Oh where have we all been....Hoping that all is well with our Mermaid and friends. My summer is hurrying by with 4 days each week at camp and the other days busy with doctor visits and cleaning and shopping. I am just lazy I guess because whenever I come online I just read my e mail check out facebook quickly and perhaps play a game or two. Perhaps when the cooler weather arrives I will settle down and spend more time visiting online. We leave in the morning for camp and next week we will go to Atlantic City for a little R&R before Pats operation. Wishing you all good health and happy days. Til next time****

{{elfina}} have a lovely time at camp. You wouldn't believe how life has been recently bothin terms of business and me gettingmy head down studying for this RYA Skipper qualification. Once we have had the intensive 4 day practical and theory course on board our boat for a week then perhaps life will quieten down somewhat before we leave for Australia later in October. I could probably write a book about this summer but I just haven't got the time right now! {smile}

Will be back soon to post as we are off on the boat again this evening but I will have a week at home next week before off again next weekend.

love to all

mermaid...xxx

Hello dear friends (smile)

I am just writing a few lines on new iPad which I have bought for a joint anniversary present for us. it means that Paul will be able to use it on the boat to watch sky sports so he is happy and I thought I would try a line in here to see if it worked. will hit post and see what happens (smile) hope all are well

Much love always

Mermaid xxx

I bet you just love the new Ipad Mermaid, I'm hoping for one someday. I know how grueling that course is Mermaid. Pat and I took it about 15 years ago. I don't think it was as extensive as yours but covered so many things from knots to how to chart a course and all maritime rules. I wish I could remember half of it.
We went one night a week for about 2 months I think. I still have all my notes from it and my maps and protractor thing.

More doctors today and more tests at the hospital on Thursday for Pat. Praying for good results. Operation scheduled for Sept. 17th.

My grands started school today. I miss them so much and haven't seen lately.

I started doing some fall cleaning today too...the closets are such a mess I really have to be diligent and chuck half of the stuff out this time. I have lots of old computer related things that I will never need again. I have been a bit of a pack rat over the years and it is now catching up on me. I will probably bring it all to Goodwill or the Salvation Army so they can sell it. I just can't be bothered trying to sort if all out.

Not much other news...Scooter just sleeps all day and eats a little. I think he is fading fast but Pat thinks he will be with us for a few more years...I hope so.

Wishing you all well, may your troubles be few and your luck plentiful.

Just popping in quickly before we get stuff packed to leave for the boat. I will write a longer catch up once we are on board though Monday through Thursday is going to be serious hard work methinks.

{{elfina}} Paul has now ~downgraded~ the course for me as I know I probably wouldn't pass it in view of what has been happening here at home - it has just been too stressful these past few weeks with not much time to study. (Dogs sick etc plus work) So that has taken a bit of pressure of me and I can have the winter to complete the theory and retake again in the spring.

I hope that Pat's tests came back ok and will be holding him in my thoughts (and you of course!) for a rapid recovery. Will respond more to your post in my next one as I am trying to get organised to leave for the boat. Sending love and {{{warm hugs}} across the sea to you dear friend and will continue to send out some extra {{healing energies}} as well.

I will write more in the coming days with a bit of an update but in the meantime also wanted to mention that I have seen that BT have removed most of my site now and so perhaps during the winter months I will upload it to my own mermaid domain as I have them all saved on my computer anyway and hope to have more time to myself then.

I do hope that all are well and am leaving a {{{warm group hug}} to {{all}} who may enter together with sending out {{healing energies}} to those who need them.

with love always

mermaid...xxx

HI EVERYONE!

I'M a bit-a lot-forgetful these days. I need to act on something I think about right at that time or it's gone and as such, it has been with writing to my friends here.

The weather here has been a bit strange as far as what is normally expected here. The El Nino is within a degree of being fully in place. We have had more rain and hopefully a lot more is coming. While the high is over AZ we have a chance for rain but at the moment the high is over NM keeping us sunny. We had a big dip in temps the other day which caught me and others around off guard. I am not able to close windows so I had a cool evening but the following day I had help. I am so thankful for all the help I receive during the year. It makes it possible for me to be able to stay in my home and have my wonderful friend-B2-with me. Life is beautiful and I enjoy every moment I have here in the 3rd D. I'll let ya'll know how the other D is when I get there and renew my friendship with B1:-) Lucky, Sandy and my many old friends.

