[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: March-Spring is Coming! Hooray!!! #57594

Thank you all so much for being the wonderful friends you are. I simply cannot imagine not having you all in my life. Doesn’t that sound strange since we are all so far apart, and may not ever have the opportunity to see each other except in our hearts and our minds, and through our words. It makes me feel so comforted to know you all understand how I am feeling about our sweet baby being so far away, and how our hearts are just breaking. I want to touch him, smell his sweet smell, hear his sweet voice. Got to stop or the tears will flow like rain again, and trust me, they do enough every day but the sadness mixed with the joy of them being together is the one thing helping Jerry and me through this. Neal called us last night on his way home from work. He said the baby has cried quite a bit especially at night, and he sounded pretty tired so I just let him “vent” then reminded him that his little tooth is hurting him trying to break through, and he doesn’t understand pain on any kind. I also reminded him of how he is just now adjusting to the difference in the time and how it will work itself out; plus how all of them are tired from excitement of seeing each other again, and how they will All have to adjust to just being together again; that each of them have their own routines they have had to live by for all these months. I just kept saying, it will be allright son, you are doing a great job, don’t worry about little things now, just let things work themselves out. He seemed so much better after that. I just think he needed to know it is okay to be tired and be happy all at the same time. I think it just hit him square in the face that holy c—-, I have a wife and son and lots of studying and work to do before I can get us away, and it all sits on my shoulders! He takes things so seriously; just like his Dad. He just needs to relax and enjoy the moment. I told him that we had sent off a walker for Colin, and he seemed so happy.
You talk about picky eaters. We have one. Not being ugly, but it is Sarah. She only eats chicken fingers, twice baked potatoes, all breakfast foods, strawberry cake, and bananas. I am not exagerating. Oh, yes, macaroni and cheese. She won’t touch any vegetables but she will drink lots of milk and water. Now Lisa is a different story. She loves (or pretends too lol) everything. And Jerry, Joey, and Neal are easy to cook for. They all love vegetables. When we got pizza, we had to get a separate one for Sarah with just sauce and cheese. It is hard when you have a picky eater.
I am so sorry that your Mom’s are afraid. They love you all so much they just don’t won’t to go and I understand that. On that subject of Mom’s, we got a call this morning that Jerrys Mom had been throwing up all night and they were going to have the ambulance take her to the hospital for the anti-nausea medicine and an IV to replace her fluids that she has lost. They had tried to give her the nausea medicine by mouth, but she could not hold it down. Jerry and I just got home a little while ago. They are keeping her overnight, but she was beginning to feel better. That is such a terrible feeling. I explained to Jerry that since all the labs they had drawn on her came back good that this is just some kind of bug or virus she has picked up, and with this medicine and the fluids from the IV that she should be lots better by tomorrow. Poor things, she just got out of the hospital two weeks ago. But they were taking good care of her. She said to us not too long ago that she thinks it is “her time” and it scared Jerry so badly. I told him to treasure every time they can be together, and try not to worry. I am a great one to preach that. LOL
We are supposed to get snow tonight. The weather here is crazy. And then it supposed to be about 45 tomorrow. We don’t know how to dress here and it sounds like you all are stilll having crazy weather too. Be careful walking if its slick. Colleen, are you getting the snow tonight too? Gail, I cannot believe your crazy bird is BACK. I am beginning to believe he loves you. I love we all got the same Quacker shirt. We are styling, aren’t we?
Take care everyone. It’s potato soup night here tonight. I thought of inviting you Colleen, and Ron of course, but I felt like you have enough already on hand for you guys for “special” occasions. LOL Goodnight girls Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: March-Spring is Coming! Hooray!!! #57484

