[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: November! Let Us give Thanks! #72327

Hello to everyone near and far. So sorry that Tillie has fallen. I know you all have been so worried and busy trying to know what is the best course to take; and that she has her own ideas of what she needs. We used an organization called Visiting Angels before MawMaw had to go into her new Home. THey were very nice and would come and knit with her; watch TV or movies; cook little meals with her; just keep her company mostly. It was kind of costly; but some days we just needed to do other things; like our doctor appointments, and it gave us that time not to worry. I know when she just bumps herself she bruises so badly. It looks just terrible. When she fell, her poor face was just awful. It just hurt you to look at her, but she said it really didn’t hurt that bad. Praying for you guys.
Such great news from your doctor Colleen, about your diabetes! I bet your weight loss is a major factor in getting your A1C numbers down. I know you must be a little scared to be off your medicines now; but the doctor has been watching you closely I bet; and knows you are ready to be insulin free. I am so proud for you. This was fabulous news. Sounds like you have some wonderful Christmas plans with all your family being able to be there with you and Ron. And to have Ethan cooking with you will be so much fun. Do you know what you will cook together or will he just be helping you with it all? Such sweet good times, and little Eliza will surely be right in the middle of the activities with lots of fun things to say and do.
Glad the wedding went so well Gail. Sorry your hand if sore. Has the swelling gone down? We have things happen to us at times too and just have no idea what it is. Jerry has quite a bit of pain and stiffness in his thumbs and some of his knuckles on both hands these days. Our weather has been cold and rainy; so this may be part of it. Hope you are better by now. Hope Greggs back is better too. He may have pushed himself a little too hard with his exercising. How special that he sang at his sisters wedding. Hope Brent is doing better. Does he have his appendix? Just trying to think of what might be making him hurt and I am like Colleen, I think along the lines of gall bladder too.
Adele, your potatoes sound just yummy. I must try that. So very happy that Amanda has started her new job. I just know she will do great there, and what a relief for you to have her closer to home. We worry so much about our loved ones. I know you are proud that Marissa has reconsidered and will be starting school soon. She sounds so smart already; and she can really make something she will love with her education. Mabey she will follow in your footsteps.
Jerry wants to eat; so I will close for now. I will catch you all up on our family news soon. Sue, your shephards pie must have been so good. Yum, Yum. you must be a great cook. DD, love you turkey picture of how he pretending to be a lampshade. I had to laugh at that. Our kitty has been taking his paws and lifting up our blanket so he can get up under it to stay warm. He gets all snuggled in and won’t move. LOL Goodnight ladies, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: November! Let Us give Thanks! #72096

Take out Chinese for the Smith duo tonight. And guess what Jerry is snacking on right now? Cheetos LOL HIs reason for eating those instead of just going ahead and eating dinner is “it’s only 1/2 a little bag” He is a mess. This getting dark so early has really thrown us off schedule on lots of things. We drove into town earlier today to pick up some orange juice and milk and doggie food. It was packed; so I was really glad we only needed just that. Have you all gotten your turkey yet? We haven’t started with all the things we need yet. I have been busy making lists of things needed to make the Thanksgiving dinner so I can make sure that I don’t forget anything for Neal as he is doing his meal. So glad that Tillie is looking forward to having dinner with everyone. That is sweet. Will your Mom be coming over to your home, Colleen, or will you all be taking things over to her? Either way, I bet she really enjoys it too. We are picking Jerrys Mom up early on the morning that we have our dinner, and so she will be eating with us. It has always been one of her favorite meals. We are eating with everyone at assisted living too, on their day that they are doing their dinner. She has already told me that she is “saving her appetite” for our dinner.
It has really gotten cold here at night. Our kitty still refuses to get in his nice soft warm bed I bought for him. He still wants his QVC empty box to snuggle in. Any ideas DD?
I bet your decorations are so pretty Adele. Gary is in the mood; and thats great! Just don’t let his overdo; I say this as if we have any choice in what the men do. I found Jerry out in the back a few days ago just sweating in all the cold air working on one of his trees. He was not at all happy when I made him come in and dry off and put another shirt on. Just cannot get him to listen to reason. But all I can do is keep trying.
If any of you have family members who are veterans; please thank them for their service for Jerry and me. We really appreciate it. We put a flag on Paw Paws grave today too. The cemetery held a special ceremony. It only lasted a few minutes, but was nice.
Take care and enjoy your weekend. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: November! Let Us give Thanks! #72066

