Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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sandy, Pine-Sol is so much better than mold mediation! So glad you discovered the culprit of your worries. Isn't it strange that you decided to call your HK instead of restoration guys! Those kinds of things happen to me all the time and actually reinforces my belief that there is much about this world way beyond our understanding. I truly believe my deceased sister guides me to do things all the time. I can't explain it.
Also, I wouldn't use Otesla or any medication to lose weight. I have had success modifying my diet, not "dieting" that limits food and only leads to cravings and unrealistic expectations. I also exercise more.
Today is sunny and it should be a good day. Snow is predicted north of us in the coming days and I am very happy to just have rain!
reader425, interesting about the Brandywine River Museum. I never heard of it or if I did, it didn't register as something I would want to visit. Now I want to look it up and see how far it is from my home. Sounds like something my DH and I could do together. I love going to Lahaska, Peddler's Village, especially this time of year, to see their gingerbread contest, but it is a "hilly" quaint village replica with cobblestone sidewalks and not conducive to someone needing a cane, which my husband needs to walk. I am actually not sure how well I would do on the uneven surfaces right now.
DS and family got tickets to see the Rose Bowl Game, both DS and DIL are alums of PSU. Now he needs to get clearance from his doctor to fly after having a concussion. I am very worried about that. It is so hard for me to realize my children are grown adults, and very capable! No matter how old they get, I always want to look out for them.
illinoislady, glad to hear you are doing better as well! You are 100% right about patience!
My SD and her husband are coming for a visit on Monday. We haven't seen them since before Covid so we are really looking forward to their visit. They have a dog and asked if they could bring it along. I laughed when my husband told me that because of course I said yes! I love dogs. My SS had come last weekend and helped put up the lights on the house and he brought his dog. I will gladly take all the dog interaction I can get!
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For many years I have not looked forward to the holiday season and experience relief when New Year's Eve is over. There is too much pressure to do certain things on holidays and feel certain emotions. Thanksgiving especially was an ordeal during those years when dh's sister hosted the family gathering. Now she is deceased. I'm sorry her life was cut short but glad I no longer have to endure those endless Thanksgiving days with the meal served on expensive china and the wine poured into crystal glasses and certain foods in traditional family dishes. Afterwards all the china and crystal and silver hand washed and hand dried. Etc. and etc.
One of my favorite Thanksgiving meals was on the island of Maui one year. Dh and I drove to the top of the mountain (whose name escapes me) to see the snow that had fallen during the night. White snow on black lava was quite a contrast. On the way down the mountain we stopped for lunch at a little restaurant and the traditional Thanksgiving meal was on the menu. Another favorite meal was in New Lenox, south of Chicago, at dh's nephew's home. He hired a chef to come to his house and served the Thanksgiving meal. I guess I get tired of same old same old and welcome something new and different.
Christmas has mostly been with my family and at least no long travel was/is required. Now that my parents are dead, my siblings no longer feel obligated to attend a gathering. If dh and I had children and grandchildren, I would perhaps have a different attitude toward holidays.
This morning it is not sunny outside yet. I intend to do some yard work that will also provide exercise/movement.
Hope everyone finds some enjoyment in the day.
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Sorry for the mix up on the drug Sandy.. Sorry HK DH is having medical issues.
I was a bit overweight before my BC treatment. I wasn’t diligent about exercising. I lost 30+ pounds during treatment and have managed to keep it off. I usually exercise every day (when my back isn’t giving me fits)..DH and I like to take walks and usually do around 2 miles.
As kids, we had the family over to celebrate my Dad and my birthday. My Dad always had Christmas Day off since he worked retail. Our birthdays are both in late December, so we’d celebrate together. We use to have big family celebrations with my in-laws. I’m looking forward to this holiday. DD, SIL and GD and coming over to share a meal and open gifts. DS and DIL will be in Morocco.
It’s a drizzly day and cold. Been doing laundry and am riding the bike and typing this on my iPhone. Please forgive typos.
Hope everyone is having a splendid day.
