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how about drinking?

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Comments

  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,408
    edited July 2019

    SUPer52, I’m pretty much where you are with the wine, except that (but for free champagne in airline club lounges and on transatlantic flights) my “daily” glass has long since been limited to pairing with the foods that call for it—and now, never when I’m dining alone (especially at home). Last night’s Chilean sea bass would have called, pre-cancer, for a wonderful buttery Chardonnay or dry sparkler—but instead I popped open a can of LaCroix cherry-lime unsweetened seltzer. (Invisalign now limits how often & long I can eat or drink anything other than water or seltzer; and my MO-imposed near-keto diet limits my carbs...which, alas, wine—even dry—provides).

    Cami, Happy can’t play the violin but sings that plaintive song whenever he thinks I’ve forgotten how recently I’ve fed him and can therefore bamboozle me into feeding him again. Heidi, OTOH, is content to merely steal his kibble (and is unpredictably finicky about wet food) and beg for catnip. I swear she must have been a stoner in a former life.

    Hot & sticky today. Maybe a storm later, maybe not. I think I’ll go to the Subaru dealership for a free car wash to bring on the rain.

    Carole, so sorry about the loss of your friend. In Judaism, sometimes the funeral itself is held in a cemetery chapel (rather than funeral home or temple); but there’s always an additional short graveside service so attendees can fulfill the mitzvah (blessed commandment to do a good deed) of tossing a shovelful of earth into the grave after prayers are done. Let me tell you, a graveside service in the bitter cold dead of winter is just as brutal as in blazing heat

  • Gigi71
    Gigi71 Member Posts: 47
    edited July 2019

    hey hey y’all! Gigi is great! Been busy as hell! Finished Taxol! Never lost my hair through it. Got thin as shit, so we buzzed it with clippers. Now I’m rocking a short ass du! Feels great with the temps and humidity in N.C. hot as hello! Had my reconstruction surgery on masectomy side completed in May! Got me a Gummie and he lifted the other one! I am only on Herceptin every 3 weeks, it only takes 30 minutes! Have to do this for the rest of the year then I am done! Wanted to say hey to everyone and hope y’all are doing great also! Scarey stuff! Stay safe, stay healthy and stay Thirsty My Friends! We got this👊💪🌴🍺🥃🌴!

  • jazzygirl
    jazzygirl Member Posts: 11,972
    edited July 2019

    Good afternoon friends- it's already the middle of July, where does the time go? I have continued to be a busy gal with lots of summer music, friends, and more. I was out this week to a blues event and also to see the first concert of the NM Jazz Festival series. A well known saxophonist and his Hammond B3 organ playing friend, Dan Trudell, whom I learned this fellow does a lot of jazz in Chicago too). I have not seen this group in a few years and he has a new band with a dynamite female drummer from Mexico. Great start to the jazz festival. More coming up too! Here is a sampling of Doug Lawrence and his New Organ Trio.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TVOI6JnHRg

    It's hot here, dog days of summer. Monsoons have started but not a lot of moisture around. We have been having some rolling black outs in my part of the city, third one this week as I came in late one night from the above mentioned concert. Nothing like coming home to a dark and HOT house. Think the power was out for several hours. I put a cool compress on my forehead and went to bed. I have gotten spoiled with AC and fans in the summer for sure.

    Taking a break from the music scene this weekend to get caught up on some errands and home things. And I also am testing driving a new flute (alto) a friend is selling through a friend and already in love. Sounds is great, seems technically sound and after a trip to the my horn person for a check out, I expect this one will be mine. I have been playing the flute longer than any of my instruments (this will be instrument #6 for me) and literally wanted one of these since high school days. Judy Collins used to feature alto and bass flutes on her songs back in the day and love the deep sound. I bucket list item from 40 some years ago. I have been playing the flute for 50 years as of 2019!

    Gigi- congrats on finishing your Taxol and also not loosing your hair. I hope you continue to feel better and stronger every day!

    Super52- glad the article is helpful. I kept my dx fairly private due to self employment issues but even with the folks I did tell, I got a lot of comments and still do. My sister also had bc and just passed her 7 year mark. Cancer seems to be one of those things you either have to go through or help someone through. I read somewhere that the best thing a person with cancer can do is to find others who have helped someone else through it or been there themselves. Enjoy your paddle boarding!

    JCS- I am sorry about the loss of your DH's long time friend. The services sounded tough to get through. My he rest in peace.

    NM- has Miss Sadie been swimming yet? Do you think the kayak will come out this summer?

    Chi- it's hot and a bit muggy here too. I am a fan of La Croix too, I drink more water and ice tea in the summer than anything else. I was at the Subaru dealer today for some express service but there was nothing express about it.....

    Cami- is the family home? Did they have a good time? I am sure the travel was hard for Les. She is still trying to recover, but know from my own times, you sometimes just push forward and wait for a few moments where you don't feel so tired. The fatigue lasts for so long. I hope everyone is home safe and you are enjoying hearing about their time away.

