2021: Think Positively for a Better Year!
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I’ve had 5 Toyota’s since the early 70s. And I’ve had 3 Toyota trucks and the RAV4 which we joint with DH. He had Chrysler and Buick station wagons before he got the Toyota Tundra. He had that truck for 10 years and it only had about 50,000 miles on. An axle rusted through fromMA road salts and replacing the axle would have been about $4,000. That’s why we leased the RAV 4. We had just arrived for the season in FL in 2013 and needed a replacement vehicle immediately.0
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Two things I've always wanted - a Corvette and a BIG truck. One time I had to take my minivan to the dealer while we were out of town at a flea market. I rented a big truck for the weekend. Had trouble even getting in and out of the thing but otherwise I was in 7th heaven The 'vette isn't ever going to happen..0
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I remember one time at Ernst & Young we visited a client. We came out afterward and the head of the tax section looked at my car - this sleek back Supra with vanity plates - looked back at me puzzled as if he couldn't match me to the car - shook his head and went on his way. LOL!0
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I had thought I wanted a slightly bigger SUV but after driving my cousin’s Buick Enclave, I decided I didn’t want that much vehicle. It drove like a dream, but it just too big for me. I’ve never had car dreams. Cars are just a means to take me places. DH is much more into cars than I am. He’s had quite a few of his dream cars over the years.
Today has been a tough day. I haven’t felt well all day. Slightly upset tummy and feeling exhausted. I spent most of the day napping in bed. I’m trying to force myself to stay up until at least 9:00, but I’m really having to fight for it.0 -
I had thought I wanted a slightly bigger SUV but after driving my cousin’s Buick Enclave, I decided I didn’t want that much vehicle. It drove like a dream, but it just too big for me. I’ve never had car dreams. Cars are just a means to take me places. DH is much more into cars than I am. He’s had quite a few of his dream cars over the years.
Today has been a tough day. I haven’t felt well all day. Slightly upset tummy and feeling exhausted. I spent most of the day napping in bed. I’m trying to force myself to stay up until at least 9:00, but I’m really having to fight for it.
I'm sorry it's been so tough!! Hopefully things will get better soon!
I guess I was lucky that work was so daggone busy when I broke my arm.0 -
DH has his colonoscopy tomorrow which means today is his liquid diet which means he's a bear to live with. You'd think he hadn't had a calorie in months to listen to him. LOL!0
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I need to schedule a colonoscopy appointment when we head north in the spring. I got a call from them last spring and ignored it. But I’m ready to do it this summer. I think that will be my fourth time. First three were clean.0
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Today I’m feeling much better. I think I had a touch of some kind of stomach virus yesterday. Today I woke up feeling pretty good and I was hungry, so that was a big improvement. I did go to bed at 9 but read for awhile. I rested but didn’t get into a deep sleep until around 3 or 4 in the morning. I still woke up feeling rested so today is going much better.
DH is still working on negotiating a settlement on my totaled car. On the advice of our attorney he’s asking for the comps the adjuster based her settlement offer on and then he plans to counter with the actual prices he’s finding for cars like mine with similar mileage on various car sales sites, such as Carvana, etc. He’s hoping to get them to raise their offer by at least $3500. I hope he’s not being too optimistic.0 -
I hope he has good luck with his negotiations with the insurance company. They’re out to pay as little as possible. Having comps should give him some negotiating power.0
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Pam - I'm glad you're feeling more rested! After I broke my heel, I had to purposely stay busy in the house (since I wasn't going anywhere) or I wouldn't sleep. Here's wishing your DH luck!
DH had his colonoscopy this morning so maybe this evening/night can be a little more normal. It hasn't been a fun 24 hours. LOL!0 -
Today I had OT for my hand. It felt better while it was being worked on, but I’ve been having jolts of nerve pain in it all evening. My pinky finger is still completely numb and non-responsive. I can’t bend it without using my other hand to move it. I see the ortho doc Thursday morning and want to discuss what’s going on with it. Tomorrow I see the eye doctor again.
After my appointment we stopped at a store and I purchased some Christmas gifts. Tonight I ordered the remaining items from Amazon, which should all arrive by this weekend. DH can do the wrapping, thankfully. He’s actually pretty good at it, but not too good at making bows. I expect lots of gift bags will be used.0 -
I’m amazed that you could even shop for gifts so soon your accident. When’s your next OT appointment?
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My next OT is Friday afternoon. Today I see my retina specialist again and tomorrow the ortho surgeon to (hopefully) get stitches removed. I had assumed my arm would be put in a cast after the stitches come out but the OT people said I probably won’t be put in a cast, which would be great. I’m very pleased that the swelling in my hand has finally gone away for the most part. The hand is still very stiff, but it no longer looks like a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The Christmas shopping did tire me out. We only had to walk a couple of blocks, but I was really glad when we made it back to the car. The Amazon shopping wasn’t bad, at all!