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You cannot fail at being yourself. A cat doesn't try to be a tiger, and you shouldn't try to be something you aren't. You are a process, not a product. Your job is to discover what you are and create that creature. You still won't be perfect, but success isn't about perfection--it is about authenticity. You are a success if you are being your real, authentic self. -Bernie Siegel
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It has been raining -- at some point, but not just now. I do think more is on the way. We in fact have it in the forecast for the next few days. The upside is that it will stay moderately warmer. Once the rain goes, I think it will go back to fairly chilly days only tolerable if there is a nice sun to break up the sensation that that lingers with any chill and cold.
Will be going a bit later to Walmart because of course there are forgotten items. Mainly a bag of potatoes and I Can't Believe Its Not Butter. I switch back and forth using real butter for certain things.
I wish you all a wonderful Saturday free of distress.
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reader, Brandywine River reminds me of Lord of the Rings. My great grandfather was pubkeeper for the Green Dragon in Bristol England way back when.
I called my brother and daughter yesterday and had very good conversations. They are being very diligent about all the tests my brother is going through with a possibly cancerous condition. He is a very lean bicyclist and described the agony of getting a mammogram. I think one of his best friends died from male breast cancer, so he is very aware.
My bike battery was giving me fits, so I decided to make a blanket for it. Gets cantankerous waiting for me to be done at the gym. I then have to go easy on it until I have it warmed up.
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Mary, you mentioned the Green Dragon in England and it made me think of a farmers market in Lancaster County PA called the Green Dragon. I was born in Lancaster County and when I did genetic tests on Ancestry.com I found that I was almost half English! My siblings and I were always were told we were German and Swiss, which is true but the English, Irish part was a surprise! I am curious about the name Green Dragon and its origins. Maybe no connection at all. I have been to Europe but never to England. I never saw Lord of the Rings
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German and Swiss for that area is par. Maybe an adoption or other irregularity?
You need to read the "The Hobbit" and "LotR". You will live it for a week. Perfect distraction from the current problem. The prequel, written by others, is available on Amazon Prime. His prequel is available in the Silmarillion. As far as I could remember, the Amazon Prime prequel is consistent with the Silmarillion (would you believe that there is no squiggly line under that??!).
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Woke up to the rumble of thunder this morning. The promised rain fell and has stopped. Now it's dark outside. Hoping the weather will improve by early afternoon when we're going to a Christmas concert with another couple and afterwards to an early dinner at a restaurant not too far from the church where the concert is held. This event is so popular that we're going early to get a seat.
Hope everyone has a good Sunday.
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Mary, my ancestry goes back pre-Revolutionary War, so I wondered if maybe there is a British soldier in my ancestry? I know it comes from my maternal grandmother's side of the family.
Carole, awesome about the Concert and dinner! Enjoy! I still mask when I am out. Thought I would be way past worry of Covid and Flu but when breast cancer struck again I was too worried about having a delay in surgery. Now I just want to remain Covid/Flu free until after my next surgery which I think will be the end of Feb or early March. My DH's daughter and husband are visiting on Monday and staying for "take out" dinner. I was planning to mask, but unless either one showed cold symptoms, which I am sure they wouldn't come with, I won't. DH & I are vaccinated for both as much as recommended, I need to relax about that. I hear people going out and doing normal things again and wonder why I am still so worried. Just the thought of going to a concert and having dinner at a restaurant seems wonderful to me! Thanks for sharing, it made me smile! Oh, and I expect to read a review of your evening!
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Hard to tell. Generally, English people were the primary immigrants to what became the US, other than those who came through William Penn's generosity and the French around the Great Lakes and Louisiana, and the Dutch of New York. So your English DNA is no surprise at all.
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I took notes…Betrayal, great that Regan will continue training while you’re on vacation. The howling animal and DH sleeping through it, my partner can sleep though a smoke alarm, I think it’s a man thing.
MCBaker, I’d avoid biking in snow too. A battery cover sounds good, as long as it won’t catch fire. I know nothing about electric bike batteries. Prayers for your brother.
Cardplayer, off label use of drugs, you’ve got a good Q. If I were abusing a drug, it would be highly unlikely that I’d report any side effects, even weight loss. Maybe it’s just prescribed doses and the patient or Dr notices the weight loss association.
