[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-July 2018 #84463

Hi to All. It is SO hot here today. It is also Jerrys birthday, and Joey sent him the cutest little cartoon like picture to my I pad at 12:01 last night that showed this little character that looked so much like Joey, in scrubs, had a beard like he does, and lots of Happy B. day and Love you Dad with sparkles and candles; it was just too cute. We were actually still awake; one of those couldn’t go to sleep nights for both of us; so we got to see it at the time he sent it. Made Jerry laugh and said, well, this is more important to me than if he had gotten me something expensive, and I know he meant it. Joey is such a loving son; and we don’t always agree, but surely made Jerry feel good. The wedding is scheduled for the 21st. Neal actually face timed us yesterday evening for his Dad to watch him as he was seasoning steaks. He had called Jerry last week to ask how he does his, and Jerry told him to use that sharp meat tenderizer that they sell on the Q and at other places; so he had gotten one and then needed help by having Jerry watch him and tell him about the seasoning. That really makes Jerry so proud that he wanted to do it like Jerry does. He sent us a picture afterwards, and said it turned out really good.
I haven’t mentioned my “problem” because my appt is actually this Monday. I feel so much better, and I have prayed everything is okay, and I have tried really hard to put that seed of doubt out of my mind. So, prayers for good report, and I should know more afterward. Thank you for your concern.
I asked Lisa the other day if she is getting excited and she said yes. She never volunteers any information; so I asked how many bridesmaids (8) maid of honor (her sister) I already knew from Joey that his brothers and his best friend from here (went all through school together, started their first day together, and is a deputy sheriff), asked her colors (no answer) and then she had to go to the restroom; so that was the end of the wedding conversation. Joey, Lisa, and his friend are flying out Tuesday afternoon. Please, if you think about it on next Saturday, say a little prayer for them. Our baby Colin has had roseola; so he has been really sick. Neal didn’t tell us until he was doing much better; he said he knew it would worry us and he just didn’t want us to worry when we wouldn’t be able to help. It is times like this that is so hard. But we were able to see him up and playing last night; so we feel good now about him.
Yes, we are all so fortunate to have these wonderful women of the past generation in our lives. THey are so sweet and know so much. I know they love you all so much for all you do for them.
Take care everyone. I am sitting on my hands too Gail. Hope you are able to make your wedding. Take care. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-July 2018 #84419

Hello Ladies, can tell by you alls notes that you have all been busy. Glad you and Gregg had a few days away Gail and made it home safe and sound. I always think that getting away helps, and at times I sort of dread; without really meaning that word, but I guess “convince” myself when I am in a different environment, that everything is roses back home. And then when we pull back in the drive; it all sort of comes flooding back. But then I also remember how very very happy I have felt just to make that turn off the road and see our home within view. So, keep your chin up or as you said to me to keep a stiff upper lip. Very good advice. So you are on Lasix now and TEDS stockings. THey are SO hard to get on. Check with the doc; but we used to sprinkle baby powder (just a little) inside the stockings, and it would help them go on a little easier. And scrunch them all up to the toes of the stocking, and pull a little at a time to work them up your legs. Gosh, does this bring back the thousands of times I have put them on and off patients. And do you take the lasix in the morning? So sorry you are having this problem, but it is important to get the swelling down while keeping your circulation going good too. Take care.
DD, hope your friend in the hospital is better. That is a shame that they are having such a problem with infection. You might ask her since she is a nurse if they have done blood cultures on her to identify the germ causing the infection? Is she running fever, since they can only draw those right after a fever rises. Hope your home is finally ready for you to move back and you havent hurt yourself trying to get things back together. You and poor Jewell should be feeling so displaced by now. I love the Kirks Folly things and so does Gail. I own quite a few of her pieces; including this sparkly shawl that most would find over the top, but I love it. I have absolutely no where to wear it, but I do with my Dreamjeannes and I think it looks perfect together lol
Colleen, I am so proud and happy that you have been able to come off one of your diabetes meds. Whoo Hoo!!!!!!!! I really think that you losing all that weight really has helped and I bet you are proud. We love each other no matter what size any of us are; thank goodness for everyone being so “nonjudgement”. It always hurt my feelings to have someone say something ugly about “fat” people when I am standing right there.
Adele, I was surely happy to see that Steph and the boys came by to enjoy your pool. Luna knows how much fun it is to just jump right on in there. Hope the tension is better with your young ones and for you too Gail. Seems your families caught the Tenn. conflict syndrome. We excel in it down our way. But I am giving it all I can muster up to get through all of this with my chin held high and not to let myself or Jerry get too hurt through all of this, and only hope and pray our family will be healthy, happy and love each other.
How is Gary doing Adele? By the way, your decorations are just too cute. I am going to look on amazon for some. I think it would relax me. Thanks for the idea. Take care everyone. Miss and love you guys. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-July 2018 #83993

