CrabbyPatti

Good Morning Everyone! Love seeing the pictures of Mykonos, maybe one day we will get there! I like Coleslaw, but hubby doesn't so I rarely make it unless having people over. Though I have been known to make some and take it over to the retirement apartments that my Mom lives at. She then shares it with her friends. They like food made the way they "used to make it" not the commercial stuff they get in the dining room! (Food is good, just not like what they used to make) during Covid I frequently sent "contraband" to her in the form of homemade rolls and cookies to share! Hubby and I took a trip down the Oregon Coast into California last week to see the Redwoods. We had a very nice trip but his knee is giving him problems and was worse after hiking around. He has an appointment Thursday to see what orthopedics can do. My thoughts and prayers to those who have lost loved ones and those facing medical challenges this week. Just for fun, hubby on a walkway though the Redwoods! This was fun but the stairs and steps were not good for the knees! Denise

Good Afternoon Everyone, I am glad we don't have a "Big Wind" day here today. Where I live it is windy much of the time, you either get used to it or you move! I have spent the last couple of days, getting one of my credit cards "secured" apparently it wanted to go on a trip with out me. I am so glad the card company contacted me when the "purchases" didn't look like my usual habits. But I ran into a problems as they couldn't contact me by phone.................don't forget to update number changes! They had the land line that we discontinued a few months ago listed. So they had e-mailed me, but of course when I call with cell phone they couldn't validate who I was. Fortunately I was able to drive over to the bank with two forms of ID, the manager then called and verified I was me and we got things taken care of. Now I am waiting for an expedited replacement card to arrive as of course we had a road trip planned, and motels are booked on this card! So last night hubby spent time checking our other accounts and making sure they had our current cell numbers and discontinued the land line. We keep a couple extra cards so if one is compromised, we are not stranded, but what a headache! Have a great weekend and safe travels to all who are off on adventures! Denise

Good Evening Everyone, I just want to say thank you to all who contribute to the Daily! The support you have given to me and others in regards to losing family and friends, health scares and other difficulties along with celebrating new babies, achievements, anniversaries and other happy events. It is so nice to visit (read) with the group of people that come here, I know I would enjoy meeting with you in person! I just want everyone to know I enjoy your sharing (I don't want to mention names specifically because I would accidentally leave someone out!). The Daily is a place a stop by almost every day, and I sure would miss it if you didn't come and share. Thank you for this community. Thank you! Denise

Good Morning Everyone! Rabbit, rabbit white rabbit! I hope everyone had a pleasant Easter. It was a "different" one for us this year. No egg hunt at our house after church, the Grands were scattered in several directions. We joined my Mom and Father in Law at their retirement home for Easter lunch (Mom is in an independent apartment and FIL is on the assisted living side) Good company but not a very good meal! LOL. I had planned to make a picnic lunch to take over and share, but hubby said no need to cook we can have their Easter meal at the dining room with them...............well next time I will bring the picnic lunch! This morning I received the sad news that my Great Aunt Alice passed away yesterday, she was 98 and was ready. Just brings back fresh memories of Dad's passing last fall. They were the last two of their generation. Miss them and their generation learned and shared so much from them. Grandma, also told me I was the only one of the "young" ones that could cook for a harvest crew! Learned that from Grandma and several Aunts! I suspect there is a big "family" reunion in Heaven today. We have a "Road Trip" planned, off to see the Redwoods and other sights along the Oregon coast in a couple of weeks. This trip was planned and canceled when Dad started to decline. Looking forward to going. Have a great day, keep posting of your adventures I love reading about them! More ideas for our trips! Denise

