Vacation cont. We reached Roanoke early evening on Tuesday, the 20. We just took out of the van the things we needed for the night. Wed. morning it took until about 10 to unload the van and get the stuff into our truck. This time we managed to get our own dirty laundry; there have been years when a bag or two have been switched. We went to the orchard for apples, had lunch at a favorite deli that we miss so much and then on up to the mountain for potatoes. We got to Don's nephews house about a half hour early so we rested until they came in from work. We spent until about 8 with Joeys family and headed for Martinsville and Don's sister. Iris has reason to be so proud of her grandbabies. The two boys are cracker jacks; never stopping. Rebecca, the 4 month old, just slept or watched with big brown eyes whatever was going on at the time. She is a really good baby.

We spent Wed., Thur., and Friday night with Iris. Martinsville was getting crowded with the NASCAR race that ran on Sunday. You could go outside on Friday and Sat. and it sounded like jet planes going constantly.(time trials) Anywhere we went we had to plan how to get around the traffic. I was born in Henry County so I still have relatives in the area. Friday afternoon, Don and I went to see my cousin/aunt. My mothers niece married one of my Daddy's brothers so Irene can get me caught up on both sides of the family. I heard a lot of cancer and other sickness news but we are all getting older. I think that I mentioned that Iris is a good cook. I have two recipes that I will share later. She made her mothers sugar cookies (more like a tea cake)for us. I just can't make them like Mrs. Webb did. We were able to bring a dozen home for Brian and Maggie. Maggie is a true Webb--she loves them too. Iris also made a brown sugar pound cake with carmel icing. It was really sweet and I had to scrape the icing off. On Saturday, we went to Hillsville for a mini Webb reunion at a local restaurant located in the old hardware store. Food was good considering we were in Hillsville. There were 6 cousins there, all total 19. Few enough that you could get around and talk a bit with everyone. We went to see a cousin on the other side of the family and while we were there another cousin came by so we had two cousins for the one trip. We spent the night in Wythville getting there after dark. We couldn't get a room in Hillsville (there are plenty of relatives to stay with but Don won't do that) because of the race in Martinsville. We arrived back in Chattanooga on Sunday. I just told Don that it has never taken me this long to put stuff up after a trip. However, I have never been this age before!!

I put on a pot of pinto beans this morning--back to basic food. That was one thing we didn't have on the trip. I'll serve them with coleslaw, chow-chow and corn bread. Love, Bernice

Donna, I know what you mean by fighting a losing battle with leaves and acorns. This oak tree here is so tall but not as nice as the one where we used to live, before moving here. That tree was gorgeous and so full of branches (and acorns, of course). Leaves were everywhere from that oak. I had read that an oak will not produce acorns until it was 50 years old. Well, that one must have been a century old. This year's acorns are starting to fall, but they are still green. We are still having such summer weather that the poor tree doesn't know what to do.

Yesterday, it reached 91 here and today was supposed to be the same, or a degree higher, with heat index at 95-100. So, I stayed in all day and painted ornaments for Christmas. Fans going and A/C going full blast. We are to get a mini-cool front for the weekend and beginning of next week, dropping us into mid-80's.

I know how James feels about not getting around. When I wore that darn boot for 10 months, I felt that I'd never get out of it. The best thing that I did, and first thing, was to take a shower without a large bag over my leg. That was heavenly. I'm glad that James is listening to the doctor and not rushing things. Healing is so slow, especially when we want to do things right now.

Years ago, my sister and I went to NYC twice, on vacation. We were both single then and we wanted to see the sights there. We had even thought of transferring there for our jobs; both of us worked for Bell Telephone then. That city is aptly named as "The city that never sleeps". Those brilliant lights are always on and that is a busy place. Now, that was in the very early 1950's so much would be changed by now. We were used to a large city (Pittsburgh, PA) and weren't afraid of the traffic, subways or anything else. Those were more innocent days, for sure. We went to broadway shows, TV shows, museums, parks, historic monuments (climbed up to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, went to Battery Park, saw Ellis Island, walked all over the garment district. Just so much to see and to do there. We did decide, though, to stay in our jobs at home and just visit NYC from time to time.

