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Sunday, April 16, 2023

Wisdom and Woe 9

 by Dianne



13 comments:

Just_Lin said...

Well, no one wrote on the Easter blog and now we have a new one. I don't have much to say as I lead a very quiet life, but here goes nothing.

Dianne I totally relate to this blog. Many a time I have seen a picture of a dish that looks tasty and checked out the recipe only to see that it has too many ingredients or steps for me take on. I'm like, "Nope".

How are you and Louis doing? I hope things are getting better every day. It's so nice that you have so many friends and family able to help you when you need it. I'm lucky to have nice young neighbors across the street that I can call on when I need to. A couple of weeks ago, Jason came over and changed one of the recessed lights I have in the kitchen for me. A few years ago I would have done this myself but I no longer feel it would be a good idea for me to get on a ladder. Anyway, a few days later another one of the kitchen lights went out so I got replacement bulbs for all 5 that hadn't been replaced yet and had Jason come over and put them all in for me. Now that all the bulbs are brand new, I'm hoping it will be quite a long while before any go out again.

Just_Lin said...

Barb I had my annual physical the other day and lab work. I am the heaviest I have ever been in my life which is very depressing. My kidney values are stable, at least, but I am inching my way to diabetes. I need to try to move more and eat less calories, for sure. The other day, I thought it would be a good idea to check the TV for chair exercises for seniors and I found one on YouTube that was 30 minutes long. It kicked my butt!!! It especially got to me across my shoulders and in my neck. It got my heart rate up, which surprised me. Initially, I thought I could do chair exercises daily. After having done one session, I've decided I need to have recuperation time until I build up these muscles a bit.

Do you and your card making friends have any plans to get together soon? I've signed up for another watercolor workshop on this coming Tuesday so I'm looking forward to that.

Just_Lin said...

Mary I'm sorry about losing your beautiful big tree. I know it really changes the landscape. I was so worried about my big trees during all the storms we had. We were hit with storms one right after the other and the ground got so completely saturated and the winds were so high, it was scary.

Are you making something great for dinner? I ordered out last night; homemade cheese ravioli and a wedge salad. I ate half of each and will have the leftovers tonight. My friend Jane is in Florida visiting her brother so we won't be eating our leftovers together like we sometimes do.

Barb said...

Hello my dear Owls. Sorry I’ve been mia, but I am here now. I thought I had no energy before I got COVID, but my energy level has gotten even lower and even though I’m better and testing negative, I still feel like I could sleep all day and night. I’m trying to stay awake during the day, but I don’t really get much done. Chad been picking up the slack, thank goodness. I was able to get my hair’s colored on Friday and Sheenah came over today to do my mani/pedi.

I found a recipe for an Italian cheesecake that is a traditional Easter dessert and Chad got all the ingredients to make it. It takes 90 minutes to bake, then after the oven is turned off, it stays in the oven with the door cracked for another hour. It was almost 5:00 when Sheenah left, so I am going to make it tomorrow. My Mom died in 1999 and I haven’t had it since then. I do regret not spending more time cooking with her. I don’t know how to cook half of the Italian dishes we ate! 😢. I will share the cheesecake with Marie to save me the calories.

Speaking of Marie, it looks like we’re going to have to find a memory care place for her soon. She called her friend, Manolita, very early on Friday morning and told her this harrowing tale about someone breaking in her house and telling her “they” don’t want her there and she needs to go! She wasn’t sure who “they” were, but she went on and on about what they were doing. It scared Manolita, and she called me to let me know what was going on with Marie. I called her and basically it was like talking someone off the ledge. I suggested it was a dream (nightmare) but she was convinced it was real. She finally calmed down. I think it’s time for her to not be living alone. I’m checking into two places that were referred by friends. They are so darn expensive, and she was never a saver, so her money won’t last long and she won’t qualify for any aid because, even though she brings in a total of $3500 per month, it’s above the limit to qualify for anything. We can sell her condo, but it needs a lot of work. If we sell it ‘as is’ we may not get enough to even pay it off. So, that’s what I have been doing!

Dianne, It sounds like Louis is doing well, physically anyway. How are you doing. Is your leg still hurting?

JL, I haven’t gotten together with the Jennifers since January. We are hoping to get together soon so we can start Christmas cards. Jenn B. has fully moved to Fresno and their house in Sac sold, but she said she still plans to come to Sac for doctor and dentist appointments and to make cards with us. It’s a long drive, about 4 hours, I think. The other Jen has been very busy at work and she is also heading up a volunteer program to feed some of the homeless here in Sac. All her staff is also volunteering. They have also been providing some hygiene necessities as well as food. So it takes a lot of her time.

Mary, I know how you hated to see your beautiful tree cut down. The neighbor across the street just went through the same thing. It was sad for all of us on this side of the street, too, because it provided a nice view for us.

Barb said...

I don’t know why that posted twice and why my Owl picture didn’t get attached. But the above two posts are from Barb.

sacBarb said...

This is a test to see if my avatar has returned.

sacBarb said...

Thanks for the help JL.

Just_Lin said...

Yay!

Mary/MI said...

