WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR OCTOBER 2021

bananasandoranges wrote: »

OregonMother wrote: »

Good morning! (PNW)

I am now one week out from my last chemo treatment, and beginning to feel back to normal. It is such a reassuring feeling to know that I will keep feeling better now; at least I won't have to go through another week-after-chemo feeling. I know recovery from surgery is not going to be pleasant, but there is an end to that, as well.

My pre-op appointment is this afternoon at 3:30. I am more nervous than I should be. I keep waiting for them to turn me away as hopeless. The insurance company has already pushed back, but maybe that's just them being the insurance company. Soulless. The surgery is scheduled for two weeks from tomorrow. It is really time for me to get my desk cleared of pressing projects. I am hoping to be approved for four weeks of medical leave, but I would take six. That would keep me out until Christmas break, so I wouldn't go back to work until the first week of January. I might even have some hair back by then! I'm totally over the wig. I hate it. I wear it only when I go to work, but that is still 4 or 5 days a week.

Oldest son has moved to the final stage of the paramedic program acceptance process. On November 12 (!!) he has a skills assessment, essay, and interview. He should sail through those. I would rest easier knowing that he is on a positive path. His EMT job is going very well. So I think he has found his calling -- turns 26 in January, so I guess it's about time!

Middle son has moved to Eugene with friends and still looking for work, although he has begun training as a wildland fire fighter, something he has wanted to do for a while. It is seasonal, so I reminded him that he does still need to find a job.

Youngest son just finished the first grading period of his first year in high school and earned a 4.0. I am proud of him, but for those of you who don't have high schoolers, no homework is given anymore. Everything is done at school, even reading, and he hasn't missed a day, so . . . . There are tests, so he is showing some skills. I talked to one of my Education professors yesterday about it, asking him when homework would be coming back, and he said it is gone for good. Apparently, homework has been shown to be an equity issue. Those kids without supportive families end up not completing/submitting home work and earning lower grades because of it. From an equity perspective, that actually makes sense to me, but as a parent who hopes to see her son go to college where there is definitely homework, I am somewhat distressed. By comparison, one of my son's friends, who is in an IB program, has 3-4 hours of homework a night, so the equity issue will still be there when all of these kids are back together in college.

That turned into a bit of a rant. Sorry about that. I hadn't intended it to.

Take care everyone. I have been reading and thinking about all of you and your struggles, but with my chemo brain, if I don't respond right then, it is in and out.

Flea
Willamette Valley, OR

Is there a maximum sick leave?
Do you dislike the look of the wig or the feel of it or both or something else.
My MIL had a wig and she got this strong auburn bob, (at around 70) and she seemed to enjoy it. She was quite into appearance - and was pretty put together appearance-wise overall. I think it was fun for her to play with wigs, but I can certainly get that It wouldn't work for all.
Understandable that you be nervous! insurance companies shouldn't be soulless! that really irks me. glad if feels like an uphill path since end of chemo (if I understand) Yay for your son. finding a calling at 26. doesn't sound very late at all in the large scheme of things. No homework anymore ! wow! we didn't have a ton but surely did have some essays and a science projet and math homework I guess...and reading to do... there is no homework in any public high school all over the country? hmmmm..
I mean we also had 1-2 study periods per day out of 7 for reading, homework, etc. it was okay for doing short exercises if not too distracted.
they don't have study periods to work during - working on one's own is part of growing up..and becoming mature...agreed that if public is that way but private is vastly different that doesn't solve the equity issue much at all. as solution would be to have tutors available after school for those who wish to stay and get help.

auntiebk wrote: »

