[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-November 2018 #88671

Happy Saturday friends. Gail, that is such a warm invitation you wrote in the opening note for this month. It would be nice to have others join in on our little group. Seems like you, Colleen, and I have been on here a long time. We have surely been thorough so much in our lives. I just love that we now have Adele, DD, our Sue and Christine. Doesn’t it just seem we all have known each other forever? I feel such a kindred spirit with all of you. Thank you for sharing your lives with me.
Sue, I worry too that you will need someone to do all that shoveling this winter. I was thinking like Adele, that it looks like the manager of the complex would have to take care of all that for the safety of his tenants. Please be careful. Could you bring this topic up at your monthly meeting of your building? Do you all do that? I know that Neal said (they live in an apt. complex) that they brought up in their meeting that there were no handrails for the steps and one of the ladies in their building had almost slipped and fallen, and she was pregnant. Luckily her husband was with her and she was holding his arm. He had to put up handrails all over the complex. HOpe you find an easy solution. HOw is Cuddles? He is such a pretty puppy dog.
It sounds like all the little kiddies were having lots of fun for Halloween. Our little fellow was Batman. Neal said the little town they live in shuts all its shops on Mail St. and the shop owners come out with bags of treats for the children. Our Colin would watch for the other little ones to be busy seeing the parade, and then he would sneak their candy out of their containers. ha ha. Neal said he has a few lessons to learn. I know he will really be getting into Christmas this year. He has grown so much this year. Gail, I did say they will be transferring to Ashville N.C. next April. So we have less than six months now until they will be here. I was so in hopes that we would be able to go by train to Ca. to visit, and then could also see our son in Vegas. We went to the train station here and walked all through and Jerry had such a hard time. Our life has changed more than I would ever be able to tell you all. This may be hard to understand, but there are a lot of days that I find myself mad for lack of a better word, and then I remind myself how fortunate we are. It is so strange, those feelings fighting against each other.
Adele, I am so sorry you are having the flooding of your home. It just seems wrong that you are having this now on top of all your worry about Ms. Tillie, and her ups and downs. She is one very lucky lady to have you and your family. Please do get out and enjoy your time with your friends. I wouldn’t care if it was raining, snowing, or wind was blowing, I think it will be good for you to get out. I am sorry she was afraid. You are her rock, and I hope you don’t misunderstand what I say, but she is being a little selfish taking so much of your life to help her. And please believe me, I don’t mean this in a mean way. I so remember how difficult it was to take care of Paw Paw and I loved him so much. But just like Jerrys Mom, when he or she make up their mind they will not do something, nothing will change their mind. It was SO hard for Jerry to place his Mom in the retirement village; but after the few days of us lifting, feeding, changing, etc. Jerry and I could hardly move. Please forgive me if I have mis-spoken; my words come from my heart. I see how hard it has been to adjust to the changes in our lives; and I can only imagine how it will be if God lets us live to be her age. So I will say an extra prayer that things will improve for you all.
It is beautiful here now. The leaves have turned, and the air is crisp.
Joey was sick last week with a stomach virus. He threw up for 3 days on and off. I felt so bad for him; and your little ones who had that sickness. He lost 13 pounds. He could only hold fluids down. He is much better; so I cooked a big meal yesterday evening; and he came up and had dinner with us. He said it tasted so good, and we were glad we had him to ourselves. I know that sounds awful, but it was nice. Lisa works late at the sports clinic on Fri. nights, but we sent her a plate home with Joey. I pray for their happiness. We just don’t see love coming from Lisa, but we pray there is.
Well, enough of the “Days of our lives” soap opera of the family lol. Colleen, your computer must be a cousin on my computer. There is something wrong in their family “chip” ha ha Mine just drives me crazy.
DD, hope Jewell is still doing well. She is so pretty. Ours lays right up against my legs because I keep a heating pad that I bought off the Q right under my knees. THat is one of my achy places. And since it has turned cooler he wants to be on there with me. I keep it on low; so he keeps the outside of my leg warm. His little chubby body is like a heating pad too. I know Jewell is probably like this too.
