Lucinda, I loved reading your story about Christmas. When I was in grade school there was one Jewish boy in my class. Every Christmas we would learn Christmas carols and we would sing at the December meeting of the PTA. I always wondered how he felt about singing the songs, but they are just songs. At the end of the entertainment, he would light the Menorah and tell the story about it, so he could share his religious beliefs, also. It was very nice. One time my Jewish friend in high school asked if she could help me decorate my Christmas tree, and she did. We can all live together and respect our religious differences.

I'm so sorry to hear that your friend is in hospice in her final days. That is very hard to lose a good friend. I have a hiatal hernia. It was diagnosed by an endoscopy. It doesn't bother me, except I have a chronic cough and I think that's the reason. I don't take medicine for it because I have no actual symptoms. I know it can develop into cancer and I think about that often, but I don't do anything about it. I have so many medical problems and I want to do something else besides go to doctors and go for tests. I want to just enjoy whatever is left of my life.

Are the women at the nail salon Asian? I know of other people who don't like when they talk to each other in their own language because they think they are making fun of the clients. I have only had a pedicure one time and it didn't impress me, so I do my own now. It's not fancy, but how many people see my feet, especially in the winter? I have one of those foot spas that bubble and have heat. It's very relaxing. I have diabetes, and I've heard that those with diabetes should be very careful going to public nail salons, because of the risk to their feet.

I hope you enjoy your evening out with your friends.

The nail salon owner is Korean. And the other Korean women working there are very nice. It is the next tier down of women working there that do not speak english and only do pedicures. They appear younger and they are chatter bugs among themselves. I can't blame them though. It is because I ahve a hard time getting out of my own head.
I have not lost my abstinence this week and I have been binge free. Hooray!

Dh started having left chest and back pain. No radiating pain otherwise, bp and bs both high. In ER they found fluid around his lungs but couldn't discover cause. Ruled out several things, gave pain relief and moved him onto floor. I spent the nite with him. Today they removed some fluid to biopsy and dad an ultra sound on heart. No more chest or back pain so going home sat or sun but won't get results for about week. Went home briefly today to shower and get some thins we needed. I'm still not feeling too well myself but right now he needs me. BuT I hear ya lucinda and will get checked asap.

Hi carOle sue, glynne, will post more when I can...difficult on my phone.

Mary ~ so sorry that Joe was having pain and ended up in the hospital. Glad he got some relief. Hope they can figure out what was the cause and fix it. Sorry too that you aren't feeling well. Sending prayers up and {{{{hugs}}}}. Take care of yourself too Mary.

Mary, I am so sorry to hear that DH is having these problems. I do hope it's nothing serious and they get him fixed up. I hope you feel better soon, too. You are both in my prayers.

Mary, praying for your husband and for you, of course. Scary to have one you love hurting and even in hospital. Take care of yourself, too.

As I read days of messages made during my time away from the computer, I am struck with the flow of our lives. What a lucky day for me when I first became part of the Golden Girls. Haven't had time to get on here but now believe I can be part of the group more often.

Dogs, ticks? We are without our beloved Westie for past 12 or so years. Always had a dog in house or occasionally outside. Yes, Vets can be expensive, and two dogs had to be groomed, but we loved what those wonderful animals gave back to us. Now I simply have a concrete statue of little Casper, the Westie out by the pots of pansies on the patio. No fleas on him, for sure.

Lucenda, hope you get a part of your home back very soon. Isn't it bitterly cold where you live? What do you do about the heating?

Carol Sue. I finally realize part of the issues of health you must struggle with. You don't sound "down" very often, so I missed realizing that you contend with far more than I do.

My biggest struggle is to live OUTSIDE my head. I've always spent so much time thinking that at times family and friends feel shut out. I'm not intending to do so, but am simply occupied thinking.

Now DH is retired and DD has moved in here with us, I'm rarely alone. They each need far more interaction that I seem able to give. Thank goodness they enjoy each other, too. I retired 7 years ago and had house to myself, enjoyed the quiet after so many years at family business answering 4 phone lines, and responding to door and employees questions. Loved 4:00 PM when most of the guys went home and I could concentrate on the work I was responsible for with the phone on automatic.

Now I volunteer to coordinate a complicated program at our church that requires lots of calls, type up 24/7 calendars to show who does what and when, etc. I love the fact we have a quiet Prayer Chapel and wish I didn't live 16 miles away from it. Also now I share a car rather than having one o my own.

Actually because of my good health, loving family, warm comfortable home and safe neighborhood, I am extremely well blessed. Now I need to use that gym membership that is paid thru next summer and go build some muscles instead of griping.

Gayle you are short as I am, and probably have trouble finding a chair that allows you to get your feet of the floor. For me, as large as I've become, I also have trouble finding a chair that lets my hips have room and not be squeezed.

For anyone sleeping on their back as I do, try putting a pillow under your knees and feel the difference. I'm lucky to have a bed that will lift my head some and bend at the knees so I sleep so well at home. When we visit elsewhere or go to Motel, I use the pillow trick and it does help.

