WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR MAY 2016

CJ, I didn't have time to mention it, but when my 93 year old grandmother was dying, my mother was pushing for "everything" to be done to prolong her life. The docs had to finally tell her that she was being selfish- that was NOT what my grandmother had indicated that she wanted. At the very end, when she was at home with home health nurses, they asked me about giving her more pain meds. She was moaning in pain, but they were afraid to give her more because it would slow her breathing and my mom was being my mom. I told them that it was more important that she not be in pain than for her to live days more. So they upped her pain meds, she stopped moaning and was at peace, and she died later that day with my son by her side. He swears he saw her spirit leave her body and "it was the most gentle spirit that could be". Yep, that was my grandmother- loving kindness personified.

Sue, too bad you don't live close to me. I gave several teapots. You could have your pick. None of them are silver, though. They are ceramic.

CSSJ, I am so sorry for what you are going through with your DH. Thanks for sharing with us, though. I have a dear friend whose husband has early onset Alzheimer's. He still has good days and bad days, but it is tough, tough, tough! Thanks for the reminder that I need to get my living will in place. Once my quality of life is gone, I'm ready to go.

Joyce, congrats on the "birth" of Amber. It is great that you guys can have a little fun in the midst of your medical woes.

Ah, onederland is such an elusive little bugger. I have a feeling I will wander in and out until I can get over this hurdle and lose about 5 lbs. the knee is feeling better, but I feel kind of achy all over. The women at bridge last night said that my arthritis is only going to get worse if I keep working out. I don't think I believe them. I mean, what am I supposed to do? Just give in to it? It seems to me that making myself stronger can only help. They are all at least 15 years older than I, but are they really wiser? My doctor said it wouldn't hurt as long as I didn't run or jump, that it was the high-impact stuff that was hurting my knee. I do know one thing - getting some more weight off is going to help more than anything, and working out helps with that immensely.

Irish Terri good to see you again.

Margaret

morning peeps -

ketonekaren- LOVE the dress AND the shoes!! very cutie looking!

Kirby called the place about the bill for my pt. says we don't owe anything. told him to have them say that in writing to back it up, it will be mailed. now that we don't owe anything, Kirby is having some samples mailed to the house for me to look at. anner I'm actually the decorator of the two of us, he just likes having nice things and keeping them nice. I made him admit that he wanted to do the awning and curtains so he could show off, "lookie what I've got" when we go to the MS ride this September. he admitted it, lololol. he said if this is going to be my home, I want it to stand out! has a point I guess.

speaking of the MS ride, he already reached his minimum $250 to ride and they sent him a long sleeve shirt for his efforts and he showed me and asked if I wanted one, I told him I have to raise my $230 first. I had only $20 that I had raised, when I got home from work he showed me my MS donation page and said, look, you raised your $250!! now you're gonna get a shirt. he put $$ in there. I told him that was cheating, I didn't raise it, he didn't care, he wanted me to have that shirt too. nice man.

I had written an email to the ms society and cc'd my email. it was meant to be a surprise in case they did do something for him. the fart accidentally got into my email and read it, surprised ruined :0( but he did thank me for writing it and had a tear in his eye.:

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hello,

I just wanted to share with you something that happened with one of this organizations most dedicated riders. Kirby Schlotterback,. my husband was hit by a car while riding his bike home from the Tacoma dome bus station. that was on 11/4/15. I was getting over my shoulder surgery as well and wasn't cleared to ride the bike yet. he had extensive injuries and was in the hospital and rehab for 17 days. with all the injuries he sustained, he was told he may need to retire early. he was hit on the right side, went into the windshield and was thrown about 20-30 feet.

He has developed central cord syndrome that has left him feeling tingly and numb from the neck down. developed a condition called "frozen shoulder" and is still going to physical rehab. He has gotten back on the bike (not the one he got hit with, that had to be trashed, not safe for riding) since he got cleared to this January. After, 6 fractured ribs, fractured clavicle, fractured hip, spleen issue among other things, I wanted to let you know that Kirby has been doing this ride for close if not more than 20 years now. we plan on being there this September as usual but we will see how far he will be able to ride. he wants to at least be able to get to deception pass (other times we've done the longer distances) and may or may not be able to ride the 2nd day (we usually always ride the 2nd day).

There are so many riders that do this ride but I wanted to let you know you have a truly dedicated person that loves this ride and looks forward to it every year. He wants to retire in about 5 years and we'll be moving back to California in our Airstream but talks about coming out here to do the ride every year after we're gone.

It would mean the world to him (and me) if he got some sort of recognition for his continued efforts for this cause.

Thanks.

train insane or remain the same

Happy Friday ! ! !

