Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Loving all the 'sewing' stories since I flunked out so much after the brief foray in high school home ec.
Here is to continued minimal se's from your shot Taco. There still seems to be so much going on with covid but then people flocking to Fla. on spring break, along with the usual suspects which are Governors lifting all sanctions and those who were in defiance already. All most people ( the ones I know who are pretty much in the 'elder' groups ) want is to stay well and to return to some sort of normalcy that feels workable. It is confining to have to use a mask so often although we have all been willing. It will be nice when enough are vaccinated and we can be a whole lot more relaxed.
Sun today but a few more days of chilly temps. It is the time where we can be back and forth -- so the orders of the day for now are keeping a couple of sweat shirts and heavy sweaters handy along with some long sleeved but relatively thin shirts so we can be comfy no matter what is going on.
Hope you all have an outstanding day.
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I, too, learned to sew on my mother's treadle sewing machine. She was an expert. One of my early memories is the skirt suit with flowers embroidered on the jacket pockets that she made for me from a discarded suit of my father's. She made most of my clothing throughout high school, including prom dresses and winter coats. She did not make my wedding dress but did make my going away outfit. I did not follow very far in her footsteps although I do some quilting and have made masks for covid prevention.
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My Mom would take me to an expensive store in Okla City to look at clothes. Then she would go home and copy them. I realize now how difficult that was. I was a travel agent for 20 years and made coordinated wardrobes for trips. My waist is thick, so I had to make pants to fit everywhere. If I buy a comfortable waist, the seat is totally baggy. Now I wear a lot of knit pants.
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My mother would look for remnants at the local fabric store and use the distance between the tip of her nose and her index finger to "guesstimate" the yardage. I used to hide when she would do this and now find myself doing this on occasion. Talk about becoming your mother! She also would look at knit items on display, count the stitches, etc write it down in her handy notebook and then go home to make it for herself or me. She did the same with clothes on display in stores and would blend patterns using the top from one with the bottom of another or vice versa for the finished product. I don't think I always appreciated the clothing she made for me when I was younger but her originality and the fact that I was not a carbon copy of other students clothingwise is now appreciated.
There was a phase where patched jeans were in vogue and I can remember my youngest brother wearing jeans that had been patched with remnants of fabric left over from my gowns, etc. He would always be asked where he bought his jeans seemingly because the patches were coveted by his friends. Fun memories.
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You are all my sisters in more ways than one. Thanks for the memories.
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In junior high all my clothes were home made - either by the seamstress or I sewed a lot of skirts. My mother had me take sewing lessons - but she never learned to sew. My father worked in the retail fabric business and a remnant would make an outfit. The seamstress was like Betrayal's mother - My mother bought me a Sears sewing machine at first with all the bells and whistles but it was too complicated to use so we gave it back and got a basic singer machine in a cabinet. Years ago I sold it and bought a portable machine in a cases. Haven't sewed in many years.
Beautiful 70+ today and sunny - tomorrow 30s and maybe snow, then warm up to 70s on the week-end
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I made a rare trip to Walmart's yesterday--I seldom shop there, partly because of the location and all the traffic. The majority of shoppers did wear masks, but there were a few without them. Today the mask mandate lapses and our governor will have a press conference. I hope he extends the mandate. Whatever he has decided, I will continue to wear a mask when I shop.
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74 yesterday, 2-3” snow this morning- my backyard fountain early this morning. Warming to 50s tomorrow and mid to high 70s on the weekend. Spring time in the Rockies0 -
Good morning, ladies. DH has been having Cluster Headaches at night. It has been rough for both of us.
My mom could sew anything. She did drapes, clothes, and upholstery. I made my first dress in 7th grade. It was an A-Line, like "Twiggy" wore. I don't do much sewing any more. It is too hard to thread a needle.
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I am learning the bells and whistles on my new machine. Today will be buttonholes. But first I will go out to the hardware store and get some black paint and tung oil for the trunk. The carpenter will be ready for it maybe next week. I will NOT take Tippy with me. It seems like every walk with him is a sniff-fest. LOL.
I had a counseling appt by zoom this morning. She says every two or three weeks for a while. A lot of past stuff is coming up.
