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Take out Chinese for the Smith duo tonight. And guess what Jerry is snacking on right now? Cheetos LOL HIs reason for eating those instead of just going ahead and eating dinner is “it’s only 1/2 a little bag” He is a mess. This getting dark so early has really thrown us off schedule on lots of things. We drove into town earlier today to pick up some orange juice and milk and doggie food. It was packed; so I was really glad we only needed just that. Have you all gotten your turkey yet? We haven’t started with all the things we need yet. I have been busy making lists of things needed to make the Thanksgiving dinner so I can make sure that I don’t forget anything for Neal as he is doing his meal. So glad that Tillie is looking forward to having dinner with everyone. That is sweet. Will your Mom be coming over to your home, Colleen, or will you all be taking things over to her? Either way, I bet she really enjoys it too. We are picking Jerrys Mom up early on the morning that we have our dinner, and so she will be eating with us. It has always been one of her favorite meals. We are eating with everyone at assisted living too, on their day that they are doing their dinner. She has already told me that she is “saving her appetite” for our dinner.
      It has really gotten cold here at night. Our kitty still refuses to get in his nice soft warm bed I bought for him. He still wants his QVC empty box to snuggle in. Any ideas DD?
      I bet your decorations are so pretty Adele. Gary is in the mood; and thats great! Just don’t let his overdo; I say this as if we have any choice in what the men do. I found Jerry out in the back a few days ago just sweating in all the cold air working on one of his trees. He was not at all happy when I made him come in and dry off and put another shirt on. Just cannot get him to listen to reason. But all I can do is keep trying.
      If any of you have family members who are veterans; please thank them for their service for Jerry and me. We really appreciate it. We put a flag on Paw Paws grave today too. The cemetery held a special ceremony. It only lasted a few minutes, but was nice.
      Take care and enjoy your weekend. Barbara

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      I wish that I knew that it was Chinese food at your house. I would have been right over to eat with you. lol That is my favorite meal. We have not gone for awhile. That is an interesting combination Cheetos and Chinese food. Jerry has strange taste.lol
      On Thanksgiving my mom has a dinner at her house for my brother and sister. We usually do not go because there is a lot of us and mom does not like to cook for that many anymore. At Christmas time we go to her house the week after Christmas and get together with her and my brother and sister if she can make it. Easter she comes to our house and she gets to see all the kids and she does not have to worry about cooking or finding enough space for everyone to sit and eat. That is so nice that Jerry’s mom will be with you for the meal. You will get two Thanksgiving meals this year. Do they have good cooks at the home where his mom lives? I hope that you enjoy yourselves there.
      Cats are a funny breed. They have minds of their own. Maye he will get use to having the comfy bed and start sleeping in it.
      Well that is about it from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      First things first. Barbara, you can start by recycling the box so kitty doesn’t have it to get into. Second, put an old shirt, or something with your scent on it in the new bed. Jewell, as I speak is in my dirty laundry basket curled up sound asleep. anything with your scent should do it. Or a tad bit of catnip in it might do it too. something to entice him to get into it. If nothing works I’m at a loss. Cats are sooooooo independent & stubborn.
      I’m sooo sorry to hear someone stole Colin’s gift!!! That infuriates me nooooo end!!! They show people going up to homes when no one is home taking pkgs. they show people following the UPS trucks & help themselves to the pkgs. Some victims have fought back by having cameras & sometimes the thieves do get caught. That RING thing they sell on the Q often times is what catches the thieves. Can you send pkgs to where Neal works & sign for them there? It’s really a shame when ya can’t send your grandson a gift without it being stolen. PIGS!!!!
      Do you see the box below here marked Attachments? What I do is scroll down click on Browse, & it takes me to where I have pics. When I do more than one pic, I click on Add another file, & it comes up browse again & click it again. And I repeat it till I have however many pics I’m sending.

      Can you believe John Hillerman was a native Texan? I had no idea! He went to a university in Texas, & lived in Houston. I always thought he was British!!
      I did something today I shouldn’t have, but couldn’t resist. I ordered a Bethlehem Lights tree. It was on clearance, & FREE s/h today!!!! It’s the shipping that adds so much to the easy pay. the easy pay on it is $25 on 6 easy pays. I got the multi color lights & it only does a handful of options, but oh well. It doesn’t do 137. sigh.
      Gail, I hope the wedding went off without a hitch. Must’ve been really cold.
      Speaking of cold, I saw on the news how cold it is back there. Wow!! BRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!! Today was the driest day we’ll have for the rest of the week.
      They’re gonna get copious amounts of snow in the mts, & ski resorts. But not down where I am, yet. It’s just rain down here.
      Did I tell ya I’m going out to Hallie’s for thanksgiving? she texted me this week asking me to their home for the day. She’s my “niece” but not by blood. Her mother & I took care of an elderly lady for yrs. Her mother & grandmother both passed away this yr, so it’s her first holiday season without both of them. My mother died Nov.21st so her anniversary is coming up. I know all tooo well how hard it is the first holidays without your mom.
      and Beth Israel Congregation is having a Thanksgiving dinner here next Sunday. That should be good.
      Well, I guess that’s all for now.
      Keep warm & be careful.
      Oh, don’t you guys have that windshield protector they sell on the Q? It saves on having to scrape off the ice, snow on the windshield,and don’t over exert during the cold winter months. It’s dangerous.
      Take care.
      dd

      Attachments:
    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Oh, Barbara,
      I forgot. Boxes + cats= it’s a cat thing. they’re weird what can I say? LOL
      dd

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Barbara
      To post a pic, you click on the icon below, saying choose file, then you go into your pics on your computer, and attach it. You can attach as many pics as you want, just continue moving down to “add another file”, and then “chose file”. I hope that helps, as we would all love to see them.
      Well, it is really cold up here- we broke a record for November. no snow up here yet.
      What a nice memory of your going to Branson, and camping with the boys. Those get us through a lot of tough days. My favorite memories are apple picking going to the Topsfield Fair, baking holiday cookies, and” Popcorn night”. Popcorn night was Friday night- we made popcorn, and watched TV, and nobody had to go to day care the next morning. Each day Heather would ask how many more night to popcorn night.
      That is awful about the package you sent. could you, by any chance, send one to your DIL’s office? It is so hard when there is nobody to look for your packages when you work. People are so nasty who steal form children. Shame on them.
      Isn’t it exciting to see those cute little teeth? Cutting the eye teeth is the worst. All the kids here had cold symptoms every time they cut them. It is so good when they are all in, and no more cutting teeth.
      I bet this year, little Colin will be more aware of Santa. That is always fun. I now your son will skype you so you can se him open his presents. that will be so much fun. I love the cute holiday pajamas for the kids too- so colorful!
      Hope your Sunday is going well!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      i am totally amazed that Bell’s seasoning for stuffing, and the big box of bell’s stuffing is not all over the US. Wow. i am blown away by this, as I thought everyone used it for turkey day.
      Gary has been watching the hallmark movies all weekend. Everyone gets a kick out of the Jewish guy being into Christmas so much.
      Bobby came back with the food shopping, and we have all our potatoes ( 3 lbs) and sweet potatoes (6 lbs), and the canned good, etc all here. Plus the baking supplies. Progress is being made. I have to do 10 lbs of mashed and a Scalloped casserole of potatoes, plus the sweet potato casserole- Heather is supposed to do that one. We have 4 cans of cranberry sauce on the tables, and then I make one homemade one. 17 people are coming to the table.
      I am glad Steph is coming, as Tillie had another mishap last night. She took another fall- this one in the bathroom. We were very lucky again, as Bobby was literally just coming into the house, and heard the noise. I was in the shower, as I had just finished the all day task of cleaning all the crystal and serving pieces- 4 loads on the dishwasher.
      Tillie said she did no hurt herself, but she feels she will have bruises today. We were very lucky, all the way around. We are all afraid the next fall could break a hip, and then we all know what that means. Marissa came over, and cried. She said she does not want her to die. I told her not to worry, but, she needs to get herself ready for the inevitable. nobody lives forever, and Tillie is 91. these kids (all of them) think she will live forever. Nobody can. It is going to really suck, big time. Now, every nose I hare, I am calling her, and it is driving her nuts. She does not want a video camera down there, or a baby monitor. She keeps saying she is not a baby. God help us.
      I am glad I see Quackers when I go out lately. It makes me smile, and I need to smile…..a lot!
      Hope your day is going well…ITKWD will be on shortly.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey DD!
      OMG, I love those cat pics. My cats loved boxes and bags. They had a ball when we came in with groceries, and got in all the bags after we emptied them on the floor. that was when they gave only paper bags. remember those day??
      I am so happy you got yourself a nice new tree, and for such a great price. Also thrilled you will have 2 turkey dinners. I hope you enjoy your time with your niece on Thanksgiving. Does she live fairly close to you? I am so happy you will not be alone. I love good news!!!
      It looks like Barbara may have gotten a kitten. I have to hurry and read the other posts….LOL
      It is cold here- we broke a record for November the other night. we may have some snow flurries over the next few days, nothing serious though.
      Please read my post to Colleen and Barbara for other info……
      Hope you are watching ITKWD, he just came on.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Barbara
      I thought from what Dd wrote that you got a new kitten….LOL LOL
      My cats loved boxes too. I wonder if ti is the smell of the cardboard they like??
      that is wonderful that you are able to get Jerry’s Mom for dinner. I bet the while family is thrilled about it. So good she can still be taken out. Also great Jerry can do it. We know how hard it is to get an elderly woman in and out of a vehicle. It can be challenging.
      Please read my post to the others for the news of the day. Life is a constantly changing experience over here. What scares me, is it is changing how we all live. I am getting scared to leave Tillie alone, even if I go out for a quick lunch.
      you and I are a lot alike. I have 4 lists going- one for actual food, one for desserts, one for shopping today, and one for shopping next week. Then, i will make a schedule of what dish gets done/prepped on what day. Organization is my life.
      We had Chinese on Friday. This will make you smile. So, i called that place we love, and they say they do not deliver to Saugus- they are in Wakefiled. So, I tell them their menu says they deliver within a 2 mile radius only. We are less them 2 miles from them. So, they agreed. We were thrilled, and I made sure I did a nice tip for the driver, so they will want to come here again. Isn’t that a hoot?? When bobby got home, and I told him the story, I got the “hairy eyeball look” as I call it.
      Hope your day is going well.
      Adele
      PS…did you try to load pic yet?

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      Another lazy Sunday out here. I thought it was supposed to be a sloppy rainy day, but so far it isn’t. The sun is peeking thru right now. Your Chinese take out dinners sound wonderful. I haven’t had any in quite a while.
      I haven’t seen Bell’s stuffing out here either, Adele. We have Franz bread stuffing, & others but not Bell’s. and Portland has banned plastic bags so we do get paper bags around here. Outside of Portland you can still get plastic bags, tho.
      I get most of my pics from my FB newsfeed. I down load pics from them. When I ‘Like’ something I get posts from them & that’s how I get so many pics. I have a lot of likes on my site. From cats, to tigers, (what a surprise), the Q, businesses, you name it. I never post my pic on my site, it’s Jewell. I don’t post anything on family or friends, either. My likes aren’t exactly what anyone would care about. Esp when I post a snarling tiger pic.
      Have any of you tried the Mrs. Prindable’s apples? they’re today’s TSV, & they look really good. I haven’t seen Harry London’s chocolates lately. My fave is the dark chocolate lava cake candies. they usually have a TSV by now with the village tins or something. I’ve gotten all the tins up to now. Maybe they aren’t gonna do em this yr. Too bad!! I put em out around the house then use em to store my small ornaments.
      I guess that’s all from here.
      Take care & stay warm
      dd

      Attachments:
    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      DD do a search on QVC for Harry London chocolates. They have some things. Even a nutcracker with all dark chocolate lava cake. I think they may have been on some of the earlier Christmas shows. They may have a TSV closer to Christmas. I have had the apples and they are very good. I had to sit on my hands to keep from ordering but I just cannot use that many. I like the tiger.
      I have not seen or heard of Bells stuffing either and I am on the East coast too. Must be a local thing we have a few of those here that you do not find other places.
      The sun did shine here today but it was still cold not as bad as yesterday & the wind did die down. Even the weatherman said we are having January weather. Record breaking cold for this time of year.
      I made a shepherds pie today so the oven helped warm it up.
      I wanted to add I read that Lindsay hurt her knee and may not be able to dance on tomorrows DWTS. She had hurt her ribs but went on with the pain now she injured her knee so I guess we will have to wait & see if she can continue.

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      I read that John Hillerman was a Texcan. He was a good actor. Not many people could pull that off like he did. I was trying to see if he was married but he kept all of that private. I guess that I do not blame him. It just would have been interesting to find out if he had any kids roaming around and if they became actors like their dad.
      That is nice that your ordered a tree. You will really like it. Like I said before this is the second tree that we ordered from qvc and hope this one lasts as long as the last one did. They really sell good trees. We do not need 137 different things on a tree. Just more ways to confuse us here at my house.lol
      I am so glad that you have a place to go for Thanksgiving. Is this the same person that you go to at Christmas time? She is a good niece to make sure that you have a place to go for the holidays. I hope that you have a fun day there.
      The pictures that you posted of the cats are so cute. That white one was having a hard time getting into that box. He did cram himself in there though. They were really pretty cats all of them. It is funny that they are all in boxes.
      We get the Mrs Prindables apples every year. I give it to the nurses at the doctors office. They really like them. I have never tried the Harry London candy. He did sell sugar free candy last year but have not seen that this year.Maybe when it get closer to Christmas. I use to get the bomb cakes but they do not sell them anymore. They were so good and anyone that ate any of it wanted the recipe.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      Maybe that Bells stuffing is only sold in your area. The stuffing mixes that they usually sell a lot of around here is Pepperidge Farm. They have sold that here for years. I just use stale bread for one of my stuffings and the other I use corn bread.
      That is funny that Gary is watching the Christmas movies and being Jewish. Ron who is Baptist will not watch them. There is something wrong with Ron.lol I have been watching some of them but have to dvr some of them so I can watch them when he is busy doing something else.
      Do you think that there is a problem with the eye and that is why she fell. My mom went thru a spell where she fell and then she stopped. P.T came out and gave her some exercises to do and she did them and she felt a lot better after she had done them for awhile. It is scary when it happens but she will not move for anything. She has fallen down the basement steps also. We wanted to put a gate up there but she would have none of that either. We finally got her to wear an alarm necklace so she can get a hold of someone if she falls or anything. It is a shame that Tillie will not let you install a camera to be sure that she is okay. That was really good that Bobby came in and heard her fall. It seems like the older our moms get the more stubborn they get.
      You make people smile when you wear your quacker also. You look so cheerful and that makes people smile. You always seem to have a smile on your face.
      I do not have my list made for Thanksgiving yet. I really need to get busy with it. We will go shopping this week and pick up the things that we need. We will go to Aldis and get some of the things tomorrow. We will go right after I go to the doctor.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Good Morning Everyone,
      Sue, thanks for the update on DWTS-I hope that Lindsey can dance.
      Barbara, that stinks that someone stole Colin’s gift. How can anyone enjoy an item that they know they took from someone else?
      We are all messed up with it getting dark so early too. It feels like 8 o’clock should be bedtime.
      It’s nice that Jerry’s Mom will be there for Thanksgiving dinner. She will like that a lot if it is her favorite meal. I had to laugh when you said that she is saving her appetite. That sounds so cute.
      On this site you have to be careful of the resolution of the camera pictures. It will let me post pictures from my cell phone on the discussion pages but not from my camera as they are too high resolution. The pictures from my camera are posted on my home page. You just click on the little circle next to pictures to see them.
      My SIL just sent me the wedding video but I can’t post it because this site doesn’t allow for posting of videos like the old one did.
      DD enjoy your new tree. It’s kind of exciting getting a new tree and using the new features that come with it. I’m so glad your niece invited you to dinner-having lost both her mother and grandmother she will want lots of companionship. Those first holidays after loss are tough. I lost my Mom right before Christmas and it took a couple of years to really feel the spirit again. Our kids were still younger at the time so for their sake I faked it til I felt it again. That probably helped a lot. I loved the kittens in the kleenex boxes. I have gotten Mrs. Prindible’s quite a few times. They are good and last a long time in the refrigerator. We like the ones with the nuts on the outside and those are harder to find.
      Colleen, I probably would have done the same thing to show someone the Dream Jeannes. I’ve turned the bottoms up for people and showed them the stretchiness before myself. People are kind of amazed to see that they are not jeans.
      Greg probably wouldn’t watch a Hallmark movie purposely but if he was sitting there and I had one on he would probably watch. Mostly I watch them after he is in bed anyway. He won’t be home full time right away even after the business is sold. He will probably have a contract to work for another year and a half to two years during the transition to the new ownership. Even now he only works Monday through Thursday-he leaves about 8 and is home at three or so. Hopefully I won’t ever find him feeling the sides of the freezer or refrigerator-actually that’s more like something I would do.
      I’m glad your Mom has one of those alarms. At least that gives you the peace of mind that someone would be alerted right away if something happened.
      Now will Danyielle and Amanda be at your house for Thanksgiving?
      You know we didn’t used to have turkey buzzards around here. We would see them in Wisconsin but not here but a few years back we started seeing them here too. So far they are not a nuisance-but they are ugly looking.
      Adele, Boy Gary is in the Holiday mood. He must be inspired by all those Hallmark movies. I do get a chuckle when I thing of the Jewish guy all snuggled in watching his Hallmark Holiday movies. But they are all heartwarming and feel good and have a happy ending so I can see why they are appealing. Gary must be kind of a softie at heart.
      Thank goodness Bobby found Tillie right away. I hope she was no worse off than a few bruises. But it is scary to think about leaving her alone now. It’s walking a fine line between smothering someone and being worried about their safety. There’s no rule book for any of this-you just have to use your best judgement and err on the side of caution.
      We have a land line too as being out in the country the cell service is iffy at best.
      Well at least you have made a decision to cook at home since no one was on board with the plan of going out. You will probably end up being happy that you stayed home as that seemed to be the general consensus. The big question is will Heather burn the sweet potatoes? lol You ladies are making me feel like a slacker since I go to Jenny’s and don’t have to do all the planning and shopping. Love it! My Mom used to make the stuffing by hand until Pepperidge farm came out with the seasoned bread cubes and then she switched to that. I have done it both ways but now I am more prone to using the Pepperidge farm as they get the seasonings right to my taste.
      The wedding went off without a hitch. It was really really nice. They had a Mass at a church and then a dinner afterwards in a private room at a restaurant. It was an Italian restaurant so they had of course the bread on the table and you could order your drink or wine or beer. They had an appetizer of bruschetta or/and calimari-then they served a salad and the main dish was mostacholli with sausage and some sort of chicken breast in a sauce with potato wedges on the side. For dessert there was tiramisu and then you also could take a slice of the wedding cake home or eat a piece there. It was a lovely evening with plenty of time during the dinner between courses to chat with people. We stayed at the same hotel with Greg’s brother Ralph and his wife Pat and their one adult son John. So we had time to visit with them too. Friday night we all went out for pizza with John and Char-I said that was their rehearsal dinner. Char did really well for just getting out of the hospital but i think the adrenaline kind of takes over too in a situation like this because of the excitement. I know the following morning they said they were moving slowly and wouldn’t be able to join us for breakfast. They were supposed to leave today for their honeymoon in Mexico but they pushed the trip back as Char didn’t want to take the chance of having a relapse in a foreign country.I think that was a wise decision. Plus this will give her some time to rest so she can really enjoy the trip when they do take it. They had travel insurance so there was no penalty for cancelling and changing the date. All in all it was a wonderful weekend. I didn’t take any pictures on my cell as all my attempts came out blurry. I guess I had shaky hands. Everyone enjoyed Greg’s song too and he got many complements. I thought it was sweet that his sister asked him.
      Got a call from Brent last night that he may have bleeding ulcers but he needs to be scoped-we both encouraged him to get that done as soon as possible. They have already put him on some meds-but this has scared me as my Dad almost died and lost 3/4 of his stomach to a bleeding ulcer-so I hope this gets resolved quickly and it is nothing worse than this either-so any prayers would be welcome.
      Gail