Take care everyone. Praying for everyone. Hope Brent has received some good health news. Glad I just remembered that the clocks fall back tonight. Not looking forward to it getting dark so early. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-October 2018 #88573

I just typed a nice long note to you all and of course, POOF off it goes to never never land/frustrates me so badly. Not much new here; but rainy tonight. Most of our little ghosts are going to the local church for their celebrating the night. It is so much safer that way. We did get to facetime with Colin today. He is a really big talker now. Our son did say to us how much he misses their “cuddle” time since he is in the run everywhere stage. I said son, he just has so much energy and the only speed he has at this stage is wide open. He said he will kiss him if he tells him he has a “boo boo” or if the baby thinks he has possibly hurt Neal with the ball or something. He is constantly asking Neal “are you ok, DaDa?” and Neals says Im okay. It is sweet. Hope all your grandchildren are feeling better. And all of you too. Our aches and pains are just that; an ache and pain in our backsides. How I would love to be able to just run and swim and play games again.
Better go or will lose this. May be the storms here this evening. Hope you all are ok from all this crazy weather we have been having. Take care, will write more hopefully tomorrow. Adele, I am praying Ms. Tillie has had a change of heart and is doing better. Hugs on Halloween, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-October 2018 #88291

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. It is in the low 60s here; gets colder at night. Lots of leaves are dropping off our trees. Yes, they did catch the man who was running from the officers the other night fairly quickly. He drove away from here to an interstate that runs through Memphis, and was stopped somewhere on there; I think trying to get to Nashville. Yes, we do have the security system Adele, and have had it ever since we built our home. It helps me feel better just knowing when the alarm is set that I can hear if anyone tries to open a door or window. It has a really loud alarm that you can hear all over. Several of our neighbors have the same system. But yes, it really does help to know Joey is so close by. He came up last night (I had made tacos and baked some chocolate chip cookies lol). Jerry said “I should have known Joey was coming when you started baking” I said oh hush, you know you are going to eat some cookies too. We had a great visit with him. Lisa works late on Friday night with the sports medicine doctor at the high school football game. They have had this program with the schools for several years now. Joey has lost about 20 pounds in the last year, and of course we are worried. But he assures us that he has been careful with his diet, and has practically eliminated all fast food, and he did say that he knows that some stress has had some to do with it, but that he is where he wants to be with his weight, and for us not to worry. I was glad to hear that he is really enjoying vegetables more, and he tells us that he knows how unhealthy fast food is for the most part. We sent a bag of Gala apples with him too. Jerry insisted on that. I was proud of him; since Jerry picked out the apples for him at the store earlier that day. He fusses; but I know he is a lot talk. lol
Sorry your bones are aching you all so badly. Behind my knees has been “talking” to me. Adele, the spot that the wire hurts me is a rib that runs right under my boobie on the left side. It runs from front to back. The bend of my legs in the back, and under my shoulder blades and the bend of my elbows. Poor Jerry and his back. I am going to ask about the medical marijuana at the doctor. I have heard some good things about it really giving some patients relief.
Gail, isn’t your Branson trip soon? Hope you have a wonderful time. Remember to take some Kirks Folly jewelry with you. Those just make me feel happy when I wear it. Hope your son is doing well.
DD, you know I will be praying for your little kitty baby. I know she is the light of your life and it upsets us to see our little fur babies not feeling well. So give her a sweet rub from Auto Kitty. Good thoughts coming your way. Your Autumn pictures make me feel so good. Thank you for them.
Better close for now. Take care everyone, prayers for all who are not feeling too well, and for all of our worries about those we love. Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-October 2018 #88197

Surely sounds like everyone has lots going on in their lives right now. Sue, sorry your knee is giving you so much trouble. You have worked so hard so I hope that you will be able to move past this soon. How is your back doing Adele? That prednisone does have lots of side effects. But if it does help you then its just something you have to tolerate until you can get better. I think your back hurting you so badly has a lot to do with all this stress plus you have probably hurt yourself as well. All your worry is driving you down to such a hard place to be. I pray all will somehow work itself out, and your life and Ms. Tillies’ life will be what each of you are praying for. You are both so much a part of each others daily life; for so many years; that it is so hard for each of you to face in your own way.
