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  1.  
    I just wanted to let all of my friends know that the horrible thunderstorms of last night left us without damage, and the tornados missed us as well. We had such lightning and thunder louder than I can remember. Today is just a gentle rain....for the moment.

    I received my new toy yesterday. My iPad with 3G......and may I say that I am in love! I have music, news, games and access to my e-mail and the Internet all in one! I could read my books on Kindle here too, but it's a little heavier than my Kindle, so I'll keep the books on the Kindle. They both fit in my bag that I got for my Kindle and cords. I'm now decked out for most everything! When this all gets to be too much, I'll just turn on my iPad and get stress free! It is so easy to use. There are others here who received theirs yesterday too. And some bought theirs earlier this month without the 3G because they have good Wi Fi service.

    I'm off to play with my new toy!
    •  
      CommentAuthorBama* 2/12
    • CommentTimeMay 1st 2010
     
    Mary, it's headed our way. We have already been placed under a tornado watch. Looks like bad weather through Monday. Guess I'd better clear out our safe place just in case. Enjoy your new toy. Learning something new stretches the ole brain.
  2.  
    Be safe, Bama. We will be getting the storms too - already pouring rain. the KY Derby track is a really muddy one! Glad I didn't plan my derby party for today! Skipped it this year. But I do have the fixins' for my mint juleps later this afternoon! DH crushes the mint, I make the syrup, ad Maker's Mark or Southern Comfort.....well, you get the idea!

    Hope you all have a good day - and stay safe, all of you.
    •  
      CommentAuthorBama* 2/12
    • CommentTimeMay 1st 2010
     
    Vickie, Send one of those mint juleps my way. May we all be safe. This has been a very odd weather year.
  3.  
    Bama and Vickie, do get ready...it is a lulu of a storm! I'll take one of those mint juleps and be thinking of you both!
  4.  
    Sun has been out here today and it is coupled with light winds and cool temps. Next week we are to have warmer sunny weather. I hope DH friends will plan a day away for him. He loves the out doors but with the guys.
  5.  
    Lovely warm May day here in PA. Grass needs cutting, porch needs washed, flowers need planted. I needed to just sit on the porch and relax. Tomorrow is another day.
    • CommentAuthorBev*
    • CommentTimeMay 1st 2010
     
    It's been an "icky" day here in Northern Illinois, looking as though it's about to rain all day long but, except for a few drops, no rain of any consequence. We're supposed to get more tonight. Last night it poured. But, as ehamilton says, "tomorrow is another day." Sounds good to me.
    • CommentAuthorZibby*
    • CommentTimeMay 1st 2010
     
    Weather channel maps are frightening if you live in one of those "red" areas. Hope all my friends here are safe and have a safe cubby hole to wait storms out--maybe w/a mint julep to calm the nerves:)
    • CommentAuthorCharlotte
    • CommentTimeMay 1st 2010
     
    An OK day here. Overcast with a few drops this morning, then sun breaks. Tomorrow is suppose to be cloudy with sun breaks. So tired of this depressing weather. Was talking with DIL today. They are finally moving out and will have to support themselves (they have been freeloading in my sister's apartment the last 3 years). HB helped them move stuff yesterday. After a load for some reason it was over 2 hours before they brought him back. I guess he kept asking when I was going to pick him up and they kept telling him I wasn't, they would bring him back when my son finished whatever he was doing. Anyway, she says he told them his dad was dead - died long time ago. He is still alive (so to speak) - been in the AD unit for years, but still alive. He must have been confusing it with his mom dying. He surprised me in that he looked at the date this evening and remembered it was his sister's birthday. He said it was too late to call (3 hour diff - 9:30pm in NH), but I said call anyone. He did and if it were me I would have hung up long before it ended. He was teasing her so bad - good thing she has AD too cause it was the same thing over and over. Oh well, at least he called her which is more than their brother does.

    Good night all.
  6.  
    Another day of several inches of rain has already started; wind and storms due this afternoon. Flash flooding through tomorrow. Tornado warnings also. DH usually doesn't get upset with rain/storms. However, this morning he didn't want to go out to breakfast and said we should just stay inside today. I agree with him, but it is unusual for him. I need to do some house cleaning anyway!

