how about drinking?

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  • nativemainer
    nativemainer Member Posts: 7,914
    edited January 2018

    Good Morning, Loungettes! Welcome to a very chilly ayem! The furnace turned itself off sometime overnight, the temp in the house was 49 degrees when I got up. No need to get excited, it's a quirk of a very old furnace, fixed by pushing a reset button. Been up for about an hour and the temp is already up 3 degrees. Will be back to usual in a couple more hours, the bright sunshine will help with passive solar heating. In the meantime I've put an afghan over Sadie to keep her warm. It's going to help that the temps are supposed to get quite warm today, possibly as high as 50 degrees.

    image

    I had a very productive day on the decluttering/cleaning/organizing front. Went through the entire closet, moved all the summer clothes to the spare bedroom closet, got all the clean but not put away clothes put away, and outfits, including jewelry, set out for each day of class this coming week. And then I got a lot of towels and such folded up and put away. Today's plan is to clean off the kitchen table and then pack up all the gear I need for class. Got a couple of totes, need to see which works best or if I want to use a wheeled carry on.

    Oh, dear, I just really read that Winter Name generator.I did not realize all the last names were poop related!Sorry if I offended anyone!

    Jazzy--Hooray for a good MO appointment! It must feel great to have an end date for the AI. Continuing the Prolia seems to be pretty common, and sounds reasonable. Hope the aches and pains stay minimal this weekend. Being overweight certainly is more common now than 40 years ago. I try to only make positive comments about other people, when I must make comments at all. You really do not know what other people are going through at any point in time. And I'm with you, if wine, coffee and/or chocolate is proven to cause cancer, I'm going to keep right on consuming them and enjoying them!

    Chi--arggh, the sleep cycle shifting around is a real pain in the anatomy, isn't it? I started getting up and going to bed at roughly the same time last week so it will be easier for me to get up every morning this coming week. I seem to feel better overall doing this, too, so I think I'll keep it up. It's just too easy to stay up until all hours and then want to sleep all day, then I struggle to stay awake on the days I am working.I remember you telling us about the Cellars' Oscar Party lastyear, you had a lot of fun. Don't blame the DH for wanting to defend the title!

    Goldie--Sounds like your Mom and your family is in a really tight spot. I've seen how elders get very close to their pets, and really, really recommend that the dog not be taken away without talking to your Mom. That will create a rift between your Mom and whoever she thinks participates in that decision that may never be repaired, and so many elders die soon after losing a pet, especially if the loss is traumatic. Not to mention that it's illegal unless your Mom has been legally declared incompetent. Any reputable shelter or vet will require proof of ownership of an animal before it is surrendered or euthanized. It is such a horrible situation for a family to be in, when one member can't really care for themselves, but isn't willing to make any changes. Each familymember has to decide what they can do to help and set that limit, then keep reminding themselves that the rest is Mom's responsibility. She is an adult, and the choices she makes are hers to make and the consequences of the choices are HERS to live with. The consequences are NOT the family's responsibility. Your poor thumb! It just looks so painful. And when I think of the pics of your feet I wonder how you manage to walk around at all. I so wish there was an answer for this.

    Jazzy--can't wait to see the purse! And we have to treat ourselves once in a while and a good check up is a VERY good reason!

    Chi--ah, to go to a movie and have dinner brought to me, what luxury!

    Cool Dungerson's DOTD:

    Honey Sour Cocktail Recipe

    Ingredients:

    • -4 ounces Wild Turkey American Honey Liqueur
    • -1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • -6 ounces water
    • -2 ounces club soda
    • -Lemon slices for garnish
    • -Ice

    Directions: In a large cocktail shaker, combine Wild Turkey American Honey Liquor, water, lemon juice, and ice to fill, shake until icy cold. Divide cocktail between two glasses, add 1 ounce soda water to each drink and give it a good stir. Top with ice and garnish with lemon slices. Very refreshing!

  • jazzygirl
    jazzygirl Member Posts: 11,972
    edited January 2018

    Good morning friends- just a quick message as I am dressed and heading to yoga shortly. I walked yesterday to get back into my exercise, today is yoga class! Been sleeping like a log with this sickness I am recovering from. Feels good to be more rested for a change, as insomnia has been a problem for a few months now. I hope that improves coming off the AIs in March.

    Did not wake up with any aches from the Prolia shot, but know it usually sets in the day after or for sure within 48 hours. I think last time, I only felt a bit of it on the Sunday after my shot in July and perhaps my body is just more used to it now. I plan to lay low this weekend, no big social outings and keep it that way after my shot in case I don't feel well. January is a quiet social month anyways, everyone is still recovering from the end of the year holidays?

    NM- my paternal grandmother was such a cool lady, grew up in poor rural Appalachia and used to coach me on things not to say in this lifetime. She use to tell me if I had nothing nice to say, to keep it to myself. I am not a gossiper, and learned with being overweight in my youth that comments on appearance are not welcomed by most. Unless you are saying you like someone's hair style, outfit, or complimenting that they look good in a certain color. People do like a nice compliment but never any judgement on things they already know about (like weight, gray hair, etc.)

