Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Keywest and Taco, sending you hugs. Sorry about the losses of your sons.
I no longer look forward to Thanksgiving. The last 2 Thanksgivings that my mother was alive, we took dinner to her house as she was bed ridden the last one and the year before that she wasn't mobile enough to get in and out of our car. She passed. in January 2018. In 2019 after my. MIL passed, DH and I flew back to Ohio on Thanksgiving day to clean her house out and get ready to sell it. This yea will be nicer as my son will be with us for Thanksgiving dinner. Last year it was just DH and I so I cooked a turkey leg and wing, stuffing, yams and made a pie. DS said today that I better buy everything early and as he's saying that, the news is on and its showing how there will big increases in price and shortages and suggested buying a turkey breast. So I best buy fresh cranberries as soon as I see them in the grocery store, canned pumpkin, pecans (my son loves both pumpkin pie and pecan pie) and buy a turkey. Sorry for rambling.
It's early (8:45pm) and I'm tired. I was thinking about doing some work for work, but I'd rather go read a new book. I'll work tomorrow evening. today was a non-stop day.
Sweet dreams and be well.
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Welcome Lovev7. I had a lot of problems when I first went on Arimidex, but not so much now. 3 years to go.
It is raining and should be most of the day. A cold front is moving through. I went into the world yesterday to get a new pair of Skechers. I did look at clothes to see what is new. Bell bottoms are back. Glad I still have my old ones. LOL It looks like the 70's show.
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Stand often in the company of dreamers.
They believe you can achieve impossible things.
- Mary Anne Radmacher0 -
I am working a lot so not posting much. I too am sorry for the loss of your sons ladies. I lost mine in Dec. last yr. a week before Christmas so I now ( to my and every parent's dismay ) have experience. It is difficult.
Will be working thru Friday and then it will be see as we go. I'll need to catch up with my previous work schedule and get my forgotten about mammogram. Need to check on my breathing issues as well, but so many people are undergoing the reality of climate issues that have not let up this yr. Hope there is a fix.
Have to run or I'll be late. Need to be early this a.m.
Hugs to all.
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I'm trying to word my feelings without seeming callous. I'm not "glad" some of you aren't looking forward to Thanksgiving but it's comforting to have company. We were alone last year because of Covid concerns. Once again this year we won't be joining dh's family for a big gathering in either Indiana or Illinois because his brother and two of the brother's grown kids refuse to be vaccinated. The vaccinated family members aren't comfortable with the situation so there will be two gatherings. We're invited to the unvaccinated and have declined.
For me, it's a blessing. No road travel during that insanely busy period. A big savings in motel bills and meals that is welcome with the expense of a new refrigerator and a new recliner for dh.
I have a sister and a brother living close enough to join either of them for a Thanksgiving meal. The sister has some unvaccinated among her family and the brother is unlikely to be inclined to invite us.
We were fortunate with the weather yesterday. We had some rain and some wind but nothing dangerous.
The new refrigerator is installed. It's quite handsome and the stainless steel is magnetic. There are no dispensers in the door but we will adjust. Yesterday I finished transferring the contents of the outside refrigerator. In a few weeks the newness will be gone.
It's sunny outside and looks like a nice day ahead.
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Our senior center used to have a Thanksgiving lunch every year, but not last and probably not this year either. It was great for all the people who would have been alone otherwise. No idea what we'll do. I'm not really into it. I wish grocery stores had smaller dinners to go for 2-4 people instead of 6-8. Maybe DD and SIL will bring dinner over. That would be nice.
We have an "atmospheric river" coming our way. Rained last night and is still raining today. They're warning of flooded roads in the usual places. I should get the leaves out of the gutter, at least, but construction trucks are parked in front of the house.
