Pot Bellied Stove / Water Cooler

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  • arobed53
    arobed53 Posts: 2,004 Member
    Looks like it has been my usual 7 days between writing again. So back to a week ago Saturday in the afternoon, we drove about 2 hours to a 50th wedding anniversary of some friends. When our kids were little, we drove down and visited a lot. Their girls were a bit older than our kids but they got along well and they would sometimes watch them when we adults went to do something. They didn’t know we were coming so a fun surprise and nice to catch up a bit. We didn’t stay as long as we thought we would so on the way home I suggested we stop by and see if the person who cuts my hair was working. We’ve been having a hard time meeting up. She was and stayed past her time to do my hair. Had a nice visit. She went a little shorter but I am enjoying it. She got done in time for us to get to church for the start of our Fall Conference.

    Sunday was Youth Sunday. I taught our SS lesson and we had a full class – the 9 regulars and 2 visitors. Glad 3 of us were there as we also had 2 with dirty diapers. The service was good. The youth did everything but the message since it was the Fall Conference. Grandson Thomas was in a skit and did an excellent job, IMHO. After the service, they served a meal. If you wanted, donations were taken for the sprint work project. It was a good meal and good visiting. Went back in the evening for the end of the Conference.

    Monday was at home so I got done what I could. Tuesday I had the morning at home – another blessing. The afternoon was Good News Club. The building we meet in is used for voting so we had to meet upstairs – gives a different feel but the kids did fine. We were bad and did not go vote. It was only school board and only one candidate was running for each position. Tuesday was also the day Katie’s grandfather died (had cancer) and Deacon was put in the hospital with his asthma. He was in PICU for the first day and on constant breathing treatments so couldn’t even eat.

    Wednesday morning I went and walked early. When Ralph went out to chore, he noticed that all the antifrieeze had drained (I probably would not have noticed.) So we drove it over to the farm for Alan to check out and took the other car to town for Ralph’s appointment with a rheumotologist. She was very nice – confirmed he has fibromalgia and osteoarthritis (which almost everyone gets as they age). She’ll send a recommendation. Then we went up to see Deacon who was doing much better – just on room air and waiting to be moved to a regular room. He had to stay another night to make sure his levels stayed up during the night. Alan had called to say we needed a water pump so we ate at McDonalds, visited a few thrift stores, got a water pump and went home. On the way home, katie called to see if I could pick up the kids from school cause she had to go to El Dorado to get Ava so I did that, came home and piddled and then babysat at church. Alan had the water pump changed so we were good to go.

    Thursday over the noon hour I took a friend and her adult daughter to an appointment. She bought my lunch afterwards. We ate at Sonic (good onion rings) as woman was too tired to walk any more. Then when school was out Ava came to my house. With her lack of attention span and always wanting attention they asked us to keep her while they went to the funeral so we had her until Saturday afternoon. She had to go with us to a concert for Aven that night. It was less than a half hour so she sat pretty well. They sang fun songs. Friday we did our town errands while she was in school. I even managed to get everything put away. For a treat we took her to McDonalds to eat an then we went to Thomas’ play. His part was small but he did it well. It was “You’re A Good Man, Charley Brown” and she sat pretty well through it.
    Saturday I let Ava sleep in which was only until 7 but she acted tired all morning so we laid down for naps after lunch and she slept for 2 hours. I made the cake for Sunday and “decorated” it. Got the paper supplies, drink, etc. together and Ava and I took it all over to the church and left it. We played after her nap until her family got back around 4:30. It was fun to let her watch Curious George to see that I some things she can sit still. In the evening we went to the County Achievement Night – not a big crowd but good refreshments and the program was nice. Only one other family from our club came but she was recognized for 2 things which surprised her. I realized this morning I forgot to go get the club sack so will have to run to town in the morning so I have everything for tomorrow night.
    Today was SS and church. I sat along in church cause Ralph went to Wichita to teach the Kenyan class. After church we set up tables, etc. and got set up for eating and packing shoeboxes. I got 8 Pizza Hut pizza (at half price so a good deal) and we have not quite one for leftovers. We packed 96 shoeboxes. Ralph has stuff to do 5 more this week and I have no idea how many Lori will do on her own. I’d love to help her do more but this week is pretty full in my mind and Thanksgiving is at my house the next week.

    Sheryl, good luck on the eyeglass shopping. You might have to just bite the bullet but I hope you can find a deal. Neat that your trees are so pretty. We have a few that turn but have to watch when we are out.

