Yes I’m home thanks wearing a huge sling and feeling decidedly queasy so will keep post short! Stage 2 cancer so large section removed plus the gland nodule removed for biopsy but strong painkillers helping. Just need to get to bed and sleep it off! Will bore you all with details tomorrow.

I’m sorry you’ve been suffering in silence after your fall but what’s with all that snow Anne? Stay indoors and be entertained by neighbour Harry.... wearing a mask! Perhaps they were stopped on their travels and told off.

No good; reading glasses making me feel nauseous 🤢. (A first opportunity to use this emoji!!)

Take care and I’ll check in tomorrow.
Jackie

Oh drat! My post went into outer space again. Why? Where? How come? Any way, the weather is decidedly cool but sunny between high clouds or maybe it is a marine layer. We have some cloudy day and a bit of rain in the near future. I guess we need the moisture but it feels like we have had a wet cold winter. There are places here in Oregon in the throes of a serious drought. .

Jackie: so glad you are home and safe after your surgery. I have a feeling your neighbors will keep an eye on you. As you may reluctantly admit, you will benefit from a dose of friendly TLC. My personal favorite brand of medicine. You are on the road to recovery now. We are thinking of you every moment.

Anne: on Amazon there are special arthritis support gloves that really help me. They support your muscles and tendons with a firm elestic material. Would that help you at all? Both John and I have become quite expert at medical research. I have already complained about our lack of really good medical expertise. Found out about this on an arthritis advice site.

Lin: your activities remind me of my growing up years on a cattle ranch. Even back then, we had state and federal meetings and materials to be read again and again. Actually a nice way to live back then.

Must get going,
Patsy☘️

Merry Christmas… A picture paints a 1000 words - this photo was taken this morning before heading to the gym at 4:30am. The forecast for next Tuesday is low 70’s and 80 on Wednesday! I’m ready!




Nothing really new except - our old “cheap” (under $100.) Sears Kenmore microwave that served us well for 12 years had to be replaced with a new (under $100.) replacement (photo). I know what you’re thinking… Jean’s birthday is in July and this would have been the perfect gift.




Jackie – I think you are right about Jean and me binging on Line of Duty… when left with episode cliff hangers it’s impossible not to want more…
Your “brooding romance with his jet black wavy hair and neat beard behind a mask” description of the doctor overseeing your scan had me thinking I was reading your diary. LOL – It’s my understanding Orion’s Belt is a big “waist” of space. Hope you are feeling well and perhaps as time passes you will in fact be able to resume your swimming. Wishing you all the best! Glad the strong pain killers are helping.

Lin – I thought some sneakers might like that video. I showed it to Jean and few family members. I did stop at the pharmacy and picked up some magnesium – so we shall see As you can see from my intro the weather is nuts…but that is normal for where we live… and heck “nuts” is normal for me.

Congrats on your tomato seedlings with buds. Can’t wait to get some plants going on our deck as well.

Anne – Hope you are feeling better from that food allergy… As for Covid and Canada, I definitely feel bad for you. As prev stated, my Canadian nephew hasn’t been able to see his family for some time…and now it will be longer.

Sandy – Sorry about the strained ligament and lengthy prognosis for recovery. Great idea on the gift card… I LOVE gift cards…especially for Amazon, Ebay and Best Buy. I normally collect them and then get something super nice that I wouldn’t normally purchase.

Connie – Thanks for sharing that beautiful pic from your front yard! Your weather sounds a bit crazy like ours. Amazing how logging food with the MFP app can have such a huge impact. Congrats on your results.

Time to visit with Jean a bit.

She has plans to go to dinner with 2 girlfriends (of many decades). They haven’t seen each other for a while and live in the city where the one restaurant they go to was closed. Also one of them have several serious health issues and wasn’t venturing out. Glad she will get to see them. Earlier, she asked if I remembered she was going out and I said yes…she laughed and said “you’re looking forward to it aren’t you?” I merely smiled as I am not that stupid… I’m thinking TV, wine & cheese.

Best to all. Bob

View from my sick room, i.e garden room!


No rest for the wicked it seems because every time I settle and rest my eyes someone phones, turns up at my gate or the builder says I’d best move as a lot of dust will be pouring out of a window. Better out than in that’s for sure!

