What positive can you list today?

[KayC]

Air quality went from 36 to 350. It's bad, my throat is sore. Worried about the hot spot I found NE of Salmon Fire. Bedrock is bad, 3 level 3 evacuations in that area.

It was 107 here today, not predicted so hot.  We're miserable. Want something good to say, I guess it's that we haven't caught on fire or evacuated yet.

Iris doesn't want to go through radiation, she's back and forth about w/o Mike here.  I can't blame here but if she'd bear up another the four weeks she could live a long time.  Only she can decide and it's kind of early. I pointed out that cancer is a helluva way to go, it can be a arduous journey...as my MIL learned...they sent her home for two weeks, she lasted three years, bedridden.

[RichS]

WOW KAY!!.............I know you want to stick this out as far as you can but I also know that you're wise enough to evacuate when you need to. We're praying for you here. Alot of us wish we could help you. Once again, Iris is lucky to have you as a friend.

[KayC]

Until they up our evac. level, there's nothing to do. My heart goes out to Panther...he just got his voice back a month ago.  It's so unfair that we're going through this again, and so many have left their homes...I hope and pray they all get to come back to them.  My heart is struck with the people in HI.

[widower2]

Sorry to hear this! #@$ it, where's a nice summer shower when you need it???

[KayC]

AQI is 552 today, 870 yesterday, expected to worsen...I fell asleep at 6 last night after only four hours sleep the night before with the abrupt "EVACUATION 3 GO NOW! DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING, GO!" I got at 11, ending my sleep for the night.  I was woke up last night at 8...Iris suddenly decided to go to the coast and called to say she was there (my SIL I blocked beeping in!)  She's changing her mind about radiation, not sure she wants to live w/o Mike...reminded her one month of that to grant her a full life, she may not feel it now but on down the road she could feel differently.  And cancer is a helluva way to go, ask my MIL that went through it for three years before dying.  She was 59 when she started that journey.  Took phone off hook after and slept ten hours, so I guess that's my positive!  I somehow made it through last summer and the year before, I'll make it through this too...I hope.  Just have to figure out how/when to walk Kodie and water Iris' plants and bring her mail in.  Poor Panther, my heart goes out to him in this, hoping he finds his way under the house or in the attic and that it's better.  Poor baby.  Two more months of summer...

[Gail 8588]

I have lots of positives. My 2 boys, with their families are at the Gulf coast beach with me.  Weather has been great, though very hot.  Everyone has been  cooking great food. The kids are wrinkled fish from spending so much time in the pool.  The 5 adults played 500 rummy until midnight last night having a rollicking good time. I think every one of us had the lead and had the low score at some time during the game. Lots of laughter. 

The Gulf has been calm and not too hot, but the little kids prefer the pool.  Stargazing has been great. We've seen shooting stars every night!

I'm drinking from my saucer, as my cup overflows. (My mom used to always say that.)

[KayC]

It is, Gail!

[KayC]

I just saw this on FB, thought I'd share it, I can relate.

[RichS]

Took my uncle to Duke Eye Center and they fitted him with 3x power special lenses. This will help him to see letters and numbers on a TV screen; which he hasn't been able to do up to now (it's been frustrating for him). Hopefully, these new glasses will make a difference in his quality of life. He watches a lot of TV.

[widower2]

Good luck - !

My small positive is although not gone, the groundhog hasn't created any damage lately!

[foreverhis]

My positive for today is having a good friend over for dinner.  I have a full storage freezer and she's helping me go through some of the items in it.  Tonight was chili from the last big batch.  I also had stale tortilla chips, a scoop of tomato paste, and some leftover Mexican seasoned sauce, so I made a small pan of simple chilaquiles for our side.  I had an avocado, some shredded cheese, and sour cream that all needed to be used, so those were the garnishes.  It was delicious.

