[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-April 2018 #79793

Hello to everyone. Thankfully, we are doing better. This has been a rough couple of weeks. Jerry hurt his back. I don’t know how for sure; because you can never tell if what he is telling me is the way something happened or if he is leaving something out. But I honestly think since I was in the room with him and he was lying right next to me and woke me up and said Barbara I don’t know what I have done to myself but I am hurting so bad that I can’t stand it. Help me. He was writhing in pain. I was just panicing he scared me so badly. I haven’t seen him in that kind of pain in years. I quickly gave him his pain medicine and managed to slide a heating pad under him with a lot of difficulty since he was moving over and over so much. I kept saying that I was calling for an ambulance, and he said do it do it; and that really scared me more. I couldn’t get him to listen to me. God must have known to send Joey just at that minute; he had just gotten off work and stopped by just to see if we had some extra ketchup in the pantry since he forgot to stop by the store on his way home from work. He started working with Jerry, and told me Mama sit down and let me see what we need to do, and he got Jerry in a position that with his pain medicine and the way he had him propped up was easing his pain. THen Jerry was saying don’t call don;t call, and Joey said for me to give it just a little while and see, and he would get us an ambulance if we need to go. So he spent a couple of hours with us, and Jerry was completely settled down before he left. He had to work that night too. He said he would leave his phone right by his bed if we needed him. Long story short, Jerry went to our doctor the next day, and he gave him some muscle relaxers and they helped him but just knocked him out so he slept a LOT for several days, but in all honesty he needed the rest and SO did I. THe doctor could not give us any explanation as to why this happened except to say that the sacral area of his back which they never fused; he thinks the nerves around there “made contact” with each other or bones and caused all the pain. He talked to Jerry about putting some kind of pain pump in there but Jerry said absolutely not; since they can’t say if it would help or not. So this has been our life. I surely hope you all are doing good, and that Ms. Tillie is doing better. It sounded like she might need some kind of cortisone cream for the scalyness, if she has that on her.
We have had storms, and now it is in the 30’s again. I don’t know what in the world our weather is doing, and it seems from what I see on the TV that you all are having strange weather too. Hope Spring really will come soon. We got in the 70’s and then it dropped thirty degrees and we got all the storms, and this just keeps happening.
My prayers are for everyone to be doing good. If anyone is ready to go scream into a pillow; I will join you. I actually had to leave one day and just stay gone for about 3 hours. I sat in the parking lot of Walmart for a solid hour just watching people. I thought if I didn’t get out of the house and away from the madness I would have a nervous breakdown. I am not sure who made up the word retire; I think it should have been betired. Will write more later. Take care, hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-March 2018 #79174

Oh my gosh, Gail, that is SO scary!!!! Thank God you all are okay. You know we have had this conversation just this week. There have been two incidents of stolen property in our area in the past couple of months; and we used to not ever hear about people stealing things around us. We have a security alarm system that is monitored and they are very good to call us if our alarm is triggered and set off. They set up a security question and of course special numbers on the alarm monitor itself that we have to manually key in when we set or turn off the alarm. Since Jerry has so much equipment and his tractor and other things in his outdoor shop so if someone opens the doors or windows out there and our alarm is on, it sets off the really loud alarm that is mounted on the roof of our house. I have accidently set if off myself by not turning it off after we have come home (we have ours set for turning it off within 45 seconds) and they always call us and we go through the questions or they send the police. I feel so much safer with it. You just don’t know what people are capable of. They watch people for days/weeks to find our routine, and age and such, and then do their bad things. I am not trying to scare you worse; but strongly encourage you to look into a monitored system. If for nothing else; peace of mind. We pay a monthly fee for monitoring. So sorry this happened to you.
On a lighter note; I am glad your husband is planning a new album. He is so talented. You must be proud. I do most of my singing in the shower. You can pass along for me that even the acoustics in the shower only help my sinuses by steam and not my singing voice. LOL
We are planning a cookout after the wedding and having Joeys friends over and our friends. THere are so many who will not be able to attend.
Adele, I am glad I helped. Not sure how; but glad. DD and Gary will be coast to coast buddies in their rehab. THat is something they could both share during their rehab. What Colleen said is so right; the rehab. staff will be “all business” since they have heard every excuse before, and they are in the “tough love” mode to help and hopefully he and DD will get to like them and it won’t be so bad. Hoping everything goes good for both.
As far as vitamin K; some things, like antacids, aspirin, some blood thinners are things that you would need to control the amount of Vit. K they should take in. Foods that are good sources of Vit. K are spiniach, asparagus, broccoli, eggs, strawberries, etc. Your body uses Vit. K to help your blood to clot so when you say get cut it helps you not to keep bleeding. Just check with the doctor; since I know the cardiac rehab people will clear up any questions you all have on whether you should eat these foods, and if so how much? It will be okay. Love the picture of Aizen and Gary; so sweet.
Better go for now. Please; just always check with your doctors and because they will know what is best for you all. So glad you have Ms. Tillie going in soon. Take care everyone. Sorry again, Gail. You are right, Colleen, I should not have looked in that mirror LOL I am sure everyone around me was glad I did though. DOes it hurt when you use the epilator? Just wondering. Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-March 2018 #79095