Hello everyone. It is cold here this evening. Bet it must give you all a chuckle when I say cold and it is snowing and lots colder for you all. But we “down South” folks think that temps below 40 give us reason to shiver and shake LOL I can usually know if Colleen says she is getting cold weather that it is soon to be in our back yard too.
We used to go to Branson years ago when the boys were little and we would be about an hour away in Arkansas camping with them at a national park area. They used to love to go camping and float the river. We always would plan a days trip leaving early in the morning driving to Branson, and visit all day at Silver Dollar City. THen we would drive back to our camper after the park closed that night. You talk about some tired folks by the time we got back to our camper. But we all loved it. SOme of our happiest memories are of those trips. Joey would always get this giant home baked cinammon roll on his way out of the park and eat on it all the way back to the camp grounds. Neal would have his stash of old timey candy that he had gotten during the day and Buddy would have a funnel cake. Jerry and I split a funnel cake too while he was driving, and the boys would literally fall asleep with their “goodies” in their hands. Isn’t it kind of neat that several of us have been to the same place? I remember when Jeanne took the Quakers to Branson. I don’t think she was too happy with it though if I remember it right.
Gail, I have a Tiffany style floor lamp with the dragonflys too. It sits by Jerrys recliner and he loves it too. He was actually the one who said “you should get that it’s really pretty” It’s so colorful that everyone just seems to like it.
Our itty bitty is really growing. He has 4 teeth on the top now and 2 on the bottom. I am so concerned about sending his Christmas gifts; after someone took his birthday present that was left in front of their door. Guess I will have to send everything where it has to be signed for. It was sent by amazon, and since they recieve lots from them, I thought it would just be considered another box by whomever took it. It just seems he changes everyday.
Everyone take care. DD. I can’t thank you enough for all the pictures you post. Some make me laugh, others remember days gone by, love the owl ones. I cant seem to access any of you alls pictures on this site. Could someone tell me how? I would love to post some pictures of mine, but I guess you would have to say I am just not in the know where this is concerned. Talk soon friends. Hugs from Tn. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: November! Let Us give Thanks! #71835

Cloudy and cold here today. Gosh, Sue, snow already! Burr, I am cold just thinking about you in it. Please be careful. We want to keep that brand new knee doing great. Do you put boots on little Cuddles when she goes outside? Our dogs see snow a little sometimes, and they love it. THey run and play and jump around like bunnies.
Gail, I surely hope your SIL will reconsider having her wedding so soon after release from the hospital. Pneumonia is so serious; and takes so long to really recover. I just don’t see how she could muster the strength to go through everything and not literally pass out. How far do you all have to travel to the ceremony? I know how we think things just must go according to plans; but looking back afterwards, we see how much better it would have been to have just changed the plans and everything would have been okay. Good luck for them and you all whatever she decides to do.
I just always laugh and say inside all this fluff is a 120 pound lady. It is better for me to “decorate” my fluffy parts than to try to act like I am something I’m not. It just looks so bad to me when I see a lady who is wearing her clothes so tight. I like being comfy.
We have been using paper plates and cups for a few years now; even on holidays. I found some really pretty plastic goblets at Big Lots. Have you seen them, Colleen? I thought they were glass when I first saw them. So I got a set of those. And I make sure that I get the themed paper plates for the holidays. Also found a pretty Thanksgiving and Christmas tablecloth of vinyl or some kind of material that I can just throw away if it gets messed up.
Glad to hear that exercising is helping Greggs feet Gail. Mabey it is by increasing the blood flow in his feet. But for whatever reason; I’m glad. Jerry and I were reminising about how we used to play tennis everyday for a minimum of 3 hours after we got off work; and how much we loved it. Course; that was prechildren. He said he thought we could do it again and wanted to know if I still had our tennis rackets? I held back a chuckle; but said, “honey, mabey we should just start with keeping up with our promise to walk out to the pond everyday and back; and then we can go from there” Knowing all along, that the only “promise” we have kept so far is our nightly read (and even that falls by the wayside some nights due to one if not both of us dozing off) But we have good intentions. LOL
Your pie looks delicious Adele. Bet your home smelled yummy. I started watching my holiday baking program last night on the Food Network. Just love to watch the bakers. You should enter the Pillsbury Bake Off contest. You come up with some great ideas.
Have a good evening everyone. Talk soon. Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: November! Let Us give Thanks! #71751

