Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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My visit to the dentist resulted in the discovery of decay under the edge of an overlay. The recommended remedy costs $1700. It involves removing the overlay and doing a crown. I'll put it off until January when I take out required withdrawals from retirement funds. I have already withdrawn what was required for 2024. The first appointment for the crown is 2 hours. Yuck. I've been through that before.
We've had an overcast drippy day with cool temperatures, high 60's.
Yay. No appointments tomorrow.
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Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.
Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor vexation.
Where there is poverty and joy, there is neither greed nor avarice.
Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor doubt.
Francis of Assisi
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Cool today but the sun it out and that will help the coolness feel slightly more acceptable. Got my bills paid yesterday so more of a ho-hum day. Whatever I feel doing and those days are good. Often I seem to get more done since I don't "plan" and just let the flow come.
Tomorrow (noon start) I go to Crossroads and have my cystoscopy done. First time with Dr. Regan. Hate that it is at noon, but really, since it is only local and I can eat a bit, and drink it is not so bad. Also only have to stop on medication for a bit. I have only met Dr. Regan once and while he seemed fine — I think I'm still not sure how well I'll see things. I truly came to highly appreciate Dr. Barientos, and feel great confidence — and these are things I don't yet have with Dr. Regan. Sure hope they come.
Carole, I feel for you with the dental issues. It seems dental work now is always pretty costly. Guess the only way to avoid real expensive is to have a lot of check-ups so that you do catch things before they are too major.
Looking out the window and watching more leaves rain down to the ground. I am always a bit sad to see the trees un-dressing right before my eyes. They do become my Sentinels — watching over the yard while awaiting what will seem like a very slow arriving Spring when they can once again dress in their finery. Sounds like we could have more of a wet rain winter than snow, but I'm to the point of not paying much attention to the predictions since they are so often wrong.
Hope you all have a good day.
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Illinoislady, hope tomorrow goes smoothly and that you get a clean bill of health from you new doctor. Although I don't like early AM doctor appointments I do prefer early morning for procedures to be done. It is the waiting plus the feeling I am wasting a day.
Carole, sorry about the dental issues and the need to delay treatment for now. It sounds like there is no pain associated with this and I hope it remains that way.
cindyny, if your knees are already bone on bone what type of shots are you getting? Cortisone or the gels like Orthovisc? As much walking as you do on a daily basis you are really putting a lot of stress on joints that are already failing. Have you thought about replacement?
I go for my 3rd Orthovisc injection for my left knee tomorrow. Medicare will pay for 4 shots and I am hoping this will work until April when I replace this knee. My left knee initially was the worse requiring draining before each injection, whether it was cortisone or the gel, but then relying on my right knee to bear the brunt for compensating caused it to become the most painful, thus why it was done first. The cortisone never did much and the most I ever got from it was maybe a week. Now when I bend in a certain way I can hear the bones grating against each other and it is painful for the moment.
Today is sunny but it looks like it will barely reach 50 degrees. Not as gusty as yesterday. I didn't attempt sweeping the porch yesterday because I knew the leaves would be blown back by the big gusts we were getting.
I am doing laundry and think I may tackle one side of my DD's former bedroom closet this afternoon. I think I will focus on the left side where I keep out of season clothing. Right now it is winter clothing so I can go through this and decide wh. at to keep and then swap out with the summer clothes in my big closet. Fortunately I can pile these on the bed while I do the swap out. I'll bring some big leaf bags for any donations. Same will happen with the summer clothes when I do the swap: what stays and what goes into the bags. I really have too many clothes from when I worked full-time and needed an extensive wardrobe. There are key pieces I will keep but a lot can just go.
Finished cleaning the garage refrigerator, the laundry room, dining room and family room yesterday including swapping out decorations, rearranging some decor and dusting.
Hope everyone has a great day.
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Had to look up your procedure, Jackie. I'm not medically knowledgeable. Is that a routine screening?
Betrayal, you make me feel so deficient as a housecleaner. LOL. It sounds as though you have a huge wardrobe, taking us all those closets.
Summer just keeps hanging around.
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Carole, yes, it is a very routine look around the bladder and kidney. The hope is not to find anything anywhere that doesn't belong. Then it could become more than routine.
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Betrayal - there must be programs in your area that provide interview and work clothes for women in need. They'd love to have your work stuff.
The missing "child" was in the U.S. Hampshire, Illinois to be exact. I "think" my GGM came to the US from Ireland about 1855 and brought the mystery child with her but I have no proof. Can't find either of them in immigration records. She is listed as the new huband's daughter in 1860 but I don't think that's true but again, no proof. If she is the huband's daughter, his wife died in childbirth but the dates don't seem to add up and it doesn't explain my GG's story about "the witch."
