WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR NOVEMBER 2022

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  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,592 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »
    OregonMother wrote: »
    Good evening.

    So sorry about your friend, Lisa. My grandmother died of pancreatic cancer, and I think I still have some trauma around it because every time I hear about it, I feel a panicked feeling. One of my co-workers is dying of pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed two years ago, and they don't believe he will make it to Christmas now. He's the one they had the celebration of your life for a few weeks ago. I watched the video of it, because I was recovering from surgery, and when he spoke, he thanked everybody and, among other things, said it was going to be really embarrassing if he didn't actual die! I love him so much.

    Day two of Covid? I'm not sure when to begin counting. Symptoms are worse, but I would still describe them as moderate. I'm taking tylenol every four hours to keep the fever under control. And the headache. Holy Moly. Coughing, sneezing, sinus pressure, sore throat. We have an oximeter, and my oxygen level has gotten as low as 94, which is low for me (I'm usually at 98 or 99) but not overly concerned. I will keep an eye on it. Had the video conference with the primary care doctor, and he ordered the Paxlovid for me. We are hoping that will keep me out of the hospital. But I do have to go off one of my cancer meds because they are counterindicated. That bums me a little because I was already off of it for a month because of the surgery. I had just finished two weeks. Oh well. I have to remember that the Letrozole is doing the heavy lifting, and I've been taking that for over a year now.

    Rant follows:
    He asked if I knew where I caught it. Yep. I have a co-worker who is anti-vaxx, COVID denying, and I had a meeting with her Thursday afternoon. She came into my office in a heap, coughing and congested, kleenex in hand, and announced. "I am SOOO sick!!" Then grabbed a bottle of Advil. I wanted to tell her to leave immediately, but I didn't want her to flip out on me, because I know where she is politically, so I moved my chair as far away from her as I possibly could. Was afraid to get a mask because I didn't want to be accused of "having a diaper on my face" (Which is something another co-worker has said to me, multiple times). So we had the meeting. And I knew. As soon as she left, I opened the window, tried to breathe fresh air, but it was too late. Friday evening, I started feeling a sore throat, and by Saturday night, I was full-on sick and tested positive. I told her I caught it from her and that she needed to test. She denied that she was sick at all. (!!!!) But she had an old test around the house. And yep. She was positive. Apparently she caught it from her husband who caught it from her pastor, and they all thought they had colds because they thought "this COVID thing was over." OMG I already didn't like this woman, and now I don't even know if I can speak to her again.

    She then tried to claim that yes, she has Covid, but she's not having any symptoms. Excuse me? She told me she wasn't feeling well on Wednesday, so I offered a Zoom meeting, and she said she was fine to come in (she lives about an hour away), she met me on Thursday, obviously sick, and we had another meeting scheduled for Friday which she couldn't make because "I have been in bed all day." So whatever. The level of denial is crazy.

    I told this whole story to my doctor, and he just shook his head. He said that he wished he could say that he never heard this situation before, but he says he hears it all the time. "Oh, it's just a cold." And then they are passing it around to everyone.

    I'm not keeping it a secret that I have COVID. I put it in my automatic response in case there are others out there who thought "this whole thing was over."

    And another rant. My husband is a horrible carer. I know he loves me, but if I didn't remind him that I should probably eat something, I don't think I would see any food come my way. Granted. My appetite is next to nothing, and sometimes I start to eat something and have to stop immediately, but food is probably important, right?

    Flea
    Willamette Valley, OR

    Just about every day I post another COVID is not over message on FB.

    Numbers here dropped toward the end of winter but it has been a cool and incredibly rainy spring, they removed a lot of the restrictions ... and numbers are going up again.

    I know my cancer is very mild but both I and a close co-worker have cancer (she has breast cancer) and I am sure our immune systems aren't functioning at 100%. And we don't want to get it!

