[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's October! Leaves Turning, Pumpkin Picking and Trick or Treating! #71419

Just had to leave the room with all the news this evening of the horrors again in our country. God help all those hurt or gone and their loved ones. I just can’t think on this anymore right now.
Colin is doing some better. His poor little nose just runs but he has a darling little stretchy black top and leggings and it has a white skeleton all over the outfit. He looks so precious. It has long sleeves, and Neal said he is going to walk him around some to see all the other children in their apt. complex before they begin to hand out goodies at their apt. I couldn’t help but remind him how quickly Colin can pop something in his mouth while they might be busy handing out treats to others; and he said he and Sarah have thought of this, and one will answer the door while the other keeps a good eye on the baby. He has learned to say “thank you” really well; and he loves to eat fresh vegetables like tomatoes. He is growing so fast. I just love how he crinkles up his little nose and gives this little mischevious smile.
Adele, I think I know why your ghost cookies wouldn’t set up right. The humidity really affects baking and candy making. I remember making fudge one winter day, dark, rainy and very humid, and it wouldn’t ever harden. I can’t make meringe for a pie either on a humid day. Mama always told me not to bake on a rainy day. And I have done brownies that have done okay, but not candy or anything with egg whites. So glad they finally turned out so cute. I know the children loved them.
We don’t get any little trick or treaters here since we live so far off the road and out in the rural area. Jerry went by to see his mom today and he took her a crown and a wand for her to decorate with. She looked really cute. Poor Tillie and her chair! You may have to get a set of those walkie talkies so she could have one with her and you all have one upstairs to talk to each other when the electric goes out. I wouldn’t have thought of her being “hostage” in her chair either.
Sue, I felt kind of strange at first when people would offer to help me with my groceries or such; but now; I just think how sweet this is for them to be “raised right” and wanting to help their fellow man out. Most people are in too big a hurry to even think to slow down and help someone. But I am like Adele, I think they are simply missing someone special in their life, and it makes them feel better by helping.
Better close for now. Prayers for all my dear friends, for those hurting, and for our country. Hugs to you all, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's October! Leaves Turning, Pumpkin Picking and Trick or Treating! #71167

Just dropping by to say “hello” to everyone. Thank you DD for the eye candy. He has aged SO well, just like all of us. (at least I can dream, right?) I don’t really know that lady who looks back at me from the mirror, but I know she still feels like a young girl on the inside, and thats all that matters. Hope you are doing better, Adele. Just hold your chin up as much as you can; and if you need to cry; just cry. Sometimes I feel better when I just let it out. Praying for you.
I got into a cooking mood on this cold rainy day here and fried chicken; did a the brocolli salad that Sue sent me the recipe for (delicious); baked a few potatoes (Joey and Lisa to stop by later) and a pan of brownies. Jerry is over in the kitchen eating a chicken leg right now. He must be hungry too; since he is saying how good it tastes. What is it about cold weather that just makes us want to cook? Wish Neal and his little family could be here and our oldest son. But, will be grateful for my blessings right now.
You have a busy weekend don’t you Gail with all the Choirboy activities. They are such a wonderfully talented group who do such good things. Hope you enjoy your weekend.
Adele, I think Colleen had a great suggestion for you and Gary to try and do something to help you feel happy this weekend. Please find some way to bring a smile to your faces, as hard as I know it is for you. Praying for everyone and knowing that God will comfort you and help. Take care of yourself, Gary, and Tillie. You all need each other.
Colleen, you have tried those frozen side dishes, haven’t you? Were they good? I know some restaurants here use them as their buffet side dishes. I am anxious to try that fudge. I know I will have to pace myself. LOL
Great pictures DD. THe trees are just beautiful. Take care everyone. Will talk soon. Everyone please take care of themselves. We need each other. Hugs from the South, Barbara oh, yes, Sue how is your knee doing?