    Okay, time to get to some house things. Staying in and keeping cool over here friends.....SickTired


  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2019

    Image result for Funny Sunday cat memes

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2019

    Mornin ladies,

    Good to ear from u Gigi and glad ur done with Taxol. seems like ur feeling good and in a good place. Great for u.

    Super I think when anyone hears some has cancer they r tongue tied. My best comment to e was my ex-husband he just simply said : So when u r going to die" All I said was not before u. Well he did die a couple of yrs ago so I was right I that but I can't say I told u so. But I did get plenty of advice that I ignored, I guess people want to show care they just don't know how to sometimes. Hope ur doing good.

    Kim I always thought Maine was a steady place for weather, but ur just as goof as we are. and when Lori and Jazzy talk about their weather so many times I've been surprised.

    Jazzy I see ur still loading up ur summer with fun things. Before we know it it will be over always to fast. But u sure get every drop out of it.

    JC our family has stopped going to the little chapel and then the graveside, we go to the bigger chapel and then leave I really like that better. And if it's way to hot I give u credit for going.

    Sandy we have changed a lot about funerals, not the Catholic part, just the Italian part.Years ago u hired mourners and they would rean their money. It had to look like whoever it was would be sorely missed and the more mourners the more they were loved. Jeez Italians are so dramatic.

    I didn't sleep at all the other nite, ran out of Xanax too, so yesterday Joey knew that I wasn't right so he made me some toast and sat with me til I could relax, my anxiety was big and when I finished my toast he sat and rubbed my arm and I then relaxed and slept, he knows me best.

    Hoping everyone has a nice Sunday.

    LUBS U ALL

  • nativemainer
    nativemainer Member Posts: 7,911
    edited July 2019

    Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Sunday Funday! I'm meeting Mom in a bit and we're going to go out and find something fun to do for the day. Dick's kids are taking him for the day. Now sure what we're going to find to do, but we'll find something. We used to do this pretty regularly, we calling "having an adventure"When we were doing this pretty regularly we've been yard sale shopping, whale watching, museum visiting, and to different festivals and the like. I wonder what we'll find today?Poor Sadie will be stuck at home, Mom isn't a big dog fan, and it's too hot for her to spend any time in the car. She'll be more comfortable here at home supervising the neighborhood, and I'll try to find a treat to bring home to her.

    Welcome SUPer52!I've been a bit ashamed of some of the things I have said to people before I was diagnosed, too. I know people mean well, and try very hard to take the intended sentiment and not the actual words sometimes. But I am so tired of the "fighting" mindset, and the "your cancer" mindset from medical people.It ain't "my" cancer, I didn't go out and buy it, I don't want it, I'm not making a living off treating it, if the cancer "belongs" to anyone, it belongs to the Oncs and Rads docs and nurses and labtechs who are making a living off it!Whenever I see the phrase so-and-so "failed first line therapy" I want to scream.The patient did not "fail" the treatment, the treatment failed the patient! Argggggg!OK, getting off the soapbox now.I am loving the mental pic I have of you and your Mom on a lovely veranda with an incredible view enjoying a glass of fine wine.And good for you for paddleboarding to the bar with your sister!

    Chi--the furbabies are pretty good at manipulating us, aren't they? Love the idea of getting the car washed to bring on the rain. Usually works!

    Hey, Gigi!Congrats on finishing Taxol treatment! 30 minutes of herceptin every 3 weeks sounds doable, and having an end time must feel great.

    Jazzy--sounds like the Jazz Festival has been great, so gladyou are enjoying it. Wow, playing the flute for 50 years!That's a long time!Sadie hasn't been swimming yet, that's on the list.Thinking about getting the kayak out, it's time to get it wet again.

    Cammy Cat--yeah, Maine weather can be quite variable. The saying is "if you don't like the weather just wait 5 minutes. It'll change."Drive to work with the heat on in the car, drive home with the Ac on is common. Not sleeping is not good, running out of Xanax is not good. Glad you had Joey to help you get through it.

    image alt="Image result for apricot adventure cocktail">

    Apricot Adventure

    Ingredients

    3 mint sprigs

    1 tsp de sugar

    1.5 cl de lime juice

    4 cl d'apricot brandy

    1 cl de vodka

    1 cl de club soda

    Method

    1. Step 1
      Use a "Shaker" for "Apricot Adventure" drink recipe.
    2. Step 2
      Crush part of the mint together with the sugar and some Zwack. Shake the rest of the Zwack with the lime juice and ice as desired and pour into the glass. Fill up with club soda and decorate with the remaining mint and perhaps some lime.
    3. Step 3
      Serve in "Highball Glass".

