Illinois ladies facing bc

blackjack

Hi girls..Happy Halloween to all you trick or treaters out there. OMG.. what a day at school. The kids were flying high on all that sugar..I even had a few who ate to much and did the throw up thing. What a mess...Who invented this holiday lol.

Carol.. thinking of you and your mom and sending you healing hugs for Monday. Remember to take one step at a time, be kind to yourself and remember we are here for you.

JulieA..thinking of you as you get your new girls. Remember to be kind to yourself too.. need lots of rest.

Wendyty..you are so cute, and what a great smile. Just think the end is almost here for you.

Jackie..welcome back and I am so glad that you had a great trip with your family. Reunions are priceless.Sure did miss your great quotes of the day. 

Wendy..we are all in titled to a little mini melt down every now and then. It's ok to cry. We have all been through PTS with bc and it's ok to cry or maybe hide under that table. I didn't get to watch it..busy with work..I will try to catch the rerun. It is a good day for a z ride. Top's down fits up for you girl. 

Laura.. ok I got you babe..need pic's and I am sure you did wear Cher's see through outfit right lol

I bet you looked sooo cute.

Irina...hope you are doing better and your kitty's are very cute.

Mich...sorry to hear about your arm.. Elevation is the best when sitting down. I know it helped me. I used two high pillows to rest my arm on. I hope therapy works for you.

Rita...xmas shopping already..you are good. I hope you and the girls are able to come up for lunch / dinner in Dec. You know we need to see our leader the queen. I do hope it can work out for you and the others..It would be so much fun to see you all. Great day for golf today yeah

Juliechicago.. hope your kids have a great Halloween. remember to ck all that candy. I know I used to hid it from my kids..lol just cause I liked the Baby Ruth's yum!! Have a fun filled evening and remember to rest tomorrow.

To everyone else in tx sending you healing hugs and just think the end of the journey is almost here for some..

I hope you all have a great evening..don't eat to much candy..and

Remember to be healthy...be happy.

Blackjack

JanClare

Wanted to stop in and wave hello. HELLO!! Things are finally moving with my construction and not only do we have foundations and basement walls, but we actually have the framework for walls on the garage! Yeah!!! Electricity and water have been off and on for the last couple of days, as they work on various areas, which is why I have not checked in before.

Today was a beautiful day but, with all my construction, we had NO trick or treaters.

Karin- I wanted to let you know that I don't yet know about the Day of Sharing.  As soon as I do know anything, I'll post it here.  

Oh and a big thanks to the "lunch bunch"- thanks to your encouragement, I've made an appointment with my oncologist to discuss having a full battery of tests before having my port removed. Next tuesday.  Bless you all.  It's been 2 years now and it's time to get this port out, but on my terms!

 I'm way behind on everyone, so I'm confused as to who is who, but I wanted to mention to someone out there that I'm a triple negative who did her treatments at Good Shepherd and was very happy with the outcome.  I think there was someone asking about Good Shepherd??   

 Tomorrow I should have time to finally post some of the photos I have been collecting.

My husband has torn apart most of our kitchen (we are reusing and re-coating a lot of our cabinets so he's taking them out rather then the construction crew), so I'm off to go out to dinner.

Big hugs and waves to everyone! Special prayers and hopes to those undergoing treatment and surgery. I hope everyone is doing well. I'll try and stop by tomorrow!

JanClare

OMG- I just remembered that two years ago TODAY on Halloween was my first chemo treatment!   Wow, what a difference 2 years makes!

illinoislady

Jan Clare.........how stunning that enough is going on in your life that it takes a bit to remember one of the things Halloween means.  Well, we don't get trick or treaters out here in the back woods....I don't really mind.  My kids have been grown up for so long now that I would probably throw candy in a dish with a sign that said take one or two and just trust them.   I think you could probably get away with that here to some extent. 

I'm still trying to get over my jet-lag and glad that I can sleep in tomorrow but it usually doesn't end up working out.  Somehow, my body doesn't pay any attention when I tell it the pressures' off and we can kick back for as long as we want. 