Good Evening Everyone! I am glad we have Diabetic Alert Day, it is important to be aware of it. 12 years ago it hit my Grandson. He had been sick, not eating, just not himself for about 4 days. His Mom had called me and I asked if she thought he needed to go to hospital, she just thought he had a "bug" as several of his first grade class had been ill (of course it was a 3 day weekend, dr was out of town). Tuesday morning she comes walking into the emergency department I was working at, I was the triage nurse and one look across the lobby when she came in I knew we had a very sick boy, sure enough he was in Diabetic Keto Acidosis and very ill! All the years I had taken care of diabetics in the emergency depart this was a gut punch to Grandma! He is now a big strapping college freshman who takes time out of his work and school schedule to volunteer at 2-3 summer camps a year for diabetic kids! Please be aware of increased thirst, increased urination, tiredness, fatigue and let your doctor know. Get your A1C checked, (especially as we get older.) Diabetes can affect young and old. Left untreated it can be life threatening! My prayers go out to the people affected by the bridge collapse in Baltimore. Denise

Good Afternoon Everyone, It has been a while since I posted. We have been busy helping with the Grands and our aging folks. A month after my Dad passed last fall, FIL ended up in hospital, then rehab and now assisted living (he caught Covid, weird how it was the first time since the pandemic that he got it) The Covid knocked him for a loop, but overall he is doing much better, except for the dementia. The nice thing with the assisted living facility, it also has independent apartments on the other side where my Mom resides (has been there 5 years now). Then Uncle Bill who will be 90 moved in in January to the independent apartment down the hall from Mom! I think our family is taking over the place, but it is nice to have them all in the same vicinity! I will wait until Wednesday to make Clam Chowder, our church has a soup supper that evening and hubby always wants me to make my Clam Chowder! I will use the crockpot for it though. Makes it easy to transport! Yesterday, was an exciting day. We bought a new car! First time in my life I have purchased a new car, all the others have been used. Our criteria was all wheel drive, easy to get in and out of for our elderly family members, easy access to cargo area for walker and wheelchair loading. It is a Toyota Rav4! A friend has one and we drove to an event 5 hours away a couple of weeks ago, she had me drive so I really got a good idea if this would work for us. We are already planning a road trip to see the Redwoods in California, all these years I have never seen them, have decided it is time too! Prayers to all who are need of them, My tulips are coming up so I know spring is coming and that makes me smile, even with the snowflakes this morning! Denise

Good Evening Everyone! Just checking in, looks like several have had "weather adventures" lately! We took a quick trip down to the Oregon coast for the high tides (King tides). With the extra high tides and winter storms it makes for some pretty dramatic waves. When we left we had a snowstorm, but the coast was clear, when we returned home we had to head home early to avoid snow and ice storms that came in! When we got home Friday it was 3 degrees and hasn't been above 15 degrees since! The joys of winter travel. While in Oregon the weather was chilly, but tolerable to be out walking. I was able to get some pretty nice photos, and enjoyed being out walking even with a bit of salt spray on my glasses! Below is a picture of the wave action up against the road, it actually goes over the road at times (Depoe Bay, OR)! The other picture the spray came up against the rocks but was calm looking out to the ocean. Quick trip but we enjoyed it. Take care Denise

Good Evening Everyone! It is nice to read about everyone's activities and fun things they did with family the past few days. We had 3 of our 4 kids, their children and my Mom over for Christmas Brunch. My brother surprised us and came by and stayed quite a while. It was nice that he decided to come (always an open invitation, his daughter was sleeping..... she is a nurse working nights in the emergency department I retired from!). While we were all together our son called and face timed with his family and the cousins. Technology is great for getting to see everyone! We ate a lot of good food and I sent left overs home with everyone. No cooking for me today! The Chicken & Dumplings sound good, I haven't made them in a long time, but with this cold weather I will add them to the menu for sometime next month! Love the pictures from Cartagena, it was on an itinerary we were hoping to sail (postponed when Dad was failing) we still have plans to go on a Panama Canal cruise and will stop there, just need to sit down and schedule it. I am working on some paperwork for turning over a volunteer secretary position for a group I belong to. I have been in the position for 25 years, it is time for the young ones to step up. It has been fun, but it does tie me up for meetings and such. I want to free up my schedule now that I don't work regularly, so we can do more travel. I will still be involved in the group but someone else can do the admin side of it! Wishing everyone a safe and happy 2024 Denise

