[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-June 2020 #111970

I don’t even know what to say. What a sad time.
Adele I hope Heather begins to feel better real soon. Those bumps on her tonsils sound painful I know swimmers ear is. I had that as a teenager and Jerry in his twenties. I remember we both were on antibiotics for quite a while. It messed with my equilibrium so I was very dizzy. Poor Heather. But once I took all the antibiotics I finally got better.
Jerry and I went to a private party at Graceland one night, and we were very fortunate in they gave us as much time as we wanted to just walk around and look. I remember standing at the foot of the staircase gazing upstairs thinking this was their home; where they laughed, cried, had holidays, ate their meals etc. and I sort of felt I was invading their privacy. I could just imagine Elvis bounding down those stairs, hugging his family and smiling. I feel really honored having worked for the only place that carries his name in the world. There is a huge painting in the lobby of the trauma center. He was very handsome, and mischievous from all I heard. I met many of his backup singers/band. Very interesting people with great stories.
Colleen, Walmart here in our little town is closing early now. We are having a hard time getting beef and chicken. We have quite a bit of canned soup, peanut butter, crackers, eggs, some sausage and bacon in freezer. So we can make it for a while on this. Jerry got us a watermelon last week, cut it up in chunks yesterday and put in gallon zip bags. We need fruit and veg. so bad but this will help. Are you all having problems? By the way I have one of those lid poppers from Q like Gail and love it.
Sue, we are hot here. We had to turn our AC on last week. I am not looking forward to our next electric bill. But thankfully you don’t have to deal with ice/snow right now. How many months do you usually experience less than 40* temperature?
Better go. Hope everyone is safe.

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-May 2020 #111836

Just want to add that when Dodger is eating his corn, he holds it between his paws and his little front and bottom teeth just pick the kernals off! It is so cute. The corn looks like good corn Gail not mule corn so I think he picks well ha ha We are real southern folks down here and have to have at least one hound laying stretched out on our porch. Sometimes at night we hear Dodger “treeing” something out in the creek area. There is also an owl that we listen to at night when he starts his “whoohoo” sound. The noise carries so far out here. I used to tell the boys the owl was calling them and they would call him back and start a little conversation. Bet you know all about this too Colleen.
Graceland is really nice Gail, but you’re right the area surrounding it leaves a lot to be desired. I’ve attended quite a few events there. it was quite an honor to be a part of it all. Lots of good memories. I love the Peabody too Gail. Have you ever been in the lobby to watch the duck procession? This has been going on for many years and they have an entire floor to themselves. Very special little mallards. I love to sit in the lobby and listen to the baby grand. So beautiful with the huge floral arrangement. Hope you were able to experience it.
Hope all is well with Heather and her ear. Those can be so painful. I am so worried about our families, our country, our lives. Like Gail said, not knowing is so hard to bear. This uncertainty, this strange new life, our world so changed…well I must stop or I won’t be helping any of us, sorry……