Hope you all had a wonderful day and are having a fun Halloween.

Jackie

Jule

Hi everyone. I am checking it - it has been a few weeks. Lots of posts!!! I have been back at work for 3 weeks I think. The bilat masec sites have healed pretty well. I should be going in next week or the week after for radiation. My arms are doing well, and I am pretty happy with range of motion. When I am active it is better. My fingers are swollen a bit - was able to wear wedding ring one day but that was it. I am afraid that if I get it on, I won't be able to take it off.

I had a crazy thing happen or at least I thought so. I have been done with chemo almost 2 months - and my eyebrows fell out about a week ago. My eyes have been bothering me, and I realized this week it was because my eyelashes were falling out.  What the heck!!

I am tired at night and on the weekend, and my onc reassured me that this would continue for awhile longer because of chemo. I also have swelling in my feet. When does all of this go away????

On a positive note - Halloween was fun. My kids had a great time. My son was a spy and daughter was Hannah Montana. Hope you did something fun yesterday.

Don't forget time change is SAturday night.

blackjack

Morning Girls...did you all have a great Halloween yesterday. I sure did. We had sooo many trick or treaters yesterday that I had some ring my bell at 11:00 pm last night. Funny thing is that after we told them that trick or treating was over hours ago.. the police showed up and told them to leave the neighborhood. I guess lots of my neighbors didn't like answering the door at night..in all I went through lots of candy. Today I am going to rest up.

Jule.. glad to see that you are done with chemo and that rads are next week.. Rads will make you feel tired so try to rest up. Sending you healing hugs your way. 

Jackie..I sent you and email.

Janclare..glad to see that you are taking care of that port issue. You will feel so much better without it. Just think your kitchen will be done soon right???

Wendy..did your dh have parties at school yesterday. Our principle wore a Mohawk hair piece and he was a rock star. That is what all the teachers dressed up as rock star's.

Laura..how was your bonco party.. need to see pics..

Rita..out for golf today..it is going to be so nice and warm yeah.

Well to everyone else I missed hope you all have a nice weekend. Get out and enjoy the nice weather as it is all most gone. Winter will be here soon enough.

Have a great weekend

Remember to be healthy...be happy

Blackjack

illinoislady

"The first part of success is "Get-to-it-iveness"; the second part of success is "Stick-to-it-iveness."

illinoislady

Happy SaturdayI did manage to sleep in just a little, but then I went to bed and too wound up for some reason to get to sleep immediately as I usually do ----  so I think it doesn't count, but I don't feel too bad so it's ok.

Good to see you here again Jule.  Like Laura always says   IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING but while that is definitely true with this disease, I think it's frustrating too.  You have to go through odd things when you are doing chemo and then while generally vastly easier rads and along the way, even when you feel pretty good there are these crazy individual annoying things.  Probably just have to give it time. 

I'm looking forward to having a day much like most of my pre-vacation days --- yes, it's time to get back in touch with work, work, work.  Have to remember....that is what makes life go around.  Still....hmmmm.  w o r k   now isn't that a dirty four-letter word.  Sigh.

Hope you all have a lovely, lovely Saturday.  I'm looking at piles of leaves in my yard. 

Jackie

wendyk13

 Morning All and Happy November!  The weather sure has been nice and yes...yesterday I put the top down and it was glorious.  Unfortunately I went up our hill out back to take down the ghosts...all this sunshine and warm weather....the grass grew again and I already ran the mower out of gas!  Oh well.....I guess one more mow is in my future next week.

Jule....yep.  Brows and lashes do that!  And don't be surprised as they try and get back to their 3-month cycle if they fall out again!  Mine fell out 4x!  And you were up in the middle of the night!  Too much candy last night????  LOL

We usually get hundreds of kids and so we were prepared...and got less than half of what we usually get.  So....anybody want some candy?  Really need to get the Reese's and KitKats out of this house, and quickly!

JulieA...hope yesterday went well!