    There is so much bad weather around today - Hope everyone stays safe and sound.
    •  
      CommentAuthorbuzzelena
    • CommentTimeMay 2nd 2010
     
    We have had 11 inches of rain since yesterday morning (northwest TN). I hear that one person has drowned in our county (Carroll) from flooding. Everyone try to stay safe and dry.
    • CommentAuthorRB13*
    • CommentTimeMay 2nd 2010
     
    Sorry to hear about all the bad weather, some of you are having..Here in Jax.Fl. it has been beautiful, sunny, a bit windy...may go up to 90 to-day, but I am sure it will cool down again...Happy May to all....Rosalie
    • CommentAuthorJean21*
    • CommentTimeMay 2nd 2010
     
    It is hot and humid here in SC. We went to church then to breakfast and DH has gone to bed for a while. I will read the newspaper and veg out!
    • CommentAuthorZibby*
    • CommentTimeMay 2nd 2010
     
    Hope all of you who are in the "red zone" on the weather channel are staying warm, dry and safe.
  7.  
    Sun out here in centeral CA but chilly. Even the outdoor cat took to snuggling up in the warmer spot for some sun..brrrr
  8.  
    Had to miss church today and be stuck at home all day. Both cars have dead batteries. Go figure. Tomorrow will be busy, calling and waiting for AAA, taking other battery to Auto Zone for testing and charging or replacing...also the one in the car I'll drive there. So much fun.
    •  
      CommentAuthorJeanetteB
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2010
     
    We are having badly needed rain after three weeks of lovely warm sunshine. It's just so hard to keep dh occupied on a rainy day. He wanted to go downtown to a movie, but our metro station is closed for maintenance and we had to drive to a different one. He didn't remember the parking lot, got very upset about my wanting to leave the car there and we ended up coming back home. So we watched a movie on TV, but that only lasts a while and now what? He's sitting here beside me messing with some papers and stuff on his desk. We will go out for supper but it's too early yet.
    Lovely day on Saturday, visit to the zoo with son, DIL and two small granddaughters. The delights of tigers and monkeys!
  9.  
    Good Monday morning!

    The sun is out, the rain has passed, and we were fortunate not to have any damage. Boy, is everything green. Hopefully the pollen got washed away!

    I hope we have a lot of days in the 70s, so that I will feel like Spring is here, before Summer hits us!!
  10.  
    Just got a call from Bill's facility. He is in respiratory distress again and on nebulizer treatments. I'm on my last nerve.
    •  
      CommentAuthordeb112958
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2010
     
    (((((bluedaze))))))
  11.  
    Please know that our prayers are with you and Bill...... (((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))
  12.  
    Bluedaze, I send you and Bill many hugs and prayers.

    Hanging On
  13.  
    Thoughts and prayers for you and Bill, Bluedaze. And lots of hugs too!
    •  
      CommentAuthorBama* 2/12
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2010
     
    ♥♥♥♥♥♥
    •  
      CommentAuthorSusan L*
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2010
     
    Love and hugs coming your way Bluedaze and Bill.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSusan L*
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2010
     
    QUESTION - do you all think we can post our State Name when we talk about weather? I for one, get confused as to who is where. My mind just isn't what it used to be.

    The weather here in Western Maine is muggy, yuk, windy, eh, and overcast. Got some hosta's planted along the front of my farmers porch with help from my girls. Also planted an Emerald & Green Shrub and a Rhododendron. Transplanted a few things to. Now this afternoon I rest my back!

    While I was away for the weekend, Dylan did more mulching in the garden! I love it! He is moving home on the 13th! He is really doing well. I'm looking forward to school being out and spending our days at the lakes. :o)
    • CommentAuthoryhouniey
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2010
     
    Sorry,Bluedaze for all you are going thru and all you've been thru.You must be an extremely strong person,Hope this episode goes easier for you.Everyone is praying for you.
  14.  
    Thanks friends. This just doesn't get any easier.
    •  
      CommentAuthorJeanetteB
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2010
     
    Bluedaze, I wish you strength and patience!
    Susan, that is great news about Dylan. So glad to hear he's doing well.
    • CommentAuthortherrja*
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2010
     
    bluedaze - lots of hugs and warm thoughts to you. Waiting for the shoe to drop and never knowing if it will when they go up and down is so hard. While my husband doesn't seem to be having any problems, I feel an undercurrent there with him and am in "wait state". Through all of this, I have developed a very strong admiration of the mind and the human body. There is something to the phrase "take a likkin and keep on kickkin".