Glad you had fun on your trip, Gail. I know our weather is SO hot, and I am not sure if you all are used to the kind of heat that we get. Does it go into the 90’s in your area? What we have here is bad humidity, and when we step outdoors it feels like a sauna. Jerry overheats very easily; and we really do base lots of our choices of places to go by what the weather will be like there. I can understand why no one was eating outside. I love to do that if it is offered. But it is way to hot for that here now. Glad Gregg at least did well at the casino. I just know before I go in that I am just giving the small amt. I take with me; and Jerry usually does better than me. I just don’t think it’s in the cards for me; no pun intended; but I enjoy all the lights, and I am such a people watcher. It relaxes me to just sit and watch others having fun. On another subject-the big birthday-I just feel I HAVE to do something. I have gone through such strange feelings lately; and I am so pulled to celebrate life, I just don’t really know What to do. I can’t go overseas; we are just not “travel far away” couple. And we know that the kids will take care of our kitty; and the outside puppy, but I just don’t know where to go or what to do. I do worry about being away from Auto Kitty; because he honestly has a routine and it literally upsets his tummy if he has a change in his routine with us. I bet you can relate to this DD with your kitty. And I know how much you loved your dear Rocky and we, like you, don’t know what we will do if “things” change with our current arrangement. I hope you are doing better family wise. I remember when you all had such a great trip to Disney. I, too, had planned for us all to be together for my BD; but know that will not happen. So, guess this is why I am having such a hard time, like you and Gregg.
Joey asked if we would mind planning a Fall party instead of right now. I really think he does want us all to get together; but honestly; this is just me mind you, but I think he is unhappy about this whole wedding being held so far away from us. We are so worried about him and her; but it is like he is “accepting” the marriage; and he just keeps telling me and his daddy don’t worry, I love you, everything will be okay. Boy, I need to quit. You all must be thinking; just do or say something for pete’s sake. So sorry you guys. Life is NOT simple for our family.
We do not have anything special planned for the holiday. Joey works that night and the next; and Lisa is only off the one day. We asked Lisa if she would like to go with Jerry and me to a local restaurant that sells “fancy” hamburgers and great onion rings and fries; but she said she would let us know. So who knows? But we do know we are picking us Jerrys Mom tomorrow and we are having spagetti; which she loves, and some soft rolls, and of course; she wants some chocolate pie lol Guess I will stick a little flag in the middle of it. Hope your Moms are doing good Adele and Colleen. Please tell them both that I said hello; and how I would love to sit and talk with them about the past. I could learn so much from them. Do either of them embroidery or do needlepoint? My grandmother taught me how; and I have my thimble and my hoop that she gave me many years ago. I wish I could see well enough to do it now. I would also love to hear some of their favorite recipes. Have they ever heard of a “butter roll”? Jerrys Dad had told me so many times of how much he missed having one to eat. He said his mother would make them for him; and I think they were a recipe from Germany, but not sure.
DD, hope you are doing better. I agree about the recliner to sleep in. Hurt ribs are so painful, and I am so sorry. Adele, how is little Aizens tree? Has he been so busy with his acting that his horticulture is on the back burner? I always think of his tree like the little Charlie Brown tree. Jerry is so into trees that is has been a huge part of our lives. I surely need a cute grands story. You all uplift me with a story of the children or a kitty or puppy dog story. I need something now. Did the kids enjoy the cabin adventure? Bet there were some smores for them. Take care everyone. Hugs Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-June 2018 #83907

