KarenK

Noisy, exploding fireworks(like those last night) are illegal here, but hard to enforce as police actually have to see it happen. So unless it is reported and observed it will continue. I'm sure police have more pressing offenses like drunks and maintaining control at the many outdoor parties that take place. The various cities cordon off downtown areas for these and it's probably mayhem enough. If not for the dog, it doesn't bother me. I don't care to be the nosy old neighborhood snitch. lol Raining and dreary here today. A good day to cuddle up with the person we miss, sadly. Our big New Years dinner will be tuna sandwiches. Thankful we have that with grocery prices.

Gosh Kay, I hope all those dogs have gone back home. A pack of any large breed of dogs is dangerous, especially threatening ones. Maybe you should carry pepper spray. Sad that the county won't do their job until someone gets hurt. I have no problem with neighbors celebrating New Years with fireworks, but get real! My neighbors(father and sons, I think) started at 7:30 and continued for 5+ hours. My dog has been an absolute scared nervous wreck. She walked from room to room the whole time trying to hide or glued herself to me. I couldn't even go to the bathroom without her. Twice she squeezed behind the tv in the corner in the middle of all the wires. Not an easy feat at 90 lbs. Took me forever to get her out. I blocked it off. Glad it's finally over(knock on wood). They were loud and sounded like a war zone out back. She has finally calmed down. Our bigger dog was not fazed by it at all. Go figure!

Gwen, I wish there was an easy solution to correcting the Dee problem. I just hate what it's doing to you. If you agree to give advice, you are becoming a part of the Dee/Robin thing. They have been around each other long enough for Dee to figure this out on her own. Being in the middle is dangerous. Please be careful.

Just sounds like Dee can't live with anyone but herself. Of course then, she'd have no one else to blame for things. Maybe someday she will realize how fortunate she is to have a home there. Supposed to rain here for the next few days. I don't expect much. Although I played sports as a kid, I'm not much of a sports fan except I enjoy watching figure skating and I liked the Diamondbacks baseball team many moons ago. Ron and a friend watched football. The Super Bowl is being held here. Although the stadium is about 20 miles from me, I'm sure the traffic in the valley will be horrendous. It's crowded enough here in winter because of the "Snowbirds" already. Glad I won't be out and about.

Kay, I had wondered what you were doing on cleanup duty at the church. Surely they could see that you are injured. I thought part of church belief was to help those in need, not take advantage of them. IMHO, no church has the right to ORDER someone to do something, especially if it's harmful, although many of them do. You do so much for them already. Hope there's no infection. Sure wish someone would volunteer to give you a hand when you need it.

Not Christmas at all. Just me, dogs, tv, and Kindle. Son sleeping as he works tonight. Grandson playing video games online. Pizza for dinner. Posted about my gift in the "Positives". And another one bites the dust.

My son got me a new clock radio, exactly what I wanted. My existing one is probably 50 years old. Still works, but has more static than music. Hoping a new one can actually find stations. I hate being woken up by a beeping alarm, would much rather it be music blasting. lol it will be nice for the few times I actually have a reason to be somewhere on time.

Merry Christmas and peace to you, George.

Glad you were surrounded by family, Marg. Just think of all the water you will conserve. lol Be safe. Merry Christmas back atcha!

Doesn't feel like Christmas at all to me. Except for the little tree and a few presents, it's just another day. Have been feeling down lately, partly from stumbling around half blind and unable to drive anywhere, I guess. This is my tenth year without my Santa. Don't think I'll ever be used to it. My son works on Christmas Eve and Christmas night so nothing special happening here. Sure hope you don't lose power, Gwen! I was in KY in 2009 during the worst ice storm. Trees broken off all along the interstate from weight of ice. Looked like a war zone. Hope everyone has a peaceful holiday.

Kay, can't remember if I've mentioned this before...There is a condition called "Burning Mouth Syndrome". Google it. I have had this for a few years. There is no known cause, cure, or treatment. It comes and goes at will and lasts for a week to ten days. No visible signs of anything, just the burning of my tongue. I rinse my mouth a lot with cold water. It's more of a " grin and bear it" type of thing until it goes away. Kind of like this stupid double vision problem that I have, only it is getting worse, not going away. I can barely see 3 feet clearly now. Watching tv 20 feet away is a challenge. Guess I'd better call the ophthalmologist after the holidays, although he couldn't figure it out before. It is pretty scary. Gwen, if you are not a cat person, don't get a cat! You will find it a poor substitute for Mel. As far as bringing her home or even getting another dog in the future when you can care for it, remember that dogs are very sensitive to strife and tension, especially loud screaming. Not good for you or your animal. Sounds like Dee has a long way to go.

It's funny. I was just thinking today about the last time we had outdoor lights. It had to be about 1997 as my grandson's mother was still here and she put them up. She left when he was about a year old and never looked back. Still can't understand how she could just abandon him. We used to drive around and look at the lights also and take gifts to friends on Xmas eve. Long ago days......

