The New Water Cooler
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I had a dermatology appt and PT appt today. I passed all physical coordination tests with the PT so I am done. My range of motion is good and where it is suppose to be. The dermatologist did a whole body check (again) and found two spots to remove. Ugh! I probably won't be able to go in the pool next Tuesday. She wants to see me in 6 months again. I hope the biopsies come back negative otherwise she will have me come back to remove more skin from those spots.
I picked up a rotisserie chicken to pick so I have chicken to eat through my detox week. The chicken Russ smoked is a few days old and I wanted something fresh. I went to visit Sarah and sat with her for about an hour. She looked good and was in good spirits but wasn't making much sense with her responses and stories as usual.
I wanted to ride my bike this afternoon but with the bandage on my face and stomach, I can't shower until tomorrow. I didn't want to get sweaty and not be able to shower. Maybe when I get home from flower shopping tomorrow with Lynn.
My garden is planted now fingers crossed things grow rather than die. I'm looking forward to potting some annuals this weekend.
How are you?
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Glad your starter survived.
I’m trying to get Bernie to agree to do my floor too before the bed arrives. It has the same carpet that was here when we moved in and I hated it then. We’ll see. A gallon of paint is $50!
At least it’s a short week0 -
Good paint costs quite a bit but it rolls on better and has better coverage. You can probably use fewer cans with good quality paint. Do you want new carpet, LVP or wood floor?
My sister Lynn and I shopped for the cemetery flowers today. We found the hanging baskets we wanted at Home Depot. Lynn did not want to pay the price per basket we paid last year at a local nursery. We got each $15 cheaper so saved $45. However, when we took them to the cemetery, the grave next to ours had two hanging plants like ours but from the nursery we went to last year. A huge difference in the size and quality of the plants. We shall see if ours do well or not compared to last year. I prefer to buy from family owned nurseries and not big box stores but she wanted to go cheaper. If they die or don't look good, she will complain. Lynn lives on a lot less income and gives most of her money to her kids (in their 40's) when she determines they need it. She just paid for her 41 year old son's eye exam because he doesn't get vision insurance with his realtor firm and has had a slow year. This is the guy that will spend money for fishing trips out of the country, buy a camper, a house then sell off to get another. Drives me crazy!
I am still doing the detox. I've lost 2.4 since Monday and hope I will lose a total of 4 to 5 when I finish the detox on Sunday. I need to determine if I want to add dairy, grains or red meat back into my diet and which one first. I definitely feel better not eating them but I do love bread. I can go without red meat and only eat it a few times per year.
The raccoon keeps going for the bird feeder. Russ just put it away but the little guy is out eating the seeds off the ground. Hopefully he will go away and in a week the feeders can go back out in the backyard.
I ordered some long sleeve sun guard shirts for gardening and biking. I am already pretty tan from FL and the doctor doesn't want my arms getting any more sun. I use 70 SPF but she commented that long sleeves would be good. I won't wear them all the time but I'll do my best when it isn't hot.
TGIF!!
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Glad you got your flowers out. Do you have a Kaw greenhouse in your area? They pop up I parking lots in some places. I tried their flowers last year (and year before) I just really liked the colors of flowers. They show up just for planting season and then disappear until the next season. Otherwise I go to the local place. The flowers at hyvee and Walmart are usually just sad.
So our business unit president quit this week as well. That’s another experienced one gone. The announcement today is that they made the purchasing guy the Director of Supply Chain and we will be reporting to him. Another made up leadership position that wasn’t posted and will definitely involve more work. Because we still have to serve the business unit and this guy. Should be exciting.
I’m so jealous you can lose over two pounds in less than a week! Good job!!0 -
I do believe the weight loss is due to shedding all the bad food I ate on vacation, fluid from swelling in my leg, and not eating bread/pasta, dairy or red meat. I do have more energy than when we returned from our trip.
I planted 7 pots of flowers today. I went to the nursery to get more annuals and more potting soil this morning. I have to plant sun and shade pots. I ended up needing more potting soil so went to our town's nursery to get more. I had a few extra annuals when done so I put them in my garden on the island. We do not have a Kaws. In Traverse City the big box stores and a few nurseries exist. In our county there are no chain stores just locally owned businesses. We have several family owned nurseries that I love.