Carol/berrypatch....Your Mom comes today...sure will be great to see her and I'm sure she will offer much comfort to you.  We'll be thinking of you!

Laura/Mich101....I would be very interested in learning the MLD.  I don't have LE but my arm occasionally feels strange, but then this has been since the lumpectomy.  I have measured it and if anything it is smaller.  But I figure massaging it can't do any harm!  Maybe I will look on the web and see if there is a book or something.

Rita...glad you got a chance to get out and golf.  I saw the weather for next week and I saw 67 on Monday, 70 on Tuesday so don't put those clubs away!

WendyTY....one more!!!!!!

Jan...'bout time that port was outta here!

Well...I am in the midst of laundry so I better get back to it.  DH just called from the car...he went to get blood drawn for his PT and they moved Quest Labs and he can't find it!  Luckily I was able to google it.  Ya think they should have put an address on the note on the door, rather than "just 3 blocks West on Route 38"!!!!!!

Everyone...have a wonderful Saturday!

BustersMom

Hi Ladies,

Thanks so much for the well wishes & for thinking of me yesterday, even with everything you all have going on.

Surgery went great!  A cakewalk compared to that last one.  No drains!  Pain is very manageable.  No illness from the anesthesia.    I will admit I was expecting the worst, but hoping for the best, of course...  and I'm feeling pretty gosh darn good for 1 day after surgery.

Just tired, sore...  but so glad it's over.  I hope you all had a nice halloween   Love, JulieA

kater

after chemo

my oncologist said i would be tired through MAY, i ended chemo the August before.

HE was right.....Also I then went to a naturapath...a tremendous help is taking green food supplement (she says www.barleans.com), i got it cheap at vitamin shoppe vs. fruitful yield or whole foods market ...and emergenc lite with msm if you can tolerate msm....sugar is the enemy so she doesnt like the sugar packets emergenc that sams sells. vit shoppe 26 vs 40 i have seen barleans, 30 day supply...one scoop a day with those vitamins, and i was wanting to get up at 8 am instead of the usual noon.

also, my blood tests? in may? still the lowest okay level, so it goes to show, blood takes a long time to get to normal.

zap

Hi all:

To all in treatment, keep your chin up as it does get better.

 There is no scientific link between the aluminum in our antiperspirants and breast cancer,  although there has been controversy.  I am wondering, however, as now I have a terrible reaction when I put on the stuff and all since breast cancer.....even the non-radiated side. The dermatologist tried creams, deodorants, heavy duty cortisone, but I cannot put deodorant or antiperspirant on my underarm (and I am a sweater) as I get a terrible skin reaction that moves into the surrounding areas, including the breast. It is moving through blood as these areas are not exposed to the antiperspirant. It takes a week of ointments to calm it down and I am now using cornstarch as a deodorant ( a very messy alternative). I  am just wondering  if my body is telling me something research hasn't proved.  Just a thought.

 Last Halloween school party for me. Happy about that.  I love the holiday but I hate seeing students stuff their faces at the party and the waste of food!

Memorial service for my mother today.  Time marches on!

Susan 

WendyTY

I played my first round of 18 holes today!  It was a lot of fun.  But...now I am ready for a nap.  I never thought I would be playing golf the day after chemo!  Life is good.

Rita - Hopefully we can get out and play this week.  November golf!!! You got to love it.

Carol - You were right about my eyes.  That was two days after my second AC treatment.  I was feeling horrible and sick of hair falling out all over the place.  I think it was about 10pm.  I definitely got my twinkle back.  I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.  Take care!

Susan - Sorry to hear you are having problems with deodorant.  Hope the memorial service goes well.

Everyone - Keep your chins up and enjoy this wonderful weather.

ritajean

JanClare and Jule...so good to see a post from both of you and so glad that things are going well.

JulieA...Hey! Hey!  You did it!  So glad yoiu're doing well.  I can't believe how soon you were up and moving, but then again, we're talking about 40 years difference here!  LOL  Keep us posted and just keep on improving each day!

