Hello ...Happy Wednesday

Good afternoon everyone....where is everyone??

I went grocery shopping with the bus group here where I live. My errand lady is on vacation this week. I wasn't feeling well and I should have stayed home. I got off the bus and my balance was off and down I went. I am okay just embarrassed me more then anything. I was walking with my cane because I was using my grocery cart. I felt off balance and tried to hold on to cart until the feeling passed.  It didn't pass and the cart had no brakes so it kept moving and that is why I fell. Pretty dumb huh?? 

I will not be doing anything else today. My cleaning fairy is here. She is doing the laundry and cleaning. 

I am going to have her set up my card table and then I can work on a puzzle this weekend if I want to. 

My pain is better today and for that I am thankful. 

Praying for all our wonderful OFF Family and their families.

Special prayers where needed.

I saw the ultra sound of Pipa!!! She is an active little one!! Vickie will be posting pictures when she can!!! 

Loads of love and many hugs to all...connie d

Hi Connie!  And where is everyone else?

Just have to share the latest picture of Pita with y'all!  She's waving at us, see?

That was a really special moment for me!

Got home this afternoon and of course walked into more broken and dead things.  I swear, my mom is just like having a 2 year old.  You know how when your kids are little and you get something new, and the first thing they do is break it or tear it up?  Yeah.  It's like that.

Connie, I'm glad you're feeling better today.  I am not feeling too chipper today.  Just very very sad and emotional today.  

So I don't have a lot to share today.  Just really seeking solitude right now.  Wishing I could bury myself in bed and stay there a week.  

Love you all!

Hi my sweet Vickie...I am sorry today is an emotional one for you. Sending prayers that God will help take those feelings away. 

I hope you do go off and be by yourself. Sometimes we all need that. You are still early in the grieving process. You will have days like this. Try your best to just roll through them.

I loved that you sent me that picture of Pita. She is waving and active...what a sweetie!!! Pita loves her grandma!!!! I am glad you got it posted on here too. I know Carrie doesn't want this on Facebook yet. I guess I can't blame her. There is still plenty of time for that!

So sorry about your mother. Why she is acting out is beyond me. It seems like she is purposely not doing or doing things she knows will upset you. I hope that stops soon or she will have to look for a new home. I know you love her, but you don't need anyone to take care of but yourself!! I love you sweetheart!! I so much want things to get better and easier for you.

I am always here  for you if venting a little would help...you know how to reach me. Know that I am thinking about you! I wish I had a magic wand!!!!

Love you bunches....gentle hugs....prayers....connie d

Good afternoon Connie and OFF-

Connie I hope you don't suffer adverse side effects from your fall.  That sucks.  Ice down those spots that contacted the ground.  My Dad loved jigsaw puzzles.  Every year at Christmas we took great pleasure in finding the most challenging puzzle we could find for him.  It was a regular Christmas afternoon project beginning the puzzle.

Vickie- glad arrived home safely and were able to met Pipa.  Love the little hand waving at us all.  Take a deep breath and go for a ride in the car for some scream therapy if that helps.

Well finally yesterday we had a showing of the house.  Got up early yesterday and spruced up the house, then left.  Took myself out to lunch and just as I was going to come home my neighbor showed up and asked me if I wanted to drive to big city with her, so I did that.  Did a little shopping at Walmart and the grocery store.  Walmart had flannel at a ridiculous price so I bought 8 yards of pink and blue gingham flannel.  More fabric Cindi??????Weather started threatening so we came home.  Wasn't sure if the house had been shown.  I'm used to realtors leaving business cards when they show but one door was left unlocked so I assumed it had been shown.  Just got the confirming email that he showed the house.

I did finally make the decision on the lump sum pension buyout.  I'm not going to take it.  My financial planner at Fidelity called in an expert on insurance and annuities who said there wasn't an safe annuity product out there that I could invest in that will give me the same monthly income.  That was all I needed to hear to make the final decision.  Meanwhile we're also going to look at everything to see how to generate some more monthly income so I'm not always worrying about covering monthly expenses.  So while stressful it has been a good thing that this came along.  Made me get my ducks in a row and understand a number of things that I have been putting off.

Case of the blahs today so I just went back to bed for a while and read.  My neighbor is trying to teach me to crochet.  When younger I was only able to conquer the afghan stitch.  I have a bedspread that my grandmother made.  I want to be able to make pillow covers to match the spread for the new house in Texas.  So I'm going to have to conquer the double crochet and other stiches to make these popcorn squares.  So we had a lesson.  She hasn't crocheted in a while and the directions that I downloaded from Ravelry were flawed.  We did however figure out the first three rows and then my brain and eyes were in overload.

So maybe tomorrow I'll pack some more boxes.  I really should be taking advantage of this cool weather and just get it all done.  Friday I have to drive to Bangor to get the car serviced and estimated for the repair of the wheel well.

Eileen I hope your packing is going well.  Trish I liked your report of your little adventure in the cabin.  Glad you had a good time with the munchkins even those it rained one day.  Good on you for swimming them both out to the float and back.

Positive thoughts to all of you.

Cindi B.

Hello Cindi....I am glad you made your final decision about the pension buyout. It sounds like it will be the best choice for you!

A case of the blahs...so sorry...I have been in that for weeks. It comes and goes. I hope you can shoo yours away real soon!