    Isabella, I can’t imagine selling eggs for $7 a dozen and for sure wouldn’t pay that much. Ours sell for $2 a dozen. I “make” Ralph come to the plays the grandkids are in. His lack of hearing is why he doesn’t’ like to go. I do have some leftovers from today so will enjoy them. I had to cook a little more and have been trying to keep the house straightened. That’s a job in itself. [Oh yeah we finally got that mouse – took a combination of a regular trap plus blue traps but he’s gone and so far haven’t seen any others.]

    Anew, always like it when you stop in. How nice that you can finally open the room safely. You have won the battle. Keep us up-to-date on letting things go. It encourages me to keep with it. Bummer on the neighbor and the fence. Silly people, traipsing across your yard. Sorry to hear about your cat. Do you think you’ll stay petless now? I don’t think you’ve ever been a downier – just telling us what’s happening with you.
    I love how Marcie still has an influence on us – you are going a Marcie and I often say I’m going to destuffify like Marcie did.

    Sheryl, is your kitten still hanging around? So glad Jim did get back to us – he didn’t have to. He didn’t mention Simon the can at all. Marcie did go to a doctor when she got diabetes. Some people have a high pain tolerance so maybe the problem didn’t really bother her or she put it down to something else. I loved Nancy’s comment on Costco – so true for many – one reason we don’t have a membership.
  • arobed53
    arobed53 Posts: 2,004 Member
    Oh yeah, toward the end of our time at church Ralph went to the library to wait - chairs are more comfortable. When I went to get him, he was talking to some man who had a boy with him. Said he came in cause he wanted to be baptized. Ralph said we don't have the baptistry ready all the time so he got up to leave - was wearing a bathrobe. We made sure he left and then made sure all the doors were locked. We're out in the country so strange too. Maybe we should have asked him more about what his needs but I was tired and ready to go home.
  • arobed53
    arobed53 Posts: 2,004 Member
    It has been a quiet week here. I spent M, T and W doing little at home. Monday I got ready for 4-H. I did the calendar, got the goodie bags done for the kids, went to town to get the sack I forgot to get Saturday evening and went to church to do things 3 times. But I felt ready by evening. We enjoyed pizza together and then had our program. Then quite a few hung around visiting afterwards.

    Tuesday morning I babysat for Bible study - a fun morning. A friend picked me up after that and took me out for my birthday (belatedly). We got home in time for me to load up and go to Good News Club. We had good refreshments - popcorn cake - but not practical cause you had to hold it all the time cause it would stick to the napkin. :) The story was on Nicodemus. I "got" to do the missionary story. I read it but it seemed like they listened okay. Then in the evening we went to the music program at the local school - invited by kids we give a ride to on Wednesday.

    Wednesday morning I went to church. Instead of working on the Echoes, we divided up the SS papers for the secretary. We got them all done by going just a little bit past our usual time. I got home, loaded up and Ralph and I went to town. I had a dental check-up so since it was his birthday he went along. (We celebrated with the family last Sunday). We went to the Etc. Shop, I walked down to the dentist and back, went out to Meridian Grocery, at McRibs at McDonalds and did a quick Wal-mart stop. Then in the evening was church.

    Thursday I got to start straightening the house. I also took the recycling in and Derek called to say he was almost done at he house he was building close to our church so we went over for a tour. Very nice. I had Bible study in the evening but got a few things done at home. The desktop looks better even though all I really did was make one big pile and make it neat.

    This morning we went to town and did the errands. I think I got all I needed for Sunday and Thanksgiving. I will find out on Thanksgiving when I sit down and make a list of who's coming and who's bringing what. :) No where to go tonight - will do our pizza and salads and see how much I get down on the list. I did make 2 more banana bread yesterday but gave them both away. Sour milk is closer to being gone.

    Hope all is going well for all of you.
  • arobed53
    arobed53 Posts: 2,004 Member
    Wow, it got up to 70 today. If it's like this Sunday or Thanksgiving, we'll have to make good use of he AC and in November.
  • isyvanek
    isyvanek Posts: 1,039 Member
    Hi all, our company had an employee appreciation day at the Del Mar Race Track (horse races). We had a special private celebrity booth and free lunch and drinks also. It was really nice to spend time with our co-workers outside of work. Dan didn't want to go so I rode with my co-worker Briana. Got home about 5pm and Dan and I went to Chick-Fil-A then did our Trader Joe's and Sprouts grocery shopping.

    Well, plumber is here so I will close and come back later to explain.
  • arobed53
    arobed53 Posts: 2,004 Member
    Plumber - oh no.
  • arobed53
    arobed53 Posts: 2,004 Member
    Isabella, the employee appreciation day sounds very nice. You haven't come back yet - hope the plumbing problem wasn't that bad.