    From <https://en.1001cocktails.com/cocktails/cocktail_apricot-adventure_360080.aspx>

  • goldie0827
    goldie0827 Member Posts: 6,835
    edited July 2019

    Well, I was right. Labs not all that great. The only good thing is my liver enzymes have come down to 110 and 56, from up into the 1500's. Norm is 40ish. TM's took a huge leap and I'm hoping it's because I've been sick. My DD is heading back to the island on Tuesday. More for a break and she misses her home and fur babies, I think she will be gone for 10 days. Surgery, fingers crossed, will be August 1st. I'm still feeling pretty good, been a cleaning fool. But I do have to stop and rest every so often. No more strong urine odor, no more fevers, no more napping.

    Cami, I think Joey is just begining to grow and lots more to go. Funny how the doctor said he will be tall. And then your dad feeling the feet, funny. I can't believe your ex said that to you. "So when are you going to die", was he just joking? Joey is just amazing, calming you down so you can sleep!

    JSC, not sure I could handle that heat and humidity, umbrella or not! Glad to hear you are getting your house in order. You are having lumpectomy?

    NM, Dick's doctor doesn't see an issue with Dick...oy vey! Rememinds me of my mom's dr. who always told her she was doing great. Yeah right. Or he just knew she was going to do what she wanted, so he was just apeasing her. Besides the fact that I think he was about her age and probably shouldn't have still been practicing!

    Super, hi and welcome to our lounge. People just aren't sure how to handle those with cancer, therefore saying the wrong things sometimes. I have also heard of friends just leaving friends because they just don't know how to handle the situationeven husbands! Have fun on the paddleboard with your sister. That's one of those things that look so easy, but pretty certain they are harder than you think!

    Sanndy, funny about the free car wash and rain. we could sure use the rain out here.

    Gigi, did you use cold caps? Taxol was the one that took what hair I had left, after A/C. Meaning my eyelashes and eyebrows mainly, as I still had thme until I took Taxol. Glad to hear you are feeling great though.

    Jazzy, hot here too, even had a few triple digit ones. But no moisture. Always seemes to scoot just to the side of us, whether it's to the East, South or West. You are one busy gal!

    NM, have a super fun time with your mom. I would call it Mommy/Daughter time. Can't wait to hear what ya's did. And I"m sure Sadie will be forgiving when she gets her treat. I'm with you on the "your" cancer and refuse to say "my cancer" I ALWAYS say "the cancer I have". Maybe it was from you I got that! Another one that really bugs me is to hear so and so lost their "battle" with cancer. When you are in a car acccident and get killed, they don't say "they lost their battle with their car". Or any other thing that kills a person. I like that I'm living with cancer. She lived a long time with cancer, therefore I win! We all have to die, we just die in different ways.

  • jazzygirl
    jazzygirl Member Posts: 11,972
    edited July 2019

    Happy funday sunday friends- reading up on all your updates. It continues to be warm here and there was some monsoonal rain around yesterday, but went around us the same as it has done for Goldie. I am trying to keep the yard going and have to reprogram the drip again today as it gets wiped every time there is a power outage. I heard NYC had a huge black out yesterday too on the eve of a historic one that occurred back in the 70s. Aging infrastructure galore.

    Today I am going to da pool for a swim and focusing on home, business and yard things. I have the cleaning coming coming tomorrow and there is always the "cleaning before the cleaning" which means getting surfaces cleared off.

    Goldie- your DD probably needs to be sure things are in good shape back home before she returns for her surgery. She is having that state side, back in the Midwest, correct? Will be in her pocket that day and hope everything goes easily for her. What a year it has been for you and the fam.

    Hopefully your numbers are only a result of things being out of balance. Glad the liver enzymes are down friend. Keep getting stronger every day friend. Sending much love!

    Cami- your comeback to your ex husband was perfect and also prophetic. I had some comments made to me about dying, but more like "are you scared you might die?" One thing I never expected going through treatment was that I would have to deal with managing the feelings of those around me. Until I realized it was really not my job to do that and learned to just redirect the conversation to things like "here is how you can help me". Thank god for people who get it and can just step in to help without having to put all their commentary into an otherwise impossible situation?

    NM- the wife of a cousin who was diagnosed with bc in her 30s back in the 1990s, was going through a lot of really difficult treatments (stem cell replacement, bone marrow transplant, etc.) Itt was around the same time my brother was very ill too and supporting that situation consumed all of us. I remember seeing her one time and saying how I wished I could be in touch more, but was overwhelmed with my brothers illness .In other words, I made it about me instead of just asking how she was doing? She was so kind and knew what we were dealing with, but thought about that response I gave to her that day and vowed to be more mindful. As we age and things happen, life teaches us to find better words to say. I have learned that even if I can't do much else, a simple "how are you doing?" and a nice card from time to time lets folks know you are thinking of them.

    I hope you and your mom have a great day together. Even a nice lunch somewhere will be a perfect break. Miss Sadie will be glad to see you when you are home and for some nice tummy rubs and a treat!