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It's very comforting, for me, to hear how you all are feeling about Thanksgiving. As I'm 75 now, the holidays make me sad, if I were to tell the truth. Things just change and many people aren't here anymore. Fortunately I'm really busy on most holidays as that is when my petsitting clients are all away and I get to spend time with all the kitties who I am so found of. This year I will have a labrador retriever staying with me and I love her company. Thanks for sharing, ladies, you've lightened my load.
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Cowgirl, I am about the same. A lot of my family here has passed away and for so many yrs. I worked for others ( caring for their older relatives who could not travel for holidays, or later on their pets ) that I seldom "celebrated ". That was okay with me. When I survived my first bout of cancer and lost my complacency I learned to look on every day as a gift or a holiday. All days have become precious to me -- so I don't favor holidays much more than I do ANY day I am given. That makes things just right for me.
This yr. it sounds like getting some of the traditionally eaten foods might be a mite iffy to get. So, I may get ham steaks for one day ( Thanksgiving or Xmas ) and maybe a few turkey legs or something for the other, if I even do that. I may settle for a slightly bigger roast or something. It is likely the first yr. I may actually be at home. That would be nice since it will be the first yr. that my daughter and SIL will be here ( since they live with us ) so I'll wait and see how it goes.
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As our families (however we define them) get smaller, the holidays are harder. And they change. We haven't put up a tree for years but Debbie always sends us a live miniature tree from Maine that lasts until Valentine's Day. In fact I was just thinking that this is the year to give the tree and ornaments that don't have sentimental value to the food bank thrift store. We had a wonderful family "stocking stuffer" tradition that goes back to my parents days but we seldom are with Debbie for Christmas and she has no children to pass it on to.
As soon as it gets cooler - in the 80's today - we must tackle the garage. We have two file cabinets full of trumpet music although Ken hasn't played for at least 5 years. He did finally give his golf clubs to our friend's son. Jackie. you are an inspiration with your "downsizing" at home.
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Had my mani-pedi today (why does it always rain or snow on a day I have to head home in flip-flops)? Nail tech/owner winced when she saw my R 4th toe--black and blue but at least no longer red, swollen or painful. "How'd you do that?" I replied that early last week when I needed a Rollator to get around the house, I stubbed my toe (twice) on the large rear wheel of the walker. We both agreed it wasn't fractured, only badly bruised. Natch, we had to choose a deep aubergine polish for the pedi. (Almost goth).
By the time we got home (HK drove me) at 2:30, it was raining steadily, I hadn't eaten since 11pm last night and hadn't had coffee in over 24 hrs. I couldn't whip up the guac and make the avocado toast & fried egg fast enough, not to mention the pour-over of Guatemalan coffee.
Today is Gordy's birthday--he's 37. He & Leslie are going to dinner along "Restaurant Row" after the Bulls game at the nearby United Center. Hope for his sake they win!
We have steady rain and temps in the 50s (even overnight) forecast till early Sat. afternoon. Sun. Bob will be donating blood at a neighborhood church (I will have to pick him up and go to brunch with him afterward--just too risky for him and his 72-yr-old arthritic knees to walk the 1/4 mi. home 30 min. after losing a pint of blood and then having only a couple of Lorna Doones and a juice box.
Weather'll be nice for Trick-or-Treating, but I don't think we'll participate this year--even though we're both triple-vaxed and would be masked. It's still too risky to have masses of unvaccinated kids (also likely not properly-masked) thronging our porch. Maybe we'll periodically strew wrapped candies (assuming I can still find any) across the porch, close the door, and turn off the light while we reload--and keep it off once we've run out. Our double block has dozens of decorated houses, hosted by much younger adults--so there's really no need for us old-farts to exchange viruses with kids. We get kids from all over the neighborhood (and the much poorer ones from beyond), and frankly it's exhausting. Their parents also expect candy for themselves (and their significant others waiting at home). Because of that, Halloween is my second least favorite holiday, after Yom Kippur. Both seem to crop up way too often, compared to the ones we like.