    Thought I'd pop in before the week gets any busier. I had today entirely at home. So I continued on with the cleaning I worked on Saturday. Saturday evening we had a southern gospel quartet at church. Wish more would have been there. It was very good good. Sunday I was in Sunday School and then in the nursery during church. Fixed hamburgers for dinner. Out of 24, I only had 3 leftover but it was nice today.

    I straightened all of Ralph's piles in the bedroom (and he didn't seem to mind) because I could hardly get to things to dust. I found 4 spoons and about 10 empty peanut butter jars which I washed and put in recycling. I still need to vacuum the basement stairs and basement and then what cleaning I'm doing is done. Then I need to set up tables for 30 and my part of the food stuff. I'll cut up the veggies tomorrow and then make 2 pumpkin pies and devil a bunch of eggs on Wednesday and cook the hams on Wednesday and dump the jars of gravy and make the boxed stuffing so not too bad at all.

    Tomorrow we still have Good News Club but most other activities have been cancelled for the week. We have a Thanksgiving Day service which is just people sharing what they are thankful for. We'll eat around 1 and hopefully everyone will hang around the rest of the day. Then bright and early Friday morning, Ralph and I will head for Dallas. We'll spend 6 hours each day helping process the shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Then Ralph hopes we can go to some Half Price Bookstores. We like to go to the three in the Kansas City area and there are 20 in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I'm a bit nervous for what traffic might be like. Guess we'll find out. Lori and her family are going to. She the boys will work and Jim will watch the girls. You have to be 13 to help so it's Jeremiah's first time. Besides the ones we did as a family, Lori (with the help of her kids) packed another 100). She's tired when done, but loves doing it.

    Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving whatever you do, whatever you eat, and whoever you are with. I'm thankful for each of you being a part of my life.
  • arobed53
    arobed53 Posts: 2,004 Member
    Hope all doing okay. About to finish up my list for today. And ready for the big day. Happy Thanksgiving.
  • isyvanek
    isyvanek Posts: 1,039 Member
    edited November 2017
    Good morning ladies - Happy Thanksgiving!!!

    I never did get back after my abrupt departure Sunday because the plumbers got here at 8:15am and were here until 8:45pm!!! The bad news is we had a slab leak from the hot water pipes leading to the kitchen. :( I'd been worried that we did for about a month because the floor was warm but Dan was in such a bad place that I kept throwing hints but didn't want to come right out and say it (in hind sight that was really stupid!). Things finally came to a head when we got our gas and electric bill and the gas bill was sky high - $200! Dan went out to check the gas meter and I told him he needed to check the water meter. Then a light bulb came on and he figured it out. He wasn't happy that I'd suspected and didn't come right out and tell him. We moved the plastic mat under the chair at the computer and it was moist but not wet. Yikes! (the computer room is right behind the hot water heater.) We never really had any areas that were actually squishy wet. We moved all the big stuff out of that room and Dan placed heavy duty space heaters in the computer room and in the hall (where I'd been feeling the warm floors) to dry the areas and called the plumber. $3,500 to re-route the pipes to the kitchen. Now we have to call a drywall repair guy to fix the holes they had to cut in the walls in various places. The good news (for which I am very thankful!) is that we called a mold remediation guy and he was amazed that he could not find any issues anywhere in the house. He scratched his head and told Dan I don't know what you're doing but keep doing it because I can't find any water or mold problems anywhere. The leak was right near our front door and he and Dan figured out that the water basically ran out that way. They found the very wet spot outside at a corner by the door where the water has been running out all this time. God is so good! He protected us from what could have been a much worse issue where we'd have had to replace walls and flooring especially since it had been leaking all that time.

    We were supposed to have Thanksgiving at Jami's house today but she had to go in for surgery yesterday. I don't remember if I told you about her problem with the mesh they put in to hold up her uterus? Well, she's been having all sorts of problems for like 5 years - bleeding, infection, (her headaches and vertigo may even be related to this) and kept asking the doctor if it was due to the mesh but he just kept ignoring her and coming up with other solutions such as performing a DNC, or cauterizing the area that kept bleeding. Well the bleeding got so bad that she finally demanded to see a specialist in mesh issues and sure enough the mesh broke away and has been cutting into her vaginal walls and may be growing into other organs. Yesterday the surgeon (a woman this time!) removed as much of the mesh as she could safely and sewed the vaginal wall and will wait to see the MRI before she takes any further action because if the mesh has grown too deeply into an organ it will be too dangerous to remove it. I'll keep you posted when I know more. We will try to visit her tomorrow or Saturday if she is up for it. She asked us not to come to the hospital so we will wait until she has been released. She also saw a lawyer on Monday but I haven't had a chance to find out what they told her. She isn't looking for a lot of money, she just wants her medical bills and lost wages covered.

