KarenK

Saw the pictures. What a cutie! Is he a Husky? Boy, you're in trouble now! Remember to put up anything you don't want chewed. What a nice early Christmas present! Your son is very special.

Marty, at least you didn't get called "ditzy". That's what Michelle called me one time when I missed the curve and almost put us in the ditch in the dark. LOL Reminds me of those "40's" pin up girls.

Thanks, Dee. I know they have those at the dollar store. I'll put that on my list. There are lots of neat little things at the dollar store. I get my Yardley bath soap there, among other things.

Just precious, Kay! I think she is a miniature version of you. Glad you were able to go and made it home safely.

A lighted dog collar.......Now, there's a novel idea. No place to plug in a nightlight. This house is very old and wired strange. There's a switch at either end of the hall. If you turn it off at one end, it will only turn back on from that same end. Very inconvenient. For 50 years, I have always used the bedroom end. I was entering from the kitchen end, so..... I can always leave the bathroom light on with the door ajar, unfortunately it was occupied at the time. Anyhow, I hurt all over. I know poor Kay gets hurt doing worthwhile stuff and bounces back. I'm not as resilient. Ah Gwen, dog balls and beef bones! It's a mine field. Most people have kids toys laying around, but not us. LOL

Well, forget sleep for now. Elbow is hurting too bad. Took a chunk out of it and I'm definitely a WUSS when it comes to pain. So sorry to hear about your sister, Marty. And right during the holidays, too. Maybe she can do her shopping online. It sure is a lot easier.

Old age has finally caught me. I NEVER fall down, but took a nose drive in the hallway a little while ago. NOT FUN! Hallway is pitch black and heaven forbid I should turn on the light. I tripped over the black dog who was invisible. Didn't break anything, but tore up my elbow. Scared my son right out of the bathroom. lol Think I' ll go lay down for a bit and turn on the light from now on.

Gwen, Am worried about you! When is the CT scheduled? One of the symptoms of CHF is fluid retention in the extremities, which you probably already know. It can be helped with Lasix.(I know, another damn pill). Please check in when you can. WE LOVE YOU!

Kieron, my heart goes out to you. Sepsis is among the things that killed my Ron. Even after all this time, I still have regrets of things left unsaid or undone. He was invincible(had been for over 40 years). He couldn't die, and then he did. Those things and others roll through my mind 24/7 like a bad movie. In our hearts, we have to know that they knew how much we loved them. I have made it out of the "rabbit hole", but cannot take that first step into the field.

Gwen, what you said about jumping reminded me of a horrible thing that happened where I worked many years ago. A young man(about 15)came to visit his father and instead of leaving afterward, he found his way onto the roof of this 26 story secure(by badge only) building and jumped into the courtyard below. Needless to say, he was no more. I didn't know the father or the story behind it, but it was so sad. Such a young soul to feel the need to end it. May he rest in peace.

For all intents and purposes, another Thanksgiving has passed, except for the pie. Passed without Ron's delicious dinner, although Robert and I made turkey with all the trimmings(good, but his was better). Passed without a phone call from my daughter. Damn, I miss those two. Nothing is the same. There was a time when we sat around the table and talked. Now, each of us grabs a plate and heads to our respective TV shows. There was a time(for years) when I signed and addressed a ton of Christmas cards after Thanksgiving clean up was finished. Now, I send no cards at all. And time marches on..................

Johnny, You are much braver than I. Here, we have the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass walkway that juts out over a portion of the canyon. I have not been on it and don't intend to go. Heights are not my thing. Hoping the 30th will be bearable for you. It does get easier over time.

George, so thankful this was caught and repaired in time. You are a very important part of our "family". May you be watched over and protected.

At the grocery store today, one of the managers asked my son & I if we were ready for the holiday. I stopped myself from replying "What's a holiday?" I still try to act like there's a Thanksgiving & Christmas with traditional meals & a few decorations, but really, all days are much the same to me. My spirit floated away many years ago. I miss that spirit, but can't seem to find it again. It's too bad we can't buy friends on Amazon and have them delivered.

Oh Gwen, It just breaks my heart that no one can find a solution to your pain. I suppose they could give you stronger pain meds, but that would just zombie you out to where you couldn't even drive or function as well as you do. Before the guys moved in with me, I also ate a lot of Stouffers and take out. I'd sometimes make a casserole and put little containers in the freezer. I haven't found a fast food burger that I like so just made my own and froze them. I already disliked the new bottom denture I got(feels like you have a wad of plastic in your mouth), so now I have a top one to contend with also. A few weeks ago my handcrafted top front tooth bit the dust. My dentist had made it for me and it lasted for years, but it decided to break off at the gum, so he ordered a denture for that and missing teeth. Had the rest of it pulled today and it hurts like an SOB. Like you, I'm so tired of things falling apart, but I just grit my teeth(the few I have left) and remember the day poor Ron had 13 teeth pulled, a power port and feeding tube put in and I think "What am I complaining about". We're supposed to get rain for the next 3 days, a rarity around here. We'll probably get a drop a day. lol