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's October! Leaves Turning, Pumpkin Picking and Trick or Treating! #71076

Oh Adele, I am so very sorry to hear what a difficult time you have had with the parking and so much sadness and worry. The hospital should have helped you more. Can I make a suggestion that might help you? Please contact your states Dept. on Aging, and explain some of the problems you are going through, like you are taking care of your Mom and about her living downstairs and is now having difficulty climbing the stairs and your concerns for her AND your safety (because we are not spring chickens ourselves), the problems you experienced with transporting and parking at the hospital, and how you couldn’t even go in with her to the appt. BECAUSE of the parking problems, of your concern for her eyesight; everything. They should help you by making suggestions and providing equipment (like the stair lift) and should also speak with her doctors social worker/nurse about providing a handicap van to transport your Mom and you to and from her appts, if that might help you. Please forgive me if I am butting in but I am worried about you all and know from what we are going through how hard it is to take care of your Mom, even though you love her so much it is just exhausting for you and for her. So if there is anything they can do please let them, and the least they should do is give you names and phone numbers of agencies that can do things to help you all. I know you are doing everything in your power to help her and everyone, but you just can’t do it all.
How loved your friend must have been. Your sorrow has just flooded your life in these last few weeks. I know you must feel like crawling in bed and covering your head. So hope you did have some family drop by today. Young ones always seem to take my mind off worries. I have meant to ask how your grandson’s tree is doing? Sure hope it looks better since last time I asked it was drooping a little. Young ones’s love to plant something and watch it grow. I remember as a child in elementary school putting a bean in a paper cup of dirt and each of us would check and water ours every day and it would finally sprout out. We were so excited. We have quite a few trees that each of our boys planted as little boys that are now big and tall trees. Time has flown.
Speaking of time, I turned 69 in Sept. So I think I am the senior of our group. LOL We are a good group of ladies. I enjoy each and every one. You all help me when I am down and encourage me so much.
Two is such a cute age Colleen. I bet she really enjoyed those dumplings. It was the church social wasn’t it? Boy, you can really get some good food at those. I know they wanted to cry when you stopped bringing your deliscious potato salad; but gosh, that was a lot of work you had to go through. When I make it just for us it really takes time. Our boys love potato salad. Does anyone have a good fruit salad recipe? Need one for this Thanksgiving. Well, should say, I am hungry for one LOL
It is chilly here now. The leaves are really starting to turn. We had to turn on some heat on the little space heater in the bathroom last night. It warms our bedroom too. Jerry put on shorts today. But it had warmed up quite a bit from this morning.
Neal took Colin to the doctor Tuesday afternoon for gurgling in his chest at night and coughing. They did a chest xray, but wouldn’t give any thing but this inhaler thing to do several times a day on him. It looks like a face mask and the medicine is in a little can that sprays into his nose as he breaths in. You all have probably seen it with the little ones you have, but I asked Neal what it looked like. We used nebulizers in the ICU; but they were part of their ventilator tubing. Neal is better, thank God, but I know he is worried about Colin. He said the baby has been sick like this for over three weeks now; and with he and Sarah both being so sick he said when he hears him at night that he goes in and sits him up and pats on his little back to loosen up that congestion in his chest and get him to cough. I am so glad he has medical in his background too. I have just given up on getting close to Sarah. We just cannot seem to get on the same page. We never heard anything from her parents after we took them to dinner. So I have just said that is not going to work either. I don’t know where the baby stays when they are at work. I just can’t bring myself to ask; after finding out he was cared for by two ladies my age here instead of us while Neal was away. There is a big hole in my heart over that.
Gail, how are your eyes? I am so happy that you and Colleen have done so well. Hope all is going good.
I ordered some fudge from the Q yesterday that comes from Scotland. I just couldn’t resist. I want to see how different it is from what I have always made. It comes in three tins with two pkgs. in each tin; so I thought if it tastes good then I could use the other pkgs. for gifts. It said it would stay good for several months. I also got the Harry and David pears. We got those last year, and they were so sweet and juicy. Hope they are this year too. Also ordered the 4 side dishes. I know they are made in Memphis, but they are cheaper on the Q. I got those for the Dec. ship date. So I must have been hungry when all the food was on. LOL
Take care everyone. Praying for you all; and for Maxine’s family and the other young man and his family. Hope Tillie is doing better too. She is such a blessing in your life and you are to her, Adele. Hope you all have a good evening. Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's October! Leaves Turning, Pumpkin Picking and Trick or Treating! #70901