Hello everyone. It is SO hot here today that the only thing we have done is to run into town to pick up our prescriptions, and stop by the sandwich making shop for sandwiches for our dinner. I got chicken salad on wheat and Jerry went for some kind of cold cuts with lots of spinich and other condiments. I added tomato to mine, and lettuce and cucumbers. We are having this really bad heat advisory thing here, and it is so bad on people with respiratory problems and the elderly. It is to last for quite a while, we are also getting lots of storms too. Hope your weather stays good for your visit with the grands, Colleen. It is hard for little ones to be stuck inside. I know you all will make lots of good memories. You and Ron better be getting your rest before all the excitement. It will be a sweet time for everyone.
DD, I am so sorry you had your accident. Falling of any kind is dangerous, and cracking your ribs is very painful. Did they wrap your ribs or give you something for pain? I hope so. I wanted to let you know that I ordered from Amazon a bed rail thing that helps me get out of bed. It is only about 2 feet long, and it slides up under our mattress while the part I grab on to comes up from the part that is under the mattress and that is the rail part I use. The doctor suggested one when I first had my stroke, and I still use it. I cannot remember how much I paid for it, but it wasn’t terrible. It helped me so much to turn too and to get in and out of the bed. You may want to look in to one. Hope you are doing better, but I know it will take a while.
Colleen, I have been very lucky in ordering frozen food from the Q. I got the mini cheesecake from Juniors, and they were shipped with the dry ice. I also ordered the I think it is called Jimmy the baker cinammon rolls and they came in good shape too. But I should say it was like May when I ordered them both, and one time I did order some of the nuts with chocolate pieces from Germack? I think it was and they were melted but seems it was later. I did get a refund though, but was still charged the shipping for some reason.
It is a shame Adele, that Amanda has to have a GP dr. before they will let her see a urologist but that is how they did me too about my problem. There was not one single thing my GP could do for me but call the gyn. dr; which I was perfectly capable of doing myself, but you just have to follow the rules. It is getting kind of scary. So happy your blood sugar is good. Please keep up with your BP. Glad to know you have a monitor. I really like the one we use. Hope Gary can find his van he needs. Is it a special kind of van?
Sue, we don’t have the Highmark supplemental here. I guess different plans are offered in different areas? Yours sounds good. I am so glad you have a good one. It makes all the difference in the world doesn’t it?
well, better go for now. Take care everyone. Hope things are looking up for you all Gail. Sometimes family matters just break our hearts; especially when we can’t seem to say or do the “right” thing. Boy, do I ever relate to that feeling. Hang in there as best you can. Hugs to you all, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-June 2018 #83703

