Senior Golden Sneakers
Replies
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Well Anne that was exciting but I don't think England has to worry next Tuesday!! A shame that great French crowd didn't get their win but I'm enjoying the tweet exchanges between the orange man and the girl who scored both US goals and they should certainly get more interesting now! 😄
Buzz you could wear your emerald green number to dinner! I'm delighted you are listening to your body and your breathing is getting easier. ❤
Jackie0 -
Yippee, I see the U.S. team won. Cannot say I am unhappy about that.
Lin0 -
Still in a dither over the debates. Up until that 2nd debate, I was 4 square behind Biden. Now I have decided that Kamala would be be the intelligent choice. Wouldn’t a Harris/Booker ticket be outstanding? Wow!
Sunny and warm. Not too hot but warm and a bit humid. Flies, bees, wasps, mosquitoes, spiders, earwigs, slugs and weeds are crowding the blackberries. Mercy me!
Anne: don’t be silly dear lady! Run, not walk to Costco. Get a big fan at Home Depot and a Air conditioner to sit right in front of you while you read and nap. You deserve it and as Jilly’s mom, she needs you around as long as possible. Take care of yourself so you can take care of Jilly.
Jackie: if they don’t defer those games there will be some strokes and heart attacks on the field. That heat is a killer. It has happened before here. We have seen football played in below zero weather, no problem but heat! That is a problem.
Stay cool. Popsicles are great in any flavor that is red.
Patsy1 -
Well, the boys came over and I've now got a big window unit AND a huge fan in the back room. Jill and I went to bed just with a cotton sheet and dare I say it, woke up chilly this morning at 74F. Everything now turned off as we warm up. Today, We only reach 82F (humidity factor 91F) which is bearable so I've quit whining, but you can guarantee I'll find something else to have a moan about!
Poor, poor Europe. Unimaginable such heat!
I hope all you US ladies watch the ladies soccer match between the USA and the Lionesses on Tuesday. Me, I'm a coward. I'll probably bury my head in a book or take the Bean for a walk until it's over and "all the shouting is done". To quote the battle of Hastings poem. JACKiE will know it. ('Arold with an eyeful of arrow - poor man). No Canada still around to wave my flag.
It's the long Canada day weekend, hence my neighbours trekking off to their cottage by a lake. I shall miss them, yes really. No barbecue smells drifting over the fence, no Harry peering speculatively at my Apple tree, no next door fireworks. I knew I'd find something to moan about, lol.
Well, must away, porridge eaten, banana shake drunk. Away to the shower and then a trot outside with the girl.
Have a good day ladies,
Anne.1 -
Good day. A hotter day in store today. I am finishing a load of laundry and just made some broccoli slaw from a start of the Trader Joe’s mix. Need to sort through the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator and see what else needs attention.
I need to finish a few cards today and I do have a start on those.
Anne, wahoo, cooling to the rescue. I am so happy to hear that. A long weekend in store. Will there be parades and celebrations and fireworks? We have the 4th of July coming up and the fireworks started last night. The neighbors had a party with a bouncy house for the kids. I am not sure anyone around here goes to the lake or the marina. Well I will be staying here.
I do not think I will watch the match on Tuesday. I get too excited, a nervous fan. Haaaa.
Patsy, a buggy time for your area of the country! That helps to keep me indoors. Here it is primarily mosquitoes. Makes me itch to think of it.
Jackie, best wishes with those chairs. You have a set of 4? I think I lost track of that. Maybe two would be enough.
Buzz, glad the extra rest helped a bit. Good for you.keep at it. Perhaps you should have a Do Not Disturb sign for your door so are able to rest uninterrupted.
Dryer is summoning me.
Hugs all.
Lin
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George and Betty were walking in the woods by 8am to avoid the heat and surprising just how many dog walkers had the same idea. I was then supposed to visit the allotment with my neighbour but a carpenter that was supposed to do a job for them at 9 hadn't turned up so while they waited I shampooed the spare bedroom carpet and was delighted that most of Betty's stains came out easily. The Vax machine is parked up in a corner ready for a 2nd run tomorrow but already the room smells floral and clean! Once we got to the allotment I served coffee while Debs did some digging then I picked a large basket full of strawberries bending carefully all the time! We also came home with rhubarb sticks and a leeks. A long chat to brother Bernie in Spain who will be flying to the UK on Wednesday for the funeral then visits to solicitor and estate agent. He reassured me his temperatures are only around 100f and he is used to it. It's further east and north that has the 45c heat with forest fires and a few placesin France of course. All that talking on Skype left my mouth dry so time for a cup of tea.