Diana, how have you guys been? Yep, sure been a while since we have experienced a true monsoonal season. I am praying you and ED ARE DOING WELL. Hoping your home scene has settled and Ed is doing well with the Chemo. I remember the time-in Philadelphia, Pa.-when our neighborhoods came together throwing block parties in order to help our friends and neighbors. Ah, seems, a simpler and a time when people were closer. But alas, these are nice memories that I miss but I sure don't want to give up all the great advances we have made. Oh yes, the rambles of an old man. LOVE YA FRIENDS! ENJOY AND {{{LOADS O HEALING HUGS}}}

Maggy, my friend. GOD BLESS ALL THE CARE GIVERS. They make life more happy in the many small ways that they give. They are special folks for sure and mostly volunteers. Holding you and Dan in my Prayers. Have a very happy SUMMER-gees, thinking I should move there to be in summer now and here when summer is here. Still the dreamer and will always be-a good Pisces. Well, my friends, have a great week end and not too much sun bathing, LOVE YOUSE GUYS {{{BUNCHES OF HEALING HUGS}}}

Elfina, yep, gotta clear stuff out. HEHEHE I am also a possible saver of a lot of stuff. Soon heading south. Scooter is just showing you guys how to relax. B2 sleeps a lot too bu like now she is barking and growling at folks that are over two streets away.:-) I think at times we should do as they show us to do; for the most part I think we humans are too hardheaded to see what they are showing us. Oh well, more rambling of an old guy. ENJOY BUDDIES {{{HUGS}}

Mermaid, geez, you make me tired just reading all you do in a day. I would never be in danger of overworking as I'm a fairly lazy guy. The only job I did with joy and happily put in the extra time is my time as a musician. That experience was special in my life. Praying you and Paul are well and your four legged buddies as well. BTW, how are your buddies when it gets near time to go on your trip. They like many of our four legged buddies know when their great friends are leaving. Hope things have slowed down-at least a bit-for you. ENJOY AND HAVE BUNCHES O FUN ON YOUR BOAT. A matey enjoy the high seas and have sunny days and the winds at your back. (I forget that navy saying) ENJOY MY FRIENDS HAVE A GREAT WEEK END AND LOVE YA BOTH {{{HUGS}}}

I'm sorry if/that I didn't mention some one-got the old GUY excuse. Know I love you all and have you ALL IN MY PRAYERS AND MEMORIES, LOVE Y'ALL.

LIGHT, LOVE & PEACE;Kermit and Friends + B2 {{{HUGS}}} B2 here. We Love all our Friends-2 legged and 4 legged. Ya know FRIENDS ARE SPECIAL, LIFE IS SPECIAL AND BEING ABLE TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL IS VERY SPECIAL, GOD BLESS US ALL{{{LOVING AND HEALING PAWSEY HUGS AND SPECIAL LICKY LICKS TO ALL}}}

Hello dear friends

Just popping a line in on my iPad to say that we are now back at home and getting stuff sorted out here. I will write some more in the morning til then am hoping that all has gone well with (elfina's pat's)) surgery.

Am sending out some healing energies as I write before drifting off to Neptune land ...

With love always

Mermaid. Xxx

Hello to all,

Elfina, I hope that both the test results and the surgery for Pat went as well as could be expected, and am continuing to hold him in my thoughts and prayers. I know this is a worrisome time for you as well so sending out gentle thoughts your way.

Liz, sounds like your life is continuing to go along at knots (literally and figuratively), but hopefully you're getting some kind of rest in the midst of it all.

Kermit, nice to have the temps dropping down to the upper 90s finally from the 100s, though yesterday we still saw 104 here. I agree with you, neighbors once upon a time actually were true neighbors, but that seems to be a thing of the past these days. Hope you're doing well.

Now for a little update since I know it's been some time since my last one.

We sold the house for exactly what was owed the bank. While there was no profit to be had, the debt is cleared and my credit (for whatever it's worth) is safe in that respect at least.

We moved into a little one bedroom, one bath apartment that is about one half the size of the downstairs portion of our old home, but its safe and cozy and only 10 minutes away from the VA hospital for Ed as opposed to the hour drive it used to be. Also, the complex has a good number of veterans living here, so Ed has that comradeship as well. While he has a strong support system in me and our good friends, I think that Vets also need one another too, so he's already been warmly welcomed into that group here {smile}

And on the topic of Ed, we had some distressing news yesterday. He had gone in fully expecting to begin chemo treatment to find out that it has been delayed until the beginning of November as his Liver Specialist had some bad news for him. It appears that his liver is worse off than they had thought from the years of the autoimmune disease and the diabetes pounding together on it. He isn't a drinker (thank heavens) as if he was, the liver would have been gone totally 10+ years ago, according to the Dr.