I didn't golf today  (boo hoo!!) because I had Dave powerwashing the decks so we could seal them before winter and I would have felt too guilty playing golf while he was working away.  So....I did laundry, ironed, and made a big batch or weight watcher's soup.  I did walk down the lane to get the mail and then sat on the porch a bit with the outside cats.  It was just so hard not to jump in my cart and take off with clubs!   

Susan, I hope the memorial service for your mom went well today and that you finally have closure.  It took me a long time to find that closure, partially I think because when her death occurred, I was fighting my own battle.  I don't think I really grieved until several months later. Although I still miss her dearly, I am now able to remember the good things that we did without crying.  I still have some trouble with guilt because I couldn't spend as much time with her at the end as I wanted.  Perhaps time will heal that, too.

Kater, I'm going to be really upset if your rocks sell on craigslist and my swimming pool accessories....pump, filter, ladder, vacuum, hoses, etc. don't sell.  I've had them advertised since last Tuesday and haven't had a bite yet.  I imagine I should have posted them this spring but we really just got through most of the collection of things in the garage last week.  Couldn't resist razzing you on that one.  Now that was pretty creative!  LOL

Gee Wendy....hide that extra Halloween candy in a secret stash so that you can reclaim it when you get a real craving!   That's one thing I don't have to worry about.  Nobody comes trick-or-treating in the woods.  I can relate to Jackie's situation! 

So Blackjack, did you really manage to rest all of today or did you get "antsy" and find something fun to do on such a nice November day?

Well, I need to get moving!  I hope everyone has a great weekend and that all of your kids had lots of fun trick-or-treating!  It was great weather for those ghosts, goblins, and superheroes!

Rita

[Deleted User]

Glad to read that both Julies are doing well!

Hope you're all having a nice weekend...I'm hoping the sun comes out tomorrow...need to soak some up and store some!

Bunco was lots of fun...

illinoislady

OMG how cute you look......bet it was loads of fun. 

Glad all had such a wonderful fun-filled day golfing and everything.  Good for you WTY.

Susan I assume you are talking about even the non-aerosol Dove deodorant spray that has no alcohol which is what I have been using.  Dh became seemingly sensitive to deodorants and we found that and it works fine for him.....though of course, he has not had chemo.  I use it with no problem but then I don't think I have any sort of sensitivity either.  I threw that up during my first four chemo's I think. 

Anyhow, if you haven't tried it, who knows.  Of course, it might be a long week for you if it doesn't. 

I too want to add my wishes for the memorial.  My mom has been gone 10 years now and I still miss her every day, but time does heal and allow you to find comfort and peace, even pleasure in all the good times of the lifetime you had together.  It is often touching for me to enjoy ( like in the reunion I just had with my daughter and granddaughter ) the same things Mom did and to almost relive like incidents knowing how much pleasure she would feel.  She was always big on family and being together and always made it memorable and special.

Bear with me girls.......I clearly remember one day when she drove all the way ( 250 miles ) to my house to spend the day with me.  We went shopping and had lunch together and then shopped some more.  I thought it so strange that she kept urging me to go into stores and seem determined to buy me something.  I finally found some egg rings and allowed her to buy them for me, reluctantly.  Later she told me that she could not believe we shopped all day for my birthday present and came home with four egg rings ---  just incredible she said.  I told her that I had totally forgotten it was my birthday and that spending the day with her was all I needed and was the most perfect gift I'd ever have.  So we both had a great day even though Mom always thought she had cheated me on a birthday gift..........but we all know she didn't. Anyone of you that has a mother knows how special just being with your Mom could often be ---  more priceless and precious than anything this side of the Universe.  I was richer that day than anything else could ever make me. 

Ok......that's my tribute to my Mom and everyone's Mom----because where would we have been without them.  Susan, it only hurts for a while, and our parting is just a short interlude.  Our loved ones are just out of reach and out of sight for a short while. 

See you all tomorrow.

