[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-March 2020 #109257

Hope everyone is doing good. It is an absolutely beautiful day here today following a night of storms. Had terrible tornado in Jonesboro Arkansas last night with such bad distruction. I feel so sorry for all those who were affected. we are not able to find our pantry items any better now. I really hope it is easing up for you all. Most people here are out and about but there is just so much pushing and shoving when they do put something like toilet paper out. The stock man told Jerry that he can’t even get it off the pallet with people being so ugly. He said he just stands back and lets them grab it. Crazy times and scary times.
Neal called yesterday. He said he is really getting worried about coming here at all when they move. He said he is thinking about not stopping here. I feel so badly for him; I know this has him all torn up; because I know it does us. We want to see them so badly, and there is so much doubt and uncertainty now. I could just cry. And the baby said “MiMi I want to come see you tomorrow, okay?” Made my heart melt….
Jerry and I are watching things we never thought of watching. I made a deal with him that I would watch the war movies he wanted to watch if he would watch the Diners, Drivein and Dives with me on Food Network channel. I just love to watch him travel to all those places and meet the locals and support the restaurant people. I love their stories of how they began their businesses. Do you all watch by any chance? I followed your advice on take out food Gail. Did I tell you all that Jerry bought 5 pounds or more of frozen chicken wings one day? It is the seasoned kind I think from TYSON; and I don’t like the spice on them; so he is stuck eating all of it lol He also got a huge box of Oreo cookies and he gave some to Joey and Lisa and I am helping him eat those. I had such a craving one day for freshly baked cookies; and just could not put together all the ingredients I needed to bake some. I really wanted peanut butter or oatmeal. Did I tell you all that I ordered the ENSTROM toffee they had on the Q? I was too sick to eat any but Jerry and the boys raved about it during the holidays. they said it was so good; rich, but good. By the way, DD your kitty is cute as a button. Our kitty jumps up between us in the mornings. He also follows me everytime I go to the bathroom. He gets so tired when I have taken the diuretic pill; it interupts his all day nap. ha ha But he is such good company for us. And he loves sleeping in his QVC box. Sue, it was on our local news about the lady up your way sneezing/coughing on the vegs. and them being thrown out. Its a shame they couldn’t be donated to a pet food company or something to not waste them. You were surely lucky to find a store offering the tissue. we can’t get it here. Not sure what we are going to do.
I felt kind of yucky yesterday, but much better today. I find that if I get rest I do so much better. I am having lots of trouble sleeping. My mind just won’t stop racing. Jerry is asleep almost before his head hits the pillow. He said he has always been this way.
Better close for now. By the way, Adele, you meals looks just luscious! Your family is so lucky to have you. Colleen, I thought of you the day the shows from Ireland were on. I wondered if you were watching. they had such pretty items on that day. I remember all those years ago we began watching and talking about the items and what we had ordered. I was very frugal this year; but did order the beautiful wool throw since I stay cold over my feet and legs. It is so beautiful. I know there are many years of use that it will give. I wanted so many things but am glad I held myself back.
gail, how is your son and daughter doing with all this? Hope his health is doing good now. I bet you are getting lots of reading in. How are your eyes doing? good i hope. Take care everyone. Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-March 2020 #108914

It is really getting crazier and crazier here. we have an order to pick up at Kroger tomorrow, but will not know until we get there what we recieved and what is not even available. We do already know there will be no milk, juice, toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, laundry detergent, and we need all those things, It said online they are out of stock indefinitely. Are you all having the same trouble? I looked at Jerry today and said I didn’t ever think I would see something like this in our lifetime. It is like we have gone from our life to an alien planet, and every day something else is happening. I am grateful to God to be feeling better. I have times that I am just exhausted, and since we don’t think I need to be around people, Jerry is still going in the store, if it is something I can’t buy online. I am so grateful to have him to do this. It is so strange to ride around and not hardly see any place open for business. the drive though window is still open at some restaurants but not all here. And the lines at the ones open are so long. People here just don’t know what to do. Jerry even said he was almost afraid to eat anything from a drive through, since you don’t know who prepared it and how safe they were. Freaked me out so we came home one day and thawed out 4 chicken legs and cooked them with just a salad and canned corn.
the cardiologist nurse called me a few days ago to check on me. She said they are not doing any elective procedures not; so if I were to have any pain or problems I would need to call an ambulance and go to the hospital. She also said they are not doing any appointments in their office and set me up for the end of May to see me if they were at that time. She is to call and update me. She said they have cancelled all test too. Can you imagine? Is it like this for you all? Our state hasn’t been shut down yet, but I am not sure if it will be. I don’t relly understand how some states do one thing and others something else. But I pray this all will end soon with a cure. And I pray you all and yours are doing well.
Neal and family are still supposed to be coming soon but don’t ask me how this is going to happen. There is no way I would make that cross country move right now. But Neal and her are determined, so we think the less we say the better. It is breaking our hearts. we are so worried about them all. Joey and Lisa are still working but both are staying away from us. Joey still comes by and I stay away (this is so hard) He helps lift heavy things for Jerry, and brings by little things to us. He said he missed us so much. Our son in Nevada called. He said Las vegas is like a ghost town. I know they shut down all the casinos close by here. There are so many people out of work.
better go for now. Please take care everyone. You are in my heart and prayers. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-March 2020 #108101

