Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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A good weekend for me - when I can shut out the national news. Birthday celebration for my 89 year old bridge partner and great cards at bridge on Friday, nine holes of golf both yesterday and today, and homemade 7 bean soup for dinner tonight. Ken's now watching the basketball game and I will read. Finishing "School of Mirrors" and then will start "Booth". I love historical fiction. Two mornings of carpooling for our BFF's granddaughter this week (they have gone to Michigan). She and her mother seem to have entered the "teen-age angst" early but I have found her delightful on our rides.
Great to hear your good health news, Jackie. Mary, yours doesn't sound so good. Hope they can figure it out. Hope the rest of your Canadian vaca goes more smoothly, Sandy.
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Acceptance is not a talent you either have or don't have. It's a learned response. My meditation teacher made a great point about the difference between a reaction and a response: You may not have control over your initial reaction to something, but you can decide what your response will be. You don't have to be at the mercy of your emotions, and acceptance can be your first step toward empowerment . . . For me, acceptance has been the cornerstone to my having an emotionally healthy response to my illness. -Morrie Schwartz
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Great news Jackie and so happy to hear it considering what you have been through lately. You deserve a break. Mary I hope they can find out what is causing your foot problems. Foot pain is not fun.
I was able to finish the garden prepping I needed to do for when the contractor can start the patio realignment and the new steps and front walkway. I now have an excess of Seal of Solomon plants and though I will replant some by the gazebo since they are touted to be "deer proof". In my experience, when deer are hungry, nothing is deer proof as evidenced by what they did to my holly bush. I did remove and replant some pink lily of the valley and shared some with DD. It took nearly 2 days to remove all the plants and provide clearance of 2 feet on either side of the existing steps. The new ones will be 18 inches wider. I moved some of the flagstones on the patio wall yesterday and discovered where the garter snake lives. On occasion we have spotted him sunning on the wall so I will have to warn the workers to be considerate when they work on the wall. I found a good sized spotted toad in the pachysandra an another small brown toad near the stone base surrounding the lilac bush. So nature at its best.
Yesterday was lovely with sun, good breezes, and low humidity. Today is to be sunny but a scorcher with temps and humidity in the 90's. So no work outdoors today. I have plenty to do inside. We had our picnic yesterday with hamburgers, pork roll, jalapeno and cheddar sausages, homemade potato salad, watermelon salad and baked beans. Dessert was a pineapple upside down cake made by DSIL. He is quite the baker and it was so moist.
Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend. I always think of my Dad, FIL and other family members who served our country and the sacrifices they made so we can remain free. Not sure how much longer we will be able to preserve what they fought for and that makes me sad.
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Nice sunny day here, It will get up into the mid-80's. Nuce breeze so I hope we are okay -- even with higher temps. It's going to be a nice Memorial Day. I am a bit exhausted by all the events of the past week -- so I'm not as reverent for today as I might usually be. I guess I'll spend the day hoping for others -- especially parents.
I hope you all have a good day.
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A quiet Memorial Day. We started off with our morning walk and then I did my exercises. It's going to be in the upper 80s here today. Need to do some cleaning but I have a cat on my lap. It's a good excuse. Sending healing vibes and good health to all.
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So happy for you, Jackie. It’s one of the greatest feelings to get good news from a doctor. I learn a lot from you, Sandy. Had never heard of OOFOS or Vionic sandals. Though my problem is not from my feet ,but from my left leg which has lost strength and feels like it’s going to buckle when I stand up.Only very minimal knee osteoarthritis so it’s not primarily that,though little bone below and to the left of the knee is very painful when I walk. Physical therapy, which I always scorned, but now am a firm believer in, is helping. PT says I am a fall risk and need to use a cane or hiking pole when walking my 10,000 steps outside and, certainly, through OHare airport when we go to Asheville on Monday. I have been very resistant, vanity I suppose, but know she is right. Did get a foldable cane and do have a trekking pole. She also said not to use a shoulder bag- I have a thin black sack with the letters ANX in white on the front- stands for anxiety. Kaitlin ,PT ,said to use a backpack to keep arms free. I got a small one which holds the folding cane and will use as a purse fromnow on and will carry only this on the airplane.My task will be to take the cane out of the backpack and USE it.