    So Dan and I are on our own today which is fine with us. We didn't feel like a turkey so I am going to Sprouts to get a rotisserie chicken. I'll make some traditional sides to go with it and bought a mix at Trader Joe's to make maple pecan bars for dessert. Funny story, I asked the cashier at Sprouts what their hours would be on Thanksgiving and if they would be selling the rotisserie chickens and she advised us that they will have them but that we'd better come in early. They always run out of them on Thanksgiving because when people have a "turkey malfunction" they come in and buy up several chickens to rescue the day! So I'm hoping that if I go at around noon I will be able to get one. Guess we'll have an early meal maybe around 1pm. I also have an urge to make some hummus so I'll buy a can of garbanzo beans too - or maybe I'll use white beans. I already have a can of those. That could be interesting.

    I'm off tomorrow too so that will be really nice after all the overtime I've been putting in. I have been a week behind but as of yesterday am only 2 days behind. It feels really good going into a 4 day weekend with that weight off my shoulders for the most part. I feel like I am going to really have a little vacation. I am also reading a murder mystery which is hard to put down so I'm looking forward to getting some good reading time. Temps have been in the mid 80's to low 90's this week so we're having summer again!! Not sure how much I'll be able to stand sitting outside!

    Debora, I can't imagine 30 people for Thanksgiving!! But I guess you are used to those large dinners. Such a blessing to have those great family ties and memories. Can't believe how many shoe boxes you and your family have packed! You guys didn't pay for all the stuff to go in them did you?! And now a trip to Dallas to pack them all for shipping. The Lord is really smiling! Have a wonderful safe trip!

    Sheryl, are you and John doing anything different for Thanksgiving? What are you cooking?

    Anew and Jannie, hope all is well with you and your families.

    Have a wonderful Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving everyone. The blessing of your friendships are part of the many things I am thankful for today! Love to you all!!! Stay safe.
  • sannferris
    sannferris Posts: 1,432 Member
    Good Morning, I definitely have to delete some of these webinar/seminar things, they are taking over my life. I get email notices several times a day and seem compelled to watch. There were 4 more different ones going on over the holiday weekend and now, it's too much for me to keep up. Instead of learning and getting relief, I'm getting stressed that I can't absorb it all. And, I definitely can't afford to purchase them all and watch at my leisure.

    A quick recap of my week, sort of, what I can remember.

    Isabella, John and I had a quiet day at home. I had purchased a rib roast, but saved it for Friday because I had one Blue Apron meal (chicken) still from last week and I did not want any of it to spoil. So, Friday was our special meal, roast, baked potato and asparagus. I cook turkey dinner, with all the trimmings, several times a year, so it's not always my go-to meal for Thanksgiving.

    We had offered to take care of Jack and Gayla's animals so they could get away for the long weekend, but they cancelled so we didn't even go across the street. They both had colds or flu and whatever it was, stayed with Jack for several weeks. He took Sudafed to be able to get work done while sick and apparently overdosed, ended up with his heart racing. Friday, he spent at the hospital, they stopped his heart and restarted it again to get it back into rhythm. He's doing quite well now.

    I finally caught a large mouse or a small rat in one of the glue traps in the barn. It's not the big one that's causing all the major problems, but it's a start. I still have high hopes that I'll be able to out-smart that big rat someday. I just keep trying. I have him on surveillance camera videos, but he knows how to avoid the death traps. I think he looks into the camera and mocks me.

    We finally got John's glasses. Got him out a couple weeks ago to get them ordered and then once they called to say the glasses were ready to be picked up, John continued to find excuses not to go out. I finally insisted last Tuesday and we were in and out in a few minutes and he was shocked. He apparently had forgotten that they were already ordered and thought I wanted to take him out to go glasses shopping. Anyway, that's finally done and over with...until next time.

    John's calling me, so I'll leave now and hopefully be back.

  • sannferris
    sannferris Posts: 1,432 Member
    Good Morning, just barely, it's almost noon, where does the time go? Obviously I did not get back here yesterday, my days are filled with so much nothing, but that does take up all my time.

    One other thing I remembered, last weekend, we lost another chicken, so we are down to one last chicken, Robin.

