[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's June! School's Out! Let the Summer Fun Begin! #64848

Hope you are feeling so much better now that the procedure is over. Been on my little “hotline” to the good Lord so much that I have a feeling he may be telling St. Peter that those Quacker ladies are really loving and praying for their friend Gail, let’s help her through this. I know that Gregg is taking great care of you; and hope you are resting. Colleen, you have one of the biggest hearts of anyone I have ever had the honor to meet so don’t you EVER feel you have said anything that we don’t understand your only having the best of love and heart behind it. I wish I had a penny for the millions of times I have said or done something that didn’t turn out to be almost but not “exactly” right, I would be a very wealthy lady about now. ha ha My take on things is when someone cares enough about me to try to help me there I am grateful for the care regardless of anything. It really is the thought that counts. I am so glad you have done so well with your eye surgery and will keep on praying for you for Monday. I am so glad that now you know what to expect and I get myself so worked up over the “unknown” if I am about to have a test or some procedure that I almost make myself sick over that worry. Please just rest up afterwards and let Ron take good care of you and you will soon have probably one of the best sight among us. Do you wear glasses DD or Sue? I do. It’s time for me to have my eyes checked and for Jerry too. I tried wearing contacts when I was younger, but just couldn’t adjust.
Sue, you are making great progress with your knee. Whoo Hoo! I know you must be feeling so much better both physically and emotionally. So glad the doctor gave you the approval to drive. Isn’t that freedom such a good feeling, even if you don’t drive a long distance just to know you can makes you know for sure he is happy with you. I remember after the stroke that it took several months that I wasn’t really able to even want to think about driving, but then it was like I needed to know that I would be able to drive again. The doctor was sort of hesitant when I asked her to let me drive, but after several sighs; she said for short trips and not alone. Then when it was the first time I was so excited until I got behind the wheel; and all those doubts came pouring in and all those doubts that what if I was driving and something happened to me and I caused some innocent person to be hurt? See what I mean Colleen? I worry TOO much, and even though I know it; I do. But with each time behind the wheel, I became more and more confident and grateful to have this independence. So happy for you.
DD, is your bed comfy for you and your kitty; because I know that the kitty has to approve. Our Auto-Kitty doesn’t like the fact that my husband runs a fan in our bedroom like a “white noise” kind of thing and he is very happy when he’s warm. He lets us know he is unhappy by sitting at the end of the bed glaring at Jerry until he turns the fan down lower. I think it is so funny; because that is exactly what I want but the kitty takes care of the bad looks for me ha ha
I saw that there were such bad storms up North last night; so I hope everyone is okay. We have really had a stormy summer all across the country.
We hope to have a small get together for the 4th. There are fireworks at the Navy base in town; and we used to go when Neal was with the air ambulance helicopter since they always have to be there, but now that Neal is in Ca. we don’t fight the crowds. That is so nice you can see the beautiful fireworks from your balcony DD. We usually end up watching the big ones in New York City.
Take care everyone, and have a good evening. Time for a few crackers and some cheese and meat tray we are snacking on for dinner. Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's June! School's Out! Let the Summer Fun Begin! #64758

Gail, I am praying for you right now that this is all going to be okay; and that you will get the treatment you need to fix whatever this is; and by this time tomorrow you will be taken care of. What a scare for you and how frustrated you have to be with all the run around you have been put through. I know to ask you not to worry is like asking the wind not to blow; because you have so much on your mind right now; but thank God you were able to have someone know this is autoimmune related; and that immediate care had to happen. I am going to close for now because I am so upset for what you are going through, but let’s get past this so you and Greg can breathe a sigh of relief and really celebrate those 44 years. Hugs and prayers, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's June! School's Out! Let the Summer Fun Begin! #64638