Good Afternoon Everyone, I haven't check in for a while............though I do read the daily almost every day to keep up! It has been 3 months since Dad passed and it still hits me some days that he is gone when I want to share something with him. The other day I was driving across town and started to turn on the road to Dad's place I guess after 4 years of 1-3 times daily visits I was on auto pilot. My oldest daughters birthday is today. I remember my Mom telling me that the "idea" of his baby having a baby really bothered Dad for several days! (he got over it and spoiled her and the rest of the grands as they arrived). Today my FIL is moving to assisted living. He was hospitalized with Covid a month after my Dad passed and we almost lost FIL. He has spent the last 6 weeks in a rehab. He is doing better and has gotten stronger, but I doubt he will be able to return to his home especially with his memory slipping. We have talked about a cruise in the spring, but have put it on hold. We may just take some shorter road trips for now. The Grands have a Christmas program at their school this evening that should be fun to watch. My daughter is Dean of Students at the school so she will get to celebrate her birthday at the program! Take care everyone, hugs and prayers to all who need them. Denise

Good Afternoon Everyone, Thank you for having DFIL on the cares list. He has improved and was moved to a Rehab unit on Wednesday to work on getting stronger. He will then move to assisted living. He of course wants to go home but he is still too weak. (plus house has stairs up to bedroom and bathroom) So with his dementia we are using the mantra "just until your stronger" and he in amicable to that. The Covid weakened him, but really has put the dementia into a tailspin. We knew that he really needed to move, but he had been fighting against it..........now it is out of his hands. Hubby and I have really increased our discussions on when to down size our place, and make sure we are on one level so our kids don't have to sort through our "stuff". You feel like your invading personal space when you start having to find things to take for Dad at assisted living (he still has things in drawers from Mom and she passed 10 years ago) trying to be helpful but not invasive. We were getting a bed from the spare room to move to his assisted living apartment and went to get the sheets from the linen closet...............well after 10 years in the closet the elastic is all brittle. So off to the store for sheets that fit that bed! Hubby and I are off to the Oregon Coast for a few days next week! It isn't a cruise but I can walk on the beach and smell the ocean! We have some recommendations for a couple good place to eat and are just going to "chill". His bothers will be able to help with Dad so we can get away. Thanks again for all the kind thoughts and prayers for both Dad and now my FIL. The past few months have been so full of worry for them. But it has reinforced my "get my ducks in a row" plan. I have most things of business already taken care of but my "stuff" needs work! Have a great weekend! Enjoy this beautiful fall weather! Denise

Good Morning Everyone, Early morning here, as Hubby stayed at hospital with his Dad and I woke up at 4:30am, so I just got up. Kitchen cleaned laundry going. # 2 Grandson is here today and going to help with some outside projects that involve younger muscles! At lunch time will have the younger 4 grandsons (only 1/2 day at school) here. Have some lighter chores for them. They like earning some pocket money and it helps me get things done. We have several dictionary's in the house though with the dictionary app on my phone I will confess they are getting a might bit dusty! Won't cut up my credit cards, but I keep it at a zero balance each month! Caught an early morning sunrise this morning. Worth being up for! Have a great day everyone.

Good Evening Everyone! Sure have enjoy the "travel" pictures everyone has been posting. Hubby and I have been planning a drive and stay to the Oregon Coast..............not quite a cruise but will get us out (we hope we can still go) but unfortunately Hubby's father was hospitalized on Friday with, Covid, pneumonia and heart issues. He has some dementia which has been getting worse the past couple of months. His sons are seeing that he most likely will need assisted care. Sure is hitting me as dejavu with loosing Dad to the same issues a month ago. I did my "good deed" yesterday went to FIL house and helped Hubby, we stripped the bed, picked up laundry and cleaned his kitchen. FIL doesn't like us to that as ..........he will get to it, but then forgets too! Had a good laugh today, when we came home from church this morning Princess the cat is marching down the hallway with a mousetrap........went to take the mousetrap from her and she is quite indignant with us people as there was a mouse in the trap! It was her mouse, she found it in the trap she got out of the pantry! Lesson learned make sure pantry door is latched so you don't upset the "Princess" Wish you all well, and prayers to all who need them. Thanks again for the travel pictures. Denise

