Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

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  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited July 2022

    Agreed, Jackie. When dogs want to play, both (or all) must be free of leashes and tie-outs. Can precipitate anger, particularly when the leashes get tangled. Tippy escaped out the door a short while ago. I heard barking from the area where he had run. I called for him, then used vibrate, then shock. He came home running and got a treat.



  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited July 2022

    Remote training collars are fantastic. In the early days people seeing them get used thought the dog was actually getting a shock. It isn't a shock so much as an un-pleasant high pitched buzzing that is felt rather than producing noise. I had the collar on my wrist and that is what I felt. It was annoying - and the dog knows to "find" and pay attention to the desires of the alpha which is you or in that case me. When I first began training my dog I had a pronged metal collar. Trouble was -- I had, had a stroke and you needed to react instantly and I didn't have my coordination good enough. So we switched to the shock collar which was far better for me. Just pressing one button was easier than trying to give a sharp jerk on the metal collar while giving sommands. Thank goodness I had a wonderfull great natured golden retriever who was execeptionally smart. He made it easier on both of us.

    ETA: Got to Kroger's to find that the corn was on sale 1o bags for $10.00 -- making it a $1.00 a bag. I came home with 10 instead of the 5 I likely would have bought. If I would have had more room I would have gotten at least anouther 10. The only otther corn I have found that was good like that was Libby's sweet corn in a can. Now it has too much salt for me which makes Kroger's frozen just the thing for me.

  • petite1
    petite1 Member Posts: 2,292
    edited July 2022

    taco, That was during COVID and it was shut down. I haven't tried recently, too hot. They probably would not like it if there were golfers using the grounds. It was a nice place to walk. (sigh)

    illinoislady, That was a good buy. I find shopping frustrating with the prices going up, but when you see a good buy, buy it.

  • cardplayer
    cardplayer Member Posts: 2,051
    edited July 2022

    image

    I think this is what I have planned for today. I'll listen to my audiobook - The Overstory, read the paper, pet the cats and relax. Hope you have a wonderful Saturday.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited July 2022

    When I dare to be powerful--to use my strength in the service of my
    vision--then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.

    Audre Lorde

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited July 2022

    Good Morning. We stated out with a big thunderstorm, but it seems to have settled down now. Don't know what it will do the rest of the day. There is a little street fiar down-town. I assume it will still open. Not due until 10 a.m. The sun has been out a little atthough it has turned a bit overcast again. We will have to see. I have no set plans other than breakfast. Was going to get into my little storage shed as some of my family could use a lot of my stored items. Hate to admit -- it has all been in my little shed loft for about ten yrs. now. I don't even recall all of what's there -- but a good time to seriously thin out my collection.

    I do have some furniture items as well, so I think I can make a serious dent for them as to furnishing their first rented house. I'm just glad that someone came along ' in need ' because who knows how many more yrs. might have passed before I got around to anything outside. I've had so many slow-downs just inside -- but as long as I'm doing something, it doesn't make a huge difference to me where the thinning takes place. In fact, if I do the shed -- more from inside can maybe find a spot outside. Just hope that I'm better at exchanging it out from time to time. You know you have stored things a bit on the long side when you don't know what you have. I full well expect to not recognize things out thers as mine. I had some of that issue when they got stored up in the loft -- likely will be much worse ( more extensive ) now.

    Looking for a good day no matter what I do -- or don't.

  • cindyny
    cindyny Member Posts: 1,320
    edited July 2022

    Our weather was perfect today. We drove over to the Clark museum for a family day event. We got in to see the Rodin exposition, very informative and enjoyable. We didn't realize there was another expo opening today on Mexican art, like day of the dead symbols. Just another reason to return.

    Tomorrow it looks like a similar day but warmer temperatures. Rain is being called for on Monday. I know we need it but I don't want it. Our back lawn is near dead, no need to mow. I water my plants at least every other day, and check two bird baths. I've seen a lot of birds using them, and even some bees.

    Hopeyou all have a great weekend.

  • cardplayer
    cardplayer Member Posts: 2,051
    edited July 2022

    Heading to the grocery store shortly. Our typical Sunday routine. I plan to make soup for my dinner - butternut squash/ sweet potato. DH will have salad for dinner. Will also make a spaghetti squash that I can eat for the week.