Hello everyone. It is some cooler here this afternoon. We had a bad storm roll through about 5 yesterday evening. It turned as black as night from it being bright and sunny and then the wind started howling and bending the trees over almost to the ground. It was scary, but thankfully it only lasted about 30 minutes. We had torrential rain and with it coming right at “get off” time for a lot of workers; we called Joey to check on Lisa and ask that she would just sit out the storm until it passed. He reached her in time so she did just wait for it to pass over her area before she started home. I am glad to hear that you stayed out of the storm Colleen. It just seems to me that we are getting so many storms this summer. Does it to you all?
I called to check on our SIL again today. She is tired, but said she did get a little rest last night. She is so worried that her family will put her in a nursing home. I told her that she will make herself sick with worry, and that she is in her right mind and I don’t think there is anyone that I know of that will just force someone to go into a home; it would be her choice. Her daughter’s son has already offered to see about her and help her to get to the doctors appointments and get her groceries and such. He is a sweet boy who is married and they have a baby about 6 months old now. I am kind of hoping that my SIL will just ask the young family to move in there with her so they can both help one another out. But I definitely want this to be something she thinks of of herself if possible. She just needs time to rest and be able to think right now. I know she is afraid with her husbnd gone and now her daughter. So sad.
We haven’t made any plans so far for the 4th of July celebrations. I really want to do something this year; I feel we all need to just have some fun and to laugh, and eat and hug. I think I need hugs more now than ever. I have also really been wanting to start a journal to each of our sons from me for them to have later on. I want to tell them of things that happened to me as I was growing up, my dreams, how I changed as years went by, how much each of them meant to us; well, you get the idea. Would you believe the hardest part so far has been knowing how to begin. Jerry said he feels I am taking life too seriously, but I just want to have them all something to hold on to that is part of me. Do you all have a journal for your family or friends? But back to the 4th. Want to do some BBQ with all the fixings and a thinking about churning some homemade ice cream. Some fresh corn or the cob sounds great too.
So glad everything is clearer on your eye Colleen. Isn’t it just amazing the wonderful things that can be done nowadays. I missed seeing Angel on the Chew too. I know she did good, but she is not pushy and I can see her standing back and not trying to be up front during the presentation. I wish Mario had given her more time though. She seems so nice and I bet she is just as friendly in person as she is on TV.
Take care everyone, and enjoy the pool, good friends, family and hopefully good weather. Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's June! School's Out! Let the Summer Fun Begin! #64455

We just returned home this morning. I have been shamefully feeling down about not having any trip planned for this summer; and now I can only feel sad about what we have had to do. This was very hard. My neice is only five years older than our oldest son and had so much life ahead to live. I know it is at times like this that we ask ourselves “why” but I just don’t think it is meant for me to understand but for us to pray for her family. The sadness just felt like a heavy weight in the room. I think I am like you said DD, waiting to feel grown up to match all these years that say I am grown up. I go through the motions but I don’t really seem to understand much of anything.
We are having such humidity and heat here. It is stormy off and on today and I think supposed to be this was all weekend.
Lisa had a very nice surprise for Jerry and me today. She brought up some beef she had cooked on the grill and some onions, and peppers that she mixed in with it for us to use to make wraps or fahitas with. I was really happy and it meant a lot that she did this for us. She and Joey seem okay. I really try hard not to delve into their personal life; I just want them to be happy.
Colleen, so glad your eye is doing good. The doctor is getting you all fixed up. It is really going to be wonderful when you can see good again with both your eyes. That was wonderful news.
Sue, you are doing just great too. I love to hear happy news from my buddies. Doesn’t it feel great to drive again? We are so used to being independent that it is hard when we are “tied down” so to speak.
Adele, on days like today when the humidity is so high; my cobblers won’t cook all the way through either. And I can’t make candy on really humid or cloudy days. It just won’t set up. So that might be something that is affecting your baking; I know it does mine. Jerry always starts about two weeks before his birthday saying “don’t get me anything for my birthday” and just fusses when someone does. But several years ago I had gotten him something, but I didn’t mention anything or bake anything on the day. Finally, about 9 that night he looks at me and said, “this is a first.” I said “first what” knowing full well he meant his birthday, and nothing had been made and no gift. I said, well actually I did exactly what you keep telling me to do which is nothing, and after that set in for a minute I said, of course I knew today is your birthday, and I have your gift and an ice cream cake is in the freezer. All the boys were working but they had called him during their day but he was hurt I think when he thought I had really forgotten his birthday. So he doesn’t say that to me anymore. He knows I am big at celebrating my birthday or any reason I could have an excuse for a gift. Love opening gifts; the price isn’t so important as I love opening gifts. LOL Still just a kid at heart I guess. See DD; I really am not a grown up.
Colleen, I have that same bicycle shirt in grey. It is one of my favorites. Hard for me to find any Quacker I don’t love though.
Better go for now. Our poor son in Las Vegas in having terrible heat. You know I worry. Take care everyone. So glad your family was safe Adele.
Across the miles Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's June! School's Out! Let the Summer Fun Begin! #64248