Jackie, some years are harder than others. So much has changed over the years, I try not to dwell in the past. But some days it rises to the surface without my permission.
Mavericksmom, years ago, but one doesn’t forget it, my Dalmatian and I both had giardia. I had shared my left over Chinese, he got what I couldn’t finish on my plate. He had results from testing before I did. I lost a lot of weight quickly. It was easily fixed for both of us. But I still don’t eat the “sprouts” in any Chinese dish.
1946taco, poinsettia always brightens up the room. I pot an amaryllis each year. In fact last year after it had done its cycle, I put it outside in FL. It seems to have made it through hurricane Ian and is growing, but unsure if it will bloom. The indoor new bulb is in full bud but no sign of blooming yet. I grab them in NY at Ocean State Job Lot for $5 on sale. It always brightens my room and my mood too. We laugh as it’s one of the items that has to be brought inside the hotels as we travel. Big canvas tote full of things we don’t want to freeze. I just happen to have the box on the bottom covered with toiletries.
Sandy, PineSol is such a strong smell. Funny story about it - my sister & a gf stay at home moms (1990’s) with 4 young kids between them, would wipe a counter down before her husband got home. She said after a day running around after 2 boy playing, roughhousing and normal daily life there were many days she couldn’t spend cleaning all day. So she’d wipe the counter down, husband would walk in and say “you must have cleaned all day” and she’d just give him a look, well yeah.
Carolehalston for you.
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"Prayers for your brother." Thank you Cindy. I got home from church and the charger had been disconnected from the electricity.
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The tapestry of life continues to be woven. Occasionally a chance arises to repair an older, tattered piece of the weave. Something happens to jolt our awareness back in time to an event that resulted in tears and rips. With new, more mature vision, we see the circumstances in present time and have compassion for the unclear events of the past. While the new experience is being woven into the design, the old rip is simultaneously being repaired. All is well. -Bessie Senette
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Hmmm, in our families here there is German, Swiss, Indian, Dutch, and a few other assorteds -- real Heinz 57 going on. For this reason, I gave up trying to keep up long ago. I just roll with the fact that I'm a part of the human race, and they are a part of me. If I learn something along the way that is nice but doesn't change the human race aspect.
Gray out today. Hasn't rained and likely won't, but if the rain is all gone which it may not be it will tend to get colder. Sure, doesn't feel like the x-mas holiday is so close. We have no plans, but we didn't on Thanksgiving either and I'm fine with that. I do have a few more cards to do, but that is about it. I went to Walmart and found a pair of glasses I could like really well so that will be a present to myself. I was able to get a free pair from the V.A. Very appreciative about that and grateful but it will be a spare pair. At our V.A. they don't have much of a selection at all -- all pretty drab and lackluster. No bling at all and I generally need a tiny little something even if it isn't much. It is a shame because they are free to me -- so I'm hating it, but there are some things I'm just really solid about and this is one of them.
Dh has made a call about a dog, but I'm really feeling un-certain. It is a little 6 mo. old female miniature poodle. She is black. The people/person is asking $100.00 for her. A tip-off right there but not a complete disqualifier. I need to know a lot more. I'm not inclined to tell the truth if it be known. I was hoping for an older dog and while I don't have anything against poodles in general, I was thinking along the lines of a slightly larger dog. This poodle will never be more than 5 to maybe 7lbs. and I was thinking 10 to 14 would be a better size for us. Minda (our miniature pinscher mix) should be 12 to 15 #'s but is a tad overweight. We do want someone else for Minda but since we waited for a bit, I'm not feeling rushed at all. Also, Dh said he found this little one on Craig's list and hate to say it, but I'm a mite leery about Craig's list. Heard a lot of negative stories. I'm sure there are good things there too, but I tend to generally think the best of everyone until they prove me wrong. Not sure I want to find out the hard way with an animal. There are lots needing a home, that's for sure.
I hope you all have a really good Sunday.
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Mary - sending healing vibes to your brother.
Carole - enjoy the concert and dinner tonight.