At my sister's recommendation, we watched Puss in Boots for our movie night.  It was thoroughly enjoyable.  Miss Cosi watched along with us for a while and then curled upside down on her bed next to me and asked for chin scratches and love from both me and my (excuse me, her) friend.  My friend is one of Cosi's aunties, so the little miss was in heaven.

Not a bad evening at all, even though I did have a few times of sadness thinking how John would have enjoyed all of this.

[widower2]

I seem to say this about a lot of things now, but I can't tell you the last time I had chili. Years.

I also haven't watched Puss n Boots but heard good things. I liked Shrek so will check out.    

 

[Roxeanne]

I am in vacation in Venice...great time! Good food, wonderful city, sea and sun, lot of art expositions...the things i did for years with him! The only who missing is him....sometimes in the day i stand and think of him here with me with a little sadness and sometimes laughing remember funny moments...God bless him for all the laughs we had together !

[shawnt]

I love Venice.

I am off on a road trip to see a son, couple days of driving. I am honestly looking forward to it, the open road, the new sights, the road food, it feels good to anticipate.

[KayC]

Annie, sounds like a perfect evening with a friend!  And Roxeanne, I agree, all those remembered shared moments!
T&L predicted tomorrow and tomorrow night, praying no more lightning! That's what started all these fires.

[RichS]

2 hours ago, Gator M said:

I'm not there yet.  As soon as I experience something nice my mind goes to...I wish Ann could: Do, Feel, See...THIS.

There are MANY of us standing in the same line right there with you; wishing our partners were there to share special moments with us. You are not alone, that's for sure. We often experience this "bargaining" stage of our grief journey.

[Roxeanne]

3 hours ago, Gator M said:

am glad some of y'all are having nice times...I'm not there yet. 

Gator i've lost my love 5 years ago...it's impossible for you be as me! I'm sorry...i was hesitant if talk about my nice days in Venezia on the forum...'cos i know that people in hard pain can suffer more! Remember: i was like you and i can live now! There is hope....

[Gail 8588]

5 hours ago, RichS said:

There are MANY of us standing in the same line right there with you; wishing our partners were there to share special moments with us. You are not alone, that's for sure. We often experience this "bargaining" stage of our grief journey.

I am having a lovely time with my sons, DILs, and grandchildren, but I also wish every minute of it that my dear husband could be here with us.  We talk about him a lot. 

Making my pineapple upside down cake with my 4 year old grand son, I told him all about his grandpa he never met.  My boys talked about their dad having pineapple upside down cake on his birthday every year.   It was like he was with us at the table.

The nature of my grief is so different now from what it was in the early years.  It no longer has the pain and desolation of early grief.  I miss him, but I keep his memory alive in our family. Not in a burdensome way, but reminding everyone of his joy in living and how proud he was of his family. He was a fun guy and a loving father.  We bring him into the conversation a lot. 

Gail 

[widower2]

12 hours ago, KayC said:

T&L predicted tomorrow and tomorrow night, praying no more lightning! That's what started all these fires.

There better be some #$% rain along with the T&L!  

[RichS]

My positive today was I went to a Durham Bulls baseball game with my son and four other friends. When I initially bought the tickets a few weeks ago, I said to myself, "Why did you do this?" When I told one of my friends, he asked, "Did you get buyers remorse?"No, what I really got was "grievers remorse." In the end I had a good time and was glad to see some friends I hadn't seen in many months. We may do it again next month before the season ends.

[KayC]

Gail, I'm so glad you got that time with your grandson and the memories of your husband were a good feeling.  I was glad when I got past the horrid pain and the memories made me smile instead.  I remember an article that changed things for me, giving ourselves permission to be happy...I don't have that one anymore but I have one similar:
Smile Permission

[widower2]

My positive was getting pulled over by a cop but not getting a ticket.   Up until he did that, it had been "one of those days" so I thought perfect ending, it figures! Really it was kind of a BS pullover though anyway...I was doing 10-12 mph over, on the interstate no less, where cops generally leave people alone going even 15 mph over, but I had just crossed over into a speed zone 5 mph less and didn't realize it and he pulled me over. I was thinking wow really, if I get a ticket I'm going into court and ask for some kind of "reduced sentence" so it doesn't go on my record. He was pretty nice about it in general though, didn't seem like a "jerk" cop (I didn't have my registration with me and he was like "don't worry about it"), even if pulling me over was kind of nit-picky. 