Bernice,

Your travelogue was wonderful. So many places that you spoke about took me down memory lane again. When we went to Williamsburg, VA a few times, we stopped at the Apple Barn, near Richmond. What a wonderful place to just wander through and enjoy the smells of autumn. The first time there, we were with my sister and brother-in-law, and we came around a curve in the road and there were hundreds of pumpkins all over the grass. Pumpkins in different colors: orange, yellow, white, red. Then there were the fall leaves lending their beauty to the scene. I have never forgotten that place. I don't like cider, but they had the best cider! They pressed the apples right there and it was so fresh.

I don't like seafood, but Bill does. We traveled to so many seaports and he loved every menu. There was a place in Williamsburg called "That Seafood Place" and it was such a nice place with a super salad bar.

Thanks for the wonderful journey that you shared. I enjoyed all of it.

Take case and God bless all.

Today is Halloween and I haven't put out the first thing for decoration. Brian had Maggie last year so Karen gets her this year. Without Maggie I don't feel the need to get in the Halloween spirit. Also, I didn't want to put stuff out that would go back up by Monday. I noticed that up North, especially NY that they decorate lots more for Halloween then we do around here. I think that I would like to see some of these villages at Christmas time.

Don and I won't even be home to hand out candy. We are meeting Don and LaRue, Sue and her new boyfriend for dinner at the Chop House. I may put on my Halloween socks and put on a Halloween pin. Nothing ever happens until we go out of town. We leave and Sue gets engaged. LaRue and I have got to check this guy out.

Don't eat too much of the left over Halloween candy like I usually do and keep well. Love, Bernice

Happy Halloween. We don't decorate for this "holiday" either. I did that when the grandkids were young and when I had my day care, but not now with just the two of us. Actually, we aren't going to turn our porch light on, either, this year. I want to sit with my feet up and a heating pad on my back...not jumping up every time the door bell rings.

We were at Susan's today and had a nice visit. We took her to lunch and she chose the Chinese buffet (which I knew that she would). So much food and kept nicely hot, too. However, I can't taste anything except salt and sweet or the constant "spoiled" taste that I have now. No matter what I fix or order, I end up not being able to eat it. Some things actually make me sick. I did eat 4 green beans, two bites of Egg Foo Young (which I love), two bites of Chop Suey and the rest I just couldn't handle. I was going to go for soup and then changed my mind because my stomach churned when I first thought of having that. The specialist said that this is probably caused by the damaged glands and I think he is right because it all started when the infections started. I hope that it clears up soon.

Anyway, we enjoyed Susan and our little side trip to a favorite store of hers up there. She bought me two beautiful pins, one is Christmas and the other is for every day. Bill bought a Christmas decorating/recipe book and a butterfly pin (I love butterflies!) and it will go so nicely with 4 or 5 different outfits. These were surprises to me. We had hoped to see our grandson, his wife, and the kids but they were running so late and we needed to get home. Baby Hailee is out of the hospital and is to be fed 2 oz. of formula every 2 hours. They had increased her amount and she really got sick. She was in the hospital again and was dehydrated because she couldn't eat and keep it down. She also wasn't sleeping and just kept crying and then screaming. Poor baby was so constipated and that was a main reason her Mom took her to the doctor and he admitted her into the hospital. She is 3 months old now, still tiny but so alert. She scoots around a bit and laughs a lot. She loves to laugh and hear herself, I have been told. I can't wait until Christmas comes and she sees all of the lights. That will be pure magic!

I'm beat and so will go find my chair. I may do a bit of ornament painting this evening....we'll see. I have been up since 5:20 this morning, just couldn't sleep or stay in bed. We get an extra hour of sleep tonight; well, most people will.

There are so many decorations out here now for this holiday. It's amazing how much work is put into this and, like you said, Bernice, it all comes down by Monday. We just saw an inflated headless horseman along with ghosts and such. Tombstone type grave stones and pumpkins all over the place. Hope everyone saved the insides of the pumpkins and will make pies or other great desserts with it. We used to toast the seeds and eat them, too.

Take care and God bless.

Everyone - Just a quick note before I go to bed. Have to be at work tomorrow by 7:00 a.m. Not too bad because it will actually be 8:00 a.m. old time. Anyway. I was just on Amazon and guess what! Stir, Laugh, Repeat is ranked out of 387 cookbooks as #65 in the most popular!!!! Can you believe that. I'm even ahead of one of Rachael Ray's books.