First, can I please say I feel so bad after finally getting a chance to read you all’s posts, and seeing all that you are going through. I am so so sorry that I have been so selfish and worried about my own troubles that I forgot how life stops for non of us, and you all are going through things too. I really feel bad. You have all been so kind and loving to me with your encouragement and your prayers. Every bit of this is coming right back in each of your directions that the good Lord will help you in your own personal needs.
Adele, I kind of got from your note that you have a scooter now. If so, yoo hoo for you. Anything that will help you to get around easier is great. I have tried so hard to get Jerry to get one, but so far he won’t but I just know it will help him. Please do keep a good watch on the blood sugar and blood pressure things. BOTH (old nurse here) can be really affected by STRESS, and I know Colleen has probably already told you this. Do you by any chance have one of those wrist BP monitors that they sell on the Q or at Walmart of Walgreens? I use one on Jerry everyday at the same time and it keeps a record of the readings so I can just take it with us to the dr. and he can see a full 30 days of readings. Jerrys tends to go up when he is hurting worse or even just by being in the drs office. His impatience is one of the things that really affects his. You mights want to think of getting one. Since you have already had the 24 hr. urine test, that tells a lot of info as well as the fasting blood sugar blood draw. Prayers coming your way. One idea is taking good deep slow breaths, kind of a yoga thing without exercise lol, but it relaxes your body and mind. I know you are worried about Amanda. I am praying for her too, and poor Gary, after his hard year, now he has the worry of a van for his deliveries. As they say, when it rains it pours, doesn’t it?
Gail, heaven only knows I am the absolute LAST person on earth to give you any advice on matters of the heart, having Jenny understand that you are only there to love and help her and the children. I think that I am an example of what every mother, MIL, grandmother should NOT say or do. I feel so helpless, worthless, and useless, and you are always the most optimistic person I can think of. As far as Joeys wedding, dumb and dumber jerry and I thought they were getting married on July 7th, until last night when we saw Joey for the whole of 15 minutes or so, and he said it is the 21st of July and they will be leaving on the 17th. I KNOW it was originally the 7th, because I checked my I pad last night with Jerry and it was down on the 7th. But, we just took it and told him how much we love him, and miss him, and to come and see us whenever he can. Our life has been in such turmoil for so long that I told Jerry yesterday that if my tests will just come out okay, that he and I MUST go somewhere when it gets cooler and stay gone until we feel the pull to come back, whenever that might be. It has been almost 4 years now since we have done anything like this, and I am turning 70 in Sept. and I just must, must celebrate these 70 years. I have cried so much for so long, and worried and worried, and it has changed absolutely n o t h i n g. Now you can see how I fail you, Gail, when I would give anything to be able to help you. I gave up on having a party. Joey told me that he loved us so much for wanting to do this for them, but he feels he has been married for over 15 years, and that he would feel kind of embarassed tp act like a “newlywed”. So hope you and Gregg are able to push through these hard times, and she will come to her senses. Hugs coming to you with thanks for all you have done to help me.
DD, and Sue, hope you all are doing well. I know our son in CA. told us today the fires are up in the hills; so hope you are okay, and hope your knee is doing better Sue. You both live in such beautiful areas of the country, but I know you would disagree when the fires, flood, and snow and ice are reeking havoc. Sure hope you bug problem is better too DD. Sue, do you have someone to deliver your groceries, meds and such if you are not able to drive? I know how hard that was for me when I wasn’t able to drive. The storms have been so bad here, so I hope you all are not being affected by them.
Take care everyone. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Love and a big hug, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-June 2018 #83550

Hello my dear sweet friends, I have missed all of you so much. It seems when we don’t talk for a few days we are so out of the loop on everyones lives, and I just don’t like that. First, the dr. office called me day before yesterday and changed my appt. due to something she had (my guess a new life coming into this world), so that leaves us still in “limbo” but things are doing much better with my physical “signs” of a problem. So I pray everyday that we are okay, and I know we are all in Gods hands and I am praying all will turn out fine. So I will definitely keep you posted. Thank you so much for your concern and prayers.
I read enough of your notes to see you all have been really busy and have had many things going on in your lives. Gail, happy late anniversary. I so hope you and hubby were able to leave behind your worries for a while, and just reflect on how much you all love each other and celebrate all the wonderful things these years together have been for you all. Jerry said somethings just the other day; a question actually to me. He asked had I ever just stopped and thought of how our life through all these years is just sort of a repeat of our parents lives, and their parents lives and so on; just different times and different circumstances, but so similar in so many ways. I sat and thought about that and even though mabey we didn’t go though say the depression, or WW1 or 2, we went through our own “times” so to speak that were so similar. Probably not making any sense, but I think he had his finger on something there. Hope you had a wonderful day together. And I wish I was as good as Adele in her words of comfort to you, but since I know what a beast stress can be, you are so smart, kind, and loving and I know Gregg must be too to have shared his talents for so many to enjoy, that mabey one of my favorite sayings “This too shall pass” will somehow help you all right now.
We have had some very severe storms these last few weeks. We have been without power several times, once overnight, many 6-12 hours at a time. Jerry has really had a hard time dealing with the heat, and he loses his temper the hotter he gets. I asked him to lets just go to a hotel, and he is so frugal with money he just refused. I think part of it was just pure stubborn. This latest “scare” has brought out some not so nice impatience in him, and it has been trying to say the least at times. I don’t know why but we just don’t handle “being scared” in the same way. But I guess we all have to deal with things the best we can. We saw the clouds begin to whirl the other afternoon, and a cloud start to make a tail out of the bigger cloud, and I was just terrified. Even Jerry got concerned. We were standing on our back patio, which is covered, and he told me to get in the laundry room. That was one of the times the power stayed out a long time. Many trees and poles were broken that day. Scary stuff. Colleen, have you all been getting much storms?
DD, I am so happy you are gettting your apt. fixed. You and your kitty need a nice quiet place not all this confusion. I don’t know about your kitty, but ours just gets so upset over any change. Auto would be really upset and it makes him get sick if he doesn’t get his rest.
Adele, swim to your hearts content. I love the song, “I hope you dance”. I can’t remember who sings it, but it is so true. We are us, and people either love us for what we are or don’t, and how we look physically has nothing to do with the real person we are inside of us and in our heart. So please enjoy yourself.
Love you guys, hope you are doing okay Sue, and are feeling better. Please take care everyone, I am thinking of you all all the time. Love, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-June 2018 #83072

