Donna, I ended up not going to church. I was up most of the night on Saturday and I was really hurting, as I am now. Bill took the goodies in for the coffee shop and I tried to rest. Can't do a good job on that, either. I'm in the 7th week of this and it does seem that it will never end. I can only hope.

I know what you mean by Wal Mart crowds and the lack of English in there and in other stores. I want so badly to carry a big sign and tell them to shut up, go home or learn our language, assimilate into our society, get a job, do whatever it takes to get our country back.

Once, about a year ago, we were in Home Depot and just as we went into the store, there was a huge sign telling people where the customer service department was. It was in Spanish and, in small letters below that, was the English translation! I marched right up to the desk and loudly complained about the insult of that sign. I don't usually do things like that, but I was livid! The girl said that signs came from headquarters and I gave her a message for corp. headquarters; "This is the United States and our primary language, meaning FIRST if they didn't understand that, is English. We, here in Florida, had to actually vote on that issue a few years back." Imagine having to vote that your own language would be the primary language! The next time we went into that store, the sign was gone.

Our schools are failing in educating our children, they are over crowded and we are losing teachers and other personnel due to cut backs because of the budget. Our medical services are so over-crowded and expensive, and how many illegals are being treated while our families have no insurance. This could go on and on and on.

I do hope that your cold goes away soon. Our oldest daughter has a terrible cold right now and she just coughs and coughs. She can't take any anti-histamines at all and has to just tough it out. Her voice sounds so bad.

Boy, I sure lengthened your "gripe of the day", didn't I? Better get off my soap box and behave myself.

To all, take care and God bless.

Lillian, Hope you were able to stay for all of the church service yesterday. I know you must be so weary of feeling bad. My cold is still lingering, but I don't feel so bad...just tired of blowing my nose and coughing, but I think it is better.

Had to go to Walmart this morning and I can't believe we are in a recession the way people were buying things. They have just remodeled this store and for now, it is nice and clean, but my gosh, I think they opened up the border and everyone came shopping today....I get so tired of hearing every language except English. Do these people never work?

That's my gripe for today.

Donna,

We, also, are "enjoying" summer! NOT! It is hot, steamy and not great to be outside. It is even sticky at around 6 A.M. when I go out for the paper. This will last until late Oct. or early Nov. Watch James when he is outside in the heat. I keep reminding Bill to take water with him and he is betting pretty good at remembering to take it with him when he is outside.

We saw your storms in Dallas the other night and I wondered how, or if, you were getting the same weather. The photos on the TV were awesome! Not a storm that I'd like to be caught in. Sure glad to know that you escaped any damage.

I am going to go to church tomorrow and hope that I can stay for the entire service. It is still hard to sit in one place or in one position and standing for more than a few minutes is hard to do. I have missed going to church so much and am happy to be going back. Our pastor is on vacation and attending a conference, also, so we will have a guest pastor. He has been at out church before and is a wonderful speaker. His congregation will join ours and we are also expecting another group to join us, so we shall have a large group. Our congregation is pretty small and it will be wonderful to have so many gathered there.

I am on an increased dosage of a medicine and taking it three times a day, instead of two times. It keeps me pretty tired and sleepy (except now, when I can't go to sleep). It also makes me "woozy", or "loopy" as our grand daughter calls it. I know how it must feel to be tipsy! It is hard to think straight! I don't know how long this will have to go on, but I am ready for normalcy to come back into my life.

Thanks to all for prayers and for the kind words sent to me. Thanks, too, for the lovely "e-cards". They are appreciated.

To all, take care and God bless.

Hope everyone is having a nice Saturday. It is summer time here. It is 95° and the humidity is off the charts. James did the yard this morning and his shirt was soaked. He took a shower and said that revived him. It revived him so much, he is taking a nap!

I have been battling a summer cold this week, but I think I have won the battle. I probably would have gone to the doctor, but she is on vacation and just didn't want to see her substitute. I took some over the counter Musinex and I think it really helped. She had told me in the past that I could take it. I spent one day in the bed, but was up yesterday and ran some errands and today, I feel even better.