Sorry I was gone for so long again. Work got busy again, and so did my evenings at home. I can’t believe how time-consuming life can still be when DS is finally “between sports”. Now I need to shop and prepare for Junior Gold Bowling Nationals, and that kid keeps eating, so he keeps growing, so I have to keep buying and tailoring his pants. Since we are driving my tiny Caddie to Indianapolis and staying for 10 days packing needs to be an art form. DS is bringing 5 bowling balls, and I’m trying to convince DH to only bring 3. We are only packing for 5 days, so I must remember a Ziploc baggie with some fabric softener sheets and a few sample-size detergents, so I can stay back at the Hotel mid-week and do everyone’s laundry.

Today is also a busy day at work, so I haven’t been able to read much, sorry and Hugs ! ! !

CSSJO9 – Hugs and Prayers. I truly agree with your friend; if you listen to your heart you will know when it is time. Almost 6 years ago my Mom had a fatal stroke, and we did the Palliative Care until her lungs were done (72 hours). We spent as much time together in the room as possible, just talking like she was a part of the conversations. I believe it allowed for great healing for almost all of us. Hugs and Prayers for everyone who must make this painful decision.

Nancy from MI – my ex is also gay. He has been remarried (to Steve) for at least a few years now (I wasn’t invited, but I saw the pictures on Facebook). I am remarried also. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, plus numerous joints affected by Osteo-Arthritis, so exercise abilities change from one day to the next. I just do my best to keep moving in spite of the pain, or move the parts of my body that hurt the least. I also crochet as much as possible, to keep my hands limber and strong, and to keep them out of the junk food. Hugs for you ! ! !

Karen - WAY cute; and I love the sandals, too.

I put stickers on my calendar every day this week, and that included avoiding donuts 2 days in a row. Last night I had a small spoon of DS’s cake, just for the sweet, then off to bed. Portion-control is not my strength, so that felt really empowering.

DS made a phone call last night to train to be a baseball umpire. They have a new class starting next week. At his level the class is free because they can only umpire for kids younger than themselves (still 15). The pay is $10 - $20 per game, so it’s not a lot of money, but will put something in his pocket so hopefully he starts to understand finances a little . This should be a job that does not interfere with pin-setting at Holler House bowling. Then hopefully next summer he can work for the City Park & Rec department as a baseball coach or umpire. Whatever it takes to keep him out of trouble.

So happy that we currently have very few plans for the weekend. Saturday morning, after I give both boys their haircuts, we have a little shopping to do. DS has a Nike gift card, so he will choose a thing or two from the Outlet. I have a camping chair that needs to be exchanged. I told the sales person I wanted something that makes me taller sitting down than standing up, and he gave me a plain beach chair. That won't get me above the crowds at tournaments ! ! ! For $80.00 I want what I asked for. So far nothing planned for Sunday.

Time to get back to work.

Hugs for Everyone ! ! !

Terri in Milwaukee (63 and sunny)

Happy Friday! It’s gloomy here today, no rain yet but it sure looks like it! We are having an all college cookout and “fair” this afternoon so I hope the sun comes out. Not much going on otherwise. I had my last PT session yesterday…hooray! I also got 60 minutes of walking in but forgot to lot it. The PT gave me permission to ride my bike…it’s a recumbent and actually has 3 wheels like a tricycle, but they say the posture is still bad in it. But I can ride it for short periods.

No word on DD#2’s job search. She is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too picky about a job she will have for 8-10 weeks. I just don’t think she understands the issue. We will not pay more than our half of her housing bill next year (we are bailing her out this year, but she has to pay us back) and they will not allow her to register if she has an outstanding bill. So come Monday (her deadline) I’m telling her to get in my car and I’m taking her McDonalds where they are paying $10/hour. I don’t care if she doesn’t want to work there. No word at all from DD#1, who is not-so-dear right now.

Chris: have a wonderful birthday celebration!

DJ: hope things do actually slow down for you!

Alison: take some time for yourself…besides a cup of tea! You deserve it!

Clairblue: I love water classes!

Joyce: sounds like you really needed that diuretic!

Janet and Pip: workout buddies are the best!

Lagopus: how many months is your growing season?

GRIT: I just don’t get why the dr. is trying to wean you off Dilantin when each time you do you have a seizure. Why wean off at all?

MightyLolo: great job with the swimming! I am hoping to get back in the pool again soon.

CCSJ09: I am so sorry for your DH and you and the suffering you two are going through. I agree that oxygen can be a comfort measure. Your friend is wise; having lost many people in my life I can concur; you will know when it’s time. Most recently I was with my dad when he died. I told him he could stay or leave (this was Monday) but if was staying he had to get better soon because DD#1’s baby was being induced Wednesday and I planned to bring the baby over for family pictures with our photographer so he had to look better than he did right then. He smiled. Then he died. He was taking morphine for his shortness of breath and valium for the anxiety that being short of breath causes. I was so glad to be with him. Cherish every moment you possibly can during this season of farewell.