Hello dear friends. Jerry and I are sitting here and I have prayed most of the night that Sarah and Colin would safely arrive in Sacramento today to meet Neal. Poor baby is teething and has just gotten over a pretty bad ear infection; and we (the worriers that we are) were afraid that the change in altitude would make his little ears hurt. He and Sarah came over on Sunday afternoon and we made a big spagetti dinner with garlic bread, salad, and a big banana pudding (one of her favorites). Joey and LIsa came up too, and we just played and cuddled and laughed and then cried (me). I am proud that I held things together because it is so right for them to be together, and they need each other so much as a family. Their plane left at 6am; and she asked us if we wanted to come to her parents house yesterday evening to see them once more and I know this sounds silly; but I just couldn’t put myself through all the pain of saying goodbye again. I know you all must think I am just too sentimental; and I know that they are grown, and I’m sure that there is some underlying pchycological reason I have such a hard time letting go; but right now it’s just so hard, but sad and very happy all at the same time and for the same reasons. Crazy me.
Gail, I feel so badly for your husband having to go through all these tests. As one of the biggest babies about lab draws; I so feel for him because I know his arms must just hurt after all these sticks. I will continue to keep all of you all and your hubbies in my prayers. Colleen, there is absolutely NO advise I could say about your Ron and not going to the doctor. Jerry went out the other day in short sleeves, no tee shirt or anything, and it was so cold and windy. He was like ice when he came in; and I was going all through the house looking for him. I think he waits on me to get busy with something, and out he goes with some hair brained scheme in his head. Joey really fussed at him about wearing a jacket and just being patient and waiting for him. That is so hard for Jerry to do.
I love that Tillie found her Easter shirt. It was just meant for her to be ducky before the holiday. I got that shirt too. Love it. I passed on the D&C duo special yesterday. It looks really pretty; but it gets SO hot here in the summer that if I do need sleeves; say because the AC is too cold inside; that an open weave just won’t warm me up enough. By the way, Adele, we are egg salad fans here. Also, love chicken salad. We enjoy both on crackers or crusty bread. We have even done chicken salad inside a tomato that we cut into a fanned out quartered tomato and scoop the salad inside. Yummy.
Will try to catch up on more later. So good to be back with you all. Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: February-Will the Groundhog See His Shadow? #56723

Hope everyone is feeling better and enjoying their Sunday. It is colder here and to get even colder then those storms will be blowing in I think they said on Tuesday. That is our pattern for this area, and as scared as I am of Ice I am even more scared of storms. I guess each of us have our own unique weather things that we are dealing with, and each day brings something new for us. Colleen, I heard those dreaded words that make me shiver yesterday from Mr. Jerry, quote “I have GOT to get out there and get the tractor all ready/ the field is growing already” It makes me sick every time I hear those words every year; because I never know what he will be up to but I do know it will end up with him doing something to himself or us having to spend some money on tractor parts. That is the one thing I dislike about this country living is besides the creepy crawlers is the fear I have of him hurting himself and or doing something he shouldn’t do.’
Sue, sorry to hear of you losing your neighbor. It always hurts us doesn’t it?
Poor little Colin is still sick. We are worried, but very little we can do. Wish I could take the hurt away.
Take care everyone, and especially take care of yourselves. We all have so many people who really need us in some way. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: February-Will the Groundhog See His Shadow? #56646

We have all really had our shares of funny weather haven’t we? It is cloudy here today, and about 70 degrees, but is cooling of and supposed to rain this weekend. DD, I am really glad about all that snow and ice finally stopping out your way; since our son is close to Sacramento, and we have been so worried about the I think it is called the Ore Dam, and all the terrible flooding going on. We do not do well with ice in our area; and that is what we tend to get here. I am terrified to try to walk on it; in fact; I just stay indoors. I worry about all of you that have to deal with ice and snow. Just the mention of it here causes people to act crazy and rush and push for groceries and gas. It is an absolute madhouse. We do not have the big equipment in our area of the country to put down salt or clear ice and snow like I think you all may have. Everyone be safe.
We have fish in our pond, Gail. We have to deal with beaver, and muskrats. Those muskrats eat our fish, and it really upsets Jerry. Ours are sort of like pets too. When we walk out to the pond, we throw out fish food and they just come running to the top of the water, and it just thrills us to watch them feed like a puppy would. When they see us standing by the pond they start coming to the top of the water and you can see the whole fish. Some of them are big. It just hurt Jerry so badly when he realized that all the small fish we were stocking the pond with was being eaten by those muskrats. And they look like giant rats; just awful. We have possoms here as well. And we had to get an automatic feeder to go on our patio for the dogs; because those possoms would hiss and snarl at our puppy dogs. They were vicious animals. I know they will play “dead” as a defense mechanism, but I am afraid of them. The boys found a mama possom with her babies on her back one day out back by our barn, and they just let her pass by so she didn’t hiss at them. I was so grateful they didn’t try to mess with her, because we MaMa’s get upset quickly over our little ones. LOL
Adele, I bet no one even noticed the crust on your lemon bars. Oh, how I love that tart taste of a good lemon bar. Yes, I do make whipped cream for the chocolate pies. None of the frozen stuff for my spoiled bunch. One thing I learned over the years is when you fix the “good stuff” first, they are spoiled from then on, and so is the baker. ha ha
Hope you are feeling better, Gail. I know it is old fashioned but I just gargle salt water in my “bag of tricks”. My Mama told me years ago that the salt would “kill the bad bacteria” and it does help me. So sorry your glands are swollen.I am with MawMaw in the eat dessert first group too. She loves my banana pudding; so I think I will make her some this weekend. I am trying to put weight on her. I have plenty of my own that she can have. Wish it was that easy. But I do love to decorate my chubby bits.
Take care all, and know that good wishes are coming to each of you and your families. Our poor itty bit has an ear infection; so we are so worried. He is the love of our life; but you all probably have figured this out already. What are your little grands up to? You do have to admit we Quackers just have a knack for having the sweetest children, grands, puppies, kitties, and good friends not to mention those handsome men in our lives. Take care. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: February-Will the Groundhog See His Shadow? #56395