    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      Gail I may have told you the wrong Lindsay. That is what I read on MSN but another story is saying it is Lindsay the pro dancing with Jordan that is injured. So I apologize if I got it wrong. Too many Lindsay’s I guess. We will all find out tonight.
      Glad the wedding went well. The meal sounded good.
      I hope they get Brent taken care of & he is much better soon.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Sue,
      For some reason I thought it was Lindsey Arnold the pro-so we were both on the same page. Thanks for the good thoughts for Brent.
      Gail
      P.S. Hope everyone is watching the Quacker cookie exchange right now.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      I have the Quacker cookie show on right now. So much fun to watch. Gets us in the spirit for the holidays.
      It is raining here, and could change to snow flurries if it gets colder- nothing serious, like a storm, just gloom and wet. I have 2 of my little colorful lamps on in the kitchen as it is so gloomy.
      I can’t tell you how shocked I am nobody knows of Bell’s stuffing or seasoning. That is too funny. I wonder is Sue knows about it, as she is not too far from me.
      I have never ordered the apples, as I am not sure the crew here will eat them. they do look delicious.
      I continue to enjoy your pics, especially your pretty kitty, Miss Jewell.
      I hope the sun is shining in your area!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Sue
      So glad you posted today. I was hoping you had the Bell’s stuffing, as you are closer to me. This is too funny.
      Are you watching the Quacker show? I have it on. Don’t you wish you could reach out and get that duck cookie?
      It is a little warmer up here, but very dreary- raining too. Not very festive weather.
      Don’t you love the “festival of lights” t shirt? I would love to get that for my SIL, but she never wears anything sparkly.
      I hope your day is goign well, and the sun is shining down there.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      I hope your doctor appointment is a good one, and you get all good news. Which doctor is this one?
      I was wondering the same thing. If she sees everything blurred, she can mis-judge something. She keeps telling me how careful she is being.
      Gary wants me to call a family meeting, to say we need help if we have to go out. I may have to schedule my doctor appointments for the afternoons GAry is home- Wednesday and Friday. Bobby is home a lot on weekends, and we can work out our occasional dinner so he will be here. It is the other times that we will need a Minnion to come over. I will have to give time away from home more thought, from this day forward.
      Are you watching the Quacker show? I have it on. So festive.
      That is funny that Ron will not watch the Hallmark movies. you always know how they will end, but, it is nice to have happy endings for a change. They make you smile.
      Talked to Steph this am, and found out JJ missed the date for being in the Holiday play. Steph was not sure she would be able to get him to the practices. I told her I would take him, no matter what, so she is trying to get the lady to see if they will let him in. (Steph can stay here with Tillie when I take him) Say a prayer, please!!!
      Hope your day is sparkly and bright.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      did you notice all the butterfly shorts in the Quacker show that was just on? They had your name on them….LOL
      Of course we will do prayers for Brent. I hope they are wrong, and find something simpler, like acid reflux. I am sure we will all be praying for the best outcome for Brent. keep us posted.
      So glad you had a great time at the wedding. Italian food is always good. But, then again, I am a little prejudiced about that….
      Read my other posts for the Tillie news. My eyes are going bonkers form all the typing today. not just on this site, for the business, and we are trying to get JJ into the Wizard of Oz play- Steph missed the deadline. Need to rest the poor eyes.
      Speaking of eyes- we are now all taking the Ocuvite for eye health- Tillie too.
      Gary gets shaky hands at times. he cannot figure out why, as it comes and goes. He does get them when he is very tired. Is this something you get a lot?
      Do not feel bad about just going to Jenny’s. We may all show up there, one fine day….LOL That is my wish you know- that one fine day one of my kids or grands will be in a good marriage, and host the family dinners at their big house….LOL LOL
      Hope you are good today!
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I believe I already own that blue and gray butterfly shirt and I think Colleen has the one with the purple vest. I keep asking for a Christmas tree shirt with the Christmas tree made of butterflies-so far to no avail. It would be so pretty as I have sen a piece of jewelry similar to that.
      You may find that with busy work and school schedules the minnions may not always be available when you need them. We had to use an agency when we went out. We used a service called Home Instead-they may be nationwide. The only thing is you can never leave spontaneously as you need to schedule your caregiver to come. The place that we worked with tried to give us the same person most of the time so that it is not a new person coming in everytime. You may get some pushback from Tillie at first but you have to just become kind of the parent in this situation and tell her that her safety is nonnegotiable. My MIL learned to enjoy the women who came as they would play board games and such even though much like a kid she could no longer play them correctly-she enjoyed the diversion from just boring old me and Greg.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Adele,
      forgot to say my hands don’t normally shake-my phone has this weird cover on it and the flap hangs down and gets in the way of the pictures and when I try to hold the flap up and take pictures it makes the pictures come out unfocused and shaky looking.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail!
      I am glad your hands do not shake. One less thing to pray for!
      I know she would ultimately enjoy the company. But, she is so adamant about not wanting to get to know any stranger, or have them in her place. She will have to bend, if this continues, as it is a safety issue.
      I know- my Minnions are getting more busy by the minute. LOL
      GREAT NEWS…..heard back form the lady at the Youth and Rec- JJ is in. Practice is every Friday night. The play is the Wizard of Oz. He is 2 weeks late to the game, so I bet all the important parts are gone. I do not care if he opens and closes the curtains- I am thrilled, no matter what. Woohaaa!!
      now, we pray for no snow and rain for the next month or so, on a Friday night. I have not been able to tell Steph as her phone is dead. Heather is going down to Steph’s and she will have her call me from her phone. I am like a little kid on Christmas Eve. I hope JJ is as excited as I.
      I figured you may have the shirts already. I have every pumpkin one.
      Any news on when Brent’s test will be done?
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I am so glad that your sil made it thru the wedding and reception without a hitch.It sounds like it was really nice. The dinner sounded really good. That is so nice that Greg sang at his sisters wedding. That is really nice that she asked him.
      Danyielle and Melissa are not coming this year. Mandy if the only one coming to dinner. Well her and the girls. I guess that Andy will go to his dads place. I do not know and am not too worried about it. Melissa said that Stephen and the kids do not have that many days off to make it worth while to come home for dinner but they will be here Christmas. They should all be here for Christmas. Aliza is going to be so funny this year. She is really into Santa.
      Turkey are the ugliest birds that I have ever seen. We have to watch so many different animals of prey with the guineas. We had the trouble with the red fox and then that dumb bird so we are just waiting to see what animal comes here next. The dogs do not come around because of our dogs. Our dogs do not go after the guineas anymore they have learned not too.
      I will put Brent on my prayer list. He has had stomach trouble in the past hasn’t he? Maybe that is what it was all along. Hope that they can fix this without doing major surgery.
      Not much else going on here. Have a great night. I am so glad that you had a nice time at the wedding and with Greg’s brother.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I went to the doctor today and got some good news for once. After Christmas we are going to try and take away all of my diabetes pills and just control it with diet and exercise. The highest my A1C has been is 5.5 and she said that is what a normal persons A1C would be. I am excited to try this but a little nervous. I have been a diabetic for over 30 years. So this will be a challenge. I just hope that I can do it.
      It would be a good idea to have a family meeting about Tillie. If you do get someone that will come in and sit with her maybe that person can come over and sit with you and Tillie and have a cup of tea and just talk to her and let her get to know her. If you do have to do that it would be nice if the company that you go thru would do that. Most of those companies will do anything to make the person they are going to watch feel more comfortable.
      I am going to watch the Quacker show after I get off of here. I still have to watch dwts also. I hope that it was good tonight. Hope that Drew is still on there but I am afraid that he will be the one to get voted off the show. He really does try to get it right may not always do it but he tries.
      That is so cool that JJ is in the play. They may still have some parts. You never know how things are going with that. One of the kids might have decided that they did not want to do the part they go. The Wizard of Oz will be such a cute play for him to be in. I will say a prayer that he gets a part or he get some type of job to do. There are no small parts and no job that is unimportant.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      i love that saying….there are no small parts. I will tell him that. I have told him I do not care if he holds the curtain- I wold be as proud as if he were the Wizard. Amanda wants him to be the tin man. I find that amusing. Have no idea why she likes that part. I told Steph we could go to an early dinner at Friendly’s Friday, before we drop him off.
      I am so happy you got good news. I bet it is because of all the weight yo lost. That always makes such a big difference in the numbers. You are doing very well, and I LOVE good health news. I know I can speak for everyone here in saying we are all thrilled for you. We know you can do it, and more. Go Colleen!!
      I am sorry all the girls will not be able to come for Thanksgiving. I hope they all make it for Christmas. How has Aliza been? Have you seen her since Halloween? I will see the boys Friday.
      I do not want to spoil it, but Drew is still there- do not worry….LOL
      It is still gloomy here, but not raining right now. I hope the sun is shining for you. I hear this m on the news that DD’d area is getting blasted with yucky weather. I hope she is ok, and still has electricity.
      I bet Gail is exhausted from all her fun this weekend. I hope Barbara has made progress on the turkey lists,and that Sue is good too. I hope Sue has someone to share Thanksgiving with, like DD does. My wish for all my Quackers is a good meal, with good conversation, and lots of love.
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      That is such good news about being able to go off the diabetes medicine. I agree with Adele, I’ll bet the weight loss helped. It is a little scary but I bet you will do well with just diet and exercise. That is wonderful news-anytime we can stop taking any of our medicines.
      Thanksgiving will give you plenty of time to catch up with Mandy, Brooklyn and Kylie-I bet they are busy now with school and other activities so you don’t see them as much anymore. It will be a fun day for you all.
      Christmas will be more hectic with everyone there. It will be so much fun seeing Aliza anticipating Christmas. The little ones are so much fun then.
      Brent did have his gall bladder out a few years ago. He has had a lot of health problems for a young man. I wish we had been given some sort of family health history for him but when I asked the lawyer about it during the adoption proceedings the lawyer just looked at me and said “don’t push it” but in retrospect I kind of wished that I had. Or if he had some interest in finding his birth parents maybe he could get some info but he is totally against doing that. Two of our nephews have found their birth parents but Brent has absolutely no interest or curiosity.
      I think next year Enya is going to live with Jenny and Adam while she finishes high school. Her sister Gabby is going to continue to live with her grandparents when they move back out to the farm. Jenny said Enya wants to finish high school early and go out to Seattle to live with Adam’s sister and go to pastry school out there. We’ll see how all this works out.
      Once again it’s wonderful to hear the good doctor visit news-we all love hearing that.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Such good news about JJ getting into the play-or at least being able to work on a crew. I have both been in plays and worked on crews and it’s all fun as you are all a part of putting on the production. I hope he has a great time doing this-he must have liked doing the last one. He made a great mouse!
      I know what you mean-you always hope someone will take over the big dinners and carry on the tradition. It does get tiring as we age. I was lucky-Adam wanted to have Thanksgiving at their house ever since they first got married so I happily turned over the reins. I kind of like being the guest.
      I don’t know when Brent will get the test as you know how it goes. The doctor doesn’t get to decide for their patient anymore it is the insurance company that decides if and when. Something is so wrong with that picture. Hopefully they will get their ducks in a row soon.
      Now poor Greg says his back is hurting him again. The exercise has been helping his feet not be so numb but I wonder if it is what is aggravating his back. It almost seems like it must be.
      Plus my left hand was all sore and swollen and I have no idea why. I don’t remember hitting it but after I iced it the other night it finally started to get better so I must have hurt it somehow. We’re a mess over here. lol
      Gail

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      I was sooooo mad last night you probably heard me all the way out there!!! I had written a post with pics & went to submit it, when the screen blinked & it was gone, and I had to sign back in. I was so mad I just shut it down for the night.
      Colleen, that is wonderful news about your diabetes. Weight loss does have a lot to do with it. It’s always good to get good news from the Dr.
      It sounds like all of you saw the QF show yesterday. So many cute, holiday things but can’t have em all. sigh. I really wanted the top with the kitties on it. I think it was pink, so I could wear it into spring. I wore my black Christmas kitties top during the show. lol. I’ll wear that to Christmas, & I’ll wear the fall top with the chocolate vest for Thanksgiving. I’m all set.
      Adele, I’m fine. We are getting storm after storm, but I’m okay. I’m sorry to hear about Tillie. I agree you need to get help with her. Caregiving is the hardest job there is. I was a live in caregiver for elderly ladies for several yrs. It was really hard at times. Esp when they didn’t want help. Most of the time it came from the Dr. Maybe if her Dr. stepped in & said she needed someone to look after her, she’d agree to it better. If she fell & broke a bone, hip, it’s all over. Having someone come in & have coffee with her might help too. Not just an interview, but a visit to get better acquainted. But you do need help.
      Gail, I’m glad the wedding went off without a hitch. I was concerned she wouldn’t make it thru the ceremony since she’d been so sick recently. Sounds like everyone had a wonderful time. The food sounded wonderful, & sounds like you had a good time visiting with friends. that always makes it nice. I;m sorry to hear about Brent. I hope they find out what’s going on real soon. Will be sending prayers.
      Oh hey, have any of you tried the My Grandma’s coffee cakes? I got a couple last week & they are delish. I tried the chocolate chip, almond & toasted coconut & it’s almost gone. I’m saving the pumpkin pie spice one for thanksgiving. I’m taking it out with me to my niece’s. I haven’t tried any of the others but when I saw chocolate chip I couldn’t resist, lol.
      Well, I guess that’s all for now.
      take care.
      dd

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    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      You know, i do a lot of damage sleeping. I wake up many times in pain from something I did, or some position I got into to. It may have been at night.
      We are getting so fragile. you should see Tillie’s back and wrist. All black and blue.
      We do not know what part JJ will get, or if they are all taken yet. The first night practice is Friday. I must have written the post in a confusing manner. I was so excited.
      I hope Brent hears soon on the test. I heard today on the rest of the knee shots- start the week after Thanksgiving, once a week, for 3 weeks. I hope it works again, as I really do no want to do a 6 week recovery, with Tillie right now.
      I did a new recipe tonight. Martha Stewart’s Shepard’s Pie. It was a huge hit. I am attaching a pic of the dish, and what was left over….LOL I think it was so good because of how I do my mashed potatoes- i used a stick of butter and about 3 good size tbsp of sour cream. I do not use milk or cream- got that idea from the Chew. First time I got no complaints. But, Bobby the food critic, has a bad cold. he said even with his cold, it had flavor. Never got so many compliments on a dish….what are they buttering me up for???
      I hope Greg’s back calms down again. I know how that feels. Is he miserable? I hope not. When I use the ice, it works well for me.
      Did you like DWTS last night? I was surprised who go voted off. I really thought the Property Brother was going. Do you watch The Good Doctor? I am getting attached to that show.
      Up here, you get all the medical info we have on any adoption by the state. It is so important, as you need to know what to watch for as an adult. You can still get some by writing a letter to the agency, and making a formal request. At least you can in Mass. I hope it is the policy in your state too.
      hope you get a kick out of the pics.
      Adele
      PS i will have to load the left over pic again

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    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      I will attach the “after pic” to the dinner to this post. I had to save it again, as I could not find it.
      I know what you mean with things disappearing, and not loading correctly. I hate to type them all over again too.
      Tillie is getting kind of honery lately. I think it is because she is mad she is falling, and knows what it means- she will need either PT or some help. I hope she gets over it. I will have to give her a little time. Plus, she has the ultrasound on her carotid artery on Thursday, and she is anxious about it. This getting older stinks, when things begin to deteriorate. I told her it will not happen to me, as I will definitely never make it to my 90’s. she didnto find that amusing.
      Hope I can load the pic of what was left over from the dinner they gobbled up…..LOL
      I am glad you are ok, and have electricity.
      Adele
      PS…love your pics, as always!

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    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      I made shepherds pie on Sunday and still have leftovers. I am surprised Gary ate it with the vegetables in it. Maybe you did not use as many vegetables as me. I used mixed vegetables.
      Drew should have definitely gone last night. He just is not that good. He should have been gone for a few weeks Hopefully he will go Monday & not be in the finals. I tried The Good Doctor but was disappointed in it.
      I bet you will need to get your knee done after a while the shots do not work & they don’t solve the problem. Don’t wait too long. I should have gone way before I did.
      Gail maybe the weather is making Greg’s back hurt. I know it makes my knee stiffen up.

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      That would be hard to be the tin man. That costume would be hot. I know that it would be made out of card board but it would still be hot he would be covered from head to foot. He will do good no matter what they have him doing. I am just glad that they will let him participate.
      It was such good news for a change. Usually every time I go to the doctor she tells me something else that is wrong. Now we all need to get just one piece of good news from the doctor and we will all be happy for awhile. Even if it is about our friends or family. We all just need some good new. You had some good news with JJ being able to be in the play.
      The girls will all make it for Christmas. Melissa will not miss it for nothing. She spent it with he husbands family and she said that they do not celebrate it like we do here. I guess that i have spoiled all of them with what we do. This year we are helping the kids pick out their favorite dish that they want for Christmas dinner. So that should be interesting. I will have the regular things that we have but they will get to pick out the sides. They were kind of excited about it. Ethan wants to help me fix dinner. So he will be doing that. It will be fun to have him helping.
      I kind of thought that he would get voted off the show. I think that maybe that girl that got voted off was because she hurt herself that day. I think that people were afraid that she would hurt herself really bad next time. Drew does really try to do the dances. He seemed just as surprised that he made it thru. I think that he has been up for elimination just about every time.
      I will see Aliza on Friday. We are going out to lunch and will see her then. I hope that we go somewhere that I can get her a cookie for after she eats. She is a good eater so she will enjoy the cookies. She has talked to me on the phone. She told me that she said tick or teat for Halloween and they gave her candy. She must have gotten a lot because she was dragging her pumpkin on the ground it was so heavy. She would not let anyone carry it for her because she was afraid that they would take her candy. She is funny.
      Your shepherds pie looked so good. They really did eat a lot of it. The dish that you had it in was pretty also. I also like potatoes with cream cheese in it. It is not as creamy but it has a good taste. That was good that Bobby could taste the potatoes even though he had a cold.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a good night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      It is about time that we all start to get some good news. There has been so much bad news here lately. I am sorry to hear about Greg with his back. I bet it is from doing the exercises. He may have to cut back a little and let his back rest. If it is not one thing it is another.
      Brent really had more health issues that he should have been having. He is such a young man. Maybe it is just his stomach and they will get that taken care of and he will start to do better. Did they check to see if his bile duct is clogged? That happens to a lot of people that have their gall bladder out. That can make you really sick also. They say that it can be confused with an ulcer. It is a shame that the lawyer did not give you more details about his family health back ground. That would have been a big help to him and you now. He must have been really happy with you and Greg being his parents. He doesn’t want to know about his real mother. That is a compliment to you and Greg.
      That will be nice for Enya to be living with Adam and Jenny. It will give her time to get to know he siblings a little better and know Jenny. She has seen a lot of Jenny and all but there is nothing like living together. You really can get to know a person a lot better. That will be nice that she will get to go to pastry school. Will she stay there with Adams sister or will she move back to Illinois? That would be nice if she came home and opened a pastry shop. That would be so cool.
      I hope that you got the hand taken care of. Maybe you did just hit it on something. It sure does not take much to hurt ourselves now that we are all older. This really sucks big time.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Adele,I hope that Tillie is not really sore from the bruises. Sounds like she has a lot of them. I hope that she will quit falling. I know it can happen without realizing that you are going to fall. Will still be praying for her.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      Glad to hear that you are okay with all the storms going in your area. Hope that they are stopping and you will all be fine. Did your electric flicker when you lost your post on here? If the lights flicker the computer will shut off here. It is irritating. I like the picture of the owl with it legs showing. It looks like she lifted her dress up and is showing her legs. That was the first thing that I though of. Like someone getting ready to go down steps if they have a long skirt on.
      I have three sets of the vest with the different designs on the t shirt. There are still two or three more that I would like to have but they are expensive. Maybe if they go on easy pay I will be able to get one. They have so many cute things I agree with you. I like the top with the church in on corner and the bells up by the shoulder. That one is so cute but they may have sold out. They did not have them on that show.
      It is hard to work with some of the elderly. They do not want the help at first and then they are glad that they have it. It just takes time sometimes. I have worked in home health and in Nursing homes. So have had a lot to do with the elderly. They mostly do not like giving up their homes. When they are living with their children they still feel like that is their home. The older I get the more I understand how they feel.
      Be careful with all the storms there.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Sue
      You are so right with Gary….LOL I only did the frozen carrots and peas, and then a can of corn, as I did not have another frozen one. His only veggies he will eat are: peas, corn, green beans, and carrots- only if they are in a soup or gravy. We have food rules here that are pretty funny. I have been able to get him to eat fresh green beans. He will eat lettuce- only iceberg, and cut up celery or cucumbers.
      Try watching the first good Doctor show, so you get a feel for what happened to him. That may make a difference. the first one was very powerful, and I cried through the whole thing.
      My Amanda the Panda stopped by this am, before I was even out of bed. She was going to her first all day, on the floor training for the new restaurant. She said we will not be able to go there, as they have “step up booths”. We could not handle that seating, for sure. I am so glad she is out of Boston. She is also planning on goign back to school at night- at the same 2 year college Marissa is going to. i am so glad she is finally doing this. She got a full scholarship for her high grades on the MSCAS testing, and she did not take advantage of it. Such a shame. But, I am thrilled she has realized a career on her feet (waitress) will be harder and harder as she gets older. She is hard worker. God bless her.
      I thought Drew should have left too. I think the people are voting for him, because they like his show so much. Who knows!
      Hope your day is going well.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      I have not tried the mashed with cream cheese. I bet they taste good too. I will have to try that one, when they least suspect it.
      Tonight, i am doing a pork roast- in the oven. All I do is cut up potatoes and out them aorund the roast. I add salt and pepper, and chopped garlic- to the meat and potatoes, and then put pats of butter over the potatoes. The potatoes absorb the flavor form the garlic and meat, and it is yummy, with little effort. We will have roasted spaghetti squash with it too.
      Tillie is sore from the bruises. Her wrist looks awful- all black. She is so lucky she did not break anything. I will tell her doctor what she did tomorrow, when we are there for the ultrasound.
      Read my post to Sue for all the info on today…….
      Your Aliza is a cutie, for sure. I bet we will be getting a lot more stories as she grows up. Just like Gail’s Piper.
      That will be so much with Ethan cooking with you on Christmas. You will have a ball with everyone there. I am so glad they will all be home with you and Ron.
      I am still shocked at how big of a hit the shepherds pie was. I guess I will be deign that once a week for the winter, until they get sick of it.
      I hope your day is going well, and the sun is shining. Please pray we have no snow tomorrow or Friday, or I am screwed….LOL
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      Nothing is more annoying than when you have finished a long post and it disappears before you can press send. It’s enough to make you pull your hair out.
      Love the pictures especially the one of the turkey with the lampshade on its head. Too funny.
      I tried those Grandma’s cakes quite a few years ago and thought they were very good.
      The Q does have some good food items.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Poor Tillie. It’s a good idea to talk to the doc tomorrow about the falling and see if he/she can offer any suggestions.
      Boy you must have felt like you won the lottery when everyone gobbled up the dinner last night. I see you cooked and served it in Temptations.
      I have not watched the Good Doctor as I cannot keep up with any new shows-I still have a season and a half of The Blacklist to still catch up on. I’ve seen bits of it and think it would be right up my alley but there are just not enough hours in the day to watch more TV-even with copying it. I’m three weeks behind on Grey’s Anatomy already.
      I was surprised that Drew did not get eliminated too-but the best dancers are not always the last ones standing. I wish Lindsey and Jordan and Mark and Lindsay could both win. New rules this year just for me! lol
      Brent was not adopted through an agency it was a private adoption and I got the feeling from the lawyer he was afraid someone would get cold feet if I asked for too much info. Now Illinois has a registry that you can go too and put your name in and the birth parent can put there name in and you can hook up that way but Brent won’t do it so I am not going to try and force the issue. It is totally his decision even though I think it might be a good thing. I think he is afraid of finding out about his birth parents because he is afraid that he won’t like them. You could still find out who they are and never connect with them if you so choose-so that’s a possibility. Kim used to want him to find out but I just try and stay out of the whole situation.
      So Greg can’t sleep at night now so he wants to go back to the pain doctor but he doesn’t really like her. My rheumatologist had given me a suggestion of a different pain doctor but Greg never followed through on it as he wasn’t having problems at the time. So I told him why doesn’t he try the new doctor now. so he can’t get in there for another couple of weeks so he calls and asks what he should do-go to the old doctor in the meantime-I go i don’t think that’s a good idea since she really doesn’t work with him so I suggested he try to see our GP for some steroids or something in the meantime-so hopefully he took my advice and did that. I haven’t heard yet but to me there’s no sense in going to the old doctor that you really don’t like just because she might be more convenient. Plus he needs to talk to someone about what exercises he should or shouldn’t do as I think this new pain has been brought on by the working out. You have to know Greg but after all this time of not exercising on a regular basis he will just jump right in and overdo it because in his mind he is still 25 and he doesn’t realize that you have to make some concessions to your age. Sometimes I feel like I am talking to a stone wall as he never listens to me until after the fact. Okay-that’s my rant. I hope he gets some relief.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      The hand is much better today. It was all red and swollen but never got black and blue so it really was a mystery injury. It almost felt like some sort of bug bite but when that happens you can see the place where the bug bit you-so I must have hit it on something and just not remembered it. Or maybe like Adele said I hit it at night. Anyway, it’s better so that’s all that matters.
      Now we have to get Greg better. Read my post to Adele on all that info.
      I know how Melissa feels. Going to Greg’s parents house for Christmas all those years was nothing like Christmas at home. Our family Christmases were much more lively than the ones at his parents house and I sure did miss them. I don’t think any family celebrates quite the same and everyone likes the traditions that they grew up with.
      That will be fun cooking with Ethan. He’s old enough where he could be a big help now too.
      I have no idea whether Enya plans on coming back to Illinois after pastry school. That is still a year and half away and she is young so her plans could change.
      I make a dish called Make Ahead mashed potatoes and that has cream cheese in it too-it’s a good dish for holidays as the potatoes are boiled and mashed ahead of time and then put in a casserole and baked alongside the rest of the meal. sometimes I make it a day ahead of time.
      Gail

