It's Monday Already- What's New?

Morning All... Our new dog, Penny, decided that she wanted to try sleeping by my head- she didn't quite fit, so here I am. I'll go back to bed in a few minutes. Today I am going to a workshop. It is supposed to be very good, and since it is about using music in therapy, I know that it will be fun and up my alley. I could use a diverson today... my friend Marlene is not coming home from the hospital this time. Her daughter won't let anyone near her except for family (she has been that way the whole time- says her Mom is too weak for visitors- but some of us were her close companions) and now I won't even be able to say goodbye. She won't let us near her but has already asked for us to provide the food for her funeral. So sad...there were four of us that had season tickets to the theatre in Sonora for the past six years. This year we decided not to do it because we were getting tired of the plays they were choosing and it just turned out that Marlene would not have been able to go at all. It would have been so hard to go without her, so we feel as if the no plays year was meant to be.
My daughter and I went to see "Gone With The Wind" today/yesterday depending on your point of view. It was shown at the Fox theatre in Stockton which was built in 1930 and restored about 7 years ago. What a beautiful place it is! The movie was fun and the theatre was almost full- the average age was probably 70 so the place was full of walkers and wheelchairs. It reminded me of how young and healthy I am!
Today will be a beautiful day- with all that life gives- and takes. Don't forget to enjoy it!
Julia

Good morning Julia and my OFFer friends,

So sorry to hear about your friend and her very selfish daughter. What a pity. Someone needs to speak to then hospital chaplain to see ifnshe can be persuaded to change her mind.

Very heavy thunderstorm rumbling through our area right now. Satellite is out, so I'm getting off here to go check the weather radar. Hope to be back later. Here's wishing all of you a great day!

Dear Julia, Hugs and prayers for you and your friend Marlene.

Good morning OFF family and this past weekend was beautiful in Michigan and it was 85 yesterday! I sat out in the sun and read and how relaxing to have that sun shining down on you!
I even got a little sunburned.

So this week is Volunteer Week so Happy Volunteer Week to those of you who volunteer your time and energy. Volunteers are so special.

May everyone have a great day and by the end of the day it's going to be in the 40's. The coat comes back on....Hugs Debbie

Good Morning Julia,
I am so sorry about your friend, Marlene.  It is a shame her daughter is restricting the visitors.  I would think she would want her mother to be able to say good-bye.  Grief does strange things to people.

I love Gone With the Wind.  I have it on DVD, and watch it about every 3-4 months just for kicks.  I think I know every line in the movie by now.

My weekend did not go as planned.  Pain in my foot and hip, from the toe surgery and bursitis, derailed all of my plans.  Hopefully, it will be better by the coming weekend. 

Today is lay-low day.  I will make an AA meeting, and get some laundry done.  Time to strip the bed, and wash my bed linens.  I do have to hit Walmart to pick up a set of photos and also the post office to mail a large envelope.  I got a copy of Philadelphia magazine with Cliff Lee's picture on the cover and an article about his choice of Philadelphia to pitch for.  My son lives in New York, and would love that magaazine, so I grabbed it and am mailing it to him, along with a poster of the Phillies pitching staff. 

Have a great day.

Hugs,
Trish

Good morning, ya'll.
So sad about your friend and her daughter. When Mom was so bad and home with Hospice, nearly everyone in the retirement home trooped through. Residents and staff alike. Hospice nurses told us the hearing is the last to go. Mom was 'out of it' for the last 2 or 3 days. But, when certain folks came in and spoke to her, she would lift up her arms for a hug. She loved to hug everyone. But the Pastor, her favorite security guard, her favorite housekeeper, up her arms would go. When Sis and I spoke to her she squeezed our hands right up to the last hour. I believe it means something to hear the voices of those they loved until the end.
The weather man says it's gonna be a little overcast and 80 today. Hmmmmmm, doesn't look like that at the moment. But I am ever hopeful.
Everyone have a fantabulous day!!

Julia,

 I am so sorry about your friend Marlene. It's so sad that her daughter can't see that you all are wanting to provide comfort for your dear friend. Perhaps she worries that it is a curiosity thing. So not true. My mom's caregiver her last few days did remind us that she needed rest at times and for us to just sit quietly by her side. I am sure that she knew someone who loved her was with her right until the end. I think the suggestion to have someone talk to the daughter who is close to her might be a good one. Or a letter to the daughter in a loving, non judgmental way? There isn't much time. So sad that Marlene will be denied this additional comfort.

On a lighter note, we're home from our "working vacation." Last week was Spring break. Mike was at our daughter's helping with projects. I picked him up on Sunday and we headed to Lincoln City, Oregon for 3 wonderful days on the central Oregon coast. Then back to work at Erin and Josh's new home. They are finally completely in and continuing to unpack, sort, and put away things.  Mike waterproofed the basement floor which is unfinished right now. He put four coats of sealer on a 12 x 12 area which will be a store room. Now they have a place to put totes that are in storage or which will be unpacked later. Erin has all of the twins' clothes that they have outgrown sorted and stored just waiting for Briley to grow into them. At 9 months she is into  12 month clothes already. She weighs 20 lbs, a little chunk and so cute and happy. Her daddy calls her "Sumo!"

