OUR THANKSGIVING DINNER A FIASCO

By OLIVENE GODFREY

The beautiful, sunny weather started Thanksgiving day right. Alas, it was all downhill after that. When we arrived at the restaurant in Dalton, Barry had to park his car so far away from the entrance, we had to use my wheelchair which he had put in the trunk in case we needed it. There was a long line waiting to enter the restaurant but it moved pretty fast.
We had never seen so many diners inside. Then, my hearing aids magnified the noise, nearly driving me crazy. The aids are supposed to take care of noise and I'll report it to the
audiologist when I have a checkup.

The food was good but the cornbread dressing was different than they usually serve. It tasted good but was too spicy for my taste. Still, I ate every morsel on my plate. I've gained some weight the past month or so and my pants were too tight which added to my discomfort. I drank a large glass of iced tea with my dinner and as soon as we reached our house I dashed to my bathroom. I was beginning to taste the spicy dressing in my mouth which should have sent up red flags for me.

To sum it up, I rested in my bed while Barry and his friend, who had gone to the restaurant with us, played their electric guitars in Barry's den. Normally, the sound of the blues music doesn't bother me and they enjoy jamming and Barry says it helps him to relax. Still, I was relieved when they stopped making the music.

I didn't want any supper and went to bed about six P.M.
I woke up about 4:30 A.M. the next morning and went to my bathroom and had diarrhea several hours. I also felt nauseated but am rarely able to throw up. I took a dose of the "pink stuff" and went back to bed. Barry checked on me about six A.M. I guess it was a combination of all the happenings that whammed me.

The few times we're eaten out on Thanksgiving day has been a disaster. Barry said he'd rather stay home and eat a T,V. dinner than go out on the day again. I agree with him as I think I have learned that lesson now.

I hope your day was a good one and I am thankful for all of our blessings.

See you next time.

SPECTACULAR THANKSGIVING CACTUS & QUICK TRIP TO MALL

By OLIVENE GODFREY

I have so many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving day. And, one is good eyesight, thanks to cataract surgeries. I thought of this today when I entered my office and my eyes rested on the huge spectacular Thanksgiving day cactus. It is right on time, I thought, with the healthy green plant covered with gorgeous red blossoms.

The plant is in front of a window and the morning sun streams in, creating a thing of beauty. My mind went back to the day about 20 years ago when my late mother and I were shopping in Chatsworth and saw a big display of tiny Thanksgiving day cactus plants on sale. We each bought a plant and I don't know whatever happened to my mother's but I kept mine in my office. I put the plant outside on the patio in the summer months. And soon its growth was dramatic and then one year, it bloomed about this time of year and has every year.

Barry had to enlist the assistance of a strong body builder friend to help him move the gigantic cactus inside before a cold snap this year.

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Last Sunday afternoon, Barry and I made a quick trip to the mall in Dalton. The mall was already decorated for the holidays. I hadn't been to the mall in several months and enjoyed the drive with the autumn colored leaves. Living on a foothill of the mountain, the leaves turn earlier here. Most of the leaves have fallen from the trees and Barry decided to wait for all the leaves to fall before using the leaf blower as the mold bothers him. I got a badly needed haircut at the mall and we made a stop at a large shoe store. I bought a pair of
fleece lined moccasins with slip proof soles to wear at home this winter and they are comfortable and warm.

Have a happy Thanksgiving day and weekend.

See you next time.

EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFT & DENTAL REPORT & WOMAN WITH A PARROT PERCHED ON HER SHOULDER

By OLIVENE GODFREY

Last week, son Barry gave me exactly what I wanted for Christmas. I mentioned that I wanted an atomic clock with outdoor and inside temperatures like the one he has in his bathroom. So, he ordered a large clock with big numbers from Amazon on the web and a few days ago it arrived. He told me it was my Christmas gift which pleased me. My clock also has a moon phase on it and I love it. We have several atomic clocks and a small weather station in the kitchen. As you may have guessed, we have a weakness for clocks and we're fascinated with the weather.
(We have a rain gauge in the yard.) And we have several clocks in each room so we always know the time.

