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Hello everyone! It is beautiful and very springlike here today. Next weekend, though? They are forecasting a significant snowstorm with snow accumulation down to my elevation level - which is 2235 feet above sea level. Yikes! I'm hoping it doesn't happen.
Lisa, we live in the foothills up out of Sacramento CA towards Lake Tahoe. Deer are a frequent sight around here. We always love to see them (since I'm not trying to grow a garden or flowers). We also have bears and mountain lions, coyotes, foxes, etc in the woods all around us. Tonight, we'll probably have bears in the neighborhood because trash collection is tomorrow and they seem to know the garbage schedule.
Shelly, I hope you have made it safely home by now - though I wasn't clear when you were headed that way.
Sharon, I currently have shorts on because it has gotten too warm right now...
MerMer5050, I hope you join us on the Alphabet Challenge. All are welcome, Ann is our host extraordinaire!
I would like to request your prayers for my oldest brother, Terry. He is having deep brain stimulation surgery tomorrow at 2:00 pm Mountain time. It is supposed to help control his hand tremors due to Parkinson's. We are very hopeful.
Shirl, you and John continue to be in our prayers.
Good morning! Today is the day...it was quite a process for my brother to get approval for this surgery. At first, they said he was too old but then, when they realized how well he is doing (classes at the YMCA have helped him a lot with his Parkinson's symptoms) they reconsidered. My sister-in-law texted this morning that there has been a revision to the schedule and his start time is now 2:30 pm Mountain, instead of 2 pm. I asked her what time estimate they gave for the surgery length and she said 4-6 hours.
Thank you, Sharon!
Yesterday, DH and I wrangled wood. I carted wood up onto our deck where we have a rack to hold wood. That supply had gotten low. And DH was splitting (using a log splitter) wood and I was stacking it. Our wood supply was getting a little low and they are forecasting snow down to our level next weekend. I'm still hoping it doesn't come but DD2 is hoping it does. DD2 made a delicious dinner for us...she is so sweet!
Needless to say, I'm a little scattered today thinking about my brother and this procedure. I've seen amazing results and I'm praying for that for my brother.
Hi everyone, boy this past week came and went. I got back yesterday from visiting family in the northwoods. Yes, Wisconsin weather is very changeable. The two weekends were quite cold; the week was pretty mild. There isn't a lot to do up there unless there is snow and you are into snowmobiling, skiiing, sledding, which we are not. There is more to do in Rhinelander where my sister lives. Theyve had very little snow this year. I think my brother ran the snowblower 3 times total. Last year they were inundated, snowed in late April, which isn't that unusual.
The best things about being up north:
1) Judy's cooking
2) their pups which are just awesome. Rowdy is a big old black bear of a Lab and Scout is a petite little girl, very sweet. If she especially likes you, when you get up in the morning, you get a sweet little growl, kind of like what a wookie sounds like.
3) The quiet, the wildlife, the birds. The swans have appeared and they flew over me when I was down at the creek. I would have missed them if one of them hadn't honked. I was hoping to see them swimming but not to be. Pretty soon, they will have all sorts of waterfowl, like mergansers and wood ducks. They are beautiful.
4) Excellent fish fries and food at the restaurants.
Catherine, how old is your brother? I'm so glad they approved the surgery. It's about quality of life, not age, IMHO.
I would like to request some good thoughts for my sister and brother in law. Dale is having his pacemaker replaced on Thursday. This will be the third one he's had; this one will have two wires instead of one, because of his age and he needs a bit more boost. His pacemaker needs to work 24/7. It has been a long slog to get to the point where the cardiologist said it was time. He has had symptoms of shortness of breath for a few weeks but they still wouldn't say it was time. He has to do monthly phone checks on his unit and it was about a year ago that they said he was down to 0% on battery. No idea why it took so long for them to say it was time; it was very frustrating. I'm beginning to wonder if moving up there was a good idea considering his heart. The healthcare in northern Wisconsin is not great, has never been great. It is probably better than it was but it is so below what we have in other parts of the state. He had to do a chemical stress test before they would say it was time. The test was ok although they said he has had some a-fib. He had some a-fib the last couple of monthly checks but he was never told that. He needed the pacemaker because he had a congenital problem with a valve, which wasn't ready to be replaced. That valve has been replaced quite a few years ago, probably will need to be replaced again. He has to go down to the middle of the state for the procedure; they don't do them near his home. That is another issue.