Love you all and God Bless all of you especially those wonderful people who like my book.

Martha, Sure I can believe that you are ahead of Rachael Ray's books. I don't care for her show or her books, nor do I care for Paula Dean. Or is it Deen? I have heard a few others say that they didn't care for either of these, either, and yet they sell like hotcakes. Your book is not only a good cookbook, but it is good reading. A "down home" cookbook.

Keep up the good work! You know that you have a nice cheering squad here.

Today, we took Baked Pineapple to church and it was still really warm when we got there. Our family loves that and it goes well with ham, poultry or just by itself, can be eaten either hot or cold.

I have some BBQ going in the crock pot and we'll have some potato patties and mixed veggies with it. I can't eat BBQ sauce, but this one isn't bad and I only take a bite or two anyway. I'll hopefully eat the vegetables and maybe a piece of potato. If I can't start tasting soon, and not have everything taste spoiled, I'm going to ask the doctor about just killing what taste buds I have left. I think that anything would be better than what this is. I have a sister who can't taste or smell and that has been happening for years.

It has finally cooled down a wee bit here. I am so happy to see that heat wave leave us. Now, if we could only have a bit of rain!

To all, take care and God bless.

Congratulations, Martha. I am so happy for you. Makes all the hard work worthwhile, doesn't it. Love, Bernice

Edited by author 11-02-2009 06:58 PM
Congratulations to Martha for being ranked as the 65th most popular cookbook. I know I have enjoyed it. Am waiting on the second one that she is currently working on.

James went back to the doctor today and he took the bandage off and now he has to wear a splint which he says is much more comfortable than the bandage. Still in his orthopedic shoe, but can remove it to sleep and he told him he could be up on his foot as much as he wanted. Doesn't have to go back for three weeks and the doctor said he should be able to wear a shoe by that time. Yipee! Now I have someone to help me with the acorns. LOL

Bernice, did you give Susan your approval for her fiancee? I didn't put any decorations out for Halloween either and didn't turn on the porch light as I just didn't want to be bothered. We don't have any young children in our neighborhood and the trick or treaters we usually have are teenagers whose parents bring them in by the car load. Besides, the Texas Longhorns were playing football that night.

Lillian, so sorry about your taste buds. I wish you were like me and everything tastes good. Yesterday, I went to church, but didn't stay for Sunday School and came home and fixed chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy. James told me it was delicious. I told it of course it was since it was bad for us. That is what tastes good to me. If it tastes bad, you know it has to be good for you.

Tonight, I am having a salad and I do like that even with fat free dressing. James is having grilled chicken with green peppers & onion done on the grill. He wraps it up in a flour tortilla and has guacamole with it.

Have a great evening.

We had a very nice dinner Sat. night. We all got along with Sue's new fella. I did get him alone at one point and questioned him! Sue later told me that she asked him if that made him mad. He said no, that just indicated to him how much we thought of her. I've known Sue for 33 years and I would hate for a man to come between us!! I just don't want her hurt. Again. I think I will be involved in a wedding before the new year. Too fast if you ask me.

I went to the hearing aid doctor yesterday. No fluid in my left ear so I was fitted for an aid. I haven't been getting 14 days out of my batteries, just 10 days, so my right aid was sent back. I am hearless. Back to TV volume at 50 and Don yelling at me. I hope my right ear doesn't take two weeks to get back.

Went to my radiologist this morning. Got a good report and I won't see him again for a year. The oncologist in Jan., surgeon in June and radiologist in Oct.--that's my 2010 schedule. There were many people in the waiting room, brought back so many memories. They were having a bake sale in the lobby of the hospital so I bought Don a slice of vanilla pound cake. He hasn't eaten it yet.

Once I got home I called my primary care doctor and I have an appointment for tomorrow morning. I feel like I have a sinus infection and if I do I don't want it to turn into what I went through in July. I ended up sleeping a good bit this afternoon. I have been taking over the counter meds and they make me sleepy. I did do a bit of ironing and cooked supper.