Hello dear friends, I am finally back. As far as I know I am okay. I still do not have the results of the ultrasound back, was called by the dr. office yesterday and said they dr. wants to go over the results of the test, but the first opening they have is late next week. Well, this to me is good; since I believe if it was something bad she would insist on seeing me sooner, and my “problem” went away after I changed from one medicine to another to keep my blood from being too thick. I have been just a nervous wreck; and all this running back and forth to doctors has been so hard on us. And I know that you all have lots of things going on in your lives too, and I have just been so self centered that I haven’t been able to even think straight. I am sorry because your prayers have been so important and have meant so much. SO I will go back next week, and between now and then I don’t plan to think about being sick or scared. I will continue to pray for all of you each day, and your trials that you are facing.
Sue, please keep on with your work on your knee. Sorry for the discouraging report, but hang in there. I know you are disappointed. And DD, so sorry to hear of your “bug” problems. THis is just terrible. I know you feel like throwing up your hands. It just looks like your complex would have to be responsible for paying for someone to come in and do all of this for you; since this is bound to be an infestation from within the building. Please don’t hurt yourself doing too much. Loved your kitty peeking over the cooler picture. Is that Jewell? She is beautiful. I know I have seen her photo but with a haircut. Colleen, sorry for your family troubles. Boy, am I the last person in the world to offer any advice on the matters of the heart. Our Joey is 3 weeks away from marrying someone I know in my heart he doesn’t love much. Lisa just yells and since he didn’t go to a baby shower thing with her the other night (he said he would but when he was getting ready she was mad, and said “you don’t really want to go”, and he said thats true, those friends of yours like you not me) so she left him at home. Now she isn’t speaking to him, I think. People just wouldn’t believe some of this. Jerry said to me one night that we sound like we just fell off a wagon, but we are smart, educated people and are being treated like a couple of bafoons. Think he pretty well summed it up. Sorry Colleen, didn’t mean to go off in left field. All that I have been able to think about here recently is that 4 years ago I was about to have a massive stroke, and how I want to live. So forgive me.
Gail, I hope you are better. Poor Brent has and you all have faced such loss, and you seem to look at life with such grace. You are such a strong woman, and it shows even when you are in pain.
Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your kind words, thoughts, and prayers. I am so proud to have all of you as my dear dear friends. I love you all and wish so much we could find Pablo so he could pick us out a beautiful peaceful spot for us to relax and sit, chat, and sip. Hugs to you all, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-May 2018 #82164