Anne, great you have a new unit to keep you cool. Don't those boys look after you!
Ah yes, 'Arold on is 'Orse!! Do you think Tuesday's match will see arrows flying?
Lin, the first chair is still not finished and yes, there are 4 but I'm hoping each one will become easier as I'll know what I'm doing... wishful thinking!!
Happy Saturday. I'm off to put the kettle on!
Jackie
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Happy Saturday!! Feeling 100% better today and have learned my lesson. Going to the pool for a while and then with friends to a local baseball game which end with fireworks. I better get moving since I don't have much time.
Sandy
One Day at a Time1 -
JACKIE, arrows flying at Tuesday's match? Yes, if Donald shows up! "Fake call", sort of thing. "The referee isn't my type". Lol.
Anne.0 -
YAY for A/C and fan combo, ANNE.If you set the fan on exhaust next to a window opposite the A/C, you can cool off any room! It draws the cold air through the house. Enjoy!
PATSY, I like both of them, but the prime goal is to beat the nasty one, and the team you suggest doesn't stand a chance with his followers! I don't even know if Kamala can do it, and she would certainly have the know-how! But this country has returned to a mean and nasty racism and it will be hard to break through that group. I still get upset remembering the fellow whose car broke down returning from a drumming gig late at night, and while waiting for help on the phone, an unmarked cop drove up and killed him because he was black! Luckily, the phone recorded all the lies the policeman claimed and he was convicted but the fellow policemen now are trying to get his conviction overturned! The drummer was a government employee during the day and a church volunteer with young children! So 2 black people on a ticket would have a difficult time here, don't you think? We have a long time to choose, so let's ge involved and hear them out if we want this country to survive in a manner we can once again be proud of! Right now, I'm embarrassed by a do nothing Senate and a House that doesn't appear to know what to do! And a school system no longer teaching children how to think! Or even whether a public school system will survive this onslaught of Charter Schools (profit -making schools receiving YOUR tax dollars!). There was once a prohibition of public moneys going to private or religious schools, but that was cleverly circumvented by a group of people figuring out yet another way to destroy our public school system!. I believe one name involved was Jeb Bush!
JACKIE, what a relief your carpet cleaned nicely! And why are YOU doing such heavy work right after hip surgery?
SANDY, glad you are feeling better and how is LIN's foot/ankle feeling now?
I really must hop in the shower in time for dinner. These naps take too much time for a slow-moving old lady! And I have to figure out how to get the screw part of a light bulb out of a socket so I can replace the dead bulb! One of those 3 bulb affairs attached to my fan.
Have a lovely weekend , y'all...
Buzz
...........................Always Believe Something Wonderful Is About To Happen!..........................0 -
Buzz, have the handy man come in an get that bulb out, it could shock you or break off more if done wrong.0
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Warm sunny day here. I am wondering about what to use as our noise mask to help Katie during this 4th of July fireworks season. She always gets so anxious and it is just heartbreaking to see her pant and and pace around. Our vet suggested a thunder jacket. But so far she hates that as much. I usually try to sit on the couch with her and cuddle her. That helps for a while. Then she nervously jumps down and the pacing begins again! I called the vet about some doggie tranquilizers but neither of us want to give them to her. He will likely not be in favor of them as well. Katie is easier in some ways and much more difficult in others from our OES doggies.
My liberal political leanings are part of my lifelong upbringing, as I mentioned before. I cannot even imagine not being involved in the political scene. To me thats what it is about to be an American. I grew up discussing politics and religion. Two things that polite people are never to talk about...oh and of course sex. We were an odd family, a huge rowdy and rude Irish Catholic. There are very few liberals that do not appeal to me politically. My dream is to see climate change addressed again and human rights. Immigration is paramount! I guess if these were addressed we would solve the other issues by default. Rants from the Oregon loon!