It's funny how one little note can mean so much. During Ron's last days and on a ventilator, he managed to scribble "wife" on a notepad I had brought him. I think he was asking the nurse where I was. Who knows. How can we understand what's in the mind of someone who is dying? He also scribbled "Frys" as in grocery store where he shopped. That note is tucked away in a drawer. I'm not a grinch, but don't mind being alone either. As long as I have tv and books and my dogs, I'm fine. Would love to be trekking through the woods, but probably would have to make frequent stops to breathe. Such is life.

Kay, my little tree is only 2' tall and about 14 years old. It came pre lit and decorated with small Christopher Radko ornaments, which is why it was expensive. I have to tape the top to keep it straight as it's been folded over so many times to fit the box. I've replaced the lights once before. Funny thing! Last night they didn't work. Now they do! It's hard to find short strands of lights in the stores. It is special to me as I sent it to Ron on the Xmas that I spent in Ky. with Debbie. I'm sure most, if not all places will have half price Xmas stuff on the day after. Used to love shopping that day. It's how I ended up with 37 big boxes of stuff. I remember going to San Diego one year specifically to shop at Seaport Village. Crazy, happier times😄 Hope you're able to make the trip. So unfair that Kodie can't come in. Will he be warm enough in the car?

V and Marg, glad you have family to visit and share memories with over Christmas. Just my son and grandson now in my little family, but at least we are together. My grandson got out our little tree and a wreath to start decorating. It's a major endeavor to get my decorations from behind all the junk in the spare room. They need a room of their own. lol Naturally, the lights on the tree don't work. Hope to get new ones before Xmas. Went ahead and ordered boxers and socks for the guys. At least they will have a couple of gifts.

Got some sad news today. Went for a haircut and was told that one of the stylists who usually cuts it was diagnosed with cancer. Evidently she's had it for a long time and didn't know and it's already spread to many areas. Although she is in treatment, the prognosis doesn't sound good. She is about the age my daughter would be. I just hate it!!!

I often wondered if other states faced this problem. Logical that they do as stupid drivers are not exclusive to Arizona. There have been 42 wrong way crashes in Arizona this year with amounts increasing every year. That is not counting the times that police were alerted in time to stop the driver before an accident. Just ridiculous!

Marg, good news about your sister's scan! I know chemo plays hell with sensitivity in hands and feet. She might try Alpha Lipoic Acid(available at Walmart). Ron used to take it for diabetic neuropathy. Not instant relief so takes a few weeks to help. I have always avoided the freeways unless we were headed out of town. Too many drivers and too little caution. Almost every day here there is a "wrong way driver" incident on a freeway, usually involving alcohol. Seriously, how can you enter a freeway against the traffic, continue for miles, and not notice? I saw the tornadoes on the weather channel. Glad you are safe.

I've been trying to remember my favorite as a teen(hard to do when you can barely remember last week). Anyway, I'd have to say Ricky Nelson. He switched to Country in mid 60's. My ex and I saw him at a Country bar. Ran out of seating so we ended up on the floor right in front of the stage. He looked so handsome in his corduroy jacket.

V, I've always thought there might be a dryer gremlin that steals socks and returns them later, after you've thrown away the mate. I guess Xmas decorations can make the house more cheerful looking even if that cheer does not extend to your heart. Memories of much happier times are evoked. If only someone could give the gift of returning to those times. Not gonna happen! Funny, I don't remember being crazy over Elvis or The Beatles. Guess I've always gone more for Country music. Not a big fan of Xmas music. Ron was and I have a lot of Xmas CDs. Don't like Xmas movies. Just too sappy sweet. Life is not like that.

Kay, I hope you got in to see the doctor. Also hope that some of your church friends will offer to shovel for you. It seems you do a lot of stuff for church functions. Tough buying gifts for grown men when their main interest is video games and they play those online. Don't need household stuff or clothes. I'm sure they're tired of getting sox and underwear. If I was rich I'd buy us all a motor home to travel the country. lol Can barely afford gas for the vehicles we have.

Sounds like you're involved in a love triangle even if you don't want to participate. I'll probably put up a few decorations this week. I think we'll use the small pre lit tree this year. Last year Robert paid $70 for a real one, which is ludicrous. Even more expensive this year. As usual, no idea what to do for presents. Doubly hard as I can't drive around to look for ideas. This double vision garbage is really frustrating. Getting where it's hard to watch TV sometimes. Watching with one eye at a time is not fun. Here's another good movie for you to try if you can. Not new. It's called "A Home Of Our Own" with Kathy Bates. Have watched it many times. I wish Paramount + would quit grabbing all the good new shows. I missed "1883" and will miss "1923" and the new "Criminal Minds". Wish Cox would get with the program and provide it. Certainly small irritations in the big scheme of things.

Oh Marg, this is so sad. My daughter was the same way. She fought and fought until her ravaged body said "No more". I will never forget one of her last lucid moments when she said " I just love life". Life did not love her in return. Peace to you and your friend's family.

Kay, try taping saran wrap around your wrist. Hope all is well and you don't have to go back.

It rained here the entire weekend just in time for the huge Tempe Arts Festival. Feel bad for the vendors. We used to go to all those things. I have no reason or money to go anymore. I lived with conflict more years than I care to count. My Christmas wish each year was simply for peace and quiet. Unfortunately it was fulfilled in the harshest way. I hate to see Gwen backed into a corner going through this.