Good Evening everyone! I was an Emergency Nurse for 29 years, had lots of interesting happenings over the years. I still think fondly of the colleagues that I worked so closely with over the years. It was a team effort to take care of people and I mean everyone from our team of techs, secretaries, housekeepers, respiratory therapists, doctors, EMS and sometimes even the local police! I left just before Covid hit, one day I realized I had done enough, and the next day put in my notice to retire..........but only retired for 2 weeks and started at an outpatient facility taking care of developmental and dementia clients! My skills are still used but not at the level of emergency care. It has been a great heading into retirement job. My shout out to the Emergency nurses that took care of my Dad several times this past year, and they took care of their old colleague when we were there, Thank you! Today, I took the next step of our life signed up for social security and medicare ...........it really hit home that I am no longer a "kid" still going to work a bit. Gives me some extra money to travel with! Hubby and I are back to thinking about some cruises Panama Canal is high on the list as well as maybe a Northern Europe cruise..........so many ideas! Take care everyone! Denise

LOL I had an manager introduce me as one of the "seasoned nurses" in the emergency department...........at least she was referring experienced vs new to the department! Denise

Good Morning Everyone, I want to thank everyone for their kind words and thoughts on Dad's passing. He lived a good long life and was loved by family and friends. I did make him a bouquet of daises and the peppermint, it was simple but perfect for his life! When I went to the store to purchase some ribbon for the bouquet as I returned to the vehicle, right by my door was a shiny penny heads up, I was thinking about Dad and liked to think he was sending me a message..............anyway the penny is with Dad and I know that whenever I find a penny I will think of him. Yesterday day I spent the day out cleaning and prepping for winter. Got the hay and shavings stacked and covered. Water barrels cleaned and ready for winter. Need to fix up the chickie girls house for winter and then we will be set. I think we are in for a cold winter..............caught two mice in the pantry this morning, early to have them get into the house (house was built in 1906, no matter how much we have redone, every fall we have a couple mice attempt to move in. Hazards of an old farmhouse) My friend found an almost black wooly bear caterpillar Friday too. So I think it will be a cold winter! I love all the cartoons & pictures everyone has posted today, they have made me laugh! Hugs and prayers to all who need them. So many of our Daily friends our having difficulties, my prayers for all of you. Denise

@smitty34877 I am so sorry to hear of your husbands passing. I am glad you were able to have him at home. May your memories sustain you. You are in my prayers. Thank you all who have expressed condolences on the passing of my father. It is still hard to realize he is gone. Still get tearful thinking about it. We were discussing flowers for his memorial knowing he would not want us to "spend" much. So I am making him a bouquet of Peppermint.................when I was just a baby, he and his father had a "still" that distilled peppermint and spearmint and extracted the oil for the local farmers. Same oil that we use to flavor candy and baking! So I think the peppermint bouquet will be fitting for his memory. Prayers and cyber hugs to all of you. Denise

Dear Dailyites, I want to thank you all for your kind thoughts, prayers and cyber hugs. We brought Dad home on 9/13/23 and he was comfortable. He passed the morning of 9/14/23. It has been a roller coaster past 11 days as at the hospital he improved for a bit and then had more problems, he was moved from ICU to the medical floor and back twice! The Covid just knocked his other medical problems off kilter. I am so relieved he didn't pass on the day he was admitted as it was his wife's 90th birthday. She is doing as well as can be expected they had been married 35 years. I am doing okay, just kind lost as the past 4 years had spent so much of my time taking care of Dad. Over to his house 2-4 times a day depending on what he needed. (and other caregivers available). Hubby wants me to plan a cruise, I told him I would but not for a bit. I just need to get through his memorial and decompress. Thank you all again, just reading through CC and thinking about happier adventures that Dad shared with me, helped ease the hours the past 2 weeks. Hugs to all of you, your and your families are in my prayers. Denise