Jackie

wendyk13

Morning!  I do not like time changes....as you can see it is 5am and I am up.  Well...I am awake mostly due to DH waking me up at 4 to tell me it was raining and that he closed the windows for me.  Wasn't that nice of him to wake me up to tell me that?????  And then of course I changed all the clocks but forgot about the coffee brewer so it was beeping an hour early.  What the heck...may as well just get up now and nap later.

WendyTY....good for you!  18 holes after chemo....you def. do have your "twinkle" back!

Rita....it was very nice of you to stay home yesterday and keep Dave company.  Me....I would have gone!  But then I could never leave Tom home alone with the power washer....now that would be scary!  I made him put alll the candy in his car to take to school tomorrow.  And then he goes out yesterday afternoon and what does he buy me?????  Candy from Fannie Mae.  I could have smacked him silly.

 Susan...did you try Tom's of Maine or that crystal thingy?  Hope the memorial for your Mom brought you some happy tears with the sad ones. 

Jackie....I really missed your posts!  If (or should I say when) you go back for another visit you will have to bring a computer or I won't let you go.

Laura....loved the pic!  I bet you girls had a ball!

Mich101...how did the jewelry show go yesterday?  How's your arm doing?

JulieA...glad your exchange surgery was such a breeze!  Not that I am nosey, but how do the new girls look?

Blackjack....how is the lake this morning?  Rainy here so I won't be seeing a sunrise today.

Time for my 2nd cup...hope you all have a great Sunday.  Nothing planned for today so I am looking at that nice stack of library books....sounds like a plan to me!

blackjack

Morning Girls..I can't believe that I forgot to change the clocks back last night. I really could have used the extra hour of beauty rest...but maybe tonight. It was a cloudy day up north, cool but the lake was very calm and serene.

Rita..did go out for a long walk yesterday and just enjoyed the fall colors and lake.. It was so calming and it cleared my head. This bc can really get to you out of the blue so sometimes it is good to just remember that you are doing good.

Wendy.. I know you love that candy and it was so nice of dh to get you the good stuff. Did he get you dark chocolate yum. Are you all done with your outside chores if not I have some you can do lol.

Zap..I hope you fine closure at your memorial service. Remember the wonderful memories you have and they will be a comfort to you.

Jackie..your story about your mom and your birthday brought tears to my eyes when I read it. It reminded me that memories are always there to comfort us when we need them. Thanks for sharing your memory about mom.

Laura..love the pic of you. Maybe you should go dark on the hair color. lol How is Nicole doing??

JulieA..glad to see that you are home and doing well. Remember to rest and you will be up and about in no time.

Wendyty..glad to see you were able to get out and do something you love golf...hope you are feeling better soon.

Carol..thinking of you and hope you are having a great weekend with mom. Will be thinking of you tomorrow as you have your surgery. Sending you healing hugs your way.

Mich..how is your arm doing..I hope it is better.

Well for me off to get another cup of coffee..then to exercise class. I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday...Fall is here so enjoy. Will ck back later.

Remember to be healthy..be happy

Blackjack

illinoislady

Morning hhmmm, ugg,ahem.  Well, I didn't sleep in either for my extra hour.  I told myself all evening long that I'd be getting up an hour later in the morning, but someone in there forgot and I rolled out at the same time as always.....wouldn't know that but Dh didn't do all the clocks.  Oh well, I've got several days to make it up since I don't work till Thursday. 

I'm half guilty...just re-read your post Susan about not the alcohol but the aluminum in the anti-perspirants.  Got me to thinking about all the things that we use daily that are full of chemicals. We have New and Improved our lives to such a degree.  Just imagine what a time of it if a Pioneer lady came back now -- well that would be impossible --- she would not even recognize the log cabins we live in let alone the contents.  What a complete disaster.  I'm sure there have been movies about people who came "back" but I don't recall the names.  Hate to be a downer but I think we are champion earth polluters with all of 'our stuff' that we need to get along in the world today.  I'm not going to be leading any crusade any time soon though.  I tried a washboard once and it wasn't a thrilling experience.  A cut above beating them on  rocks but not by much.