Hello to All my dear friends. I am SO happy to be feeling good enough to get my computer out and write to you all. This has been such a scary time for us and I am so grateful for each and every day that I feel better. My ankles and the tops of my feet are still swollen; I get short of breath when I push myself. I know it is good for me to push myself a little; I know I need to move around as much as I possibly can. I think of what Colleen told me about try to get up and move at least every couple of hours. During my worst time, I honestly had no strength to move. Just lifting an arm or leg was so hard if not impossible. So I try so hard to do what I can. I was so shocked at how quickly this came on me, and at how severe it has been. This has really been hard on Jerry; he has really stepped up and helped me and I know there have been times he was so tired or just weary from dealing with sickness. this has been going on since after Neal was here at Thanksgiving. I am beyond upset that he and family will be moving back to Ca. soon. but know we cannot do anything. Jerry and I talked about the Serenity prayer the other night when we found out of their decision, and this is what we are trying so hard to do.
I know this is short; but better go for now. I hope and pray that you all are doing well, and those you love are too. I know new life has come into your lives with the precious babies. I really miss the smell of our little Colin at that baby time. I could just drink in that sweet smell of baby. Hope all our little fur babies are doing well. Thank you again for prayers. Hugs to you all, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-January 2020 #105670

Hello everyone. Today is a good day so I am trying to get word to you all that I am some better, but still working on finding some answers. I have been to the blood doctor who did a chest xray since he couldn’t hear me breathing good in the base of my right lung. They say it is fluid, and are still sending me to see about this. My breathing is so much better, but I still have problems when I exert myself doing anything. I go this coming week for another xray and also to see the cardiologist. I seem to be just falling apart and this has been so hard on us. I know one thing for sure I am so tired of all this, and so is Jerry. The boys have been so worried, and I keep trying to reassure them, but at times just don’t know what to say. I am used to being sick for a few days and then you feel yourself turn the corner and you know you are okay. They have said some things that have really gotten our attention. So we will keep trying to find answers and get a real plan to work on. My blood work was all good, so that was great. Hope the mommies to be are both doing really good. HOpe all of you are doing good. Wish I could just be back here chatting. Take care everyone, and please remember us in your prayers. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-December 2019 #104699

Hope Heather got some good news from her check up Adele. How are her legs and feet doing now? Does she feel like the sensations are coming back? Prays for continued improvements. Ms. Tillie is probably just tired from all the activity; and I know that I am not able to do as much when the weather is cold or rainy. My bones and body in general just ache; and all I want to do is huddle under warm cover and sit. I know that is not good, but if I push myself then I feel worse. I am like you, Gail when I see young people working so hard, and think back on all we did as young ones, and now how little it takes now to take me off my feet. Gosh, how I would love to feel young again. I am so sorry to hear that Brent had all his tools stolen. That is so sad, especially when it was something he uses often. It is so sad that people feel what seems to be no remorse to take anothers property. I have had to call the Q twice about our packages being delivered to someone else’s address. Our “reciever” didn’t bring it on to us; like your kind honest neighbor did. This has been a terrible year for package delivery. The Amazon person pulled up to our home yesterday and literally tossed out of the van a package on the drive, and pulled out of our drive. I was trying to get my robe on to open the garage, but couldn’t in time. Luckily, I saw it so I could get the package. Back to Brent-I hope guilty conscious will make the person bring his tools back to him.
I am excited about Piper entering the contest. Mabey Heather can find someone who makes the paper dresses to help her out. Piper will do great. Is there a talent portion?
How are the mommies to be doing? Getting close now. Bet their little tummies are sticking out there now. What a happy time for all.
Adele, it sounds like Gary needs to do a sputum specimen (cough hard and spit into a glass tube, and close) since the cough keeps hanging on. He might agree to that, and as gross as it sounds it really gives precise information as to what is in his lungs. Mabey the doctor who comes to see Tillie could bring a specimen tube for the lab, and send it off for him. Just a thought.
Colleen, I have had nothing but trouble with the HP computer I bought 2 years ago. It makes me crazy most of the time. Sorry to hear of your troubles too. Glad you got your new fridge. I love the bottom freezer too. What I have found now that since we don’t use our ice maker as much with not much family using it now, that our ice maker freezes up at times and Jerry has to do something to it. I still have an old metal ice cube maker with that handle you pull to loosen the cubes. I have had it for years, and can’t part with it. lol love so many old the “old” things.
DD, your kitty loves you so much. She is just trying to help you decorate. lol Did you get her an ornament this year? I saw a cute kitty Hallmark ornament and it was solid, so they must know our kitties ha ha I think it would be so nice to make a shelf for your beloved Jewell. We have a special spot on our mantle with our furry family that have gone on and it really means something special to us. We always include memories of them during the holidays. It helps us to remember the happy times we had together.
How are you doing Sue? Good I hope. Did you get any bad weather with the storm that came through? Take care when out and about. Hope your door got fixed.
Take care all and have a good evening. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-December 2019 #104506