Sorry for all the sickness girls. Surely hope you and your fellows will be much better soon. I know you are keeping a good watch on your Mom, Adele. Jerrys Mom is doing some better; but just not much appetite. She lost about 10 pounds while she was sick; and unlike me; she didn’t have it to lose. She is not a complainer; and it worries Jerry because she doesn’t complain. I know that sounds silly, but he feels she doesn’t feel good; but just won’t say so. I made a chocolate pie for her and we also made some cornbread and fresh beans; which she likes both; so she did eat a good amount of that. She ate the pie first; and I told Jerry that was fine; just as long as she was eating. She tires easily; but I know this is to be expected when she was so anemic.
Colleen, you give me too much credit when it comes to doing all the baking for others. It has a LOT to do with my chubby bits wanting sweets and I cook the goodies for me and use all my loved ones as an excuse LOL
We are going out to dinner with our neighbors tonight. Just to a small place in town; but I am looking forward to a nice evening out and to catch up. I think it will do us both good. So take care of yourselves and I know you all will be taking care of your loved ones. Have a good evening. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: February-Will the Groundhog See His Shadow? #56277

Hope everyone has had a good day. Ours was Fabulous; since Sarah came over with baby Colin and we got to spend about 3 hours loving on him. He is absolutely the light of our lives; but I guess you all can kind of tell that. Neal had called us last night; and actually said that she was “leaving the baby with us while she goes shopping” but somehow I guess those plans changed. She made no mention of going anywhere; so we didn’t either. Jerry finally said he would go into town and get dinner for all of us; but she said she had a late lunch. So he and I just played and played and he took a nap in my arms; so I got more snuggle time than poor Jerry. She did tell us that her parents would be driving her car with her and the baby to California in March. Neal had asked Joey to do this; but we know that plans can and do change. Neal will be moving into his new apartment the 1st of March. It is still raining where he is; but he said that the dam is still holding. He has told us that he feels like he is far enough away from that dam that he is okay; but you know we worry about that.
On the corned beef recipe Adele, I have made it by putting the veggies in the sealed foil packet on top of the meat and you really do not taste the beef that way; but I have also just placed the veggies on top of the beef and the butter on top of the layer of veggies, and you CAN taste the corned beef that way. I forgot to tell you all this. Some of my family likes the beef taste in everything, and some want the veggies just to be seasoned and buttered and seperate from the corned beef taste. Hope that helps explain that. I did red velvet cupcakes and cream cheese icing yesterday with pork chops and mashed potatoes and corn on the cob for dinner last night. It was good. I was in a cream cheese mood but didn’t have time for a cheesecake. Yours sounds deliscious. Hope Tillie is feeling much better. So far so good for Jerrys Mom. You are so right Gail; the busy times of taking care of others does make us lose sight of ourselves, and I have missed just sitting and laughing with Jerry. His feeling have really been hurt over several things here these last few months and it begins to take it’s toll on you.
Colleen, the only time Jerry grew a mustache he looked like a bandit. I couldn’t get over it, and it also itched me. A lot of men here have no hair and they shave their heads. Jerry said they do this like everyday to look good. As lazy as I am in shaving my legs I cannot imagine having to do my head everyday. Our neighbors head looks shiny. Jerry said they wax it after they shave it. Don’t know why I think this is so funny.
Love the pictures DD. It feels like Spring here; so they are appropriate. I just feel we are to have some bad weather ;yet to come.
Good night everyone. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: February-Will the Groundhog See His Shadow? #56167

