OT April Chit Chat

[Virginia]

That's good Agate! I like your sense of humor!

[nuthatch]

Our own personal superbloom has begun! California poppies abound. Funny thing is we are the only house on the street with any poppies. They come up of their own accord, so I think everyone else must just mow them down! Too bad.
Today, while admiring the poppies, the most beautiful Hooded Oriole appeared to take a bath in my fountain. It was just beautiful and the same color as the poppies!
Spring is here with nearly everything starting to bloom.

[agate]

Perfectly beautiful array of poppies, nuthatch! I like the way they're distributed and not just in one solid clump.

[Sunshine]

Those poppies are gorgeous Nuthatch!

[Virginia]

Such a beautiful view you have Nuthatch and just in time for Easter. I know you are enjoying the poppies.

Went from 80s down to 62 today. Rained yesterday. That's alright, I have the fireplace on to warm things up as I read. So I am snug.

[Howie]

Snug as a bug in a rug!

I've spent the last hour, or MORE, trying to get a calendar online. I "lost" the one I had, and found a replacement, but after a day, didn't like it. So today I went searching for a new one, and eventually installed the Google calendar.

A simple calendar I can look at and see what day it is. Was that asking so much?

Yesterday, since my watch died, I found a simple clock. Shows nothing but the time.

"Keep it simple stupid" is a good motto for me!

[agate]

Howie, in the lower right corner of my screen I always see the date and the time, and it makes the Daylight Saving Time changes automatically. I thought all computers had that feature?

[Howie]

I think so, at least I hope so. The computer is my only clock these days.

[stillstANNding]

Thanks for the picture, Nuthatch.

I hope everyone is safe from severe weather of late.

Mom is still exhausted. We were able to turn her O2 down a half liter on Friday and the plan is to wean her off of it. She is up in a chair two or three times a day. She goes to bed at 7:30 (that’s after she watches Jeopardy). Today she asked for a grilled cheese w bacon and tomato and a glass of milk! So glad she had an appetite.

I am flying home tomorrow and my brother is flying up from Florida. Next Friday bro leaves but niece can come. Mom thinks she doesn’t need help but she does.

I’m a bit tired. I’ll be thrilled to be back w Peter and the cats.
ANN

[Cherie]

Virginia,
I am sorry you felt alone posting and reading here. I literally have not had the possibility to post here since last Thursday (9 days). Just got back from the cruise. The educational components were really good. There were some folks who just never came to the classes and had a negative attitude toward living with MS. How can that change when they do not allow the message of the classes to register with them? Maybe it is a bit judgemental, but I believe if someone is going on an MS cruise with education they should be getting education. What I saw was 60 something women who did not show up for a single class and their husbands (or care partners ) came and were looking for guidance. It was frustrating for the partners who came looking hard for answers and the PWMS totally ignoring the opportunity for new information and potential help. We had a hundred and twenty signed up and only 30-50 showing up for classes while we were at sea....not in ports where they could get off and play... Many of these are folks who have been there every year since the cruise started in 2002 but they are not doing anything with the information! (judgement?)

This was such a huge ship that it literally was exhausting to get from one end to the other. Food was at one end and entertainment and education were at the other. Many chose to be soaking up sun rather than coming to classes and I can understand that but having experienced that education first time, my life was changed and I was able to get better as a result. My sense (and I could be wrong) was that there was a sense of fate...no control, inevitability. The women (mostly) were out gambling in the casino and their husbands were in class learning and frustrated that the partner was not listening and had given up hope.

Anyone else ever feel that their words fall on deaf ears?

[agate]

Too bad there wasn't a more enthusiastic response. I agree that if you sign up for an educational cruise, you should definitely take advantage of the education that is being offered!

Some people take a fatalistic approach to something like MS, I think. And until the MS drugs came along, we were prompted to do that by neurologists who said things like "learn to live with it--there's nothing that can be done."

Even then, without any drugs available (other than steroids), there was a lot that could be learned about how to deal with MS.

The board has seemed quiet lately what with both Jeanie Z and Catdancer in rehab.

[Howie]

What did Cherie say? Speak up!

[Sunshine]

Today I just collapsed onto the couch around after breakfast. I am so tired of bladder pain, feeling like Iam on a boat in a storm , feeling shaky inside, feeling like its hard to talk, much less participate in conversation, having so many cog and physical symptoms. I just looked at my DH, while I lay on the couch and said, “I just can’t do this anymore” and I sobbed. He was so sweet, put his arm around me, lie down next to me, didn’t try to coach me or talk me out of my feelings, just let me sob and talk...

Seems like we all go through this with these diseases—- I recalla friend going through this in the thick of cancer treatment.

[agate]

I'm sorry it's hitting you so hard, Sunshine.

[Pegakafarmgirl]

Sunshine,, I am so sorry, you feel defeated,,husbands are a great sounding post,, we listen enough to them,, Joe, lets me sound off/ cry, and almost kick the dog,, {fraid I would fall},,hope everything levels out for you,, you are stronger then U think

Happy Bunny Day !! we are hauling manure to the fields,,spreading it,,,,,, before its worked up and planted,, so a steak fry tonight,, for who ever shows up,lol with green beans with bacon/garlic,, potato salad,, rhubarb/strawberry pies,,..its a very windy day,,in the low 80' s,,

have a great day,,

later