Happy Sunday to everyone. Jerry is gone to take his Mom for a long ride all over where she grew up, which is across the river in Arkansas. I sensed he wanted to just go and reminence old times with her; so I have stayed here and baked a ham, did potato salad, slaw rolls, and of course a couple of chocolate pies for them. They will be home shortly. He is so good to his Mom. Adele, I know you are worried about Ms. Tillie; but try not to. I am sure that the rash is some kind of an excema or dry skin. It is good that she will be seeing a dermatologist. They will know for sure. I so feel for you with trying to get your hubby to eat what his new menu needs. I have a good idea. Sleep mask…….you can tell him since it makes him “sick” to see the good for him foods that you have the perfect solution; you will blindfold him with the mask and he can just eat away in bliss not seeing what he is eating but just knowing that his sweet wife has only prepared the good healthy food HIS body requires to keep him here with you longer that 5 more years. What do you think? Might work LOL In all seriousness; his discouragement about his health is one of the hardest issues I have to go through with Jerry. He gets so down because he is physically unable to do the things he has always done without thinking, and now he just feels so useless. And poor Joey is the only son here to help Jerry and unfortunately Jerry takes out his frustrations about his condition on anyone trying to help; which is just Joey and me. Lisa stays away when there is a major project that has to be done. Jerry has always been such a perfectionist; so believe you me, I know this is hard for you when you are trying so hard to help Gary. God bless you, you do so much for so many. Take care of yourself please.
Colleen, one of the shocks of my life was a 10 times magnification mirror. I really wasn’t prepared for what I saw staring back at me. There were things growing out of my chin that grossed me out; but I just didn’t know it was there. I wasn’t ready to see my wrinkles magnified but could accept that better than the fact I could use a major wax job. So I found my old trusty tweezers and went right to work. NOW; if only someone could invent a “turn back Time” product because I think that is the only way old Barbara will not have her earned wrinkles and creavices. I also have the lovely “chicken” neck as we call it down here where all that skin under my chin has decided to hang and droop like an old heavy curtain and flap in the breeze. Now that I have painted such a lovely picture; bet you all feel SO much better about yourselves LOL
Neal and the baby facetimed us last night. He was in such a sweet mood. He was playing with a little book thing we sent him that when you push a button it plays songs like itsy bitsy spider, and rock a by baby and such; and he would just swing his little arms and rock back and forth and dance. We were singing and clapping with him, and the more we would clap the more he would dance. I thought our hearts would just melt it was so sweet. Then we asked him to “give Daddy sugar” and he went straight to Neal and kissed him right on the lips. We are teaching him to throw kisses too. We miss them SO much.
Your cake sounds so easy and yummy Sue. You just have the easiest and best tasting recipes. Thanks for them. I am going to give it a try tomorrow. I think I am either doing the lemon and blueberries, or white cake with the canned strawberries we have at our store here. I have used them before in a fresh/canned strawberry pie I was making to stretch my recipe a little further to make 2 pies, and I have always wanted to try them in something else. Your answer to the speed question was perfect. Good for you.
DD. thank God your heart test came out good. Been praying for you, and your friend. I get short of breath too, but in my case I know I am not active enough. And I am too big. But God has been so good to me. I see all these skinny minnies as we call skinny ladies around here, walking with their “fit bit” wrist things on, and of course all my DILs have one on, and I hear them talking about their 10,000 steps, and I am thinking, did I do 1000 steps today? But we do what we can do; and we can’t worry about what we haven’t done, can we? I feel so blessed to be here on this beautiful earth and when I feel like it I walk further and when I don’t then I walk less. You take care as well and please tell your friend that she has people from all over this country who have been praying for her.
Better go. Just heard them pull into the garage. Oh, Gail, wanted to say I love your new fridge. It is beautiful. Ya hoo! By the way, Lisa said “she” has a grooms cake already in mind for Joey. Such is life…….Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-March 2018 #78805