Hello All, sounds like everyone is really in the Christmas spirit. Jerry caught the cold so he has been pretty sick. We are sleeping in seperate rooms; but it is okay since we have Ruby this week too. So the kitty, puppy and I sleep on the futon let out in the family room. It is quite a sight to see the three of us all stretched out. Jerry sneezes a lot; and I am so afraid of catching this. Neal did call and ask (before Jerry got sick) if we would come watch Colin the week after Christmas. Sarah has the week of Christmas off; and the Montisori school the baby attends; is closed that week and the next. So if weather permits; we will go. I am so leary of the mountains we will have to cross right as we get there. So hopefully the weather will co-operate. Ruby has been so good this week. She is getting older too; so likes to sleep a lot. Joey and Lisa are due home late tonight. Long flight. Yes, Adele, Lisa does have PTSD I think. Joey has said to us he thinks she does. She attends a closed head injury group every month. But we aren’t supposed to know this.
My feelings are a little hurt since SARAH told Neal we should come up on Sun. and leave the next Sat. so this means we won’t be there at all during the CHristmas week. Enough said.
Colleen, soldiers I’ve known love playing cards, books, snacks, candy, homemade goodies, gift card (little amount) things like that. I think this is so sweet of you to do, and he will appreciate it so much. Just the smallest gesture to someone far away from home helps them feel good. sorry your fridge played out. i dont think ours is far behind. We have a side by side now, and I don’t plan on getting another one since this one doesn’t open fully in the corner we put it in if that makes any sense. lol
That is a great gift to each other Gail. We also have a wood burning stove. Ours sits out on a brick semi-circle/ bricks go out about six feet and our stove is pretty big. But we use it to heat the whole home and have used it once when we had a terrible ice storm to keep us warm AND cook on. Everyone else was eating sandwiches and we had hot soup and other goodies/even mugs of hot chocolate.
DD I can just see you and Snowball busy decorating. I bet your apartment looks just great and very festive. We sent our son in Las Vegas one of those Valerie wreaths for him and his family. He said they really like it and it really brought back memories of how he and his brothers and Dad would go tree chopping and gather greenery for wreaths years ago. Made me feel good. Made me think of times long ago too.
guess i better go, Ruby is looking at me with those big “feed me one last good meal please” and I’ve caved. lol nite

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-December 2019 #104308

Hello friends. We are doing some better. Jerry and I were so tired after the baby left that we could barely get from room to room without resting. We are really out of shape and I know we both thought we were in a little better shape before they came. I guess following along someone who is as fast as lightning is harder than I realized. He is SO sweet though. Just out of nowhere will come a sweet little something out of his mouth,. Neal just sits and grins. Sarah is just Sarah thats all I will say on this. I am glad everyone had good holidays. Gail, I love your pictures for this month. The kitties and puppies all dressed up is so cute. Our kitty will run like crazy if Lisa even comes close to him with anything that is not edible. ha ha Ruby will let you dress her up anytime. She wears outfits for every holiday. Our son in Vegas little bullie dog had on a Christmas sweater and booties while Stacy was decorating their mantle. It was so sweet. Yes, Gail, it was at the same time when Brent was suffering his loss that Lisa had her terrible wreck. What a scary time for us all. Hope Brent is doing well. Little Piper and MawMaw’s birthday is on the same day. MawMaw was born in 1926. She will get her chocolate cake for her big day. She loves her chocolate. She is doing really well. We wanted to bring her out to our home for Thanksgiving, and she put her foot down and said it was “too cold” and she wasn’t going outside. She is good and clear some days and not good other days.
Sue, I had a wreath that stopped lighting up too. I opened the battery box and found that one of the batteries had “leaked” I guess; so I cleaned it up with a paper towel and put a new set of batteries in; and mine worked again. Just a thought. I probably just got lucky. I have had some of my light up things just not work for more than a month or so; just long enough for it to be past the 30 day return. Glad you didn’t get a bad storm. Sorry that you did Adele. Poor Tillie and her chair. I am attached to my chair too ha ha. I bet it got cold in your house. Jerry keeps saying we need to buy a generator since we get so much bad storms, but I just can’t bring myself to. The ones he has looked at are SO expensive.
Gail you did good on your shopping. I too really miss the sights, sounds, and smells of the malls and stores at Christmas. It just seemed so special to me and I could make a day of it. I even enjoyed eating at the food court. And then window shopping at the expensive stores and seeing some beautiful jewelry pieces just sparkle. So I’m right there with you, but those days are over for me.
DD did you get your tree put up yet? I bet you had lots of help trying to take down what you just put up. lol DOes Snowball have an outfit to wear? Hope you have a great holiday season. Colleen what does Eliza want Santa to bring? We were told that dinosaurs are important by Colin. ha ha
Hope you all habe a good evening. Take care all, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-November 2019 #103479