    But people are back to standing on top of each other in grocery lines and coughing everywhere. 😞

    M in Oz

    COVID ‘variant soup’ is making winter surges hard to predict
    Descendants of Omicron are proliferating worldwide — and the same mutations are coming up again and again.
    https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-03445-6

  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,592 Member
    kasullivan1966 wrote: »
    Very glad I found this group! I’m 56, a chronic pain patient, and love the conversations I’ve been seeing in here. Since I’m a CPP I’m very limited in my mobility which makes my weight loss a little more challenging. I started with this APP on September 22( coincidentally my birthday) I have lost 24 pounds so far! I finally (with the help of my husband) took apart the spare bedroom and donated the queen sleigh bed to charity. Then I moved my craft table from the garage into the house. I now finally have a. craft room! I haven’t been able to work on anything because it took me one day to move everything into the house then another day just to set up my workspace. With any hope, I’ll !be able to do something tomorrow! Right now my favorite craft to do is work with resin! Messy but lots of fun! I’ll post pictures of some work once I have something worthy. I truly hope I can build some friendships in this room. I look forward to talking with you all!!

    Kimberly in NE Alabama

    😁

    Welcome Kimberly!

    I think there are a few of us here about your age. :)


    Machka in Oz
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,592 Member
    30 Days of Gratitude
    ccz3itve5r6y.png

    1. Smell - freshly cut grass on our lawn.
    2. Technology - the amazing advancements in medical technology.
    3. Colour - blue. Beautiful blue sky peaking through the clouds.
    4. Food - soup. That's what I've been eating just recently because there's less chewing. We always keep a few cans of soup on hand for situations like these.
    5. Sound - my music. I've recently acquired a number of nature sounds CDs with music playing along with sounds of ocean waves, birds, and so on. Lovely.
    6. Nature - I love nature. It would be incredibly difficult for me to pick just one thing. I am so grateful that there is nature and that I can enjoy it.
    7. Memory - Winter 2017. The last time I visited my parents and a wonderful 1-month holiday to Canada that June/July. My husband and I did two cycling events and a lot of other cycling. We climbed mountains and explored a glacier. We visited friends and family.
    Memories:
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/albums/72157682899188730
    8. Book - Norman Doidge's The Brain's Way of Healing. I found it inspirational!
    https://www.normandoidge.com/?page_id=1042
    9. Place - home. I've moved and travelled a lot and home is wherever I happen to feel really comfortable. Right now, home is a certain house here in Tasmania where I can go and just be myself (mostly, for even a little while). Home is where I can lie down on the sofa and doze off when I've had a rough day, like I did yesterday.
    10. Taste - salt. My favourite taste. :) On the one hand I need salt because of my exercise and medications, on the other hand I need to reduce my salt because of my kidneys. But given the choice, I'll usually go salty over sweet ... or maybe salty and sweet!
    11. Holiday - Christmas!!!!
    12. Texture - smoothness. I like smooth clothes, smooth sheets, Rhody's smooth fur ...
    13. Abilities - I don't really think of myself in terms of having abilities. I've sort of thought of myself as "the jack of all trades, master of none". However, organisation is one that I've been thankful for throughout my life.
    14. Sight - the beauty all around. In our yard, where we go cycling, where I work, and travelling around this island.
    15. Season - I like the seasons in the following order from best to worst: Summer, Autumn ............ Spring ................... Winter.

    Fortunately we're 2 weeks away from Summer. :)

    Unfortunately, Winter isn't willing to let go just yet so we're having another blast. A snowy (at slightly higher elevations) blast. That's Spring for you! Spring is treacherous.

    Here's hoping for a nice Summer. :)


    Machka in Oz

  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,592 Member
    LisaInArkansas wrote: »
    Because of the talk on here about Christmas and Thanksgiving, I checked in with Corey on whether he wanted or needed a celebration of either, and we reaffirmed our usual, which is a lack of any desire to make a special meal or buy gifts, etc. If we really want something, we buy it. Luckily, we're both also reasonably frugal and don't want much.

    Love y'all,
    Lisa in AR

    We're with you. :)

    We don't have Thanksgiving here and we prefer to keep Christmas small and quiet.

    We do like to decorate - that's something we enjoy. But not too over-the-top.

    We like the music and have started listening to a little bit of it once in a while.

    We like some of the food that appears in the grocery store like mince tarts and shortbread. It's nice for a change. Oh and pavlova!!

    I like the fact that I'll have at least 10 days off over Christmas as usual. It means I can sleep in, read, garden, cycle and do other things I like. :heart:

    We relax and enjoy.