Gail, I thought it was just me thinking the roses don’t smell hardly at all anymore; so I am glad to hear you think so too. I remember years ago you could smell the waft of roses in the air from your neighbors bushes let alone your bushes. Each spring I go around trying to sniff the roses for sale at the garden center for a fragrant one, and just cannot find one. I think its like you said, they have messed with nature too much and lost it’s beautiful fragrance. Do you have gardenias there are is the weather too cool? They smell so good. Just love them. I have resisted so far with all the planting shows on but I just keep reminding myself that I have had zero luck in getting even the simplist of plants to bloom. I couldn’t even get the ornamental grass to work. It came up, but just looked “sick” and Jerry even babied it for me, but didn’t help. Yes, his trees are still standing that big ears chewed on so badly. They have a long running thick wire from tree to tree out back at their house; and he is doing better since they put him on that if they cannot be with him. He is a sweet doggie, but once his nose gets a scent of something he is off and running. He is microchipped; and Lisa monitors him on her I-Phone app; but he is still a baby so to speak. I have to really be careful; because he doesn’t pay close attention and if something distracts him he just takes off and I am afraid he will knock me down. But Jerry is some better now; but this will always be a sore subject for him, I know. We inherited Neals short haired pointer too, Ellie and Lisa has the coon hound, Dodger. I love him to death. He is big, but so gentle. And Ruby stays indoors with Joey and Lisa. I guess you all can tell by this that they are still together, and now Jerry and I are thinking this will be permanent. It sort of dawned on us one day to ask very few questions and if the boys had something they wanted to talk to us about they would. It is SO hard for Jerry, but I told him one day that I just couldn’t continue to worry about them, that I felt I needed to concentrate my “worrry” about he and I instead. I know I am a “worrier” but I call it just love for our family, but I really feel I was giving Jerry the short end of my attention, and he was doing the same to me. We have made our family such a big part of our lives that somewhere in there we sort of lost our direction. Gosh, I need to go on Dr. Phil or Oprah or something. LOL
By the way, it seems like someone was saying they like corned beef and cabbage; so I have an easy recipe that goes in the CROCK POT whoo hoo. Here it is if anyone wants to try it.
Crock Pot ONe pot corned beef cabbage potato dinner
3-4 pound corned beef brisket with seasoning packet (they sell those at our store and its called corn beef seasoning)
1/ 1/2 to 2 cups water
3-4 potatoes, peeled and cut into large pieces
head of cabbage, sliced and cored
1 stick of butter, sliced ( I am from the south you know)
salt and pepper to taste

1. place the brisket fat side up in the crock pot
2, sprinkle your seasoning packet on top and pour water over the top of the brisket until it is almost covered, but not completely.
3. make a foil packet that will fit in your crock pot on top of your brisket and fill it with your potatoes, sliced cabbage, butter slices and salt and pepper
4.close foil packet and place on top of brisket
5.cover and cook on low for 8 hours
6. slice brisket and serve with cabbage and potatoes
This is easy for me to make for St. Patricks Day. Even the kids liked it when they were little. If you try it; I hope you like it.

Jerrys Mom is doing good. She wanted a milkshake today when we went out there. We didn’t get to do the Valentine party; but we did send the apples from the Q, and I made two pans of brownies and I had already gotten the party hats and balloons; so the staff put that up for us
Hope everyone has a good weekend. We have been worried about Neal being so close to that dam in California that is overflowing. If it’s not one thing its another, isn’t it? Take care everyone. Hugs, Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: February-Will the Groundhog See His Shadow? #56045

