Early Tomorrow

[Kathianne]

morning I'm off to spend 5 days with my brother in FL. I'm sure I'll get on phone, with expected texting issues, but won't be around much. Enjoy the convention!

[Black Diamond]

Fly safe.

[Gunny]

morning I'm off to spend 5 days with my brother in FL. I'm sure I'll get on phone, with expected texting issues, but won't be around much. Enjoy the convention!I assume you are flying? Long drive, but you would have to drive right through here.

[Gunny]

Fly safe.I'm having to think this comment over. As IF she has any control:laugh:

[Kathianne]

I'm having to think this comment over. As IF she has any control:laugh:

Pray for me!

[Gunny]

Pray for me!You're braver than I am. And/or more patient. Last time I flew on one of the busses with wings they call airplanes nowadays was the last time if I can help it. Two hours to get through the Gestapo, then packed on a plane obviously designed for small people that shakes, rattles and rolls? No thanks. I'll run over the Air Force base and catch a hop on a cargo plane. Web seats and box lunch for me:laugh:

[Black Diamond]

I'm having to think this comment over. As IF she has any control:laugh:

Lol. Yeah i said fly safe to a buddy of mine and he said yeah I'm Gonna make the pilot my bitch. :laugh:

[Kathianne]

Lol. Yeah i said fly safe to a buddy of mine and he said yeah I'm Gonna make the pilot my bitch. :laugh:

Waiting for boarding. Getting thru all the rigamoral took surprisingly little time. Grabbed fruit cup and coffee . Early bird that I am, got in 7k steps before leaving the house. Only 3k more since. Now at O'Hara, I'd be over 10k!

[Kathianne]

Waiting for boarding. Getting thru all the rigamoral took surprisingly little time. Grabbed fruit cup and coffee . Early bird that I am, got in 7k steps before leaving the house. Only 3k more since. Now at O'Hara, I'd be over 10k!

Gunny I'm addicted to smart watches!

[Gunny]

@Gunny (http://www.debatepolicy.com/member.php?u=30) I'm addicted to smart watches!I hear ya. Been wondering exactly what future plans are if this thing drops dead. Carried it in my pocket when the strap broke:laugh:

[Kathianne]

I hear ya. Been wondering exactly what future plans are if this thing drops dead. Carried it in my pocket when the strap broke:laugh:

Order new Strap on Amazon

[Gunny]

Order new Strap on AmazonI did. That was last year. The immediate freak out of how I was going to make it work for me without the strap didn't last long.

I wear it on my ankle. Have a normal watch in my wrist. Naturally I researched wearing it on your ankle quite a bit before I did. Got the idea from Crossfit athletes.

[Kathianne]

I did. That was last year. The immediate freak out of how I was going to make it work for me without the strap didn't last long.

I wear it on my ankle. Have a normal watch in my wrist. Naturally I researched wearing it on your ankle quite a bit before I did. Got the idea from Crossfit athletes.

Awesome!

[Kathianne]

Boarding! Later!

[Kathianne]

On plane. Came back from potty, someone sitting in my chair! Not anymore. Lol!

[SassyLady]

On plane. Came back from potty, someone sitting in my chair! Not anymore. Lol!
Get em Kath!

[Kathianne]

Home. Work today, of course. Had wonderful time, brother is super sad, but trying. I've never seen him like this, but I've not known anyone who is losing a child or lost one, even in pregnancy. I just can't imagine. All I can do is be there for him.

In so many ways he knows he and Jay are so blessed. Without a doubt probaby 90% of people diagnosed with ALS don't have the money available to make their lives as comfortable as possible. They do, between my brother and niece and her husband. That's huge. It's a horrible disease, pain included, but no intellectual loss. Horrible.

My SIL has been staying with Jay and his kids since June. Jim has only seen Jay twice since January, when we were all together in IL. Jim says he's seeing big differences between each time together. In any case, he was in DC with his older son a week or so ago. Going to Switzerland in about a week, though he is bringing a wheelchair. There trips scare my bro, he doesn't want anything happening where he can't get there right away. My niece and I and Pauls, Jim's wife, say, "Let Jay lead, he'll be OK, regardless of what happens."

Jim and Paula switch places in mid-September. She cannot deal with Chicago cold and he doesn't mind. I know that Jim really wants to bring Jay down to FL where he can keep on top of what's happening and the weather is better for spending time outside, even if only on the screened porch watching people play golf.

August 3rd is the Ice Bucket Challenge, I'm going to try and have recruited quite of few of the kids at work to do it also. Seems they used to do in high school and are glad to do again. LOL!