Hi everyone. Will make this short; since I don’t know what I am doing wrong, but I keep losing every note I try to send to you all. I will be right in the middle of a sentence and it goes back to the mail page. So happy about Brent, Gail, and I know you and Gary are relieved. Praying for more good news to follow on the heart issues. What was the old saying “Mother knows best” because you were right. Congrats on your new fridge too. I know you must be enjoying that “new” feeling.
DD, am so happy that your dear friend is finally home. I know she is so happy to be in her own bed surrounded by her own things. Hope your cold is better. You always send such good photos for all of us to enjoy. Thanks for that.
Colleen, I think you and I were always the watch all the Irish shows, and it still makes me a little sad that to me it has changed over the years. But they did have some beautiful things this year. I just love to hear the stories of Ireland and see the pictures. I would love to visit there some day, but seriously doubt that is going to happen. Did they show anything that was calling your name? I bet the models were happy to model the sweaters this year with all the snow still happening. By the way, I am feeling so bad for Sue and Adele about all the snow they are still getting. I know they must be SO ready for warmer weather. Does anyone have a more simple way to cook corned beef and cabbage? Mine takes hours. But I do love the way it tastes.
Adele, I know Jerrys Moms skin is so fragile that she has these purple blotches especially on her legs and arms, and we use that A298836 first aid cream they sell on the Q on her and we use it too. It comes in all different fragrances including unfragranced. Jerry was having a problem with very dry skin on his shins one winter, and by chance I ordered some for that and we just got hooked on it. So just out of trying something for her fragile skin we tried some on her arms, and it surely has helped her. She gets “skin tears” easily; because her skin is like tissue paper, but we have been very lucky that she hasn’t had any infections. You are so good to take such good care of your Mom. I understand her need to maintain her “privacy” about her personal body. I remember having an inservice with the staff where I talked to them about how we as health providers see things like urine catheter bags or gowns riding up, etc. all the time; but how maintaining dignity for our patient is so important to them, and how they do not want their child or any family member seeing such a personal part of their life right out there for the world to see. So I asked them to cover the patient, cover the bags, tubes, etc. to maintain as much of their dignity as possible, brush their hair, their teeth around the tube, lubricate their lips. But she DOES need to see a gerentologist to help you in helping her. THey specialize in the aged, and can be of such help. Mabey she would buy in to it if you tell her that just like babies and children have their own special doctor; so do ones “over 80″ so she can help us learn about all she has to share with the doctor that will ultimately help you and me when we reach that special age. She would really be helping you as much; if not more; than helping just herself. Would that work” Hope so.
Better go but praying for you all and thinking of everyone. It has been stormy here and now cold today. Who knows? Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-March 2018 #78501