    Got to get going to my day. I am having a full spectrum of imaging and BS apt this Friday and will be back next weekend to let you know how it all goes.

    Have a good week friends!

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2019

    Image result for Funny monday cat memes

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2019

    Mornin' Ladies,

    Dammit Lori I really thought everything was going to be better. But some were good and u do feel better...See why I don't understand any of this. Remeber my cousin lived 25 yrs with stage IV and she was 80 so u can go a long way yet. Dr. stuff can always be goofy. Oh chit now did I say the wrong thing. Between us I always feel like I cn say anything and u know what I mean, cuz u know how I feel. U know since ur DD has to wait for her surgery I don't blame her for going home to take care of things.

    Kim good u went out with ur mom and whatever u did it had to be fun.

    Super, I'm sorry I thought I missed something, I didn't welcome u to our world hoping u come back and share whatever ur comfortable with here.

    Jazzy I'm jelly of u for all the fun u plan and then do it, Oh I plan but caring it out is a different story. LOL

    I have to charge my phone and get ready for work, if I really only knew how to work this effin phone, it would make my job easier. Oh well

    LUBS U ALL

  • nativemainer
    nativemainer Member Posts: 7,911
    edited July 2019

    Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Monday Monkey Day! Mom and I had a great time yesterday. We went to see the Wire Bridge, a bridge in the back woods of central Maine that is held up by cables, and does not touch the ground on the ends. It's pretty weird and very neat.I'm working on getting some of the pics off the phone to the computer so I can post some. Things are not as easy to do with the new iPhone as they were with the Android phone! Mom and I stopped for Lobstah Rolls for lunch, and Dick and his kids stopped for Lobstah Rolls for lunch while they were out, too!Funny coincidence.Sadie was not too unhappy with me, there's a new house going up on the lot next door for her to supervise, and I bought some treats for her at one of the little Mom and Pop stores we stopped at for a drink and potty stop.

    Goldie--sorry to hear about the labs, but glad the liver enzymes are better. Sounds like you are starting to feel better, and that is good.I actually found out yesterday that Dick's eye doctor (he has glaucoma) doesn't see any reason he shouldn't drive.His primary care doc (at the Vet's Admin) hasn't been told about the memory issues and personality changes. Dick doesn't think to mention any of that and Mom won't say anything unless directly asked. What a situation! Mom and I did have a very, very nice time.

    Jazzy--wow, your family went through a lot all at once back in the 90's! We do live and learn, and we do give others the benefit of focusing on intention and not necessarily the words.

    Cammy Cat--aww, sad kitty!

    image

    Kitty Highball

    Ingredients

    Serving: 1

    • 2 ounces red wine
    • 3/4 ounce ginger syrup (see Editor's Note)
    • 1/2 ounce lime juice
    • soda water, to top

    Garnish: candied ginger

    Directions

    1. Combine all ingredients, except the soda water, in a mixing tin and shake with ice.
    2. Strain into a Collins glass over ice.
    3. Top with soda water.
    4. Garnish with candied ginger.

    Editor's Note

    Ginger Syrup:

    2 cups sugar

    1 cup fresh ginger juice

    Combine the sugar and ginger juice in a small pot over very low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Transfer to a plastic or glass container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

    From <https://punchdrink.com/recipes/kitty-highball/>

    FYI:Ginger syrup can be mixed with seltzer or soda water to make Ginger Ale!

  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,408
    edited July 2019

    Kim, doesn’t it drive you nuts when a person’s doctors don’t coordinate with one another so it’s as if they’re walking around with different pieces of a patient’s jigsaw puzzle that they don’t know the other one has? That’s why I’m a fan of having patient portals where all my docs—even the one in a different hospital system—know exactly what’s going on with me and what conflicts with what. Same thing with pharmacies—I hate that CVS costs more and the lines can be long, but it’s around the corner and I can manage my Rxs online (and am not at the mercy of mail-order, especially with impending vacations running up against dwindling supplies). I keep my letrozole separate—because one little independent neighborhood pharmacy not only charges 1/3 as much as the chains, but has a Kosher deli upfront.

    Lori, hope you can catch a break. Hope the TMs are a blip caused by the stress of infection, and your liver enzymes seem much closer to normal. Big step that you can stop & rest rather than have to nap.


  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,408
    edited July 2019

    iPad acting weirdly, so second-posting rather than editing. (It's as if gremlins have taken over and suddenly indent everything so far to the right—spontaneously, w/o my touching the keyboard) that it sometimes disappears until submitted—and then when I go back to edit it remains disappeared!

    Jazzy, I'd give anything to go back in time and start playing music when really young—my family couldn't afford lessons and my school didn't have a band program. Oh, to be a virtuoso (which I most assuredly am NOT)!