Hello everyone. Neal and his little family are on the road right now. He actually worked today; got off at 2. He texted us last night and said the baby has a cold; and was concerned about us. Jerry said tell him bring that baby! and I told him not to worry; we will do everything to “sanitize” us all and him and not to worry. So please say a little prayer for us. He is not running any temp; just has little stuffy nose. I wanted to just cry, but just couldn’t tell them to stay away. It is cold and rainy here today; and we are to get rain just about every day next week. We are doing our turkey day on Wednesday and they are going to Sarahs parents on Thursday. Jerry and I vacuumed and mopped yesterday; did the bathrooms; changed sheets. So we both really slept last night. We are both sore today; but excited.
I really hope Tillie did well with her doctor visit today. That will be so wonderful if she likes him and then mabey he could talk her into coming upstairs more. Adele, would you consider asking him to sit and ride in the stairlift to show her how safe it is? Do you think that would help? Just a thought.
DD, love your pictures. So beautiful. Your little Snowball is such a cutie. I know she is so much company to you. She just has to make you smile. Your Jewell was so beautiful too. You are difinitely a good kitty Mom. That little breed of kitty is very photogenic. You have made some beautiful photos.
Have to close. Hope all of you are having a great day and that Brent will get some good news very soon Gail. Prayers for you all. Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy wonderful time with family and friends and furry family. Hugs across the miles to you and yours, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: Quacker Talk-November 2019 #103309

Hello everyone. So glad your PT lady helped you Adele. I know it just feels wonderful when you are having a good day. It is like a celebration. Jerry and I have really been fortunate this week in that we are doing good, and have been able to go into town several times to shop for things we need for the family coming. Colleen, he let me out at Big Lots and he went on to get a haircut. I was moving as fast as I could to get things, and got side tracked so much, but really was able to get extra wash cloths, bathroom rug for upstairs, paper towels plates bowls etc. Yes, Adele, we will be leaving the crystal gathering dust and using as much plastic as we can. lol What Gail said is so right; the pretty table just doesn’t seem to matter to the younger ones; and the last time I did all the cups and paper plates and off they go. I won’t think about how most if not all of the beautiful things will just be in a garage sale or worse. That was such a beautiful tribute idea you have for your sweet MaMa. You too, DD. I loved Colleens idea to just hug pretty Snowball as I know that Jewell would want. I think it was Jewell who sent Snowball to you to comfort you since she knew what a big heart you have for sweet kitties.
Gail, my mom and I used to watch As The World Turns. It was so funny, after I started working it might be months between times I could watch; and yet she would keep me posted so I would just catch right up whenever I saw one. ha ha I wonder if the young people watch like we did? I used to come home some days and find Jerry watching soaps when I was in nursing school and he had the babies. It was funny because he would always say he just had it on for “noise” to help the baby sleep. Those were some busy hard days.
We are so anxious to see the family. I called our oldest son and asked them to come too. That would really make it special. His job sends him all over the world; and when I talked to him a couple of weeks ago he said they were really trying to talk him in to going to England for three weeks and he was going to take his wife; so they may not be able to come. But mabey for Christmas. I can’t even imagine spending time in England during the “Dickens” time of year.
Sue, hope the roof repairs go quickly. What a time of year to do that job. Will keep my fingers crossed for you. I have already made us two batches of your spice cookies. Yummy as ever. Jerry just loves them, and I have always been the one of us to gobble up the sweets first. lolj
DD, I cut the front off some cards, and hang them on the Christmas tree. I have a Nativity one that I have had for years, an Angel one, and Santa. Had them for years. Do any of you all remember Thomas Piconne ornaments years ago? I have a set we still use.
Better close for now. Hope all is well with everyone. Prayers the young ones will all be better soon, and continue to improve, and tests will yield good results. Barbara

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