    Unfortunately, I also feel the same way about my 18 year old kitty. She is hanging in there and still seems happy but I can see she is declining and am dreading they day I either have to take her in or I come home from work and she is gone - it can't be too much longer.

    I went out with 4 other spouses from the facility where my husband is on Saturday. We went for dinner and a movie. The movie was "Date Night". I am not sure which was funnier the movie or the reactions of two of the women we were with. They were hysterical over some of the comments on the screen. We enjoyed dinner afterwards at a simple diner that had very good food. It was a very nice night out and I will be working on putting together more of them. Going out on a Saturday made it more fun as that is a night that truly is "family/date night".

    The gentleman that mows my lawn left one of the gates in the backyard open on Friday. I was outside with the dogs and cats but reading. After a while, I heard one of the dogs barking and the gate moving. I checked it out and both dogs were on the outside of the gate, wagging their tails wanting to come in.
    • CommentAuthorbriegull*
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2010
     
    My husband has been saying 'oh,oh, oh, oh' about three to a breath for the last hour or so. Changing it sometimes to what I call his alarmed bird noise: ow OW, ow OW. I keep asking him to stop making noises so he switches to goddam, goddam, on and on. And then he said, I can't stop making the noises. I can't turn off the noise mode. He gets restless about 4 pm and between then and dinner, which I have decreed to start at five, no sooner, he's started walking around the house. He's sitting in here with me at the computer. For the first time I think he is really aware of making no sense when he talks, and getting worried about it. Med adjustment time, I fear.
  15.  
    therrja I just went through the same thing with my two cats. They looked comfortable but I realized they had no quality of life. I hoped they would sleep away-but they didn't. Final trip to the vet. Without really looking I found my Gracie at Petco and it was love at first sight.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSusan L*
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2010
     
    Therrja - Love the dog story, too funny! Date Nights sound wonderful.

    Briegull - you must be so frustrated, hang in there my friend.

    Bluedaze - No it doesn't get any easier does it. Life is so unfair. I'm tossing you the rope, with some extra patience attached XO
    • CommentAuthorKadee*
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2010
     
    Nora, Praying God gives you strength. Hugs, Katie
    • CommentAuthorJudy
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2010
     
    Hello All. I'm just checking in but sorry to see that Bluedaze's Bill is worsening. Will be thinking of you all. Briegull..too.
    We had a family meeting yesterday. It went 'well'. We each responded to the question of 'when do you think it will be time
    to place DH'. I wrote down the responses of our children. Interestingly, even as the words were different..and each one started out with a particular statement.. it didn't take long before they were sharing incidents that let me know we are very close.
    I didn't know he had gotten lost at our daughters home not long ago. Wandered out into the woods and couldn't find his way back.
    Luckily, he was found by someone in the neighborhood and brought back to our daughters home. Although I've suspected it could happen..it did. Now that it is becoming harder for him to 'find' rooms and doors in or out of rooms after dark...and even though he's lived on this farm for 34 years..I know the day will come when he won't be able to find his way back to the house if he walks out to the mailbox. He's also going outside several times at night. It usually wakes me up, but not always. This is nothing new to most of you who are walking this road ahead of me and several others right now. Its May already..sure hope those in bad weather areas can stay safe..
    • CommentAuthorZibby*
    • CommentTimeMay 4th 2010
     
    Good bright sunny morning; rained a bit yesterday, but not severe as forecast. Pulled weeds after the showers--makes it easy. Today in IN is primary day; so I'm dropping hb off at daughter's to vote. I haven't mentioned it to him (election) because I don't want to take the chance of his thinking he can vote. He's registered from years past, but doesn't know anything about what's going on--except he knows who's president--missed most other more personal ?s on MME--like address, phone #, birthdate. Couldn't find his glasses this a.m. I found them in a shoe he was wearing at bedtime. Told him he probably put them there for safekeeping when he went to bed. "No, I didn't; someone else must have." Uh huh I don't even respond to those types of accusations anymore--which is every time he can't find something.
    • CommentAuthortherrja*
    • CommentTimeMay 4th 2010
     
    Good morning all.