Gosh Sue, I am sorry I know I was torturing you with all the recipe and food questions before your tests. Just please look over me; I am so happy your test is completed and you are able to go back to eating. I have made the brocolli salad since I got your recipe again; and it really is yummy. Thanks again. How is your knee doing? Good I hope. You and Adele have had such a hard hard winter this year. We were in the beginning of your storms but we had just tons of rain for days. Our yard was just like a wet sponge and everywhere you tried to walk would just squish because it just could not absorb any more water. Our pond completely filled up and went over the top of the bank. So we lost some of the fish we had in there. Our two hound dogs just would sit and watch them swimming through our land where Jerry dug out with his tractor a drain for water to run down to the creek. They just didn’t know what to do with them. LOL
Gail, I am sorry your fridge is acting up. I remember when appliances lasted for years and years, and now like you said 5-10 years then buy another one. And the price is just outrageous to me. I have a front load washer and it helps me a lot not having to bend over to get clothes out. I also have it on a stand so that makes it easy for me too. But when Jerry designed our home; he put my laundry room right in the center of our home; and now he has to have the dryer vent cleaned out professionally twice a year. It would have been better if he had put my washer/dryer against a wall. I am so afraid of dryer fires. But I am like Adele said, we seem to get more worried as we get older.
Poor Neal, Sarah, and the baby are sick with sinus problems. They are taking the baby to the doctor. Neal is working; got sick on his first day of the week back to work; so knowing him as we do, we know he will try to put off missing any work. I sure hope he and Sarah go too though. I am so worried about them being so far away and all of them sick.
I made a big pan of lasagna yesterday; so I messaged Joey to see if they would like some. He had worked 4 nights in a row (12 hours shifts), and Lisa stopped by. She was all chatty, and showed me a picture she has on her phone of her wedding dress. It is Mermaid style with lots of tulle at the bottom. It really is beautiful. I love the idea of the party here. I would like to use mason jars and since it will be summer we have loads of zinnias we could use and tea lights all over. And you know me; I would love to have solar things all over and mabey even hanging lights in the trees. I need help with that one. Any ideas?
Better go for now. HOpe all are good. Thanks again for your pretty pictures DD. Love your kitty feeling like I do about Mondays ha ha Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-March 2018 #78291

YES Sue, this is the one. Thanks so much. I have already added it to my I-Pad recipe notes; so I won’t lose it again. We think it is so yummy and I almost have to just stop myself when we go to have some; so I was really upset when I saw that I had misplaced it. I have a quiet weekend planned. We had to go do our taxes this year. That is always a terrifying experience for me. It wasn’t too bad this year; so we stopped and picked up one of those pizzas that you bring home and cook yourself. It is fresh; not frozen, and down here the name of the store is Pappa Johns Pizza. You just go through a line and tell them what you want on your pizza and they prepare it according to your likes. Everything is really fresh; even though I know it doesn’t even begin to match Adele’s homemade pizza. So that is our dinner menu for tonight, and I bought a box of girlscout cookies (thin mints) for dessert ha ha. Were any of you all girlscouts? I wasn’t but wanted to be. My brothers were in the boyscouts though and they went to so many fun places camping and all. Can you girls believe I was actually on the volleyball team (which conflicted with the girlscout schedule) and our team went to the state championships. It was so much fun, and I loved to play. I became pretty good at tennis as well and would go play tennis AFTER getting off work at 11 at night with a whole group of young people from church and some others who worked with me. At that time, you could just flip a switch on the light pole in the city park and play for hours at night. Such good memories, and such good shape ha ha
Hope everyone is having a great weekend, safe, well, and happy. Good thoughts coming to all. Hugs and sweet tea from Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-March 2018 #78275