    Like you I am working on decluttering again, mostly paperwork right now. But I have a closet I am going to work on this weekend too! And that picture of Sadie? Isn't she just the cutest bundle of love!

    Okay, so here is the purse. It is a designer called Patricia Nash and have another of her purses I got a few years ago. Not a big fan of designer purses, but her things I do like and get them when they are on sale. Very southwestern as you can see!

    Hope everyone has a good weekend. Hard to believe it is the end of January already!

    image

  • goldie0827
    goldie0827 Member Posts: 6,835
    edited January 2018

    Jazzy, good for you in getting yourself a nice little gift. I don't get any SE's from the Prolia/Xgeva. Good thing I guess, since I get one once a month! Hope you enjoyed that red that you cracked! Cute purse, love it!

    Sandy, hope you enjoyed your show.

    NM 49 degrees, yikes. No wonder Sadie is all bundled up. Our pellet stove will misfire sometimes and not come on, but same thing, just hit the restart button, or sometimes it's the pot that needs cleaning. Dara will love your poop related names! Pretty much everything you said, I am pretty aware of. I'm kind of like you, let her make her own choices and figure out how to handle them. HOWEVER, she will throw a guilt trip on you if you don't do what she would like. Her famous line is "I would have never treated my mom like this". Or, " I would have done that for my mother". Her mom passed when my mom was just in her 30's and pregnant with my youngest brother. This guilt trip is the worst part of it. Like I said, she's been spoiled all her life and not had to do much at all, even as a child she had a mammie.

  • celiac
    celiac Member Posts: 1,260
    edited January 2018

    Hello to all. Icebox McTurd here (my "real" first name begins with an L). Goldie - that thumb looks very ouchy - are your feet getting any better? DH and I saw The Post last Saturday - enjoyed. In low 50s today but pouring cats and dogs. Thought we might see The Phantom Thread today but way too wet. About to pour a glass of a Gavi, break out some nibbles and enjoy some On Demand or Amazon Prime or Netflix. Jazzy - nice bag - stopped into Dillard's yesterday to pay my bill & managed to not go for any of the 30% off bargains.

    Ladies - Enjoy the remainder of the weekend.

  • nativemainer
    nativemainer Member Posts: 7,914
    edited January 2018

    Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Sunday Fun Day! Temps have come up as promised, more snow melting off, got cold enough to freeze over on the roads overnight from what the local news people are saying. At least that clears off pretty quickly in the ayems. Poor Sadie is sinking through the wet snow pack that is left in the yard when she goes out. She's not fond of that at all!I am getting so excited for class to start tomorrow. Need to pack everything up today, and will probably do it 2 or 3 times before I convince myself I have everything. My version of OCD is to make lists and I did a lot of that yesterday. Now to replace the ink cartridge in the printer and print out the list and do it and let it go. Not going to the end of the world, so I can cope with anything forgotten, right?And I get to wear some of my nice new clothes! Been looking for excuses to wear the dresses. Oh, dear, I'm babbling now, aren't I?

    Jazzy--exercise is good, I need to do more. Sleeping well is good, too. I think the "if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything" approach is a wise one. And growing up overweight and wearing glasses(in a time where glasses were NOT fashion statements) I know the pain those comments can cause. A compliment about a specific something is my got to approach, too. Yup, that's Miss Sadie, all covered up and snoozing while the house warmed up yesterday ayem. Pretty purse!

    Goldie--Yeah, the power parents have to guilt trip us is amazing. Not sure what to do with that except set boundaries and try to keep to them. Of course, I'd be the horrible child that heard "I'd do that for MY mother!" and say "I'm glad I'm not you, then!" I'd never hear the end of that, I'm sure!

    Celia--your plan for the evening sounds like a lot of fun! Good to see you.

    Cool Dungerson's DOTD:

    Related image

  • jazzygirl
    jazzygirl Member Posts: 11,972
    edited January 2018

    Hi friends- hope everyone is having a Funday sunday. Still feeling mostly okay from the Prolia shot, although a bit achy today but not bad. I am opting to skip the pool and return tomorrow but will walk in another hour or so to get some exercise in. I woke up to what I swear were gun shots in the neighborhood behind me last night at midnight. The wild west or the crime ridden hood, depends on how you spin it. Enjoying a day of home organization here at home and got more things together to take to consignment this week!

    I got my ring back yesterday and so happy with the repair! I think everything is fixed now (at least for awhile....)

    NM- for some reason I thought that you were doing your training on line vs. in person, but how fun for you! I like that you get to take your new duds to this new role and hope it goes well. Will Sadie go stay with someone or come with you? I know what she prefers! Good luck this week and wishing you the best with your training program!