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I may be offline for awhile: my ISP is down in my part of the city—phone (VOIP), internet, cable TV—and estimates are that it won’t be restored till morning. Not just that, but my cellphone (AT&T) suddenly won’t function as a hotspot to tether to my computer (or this iPad), and though I have 4 “bars” of Verizon on this iPad, it won’t work unless I turn wi-fi off on this AND my cell
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The first two years we lived in this house, 20 plus years ago, I bought Halloween candy and turned on the lights at the front door. We didn't have trick or treaters and were stuck with the candy. It's mostly subdivisions that have a lot of Halloween activity. Now we don't turn on the lights.
Like all our holidays here in the US, Halloween has become very commercialized. I pass the entrance to a home that can't be seen from the highway when I'm driving to the gym. The owners of the home must hire a company to do their Halloween decorations. Huge skeletons and even an old car with a two-headed man standing beside it.
Today is a fall day. I put on my robe when I got up. Not sure what chores I will tackle today.
Happy Friday.
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Our opportunity is to Soar our Spirit.
To see Light and Joy in everything.
To spread our wings and fly boldly.
To give thanks for rainbows and butterflies -
our symbols of renewal and rebirth.
To offer daily Thanksgiving - for ourselves, our family,
our friends, our community, for the whole world.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie0 -
Poured rained most of the night again last night. We are plenty wet. May be some more scattered rains thru the first part of the day or afternoon. I mention this as I may ( if I don't wear out too much ) go to Marion to check on my issues with my allergies. Another night in the recliner. Not sure but I may get of early today. The daughter in the house only works half a day on Friday. So -- we will see. Otherwise I could go on Saturday when the rain will not have to be considered. Cloudy maybe but no more rain -- so they say.
Seems every time I need something -- I get work that provides if not all my current needs, a really lg. part of them. So, maybe new tires will be in my future. Still have to get the other things set right on my car. It has 135,000 miles so really has a lot of life left to go. I do worry a bit about something big going wrong, but I must say the motor itself purrs like a top. I will likely go ahead with the small list of things it needs and then see how it goes.
Hope you all have a really good Friday.
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We got our ISP services back about 6am. I suspect, from the online outage map, work crews along the CTA Red Line tracks may have brought down a cable or two. Wasn't a storm, as when it went out around midnight it wasn't windy yet.
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After all the rain yesterday and the high winds, the Gulf flooded several of the coastal areas. It surprised a lot of people. No one got flood alert warnings. It is cool and going down in the 50's. I am wearing my old bell bottoms. LOL
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My microwave is on the way out - door not shutting properly after 14 years. Don't want one quite as big but nothing tiny!
Gorgeous fall day today, but the weather is changing!
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Karen, could you please have your microwave talk to mine (not really)? Mine is 15 years old and working fine. The problem is that it was originally installed over the oven. When we remodeled the kitchen we put in a double oven and put the microwave on the counter. It takes up a lot of space! To date haven't found a replacement that meets our desires. Good luck on finding a replacement for yours.
Gorgeous day here today, windy but low humidity and temperature in mid 70s. Busy day for us, got our covid booster, did early voting and grocery shopped.
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Hello to all. Welcome to newbies. Healing thoughts and hugs to all in need. Have been "offline" for awhile and took a long road trip to Ohio, PA and NY to see my brother/ SIL and rendezvous with sister for brother's 70th B'day, along with visiting cousins, Aunts & my only Uncle who is still above ground. Exhausting, but so good to re-connect.
RE: Thanksgiving - Hubs is a Brit, so not "his holiday". Just the two of us this year, as family scattered here and there.
Earlier this week, booked flights to NYC on 12/24 for a week's visit. Only a 2 hour flight, and hope all will work out OK. Sister is house/cat sitting for a couple who have a lovely home in Greenwich, CT. Will rendezvous with daughter in NYC at some point.