While I certainly wouldn’t recommend the broken arm diet, it has definitely been effective. I’ve lost more than 5 pounds since the accident, so far.0 -
Today I had OT for my hand. It felt better while it was being worked on, but I’ve been having jolts of nerve pain in it all evening. My pinky finger is still completely numb and non-responsive. I can’t bend it without using my other hand to move it. I see the ortho doc Thursday morning and want to discuss what’s going on with it. Tomorrow I see the eye doctor again.
After my appointment we stopped at a store and I purchased some Christmas gifts. Tonight I ordered the remaining items from Amazon, which should all arrive by this weekend. DH can do the wrapping, thankfully. He’s actually pretty good at it, but not too good at making bows. I expect lots of gift bags will be used.
I hope your poor hand gets used to the OT quickly! It's good that they're getting you started on therapy early on but you have to be able to live with it.
(Nothing wrong with gift bags. LOL!)0 -
My next OT is Friday afternoon. Today I see my retina specialist again and tomorrow the ortho surgeon to (hopefully) get stitches removed. I had assumed my arm would be put in a cast after the stitches come out but the OT people said I probably won’t be put in a cast, which would be great. I’m very pleased that the swelling in my hand has finally gone away for the most part. The hand is still very stiff, but it no longer looks like a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The Christmas shopping did tire me out. We only had to walk a couple of blocks, but I was really glad when we made it back to the car. The Amazon shopping wasn’t bad, at all!
While I certainly wouldn’t recommend the broken arm diet, it has definitely been effective. I’ve lost more than 5 pounds since the accident, so far.
Not a great weight loss technique for sure!
I'm having packet week this week. I've gained since my sister's death. Seems like one disaster after another making me want to eat but my cardiologist would not be amused.
I buy way too much on Amazon and feel guilty every time (contributing to their horrid working conditions). Because I've signed CROM up for Amazon Smile donations I could even tell you how many orders I've done but that would be WAY too embarrassing.
No cast would be neat as long as it doesn't tempt you to do too much too soon!0 -
SIL texted me a pic of the Italian cookies we sent them for Christmas. BIL sent us his home baked cookies for years. His Parkinson’s has progressed so his baking days are . I don’t bake so this is our way to return the love. They’re from a bakery in CT which we all love. Their daughter is arriving from CA and she loves the cookies. I ordered a smaller amount for us and they’re supposed to arrive today.0
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Good report from the ortho surgeon today. He removed all of the bandaging and stitches and replaced with Steristrips from just below my shoulder to my wrist. I also have a large burn wound on my wrist from the airbag, so that got a bandage as well. I go back in a month. No cast but can’t lift more than a pound in weight for now. Good range of motion — almost 100%.0
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SIL texted me a pic of the Italian cookies we sent them for Christmas. BIL sent us his home baked cookies for years. His Parkinson’s has progressed so his baking days are . I don’t bake so this is our way to return the love. They’re from a bakery in CT which we all love. Their daughter is arriving from CA and she loves the cookies. I ordered a smaller amount for us and they’re supposed to arrive today.
Oh, that sounds good!0 -
Good report from the ortho surgeon today. He removed all of the bandaging and stitches and replaced with Steristrips from just below my shoulder to my wrist. I also have a large burn wound on my wrist from the airbag, so that got a bandage as well. I go back in a month. No cast but can’t lift more than a pound in weight for now. Good range of motion — almost 100%.
Sounds like overall that's pretty good news!!!0 -
I'm sitting here on hold. CIGNA bought Express Scripts. You'd think they'd be nuts not to continue people's auto payments but we've gotten nothing about that one way or the other.
This morning I fed the 2 colonies that if you don't go early, the traffic on the street is unreal.
Then I went to the post office to deposit CROM mail and my own Christmas cards. YEAH! I'm ahead of most years.
Then I fed the rest of the colonies.
Then I went to the grocery store.
Then I came home and ate breakfast!
When I got home I still had one subset of Christmas cards to deal with, not to mention paid work.
I updated my ticker and have stuck to my eating plan the first 3 days of the week. The cardiologist doesn't expect me at "goal" (I haven't been there in aeons). But she does expect me lighter than I currently am by about 10 pounds!!!
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I’m dealing with a lot of stress right now so I’ve been stress eating. I’m going to see if I can rein that in over the weekend. I think I’ve mentioned my sister is in the final stages of cancer. We just got home after spending five days with her. I helped her write her obituary and dropped it off at the funeral home on our way out of town. She wants to be cremated and doesn’t want a service. We’re honoring her wishes. She called me tonight to tell me their dog suddenly died. Both she and her husband doted on the dog. It’s such a blow to lose him. Her husband has been wonderful at caretaking. Part of our visits were to give him a bit of a break. We were counting on the dog, Jackie, keeping him going after my sister passes. It’s going to be very hard for him losing my sister and the dog so close together.0
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Helene, I’m so sorry for the stressful time you are going through. It’s particularly hard to lose a family member near the holidays as it just seems to amplify all of the stress and sorrow at a time when others are celebrating and making happy memories. It’s good that you are close enough to be able to visit and give your BIL some relief. It’s sad that they lost their dog, too.0
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Helene - that's so sad all around! I've never figured out which is worse - a sudden death like my mom and sister or a long decline like my dad. Both are terrible I guess. The first time I lost a cat I actually worked with a grief counselor (don't judge LOL!). She told me that the amount of grief is the same but with a sudden loss it hits you all at once whereas with a loss that's been a long time coming, the grief is more spread out and you shouldn't feel bad if a whole load of grief doesn't hit you as you've already gone through much of the grieving process. That really stuck with me.