Good Evening Dailyites, Heavy heart this evening as we have placed Dad on hospice care. He came down with a fever on September 3 and was dx with Covid. We had tried so hard to keep Covid away after 3 1/2 years it was the first time that he had it. While I was at the ER his wife tested at home and found she was positive. She only had some mild aches and scratch throat, who knows where she picked it up. With his other medical conditions being complicated with the covid, after several ups and downs this week, we placed him on comfort measures. My former colleagues at the hospital have been rockstars for me. Tomorrow the ambulance will take him home and he can be in his own bed for the time he has left. I am so glad that we took an Alaska cruise in 2016! He loved it. His memory was beginning to slip then but it was the only "trip" I was able as an adult to go on with him. At least we got those cruise memories! I am headed back to the hospital to stay the night while I send his wife home to rest (she is 90, don't need her getting sick) I have been reading cruise critic during the long nights as I sit with him, it keeps me from crying and I have shared some of the adventures with him. Just wish we could have gone on more trips. Hugs and prayers to all that need them. Denise

@IRMO12HD Pasco,WA for the airport! Have a great trip! Denise

@jodi58 Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby too! Thank you all who wished us a Happy Anniversary! Denise & Dave

Good Afternoon Everyone, It has been a while since I posted..................though I keep a eye on the daily every day. I think about you as friends and enjoy your postings of your activities both at home and traveling! My prayers for those going through difficulties. We have postponed any cruises for the near future as I am still caring for Dad. He is now totally confined to bed. Today Hubby and I celebrate our 45th Anniversary! Hard to believe it has been 45 years, I am still under the delusion I am only 29............at least until try to do my barn chores that now take me twice as long to do as in the past! We celebrate "Dog Day" here. Over the years we have had several, after I lost Chewie a few years ago, I said no more dogs well after about 18 months of no dogs, we got Holly (brown) and my daughter got her brother Biscuit (black)! Wishing you all well. Keep posting those travel pictures I love seeing them! Denise

@superoma My sincere condolences in the loss of your father. May your memories of him sustain you and your family. May he rest in peace. Denise

Good Afternoon Everyone. I will certainly appreciate teachers! I have a very hard working daughter who teaches middle school history and literature. She is known to be "strict" but her students love her! Thank you for having my Dad on the cares list. His VA Nurse saw him yesterday and is pleased with how we are caring for him, despite his increasing dementia and being bedbound. We just want to keep him comfortable. @Lady Hudson please check in with your doctor about this headache. It may be just your travel and dietary changes affecting you. But in all my years of ER nursing "a headache like you never had before" is enough of a red flag to get checked out. Hugs to all who need them! Thanks to this group you are all so nice! Denise

I am sorry to hear of your difficulties. I want to thank you for the guide. We used it in 2017 and drove up to Whitehorse for the day. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed several stop. The guide with information from a "local" was so handy to have. Thank you. Denise

Good Morning Everyone, It has been a bit since I have posted. Been busy with Dad. He is doing better now that the infection has cleared. But he is no longer able to get up and ambulate to his chair and is in bed all the time. Fortunately, we do have a special mattress which rotates and keeps him changing positions. He still smiles and occasionally says something that we can understand. We have put cruise plans on hold for the moment to care for Dad but I must share the "dream or nightmare" that I had with you! The other morning I woke up early from a "dream/nightmare" I was finally on a cruise! But while I was looking over my room, preparing to unpack, a lady and three beautiful girls came in the room and said that is was "their" room and they would be staying! Then her hubby bounds into the room and says he is going to take a shower, he proceeds to shower and come back into the room stark naked!🤩 I then checked the bathroom and was angry as he left it a mess! I remember waking up and thinking how am I going to share a room with 5 people I don't know even if the girls are cute!😂 When hubby woke up I told him I need a cruise but not this one! Prayers and good thoughts for all that need them. Keep posting your cruise pictures. I will get back one of these days! Denise