    As for gifts, we will likely get our son, daughter-in-law and new grand-daughter something. Especially our new grand-daughter. At this point, that might be something like nappies. :smiley:


    Machka in Oz

  • Snowflake1968
    Snowflake1968 Posts: 6,945 Member
    Barbara - I love well behaved dogs. Yours are doing very well. I can sense the happiness you are getting from Joe participating.

    Machka - Ontario is “highly recommending”, stopping just short of mandating masks again. I also see we are in a flu epidemic right now here. I don’t expect any restrictions to come down here in Alberta though.

    Evelyn - those Canada Post boxes are great. That’s how I’ve sent things to NB. I’ve also used Amazon and sent to our niece to wrap from DH’s parents.

    Karen - how wonderful that your brother finally has his ID!

    It is currently 306am and I cannot get back to sleep. I am dreading my work day today and the thoughts keep swirling about it.

    Tracey in Edmonton
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,592 Member
    Snowflake1968 wrote: »
    I am giving her a ceramics set I made for her.

    z418pqm1jg66.jpeg
    e9m35l5fiemo.jpeg

    Tracey in Edmonton

    Love it!!

  • LisaInArkansas
    LisaInArkansas Posts: 2,878 Member
    1948CWB wrote: »
    Y'all have inspired me to apply for the Prime Visa card! As much as I shop on Amazon, I might as well get some credit for my spending. This is difficult for me because I have not used a credit card in 15 years. I have been paying for everything as I go using my debit card. Carol in GA

    Carol - just keep the same discipline that you do with your debit card, and you'll be fine... Another bonus, along with what Kim said, is the fact that, by using your credit card, you won't be giving anyone else direct access to your bank account. I don't allow anything to come out of my bank account unless I have no choice, like the mortgage company and the gas company. Other than that, all my monthly payments come out of my credit card, which bumps up those points, too. In all actuality, I check my credit card and bank accounts daily. I haven't had to balance a checkbook in years.

    Heather - Welcome home! Picking up Bea will get you right back in the swim of your everyday life again, for sure. Bet she missed you like mad. I have to admit I got a little bit of a thrill when you said you were sailing up the Solent. I actually went water-skiiing on the Solent around 1980 or so, a friend and I took a holiday on the Isle of Wight, and the proprietors of the B&B invited us to go with them in the boat. Reminded me I was young and adventurous once...

    Flea - It has been the thing that's been the worst throughout the years of the pandemic, that so many simply cannot seem to understand (or care) that they are helping save others' lives by wearing that *)(&^%$^*(()) mask. It's so easily done, and so frustrating. I'm sorry your husband isn't stepping up.

    Kimberly - Welcome! We're glad you're here.

    Tracey - Hope it's a good day after all...

    As soon as I sign this off, I have to jump in the shower and then head into town. The VA being what they are, I have to go in and sign another "pain contract," and get a drug screen done. I don't know whether they're testing to make sure I'm not using illegal drugs, or testing for the opioid that I'm taking to make sure I'm taking it. It's annoying, but it is such an incredible relief to be taking a drug that works for my raging arthritis that doesn't destroy the lining of my gut while it's at it. Peeing in a cup every 90 days is a small price to pay.

    Off to the races...
    Love y'all,
    Lisa in AR
  • minicooper452
    minicooper452 Posts: 644 Member
    Grateful for...
    15-*season-fall
    Love and Blessings, Carla, in MN
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,592 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »
    LisaInArkansas wrote: »
    Because of the talk on here about Christmas and Thanksgiving, I checked in with Corey on whether he wanted or needed a celebration of either, and we reaffirmed our usual, which is a lack of any desire to make a special meal or buy gifts, etc. If we really want something, we buy it. Luckily, we're both also reasonably frugal and don't want much.

    Love y'all,
    Lisa in AR

    We're with you. :)

    We don't have Thanksgiving here and we prefer to keep Christmas small and quiet.

    We do like to decorate - that's something we enjoy. But not too over-the-top.

    We like the music and have started listening to a little bit of it once in a while.

    We like some of the food that appears in the grocery store like mince tarts and shortbread. It's nice for a change. Oh and pavlova!!