As ever, thank you all for your kind thoughts and good wishes. My shutters are back up having slammed them right down to get through the past 3 days. The driver that took me to the hospital was pleasant and we chatted all the way. He kept working throughout our Covid lockdowns, against his GP’s wishes because as he said there were people requiring dialysis and other treatments as a matter of life and death. It was quiet at the hospital and I can only imagine they are keeping patient numbers at a manageable rate to give staff some respite so after a chat to the anaesthetist and doctor I was walked to the theatre where everything was explained. They asked about my two dogs and before I got to Betty I was out!!
My arm is wrapped from hand to elbow but I’m hoping the incision isn’t that long as it’s supposed to be balloon sharped. I also have padding where they probed the lymph nodule which is the more painful area. A friendly European nurse called Christina took good care of me and insisted she call me Jacqueline because of Jacqueline Onassis so I asked if she knew that her stepdaughter was called Christina but she was too young to remember that era!
My neighbour Louise collected me once the hospital called her and I was home in no time. Not the best night’s sleep but I’ll catch up tonight I’m sure.
Apparently George growled at the dog walker yesterday so she had to sit on a step and talk to him for 10 minutes before he would go out with her. Betty in the other hand was happy to go anywhere but at least I know if someone tried to steal George from my garden they would probably get bitten!

Thank you Patsy, Lin, Sandy and Barbie for your thoughts of TLC. Yes, it certainly does help and I’ve some good friends I’ll give real hugs to one of these days

The builders are doing a grand job rebuilding what was pulled down or dug up and this afternoon beautiful sparkling granite lintels to go above the windows and outside door have been delivered. Also a new wall light has arrived. Not unpacked yet but I’m sypure it will fit nicely into my new dining room. Tomorrow morning the dining chairs I was planning to recover oh so long ago with the red and green, with monkeys, material will be collected by a reupholstered who knows what she’s doing.

Happy Christmas Bob! 🤶🏻🎅🏼 The weather is becoming erratic around the world so hopefully some serious discussions will begin about environmental issues. You did make me smile at your plans for tv and “snack”. What else to do when it’s snowing! That was my understanding of Orion’s belt too so when Dr Darcey mentioned he couldn’t see it in the scan picture I said just as well!! Just guessing here but I’d say a microwave for Jean’s birthday present wouldn’t go down well. One day I’ll tell the story of the not so pleasant neighbour buying his poor wife a petrol grass strimmer for Christmas!!

Anne, The Serpent left me feeling rather depressed about the story too, something almost too dark, so I got the shudders any time I saw a picture of the character but then the actor appeared on a BAFTA awards video link to talk about a different project he was involved in and what a delightful young man he turned out to be. Says a lot about his acting skills in The Serpent and seeing him shook off any bad feelings. Good to read the old Anne is returning although not surprising you are so fed up with the Covid situation in Ontario. I gather flights from India are to be paused on Friday here in England so no doubt the airports are filling up today!

Sounds as if the builders are clearing up to go so I’ll sign off as they’ll want to show me what’s been achieved today.

Take care everyone
Jackie

No, I haven't talked to the mask-less Harry, it's more fun speculating don't you think? SANDY. The truck is now LOADED with string tying everything together so stuff doesn't fly off wherever it's going. I was pulling on my thumb in bed last night in case it is dislocated and in all honesty, not pain free today but less discomfort, it was clicking when I bent it but that appears to have eased off a bit. Forget painting and writing books maybe my new career is pulling bones back into sockets, lol.

Personally, I wouldn't mind a new microwave for my birthday. Lasts longer than flowers and chocolates. Even jewelry. I found in the past when I was given jewelry it was what the giver liked. For instance my skin tone and clothes don't go with silver. So I have or had silver jewelry and very little gold which I love. Not complaining mind, just a comment how we tend to choose what appeals to us when buying or when given gifts which we have to wear for fear of offending the giver. Can't go wrong with a microwave, lol.

Anne.

Ohhhhhh Sadie is a beauty! Our Labradoodle is sweet but she has a short attention span and grooming (which must be done regularly) is a challenge. We live on the north Oregon coast. We live on a forested acreage and I think we have now bite off more than we can chew..but we really can’t live anywhere else. Your Missouri place is beautiful. Lots of work and I’ll bet you feel the same. You couldn’t live anywhere else!
Patsy☘️

Good afternoon. Thursday and my usual long weekly call with a friend. We spend lots of time on each call now establishing what day it is, when we last had a conversation and reviewing her news for the last several weeks. I hope we work on this long enough to make her feel grounded and happy with the conversation. She is agonizing about her decision to attend or pass on her high school class reunion. It is coming up in early May and she said it is likely the last one they will have as so few class members are left. Since her fall, she has not been able to rehab enough to walk without her walker and is feeling very uncertain about the whole event. Her son would have to drive her there and she would have to stay overnight. I can tell she really would like to see these people again. I had no advice but tried to commiserate.

Also did a bit more laundry. The repairman is coming first thing tomorrow to see if my old washer can be saved. 🤞🏻If not, I will be appliance shopping. Anyone know if there is a shortage of top loading washing machines?

Today was also the day for a small grocery order. Everything is put away. Not the type of trip you and Jake made Barbie but a nice little delivery. I still have not ventured out to do any in person shopping.