    Grilled pork chops last night, so DOTD was a Rhône-style Vina Robles 2017 rose (97% Syrah, 3% Viognier). Chilled to the point of near-brain-freeze, given the weather.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2019

    Image result for Funny tuesday cat memesIf u have cats u'll know.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2019

    Early mornin' ladies,

    Quiet here ladies.

    Kim what a great time u had with ur mom. That sounds like so fun. My mom did things with my sister cuz they liked the same things so I never really did just plain stuff, but as I was reading urs I just smiled. And u all had lobstah rolls, kinda funny, but being Maine sounds logical. The DOTD looks so good even now.

    Sandy u actually made me think. I don't think I've learned much in life but if I could go back in time I would change a whole lot, but I didn't learn what to do from here on.even tho I did learn from years ago what I shouldn't have done. Oh well.

    I still sleep like chit, when my kids went on vacay, I was really so apprehensive about being alone. But in no time I was fine and slept with lucky for naps and at nite. And sleeping with him I was so relaxed we slept all nite, didn't really need a nap but cuddled with him anyway. I always felt like our furbabies were so important but I forgot just how important so I'm jelly of u Kim, Sadie is such a big help to you.

    I'm going back to sleep for now.

    LUBS U ALL

  • nativemainer
    nativemainer Member Posts: 7,911
    edited July 2019

    Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Twofer Tuesday! Well, this is turning into an interesting week at work. The State Survey team is in the building. These are the folks who visit every Nursing Home once a year and inspect everything from soup to nuts to make sure we are following all of the State of Maine and Federal Medicare/Medicaid rules and regulations. They are scheduled to be here all week. It's make or break time! Actually, I'm not particularly worried about us passing, but I am a bit nervous about my part. I really hope I haven't missed anything, but I'm new enough that I could have. Hopefully, if I have, it will be something relatively small and easily fixed. Sadie clearly is not worried at all.When I got home and was telling her about the survey team arriving she gave me a nudge to keep scratching her ears and otherwise didn't say a thing, just sat thumping her tail on the floor.Gotta love her confidence!

    Chi--Yep, docs not talking to each other (or reading each other's notes) is just crazy making. Electronic Medical Records is making that harder and harder.So many programs won't talk to each other and getting a logical, concise clinical report out of a system designed to list every detail to increase the billing potential is impossible. And don't you love electronic Gremlins??

    Cammy Cat--I'm not sure but sometimes that applies to dogs, too! Our fur babies are very important, that's for sure. They can also be a bit of a pain in the anatomy, at times!

    image

    The wire bridge does not touch land! The wooden road bed is held up by thick wires.

    image

    It's a pretty bridge!

    image

    My Mom!

    image

    Me and Mom trying to take a selfie. I did not realize how much the wind had blown my bangs around!


  • goldie0827
    goldie0827 Member Posts: 6,835
    edited July 2019

    Well, saw my MO yesterday and all is good. Even with the elevated numbers, he agrees with me that it's from the infection. He asked me if I wanted to do another bone scan. I said NO, I really don't like having those things done and I just had one in January, and they did a CT scan just a couple weeks ago. So staying on my same regimen and see him in 6-7 weeks.

    Jazzy yes, DD is having surgery in Michigan, Aug 1, both surgeons have coincided with a time. And yes, what a year for sure! Nice to see you being so busy, with work and with fun.

    Cami, there is not one thing you could say to me that would be wrong. You could call me an F*ing Biotch and I would be ok with it. I love you, and know you love me too! I assume Lucky sleeps with Joey? I wish you could get your own fur baby, whether anothor pooch or a kitty Kat.

    NM, did Dick eat at the same place you went with your mom? I imagine there are lots of places to go to get lobstah rolls. As for Dick and his driving, can't one of his kids call the doctor and tell them they are concerned about him driving and explane the eyes and memory issues? Love the picture of you and your mom, and the bridge is awesome. How old is mom?

    Sandy, looks like we have a new Gremlin! Cousin to the one that steals posts! You love your music so much, I'm sorry you couldn't get to it at a younger age, but you have it now!

    So glad to be feeling better and just about back to myself! It's so dang hot. Got to 113 while I was down in Phoenix! DD on her way back to the islands this morning and will be back in MI on the 26th. OMG, I have to remember to tell you all the drama that happened at her dad's!

    To be continued....

  • jazzygirl
    jazzygirl Member Posts: 11,972
    edited July 2019

    Hi ladies- well I found out some not good news on the flute yesterday. It needs a lot of restoration work so I am not going to buy it. But I am glad I got the chance to try one out and know I still want one!

    The woman who does my wind/horn repair work told me of some places to look to find something on line around the same price that is ready to go and mentioned a place in TX who has a flute a few hundred more. But I am going to wait, my priority is still to pay off the house and I was conflicted about spending the money right now anyways with that goal. So I will work to get the instrument back to my friend this week and call this done. I am at peace with my decision!