Stairs is something I am not able to do anymore. That was a real terror I had with the PT lady after the stroke. She was adamant that I walk up and down the steps inside the garage into the kitchen, and down the patio steps before she would release me. I was okay as long as I could hold onto something, but so weak when not steady. I know a lot was just plain being scared of falling; but that didn’t help that voice inside my head. lol
We have a scary situation going on here tonight. The sheriffs dept. went to serve papers I guess on someone the next road over; and he broke away from them and is running somewhere in all these woods around where we live. You can hear the police helicopters overhead, and lots of sirens. We are locked up inside and Joey and Lisa are too because I called them as soon as I heard, and thankfully they are both home safe, and have locked up. We live so far off the road, and it is a very rural area, lots of trees. Needless to say; we are tucked in for the night and hope to hear all is well soon.
It has turned cold here. It was sunny today but the air is definitely Fall. When is your trip to Branson Gail? Hope you all have a wonderful time. Should be beautiful there this time of year. Will the Christmas lights be up already? I have heard those are just beautiful to see. Well, better go and keep and eye on the news. DD, I will use this time to also put some Christmas items in my cart since I just heard on ITKWD that everything online and air is 5 pymts. until midnight I think. Take care everyone, hope Colleen is feeling better. By the way, Colin now says “Watch me
and Cool Dude” I am like you Gail, where in the world do they pick up these sayings? Little Piper was so cute saying that to you. They seem so grownup. Goodnight everyone. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-October 2018 #88026

Well, girls, it seems I can’t leave you all for a minute without you all going off on some “sexual content” such as boobies and undergarments. lol By the way/this ole lady wears a 42DD; loud and proud. They used to be in a more upright position; but alas, time and gravity has taken its tole on them as well as my neck; face; belly; well, you get the picture unfortunately. I do have to report that I cannot wear underwires either. I have so much pain from the fibro that one of my really sore spots is my rib that runs right under where a wire would sit. Adele; I couldn’t help but think that I also have a very special bra purchased many years ago in bright red with actual threads that shine. It was at Christmas and being the sweet girl I was; I knew my favorite fellow would enjoy my beautiful bra as much as I did. Wore it ONE time; and now it sits all wrapped in tissue like a little hidden treasure in my dresser. It is really beautiful.
I am also trying to “give away” many things we have collected over the years. Got my feelings hurt a little since no one seems to want anything. Joey takes things, but I think its just NOT to hurt my feelings by saying he really doesn’t need it. ha ha Lisa just flat out says no thanks. Jerry kinds fussed at me the other day for cooking dinner for them. I finally told him “at least they are coming up, we are visiting, and I love having my family around” so he shut up. ha ha I know he is just trying to see about me; but I think everyone understands how I feel/ whether its family, or friends or neighbors; we just enjoy being around people.
It’s so funny you all would think of asking about medical marijuana for Jerry. I talked with him about this last week. I am writing down on my little notebook my questions and concerns to take with us to the dr. for our next visit. One of the questions will also be about the injections. He did receive them before his surgery, and some helped. I believe with all my heart that he has been through so much already that he feels discouraged that they didn’t “fix” him with that big surgery, and also of how much they scared him because he almost died during the surgery. So I have both the physical and the phycological thing. Very frustrating, but I have to work hard not to be an enabler while I try to help him.
So happy your Mom is feeling some better Adele. I will pray for a good dr. visit next week; and also that your son gets some good news from his dr. Gail. Sounds like your husband is all ready for his show. You alls decorations sounds just beautiful. We always have the ghosts hanging from our trees out by the road every Oct. They are not really scary. We don’t get any children because we are so far off the road and no little ones close by. I used to do little bags of treats for the children that went to school with our boys when they were little, and just drive to their parents mailboxes on Halloween and leave their candy. They did the same for our boys. We also had a church thing for the kids. I am watching a show about Halloween bakers and they have pumpkin carvers, sugar artists, cakes it is so much fun to watch. They are just amazing.