Hubs had his Moderna booster on Tues AM and only just felt better yesterday (Friday). At 74, he has finally relented & taken his Dr's advice to start on 10mg daily Atorvastatin, which is his one and only prescription med. I will be getting my Moderna booster this upcoming Tues. at annual Dr visit & hope I do not have the same issues with feeling rough.
Happy Halloween to those who are "in the mood". Our house will remain dark again this year, but neighbors across the street will have a party going on in their driveway (or garage, if weather is inclement). Of course, someone will likely be blowing off fireworks as well.
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We may be able to see the Northern Lights tonight. Lots of interference with city light but we have been able to see them before. Pretty cold to stand outside, but our livingroom faces north. . so maybe.
I got 3 bags of candy for Halloween. One for me and 2 for DH. We'll run out after the local kids and that's all right. Our next door neighbors have kids and there are several families on the block. Then we'll turn off the light.
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Funny story - I was meeting with a 5th grade student on Thursday and he was telling me about his vacation and that it was for his grandfather's birthday - he goes to say that his grandfather is officially a senior citizen as he turned 65!!!
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I'm trying to remember when we last had trick or treaters - probably when my now 51 year old was a pre-teen. Then we lived in a small neighborhood with very long dark driveways. I don't know why we didn't have them when we living in Arlington, Va but I don't recall that we did. We've been in an age-restricted neighborhood since 1997 and have never had one here. I would love to have them but know many of neighbors wouldn't appreciate it. However our friend Debbie arrived for dinner tonight in her orange short and lighted necklace bringing a pumpkin bobblehead for Ken and a candy corn necklace for me.
I had moderna booster on Wed. and other than a sore arm have been fine. Ken did OK with Pizher (sp?)
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Just got home from NYC trip. We had a blast! The play (ain’t too proud; the life and times of the Temptations) was so much fun, very enjoyable. It felt good to be back in the city supporting Broadway. After the play we headed out to dinner, and we had no rain. After dinner a little shopping, a quick stop at Juniors for cheesecake to go (brownie explosion for me, blueberry for partner). Then to the new Train Hall. It’s new, it’s clean, it’s lacking character but a lot still to open up yet. Didn’t see rain until the train ride back upstate. My theory is because we carried umbrellas the entire time we warded off the rain.
It’s going on 2AM so I can say Happy Halloween! I miss the days of little kids excited to be dressed in a costume. I look forward to seeing the little ones. On the other hand, I let my partner answer the door more than I do. I hope you all get treats and no tricks. Pumpki
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My goal today is to buy bedding plants for the planters that are off the deck and will go back in their places once I "plant the plants." DH cleared the deck for cleaning and re-sealing. It looks very nice. I will probably buy pansies. I also want to buy some Knockout roses to replace daylilies in a bed at the front of the house. My reservation on planting the roses is wondering whether they will survive a summer with no watering except what nature provides.
This week is supposed to be nice with mild high temperatures.
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Good morning. It was in the 40's when I got up. That's cold for this time of year in FL. DH was having cardiac issues this morning,(rapid elevated heart rate with palpitations) prior to taking his meds. A few minutes after taking them he was felling better, Now he is sleeping. So scary.
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Carole - my roses survive Houston heat just fine. I do water them some the first year, but after that I leave it up to Mother Nature. Granted - they are probably more lush if you do water, but that's not happening here.
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I miss Junior's cheesecake (I like the cherry); but the last time we were there (2018), the egg creams were anemic (almost flat, very little chocolate flavor, no white frothy "head"). We're going either the weekend before Thanksgiving (if our friend hasn't revived his annual Sunday-Before-Thanksgiving brunch) or January. Not sure what I want to see--"Moulin Rouge" with its pop-song "jukebox" score seems hokey & off-putting to me (we've been to the actual Moulin Rouge); maybe "Six," "I, Tina," "Jagged Little Pill," or "Ain't Too Proud." (I don't mind "jukebox musicals" that are actually about the artists who sang the score). I'd considered "American Utopia," but we still have it on our DVR and haven't see it.