Friday night sitting here waiting for the storms to roll our way. It was warm for a few days and now has turned really chilly again; and so the storm is coming up from the gulf. I think its missing Colleen; but not real sure. Hope so. And I am so sorry that you all are getting more snow up north. I really hope your heat is back on Adele. Gail is right, we would have someone (Jerry would be barking orders; since I would be watching him so closely to keep him from doing it himself) out cutting down your poor fallen tree with a chain saw and chips and wood flying everywhere lol You do seem to have a lot of rules about your trash. I couldn’t help but laugh; so please don’t let me offend, but you called Gary Gory in one of your notes; and it just made me laugh so hard since he is being so negative about his rehab and his eating. LOL I could just picture him with the afore mentioned chainsaw going after something healthy you have cooked or a piece of rehab equipment. ha ha You two are such a cute couple. You are definitely the yin to his yang. LOL
And then you got me tickled Gail, by saying that Gregg would not take his Xanax; and you liked the effects of it; and I got to thinking about how the dr. had one time prescribled Zoloft for Mr. S because I was complaining to him that Jerry is SO impatient; and just can’t relax; and our doctor said he wish he could make it a rule that they put Zoloft in the water supply so everyone would just be mellow and calm and not let things get to them so bad. Well, wouldn’t you know; Jerry experienced some side effects from it and couldn’t take it. I wanted to scream then; because for the few days he was on it he was so calm and relaxed. ha ha
I am SO happy you are going to help me with the party after the kids return home. I am really getting excited now thinking of all the possibilities. Speaking of wedding; Lisa’s sister and mother are here as of today (we were told yesterday they were coming) to go wedding dress shopping. Would you believe I wasn’t asked if I would like to go with them; but I WAS asked if Jerry and I would keep keep Ruby all weekend since Joey is working all weekend and I guess she wanted to just be free to whatever. We said yes since we love Ruby and she may not be a happy camper with not really knowing them, and all the coming and going that will be happening. We haven’t seen or heard from her mother or sister since Lisa had her accident 5 years ago now. I had already told Jerry that I am in contact with some bridal bakeries in Ca. to order a grooms cake to surprize Joey with at the wedding from his dad and me. Do you all think that is okay? So Gail and everyone else; let’s plan a Quacking good party!
Poor Heather, that was so terrible. He is just awful to have hurt her like that. So sorry.
Good news DD, about your friend. Surely the hospital will arrange for her to have in home care provided for at least a few weeks. And they also need to arrange for meals to be brought to her and a physical therapist and nurse to check on her. Love your Spring pictures. And the inspirational words. THey are so needed for us all.
Sue, I have lost your brocolli salad recipe and we LOVE it. Do you mind sending it to me again? So sorry, promise I will file it in a safe place this time. How is your knee doing? Take care of it and you.
I miss the In the Kitchen shows too. Even if I don’t order they seem to laugh a lot and make me feel good.
Take care everyone. Gail, I see a forever friend in your future. We have gotten so attached to Auto Kitty. He has to be ahead of us everynight at bedtime. It’s like he checks on me and Jerry, and if we change up our routine he doesnt like it. ha ha He loves Jerrys Mom and she does him too. They have a golden retriever and a kitty that lives there. They go from cottage to cottage and visit with the residents. It is very sweet and so are they.
Have a good weekend. Hugs and high fives from Tennessee, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-March 2018 #78159

Hello friends. I had written yesterday; and again….poof….off into cyber land somewhere before I could send it off. I was so upset with this thing that I just put it away hoping for better results today. LOL Hope you don’t get bad storms Sue and Adele. It seemed like it was more in your areas; and not sure how Gail is fairing. DD you seem to be getting the warmer weather but I have always said the weather changes here so quickly. But Sunday was just beautiful; so we went out and got Jerrys Mom and took her out for lunch at Cracker Barrel. She just loves to go there, and all she wanted was vegetables and their yeast rolls, and a big piece of carrot cake to take with us. She and I had so much fun just browsing and shopping in their little gift area. It has so many old time candy, and toys. They had a beautiful warm shawl on sale so I bought it for her. It is going to be nice for her year round. Then we came home and she sat and visited with us most of the afternoon. When it started to get just a little dark; she was ready to “go home”. I think she knew her bed was calling her name. She said she ate so much lunch but she insisted she eat her piece of cake before we went back. ha ha We let the staff know she had eaten it and not to expect her to eat too much dinner. They laughed and said they didn’t blame her.
Sue, sure hope everything goes well with you for your tests. It is hard when they say some procedure will make you drowsy. But the good side of that is that you will not be uncomfortable or “aware” as by BIL laughingly said when having it done. He had such a great sense of humor; and he said it was a test he felt he didn’t need to know all the details. I am sure you will do just fine; and hope your friends are going to be feeling much better both for them and for you. I have this thing with heights; and even though they are beautiful I just don’t like driving on those steep or winding or both roads. Most people don’t think anything of it. And the advice to begin your prep earlier than it says it right. You don’t want to have to spend the night in the potty. Hope you have a wonderful meal afterwards. You have earned it.
Gail, have they done any ultrasound to break up Brents stones? He has had so much to deal with. Does he by any chance have any pain in his big toe? Funny question I know, but just wondering about Gout. I am like you, I believe there is one something that is in the middle of connecting all the issues. Hope he is getting some good news. He needs some and so do you all. I bet Gregg was wanting to sing so badly. It’s a shame with his beautiful voice that he couldn’t go on stage. Boy, would they have been shocked.
Jerry and I both fell asleep watching TV last night. It was about nine thirty. I think we both were just tired.
Adele, I hope Gary is taking it easy and listening to you and his doctor. Please take care of yourself too. You are the glue that holds the family together.
Sue, thank you for the great idea of having a party to celebrate here at our home Joeys marriage. It has really got me to thinking, and I know I need Gail to give me some of her great party ideas; since it seems like I remember she said at one time she loves to do this. I have 0 talent is this area; but most people we know are “country” and we do everything on a very relaxed comfy way. And I really hope our oldest son wife will skype the wedding and we can be there that way. So thank you.
Take care everyone. Hugs coming your way. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-March 2018 #77872