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-May 2020 #111737

Beautiful day here. Joey came by before going in town. He likes to “lay eyes” on us and see for himself we are okay. Gosh, I love him for that. He knows that we both have said we are ok in years past and not be so good. Did I tell you that Lisa did all the dishes the other night after they came for the cookout? This is the first time any of of my DILs have done this, and I really thanked her for being so sweet. She also made Joey a plate at dinner, and he made her drink. I think they are really doing good now and it makes me so happy. They have had their times of storms, so clear and calm looks good to me. So I am praying they are really becoming closer and closer to one another. Haven’t heard from Neal this week. This has been so hard. Miss the baby so badly. We know time and distance from us all makes such a big difference at his age. Our heart aches to see and touch them.
Colleen, you little Greyson is really getting active. He is building those strong arm muscles pushing up and has that little round tummy to help him roll. Ha ha. That is so sweet. They are just so soft and smell so good. I would just breathe in deeply when Colin was here just to fill my lungs with his precious smell.
ADELE, you little Sonny is such a sweetie too. He is our long and lean little fellow. I am so glad you got to be with him. Has he been trying to talk too? That is so sweet when you know they want to talk and they look right in your face and make those little noises. Also I am so very sorry to hear about Stephanie’s friends mother passing away. What a shame at such a young age. On another note Adele, we love beets and wonder if your beet salad is easy to prepare? It looks delicious. I made brownies too the other day, but mine just didn’t taste good to me. Jerry ate them, but I think it’s because I didn’t have any nuts to add.
Gail, we love fresh corn. I have a funny story about our Dodger. We have a big cornfield in the pasture next to us and all last year dodger would be seen with an ear of corn (usually dragging stalk and all) in his mouth just chewing away. Those corn cobs and stalks were all over our land and Jerry actually said once that if dodger didn’t supplement his diet with corn we would have to be out more money in dog food for him! I said oh good grief Jerry! Leave it to Jerry to be thinking of the financial aspect of Dodgers helping himself to the farmers crop of corn. But he truly loves raw corn on the cob. And I love fresh corn too, so we are all right there with you and Greg including our Blue Tic Hound. And your picture of the Bloodhound looks just like Bandit!
Sue, it sounds like you are doing good being able to get your grocery supplies in your area and doctors are taking good precautions. I am glad to hear that for you. We are now able to get toilet paper again, but now no chicken or ground beef. Really hard to even get most pork too, and bread still in short supply. DD how are supplies doing in your area? Neal said it is over 100 degrees out there today. Is it that hot where you are at?
Better go for now. Hope all is well for everyone.

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-May 2020 #111306

Gail, what I meant when I said I would like to,live in a warmer area is really live in an area as warm as here but without all the awful,humidity we get here. I just love the changing of the seasons; especially summer into fall, with the beautiful leaves and the cool,crisp days and nights. But we have the thick oppressive heat during our summers, and it is so uncomfortable. Jerry puts our AC on and keeps it way too cold in here for me. I know the Fibro and the PVD keeping my feet so cold is the main reason I’m so miserable. Whenever we visit say Fla. I have just loved walking on the beach or sitting in a lawnchair with the ocean breeze blowing on me. But like you, I don’t think we will be going out even if they do open businesses up. I can see us staying home for some time now. It seems just too risky to us.
I am really getting tired of planning meals too. We have several frozen entree things and I ordered the chicken breasts and biscuits from the Q. Jerry makes us a salad and then we add whatever we think of or order pickup meals from town. We have a very limited number of restaurants to chose from and two pizza places(only one worth eating). We drove up to the ice cream drive through tonight and got us sundaes. I am just like you all, trying so hard to manage. I do find that I fall fast asleep sitting in my recliner earlier and earlier. I think it is boredom. I fell asleep at 7:30 last night, and Jerry woke me up at 9:30 for bed. Then I had trouble getting back to sleep. Jerry is asleep in his chair right now.
Hope you all are managing ok. Sue glad you retrieved your package. Colleen good luck with your dental appointment. Just talk away and say it’s the medicine they give you lol I need someone to talk to too!
DD love your pictures and glad they are providing extra security for you all. That’s great.
Adele, you hang in there. Hope your gout is better. I bet is was brought on by stress. Tillie is so pretty. She has less wrinkles than me. Tell her I am envious of her beautiful skin.
Goodnight everyone-stay safe! Hugs across the miles Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-May 2020 #111097