After my shower, I am reading and relaxing. I'm beat!
More changes at work for you. Will you be affected?0 -
My dear friend. Just got an amazing update from Caitlin. After the months of terrible testing (she said the lumbar puncture was particularly painful) but the team has said they didn’t see any growth in the tumor in the three months and they don’t believe it is cancerous at this time. She gets to go six months before testing again. Praise God. I’m so happy for her and the family.0
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Wonderful news! You and your family must be so relieved with the test results. Finally a great event you can celebrate. How are you and your sister doing?
I rode my bike today, finally. It felt good but was a workout. I went 10.5 miles but my seat was having issues so I need to look at it tomorrow and tighten some bolts, I think.
Russ planted lots of wild flower seeds. We hope they come up in our meadow so we can enjoy the blooms and color.
Not much else going on. Happy weekend!
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Everybody is going to want to come take pictures in your wildflower meadow.
Glad you are feeling good on your bike. What a relief after that tough recovery.
My sister and me? Still nothing. Zero communication. I heard from Bernie this weekend she is now a VP at Vishay. It’s really tough. But I don’t know what I am supposed to do since I don’t feel like the silence is my fault.0 -
And if only I could figure out what Gods plan is for my boys. That would really be great0
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Your sister must be mad about something but won't communicate it? Weird!
I rode my bike again yesterday after fixing the seat. I rode 26.5 miles this weekend. They weren't easy miles. I ended up putting my assist on Sport and Turbo which are the two highest assists. It was windy both days and I am still building up endurance. My leg throbbed last night when I was sleeping. I remember that from my first knee replacement after I rode my bike.
My lettuce and snap peas are sprouting! No sign of carrots or cukes yet.
I volunteered at Power Book Bags today. I hadn't been since the end of April due to our trip and Memorial Day. I texted Russ to put the AC on since it was getting more humid. I hate trying to sleep when it is humid. We are due for some rain this week so maybe that is why the humidity is increasing.
I lost 4.6 pounds during my detox week!!! That was by cutting out dairy, bread, white rice, pasta, sugar, and red meats. Today I start the regular balanced eating plan and am adding in grains (bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta). I will see how I do this week and add in some dairy by the end of the week if I am feeling good.
What are the boys' plans this summer?0 -
I just signed up for next year's health and dental insurance through my employer for next year. I never thought I would say that I look forward to Medicare eligibility, LOL! It will be cheaper for us.
I've begun to freshen up the guest room for my brother's visit next week. I need to go to the laundry mat to wash the new comforter that stinks like chemicals.
I'm doing ok with my eating and balancing the food groups. I hope I can keep it up but will not deprive myself of dinner out, etc. I need to watch portions and keep being active.
Rainy here since yesterday evening. Good for the garden and wild flowers Russ planted.0 -
Wow!! 4.6 in one week. That is phenomenal. Way to go. Also, WTG on getting some major miles on your bike. You are making such good progress.
Nebraska (and Iowa) still need a break from the storms. After being in such extreme drought conditions for a number of years - it's nice to get enough rain - but flooding isn't a welcome change. Feast or famine, feast or famine.0 -
In the middle of getting guest room ready, Russ finally decides to put shelves in one of the closets so I can organize stuff. So the room is in disarray for a bit. Luckily I have time since Brad doesn't arrive until next Tuesday. I went to the laundry mat yesterday to wash the new comforter. I hate laundry mats! So much waiting, costly, and the lady that runs it is snippy.
We've had rain this week so I haven't had to water the garden. It is growing fast!
I found a waterproof band aid for one of my biopsy spots so I am off to Aquafit in a minute.