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Hello to everyone near and far. So sorry that Tillie has fallen. I know you all have been so worried and busy trying to know what is the best course to take; and that she has her own ideas of what she needs. We used an organization called Visiting Angels before MawMaw had to go into her new Home. THey were very nice and would come and knit with her; watch TV or movies; cook little meals with her; just keep her company mostly. It was kind of costly; but some days we just needed to do other things; like our doctor appointments, and it gave us that time not to worry. I know when she just bumps herself she bruises so badly. It looks just terrible. When she fell, her poor face was just awful. It just hurt you to look at her, but she said it really didn’t hurt that bad. Praying for you guys.
      Such great news from your doctor Colleen, about your diabetes! I bet your weight loss is a major factor in getting your A1C numbers down. I know you must be a little scared to be off your medicines now; but the doctor has been watching you closely I bet; and knows you are ready to be insulin free. I am so proud for you. This was fabulous news. Sounds like you have some wonderful Christmas plans with all your family being able to be there with you and Ron. And to have Ethan cooking with you will be so much fun. Do you know what you will cook together or will he just be helping you with it all? Such sweet good times, and little Eliza will surely be right in the middle of the activities with lots of fun things to say and do.
      Glad the wedding went so well Gail. Sorry your hand if sore. Has the swelling gone down? We have things happen to us at times too and just have no idea what it is. Jerry has quite a bit of pain and stiffness in his thumbs and some of his knuckles on both hands these days. Our weather has been cold and rainy; so this may be part of it. Hope you are better by now. Hope Greggs back is better too. He may have pushed himself a little too hard with his exercising. How special that he sang at his sisters wedding. Hope Brent is doing better. Does he have his appendix? Just trying to think of what might be making him hurt and I am like Colleen, I think along the lines of gall bladder too.
      Adele, your potatoes sound just yummy. I must try that. So very happy that Amanda has started her new job. I just know she will do great there, and what a relief for you to have her closer to home. We worry so much about our loved ones. I know you are proud that Marissa has reconsidered and will be starting school soon. She sounds so smart already; and she can really make something she will love with her education. Mabey she will follow in your footsteps.
      Jerry wants to eat; so I will close for now. I will catch you all up on our family news soon. Sue, your shephards pie must have been so good. Yum, Yum. you must be a great cook. DD, love you turkey picture of how he pretending to be a lampshade. I had to laugh at that. Our kitty has been taking his paws and lifting up our blanket so he can get up under it to stay warm. He gets all snuggled in and won’t move. LOL Goodnight ladies, Barbara

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Barbara,
      So good to hear from our Tennessee contingent. Has your weather cooled down there? Our weather has been very gloomy-not much sun at all. It makes me so sleepy when the weather is like this. We had some snow flurries on Sunday so Greg has put the plow on the truck as we know winter is now coming.
      My hand is all better-like it never happened-so I will just chalk that up to some mystery occurrence and be glad it came and went so quickly.
      Brent does have his appendix but not his gall bladder but his description does sound like bleeding ulcers to me too. The meds should help until he can get scoped and they can determine the cause and that it is nothing worse than that. Hearing bleeding ulcers always just scares the heck out of me as my Dad almost died from his.
      You must be preparing for Skyping with Neal on Thanksgiving and for your own family meal next Saturday. You will have two Thanksgivings!
      Gail

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Hello ladies. It is sunny here today, Gail, and much warmer than we have been having. It is in the 60’s today; so I guess that explains the gloomy rain we got yesterday. I just wanted to crawl under the covers I could barely hold my eyes open. You know, that is one thing that I want to do even more in the winter is sleep; and sometimes about 4 or so my eyelids are so heavy I can barely hold them open. I remember seeing PawPaw just sitting straight up on the couch fast asleep, and how I would wonder what in the world would make someone just sleep like that. LOL But NOW, it seems to come easily to me during the day, but I lie awake at night or wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning and just can’t go back to sleep. Like this morning, I woke up at 5 and I was SO tired and felt sleepy, but sleep just wouldn’t come. I finally gave in after lying there for about 2 hours and started playing solitaire on my ipad. I thought I had the sound off, but of course did not, and woke poor Jerry up around 8 and he was sleeping so soundly. He was really tired this morning and I know he could have slept but he just wouldn’t go back to sleep knowing I had been up for so long. He told me this morning that the bottom of his big toes feels “asleep” all the time, and I asked him how long has this been going on? and he said several days. Then I think he realized that he has confessed to something and started back tracking. I told him that we are definitely talking to the doctor about this when we go for our check up the first of next month. I really believe that it is some sort of neuropathy from the damage to his nerves in his back from when he hurt himself. He is just terrified of having any other doctor do anything to his back after he had such a hard time the first operation. Joey begs him to have injections or something if for nothing else but to numb the pain, but he is scared that he will come out worse off. It really hurts me to see him like this.
      We had a wonderful skype with Neal and Colin today. He was just swinging and swaying when he was walking from Neals lap into the kitchen. We heard him just jibber jabbering and Neal went to see what he was doing. He was taking all his diapers out of the Amazon box that Sarah had just left in there yesterday, and he was trying to crawl in to the box after he made room. He is in to everything now of course, and has the most precious smile. I will see him pick up his cup of milk (we haven’t ever seen one, but know you all have, but it won’t spill and yet the milk comes out when he wants a drink) and I will say oh, your blue cup is SO pretty and he just smiles that little toothy smile. He fell while he was talking wilth us, and Neal scooped him right up and loved on him and kissed his boo boo, and he just snuggled up with Neal. It just melts our heart to see what a good Daddy he is, and we are always complimenting him and Sarah for being good parents. Sarah doesn’t ever call us or anything, but we neither do any of our DIL’s; so I guess this is just because they have lots going on in their young lives. I would love to get to know them better, and for them to get to know me better. Lisa dropped by last night on her way home from work to put some old DVD’s up in their old room upstairs. She had messaged me and asked if it would be okay. She has bought a used sofa and love seat from someone she works with, and said she was trying to make some room and clear things out. Just something else for us to add to our “we don’t need this” collection, LOL. She and Joey seem good now. Lord knows, I want them to be happy. I think that trip to Florida was definitely a turning point for them.
      Hope all is well with you guys. Surely hope Tillie is better. Colleen, is your Mom looking forward to all the holiday plans? Jerrys Mom surely is. She said yesterday she can’t wait for some chocolate pie ha ha. Take care everybody. Talk soon. Barbara

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      hi Gail
      Well, no doctor for Tillie today. She said yesterday that I needed to cancel, as she was sick. She still does not feel good. It is more a belly ache than anything else. She loves veggies, and should really limit her intake of them, as her system cannot tolerate a lot of them. She did not eat with us last night. She is disgusted, as she feels there is little she can eat without being in the bathroom all day. Tonight, she made herself an egg with toast.
      So, the ultrasound has been totally cancelled, unless I call to say she really wants it. they feel she doe snot want to have it done. I believe they are correct. Plus, the next 4 Thursdays are taken- Thanksgiving and them the 3 shots in my knee will be on Thursdays. They only do that ultrasound on Thursday’s.
      I agree with you on Greg. No need to go to a doctor he has no confidence in. The idea of a steroid until he gets an appointment with the other doctor is a good one. I hope you found out e did go to your GP today, and went through with your plan. the two of us have had so many bone issues, we could be the doctor for our hubby’s. We know the drill, so to say.
      It sound slike Brent will not find out his medical history. That is too bad. I can understand his fear of finding out about them. he, like other adopted children, have their fantasies of why they were given up for adoption, and who their bio parents are, and they do not want them to be dashed to the ground. It is hurtful.
      bobby just came home, and had half of his Italian sub from lunch left- he got it in the North End (Boston’s iconic Italian section) , and they make the bread fresh next door to the sandwich shop. he gave it to me- yum, yum. i did no dinner tonight, because Gary goes to the Vocational School to sell supplies to the night students. I was having a simple, soup or cereal night.
      Tomorrow looks like a busy day. Amanda wants to go to Barnes and Nobles, as our coupons are expiring. Tomorrow is her only day off. We will all go to Friendly’s for an early dinner, and then drop JJ off at practice. JJ said one of the girls in his class is in the play too, so that is good for him- someone to bond with….LOL Steph will get all the info from the director. JJ said the play is scheduled for January.
      i am looking forward to tomorrow. I hope my old body can do the book store, dinner and the rehearsal, without incident. At least I will have my Minnions with me. I hope this will get me in the holiday spirit. Since Maxine died, I have lost my holiday spirit, and Maxine would not want that. It feels so empty without her. I told Nancy neither of us can die on the other. We will have to die in a car accident, together…..LOL So Nancy says back to me….”and I bet you will be the driver.” She is still razzing me about almost coming to a stop when a school bus came out in front of me on the highway. She was yelling to punch it. I was so shocked a school bus would do that, with the kids in it. Nancy was freaking at the people behind us. All I saw was the kids.
      You are very behind on the shows we watch. You know what I do- i watch them while we have breakfast. Sometimes i do not watch Steve Harvey,while we have breakfast, as since he moved his show to the West Coast, it does not seem to be as entertaining.
      I catch up on the comedies, while I get dinner ready, or answer emails, as Gary is nto a big fan of the sitcoms. I love them, as I love to laugh.
      It is pouring up here tonight. Up further north they are having some snow.
      Hope your day went well.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Colleen and Gail…..I think I am going to make a couple of the veggie casseroles ahead of time this year. I hope they are as good heated up.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Barbara
      I am going to google the Visiting Angels, and see if we have them up here.
      LOL….it is Amanda who is returning to school- same college as Marissa is at. It gets so confusing with all our grands- Colleen ahs an Amanda too.
      Amanda came here to get her dress pants for work, as Tillie wanted to get her a couple of pairs as a thanks for all she does for her. She was so cute. She stuck her little butt at me and said,”Don’t dress pants look good on my butt?” It was so funny, and i needed a laugh. She has to wear black dress pants, and a shirt the restaurant gives them, with a block apron over it. Amanda was so happy they issue the tops to them at no cost. Little things make us all happy. She did have to get a new pair of non slip black sneakers. We tired getting her the Dansko ones, but thy did not fit her well. I think she needs to go to the store, and just try them on until she finds one that fits well, as all the waitresses and nurses seem to wear them.
      You would love the mashed potatoes with just butter and sour cream. One thing though, I use either the white or red potatoes- not the Idaho ones. It makes for a much better flavor.
      We give each other some good ideas on the recipes we make. Each of us do something a little different from the other.
      We are scared about Tillie. I know I have to realize she is at the end of her life, (I tell the kids this all the time) and accept that. I say i do, but saying and then losing her is a totally different animal.
      Hope your hubby’s hands are feeling better. Arthritis is such a pain in the butt….literally.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Barbara
      Please read my other posts for all the info. here is the only different thing. Amanda is too tired to go to the book store tomorrow, so we are pushing that one off until the weekend, when she gets out of work. the rest of the day tomorrow is still on….yahoo!
      would Jerry go to a surgeon that one of your kids (boys or DIL’s) would recommend, given their being in the business?? Their recommendation may make him feel more comfortable. He really does need the shots in his spine, before the swelling or arthritis does more damage to his nerves. I know I am speaking to the choir, as you were in that line of business yourself. I know how bad it can get, from my experience and Gary, when he ended up in a wheelchair. I am so sorry Jerry has to go through this, as it sucks.
      Gary has neuropathy from the diabetes. He suffers with the bottom of his feet, and it is miserable, especially when it rains. They give him gabapentin for it.
      OMG, Barbara- i sleep the same way. As soon as i am in my recliner, i end up out like a light. I end up having a small nay while watching TV, and then I a have so much trouble falling asleep. last night, I got a couple of spasms in my thigh, and that woke me right up. Then, I heard the office phone ring in the middle of the night. that did it- up the rest of the night. I know how you feel. I will bet all of us on here are experiencing the same miserable sleep patterns. another wonderful factor of retirement/aging.
      It comes across so vividly how very proud you are of your son. He became a great Dad by the example of you and Jerry, and you should be very proud of that. It is so wonderful to see our kids be good to the next generation. It makes you feel real good. We are all blessed. that is one thing to thank on Thanksgiving. I will have to make a list. They all hate my Thanksgiving speech.
      I love your stories about your skyping with Colin and Neal. I can see them through your description, and I smile with you.
      There is not much hope for great relationships with DIL’s. I hear nothing but horror stores form my friend. Every time they get together, she ends up in some conflict with her DIL, and for the lamest issues. She tries every time not to say anything that could possibly upset her, and still, there is bad blood. She gets so upset about it. It is very upsetting to her. I know it bothers you a lot too. Both of you are such calm, loving, kind women. It should nto happen at all.
      Hope you get a good night’s sleep tonight.
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Everybody,This has been a bad night. I tried into get into my e-mails and cannot get into my e-mail box. It wants my password and every time that I put it in it rejects it. I am about ready to scream. So I just go on here and started answering e-mails. I am really behind and I only missed one day.
      Adele, If you try the mashed potatoes with cream cheese make sure and let the cream cheese get really soft. It is hard to melt into the potatoes if it isn’t really soft. It is good though and everybody really liked it. It is fun trying new things in food. It will be something to see if your group will like it or not.Tomorrow I am supposed to meet Aliza and Danyielle for lunch. Aliza may come home with me so that will be interesting. I have a lot of stuff out sitting around the house. I have been cleaning out closets and I need to go thru the things that we got out. I have some things that I need to see if I can wear anymore. I will never understand why they have step up booths. They are hard for people to get into and if you have children they will fall off the step every time. If they have kids that come in there. My kids may just be clumsy. That is so nice that she is going back to college. I hope that she finds a job where she will not be on her feet all the time. Maybe she can be an accountant for the restaurant. I have to agree with you about Drew not being one of the top dancers. I figured they voted that woman off the show because of her hurting herself. And they were afraid for her. That is just how I felt about it. Your shepherds pie sounds really good. Glad that Gary ate some of it. How is Tillie? Hope that she is doing better. Maybe she is sick from being sore and it is bothering her stomach.
      Gail, I am glad that your hand is better. I agree now Greg needs to get better. Has he slowed down on the exercises? It is good that he is exercising but needs to be careful. I will have to get new exercises to do when I go off my medicine. I will have to be active. How is Brent? I hope that he is doing a little better and has gotten good news on his ulcer. I agree with you Gail. It would not be good for Greg to go back to her if he does not like her.He needs to see someone that he can have confidence in and get something done. The GP can help him out until he can get into see the new doctor. One thing that surprised me when I went to the therapist when I first got hurt he said that you can hurt your back just walking up a step. I had never thought of that but I know now that he was right. Another place that is good to go to is the pain clinic. I guess they would have them there they seem to be everywhere.
      Barbara, I am at the point all I have to do is start to watch tv and I am out like a light. I do not know why that is but I guess it is the fact that we just sit there and watch a movie or a show and do not move around much. Or it could be that we work so hard all the time that we need the rest. In my case Ron would be rolling in the floor laughing if he read that. I do not understand why men think if they do not talk about what is wrong with them it will just go away. Jerry sounds so much like Ron. He will never tell me purposely if there is something wrong with him. It is like we cannot tell that they are feeling bad when we see them in the morning. Colin is so cute. That is funny that he took the diapers out and tried to crawl into the box. I bet all of you got a good laugh at that. Mom is excited to see everyone that is coming home this year. My nephews are coming home one lives in Washington and the other lives in New Mexico. He lives in the state of Washington not Washington DC. My niece will not get to come home because her daughter had to have surgery and will not be able to travel. She plays volley ball on a team and she got hurt. So they had to operate on her knee. She is in college. That is really good news that Joey and Lisa seem to be happier. They have really had a rough time of it and put you and Jerry thru a lot of worry.
      Well that is about all from here.
      Colleen
      p.s. Adele have a good time tomorrow with the kids.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      I hope that you finally got into your e-mails. That has happened to me and it is so frustrating! You know they are there but it won’t let you look. At least if worse comes to worse you can read them on your phone. I swear our internet has little pixies in it. One time both Greg and I lost our contacts list for about two months. They just disappeared and then miraculously showed up again one day. Just recently all of a sudden I couldn’t print from my computer anymore. Greg looked and looked and couldn’t figure it out so I was kind of in limbo until he came up with a solution and i had all these recipes queued up waiting to print. Well two days ago my computer updated and lo and behold I was connected to the printer again. Go figure.
      I hope that you had fun at your lunch with Danyielle and Aliza today.
      Greg has stopped the exercise temporarily. Hopefully maybe the doctor can give suggestions of which type of activity might be best for him in the future. It doesn’t surprise me that just going up a step can hurt someone’s back. I know sometimes Greg’s will go out over the slightest little thing. It’s funny just a small wrong movement can affect those discs.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I’m sorry that Tillie is not feeling well again and that she missed her appointment. Those older digestive systems sometimes get pretty sensitive and it’s hard to know what sets them off. I hope she feels better so she can enjoy Thanksgiving with the family.
      Greg did get a short course of steroids from the GP’s office to tide him over until he can see the new pain doctor. I told him to change to this pain doctor a long time ago as soon as I got the name from my rheumatologist but you know how men are-they don’t think about these things until they are actually hurting and need someone. It’s so frustrating sometimes!
      I can’t wait to hear about dinner out and JJ’s first rehearsal. Too bad that you couldn’t get to Barnes and Noble too but that will have to wait until another day.
      I like the sitcoms too as I love to laugh-sometimes it’s a bright spot in a dark day. Greg doesn’t mind watching them either and sometimes I even hear him chuckling. He gets a kick out of the father on The Goldbergs and we like The Big Bang Theory. I’m really sad that this is the last season of The Middle-that show has really grown on me-I only hope that Sue ends up with Sean Donnelly at the end. It’s interesting that so many of the sitcoms are about families and all the different ways that people form families. It’s a little humorous cross section of life.
      I wonder if there would be some crock pot veggie casseroles that you could make for Thanksgiving-you could just throw in the ingredients and let them go until dinner time.
      I think you and your friend just had bad luck with DILs. I liked my DIL and we got along well and I like Brent’s new girlfriend too. I got along with my MIL and was quite close to her. Jenny gets along with her MIL-they are not best friends or anything but I am in the area and I think most girls will chose their own mother over a MIL when it comes to advice because they are your first family. I don’t know-maybe I was just lucky.
      If I run across any crockpot veggie casseroles I will pass them on.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Barbara,
      Greg has that same numbness in his feet and legs and it is definitely from his back. Some nerve is being pressed on.
      I agree with Joey-maybe a shot in the back would give Jerry some relief and I doubt that it would affect what he has had done with his surgeries. I would encourage him to at least try it. I know chronic pain can become debilitating in itself and it surely affects one’s moods. I know before I got the right RA meds being in pain all the time would just wear me down. I am so grateful every day that my meds allow me to live pain free except for an occasional flare. It seems to me that you said you have fibro-do you still have problems with that? I know for some people it fades with time and medication. I hope that is the case with you and that you are pain free.
      When you said Colin was climbing into the Amazon box it made me think of all those pictures that DD posted of cats in boxes.
      Aren’t those modern day sippy cups amazing? Our kids had sippy cups but they would still spill if knocked over. These newer cups the kids can toss on the floor and they don’t spill. Who ever invented that was brilliant!
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Colleen.
      It seems like we are all going out to lunch, coast to coast. Well, ours got funnier. JJ’s best friend’s Mom asked Steph to watch him, so he is coming too. I think that will make Gary stay home, as he is a handful, and very mischievous. God help us, I hope we do not make the evening news, as I say.
      I stink you are right about Tillie. She really scared herself, and I think she is afraid falling will be a part of the rest of her life. she is an anxious person by her very nature, and then add her age to the mix.
      I am also thrilled that Barbara’s Joey and Lisa have been doing well. They have had a difficult time, and it is good that Lisa is better with Barbara too. It is always good when a family survives a crisis, and does not give up on each other. It is encouraging that the next generation will make it. It gives us all hope.
      It is cold up here, and very windy. I am wearing one of the new brown tunic, with the pockets Fall shirts- with the cornucopia on it. I will wear my orange fleece jacket (also Quacker). Which holiday shirt did yo wear today?
      I am posting a pic of Aizen at the library, with his cool new haircut. LOL
      I hope you have a good day….thanks for the hint about the cream cheese. I have to get the cream cheese out very earlyin the mornign, so it is room temp when I do a cream cheese pie, so I knwo what you mean. I did not consider that in making the mashed, though.
      Adele

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    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Colleen….forgot to say…it looks like ghosts are in our computers.
      I did have to sign in again yesterday.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster
      I think it is luck of the draw, with a DIL, so to speak. I had one, and we did get along ok, until she and Bobby started having problems. then, she resented me, as she told him he was just like me. Seriously? My friend is having an awful time being a MIL. Nothing she says is received well, nothing at all. She does not know what to do anymore. It is such a shame. there is some confrontation at every event she goes to.
      Tillie is better today. thank God. I hope she stays that way until Thursday, at least.
      I am looking forward to tonight. I hope JJ’s bestie does not make us crazy. He is such a handful, and gets into all kinds of mischief.
      I love the Goldberg’s. Gary is just like the Dad, accept he keeps his pants on. He say the same things that come out of Gary’s mouth- we are both in awe of that. Gary and I feel had we had our kids together, we would have been the same parents, as I was always in the school volunteering to make sure the kids were well cared for….LOL My usual phrase was, and still is….”I will handle this”, and off I would go. I still do, as recently as getting JJ into the play. I do not give up, on anyone, ever. Relentless.
      Once we had the dreaded “puff back” at the house. It means you had a fire, with no fire- the furnace backfires, and soot goes into the ENTIRE house. It was awful. We had cleaning teams in here for months, until all was back together. the insurance company wanted to cancel me as it cost so much to do the repairs. (not our fault, as we always have the heating system cleaned, every year. Also was a new system, 2 years old. they determined the oil company put in the wrong size nozzle when they replaced it) I said no, and my insurance agent said once they cancel you, that is it. I said my usual….” Oh yeah…..watch this”. I got Arbella insurance to reinstate me. I have been with them forever.
      Have to go get dressed……
      Hope you are having a good day!
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      So how are all of you? I’m fine. Wed. was a sloppy, dreary day out here, but has gone now. We’re looking at a dry weekend & a mild week for the holiday. No snow or ice down here. There’s been a lot of snow in the mts this week with more on the way. that will make the kids happy since they have the week off, I believe. The ski resorts have opened up 7 days a week now that they have a good base.
      Did any of you see ITKWD Wed. night? Did you see Martha Stewart & her pork roast for $187??!! I saw it in my FB newsfeed earlier in the week & I thought it was a typo or mistake. That’s absolutely ridiculous!!! That’s waaaaay more than I spend on food for 2 months or more!!! I went back to my FB page & saw a post from David & there were some really mean & nasty remarks about MS & the cost of the roast. I bet they don’t have that back on again. I don’t know anybody that could afford that, even on 6 easy pays.