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Walking meditation is a way of waking up to the wonderful moment we are living in. If our minds are caught up and preoccupied with our worries and our suffering, or if we distract ourselves with other things while walking, we can't practice mindfulness; we can't enjoy the present moment. We're missing out on life. If we're awake, then we'll see this is a wonderful moment that life has given us, the only moment in which life is available. We can value each step we take, and each step can bring us happiness because we're in touch with life, with the source of happiness, and with our beloved planet. -Thich Nhat Hanh, How to Walk
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It is warm enough today, but a strong wind that makes it feel chilly this morning. I think maybe 70 later on. We will be in the inconsistent weather pattern until June possibly. With global warming issues we are never quite sure around here what we will have. Lots to do today but having to do it based somewhat on daughter's work schedule. Will be nice when we get a lot closer to the end.
Still loving all the sewing memories as I look out on the Spring growth in the woods here. Loving the vibrant green. Also loving the fact that so much will awaken soon from the winter. Just not looking forward to some of the other things that come along. Daughter Kate and I each have had a tick taken off of us already. That part - not so great, but is just a part of the whole experience.
Hope you all have a really pretty day.
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Petite - I remember as a little girl my grandmother asking me to thread the needle (hand sewing) and didn't understand why till I started wearing reading glasses 23 years ago!!!!
For those who have Medicare - who has Advantage and who has regular Medicare? Pros/Cons? Please tell me about any issues you have with routine labs etc through oncologist or other specialists? I just applied for Part A - very weird feeling (not turning 65 but applying for Medicare. I don't need Part B or Advantage yet as we have health insurance through DH work (I work too) and as long as he is working, no need. When he retires, I have to figure out what to get. My PCP only takes AARP Medicare Advantage (United Health Care) and Anthem Advantage - both are PPOs - the Athem is through the state teachers retirement association. I think all my "ologists" take any Medicare, but I need to ask as appointments come up. TIA
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MC, walking a dog is interval exercise for the human--walk two or three steps, pause for sniffing, repeat over and over! Have fun making buttonholes.
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MC, I have old stuff coming up also.
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I use Medicare Advantage. I like it.
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We have regular Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield federal basic, which is a full insurance that includes prescription coverage. It's more expensive than Advantage plans but we have no copays except for the prescriptions.
I have a lot of gloomy thoughts as we get older. I worry about dh's medical issues. I also think about my mother quite a bit and miss her.
I am glad our governor did not drop the mask mandate yesterday even as he dropped some restrictions. He has been met with resistance from the beginning from the Republican legislature. Gritting my teeth as I resist making further comments in the interest of not being political on this thread.
It's foggy this morning and we are supposed to have rain in the afternoon. I have no plans for going out except to senior exercise class at the gym.
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I love the people that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but those whose hearts are firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.
Thomas Paine0 -
I only have what is provided by the VA for my medical insurance. So far, so good. They have in fact stepped up to the plate through my 2 bouts of cancer and my great broken arm fiasco. I keep hoping something will come along that will relieve of the VA burden, but who knows when and what.
Carole, I do think older age can be often challenging. Hopefully any changes come slow enough that there is enough time to acclimate to them so that the burden doesn't seem as great. I've noticed this with Dh. I think I keep myself going so I can help him and I know that he looks on things the same way with me. In one way or the other whether in our own personal families or outside, we are ALL here for each other making the path hopefully less burdensome.
Also -- there is a place where you don't have to resist your comments since we are not able to be political here. It keeps me sane -- at least I think I'm sane.
I hope you all have a beautiful sunny day which we are having here -- cooler than I like, but the sun is fantastic and a great spirit lifter.
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IllinoisLady: I will affirm that you are sane.
Not sunny here but overcast and 63 degrees so that is a tradeoff I am willing to accept since I can open a few windows to let in some fresh air. Of course after I mop the floors, I can guarantee rain within 24 hours and we are getting some light showers. The dog hates baths but has never met a puddle she disliked! Was able to train last dog to circle on a towel at back door to wipe her muddy feet on, but this was not in to that and hates having her feet wiped. So I have to use myself as a towel armed barricade when she enters.
More of the daffodils I planted (naturalized) are in bloom as are the hyacinths. Looks like I need to thin some of the bulbs for naturalizing next year but the hundred plus I planted about 20 years ago is now into the hundreds and have been thinned to replant in other sections of the yard. So patches of daffodil sunshine wherever you look. Makes me smile. Grape hyacinths are also up and will need to remove those the squirrels replanted in the lawn back into the flower beds. Hostas are erupting from the dirt as are the bleeding hearts. It's a bit early for them but the overly warm days we had last week caused this. Welcome spring!