Never had my nails done on hands or feet. With intense gardening it would be a waste of time. I have noticed with my better diet and exercise that my nails are much stronger than they once were. Still keep them short and free of polish, simply hiding them when we are with those that have such beautiful hands.

Time to go to the gym. Enjoy what you can of the weekend.

Love2garden, I do have medical problems, but I realize many people are worse off than I am. I don't have more than I can handle. Each day is a gift and I rarely feel "down." I keep reminding myself that there are things I can do to improve my health, such as healthy eating and exercise.

You were lucky to have a few years home alone before your DH retired. My DH retired 8 years before I did and he got to be the one home alone. I was afraid we were going to be at each other's throats after I retired, but it is working out well. We each have things we do separately. We have gone down to 1 car, mostly to save on insurance. DH has another car, a hot rod, but he rarely drives it...it's a show car.

So glad dh was discharged this afternoon. Good to be home again and much to do. Things certainly haven't gone according to MY plans! Nor dh's either of course, poor guy. But glad we went and certainly don't regret a minute staying with him. I don't like to be away from him esp when he is not well which seems far too often these days. They diagnosed him with pleura effusion but still do not know the cause. After all the tests they did in ER, the doc (about 10 pm) came in and dh asked, is it good news? and the doc says I don't think so, and sat down with his head in his hand and told us he has no idea of the cause. They have ruled out many of the causes which leaves only a few and they don't sound good. It is scary in a way but at the same time we both have felt an underlying peace about it. Whatever happens it will be alright.

He is still having pain both from his lung and from the incision but the Oxy relieves most of it. I just changed his dressing and the tissue is poking out again, soft and spongy. I tried to gently push it back in but it won't go in. So I'm sure it will have to be cauterized again this week. Can't even tell she cauterized it, I don't think she did as much this last time.

I got a lot done last night after we got home.......picked up house, decorated the tree (not finished though), wrapped several gifts, washed two loads of laundry, folded another I did when I came home briefly yesterday. Now thinking about meals for the kids when they come. I warned my son (who's coming with his fam) I won't be nearly as organized and together as usual for the holiday but at least we'd be together and he agreed that's the important thing. The son who lives with us brought home pizza, so I didn't have to fix dinner.

I am feeling better since I got home too and despite thinking about all I have to do, I honestly very relaxed about it, even more so now. I guess I got enough done that I don't feel quite so behind. Even though it is Sunday I plan to do a few things I still haven't gotten done and finish trimming the tree. Then tomorrow I will focus on keeping things up and planning the meals, grocery shopping etc. When the kids come I hope to have things all set so it just flows and I can mostly enjoy them.

Lucinda - I too go to an nail place with Asian people who speak in their language...used to bother me, not so much now. What has helped is the tech who does my nails speaks very good English.

Love2garden - So glad you are with us and sharing more! It's strange, just sharing our individual lives is somehow comforting and also inspiring. We are so alike in many ways and yet different. Our past experiences have shaped us to where we are now and it seems at our age we can now more easily accept ourselves and each other. When was the statue of your doggie done....while he was still living I suppose? Nice idea in remembrance of a beloved pet.

Since her grooming Halo smells a little better but at times not so much still. Our son bathed her yesterday. At the clinic she wouldn't hold very still but we think she weighs 51.2 which is less than I expected. Being a basset hound she has a very solid built. I'm not sure I can lift her into the bathtub. May try it at some point when son is not around to help though as she has to have the flea shampoo done twice a week. I haven't seen her scratch since we started the flea control. I used a flea powder on the three bedrooms (one is my office) before going to the hospital but it has to set for an hour or two with no one/dog on it before vacuuming so haven't been able to find a time to do the other rooms yet.

Carole Sue - I too have a little cough...I think it is related to my hernia and seems to be positional.
Well, need to get ready for church. You all have a wonderful Sunday!
ETA: I started this post last night. Just edited and added more this morning. Dh just decided he doesn't feel well enough to go to church. He just took an oxy and is still lightheaded from it too. So guess I'll go back to bed maybe for a an hour or so.

Mary, I'm hoping they have a diagnosis for DH and he is home recouperating. You are both in my prayers.

Oops! We were both posting at the same time. I'll go read your post.

Mary, I'm so sorry to hear that DH is having all these issues. First the problems with his incision and now this. I googled pleural effusion because I wasn't sure what it was. It seems that there are a couple different kinds and can be caused by different things. It would have been much more comforting to you if they could pinpoint what it's from. When they did tests, did they find any infection in the fluid? Did they drain it? I hope the meds help him and this and his incision clear up.

I think your family will understand what you're up against and you will have a nice visit with them over the holidays. You're right that being together is the important thing, and I think it will lift DHs spirits to have his family around. Don't worry too much about getting things ready around the house. They will understand. I know you are worried about him, and that's understandable.