Hello Ladies. Sounds like we are falling in with you all in lack of plans for the holiday. I did go into the store for a very brief time this afternoon to pick up milk, orange juice, two pkgs. of hot dogs, buns and two TV dinners for our meal tonight. It is almost too exciting. That grocery store wias absolutely jam packed. My first stop in town was at the local business center. I had called the gyn. doctors office earlier today and asked them to please fax all of the paperwork that would have to be filled out since it is my first time there; so I could go ahead and fill them out here at home and take them with me. They said sure, no problem, and then of course were not there for me to pick up when I got there. So I had to make call after call from the parking lot to finally get through all the music playing while you wait. That is another reason I went on to the store to hopefully save me some time if I could actually pick up the forms. But you know, the bright spot was the sweet young man who was bagging my groceries and insisted he help me take my groceries to the car. He had such a wonderful attitude and was such a hard worker that he made me smile just knowing that there are some really good people who want to help us, and you don’t even have to ask. I know you all are so proud of your hard working children and grandchildren. They are making such good grades; they are gainfully employed, they serve in the military, and the little ones are so talented, they sing, they dance, they act…….it just warms my heart. Even our four legged babies are sweet and talented. We are some really fortunate women to be surrounded by such love.
Jerry is doing pretty well. His back is better when the weather is warm, but he gets SO hot and that really limits his being outside. He told me the other night that he has just lost all remembrance of how it was not to be in pain. He said the only thing he can judge it by is the level it is. That really hurt me. He rarely ever talks about how he hurts. I think it was because we were talking about how concerned I have been over going to this new doctor and wanting everything to be okay.
After I sent Neal the cake, he called us on his was to work a couple of days later. He told me he really liked his cake. A couple of days later, on facebook, Sarah put this picture of some BBQ and beans and commented of how her parents knew how much he loves BBQ and they sent him this for his birthday and it was the most perfect birthday present ever!!!!! She cannot stand me, she made NO mention when he recieved his cake, and will only answer us “yes” “no” when we directly ask her a question when we are on skype with neal and the baby. Jerry told me that I am being so nice, that I “let” my DILs do things to hurt me, and dont say anthing and that I should speak up because they are certainly not going to like me any less. But I know that it would backfire on me, and it would hurt my sons; so I just go into my room and cry. You would think that I dont seem to be admired by them at all. It is SO hurtful and I don’t blame you all for just telling me you are so tired of hearing me complain. You all have such good families, what in the world happened to mine? Lord, I wish I knew.
Take care everyone. And to all who have family members who have served in the military or have lost friends or family, I sincerely appreciate all those who keep a watchful eye on us all. I am very patriotic, and will be wearing my Quacker red tee with the sequined flags on it. And Monday is the day I wear vintage Quacker. It is one of the first shirts Jeanne sold on the 50 in 50 show those many years ago. It is white cotton button down with short sleeves and beautiful flags, fireworks, just beautiful. I only wear it once a year, it is so special. Hugs to you all, have a safe holiday with friends, families, and fur babies. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-May 2018 #81964

Hello to All. It is going to take me a while to catch up; but hope you all are doing good, and are well. I, on the other hand, have not been well. I started having “female” issues a couple of weeks ago; and have literally been jumping through hoops just to get a doctor to check me out and make sure that whatever is causing my problem is not something serious. I started by contacting my family doctor; because it says on my blood thinner bottle to contact him should I have any bleeding of any kind, and it began. After answering many questions (like I don’t have sense enough to know whether I am bleeding to death or not) they told me they were referring me to a gyn. which was what I knew I needed, but felt I could get a quicker appointment by going through my doctors referral. WELL……it took his office four days to find some doctor that is as far away from us as you can get, who agreed to see me. They tell me the “problem” is the fact I am on Medicare; even though we both have expensive supplemental insurance. I am doing much better, thank God, but want to know for sure that I am okay, and can put this worry out of my mind. And on top of that, this doctor won’t give me an appointment until the first week of June. So much for their concern. I am very upset; I just feel that at my age they just feel I am disposable, and this is one of the most eye opening things I have ever experienced. I have been in touch with this supplemental plan we have to try to find someone who will see me sooner; but so far; they are still looking. To say the least; I have prayed a lot about this, and I know God is watching over me, but you all know the seed of fear that you feel when you don’t know what is wrong. I am SO happy that the whole “problem” has stopped, and I will keep you all posted. Do any of you have a problem now that you are on Medicare? I remember when I was working that I could just go to any doctor, and now the doctors don’t even have to see you unless they want to.
I watched the wedding, but not until later in the day. It was a beautiful service, and they both looked so happy. It is such a happy time for a young couple in love.
Yesterday was Neals birthday. I did bake his cake last week and Jerry helped me freeze it then wrap it and put the dry ice on it and get it mailed. I really hope he liked it. We miss him so much.
Take care everyone. Miss our talks. Hugs, Barbara

[Author]

Posts