Have a great day!0 -
We had a meeting with Dawn yesterday. She was hired as the Behlen country master scheduler and is my direct supervisor for now. She has been here four weeks and just watching things and figuring things out. Our talk yesterday was about the change graph (the phases you go through before accepting changes) and the duties we will be doing. I guess I am going to be doing forecasting and vendor scheduling. Not sure how since my days are filled already but we’ll see. She also said there might be a wage change for our “new “ jobs. I am going to ask her when I get a wage adjustment for all the extra work I have been doing for the last six months.0
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Are you happy with your new duties? I hope the compensation goes up and is worthwhile for the additional duties for all.
Rainy week and the garden is growing like crazy! Flower pots are healthy too. Less work for me.
Russ finished the guest room closet shelves so today I will sort and organize my stuff into bins for shelving. I love being organized and have more to achieve in other areas of the house and pole barn.
Well I better get my guestroom done. Have a nice Friday!0 -
I'm not happy at all. I didn't put in for 'new' job. I didn't agree to a new job. Obviously, I have the option of walking away, but this whole thing is ridiculous. They still need someone to do what I am doing now. I mostly like what I am doing, I just want a back up. And frankly giving me forecasting and vendor scheduling will make it worse, because I will still have no back up and I am 90 percent sure I will still be doing most of what I am doing on top of it. I have been combing Indeed everyday but it's thin. I hate this all so much. I just keep praying for things settle down. To make sense. I don't understand anything right now. My kids are a mess and should have all the tools they needed to be successful. I'm a mess. Meh. I have my doctor's appointment Monday, I'm sure he'll tell to just eat less to get the pounds off - I eat less than 1200 cals a day. It's beyond depressing to that little and not make progress on losing weight. Oh, and I get to work Sunday (from 5am to whenever they get done) do a full tubular count. Yay. Not. I hate everything obviously, right now.
Great job on all the work you are getting done. Always so productive!
We have 'serious' storms headed our way tonight (per the NWS) - so not looking forward to 70-90 mph winds and major hail storms and spin up tornadoes. You know when the storm chases come to town it's going to a rough night.
Wish us luck0 -
I hope you don't get a storm that causes damage. Prayers for you and your family.
So your current job will not be yours and you will be doing forecasting and vendor ( I don't know what these are) instead? I guess they have the right to move people wherever they want and tell them what they should do, but they have left all of you in limbo without direction for so long, it isn't right. Do you think the company is doing ok with this merger/new leadership? I hope that something comes your way that would renew your energy and bring you happiness in the job world.
Are the boys struggling this summer or are you referring to your concerns for their status being in limbo with college and job search? I know you worry for them. I would be worried if my own boys were in that situation. We just want our kids to accomplish their goals, become self-sufficient and have a good life.
Now that detox is done I'm not losing. I need to get my portions under control and increase exercise. Always a struggle...
My guest room closet is done and is wonderful. The next closet to organize is the den, then on to my side of our closet, the basement shelves and boxes in the pole barn.
We have a funeral tomorrow afternoon. My friend's father died this winter at 102 years of age. He was a WWII vet and they will have military honors aat his service. Then we go to dinner at the church afterwards.
You may look into increasing your calorie intake. I read recently that eating too few calories slows metabolism and causes muscle loss. Do some research and see if you find that info out there. What kick starts metabolism and allows weight loss with muscle mass loss would be a good search.
I hope you can do something for yourself to relieve some stress.0 -
I meant without muscle mass loss...
Rainy day and the funeral is at 3pm. The rented a canopy tent for over and around the grave so I hope I'm under it if it is raining. Otherwise my raincoat with a hood will have to be enough.
Scale was down 1.2 pounds this morning. I didn't eat after dinner last night and I'm focusing on 2 protein servings and 2 veggie servings, 1 small carb and 1 healthy fat (Golo requirements). I am going to try to make a strawberry yogurt frozen ice cream to see if that helps with my dessert cravings. Fresh strawberries are at the farm stands now so I will pick some up tomorrow or Monday.
I hope your weekend is going well.0 -
Aren’t fresh strawberries the best.