Love, Bernice

I have bronchitis. I got a shot this morning and was put on medication. Don is out picking it up now. The practice was very busy this morning. I asked about the H1N1 shot and they won't be giving it, that if I wanted it I would have to go to the Health Dept. The nurse/practitioner said that she wasn't going to take the shot 'cause of the controversy between doctors and the rush to get it to the market. My radiologist said yesterday to get it. I still have time to make up my mind because the Health Dept is out of the shots and all the eligible people haven't gotten theirs yet.

It is a beautiful day here. The leaves are pretty and it's almost 70 degrees. Doesn't make me want to get out to do yard work; there is nothing that will make me want to do that! I will sit out on the deck for awhile after I get off from here.

Everyday I tell myself that I will start cookie making and freezing for the holidays but I have yet to start. Don wasn't real fond of his piece of pound cake that I got him yesterday. It was a yellow cake mix made in a bundt pan. The money went to a good cause, though, and the volunteer baker was a volunteer. I don't think there is anything that says that a pound cake has to be made from scratch. At one sale to benefit breast cancer I bought a whole red velvet cake. That one was homemade and out of this world. If you need chocolate for dipping, Sams has their supply in. Around here you can only get it at Sams once a year. We dip ritz/peanut butter crackers, cocoanut balls, butter mints, peanut butter balls. Everything is better in chocolate. Can't believe that my friend Linda doesn't like chocolate but she dips with the rest of us.

Love, Bernice

Bernice, We were told by our doctor to get the HIN1 shot,too. I called the Health Dept. this morning as they are having them for the next two Saturdays. Well, I managed to get the grouch of the group on the phone. Wow, she should have a different job! This is how she answered the phone..."Yes!", now put a bark with that and it was her greeting. I thought that she may pick up on manners if I was nice, so I said, "Good morning". She was silent and so I told her what the doctor said and asked if they were giving the shots to anyone over 64 (cut off age for many states) and she said NO. Then she gave this advice..."If your doctor wants you to have the shots, let him order them and give them to you. We do not give them to anyone over 64 because anyone over that age is immune and had been since the early 1960's" Now, why did I see a news report on the CBS evening news last night that was all about how elderly are dying at the same rate as young people, from this flu. They showed film of elderly with walkers and in wheel chairs and they looked a heck of a lot older than us. Of all of the deaths from this flu, the elderly stand at 14%! I guess that we are just being written off. I would never take a shot that is meant for a child or anyone else. I have lived a nice long life and I would want the young to have that same privilege. Anyway, I'll tell the doctor what she said and see what he wants to do.

I am praying for you that you will soon be free of the bronchitis. I just got over that a month or so ago and I have had it many time. Not very comfortable. You have a good caregiver there in Don. Bless him for his tender care.

I, too, have been wanting to start my Christmas baking, but am not up to it right now. I am in tremendous pain from the back. The pain radiates around the ribs and into my chest, causing chest pain that makes it hard to breathe. Add the asthma to that and it is miserable. I can't even move without adding to the discomfort. I am so tired and really tired of this back thing. I guess it is time to see the surgeon who did the last surgery on another 3 discs. He is top-notch and I trust him completely. My doctor has been trying to get through this without surgery because he says that I am very high-risk. Well, I have been high risk for several years and have had many surgeries over the past few years. If it makes me feel human and keeps me functioning, I'll do what it takes.

I roasted a chicken yesterday for dinner and Bill was in high heaven with that. I couldn't eat it, but he enjoyed his dinner. There was quite a lot left over, so I made chicken salad today for tonight's dinner. Also boiled some eggs, have fresh tomatoes and applesauce to go along with it. He'll be a happy camper when he gets home.

To all, take care and God bless.

Bernice, I forgot to add that we will be going to Sam's this Saturday to pick up sugars, nuts and the chocolate. We used to live 5 minutes away from there, but now live about 8 miles away. Still not bad, except for the traffic here. It is so congested and will only get worse since our winter visitors are pouring in now. Well, Florida has no industry, so we depend on tourism and we welcome all of our visitors. I just wish that we had more highways to hold the traffic. Oh, well, we can't have everything, can we?

Bernice, years ago, the Red Velvet Cake was called "Waldorf Astoria Cake" and it was served at the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NYC. At least, that is what I read many moons ago, when I was a young, young woman. My sister and I took two trips to NYC and we enjoyed the sights, the food and the Broadway plays. We did have the cake in the dining room of another hotel and it was delicious. I used to make it and it is really a delicious cake. It uses an whole bottle of red food coloring and that gives it that beautiful color.