      I got a bathrobe from Berkshire blankets this week & it looks more like a pale mint green than a lt blue. I haven’t had a bathrobe in many yrs. It looked so soft I couldn’t resist. It was on one of those 6 easy pay days, so why not.
      Apparently I set off a domino effect when my computer blinked & lost my post earlier this week. It wasn’t an electrical thing cuz the TV would’ve shut off automatically. IT had to be the site. I had to sign back in again!! Ooooops.
      Well, I guess that’s all for tonight.
      Have a great weekend.
      take care,
      dd

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    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      You must have missed the $200 cake.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      I did not see the pricey roast. What made it so expensive? I saw Sue said there was a 200 cake. Seriously? Wow, is all I can muster.
      I am glad you will e having better weather to travel to your friend’s house on Thanksgiving. The weather here will not be stormy on the holiday either. I hope everyone else has good weather too.
      I think it is great to get yourself a nice cuddly robe. It is winter,and you never know when the electricity will be out for a while. Plus, so nice on a cold, stormy day too. everyone deserves something cuddly. You deserve a nice treat, especially with the easy pay!
      All good here today. I got the roasting pan out o for the turkey, and the bottles of sparkling grape juice we have been buying at BJ’s for the holiday. Have you ever has the Welch’s sparkling grape juice? It is really good. I like the red better than the white one.
      We had a good time taking the boys and Steph to Friendly’s last night. I will post a pic, when I load it, and say more later. JJ has 3 parts in the play- a munchkin, a soldier, and the “emerald city”- have no idea what that part is…LOL
      Hope you are having a good day- always good to hear from you. I had to sign in again too yesterday.
      Adele

    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      Adele, Check them out M56358 &M56747. They do not even look good to me.
      I hope we get better weather soon. It is nasty today dark, cold & raining. Tomorrow is to be very cold & windy. It is suppose to be cold & dry for Thanksgiving so we will see. I want sunshine & 85 degrees but won’t get it.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Sue
      Heather is here- i am going to look at those, and have a good chuckle with her over them….LOL

      I am attaching a pic of the boys last night. JJ’s friend was there too.

      Adele

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    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I finally got into my e-mails so that was good. I really had a lot in there when I finally got in. I think that part of the problem that we have been having is with our internet. It was down last night and could not get on until now. We has some high winds last night and wind and storms today. When it was finally over I could get back on here. It is really aggravating when you cannot get on the internet.
      We really had a nice lunch. We went to bread company and had sandwiches. Aliza got some mac and cheese. Well that is what was ordered for her. She at that and helped me and Danyielle to eat our lunch. She grabbed my pickle and was eating that and was making some awful faces. Then she grabbed some of Danyielles bread and ate that plus she ate all of her mac and cheese. They put those long toothpicks in our sandwiches and she took on of them out of my sandwich and was eating her mac and cheese with it. We had to help her stick it into the noodles. So when we left she wanted to come home with me so I took her with me. She stayed for awhile and then Danyielle came and got her. She is such a cutie.
      That is good that he stopped for awhile. It would be rough if he hurt his back again. That is a mess when you have to decide which pain is worse the numbness in the leg or the pain in the back. Like they say getting old is not for sissy’s.
      I hope that Brent is feeling better. It is good that he has a girl friend around to help him out if he feels bad. It is always good to know that our kids have someone around. I know that I really worried about Danyielle being alone until she found Kevin.
      Well that is about all from here, That was good that you finally got your computer working right. That is unusual for it to be something that Greg cannot figure out. He is so good with computers.
      Well have a great night
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I take it you did not make the news last night. Have not heard anything. I looked for a headline saying young child goes wild in restaurant. Film at 10 tonight. Looks like they were all calm while they were eating. So I am anxious to hear if JJ got a part or what he is doing for the play. He must have done really well in the last play and they wanted him back.
      It does seem like the older our moms get the more they worry about things. My mom is willing to let us get help in for her though. I guess it is because she is by herself and does not have anyone around. She does have one neighbor that will check on her and we are all grateful about that. He is sick right now so do not know how much longer they will look in on her.
      I cannot believe how grown up that hair cut makes Aizen look. Sounds like Steph found a good place to take him to get his hair cut. She is lucky that he is not scared after that other woman cut into his head. That was terrible. It is so nice to have you posting picture of the boys again.
      I broke down and bought me a new Christmas shirt. I got the green top with the bells on the shoulder and the church on the bottom. I could not resist it any longer. I really love that top and it was hard to hold off on buying it. Your top sounds so cute. The only Thanksgiving shirt that I have is one with a pumpkin on it. I do not understand why they do not think that pumpkin shirts are not for Thanksgiving. It does not have a jack- o-lantern on it so it is for other occasions.
      I did not know that the cream cheese had to be softened until I tried it the first time. It took a long time to get it to melt into the potatoes. SO did not want that to happen to you if you tried it.
      Well that is about all from here. Read Gail’s post about my lunch with Aliza.
      Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      I am glad that the bad weather is out of your area. It will be nice to have good weather so you can travel to your nieces for Thanksgiving. It is cold here also. It was close to 60 yesterday and this morning and then we got the winds and some rain today and the temps are in the 30’s now. I guess that is why we had all the storms.
      I did not see that with Martha Stewart. I cannot believe that the roast was that much money. I wonder if anyone bought that. That is way too much money for a roast. I am surprised that they had it on the q. Most things that she has on there is expensive. Not something that I would want to buy.
      I think that Gail and Adele are right. There must be ghosts in our computers. Our internet was out last night and this morning because of the weather. It was nice to be able to get on here tonight. I hope that we are not going to have to put up with this all winter.
      I love the pictures you posted. The one with the kitten letting his mom know that his aunt was there was really funny. I think that I would be hiding not announcing that arrival of her. You always find the cute pictures. A lot of them make me smile.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      Aliza certainly entertained all of you at lunch. She is going to be so funny as she gets older. It sounds like she really loves mac and cheese. You know, it seems to be the favorite of so many kids. it is tasty and easy to eat.
      I really love the boys’ new haircuts. They look so cute. Did you notice the long side burns they did on JJ, that come to a point? JJ seems to get very long sideburns, which seems unusual.
      I have to say, the boys were very tame . Honestly, I think it is because Friendly’s has those games on the tables for them to play with- on that tiny TV screen thingie. It did keep the boys very busy, and that was good. We did not have to speak to them at all. I did give them “the talk” outside…”indoor voices, manners at all times, with please and thanks”. I got the furrowed brows….LOL
      JJ got 2 parts- a munchkin, a soldier, and the Emerald City. I have absolutely no idea what the Waldemar City is. JJ siad it is with the Tin man. I am still not sure what it means.
      Heather, Amanda and I went to Barnes and Nobles today. (Heather stayed over last night) We got JJ the book on the Wizard of Oz, and Aizen a book on Santa coming to Boston. So, those will be on their dinner plates for Thanksgiving, while everyone else gets a Poopouri. We had a good time. But, I had to go sit, as I just cannot walk like that. i sat at the front of the store,and then went toward the back, to see what they found for children. It is really awful not to be able to enjoy a trip to a store without pain. But, at least I got to the store. I am grateful for that.
      Hope you and Ron had a good day!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I did not recognize JJ. He has really grown up also. He really got a couple of good parts. I bet that he was really excited when they told him. There are a lot of people in that show so it was nice that he got a couple. JJ does have really long side burns.
      That is good that they listened and were good. Those games that they have at the tables are nice. I am glad that they started doing that. It really does help the kids stay busy and not get rowdy.
      That is nice that you got to go to the book store. The books you got the boys sounds really good. Aizen will probably be so excited when he sees his Santa book. JJ will like the book about the wizard of oz also. Do both of the boys like to read? The kids all did like to read when they were little. Aliza is kind of funny about reading. She likes to take magazines and read them. She can really do some jabbering.
      I am like that also. I cannot walk for a long time without resting. I usually try to get in one of the riding things they are so nice. I had to use one the other day when we went to Wal-Mart to buy groceries. Those super centers are so big and it is hard to walk around. Most of the Barnes and Noble stores are the same. They closed most of ours down and that was really disappointing. I am not sure which ones that they kept open.
      Mandy and the girls were here tonight. We fixed those stuffed peppers that they had on the Chew. Micheal Symon made them. They were really good. Ron did not care for them because they did not have meat in them but that is why I wanted to fix them. Now Brook will have something to eat on Thanksgiving. They said that you can freeze them and they will keep for awhile. They are the ones that were stuffed with lentils. That was the first time that I had them and they were not bad.
      Well that is about all from here. I am so glad that JJ got a couple of parts in the play. He will have a good time playing both parts. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      I missed the expensive roast but I did read about it on the Q discussion site. I read about the cake too. I wonder who buys these things?
      We actually have sun today after all those days of gloominess. In the winter when the days are so short I feel so much better when the sun at least shines during the day.
      Is it a long trip to where you are going for Thanksgiving? If so do you take a bus or a train?
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Grrrrrrrrr! I am so pissed! I just wrote you a long response went and pressed post and it took me to the top of the page didn’t post and requested a new sign in so now I have to do it all over again. It must be this site doing that. Too bad there is no auto save.
      I will try and remember what i said.
      I know i mentioned that no wonder the boys were well behaved when great grandma plied them with ice cream sundaes and video games. I would do the same thing. One time we were with Jenny’s family at Chili’s and the kids were all using those game consoles while we waited for our dinners. When we were leaving a woman sitting close by stopped me and told me I had a beautiful family and in the back of my mind I was thinking you may not have been so complimentary if the kids had been left to their own devices. lol
      Aizen looks so cute with his haircut. I never noticed JJ’s sideburns until you mentioned it. Maybe that’s the new style or he requested it.
      I’m so glad that he got some parts. I’m curious to know what the Emerald City part is-maybe one of the townsfolks? I know he will a have lots of fun. I always loved the wizard of Oz as a kid-actually I still do. The book that I read 60 years ago was a bit different from the movie-but i guess they usually are.
      Glad you got to B & N-I love that store. One thing I miss with all the internet shopping that i do for Christmas is getting into the stores and looking at the Christmas stuff first hand. It puts me into the spirit until I get tired and crabby. lol
      I guess Greg’s picture was popular on Facebook this weekend. lol That Piper! Grandpa will do anything for her. lol
      Gail
      PS Did you see the TSV? I fell in love with their jogger pants last year-they are so comfy. I bought two of these sets as i will wear them around the house on days when i am home all day and I will use them to sleep in too. I know you are a fan of Carole Hochman and I wear those too.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      I agree-it is aggravating when you want to get on the internet and can’t.
      Lunch with Aliza sounded like fun. Mac and Cheese seems to be a kid favorite. I like how Aliza ate it with a toothpick though. What the kids can’t think up! It is so cute!
      I think that shirt that you bought is cute-i think it may be fleece so it will be warm and comfy.
      I too would wear a pumpkin shirt for Thanksgiving as long as it wasn’t a jack o lantern-pumpkins are definitely for Thanksgiving in my book. Look at all the pies that are served on that day-most of them are pumpkin as it is a fall vegetable.
      So Brook is a vegetarian-i forgot that. My poor SIL her son and his wife are vegetarians and so is her daughter and the other son doesn’t eat certain things either. I think I would tell them to bring their own dishes for a holiday. lol Fortunately they have huge family get togethers and everyone brings different dishes so I guess there is something for everyone.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      I made 4 pies today- 2 chocolate and 2 custard. Tomorrow I do the apple, and the cranberry sauce. I am post pics of the custard pies, as the chocolates are in Tillie’s fridge. Take a close look atone of the custard pies- it looks like it has a butterfly on it. the nutmeg that you sprinkle on the pie, made the shape. We thought it was quite amusing.
      JJ is getting older, and I am amazed every time I see him. he is losing the little boy look, and we are going into the pre-teen drama. Let the games begin!
      I was very happy I decided to go along for the trip to the book store.
      that was great that the girls stayed over, and made the peppers with you. I bet there was a lot of giggling going on. That is what makes the holidays fun.
      i think Heather wants to stay over again tomorrow night, so she can be here all day Wednesday to help. Wednesday is the biggest day of all- peeling 15 lbs of potatoes, and 6 more pounds of sweet potatoes. I am goign to use the Kitchen Aid mixer, with the new spiralizer/peeler attachment.
      tonight is the DWTS finale. i think the singer, with the blond hair will win- can’t remember his name. We will see. AFter this is over, they will have the holiday baking show on again- I love that show!!!
      hope your prepping for Thursday is going well.
      Adele

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    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      Check out my butterfly custard pie….LOL It was so weird. if you look at the left top corner, it looks like an elephant. Very strange.
      I posted 2 pics of the butterfly one in error.
      Greg’s pic was very popular. They got you resting on a luggage rack. Good place for a rest, I said. God bless our grands, who make us laugh every day. I sent a pic of the “butterfly pie” to Steph and Aizen, and she sad Aizen took a pillow, and said “this is what I gnat to do to Nana’s pie”…..as he shoved his face into the pillow while going yum yum.
      speaking of pics, Steph wants everyone dressed on Thanksgiving, as she wants to take a family pic.
      That happened to me once on here, the second time it happened, I used the back button, and copied and pasted what I had written into a word document, and then back onto here. I was quite proud of myself, and happy it worked. not sure if it would work every time.
      I hope JJ loves the book. It is nicely bound and edged in gold, and was on sale. i wanted to get the movie, and Amanda said to get him the book, as he loves to read.
      I am attaching a pic of Gary at dinner, as he NEVER smiles, and when I said so, he did this weirdo grin. It is really funny.
      I know you are relaxing, and picking out your Quacker best for Thursday….LOL I have this picture of you in my mind, of you watching all the Hallmark movies to get into the spirit, and I wish I could send you the smells of pie baking.
      Love ya Gaister!!!

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    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey DD Sue and Barbara……hope everyone is good!
      Adele

      I had my 2 trees taken down for the attic today, and the 2 big nutcrackers………it is on!

      Adele
      PS…I hope I can remember how to put the nutcrackers on, so they go on for the 6 hours, and then shut themselves off.

    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      FYI tonight is the first of the 2 night finale on DWTS. It ends tomorrow night I hope Drew goes tonight. I am happy with any of the other 3 winning. If you have leftover send me a piece of pie.

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      Adele, I’m hopping on my broom right now for those chocolate pies. As David would say, “What are you having for dessert?” As a kid growing up, my folks would get a bag of the cranberries, & I’d have to stand & stir em so they wouldn’t burn. So as you could guess I don’t like em now. We had a wonderful dinne.r yesterday. It was put on by Beth Israel across the street. At the end, I went back & I was able to get some left overs & some wings & drumstick for soup. I’ll be turkey’d out by the end of the week. I made up that word by the way.
      Gail, I had that happen to me last week. I had done a post, & when I sent it the computer “blinked” & my post was erased, & moved to the top of the page. That’s when I just shut down the computer for the night. I understand how maddening it is when that happens.
      My tree didn’t show up today. I’m slowly taking down the fall stuff & bringing out the Christmas decorations.
      My depression was getting bad so the Dr. upped the dosage of my meds. I hope it works.
      There won’t be an ITKWD Wed. night, so I bet it’ll be an all jewelry day that day.
      the wet weather has returned. It isn’t bad, just a nuisance at this point. Light rain/showers. Warm temps for this time of yr, 50s & even low 60s this week.
      Well, if I don’t get back on here this week, you guys have a WONDERFUL THANIKSGIVING with your families.
      dd & Jewell

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    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      It is hard to find a recipe for food for a vegetarian or vegan. I feel bad for your sil. That would be too many different diets to take care of. We can sneak some meat broth in some of the food and she will not know it unless she catches us. We are hoping that this will not last she is too young to decide to not eat meat. She watched some movie at school and there were a bunch of kids that said that they would not eat meat anymore. That movie must have been really gross.
      What was Greg’s picture on Facebook. I take it that Piper was in it. I do not get Facebook so do not know what it was or cannot look at it. It must have been really cute.
      There are so many different things that Aliza does that I think that her big brother teaches her. It is always a lot of fun having her come and stay. We do not get to see as much of Owen now and that really bothers me. He use to come and stay with us a lot when he was little. I really miss that. It is like that I guess when kids have to share their time with both parents.
      I saw a pie in the store the other day that I have never seen. The top of the pie was pecan and the bottom was pumpkin. I wonder if that will taste good? Have you ever had one like that or seen one like that? I almost bought one but it was kind of high and I thought that if no one liked it that would be a waste of money.
      Well that is about all from here. It has been really boring around here. It will be more lively tomorrow evening when the kids come back to stay for a few days.
      Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      Your pies look really good. Ron really likes custard pie but when I make one it tastes really eggy. I do not know what I am doing wrong with it.Any hints or suggestions would be helpful. That is funny how that butterfly came up on the pie.
      That is a sad time when the kids lose their kid faces and start looking older. That is a hard time for boys and girls that pre teen age. They think that they are too old to play with their toys but too young to do much of anything else. It seems like the girls are really bad about that. I think that they start thinking about boys differently during that time.
      The girls are coming back over tomorrow and they are staying for awhile. I guess until Sunday night. They will have to go back with their mom then so they can go to school. It will be fun having them here.
      You really have to peel a lot of potatoes. That is more then we have to fix. The house will seem empty this year because we only have Mandy and the girls here. Ron bought a 19 pound for the 4 of us the 5th person is a vegetarian. So this should be interesting. We will be eating turkey until Christmas. It will be fun having that girls here to help put up the Christmas decorations. They always liked to do that. They are older though now so do not know how they will feel about it this year.
      I figured that Drew would go home this week. OOPS hope that I did not spoil that for anyone. I think that Jordan may win also. But then that Lindsey is really good too. It will be hard to decide which one should win. It will be fun to watch and see.
      well that is about all from here. Have a good night.
      Colleen.
      p.s. that was a different smile that Gary had there. It was a good picture of him though.

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      I hope Kylie and Brook will want to put up the decorations with you. they are old enough now where they can really be a big help.
      I do remember when Owen was able to come more often. It’s too bad he can’t come as much anymore. I think the older the kids get the less that we will see them. When they get to junior high and high school they will want to be with their friends.
      It seems to me that a lot of young people are vegetarians now. She very well may stick with it-it all depends whether it is a fad or she is committed to it. Only time will tell.
      The picture was of Greg wearing a little pink cowboy hat and posing with Piper. It was cute. lol
      I have never seen a pie like that but it sounds like it could be good as those two flavors could easily go together. It sounds like that 200 dollar cake on the Q-I don’t remember exactly what the combination was but it was one kind of cake inside of another or something like that. Who thinks of these things.
      It will be interesting to see who wins tonight-I want Jordan and Lindsey and Mark and Lindsay both to win. What if it was a tie-that would make me happy. I hope if Barbara comes back to do a dance she keeps her hands off the guys-especially with what is going on in Hollywood and other places right now-someone might come and slap some handcuffs on her. She gave women a bad name drooling all over her partner like she did.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Colleen here is a picture of that Q cake-it is apple pie and pumpkin cheesecake together. Called piecaken. lol