I use to put poinsettias in our front windows and get an amaryllis around Thanksgiving to bloom in time for Christmas, but haven’t since we got the cats. So far they’ve killed two orchids, a philodendron ivy, and are working on an aloe plant. Since poinsettias are poisonous I didn’t want to chance it. They like to chew on things. I have one cat who has taken all of the rubber tips off the door stoppers bumpers. I found most of them.
I have ancestors that fought in the civil war. I think he must have enlisted in the 15th regiment in Ohio right after he emigrated from Germany. Most of my parent’s families came from Germany, all before WWI. I had no ancestors killed in the holocaust thankfully. DH has Mothers ancestors who came over from Scotland in 1663. The landed in Massachusetts.
Spent some time preparing gift bags for a get together with some of the ladies in the neighborhood. There are 7 of us who meet monthly. I made some essential oil roller ons (Energy blend) and had some ornaments made for the gifts. We text every day, which is nice. Keeping up with what’s going on with everyone.
It’s been raining off and on here today. We expect flurries later this week. Hope everyone is enjoying their day
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Haven't done my DNA (don't know why I am reluctant to do it) but know from my research that I'm mainly English. While I have never filed the paperwork, I am eligible for both the Mayflower and the Jamestown Societies. My most recent immigrant arrived from Ireland sometime before 1857 when she married. I know Margaret Ward was born in Dublin in 1823 but can't trace her from there. The rest came much earlier. Mom's side mainly came through Boston, many with the Winthrop Fleet in 1630. There are two lines which were Dutch who settled in New Amsterdam. One was an early explorer on the Hudson River. The Dutch lines went to Canada after the Revolution (most claimed Loyalist land) but returned to the states in the 1840-1850's. Dad's family were early Virginia settlers. Many of them claimed bounty land in Kentucky after the Revolution. The rest went further south before they headed into Texas.
Even though I love genealogy as a hobby, I agree with Jackie that we need to think of ourselves as part of the human race rather than by religion or ethnic origin.
Unusually social week for us. Two Christmas parties and our weekly dinner with friends. My English friend has also invited us to a Boxing Day Brunch. Finished my shopping on Amazon tonight.
Crazy weather is expected for us as well as many of you. Stay safe and try to do what gives you joy.
Marge
aka. Taco
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23&Me says I'm 99.4% Ashkenazi Jewish and 0.3% each Scandinavian, Iberian and southern Balkan. Bob didn't take an admixture test, but we know he's 1/4 Scots, 1/8 Italian Swiss, 1/8 Peruvian on his dad's side; and 1/4 ea. German & Hungarian on his mom's. I didn't lose any direct ancestors in the Holocaust, though a couple of my dad's second cousins survived the camps and a third cousin died in one. Therefore, Gordy is truly a Heinz 57. (Lesiie is Scots-Irish, so if they have kids they'll have to produce a pie chart to describe their ancestry),
HK called tonight--the neighbor who takes her DH to dialysis is sick (didn't say with what), so she won't be in tomorrow. It's been a rough weekend with Happy--he vomited twice yesterday and once today...but in his nylon play "tunnel." Not easy to clean it. He's getting mats on his L flank because his arthritis won't let him get back there to groom it. (When he was younger & obese--15 lbs. at his heaviest, his bulk prevented him from grooming his back, so he had mats then too--but a lot thicker fur). I doubt he's much more than 9 lbs. now. Think I'll give him a prednisolone pill tomorrow, to make him feel better, settle his stomach and absorb more nutrients. (He'd been on it daily, then after improving & gaining a little weight went to every other day; but when he was switched to every third day his gut got worse so we had to go back to every other day--which has started to affect his kidneys. At 15-1/2, he's the equivalent of 78 in human years). He rejected his kidney-diet kibble & wet food in favor of "normal" food--so I figure it's best to let him have whatever little pleasure he can. IBD can turn into lymphoma too--no masses yet, though.
If that means feeling better but for a shorter lifespan, so be it. I know age-related kidney disease in male cats is irreversible--we've been there twice before. I dread the day we'll have to attempt sub-cu hydration. We tried it on Pickles (at 17), and the water came out his pores. We were able to keep Matthew alive from age 16-19, but he had a temporary spinal stroke at one point. And Gordy still lived with us, and his (then) girlfriend helped administer the saline. Happy can't even tolerate having his mats brushed--no way he'd be able to handle a needle between his shoulder blades for half an hour every other day.