The worst of the storms hopped over us. That was a relief
You are making great progress on your eating. Woot
Spent six hours at work this morning. Funny, our new boss wasn’t there. Go team, huh
Going into the week already tired and not in a great mood
Doctor tomorrow0 -
Good luck at the doctor. I always get nervous because I don't like when they bring up my weight. I do like my doctor I just hate the topics. She is very respectful and listens. I just left a message at the dermatologist to get my biopsy results. They called Friday but I missed the call. The spot on my stomach that they biopsied isn't healed yet. In a bad spot, under my saggy breasts!
Cleaning house for book club tonight and brother Brad's arrival tomorrow. I tend to not dust and vacuum very often when it is just Russ and I so this is needed.
I'm glad the weather hopped over you. There was a story on the news this morning that I did not hear completely. It referred to tornado ally is shifting and spots in the country that normally get severe storms/tornadoes are getting hit. I imagine it has to do with global warming and rising temps in mid and northern states.
My garden is growing well and now I need to thin the carrots and lettuce. Russ' fields of flowers have sprouted. Hopefully the weeds and grass don't choke them out.
Why is your mood not good? Just everything feels too heavy?
Cold, rainy June here.0 -
Over an hour and a half at the doctors office waiting. It’s time for me to be eligible for the shingles shot and I’m fine with getting it, but because it is one day before my 50th birthday they wouldn’t give it to me. They scheduled this appointment but didn’t schedule it so I could get it done? One day. Oh and my ldl is still a little high so I get to start a statin. I’m not really excited about it since I often have trouble tolerating medication and I can’t take anything for what makes my life miserable (hot flashes) and my blood pressure was really high in the office. Of course it was. I was super agitated. So woohoo I have to go back in three months. Sigh0
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Is this your family getting together for the memorial gathering for your other brother?
Yeah, I don’t know what is going on with all the extra severe weather. It’s been a mess.0 -
nifty fifty - woo
I changed my linked in to have the banner that I am open to work and I sent connections to all the HR people here - just to make sure they could see it - I guess I am staking my flag - not sure what I hope to gain from it - I'm sure it will just get me in trouble (i.e. out of this job) - but I'm in a mood -0 -
Happy 50th!! Any plans for today besides a doctor appointment?
When I had the shingles vaccine it was two shots a month or more apart. I did them just before we moved here. I don't know if I have to have a booster or if the two shots were good for life. Because I have Type 2 diabetes, I have to take Prevastatin even though my cholesterol is normal and often in the lowest end of the normal range. I rebel by not taking it every day. I also take a very low dose of Lisinopril because my BP always seems to be slightly elevated at the doctor. They labeled me with high BP.
Good for you putting your flag up that you are interested in a new job. I'm proud of you!
Bookclub went well last night. All 4 of us were present and we had a good discussion of the book Molokai'. Two of us had read it many years ago and two had not. Even though I've read it twice I still missed some details in the book. As we discussed the questions I had found about the story, we each remembered some different events/points in the book. We meet in July and will discuss Orphan Train. I read that book over a decade ago so will re read it for the discussion.
My brother should be arriving any time now. He is driving up here from Indiana after visiting friends. He will stay with us until Saturday. The burial of my other brother is on Thursday. I will be glad to get that done for final closure.
I hope you have a nice day. Are the boys home?0 -
I feel like a bad person. Last night Bernie texts me that he is bringing home El Mezcal for dinner - and is that ok? I texted back I wasn't really in the mood for that. He texts back, oops. We usually get El Mezcal for take home about once a month. I am generally happy to have it, but I have just been feeling a bit tired of it. The last three of four times I have only eaten like three bites and let Zach the rest the next day. I did have something I was in the mood for, but he didn't ask and so I feel bad I was hungry last night, and that nobody bothered to ask me what I wanted. Bernie is mad because he went out of his way to bring home something.
My folks want to come down this weekend so I will have to put something together for that. They say it's for my birthday - but more so to see Bernie and make sure dad can give him something for Father's Day.
Caleb texted me yesterday to please make him a dentist appointment. I'm like, I don't know your schedule - he returns back that he should be able to get whatever off. I roll my eyes and make him an appointment. Then text him the date and time and the phone number and warn him he better not miss it. He texts back thanks - and I text him back - I think you mean Happy Birthday.