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My mom had a cane. I'd stop by to take her out to a store or just for a drive. I'd carry my purse and hers. We'd start to leave and I'd ask - where's you cane? She'd grab it and hand it to me/us (sister sometimes) to carry. I still giggle thinking about it. We'd have to tell her it is for her to use, not for us to carry.
Hoping everyone's holiday weekend was nice. Our pool got opened, more work than I care to say. Today we may attempt getting the screen house up. The sooner it's up, the sooner we can use it
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achisandy - I used a cane for about 2+ years after my first hip replacement 6 years ago. I carried my stuff in a fanny pack. Made me downsize what I carried around. I looked geeky, but the fanny pack was very functional for me.
Just ordered a pair of Oofos sandals. Was comparing them to Hoka sandals, which looked to have thicker soles in the photos. Even found an article comparing the two. Always looking for comfortable shoes; dealing with neuropathy. And I need new sandals.
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The beauty of this thread -- we get to get GOOD and very GOOD opinions on possible purchases. My feet are horrid too. I have a suspicion that I may be shy on pocket change but I'm going to look at those sandals because I often surprise myself and find ways to make good things happen -- so we shall see. I've shied away from sandals a bit since not only is some neuropathy an issue, but due to the chemo making sure I got toenail fungus -- my feet are some of the ugliest around. The V.A. foot specialists/doctor says not to bother killing the fungus because it would come back anyway.
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I like the days when politics didn't matter.
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Isn't this the truth:
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Toenail fungus cannot survive in a sunny and dry environment. Last year I finally found a pair of sandals which can accommodate the stuff I put in my shoes. Muy toes have also been hurting. I finally bought a new toenail clipper, and should be able to put that in the past.
I have a motor kit for my trike headed my way. Excited about it. A young guy on an electric bike sped past me and did some tricks on it, showing off.
I have been using my hiking poles consistently lately. -- doctor said to get as much exercise as possible without putting my full weight on my right leg.
Tippy and I have been having discussions about going for walks, But this morning, after having taken him out for a walk at bedtime, I discovered that he had peed in front of the door. I used some spray on it, and used two towels to soak up the stuff, vacuumed every part of the carpet I could get to, called the woman who does various stuff for me, she said we had made the appointment for her to bring over the carpet machine for Wednesday. I thought that today was the first of June. so eager to get rid of the smell.
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Sounds as if most of us planned a quiet day. We watched a little tennis and Ken has the baseball game on now.
Mary - a tip for the dog's piddles - sop up with a towel and then put pet rug cleaner on it. THEN, and this is the tip I learned from our daughter - put paper towels over the cleaner and then something heavy. We usually use a pile of books.
We both always use a cane for walking outside or long distances inside. Just feels safer and my knee replacement still gives me trouble on occasion. My dex scan was very good 3 years ago but I don't want to fall. I'd rather be an "old lady with a cane" than an "old lady with a cast". I even have a cane that has a seat on it. It's heavier than a regular care but great for going somewhere where I know I will have to stand, which for me is harder than walking. I took it when I went to the Woman's March before Covid and it was great. When I got it, I had hopes for more travel but that seems out of reach now.
Our fathers both came back from WWII but we know others who didn't. I was struck by a story on the local news about a woman who was still wearing the MIA bracelet from the Vietnam War.
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Yeah, that is what I do, except I walk on the towel. But letting it sit with a pile of books on it would catch more of the area.
Two guys I knew die in Vietnam. I was "girlfriend" to one, but it was a decidedly odd relationship. I believe we were twelve or thirteen. He gave me a crystal doorknob.
I'll be working on a sewing job today. Done writing. Now people are reviewing. I have been missing my book club meetings. I might unintentionally write something derived from my observations of them.
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My MIL was an Army nurse during WWII. She wanted to go to Europe, but was told she was too thin. She was stationed in San Diego during the war. My Dad was in the Navy stationed in the pacific. FIL was also in the Navy stationed in Pensacola. The greatest generation.
REIKI and then PT this morning. Not sure if I’ll be able to walk outside. It’s supposed to be in the low 90s today. I’ll probably ride the bike or walk on the treadmill.