    It is a lovely sunny day today and I had a great time this morning cutting some flowers for an arrangement on my desk at work. I cut Bleeding heart, tulips, daffodils, iris, andromeda and lilacs. It looks so beautiful. One nice thing about doing an arrangement for my desk is that I get to enjoy some of my flowers more.

    There was a line in one of the books I was reading (a romance) that really struck home. The main character was falling in love after his wife had died and one of his sons was upset about it. He told the son that the new relationship in no diminished what he had had with his mother. I liked that thought as I continue to look to the future and what may happen in my life after he goes. In a divorce, the relationship is "over", but a death is not the same. We had a great relationship and I always enjoyed being with him. I look forward to the future where I may find someone else to share my life with again. Its funny how sometimes when I am reading a book, watching TV or listening to some else talk how a phrase will jump out at me as it expresses what I have been struggling with in my mind so well.
  16.  
    Four days into another month. Hopefully it will be a great month for all of us. As the days get warmer may we all gain more patience for whatever comes our way. As the flowers and veggies bloom may we see beauty in all the things around us. As the minutes tick by and things with our loved ones change may we all thank our higher power for faith and mercy to get all of us thru.

    My wish for this month would be that we see the blessings we have in each and everything we do........ Have a Great Month....
    • CommentAuthorJean21*
    • CommentTimeMay 4th 2010
     
    Back atcha Mammie!
    •  
      CommentAuthorchris r*
    • CommentTimeMay 4th 2010
     
    May has begun well. My dear son in law was operated on for colon cancer last week. He came home today with wonderful news all tests came out negative . The cancer was contained. Thank you God for this blessing. They have 3 young kids.
    • CommentAuthorbriegull*
    • CommentTimeMay 4th 2010
     
    So glad to hear it, Chris. Maybe the tide has turned for you all!
    •  
      CommentAuthorSusan L*
    • CommentTimeMay 5th 2010 edited
     
    Wonderful news Chris! Sunny, warm day here in Western Maine. Time to vacuum out the winter sand out of my van and make room for the summer sand, aghhh!

    I chatted for a bit with Phranque on Facebook last night. He is really having a tough time. Totally burnt out. Lets toss the rope to him tied with hugs and smiles. I'm worried about him, he needs his cyber family. His email in listed on his Account.
  17.  
    Chris, that is wonderful news for you and your son and his family.

    Phranque, we are there with you, giving you and Kim and your son our support while you all take care of your wife.

    We all are grieving for those of us who are losing/have lost their spouses...and giving hugs and prayers to those in need. That is what our family here is great at!

    We can also take a moment to smell the roses, so to speak.

    ***************************

    I finally got rid of the cold/cough/sinus congestion and actually feel good for the first time in a long time!

    I sure hope I can plant my flowers this weekend! And spread pine bark mulch in the flower beds.

    I drove the convertible to work yesterday and today. Perfect top-down weather! I love acting like a kid again! Everyone waves at you when you have the top down....I think it's a "enjoy for all of us" wave.....
    • CommentAuthorJean21*
    • CommentTimeMay 5th 2010
     
    It is HOT and humid here in SC, yesterday it rained just about all day. My new fridge and microwave will be deliverd tomorrow between 11.00 and 3.00 but someone will call tomorrow about an hour before they deliver.
    I have been cleaning out the fridge and freezer also the microwave and wondering why I am doing it because chances are they will just be dumped wherever they take appliances! I hope the day is going well for most CG's.
    • CommentAuthorCharlotte
    • CommentTimeMay 5th 2010
     
    Yesterday was a nightmare - wanted to disappear. I had it out with my sister which I should not have. It has to do with what she did and did not tell our son when he moved out this weekend. Her short term memory was bad before her stroke but was attributed to depression after her hb died two years ago. After the stroke it is shot - she remembers later but you never know when that will be. After we got into this heated argument, in which our youngest brother who lives with her got in the middle and was upset over it, I left. Later I went in and her remark was: I let you go cause I figured you needed to explode! Hogwash! She couldn't remember then when I went back in she says she did say they could take it yet when I pointed out while we were arguing she claimed she did not. Of which she claims she did not say.