    I like the fact that I'll have at least 10 days off over Christmas as usual. It means I can sleep in, read, garden, cycle and do other things I like. :heart:

    We relax and enjoy.


    As for gifts, we will likely get our son, daughter-in-law and new grand-daughter something. Especially our new grand-daughter. At this point, that might be something like nappies. :smiley:


    Machka in Oz

    Oh yes .. that reminds me ...

    One year we went to one of the best restaurants in town for their Christmas buffet and it was really nice.

    As I recall it wasn't more than $100 per person. In fact I have the number $75 per person in mind for the one we went to.

    That same one is $185 per person this year!!! :open_mouth:

    We're not going.

    We'll get a chicken or something from the grocery store.

    M in Oz
  • SophieRosieMom
    SophieRosieMom Posts: 3,645 Member
    B)



  • LisaInArkansas
    LisaInArkansas Posts: 2,878 Member
    Karen - Thanks for the info, it always helps. It's such a pleasure to see your joy for your brother's circumstances. You've worked so hard for him. So pleased it's paying off!
  • grandmallie
    grandmallie Posts: 10,086 Member
    Morning ladies
    Over with mr Miles
    And he was asleep before mom even left..the chill has hit Connecticut and we will be getting a bit of snow tonight.
    I bought him the book the wonky donkey, its a riot..
    There is a youtube video of a Scottish grandma reading it to her grandson,and she starts cracking up.. you have to watch it..
    I would like to go to my cousins wedding in Tennessee in March but,i can't justify the price of plane tickets..
    Well cookies and treats
    My dads mom and her sisters were big sweets bakers ,always on hand
    My mom made a couple of things when i was little we made gingerbread men and sugar cookies that we decorated at Christmas, and mom made seven layer bars..
    I did alot of baking when I was married to Tom but I don't anymore.. I do have all my grandma's recipes and her recipe box.
    Covid- Ive been extremely lucky when I go into any store I wear a mask ,I have to think of Miles...
  • KJLaMore
    KJLaMore Posts: 2,847 Member
    lolololololKAREN VA- The Squatty Potty video! LOL
  • Katla49
    Katla49 Posts: 10,385 Member
    It is SNOWING here in Illinois! I am enjoying the view from my windows. Currently 8:01 local time.
    :)
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,246 Member
    !!??
  • OregonMother
    OregonMother Posts: 1,664 Member
    Barbara, so proud of you, Joe, and the pups. We are trying to train our mini Aussie, and she is getting it, but slowly. Our trainer has to spend most of her time training the humans!

    Thank you for the tip Lanette.

    Karen, I have been following your brother's housing saga. He is so lucky to have you as an advocate.

    Second dose of paxlovid is in. I do think I'm feeling better. Still all the symptoms but maybe easing a bit.

    Every one take care.

    Flea
    Willamette Valley OR
  • GodMomKim
    GodMomKim Posts: 3,703 Member
    Flea - I wish I was nearby to bring you soup and take the dog out for you!!! at $25 a pop - I would be out $250, for the 10 folks I do trays for - that is more than the budget for all 34 trays... That is out of my slim budget.

    Kim
  • cityjaneLondon
    cityjaneLondon Posts: 12,692 Member
    edited November 2022
    Kim - We don't do that kind of mutual gift giving. It doesn't happen. My neighbour occasionally gives us a tin of commercial biscuits, but we don't reciprocate. I don't want things in my house that make me fat. I don't have an office to make fat, and I don't want the neighbours to start getting ideas. The commercial tin was given to a homeless guy. We just never eat cookies, biscuits, etc.
    I am trying my best to keep Christmas to a minimum.
    I have cut down massively on Christmas gifts. This year my brother and sister in law are very happy with a donation to their local homeless charity. My other sister in law is a great gift giver but I'm trying to wean her off it. She knows I don't do Christmas gifts. She is not happy, but ........
    My son and daughter in law will have token food presents this year, but only because we are over there for Christmas Day. Of course we are giving to the grandchildren. My DDIL tells me what to buy.
    Basically I hate all the razzmatazz to do with Christmas. DH makes his own cake and I am helping my son out with the Christmas Dinner, but I just wish it would all go away. I would love to go away on a cruise one year and let them do it all. I'm debating whether to put the tree up this year, but I might, just for the grandchildren.
    I do send cards, because I like to keep in touch with old friends, but my list is getting shorter every year!
    I would find it amazingly stressful to feel all those obligations. A gift given freely is one thing, but an obligation just is no pleasure. Luckily, I've managed to avoid getting caught up in anything like that and no-one expects it. If I'm expected to do something, I generally don't do it.
    If you like doing it, then do it. If you don't like it, don't. If people are surprised or upset, let them be. Usually, I have found people very relieved not to have to find a gift for me. No one hates me. I just say, I'm not doing gifts this year.
    I'm sure there are some places in the UK where there is an excessive amount of obligatory gift giving, but it isn't a thing around here. Lucky me.