Patsy2 -
Good morning. Church day and a real scorcher in store. Fingers crossed that the old vehicle will be okay in the midday heat.
I come from a family that did not discuss religion, politics, people’s problems and/or illnesses, or grief. Pretty much kept everything within. When there was an explosion of anger, it was intense and then back to no discussion.
Maybe that’s why I cannot stop talking.
Time to scoot.
Hugs.
Lin0 -
Last day of June already. Where did the month go, in fact where have the first six of the year gone? A mix of clouds and sunshine is making for a beautiful day so with the 2nd carpet shampoo completed in the spare room and light lunch of a toasted bagel, thin slice of Cheddar and an apple enjoyed I'm going to step into the garden to see how I get on tidying round the pond. I did meet a frog the other day when it jumped out from under a Geranium so hopefully there are others out there eating the slugs and bugs.
Buzz, the carpet shampooer is light to use and lift. I used to borrow one from a neighbour that was so heavy I struggled to move it and certainly never attempted to lift up the stairs so invested in the Vax. Of course the industrial strength shampoo purchased on ebay helps!
Poor Katie, Patsy having to deal with fireworks when she's so scared of them. As far as I know Betty hasn't experienced them, certainly not since I adopted her and George does his usual barking to tell me a murderer is outside but he will protect me! 😁 Didn't I see Putin the other day state Liberalism is dead. It did cross my mind what would he know about it? No subject should be off the table but it seems today too many folk are full of anger and can't manage a rational discussion! Gone are the days I'd play devil's advocate... too dangerous!
Anne, compared to England's ladies match with Cameroon when flying elbows and shoves in the back were the name of the game Tuesday's game will seem genteel I'm sure!
Time for the frog search!
Jackie0 -
And I'm in the wars.
Started off okay. Got the washing going and popped a pie in the oven to cook whilst it's still cool.
Then things changed.
Set off with the Bean for a walk and the old leg collapsed again.
Went down with a crash and my glasses cut my eyebrow and cheekbone before flying off badly scratched.
No one to pick me up this time. Jilly was so good, she sat and waited whilst I recovered and crawled to my feet.
Blood dripping down my face and onto hands, clothes and face I made it home to hear the phone ringing. It was a second cousin and he told me my dads cousin (his dad) has died at age 100. Lovely man and a priest with the Anglican Church.
I only knew of him and met him after I retired. His mother had emigrated to Canada after the First World War. We met twice and exchanged Christmas cards.
I think it's time to start talking retirement homes with the boys. I am falling far too often.
Sorry to be such a misery on a bright and sunny day,
Anne.
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Oh no Anne, I hope you didn't break anything. Do the cuts needs medical care such as an ER?
Call one of the boys to come and help you, I am so sorry this happened. Take care of yourself.
I am going to Mass this morning so will try and get back later.
Sandy
One Day at a Time1 -
Anne! Dearest friend, I know falling is so scary and the worst is the way it robs our self confidence. If I were in your shoes (I have been in a related situation) change a few things that will make you safer. You could still stay in your little home if you made just a few changes. And in the long run it would be less expensive. You need a cell phone, maybe one of those very basic ones, when you venture out alone. Best to get a doggie walking friend to walk with when you go out. Try not to go out alone, if at all possible. You may need a walker or cane to use as additional support as you go on your walks. Unless you want to move into a retirement home, it just sounds like you need some new glasses, a change in your the way you walk away from your home. In the house, get your laundry moved upstairs, have a handy folding walker for those days when you feel creaky. Have your local builder friend build a ramp with railing to go in and out your back door. I know it may sound expensive but the alternative isn’t inexpensive either. Then there is the issue of your joy and constant companion...JILLY! I know what I am talking about when it comes to compromised mobility. I don’t have nearby family to help. I have John, who is as old as I am. We are determined to live independently for as long as possible. And lastly there is this...you are intelligent , independent, very capable, you have a comfortable little home, an adorable little doggie friend. She would gladly give up her walks if it made you safer. You just need to make a few life adjustments. I just wanted you to know I am thinking of you and understand your anxiety.