    Chi- my flute work started in grammar school, but never took any private lessons. That came in high school with the gift of a violin from my paternal grandmother. She told my parents I had a gift for music and needed to develop it. My parents agreed to private violin lessons during the last few years of high school. I actually studied for awhile with the concert master from the Hartford Symphony, who was the coolest man from Russia. At one point, I was being recruited by the Berklee School of Music in Boston. But I chose a path into science and technology as I felt music would not be a sustainable income for me. I always wanted an interesting career that would allow me to make a living.

    I played music all the way through college and grad school and since. i picked up jazz in my 30s, making the transition first with the flute and then adding saxes to my list. Did electric violin for awhile but as a classically trained violinist, I prefer that music for that instrument. I often think of my grandmother who told me to always keep up with my music.

    But that being said, if do feel people can learn music at any point in life and look at all you have done friend? You keep it going too!

  • janky
    janky Member Posts: 478
    edited July 2019

    It's two fer Tuesday! Hope everyone is enjoying summer - some of us too wet, some too hot, and some just right, as the fairy tale goes...some days it feels like I am in a fairy tale, waiting for 'Prince Cure All' to ride up and give us his potion, oh well - dream on!!

    NM - glad you got out with your mom, and how weird that everyone went for lobster rolls! I would love a down east lobster roll right now!! Glad Sadie got treats...

    Chi - it is strange the discrepancies in pricing for our medications, glad you found one with a kosher deli to boot, makes drug payment more 'digestible'.

    cami - I am looking for a course that will show me how to use my iphone properly, so frustrating!

    Jazzy - hope you enjoyed your swim, I relate to clearing before cleaning, I am in that process continually it seems!

    Gigi - glad you touched base and all is well in your world, quick healing is such a bonus, enjoy!

    SUPer52 - welcome to this place of good vibes, support and great people!!

    JCS - sad to hear about DD's friend - I just lost a very dear, long time work colleague yesterday - he was diagnosed with ALS in December, then went rapidly downhill in the last 3 months, very, very tough times :(

    Well, I am off to putter and sort and clean before cleaning, it is rainy so I can get the inside done (or not, as the case may be)! Have a great week everyone Cheers!

  • JCSLibrarian
    JCSLibrarian Member Posts: 548
    edited July 2019

    HappyHello all!

    I am pronouncing myself ready for surgery tomorrow. Food is prepped. House is clean. Laundry is done. They called from the surgeon’s office to reschedule the surgery for earlier. Now I have to be there at 8:00am instead of 10:00am. Not too bad. It means then I can eat earlier!!!!

    My kids are coming for dinner tonight. I really enjoy seeing them and spending family time together. If it means I have to cook something, so be it! We are having hamburgers (DH will grill them). I made a Videla onion casserole. And we will have French fries and all the burger fixin’s. DH and the kids will clean up. DOTD will have to be water, but I might sneak a beer with dinner.

    My plan is to spend Thursday thru Sunday reading, watching Netflix and sleeping.

    Jazzy - My husband plays guitar and has collected them for years. You can go to vintageoneguitars.com to see the inventory and hear some tunes. He does not play jazz, mainly rock and some blues. I am tone deaf and can hardly clap along with the beat!

    ChiSandy - I am still amazed at all you do and know. What willpower you have to stay on this diet, not to mention the Invisalign torture. I would have broken early on.

    Goldie - Great News! Now just stay away from any more infections. I do hope your DD has a good trip and does not wear herself out before her surgery. Best of luck to her!

    NM - Lovely pictures. Your Mom looks like so much fun. I have a cousin in Maine and will definitely plan a trip there to see the beautiful countryside.

    Janky - Enjoy your cleaning or the ‘not’ part. I will never understand how things get dirty as it seems I clean all the time.

    Have a great end of the week and weekend!!!!!Happy

  • janky
    janky Member Posts: 478
    edited July 2019

    goldie - so happy to hear good news!! Always good to feel just like ourselves :) I don't want any more scans than necessary either, all that 'stuff' going in - yuck! Wowsers,it is warm there!! Alberta is no where near close to those temps...

    jazzy - sad about the flute, glad you have a back up type plan - enjoy the music!

    JCS - I missed that surgery was tomorrow - I am glad you are ready, sounds like the house is too and hamburgers on the grill sound yummy to me!

    Cheers everyone!

  • super52
    super52 Member Posts: 61
    edited July 2019

    Thank you all of you for all of the warm welcomes! I feel such positive energy from this group and I can tell you all support each other. Janky, you are definitely right about the good vibes coming from this supportive group!

    JCS, good luck with your surgery, and happy to hear you are all prepared for it. I'm sure it will help you recover and rest a little more comfortably when you are back home knowing everything is done ahead of time.

    NativeMaine, I love the selfie with your mom. It's adorable!