We had some really bad weather on Wednesday night & Thursday morning. We got lots of rain, wind, lightning, etc. At one point 600,000 homes and businesses in the Dallas area were without power, but as of this morning the newspaper said it is now down to 60,000 and hopefully by Sunday, all power will be back on. We were fortunate where we live and did not lose our power, even though it blinked a couple of times. We didn't have any major damage…just small limbs, leaves, etc. A neighbor lost a large limb from their live oak tree and another lost their chimney, but both landed in the yard and didn't do any structural damage to their houses.

Bernice, hope you have recovered from Brian's move and Lillian, hope that you are beginning to see an improvement with your battle with the shingles. I checked out the website where Martha's cookbook is being reviewed and it appears she is getting some positive feedback. I hope it helps here as she has worked so hard for her recognition.

Have a great Sunday!

Bernice, I'm happy to hear that Brian has completed his move. We used to move a lot and it was a piece of cake. Of course, movers came in and handled the big pieces and did some of the packing, but we also packed many things that we didn't want anyone else touching. We also packed what we needed to travel and to have while waiting for furnishings to catch up to us. The military handled that part of the moves. We had so much stolen or broken or lost!

After the service days were over, we did all of our own moving and the last one was the killer one. After that move, I had the back surgery. I had had back problems for a long time, but that move topped it all off. I don't plan to ever move again.

Moving and taking care of the little ones isn't an easy task, either. We did that when our girls were young and they were really good kids, but they were still kids!

How nice to have friends from childhood. One of my best friends from childhood still lives in our home town and she is friends with two of my sisters. This lady never forgets to send a Christmas or birthday card that she, like my sisters and I, make ourselves. What fun we have with the card making.

Martha, Bill and Leslie are our rib lovers. Ribs just have never agreed with me and I make them for family, but eat the others foods of the meal. I'll make the next ones like you did yours. They'll love that.

Saw the rheumatologist today and he told me that he could put me on Oxycontin (sp?) but I declines. My sister had to take that in the last stages of her cancer and it is potent! It is also addictive and I won't even go near that! I'll see the family doctor on Wednesday. I wonder if this will ever be over so that I can move on with my life, sleep a little and walk or stand more than a few minutes.

To all, take care and God bless.

Well, Brian has finished his move, the old place cleaned (waiting for the deposit back) and I feel like I have some time to myself. Brian had Maggie for 10 days straight so we were helping with her in addition to the move. Brian called one evening and wanted us to come over to care for Maggie. He was trying to put stuff up in the attic by pull down stairs and everytime he went up, Maggie started up too. She has had so much fun going through boxes sitting on the floor and in her reach. If she got out of my sight I could always find her-- bent over a box, head in, and just her butt showing.

I am so glad, Lillian, that your friends are bringing some meals in. I, too, have meals in the freezer to fall back on, but it's really nice to not have anything to do but go to the table. Your friends want to repay your kindness to them in times past.

My friend Betty from Roanoke, Va. is going to come tomorrow for a short visit. Dane, her husband, has business in Atlanta on Wed. so he will drop her off here on the way. Betty and I have been friends since eighth grade and she and Dane are our traveling buddies. Maybe while she is here we can plan this years vacation. After Alaska last year, everyplace we come up with pales in comparison. I'm going to fix chicken salad and blueberry cream cheese pies. There will be other meals but I haven't thought any further than the chicken. Martha, the ribs sound real easy but I can't eat them. About ten years ago, I had them and that night I had a gall bladder attack. (The Gall bladder came out ten days later) Since that time I can't even smell ribs without feeling sick at my stomach. I know it's all in my head.

Yesterday I was in Maggie's room putting some of her toys away and I tripped over one of her riding toys. I fell but landed between the bed and book case. Couldn't have planned it better--didn't hit my head. I was always falling when I was having chemo and landing on my head. It's a wonder I have any sense left.

It is summer here--in the 90's. It was pleasant this morning but this afternoon we had a few drops of rain and now the humidity is over the top. The tomatoes and cucumbers are doing great; and we are still getting a few strawberries at a time (enough for cereal).