    Wednesday of this week is forecast to be dry, so it will be a good day to go get a load of hay.

    John needs me again, so I'll sign off early again.
  • anewstart22
    anewstart22 Posts: 885 Member
    Good early morning, it's been nice 70's in daytime and 50's early mornings. We have a cold front that is supposed to roll through here sometime next week. I didn't pay much attention to what they were saying. Tomorrow I have an eye appt with my Opthalmologist with a dilation planned. I think everything is good though. It's just a recheck to see how things are going. Fence posts are almost all in and hubby is exhausted to say the least. It will be nice when it's all finished but I don't want him to overwork himself, so I demanded he not work on the fence when he got home from working all day. He is like that you know. He will work himself to the bone if I don't derail his thought processes sometimes.

    We had Thanksgiving dinner with my nephew and his wife, I also got to meet my grand nephew who is 6 years old now. What a blast that kid is, such a happy boy. It sounds like you all had a great holiday and now Christmas is upon us.

    Have a great day everyone!
  • anewstart22
    anewstart22 Posts: 885 Member
    Hi again, my appt with the eye doc went well. I received my results to the visual fields testing I had a few months back today with the good news that I do not have glaucoma, I do have some cataracts starting to form but nothing that needs addressing right now. Doc says I don't have to come in so often anymore, just once per year for dilation now to watch things.

    Hubby worked some on the fence leveling tonight, meaning he marked all the posts for where He needs to cut them off for the fence to be finished. We have a good slope from the front to the back so he will have to cut most of the pickets shorter all the way down the fence on both sides. That's alot more work than he wanted to have to do but it's the only way to have a level fence.

    Well, have a great night everyone.
  • arobed53
    arobed53 Posts: 2,004 Member
    Hello, I have lots to say so it will probably be a long one. Thanksgiving Day was nice. The weather was great – kids could go outside. I never counted but it was around 30. We evidently ate plenty at the meal cause we didn’t eat as much dessert and no one wanted me to get the leftovers out. Most stayed till around7 and the last ones left around 8. We worked a 300 piece puzzle, some took a walk, some got a nap (no kids) and lots of visiting. We went through most of the pop I ha gotten. Kids walked on the chickenhouse roof (glad I didn’t know at first), Madden wandered around and found several interesting things. Found a pop tart with one bit out of it after everyone left – I’m sure it was him. When I caught on, I shut some doors but oh well. After they all left, we got he suitcase out and packed and went to bed. Ralph said we would leave whenever he woke up.
    Who know when I’ll get to write more today so I just decided I’ll send this bit on and let you wait for more. Hope all is going well.
  • isyvanek
    isyvanek Posts: 1,039 Member
    edited December 2017
    Hi Ladies, so great to hear from all of you! I miss you! Sounds like everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. The rest of my long weekend was really nice. Very quiet. I was a slug and just sat and read my book all day Friday. It was wonderful. I visited Jami on Saturday and watched a movie with her. She is doing OK. Then Dan and I made our usual rounds grocery shopping.

    This week will be pretty much more of the same. Jami still isn't doing so well. She has an MRI on Wednesday that is expected to reveal "the rest of the story". She is very fearful of a painful lump in her abdomen. I'm going to call her shortly and see if she is up for a visit. Later Dan and I will do our grocery shopping. I think I am going to make my chicken hunter stew this weekend now that the weather is cooler. Dan had the plumbers back in for a consult yesterday. The decision was not to do the cold water pipes because not many people have issues with the cold. But Dan wants to have a lot of the plumbing valves, etc replaced. Everything he wants to have done will total approx. $2,500. But it will make him feel better about the safety of our system. Then he will get some drywall repair quotes. It was much cooler this week (yay!) mid 70's during the day and high 40's at night. Should be pretty much the same next week until Wed when it will get into the low 80's. The weather report says "fire weather watch" for the week though! I think it is because it will be dry and windy for the first 3 days. Yikes!

    They are having their annual "angel tree" at church for the local senior home. You pick an angel and a person's name is on it and what their gift request is. We chose a woman who wants a cotton sweatshirt. You'd think that would be pretty easy. WRONG!!! I can't seem to find cotton sweatshirts anywhere. The stores I've been to have sweatshirts that are 40% polyester or extremely trendy really odd "sweatshirts" that are all polyester. I finally found one that is 80% cotton in the men's dept at Target. I bought it so I would at least have something if I don't find exactly what I had in mind. As much as I hate the idea of a trip to the mall this time of year, I might have to make a quick stop at Macy's on my way back from Jami's to see if they have what I want. I looked on line and saw what seems to be pretty much what I want but the description only says that the material is a "blend" so I won't get it if it is 40% polyester. Not sure if the woman asked for cotton because she doesn't want it to pill or if she has an issue with polyester so I'm trying to get her what she asked for.