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I too love the genealogy as a hobby and find it tremendously fascinating. I don't care what a person's heredity is, I agree, we are all part of the human race and it's our character, who we are, that matters!
Sandy, so sorry to hear all your cat's problems. Pets give us so much love and fulfill our lives, but it doesn't make their aging or passing any easier. One of the reasons I can't bring myself to get another dog is because our beloved lab and our little mixed breed rescue dog, left such a great hole in our hearts and was extremely hard to deal with their passing. I can't imagine going through that again! I hope that Happy feels better soon! Poor kitty!
Sun is out again today, not sure for how long. I had a long phone conversation with my DS yesterday. I miss him and his family terribly and wish they lived closer! I can't believe I will return to work on Wednesday! Part of me is looking forward to going back, part of me is terrified wondering how I am going to have the energy to work 7 classes, most of which I will be standing, with only a half hour lunch break? We do what we have to do, so I just have to take it as best as I can!
Enjoy the day, everyone!
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Marge, one N. A. Dutchie to another. Goedemorgen!! They married among themselves with few exceptions for generations.
I have my English grandfather, and my German great grandfather (who fought in the Civil War), and my Irish great grandmother as recent ancestors. So on Mom's side she was half old line and half new, on Dad's side he was 3/4 new line and 1/4 old line.
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One of dh's relatives did a lot of family tree research some years ago. She sent information and even photos to everyone in the family. We have everything in a file. My maiden name is unusual. Stanga. I always assumed it was a foreign name that was changed. I used to look in phone books when we travelled to see if the name was listed. My brother Gary did one of the ancestry searches and discovered the name in Italy. I guessed that our ancestry was German. DH is English (father) and Dutch (mother).
Nothing to report on the concert and dinner out because it didn't happen. DH started feeling bad yesterday so we cancelled. He still isn't feeling good this morning so I'm urging him to stay inside and rest. He's prone to pushing himself. On Saturday he attended a woodturners club meeting and may well have picked up a virus someone was sharing.
Mary, someone unplugged the battery charger?
I definitely have to exercise today. Either the senior class at the gym or my own workout, also at the gym. My BP is always good after exercise. I have become much too sedentary.
Hope everyone has a good Monday.
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My older brother is the keeper of the family tree. It’s setup in ancestry.com. He’s even set DH family. It’s quite extensive. He’s searched through census records for to find relatives. Even recorded some of the elderly relatives before they passed to get information about family. Some very interesting stories.
My back is feeling somewhat better, so I was able to do some light cleaning this morning. Riding the recumbent bike and will do my stretching exercises after.
It’s a cool day, very overcast. Winter is definitely here. Hope everyone has a good fay
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Who is rich? Those who rejoice in their portion. -Benjamin Franklin
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We are having a bit of sun today. Not warm, but not super cold either. I think we do still have some rain coming and so we shouldn't get as 'frosty' as we otherwise might. I am mainly doing catch-up today. The last few days have been busy with needed shopping or going to Marion and trying to keep up with other small chores in between. I have a few more cards to do. That was one of the things I thought I'd get done early this yr. but didn't happen.
Back to hearing a bit better. I will still have to go see what is going on I think. Seems like something has actually changed as I NEVER had that sort of problem before with excessive wax in either ear. Glad that is seems like something I can schedule when its maybe easier for me. I will be going on Thurs. this week to have my scope done. I will be awake. Not sure how that is going to go since I've never had the dye injection while awake. I really prefer being asleep, but I do agree skipping it is likely better at my age. I will be glad to have it over with. Also, nice to get up and going a bit sooner after it is done.
Hope you are all going to have a good Monday. Hoping those on the west coast are not having it toooo bad but they do sound like they have some real storm issues to deal with. If you live there or anywhere in-between, I'm thinking of you and hoping you are safe and as comfortable as you can be.
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Not sure Carole. The charger was plugged into a power strip. I think the plug for that got pulled a bit out of the wall outlet. I moved things around a bit, so it will be a bit more reliable, as well as being able to see the green and red lights on the charger.