His liver is in stage four of four, so not good news at all. The only hope he has is for this year of chemo to be successful. If it successfully puts his autoimmune disease into remission, then he could live another 20+ years. If, on the other hand, it is not successful, then it's truly not a good prognosis at all. So, my job is to stay focused on his healing and making the most of the treatments that are available by combining them with alternative medicines including some gemstones that are known for assisting with healing the liver.

I know it was very hard for him to hear, but at least we know now and with that knowledge comes the ability to tackle it from the perspective of what can we do to help the healing along, i.e. finding solutions {smile} Of course, any healing thoughts, energies, and prayers sent his way would be hugely beneficial and greatly appreciated by both of us, dear friends.

Mom is doing very well, though she had some depression Tuesday as it was the 2nd year “anniversary” of Dad's crossing over. She'd sensed his presence the day before and had even smelled his signature fragrance. But over all, she's so happy in Oregon and enjoying the senior community their home is located in.

Speaking of Dad, our moving date was the same day as his passing had been (Tuesday). As we were waiting for the Veteran volunteers to show up for the actual move, Ed and I heard a knocking along the whole length of the wall downstairs. It began at one end of the house, and went all the way to the other end. Of course no one was outside (we checked when it first began), but the sense we both had was that it was Dad checking in on us and letting us know he checks in on everyone from time to time.

I'm having to pull the website down for a variety of reasons, most of which is I need to focus most of my attention on Ed, and when not doing that, writing my Totems book. Plus, the annual hosting fees were do (along with SSL and everything else) and it just doesn't fit into our tight budget right now. At some point, perhaps I can find a free hosting site and at least leave some of the informational pages up, though the services won't be able to be offered through it, which really is just as well at this juncture in our busy nows.

Guess that's it for now, and quite a screed it's been {chuckle}.

Sending loving and healing thoughts to all,
Diana

Hello dear friends {smile}

I will get a post written here by the weekend as Paul is on the boat tomorrow night for a "boy's own" with Olly and Archie so a little time just for me once I have gone to the boat tomorrow and done the beds.

Am sitting here in bed with iPad to just pop this message in and am sending out a good dollop oh {{{healing energies}}}} to {{{Pat and Ed}}}} before I drift into Neptune land {smile}

In the meantime a also leaving a {{{warm group hug}}}}. To {{All}}} who may enter...

With love always

Mermaid xxx

Hello dear friends {smile}

It certainly seems to have been a busy time for all of us this summer doesn’t it? {Smile} Now the Sun has moved into Libra and we are in the autumn time after the Equinox last weekend we can certainly see the temperatures altering and the days beginning to get shorter.

Orwell Lady is coming to the end of her season now and things have quietened with the phones. I have to get my desk tidied up today as it looks as though a bomb has hit it. Such a lot has happened this year that it is fairly mind spinning in some ways yet as we all know everything happens for a reason and so in the way of the saying ~Keep Calm and Carry On~ that is what I have been trying to do this year – sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don’t but we still have to carry on don’t we? {Smile}
Paul is going to be in the office this morning so I hope to have a chance to go through posts left that I have been very remiss in not responding to but in the meantime (in case I don’t get back til this afternoon):

{{{elfina}}} I do hope that all goes well with {{Pat}} today – I have been holding both of you in my thoughts and prayers and am sending out some {{{extra healing energies}}} as I sit here this morning. Please let us know how he is doing as not everyone uses Facebook and I haven’t had a chance yet to go and have a quick look there to see if there is an update on him. I will do that later anyway in case you can’t get in here and will copy anything relevant here. Sending love and {{hugs}} across the Pond to you dear friend and am holding you in my thoughts.

I have to go and make a start on my day so am going to leave a little ~something~ here to ponder as I haven’t left a ~thought for the day~ for a long time and I had a thought to leave one. {Smile} Sending out {{healing energies}} to {{all}} who need them and leaving a {{{warm group hug}} to {{all}} who may enter….

~What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly~

with love always

mermaid…xxx