We are having another foggy rainy day here today. Jerry has gone out to visit his Mom; and he took my I Pad to show her a couple of new videos Neal sent of the baby. She just loves to see them. I was going with him; then remembered I had to pick up a box at the post office that they had left us a message about being too large to fit in our mailbox. It turned out it was something for Lisa from Amazon, and I thought it was one of those soft supportive seats I have ordered for Jerry. You and I must have been thinking on the same lines, Colleen, because after that last uncomfortable restaurant episode, I thought that if he could just sit in a regular chair without it hurting his lower back so badly; that mabey we could have a little more choice about where we are seated. I am hoping this helps. Have any of you all ever had a broken tailbone? Know it’s a crazy question, but the hard seats on most restaurant chairs hurt his sacrum; and the booths are padded at least. The upper part of his back has rods down both sides; so he can sort of tolerate that position. Gosh, like you said Adele, getting older isn’t for the weak. But I am so grateful for what we are able to do that I get ashamed for complaining or even worse for getting down about it. Lord knows; we have SO many things to be thankful for.
By the way, I forgot to tell you that when Jerry was helping me to stand up at a movie; a young person said, I don’t know what they have but hope we don’t catch it. I didn’t know about that until after we got out to the car (we were with the same neighbors as before) but I just fell out laughing when Jerry told me. He waited to tell me until after we had let out our friends, but it just struck me as so funny. When you are young you just feel so frisky. So we must be quite a sight to behold, and part of the entertainment. LOL
DD I am so glad the massager is working good for you. I have one too, that I use mainly on my shoulder blades. Sometimes it sort of feels like it just tightens up all across there, and the massager has heat and sort of kneads like you are kneading bread, all across there. It hurts, but then it feels so much better as it begins to “loosen up”. Love the little mouse family Thanksgiving picture. You always make me smile with your pictures. Thank you.
Adele, I love lamps too. One of my favorite lamps really looks like something you might imagine seeing in a “lady of the night” places. It has a beautiful stained glass globe of mosaics and florals of many colors, with a rim all around the bottom of a band of green with bright red circles, and then as if that is not enough, it has hanging all around the bottom like purple raindrops beads about 2 inches long. It is just beautiful to me, and I love all the colors and hanging beads. Bet you have some lovely ones too. I know that Gail has beautiful decorating tastes. Did you ever finish your redecorating projects, Gail? It can be so much work but is so nice when it all comes together. Did you finish your bathroom Colleen? I know I get behind on so many things.
Well, guess I have rambled on too long. Hope everyone is okay. I really do apologize to you all about my “down” mood here lately. You are so right, Gail, when we are older we find all this time on our hands, and I forget how hard it was when young to “make things happen” while juggling home, family, work etc. Glad the young ones have some things to help some now, but know it is still hard on them.
Take care everyone. Your Tenn. buddy, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: November! Let Us give Thanks! #71663