Hello Girls. Been busy these last couple of weeks. We went and picked up Maw Maw and had a really great time together. Her hair is really growing and she usually wears it short; but it looks so nice I told her that I like the shoulder length on her; and if it is easy for her to wear like that; that I would keep it that length for a while. Her hair is a beautiful more white than gray color. Her face has begun to fill out. We are picking her up again on Wednesday to go to her personal doctor that she has been seeing for years with PawPaw. His office actually called us to see if we might bring her in for a yearly check up since he has been seeing her for so long he wants to still see her too if we were okay with it. I thought that was so sweet and she was happy to have heard from him. And its like I said to Jerry; I really think it is a good idea for him to continue to see her also. We will get some dinner too and bring it back here to eat. I am so happy to see her looking so good. Her memory comes and goes; but at 91; what could you expect? I just love that you all’s Moms love Quacker things and that they are so fortunate to have you Adele and Colleen to love them so much and respect them and enjoy them. What a blessing.
Sue, you are doing GREAT on your PT. It takes a really hard working person to stay up to speed on all the exercises. I know you get tired; and I am glad to hear that you are taking little naps to help you gain your strength back. I remember being SO tired after they would leave; and believe you me, I would fall asleep easier in that recliner than in my bed. Does your Cuddles watch for you so you can get around without worrying that you can’t see him? Little furry friends just seem to know when we need extra attention and help. I was so worried at first that I might not see our kitty since he usually walks about two steps in front of me; but he all of a sudden began to walk to the side of me so I could see him better. Hope the doctor gives you good news this week; and I believe he will. I think he will be very happy with your progress. Let us know how he feels you are doing. We are right there with you wishing you good news!
Adele; if you quit cooking, the whole family will just not know what in the world to do with themselves LOL Talk about shaking up their world; that would surely do it. I bet the complaints would immediately change. They are all; especially Gary: so fortunate to have such a great cook/baker as you are. Dare I use the word “spoiled” instead of fortunate? ha ha You could tell them that you have plenty of Quacker friends who would love to pull up a chair at your dinner table anytime. I have to agree with Colleen; you have to have a heart of gold to have done your type of work for so many years and helped so many children and families over the years. How special the foster families wanted to stay in touch with the children after they found a forever home. That is so sweet and loving. I shudder to think of the things you have seen and heard.
DD; our son who in Northern Ca. was telling us about the heat wave out there. Sorry you are having such a hard time with the heat. Hope the swelling has gone down. By the way; how is Heather doing with her swelling? Did any doctor ever say what is causing this? So much to worry about, and really hoping all is going better. How is Brent doing, Gail? I surely hope he is able to come home for a visit soon. There is nothing quite like being able to put your arms around someone you love.
Sad news from Jerry family. His oldest brother; who passed away about five years ago; his oldest daughter who has been taking care of my SIL for the last couple of years; had several fainting spells at her Mom’s mobile home on Saturday; but refused to let my SIL call an ambulance. She had her call her husband and even though he tried to get her to let him take her to the ER she wouldn’t let him, and he took her home where she took a couple of I think Tylenol, and laid down to rest. Well, she passed away during her nap. She was only 51. We are all just devastated. She was sweet; and always there to help everyone in her family; and has just had such a hard time since she lost her Dad. They were very close. She has had two grandbabies born in the last year; and was just pushing herself so much. The last time Jerry and I spoke to her we both asked her to please start to say “no” to some of the things that people were expecting her to help them do; and we said to one another that she was running in so many different directions and not really thinking of herself. But we certainly didn’t expect this. They all live about 8 hours from us; so we are trying to decide what we should do. I feel so bad for her husband. He had just fallen apart. He said she always took care of everything; and he doesn’t even know where or how to start without her. And they are so young. Such a sad sad thing.
Well, hug your loved ones and we will all be grateful for our blessings. I hope everyone has a good evening. Take care. Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's June! School's Out! Let the Summer Fun Begin! #63960