Hope everyone is doing well today. How is your cold Adele? Glad you were able to get your Mom an appt. with the eye doctor. Really am hoping her dr. appt goes good. Has she ever had this problem before? Sorry for all the questions. Really glad about Marissa’s promotion. That is wonderful news. She must really be working hard, and it shows. Good for her.
How are you grand pa pa Colleen? That is so funny. Little ones have their own reason for doing or saying the things they do; and it makes perfect sense to them. I love their innocence. How much difference in age is she and Piper? They are both so smart. I meant to ask how your little grandson is doing in school in Tn? I am so happy they like living there. It is a beautiful area where they are.
The kids made the trip home good yesterday. It rained on them the whole way home; some of it stormy, but Joey said they just stopped and got lunch or drove slower since the traffic would get worse during the storms. He has a lot more patience than his Dad with other drivers. Jerry gets frustrated and starts fussing at the other people and I get nervous. I have seen so many people who have been badly hurt that I think it kind of scarred me and I guess that is one reason I get so nervous. Most of the time I just take a book to read to take my mind off the people speeding or texting or whatever.
Yes Gail, we do have a housefull of puppy and kitty family. Neal and Sarah left Ellie, and yes there is a Blue Tic Hound, a bloodhound, Scrappy, Ruby and Auto Kitty. Our little beagle is gone on. That really hurt. I remember how you and Greg would take your puppy to the doctor. I know you really miss them. THey are our little precious friends.
I love Kirks Folly jewelry too. I have several pieces. Do you know when they will have a show?
Better go for now. Jerry is hungry. He went to see his Mom today. She is better. Take care all. Prayers and well wishes for all. Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's October! Leaves Turning, Pumpkin Picking and Trick or Treating! #70791

Adele, so sorry about Maxine. Just read this as I was waiting for my chatter to post. Gosh, I can’t believe that this was going on as I was writing to you all. She certainly was a beautiful lady; just like you. And you are so so right, every second, every minute is a gift from God, and we are on this beautiful earth he created for us for as many days as he has reason for us to be. My heart aches for you and all those who loved her and will miss her. God bless you, Adele, and your beautiful loving heart. She had a wonderful friend in you. Hugs and love from Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's October! Leaves Turning, Pumpkin Picking and Trick or Treating! #70789

Hello everyone. Hope you all are doing okay. Sorry to hear about your electrical problems, Colleen. I am with everyone else; we could all use a big bowl of those chicken and dumplings. It seems you have been going for quite a few years to this event. Don’t you usually buy a little something from the auction? Hope you all have a great time.
Happy belated birthday, Gail. I know you are just a young whiper snapper compared to my “extended” years. All you girls are younger than me I think. I earned all these gray hairs, and here recently I know I have earned some more. But thankfully the fires are dying down and they expect rain this weekend; but Neal is now very sick. He has the same thing Sarah had. He went to the Dr. yesterday; and they gave him strong medicine; and he had to miss work today. We are worried so much about him and the baby; since he is right there with Neal, and Sarah went to work. I know how hard it is to keep up with a little one when you are so sick. And the baby had those dark circles under his little eyes when we skyped a few days ago. He was able to help Sarah when she was so sick because of them shutting down his tower due to the fires; but now, well, I don’t know what to say so I guess I won’t say anything. I know he is grown; and he will do whatever he has to do; but he just never calls in and misses work; and so because he had to then we know he is really really sick. So prayers please.
Adele, we have coyotes here too. I used to be studying about two or three in the morning when I was in nursing school, and a pack would come through, and they would be howling and yipping up a storm, and I kept thinking, what if someone was getting out of their car or something, would the coyote run away or what? You all be careful. Most of the ones I have ever heard of try to avoid people and run when they see or hear you. Hope Tillie is doing well, and your Mom too Colleen. I must say that I feel like the other ladies, that your dear friend Maxine would want you to honor her by leaving your decorations up. Just think of how much joy it brings to all those who see it. She must be a good lady for you to care so much. Will continue to pray for her and her family and you.
How is Greggs’ friend that was sick, Gail? Or do I have this mixed up? It is so hard for me to keep up with names and well, let’s face it, just about everything these days. Jerry is doing pretty good with his back. The change in the temp. always makes his back ache late in the evening; but I have really been keeping a close eye on him and everytime he goes to pull a vine or try to bend over too much I fuss. He said to me one day that he truly does think I have eyes in the back of my head. LOL I said well as loud as you play that TV fussing at the news; I KNOW I can hear better than you ha ha.
We have been “doggie sitting” this week too on top of everything going on. Joey and Lisa are in Fla for the week. We have the bulldog. She is an inside puppy and so sweet and gentle to us, but has to be on a leash outside. She is short and very stout, and loves to be close to us. I really feel sorry for her; since she spends a lot of time alone, not because no one is home with Joey a night nurse, and Lisa a day ortho tech, but because she has to adjust to both of them being asleep during most of her days and nights. But she loves them, and gets along really well with all the other puppy dogs, and our kitty just bosses her around. They lay right next to each other, and play together. So we don’t have to worry about that. Joey called us last night, and he said he just can’t believe that his week is almost over. I said son, that is always how it goes with vacations. He was so sweet though, he said he wanted us to come with them sometime, so we could all just sit and relax. I know you all are wondering how they are doing relationship wise, and honestly, I stay as far away from asking anything. I am probably wrong, but we just don’t know what to say or do about them. Jerry did talk to Joey, and told him that all we want for them is happiness and love for each other, and NOT to waste their life and wake up one day and ask why?
Better close for now. Your pictures are surely cute, DD. Our kitty needs a haircut, but do you not have to give him some sort of sedative or something for them to cut his hair? I know our Auto Kitty would not be happy but he surely does shed. But he is our baby, and he knows he rules the roost at this house ha ha. Take care to all. Your pal down South, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's October! Leaves Turning, Pumpkin Picking and Trick or Treating! #70304