Patsy1 -
Oh Anne, I'm so sorry to hear you've had a fall and a nasty one too. If not stitches you might need a strip of that tape that holds things together until mended so if one of the boys offers to take you to ER it might be worth the trip. Before you go getting yourself into some miserable old folks home (just my opinion!) you should get checked over to discover why you are falling because it's not necessarily an age thing is it. Do you use a walking stick? Perhaps a frame on wheels would support you? Even independent old me knows when to take a stick out with me! There are options Anne so please don't write yourself off just yet! Hopefully your pie cooked perfectly so you can pamper yourself with a delicious meal!
Jackie1 -
So, despite telling them not to, both sons showed up. I'm all dressed up for Canada day with a gash on the eyebrow and a black eye. Hi BUZZ.
Much discussion about what to do with wobbly mother and stairs at the front of the house, stairs at the back of the house and stairs down to the basement. Both sons don't think I'm ready for a state run retirement home. Both seem in favour of Michael converting his condo to make a nice big bed sitter for me and Bean. He has two bathrooms.
I'm not in favour, I don't think I should live with either Michael or Mark. I've seen what living with aged parents can do to marriages, and what if Mike goes that route again one day. I love them dearly and don't want to destroy the relationship we have.
I think that what bothers me the most is the walking outside and being scared to do it. I was galloping along with Beanie this morning and without warning me and the sidewalk got cosy.
I love your caring advice friends but I think I'm too clumsy for a stick, and my friend got all mixed up in her walker and broke her hip. That's very possible with clumsy me. Oh and The washing machine wouldn't work upstairs.
The suggestions you've sent me are so caring and I do thank you.
Everyone seems to think living in Mikes converted condo is the best solution partly because he and I got on for two years when he lived here after his marriage failed.
But how do I say goodbye to the Apple trees, the wild life, the peonies etc not to mention Harry the Lad, I'd really miss having no Harry to grouse about!!
This needs some serious thinking, grateful thanks to you gals.
Anne.0 -
Joining the chorus. Anne, I am dreadfully sorry to hear you took a tumble. Lots of great suggestions here. Please consider everything before making such a radical move. You and Jilly are so content in your house. Maybe a few modifications around your house and/or how you do things would provide you the confidence to stay where you are.
I took a spill on the concrete a few years ago and broke up my face, mouth and a tooth not to mention a wrist and shoulder. Things healed up over time. I have an alert button for which I pay a monthly fee but do have someone out there if I press it. They have all my information on electronic file of who to call etc. I thought it important since I am on my own.
Hugs.
Lin1 -
Oh, and I don’t use a cane but I do have a walking stick (hiking stick) with a regular tip and you can remove it for venturing out on slippery surfaces. I find it very helpful as well.
Lin1 -
Good idea Lin. My brother with his MS uses a hiking stick that is longer and grasped in a fist. He finds it Incredibly useful and feels confident. Anne you are not decrepit yet lovey in fact a long way to go!
Jackie1 -
Thank you LIN, I remember your very nasty fall. I've scratched the glasses but no chipped tooth like you.
JACKIE, that's what makes it worse. I don't FEEL decrepit even if I look it. I'll look into a hiking stick. Maybe that's the answer. I'm like you I guess, I NEED to be independent having been so all my life.
Anne.0 -
A few photos of my old, a bit beat-up hiking stick. I do feel so much better having it. I am confident you will be able to find something even better Anne.
How are you feeling? Icing the places that took the brunt of the fall? Hoping you heal quickly.
More hugs.
Lin1 -
Thank you dear LIN, Mike tells me the sticks are available at hikers haven, starting price $30 and Mark say he will take me after the long weekend. Thank you for the preview, much appreciated.
I feel okay, a bit sore, but I took an Advil which helps. How are you? On the mend I hope.
I've just been trying to email a distant relative who's 85 and lives in Kentwood. MI. David who's just died at 100 years was his uncle. I met Jim a couple of times, but lost touch so I'm hoping the email I've sent reaches him. Apparently he's driving for the funeral in Havelock, Ontario. A place I've never visited. I think he's probably my 1st cousin twice removed or something. Up to 20 years ago I had no idea I had a relative in the states although I knew my great aunt Louise had emigrated to Canada just after the first war. Phew makes the head spin thinking DNA relationships especially when I've got a plaster on the old forehead.