Hope everyone is okay. Jerry and I just got home from our 3 month doctor appt. that is required from the insurance co. Not sure why, have learned not to ask many questions just to go with the flow. I get SO tired of being there so often. I was there two days before my stroke; and I am sure I have already told you all this; but he didn’t pick up on it and poor Neal just has so many bad feelings that he didn’t. I tell him son, not everything health wise gives us much if any notice it is about to happen. But he was so worried; I really understand. How did your appointment go today Gail? Hope everything was good and he helped you. Guess I just have my “sit and wait” bad attitude now; but am grateful to God that everything seems okay for now. Jerrys blood pressure was up. They had to take it 3 times. I asked the nurse to step out for just a minute, and as soon as she did, I grabbed his arm and said Jerry, you take some good slow deep breaths and calm down or they are going to make us go to the ER (I knew if anything would get his attention that would). I said you are just hurting from you back from having to sit straight up in that chair, and just calm down and we can get out of here. Guess he listened; because when she checked it again after about 5 minutes; it was much better. His always runs a little high, but today was worse. I try so hard to not let him put extra salt on his food; and cut back on things he should’t eat, but he sneaks things and if he wants something he gets it LOL.
Our itty bitty is up on all fours now like a little crab scooting around. Neal sent us a picture last night. I can hardly believe that it was just a week and a half ago that he crawled for the first time. It just reminds me of how quickly our days pass. I know you all see this too; even with our little four legged babies. Speaking of that Sue; I meant to ask you before if you have a puppy dog or kitty, and if so; do you have someone to help with them? Do you feel you are making good progress with your therapy? I know it’s hard; but sticking with the routine will help in the longrun. Not preaching; just speaking from the experiences I’ve had. Hope things are going good. Hang in there.
Adele, hope everyone in your family is doing better; including of you of course. Is your ankle any better? Sorry your family is having so many health issues right now. Prayers for everyone. Colleen, I agree about the Lasik surgery. I did consider it; but several people we know had it done and then had to go back to their glasses a few years later. I’m sure that is works really well for most; but with me; I would probably be one of the ones that had to go back. I also wanted a swimming pool, but like Ron, Jerry said no, no no. He thought of every reason in the book; none of which meant anything to me until he finallh came up with the one thing that he knew would change my mind forever. He ups and tells me that living out here in the woods that we would get snakes in a pool, and so that of course did it for me forever. He was glad he finally thought of a reason I would accept. LOL\
Take care everyone, and have a good evening. DD, meant to say; I love your pictures. Especially the one of what looks to me like an old time store from years ago. There are small towns close by that have stores like that to this day. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's June! School's Out! Let the Summer Fun Begin! #63928

Adele, hope Heather is doing much better. That is scary. If I can be so bold, would you please make sure they have done a VQ Scan? This looks for clots in the lungs. Am not trying to make you any more worried, but many young women get clots in their legs from birth control, but since the legs have been checked the next place I would make sure they check (and probably already have) would be her lungs. Just years of experience wanting me to help any way I might can. You all do have a lot going on right now. When it rains it really does seem to pour doesn’t it? Hope Gary’s hip pain is easing up. It was so terrible for that man to hurt your feelings and be such an insensitive person. I have had my feelings hurt so many times over the years. I remember in one really big meeting with LOTS of important people present, we were deciding what company to use for our nurses that would offer them the best prices, and one of the other nurse managers who was all of a size 2 at most, up and says looking right at ME, “well, we will have to remember that obese nurses uniforms cost more; so we cannot expect the same discount for THEM” I was so embarassed I just wanted a hole to open up in the floor so I could fall in. But I put that “happy face” on and just smiled and acted like it didn’t bother me. So I am sorry, we all think you are just the right size; just like all the rest of us, and I know I am grateful for all my gray hairs, wrinkles, and chubby bits, just like I am happy for all those ladies who have smooth skin and weigh 120. I love us all; and wish everyone did.
Gail, you porta potty story was greatl That is so hard to think that you all don’t have indoor plumbing for the show. Thank goodness for the AC. I bet the ladies in line did wonder what was going on in the rocking potty LOL I came out of the restroom at the casino one night and thankfully Jerry had gone into the one right next door and we exited at the same time. He said, Barbara stop stop and he is kind of loud; so people turned to look, and lo and behold, I had a trail of toilet paper dragging on the bottom of one of my shoes. Saw some snickering but I had to laugh myself. Just glad he caught me before I trailed all over the place with it following me everywhere I went. LOL
So glad you are doing good Colleen and Sue. Always love it when our buddies are feeling better. Hope your eye and your knee get better each day.
We are so muggy and hot here. You know I really was a little glad to not have gone to the BBQ at Joeys. We all did need some quiet time with one another, and I think that just living so close to each other made me think a little too much into it. You ladies are smart.
Better go for now. We haven’t done much cooking this week; just too hot to fire up the stove or oven. We are having salad and bread; warm and crusty with some seasoned butter to slather on for dinner tonight. Then some fresh fruit. Hope everyone has a great evening. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's June! School's Out! Let the Summer Fun Begin! #63809