I think it's going to be a fantastic day today even if it gets dark a bit early.  I'll just have to get out and get that blower going sooner this morn.  Leaves went good yesterday.....all that pre-pick up I did of the big nuts before I went to California. 

I'll be checking in later I'm sure.  Have a great day whatever you do.

Jackie

p.s.  I never got your note Michele.

illinoislady

Thought for the Day
A lot of today's frustration is caused by a surplus of simple answers coupled with a tremendous shortage of simple problems.

zap

Thanks for the well-wishes.  The memorial was good.  Yesterday was  a holy day for Catholics so it was a group thing.  Then we did Olive Garden food as my mom loved Olive Garden.  We ordered Chicken Alfredo (as a side) as that was what she ordered each  and every time.  It is so rich that we each just took a bite.  We started to laugh when we realized that the last two years when the Alzheimer's was so bad, she would cover herself and order "the same" and we just assumed it it was the Chicken Alfredo.  In fact, she probably forgot what it was called and we just carried on.  She was a doll.

Thanks again. You are such nice people.

Susan 

Jule

Susan,

I am glad that the Memorial went well for your Mom. It is nice to get together with family and friends to remember the good times. I love when we do this about my sister, my dh Dad, or other relatives and friends. It makes you feel like that person is with you right then. My dh and I love the story about my sis who drove 5 hours to get to our house when we lived in MI. It was about 10 pm and she called saying that she could not find us. She was literally a half mile away, and we told her to take the street right in front of her a half mile and she would run right into us. She told us to come get her, she wasn't going anywhere and hung up the phone. It makes me smile just thinking of her. She was such a good person, but boy she had a temper!!

Anyway, hugs to you.

Mich101

The craft show was alot of fun, not alot of sales, but my sister and I had alot of laughs together. My arm is about the same as it was when I saw the PT. Since it's not really bothering me, I tend to use it without any special treatment and I probably should be doing less with it, but that's very hard. Today I had a shopping cart that had a bad wheel(?) and it pulled to the left. I went through Meijers (Huge store) fighting this cart with alot of pressure on my left arm. Not a good idea - I should have exchanged carts right away, but noooooo. I'll wear my sleeve tonight (after my hotflash!) and hopefully that will help it. I can't get to another appt till the week of the 10th.

Susan- I use Tom's Deodrant (no aluminum) since my radiation.  I think it works pretty good  

Carol-Thinking positive thoughts for you tomorrow!

Laura-Nice picture - did you make those costumes?

ritajean

Hi gals!

Just a quick "HI" to everyone!  Mary Jane and I are doing our first mega Monday shopping trip tomorrow to the Quad City area so I need to get things regrouped so I don't have to rush around so in the morning.

Loved the picture, Laura!

Michele..glad the craft show was fun and you had the time to spend with your sister.  Take care of that arm!

Carol..sending good vibes your way! 

To everyone else........have a great Monday.  The weather is supposed to stay mild for a few a more days so get out and enjoy the unseasonal weather!

Rita

[Deleted User]

Susan - Glad the mem sevice went well...that must have been difficult, but it sounds like you accomplished a very appropriate and thoughtful tribute.

CAROL - Best wishes tomorrow...I hope you get some sleep tonight. Hang in there...it's one more step closer to putting this all behind you.

---------------------------------------------------------------

I'll check back with you all tomorrow...sweet dreams, neighbors! 

illinoislady

As long as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, keep it. Mahatma Gandhi

Hi Everyone,

Quiet here today so far.  I am still lagging a bit, but I'll get there.  The almost constant work of clearing leaves, debris,and getting the yard ready for winter is on-going now and for the next few weeks. 

I am in no hurry for winter at all.  I still feel like the crazy rads ate up my summer and they did. 
Well, take heart.....there really is no time when it won't be quite an interference in your life and lifestyle so I wasn't being picked on by the fates.  I look back and think that so much of life as I knew it stopped.....and tests,txs, and a little underlying fear became the norm of the day.  More than anything....it was just existence mode, but it got me through. 