Thank you for the good laugh Adele; with your Applebees “squished in” meal. I know you won’t believe this; but WE have had the same problem. It was at a local steak house in town; and we were meeting our neighbors for dinner. It is very very hard for Jerry to sit in a straight back chair; just kills his poor back; so what does he do as soon as we go inside? He says “can we please have a booth?” The little waitress made her way with us following like ducks behind as Jerry was jabbering away, and lo and behold our booth looks like it came straight out of a doll house! By then; the other couple (he is the one who has had 3 strokes) had trudged all through the restaurant, and he probably weighs about 350 or more, and Jerry is around 250, and I am a perfectly sized 2X. It was one of those horrific experiences of having to literally mash our bellys against the wooden booth and wedge ourselves in. It was so small you could not have sat a third person on the side if you had to. Talk about uncomfortable and embarassing. Jerry and I were constantly knocking elbows together with each bite. THen came the horrendous chore of prying ourselves out once we finally finished. Our neighbors wife if not as large as me; so she seemed to be okay; but when we finally got to our car and Jerry went to open his mouth; I just gave him that look and said there was nothing he could say to me that would make what we just went through any better, and he said, well they should have told us it was so small. I did have to laugh at him though, when he said half of his meal was sitting in his throat because the table had cut off the bottom half of his stomach. SO I am right there with you on this one. We can just add this to our list of “must have’s” when going someplace. LOL This is one of the reasons that we don’t get out all that much. We have adjusted to our needs here at the house; but the world seems to be made for size 10. I know one of my problems (beside the fact I love to eat) is that I don’t get in enough movement. Jerry and I took a long walk outside today to see the leaves all changing colors, and talk of days gone by.
Was so lonely today. The thought of everyone being away for the holidays is so hard for me. Neal has asked me to sykpe with him on Thanksgiving and help him cook dinner. So I am writing down step by step now; because I know I cook by memory and look and taste, more than by measuring. I just don’t want to leave out something simple that would make a big difference for him. Thanksgiving was always the boys favorite meal, and it will be good to have Joey and Lisa here when they can come up on Saturday. You all will be eating your leftovers (or getting tired of them) by then. Colleen, I ordered some of those chocolate covered pretzels this year for the Dec. delivery. I had them once before; and they were so good. I will be using some as little gifts for our neighbors too. Love they come individually wrapped. WHat are the children hoping Santa brings this year? Bet they are getting excited.
We will put our little tree up on Thanksgiving day. I have one of those old timey porcelin trees about a foot tall with the lights on the tips that I got from the Q that we also set up in the middle of the bar with a Santa with forrest animals around his feet by the tree. It has a timer and looks pretty. I would love a real tree. I will have to see what Lisa is thinking about doing.
Happy BD to Jewell, DD. Sounds like he spent his special day doing just what kitties love to do. Mabey Auto Kitty is the reason I love an afternoon nap LOL Glad your weather is better. Our son in Ca. is having nice weather now. Thank God the fires have gotten better for all of you.
I just heard of the tragic news from Texas of those poor people in their church and the terrible things that happened today. God help us all.
Just don’t feel like writing any more now. Praying for those in such pain and for all of you. Take care, love Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: November! Let Us give Thanks! #71621

Hello ladies. So foggy and misty here today with bouts of rain every so often. We rode into town a while ago since today of all days we find we are completely out of milk; orange juice and bread. We had already talked about just having a sandwich for dinner; and that’s when we discovered we were out of just about everything. There were so many at the store today. I know it’s only going to get busier with Thanksgiving not so far away. You know Colleen; I will be making a big dinner even though just Joey and Lisa will be coming. He has to work Thanksgiving night and the night before; so we will not do our dinner until probably Saturday that week. We have had to do that most holidays. But all I want is for us to be together. It seems so strange for others to understand that we are cooking when everyone else is having leftovers; but we just have to find something for Jerry and me to do to try to keep me from crying all day. I just can’t seem to break the habit of cooking as though each and every one was here loading up their plates. Hope everyone has a wonderful day with friends and family. What are you all’s plans? Here’s the question for you, do you call it dressing or stuffing with your turkey? Do you all like sweet potatoes; or do you do a casserole or candied yams? We call it dressing here; and I love mashed up sweet potatoes casserole with a crunchy topping but not Jerry; he insists on opening a can of sweet potatoes, adding lots of butter and some sugar, and letting it simmer until all the flavor blends together. Making myself hungry; so better stop this.
Colleen; we had the exact same problem when we tried to donate clothing that Jerrys Mom had for years; but were still good. The people at the donation drop off would go through all of it and we actually saw them loading up their trunks (Jerry was looking, I was inside the store) That was so discouraging. We had had to box it all up for them to take it, and then to see that really bothered us. I tried to get so many of the donation places to come to our house so I could donate things to help unclutter our home; but they just won’t come. What a mess. I still have so much that I need to donate, but just no where to give them to. Any ideas from anyone?
Did something to my back a couple of days ago. It is better now, thank goodness. Have no idea how I hurt it, but my right ribs in the middle down the back was hurting. I felt it when I did it; like I had reached too far or something and it kept me with a heating pad on my back for a while; but it is so much better now. Hope you all are doing good. DD, I love your pictures of the fall leaves and your kitty cat. Ours is a snuggler too. Especially as the days get cooler. There is nothing he likes better than a rainy day. This time of year he likes for us to put a cardboard box on the foot of our bed for him to get into at night. He fits right in there and I know it keeps him warm. How is Cuddles doing Sue? Have you ever tried making those homemade cookie doggie treats for him in the oven or microwave. I have a thing mold I bought at Petco that had the recipes (carrots, sweet potatoes, oats, etc.) and it’s like milkbone treats that you buy at the store. Our puppies love them.
Well, better go for now. Hope you all are okay and having a great weekend. Take care everyone. Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: November! Let Us give Thanks! #71578