I have a few minutes to visit tonight, Ladies so wohoo! Gail, you and I must both be in the yellow mood today; because I also wore a yellow Quacker shirt, but you know how I am with anchors, so my tee had a beautiuful sparkly anchor on the front, and you also know how I am with seersucker, so I had Quacker yellow checked seersucker capri’s and my Clarks sandals on. I felt sunny even if I did have to grab a light weight Dreamjeanne denim jacket to carry with us. I get so cold inside the air conditioning. And it seems like no matter where we are seated that my seat is right UNDER the AC vent and the cold air is blowing right on my head LOL. Jerry will be sitting right next to me wiping his forehead off like we are in the middle of the Sahara. I am so glad that our car has heated seats; because I use them for me even in the summer months. One night Jerry came to pick me up since we had to park a long way from the entrance to the restaurant; and by the time he got to me you could not even see inside the car because the windows were so “frosted up” from his high AC on the inside and the humidity on the outside ha ha. Yes, I do keep a Quacker jacket in the backseat all the time.
Hope you enjoyed the play Gail. It sounds nice. I surely wish we had things like that here. Unfortunately, the mosquito’s would absolutely eat you alive. They are the most annoying, biting, disease ridden bugs. And I know Colleen knows what I am talking about. Hope she is feeling better today. I know her family is seeing about her.
We had a good day here today. It was in the 80’s, and Joey stayed busy on the tractor bush hogging about five acres for us. He and Lisa grilled out tonight; and we didn’t get any kind of invite; so I wasn’t quite sure what to think, but certainly don’t expect for us to get an invitation to everything, but this is the first time they have actually done a meal, and I guess I just kind of felt lost or something. Doesn’t that sound ridiculous? Jerry said he was glad. LOL I think I am just a hodgepodge of different feelings right now.
I hope we are able to sell MawMaw’s home soon. Now that we have a closing atty. to take care of that for Jerry and me; we can move forward with trying to get it sold. So many things to be done. But one thing is sure; we have something everyday to do LOL
Take care everyone, and have a great day. Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: It's June! School's Out! Let the Summer Fun Begin! #63761

Hello to All. Glad the surguries and procedures are over and prayers for everyone to have a speedy recovery. So sorry to hear about Jennny and also that Christine has been so sick again. I know she and I wrote to each other once about how she was feeling, and it just seemed that no matter how hard she was trying that she could not get the help she needed. I am really thinking of Colleen and of Gary and your close friend, Gail. I’m sure she knew you would have spoken to her before the day of surgery if you had known the right day. It means so much just to know that people are thinking of you, and praying for you. Sue, that was some good advice from Adele to have your friend stay right there for the first couple of times that you showered until you feel more comfortable in being there and having your “system” all worked out in your mind before you do it for the first time by yourself. I had a hard time with washing my hair, and to be honest with you, I think it was really months before I really did a thorough job doing it on my own. I just would run out of steam so to speak, and once I got tired it just didn’t seem to matter too much. But with each accomplishment I felt so proud that it kind of gave me the will to keep trying. Hope your pain level is tolerable, and you are making good progress.
So terrible about your daughter being hit at her job, Gail. That is just awful. I can imagine that there are quite a few “patrons” that just don’t know when to stop, and I have seen people who somehow think they become superman or wonder woman, and if they only saw themselves as others see them. they would or should be so embarassed. Hope she is not going through a lot to fix the damage. Poor thing.
This has been another busy week. One of our good friends called to see if we might could go eat dinner with them so we went to a local small place here in town this evening. They are really early eaters, and we had a meeting already arranged with a real estate closing atty. at 3 so they wanted to meet us in town as soon as that was over. We ended up eating around 4:30, and neither Jerry or me were too hungry but really enjoyed their company. It was so nice to just get out for a while and just visit. Their DIL took a spill off of a patio at their sons and her home a few weeks ago while they were out there making smores for the children and just enjoying the evening in general. She was hurt badly, with multiple broken bones in one foot ankle and badly spraining the other ankle. She had to have the one ankle operated on with lots of pins and screws placed, and of course the other ankle was swollen three times it’s size. They have two small girls, and her husband is an AC person. He has his hands full and so of course, our friends are helping them so they are very busy too.
Neal spent all this week in Oakland doing more training. He is very homesick, but I think it really helps that we can skype. He used to say when he was younger and Joey and Buddy were off in foreign countries how much he would love to be able to travel like they were doing, and now he says to me that he would love to see this little town again. He said he didn’t ever think he would miss even the not so good things. LOL I said son, that it just part of growing up and learning that when we say things like, “the grass always looks greener on the other side” that there really is a meaning to it, but we just have to experience it to know what someone is really talking about.
So glad that Gary[s tests came out good Adele. I know he and you both are relieved they are over with. Yes, it does seem like we have a lot of sickness going on within our little group right now. Prayers daily for our friends and their families.
Well, getting late, so I better close for tonight. Miss our talks. Wish I could come on more often. You all help me. Take care all. Hugs from Tennessee, Barbara

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