Marg, Reference to your old films made me think of the box of films I have here up in a closet. I believe they are 8mm and 16mm. I still have the projector and screen also, just have never bothered to view them in 40 years. Don't know if they are still viable as those things fade out over time. I remember one Ron took of Evil Knievel at Beeline Dragway. He fell backwards over a fence and got a nice view of the sky. lol I even have a couple of me as a baby in Houston. Now, those are really old! Might be fun to set everything up and watch them, but doubt I know how to thread and run the projector. Thought we might move a couple of years ago, but that possibility faded away. I sold half my Kachinas and Madame Alexander dolls along with one display cabinet, 400 DVD's, most of Ron's guns and collectibles and a huge gun safe to start downsizing and because we needed the money. That didn't even make a minute dent in all the stuff around here. I look at what is left now and think "Why did we waste all that money on these things?" In reality, it all means very little now and will mean nothing at all when I'm gone. I'm sure I'd die before I got it all packed and moved anyway. I am proud of you for setting your mind to it and getting it done.

So true about the bango, Marty. My BIL plays a mean "Deliverance". Don't know much about folk music, Gwen. My knowledge is limited to Arlo Guthrie's "City Of New Orleans" and "Alice's Restaurant". Haven't heard them in ages, but love them both. Almost forgot Joan Baez, one of my very favorites. Dee, Ricky Nelson came to one of the bar/clubs here when he was a bit older and in his country phase. Ran out of seating so they shuffled us to the floor right in front of the stage. Sat about 3 feet from him(swoon)! He looked so handsome in his brown cord jacket. Oh, to be 25 again. I've been to a few concerts and it's funny how different the crowds are. Respecful at Kitaro, wild and crazy at Aerosmith, laid back at Johnny Rivers, rambunctious at Brooks and Dunn, stoned at Moody Blues, and all of the above at Eagles, which was a huge crowd at the ASU stadium. Loved them all!

Marg, Being from West Virginia, Ron was Bluegrass all the way. My first visit there, the porches were full of old guys and their banjos. In fact, my BIL is an excellent banjo player. We had a ton of CD's that I got rid of after Ron left. Most of them were just too twangy for me. When I was 11 and shoveling(for free rides) at the stable in Colter Bay, Wy, we drove in to Jackson Hole and I bought my first "45's", "Don't Take Your Guns To Town" by Johnny Cash and "Please Help Me, I'm Fallin'" by Hank Locklin. I was hooked. I guess that era of country music just spoke to me. On the awards show, Dolly said she heard if you played a country record backwards, you'd get your house back, your dog back, and your wife would come back. If it were only that easy................

I'm very familiar with dog vomit. Marley tends to throw up easily, always on the carpet! Different subject here, but I watched the CMA Awards tonight, only because it was supposed to celebrate the music of top female singers. A big disappointment to me. My brain is still living in the 60's and 70's expecting music of Patsy Cline(my favorite), Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, etc. You get the picture. Although it was co-hosted by Reba and Dolly, alongside Carrie Underwood, who are these new people and where did country music go? As Barbara Mandrell sang "I was country when country wasn't cool" and I don't even know what genre to call it anymore. I guess everything changes over time and we sure can't go back and ask time to stand still. If we could, none of us would be here. Peace

Gin, I"m sorry you had to spend this special day alone. Nov.19 would be our 47th. It will be my 7th alone as the date means nothing to my son and grandson, only to me. I have no videos of Ron and few pictures as he was always the one behind the camera. It no longer brings tears to see the pictures. I have watched the video played at my daughter's service one time only showing her from infancy through adulthood. I cannot watch it again. It's too surreal thinking of her as ashes in the little wooden box with the horse depicted on top. Ron's grave is nearby, but I can never visit her grave or leave flowers on it. That hurts. I wish for better days and nights for all of us. Peace to you.

Kay, I love it, love it, love it! I cracked up at the "tampons in the hair part". What a novel idea! lol Arlie's pictures in the previous post so depict his handsome demeanor and intelligence. My heart still breaks for you.

Gwen, What a scary time for you! So tough because our fur babies can't tell us what is wrong. I'm glad you were able to get her to the vet and she is doing better. Will be thinking of you and Ally, hoping you get some rest tonight.

Kay, I'm so sorry. I'm sure your heart was set to give this little guy and new home. Sometimes it is difficult to adopt a dog past puppyhood. You never know their true backstory. None of the many dogs we've had ever tried to bite, but all except Marley have been puppies. Marley too, is mostly a quiet dog, unless there are strangers or a cat nearby. She was 3+ years when we got her from the Arizona Humane Society, but walked right to the truck and jumped in the backseat liked she belonged there. She does not like loud voices and hides or wants outside when my grandson rants at things. At first, she cringed when you tried to pet her as if she'd been hit before. It's funny, although she sticks by my side, she is not affectionate to me, only Robert, but that's okay. She knows she is loved. I hope when you are ready, you can find a better match.

Kevin, I am soooo jealous. Still dream of the mountains, but am stuck in this lousy desert. Am so happy for you that your life has gotten a bit better.

Thinking of you also, Gin. Somehow we keep plodding along year after year, even when our bodies rebel. Take care and don't overdo.