I am glad you got to go for a drive to the city. It sounds like you had a good time. MORE FABRIC....LOL!!!

I have never got how to crochet...I don't knit either...it just didn't draw me in. I would rather do ceramics and other crafty things. I use to do a lot of that. I made many gifts and really loved it. My hands can't do it anymore. That would be a great idea to make pillow covers to match your grandma's bedspread. If you do make them please share a picture with us!!

I was raised doing jigsaw puzzles. There was always one set up. We all helped with it as we could. I still love doing them!! My mom and I had some of our best talks during those times.

How much more packing do you have left to do? You seem to do quite a bit each day. Are you sure you can't pack me up and take me to Texas with you???? LOL!!!!!!!

Have a good evening...love and hugs...connie d

Hi Connie and my OFF family:

My cleaning lady got here at 11 a.m. and was a whirlwind with the packing. She cleared off my bobbleheads and brought boxes to me to go through. She also got all the boxes out to the car that I could take to Goodwill and the book exchange ... to donate and sell. And she took out garbage. Well worth the money. After she left, I reheat something for lunch, then took a two-hour nap in my recliner. Guess I needed it. 

Connie, hope you are OK after falling. I lose my balance too ... seems like more lately. My pain isn't too bad today but I'm just tired. I didn't do that much but after that nap I just feel more sleepy. 

Vickie, love the photo of Pita ... and you must take time for yourself and do what you need to grieve. And your mom must try to be more understanding. 

Cindi, glad you solved your buyout issues. We also had problems with my mom's house ... the people who are buying it had problems with their lender so the closing isn't for another three weeks. Selling a house can be a pain ... I went through hell on the short sale of my condo, so I should know. 

I'm jus****ching baseball tonight and reading. My brother got everything packed up and loaded from mom's house of his stuff that will be put in storage until we move into the new apartment. He's now staying at my other brother and SIL's house in Sycamore, IL (not far from where my mom's assisted living center is). He'll stay there until Saturday because he has some doctor's appointments until Friday. Then he'll drive here on Saturday. Because the closing isn't for another three weeks, he can go back to Chicago and get more stuff next weekend and bring it back. 

Have a good night everyone.

Hello Eileen.....sorry I am so late getting back to you. My day is just a blur!!

It sounds like you have a wonderful cleaning fairy just like I do. She is fast and very thorough!! She sure got a lot done for you today!! That is great! That must be a big relief for you to get that much done.

I so wanted a nap but my lady didn't leave until 4:00 PM. That is too late for me to sleep. It would only interrupt my sleep tonight. I got up early this morning...well early for me.

It sounds like your brother is getting things done on his end of things. I will just be glad when he is here for good!!

I hope you enjoyed the ball games. I am about to read and hope to get to bed soon. First I need to set up my medication for another week. 

Have a good rest of the week...love and hugs to you...connie d

Good evening everyone!

Guess I am close to bringing up the rear!

I woke up with a little energy today so I tackled a couple projects this morning. Jazz wanted to have a few friends over to swim so we had to pick up a couple girls & bring them back. They enjoyed themselves in the pool & doing cheers in the backyard until almost 6pm tonite. I made them a big salad for lunch & store-bought cake to keep them going so we had a easy dinner before going to the dog park. And with just that I'm pooped!

I hate feeling this way! I go thru periods where I feel good & then this fatigue sets in. I blame it on the weather & old age.

I have balance issues, too, but I have always had ear problems so I think that accounts for a lot of it. I also saw it get worse the more weight I gained. I have become very clumsy the past few years...I trip easily & have had a few falls. I know the embarrassment, Connie! I sure hope you get some of YOUR energy back soon...I am sure the weekend has something to do with you being tired.

Vickie, the ultrasound is precious! She really is waving! Does just bring tears to your eyes. I am so glad you have this baby to look forward to. I bet there will be a special bond! I, too, am sorry you are having problems w/your mom. Just so much to contend with...Butch's illness & death, the move, your mom moving in, etc. You may need to schedule some weekend retreats by yourself so you know you are guaranteed some alone time. You need it!

Eileen, you and Cindi are definitely making progress w/your respective moves. I so DON'T envy you both...hard work!

Cindi, I am sure getting the necessary info to make a decision about your pension is a big relief!

I wanted to touch base, but I am about ready to head to my bed. I want to read and be asleep by 10:30 or so. Then hopefully I'll have some energy tomorrow!

Hello Kathy....You had a busy day with the girls all day. How fun they would be to watch!!! The pool must be a big hit too! That was a lot you did and you should be pooped in that heat. You did good!!

Fibro is a big energy zapper...rest as you can!! Did you drink enough? in this weather you must drink almost constantly!!

 I am going to set up my medications for another week. Then I am going to read and hope to get to sleep earlier tonight. I got up  early, for me anyway, today. No nap for me either!!

I am sore from the fall but nothing like it could have been. My sinuses are hurting, my nose is running and my throat is sore. That happens when my cleaning fairy cleans. More dust and cleaning products in the air. I hope it is better by morning!

You have a good night..love and more hugs to you...connie d

I survived 14 hours of playing, swimming, eating, bowling, refereeing, talking, reading, driving, and basically being so very, very grateful that Colleen and Trent came home.  I can't tell you the number of times each of them made the other cry, whine, or hit the other.  I need a van, so they don't sit next to each other.

Love,

Trish