[KayC]

Just got the news that our evacuation is off! Haven't confirmed yet but will unpack when I do! Going to watch the grandkids next week. Will be exhausting but fun! Wish they didn't live so far away.

[widower2]

26 minutes ago, KayC said:

Just got the news that our evacuation is off! Haven't confirmed yet but will unpack when I do! Going to watch the grandkids next week. Will be exhausting but fun! Wish they didn't live so far away.

whoo hoooo!!!

[Gail 8588]

59 minutes ago, KayC said:

Just got the news that our evacuation is off! Haven't confirmed yet but will unpack when I do! Going to watch the grandkids next week. Will be exhausting but fun! Wish they didn't live so far away.

Great news!  So happy for you. 

[KayC]

Searched and searched to verify last night, couldn't.  This morning I was able to verify, no alerts sent to us, nothing, but they finally updated a couple of websites!  Will unpack today, it was tiresome living in suitcases but I will repack in a few days as I'm going to go take care of my grandkids Tuesday-Thursday, will be a long hard trip, exhausting, but it'll be fun being with my grandkids and will get to see my son in the evenings some (he always has work so there's that) and my granddoggies.

Kodie will have fun! Iris gets back with Jazzy Monday sometime, hoping the dogs can play before we are gone a few days more!  I would have gone with Iris if we weren't under evacuation, I didn't want to take a car full of briefcase/laptop/meds and everything I own in case someone decided to break in like they did Iris last summer.

[widower2]

Glad that's over. If it had 50 cents in it, I would have still been glad to have that loose end gone. I wouldn't be above writing the bank a nasty note either, but that's me. (PS I don't mean nasty like just throwing a pile of curse words at them, but pointing out how they make a simple thing ridiculously and unnecessarily harder, and shame on them as that's the last thing someone in mourning needs. ugh. OK I might include one curse word.  )

[RichS]

30 minutes ago, widower2 said:

but pointing out how they make a simple thing ridiculously and unnecessarily harder

Which is why I don't work for corporate America, anymore. Logic and common sense are lacking there.

[widower2]

Tell me about it. 

[KayC]

Gator, let Widower write them a letter on your behalf!  Turn it all loose, Widower, all your pent up energy for the moles...

 

[widower2]

Sorry, I have too many other companies on my list already, you'll have to do your own handiwork   

[KayC]

No it isn't, Gator.

[widower2]

2 hours ago, Gator M said:

I chewed on the bank manger.

No one today has any common sense or discretion.

He could have pulled me into his office and told me 5 months ago.  I still needed the paperwork to close the account.  He never even said he was sorry about Ann's death.

Pretty disgusting. Glad you chewed on the idiot. It's been my experience that turning the other cheek with people like that just gives you bruised cheeks and they keep on being idiots. Sometimes people need a good kick. 

[widower2]

Oh I don't think it's just today. Stupidity has been with us since mankind was born. Goodness knows I've seen plenty my entire life. And I'm old! 

[KayC]

When my sister's husband died, I drove her to the bank with his death certificate. Months later they still hadn't done what they were supposed to do. We called them (mind you she had dementia and I had to lead her every step of the way).  and they said they'd had to mail the certificate to their main office, and they lost it.  We had to take ANOTHER one in to them! (They didn't even reimburse for it).  It took forever.

Whereas when George died 18 years ago I took his death certificate in (same bank) and they handled it right away.  The times have changed.

Hurricane Hilary is supposed to hit Oregon the morning I leave.  Making me nervous. Will I have a home to come back to?  It's not as sturdy as other people's homes...will it affect my driving there?