    Camillegal, I agree about how important our fur babies are! My cats are cuddlers and sleep on top of us every night. Sometimes it wakes me up, but I wouldn't have it any other way. When I am not feeling well, they never leave my side, and I may be guilty of taking an afternoon nap every now and then just to spend some cuddle time.

    Goldie, I'm sorry to hear that your daughter will be needing surgery and that you weren't feeling well, but I'm glad you are feeling better now.

    JazzyGirl, I love the story about all of the musical training you have had and how it all started with a gift and encouragement from your grandmother. I played the piano a little through grade school and high school and just started to play again last year at the age of 51. I purchased a used guitar several years ago with the intent to teach myself how to play, but that has been slow going and I pretty much gave up. Your comments that you believe anyone can learn to pick up music at any point, however, have me thinking that maybe I need to get back at it.

    I chuckled at the various comments from several of you about clearing and organizing before actually cleaning. I always feel like I'm the only one who has to do that.

    Coincidentally, my first post in this topic was in response to the article JazzyGirl posted about what to say to those who have been diagnosed with cancer, and I already have found myself in a situation where I will refer back to that article because I just learned Sunday of someone else who has been recently diagnosed. This woman is really only an acquaintance (she is the wife of my husband's friend but they live several hours away), but I got teary when my husband told me the news. We were actually grocery shopping when he told me in kind of an "oh by the way" sort of way, so we immediately went to the card section to pick one out to send her. As we were looking, I started to say out loud that I wanted to find a nice one because I had received so many nice cards when I was diagnosed, but I choked on the words and couldn't get them out. Oddly, I never cried at all, not even once, after receiving my diagnosis, but there I was choking up talking about someone else's diagnosis. I'm sure I was actually, finally, crying for myself too, but the emotion was so overwhelming and took me by surprise. Anyway, between my own recent experiences with BC and that article, hopefully I will come up with the right words to write on that card before I mail it, which I need to do because it's been sitting next to my laptop now since Sunday!

    It was a beautiful sunny day here again, and a friend invited me to her house for lunch. We had a nice afternoon swimming in her pool, floating on rafts, eating a wonderful lunch, and just having girl talk. Our drink of the day was a chilled crisp chardonnay. Of course I limited myself to only one glass, but I suspect she added another splash at one point when I wasn't looking lol!


  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,408
    edited July 2019

    JCS, good luck tomorrow--we'll be "in your pocket" all the way into the OR (yeah, I know johnny-gowns don't have pockets). Be sure to take it easy afterwards and call in as many favors as are owed to you. If anyone gets exasperated by your needs, look 'em squarely in the eye and answer, "why yes--this time it IS all about me!"

    SUPer52, funny how I never cried about my own diagnosis--I worried and fretted in the week between ultrasound & biopsy, but when I got the news I just feltt determined--to keep learning as much as I could and set up alternative contingency plans. (Deflective? Delusional? Perhaps). Decades earlier I had read Betty Rollin's seminal breast cancer journal "First, You Cry." But b.c treatment was far different with far fewer options back then, because the nature of the beast had yet to be understood. When my own MIL was diagnosed at age 63 (she went in for a biopsy and woke up with a modified radical mastectomy), my DH & I both cried. She lived to nearly 96--still cancer-free, dying of the effects of a stroke. Yet I find myself getting weepy when I hear of close ones' cancer diagnoses.

    Jazzy, check out the latest issue of Vanity Fair--it has a great feature on women instrumentalists in jazz.

    As for me, at my mani tomorrow, out come the nail clippers for the left hand: got two festival gigs coming up, so I have to toughen those calluses.

    Tomorrow night is a wine-pairing dinner, so no alcohol for me tonight, just seltzer. (As the heat intensifies, I sure miss my beloved Aperol spritzers--the main ingredient is too carby. Gotta get out the limes and pick some homegrown mint to make "Faux-jitos." Can have rum, but it cuts into the weekly wine allowance).

  • super52
    super52 Member Posts: 61
    edited July 2019

    ChiSandy, oh, the aperol spritz! It is a drink that we used to enjoy quite frequently, but I haven't had one in awhile. Two years ago for Christmas, it turned out that my brother and I both ended up giving each other a bottle of aperol and a bottle of good prosecco! We laughed when we realized we gave each other the same thing! My friend who had me to her pool is actually the one who turned me on to the drink after she had it in Italy, and I gave her a bottle of prosecco as a hostess gift yesterday which made us think of the aperol spritz. Funny you should mention that drink today!

  • nativemainer
    nativemainer Member Posts: 7,911
    edited July 2019

    Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Hump Day! Humidity is building, and t-storms predicted for this afternoon and evening.The weekend is supposed to be in the 90's with lots of humidity. Going to be a good weekend to do next to nothing, methinks.Or maybe take Sadie to check out the upgrades at the town landing on the town pond with Miss Silly Sadie.