Now as I said originally, we had a great time too, punctuated by some talk that wasn't so happy. He needed it.

We went to the beach twice. Once to a beautiful one in Bradenton, Coquina Beach. From parking to water about 1/2 block. So nice! 2nd beach is supposedly the #1 beach (or was) in USA, Siesta Beach. I can see why, as the vista is forever. The beach super clean. Around parking lot there is a park and picnic tables, also a restaurant with deck. On the downside, from parking to water is close to a mile, over sugar sand, so not great for those with trouble walking or weighted down with chairs, towels, toys, coolers, etc...

Luckily it was just my bro and I and he carried most things, lol! I managed towels and sunscreen. Real trooper!

He took me to some great restaurants, some fancy, most just quirky. We both like quirky and all on the water. Live music and character waiters. Mostly fish, but managed a couple bar-b-que too. I think the last was probably best, Columbia in Tampa. Cuban. Best salad I ever had and a Cuban sandwich, again the best ever. Service was great. My niece,her husband and my grandniece joined up-the little had black beans and rice.

Close was our first just outside of Bradenton, off exit for Sarasota, when he'd picked me up at airport. A place called Woody's! Seems it's pretty famous down there, a bit off the regular roads, but right on the water. Jim calls it his 'Hillbilly place.' Food is great and music was wonderful. I guess at night it can be a bit 'rough,' but we were there around 6, so all was good, especially the lobster roll. ;)

[Kathianne]

Well the brother and SIL have changed locales. Paula and Jay returned from Southern European cruise about a week ago. They had a great time, though Jay fell even more than when he was in Switzerland, so this is the last trip. He's had an adventuresome year.

She went back to FL the next day, lots of dr. appts., then there was Hurricane Milton bearing down, their place had zero issues with Helene.

They pretty much are stocked for hurricanes, but there were some things she wanted from Costco. Luckily her neighbor saw and brought those things up to the main floor.

My niece is in Tampa, but that's near an hour away. Jim and Paula are in Lakewood National Golf Homes-basically Bradenton/Sarasota. Not the best locale for Milton, but she made it through-her first by herself. We were able to group text until nearly 9:30 my time, then power went out. No damage to their home, other than a bit of water under french doors between screen enclosure and kitchen. She was able to mop it up.

There were branches flying around the golf course, so she stayed in bathroom, only room with no windows.

Power restored around 10am next morning. Pretty darn good.

I know my brother is having so many issues, like Paula on her own during this storm. Jay getting worse, but wanting to stay in Chicago area as long as possible. Not sure what he's going to do to make some peace, so many issues with mother of kids not wanting them full time. (Like she should have a choice?) I know he's thinking of bringing the boys and Jay down to FL, but Jay doesn't want them changing schools and Jim isn't saying, but he and Paula are too old to be raising a 10 year old and 14 year old, with so many issues.

[Gunny]

Well the brother and SIL have changed locales. Paula and Jay returned from Southern European cruise about a week ago. They had a great time, though Jay fell even more than when he was in Switzerland, so this is the last trip. He's had an adventuresome year.

She went back to FL the next day, lots of dr. appts., then there was Hurricane Milton bearing down, their place had zero issues with Helene.

They pretty much are stocked for hurricanes, but there were some things she wanted from Costco. Luckily her neighbor saw and brought those things up to the main floor.

My niece is in Tampa, but that's near an hour away. Jim and Paula are in Lakewood National Golf Homes-basically Bradenton/Sarasota. Not the best locale for Milton, but she made it through-her first by herself. We were able to group text until nearly 9:30 my time, then power went out. No damage to their home, other than a bit of water under french doors between screen enclosure and kitchen. She was able to mop it up.

There were branches flying around the golf course, so she stayed in bathroom, only room with no windows.

Power restored around 10am next morning. Pretty darn good.

I know my brother is having so many issues, like Paula on her own during this storm. Jay getting worse, but wanting to stay in Chicago area as long as possible. Not sure what he's going to do to make some peace, so many issues with mother of kids not wanting them full time. (Like she should have a choice?) I know he's thinking of bringing the boys and Jay down to FL, but Jay doesn't want them changing schools and Jim isn't saying, but he and Paula are too old to be raising a 10 year old and 14 year old, with so many issues.

Reassessing my notions of moving back to FL:thinking5: My father lives in Navarre. He's managed to miss out on both hurricanes. I'm sure they got plenty of rain though. He'll get around to responding in his usual fashion -- when e gets around to it. Can't complain too much. He's 88 though can't tell him that.

Best wishes to your family.