    Goldie- I ended up cracking a bottle of white instead of red and been enjoying some french pouilly fume instead. Very much like a super dry oaky chard, but so much better!

    Speaking of wine, I found this at Cost Plus World Market yesterday and bought it just for the fun name alone! Have you guys also seen the 19 crimes wine where there is an app you can point at the bottle and make the faces move? I saw it on line and got a bottle of that too (not used the app yet). I just liked the old west label

    image

    http://19crimes.com/

    Back to the grind and hope all of you had a nice weekend and great week ahead. Hard to believe January is already over, went by in a flash!

  • nativemainer
    nativemainer Member Posts: 7,914
    edited January 2018

    Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Monkey Day! Glad I went to bed early last night, I've been awake off and on all night, checking to make sure both alarms were set (they were) and thinking I'd slept through both alarms (Sadie would never let me sleep through both!) But I don't feel tired now that I'm up, so all is good. Everything I need is packed and ready to go. I suspect I'll head out way earlier than I need to, but that will just give me more time to set up once I get there, right? Sadie is doing her workday routine, out to pee, back to bed until I go in to make the bed and get dressed.

    Jazzy--waking up to gun shots is not fun! Hearing gunshots any time of day is not fun, but nighttime is more not fun than daytime. Yes, the teaching is in person, but all my training was online, so I can see why you would think I was teaching online. I have the option of working up toward online teaching eventually, but I really like in person teaching best. Sadie will stay home and supervise the neighborhood. It's too cold to leave her in the car for several hours, and she'll be happier here with her toys and familiar surroundings. That ZinPhomaniac label would get me to buy a bottle, too! Haven't seen the 19 Crimes, sounds like fun with the app. According to the site, there aren't any stores in Maine selling 19 Crimes, I'll have to see if I can find someplace to order some online.

    Cool Dungerson's DOTD:

    Nymphomaniac

    1 oz spiced rum

    1/4 oz coconut rum

    1/4 oz peach schnapps

    Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a shot glass.

  • goldie0827
    goldie0827 Member Posts: 6,835
    edited January 2018

    Wasn't feeling too good yesterday, vegged all day and rested. Never did eat and also skipped my FU pills for the day, as you have to eat when taking them. Feel much better this morning. Maybe I had too much to drink Saturday night!

    Celia, the hands and feet will not get better until I go off the medicine, which I hope is a long time. It's keeping me alive! In fact, it's cummulative!

    NM, love your come back commment about "glad I'm not you". I brought up the situation to my mom again, told her we needed to have a serious talk. She says about what? You told me that when I get there you wanted to move. Where are you thinking. She says assisted living. You can't afford that. You stay where you are or go to a nursing home, Cherrywood (it's where she goes after hospital visit for rehab and likes it) takes Medicaid/Medicare. She says how do you know. I looked! She says, well we'll talk about when you get here. I said I don't wanna talk about it when I get there, I want to have a plan when I get there. She ends the conversation with, well I don't want to talk about it right now. So she leaves today for Cherrywood. She has only been home for 24 hours in January. That poor dog. My brother mentioned taking him in, but he is chipped in my sons name, so I don't think they will do anything without him being present and he lives in NC. It's such a damned mess! Have a great day teaching!

    Jazzy, I pick the Wild West! Hope the gun shots were nothing. You and Sandy and your wines. I know nothing about most of what the two of you post...LOL!

    WOW IT'S QUIET UP IN HERE!

  • jazzygirl
    jazzygirl Member Posts: 11,972
    edited January 2018

    Good morning friends- got the cleaning company on their way in for their monthly mop up around here, and need to finish the pick up. Will be nice to go in to the week with a clean house!

    Quiet day yesterday and got a lot of paperwork, filing, tax stuff done. My 1099s are done and now on to my tax planner to send to my accountant. Got some important calls pending this week, fingers crossed! I plan to get back to the pool today for a swim. A wee bit achy from Prolia but nothing that will keep me down today.

    NM- so your training is something where you are going for the day vs. staying somewhere. Sadie will keep good care at home and be happy to see you when the time comes.

    Do you have a local liquor store you go to for special orders? Maybe they can order you a bottle or two? I know sometimes it requires buying a half care or more for a special order though. Might be fun if you have friends in your wine group to go in with you on it. Shipping wine can be expensive.

    And speaking of gun shots, the news is reporting that an older couple was walking in another part of town around the university yesterday, and the man got hit by a stray bullet! No source of where it came from, no gunshots hear, but the man was only grazed and not seriously injured. It is a part of town where my car got broken in to about 7 years ago and I rarely go to that area anymore, especially at night. Wild west is turning into creepy crime scene?

    Goldie- sorry to hear you were not feeling well this weekend. I read there is also a nasty virus going around that is like the flu but different and think that is what I may have had. Called the adenovirus and many of the symptoms I had were very much like this, and think it may be what zapped me last weekend and in to the week. I hope you can get back to eating today and also to your meds (I know they are hard though....)

    https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/virus-l...