I'm glad your sister has her hubby and her family. How tragic the dog died suddenly. Makes you want to shake your fists at the fates and say "WHY??????" Hopefully your BIL will adopt a dog. I wish my BIL would. I haven't figured out how to suggest it. May not even be my place to suggest it.
I guess as we get older the losses will keep on coming.0 -
BIL emailed to say he took Jackie’s body to the vet for cremation. He could have brought the ashes home but opted for a paw print in a cement disc. He mentioned how quiet the house is without Jackie. I don’t know if he’ll ever adopt another dog. With time to grieve he might have but he’s in his middle 70s and not in the best of health himself. He couldn’t keep up with an active dog. Jackie was about 20 pounds and very mellow. Several years ago, my sister asked if we would adopt Jackie if he outlived them. That was the plan. He was only 8 so passing at that age was a shock.0
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BIL emailed to say he took Jackie’s body to the vet for cremation. He could have brought the ashes home but opted for a paw print in a cement disc. He mentioned how quiet the house is without Jackie. I don’t know if he’ll ever adopt another dog. With time to grieve he might have but he’s in his middle 70s and not in the best of health himself. He couldn’t keep up with an active dog. Jackie was about 20 pounds and very mellow. Several years ago, my sister asked if we would adopt Jackie if he outlived them. That was the plan. He was only 8 so passing at that age was a shock.
I guess someone at that age not in good health does have to think about whether adoption makes sense. So sad! Of course there are elderly dogs in need of homes.
If left to my own devices, I probably would have scattered our cats' ashes but DH wanted urns so urns we have. Except for the first one, they are all stained glass from Rays of Joy. Reminds me I haven't put a mention in the newsletter for awhile. I should. They are gorgeous urns and the people are so nice to work with. They are probably wondering why they haven't heard from me in awhile.0 -
Helene, when your BIL is ready he might consider adopting a senior dog. They are often harder to get adopted as most families are looking for a puppy or younger dog. The advantage of a senior dog is that they are usually housebroken and well past the active puppy stage.0
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I spent the weekend catching up on CROM paperwork. Year end is SO busy!
Another person fed the colonies today so I didn't have to go anywhere. Except for the day I was sick and the day of DH's colonoscopy that's the first time in months. A nice break but I'll be back at it tomorrow.
I've been sitting here today digging into a work question.
Helene - my thoughts go out to everyone in your family
Pam - here's hoping you can still enjoy Christmas0 -
Maryanne, I’m amazed at how busy and active you are. I feel tired just reading how many things you are working on every day!
Helene, I’m so sorry that you are going through such a difficult time with your sister. It’s good that you are close enough to be able to visit and help out often. I’m praying for a peaceful passing for your sister when it’s time and for comfort for all who love her.
Jean, I haven’t forgotten you! I hope you are continuing to recover from Covid and feeling stronger every day. We miss hearing from you!
My OT people think I am doing very well but they are a bit frustrated that they can’t add any kind of resistance or weight training into my regimen. I’m currently restricted to not lifting or carrying anything that weighs more than 1 pound. So my therapy consists of things you give a 2 year old to keep busy. Yesterday I was stringing beads on a cord, picking up marbles and putting them in a jar, and pulling pegs from a hole and moving them to another hole. At age 68 I am finally mastering preschool! I can see progress in some areas. For example, I can now bend my arm enough to put my hair into a fairly decent ponytail and for the most part I can dress and undress without needing help. I even managed to shower and wash my hair all by myself, although I still need help to dry it. I’m still eating with my left hand because my right hand shakes too much and it’s hard to get a fork or spoon to my mouth.
Today I’m going to see the PA in my doctor’s office for a dressing change on the burn on my wrist and to update their office on recent events. Afterward we have a conference call scheduled with our attorney, and at some point we are hoping/expecting my new car will be delivered. So I guess I have a busy day ahead as well.0 -
Pam - I remember the pegs in the holes thingie. LOL!
It does sound like you're making progress! Good luck with all that! A new care you can't drive? Bummer!
I almost had a major collision today. I was in the center lane of a Baltimore street (3 cars wide). The car in front of me suddenly jerked left, then right, to make an abrupt U-turn. I had to stand on the brakes. We were sort of in the middle of nowhere so they weren't fleeing a bank robbery or something. LOL!0