I had a dental appointment last week for cleaning and a check up. Everything was fine. I reminded Barry when he drove me home that I have an "agreement" with the dental hygienists and dentists at the state of the art dental clinic. All of my front teeth have crowns and some are quite old. The dentists and hygienist have told me that the crowns need to be replaced.
But, considering my age and the expense of replacing all the crowns, they will continue to clean and check on the teeth. And, if my teeth should hurt, God forbid, we will make a decision about them at that time. Barry said, "You should have told them that you come from a long line of women that live very long lives. Your oldest aunt lived to be 103 and your youngest aunt is still living." And, he is correct. I personally plan to live at least ten more years, Lord willing. I would be 93 and if all my crowns go bad before then, I may be a toothless old lady.

When Barry and I went to the blood doctor's clinic in Calhoun, Georgia, recently we met a woman walking on the sidewalk who had a chattering parrot perched on her shoulder. Barry said the woman also had the bird on a leash. That sight reminded me of the old TV show, Beretta. The star of the cop program went around with a tropical bird perched on his shoulder. But, I've never seen anyone before in real life with a bird perched on a shoulder.

An item in USA/Weekend says eating candy can be guiltless if you remember that 100 calories make a sensible snack. For instance, four Hershey chocolate kisses can be a snack and 16 candy corn or one fun size candy bar also count for 100 calories. I snack sometimes with the Hershey kisses and now they also come in dark chocolate which is good for you.

See you next time.

MEN LIKE WOMEN WHO SHOW WARMTH

By OLIVENE GODFREY

Since time began there has probably been speculation about what kind of woman is most attractive to men. Over the years we've been led to believe that the beautiful but dumb girl is what men really want. From what I've read and observed, today's young men seem to believe the frosting doesn't necessarily make the cake. These young men seem to think the truly glamorous woman is one who is interested and interesting.

Now, men today, just as their fathers before them, still don't want women who are brighter than them. (at least not one who lets them know she is!) But, they do admire women who are alert, aware, informed about what is going on in the world. Dr. Joyce Brothers, psychologist, says that what a man thinks of as feminine is a girl's warmth, her interest in him. She says that men want a pleasant woman who keeps herself well-groomed and looks reasonably well.

A famous photographer once said that when an attractive model turns into a beauty before the camera it's not her pose, but her attitude that has effected the change, that beauty is an attitude, a quality, presence more than an exquisite arrangement of features. It certainly isn't important to be able to discuss Einstein's theory of relatively to be interesting to the man in your life. Women can learn to be well read on at least one subject that can be discussed, besides children or housework.

Our appearance is important as it reflects our habits, our thoughts, our self-control. But, it's a mistake to place too much importance on looks. Our inner resources are reflected in our faces. Every experience, every emotion, is projected in our faces. Envy and hate will tighten our mouths, narrow our eyes, and help destroy our attractiveness. Women are like snowflakes--there's no two exactly alike in the world. And every woman has her own special brand of appeal. La Bruyere said, "There are no ugly women; there are only women who do not know how to be pretty."

See you next time.

EATING RIGHT PAYS OFF FOR ME & SMART PHONES & MORE

BY OLIVENE GODFREY

Son Barry drove me to see our family doctor last week to review my recent lab work results. The doctor was very pleased as my report was excellent. My cholesterol was lower than it ever had been. I had lowered it dramatically several years ago by taking Lipitor and eating oatmeal every day but the report was even better this time.

Barry told the doctor I had stopped eating red meat and fried foods. Actually, we haven't fried anything at our house in several years. Barry eats fried foods sometimes when he eats out. And, when he brings in take outs I occasionally would eat a piece of fried chicken breast. I do eat white chicken or turkey breasts and fish. Barry cooks these foods on our electric indoor grill and he steams most vegetables. The recent lab work indicates that "eating right" does indeed pay for me. Time will tell if changing my diet is the right way for me to live.

If only a cure could be found for my IBS, I would be fine now as my more serious conditions are stable.

Back in the summer, I was treated with Reclast which helps build bones to protect me for an entire year. One dose annually with daily calcium and vitamin D supplements helps to increase bone density, protecting and strengthening bones. If I should fall, God forbid, I pray the Reclast treatment will keep me from breaking any bones. I have also had a flu shot so I hope I will survive this winter.

Barry bought us a "smart phone" set last week which is compatible with hearing aids. We had a twin set of hearing impaired phones with large numbers but I couldn't use them with my hearing aids. The new phones have some amazing features but the most important is that they are hearing aid compatible and the ear piece is large enough to cover the hearing aids so that I have no trouble hearing when talking to callers.

See you next time.