    Goldie--Glad to hear the liver enzymes are not a concern right now. Don't blame you for not wanting a bone scan, or any scan for that matter. May you continue to feel better as time goes by. Dick and his kids did not eat at the same place Mom and I did. We were in different parts of the state.It was amusing that we both got the same thing, especially since both are notorious penny pinchers and lobstah rolls aren't the cheapest lunch to get! Mom is 83. Waiting to hear about the drama at DD's dad's!

    Jazzy--good to find out you want a flute! Sorry that one didn't work out.I'm sure you'll find one soon. Wow, what a musical history you have!

    Janky--it was funny we all got the same thing for lunch! Of course Sadie got treats, I have to keep her happy so she'll let me keep living here!

    Librarian--so today is the big day!Yeah!We'll be in your pockets and will supervise everything so it goes well. Get lots of sleep and lots of Netflix.Post when you feel up to it.

    Super--the emotional part of this journey hits us all in different ways and at different times. I think I cried continuously from the time I had the mammogram after finding the lump until I saw the surgeon and had a biopsy 3 months later. And then I cried most of the time for the next 3 years, I swear. Even now, once in a while, a memory of that time passes through my mind and a wave of emotion will come with it. I'm glad you had the great time with your friend, and good for her for adding a splash to your wine glass!Life is for living!

    Chi--It is amazing how much bc treatment has changed in the last few decades, isn't it?

    Ortensia recipe

    Ortensia

    Ingredients

    Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

    Best served in a Cocktail Glass.

    From <http://www.haveacocktail.com/ortensia.htm>

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2019

    Image result for Funny hump day cat memes

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711
    edited July 2019

    Mornin' ladies.

    Great one day no one comes in, the next day there is barely anythin g I member reading. So hear goes.

    Kim loved ur pics. U and ur mom look great but that bridge, oh geesh did u actually go on it. Oh to me that's a picture bridge not a real one.

    Oh Lori it sounds good and oh so happy u feel better on top of that. And I'm praying for ur DD every day, she sounds like u. BTW why would u say something like to be continued when u know 'm going to go cray.

    Janky the only course I know about these stupid phone is of course I don't have a clue what I'm doing.

    JC of course we're all be in ur pocket to make sure it's all good.So no worries on ur part.

    Super u sound like me,i f I buy a card, I usually realize when the person goes back to work that I didn't send kit. I mean well but meaning and doing r two different things.

    Oh Jazzy what can I say about u that I haven't said amazing.

    Sandy and ur another, u do very well with ur music all the time. BTW I used the CVS puter stuff, the first time. I never knew about it til u told us and so very easy for me and fast. Hope I did it right.

    Last nite my phone rand about midnite ugh, but it was Dan, we talked about an hour, We just hung out on the phone instead of in person. Jeez Ilove that guy. Like I said before he always wants my input on personal issues with the business and he listens, I don''t think I can fool him much longer that I'm a wise old lady. Of course then I lost my sleep time and didn't go t sleep til about 4am. So glad I have my Xanax.

    We have so so much heat warnings, like100 and humidity like 300 I bet for the rest of the week. It's hard to even go out Like I do that so much I do want to go to the store, thinking I should go in the evening. My print is gigantic???

    LUBS U ALL

  • goldie0827
    goldie0827 Member Posts: 6,835
    edited July 2019

    Cami, I said that cuz I wasn't in the mood for typing it all. Short of it is she has never got along with her dad's GF. This time it went to extreme. Dad would invite GF to camping, she would say, Oh just take Jennifer. Anyway she got pissed (GF) and went and stayed at her brothers. She called last weekend and wanted to know if the house was available for her to have birthday party for grandkid. Sure! GF announced it would be her last weekend there and needed help packing her stuff. Well Jennifer chimes in, in a real nice tone, I'll help you Gail. Well they were in the garage and Gail threw a full bottle of beer at Jennifer. Gail also plays softball. I guess Jennifer had to duck to miss the bottle, which could have possible killed her. Later, Gail announces that the only reason Don (dad) and Jennifer go camping is so they can have sex!

    Anyways, I spoke too soon. Sick again. Uncontrollable shakes last night for about a half hour, fever all night 101-103, and so far today as well. Sore from the shakes and laying around in bed again. This shit is getting old!

  • chisandy
    chisandy Member Posts: 11,408
    edited July 2019

    Oh, Lori, so sorry you keep getting these fevers! Wish I could reach out through the ether and give you cool compresses.

  • JCSLibrarian
    JCSLibrarian Member Posts: 548
    edited July 2019

    I made it through the surgery! The wire placement part was annoying. I did not realize there was a mammogram involved! Lumpectomy incision is about two inches, but the surgeon felt he got what needed to be removed. I will meet with him next week for more info. I am taking the pain meds today, but really not much pain. I have an ice bag on the boob inside a front zip spots bra. Really comfortable so far.

    Goldie, dammit! What is this fever thing? Sending hugs and get well vibes your way.

    Take care all!