"Get to do"s and "chose well"s

Chose well: take BP, BB&B, dogs to powerline, practice WBW, DM, SWTD, SL, GDLL, make up T’ai Chi, 2pm zoom with Reb.
Bonus: email followup for hymns
Just one thing: cleaned and positioned CD rack, deadheaded mystery succulents
Get to do: take BP, dogs to powerline, T’ai Chi, make up 30 mins Tuesday line dancing (practice WBW, DM, SWTD, SL, GDLL,) backup files then call pc guy to schedule tuneup, fire district: research district tax exemption for volunteer firefighters, AFG grant requirements including NIMS, call NFPA cancel inactive accounts, clarify benefits included in annual dues, input 2019 call sheets into NFIRS, work with chief on equipment letter, substance abuse policy, NFIRS, index mutual aid files and share with L; start Part D research with new rx info, watch STAS Day 20, declutter sideboard, learn new dances (Tequila Little Time, Homesick, Nothing but You, A Little Less Broken, Blame it on my beating heart, Do Your Thing, practice dances: All Night, TGIF, I ain’t never gonna love nobody but Cornell Crawford (Alley cat), One Margarita, I’m So Used to Being Broke); finish mulching flowerbed, invest another 10 minutes in prepping living trust, Freddie’s for complete series TDAP <$48, get Shingrix vaccine, find and configure a screen time popup, figure out where to plant the last of the naked lady bulbs, and soon as it warms up above 50 and dries out below 60% humidity I’ll tape and spray paint those rusted areas of Aunt Elsie’s stove, ask Te about GB’s FD firetruck tax levy – contacts, media, advocate???, Sunday: call S, Reward: inventory seeds, plan next spring’s garden, wishlist replenishments (Milena F1 orange peppers and beit alpha cukes next year).
Reminder: Weekly: Mon=15 mins SWSY. Tues=30 mins line dance at home. Wed=30 mins T’ai Chi & 1 hr pack walk. Thurs=15 mins BB&B. Fri=30 mins T’ai Chi. Sat=1 hr pack walk. Sun=15 mins pilates, yoga or wii balance games.
October
29: Plan a fun or exciting activity to look forward to. this is what had me so blue after our last zoom Happy Hour. C & T were happily planning expedition to Jacksonville, I decline to ride in car or share a room with them, one unvaxed, the other infected and in denial. Ah wait, king tides are coming. We can schedule another Coastal Coffee Convoy, where we bring our foofy coffees in our own cars to parking areas overlooking the beach, and conference call chat while watching the ocean. Yay now I’m smiling!
30: Identify three things that give you hope for the future: nope, more focused on being grateful for the NOW.

Not just a break in the rain, but gorgeous summery day. Sunny, 70 degrees, doing make up T’ai Chi on the deck had me sweatin.’

Strategy review with financial advisor, steady on course. Only change, transfer this year’s gains into a Roth IRA, pay taxes now, protect future earnings from potentially higher tax rates. Not a lot of $$ but every bit helps.

Flea “if the original writer really meant to be hurtful or ironic or mean, they are going to have to try again. They usually don't.” Bingo. No homework in high school? Bodes not well for the future.
Julie 250g of soft cheese would definitely give me a funky stomach. I’d need a few days of ginger (like Debbie) and high fiber.
Beth I’m still experimenting, but some chicken tenders, on a rack over a pan, spritzed with a little avocado oil spray came out almost crispy… What I really want is the chicken tenders from the old Table Rock brew pub. Think they were cooked in some kind of pressure fryer, not something safe for this home cook! Good for you for abstaining from the rest of your family’s case of the grumpy/meanies.
Lisa admire your humor through pain and difficulty. Any chance a Jacuzzi would help?
Machka bravissima for your math triumphs despite that instructor! the “trick or treat mandarins.” I found Milky Way Midnight minis at RiteAid and bought two bags, one to share and one to stash for a portion controlled treat
Pip which lake is that?

Just skimmin’ as I hear Joe stirring and want to join him for a cup of cocoa.

Lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD

October: leaner/stronger/kinder than September.
daily: sit with Joe:28, weigh/wii: 28/4/65; steps>7228=3173 :P vits=28, log=28, CI<CO=27, CI<250<CO=21, Tumble=27, Shadow=25, mfp=28, outside=31, up hill=27, clean 10=18.
wkly: Sun:P, Y or W=4, Mon:SWSY=4 , Tue:LD=3 , Wed:TC=3.87 , PW=3, Thurs: BB&B=4.3, Fri:TC=3.97, Sat:PW=3, rX x5=4.
wt=1/31:141.3 2/28:142.4 3/31:145.3 4/30:141.5 5/31:142.4 6/30:141.5 7/31:140.2 8/31:140.0 9/30:141.2 10/3:141.3 10/10:141.8 10/17:141.8 10/24:143.5 :sick: 10/31:
mnthly: board mtg=1 , grant=2, plan=, waist=42.
bonus: AF=17, play=46 sew=

2021: choose to be leaner/stronger/kinder NOW