Better close for now. Take care everyone; and have a good evening. Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-October 2018 #87862

Hello friends. I know you all have so much going on in your lives right now that you may not get a chance to read this. I go weeks sometimes before I can try to catch up. Hope Ms. Tillie is having a good day. Hope your flu is gone Colleen. That stuff makes you SO sick. I am almost afraid to go out in any crowds. I use so much hand sanitizer its pitiful. Jerry is worried about his mom since there are a couple of sick folks out her way. It is just that time of the year when it is starting. Seems like when the little ones have to go back to school that is when it begins. Our little one has a cold too. We are praying he doesn’t get any worse and his mama and daddy stay well too. Gail, how is your Brent doing? Was he able to finish wearing his monitor? When will they go over the results? Sorry for all the questions. I am praying whatever started this is something that can be easily fixed. And I know he wants answers.
I am talking with the doctor Jerrys next visit about getting him measured for a brace for his back. I want to ask about having a pain pump inserted in his back; but he just has a fit everytime I bring it up. Taking away a mans pride is a terrible thing to have happen and this is what I think causes him as much pain emotionally as the physical pain he feels. And the doctors have told him that there is nothing else they can do for his back. It’s like they just expect us to say, well bless their hearts they really tried and its not their fault. I get so mad. I want to scream at them, is this what you would say to your family or is it just because its mine, and he’s the one hurting so badly and not you or yours? But he just won’t let me go off. He is convinced that if he causes any problems that they will just not help him at all. I really feel so sorry for him and everyone in pain.
DD, our kitty has a new “trick” He at 10 pm each night (within one or two minutes exactly of that time) jumps up on the bed, sits right in the center of my husbands chest, takes his little paw and keeps touching Jerry until he reaches over to his treat pkg. and gets him out 3 little treats and puts them on the bed between us. He will get down, eat those three treats, wash his face, we pet him for about minutes, and off he jumps to his bed which is on our floor right next to our dresser. We are always in bed around 9, but we just can’t seem to drop off to sleep as early as we used to. It is so funny since he is like a little clock. They surely have their routines, don’t they? I bet Jewell has her little tricks too. They bring us so much company. Sue, how is Cuddles feeling? She is a beautiful doggie. Does she do special tricks? I worked really hard for years with one of our doggies, saying to him “I love you” and finally one day I was coming in from work and he was meeting me as always, and said “I love you” and several members of the family heard him. It was a little garbled, but was definitely what he said. You all probably saying, okay she has lost it, but its true.
Hope you all are having a good day. Thinking and praying for you all, hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-October 2018 #87805

Hot here again today. Jerry is visiting his Mom; and I felt bad for not going too. I am in a “mood” today; Joey and Lisa dropped Ruby off earlier; and Lisa didn’t even look up from her I phone to even wave. I stood at the kitchen door just waving like a monkey, and finally Joey said, Mom, she’s mad, she has been paying my car insurance on a credit card (something he never did) and he just found out; she had insisted she manage both their bills, and he was mad; so on it goes. I said son, I can’t even give an opinion, but let dad and me know if there’s anything we can do to help you all. I just feel so sorry for them both. My heart breaks thinking they are not “in love” as I pray they are. So I will worry in silence and pray for them. So it’s kind of funny you would ask about them today. Life is so short and so precious; why can’t we just all be happy and loving? It does break your heart to see someone yhou love hurting.