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    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      This morning there was a whole flock of turkeys meandering through our front yard. Normally you don’t see them anymore when it gets this close to Thanksgiving. They were carrying little signs that said “eat pork” though. lol
      My grandmother always made homemade cranberries too and I never really liked them. However she did take dried apricots and I think maybe simmered them with some sugar and water to thicken the juice and I loved those. I never did ask my Mom how Granny made those though so I’m not sure if I could recreate them.
      I hope the meds help your depression. Thank goodness for zoloft and paxil and such as many people suffered before they were discovered or created. My mother’s brother had schizophrenia and I often think how different his life would have been if he had lived long enough to take advantage of some of the more modern medications for his illness.
      I love Charley Brown and Snoopy and the little Charley Brown tree. It just makes me feel warm all over. Wasn’t there a Peanuts book called Happiness is a Warm Puppy or something like that?
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Well Aizen’s appreciation should make all that baking worthwhile. Who doesn’t like a baking Grandma. lol I did see the butterfly and the elephant pattern. Who knew that you were an artist in the cinnamon medium? lol
      It sounds like KP duty at your house with all the potato peeling. I would come over and peel for you as I don’t mind doing it and I am a pretty fast peeler with the right instrument.
      I like that Holiday baking program too. It looks like there are new hosts and I think Mary Barry retired from the program so I wonder who the new judge will be. I also like the program where they go around and judge the different holiday light displays. it is amazing the time and effort some people put in on that.
      Yes the picture of me on the luggage cart is an inside joke. Every time we would use one (which we did a lot of on this last trip) Greg would say we have to take pictures and post them like Carla and her mother do. Well not being on Facebook I had no idea what he was talking about until he should me tons of pictures of Carla( Jenny’s friend) and her mother on luggage carts. So finally last weekend I let him take my picture on the cart and when Jenny found out she had to text it to Carla and then it ended up on Facebook.
      So now perhaps we will have a battle of the luggage cart pictures except that we don’t have any trips planned so we will be lagging behind. lol
      I will not be lazing around as i have three dishes to make and take to Jenny’s. I have to take a 7 layer salad, green bean casserole and some sort of jello dish for the kids. But I have done these things so many times it is no problem at all to make them. I will run out tomorrow morning and get the ingredients so the veggies are nice and fresh.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Sue. I thought last night was the finale. i was very disappointed.
      I think the blond haired kid will win. Who do you think it will be?
      i would love to send you pie. they need to figure out a way to send food, fast, and in one piece….LOL
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      Thank you for the wishes for a nice Thanksgiving. I hope you have a good time with your friends, and the weather will not be lousy for travel.
      That was so nice that they had leftovers, and you got to take some home. It is so hard to make meals for one person, and that gives you some, and bones to make a soup. Enjoy!
      I am so sorry that your depression is getting worst. My Mom had depression for years, and probably still does. hers was caused by sexual abuse, a t the hands of her older sister’s husband. It was especially terrorizing, as he was the Police Chief in their Town. She never told anyone, and told me right after my Dad died. When she told me, all her behaviors made perfect sense to me. Women carry these atrocities to their graves. Maybe with all the recent news, women can be more safe in this world.
      My daughter also suffers from depression. Hers is clinical depression.
      My recipe for cranberry sauce gets stirred once every 5 minutes- cooks for only 15 minutes. It sounds like your was a lot more complicated. That is too bad that you do not like it, as it is so good. It also smells fabulous.
      I hope we do hear form you,but, I am not sure I will have time to come on tomorrow either, as that is the prep day for all the veggies, and potato dishes.
      Amanda will be here, and Heather is supposed to come by too.
      Who do you think will win DWTS tonight?
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      What is in your pie? Mine has eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar and a tiny bit of almond extract. I have to “scald’ the milk first- do you have to do that with your recipe? I also sprinkle some nutmeg on top. I am curious to see what is in yours. It tastes like a rich pudding.
      I hope the girls will want to decorate with you, as you will have so much fun. Steph is not feeling good, so she did not come to put up the tree. Her neck is hurting her real bad. I am praying it is nothing serious.
      Oh yes….Gary thinks he is funny by making the weird smile. I was complaining that he never smiles, so that is the goofy smile I got. LOL
      Are you doing any baking for Thursday? I just finished the cranberry sauce, as I am waiting for a few more apples to arrive. It maybe a long night. I can watch TV while I do the pie, so that is good.
      I have to read what Gail said about my butterfly custard pie. I bet she got a kick out of it.
      I hope Barbara is not knee deep in flour and sugar down there.
      Can’t wait to see who wins tonight.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail!
      What is a 7 layer salad? Is it like an Italian Antipasto? we never have a salad on Thanksgiving. Nobody ever did one, or suggested one. I think they are happy with all the hot veggie dishes, so that may be why. We do change them up every once in a while. I have done roasted veggies, from time to time. I guess it depends on my mood.
      Do you make different kinds of jello molds, or is there on the kids like the best?
      That is a funny story about the luggage cart picture wars. You could start your own show with those. Jenny looks like she has a great sense of humor.
      Aizen loves goodies. From chocolate to cake, to ice cream. He loves them all. From little on, he has always said, yum yum, when he eats a good ie he loves.
      I am going to use the cool peeler thingie i got for the Kitchen Aid Mixer. It makes things so easy. It even peels and cores the apples, with little mess- the juice stays in the apples, for some reason. When I used the hand held apple peeler/corer, there was a lot more mess. Kitchen Aid really does things right. You should get one of them, you would love it- it spiralizes veggies too.
      I hope everyone has a good day, and there are no disagreements. that is my all time wish, which I pray for every single day. Peace in all families, and in this great country.
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Adele,
      A seven layer salad is made in a container-i usually use a 9 by 13 pan. First is a layer of lettuce in bite sized pieces, then a layer of chopped onions, green pepper and celery-then a package of frozen peas, four chopped eggs, shredded carrots, crumbled up bacon (I leave out the bacon normally). I salt and pepper it at this stage-then you spread on two cups of mayo mixed with 2 tablespoons of sugar like a frosting-I use Miracle whip instead of mayo as I like the taste better. Over the top of the frosting you sprinkle shredded cheddar. Make it the night before or at least several hours before eating so the flavors can meld while it is sitting in the fridge.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster

      ….apple pie is finally done, and it is 6:30.
      that layered salad sounds very interesting. Honestly, I never heard of it before. is this a regional thing, or did you get the recipe from a site we all love??

      I watched the Chew while I was doing the cranberry sauce, and didn’t see anything i liked too much, accept the easy pot pie Michael did.

      I love the baking and light show. On the Chew today, they had the actor is in the the Hallmark movie The Christmas train. Looks like a good one. he was in the movie My Best friend’s Wedding. I like him.

      Tomorrow Amanda the Panda will be here to help with the veggies. I have the nutcrackers lit up at the end of the kitchen, so I cna make sure they go off around 11 tonight. yahoo….let the games begin!
      Adele
      PS….hope DD’s tree came today!!!

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    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      Gail, I knew what your 7 layer salad was because I have had it & it is good. We had a girl make one when we had a potluck at work.

      I hope I don’t get sick for the Holiday. I was at the pharmacy today & a woman had 3 young children that were sick coughing & such running around touching everything. I was trying to be careful but they did not cover their mouths when they coughed. I don’t have a big germ phobia but kids are walking incubators & the mother was just letting them run wild.

      I think these sexual allegations are getting out of hand. I do not condone abuse by either sex but the latest I heard IMO is going to far. Now they are saying you should not hug anyone as no one should touch your body. One said ask grandma if you can shake her hand. I find this crazy. I find nothing wrong with hugging as long as it does not include grouping. Just wondered your opinion on this. I know Adele says she hugs the stuffing out of her little ones and given her line of work would never harm a child. My friends & I hug when we see each other. I find a hug comforting.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Sue
      So, you have had that salad too. I bet it is very yummy.
      Did you wash your hands right away, or use one of those hand sanitizers? If you did, you should be ok. You had your flu shot, right? I think we all feel the same way, when anyone is near us with coughing, etc. It freaks you out.
      I hug all my friends, and family. If we cannot hug anyone anymore, then what? I have no intention to stop hugging any of my people. They would think I no longer love them. People need a hug.
      Hope you have a good night.
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      My tree came today & it’s adorable!! I have the lights on right now. I haven’t figured out where I’ll put it yet but being 5′ it shouldn’t be too hard to find a place. I’m really glad I got it. It won’t take up as much room as the bigger one.
      I think Jordan will take the mirror ball tonight. He’s just too good not to win.
      It’s raining, but that’s Nov. in Oregon. It’s the temps that abit unusual, mid 50s to low 60s. It must be coming up from the South Pacific. We call it a pineapple express.
      Did you see where a camera had a perfect view of the Georgia dome imploding when a bus parked right in front of camera, blocking the perfect view. lol
      Adele your pies look so good!!! That cakepie thing looked too rich for me. and I don’t mean $$$ wise. toooooo much!!
      I haven’t read all the posts yet, so I’ll go for now
      Have a great turkey day
      dd

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    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      That piecaken does not look like it is worth that much money. I do not think that I would give ten dollars for it. Who was selling that? Was it another one of Martha Stewart’s things? I think that most of the food that she sells on qvc is pretty expensive. Even that pork roast she had was expensive. You can go to the store and buy one and fix it the way she did for a lot less.
      One nice thing they have a lot of places that sell vegetarian dishes. They have veggie burger at Burger King here and they have a Chinese place that has vegetarian dishes. I think that Brook said that she went to a taco place that had something that she could eat and it was really good. What she considers really good and what I consider really good are two different things though.lol
      Both of those pictures that were on face book were worth seeing. I bet that Piper was having a good time with her grandpa in his pink cowboy hat. You are going to have to travel more so you can keep up with Carla and her pictures on a luggage cart. That is funny.
      This pie was only $5.00 so that would not be as bad. I think that it was a Sara Lee. Will have to look again when I go back to the store. Tomorrow we will pick up the rest of the things that we need. We will go to the smaller grocery store because it will not be as crowded. Wish that we did not have doctors appointments tomorrow we could go at 8am and not have to fight the crowds.
      Well i better go I have to watch dwts and see who won. I am hoping that it was Lindsey but bet it was Jordan.
      Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I do not think that the recipe that I used said to scald the milk. The problem is it tastes like scrambled eggs. I do not know if I beat them too much are what I am doing wrong. Will try again after Thanksgiving. Do not want to put it on the table and it be a complete failure.lol
      I hope that Steph is okay and she is just sore from the way that she was laying last night or something like that. It always seems like someone gets sick on the holidays. I do not know why that is but it happens. I will be glad to have some help with the tree and all the Santas. It takes a long time to put up the Santas. I did not put the Thanksgiving decorations up this year will just go from Halloween to Christmas.
      I got frozen pies this year for Thanksgiving. We are not having enough over to do all that baking. I will do a lot of baking for Christmas. I am making a cranberry salad but do not have to bake that. Just make it on top of the stove. It should be interesting to see how many left overs that we will have this year. Our freezer will probably be full of left overs.
      Your pies look really good. You would like a 7 layer salad they are good also. I have had them before at family dinners. Have you ever had Ramen noodle salad? That is pretty good also. You put cabbage in it.
      Well that is about all from here. I have to go watch dwts and see who won. I am anxious to see.
      Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD.
      I am so excited for you. I hope that you really like your new tree. You will have to let me know how you feel about a smaller tree. I did the same thing I got a smaller tree and I am not sure that I am going to like it. It is pretty and everything and I like the lights but it is just so small. I use to have a 6 1/2 ft tree but that is gone now.
      Our weather is crazy here also. It is really cold here tonight but is supposed to warm up all week and then get really cold again. I am so sick of this weather.
      That cake pie is a little much. Price wise and taste wise. I do not think that I would want to eat that. If I want pie that is what I want and not pie and cake. What will they think of next.
      Love the pictures that you posted. They are good of Santa. They give him a good face some of the pictures they do now he is not as good looking as in these. He looks grumpy
      well that is all from here. Have Good Thanksgiving.
      Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      I’m so glad that you love your new tree. It will be fun finding a spot for it and decorating. Sounds like you guys are way ahead of me as I still have all my pumpkins and fall things out and will slowly start decorating after Thanksgiving.
      I did see that video about the bus and the Georgia Dome
      on the Today show yesterday. Everyone got a chuckle out of that.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      The cake was from Juniors. I guess they just think up things and try them and see if people will bite. ( little pun lol) I am with you-if I am going to eat pie I want to have the pie with that nice crust on top-I think being inside a cake would ruin that.
      There are a lot of places now that offer vegetarian dishes so it does make things somewhat easier. They also have gluten free choices. I know that I don’t eat as much meat as I did when I was younger but I still don’t think I would ever care to go without. I think as we age we lose our taste for meat a little as we don’t need as much iron. That’s just my own theory-I doubt there is any scientific proof for it. lol
      I have made that ramen noodle salad-it’s like a cole slaw with ramen noodles. It’s been awhile since I made that but everyone seemed to like it back then. I just don’t make many of those huge salads anymore as there are not enough people around to eat them.
      I have to run to the store today for my ingredients too. It shouldn’t take too long.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Adele,
      Your pies look really good. However, I must say taking the chance of sounding unAmerican apple pie is just not my favorite. I don’t know why-I think I am not crazy about apples-however I like it if it is warm and I like it even better with a scoop of vanilla on top. Of course pumpkin pie is not my favorite either. lol My favorites are strawberry( with no rhubarb)pie and peach pie-both hard to find.
      I will make different jello salads depending on my mood-but the ones I make the most are usually the one with bananas and strawberries or the one with oranges and pineapple and a kind of frosting on top. This time I am making one with orange sherbet. My grandmother made the best creamy jello salad that I always loved as a kid and I have no idea how she made it.
      The 7 layer salad recipe came from a girlfriend about 30 years ago so I have been making it forever. I don’t think it’s regional.
      I hope that there are no disagreements at your house on Thanksgiving either. It’s a time for fun and friendship-not conflict.
      I have had that book The Christmas Train on my shelf for several years-this year I will get around to reading it. I always forget that it’s there.
      I am happy for Jordan winning the mirror ball and it is Lindsey’s first time so that is good. I hope Mark comes back next season. I think that Jordan is one multi-talented charismatic kid. I think he has a great career ahead of him. Can’t wait to see what he does in the future.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Sue,
      I hope that you don’t get sick from those little kids either. Especially with all the coughing going on as some viruses could be airborne. I am always very careful and won’t even go to Jenny’s if the kids are sick. I take extra precautions since I take an immunosuppresive for my RA. I also seem to catch things easily as I no longer am out and about among a lot of people and I think my immune system has weakened because of that.
      It doesn’t really surprise me that more and more women are coming out with harassment allegations. I think most have just kept quiet as the men doing the harrassment were mostly either older or men of power and the women figured no one would believe them. Also years ago when women were just starting to climb the corporate ladder I bet they kept silent in fear of losing their positions. I think they are just beginning to peel the layers off the onion and I hope that this will start a dialogue about these issues and it will lead to a better situation for women in the workplace in the future once these men realize that this sort of behavior will no longer be tolerated.
      I actually agree with the Girl Scouts position on the not forcing a child to hug a relative. This is because of my own personal experiences. Jenny did not like men as a child and I would never force her to hug an uncle or anyone if she did not feel comfortable with it. Kendall is the same way-she is not a touchy feely person and doesn’t hug-not even her own parents so I respect her boundaries. There is nothing to be accomplished by forcing her to hug me except to make her resent me. We both know we love each other. Now as to other people-we will hug and cheek kiss friends and family. Hugs are good as long as both participants are willing. I must say-I think I was not a big hugger growing up myself and have only gotten more comfortable with it in my adult life.
      I hope that you have a great Thanksgiving.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey DD
      I am so happy your tree came.
      Well, he did win last night. I thought he would too.
      Can’t wait to see the pic of your tree!!
      Forgive the short post, as Amanda just arrived, so I will read the rest later.
      Adele

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Everyone sounds busy with their delicious Thanksgiving plans. So glad you enjoyed your meal DD. That was great you could bring home extras for another meal. I happen to love the leftovers as much, if not more, than the “big meal”. Everyone’s recipes and menu sounds so yummy, and the pies look so good. Even Gail’s butterfly flew all the way to your house in your pie Adele. Our dear neighbors from across the street called us today and invited us to their daughters’ home tomorrow; since they know we won’t be having our meal tomorrow. I just thought that was so kind of them to think to include us. I told her that I will be helping Neal by skyping. We talked a little while today while I walked him through making cornbread for his dressing. The baby was really drooling; and Neal he heard the baby with this “dry” cough about 3 am; so he went and got him and he took the baby to the spare bedroom with him and layed down. He watched over him and put him back in his crib about 6; and he said he is not running fever, but I know he is worried about the baby. He had that “wet” cough for several weeks; and the doctor put him on this inhaler thing; and now this. I miss them and wish we could help them. So we will be here to show him things tomorrow; and that lead Jerry to ask me, “what are WE going to do for dinner tomorrow?” and I said, probably spagetti and garlic bread Ha Ha. So it may be Italian night at our household while you all are all enjoying your turkey. Hope everyone has a fabulous day
      I am in to really simple desserts; but I must say I can’t remember meeting a dessert that I didn’t love. I really could start my meal with the goodies served at the end. LOL That could explain why I am such a “fluffy lady”. I do think I have lost my taste for meats as years have gone by. It is so funny how my taste has evolved. I remember once, when I was around 16, I decided that I was going to be a vegetarian. It lasted for about 4 years; and then, I just had to have a hamburger. We were at a cookout, and the aroma of that hamburger just drove me crazy; and I think that was one of the best things I have ever eaten at the time was that plain old hamburger. I didn’t miss meat at all until that time. Isn’t that something?
      I love a seven layer salad, Gail. I have actually never made one myself, and that is strange since they are so good. Just love the brocolli salad that Sue showed me how to make with the raisins and cheese and bacon. Yum Yum. Jerry loves it too.
      Take care all my dear friends, and my hope for this Thanksgiving is that you all are blessed with good health, love with friends and family, and a wonderful day. Enjoy my friends. And then take a good nap. Hugs across the miles, Barbara

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Everybody!
      Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Hope all of you have a great day no matter who you are celebrating with.
      Luv you all.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hello Everybody,
      Wishing you all a Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter,family and friends.
      I am grateful for all the wonderful friends that I have here on this board. You are are so special to me and hearing from you all just makes my day.
      Hugs and Love,
      Gail

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I did not think that Juniors would ever have something that expensive in their line of food that they bring to the q. Usually their food is really good and not that expensive. Their sugar free cheese cakes are really good. I get those every year.
      I am like you. I do not want meat at every meal but would not go without it. Brook has lost so much weight that I worry about her. She probably gained weight today though with all the things that we fixed. I froze one of the lentil been peppers for her to have today and then made her some dressing without any type of meat in it at all. Plus she ate the other things that we had that did not have any meat in it. The dressing must have tasted good because she took the rest of it home with her so she could eat some more tomorrow. Now I have to start worrying about Christmas. What to fix for her then.
      We make that salad for family get togethers. It is easier to make something like that then to make some type of veggie. Ron has a big family with all the the nieces and nephews and their families that come to the dinners.
      Not a whole lot going on here. Everyone has gone home and we are finally having some peace and quite. It was just Mandy and her family but those two girls can be a pair. Kylie likes to argue with people all the time. She is a mess. She is at that age where she knows everything.
      I hope that you had a really nice Thanksgiving and all were happy and well.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      Your spaghetti sounds really good. We have so much left over here that you and Jerry could have come here and had dinner with us. We have enough for another week and we sent some home with Mandy and her family. I did way too much cooking.
      i hope that you had a good day helping Neal with his dinner. That must have been fun to be able to watch him cooking the meal and you telling him how to do it. The only thing that might bother me is wanting to help them with something that they do not understand what I mean. My youngest daughter only called me twice to help her with her dinner. She did not know how long it would take her turkey to thaw. I told her that if she just got it out of the freezer she was in trouble. She said that she had got it out the a day or two before.So that was good. She was so funny she bought a 20 pound turkey for the four of them. I hope that they are turkey hungry there.
      Poor little Colin. I wonder if he is just at the end of that cold that he had and that is causing him to have the dry cough now. That should not last long though. They can always call the doctor if it does not stop and see what they think.
      I hope that all of you have a great Thanksgiving tomorrow. You will be eating you dinner when we are all heating up leftovers. Did you have a nice dinner with Jerry’s mom at the home? I bet she is anxious to come to your house for dinner tomorrow.Just enjoy your day.
      Have a good night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      Well, I have half of a chocolate pie left, one custard pie, and half of the apple. I made 2 chocolates, and custards, and one apple. Now, this year the chocolate was more popular than the custards. go figure.
      The sweet potato casserole we made with the pecan crumble topping was a huge hit. They want 2 of them next year, and one for Christmas. How funny is that.
      Steph felt better, and said she was just sore, so that was good too.
      So far, all is away from turkey day accept the Annalee dolls, and the table has the Christmas tablecloth on it. I will put up the trees tomorrow.
      We are tired, event though the kids did all the clean up. We got up at 6am, and that made us pooped. Today, Rachel is coming to visit. (Tommy and Siobhan’s daughter. We have not seen her since the early Fall.
      I hope you had a good day, and that the girls got your tree up.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      I share Colleen’s wishes for everyone to have had a great day, and blessings for the years to come!!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      hey Gail…the ramen noodle salad sounds good too. you come up with great salad ideas.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Gail and Sue
      I forgot to say, I always ask my grandkids if I can hug them…..”can I have a hug please”, is a regular thing I say to them. Mine comes from doing the Sexual Abuse Prevention training’s. You always ask a child’s permission, even if they are your grands. That gives the child permission to say no to adults, which is one thing that keeps them safe. i did those training’s for the parents for over 10 years. We made it the responsibility of the adults to keep the kids safe, and not focus so much on stranger danger, as it is mostly someone known to the family who molests a child.
      Women have remained quiet for generations. But, the one person who lies, will make it very difficult for the millions who do not.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Gail
      I ahve to say an apple crisp is more the favorite over here. Only me and Tillie love the apple pies- warmed, with ice cream on top, of course.
      no arguments were had….hallelujah, hallelujah!! When you have 16 people, someone’s nose can get out of joint….LOL LOL Thank g god nobody got their panties in a bunch, as they say.
      I have a real funny for you. Aizen took Amanda’s phone, and was going around taking pictures of people. All unbeknownst to anyone. I did see him take Gary’s picture. Well, Amanda came back here around 9:00 pm, to get more pie. That is in and of itself funny too, but not he funny I speak of. She showed us the pics he took. It was hysterical seeing people from the eye view of a small 4 year old child. I am surprised he loves me so much, as……let me just say this…..I am not at all attractive from the ground view, up. I am all thighs and butt, peeking through the chair arms….LOL LOL LOL Thank the Lord that I still have a great, healthy self esteem from being an only child. This could get real ugly. I have even thought of doing a picture book of….”The family, Through Aizen’s Eyes”. I would have to use a full page view for the one he took of me….LOL LOL
      I will have to put Amanda on this one, as I need all the pics from her phone. he did not miss one person, not one.
      How did your day go? I bet you have some Piper stories for us……
      Adele
      PS we forgive you for not liking apple.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      PS….I wore my new cranberry half sleeve turkey shirt.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Barbara
      So,you had Italian night, while we had turkey. Maybe we will do Italian, when you do your turkey. I have to say, it is the smells of Thanksgiving that are the best. the house continued to smell like roasting turkey all through the night, until we went to bed.
      Did you see Life in Pieces last night? I nearly peed myself. The dinner scene with the parents and teenager high from pot was hysterical. The cooking scene was almost as good. It is another show I love, as I do love to laugh.
      Did you get a chance to go to your neighbor’s at all? how nice of them to think of you two. It is a blessing to have good neighbors.
      I will add a prayer for little Colin. I hope his cough ends without his getting worst. It is awful to see little ones sick. I have to say, you raised a fabulous Dad!! How wonderful he got up, and took the baby in another bedroom to sleep with, and keep him safe.
      I am amazed you were able to eat only veggies for that long . I can eat chicken easier than beef. A good helping of beef can upset the belly. Too much fat, I think.
      Soooooo, and tree up there yet??
      Hope you have a good day tomorrow. that new Hallmark movie The Christmas Train is on tomorrow night.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Well said, Gailster.