    Love to those who take on all these responsibilities, and I am sure you are doing it with love and joy in your heart. Otherwise, just stop. Only do the things you want to do.

    Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
  • sh0tzz99
    sh0tzz99 Posts: 971 Member
    GodMomKim wrote: »
    Ok Ladies,

    So my question is what do you give to neighbors, friends, and service providers?
    Confused in California - Kim

    Nothing. I appreciate the time and effort (especially since I know how much energy it takes), but I'd rather get nothing. I live in an area where we only hear from the neighbors if they wave "hi" at us or when they want to complain to us about something (though one did give me a bag of persimmons last week, which was wonderful). I don't even know my mail carrier--the person has switched so many times in the past year, I can't keep track--and my family lives 1600 miles away and there are just too many of them. Most people in our social circle don't want treats like that. They'd rather spend time with us. We are fortunate that we don't need or want anything; though, I'll take a bag of fruit any time.

    The mister and I gift each other travel experiences.

    Tina in CA

  • cityjaneLondon
    cityjaneLondon Posts: 12,692 Member
    edited November 2022
    Our plan to pick up Bea was abandoned when we arrived in Southampton to terrible pouring rain and high winds. I was absolutely knackered from not sleeping. I texted my son who was completely fine with it.
    The taxi ride home was scary with so much water on the road. I was not comfortable. However, we got back safely and it's still raining.
    Needed to warm the house up when we got back and it took all day. It's now up to temperature.
    Had a long nap after lunch and then unpacked. Very few dirty clothes, because of the free laundry. :D
    DH went out when it was not raining so heavily to buy salad, milk and fruit. It's falafel and hummus tonight.

    The only things that went wrong was the catch on the door to the utility room. Forced it open with my boarding card! :p Must get a new catch.
    Then the remote for the TV, which has been ailing for a while, decided to collapse. I can still turn the TV on, but not much more. I achieved a work around with the recorder, using that to change channels, but I've ordered a new remote from Amazon, arriving tomorrow.
    Otherwise all OK.
    We are about to open our complimentary bottle of English fizz from the boat. The last echoes of the holiday.
    Then a quiet night in and dream of our next cruise.

    Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
  • peggyad3
    peggyad3 Posts: 13 Member
    I am now back after along time off. Love all of your posts. Especially the positivity.

    Peggy from Philly Pa
  • dlfk202000
    dlfk202000 Posts: 3,184 Member
    evie1958 wrote: »
    I'll have to mail some to our younger son, so postage will also add up. Canada Post has three sizes of boxes that you can pay for (fairly reasonable) and then whatever fits in the box will be mailed. There is a weight limit, but I have used them the past few years and they do hold a good amount with no extra charge. I will have to look into that again this year.
    Hugs for those needing them, congrats to those celebrating and welcome to the newbies!
    Evelyn, Vancouver Island

    USPS has their priority boxes like that and that is what I use to send to former hubby/inlaws. The bad part is that the largest they have is the size the medium used to be so I either can send a lot less , which I don't like doing, or, I send two boxes to him and one to his parents. Shipping adds up but I know they really enjoy it and I told him, why am I working if not to spend the money on something that brings me so much joy. I have money set aside every week for things like this. Shipping will cost more than the stuff inside or maybe the same(prices on chocolate and other supplies have really gone up this year but I am not going to cut back because of that-just shocked at the prices)

    Debbie

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