I attempted to make myself something different to eat for the week and made two huge pans of enchiladas to the way I wanted them to taste. I made two knowing Zach and Bernie would eat one. I only got to eat two servings of the second pan - the one in my mind was 'mine.' I texted Bernie yesterday that this is why I give up cooking. Even when I do, I don't get it eat it unless I hide it or try to shove it all in my face faster than you can. It's stupid having to hide food - and it makes him grumpy if I label it because then it's my 'special' food.
Michele texted me Happy Bday and love you - and all I can think is ok. I guess she is over whatever has been keeping her from talking to me? I don't think I am at this point. I just replied back, thx
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I'm sorry your birthday wasn't what you wanted it to be. It seems like Bernie doesn't put thought in to making things special but maybe is doing what he is capable of?
I'm glad your sister reached out. That is a first step.
Do you go all out on Father's Day for Bernie or do the boys? I just give Russ a card. We may go to a Farmer's market, hike or kayak depending on our mood.
Tomorrow is Bruce's burial. I will be glad to get it done for closure. My oldest sister worries and obsessed about all the details. It is not a funeral, just watching his urn go in the ground. There will be one reading and then we will chat and go to lunch. Lynn bought flowers for each person to put one in his grave hole. Then she is upset that those hanging plants we bought aren't blooming. Out of our control but she goes on and on. Today she was obsessing on whether the grave digger had dug the hole. She doesn't trust the funeral home to follow through and get it done to her specifications and timeline. I wonder what she will worry about when this is done?
Becky, Brad and I went out to lunch today at a bar just north of us. It is on the bay and we had a table on the balcony looking over the water. It was a nice place to eat and chat.
My garden is doing great!0 -
I hope you are having a nice time having Brad around. And that you will all feel peace after things are done.
Grow garden grow!
Hugs0 -
Well the burial is over and we had beautiful weather today. There were 8 adults and one 4 year old at the grave side. My sister did a reading that she picked out about "a brother and homeless". I thought that would be weird and maybe inappropriate but it ended up being a nice thing. We each put flowers on top of his urn/bio in the hole. Those who wanted to say something or share a memory did so. My cousin who couldn't attend wanted a picture of us all so the funeral director actually took a group photo of us by the grave. That has to be the weirdest photo I've ever been in. We went for lunch on a deck at a local restaurant. Russ and I got a soft serve ice cream cone on the way home and Brad went over to my sister's house to visit with her, her daughter, and the grand kids. My cousin Bill gave my siblings and I each a small, framed photo of my brother Bruce from my sister Becky's wedding many years ago. It would have been taken 4 years before he left home for good.
Tomorrow Eve we have a family dinner at Becky's. The two cousins that were at the burial will be there also. Brad will leave early Saturday for Chicago to catch his flight back to Bellingham, WA in the late afternoon. He was diagnosed with a type of lymphatic cancer this winter and fatigues easily. No treatment at this point because it is slow growing. He told us that life expectancy with this cancer could be 5-15 more years. My question is: Why isn't it being treated? He is going to be 72 in September.
How is your week going? Weekend plans? Father's Day?
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That does seem weird that they aren’t treating his cancer. I hope he does well and can stay healthy.
I’m glad you were able to get together and hope that there is some peace in the resolution.
Enjoy your time together.
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The tx would be chemo and it would be way worse than the slow growing cancer that may never be his cause of death. He gets blood drawn every 3 months to monitor his cancer. I guess it is a blood disease and is the best of the 500 lymphatic cancers a person can have.
Brad left this morning to catch his flight out of Chicago back to Washington. The dinner at Becky's last night was very nice. We all had a nice visit together.
I rode my bike to Suttons Bay today to visit Sarah at the nursing home. It is a 2.5 mile ride on the bike trail one way. She is continuing to regress in my eyes. I'm not sure she always knows who I am because she talks about "Jenny" and means me. I am in the room and tell her I am Jenny. Sometimes she seems surprised at that. She also talks about her husband John who is also in the room and he says "I'm John".
It is suppose to be a really hot week in the 90s. We will see if the prediction is accurate.0