      We are blessed to have each other to talk to every day. What would we do without the support from each-other? Quacker Love to all my buddies!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      here is another veggie idea for you to try with your daughter:
      one head of cauliflower, and an equal amount of broccoli- cut into small pieces, and par boil for just 5 minutes.
      Place the broccoli and cauliflower in a 9 x 13 pan
      sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese, top with Progresso Italian flavored bread crumbs, and pour a stick and a half of melted butter over it- bake at 350, until the bread crumbs are a little toasty.
      Hope that helps!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      You did not have too many left overs that is nice. We will be eating left overs for the rest of the week and part of next. It is good that the turkey tastes so good and we do not have it that often. We let our daughter take the pecan pie that we had home with her. It was just sweet and I do not need that around here. I would be too tempted to eat it. That sounds really good. You will have one side you know that you are going to fix. That is always nice to know ahead of time. I really like sweet potatoes.
      That was funny about Aizen taking all those pictures. It would be cute to make that photo book up with the pictures that he took. I bet everyone will be surprised to see all the pictures that he took. He is such a cute little guy. I am glad that Steph made it over and was feeling better. It is not fun being sick on a holiday.
      We still have a few things up and will put them away today. I almost cried when I saw that tree and how small it looks in the living room. Everyone kept telling me that it was pretty and would be even prettier when I get it decorated. I do not know though I want my big tree back again. It was so pretty. Oh well if I do not like it any better by the end of Christmas I can send it back.
      I will keep that recipe and try that on Christmas for my grand she will really like that. She likes veggies. Thanks for sending that we need all the recipes for her that we can get.
      Well that is all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      I’m sorry that you were so disappointed by the little tree. Maybe it will grow on you with time and you will get used to it. I imagine it is much easier to put up and take down. I need to clean house this weekend and then during the week I will start to take out decorations little by little. I have started to wear my holiday Quacker though. I have to since I have been collecting their holiday things ever since they came on the air so I have quite a lot to wear. I could probably wear two shirts a day during the holiday season. lol
      Mr. Cardinal was gone during most of the summer but now he is back tapping at the window. I guess he wants to be part of the Christmas decor.
      We have had a lot of the wild turkeys in our yard this week. I guess they think they are safe now. lol
      We had pretty mild weather yesterday so Greg covered the pond with some kind of netting that he bought to try and keep the mink out this winter. I sure hope it works as he was so sad last spring when he discovered that the fish were all gone. There was only one fish that survived the carnage-can you imagine-that was one lucky fish-it must have had a good hiding spot to be missed when the darn mink found every other fish in the pond-big and little.
      I like the Juniors cheesecake too-they are pretty good. I used to make my own cheesecake all the time but I have just gotten lazy in my old age.
      I know what you mean about Kylie. Brent used to be like that too-he liked to argue over any point and he also liked to be right all the time. Fortunately, it seems to be a passing phase and they grow out of it and realize that stuff is not that important. I guess we put up with it because they are family and we love them. I always told Brent he should have been a lawyer since he liked to debate so much. lol
      That is funny that Melissa had a twenty pound turkey for the four of them. They would have been fine with one of those turkey breasts. I hope she has a lot of recipes for leftover turkey.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      Greg says that you can send some of those pies his way anytime. I think he is feeling deprived as I no longer bake much anymore. Although he doesn’t look like he is starving and neither do I. lol
      I hope Steph is feeling better. Poor Jenny got a decorating injury. She was putting her garland on top of her kitchen cabinets and Adam had left an empty whiskey bottle on top of the refrigerator and Jenny knocked it onto her toe and when we went over there last night it was all black and blue and sore. It’s so easy to break a toe like that but there’s no sense in even seeing a doctor about it as they just tape it and send you on your way anyway. I’ve done the same thing before myself.
      Adele, I agree with you-the one person who lies about the abuse will ruin it for all the others who are telling the truth. So scary about that doctor who abused all those young gymnasts. It makes you wonder how many perverts are there just walking around in the world. It’s just icky!
      No wonder you were tired after preparing the food for that many people. It’s just not as easy as it used to be. I’m glad that everyone got along and the day was fuss free. My take on those gatherings is they only happen a few times a year and so I always made an effort to make sure to get along and would just overlook things that bothered me rather than making an issue out of something. My idea was keep the peace by whatever means possible. It was never that hard except when Greg’s oldest brother’s wife was there. She was always the bad seed-but I still never bothered to confront as it just wasn’t worth it.
      How cute that Aizen took everyone’s picture. He’s a stealth photographer. lol He would have gotten the same shot of me, belly and butt. However, he sees you through different eyes. You are the Nana who is kind and loving and bakes delicious treats. He hasn’t yet been influenced by the world who see people superficially and expect a practically unattainable standard of beauty. He sees the beautiful person inside and that’s what’s important to him. I figure it feels better to hug a pillow than to hug a board. lol
      I wore my cornucopia brooch shirt for Thanksgiving. Of course Piper asked what is was and I told her the name cornucopia and then she said-i don’t know what that means. lol Trying explaining cornucopia. lol
      Yes, I do have a Piper story. Greg was sitting on the couch after dinner and Piper and Isla (her cousin) proceeded to paste stickers all over Greg’s face and head. He was totally covered as they have a clean palette since he is bald. He looked like one of those race cars with the decals all over. lol I had to help him take them off as they were front back and sides and some were pretty sticky. I told him this is what waxing feels like. lol I took a picture and texted it to Brent as he was working Thanksgiving Day and they were going to Ruidoso to Wendy’s parents the following day. I always like him to be busy this time of year as Kim died November 28th which was actually Thanksgiving that year-so it’s always a bit tough for him but has gotten easier with time.
      I missed Life in Pieces on Thanksgiving as Dish had dropped channel 2 in our area so I couldn’t record it while we were gone.
      Last night when we went to Jenny’s Piper was so excited to show us the decorations that her Mom has put up that day. Then we watched the cartoon of the Grinch That Stole Christmas and she asked questions all the way through and when her Dad called from work she told him the whole story like he wasn’t familiar with it. lol I swear that child could win a talkathon! lol
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Colleen
      I have a suggestion for your tree. I got the small ones last year, and got 2 of them- the one that is in the front window, I have on a table, with the tree skirt on the table as a tablecloth. It makes the tree bigger, and outside, nobody knows it is only 4 feet tall. Once you put the presents under, it also looks bigger.
      I am glad we do not have a lot of leftovers, as the dinner has so much fat in it, and we do no need that!
      I recently found out about a product that helps with blood sugars, liver counts (Gary has a fatty liver, and I have the beginning of one). It is Bragg’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. You take it once to twice a day, and I have to say, I have been feeling better since I got it. I feel “clearer”, if that makes any sense. I do it once a day in the am- 2 tbsp. in a glass of water. Just gulp it down as it does take getting used to. My sugars were in the teens to a whopping 120 on one morning. This morning, it was 102. I have been taking it for a week. Gary is refusing to take it- this am his sugar was 152, and his eyes were all red and blurry looking. I just feel healthier. The kids sad they had heard about it, and it is supposed to clear the toxins out of your body.
      We had a nice visit with Rachel yesterday. She stayed quite a whole, and we had a lot of laughs. She is doing good in school, but doe snot like the dorm living, with her 3 roommates. I think she will commute to school next year, and save a lot of money too.
      Are the girls still at your house?
      Hope you are liking your tree more….
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gail
      I wish there was a way to send a pie safely to everyone. How nice would that be! I would be thrilled to be able to do that. Could you imagine what a chocolate cream pie owuld look like, after it was sent across this country? LOL LOL
      Poor Jenny. Is her toe feeling better? I hope it did not swell too much.
      I also feel the sports doctor was the most heinous of all. Taking advantage of the girls, when they are so vulnerable, and trusting is beyond disgusting. Those are our top athletes, and he ruined their experiences in the Olympics. I hope they put him in jail for life.
      Your Piper is hysterical. Greg is such a good sport with the kids, and all they do to him. These will be memories they talk about for the rest of their lives. A good grandpa is worth millions. Being a grandparent is such an important role in the life of all children. Those who never had that experience are missing so much. So many grandparents have died way too young. Such a shame. I only knew my Nonna (paternal), and my Opa (maternal). My Opa was alive for only 1 year when we went to Germany, and he was bedridden, dying from cancer. Even so, he tried his best to be there for me- he sang to me, and he loved when I sang songs to him. I remember one day when I came home from school, he was sitting in a chair, all dressed up. He had gone to the doctor that day, and he insisted on staying dressed, so I saw him in street clothes. Looking back, I realize how much that took out of him. I don’t remember my reaction, but, I sincerely hope it made him smile, as you know that kids just do not get the effort that would have taken.
      I have to get Amanda to send me all those pics, or have her load them into Shutterfly for me. You said it well, my friend….his eyes are pure and not jaded by how the world views people who are not perfect. Would it not be wonderful, if we all styaed that way?
      Hope you are having a good day!
      Adele
      PS…read my post to Colleen for more info. I dreamed of Maxine’s death last night, and I was hugging one of her daughters while they sobbed. I woke up missing her terribly. I wnat to call her cell phone, and hear her voice, but, I do not want to freak her kids out if they left it on.

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      I see everyone had a wonderful turkey day. Sounds like Aizen will be a professional photographer when he grows up. I should’ve taken notes. I spent thanksgiving with my “niece” (we’re not really related, but she calls me her aunt). She’s the one who lost both her mother & grandmother this yr. Tues. was the anniversary of my mother’s passing in 1986, so we were kinda in the same boat. This is the first holidays without her whole family around. Adele, your dream of your friend struck a chord with me cuz shortly after my mom passed I dreamed the phone rang & she was on the other end. As you can imagine I woke up with quite a start. And that was loooooong before cell phones were ever heard of. You can come & bake pies for me ANYTIME!!! Golly they looked sooooooo good. Esp the chocolate ones. How is Tilly doing? Did she enjoy all the fixings? I know I would.
      We were never a demonstrative family growing up. It took me yrs to learn how to hug someone. sounds crazy I know, but that’s how we were raised. I guess they thought it was tooo familiar & not the proper thing to do.
      Colleen, I know what you mean about the smaller tree. It’s adorable, but I’m used to the 6 1/2′ tree also. Like Adele said put it on a sturdy table & that should make it look bigger. The jury is still out on it out here. I won’t have the tree space for the ornaments like I had with the big tree. I’ll see how it goes.
      Barbara, your family needs to get a humidifier for the baby, & keep it in his room. I needed one in my room, but they didn’t have em back then like they do now. I used to stand over a kettle of boiling water with a towel over my head to get full benefit of it. they have em on the Q. I’m tempted to get one myself.
      Our weather has been bizarre for this time of yr. We’ve been in the upper 50s & low to mid 60s most of the week. It was too warm to wear anything long sleeved or heavy. But the weather is changing now. It’s pouring rain now & I see where there’s a chance for colder weather coming. On my FB page one of our weathermen put up a post showing an Arctic blast in Alaska right now headed our way. He doesn’t know when it’ll get here, if it does. If it does hit here it means we could/would get snow maybe before Christmas. If we do it also means the rest of the country will get the Arctic blast. (I’m full of good news, lol)!!!
      Has anyone been watching the Q this weekend? I would love to get the HP touch screen computer, but can’t. I have those mini cheesecakes from Junior’s on order. I LOVE them! The ones with the chocolate cake & strawberry swirl ones.
      Well, I’ve bored you all enough for now.
      Have a great rest of your weekend.
      dd

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    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hey ladies,
      I knew I’d forget something. I’ve been having trouble with my left knee lately. Could you tell me what to look for if my knee is going out & needing replacement? I’ve been in the kitchen when I turned to do something & my whole left leg buckled under me. Luckily, I was close enough to the counter to catch myself. I got myself a knee brace at the store & it helps, but it still feels strange at times. Like it still wants to buckle under me. I’m falling apart. I’m not in a lot of pain, it just goes out from under me. I’ll appreciate any info from you. Thank you.
      dd

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    • Anonymous
      Inactive
      Post count: 643

      DD maybe you should go have it checked. I had a lot of pain with mine as it was bone on bone and the only fix was knee replacement. He could have given me a shot but that would have only helped temporary. Adele is getting the shots but she has pain too. So I am thinking yours may be something else if no pain. My family doctor said when my leg gave out that I was to fat to support my body weight But I don’t know how true that was. Maybe leg strengthening exercises would help. I still do those 3 times a week. I don’t know if any of this is of help to you that is why I said best to have it checked out.

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Sue,
      Any ideas are appreciated. It gives me somewhere to start. I don’t like going to the Dr. for every little ache or pain, but I’m at the age where I guess I’ll need to have things checked out. sigh. thanks for getting back to me.
      dd

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      It does not take long to put it up but I am ready to take it down now. Ron said that he thinks that I will like it when it is decorated. It is so tiny though it is not worth decorating. I will just have to get over it and quit acting like a big baby. Ron is happy with it because he did not want to put that big tree up anymore. He said that it was too much work.
      You have a lot of Christmas shirts. I will wear one on Monday when we go to see Aliza. We are babysitting for her while her mom goes to the hospital for tests. Kevin is going with her so that will be nice Ron and I will have Aliza all to ourselves.
      That is so sad that the cardinal is back. Hope that he does not do like the one we had. He just hit so hard that he killed himself. That is terrible when they do that and it had to be a cardinal. We had not had one that close to the house for a long time and then one showed up. It really makes us feel bad that he died.
      The turkey are like the deer. They know where to hide so they can make it thru hunting season.I am not sure when hunting season ends for turkeys though. People eat turkey at Christmas also. So they do not stand a chance around here.
      I hope that the netting will work at keeping the mink out of the pond. Did you get more fish to put in there during the summer.? I do not remember if you said that you did or not. It is a shame that you cannot even have fish without some animal coming in and getting them.
      It just is not as much fun baking anymore. There is so much work to it and then you have the kids come over and they will not eat much of it because they are on diets. I have not made a cheese cake for years either.
      Kylie is like Brent she would argue about if it was night or day. You gave us a little good news she will grow out of it. That will be the best day not to have to argue with here about dumb things.lol
      That is funny that Piper put stickers all over Greg. Hope that you did not have to scrub his head to get all the stickers off. Some of them are hard to get off. I bet Brent got a good laugh when he saw that picture. Maybe now that he has a new girl in his life he will not have such a hard time getting thru Thanksgiving. I know that he will never forget Kim but this might help to fill the void.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      We have our tree standing on a box thing, It still does not look all that big to me. I am just use to the big tree and it is just going to be hard to get use to this one. I just really have mixed feelings about it. I will have to decorate it and leave it up because Ron likes it and it makes him happy. He was getting to where he did not like putting the tree up and taking it down.
      I have heard that apple cider vinegar is good for a lot of different things. I just have never tried it. It has such an awful taste to it. I do not know how you get past the smell of it. Maybe I will give it a try and see if it helps. My sugar is usually in the 80’s and low 90’s in the morning. I have not had really had high blood sugars in the morning for a long time. I have to really work at it though. I have just heard of all the things that can go wrong if you let it get too high so try to keep it at a good level.
      That was nice that Rachael came to visit you and Gary. That would be hard living in the dorm with three other girls. Danyielle was lucky when she lived in the dorm she only had one roommate and they got along really well. She use to bring her friend home with her on holidays because she came from Hawaii. I know that he parents sent us some candy with macadamia nuts in them. They were really nice also.
      The girls have gone home. They were supposed to stay but ended up going home. So they will come some other time and stay for awhile. I think that they wanted to do things with their friends.
      I forgot to say that I have had diabetes for over 30 years so I have had a lot of time to learn how to keep mine down. I know all the ups and downs that I go thru. It is not that easy to figure all of that out when you have not had it that long.
      That is all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      It does not matter why she calls you aunt she feels close enough to you to call you that. That is what is important. You two have each other to be with on the holidays. That is the only important thing.
      That is going to be my problem with the tree we bought. I have all these ornaments and they will not all fit. Some of the ones that I had for the other tree will be too big for this tree. So will not even be able to use them anymore. I really am being a baby about this but will get over it I am sure.
      Well I can tell you from experience that shipping any type of baked goods will not work. After my daughter got married they moved to Texas. She wanted me to send her the top of her wedding cake that the froze so she could eat it on their first anniversary. Well I did that and I tried to ship it. Well when she got it it was horrible . She could not even eat it.I even sent it in a tupperware bowl and they are air tight. They made sure that it was next day delivery and that did not do any good either. So do not try to send anything like that in the mail.
      I am getting tired of this crazy weather. It is hot one day and cold the next. We are supposed to have warmer weather this week and then it is supposed to get cold again. So it will be in the 60’s and then drop to the 40’s. I am ready for the cold air to move in and stay.
      Thank you for sending those pictures that you send they really make me smile.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      You don’t bore us at all. We all like trading our life stories. Between the reaction from you and Colleen I would have to give serious consideration to ever reducing the size of our tree. My problem would be I’ve already cut way back on my ornaments so where would I put even the ones that I still use?
      I’m glad that you enjoyed dinner with your niece (whose not your niece but is like family). Did she make the meal with all the trimmings? Does it take long to get to her house?
      I don’t know much about knees but everyone that I know that needed replacement had a lot of pain from the bones rubbing together. Maybe you have some sort of torn tendon or something that is causing the knee to buckle. It’s best to get it checked out before it causes you to fall down and hurt yourself.
      Let us know what you decide.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      You are not being a big baby about the tree. You just like it to look a certain way and this has been a disappointment to you. We all like what we like and having to change is sometimes difficult and disappointing.
      I’ll bet Aliza will like your Christmas shirt. I know we had a big conversation about the one I wore to Jenny’s on Friday. It showed people out Christmas shopping-I named it my black Friday shirt. But we had to discuss what all the people were doing, what kind of dog was on the shirt, what kind of stores were on the street, how the streetlamps got the wreathes on them etc. etc. I can’t tell you how many conversations with the kids the Quacker shirts have sparked. Then for the icing on on the cake Piper said that she wished me and grandpa could come over every day. If that doesn’t melt your heart… give this little girl everything on her Christmas list! lol
      We did put more fish in the pond this summer but not nearly as many as was in there before.
      I think the baking is tiring now but it’s also tiring to go to the store and get all the ingredients for things too. I am just not motivated like i used to be when there were more people around.
      I think the anniversary of Kim’s death gets a little easier for Brent each year. Of course he will never forget but at least now he is moving forward and I don’t worry about it quite as much as I know he is not alone.
      I keep meaning to ask did you ever get the Patrick Taylor book that I think came out this October. I think it was another in the doctor series. Can’t think of the name off the top of my head. I think i have only read three of the books so I have several to go. I introduced Greg to The Maze Runner series recently and he is really whipping through all the five books. Hopefully 2018 will be the year that I finally read the Harry Potter series-it’s been on my To Be Read List for awhile. You read those didn’t you?
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      It’s funny but when we were in Ruidoso in one of the stores Wendy and I got into a conversation with a woman who was touting the benefits of apple cider vinegar. It’s supposed to reduce inflammation too so it might make any arthritis that you have feel better.
      I am sad that you are missing your friend Maxine so much. There is just no other healer for a loss like that but time. You were probably thinking about her children and their first Thanksgiving without her.
      My mother died on Dec. 20th-so we all went down to Florida for her funeral which was on Christmas Eve and we flew back to Chicago on Christmas Day. Now we normally would go to Chicago on Christmas Day to go to my MIL’s house and Greg left it up to me whether i wanted to go or not. We had left the car at the airport and the gifts were already in the trunk so i decided to go to my MIL’s house. I figured why should i deprive Greg of seeing his Mom and whatever siblings were in town and my kids of seeing their relatives. If we went straight back home I would be just as sad so I thought it would be good for all of us to go. Now of course it wasn’t a joyous day for me but it made me feel better knowing i was around people who cared for me and were saddened by my loss. I learned that day sometimes you gotta fake it til you make it and i never regretted my decision.
      I was lucky in that i knew all my grandparents as a small child and I think my maternal grandfather did not die until I was grown up and married.
      Greg is so good with the grands. They are always doing goofy stuff to him. Kelly said that she wanted to hire him to amuse her kids. lol
      I hope by today you are feeling more rested after cooking the big feast. Just think you have to do it again next month. lol
      A couple of years ago I decided who am I trying to impress-my daughter her husband and three little kids? So I brought out the foam platters and the plastic silverware and never looked back. it has been very freeing. lol I still use my cute Christmas plates to serve appetizers and side dishes in so I have the best of both worlds.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      You are not boring us!!! OMG….I Bremen the towel over your head, and breathing into the steaming water- with Vicks in it….LOL LOL Isn’t it funny how we trigger memories in each other?
      so, do you have any stories from your Thanksgiving dinner- any funny conversations, or sad ones, since you both had losses at the same time. I bet it was comforting for her to have you there. You could talk about the people you lost, and reminisce. Maxine and I did that. We had stores of our parents, some of which we shared together, and some not. My Dad went to Maxine’s husband’s and mother’s funerals with me. Tillie went to. I have entire conversations with Maxine- usually in the quiet of the bathroom.
      Here is an idea for you- hang some of your ornaments from the cabinet handles, or door handles. I do that. If you have a hanging light over your kitchen table, you can hang some from that too.
      Tillie was careful about what she ate, because she is afraid she will get a belly ache, and then have an issue tomorrow. We go for shot # 2 in her eye tomorrow. Say a prayer, please.
      Hope you are ok, and the weather not too cold.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      My knee never buckled, but my ankle did. It was from weak muscles- had to go to PT to get them stronger. I am not sure if that is the same with a knee. But, early attention to any issue makes the treatment easier- the longer you wait, the worst it can get, especially at our ages.
      I hope you can get an appointment, and get good news for an easy fix too.
      Adele
      PS….adding another prayer….