Hope everyone had a good Mothers Day. I know everyone shows love and kindness to human and our fur babies and deserve a social distancing hug. I had a really good day. Our internet service went out Sat. morning and they came late this afternoon to fix. I didn’t realize how attached I am to the internet until it went away for a couple of days. I have been lost We couldn’t FaceTime with the boys and Colin yesterday because of it, but they all called. Joey and Lisa gave me a beautiful hanging flower basket for the patio, card from Colin and call from Bud. Surely wanted to see their faces, but enjoyed the sweet calls. Jerry grilled out, and that was really nice.
Love your lawn decorations Adele. I enjoy those too. My latest from the Q is a solar cat for the patio I think from Barbara King. I love her things. I also have her patriotic banner for the front porch that is strung across two posts. It is good heavy material. Hope Tillie enjoyed her Mother’s Day too. Please say hello for me.
Colleen, it was a while there that I couldn’t put yard things out sue to our puppies but they are a little older and doing better now. The bloodhound was especially mischievous. He is so lazy now and sleeps as much as Auto Kitty I think. DD your kitty and ours sound so much alike. When Joey and Lisa bring Ruby their dog up to visit, Auto just pesters her. I think sometimes he tries to get her in trouble. And Ruby never bothers him. Is your weather warm now? Ours is in the 50’s and 60’s. Glad you are able to get out some.
Love your memes Gail. They make me smile, and that’s always good. Thanks for putting them on for us. Was Brent able to get his house? Hope so. I would think this is a good time to buy a house with interest rates so low.
Hope you are doing better sleeping Sue and you aches are not as bad. That is just miserable. Do you have to use a heating pad? I do. I just can’t tolerate cold. My body aches so badly. I’ve always thought we would move to a warmer place, but now I don’t think so. But I do hope you are better.
Better go for now before I lose this. Goodnight all, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-May 2020 #110823

Quiet day here today, very springlike and warm. I thought I heard on the national weather about cold and snow in the north this weekend. We have had so much rain so now lots of bugs. Almost jumped out of my skin today when a lizard ran across the patio behind one of the dog houses. You know what I thought it was. Colleen and I have enough creepy crawlers to deal with. I just love sitting on the patio and reading. Especially before the humidity gets here.
We did FaceTime Colin last week Adele. That was when he said for us to “come and get me and we will go,to your house” and then said you can’t because of the sickness. Just broke out hearts, but we promised we would come as soon as we can, and how much we miss him. And do we ever! Jerry swept one of his little hot wheel cars from under the futon yesterday and I broke down and cried. I know in comparison to all the things people are facing now, that we are so blessed, but gosh it’s hard. I hope you all can make Tillies day special and I’m sure you will. Mabey one of those calls on the computer where you’re all on at the same time. Can’t think of what that’s called. Joey dropped by for just a few and helped Jerry with the tiller. He came to the door and said mama, I miss you so much. I miss them too. I asked them what night they could eat dinner with us, and he said Friday if I felt like it. Gave him a choice of roast and veggies or lasagna, and he said roast sounds really good, so a one pan meal for us. Yahoo, win win get to visit and easy meal.
Sue, do you use a local food delivery service or Walmart or something like that? We live in a really small town so we have very little to chose from. Did your landlord get your repairs finished? Was just wondering hope so.
Hope everyone is well and has a good night, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-May 2020 #110792

We went to Costo today. I sat in the car and read my magazine while Jerry went in. They have posted on all doors that masks are mandatory for admission. All the employees had them on too inside and out. I was happy to see this. We were able to buy ground beef so we got enough for several meals. I split it up when we got home. They told Jerry that next week they have an entire trailer load coming in. Course hubby forgot what day he was told. So will have to try calling. It was very warm here today. Did a little raining late this evening, but stopped after about half hour. Bet you got some too Colleen.
Sue, that is such a sweet story about your little beagle puppy rescued by just the right people. I love those stories.
Gail your little doggie pics are so cute. They are so lucky to have a good family to take care of.
Colleen, Lisa is still working too. Even though she is in management now, she does the after hours clinic with one of the doctors and sometimes fills in at the sports medicine clinic. She is really a hard worker. I worry about them both. Joey is in the part of psychiatry where emergency cases are brought, and Lisa doesn’t know either who might be sick. It is so scary. I know you all feel the same about your family and friends.
I am so happy the robot calls have slowed down too Gail. They were driving us crazy. We had to buy new landline telephones at Costo today. Ours are so old, and we have to have the landline. Our cell phones will not work living out here so far in the country and this metal roof also affects our cell phones. Joey told us that landline phones are getting harder to find.
ADELE, how is your mom doing? I bet she misses the regular family routine too. Does she use her stair chair better now? I surely hope so.
Better close for now. We had takeout Chinese for dinner. And grapes for dessert. I asked Jerry didn’t they have any cake or pies in there? He muttered something to the effect “grapes are better for us” meaning he didn’t look lol take care all Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-May 2020 #110718