Hello to everyone else, thinking of all of you. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
__________________ Jean Bean the Dancing Queen "You can play a shoestring if you're sincere." -John Coltrane
Jean, sorry to hear about your BIL Dale. Health care is a challenge no matter where you live now-a-days. The corporate world and insurance companies have too much say in doctoring IMHO. I'll add your sister and Dale to my prayers. I'm glad you enjoyed your time up North.
I'm working on a watercolor painting of humpback whales for my daughter's birthday, March 10th. That was her request. I'm also working on a quilt. It feels good to be able to sit for longer than a 1/2 hour with my knee. I'm doing my exercises and walking. Making progress.
__________________ Judy aka Gracie "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud." Maya Angelou
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Hi everyone, I just got a text from my SIL that Terry's procedure was delayed (always my concern with later start times for surgeries). They just wheeled him into surgery at 5:30 pm Mountain time when it was supposed to be 2 pm. And they told my SIL to expect three hours when before they had said 4-6 hours. Not sure if that should concern me or what...thanks for your prayers. I'll let you know when I learn more.
Sorry to read about your BIL's health challenges, Jean.
I agree that insurance has far too much say in healthcare, Gracie.
Catherine, glad that surgery went well. Phew.
Gracie, please share that painting you are doing. I gave my sister in law two of my paintings for her birthday.
__________________ Jean Bean the Dancing Queen "You can play a shoestring if you're sincere." -John Coltrane
Praying for you all. I just heard yesterday that our favorite hospital is being purchased by Wellspan. It was a not for profit hospital, but they say they lost 29million last year and needed to go in this direction. I hate change. I hope it is a good thing.
Jean, hear a photo of the humpback whale (mom and baby) watercolor I'm doing for my daughter. It is still taped down and I'm not sure if it's totally finished yet, I never know when to stop...ha ha.
__________________ Judy aka Gracie "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud." Maya Angelou
Last edited by JRHolbrook; 02-27-2024 at 11:20 AM..
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Good morning! It is sunny and bright this morning. There was a man from a tree company doing some strange things around a power pole out between our property and our next door neighbors. It is right on the dividing line between our properties but we didn't know what he was doing. He hadn't identified himself to us, didn't know about our neighbors, so DH went out to investigate. He is apparently sub-contracted with the power company to test the power poles for pole integrity, verify there is no core rot etc in them. I love their communication about what is going on...not! If DH hadn't been here, I would have been out checking on what he was doing. I'm not one to let it slide. I've always been that way - from when I was a kid and would inform hunters that they were on private property without permission. (That one was a bit ridiculous as my parents only had 1.6 acres of land so it wasn't like the hunters could be lost out in the woods!)
My SIL sent a text that Terry was brought to his hospital room around 10:45 pm and walked from the hallway to his bed. The nurses asked him a few questions and had him follow Margie's finter from one side to the other. When it appeared they were done, he burst out singing the old hymn Praise to the Lord. When they asked him about pain, he said he had a bit of a headache. Love the good report from her.
Kathy, I googled Wellspan Health and it says it is a charitable, mission driven organization so hopefully, it is a good change for your community and hopefully they can manage the hospital in a positive manner.
Gracie, your painting is beautiful, wonderful watercoloring! I'm glad I'm not the only one who never knows if I'm done!
Good morning, everyone. We are under a blizzard warning until 4:00 pm today....with no precipitation in our forecast. I'm not sure how that works. It does look like we'll get snow this weekend though.
Ann, thank you for letting us know about John. Continued prayers for Shirl.
It's 56 outside, raining, windy and I heard thunder.
We had that yesterday. Get your coat out for tomorrow. We dropped 50 degrees in one day. It is warming a bit, but will be warming in the next few days. It was 22 when I woke up and it is now 36 headed for 55 tomorrow. Crazy weather!
It only dropped to 25 overnight. It's already 31. The Amish roofers are here working on mom's new metal roof. It's pretty windy so we're hoping they don't blow off the roof! They put their sign out to drum up more work. I think they're planning to get the foundation strips down today and finish up the rest tomorrow. It shouldn't be so windy tomorrow.
Ann, I keep forgetting to thank you for the birthday card and diecuts!
Good morning from blizzard country...or not. The blizzard warning has been extended to 4 pm today. At least today there is a chance of rain. Until today, the blizzard warning has all been over a time period that included no precipitation in the forecast. It was supposed to be raining right now but it is just overcast. Perhaps the storm has decided to be fashionably late.
Crazy weather some of you are having. DD1 texted that yesterday morning it was 75 there in TN in the morning and by midday, it was 48.