    Dara- I hope the new job is going well!

    Celia C- always good to hear from you friend!

    Cami- hope Leslie is doing a bit better as each day goes on. We welcome your next update.

    To all the other sisters here, thinking of you as always and everyone have a good start to the week. February now on the horizon!

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited January 2018

    OMG I miss u gals. And I have to read to catch up--u all have something to say. This is salty McCrappy checking in. Ick, but funny to me.

    Lori u thumb look horrible nd the skin around it, can't they find something to help you and ur feet too. It has to hurt, oh I feel so bad looking at it for u. Sorry u didnt feel well but I hope that is passed for now. And ur Mom, what time u have going on. Would it help having the health people come in and make the decision, then it will be out of ur hands. She cant possibly take care of herself and I know how heartbreaking it is for all the decisions to be made. But if someone else makes it basically it's out of ur hands. In ILL they had te health dept. that could come in and make the final decision without going to court. But I don't know if every state ha that. It would make this whole thing easier on u and ur brothers.

    Celia it was good seeing u poop in.

    Kim I think I remember u starting to teach now....oh u must love it and I can only imagine how great u are, but I know u are. If it's taught u can teach kindness by far so ur ahead of the game. hahaha lubs Sadie in the bed, she looks so comfy, our weather warmed up a bit, but I don't know what's coming. Chit feb. starts in a few days so we'r far from letting winter go.

    Jazzy I'm glad ur feeling better now, u were really sick, and I know that flu-like thing is horrible that's going around. But u bounce back nicely with things planned to do too. Vidio was great. Oh I luv ur purse, I always like personality in a purse <that's what I call it> it just wakes up anything u wear. great choice.

    I feel bad for SusyQ, I wish she could hop back up here and feel better.

    Oh Leslie is doing so much better finally she sits in my room and we TALK, actually talk and we've laughed <a little>.

    My cousin is here took Les to the dr. but they didn't take the last 2 drains out so she has to go back this week for that. check in latah.

    LUBS U ALL

  • jazzygirl
    jazzygirl Member Posts: 11,972
    edited January 2018

    Cami- good to hear from you and glad to hear Leslie has some draining coming out (2 down and 2 to go?) Sounds like she is coming through the worst of it, so good to hear. Those first few weeks after surgery are so hard. Glad things are improving day to day!

    I saw that video sometime last week and then there was a special on Bruno Mars Friday night and he cleaned up big time at the Grammy's. I was glad to see it and have read about his back story. He has been performing for awhile now and not getting his due recognition. I like him because he reminds me of Michael Jackson (whose music I always loved) and he has some of his moves, but with his own style. His band is something too. Six grammy awards last night too!

  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,408
    edited January 2018

    I am FURIOUS that I posted to this thread a few minutes ago--after my computer shut down & restarted--yet my post (which took 20 min. to compose and re-compose) went by the wayside! I hit "Submit" and instead of here was taken back to the BCO Forums home page. GRRR!

    So I must apologize and post each subject paragraph separately (and save them before posting) to avoid losing them.

    Jazzy, those gunshots are scary! We get reports a couple times a week on our neighborhood blog asking "did you hear shots fired at (insert intersection)?" which most of the time turn out to have been fireworks or firecrackers. We have some gang activity nearby (decreased after gentrification and the end of a gang-rap-threat/boast battle due to the participants killing each other off), but we're still one of the city's safest neighborhoods.

  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,408
    edited January 2018

    I also had a number of points to make about others' situations as articulated here, as well as my own physical problems (mostly mechanical, not internal), but after typing them twice and watching them go "poof," I give up. And after wasting an evening on two phone calls with AppleCare tech support (the first tech with whom I worked, who was supposed to call me back after a long scan process, did not--instead, a colleague, who might have been located halfway across the country did, and I had to recount the entire situation and all he could do was e-mail me instructions on how to basically wipe my computer and reinstall the OS that broke it. I'm sorry--life is too short to waste time on incompetent tech support who can't be bothered to access transcripts and notes, much less follow up on their own calls. God, I miss Steve Jobs!

    Back to drinking: Friday night at the movie theater (The Post), Rivarose Brut. Sat. night at the Lyric Opera restaurant, Chandon Brut and a decent but forgettable Pinot Noir (which I didn't finish). Last night at Eataly before seeing Three Billboards, a 2016 Vermentino, plus sharing a little glass of Marsala.

    (That last paragraph was originally more detailed and entertaining. But I wasn't about to type it a third time).