[RichS]

I read where Hilary is supposed to get downgraded slightly as it moves from Mexico to California. Then it’s a matter of if it goes inland or stays in the Pacific. Have a safe, nice trip.

[KayC]

I had the hardest time finding out how Hilary would hit us here and also my friend in Ventura, finally found this map this morning...I will be driving to my son's when it hits. Not as concerned about the rain here (that'd be welcome) as I'm on a mountain with a downward slope, the the winds are concerning...looks like it misses us both.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.1315308,-116.9213127,6z/data=!4m2!21m1!1s%2Fg%2F11v4synmbt?entry=ttu

[widower2]

Hope it just nicks you up there with some rain  

[Gail 8588]

My positive is that I am home again after a week at the beach.  We were not threatened by any tropical storms - a big positive. We had a lovely time, and it feels so nice to be home.

Gail

[KayC]

I'm glad you were spared, Gail.  Supposed to hit here Tuesday, my son thinks it won't hit here that it will dissipate...I know he's a genius and never steered me wrong, I'm trusting him on this...but...

[KayC]

Yesterday was four weeks since I injured my foot...and I was able to go w/o the compression socks!

[foreverhis]

Kay, that's good news.  I hope you continue to heal.💗

My positive for yesterday was making and canning a batch of strawberry jam with a friend.  John and I used to make jams, fruit sauces, and applesauce every year.  It wasn't until last year that I felt strong enough to tackle a few jams with the help of friends.  No peach jam (John's favorite) this year because of the wind, hail, and rain storms in late May in the valley.  The late/last varieties were knocked off the trees at just the wrong time, so the season ended early.  But we're making and canning plum jam later this week when the tropical storm has passed and it's not so hot and humid.

[RichS]

I helped our friends (who don't drive) with a couple of errands today. One of the errands was dropping off some lamps and things at a local charity thrift store. On the way there I passed by a house; and sitting right by the curb were two small wicker chairs in really nice condition. I picked them up and loaded them into our van; which added to the donation to the thrift store.

[KayC]

All the same, I think I'll wear them the next three days as I go to my son's...will be inside and outside and don't want to incapacitate myself while I'm there.  I can remove them again when home again...it's a long ways.

Annie, were you affected by Hurricane Hilary?

[KayC]

Going to take care of grandkids today...no sign of Hilary, not even rain, but the air today is 56, that's so much better than eight days ago's 780! 

Bedrock and Lookout fires reduced evacuations so people can come back home but stay packed.  I get a kick out of that, they say to keep your car loaded...okay, if you NEED the stuff, are you to run out to your car every time you need to brush your teeth?  And if you DON'T need it, why would you pack it?  Mine is packed but I don't put it into the car until I leave...but if they come in the middle of the night and say level 3, GO NOW! Like they did last year, I was lucky I had just packed up my car and was driving up my driveway when they came!

[KayC]

Air quality is 15 today!  I haven't seen that in a month!

[KayC]

Got there safely, granddaugher told me her mom said I was just making up excuses not to come (evac, smoke, hurricane Hilary, evacuations...no, those were very real concerns. Evacs downgraded Sun, I found out Mon. Air cleared on Tues. Media hype with meteorologists were abounding with their predictions hitting Cascades, particularly upper elevations, very real but didn't materialize, how would I know?  She never should have said such a thing in front of her, but that's how she is and one reason I dread coming here, but she left right away and my son worked from home until I got here, got me settled and then went to work. The kids and I had a good time!  We enjoyed some outdoors time and played a board game, then I fixed cheeseburgers and my homemade soup and gave the kids ice cream while Paul and I had mug cakes I'd brought.  We went to a park and picked blackberries and watched a show on moose.  A good day!  Stayed up later than usual.

[Gail 8588]

Another lovely day here in Florida. Hot, but no tropical storms threatening and I consider that a very definite positive at this point in hurricane season.

Cleaning my gutters out today, to help in future storms.

[KayC]

[widower2]

ewwwwww