My brother, Terry, is doing well. SIL sent a couple of photos - he's got enough staples in him that I think we can call him Frankenstein! She sent them along with the comment that Terry was concerned about getting the part straight! At least his sense of humor is intact. I did learn that Monday's procedure was just to implant the device and wires. In a couple of weeks, after the swelling has gone down, he'll see the doctor and they'll get the device tuned up so it helps him. I'm excited for him.
Last night, DD2 and I went to a Cocoa and Crafts thing that Women's Ministry was hosting. It was fun. I got to hang out with my friend whose mom (also my friend) passed away last year and some of whose stamps I have been blessed to receive. It was good to see her there and was a fun evening.
Yes, praying for Jean's brother-in-law's procedure.
You are so welcome, Kathy! Hope you have a good day!
Granddaughters bday party is this weekend, so I am busy baking cheesecakes and a cake for the party!
March is a busy month for birthdays in my family, 2 sons and one DIL have birthdays! Wrapped gifts yesterday so that is all done for the month! Yup, I am ahead of the game!
I asked my sons born in the same month if they disliked having their birthday parties with family together. They said most of the time they did not mind, they got their gifts growing up! LOL!
Jean, hoping your BIL surgery goes well.
Stay warm everyone! Mother Nature is PMSing I think!
Yes, Close to My Heart is closing with it's last date in June. I saw a video or two. I posted a note in the General Stamping Forum and people who know things are chiming in. I thought they only were scrapbooking and I do not scrapbook, but saw card kits on their website. It is sad to see them go after being in business for 40 years and always seeing their product in magazines over the years.
Hello everyone! It is a stormy day/weekend here. In fact, it looks like it is going to be a stormy weekend with snow in our forecast tomorrow morning. We'll see if it actually happens but it is looking likely.
I've been busy cleaning the house and doing laundry.
Ann, do you still get birthday gifts for your boys now that they are grown up?
Kathy, I have a few Close to My Heart stamp sets, a couple of birthday sentiment sets and then three sets that look like an eye chart. The eye chart ones were so cute that I had to have them but I hardly ever use them. One of my neighbors, when we lived in town, was a Close to My Heart consultant. It was definitely sad news to hear they are closing. All of my stamp sets are in clear, heavy duty pockets. I do have a Fun Stamper's Journey stamp set that is in a cardboard folder type package.
I'm just hoping that, if we get snow, we still keep our power. We'll see!
Happy Saturday....apparently I was sooooo busy this week, I couldn't get back on this thread. Actually this week was extremely quiet and I was rather bored. Lack of energy, I felt like I could have napped all day yesterday. Only thing fun I did was have coffee with my daughter and that was a very quick coffee because Mirren only has a half day on Wednesdays. Liz will be glad to see those half days go away next year. She has so little time to herself. I had to laugh a bit because last weekend, Mirren spent a whole 24 hours at a friend's house. Scott was moaning how much he missed her and wanted her home. Liz, on the other hand, because she spends so much time with the two girls, was more than happy for her to be gone. Mirren is challenging, always competitive with Clare and always needing to be entertained. Reminds me of a little girl I once knew (that would be Liz).
The girls had their teacher conferences this week. Clare's teacher wants Clare to take an advanced placement test in May for math next year. Liz is wondering whose child Clare is. I guess part of it is to get Clare into a group of kids who will work hard and not be a problem in class, not that Clare is a problem. Her teachers love her. Mirren's conference was great too. She is a natural leader.
Dale's procedure went pretty well. They stayed overnight at a hotel because the hospital is about two hours south of where they live. Yes, healthcare and hospitals are challenging up there. They were going to put an extra wire in but Dale has too much scar tissue in his heart from his bad valve. He has a cow valve now, put in years ago. So he only has two wires. I guess they might have to go back in and try again for that third wire. They really liked the cardiologist but he doesn't take on patients, just does procedures. He is from Ukraine. The cardiologist said Dale is a very complicated, difficult case. I have no idea what the future holds, just take one day at a time, of course.
Dale was able to take home his old pacemaker and it can be donated someplace for dogs or cats. Did you know that they can implant them in animals??? I did not know that and neither did Janet and Dale.
Speaking of hospitals, Kathy, are you able to go to more than one hospital? You said you had a favorite hospital. In my family's experience, a hospital going from non-profit to profit is not good. My sister worked at a Franciscan hospital for years, the nuns sold it to Ascension and it has been downhill from then on. I'm sorry to say all that.
Yes, the weather has been weird to say the least. We're chilly but definitely warming up. It has been windy and I guess tomorrow is going to be super windy. The weather app shows the wind sock!!!!!!