Terri: nice to see you again!

Kim: we are starting to get the online grocery service here and I think it could be manageable for packaged items, but I could not let someone else pick out produce or meat for me!

Karen enjoy the dinner. I like the contrasting color of the crinoline.

Terri_mom: nice to see you too!

Alrighty then, lots to do today. In addition to the “party” here at work, I have to pick up bird seed and more codeine for the Benny dog. His cough seems to have worsened a bit the last 2 days. Amazing how good he was for several days after his bronchoscopy, but now it’s back to that awful honking cough that just exhausts him. At least he can still fall asleep and rest well. And he is still perky. Poor baby; I think this is another season of farewell for me.

Take care all, meg from Omaha.

And in case my last sentence was a bummer to you all, I view it as a privilege to care for people AND animals in their last days and ease their time that is left.

KetoneKaren wrote: »

Good Morning, my sanity keepers!
More people descending, more Big Fat Wedding madness!
Rehearsal today should be amusing. Poor officiant, it will be like herding cats.
Wearing a fifties style dress crinoline slip peeking out. A bit girlish for my age perhaps. Hope I won't look ridiculous.

Karen in Virginia

, karen, The petticoat is adorable. Perfect for a 50s party/ cat herding celebration/ rehearsal dinner. I love, love, love the dots.

CJ

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Hello lovely Ladies, it's Rosie Things here have been moving along......busy as ever. Good news though, my husband has recieved 2 job offers as of today. It's decision time This is a welcomed relief to say the least. He thinks he'll be able to start by June 1st, so yeah for being gainfully employed with full benefits again! We may not have to pick up COBRA if this happens, as the new job with start before the 66 days we had to make and pay for the COBRA election or find other health care.

Since I was on this thread last sometime back in March our terrific German exchange student has returned to Germany. We miss that kid and still talk about him almost daily.

My DS #2 made his Confirmation and I am still teaching him to drive- September he can take the road test to become a licensed driver. He leaves for Germany on June 14th so lost of packing in our future.

DS #1 is home from his freshmen year of college, and has a summer job at the State Fair. I flew to NC and my dear brother helped me move him out of the dorm. His college belonggins are stored at my brother's home till we move him back into the dorms again in August.

My DD made her college decision (so I'll have 1 in North Carolina, and 1 in Maryland) for next year. DD also, went to Prom, her 18th b-day is next week, then high school graduation on June 9th.

Our life has seen little sacrifices and changes over this period of DH unemployment. I had saved for all the upcoming expenses I knew about along the way, so many cuts in our expenses had already taken place a year ago. Thankfully, and amazingly nothing unplanned got dropped on us! God is good! Our food bill is the biggest expense, and I picked up two free lance finance jobs which helped.

Joyce (((Hugs)))

Pip- Love those stats, you're awesome!

Dr. Katie Bug - Welcome to Onederland You are awesome too!!!

Heather - Hoping DH gets all the feelings out before your cruise leaving none left when you're on the cruise : )

Katla, Terrimom, Grits, Barbie,miriumcats, mikesmom, allie .....left so many out : ( but sending love to all.

So dear ladies take care, welcome to all the newbies, and prayers for all those who have struggles. I will continue to keep up and read posts at places in my area have free wifi.

Rosie in So Cal

GodMomKim wrote: »

Becca - I love your out look on life and so glad you have my back.

Kim

I do!!! Very protective of all of you!
Auugh....I just had two cups of my homemade white bean and ham pieces soup. Good but its just "SITTING" there in my stomach.....
Becca
brewin a storm in my belly in
Oregon

Katiebug - Ain't it great when you drop into Onederland?

Pip - Great that you have found a workout buddy! Enjoy! That Kirbybis a caution! Best to keep him sweet! The good ones are hard to find!

My heart goes out to CJ and the others nursing ailing relatives. We buried my dearest aunt (my godmother) in February. Uncle Walter had died last May, after suffering from Altzeimers for years, and she just faded away before our eyes after that. Heart-breaking! She was the last a Mam's siblings to pass away!

CJ I went for a quick stroll in the garden this morning, and 2 hours later I had trimmed Percy Peacock (my topiary masterpiece) and edged all the beds and paths. Just as well, as the rain started just after lunch. Lots to do indoors, so no probs!

Karen Absolutely love the 50s look. I remember making a similar dress in red gingham, to go dancing when I was in my teens. The sandals are adorable.

Thanks for all the 'welcome back' wishes. Its nice to be missed and appreciated.

Joyce, did you and Charlie go to see the surgeon yet, what is the plan?

Janetr okc