    We expect thunderstorms this afternoon. Been raining off and on the last couple of days. My hydrangeas are finally blooming and enjoying the rain.

    Enjoy your Sunday

  • keywestfan
    keywestfan Member Posts: 367
    edited July 2022

    Cardplayer, thank you. I’ve got an appointment with a hip surgeon on the 28th and with a second surgeon on August 16. I think a question about doing the surgery will be my age-88- and a blood clotting problem. I know so little about this surgery. Am on Facebook Hip Surgery Pages- scary when people say they are still on a walker after six months. Two friends have told me the most important thing is to have an anterior replacement, that the posterior one more frequently dislocates. Wish I knew what I was doing

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited July 2022

    The simplification of life is one of the steps to inner peace. A
    persistent simplification will create an inner and outer well-being
    that places harmony in one's life. For me this began with the
    discovery of the meaninglessness of possessions beyond
    my actual and immediate needs.

    Peace Pilgrim

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited July 2022

    Keywest, I hope you are able to find satisfactory answers. Always a little worrisome to have surgury when you are a bit older. So, still lots of considerations even when you get more answers. A balancing act between trying to diminish disabilities including pain while maintaining health. It is hard to know just what to choose. I'll be hoping your Dr.'s visits help you on your way to figuring out the best plan of action for you.

  • cardplayer
    cardplayer Member Posts: 2,051
    edited July 2022

    keywestfan - your surgeon and PT will tell you you, post surgery best thing is to get up and walk. Even if it’s a few steps with the walker around. They may even have you do PT before surgery to get you prepared. I wore compression socks for 3 weeks and took 81mg aspirin twice a day for a month. They may have you do something different if you have blood clot issues. I found Facebook groups to be scary - mostly complaints and rarely success stories. Will be thinking of you as you go through appointments and surgery. Please keep us posted.

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited July 2022

    My 95-year-old aunt just had gall bladder surgery, which discovered some other problems, She is not doing well. Will be going to a nursing home for rehab. As ah headstrong retired nurse, I imagine she will be a handful, but what she has needed for a long time.

    Well, my leg has started hurting again. I already have an appointment with my ortho. Evidently, he knew just how long the shot would last. I slept poorly last night The sleep deficit was just too severe to go to church this morning.

    We took a walk earlier, but it was just too hot to enjoy. I had not been watching hydration, and it took too much out of me. At one point, I laid down on the grass under a tree. Tippy's behavior has improved immensely. I think he loves me so much, to plop down in the grass under a tree, as an invitation to rest. That is my belief, and I will stick to it, so long as his behavioral turn-around lasts.

  • cardplayer
    cardplayer Member Posts: 2,051
    edited July 2022

    Sorry you’re having leg pain Mary. Glad you have an appointment to see your orthopedic doctor. I hope you’re able to get a good nights rest and feel better.

    Sorry to hear about your Aunt. I hope she cooperates and recovers quickly. We had the same issue with my MIL, also a retired nurse when she broke her hip and was in a rehab facility. She didn’t like the food, didn’t like having a roommate, wasn’t a cooperative patient. It made her recovery take longer.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited July 2022

    See the source image

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited July 2022

    As a young doctor, I thought that serving life was a thing of drama and action and split-second judgment calls. A question of going sleepless and riding in ambulances and outwitting the angel of death. A role open only to those who have prepared themselves for years. Service was larger than ordinary life, and those who served were larger than life also. But I know now that this is only the least part of the nature of service. That service is small and quiet and everywhere. That far more often we serve by who we are and not what we know. And everyone serves whether they know it or not.

    We bless the life around us far more than we realize. Many simple, ordinary
    things that we do can affect those around us in profound ways: the unexpected
    phone call, the brief touch, the willingness to listen generously, the warm smile
    or wink of recognition. All it may take to restore someone's trust in life may be
    returning a lost earring or a dropped glove.



    Rachel Naomi Remen

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited July 2022

    Think we will get a day today with no rain. We won't get major heat but we will have the humidity from a really overnight rain as well as all day rain yesterday. At least our ground has moisture. We are I think going to have to now cut back on mowing. We should have put out grass seed this yr. but everyone was busy and it didn't get done. Lots of bare patches and they needd filling in. We could do it later -- we'll see.