Everyone take care. Love, Bernice

Donna, the ribs were great. I had 3/4 a rack left over, a friend came over Sunday and wanted to try them. I didn't tell him how they were cooked. He did comment that he didn't know I could grill so well. He told me he only wanted 2-3 but ended up eating all of them. It's so easy and you can now have ribs during the winter. Wish I had some of James' fresh fish. I love fish and love to catch them. I have a suggestion for your Sunday dish. Lillian's Pineapple Cake. It's wonderful!

Lillian, You have to get well! Shingles go on roofs, not the body! You probably need to get some rest too. I sure do miss you, Bill, Leslie and Richard.

I meet with the Marketing Agent in the morning. Let's hope he can really do his job. His wife's book and mine will be his first "books" to market so he will be learning on both of us but that's better than what my agent through the publisher is doing. I do think he will work extra hard to get his name out there. His wife told me that he's great at marketing the magazine he publishes so he should do good with our books.
Love & Hugs to Everyone and God Bless everyone especially Lillian's doctor.

Hello. Just a note to let you know that I am still among the living and have not forgotten my friends.

I still can't stay in any one place for long and still in never-ending pain with this, but keep hoping that tomorrow will be a better day.

A lady friend from church called on Sunday to tell me that four ladies had us covered for meals from Monday through Thursday. Several have called and asked what they could do; could they bring meals, etc. I declined because we really had it all covered with meals already in the freezer or so easy to prepare. These girls just decided that they would bring meals anyway and I am truly grateful. Last night we had delicious chicken and a wondeful tossed salad. Today, we shall have meatloaf, mac and cheese and green beans and, for dessert, Girl Scout thin mint cookies (this is a favorite of Bill's, but Fran didn't know that). It really does help because when I stand for more than a few minutes, the shingles marks turn as red as berries and start burning. It is something that amazes me to see me go from faded splotches to looking like a neon sign.

I have been keeping up with reading your messages and have enjoyed visiting with all of you. Donna, don't you love the potluck dinners that churches have? It is amazing to see how many different ways foods can be prepared and, OH!, it is all so delicious.

James seems so happy to be fishing. Bill used to fish all the time but doesn't do any of that any longer. Our oldest grandson loves to go fishing, too.

Martha, I will fix your ribs; Bill loves ribs but I am not fond of them. We always cooked them in a small amount of water, then put them on racks in the oven, or on the grill, to finish up the cooking. He and Leslie like to get ribs at Chlli's but Leslie can't do that any longer. Those two loved to share a rack of ribs and I was content with a salad or the Chicken Tenders. I could only eat one or one and a half tender strips, though.

I think that I'll go to the recliner now, hook up the heating pad and lean back. When the doctor told me that this new medicine would make me tired and sleepy, I told him that I am already tired and I doubted if anything can make me sleep. I was right. I'll see the doctor tomorrow (he had to change my appointment from Friday to tomorrow), so I'll see where I stand on this.

To all, take care and God bless.

Martha, I'll bet your ribs were delicious...made my mouth water and it sounded so easy. I guess that one will be a "keeper." How is the new book coming along?

My Sunday School class is having a potluck lunch after church on Sunday so I have been thinking about what I will bring. Think I have decided on a coconut pie and what else, is still pending. I will bake my crust on Saturday afternoon or evening and then mix the pie up on Sunday morning. I cook the filling in the microwave so it doesn't take that long to get it done.

It has been hot here and I told James, just think, three more months of this. We've had a lot of days with high humidity and that makes it seem much hotter.

James is still fishing and is getting tired, but he insists it is fun. I just can't fathom how it can be fun when it makes you that tired. He said he will probably finish up a little after the middle of the month. I cannot believe it is already June 1. The time just flies by.

Lillian, hope that you are feeling some better. We miss your cheery notes here.

Donna

I told you that if my experiment worked I would tell you about it. It worked! I woke up in the middle of the night with an idea for cooking ribs in the oven and still having the smoky taste. What I did was use my large roasting pan (2 pieces). I put about 1/2" of water in the bottom and added 4-5 Tbl. of liquid smoke. I rubbed the ribs with a dry rub which I've never done before. I usually use liquid all the way. I put the ribs on the rack of the roasting pan, put it in the oven at 275 degrees for about 4 hrs. turning once. The water steamed the ribs keeping them moist and sending the smoke flavor throughout the meat. About 30 minutes before taking out of the oven I brushed both sides with liquid BBQ sauce. This is a sure way to have smoky ribs, chicken, etc. year round. I've tried the liquid smoke by adding it to meats and it always comes out spotty in flavor, too strong at times or not enough. This way is perfect.
Love you Guys. God Bless Everyone and thank you for those late night thoughts.