Yes, I have had international records for a long time. You could do a 3 or 6 month trial when you have more time to spend on it. I can get both of my parents and both of Ken's parents back before 1600. His mother's line is through CT. and and his father's maternal side were Lord Baltimore Catholics. The Clarks, Ken's paternal side has been harder to trace. Mine are MA and Ken's are VA. I have Magna Carta ancestors although Ancestry and Family Search records get pretty sketchy before 1500. Have you used Heritage Quest? I did a lot there at one time. Our public library had it on line.
Just back from the Niners welcome back cocktail party. We're a small group but we do know how to have fun. I'm not playing tomorrow because I have an appointment with the acupuncturist. I think she's helping my shoulder although I have an appointment with the orthopedic guy in early Dec. to see what he thinks.
Cindy - loved hearing about your Las Vegas trip and the pictures were great. Seems like you really did a nice variety of things. I'm only traveling vicariously through you ladies now so keep the pictures coming.
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The poise of a plant, the bended tree recovering itself from the strong wind, the vital resources of every vegetable and animal, are also demonstrations of the self-sufficing, and therefore self-relying soul. All history from its highest to its trivial passages is the various record of this power.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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More rain around here yesterday, and not what we needed. I had a long phone call with a good friend and didn't get much done. Good thing I'm retired — that is what retirement is so good for at times — a lot of time to pick up the pieces when your day doesn't go on your original plan.
Lots to do this morning for my noon meeting with my Urologist.
Hope you all have a good day and good weather too.
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Taco, were the Famine records on Ancestry International? If so I might spring for a 3 month subscription. Thanks for the other suggestions.
Illinoislady, we would love to have your rain since again we have had nothing substantial since August. The little shower we got and the one that may appear tonight will not make any dent in what we need. According to the weather people we will need about 13 inches of rain over the next few months to make up for the deficit, preferably scattered and not all at once.
Today was very overcast, a gray flannel shirt type day. I ran to the orthopedic office to get my Orthovisc injection. I like that it is about an 8 minute drive from my house and a walk-in type of appointment. I waited about 5 minutes for the PA and was home within 30 minutes of leaving the house. Regan likes when I go out because she gets a sweet potato treat while she is crated. Came home to straighten up the kitchen and family room and then ironed some tops.
DH was out for the day so it was nice to have some "me" time to do what I wanted and not have to clean up behind him. You can always tell when he has made a sandwich, fed the animals or had a meal at the table. He still hasn't figured out how I know when he has been in the treats, etc.
Hope everyone had a great day.
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Hi. I am so behind. Much has been going on with the home repairs. The tiles were falling off into the pool, being pushed out by roots. That is not suppose to happen. The pool separated from the deck. It is a foundation problem, so has to be fixed. Photos to follow.
My next issue is a new lump in my left armpit. It is down from the scar from the lymph node removal and across from by surgical scar on my breast. I can't get an ultrasound until December.
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Petite, does home insurance cover a pool repair? Sorry you have to wait so long for your ultrasound. I know you're worried as anyone would be.
It's gorgeous here today. Cool and sunny. We slept with open windows and extra cover last night.
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To Older womens forum
From Joan811
I have been off BCO for quite some time. I just logged in and see that the posts seem to be from January.
Is anyone still active on this thread or another thread?
Chisandy, Illinois Lady, Carole Halston, Petite 1…anybody still on BCO?
Please let me know what thread(s) you are active on.
I have been continuing to be treated for Ovarian cancer (not much online support out there).. I am a six year survivor. Breast cancer was in 2011 and has not returned after lumpectomy and rads.
I do miss checking in with the inspirational ladies of this thread.
Please PM if you are on BCO.
Best wishes and good health are sent to all.
Joan 811
Long Island, NY2 -
Hi Joan and it is so wonderful to see you. I did send you a pm so do look for it.
On yesterday — my, my. Person in front of me took way longer than expected with whatever procedure. Time got away from me, so I was not able to eat or drink anything before I went although somewhat allowable since I was only having local. No meds either and some of my morning work having to be left un-done. So noon start turned into about 2:30. By then I had become somber to try and tamp irritability from hunger and laying in an un-comfy bed and all those things that are irritants, even if mild.
Good news though — he found nothing which is just what I had set my hopes on. He sent me home a script (actually called it in) as he says he thinks I have a poss. urine or bladder infection. Could be but I have some doubts. I'll take the antibiotic since most of my previous 'infections' felt just like this one — no symptoms. PCP and I as well as former Urologist settled on some chemical or other from the wipes, I use which are needed to save my skin. They too each at one time or other went through the same thing Dr. Regan seems to find. Then again, better safe than sorry — so we will go through the 'fix' again to be certain. It has been 13 months since last cystoscopy.