Have to get some tests scheduled.  So far no problems with the Arimidex.  Course, it's early but I just think it will all go fine. 

Maggie Grin and Buddy have vets appts. today....what fun.  Glad my vet is five minutes from here.  Will be checking back in later.  See ya'll then.

Jackie

illinoislady

It is not the level of prosperity that makes for happiness but
the kinship of heart to heart and the way we look at the world.
Both attitudes are within our power . . . a man is happy so long
as he chooses to be happy, and no one can stop him.

-- Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Ok, this a.m. the happy face comes first.  I am so thrilled that campaigns with all the tactics they bring will come to an end.  Sort of makes you wonder.....why do so many 'people' want the hardest job there ever was and in this day and age no matter what you do one side will crucify you for it and use it against you forever.  You and your whole family become fodder ---- well as was said in a Julie Roberts movie " No guts, No Glory", but it is still quite a price to pay.  Just glad it will finish today. I'm still concerned about the real possibility of an assassination but a lot of our Presidents have had to worry that one.  Here's hoping.....

Another beautiful Fall day.  While I dread what it brings Fall is a magical time with the smell of burning leaves and all those beautiful colors.  A late night wiener roast and apple cider -- all the fun things that you get in while those fun times are still available.  I'll be more than likely doing more leaves and of course, voting today.  We don't go until after 9 a.m.  Most people are then at work and we don't have to wait long.  At least, I hope we won't.  How bad could it be here....a little less than 15,000 people live here.  Now there is something really nice about small towns. 

Hope you all have a fantastic day.  I'll be checking in later on.

Jackie

wendyk13

 

Afternoon!  Glorious day out!  Been outside, enjoying!  Even mowing was fun!  In a bit will be taking the Z out for a cruise - tops down of course!  Rita...hope you top is down as well.  Susan...you need to buy yourself a little retirement present next spring...maybe a little red Corvette!

Jackie....I envy you your part of the state...must truly be beautiful down south.  Got any pics yet?

Carol....how are you feeling today?  Hopefully you can come home and will be posting soon.  Thinking about you and wishing you a comfortable time as you recooperate.

JulieA....hope you are still doing well.

JulieB....are you still doing well?  Hope so!

mich101...you take care of that arm!  What compression do you have for your sleeve.  I just got the 15-20

Blackjack...I have taken a page out of your book and am determined to get back to running so I started yesterday....just 5 minutes on the treadmill yesterday.  Almost 10 minutes today.  Am taking it slow but am hoping to get up to running outside for at least 45 minutes easily in about 6 weeks.  We'll see how the back/ankle does tho.

And .... a last piece of advice...don't try and trim your bangs while sneezing from allergies.  They turn out a bit funny-looking!  Thank goodness hair grows!!!!!

Hope you all have a wonderful, happy, healthly day filled with joy and optimism.  Hugs!

illinoislady

To be capable of steady friendship or lasting love, are the two greatest proofs, not only of goodness of heart, but of strength of mind.

William Hazlitt

ritajean

Good evening everyone!  Just wanted to pop in before I collapsed in the chair in front of the TV to watch the election results and see how everyone is doing!

Also wanted to mention that we discussed Kenesio Gold tape today at lunch for backaches, shoulder pain, knnes and joints.  I came home and got on the internet to research it and also found out that it is being used with lots of success for lymphedema.  It is a special elastic type of tape that has been used by the Japanese for years in pain control and inflammation control.  I guess everyone got on the bandwagon with it in the US after it was used by so many of the athletes at the Olympic games.  Some of you who are having problems with swelling might want to check it out.  I think I'm going to order a roll and give it a try on my knee.

Any of you Chicago area girls head out to Grant Park for the election gathering?

Jackie, it was a super day here so I can imagine how wonderful it was in the southern part of the state.  I don't think I've ever seen the trees so colorful in this area.  Too bad about what follows!  LOL

Catch you all tomorrow after bowling.

Rita