Was planning to "go dark" for trick-or-treating, but despite the porch light being off a couple of kids still were pounding on the door. Had to tell them we're seniors and don't feel comfortable with throngs of unvaccinated kids (and potentially many unvaccinated parents). We then put a sign on the storm door to that effect. Then had to go to CVS to pick up prescriptions--and lo & behold, bags of Reese's peanut butter cups & Kit-Kats were a buck apiece. So I got three of each, put them in a bucket on the (still unlit) porch with a sign reading "One piece per kid, please---and when it's gone, it's gone." When we got home late from dinner & a movie (Dune), the candy was gone--but they courteously left the empty bucket.
My back is better but still stiff & sore enough to require topical Voltaren and bedtime Tylenol. (And piriformis stretches in the morning). But being very, very careful not to bend over or reach too far. I don't dare stoop low to locate the power switch on the bottom front (under the housing) of the treadmill.
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I bought herbs yesterday and a few flowering annuals but was disappointed with the pansies. Today I'm driving farther to a nursery.
Minus, since I'm gone for four months during the summer, my rose plants won't get care for that length of time during their first year. I decided to gamble on 5 roses instead of 10 and see what happens. At $29 each, 10 roses would be a bigger gamble. They're 3 gallon size. The knockout roses come in more colors now but I will get the red.
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Hi Ladies….its me…back and lovin reading all your stories….some ladies I dont’ know..others some of my old friends..Wren..how the hell are you..and Carole….OMG..miss you all so much…have made a connection again with Chi Sandy, and Lucy…saw so many people that are still on…so happy to see that…I got really bummed after Beppy passed away…I was so close to her…many of you probably remember her as “Slow Deep Breaths”…she had the Crazytown site…her death hit me hard…I came back a couple times after…but drifted again…I went all the way back to when I first joined in 2011….I had tears in my eyes when I read how much support I received from all of you …way back when i was scared to death at the diagnosis…well I am now 10 years out, and as I said to Chi Above ground and taking nourishment…a bit older (86)…a bit slower…and have added a few more babies to my family…I do have another disabled little boy…who has a genetic disease from birth..so sad..but he is beautiful…he has seizures, can’t walk, talk, crawl, and they just ;put him on a feeding tube…the disease is called FOX G 1 Symdrome…rare, very rare…..the mother of Christopher is the twin sister to Grayso;n who you all remember ..she is 10 now..still in a wheel chair..may never walk again…and the Dr. who crippled her at birth appealed the Law Suit even though they won the case against him…in 10 years have not seen a dime of the money….and the Jury found him guilty…but he had a right to appeal…..Why do with bother with juries if what they decide does not matter…
Well glad I am back a bit older, a bit more wrinkled but still as nasty as hell…LOL..love you all…
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Welcome back, ducky! You're as full of life as ever!
I woke up at 5 am and lay in bed doing "mind gardening" for the next two hours. My task today is re-doing a large flower bed in front of the house. First I have to take up the daylilies that have done their duty for many years and replace them with Knockout Double Roses. At one time, during my active gardening days, I would have accomplished this job easily. That time is past.
I enjoyed my trip to a nursery yesterday. The employees were young women and very knowledgeable. They gave me advice about pruning and fertilizing and confirmed that the roses would need watering during the hot summer months when we are away from home. I was told that I could buy a drip watering system with a timer at a reasonable cost. I will put dh in charge of that project in the late spring when we should know if we are returning to MN for the summer.
DH is an online shopper for anything and everything. Yesterday I came home from the supermarket and told him I looked for a refrigerator thermometer in the kitchen wares and didn't find one. He immediately went online and ordered two, one for the refrigerator and one for the freezer. He said, Why go to stores in all this traffic and search for something when it can be delivered in a couple of days with no shipping charge?
Happy Sandwich Day.
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