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Karen - I have regular Medicaid, a good supplement and AARP drug plan. I know we pay more than we would for Medicare Advantage but we NEVER pay a co-pay for anything. If you don' t need B or a drug plan, take whatever is cheaper for now. Look at it when you no longer have help from work. We are pleased with our choice. I had a friend who had to get financial help to pay for her chemo drugs. There has seldom been a year when we haven't felt that we came out ahead. In addition to BC, I've had several ortho surgeries and Ken has a heart condition and has had back surgery. No cost for PT either. We don't need referrals to see a specialist and have never had anyone turn down our insurance. We both take a number of "maintenance" drugs and usually pay about $10-$20 for each 90 day refill.
I was SO grateful to turn 65. I had brain surgery at 61, and was virtually only insurable through the group plan at my work. I worked longer than I wanted to to keep it.
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My opinion (not backed up by any data) is that Medicare Advantage plans are good for relatively healthy people, like my 86 year old golf friend, who looks more like someone in her 60's and takes one med for bp. She has never had a flu shot and says she won't take the Covid shots because she doesn't want to mess with her immune system. I sincerely hope that works for her. She comes out much better financially with the Advantage plan.
Jackie, one plus with my dh is that he does whatever he can (except lose weight) to look after his health. He goes to an array of doctors on a regular schedule. Currently he is doing PT for his feet and ankles to try to relieve foot pain. He is off to the gym now to get in some exercise before his PT appointment.
My father died 26 years ago on April 1st. It seems unbelievable that much time has gone by. I was present with my younger sister and mother when he passed. My mother survived him by 24 years and did remarkably well for someone who married at age 16. I cannot imagine how much she must have missed him but she had a strong spirit that kept her going.
Yesterday morning we started out with a/c. A front came through and I opened up doors and windows to admit the cool air. Now this morning I got up to turn on the heat. How fortunate we are to be comfortable.
I plan to go to chair yoga this afternoon and arrive at the gym early to do some arobic exercise on the elliptical or treadmill or upright bike. Those are my personal options. Depends on my mood which one I choose.
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I meant to comment to Betrayal how beautiful her yard must be with the spring blossoms. My huge pink amaryllas are blooming in a front flower bed. We have had some lovely color already this spring with wisteria, azaleas and bridal wreath. Also a grandpa's beard tree that my middle sister dug up in the woods many years ago. They grow wild and are a cloud of wispy white (like a beard) when they bloom before putting out leaves.
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Faith is not something that is passive. Our faith requires a commitment from us. If thoughts of lack come to mind, we counteract such negativity by counting our blessings and giving thanks for the abundance of good things we have. The ability of our bodies to heal is enhanced by our affirmations of life, which stimulate a positive response from the life within our very cells.
unattributed0 -
We are having the same up and down weather pattern. After the big freeze we were pleasantly surprised to see our redbud tree in full bloom, that is, until a hail storm knocked off the blossoms and created enough additional damage to our 15 year old asphalt shingle roof that we will be replacing the roof. A lot of our plants are leafing out after the freeze but some will have to be replaced, not certain what that cost will be.I
It is cool and sunny today after the cold front moved through yesterday. Loving the sunshine!
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I miss Sandy. Passover is done on the fourth. Maybe she will be back after that. I hope I didn't offend her. I was raised with a horror of the Holocaust, because with my developmental delays, if I had been in Germany, I could have been sent to the ovens. My parents were convinced of this.
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Carole - I hope your memories of your father bring you comfort today.
Mary - I'm guessing that Sandy is just busy - the first two days and last two days of Passover are religious holidays for those like me who are observant. Sandy is extremely knowledgable, but I'm not sure if she is observant. How scary to think what could have been for you and your family during the Holocaust. I have a very good friend who just turned 90 who is a survivor but was not in the camps. Her late husband survived the camps - and sadly so many other survivors are very old or have passed away.
Gorgeous weather here today.
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No, I was born in 1950, but that, with the Nuremburg trials was enough that everyone knew that it really happened. Many knew that something was happening, but few knew how bad it was. I was on some level aware that it could have been me. This was one reason why my father, once I had achieved major developmental milestones, refused to allow me to identify as having CP. Even though I still had poor coordination. There was another reason, in terms of community pressures, that I can't discuss here.
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Karen1956, I have a Medicare Advantage plan through BC/BS. It has worked well for me.
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