Thanks love for the photos,
Anne.0 -
Lin just saw a commercial on TV that you can sell your items and they do the shipping. Check it out at www.mercari.com That way you don't have to meet up with anyone. Just an FYI.1
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ANNE, luv, so sorry for your fall, dear friend, and I'm thinking if you do decide to remain on your own, one of the companies that tracks your every movement once you press their button would have gotten you immediate help! In my community, we are all given a watch-like thing that saved my sanity when I fell a couple of weeks ago ...The nurse was at my door in a matter of minutes, and when she saw the size of my hematoma on the back of my skull she had an ambulance there in no time! When I started to refuse, she answered if I did not get checked out I might not wake up in the morning! I'm so sorry you all see a Lifetime Care facility as giving up one's independence! Not so at all. I live in Independent Living, and make all my own decisions including some wonderful friends I have met here. This is not a nursing home unless one requires rehab or nursing care. Even then, one can eat in one of the 5 or 6 dining rooms of one's choice, if you can get around! Actually , several of my friends have chosen to move to the Assisted Living Floor, and they are very bright educated independent thinkers who love that area! They are taken to so many wonderful places: concerts, museums,restaurants and other places I'm sometimes tempted to move up there, but I'm not great with asking favors or giving orders to other people so even though I could have asked for an aide the past few weeks, (for which I have been paying insurance for many years!), I figured I'd end up doing everything myself anyway because I have always done it that way! I doubt I would ever want to move in with any one of my kids, even though initially they all offered. I, too have seen too many stuffed problems ensuing from that situation. Once we found this wonderful solution, all the kids really appreciated our choice. I do not feel like I'm in a horrible nursing or old age home at all! But I am safe as can be hoped for, and I must mention that canes and walking sticks are never recommended in any of our groups, as they are too easily tripped over! Nor are 3 wheel walkers, for the same reason: very unsteady. Aging is not something we can escape by trying to ignore it, so stop being ostriches and start recognizing you must make allowances and attend lectures about how to properly prepare for the chance that you will be lucky enough to GET old!!! An adorable dog will stay with you should something happen, be it cannot pick you up and help you get help. Every community has information centers, so stuff your pride and GO LISTEN! You are all very precious to me and if you think I'm in an old age home, look up !http://actsretirement.org/communities/florida/edgewater-at-boca-pointe We have all the amenities I could never have if I were living in my own isolated home now!!! II hope that was a correct link!
I have a possibly crazy answer to my DD's brain edema/lymphoma/ tumor! She has been hanging upside down from some kind of a door/ boot set-up for years, thinking it was keeping her spine stretched! Now we are wondering if that's what her brain growth was due to! The steroids would not have obliterated a solid tumor! LOL!! Well, I would certainly be as relieved as she if that's what it was. I'll keep you posted!
Forgive me for this boring post today, but dear ANNE has me worried for all of you! Buzz
........................Always Believe Something Wonderful Is About To Happen!.............................
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That link appears to take you to a page that doesn't exist, so go down to Edgewater at Boca Pointe and see what we looked like before the renovations were finished. The furniture is lovely now and there are so many amenities, and once you are in a place like ours, they will never throw you out as there is a Samaritan fund for people whose money has disappeared through no fault of their own (like cruises every 3 months!) And no one knows about it.0
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Good morning and a happy Monday to everyone. It's overcast, sort of high clouds and warm enough here at home but as ever, on the moors a constant wind is blowing. It's the first time in months I've been able to take George and Betty up there but dear George knew immediately where we were and before I'd managed to unstrap him from the passenger seat next to me was climbing excitedly into my lap or trying to anyway! No sheep or lambs about so I let them off lead so they could run and run. Now a quick reference to walking sticks because I took mine with me; the first thing I was taught by the physio when up on my feet after the hip ops was to ensure any stick is placed out to the side away from feet. Yes some concentration is required but I never feel I'm going to trip. I'm guessing we sneakers each have different abilities when it comes to getting about so I would never assume Anne you would be safe or unsafe using one. Certainly a hiking pole is easy because it has to be held out to the side but only you will know if you feel confident.