Another trip down memory lane and I thank you for that.

I am not much better today. I took one of my miracle pills as soon as Don got home from the drug store yesterday. The prescription was for 5 pills and the insurance was charged 90.99. I had been given a coupon with the prescription so our co-pay was only (only!) $25. With a price like it had I thought I would be well today. I had a coughing fit last night/early morning and lost a few hours.I took some cough medicine but couldn't go back to sleep for while. Don moved the yard/got up leaves and I made sure he had a mask on and I stayed inside. After he finished we sat awhile on the deck. It is absolutely beautiful today and it's cool. I think we may get rain this weekend. Maggie comes in tonight and we will have her tomorrow while Brian works. We're going to go get winter pansies and let Maggie help plant them. We plant them around the mailbox area. Years past it took two flats and they would grow and spread. Now I just buy bigger pots and Don doesn't have to dig so much. Either way I can get by for about $20.

Here is a dish that Iris had when we were at her house. I love raw cabbage (slaw) but don't care for cooked cabbage. I liked this dish and will be making it for us. Sounds like it can be cut down in size.

Cabbage Casserole
1 medium cabbage
2 cups cheese (Sharp cheddar
2 tablespoon flour
1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine
1 6oz. package of cornbread stuffing mix

Trim and shred cabbage. Cook in boiling water until tender; drain but reserve 2 cups of the cabbage liquid. Spread in a greased 9X13 pan. Combine cabbage liquid, cheese and flour in saucepan over medium heat. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Pour the cheese mixture evenly over the cabbage layer. Mix the melted marg. and stuffing mix in a bowl; sprinkly evenly over the cabbage. Bake, covered at 350 for 30 minutes. The recipe doesn't call for it but I always cook cabbage for Don in salted water and add a tad of sugar.

Love, Bernice

Bernice, I wish that you could feel better and really enjoy the gorgeous autumn weather. I love to walk in the fallen leaves and love the crisp air, which we don't get much of here. We do have a few trees around that will change and drop leaves, but not many.

Your medicine is expensive. When my sister was having Chemo, she had to take one pill every day for 5 days before the chemo. Those 5 pills were $600.00. No wonder some people choose not to have the treatments for that disease. I always tell Bill that he will have to divorce me and then we can live together and go on welfare. We need a shake-up with the pharmaceutical companies and the hospitals for fee gouging.

I made an appointment for tomorrow morning to see what the doctor can do about this back/chest pain. I am coughing a lot and that sure hurts. Asthma makes me cough and, so, I know that I don't have anything like flu. I just need to be able to get some rest and stop hurting so much. Isn't old age wonderful? Well, it does beat the alternative, doesn't it?

Thanks for the recipe. I love cabbage no matter what you do with it. I put it in veg soups and I love it just tender cooked and with butter and salt/pepper on it. I love Klushki, with noodles and cabbage. I love stuffed cabbage, too. Hmmmm, I wonder if my crazy taste buds would allow me to eat that. I'll get some cabbage and make some this weekend.

On Saturday, we will head up to Susan's to celebrate our grandson's 26th birthday. He just wants a simple picnic/bbq type day so that is what we will do. I hope that I can make the trip. It is so hard to find a position to sit in where I can get my breath. We'll go back up on the 15th for the birthdays of 2 great grandsons. Busy month and that includes the family gathering on Thanksgiving.

To all, have a great fall day...take care and God bless.

Hi, everyone. I have been having some weird computer problems and Leslie came over to check it out. The date on the computer kept going back to Jan. 2002 and the time was really off. Our power had gone off in the night, last night, and I couldn't get on line this morning. Strange happenings with this thing.

I went to the doctor this morning and he has me schedule for another MRI in the morning. He said that there is either another fracture or another disc involved here. I just know that I have had a really rough week. I have some sort of infection going on, now on antibiotics again, and it is affecting my breathing and my chest. He said that he is worried about me and I told him that I am, too.

I'll see him on Wednesday again and will get the results from the MRI. Meanwhile, it is rest, rest,rest.

To all, take care and God bless.