KarenK

Gwen, here is your second laugh for the night. I decided to make a box of brownies, which I've probably done at least a hundred times. Color me blind or stupid, but even after reading the directions more than once, I put in waaay too much water. Thought it sure was soupy while stirring it, but oh well. Put them in the oven and looked at the box. Whoops! Guess it will be Brownie Surprise! Too bad the dogs can't eat chocolate.

It's surely a sign of the times. I've seen 2 commercials tonight from toilet paper manufacturers about how they are working harder and faster to get the products out to stock the shelves. A country brought to it's knees due to lack of toilet paper. Not funny by any means, but something none of us ever thought we would see.

Gwen, I think I fell in love with him watching North and South. Also loved Dirty Dancing and Ghost. Heck, I loved watching him in anything. I have several of his movies on dvd. Yet another tragedy when he died. So many of the good ones are gone. Never a big Brad Pitt fan, although I liked him in Legends Of The Fall.

Marg, just read your last post. I knew what you meant. The black dog is also an urban legend of various types. For truckers, it appears if they start to fall asleep driving. It signifies a bad or fatal accident. Thank you, Patrick Swayzee.

Marg, the black dog has been with me for a very long time. In 2006, when we were leaving Debbie's and she was on the porch waving goodbye, Ron turned to me and said "Debbie has cancer". I replied "No, she doesn't". How he knew I couldn't tell you and neither could he, only that I lived with him for 40 years and he had too many premonition that came true. He could only describe them as a feeling of dread engulfing him. Still, we never mentioned it again until 2008 when she called with her diagnosis. His dread was never about himself, only family members. The black dog was here for more than one and he finally took them. He's never far away. He comes at night when I try to sleep and runs a constant video of the last two weeks of Debbie's life as she lay suffering. She looked like holocaust victim when she died. I cannot unsee those things and never will. He's not here to take me, only to leave me in torment. Gwen, I hope you're home safe again and with the right medication. Just my opinion, but I would not have a friendship with someone who doesn't have my best interests at heart. You don't need that type of contact. It can only add to your stress.

Oh Gwen, you have so many different things going on, it's hard to know the answer. You say your breathing worsens when you get home. Are you more anxious at home? Is there anything inside your house that might be irritating your breathing? Lots of dog hair here that gets to me no matter how much it's vacuumed. Or is it all part of the bigger picture you are living? I wish I could help, somehow. Does it help to increase the oxygen flow? Glad to hear that Ally is holding her own for now. Hope you will get some answers tomorrow.

My gripe for the day.......... The virus is rampant.....People everywhere are dying.......Our lives are turned upside down.....And yet, my city in it's infinite wisdom is still concerned that there is grass growing in the cracks of the sidewalk. A city inspector is still driving around giving out warnings and citations for this heinous offense. Perhaps his time would be better spent watching for these nuts that are going around licking & spitting on groceries. GET REAL, PEOPLE! Off my soapbox!

Hi Polly, nice to see you. Has your daughter completely recovered from her terrible accident? It's so tough to let our kids go when they want to be on their own. Ron & I ate out all the time. Can't afford that luxury now except cheap takeout sometime. I don't like to cook even in normal times............. Glad to hear your relationship is going well once again.

Stocked up on meat for a couple of weeks, but the prices are atrocious. No "specials" for sure. Couldn't get potatoes this time. Robert hates grocery shopping, did even before all this, but he does it. I'm a browser when I shop perusing the aisles for different things. He's a no nonsense, get it done and over with shopper which fits perfectly for now. He has no patience and I guess I have the patience of Job. Funny, I had a different attitude about clothes shopping. I remember Ron used to like to go to the mall and "window shop". I only went if I had money to spend or for something specific. All logic aside, my mom and I would shop the sales for hours. I really miss her. She was my best friend. There I go again, remembering the good times. Too much sadness in that.

Got one of those medical scam calls yesterday. I never answer my phone unless I know the caller, but Robert was standing next to the phone and he loves to mess with scammers using a feeble voice, acting hard of hearing, or replying in a made up language. This one had spoofed the number of a local restaurant. She asked for me with a foreign accent, just kept asking. She finally identified herself with some weird name and blah blah blah medical facility. Wanted to talk to me about my pain and swelling. WHAT PAIN AND SWELLING? He told her to scam somebody else. Some of the human race is just plain disgusting!

I'm glad you started this, Gwen! I also look forward to conversing with our friends here as I'm not on Facebook or anything. I'm just living my boring life, same as I would be if we weren't in lockdown. Even if recreation was an option, our funds are so limited we can't go anywhere. Here I finally reached the age where I can get a free lifetime hunting\fishing license and can't afford to drive to the lake. I don't hunt, but love sitting by the lake in the mountains fishing, even if I don't catch anything. My online bead store has an annual Easter Egg Hunt contest which is fun and absorbs a fair amount of time. They have postponed it until summer as it generates a lot of orders and prizes to be filled. Most employees are working from home, only a couple going into the warehouse to fill orders. Disappointing, but completely understandable. Was looking forward to doing something other than watching TV and reading. Although we have dog nail clippers, Marley's are trimmed by a groomer at the vet and Tatum chews hers off. The guys give them baths. $80+ to bathe a dog is too steep for me. Tatum would live in the water if she could. Marley runs from it. Glad to see your post, Gin. Have been thinking of you and wondering how your daughter is doing. Have also been wondering about Joyce, Mitch, Faye, Steve and Patty, Katy, Brad, and others we haven't heard from in a while. Hope some will check in.