  • nativemainer
    nativemainer Member Posts: 7,914
    edited January 2018

    Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Twofer Tuesday! Yesterday's class went pretty well, I think, despite ending up a little behind schedule. Can get it back on track, today, though, I think. Got back form lunch and realized my phone was missing. Thought I dropped it in the car, which was a mess, so I looked for it quickly before leaving the class site, didn't find it, emptied all the trash and stuff out of the car when I got home, still didn't find it. Mentioned what happened on Fb, had one friend message me and offer to ring the phone while I sat in the car to see if I could find it that way, didn't work. Had another friend ask if I had "Find My Phone", which I don't but it made me remember that there is a "Find my Device" function on Google, clicked on it, and TaDa! There's my phone located in the store I was in over lunch break! Another friend called the store for me, and yup, it's there. Going to pick it up in the morning on the way to class. Boy, I have the greatest friends! I was really thinking I was going to have to buy a new phone and go through the hassle of moving all the stuff I've got on myphone.

    Sadie kept the neighborhood going while I was away, she does such a good job at that! She was happy I was home, though. She likes her belly rubs.

    Goldie--Quite the conversation with your Mom. Does your Mom use a particular vet for her dog? If your brother talks to the Vet and explains the situation I bet they will provide care for the dog for the brother even if the dog is chipped with someone else's contact information. Hope you are feeling better, glad you are able to veg when you don't feel good.

    Jazzy--There are many likker stores around here, that's no problem! But there are a couple that I can stop into and probably do a special order. I'm also going to look online, I've found that I can find a lot of things that way and not have to order a half case. It does sound like you had an adenovirus, doesn't it? I didn't know there was a vaccine for any of those strains, but it sounds like it's not readily available.

    Cammy--I do love teaching, and so want to do well with this job. I'm getting lots of support and feedback, and so far it's been generally good, with a few things I'm working on doing better. Always some way to do better!I am so glad Leslie is feeling better and you are talking again. I know she must be depending on your love and acceptance to help her get through treatment. I am praying the last 2 drains come out later this week. I know how much better I felt when the drains came out.

    Chi-losing a post is SO annoying! And to have it happen more than once? Arrgh!

    Cool Dungerson's DOTD:

    gremlin-cocktail

    Gremlin Cocktail

    Gremlin Cocktail Ingredients:

    • ½oz Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur or Creme de Framboise
    • ¾oz Midori Melon Liqueur
    • 1¼oz Lemon Juice
    • 1oz Simple Syrup
    • ½oz Blavod Black Vodka

    Method:

    Fill the glass with ice, pour Chambord into the glass. Shake Midori, lemon juice and simple syrup with ice and strain over the ice. Float Blavod on top to create three layered effect.

  • goldie0827
    goldie0827 Member Posts: 6,835
    edited January 2018

    Jazzy, I am back to par and able to eat and take meds. Was feeling ok yesterday too. You are so danged organized!

    BossLady, nothing I can do about the hands and feet. It's like a disease of its own! And yes, it hurts too. But I can deal with it. I don't have too many more options if this drug quits working. So I'lldeal with the hands and feet for as long as my TM's stay within reason. They are nowhere near normal, but not horribly high. It's when they continue to creep up that concerns me. I am so glad to hear Leslie is doing better and the two of you are talking and laffing a bit. You are a good mom.

    Sandy, I have a pretty safe neighborhood. We do have gunshots, mostly on the weekend (hunters), no gangs, fireworks are illegal and I have no neighbors. Sorry about losing your post, especially when you wrote so much. As I mentioned before, know nothing about wine, but I do have a bottle of Marsala in the fridge, but use it for cooking. I had a small glass of it not too long ago, very strong in taste, woody?

    NM, already replied to you via FB on the phone. But it's kinda scary, that find your phone. Like we are constantly being stalked. Or when you search items on the internet and then they show up in your feed on FB! Not sure if Zues goes to the same vet or not. I only know that he hardly ever goes! His nails are so long they are curving sideways. Love the Gremlin Cocktail. So apropos for us!

    Hoping to be up early tomorrow morning, as if I don't already get up early! To see this special moon. Suppose to be best for us on the west coast, but I think they said Hawaii, Alaska will have the best views.

  • jazzygirl
    jazzygirl Member Posts: 11,972
    edited January 2018

    Good afternoon friends- getting my day going! I finally got back to da pool yesterday and swam 60 laps. Dang, a bit of a challenge and really felt it the first 20, but by 30, I Jazzy was getting her groove back. Felt great to get in to the water again. I plan to go again tomorrow and Friday too!

    I am going to a bc yoga class today offered by the hospital where I get care and had my bc surgery. I had heard about this before, but more serious to go now as I am interested to get certified in time and teach yoga to bc patients myself. Something I told myself I was going to explore after my 5 years mark. Well, that is coming up and saw the poster again for it at the cancer center last week. Got some great info today and going this afternoon to check it out. Doing yoga certification is a major time and $$$ thing so I want to be sure I understand what they do and see if it is something I can do. Yoga has helped me through so many hard times in life, including my bc recovery and it is my give back thing I want to do.

    NM- sounds like the initial training went well. Getting the flow and timing with training is always a challenge, especially if you have tons of questions. I have the same challenge when I do presentation for prof org events. In my case, I can ask them to wait until the end, but with training, you need to address it on the spot. You will get your groove on this too. I hope it continues to go well. The students must love you!