Finally putting finishing touches on the graduation card and most recent birthday card. Nice to have those finished. Time to start another birthday card! No idea where I will start on this one. No obvious interests and I don’t even know what colors attract her. I will think about it.

So our snow is gone and the temperature has increased today to almost 60 degrees F. The weekend is set to be warm and next week, HOT! Then back down 20 + degrees. Am chomping to get plants outdoors but the pots I will plant in are too large and heavy to drag indoors if it gets quite cold again. I try to be patient.

Jackie, so incredibly glad to hear from you. What a long message you provided. 🤗💐. I hope you will get lots of rest and that you will feel better tomorrow. Dear George is a tough character. I hope the dog walker does not have any problems with the fur kids.

Annsie, well, your neighbor is entertainment for certain. I agree, the garage must be some type of Tardis or the stack of things inside reached to the ceiling! As far as what to do, I say follow your interests. You know best about your resources and any limitations you may have. I am just doing my usual things, pots of different vegetables, reading, making cards, little bits of clearing out some of the abundance in my house and I may get back to my art journal which has been woefully neglected.

Sandy, enjoy your evening with Bryanna, Lisa and the kids. Aha, yes, another option for the kids is quite wise! I had a friend who as an adult still had a very picky palate but you knew all would be fine if mac and cheese and/or mashed potatoes were served. Maybe the kids will develop some never miss food options in time.

Bob, well, I think Jean might not be thrilled with a new microwave oven. But she might surprise you but the timing did really didn’t work out did it? I received a microwave as a Christmas gift a long time ago when they were relatively pricey. Was happy with it. Excited really as it was a new thing for me. Enjoy the treats tonight as you watch the TV. You might spend some time thinking of a lovely birthday gift for later on. 😁

Patsy, good for you! Excellent that you are helping to research homes for sale for Damon. Now that is a project I would adore. I was a Research Analyst back in the day and love to dig into things. Houses would be fun but with a list of criteria, it might not be as much fun. I am sorry that finding enough higher calorie food for John is a continual issue. Darn, I wish I could loan him my appetite for a while. He would definitely find a few pounds in short order.

Connie, beautiful dog. I am a dog enthusiast even though I no longer have one of my own. My favorite animal followed by horses (not possible in the suburbs). I am also in the Midwest, in Central Iowa. Sorry your grape vines were nipped by the cold weather.

A bit of whimsy again.



Lin🙋🏼‍♀️
❤️❤️

Well! The mystery deepens up here in the north country. H has taken all remaining buckets and dustbins away from MY fence on his side and put them in the big item pick up garbage day trash. Which leaves a huge load of logs covered in ivy and a big pile of bricks, which he's busy placing on his front doorstep. Could he be about to pave his unpaved weedy drive! He seems to be placing some in a line down to the side walk. It's dreadful being nosy but certainly passes the time away, lol. Jilly is having fun as well running from the front of our house to the back.

Hello all. Aren't you glad I'm not your neighbour! but in all fairness it's difficult not to see what he's up to unless I close the blinds completely.

Apart from that I'm waiting for grocery delivery, more excitement from the Bean! Hoping we can get in the garden later to start the weeding as it gradually warms up.

Hugs from Anne.

Shih tzu Anne.... the other half of George! As for your Harry, I’m still thinking he’ll be clearing up to sell once he has organised a path to his door. Nothing like a bit of curtain twitching, even if you don’t have curtains!

My dining chairs were collected this morning by a lovely, cheerful girl called Louisa who loved the monkeys in green leaves material, in fact squealed with delight when she saw it saying ‘I’m going to have so much fun covering your chairs’. Back indoors to make myself a pot of coffee I decided the layer of dust in my kitchen was depressing me so with 2 bowls of soapy water and 2 dish clothes I set to wiping every surface. Still didn’t find every speck but felt a little weary so sat in the garden room until Emma the dog walker arrived to take George and Betty for a walk. She was so pleased George greeted her and wagged his tail so best friends. After lunch my friend Pat called me on a FaceTime and we talked most of the afternoon. She lives about a mile from a major motorway but the past couple of nights it’s been shut down for maintenance and traffic diverted a along a road about 100 meters from her home most of which is heavy trucks that keep her awake so she was contemplating selling up and moving. It’s the first time it’s happened in 20 years so I suggested she sit tight for now!

Our cold wind has kept me indoors for most of the day but at least no hammering with the builders away today.

Lin, that’s great news on your washing machine so go dirty for a couple of weeks in the knowledge it will get fixed! I love the recent teapots, so cute.

Was it potassium Bob was interested in? Bananas are a great source as are dried apricots and I add both to my morning bowl of porridge.

Another early night for me as I tire easily at the moment. I hope everyone is well. 😴😵