Hello all, and happy anniversary Colleen and Ron! Hope you all have had a great day. It has been so nice here today. Jerry grilled this evening, and that was nice. 50 years is certainly something to be very proud of. It is just mind boggling to me when I think of the last fifty years with so much happening and so many memories. Sometimes I wish the boys would sit down with us and listen to stories of our past but I know they are young and making memories of their own. Like the moonwalk, memorable presidents, so many things from history.
Honestly Gail I am not really sure what is opening today in our state (Tn.) We are going to keep wearing masks, I don’t go in any public place, Jerry goes in the grocery or pharmacy only when necessary. We order mostly on line, and try to get as much as we can through the pickup at Walmart. Our doctor called us this week and did a telephone visit rather than have us come in to the office. It was just our regular (not sick) check. I have a visit with the heart Doctor the middle of May and they are to call and tell me what to do. So I am not much help knowing what has opened, but I will try to find out. I do lots of reading too, play on my iPad, watch more tv/movies than ever, walk around outdoors. I think sometimes I will go crazy since this “isolation” began for me in Dec. I miss the kids and Colin so much. When we talked to him Friday he said “Come take me to your house MiMi” I thought my heart was going to break, but we are so thankful they are healthy. We miss Neal so much too. He has this way of kidding with Lisa and it is so good to hear them and the quiet is so loud right now. I know we are all praying for good health for those we love.
I bet the little ones are really growing Colleen and ADELE. That teething is so painful. How do the new mommies do the doctor visits? I would think they would not want the babies around anyone, but they have to do the well baby visits. ADELE I am so sorry to hear of the computer/email problems you have been having. That sounds so scary. Good thing you notified the authorities.
We made a big pot of vegetable soup and cornbread yesterday. We put 1/2 in a big pot for Joey and Lisa. They came by but only stayed a minute. Gosh I miss them too. Both are afraid for us. The soup was tasty. Made enough for us to have another meal too.
Guess I better go for now. Jerry is asleep in his chair. Lol But I will gladly take this and be grateful for our blessings. This is what is helping me right now. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-April 2020 #110107

I had written you all a real long newsy update and poof off it goes!!!!! I just had to put it up last night; I wanted to scream. Jerry and I are hanging in there. you would think I would be just clinging to him for comfort and solace right now; but he is getting on my nerves so badly since the children have gone. I know every bone in my body tells me how grateful I am to the good Lord for all our blessings with so much going on in the world, but I have been so sad and lonely since they left Thursday morning. They arrived safely in Las Vegas at Buddys this evening after 3 days of driving. They will stay with them until Tuesday morning and then on the California. Neal said today that he was so glad to stretch his legs and walk around and know they do not have to load up and drive again tomorrow. He ran into very little traffic. He said that every hotel they stopped in had passed the virus protocol set up by the govt. before they could remain open for guests. Sarah said the rooms were spotless both nights (Ramada I think)
My nerves have been terrible. I couldn’t sleep the first night they left; but did sleep some Friday night. I worry about things and then I just stop and pray. I got 2 calls on Thursday asking me would I consider coming back to work, that I could chose from several cities and the agency would pay for travel hotel and meal expenses. My age didn’t seem to matter. Jerry had a fit. I wish I was able to help, but know in my heart that I just can’t take the risk. This world has turned upside down, hasn’t it? I am still praying for all of you all and your families every day too. Please remember us whenever you can.
I will write more hopefully in the next couple of days. I am so afraid this thing will just quit like it did. I think there are so many people on the computer here that it is kind of melting down in this area. We have always had problems before this. I don’t go in in stores, and when Jerry does, he wears his mask. We order groceries online but we don’t ever get all the order, some is on backorder or they don’t have when you get there. we still can’t find toilet paper here, don’t have milk sometimes, bread is hit or miss….sounds like the same for you all. Please take care of yourselves, hugs across the miles to you all, Barbara

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