Hello friends. We are sitting here just counting our blessings. So very sorry to hear of your friends MRI results, Adele. But let me reassure you, if I can, that the word that they are using that is distressing you so much, is a very serious word to use; BUT, just for me to hear from what you are saying that no brain wave test has been done, is of some comfort. There are many reasons for a person to be “that word” including swelling from within the brain that in many cases does get better; thus helping the patient get better. I won’t give false hope; because I feel people deserve to know the truth; as painful as I know it is. When Lisa had that terrible wreck; she was described the same way many times. Do you happen to know if she moves any of her body, or ever opens her eyes? So sorry if I am hurting you by asking. I pray she will improve very very soon. Poor Tillie. She sounds just tired of being “messed with” and she is right; a lot of the folks sent do just sit and type of their computer. I couldn’t help but giggle when I read she said that. When my Mom was in rehab after breaking her hip; she was so mad at PT. It was all I could do to keep from laughing when she would be telling me in no uncertain terms, how ridiculous it was for her to have to sit and roll around a big rubber ball for an hour, but “I will kick it out the d…… door if it will get them to leave me alone!” I am not trying to “lecture” you, Adele, I just know you are so worried about so many people you love right now that you will make yourself sick. So please take care for us all. After all, who would be Garys stylist is you get down? LOL
Here;s a Baby story. Neal took him to the pumpkin patch right before all this with the fires started, and he was sitting in the wagon riding just pretty as you please, and Neal said he turned his head for ONE SECOND, and out of the wagon he fell, had a mouthful of dirt, big scrape all across his little forehead and nose. Neal said it scared him so badly, but he scoped him up and dusted him all off, and one of the helpers in the patch ran over and gave the baby a balloon and he stopped crying, and by then Neal said he had caught his breath and seen he was okay. His little face looked bad, but it didn’t seen like it was hurting him. Neal said he won’t ever take him anywhere again without taking this carrier we got them before he was born that looks kind of like a back pack with these big wide straps on both sides and the baby just slides down in it and his legs and arms stick out through some openings on the side and the parent can wear it on their front side or on their back and the baby just rides along on them sitting straight up looking around. He loves it. We had one when Neal was a baby and Jerry loved it since it leaves the Daddys arms free to do anything he needs.
It has turned hot here again and humid. I really miss that little time we had of really cool days and nights. We had to get out our sweaters. Colleen, you and I are really missing the Irish shows that seems like they used to show around this time of year. I bought one of their sweaters years ago (about ten) and it really does still look good. They had quality knit items. We sure enjoyed those shows.
Take care all and enjoy your weekend. Hope you all get some good news. Hugs and prayers, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's October! Leaves Turning, Pumpkin Picking and Trick or Treating! #70257