    She keeps thinking now that the blood flow is good to her brain it will dissolve all the clots and her memory problems will go away. I don't know if it is I can't deal with 2 short term memory people or I am not ready for her to go this way. I have tried to get her to write things down = not to trust to memory, but she hates paper so refuses to do it despite how much stress is caused by the memory problems. Art was in there watching the hockey game we can't get on DISH but got up and left. When I got to the MH he was ready to pack up and leave. We need to get away for a while but I am caught from needing to keep my unemployment coming in as long as possible and needing to get away. We do have a Workamper job on the southern Oregon coast we are looking into. That would get us away for the summer.

    Have a great day.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSusan L*
    • CommentTimeMay 5th 2010
     
    Arms around you Charlotte.
    • CommentAuthorCharlotte
    • CommentTimeMay 5th 2010
     
    Had a beautiful drive to the Oregon Coast. when we left Vanc. it was cool and raining - the sun was shining and it was a pleasant temp at the coast. It was a beautiful day. After we had dinner at a old coast favorite - Mo's - we walked over to the wharf and watch the seal lions fight. They had a metal cage there that is used to trap sea lions that are injured or have trash from the ocean tangled on them. The sea lions crowd into there laying on each other and every so often there is a flare up then a bunch will start howling at each other.

    We had an offer from the RV park in Southern Oregon Coast but before giving them an answer, I asked Art again about going back to see his dad this summer. We talked off and on all the way home and after a time of quiet said he would really like to go see him while he is still alive even though his dad doesn't know him. He would rather see him now than spend money to go back for the funeral when he does die. I reminded him his sister still will know who he is. He also said this might be the last trip he can take while he can still drive. He is feeling better and surprised me when he remembered the appointment we made this morning for his PCP next week. He remembered the day and time!!!

    So now I start working on what needs to get done. I will not drive the MH during the summer without the A/C working so that will have to get fixed first plus an oil change. IT may mean missing my 40th reunion the end of July, but I missed all the others except my 5th and survived!!

    Oh, today was our 39th anniversary of our meeting. On May 5,1971 at 5:30pm I walked off the bus in San Diego and met him in person for the first time. We were married 11 days later. We did correspond for 3 months before hand but had not spoken or seen each other before that day.
    • CommentAuthortherrja*
    • CommentTimeMay 6th 2010
     
    Charlotte, what a wonderful story on how you met and married. Some things were just meant to be and that certainly sounds like one of them.

    Reunions can be fun but the people from school that you really care about you have probably always been in touch with anyway. My 35th class reunion is this year and at this point I am not interested. I see my best friend from high school on a regular basis. At this point we don't often mention that we have been friends for over 40 years - neither of us look anywhere close to our real age and we certainly are not interested in advertising.

    I had a hearing aid appointment this morning. The doctor made a couple of minor adjustments to them. I love my new hearing aids. They are digital and I am hearing so much more and better. I can now hear things like the blinker in the car, my stomach growling, people talking behind me, cars coming up behind me on the road and the dogs walking across the kitchen floor. My Smartlink (microphone that interfaces with the hearing aids via bluetooth) is fabulous and lets me hear so much more during meetings at work. The technology available in hearing aids now is terrific. It allows for all kinds of minor adjustments that can make huge differences in the ability to understand what is going on.
  18.  
    I had a first today. A new service being offered by our retirement Inn is massage therapy. I wasn't sure what I would do with my wife during the massage, so the therapist came to our apartment and set up her table in front of where my wife was sitting. The massage really felt great - very relaxing. I'll have to do this fairly often.