Yay Barb! No more mystery owl lol!
It's weird looking out and seeing so much sky! We have a weeping willow try that is even higher than the pine. I always loved willow trees, until I noticed what a mess they make! Long branches on the ground whenever the wind comes up! It is beautiful though. Our neighbor across the road had theirs cut down. It was too close to their house and caused a lot of mildew on their roof. It cost them a lot of money! Our ins. paid us $1000 and Jim paid $850. I can't help but wonder if my migrating birds used the tall pine tree to find me :(

JustLin, Sunday I made venison tips, oven fried taters, a salad and Schwans French bread warmed. The venison was from my son Tony. He hunts and fishes a lot since he retired.
I'm glad your trees weren't damaged. I thought about you during all the flooding. We have had a lot of rain and with snow melting, caused a lot of washed out roads and tree damages.

Dianne. You two sure have been through a lot! I was glad to read that Lois was out of pain! Now to get you up and running, well, maybe fast walking lol! I have been having a lot of pain lately in my knees and sciatica. I know some of is from doing too much . I really can't count on Jim. He seems to be losing ground every day. He still has not smoked. Amazing eh? I have to admit he has been getting a bit on my nerves! Instead of smoking he is snacking a lot and peaking around the kitchen to see if meals are ready lol! He messed up his hands the other day trying to cut down some branches that were laying where he walked Queenie way back from the house. All the sawing left his hands all swelled and painful. He has been icing them, but still red and painful. I know he is just trying to be useful and bored from winter weather. We had a glorious week with temps in the eighties.
I spent a lot of time outside putting patio furniture up and cleaning my side of the garage.

Jim's son & wife from Montana,will be visiting this week. I have been doing a lot of house work. I can't seem to do as much as I used to, without pain. My left hip has been really bad. Not sure if it's just my hip or a combination of that and sciatica. Growing old is a bitch!

Out temps have gone from the 80s, to low 40s, all in one day! Sunburn one day and snowing the next!
Zoie loved walking when it was warm. Me too lol!

My son Matthew will be prepping my garden space this weekend. I have a few starters growing inside. It will be nice to have fresh veggies again!

Well, back to cleaning. Frig is next.....oye vey!

Good hearing from you gals!

Dianne/Denver said...

Hi…here i am. Louis is still,doing well. OT had their last appt here today but pt will continue. It goes to once a week next week I think it really helps him. He walked outside alone today…first time. Tammy came over after work and brought dinner James had made, bread and brownies. She not only brought it but fixed it for us. It was so great to have help. She picked up a few things at store and I had a little list of things to do. Plus nice to have the visit. She’s such a great daughter. Our next thing is Louis going in grocery store for a few things. I will take him as he’s not driving yet. He can’t park in the garage as he backs in and can’t turn right now to do it. He still has no pain. Our primary said the other day of 99% of her back patients louis is in the 1% with no pain. I went for my physical yesterday. All was well and I don’t have to have paps or colonoscopy now that I’m old. That’s the one good thing.
I go for mammo in July. Of course we talked about weight. Ho hum.

JL I thought about those exercises too …now I know why I didn’t try them! I was thinking I should still d the crockpot but I never do.
I think I’m just plain lazy but I am now doing all the laundry. That’s not easy for me. I never order food except pizza. I have have a gift cert to door dash I need to figure out how to use.

Mary, we had 80 today and possible snow tmrw I hate it. I still stay fairly close to home for my lunches just in case louis needs me. He never does though. I think I mentioned in last update that he fell on his knees on Easter but got up.

Mary, hope you enjoy your company. .how long will they be there? Good think u like cooking. That’s about up to that on my boring Iife. Barb, I’m sorry you still feeling bad. I’ve heard of Covid lingering on people. Hope you get better. Well, time for this old body to go to sleep. Might ❤️

Mary/MI said...

Just a quick fly-by.
Company has left. It went well and we are all trying to recover. Zoie was stressed. She is not used to have another dog in the house especially a male lol! They have many dogs, but they had to bring this one with them because it has diabetes and needs shots twice a day, plus very careful feeding schedule. It (Jack) has only one eye.

I missed the Carol B show :( For some reason our local station wouldn't come in. I did see her on the Kelly Clarkson show.
Well, time to get moving. I have a 2:00 hair appt. today.

sacBarb said...

Mary, Too bad you couldn’t get the Carol Burnett special. It was really good. I even got a little teary eyed. I’ve always liked her and Tim Conway always cracked me up. I saw her on the Kelly Clarkson show, too. Some of the things she said on that show were also on the Special.

Dianne, I hope Louis is still doing well. How you doing? Do you still have pain in your leg? How nice that Tammy fixed dinner for you. I’m very lucky to have Chad who loves to cook. I only cook when I get the urge to make something my Mom used to make. Chad does make some of her recipes, but sometimes I just feel like cooking.

JL, I’m going to look on YouTube for chair exercises. Maybe I can find some that aren’t as strenuous as the ones you did. I really need to work on my balance. I don’t go to Marie’s because her floor is covered with papers, magazines, and newspapers. Chad doesn’t think it’s safe for me to walk on that stuff. I’m surprised Marie hasn’t broken a limb walking on it. I cancelled all her subscriptions to magazines and newspapers so she won’t add to the mess. Dean and his wife and son are going to go to her house on Sunday to start cleaning. They plan to take all that stuff to the dump. It’s going to take more than one day. Chad has filled some bags, but he has a bad back, so he can’t do too much at one time.

Just_Lin said...

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