I rewashed the knotty pine walls in the two upstairs bedrooms and the closets. Late in the week carpet was put in the twins' room and closet. A shame to cover the old fir floors but they are splintery and in bad shape. What a difference that made. The next day Erin and Josh went through all of the toys putting them in totes in the closet. The plan is to get out one tote at a time and play, then put it away before getting something else out. We'll see how that wonderful plan plays out!

Finally on Saturday we headed back to Seattle for our son's 30th birthday. Erin brought the twins up and they all stayed with us at a hotel.They loved riding the "alligator" instead of taking the stairs! They thought breakfast at the hotel was great too.

So it's still dark but it's back to my subbing job probably for a couple of more weeks. I'm on the cancellation list (4 people ahead of me) still hoping to have my upper thigh lift by the end of May. If that doesn't work out I'm scheduled for August 23rd.

I love this thread. I was able to read and catch up with many of you without having to read every post. If I missed something important send me a message please!

You all have a great day. Sorry to run on so long but I've missed out!

Good morning everyone..
  Julia I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Its sad that you can't say your good byes...she will remember you tho.
  Today is a quiet day...getting my car inspection done. Last year I forgot it...and I PAID dearly for that $125 worth of dearly for the ticket. SO I'm getting it done early..then off to my daughters to sit and cuddle with my new "grandson". He is adorable.
  ((((HUGS)))) to all....
   Marcy

Marcy...enjoy every precious moment with that new baby!!!

I am so happy for all of you!!


Hugs....connie d

     Morning all. Happy Monday. Sober 159 days and so proud of me.
Had a lovely weekend. Not much on agenda today, hot & humid expected weather man says with Tstorms tomorrow. Everything outside is lush here after the rain last week. We needed it so bad.
Yoda's morning walk/hunt was wonderful. Quick pace. Yoda LOVES to chase the squirrels and lizards up trees and into nooks and crany's. The landscaping here is creative and lovely. There are 3 places on frequently walked ways that we have dubbed Yoda agiltiy runs. He loves to weave thru bushes and trees searching for lizards. His form improves daily. Of course I provide lively commentary on his actions. I also take the time to recite outloud daily thankful prayers and requests. Gabbie Gifford is usually first on my list, then my kids, and you all. I feel empowered to say out loud (just of hubby & Yoda) what my prayers are.
We will be moving the RV to our summer spot this week. Probably Wed. Prayers requested that the hitch up and unhitching goes smoothly. We have a great hitch, but the 40" RV has to be so level and lined up before hand and especially after a move. When we got here in Nov, hubby spent 3 hrs getting it just right. His left shoulder and back shot afterwards, so frustrated. The resort will move the RV with a great back hoe set up, pick it up, move it, and set it up on the new site all level and ready to go. But it costs $75 and hubby refuses to spend the $$$. Affronts his manhood. God knows the hints I've dropped, creative sexual favors offered, Yoda like eye battings, even offered chix & dumpling in this heat. But he ain't biting. I am really working on NOT OCDing about this. Wish me help.
Karen loved the "aligator analogy for an elevator" too cute. Penny, Yoda is only 26 lbs and fits just fine up near our heads. Comforting to reach out and pet him during the night. Sorry about your friends daughter. Wish she realized what she is denying her Mom and her friends.
Have a safe Monday. The weather is threating many across America. Spring brings many changes.

Hi Julia
I'm sorry to read about your friend. 

We had the most wonderful weather here yesterday.  It was sunny and warm  -  I don't know when I last experienced that kind of weather -  but it was many months ago.  It was a very long and cold winter and I am so happy to see all kinds of leaves coming up from my planting of bulbs last fall.  I can't wait until things start to bloom.

I am in week 12 of a 14 week semester and things are starting to wind up and calm down.  Some courses that I teach have oral presentations to make, so I get to sit back and watch and mark, and other courses have tests and reports to write that I'll be busy marking.  I know that I'll be busy for the next couple of weeks, but I do like my job (most of the time) and I will enjoy ending one semester and starting to get ready for another.  The weather certainly helps my mood.

Not much going on today but the same thing as usual.  I teach this afternoon and have stuff to mark.  After that, I'm coming home to, hopefully, enjoy some more of the warm weather.
Have a great day.
Margaret
your comment "don't forget to enjoy it" reminds me of being in the moment, which I am working on.  I am a devotee of Pema Chodron, a Buddhist nun, who is a wonderful author.  Have you heard of her?   I stumbled across her when I was diagnosed with cancer almost 7 years ago.  I have since bought several of her books.  Check her out on amazon  -  she is not everyone's cup of tea as I don't think that everyone relates to the Buddhist philosophy, but she sure is mine.