    Chi- ABQ has become a place of a lot of property crime and now violent crime. I read yesterday a couple was walking in the university area Sunday afternoon and the guy got grazed by a stray bullet out of nowhere? There was another shooting over the weekend and the person died in the ER (resulting in a lock down). So less wild west than clearly bad crime things going on. I check Nextdoor.com for things and did not see anyone say anything. I am super careful around here these days? I know Chicago has more than it's fair share of problems on this front too?

    Will write more things to a few more of you soon!


  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,408
    edited January 2018

    Lori, there are two kinds of marsala--dry & sweet. I use the dry for cooking, and the sweet kind is a dessert wine (sometimes used with espresso to soak the ladyfingers or sponge cake for tiramisu). I never thought of the taste as "woody," because I never drink the dry stuff--I prefer sherry or dry madeira if I want something dry yet fortified. It's been described as a "madeirized" taste (sort of oxidized because it is aged for part of the time in a loft, and heat rises).

    Yeah, Chicago has gangs, but they seem to be concentrated more these days in poorer West & South Side neighborhoods--as well as the northern reaches of Rogers Park, the neighborhood between mine (Edgewater) and the Evanston city line. A lot of the violence in Rogers Park stemmed from rival gang members making "drill" rap videos boasting about actual kills (as opposed to commercial "gangsta" rap that imitates the real stuff of a decade or two ago) and threatening retaliation (often naming names). That's sort of quieted down after the participants apparently have, uh, eliminated each other. Most of the violence now is over drug turf, especially along transit lines that serve both ghettos and more affluent neighborhoods (for mostly white drug buyers who don't want to risk going into the 'hood). And most of that is personal. Very, very, rarely an innocent bystander gets hit up here (it's happened, though), but sadly it happens quite often in poverty-stricken areas. There used to be a lot more Latino gangs, but far fewer now--and they tend to stay in their own neighborhoods (though many of them are being discovered by hipsters and semi-gentrified: that no-man's-land between affordability & safety).

    Tonight I took the path of least resistance: pit BBQ from the supermarket where I got my Shingrix shot, accompanied by a bit of Corsican red Bob brought home from Whole Foods the other night. I'd definitely have preferred an old-vine Zin, but that's a bottle I can't Coravin because he's got dibs on it to put in his overnight bag for the next hotel stay the night before an early echo-reading day. (Even though the cork is supposed to reseal itself, there's always the possibility that there could be some leakage in the overnight bag).

  • nativemainer
    nativemainer Member Posts: 7,914
    edited January 2018

    Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Hump Day! Got my phone back yesterday ayem, that feels somuch better. I did not realize how much I depended on that thing and how much I use it for. Class went well. Didn't get to have dinner with the friends, it started snowing and was messy on the coast (I was Inland) and half the people cancelled, so I called the whole thing off and will try again to get everyone together. Sadie washappy to have me home earlier than expected.

    Goldie--it is scary how much info is out there about us if someone knows where to look. Tis the price of living in the information age. Much of that stuff can be turned off if you know how, but sometimes it does come in handy!

    Jazzy--60 laps, wow! I bet that did feel good, though. It would be fantastic to have a bc focused yoga class! Even better to have someone like you teaching it. I hope it's something you do find worth doing. The students do seem pretty happy with class, and my supervisor observed for an hour yesterday and texted me that I was doing really well, so I'm pleased. Having only 3 students is making for more conversation and so slower movement, but I've figured out how to screen the slides we cover to make sure we get all the types of questions covered. The questions do need to be addressed on the spot, but it's going well.

    Chi--I cannot imagine what it's like to live near areas of gang activity. I know there is gang activity in Maine but, fortunately or because I am blind to it, I don't see it. The idea terrifies me. I supposeyou learn to live with it likeyou do anything else. Don't blame you for not wanting to risk a wine leakage in DH's overnight bag.

    Cool Dungerson's DOTD:

    Image result for camel cocktail recipe

    Copper Camel Cocktail Recipe

    Ingredients :

    - 1 oz irish cream (bailey's)

    - 1/2 oz butterscotch schnapps

    Use a "In glass" for Copper Camel drink recipe

    Add the Bailey's Irish Cream to a shot glass and add Butterscotch Schnapps on top.

    Serve in "Shot Glass"


  • jazzygirl
    jazzygirl Member Posts: 11,972
    edited January 2018

    The best shot of the eclipse out here in the west early this am. Seen a lot of them since I moved here but this one was for sure the best!

    image

  • dara_diverse
    dara_diverse Member Posts: 5,004
    edited February 2018

    Frisk stoolmaker here hehehe, I do love these names.

    Not much going on in my world, enjoying the baby and enjoying the job so far. Thought I'd poop in and let everyone know I am alive and well.

    That's it. Love n hugs to mese goils.

    cheeRs!