There is happiness. Our little Colin is becoming such a big boy. He absolutely LOVES to dance. He plays his little music thing we sent him everytime we facetime; and just dances his little butt off. He really has the moves too. We will say “get it Bubba” and he will swing those little arms and wriggle his hinny. He does what sort of looks like a wave with his little body, and during one of his dances he stopped right in the middle, ran over to the phone, pulled his shorts legs up and said “boo boo” and showed us little scrapes on his knees. Course, we melted. We love him so much. Sarah answers our questions when we ask; but doesn’t “volunteer” any additional information. ha ha We just keep laughing and talking to the baby and making absolute fools of ourselves. He will go get his book we sent him and get in Neals lap and read to us. He has learned quite a few words. We are SO anxious for April to get here so Neal will transfer to Ashville. It is so beautiful there and they are looking for a house to rent so the baby will have a back yard to run and play in. It is a very expensive area; a resort type of city, but lots of art galleries, local artistic talents, museums, and of course The Biltmore Estate. Neal already plans to take Colin fly fishing and for them all to canoe. He loved those things as a child. I have a “feeling” that Sarah will be pregnant again before they make the transfer. She is 33; same age as Neal. THey haven’t said anything; but would be shocked if they did beforehand. I think she wants a little girl, so we will see if I am right. There are not enough words to say how grateful Jerry and I am that Neal keeps us in touch with him and the baby like he does. I thank God for what he has done.
I feel like you Gail about the quacker tops. They are still pretty, but it just seems we had so much to choose from a few years ago that I would have to write down numbers and I would star the ones that were just can’t do without, and now, there are many with sprinkles of sparkle but not so much of the embroidery, scenery, dangles (I am thinking of my Christmas sweater with the bulbs on it that light up. I have lots of the scenery ones too. Bet you all do too. I know the style now on pants is tighter in the legs; but just not for me. I love to be comfy, so I need a little breathing room. ha ha Mabey I just need some slimmer legs.
I haven’t put out any fall decorations yet. You know I usually do a hay bale with the mums and a few pumpkins scattered about. Last year I used a pumpkin that Jerry had gotten me years ago and put a candle with a timer inside and just loved it. I had to put it up high on the bale between two pots of mums, and since we live so far off the road I doubt anyone could see it but us, but I loved to look out of the kitchen island window and see it glowing out there. I think I will add this beautiful harvest flag I saw at Big Lots. I know you like to shop there too Colleen.
I love watching the baking shows. There is so much talent in baking. Makes my cakes look even more goofy, but they surely do taste good. ha ha Seems like the ones that I make that are the ugliest taste SO good ha ha
Take care everyone. I am glad DD that you thought of the sweet idea of a memorial service for your friend. I know she loves you and thanks you for what you are doing. I bet sweet Jewell is so loving to you now. I know our little kitty just seems to “know” when we are upset or not feeling well. He and Ruby are asleep right now on our sofa, right next to one another. She is a bull dog, and she lets our kitty sniff her nose. Animals are truly what we humans make them if they are aggressive. It just hurts my soul to see these poor doggies put down so much because people are just afraid of certain breeds. I am surely not saying we all shouldn’t be cautious around any animal we don’t know; but lets just give them a chance. Oh yes, I meant to tell you all that my BIL told us that they have been having an outbreak of armadillos in their area (around Nashville) and she said that they said on the local news that the armadillos have been found to be carrying Leprosy. I thought that disease was gone. I just wanted to pass this along, because I hadn’t heard this; so check and see if this is being said in your areas.
Take care everyone. Hope Ms. Tillie is feeling better. How is her appetite? How is your Mom, Colleen? Jerrys Mom is doing good. She had another UTI; but thankfully the antibiotic helped and didn’t make her stomach upset. She only had about 6 teeth, but somehow chews pretty well; so we haven’t had to go to ground up food yet. We took her on a short day trip a few weeks ago; and had a wonderful time. Hugs to Everyone, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-October 2018 #87753

It is hot here in Tn. again. We had a couple of cooler days and nights; were able to open the windows and feel that wonderful cool Fall air blowing in; smell those good smells of Autumn. Now overnight it has become hot again. We had to turn the AC back on during the day. The picture window in our bedroom faces the west; so the afternoon sun beats on it and warms up our room. It doesn’t bother me as much as much as Jerry; but it seems to be the hottest room of our home. And I surely cannot sleep in a hot room. We do have a ceiling fan right over our bed thankfully and that helps. But I could tell by those few days and nights that the “real Fall” is right around the corner. Sue, I hope you can get a week without rain. I think I am on the unusual group who really enjoy rainy days. I really think it started with my loving to read while it is raining gently outside. But we all need some sunshine so I understand.