First; Neal, Sarah, and baby are good, thank God. His tower is still closed and the fires are still all around but they have been blessed and have been able to stay in their apt. during all of this. We have been glued to the news and he has been skyping us at least once a day giving us an update. Sarah is slowly getting better; she was dx. with pneumonia. Neal has sprayed Lysol on everything he could and is full time baby sitter for itty bitty through all this; so closing his tower has been a blessing at this time. The smoke has been so dense that the planes couldn’t safely fly. He has sent us some pictures of smoke and fire on the hills and he said it is so dry there he just hasn’t ever seen anything like it before. We can’t thank you all enough for all your continued prayers and after reading some of your notes on here I can surely see where you all have had so much on your plates as well; so my prayers will be extra long today.
I am so sorry to hear of the young man who has been placed on hospice and of your friend, Adele, who is in the ICU now after all she had already endured with her fall. And poor Tillie not wanting to have PT there. I know you are so worried and I pray that she will find comfort with whomever they send to help her; and that it will be a good experience so she and you can rest easier. Gail. you are such a good person to take care of your MIL as you did until her health declined. I know how exhausted we became so quickly after Jerrys Mom took her fall. We just tried so hard to get her back to her self; but just couldn’t. And Jerry still has these times of guilt of our not having her here with us; and to be honest; I don’t know what things may come to. There is only so much money, and it is so expensive where she lives. When we went in this week to speak to our insurance and Medicare advisor we spent a lot of time going over her coverage and options; and he looked at us and just put his hand on Jerrys knee and said, “have you and Ms. Smith really thought about yourselves and YOUR future? Have to admit; it was sort of scary and like being hit in the face with cold water. He said you two are doing so much but I hear very little about your thoughts for the future. He of course reminded us of my stroke; and Jerry of his physical limitations, and wee both walked out not really saying a word. So we went into the Hallmark store next door to get the baby a Halloween card, and I found a cute little sippy cup that says Tennessee on it, and we bought that for him.
Just wanted to finally check in. I knew in my heart you all were praying for our family. Happy to hear of the big week of tips for Jenny. I know she worked hard for that. Please take care everyone. I will write more later. Hugs and grateful heart in Tenn. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's October! Leaves Turning, Pumpkin Picking and Trick or Treating! #69964

It is cloudy and threatening rain here today from that storm coming in below us. I turned off the AC early this morning; because it got down to 50 something last night, but I fear it will become all humid again today, and back on. Jerry cannot take the heat, and I can’t sleep if I am too warm. My darn feet will be so cold they are blue but the rest of me will be too hot. I think I am just messed up in general. LOL But I am so glad that you all are doing good health wise. I do pray for Nancy and for Steve; as I know you all are worried and them too. It seems to me when we are going through an illness crisis that everything else in life just seems to be surreal and even though things continue to go on their normal pace; nothing seems normal. It is worry and thinking of all the “what if’s” that consume me in times like that. Jerry is so positive; and I admire him so much for being that way. He was so much help to me in my times of “need” that I guess when I really think about it that he could pretty much do anything (not that I plan to tell him this) and I would forgive him. When someone stands by you in your darkest hour you just can’t forget it. Sorry for preaching on about something I know you all already understand.
Adele, try not to worry too much about your “Panda” and the crowd. I bet they have added so much more security since this latest horrific tragedy that she will be even safer than before. And she is smart and will be on her toes and will be careful. I know how we never quit worrying, but I also know that we all have raised some VERY intelligent children and grandchildren. Gail, our son in Nevada works as a civilian contractor for the government now at the big base there that trains all the top gun pilots. We were hoping when he retired from the military that they would move closer to us, but he was fortunate in that several jobs were trying to get him to go with them, and he chose this one since he would continue doing what he loves. He is a trainer of some kind; too technical for my little mind. ha ha His wife has been very busy. They are so happy together.
No, my baking has not been as often these days with all this humidity. I did do some blueberry muffins a few days ago; and Joey took most of them home with him. I really miss the Fall smell of baking, but it is just too hot for it. With all the rain that is supposed to be coming our way; I will probably bake some apples or do a pumpkin pie if it turns cooler. I cannot believe we are such a short time away from Christmas. Next Saturday will be Neal and Sarahs third wedding anniversary. Time has flown by.
I agree with you Colleen that it looks like more could be done with the elderly in the medical field. I do know that it is one of the rising areas that doctors are beginning to practice in. There will only, God willing, be more and more of us as days go by. Hope she and Tillie are doing good. Maw Maw is doing pretty good. She was upset with one of the ladies out there when Jerry and I went to pick her up; and was so mad at everyone that they said mabey that day was not a good day for us to take a little outing. So we stayed and had dinner with her and she just stayed mad the whole visit. She has those days sometimes and it really upsets Jerry.
Take care everyone. I do hope you all have a good rest of your weekend. I think like you, Gail, why not something pretty I can look at and enjoy for years than to pay for a boat to sit at a dock? but Jerry just refuses to let me try to sell a perfectly brand new used once, duck boat that sits in our shop. Go figure? LOL Barbara

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