Gail, your story of driving up and down that dangerous mountain just sends chills up and down my spine! I would have been crying and praying all the way. I am so afraid of the heights like that. I am so glad you all made it okay and had such a wonderful visit with your son. I know you all miss him so much. I remember how once when we were younger we took all the boys out to Colorado in Dec. of all months to visit one of Jerrys brothers. It was freezing cold and I have never seen so much ice and snow everywhere. And on top of everything; his brother just INSISTED that we go up this huge mountain to a ski lodge and let the children and Jerry have a day of skiing; while I stayed in the lodge by the big roaring fire drinking hot chocolate. It was like you said looking straight down and he was just driving like it was nothing. I was mortified. Jerry kept saying “everything is okay” but it wasn’t. Yes, you need something large and very sparkly for enduring that. Glad you all are home safe.
I am not looking forward to changing the clocks this weekend. It gets so dark so early here when we do. Makes us want to go to bed early because it seems like it should be later. How do you all feel about it? Poor Joey is working all weekend; and he will have to turn his clock back while at work. That is hard to do; believe me; I remember doing it working the night shift.
We are just doing leftovers for dinner tonight. I have little lock and lock bowls of this and that in the refrigerator; and so it will be a smorgorsboard of whatever for us. Neither of us seems hungry for anything in particular. So this should be interesting LOL
Just found out yesterday that Neal and his little family will not be able to come home for Thanksgiving or Christmas. It just breaks my heart; but I had to put on the “proud of you, son” face and let him know that we understand that he has to do what his job says. We have talked about taking the train out there; but know by what he was telling Joey that he has very little vacation time since he and Sarah have been using his PTO a day at a time taking little day trips seeing all the sights out there. So really don’t think he would have much time to spend with us. We will see as we learn a little more.
Take care everyone and have a good weekend. Hugs from Tenn. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's October! Leaves Turning, Pumpkin Picking and Trick or Treating! #71464

Love the pictures of the children in their little outfits for Halloween. I was thinking back and reminising with Jerry last night of our times we trick or treated as children and how much fun we had. We carried big brown paper grocery bags and people in the neighborhood would just fill them up. Then there was all the excitement of dumping out your sack when you got back home and picking out all your favorites and all the trading. LOL It seems so innocent back then. I am so sorry for your little grandchildren up in Tn. that didn’t get to go around like they were expecting. Down here, there was a little going house to house in our “city” about 3 miles from where we live. No one has ever been to our house even when the boys were small. We had to take them to church back then and they would do a big halloween party for all the children. You all should go to my facebook site and see itty bitty. I have such a dull site; but he looks so precious. Would love for you all to see him.
Sue, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. It is so difficult during these times since we are all located in different places. My brother just recently retired and moved from about 200 miles from me in Alabama to New Orleans. He was my closest family member. Isn’t it amazing how we all chose different paths in our lives? It is so easy for me to look back and see how by chosing a different path I could have gone in such a different direction. But when I was young I know I made my choices for much different reasons than I do now. But I am sorry for your pain.
Adele, when Joey put a security camera in their little house, he told Lisa that it would help him be able to check on her while he was at work and not disturb her if she might be resting. It has an app on his phone. It is also very helpful if they are away to be able to look in on their dog. It has sound too; so he can hear if the doggie is barking at something, or if Lisa is needing help. It only plays if he presses the app so it’s not like he is “watching” her but it does let him know if something is wrong; like smoke. I surely understand what you mean by not wanted your Mom to feel she is being spied on. She is such an independent person, and no one wants to give that up. By the way; did you get the King Author flour sale book recently? I ordered some expresso powder to add to my chocolate cake; and the bread box they have. Also tried some of their fruitcake mix and got a few of those gift loaf pans for baking some Christmas gifts for our neighbors. Just love their products.
Better close for now. It is a warmer, but cloudy day here today. I am expecting some rain later today. Was going to make some soup and bread for dinner; but to tell the truth; I am just too lazy to. I have got to get myself more motivated; I can begin to feel myself starting to stiffen up worse and know some is due to not making myself get up and go; but just don’t seem to have the motivation for some reason. Take care everyone. Hugs, Barbara

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