Have a healthy day.
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My father was a proud Korean vet - Canadian Armed Services. There was a reunion several years ago in S Korea and QEII attended - my parents went - I have some great photos from the ceremony.
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My father served in the Philippines-- Army. He came home early, medical not due to combat. A book was published ten or twenty years ago which was a compilation of local newspaper articles about the war. He was interviewed in one article. I had never known that he was involved in any active battle situations before that. He was a tank driver, made Sergeant.
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Our Memorial Day climaxed with violent storms and the threat of tornados. Very scary in a 5th wheel camper. The owners gave us the option of going to their house if we needed to flee the camper. We were lucky and did not have a tree top land on our roof. Other folks were not so fortunate. Three campers have tree tops on their roofs. About twenty-five feet from us, a large tree top is standing upside down, balanced on its branches. I need to take a photo.
It's cool, windy and not pleasant weather today, according to dh, who has been out and about, checking things out. Also calling and emailing owners.
Apparently the MN storm system made national news. I am grateful that we were fortunate. With the gradual warming of the oceans and the planet, violent weather will become more frequent. I'm more concerned about that than the high price of gasoline.
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All of nature offers lessons on living, free of charge. One morning I noticed a dead tree supporting many living things--fungus, vines, lichen--which taught me that even after death we can continue to support those who live on. Living trees on our property teach other lessons. One tree has grown around a barbed wire fence. Another has grown around a nail, and a third through a chain link fence.
These trees teach me how to accept irritation, absorb the pain and
grow around problems. Nature teaches me how to find my place,
grow toward the sunlight and bypass obstacles. To survive, we must
be able to change in response to whatever is required by the
challenge of the moment. Our bodies know this, but our
minds often rebel when change is necessary.0 -
Just wow -- I am glad you are safe and sound Carole. Sort of awful to go to MN to miss the heat and humidity of LA and then endure a really bad storm. Then again, hopefully that is something that is not going to re-occur. I do agree though that the warming issues of our planet likely means most of us will have weather phenomena to deal with -- no matter where we go to escape. I hope we do some serious work with this. It does seem with a little time bad patterns stabilize -- but I think more often then not we can expect the un-expected. Need to be on guard.
In the meantime nice sun here. Warm today I think. I hope the breeze keeps us as cool as yesterday but I do note -- the a/c has already come on this morning. Not the best sign for sure.
Got to do exercises today -- and try to get back on track. I have fallen down in this area and am going to have to do a re-set on including it on my calendar at least three days a week.
I hope you all have a good day -- and that all have been safe from any storms or heat.
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Love the WWII stories. My Dad served on the USS Enterprise in the Pacific. Ken's father was head of the Army Air Corps Optomology service in England. Neither talked much about their experiences. His father got a Purple Heart and always said it was for falling off a bike. I keep intending to send for the military records but don't think about it at a good time to do it. Ken's grandfather was also a physician in the Army Air Corps during WWI but I don't think he left the states. I have a triple frame of them in their uniforms. Any of you genealogy folks have a good place to start with retrieving the records?
Ken was in the Air Force from 1971-1980 but didn't go to Vietnam. His last assignment was at Andrews AFB. Cardplayer, we were back in Arlington from 1992-97.
Have a good week everyone. Be safe.
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The best place to get a good beginning is Ancestry. I would suggest DNA tests, which will link you up to relatives who have been working at it for a while. Then you can plug into their work. The retirement years seem to encourage such hobbies, but right now I am involved in too many things.
Ancestry tells you how to get military records, but they have many scanned into their data-base. My brother and a cousin got a great-grandfather's records from the Civil War. Our father's records were in St. Louis and were lost because of a fire.
Nexxt time I dive into it, I will want international access to trace my great grandmother's family from Ireland. We now know her parents' names, and her mother's maiden name was Quin, so I have a chance of breaking through the dead end.
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Peaceful sunny morning but cold enough for the heat pump. DH will play golf and I plan to go to the gym and force myself to do the machines in addition to cardio. Our high temperature this afternoon should be in the high 60's.
I need to make a reservation at Boulders restaurant in Walker for dh's birthday dinner. His birthday is June 8 and he will be 83.