    Sheryl, I know what you mean about the emails for different series. I have them go into a folder instead of my inbox so I don't even see them unless I go to that folder. That way it doesn't make me (or Dan!) crazy. I signed up for a series on diabetes and obesity then never got back to it. It would probably have been a good one but oh well. I'm sure it would have come down to lose weight and exercise which just don't seem to be in my schedule right now. Did you watch any of that one? You never did say, where did you end up getting John's glasses? From the original place?

    Anew, so happy that the fence has started. I didn't know hubby was going to build it. He is amazing! Sounds like you're getting some decent weather. Has it gotten really cold from the cold spell? I wonder if it is the one we just had and it is now passing your way. Great news that you don't have glaucoma! Yearly visits to the eye doctor will be much better too.

    Debora, Too funny about Madden! He sure took advantage of everyone being occupied. He discovered that cold pop tarts weren't as tasty as he thought. :) How was the trip to Dallas?

    Ok, ladies, have a great week. I'll stop back by tomorrow if I get the chance.
  • arobed53
    arobed53 Posts: 2,004 Member
    Be warned - this is long long long.

    Ok, DH woke up early Friday morning and we were headed down the road at 4:30. I drove part of the way but he did most of it. We stopped for breakfast around 8 and got to the processing center around 11 and dropped of all the filler and shoeboxes we had taken. Then we started hunting for a “nearby” bookstore. It took awhile but we found it and got a few books. Then we decided we better start looking for the hotel since the directions I had from our house would no longer work and Dallas was not easy to drive in. Ralph got turned in directions and he doesn’t handle that very well. We even stopped at a car dealership and they tried to help us. We did find it – more by accident. There was a Chick-Fil-A close by so we ate there. Lori drove us to the processing center for our first shift. We worked from 4-10 pm. They had us watch a couple of videos to train us and then we were put at station 21. There are 24 stations in all and people can work on each side of each station if there that many there. We had a very nice woman in charge and she got us going. I did almost every job in my time there. The first person would open the box and take out the money if there was any and drop it into a box. Then it went up on a shelf. The next people would go through everything in the box to make sure it was new and what could be sent (like you would remove toothpaste, candy, war related items, etc.). They were put into a bucket and then donated to a women’s shelter or something. After you went though the box and repacked it, it went to a person who taped it and then it went into a packing box – there were 6 packing boxes – 3 for girls and 3 for boys and then for each age group. When those boxes got filled, they were moved to another line with rollers, sealed up and sent down to be loaded into a truck. If a box wasn’t very full, there was filler available to make if fuller. If it was very full, you still left it, because that’s what the person had wanted to send. Thomas packed boxes into the packing boxes and Jeremiah had the bar code deal. Some people pay online and get a follow your box label so you scan it and then the box it goes into and they will know what country it goes too. Most of the boxes we did were going to Mexico or Honduras. We took a break to eat out lunches. We packed lunches but Chick Fil A and Fireman Subs had stuff you could buy. We got done at 10, used google maps to get back to the hotel and didn’t take too long getting to bed. Standing on concrete and working steadily wore us out.

    Saturday, we enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at the hotel. I ate too much but do that a lot anyway but it was so good. Scrambled eggs, sausage, muffins, yogurt with toppings with a nice cup of tea. Until time to go, I enjoyed relaxing and reading. This time we had the hotel shuttle take us. That way Jim had the van to bring the girls for a tour later. We could skip the training this time. Ralph worked at the filler tables so he could sit in a folding chair and we were at a new station with a different person in charge. She did her job well but we didn’t mesh as well.
  • arobed53
    arobed53 Posts: 2,004 Member
    Okay, I had copied and pasted all that I did and then proofread it but when I posted it, only a part of it showed up so I'll try and put down the rest I wrote (so you'll know it was long).

    We ate and rested a bit longer and then ended up at another table where we stayed till our shift was done. We worked 10-4 on Saturday. The shuttle got us back to the hotel. Lori helped me learn how to use google maps and we were off to the first Half Price Bookstore which is also the biggest. Ended up with a box of books there. With the help of the map we made it back to the hotel and ate at Chick Fil A again. There were some other places but Ralph said he preferred going where he knew what the food would be like. There was time for me to take a leisurely bath which I never do at home. I didn’t feel quite as tired as the first night which was good. It was a great experience but Ralph is not interested in going back cause he got tired and doesn’t enjoy driving in Dallas and I know I don’t’ want to drive in Dallas so I likely won’t go again either. But I’m glad I got to go once and experience it.