Just wanted to check in on Gary Adele. Please tell him for me that he MUST follow the doctors discharge orders; and it is of utmost importance that he follow the diet that was ordered. Please also pass along to him that when I got home from the hospital; everything and I mean everything tasted just like cardboard, and my sons would fix me say oatmeal with fruit (chopped up apples) and I did like both before; but after; nothing. But I just had to force myself to chew and swallow (which considering my fluffy size was a big change) but that soon his taste will come back; and the more of the “good things” that his new food plan includes will soon change his taste buds to where he really will find that he likes it. Long way of saying, just keep trying, and what you are planning to fix sounded deliscious. Yes, he will be very tired and using small amounts of energy like to shower will make him tired right now; so take it slowly. He has been through a lot; and bouncing back will not come overnight for any of you; so YOU take care too.
Gail, I am afraid to look for our Feb. page before I send this off in fear I will lose this note into space land. ha ha I continue to pray for your son. I am so glad he has someone he cares for to be with him; especially now. Our March came in like the lion too. We had storms and so much rain for the last two days and nights. It is not raining right now; but cloudy and looks like it is right there waiting to. Jerry and I went to the dr. yesterday for our check up and after getting myself all phyched up to go through all the labs and sitting in a room of sick folks; our doctor had an emerg. (which of course we understand) but had to reschedule us for tomorrow. At first the receptionist tried to tell us our appt. was Mar. 28 not Feb. and I said that is not possible; when we made the appt two weeks ago the recept. even joked with me about how we were getting in on the last day of the month; and how short Feb. is. So with a sheepish look she got busy trying to “work us in” this week. To say the least; Mr Smith was getting the hair up on the back of his neck. We went out to see his Mom; and she was doing good. We plan to pick her up sometime next week and go for an outing; and then come out to our home and have dinner. I am going to take her to the hairdresser and get a haircut. Her hair is just beautiful but it is getting too long and takes to long to dry. Her hair is still really full and wavy.
Sue, that is a really good idea. I know Jerry would enjoy this too. Only one of Joey’s friends from home is able to fly out. Most of them can’t get off right at the 4th holiday; some because of seniority and such. I hope someone will skype the ceremony. It really breaks our heart; all of this. I just sit sometimes and wonder what in the world went with our family? I always knew when our sons married their first priority would be to their wife and family, but just wasn’t prepared to feel like such an outsider. By the way; how is your knee doing? Hope all is well.
I can hear the crickets just chirping outside. SO now Colleen; that means the creepy crawlers are out. This is a hard time of year just knowing it is right around the corner for all the bad biting things. The South can be so beautiful; but I sure don’t like those things. We get lots of mosquitoes too; and all this rain seems to make them worse if it keeps on raining all spring. But the flowers will be such a beautiful sight to see; and I like Gail will be looking for me a little leprechan and his pot of gold out there. LOL
Take care to all. Prayers for everyones loved ones; and for good health. Hugs Barbara

[Author]

Posts