I am missing the range of motion and stretching exercises the Senior exercise classes provided. I need to do some of them on my own.
Happy Wednesday to all.
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Carole, I glad you are OK. That sounds very scary. I used to worry about storms in Hurricane season, now you have worry about them in any season.
MC, I enjoy Ancestry. I think I mentioned my brother did a lot of research on the family tree. He enjoyed it and sent me a disc he saved his research to. Now that ancestry.com has advanced, it is so much easier.
Illinoislady, I like the trees thought of the day. With all the new home construction going on down here, they are taking so MANY trees. So sad.
Taco, my brother was in the Vietnam era, but stationed in Utah doing radar assignments. My uncle was in WWII and over seas. He was a doctor. My dad was a farmer and the oldest son, so he did not go. All were conscientious objectors, due to religious beliefs. They assisted, but did not fight.
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Another hot day, in the low 90s again. Tomorrow we'll get thunderstorms, which will cool us off to into the 70s. Our development is relatively new, so not many big trees except in the common area and around the lake. We haven't had any tornadoes since we moved here 4 years ago. In our first house, a tornado took down 4 locus trees. I was home alone, sitting in the dark listening to what sounded like a train go though our yard.
My older brother is into genealogy. All of the family information is stored on Ancestry.com. He's even tackled my husbands family and my SIL family.
Did our morning walk and heading to Costco soon. Enjoy your day.
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Taco: You might want to try FamilySearch.com which is a free version of Ancestry. Then if you cannot locate what you were searching for you could try a trial of Ancestry for free. Considering what I used to spend in time, travel and copying documents at genealogical research sites including Federal ones, the cost of belonging to Ancestry is a bargain. You can do short-term subscriptions to Ancestry and then if you are really in to it, you can extend it at a reduced fee. I recently did a search for my DSIL's mother's family in MS and was able to find several generations back for her. She was pleased since she knew little about the family. I sent her a packet of info I printed out for her to review and digest. Now if my own family was as easy to trace is a wish that is unfulfilled but I keep plugging along.
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Be grateful simply for being alive. When you are grateful for life, pure and simple, your life becomes one you can be grateful for. That may strike you as circular or even backward logic, but your attitude really does have an effect on how things work out. When you can't change your life any other way, you can still change your attitude. When you do, your life changes. You find more chances to love, and you will be surprised to see how much more love is returned to you. -Bernie Siegel
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Cloudy today and I'm not sure what we will have. SIL is making breakfast which smells delightful. I think I might be able to turn this into a productive day, but I'll have to see. I've made a huge start preparing the kitchen for SIL to use. It felt good. Accomplishing things can ( doesn't always work for me ) give you a sense of renewal in your accomplishments. I think my issue with that is that you have to do the same things over and over.
One of my patients that I cared for always talked about having everything in order in the house. Couldn't relax or go to bed unless everything was in order. Boy, would she have had a challenge if she lived here in the forest. Well, I admired her and do try a lot of keep things " in order " but with our animals and four people and lots of comings and goings -- it can be challenging.
Hope you all have a great day.
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1946taco - my dad was also on the USS Enterprise, he was a cook. He said the cooks were the favorites because they could give a guy some extra food, and they ate well. Once in a blue moon he’d cook something at home for us and it was always way more than was needed.
We had temps in the high 80’s, then into the 90’s. Last night it cooled off so it wasn’t unbearable. Todays high might hit 69 but rainy. I was sitting out in the screen house with my newspaper just enjoying being outside and not hot, but I could hear thunder and the sky darkened. So I’m back indoors with windows open, until rain forces me to close them. Strange weather, 93 to 69 in a day.
I have an appt with my orthotic foot Dr. I’m due for new orthotics, which are not covered by insurance and run about $500. I bite the bullet because my feet (and my alignment of my back & hips) feel better when I use them.
It’s raining already, and it looks like evening vs 10:47 AM. Enjoy your day
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My BIL did a lot of research. One relative served in the Civil War but spent most of the time in the hospital with dysentery. His widow had problems getting her allotment because his name was spelled wrong in many places. People still have trouble spelling it right. I know a lot about my mother's side but nothing about my father's. I never lived with him, but was raised by my mother's parents, so I'm only mildly curious.
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