    Sunday morning my left hand was tingling – not the whole arm but it hurt a lot but it came and went. We went down and enjoyed another nice breakfast – will not put chocolate in my oatmeal again. Then we finished packing up and left. Fortunately, I realized I didn’t have my phone charger before we drove off and was able to go back to the room and find it. The original plan was to stop at two bookstores in Oklahoma City but with the way my hand was feeling, we just kept driving. We called a nurse friend and she laughed and said that sounds like carpel tunnel. Made sense but no one had ever told me how that feels. And it has lessened as the week has gone on. It was nice to get home about mid-afternoon, have time to unload and relax and gear up for Monday.

    Monday I was at home. I started straightening the house. I took a nap. We ate Thanksgiving leftovers. I also learned that my Uncle Joe had fallen (not injured but not able to get up) twice and was in the hospital so we went up to visit him. The hospital we were in we haven’t been to a lot so drove around for a bit finding it but were successful. Then we found out he was on the 8th floor which is the hospice floor. We didn’t learn much from him. We encouraged him to eat – his dentures don’t’ let him eat anything very tough. He had an IV needle but was not hooked up. He wasn’t supposed to get up without help and he hoped he’d be out soon. I called him Wednesday and he was still there. My niece got in touch with his sons (they don’t talk much) and they are supposed to working on things. I’m not sure he’ll be allowed to live alone now – at least for awhile. But I can’t make those kind of decisions for him. As much as they seem to have such short hospital stays, I’m surprised he’s still in.

    Tuesday was half price day at ETC. We didn’t find much to buy but I did take in a trunkload of stuff. We came home to eat cause it didn’t take long and we had plenty of food here. Good News Club was in the afternoon. I’m continuing with the missionary story about Ravi Zacharias. Wednesday my friend and I worked on the Echoes. I had the afternoon at home which was good for me and then I babysat at church in the evening. We only had two kids and there were two of us so it was an easy evening.

    Thursday morning was at home . Then in the afternoon we headed to town to find the endocrontic office so I could have two root canals. It seemed silly to be there since nothing was hurting but their x-ray showed infection and a definite need. Then when they started on the first tooth, there was a horrible smell for a minuyr – the assistant said that was a nacrotic smell. Glad it didn’t last long. I was there 2 ½ hours and paid a hefty bill but know I probably should not have put it off. I have another one to do after the first of the year. I didn’t have any pain before but have some now (not bad thanks to ibuprofen) and sometime this month have to go see my dentist for fillings needed and at least one crown (more moola). We’ve never had dental insurance so it seems worse to do than medical stuff. But that much is behind me now and the pain is bearable and will quit. Never had a root canal where they want me to come back and have it checked in a year. We got home in time for me to go to Bible study – always enjoy it.

    Friday was errand day. I went by myself since Ralph need to grind a load of feed so he could unload it before it got windy. When I got home, we went to a Senior Citizen’s Dinner that the local public high school puts on. There were only about 20 there and 10 of those were from the local nursing home. But it was nice. We have the same meal the kids ate (I enjoyed it) and then the Singers gave a program. They sang about 3 Christmas carols and then tree other songs – all religious. I especially enjoyed one called “About the Cross”. Might have to youtube it. Got to visit with a cousin. At the end we talked a lady who grew up in the area who is 100 and will 101 on Dec. 6. She’s a character – a sharp mind – just has to be in a wheel chair. She’s at the home. Then it was home and back to the list.

    Today was totally at home – so nice. I finally got everything put away from Thanksgiving. I got all the dishes caught up. Recycling containers are already getting full and I still have three weeks before I can take it in. Will have to get out some other boxes to use. I got the pineapple cut for tomorrow and made the pudding pies. In a bit, I’ll put the tenderloin on. We’ll have two extra for dinner tomorrow. Jim’s (son-in-law) cousin and his son came here to hunt. They are staying in a motel so this is the only time we’re feeding them and will have a chance to visit.

    Isabella, wow a mess you had with the plumber and you really didn’t know if something was wrong – just a feeling that something wasn’t right. Wonderful that there was no mold anywhere but still that was a lot to go through. Any update on Jamie? That’s funny about people getting a rotisserie chicken if their turkey doesn’t work out. Guess we’ve always made ours work – even the year my niece was doing it and didn’t know you were supposed to thaw the turkey before baking and it took forever to get done. We thought the pop up button was malfunctioning since it didn’t pop. Made good use of the microwave when they finally started cutting it and figured out the problem. Good job on catching up at work.
    Yes, I am used to bigger numbers than you are. Tomorrow we’ll have 18 here. Tomorrow is now today and the cousin and son seemed to enjoy themselves. The guys all visited till they all left around 4. Now the hunters hope they get a deer soon.