DD I am sorry to hear of your friend. My thoughts and prayers for you and her, and her family. Life is so very precious. I know from all you have shared with us of how much she loved your friendship, and you hers. It is so wonderful to know how much we are cared for. I hope your kitty continues to feel better. He is such a loving companion for you.
I saw lots of beautiful mums at the garden center today. It was so pretty, yellows, oranges, reds. Just love them. We have a plant called the Burning bush here that has brilliant red foliage in the fall, and I have a few in our yard. They haven’t started to turn yet; so I know it is not quite cool enough yet.
I saw the new quacker jeggings on today that I think will be the big deal tomorrow. But I had to pass them up even though they are so cute. My legs and hind end are just too big. I just don’t look too good in a close fitting legged pair of pants. Did any of you get you a pair? I loved the new wine like color and also the brown.
hope everyone is doing okay. Jerry has been having a hard time here recently, and I am in and out of doctors offices with him. We are okay; just have a really hard time seeing him in so much pain. Surely do feel helpfless.
Adele, hope all is going well. One day at a time. Sometimes it is one minute at a time. Thinking of you all and praying for you. I would feel so blessed to have someone like you; and I know that is how Ms. Tillie feels.
Take care everyone. Colleen, tell that old flu “Off with you” Enough of this already. Hope you are better. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-September 2018 #87590

Hello to All, my prayers for everything is taking place in our lives. I am so happy that Ms. Tillie was able to come home. I know she is so much happier and comfortable in her own surroundings. And we all feel so much better just being in our own little world that is familiar to us. I remember so vividly when I was in the hospital that my thought 24 hours a day was “just do whatever you have to and you will get home sooner” and how even as the man was pushing my wheelchair out to the door to our car I was praying and praying that NOTHING would happen to stop my being able to get in our car and leave. You would think I have no faith in hospitals; which is not true; it is just the strong pull to go home. So please give her our love and let her know that we have so many questions we want to ask her that she has to stay with us AT LEAST 20 more years. She has a whole world of stories for us; so we will not allow her to pack her suitcase now. I think that was a great idea that Gail had to let her think that she would be helping you, Adele, by letting a caregiver come in; especially since she convinced poor Gary to not tell you how she was feeling. And like Colleen said, your Dad will be there to greet her when the time comes, and that will be a happy time for her.
DD. I love your friend Critt. He is a smart man; who knows when to hush. LOL In all these many years of marriage to Jerry; I have often described us as two old Billy Goats tied to the same post; and just out of the blue one of us will just up and butt the other like you see on the Nat Geo animals show. ha ha My better half; on the other hand, instead of hushing was on the debate team in high school; and he never got out of that role. ha ha And now that we have all these search things on the computers he will look up “his side” of the shall we say discussion, even if it takes him weeks, and then will just casually bring it up one day to me. Unless, of course, I happen to have been right. lol So I think we all chose the way that is right for us. By the way; your Jewell is so precious. Those pictures of her peering over things is so cute. Its like she is saying “I’m watching you” ha ha
I did order a reindeer statue that had a big sparkly candle sitting between its antlers. It stands about 2 feet tall. I was able to get it in the cream with gold antlers. And must admit I also ordered the toffee. Adele; I have to confess, I order from See’s candies about 4 times a year. The candy is just scrumptious. So I’m right there with you.
It is cloudy and much cooler here; so Fall is here. The tips of our leaves are golden in color. We had lots of rain and then the weather turned in the 60s. Our outside puppy dog was in his dog house on the covered patio and he was shivering when I went out to feed him a sausage and biscuit I had brought home to him.
Better close for now. Sue, I don’t blame you for buying several pkgs. of cookies. I just found them at our store and I bought 6 pkgs. I was afraid they would run out. THey are really good and smell SO good while baking.
Take care all. Prayers for everyone. We help each other by our caring about each others lives. Hugs, Barbara

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