Buzz, I know we've commented before on the amazing community you now live in that seems caring and innovative, for sure so much more than any facility available in the UK unless one is dripping with money but if that money gets used up then out you go with the bath water!! My plan is to grow old disgracefully and stay off any social care radar because just a few days of struggling to do anything after the hip operations showed me a view through the tiniest window of how things could be one day. My friends and I say the same... we will not want to be sitting waiting for a carer to arrive to make a cup of tea or wipe a backside with little or no empathy. One thing I noticed when I used to drop into my housebound neighbour was how many times I would catch one leaning on a kitchen counter out of sight, or so she thought, texting or reading personal messages on her phone rather than communicating with the client! Anyway that's me, soon to become a grumpy old woman if not already!!
My morning has disappeared rapidly but I don't mind since the walk was so enjoyable. I'm now faced with either more gardening, shampooing the lounge carpet or getting on with reupholstering the chair still sitting on the table in my garden room. Perhaps a bit of all 3!!
Have a great day whatever you all get up to. Jackie 1 -
But BUZZ, what does your lovely home cost? I'd love to live in your facility but doubt my pension would allow it and not having a home to sell, little to fall back on. The research I've done here shows my back up savings to add to my pension would only allow 5 years in a similar senior independent home, and then what? Shuffled off to a state run facility like my friend who HAD a house to sell? If one can afford it, yes your facility is the perfect answer but I don't want to end my days like her sharing a room with another poor oldie who also doesn't want to share. I don't think we have Samaritan funds up here!
Not to worry. Everything will fall into place, it always does, and I must ditch my lovely open toed sandals which I suspect might have caused a trip up on the uneven sidewalk and don the clamped to the earth winter clodhoppers again. Positive thinking Annie my girl, there's gardening and things still to do.
Hugs from Anne and her faithful service dog, "stand by your woman" little Bean.
PS. JACKIE and I posted at the same time and I've just read her comments. I think the UK and Canada are very similar unless as Jackie says, we are dripping with money. I've got over the doom and gloom, will not phone and worry the boys unless absolutely necessary, never live with them, invest in ugly shoes from now on, stop whining and join Jackie in the grumpy old woman department. AND continue walking poor Bean in aforesaid clodhoppers. The thought of someone wiping my rear end....shudder!!!! is enough to have me thinking like a 65 year old again.
Ta ta, from the born again spring lamb.🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑0 -
Happy Canada Day
Buzz, you live in an astounding place. Unfortunately most of us will never have access to anything similar. In fact, they barely exist here and the buy-in is beyond the means of most of us. Please understand the quality of life and the level of safely and care in some of the facilities I have visited looks to be minimal and they struggle to just meet the level that keeps them in compliance with state guidelines. Again, your home is wonderful.
Anne, I don’t mean to tell you what to do but walking outdoors with uneven surfaces is not the same as smooth indoor surfaces as you know. I personally feel better, especially with slippery surfaces, with the walking stick at my side. Our sidewalks can be a minefield of uneven surfaces, broken areas, etc. Always vigilant. I hope you can recover quickly and the aches and pains disappear.
Jackie, good for you, out on the moors again! Wonderful. Happy George! Was Betty as enthusiastic? I don’t care to contemplate the future. I have seen glimpses and it does not appear to be pleasant or filled with kindness and caring.
Sandy, I have heard of Mercari and downloaded the app. I am not certain I am ready for that at this point. Lots of rules and I know they need them. I will think about it. Thanks.
Patsy, hello. Best wishes to you and Katie as we hit the noisy celebration time. Fireworks aren’t just for one night these days. Once upon a time it was sort of one and done.
Must get going. I have been enjoying the lovely heating pad for my aching body parts. Amazing how many body parts I am aware of when they hurt!
My ankle is back to human size. The bruising will take a while to fade away. And as far as what I did, I have no idea, I had done quite a bit and sat down noticing a pain in the heel and side of the foot. I tried to stretch it out but it felt worse and worse. When I stood up to walk, I really could barely move. Fairly intense pain and I wondered how I could pack up and make it home from the library. Apparently I sustained an injury to another tendon/ligament.
Hugs.
Lin, limping a bit less
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