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I started doing genealogy when I was first DXed 22 years ago..then I found quite of few ancestors in the Revolutionary War, then kept going to the fifth century...but during Covid I wanted to document my ancestors on the Mayflower, so I spent almost the whole time getting all the documents. Then last year it was approved, finally. I really did it for my Mom who was 100 and lived in a retirement place called the Mayflower and she wanted to say she was a descendant. She died two years later this past Septiember at 102. Mission Accomplished!!
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Oh lisa, how absolutely wonderful that you were able to find out about your Mayflower ancestors prior to your mom's passing!
illinoislady, wishing you the best for your scope on Thursday!
This will likely be my last post for a while, since I will be returning to work tomorrow and expect to be totally exhausted once I am home! I am nervous, I can't remember the student's names and will need to write them down for every class I go to. Friday is a big Science test, but thankfully my degree is in Science and I know the curriculum inside and out so the challenge will be keeping my energy level up and not test content. I take students out for small group testing. Next week is typically also a testing week, because the holiday break will start on the 23, so they want all the tests done prior to break, which makes total sense, because then the students can enjoy their holiday break!
My SD and husband visited yesterday and had dinner with us (take out) and we had a wonderful time! She is a nurse, he works from home. Both have been vaccinated for Covid and flu, so I opted not to wear a mask. No one was coughing or sneezing! I went out to pick up dinner, the place we go to had plastic partitions dividing staff from customers. I realized I forgot my mask in the car, then saw that they took down all the Covid prevention plastic dividers! I was going to go back out and get my mask when the girl asked if she could help me. It wasn't crowded but I heard someone cough and I am now praying I didn't make a huge mistake! All this time I have avoided both Covid and the flu, it would be my luck to get sick just as I return to work, where I will definitely mask! Working in a school is working in a germ factory! Time will tell!
They brought their dog, a large golden-doodle. She is only a year and a half but was so well behaved! I got my "puppy fix!" She just made their visit that much better!
The sun is out, shining so bright, it's going to be a great day! Have a great week everyone!
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Cindy, I am so glad Naples is coming back and wasn't a total disaster. It sounds beautiful.
Betrayal, I was thinking when Miss Felix (my 25 year old cat) goes over the rainbow bridge, that I would consider a rescue dog. I was looking at Cocker Spaniel Rescue and there was a beautiful little dog that had never been out of the crate. She was not potty trained, socialized, didn't follow any commands, and could not walk on a leash. I think that would be too much for me, but will keep checking for a rescue.
As far as ancestry, my mother's side was Welch and my father's side German. We always though we were German Dutch on his side, but when we did DNA, those is not even 1% Dutch. DH though the same on his family and again not 1% Dutch. The big surprise he is 67% Russian, German and Filipino.
Christmas Eve the entire family is coming to our house for Dinner. I am doing a standing rib roast for 10. Wish me luck. The biggest I have cooked was a 4 rib, this should be a 5 or 6 rib.
My fingers are not working well today, so I am signing off, even though I have not commented on everything.
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All that we are is the result of what we have thought; it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a person speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him or her like a shadow that never leaves. -the Buddha
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Oh my -- it's gray and dreary looking out. Likely on the cool side. I do think though we could get some rain. It's in the forecast --so won't get too cold. Have a trip to the post office to get some stamps. Used all ours up on the Xmas cards. Glad they are done though.
Maverick, I hope you will at least look in your pm's. I will send along a couple to you while you get your bearings going back to work. It will be a challenge, but there is a good feeling in meeting it and getting over the top. Just think !! You will re retired soon although you already know that no one really retires. They maybe do part time work, or just a lot of work they get to do un-paid save for its being on your schedule and not matched up to the five day week you are working when it gets done. That is very different. I don't always get it all done because I DON'T have to schedule it in the little chunks of time left over from working 8 hrs. a day.
Nothing big planned. That is one of the nice beauties of retirement. I would in fact still be working part time, but finally GOT that nature in the form of health issues has decided if I'll work or not and I have learned to be happy. It is a choice to work up and into.
I hope you all have a really good day.
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