Halo is a big dog! My little Maltese is only about 12 lbs. He has been vomiting over the weekend and last night had diarrhea. I hope this is not from the tick. He is eating ok, but maybe we should be holding his food. This always happens over the weekend when the vet is closed. During the week he seems to get better.

My grandson is sick too. We watched him on Friday because he had a fever and couldn't go to kindergarten. This morning they had him to MedExpress because he is getting worse. Now he is on an antibiotic and has a doctor's excuse to miss school again tomorrow, but this time his Dad is staying home with him. I don't mind helping out, but if DH or I catch whatever he has, we will be much sicker than he is. He has youth on his side.

Take care, and keep us posted on DH.

Been resting with dh. His pain seemed worse this time, but with oxy it is relieved a little and he is resting. The pain eases too with lying on his back. I'm watching for continued increased pain and shortness of breath. So far haven't noticed any shortness of breath today. Unless the biospy shows differently, they have ruled out infection, no pneumonia, no embolism (his surgeon who sent us to ER thought that might be it), no inflamation (not pleurisy). They did a kidney test and told us it was ok, but one of the nurses later said the levels were a little off so not sure about that. The results were good enough to go ahead with the Cat Scan. His kidneys seem to be working fine. Which leaves congestive heart failure, cancer or an autoimmune disease on the list. He worked with asbestos and I overheard some nurses saying that they were thinking that might be it. We hope the biospy and heart scan will tell us more. It may indicate something the other tests did not or at least confirm their results. He sees his primary doc on Friday and hopefully he will have the results. A pulmonary specialist is to call us for an appt in a few days too.

Sorry to hear about your doggie. Hope he is all better soon. They are like having a small child again.

I got online to request prayer of our church pray line so better get to that.

Mary, I hope DH doesn't have cancer, but the other options don't sound good either. I know you have a deep faith in God and I pray that whatever it turn out to be, he will get you both through this. I hope he rests well tonight. Friday is going to seem like a long way off for his doctor appointment.

Mary, prayers for BOTH of you continue. When we believe in prayer that is heard by a loving God, it is such a comfort. Sounds as if that is helping you, too.

By the way, Casper did not have a dog statue made for him. DH was at gardening center and saw a cast concrete dog, small like him, and looked identical. He bought it for me.

Just got back from the gym, first time in 10 days. Badly cut toe is healed so my excuses for avoiding the gym are also gone. Sure could tell I've been sitting around too much.

Out side the skies are beautiful blue and air is above 45. If I were not so tired from gym it is perfect day to go for a walk. We certainly have to be grateful for any days that are sunny and a reasonable temperature.

Our grandson and his 20 month old son is coming for dinner tomorrow after work. I'm trying to "child proof" at least the two major rooms he will be in. Also sanitizing some toys that are in toy closet. Some belonged to his dad, some to his grandfather. We've been here for many decades so the toys simply have never been discarded.

Love2garden, we had a lot of toys here for when my 6 year old grandson comes. Many of them were bought at Goodwill. He likes to go there with us and look through the toys. Last week we donated a lot of them back. He is getting to old for them, and the room was getting crowded. He was here last week and asked where they were but we told him they were baby toys and we took them to Goodwill for other babies to play with. That response worked with him because he hates to be thought of as a baby.

My dog is back to normal today. He's only sick on weekends, when the vet is closed. LOL Last night he was hungry but we were afraid to feed him. We have him some Cheerios which he loves (no milk) and he's fine today. He has not thrown up all day and had a normal bowel movement this morning. Whatever it was has passed.

We are having warm weather today too, and tomorrow is going to be 60. Then back to winter weather, and some snow over the weekend.

We haven't heard anything from Mary this morning. That worries me. Hopefully, she's just busy.

Prayers for both of them continue.

I'm ok, just busy. Appreciate the concern and prayers. Have my housework about 1/3 done plus a couple loads of laundry. Also talked to dd on the phone. Need to go to the store for things for the holiday and for a haircut I keep talking about but not getting. Got cash for the rest of the month but forgot needed milk so dh is now running to the store for milk and a few other things. He wants to cook tonight which will keep me free to do other things. He seems to feel better today, less pain. As far as I know he's only had one dose of Tylenol since early this am.

Carole Sue - Glad your doggie is ok. Must have caught a bug from somewhere.

Love2garden- Oh I see about the statue...that's nice that he found one that looked like your dog and knew it would please you. How cool that your ggs has toys that belong to the past generations! How fast time flies...I know I can't believe how old my children are and that many of their children are now grown or almost grown!

Well have to get busy again. Want to keep up this week as need to start baking bread and cookies soon. My local dd said she would bake bread for Christmas so that will really help. I'll still try and bake some but I'm sure we will be eating some too so how much will be left for the holiday is questionable. Have to get my son to help me pull out the sofa bed and get it ready for use, and also the trundle bed. Also he will have to help me put a leaf in the table right before they get here. The last several holidays have been so easy and I haven't had to work this hard. Excited though that the kids are coming.