  • jazzygirl
    jazzygirl Member Posts: 11,972
    edited February 2018

    image

  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,408
    edited February 2018

    Oooh! (It was too cloudy here by the north lakefront in the wee hrs. to be able to see it. :(

  • goldie0827
    goldie0827 Member Posts: 6,835
    edited February 2018

    Jazzy, looks like you are back up and running, or should I say swimming. Good deal. Getting hit with a stray bullet, yikes. That's some bad luck right there. I didn't even attempt a picture of the moon. I don't have a good camera and it looked small. My UPS IT guy dabbles in photography and got some nice shots over in Flagstaff AZ.

    Sandy, I'm sure you know what areas to stay out of.

    NM, you sound so happy in regards to your teaching job. When is the next class?

    So happy to be graced by your presence there Wacko. Would just like to be graced more!

    We've been trying to get a lawyer. Not sure if ya's remember when we were helping a friend out with his business. He made tubing for us. Well he's gone belly up to a tune of 150K of our money. He gave us the equipment, but I guess there was something we missed in paperwork, now the machine is locked up in the building and we don't know if we can get it or not!

  • goldie0827
    goldie0827 Member Posts: 6,835
    edited February 2018

    From my UPS guy in Flagstaff AZ.

    image

  • jazzygirl
    jazzygirl Member Posts: 11,972
    edited February 2018

    Good morning friends- on my way out to a brand new Sprouts that opened up nearby. I was going to go during the grand opening yesterday and heard they were giving a 20% discount to the first two hundred customers but then got busy and distracted with the early morning photograph/eclipse and photography. Then I heard there were like 300 people waiting at the door before 7 a.m. when they opened. Like people who came out for good concert tickets, lol. They have lots of other specials through the weekend and going this morning, will then swim and then back to do worky things.

    The skies here were perfect yesterday morning for both the eclipse as the moon was setting to the west and the moon rise over the mountains to the east. I have seen many great things like this out here in big sky country (Goldie knows what I mean too) including comets, meteor showers and many lunar eclipses, but this lunar eclipse was the best because of when it occurred at dawn. Better viewing here from my front yard and as it went down over the mesa across from me. I waited last night for the moon rise with my Nikon and captured some great shots, including the last post I had. Great day for the skies and will post a fabulous sunrise here this morning to at the end. The skies are treating us to some beautiful things this week!

    So I went to the first of the three yoga classes for bc patients I plan to check out as part of my goal to get certified and teach in the future. The one on Tuesday was at the OP center/lymph clinic across from the women's hospital. It was a small group and there were about six women, about half whom were older (70-80) and a couple of us middle aged types. One of the women asked me where I was in my journey and told her about my dx, treatment, and coming off the AIs soon to my five mark. I also mentioned I was there to check out a bc yoga class as I want to get certified. One of the women, probably the oldest there, told all of us she had just been diagnosed with bc in her other breast that day after many years. Poor thing was deer-in-the-headlights, but glad she came to the class so we could support her with the news. There is another class on Fridays and may go to that one tomorrow or wait until next week and another free one at a yoga studio here in town on Sundays. I am going to try all of them, talk to all the teachers and then may decide to do one of these on a regular basis too. All free classes too as a survivor!

    Goldie- ugh sister, that sucks about having to get that equipment back and the money sunk in too. I had a problem that came up with my business about 7 years ago and got a great atty as a result and he saved me from some serious problems on an incident I got caught up in, but was not really my fault. He now helps to ensure I am protected on issues that come up, he is a litigation atty too and like having a grizzly bear in my court. I hope you find someone good to help you with your legal issue.

    That photos is beautiful, thanks for sharing!

    NM- too bad about your class being cancelled due to weather. That does happen! I hope you can find a new date for that soon. Are you done with teaching for this week? I bet Miss Sadie enjoyed having you home early too.

    Dara- good to hear the job is going well. What baby?

    Cami- how is your week going sister? Is the phone ringing off the hook.

    How is ILL and CelicaC doing this week?

    Chi- are you still doing any music gigs this winter or on hiatus for awhile?

    Gotta get to the store and talk to you all again soon.

    image


  • nativemainer
    nativemainer Member Posts: 7,914
    edited February 2018

    Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Thirsty Thursday! Got a leisurely ayem today, class is from 1 peeyem to 4 peeyem, wrapping things up. The students (all 3 of them) have done really, really well.I've learned some things that will make future classes run smoother, too, the most important being to bring a clock! I cannot believe this classroom in this new building with all the techy stuff in it does not have a clock up anywhere! A small clock was what I was getting when I dropped my phone in Walmart on the first day. Sadie was very happy to have a sleep in with Momma morning. Around the time I've been getting up she picked up her head and looked at me, I was awakish, just drowsing, I told her I was getting up in a bit, she wiggled around until she was snuggled into my side with her snout on shoulder, fell asleep and snored into my ear for half an hour. It was blissful!