    Nothing much going on today. Need to pay some bills and catch up with some house work I meant to do yesterday -- but that all day rain made me lazy. I just couldn't seem to hold onto my inspiration long enough to make a decent start. I did get some laundry done so it wasn't a total ( don't mind the slight pun ) wash out.

    Hope you all have a good day.

  • cardplayer
    cardplayer Member Posts: 2,051
    edited July 2022

    We’re expecting thunderstorms again this afternoon. Glad we got our walk in this morning.

    I’ve been having some jaw pain, so I made an appointment with a dentist in town that does TMJ evaluations. I know if I mention it to my neurologist, he’ll want to increase my medication I’m taking for my facial numbness. My current dentist made me a mouth guard, but it’s not comfortable and he’s not able to smooth it any more without replacing it, which we’ve already done twice.

    I hope everyone is feeling good and has a healthy day

  • betrayal
    betrayal Member Posts: 3,167
    edited July 2022

    Mary, I hope you get some relief from your leg pain. I seem to be getting some relief after the Orthovisc injections and use Voltaren gel as needed. It doesn't help that I am doing a lot of digging in the yard. Your bonding with Tippy is enjoyable to read. I think he does love you and the fact that he rested with you is a good sign.

    We had a lot of pavers and natural stone leftover from our contractor projects. I decided that the area we had the fire pit in needed to be addressed since it consisted of this metal fire pit sitting on some blocks and 2 old chairs from a former patio set (table and 2 chairs destroyed by tree falling over 15 years ago) sitting on the lawn. DH was making noises about where to store extra supplies so I hatched an idea to make a larger area using the materials we had. He is reluctantly participatingSad. The side yard slopes so we will have to level the area first and started on that. DD and DSIL assisted yesterday with excavation and leveling. We need more fill dirt before we can lay patio underlayment. Today I trenched area where the natural stone wall will be. It is at the lower end of the slope and will need to be about 2 feet high to be just above level with the pavers when installed. I did get 3 levels done today. The wall has to be almost finished before we can backfill for leveling. DH says my wall building skills are really good and he will send me to Ireland to perfect it. Seems he has forgotten that my roots are Irish so it is in my DNA. Today was brutal and my clothes were soaked when I called it quits for the day.

    Decided to help DS and DD identify the real breed of their dogs as well as mine. She has the appearance of a Dalmatian though she is tiny and we suspect she is mixed. She is a rescue so no background known other than she came from a kill shelter. Personality wise she is a Dalmatian. DS has a dog that has characteristics of a yellow lab but he is short and has 4 dewclaws. He's a very gentle dog but now having hip issues. DD's dog is supposedly a Carolina dog weighing in around 90 lb and very protective of her. He doesn't much like people outside his circle and we don't touch her when she is holding him. He will protect her. He likes me but he's too big for me to control when he lunges. He has already knocked me off my feet with the tie out chain we have.

    We are expecting thunderstorms tonight but they have been saying that for nearly a week. We did get a few showers but nothing much in the way of helpful rain. I have been watering plants nearly daily so expect water bill to be punishing. Have a good day and stay safe.

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited July 2022

    Yes, you are doing a lot of digging in the yard.

    This morning we rode to the park area behind the pool. I took him out of the basket and let him run around and play. I called him back several times, and he responded each time. I told him it was time to go home. He disagreed with my attempt to put him back in the basket, so ran alongside me all the way home. Then I remembered that it was a bean-picking day. I got the basket of gardening stuff, and again had a fine time. He had his shelter from the sun, but also laid down close to me as I worked.

    I wrote an enthusiastic review on Amazon for the remote. It was worth it just for the freedom from fear of falling.

    Nothing scheduled, so I am sewing today. Pants with this idea. Just saw the price-- Aus $ are valued lower than US $, but, still---

    No photo description available.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited July 2022

    Love the pants, Mary. Very atttractive. Glad you are able to work with the remote collar so well. It is nice to have a dog that will "mind" you w/o the need of a leash for reinforcement or just plain winning the tug of wills.

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 8,192
    edited July 2022

    We had showers of gentle rain during the night. The roof of the camper isn't that far above our heads when we're in bed so I woke up each time the raindrops started to fall. It's overcast this morning and is supposed to be a bit cooler today, though still hot.