Gwen, so glad you're back home safely and "holding your own", except for the blasted pain. Marg, we got a free Netflix trial, so I've been watching it constantly. Lot of good movies. I also have Amazon Prime on my Kindle(don't know why, but I'll take it). I much prefer the TV to the Kindle for watching movies though. I'm not exactly paranoid, but having gone through the non stop coughing for weeks with the Aspergillus in 2014, being hospitalized and given a ton of meds because they couldn't figure it out, and getting Thrush from the steroids and now living with the residuals, plus constant shortness of breath, let's just say I'm especially cautious. Do not want to relive that experience! So, is Brianna 5'8" tall? She must take after Billy's side.

Kay, great suggestion about the tp. I would not have thought of that. Just checked Staples and all was out of stock. Office Depot has some(for now). A little pricey, but it beats using cactus(not a lot of corn fields around here). Lol. Will keep that in mind when we get low again.😁

Oh no, Gwen. Hope you will be back home safely, soon.

A miracle happened at my house today. Robert was actually able to get us a 6 mega roll pack of TP! Was getting a little worried as we were down to our last 2 rolls. He had looked 4 places yesterday, no luck, but Walgreens was getting a shipment today, not sure if it contained TP. He went early and stood in line outside and was able to grab a pack when they opened. Safe for another month. Still bare grocery shelves in stores for so many common items. Read something interesting my grandson showed me. It seems that last Oct. John's Hopkins hosted a mock coronavirus exercise. Of course they say they weren't predicting one...........Just a coincidence or are we all part of an "experiment" gone wrong? Just sayin'..............

Dre, I'm so very sorry for your loss. Almost 7 years ago, I was much as you are right now. The unthinkable happened. My husband died, the person I had spent more than half my life beside. I was in a hole I couldn't climb out of. I found this forum and all here helped save my sanity and life. A year later, my daughter died. I probably almost lost my mind. The "why" was because they each lost their battle with cancer. The "why them" will never be answered. I sat with each one until their last breath. Watching my daughter die was by far the hardest thing I've ever done. I'm not sure we ever accept what's happened, but somehow we adapt. I am still standing, not ready to give up the only life there is now. I hope in time your pain will lessen. You wonder why you're hanging on. I believe it's for your two precious children. You are stronger than you think.

Our weather is 80 and cloudy, the kind you want to go outside and enjoy before the oven is turned on here. Encountered my first human in a month or so, other than my family. Went outside to put an envelope in the mailbox and the mailman was coming up the driveway. I said "Perfect timing" and handed it to him. He replied "Thank you" and continued on his way. No mask or gloves so evidently postal workers are not shaking in their boots. I washed my hands after perusing my mail as I've always done. It's just a habit. Okay, here's one for you. Either cranberry juice and water are a miracle for a UTI or I'm crazy which is debatable. I've been drinking both and my symptoms and discomfort are almost gone. Still have to respond pretty quickly when the need arises, but that could just be old age calling. Not going to try and figure this out, just keep my fingers crossed.

A church here in the metro area was giving out 2400 rolls of toilet paper today. I wonder if 5000 people showed up for it. I also wonder where they got 2400 rolls of toilet paper. A couple of days ago, I read that grocery stores are going to install plexiglass between cashiers and customers. And time matches on.....

I suppose it's human nature to not like being told what we can and can't do. But this time it seems there's a monster lurking just outside our door to grab us and gobble us up, or so they say. Where's Superman when you need him? Although I'm used to staying home, I miss the visits to the grocery store(of all places, lol), library, and Walmart. Right now I miss Great Clips the most. I'm beginning to look a bit shaggy, not that there's anyone who ever notices. I just don't want to scare myself looking in the mirror. Although keeping their distance, people were still hiking our few hills and walking in the parks. Those have now been closed. I sure hope all these closures serve their purpose and curb the virus. It's ruining so many businesses, not to mention our sanity.

George, Go figure? I told the receptionist the symptoms, even asked to speak to the PA, but she was gone. I told her I could speak to the doctor on the phone or communicate on the computer, just no camera. She said he was scheduling televisits. Maybe that's the only way he can get paid.

Thanks Dee, I'm trying to remember to drink water whenever I go through the kitchen. I actually had Robert pick me up some cranberry juice a few days ago when I started feeling this way. He could only get a couple of small bottles. I have to mix it with a little apple juice. Just too sour alone. Should have called the doctor earlier in the week. Guess I thought I was going to wish it away. I wondered about the lab situation, Gwen. I wonder how backed up they are with all the sick people. Another place I don't want to visit in person. Hope to get a callback on Monday.

It's funny. We used to fear a nuclear war. Who would have thought a virus could bring down not just one country, but most of the world. As we destroy the earth, Mother Nature dishes out retribution.

On Kay, I hope your order gets resolved soon and you're not ripped off. Maybe it's just a glitch. I have a few things or order at Walgreens(cheaper online and free shipping right now) and some beads from my regular online store which is in Ann Arbor, Mi. Both orders are delayed, but I expected that. Of all the times to get one of these stupid infections. Can't even run to an ER or clinic right now, wouldn't anyhow. Got some dental putty for my missing filling. Nothing I can do about the broken tooth. Just another day in the neighborhood😊

Kevin, so sorry to hear of another setback. If only our kids could understand the heartbreak...... Blast it! I seem to have another UTI. Called the doctor and of course he won't prescribe without a urine sample. Office called back and said he is doing televisits?. Not sure what you call them, but my computer does not have a camera. Waiting for another callback. I'm not in a lot of pain, but very uncomfortable.

Robert prepares my taxes for me only so I can file the state for my property tax refund. I'm not required to file a federal due to income. I read today that you must have a return on file for 2018 or 2019 so they are aware you require a stimulus check. So will be making a copy of mine and sending it in. Just a little info if anyone else is in my shoes.