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      OMG, Sue!!!
      That was a very mean thing to say. When my ankle gave out, they never said any such thing to me. I think I hate your doctor. that must have made you feel so bad. I am so sorry for the mean spirited doctor. Maybe he should read his oath….the first one is “do no harm”. I am so sorry. You are not too chubby for your joints. We love you!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen’
      That is a very long time to have diabetes. You should be our resident expert on the subject.
      If you do the vinegar thing, they say it only works if it is the Bragg’s natural one. Not sure why. the 2 tbsp in a glass of water is not too bad. I have gotten used to it,. the first few were hard…LOL
      I put my tree skirt on the table,and then put Annalee dolls at the base, and on the floor. The one in the living room is just on the floor. put Annalee dolls around that one too. believe me the decorating and dismantling are so much easier, it is worth it. Would you get 2 trees, like I did? Then you can use more ornaments too.
      I ave anew grandpuppy. Enzo’s dog dies, and he was devastated. Marissa and Enzo got a puppy a few days later at the shelter. they really lucked out. She is so sweet. She nerve barks, only when she plays with her toys. She is a real cuddler. She snuggled into my neck, and into the crook of my ar, after she gave me a “doggy kiss”. Ill attach a pic on here, so you can see her.
      Heather and JJ spent the night last night, and they helped decorate the trees. Both trees are decorated…yahoo!!
      I am sorry your girls already left. did you finish your tree before they left? Will Ron help, if you did not?
      I hope you had a good day- I am pooped, and tomorrow is shot day for Tillie.
      Adele

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    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Gail!
      I am pretty close to the paper for everything thing. Dam close. Even the smaller trees no longer bother me. I know Colleen will get to like hers, especially with the less work fixing, and dismantling them.
      Look at my new grandpuppy. She is so black, you cannot see her eyes. She came out a lot lighter in one pic- she is all black. MArissa and Enzo love her, and she has been very easy to train. They took her to the vet today, and then home, because she was a little anxious after the vet visit. She went right to sleep when they got her home. My poor puppy! Tillie loved her. Bobby came running up the stairs and said this….”Don’t get any ideas- look at her paws she is going to be huge.” Her paws do not look that big to me….LOL The only bad thing she does is eat Marissa’s shoes, and Rissy LOVES her shoes.My Dad died on December 23rd, so I know what you mean. we had to wait until Dec 26th, before we could do the wake as they would not bury him on Christmas Eve. It was awful. Just awful.
      I have these private conversations with Maxine, like she is right here. I must sound like I am nuts. I guess you could say, I have a new Angel to pray to.
      I bet I was thinking of her ids, and how they will handle the holidays. It is so awful for all of them. They have no Dad or Mom anymore. Maxine;s husband died when the kids were in their early teens, and pre-teens. that was awful too- he died form the flu. Boy, was that a tough one. I have been paranoid about anyone with the flu since then, and tell everyone people can die form the flu, to get to the ER, quick.
      How Is jenny’s toe? How is Brent? Has it been a little easier, since he has this nice girlfriend? Not that a new love makes an old hurt disappear. But, I hope she is comforting him a lot on Thanksgiving. She sounds like she would.
      Hope Greg has all the stickers cleared away….LOL I told Gary about that, and he chuckled.
      Adele

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      This will be short. I just wanted to thank you for giving me your takes on my knee. I’m gonna call the Dr. & see what he says. I’m sure he’ll want to see me.
      I’ll keep ya posted. I went to town today, & got nearly all my decorations out of the closet. I got a burst of energy I guess.
      IT’s been another ugly rainy day out here. The temps are falling, so that means more snow in the mts. All that warm weather we had washed away a lot of the snow & there are bare patches on Mt Hood again. If that Arctic blast comes down it could snow down here. Remember I’m just above sea level.
      Doing paper plates is a great idea. I know a lot of people who do it all the time. Hallie had paper plates for Thanksgiving.
      Well the holiday weekend is just about over. Did all of you get your shopping done? I don’t have anyone to buy for so that makes is easy for me. Oh say I was going to ask this a while back & kept forgetting (old age). Is anyone up for exchanging Christmas cards? I thought it’d be fun. I should have my place decorated tomorrow.
      Well, that’s all for now.
      Have a great week.
      dd

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    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      Whenever I wear my duck shirt and Aliza is around she calls it the quack quack. She likes to look at my shirts and try to get all the sparkles off of them. She has gotten a couple of them off on my capris. She really likes to do that and she thinks that she has really accomplished something when she gets one off. So we had to have a talk with her and let her know that my pants will not look pretty if she keeps taking off the sparkles. I do not think that she cares. That is cute that Piper likes to talk about what is going on on your shirt. That is funny that they want to talk about what kind of store is on the street. The lamplight’s are really cute on all of the shirts. I bet that Piper got a big hug when she said that. That does just melt your heart.
      That does mean a lot that Brent has someone else in his life. I am glad that she is someone that you and Greg like. That makes it easier also. I am really happy for him and for you.
      Melissa is going to get that book for me for Christmas. She told me when I asked her if she would order it for me off of Amazon and then I would just give her the money. She got a little irritated with me because she had to tell me that she was getting it for me for Christmas. I told her she could have just said okay and then just come up with excuses for why she has not ordered it yet. She did not like that idea. I also want to get that book that you recommended on the book post. It sounds really interesting. The one about the charms. Is that an old book or a new one?
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I do not think that I am an expert. With diabetes you have to figure things out for yourself. One thing that might work for you may not work for another person. It just takes time and going thru all of it and finding what works for you.
      I will look and see if we can get that vinegar here. It is worth a try. It would be nice if I could find something to help with arthritis. There are supposed to be all of those natural things that you can take and that will take care of it. I have not found anything yet that works. Will just have to keep looking.
      That puppy is so cute. I bet JJ and Aizen will really love that puppy also. What did they name it? He really is a dark color. I thought when I first saw the pictures of the puppy that it was yours. He is just too cute.
      I have not put any decorations on the tree yet. I have to figure out which ones to put on there. Some of my ornaments will be too big and so will have to go thru all the boxes and find all the small ones. This is really disappointing. Ron will help me because he is trying to convince me that we will love the tree when we decorate it. He is really trying. He wants to keep the tree. I will wait until after Christmas and if I do not like it by then I will send it back and get a bigger one. I wonder if that picture that DD posted is her new tree. It looks taller them mine does.
      That was nice that Heather and JJ stayed and helped you decorate. I bet that was fun for JJ and made him feel grown up. He got to help you do the decorating. I know that the younger kids always like to tell the others when they get to help put the santas out and all of that. I think that they want everyone to know that they helped.
      I will be praying for Tillie. Hope taht the shot helps her to see better then she was from the last one. At least Tillie came up and ate with everyone. That was nice. Hope that she did not get sick after she ate.
      Well that is all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      Is that a picture of your new tree? It really looks tall in that picture. Maybe it is the way that you have it set up. It is really pretty and I like all of the decorations that you have around it.
      Hope that you get into see your doctor right away and it will be a quick fix. That is really hard when your knee is hurting like that. Maybe all that you will need is a shot in your knee.
      We used the good plates for Thanksgiving but may use paper plates for Christmas. We will have a lot more here for Christmas then we did before. I hate having to do a lot of dishes. We will also use the throw away pans that you can get at the dollar store. It makes it a nicer day. All we want to do is open the gifts and watch the kids play with the toys that they got. It is fun to do that.
      Exchanging cards would be fun. I in if anyone else wants to do it. Not a lot of people send cards anymore. It is really sad that was always fun to get the cards in the mail.
      i have a lot more shopping to do. I have gifts that I have to get for friends and family. I did not start as early as I use to and that really has thrown me off. So now I will be rushing around trying to get the rest of what I need.
      Well that is about all from here. Hope that you have a good night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi DD,
      I guess it is a good idea to get the knee checked out before it gets worse. Hopefully it will be an easy fix like some PT.
      Greg is going to the new pain doctor for his back tomorrow so we’ll see how that goes.
      I didn’t really shop this weekend but am doing some internet shopping today. I have everyone done but hubby and the grands. Waiting to hear what’s on their lists from Jenny. She will find me where all the items are on sale or have free shipping too-she’s a great bargain hunter.
      I must say in previous years I was able to find things on the Q but this season their programming is so dull and boring and same old same old-maybe i have just been shopping there for too long.
      I think exchanging cards is fun-I believe some of us already do that. i think I still have your address from when I sent the sheets-if not I’ll private message you for it so it’s not written on this public site.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I hope Tillie’s shot went well and that you found a parking spot easily. Is she going to that Mass eye institute. My sister flew in from Indy to go there for her uveitis since the countries biggest expert on it is there.
      The puppy is cute? What’s her name? She looks like maybe a lab/pitt bull cross of some sort.
      Yes those puppies will chew shoes and anything else- I remember those days. She needs to substitute some chew toys for the shoes. When I think of all the hours it took to train our dogs I don’t think I could do it again. But i sure do miss them.
      I know what you mean about talking to Maxine-after Mom died something would happen and I would go to call her and realize she wasn’t there. Or i would read a good book and want to talk to her about it-it took a long time to remember she wasn’t there anymore.
      I have a girlfriend whose younger sister died from the flu. It was so sad. That’s why I always take extra precautions during flu season as I can’t get a flu shot.
      Maybe you will find some pretty Christmas paper plates and decide to use them this year. I’m not ready to give up the trees and the decorations yet but i do have Greg to put the trees together for me so that is a big help. Plus he can still drag decor up from the basement for me. When we aren’t able anymore we will have to change things-just like everything else. Getting older is a series of adjustments.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      Tell Aliza if she keeps picking the rhinestones off your clothes you won’t be sparkly anymore. lol the kids are attracted to the glitter aren’t they. I can always see Piper checking out my jewelry. lol
      I still have shopping to do too. I love Amazon as I am a prime member so I get all the free shipping. Internet shopping is the way to go as it saves all the chasing around. My new favorite place is Etsy with all the cute handmade things.
      You are in luck! For some reason I have two copies of the Arthur Pepper book and would be more than happy to give you my extra copy. I will mail it out when i get the chance-it may be next week or something-if you want it. I’m so glad that you mentioned it. Sometimes I accidentally buy a book twice. I should really start going back to the library as i am running out of book space.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi DD
      I would definitely exchange cards with you. I will try to do a private message to give you my address….hope I can figure it out.
      you did a great job decorating. It looks so pretty at your place. I am nowhere near done. I thought I would get the garland with the stockings up on the railing, and I was way too tired when I came back form the shot with Tillie. It was a huge amount of walking. there were many times when I lagged way behind Amanda with Tillie in the wheelchair. My back and legs were killing me. A little better now, but, i am so terribly tired.
      You know, this is my mother. I should be able to care for her, with no concern for myself. I am just not physically able to do it, and it makes me feel so inadequate. Arthritis is such a debilitating disease. My mind says I can do it, and then my back reminds me I cannot. Thank God for Amanda. Gary came, and stayed in the car, so I could go in this time. seriously, though, I was of no use. I was just there. Amanda said next time, I should just stay in the car, and she could do it, as taking 3 extra people, 2 of which are no help accept transportation, is a waste.
      So, when we got back, after I had a little hissy fit over a hospital not being disabled friendly, I called our local eye doctor. We were supposed to go to them in the first place, but the retina specialist was on vacation. I want to move her care back there. The retina specialist there does give the shots, and if they can do the scan there too, no need for a hospital setting anymore. (they did a scan before the shot to see how things are progressing) If I have to take her for a scan at another place, then no need to take her to 2 places, and I will have to suck it up.
      So, she did show some lessening of the blood in the eye( the black spot), but, now there is scarring underneath it. With the scarring, she may not get much sight back. But, there is still hope. She is supposed to get one shot a month, possibly for the rest of her life, if it improves her sight. I cannot imagine going there once a month, for the rest of her life. That would be awful, as today’s shot really hurt her. I am so sorry she has to endure all this pain, with no real guaranty for sight in that eye.
      I just have to pray for the best solution. That she gets most of her sight back, and we can move her care to a place where it is so much easier for her, and for me.
      Hope you do not have any snow yet!!!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      Please read my post to DD on all the info of today’s shot. this one hurt her a lot more. Not much progress. Some of the blood has gone, but she now has scarring. I have all the info in the other post.
      I am really exhausted. It was a long day, and a lot of walking.
      You are so right- it is individual. Everything is. What works for one, may not on another. Kind of a crap shoot, with guidelines.
      The puppy is adorable- her name is Luna. the kids did see her, and they LOVE her. She has such a nice personality. Marissa says she hates to leave her in the morning. That is so cute.
      I hope you like your tree. It is so much easier for both of you.
      I thought the Holiday Bake off started tonight. I am disappointed.
      I am signing off for now, as i have to read Gail’s too before I get into my chair….LOL I will be asleep in 5 minutes.
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey GAil
      That is so good that Greg can still get the stuff up, and put it together. I hope he will still be able to do it, for many, many years to come. That is my Christmas Wish for you.
      Puppy’s name is Luna.
      Please read the posts to the girls for all the news, as I am so tired, these keys are blurring….LOL
      How is Brent? Jenny’s toe?
      I hope Greg gets good news from the pain doctor. I hope they can help him, with no surgery.
      I am still shocked when I hear of a person dying from the flu. It is just not something that should happen in this day and age. So awful, when it does. Bobby is goign to a wake tonight of a friend’s husband, who died form sleep apnea- he was in his late 40’s. Seriously? he left 3 children, and a wife. How sad is that?
      I am all in on exchanging addresses. I love cards.
      Hope your night goes well, and you get to see the shows, instead of sleep through then, like I will….LOL
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I do not shop at Amazon my daughters do it for me. I am terrible at that stuff. I do not know what I do wrong when I try to order. Melissa is a prime member and so is Danyielle so they will shop for me so I do not have to pay shipping. They are good kids sometimes. lol
      We watched Aliza today and we had to laugh at her. She sees me and she still calls me grand pa pa. I keep telling her that I am grand ma ma but she just says no and that is it. I guess that I will never be grandma to her. Owen told me it was because her other grandma has her call her meme. He said that they have just really confused her. I had to laugh at him he was so serious.
      I would love to have the book if you would send it. I will gladly pay you for it or trade a book with you. I have a couple of books her that I think that you would like. So just let me know the price. I will find that book and the name. It just does not come to mind right now. I know what you mean about running out of book space. I just cannot throw a book away no matter what.
      I wore my snowman shirt today when we went to see Aliza. She liked counting the snowmen on my shirt and telling us the color of the beads. Then we had to tell her and count with her. It was just like being on Sesame street. lol
      I hope that Greg likes the new back doctor. Maybe she or he will find some good exercises for him to do that will not hurt his back but help with his circulation. She should be able to.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      You take good care of your mom. She lives in your home and you make sure that she eats and has all that she needs. Even if you cannot do all that walking in the hospital you make sure that you have someone that can. So you are doing all that you can and it is not your fault that you have arthritis and a bad back. You do everything that you can to take care of your family especially your mom.
      I am sorry that the shot made your mom’s eye sore. Maybe the scaring will go away in time. Did the doctor say anything about it.? He should have said what will happen and if they can clear it up. Doctors like that drive me crazy. I hope that you can get Tillie back to her regular eye doctor and the specialist there. It would be so much nicer if you can. Sounds like you have more faith in these doctors because you know them.
      I can see why you are tired. Sounds like you had more of a day of running and not walking. It would be hard to keep up with Amanda and the wheel chair. She is pushing faster then you can walk and does not realize it. She is such a good kid for going along with you and pushing Tillie around for you.
      Luna is a really cute name for a puppy. That is so cute that the boys love her and she loves to play with them. Is there someone there with the puppy all day or is it there alone?
      I thought that the bake off started already also. Did you dvr the Chew? They had the rockettes on there today. I think that they had a different group on this time. Maybe it has just been so long since we have seen them that they looked different. I love to watch them do their kicks and turns. They are always in sinc with each other.
      Well that is all from here. Have a great night and get all the rest you can.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi colleen
      I did dvr the Chew. I hope I can see it before the one is on today. I really do love that show. It is always a happy event. Amanda and I loved that root veggie casserole they made, and I have to remember to see if I can copy that recipe- it was n last week.
      Thank you for the kind words. they made me feel better. Yesterday, I was feeling so guilty. It is hard when you are an only child, as there is nobody else to help out. I am blessed to have my Minnions. With Amanda at her new job, I know I cannot count on her for long. This is their busy season, just like Marissa, who is working non stop. Today, Amanda has her last day of training- it is actually a written test on the menu, ingredients, and their procedures. She always tests well, so I hope she gets an “A”, or she will feel she has failed.
      The puppy is a cutie, for sure. Luna means moon in Italian. Enzo’s Mom is home a lot, so someone is usually with Luna. Pina (Enzo’s Mom) even takes Luna to ride in the car with her on errands. Pina has started to work part time with Marissa for the holiday season. When nobody is home with Luna, they put her in the upstairs bathroom, that is very big, and put her bed and water with food in there to. She does well in the bathroom for now, until she gets over being a puppy, and stops chewing everything. they bought her toys, and chew things, but, she still loves the legs on the furniture, and Marissa’s shoes….LOL LOL
      I read your post to GAil. You had your cutie yesterday. Sounds like you all ahd a good time with her. Your new name is really funny. It looks like it is going to stick!
      Hope you are good, and have a good day today.
      I hope we get good news on Greg with his doctor. The eye doctor called me, and they are doing a little more research to see if they can get Tillie in there quick enough for the next shot. I hope they can.
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Adele,
      I agree with Colleen-you do a lot for your Mom-please don’t feel down on yourself because you have limitations too. When I took care of my MIL I was in my 50’s. I know i could not do many of the things that I did for her then anymore. You are doing the best job possible and are finding solutions for the things that you can’t do. I know what you mean about keeping up-I can’t keep up with a lot of people when we are walking around-I will be behind chugging along and huffing and puffing-like a train. However, I wouldn’t entirely stay behind as you may have questions that Amanda may not think of to ask.
      I’m so sorry this last shot was painful for Tillie. Just having a shot in the eye sounds awful to begin with. I hope she will see more improvement as time goes on.
      I think Jenny’s toe is fine just sore and bruised. However, I need to ask for more prayers for Brent. He still doesn’t have the stomach issue resolved and now he has a very high white blood count and high values on his thyroid tests-so he needs to have a cat scan and some other thyroid test. They say he could have a growth on his thyroid or perhaps hashimotos-my sister has hashimotos so I know that is manageable. I know they scared him by calling him back to the office right away because he usually doesn’t call us right away and he did yesterday. I feel so bad and of course we are worried. He’s also supposed to see the gastro doctor at the end of the week so maybe by next week we’ll know something. Scary stuff! Keep praying my friends.
      Gail

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi Colleen,
      Read my post to Adele for the latest update on Brent. We need some more prayers.
      That’s nice that the girls will shop on Amazon for you. And you can use their prime membership. I am always buying stuff from there so it would be hard to wait for someone else to do it for me. Plus I do a lot of other online shopping. It just beats all that running around like I used to have to do. My new favorite obsession is Etsy where they have all the cute handmade stuff. That’s where I got the plaque for my SIL’s wedding and it was so nice. I like it because you can get a lot of things personalized or customized.
      So if Aliza calls you grand papa what does she call Ron? I like Owen’s explanation that the other grandparents have her confused. lol
      I know it would make Jeanne Bice so happy to know that our shirts spark conversations with our grands. And I often think she would be delighted to know that we all came together on here and became friends because of her.
      I am anxious to hear the report from Greg on the new pain doctor when he gets home tonight.
      Don’t worry about any exchanges for the book. I am more than happy to pass it on to someone who will enjoy it and maybe share it with another friend or family member. After all what will I do with two copies? Sometimes I forget and buy two of the same thing-I told Greg the other night i needed a keeper when i forgot to turn off the burner on the stove when I changed the pot from one burner to another. I discovered it right away but it was just weird.
      Did Danyielle have her tree up yet. Was Aliza excited? I know Piper was excited when her Mom started decorating last weekend. Kids and Christmas just go together!
      Gail

    • Dianne Danielson
      Participant
      Post count: 1034

      Hi Ladies,
      Grrrrr!!! I wrote a post last night & when I sent it, poof, it disappeared, AGAIN!!! So I shut down & went to bed. So here it goes again, I hope I don’t lose it again.
      I called my Dr. yesterday & behold I was able to get in late in the afternoon. That doesn’t happen. Anyway, he thinks it’s a ligament has over lapped causing the grinding he said he heard in there. It’s more irritating than painful. He wants me to get an X ray done so he can see what’s going on. No surgery indicated at this time, whew!! I got a knee brace at the local store & he said it was a good idea.
      Adele, I;m sorry to hear about Tillie’s experience at the eye Dr. Didn’t they numb the area so she wouldn’t feel anything? I’m surprised the hospital isn’t handicapped friendly. Maybe you should wait in the car when Tillie goes in with Amanda. We can’t do as much as we able to a few yrs ago.
      The puppy is adorable. PLEASE don’t give her any of those Rawhide bones to chew on. I heard on the news they’re dangerous to the dogs. Pets have chocked to death on pieces of them. I’ve also heard they’re made in China so who knows what they’re made of.. and be sure to pass it along to your family.
      I’m glad to see you’re in for exchanging cards this yr. I think it’s gonna be fun. I have so many I could start my own card store. LOL
      Oh, I didn’t mean to be deceptive with the pics of my tree. Its from last yr. It’s my big tree. I was going to do a comparison with the smaller tree. Well, there is NO comparison. I saw a commercial on the tv the other night showing a big tree, & I said to myself “That’s does it! I;m putting up the big tree!! So I’ll have 2 trees, who’s gonna know?! I’ll put the small one in the opposite corner of the room on my desk, so it’ll have a sturdy base under it.
      I forgot to tell ya, Hallie gave me a few little things at Thanksgiving. She gave me one of her mom’s rings, I have on my pinkie finger, barely. she knew I was feeling kinda down so she gave me a Lenox angel ornament, & a small book of Words of Peace.
      I had the strangest thing happen during the night. Around 2 AM I heard a strange noise, I thought it was the cat so I went to investigate. It was someone knocking on my door!!!! I looked out the peep hole but couldn’t make out who it was, I didn’t have my glasses on. As I was turning back around whoever it was tried the doorknob!! I went back but they were gone. I have NO idea who it was. I reported it to the manager, so maybe they can find out who it was.
      It’s another soggy day out here. It was nice yesterday for going to the Dr. It’s gonna be rainy every other day this week. No snow in the near future. down here anyway.
      Have any of you seen the new Temptations new sets of dinnerware for Christmas? Sooooo cute!!!
      I’m forgetting something, but I’ll remember it later on I;m sure. I need to take notes!
      Have a great day.
      dd

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    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hey Gailster
      thank you, too, for the kind words. They really help. I cannot tell you how awful I felt about what I cannot do anymore.
      Of course we will pray for Brent- we did not stop. Tillie has hashimottos too- she takes a thyroid pill every day. I take one for a slow thyroid. I do not have hashimottos.
      I am glad Jenny’s toe is just bruised. that is good news, and we need some.
      Tillie’s eye feels a little better today. She said it still hurts, whihc is expected. She does not want to come up for dinner, so when it comes, Gary will give her what she wants. I was still pooped, and then I took out some more decorations, so I ordered a few hourdurves with rice and soup. I figured that was ok for tonight…LOL
      the food just arrived, so I have to sign off for now- Ill answer the other posts after we eat.
      Have a good night!
      Adele
      Prayers for Brent- what about Greg’s back????