    We were inside yesterday afternoon watching the Tour de France bicycling on tv and the commentator kept dwelling on how hot the temperature was, 93. The bicycle riders kept pouring water down their backs.

    I haven't decided whether I will play 9 holes for practice today, as I often do on Tuesdays.

    Wishing everyone a good day.

  • cardplayer
    cardplayer Member Posts: 2,051
    edited July 2022

    Nice pants Mary. I end up wearing sweat pants around the house and khakis or jeans when I go out. Those look comfy for this heat.

    Took a walk this morning. Tried to beat the heat, but didn't. Another hot day here, but no thunderstorms. Which is good. We're finally getting the sides around our deck painted. We have Trex for the deck and stairs but wood for the sides. They're painting it white. Glad to get it done. We've been in our home 4 years.

    Enjoy your day.

  • petite1
    petite1 Member Posts: 2,292
    edited July 2022

    I woke up Sunday with a sore throat and cough, then a runny nose on Monday. I had a COVID test done and it was negative. I have a nasty cold. I haven't had one since I retired. I am taking it easy, no walks and no exercise video. Heading back to bed for a little nap.

  • mcbaker
    mcbaker Member Posts: 1,833
    edited July 2022

    Today I am wearing wide-leg elastic waist shorts, just below the knee. Clingy longer shorts and jeans bother my knee. I'll have to post the current project when I finish it. Remember I will be taking all these items to a crafts fair, with an agenda of selling them or contracting to sew similar ones from customer-purchased saris.


    I am experimenting with kava for my sleep problems. My "supplier" apparently is doing blind trials with various formulations (which I suggested, expressing frustration with placebo effect). Last night I think I made up for a deficit of REM sleep. It will be an investment for a six-week supply, and I don't want to waste money.

    Talking about investments, I won an auction for ten yards of fabric at $36 yesterday. I can make pillowcases out of one, and pants and maybe a matching kaftan out of the other.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited July 2022

    Do not compare yourself with anybody. Compare yourself with
    yourself, for yourself and by yourself. We are all uniquely
    pottered and purposed by our creator!

    Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha

  • mistyeyes
    mistyeyes Member Posts: 581
    edited July 2022

    I don't often post, but am so behind in reading I am a little lost. I just wanted to say I can't wait to see the pants you are making mcbaker, they look so comfortable and stylish.

    I hope all are doing well in whatever weather they are having. I live in the same area as petite, and it has been hot with short thunderstorms off and on the last few days.

    Inner peace to all.

  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 8,192
    edited July 2022

    I admire your energy and initiative, Mary. I bought knit shorts from an online women's clothing company several years ago and the shorts have become my favorite for the summer. They are pull on and have a flat elastic waist. They're comfortable and there's no bulk at the waist. I pair them with loose blouses, mostly knit. I just thought of the company, Appleseed. The price is reasonable and shipping free with orders of a certain combined price.

    For golf I wear similar shorts but the fabric isn't knit. The only zip front pants I wear are jeans. With age comfort becomes more important than stylish. You couldn't pay me to wear skinny leg pants. Unless the pay was a lot! LOL.

    My legs don't look good because of the age spots. I had nice skin when I was younger but genetics spoiled that.

    It's supposed to be in the 70's today but windy. DH has gone to play golf and I plan to go to the gym and to Walmart's afterwards for a few nonfood items.

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited July 2022

    Measure wealth not by the things which you have, but by
    the things you have for which you would not take money.

    anonymous

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Member Posts: 39,609
    edited July 2022

    Carole, I am in such agrement with what you said. I could never visualize well what I would look like or feel like as an 'ahem' mature adult. I've been there now for a number of years. One of the most memorable and outstanding days of my life came when I got my first pr. of jeans that had an elastic waist and were not body hugging. I seldom even purchase anything that doesn't now have an elastic waist. And shoes -- oh what a great day when I got my "old lady" shoes. Never looked back on on that one either.

    It is safer and far more comfy to 'be' my age clothing wise, and it is great freedom to appreciate not having to be a slave to 'style' anymore. I have crete paper skin and I'm not all all fazed. Never thought I'd look forward to it, but now that it's here -- it is really okay.