Gracie, your painting is lovely. The water is beautiful! My daughter was fascinated with humpbacks when she was young. I just watched a wonderful PBS show about a man who would dive and hang out with whales. I think it was a Nature program.
Catherine, so glad Terry is doing well. Time will tell, I'm sure. And yes, thumbs up to no power loss this weekend. I've had some on again/off again internet issues this week, maybe the wind??
Very sad for Shirl and family. I had sent a card earlier which I hope she got. I'll send another one soon.
I have a good high school friend who just had a hysterectomy for endometrial cancer and now knows she will need chemo because she is stage 3. She is single, never married, still lives in the family home with her sister and disabled niece. I'm very sad for her. Her doctor is optimistic.
Ann, hope your cakes turned out well and the party is lovely. And I hope you survive with Brad there too. Clare will be 13 on March 31, which is Easter Sunday. I thought that was interesting....13 on the 31st. I guess we'll do some kind of party the next weekend, since it will be Easter.
I have a few CTMH sets from very long ago. I had a stamping friend who was a demo. They have lasted a good long time. amazing!
Well that's it from me for now. The sun is out, the birds are chirping and I'm hearing a ton of activity from bird in my soffits. I'm so anxious for those to be closed up. Remember, Jean, patience is your 2024 word. I feel like some work could have been done when the weather was good. I know Scott needs someone to help him but......patience, Jean, patience. There was an awful squawking going on this morning. Arghghghg help me.
__________________ Jean Bean the Dancing Queen "You can play a shoestring if you're sincere." -John Coltrane
Jean, wow, it sounds like Dean is a challenging case with his heart issues. I'm glad he has one procedure behind him. Hopefully, they can get the third wire in, too. Sorry to hear about your friend's cancer, but glad her Dr. is optimistic. Jean, I did post a photo of my humpback whale watercolor that you asked to see earlier in this thread.
Catherine, California sure is having weird weather...of course, a lot of the nation has had strange weather this year. Windy here.
Kathy, I'm glad the guys finished your mom's roof.
Ann, I have several birthdays in March also. Going to work on cards today. My DH loves cheesecake!
I used to sell CTMH stamps for a couple years, so I have lots of Close to My Heart stamps back in Wisconsin.
Have a great weekend everyone.
__________________ Judy aka Gracie "Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud." Maya Angelou
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Jean, I can go anywhere I want. I just preferred this hospital compared to Geisinger, which is a teaching hospital and expensive. You have to shuttle bus or walk a long way there. I'm not exactly sure if Wellspan us a for profit. I didn't pay close enough attention to the report.
Hello everyone! We have had quite the stormy weekend here. We had snow but nothing stuck...to DD2's great disappointment. The wind was horrid. I am so not a fan of wind. At least we are finally out of blizzard warning...which was never applicable to our area anyway.
So glad the roofers got your mom's roof done - and without getting blown off the roof!
I did look up Wellspan Health and it says that they are a charitable, mission-driven organization so you might be just fine with your favorite hospital, Kathy. I hope so.
Jean, remind me, is Mirren the younger daughter? I understand your daughter's appreciation of a break, I appreciated those as well as we spent so much time together as well.
I'm glad Dale's procedure went pretty well. Sorry to read that his is a complicated case and I did not know about old pacemaker's being donated for dogs or cats.
We don't really have many March birthdays, my SIL's is the 6th, but it is DH's and my anniversary this month on the 22nd.
Jean I did get your lovely tree card. I love trees! Thank you so much. Thank you Gracie, Jan, Shelly, Kathy for your cards.
Sharon I got your sweet birthday card too. Thank you so much.
Thank you everyone for all your prayers. I still need them going forward. Still overwhelming and stressful for me. Still can't believe it. But the hospice experience was truly amazing. We were blessed. Life feels all up in the air and scattered all over the place in many directions. We will be taking it slow planning the celebration of life. Could be a few months. We are all exhausted.
I am swamped with many things I have to do at the moment but I do have help.
Kathy, I popped your birthday card in the mail on Sat. Won't go out till Monday though so it will be fashionably late as they say. Karen told me she used to get mail delivered on Saturdays and I guess picked up too, but that does not happen in Canada.
Catherine how did your brother's operation go? I did pray. It is just too much for me to go looking back through, if you posted, which I am sure you did.
Gracie your whale picture looks awesome. You are very talented.
We have cold and rainy here but I am not complaining. Been out for a few walks when it has been drier.
love to all,
Shirl
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