    Sheryl, I’m glad the Blue Apron meals are still working out so well for you. It doesn’t seem to get boring at Jack and Gayla’s. Glad he is okay. Yay on getting the glasses taken care of without too much fanfare. Only one chicken left – seems kind of unreal.

    Anew, a six year old can be lots of fun. Glad it was a good day. Thankful to hear you don’t have glaucoma and that the cataracts aren’t a problem. Glad your hubby is doing the extra work to make the fence looks really nice even though it does take more time. He is a hard worker.

    Isabella, thanks for the update on Jamie. Ignore my earlier question. Your weather is a little warmer than ours. We got up to 64 today but start out around 34. They say it is to be colder this week – more like it should be. We had windows open today and that’s unusual for this time of year for sure.

    We had a Christmas program at church – A birthday for the King- kind of put us in the season although I haven’t started any decorating yet. Next week is our children’s program and our class participated in it. There was also a living nativity (goes from prophecy to the cross) but we didn’t go this year. Our grandson helped and I heard they had 1200 people go through Saturday evening. Not being so cold helped I’m sure.
    This week is full of lots of things so will have more to write the next tie I have time (or make time). Have a good one.

    And now it's Monday. Got up to 63. They say the cold is coming tonight. Had my check-up and it was fine. The PA was very impressed with my cholesterol - especially since I'm taking nothing for it. We came home and ate leftovers. Called my uncle and he's still in the hospital but they have a rehab place for him to go to when a spot opens. He said he hopes medicare is covering it. And then I found out a niece had surgery this morning for a ruptured appecdix and will be in the hospital for 3 days on antibiotics. She's the secretary at our local school so hope they can keep up with things so she won't have too much to catch up on. I'm home the rest of the day - have laundry going and more on my list than I'll get to the way I goof around. Enjoy your day.
  • arobed53
    arobed53 Posts: 2,004 Member
    Brrrrr. Cold day but not horrible out cause the sun was out and not too windy. Started at 14 and hot up to 32 for a little bit. Had our women's group at church today. Everyone bring Christmas goodies to share. I took puppy chow - so much good stuff. I brought home plenty of puppy chow plus some sweet potato bread and a chocolate dessert I was given. We worked on wordless book bracelets, and necklaces, cut some jeans to make bags, and wrapped some boxes in Christmas paper to use in the nearby town for they food pantry in December. Now will fix supper and my list and hopefully do more on the 4-H program book..

    Monday I saw my cardiologist for my yearly checkup. PA was impressed with my cholesterol and I'm to keep doing what I'm doing. I had the rest of the day at home. Tuesday I babysat at Bible study. It's busy but fun. Hope I don't look to silly when I "race" down the gym with the kids. We had our Good News Club Christmas party in the afternoon. We had things we were going to do but not all planned and I think it went really smoothly. Everyone seemed to have a good time and be happy with their gifts. Then the evening was a musical by the 5th and 6th graders. It was very cute.

    Wednesday morning I stayed home and got my yearly report for Willing Workers done and a good start on the 4-H program book. Right I'm going through the old book on the computer and deleting last years info so I can type in fresh. Always takes some time. The afternoon was the Fesper at church. It's for those 70 and over. I get to go cause my husband gits that category and we picked up another lady. They have a nice program - still sing one song in German - and then have a nice meal. Then I picked up the carload of kids and went to church and babysat. A full day.

    Hope all of you are okay. (Still no Christmas decorations up and little shopping done here).

  • sannferris
    sannferris Posts: 1,432 Member
    Good Morning. Spent some time reading and catching up and making a few notes to respond, but now, John is up and I no longer have time. I'll be back.
  • anewstart22
    anewstart22 Posts: 885 Member
    Good evening everyone, my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the wildfires out in California. I know we had some people in Fallbrook from Nutrimirror. I hope all is well with them. It is so sad to see all the damage and it happens too fast to get out of the way quickly.

    We got snow here last night. A bit more than 4" and it's already almost all melted. It was fun to watch it come down. We covered the crepe myrtle tree in hopes of keeping it from freezing. I sure hope it worked. I need to get some dinner planned and get started on that so I will try to come back in later.

    Have a great day everyone.