    I sort of got to see the blood/blue/whatever moon on the way home last night. It was just cloudy enough that all I could see was that the moon was very big, rather orange and kind of spooky looking. I don't think the eclipse was visible in this part of the country. It would have been something without the clouds!

    Goldie--my next class isn't finalized yet, but will be in mid to late May. This will be for one of the local schools, so less commute, and will be a bigger class, probably close to 30 students. It's been really nice having a small group this first time around, it's giving me a chance to iron out some of the wrinkles.I do remember when you were having troubles with friend you were helping. What a horrible place to be in! Hope you can find a good lawyer to help you navigate this mess soon.

    What a great moon shot!

    NM's DOTD:

    1409876679

    Blood Moon

    ingredients

    GARNISH

    Lemon twist and brandied cherry

  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,728
    edited February 2018

    Hi all! Brisk Dungerson here :) Last night I had 2 glasses of cheap, sweet red and it was delicious! I like to enjoy a drink when I watch my favorite shows and Wednesday is X Files night.

    I’m also beginning to plan this years upcoming 5k’s, I have the following 2 in mind along with one a friend is doing that ends with a donut, lol

    image

  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,408
    edited February 2018

    No gigs booked till May--more (and either younger or more famous) performers chasing after fewer venues, alas. My singing partner has his own touring to do (he has to bring home the bacon), including senior centers that have mostly older women who would prefer to hear male singers and rather not see another senior woman up there doing what they can't--sort of like rubbing it in, I guess.

    Going out for my a1c draw in a bit. L wrist is better, but the Shingrix reaction is weird: slight soreness & swelling at the exact injection site, but the red patch and larger swollen area is about 2" south & behind. Not itchy, feverish or systemically affected, but I still wonder. Maybe the pharmacist hit the wrong spot in the muscle (or missed the delt) and the vaccine migrated to where it should have been? Will ask the NP and show it to her today.

    Coravined a couple oz. of Trinitas 2011 Old Vine Zin (I put a Beaujolais Nouveau in the overnight bag instead) for leftover ribs, beans & greens last night. Tonight may well be my last meal not on a diabetic diet (I get the a1c results tomorrow), so I will eat what I really want for dinner.

  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,408
    edited February 2018

    Saw my PCP just now. Drew not just an a1c but also CBC, ferritin, iron-binding capacity, reticulocytes, CMP and lipid panel. Asked him what a1c score would be worrisome, and he said "we really don't do anything for anything below 7 for someone never diagnosed," but went on to say that because I've "been on the fence" for awhile and I'm obese, he might recommend Jardiance anyway--more for its weight loss and cardiprotective effect. Has less GI side effects than and is more cardioprotective than metformin (which is, admittedly, far cheaper).

    But he's concerned about that red patch on my arm. He says it feels a bit warm and had the nurse outline the perimeter with a few Sharpie dots. I am to keep an eye on it, and if it's spread beyond the dots by tomorrow I should come in for observation and an antibiotic. Should also have my labs back by Sat. morning at the latest.

    All in all, he's satisfied that my weight is down a bit since June and I've had no other real problems. My wrist healed; my old stress fracture in my L foot & ankle will always bother me somewhat so I should just support it; and my groin pain is indeed only a recurrence of my old iliopsoas muscle strain. He wants me to resume exercise once the arm thing is past, but "low & slow" at first.

    But here's what he's found. Remember Zostavax (the original shingles shot) and all those TV commercials that suddenly stopped? It's because, while it was thought to be 40-60% effective, after one year no zoster antibodies could be found in a large test cohort. Yup--it's worthless. (At least Merck sent me a full rebate). As to Shingrix, he's truly surprised at how fast the FDA cleared it and the CDC began recommending it. It's so new that there isn't even a body of evidence concerning the type of reaction I'm having. He said to keep an eye out for flu-ish symptoms, and warned that because the virus in it isn't as attenuated as in Zostavax, it could give me shingles...but a much milder case that would then confer immunity. I did receive it because it popped up in my "health reminders" section of my Presence patient portal, along with my "asthma action plan" and "Medicare wellness visit."

  • jazzygirl
    jazzygirl Member Posts: 11,972
    edited February 2018

    Chi- it sounds like you are getting good care and they are keeping on top of the A1C. My docs started treating me when my A1C hit 6.5, as it shot up quickly after 6 months on the AIs. They were worried about my family history of diabetes, strokes and heart disease and that it may go up further. Now on some meds since 2015, I am pretty consistently at 5.7, the line between pre and normal. I hope your tests bring good results.

    I do hope your rash does not turn in to anything more. Interesting to hear about the shingles shot. My PCP has wanted me to get it but said insurance won't pay for it until 60 (couple more years to go, eeek!) Now I will know to have a different conversation about it. My sister got shingles during chemo and another friend had it in the past couple years. Good to be on the look out for it. I hope you remain well.

    Ill- I love that you are doing the runs! Be sure to keep us posted on your results from those. Proud of you sister! I am thinking of doing the senior Olympics this summer and competing in one of the swimming events!