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Dd
      that is funny. I thought you had the tree on a table, or it was a little bigger than the 4 foot ones. How funny is that!
      I hope you have a chain lock and a dead bolt on your door. Maybe next time, call the police, just in case. You never know in today’s world. You just never know.
      This is us is on tonight. I love that show. It is one of my favorites. I wish Kate owuld wear a Quacker outfit.
      That is so aggravating to have everything disappear. It has happened to me a few times, and then what you write later, is nerve as good as what you had the first time.
      That news report about the chew toy is all over the news up here too. I hope no dogs were severely hurt by those. She is a cutie. Marissa got a call from the vet today, and Luna has some intestinal parasite. They said it was common in puppy’s, and very common for how she was found- she was found in a dumpster in Georgia. Marissa got the medicine form the vet, and she already had her first dose. She has to take it for about a week, and then be re-tested in a month. Marissa is very careful about her poop, so that is good. Honestly, she treats that puppy like their baby. She said Enzo was so upset, because he does not want the puppy to be hurting.
      That was so nice of Hallie to give you some of her Mom’s pretty things. I know it made you feel good too. Now you have some precious memories of her. How sweet Hallie is. You are blessed to have them in your life, and I am thrilled you have them. You deserve nice people in your life.
      I am glad your knee problem is not too serious. i hope it goes away soon. How fabulous that they got you right in to see your doctor. I love good medical news.
      Thank you, to, DD, for the kind words for Tillie. She took a few naps today, so that was good. The eye needs to rest. she is getting a little disgusted with the progress, and the pain from the shot. She is not looking forward to this being a regular event. Please say a prayer our eye doctor can get her into the practice, so we can take her there. She will like them better. Plus, those dam hospitals are so huge. Everything is such a long walk, and then, God forbid you need to pee!
      Amanda called after she took the test for the restaurant. She thinks she did well, as she knew almost all the answers. I hope she passed with flying colors, as she deserves it- she works very ah rd, and puts her heart and soul into her job.
      I hope you have a good night- pretty holiday pics you loaded- thank you!
      Adele

    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Hello to everyone. Adele, I am so sorry that it hurt poor Tillie. I cannot imagine them not putting eyedrops to anesthesize the eyeball prior to the procedure. Please, please don’t EVER feel guilty that you are not doing enough to help see about your mom. She counts her blessings everyday, I am sure, for having such a wonderful daughter as you. She knows what you are going through, she knows most people would just put her away and go on about their life without a single feeling of guilt. That is why she keeps asking you when she hears of someone else going on to heaven why them? You and Gary have earned special halo’s when you go to heaven for all your love and goodness that you show to her and to everyone. You have a heart as big as a mountain, and don’t you ever ever even doubt yourself. Our son, who is the nurse at the geriatric center here tells me how sad it is that most people only come to see their mom or dad on a holiday or on the final day. He said then they “act” so upset they are gone on to heaven. He said it makes him sick. I said son, you are a good man to show kindness and compassion, and they love you for it more than you know.
      Gail, I am praying for your son. I know he will feel better when all the tests are over, and he can begin to be treated and hopefully start to feel better real soon. It is so hard to be away from your loved one when they don’t feel good. Do you like the new lady he is keeping time with? I surely hope she is helping him; especially while he is not feeling well. I have the old thyroid problem too; but mine is the sluggish one; actually the non existance one; since mine was destroyed due to all the radiation I had on my throat. Does he have certain things that trigger his symptoms or is it a continuous problem for him? It took them several years to pick up on this after I was so sick; but have taken Synthroid every day since. Will really keep him in my prayers. I know what you mean about how much more difficult it is now to do the things that I used to do without even a second thought 10+ years ago. My REAL problem is getting Jerry to accept his changes in his physical shape now. He continues to do things that hurt him; and I know that no matter what I say, if he has made up his mind to do something, he is going to try. And then he is in such bad shape it hurts me to see him, and he is so down because he is not able to do what he was determined to do. I simply cannot keep up with others now; and it embarasses me, and honestly, it keeps me from going places when invited because I know in my heart that I won’t be able to keep up. Simple things like walking from one side of the store to the other just wears me out, and sometimes I have to just sit in our car for a while after I get out of the store and rest a few minutes. I have tried exercising, but not been successful at all, and I know if I was just able to keep doing it, that I would mabey get stronger, but I just can’t keep up. I really feel that if I could go to the water aerobics at the YMCA that it would help us; but they have closed ours down here close by. So, what’s a girl to do? Life has just changed so much. But all we can do is just do the best we can.
      We had a wonderful Thanksgiving on Saturday. It was a good day. Jerry was a little “miffed” with Joey for not moving some logs that Jerry wanted moved; but that smoothed over, thank goodness. It would have crushed me if the day had not been a good one for us. We missed everyone so much.
      DD. that is so scary about someone knocking on your door. Please be careful. You just can’t be too careful anymore. It sounds like your trees are going to be just beautiful. Does your kitty play with your trees? Ours always does. He loves sleeping in a QVC box. I guess it keeps him warm.
      Colleen, you will just have to get used to being grand pa pa. I think that is sweet. Our itty bitty is running, not walking now. He says several little words; not real clear. But he is really growing. I miss him more than words can say. I would just give the world to hug and kiss on him right now. Neal is in Oakland this week on a training thing. He is officially an air traffic controller now. There were other tests he had to pass after moving to Ca. to make it all official. He found out last week. He was so excited.
      Better go for now. Good to talk to you all. Hope to talk again soon. Hope you all get good news on everyone really soon. Barbara

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele
      It does not matter how many are in the family you always feel guilty for one reason or another. Right now because of my back and being sick all the time I do not get to my moms as often as I use to. But when my dad was still living I was the one who took them to all the doctors apps. and right after my dad died I was there constantly. So my brother says it is just his turn. You have a good family that love you and Tillie and will help all that they can just to keep both of you healthy. I agree with Barbara and Gail you are a good person with a big heart.
      We will be praying that Amanda did well on her test. She probably did really well from what you said. She is a smart girl and always tests well. It is a busy time of the year for any job that serves people. It would be hard to be a waitress right now. They have a lot to do and have to put up with so many different types of people. Some people are so crabby and demand more service then you could ever give them.
      The bathroom is a good place for a dog when they are going to be home alone. Some people will turn a radio on so it will play music and they will feel like someone is in the house with them. I do not know if that works or not but it sounds good.
      I think that you are right. My name is going to stick with Aliza and she does not care if I want it to change or not. I have tried not answering when she calls me that but she will come right up to me and pull on my arm or leg. So she is hard to ignore. It was too hard anyway.
      I hope that there is good news on Greg and all the others on here that are having trouble. We need some good news on Tillie also. We will just keep praying and good things will happen.
      Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I am sorry to hear about Brent. He will be on my prayer list every night. My white blood cell counts are high sometimes also. They never find any reason for it and then it will come back down and be fine the next few times that they check it. So hopefully it will turn out to be nothing. Doctors do not think when they call people back and want you to come back to the office as soon as you can. They need to find a way to tell you in a better way. The thyroid is something that they can take care of. Usually it is with a pill or something like that. You just have to go for tests once in awhile.
      I will have to check that Etsy out and see what they have. Hand made things are really nice gifts to give when you do not know what to give someone. Most people will find a place to put a craft in their house. I need a place like that for my one sister. She has everything that she needs and is hard to buy for.
      To Aliza Ron is PaPa and I am grand pa pa. I just do not know why she cannot get that straight. Owen does come up with some good reasons. He said that like he really understood her problem. He probably went thru the same thing with his grandparents. He had us and his dad’ s parents to contend with. The only thing with his dad’s family they were divorced so he had names for all the different people in the new marriages. Even the great grandparents were divorced. That family was a mess and always hard to get along with.
      I have not left a burner on yet but I have left the oven on. Ron will see that it is still on and drive me crazy about it. He likes to remind me that I am getting old. The only problem with that is he will always be older then me. So at least I have him there.
      The tree is up but she has not but the ornaments on it yet. Aliza loves it and tells it good night when she goes to bed. She is into telling everything in the house good night. I think that they have been reading her that good night moon book and she is copying that. I can just picture her when it is all decorated she will be like Piper.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a good night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi DD,
      I am glad that the doctor does not think that there is anything bad wrong with your knee. Sounds like it might be a quick fix. That is always good news. It was nice that he got you in so quickly and you did not have to wait for very long.
      That is a good idea to put both trees up. I tried to convince Ron that we should do that but he will not do it. He says that once I decorate that little tree I will really love it. He is just hoping and it is not working.I do need to decorate it and get that over with. I just cannot bring myself to do that though. I need to put my big girl pants on and get it done and quit whining.
      That is not a good idea to open the door and look to see who it is. I agree with everyone it is too dangerous to do that. I would have called the police and let them come and look around and make sure that person was not still in the building. They should have never tried to open the door. That would have been scary if they would have gotten in the apartment. Just be careful.
      That was so nice that Hallie gave you one of her moms rings and an ornament. They both sound really pretty. It is nice that you have family around even if it is adopted. Christine is my daughter. She has come to visit and we have taken her into the family and she is just like a daughter to us.So it does not matter how they become your family it is just nice to have them.
      Well that is about all from here. have a great night and be safe.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      It is good to hear from you. It sounds like you had a good Thanksgiving also. It was nice that Joey and Lisa could come to dinner and you all enjoyed the day. Was Jerry’s mom there also?
      I cannot keep up with people either. I have found the joys of riding those electric carts that they have in the stores. It use to bother me but since I cannot keep up and it hurts my back to walk around too much it is the next best thing. I even would look to see if they have them in hospitals. They should have if you have to walk a long distance. I should have told Adele. That might be a good request to make.
      I worked in a nursing home for many years. There are some of them that their kids are close to their age. we had a couple of ladies that their daughters never came to visit until they were going to die. It turned out that they were in a nursing home and had to be brought over and they were in wheel chairs. It is sad to find things like that out also. I agree that there are some that never come to visit and then act like they are losing a person that they are close too. You even have some people that fight over their parents. One gets guardian ship and they will not let one of the other brothers or sisters come to see the mom or dad. That is really rough. I should quit talking about this it is too depressing.
      I know that it is hard on you not being able to hold the baby. They will be home before too long and you will get to see him and enjoy having him around. He will talk your ear off and you won’t be able to understand a word.lol That is what Aliza does to us and we just act like we understand everything that she says. You are so lucky that you can skype and talk to him and see him. That does make it a little easier.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Barbara!
      So good to hear from you.
      Tillie did have the drops to numb the eye. I have no idea what happened this time. She said she felt the needle go in twice. I was wondering if, because some of the fluid has gone, would that make a difference in the pain level? I will ask.
      She is feeling better today, and even came up for dinner. her eye looks good too not red or swollen. I was able to get her transferred to our eye doctor, who has the retina specialist coming there once a week. Only thing is, they could not get her in before the next shot. So, we have to go there one more time. One more….God help me.
      Thank you for the kind words about my feeling so inadequate lately. You know, I feel the same way- have to sit in between walking anywhere. It is embarrassing. I have to find a chair everywhere i go. All of us on here have had some physical issues, and we all seem to have the same problems walking. Then add our ages, and I am sure that plays a role to. I look at other people walking along, with no effort at all, and wonder if they realize being able to walk anywhere you want to go, is a gift. A gift that can be “returned” at any second.
      You have raised some good men. they care not only for their families,s but for their patients, and those they do not even know. We noticed the same thing when Tillie was in a nursing home for a couple of weeks- those poor things were all lined up in the hallway, and talked to any soul who walked by. It was so terribly sad.
      Congrats to Neal! That is fabulous that he is all done with the classes, and has his license. does this mean they can now apply to work closer to home? OMG- that would be fabulous!
      How cute your Itty Bitty is talking. Do you believe how much they learn in just a week? An infant’s growing brain is a marvel.
      I am so happy you had a good Thanksgiving. On to Christmas…….I am still decorating, a little every day. I have put out only about 1/4 of what I have. I need to purge again, as I really cannot do what I used to do years past. I have been changing it around- getting things out of a different closet each year, and not all of it. not anymore. I wish my kids and grands had their own homes, large enough to take some of my decorations that mean so much to them. I wish they could each take what the like the best, and that I cold visit to see them in a new happy place…..I have high hopes….LOL
      Since JJ loves to act, i got him, his parents, Aizen and Amanda tickets for “A Christmas Carol”. Steph was disappointed that I am not going. I really could never wait in line to get in, and wait to go to the bathroom at intermission. I told her I could bake some cookies, and then they could come here to decorate them. that way, I could be a part of some of the day. Back in the day, the ENTIRE family went to brunch, and the play, the weekend before Christmas, to kick off the celebrations. Those were the days. Good memories. So happy I have them.
      Hope you have a good night!
      Thank you Barbara, for being one of my Quacker Cheerleaders….LOL Actually, thank you to all my Quacker Cheerleaders!!!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      Please read my post to Barbara for all the news of the day. Tillie is feeling better, and I was able to get her moved to our local practice- just not in time for the next shot. She is happy about that. She came up for supper, so that was good.
      I go to the doctor for the first gel shot tomorrow- two more to go. (they always do a cortisone one first- had that one already)
      I have not heard what grade Amanda got yet. She was at Steph’s today, and they took the boys out, Heather was with them too. I was pleased they were together,and having fun. the boys love that. It is so good when they all get along, and nobody is mad. My prayers have been answered. Thank you, God!!
      You are right. I have friends whose sibs do nothing for anyone. I am blessed to still have Tillie here, and I thank God every day. I just wish she will get some of her sight back, so she can read, etc. I did get her a reading aid to make the words larger. God bless her, she has not tried it yet.
      You, Barbara, Gail, DD and Sue are my Quacker Cheerleaders. hey….I have a new name for us. Not as cool as grand pa pa, but, doable. Did you see the Quacker show today? I didn’t get anything, as I got the believe.joy cardigan- pone for me and one for Tillie, on last week’s show. I gave it to her already as if I wait until Christmas, she will not wear it until next year.
      I hope when I read Gail’s post, we have some good news on Greg.
      Have a good night!
      Adele

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Hi everyone,
      This will be short as I am a bit under the weather with a cold or something.
      DD we have two trees also. One in the living room and one in the family room.
      I’m glad that the problem with the knee is probably not too serious.
      The new Temptations dishes are pretty but I have snowman ones that i use already.
      Adele, glad Tillie is feeling better.
      Greg is getting another back shot mid December. He does like this doc better as she answers his questions and the other one seemed to run in and out of the room.
      Greg made dinner for me Tuesday and yesterday we just ordered out as he says he feels under the weather now too. Copycat!
      I wouldn’t worry about the puppy as almost all puppies have worms to begin with.
      Barbara, Congrats to Neal on becoming an official air traffic controller. Now you will begin to have some interesting conversations with little Colin.
      Colleen, I have left the oven on too. I get the same cracks from Greg. lol
      I think it’s cute that Aliza is saying goodnight to everything.
      I’ll be back to write more when i feel better.
      Gail

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      OMG, the Gailster is sick!

      What up, as the kids say??????
      I hope you and Greg are feeling better soon. It is awful when both of you are sick. Who will make the soup and tea? holiday time is not a good time to be ill. I did hear the flu shots are not as effective this year- it was on the news yesterday.
      I hope you have news on Brent that will be good, as I know that will make you feel better.
      I will be adding a prayer for Greg’s shot to eliminate all his pain. Make sure he puts ice on the back at least 4 times a day, after the shot, so it works better.
      I will be off to my knee shot in a bit. I will wear my miracles shirt, with my jeanne jacket in black.
      Marissa said her puppy’s poop is becoming more solid, so I guess that is good. She has been on the pills for 3 days, I think. I am attaching another pic of her that Enzo’s sister took.
      Hugs and warm thought being sent your way, so you feel better quick.
      Adele

      Attachments:
    • Barbara Smith
      Participant
      Post count: 418

      Oh, Gail, I am so sorry that you and Greg are sick. There is no telling where you all picked up “the bug”. I am almost afraid to go anywhere nowadays for fear of picking up something ugly and getting us sick. Isn’t that just awful to feel that way? Hope this passes really quickly for you, and that you all receive good news on Brents’ doctor report. This is supposed to be our season of “tidings of comfort and joy”. I sort of feel like we could all use some about now. Glad Tillie is better. I know she is uneasy about her next shot. Colleen had a great idea of the hospital providing some kind of transport cart for you when you have to walk a long distance to get around in there. They, of all people, should be aware of the physical needs of patients and family.
      I am glad you are doing better DD. Your trees sound beautiful. I have to admit, in shame, that I have only put my little ceramic tree with it’s lights on the tips, up on our bar top that seperates our kitchen and the family room. It is on a timer and the lights come on each evening at 6pm (already dark here) and my very old Santa figurine that has a lot of forrest animals around it, by the tree. It is so old that it has a wind up key on the bottom, and it plays “Have yourself a merry little Christmas” when you wind it up, and I do every evening. I put up a wreath on the front door and decorated our mailbox with those microlights and ribbons. But that is all I have done for this year. Oh, I take that back, I did do those Valerie Par Hill timer candles in our front bay window and a small Valerie lamp with the candle in it on a timer in the bathroom and the mirror shines and reflects the light, and it is so pretty. So this may be the extent of our decorating. LOL
      Please take care everyone, of being extra careful being out and about this time of year. We have had several attempts at break ins in our little town in the last few weeks. The sheriffs office said it is the bad people trying to steal packages and things. Terrible but true.
      That is such a great idea to have JJ and the family go to the play. He will just love this. I like your idea of making cookies too with them so you will be a part of the good day. THis way it will be fun for everyone.
      Take care everyone. Thoughts and prayers out to everyone. Cheers to you for the best to the best! Hugs Barbara

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      I am glad that Tillie is feeling better today. I hope that when you talk to the doctor he can give you the reason why her eye hurt so bad after he gave her the shot. Hopefully the next one will not be so bad. You really have to keep asking questions and letting them know about the pain that Tillie had. That is good that you got her into the eye doctor that she is use to. She will feel a lot more comfortable going there an knowing that her eye doctor will be there also. Has she ever seen the specialist there?
      That puppy is so cute. He is all legs like most puppies are at that age. I agree with Gail that most puppies have to be wormed when they are puppies. We have done that with any puppy that we have had.
      I hope that the shot will really help your knee. I have never heard of the gel shot. It must be really good and will really help you with your knee. Just take it easy after you get it and just put you leg up and rest afterward.
      That is nice that the girls all got together today with the kids. I bet they had a really good day. Did they go out to lunch and shopping. I am so glad that your prayer was answered. It is nice when the family is all getting along.
      Do they have a place where you can get the books that are on tape and she can get those and listen to them. You may be able to get them at the library or somewhere like that. We had that for my dad when he lost his site and he enjoyed them. He was not completely blind but could not see good enough to read. They may deliver them to your home also but I am not sure. My dad was in a nursing home and they had them there.
      That was really nice that Tillie came upstairs to eat. Do you think that she is seeing better and that is part of the reason that she came upstairs? You ar doing so good with her. She is lucky to have you as a daughter.
      Aliza is coming to our house again tomorrow. She is going to spend the night. This should be interesting. I finally got my tree decorated but still do not like it. Ron keeps saying you like it but I really don’t. I could not put on as many ornaments that I wanted because it might tip the tree over. This is supposed to be five ft. tree but it looks smaller to me.
      That was so nice that you got the tickets for Steph and her family. They will really enjoy seeing the play. JJ might pick up some tips on acting while he is there. I love the movie the Christmas Carol but do not remember seeing the play. We may have when we were kids. My mom and dad loved to go see plays and musicals.
      Well that is about all from here have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Gail,
      I hope that you and Greg feel better soon. You do not want to be sick for Christmas this year. Just take care of yourself and get a lot of rest. I am glad that Greg likes the new back doctor. Hope that the shot works out well for him and the pain will go away.
      Get better soon we will miss you on here.
      Colleen

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Barbara,
      I have had my ugly little tree up since Thanksgiving and just now decorated it. It is still ugly and nothing is going to help it. I have to start putting my Santa’s out or the kids will be disappointed. If it wasn’t for them coming I would not do as much as you have done. All the things that you put up sound so pretty. You have a lot up.
      I had my flu shot and a pneumonia shot this year so I should be fine. At least I hope those two shots work. They say now that you have to have two pneumonia shots and then you do not have to have another one. I hope they are right because those shots really hurt.
      That was really nice that Neal got his license. I hope like Adele said that he will be able to transfer close to home soon. He probably would like that also. It is hard to live so far away from you family especially when you are as close as your family seem to be.
      Well that is about all from here. Have a great night.
      Colleen

    • Gail Norusis
      Participant
      Post count: 3596

      Starting a new discussion for December. See you all there.

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Barbara
      I can’t tell you how thrilled I am there is only one more torture appointment at the hospital with Tillie. I know she will like the local practice a lot more, and it is so much easier for her, and me. Plus, we are not compromising her care, as the retina specialist comes form Tufts Hospital in Boston. That is the hospital we ended up in the night we went to the ER, and where this all began.
      don’t feel bad about not doing too much decorating. I only put out about 1/4 of what I have. I didn’t even put out my Annalee snowman collection. First time I have ever left them out of the decorating.
      your decorations sound very pretty.
      There have been some Grinches stealing packages off people’s porches up here too- in a Town a lot father north than us. The woman’s face was caught by a security camera, so it is just a matter of time to get her. Honestly, what possesses people to stoop so low?
      I do not have to take JJ for practice tonight, as they cancelled it because of the tree lighting in the square tonight. Everyone is going. Steph said she will try to get a pic, but it is so dark out there at night she thinks not much will be visible for a photo.
      I hope you and Jerry are good, and no colds are on their way to your house!
      Adele

    • adele shanbar
      Participant
      Post count: 5025

      Hi Colleen
      The shot was easier this time. They did a shot of numbing agent first, whihc made the actual shot painless. The gel shots ( actually named Orthovisc) are a series of 3, one week apart, that put a cushion between the bones so they help with the deterioration, and ward off the surgery for a while. They have been out for about 6 or so years.
      that’s odd that most puppies get worms. i wonder why that happens. I can see it with Luna, who was found in a dumpster….can you imagine being that cruel? I have no experience at all with dogs.
      I bet your tree looks nice. It does some getting used to. I think it helped me to have 2 of them, so most of the decorations are out. Even so, there are a lot that are still in the box, as even with 2 of them it is not enough room for all the ornaments.
      I have heard of the books on tape. We have a local library, and you can buy them too. I hope we do not have to get to that point, as Tillie would be really depressed if she cannot read her magazines- she loves People and Star.
      Read my post to Barbara for the tree lighting news. I hope they can get some pics, so I can see the looks on the kids’ faces.
      It is supposed to get colder up here by the end of next week. They are talking about some snow flurries.
      I hope you and Ron have a great time with Aliza today, and that she sleeps well for you. I bet she will have a ball with you and Ron.
      Have a great time!
      Adele

    • Colleen
      Participant
      Post count: 3077

      Hi Adele,
      Sorry that I did not see this post until tonight. That is great that they give you that shot to help from having the surgery. The thought of have a knee replacement does not sound like fun especially right now. I hope that it helps.
      I do not know why puppies get worms and they have them at birth. They have to have shots to prevent them from getting heart worms. I know that our puppies have always had to be vaccinated. We had received one puppy that the girl told us that he had his shots and he hadn’t we did not find out until he died. It really broke our hearts and the grands also. My grandson named him Black Jack after that singer and actor. So it bothered him the most.
      That would be nice if they can get a picture of the tree lighting for you. I bet that it is really pretty. They had a Christmas parade in the town close to us but they did it after dark. Ron was upset because they did it so late. I thought that it was funny he was not going to it anyway so what did it matter. I told him they do that because they put lights on all the floats and it would take away from it with the sun shinning. In these small towns sometimes it is not a big loss if you cannot see the floats. They do not do much too them.
      I wrote all about our fun with ALiza on the December page. So I will close for now. I do not know why I did not look on this page Sorry that I missed this.
      Have a great night.
      Colleen

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