Hello ladies. Hope your hubbies are feeling better now. Gosh Gail, that is so strange about the numbess in Greggs feet. I too thought it could be related to either diabetes or a pinched nerve in his back. Isn’t it something how it seems like there should be a simple answer to this; but it is like a puzzle that needs that ONE piece to have the answer. Poor Jenny with the scoliosis. I know she must be frightened to think at such a young age that she will deal with this issue with all the lifting and pulling, etc. that a young mom has to do all the time. When your baby gets sick, they look to Mom to pick them up and thats what we just do naturally. Will they treat it with a brace or any type of back support? I remember back when I was a child that at our elementary school every year the school nurse would line us all up and check for scoliosis, but I guess that was due to it being the 50’s, and we had such bad things going around then. Funny I should think about that now after all those years. Adele, how is Garys cold doing? Those things make you feel so bad. And with the weather you all have been having, I know you must have had to stock your pantry up extra well to prepare for all the ice and snow that has come your way. Are you in on this weather too Sue? I know you must be thrilled not to have to try to get to work in all of this now.
Jerrys Mom is out of the hospital. She was released yesterday. Jerry got so nervous and upset when he got out there since they were fixing up her dinner and it had some fried fish on it and she cannot have anything fried. She is doing great now, and he wants to keep it that way. We do have to watch her carefully now, but she feels so much better. Jerry went and got her some pudding cups and some yogart and then he filled my ear up for 30 minutes of how they should have the right food for her, and I said, Jerry how do you expect them to be ready at a moments notice to change her whole diet? That got him to quit fussing. He has been so worried, but he slept so good last night and I didn’t wake him until about 10 this morning. He needed the rest. Oh, by the way, neither of us did a Valentine card this year. I did get him one of those thermos like cups and a handle for it so he can take his coffee with him in the car without spilling it. He loves a big cup that Neal got for him at Lamberts restaraunt years ago, but he has dropped it so many times and finally broke a huge chunk out of it. Knowing him he is still going to hold on to it. LOL
Take care everyone, and hope your day is going well. Boy those BBQ chicken wings that Jill is showing right now is making me hungry, so better see if that roast is ready. It smells like it is. Barbara

[Barbara Smith]

in reply to: February-Will the Groundhog See His Shadow? #55902

Hello everyonel Colleen, your party for Stephen sounds like you all had so much fun. And that was so sweet about your getting a patriotic lesson from a child. I am glad they liked your Quacker. Even little ones love the sparkle. I know Colin does. HIs little eyes just light up. Hope your weather is getting better Sue and Adele. You all have had such a hard time this winter. And then DD has been having that crazy ice/rain/ice thing going on. And we actually opened our windows yesterday to air out the house bacause it was so beautiful and I love to air out the house whenever I can. But we are to get cold again I think tomorrow so back again for us. LOL
Jerrys Mom is still in the hospital. THey have been so good to her, and keep us updated really well. THey have begun to let her have clear fluids today; and gave her another unit of blood yesterday. They did explain to us that they had to restrain her wrists last night because she pulled her IV out 4 times; so she is pretty buised today from them restarting the IVs. She bruises so easily. But she is in a really good mood today; so we know she is feeling better. The nurse said she knows it is because she has those memory problems that is why she kept pulling the IV out. I wish we could just keep her blood count up. Jerry will be talking with the social worker tomorrow and that will help us know a lot more. Thank you for your prayers.
I loved the evening quacker show. I did get the flower duet in lavender, I love that color but I don’t see it very often. They had so many pretty things, but I have to pace myself.
I have been so sleepy all day. And I got a good nights rest last night. I think we have just been on the move too much here lately and it has caught up on us. Jerry said for me to stay home today and he would go visit his Mom by himself. I hated to have him go alone, but it surely feels good just to be sitting here and not walking through that big hospital. He will be tired when he gets in. We are doing the veggies and dip, cheese and crackers thing tonight. Neither of us are real hungry tonight; but that may change LOL
We really don’t get to see a lot of itty bitty. Sarah has moved back in with her parents. She is supposed to leave in about two weeks to meet Neal. I have such mixed feelings about so many things that I just try to push them to the ” I will think of this tomorrow” part of my mind. I think she should have been with him from the time he went to Calif. but that was not our decision. I have done everything I can think of to try to show our love for her and the baby; but we just don’t seem to “jive” and it really hurts me and Jerry. I will always think that the fact that our son has been away for all this time that this is part of the reason, but who knows? I know we just cherish every single moment that we have with the baby; but will be so happy for them to be together, like they should be.
Take care everyone. Hope you have a good week ahead. Barbara

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