Hi Everyone. I'm working on a new way to make ribs. If this works we can all have ribs no matter what the weather. It was a thought that woke me up last night. I guess my body sleeps but my mind doesn't. I'll let everyone know tonight if it works.
Love you all!

Lillian, glad to hear from you, but so sorry that you aren't feeling any better. It's just a shame that all we can do is think about you and hope that you start improving. I know you are exhausted from the pain and no sleep. I, like Bernice, wish there was something I could do to help, but alas, it's a long way from TX to FL. Will continue to include you in our prayers.

Lillian: I am so sorry you are suffering. I, of course, wish there was something I could do to help. You are on my mind and in my prayers. Love, Bernice

Donna, I found another book by Diane Davidson, "Killer Pancake" but haven't read it as yet. I just finished "Aunt Dimity: Detective", by Nancy Atherton. It was a bit different because Aunt Dimity is the spirit of a long gone relative. Am now reading, " On, Off" by Colleen McCullough. It started off very dull, boring, full of technical medical research (not a great thing for now, for me, as I can hardly think), but it has picked up now. I am not sure if I would bother with it if I had access to the library at the moment.

I saw the doctor yesterday and he said the shingles are worse now than they were last week. Oh, boy, tell me about it! He also said that the pain is more severe in older people than in those who get this at a younger age. Again, tell me about it! I had them over 30 years ago and they were painful, but not to this extent. He has me on yet another medicine which he told me would make me very tired and very sleepy. I'll buy that. I am not sleeping much at all. Night before last, I went to bed after 11:00, was still awake and hurting at 2:16 and got up. I never went to sleep again until sometime this morning and up again at 3:20. I am exhausted and was reminded yesterday that this pain can last for a long time, possibly even for years. My left leg, hip, back, side and rump are all affected. I do need prayers, please, for help in handling this.

I'm glad that James enjoys the audio tapes of books. I tried it once and didn't like it at all. One actor played every role, with a French accent yet, and he was terrible. His "woman's voice" was just laughable. I never listened to another one and I guess I should. It could have been only that rendition that turned me against them.

I can't believe that I have written this much, even though it has taken me several trips to the computer over tha past few hours. It feels good to link up to all of you again.

Thanks for being here.

Take care and God bless.

Just got back from the library to pick up some books that I had on hold. They are for James and nothing I am interested in reading. I'm his "librarian" and he is totally spoiled. He loves mysteries so I don't have a lot of problem keeping something for him to listen to. He listens to the CD's and anytime he is outside and not using a power tool, he listens to the books. It passes a lot of time for him. Of course, now, he is fishing and that means going to the lake every morning. He gets up really early, picks up his boat at the storage place and runs his lines and then calls me when he has the boat loaded and ready for the return trip home. He has caught a lot of fish this year and has enjoyed it and right now, the weather is being especially cooperative.

We had a little storm some time this morning (I slept through it) and it knocked our electricity out for a while. That is most unusual for our area, but it sure happened this morning. James said he got dressed for the lake by flashlight. He didn't get his morning coffee, though. By the time I got up, the electricity was on and I got all the blinking clocks set.

Our weather is so pretty today. We had a little cool front with the storm and it is the 70's today and the sun is shining. Supposed to be in the 90's later in the week, though.

We had fried fish for lunch today and it was delicious. We don't eat it fried as much as we used to so it is a treat when we have it.

Lillian, do hope when you go back to the doctor he has a new and better strategy to get you feeling better. I have a friend who is battling shingles, but hers was caught very early and evidently was not very bad as she hasn't slowed down much. I know you are so weary of not feeling good. Maybe in a few days, things will get better.

Hope everyone has a nice evening.

Donna

I hope to post more often and for a bit longer time. Right now, I am still unable to do anything for any length of time. Another round of medications and still not much relief. Will see the doctor tomorrow afternoon and see what is going on.

To all, take care and God bless.