I came home, mildly dehydrated (not bad though) hungry as all get out, and exhausted. Went to bed at 8 p.m. and got up for last time at 8 a.m. Hmmm, I think my age is showing here. I'm normally a little too hyper to make it sleeping that long.
So, have to see Dr. Regan in two weeks, but then likely another whole year. Yay !!
Thinking about you petite. Sure would be nice for a couple of cancellations so you could get your test a bit quicker. Hugs.
Sunny here and I wish it for all who do not need a good solid rain, like Betrayal.
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Joan811, I am still here.
Carole, No it doesn't cover something like this. My pool is nearly 30 years old.
Jackie, I asked them to put me on the list for cancellations. Thanks
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Holding you close, Petite. Waiting is always so hard. Hope they can move you up.
Joan811 - this group has gotten small but we're here.
Betrayal - as I recall I did the famine records at my local - and very good - genealogy library but I can't believe they aren't on line. I worked as a library aide at the library for some time and did them then. Also worked with the Irish expert when I was at the New England Genealogical and Historical library with no success. By the way, that was a fantastic but pricy week.
An uneventful week for me. Have a good weekend.
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Carole, I too had a surprise at my 6 month teeth cleaning. The hygienist complemented my good oral hygiene. Then the dentist does her inspection, and she found decay at the edge of an old crown. I too will be getting dental work in January, replacing the crown. Ugh! I’ve had enough dental work in the past year plus, then here comes 2025!
Betrayal, so far neither my regular ortho nor the sport’s ortho have mentioned replacing my knees. Knock on wood! The swelling has gone away, but it’s still cracking a lot. If I need anything I’ll have to get an orthopedic in FL. I’ve had cortisone and way back rooster comb (hyaluronic acid). I too enjoy my “me” time alone at home.
Taco, my area has Dress for Success. I’ve donated purses (Coach, and Dooney). And I’ve attended their fund raisers. I have so many pictures from our Vegas trip, I’ll need to see what was posted rather than duplicate them.
Jackie, great news on your test. I’m glad you were ok upon returning home, and a good nights sleep was due to you.Petite, your pool looks lovely, although probably pricey to repair. I’m glad you're on the cancellation list. Finding the lump is scary, having to wait is infuriating.
We’re running around trying to get everything set to leave for FL on Monday. I’ve been to the bank, the post office, pharmacy, Target, multiple friends dropping off books/Vegas gifts/Christmas gifts; I’ve been up on a ladder to take a battery out of a camera - brought it in for a full charge and will put it back in tomorrow; I’ve scrubbed the grill clean for storing it; I cleaned out a spot in my oven where I think sauce from lasagna landed; I steamed cleaned the tiles for the last time.Tomorrow I’m meeting a gf to exchange the Cape Cod calendar - remember I bought a 2024 one for my sister by mistake! I’ve got a book for her and a puzzle too. Afterwards I’ll get busy with packing summer clothes. My niece and grand niece are coming over for dinner - Chinese take out. I’m not cooking.
I may be MIA as we travel. But depending on hours, and weather for the drive - I’ll probably be checking in late at night. Be well!
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I’m waaay behind although I’ve skimmed the thread while on vacation. You have been a very busy group over the past few weeks so I’ve likely missed quite a bit of the events.
Jackie -happy to hear you had good results from the cystoscopy.
Petite - so sorry to hear you are back in the waiting game. I hope you can get in sooner. I’ll be thinking of you.Betrayal - Hooray for the completion of the restoration.
Cindy - safe travels to Florida.
We arrived home on Tuesday afternoon after 32 hours of travel from the time we left the ship. Had a wonderful time with great food, interesting excursions and plenty of time to relax. We’ve caught up on laundry, gone to the grocery store and DH did some yard work although to our surprise we still have leaves on some trees.Have a great weekend. A few pictures:
Panama Canal
Hiking in Manta, Ecuador - we saw howler monkeys
Vineyard in Casablanca, Chile - we had a delicious 5 course lunch with wine pairing.
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Let go of your expectations. The universe will do what it will. Sometimes your dreams will come true. Sometimes they won't.Sometimes when you let go of a broken dream, another one gently takes its place. Be aware of what is, not what you would like to be, taking place.
Melody Beattie
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Thanks for photos, Harley. Sounds like a great trip. Welcome back.
Safe trip, Cindy.
Hi, Joan. I'm still here. Welcome to our group. Hope you're doing well.
It's 55 degrees and sunny this morning. Finally some cool weather, for a short time.
Happy Saturday.
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Good morning. Overcast — no sun at all in sight so I'm hoping it doesn't rain. Some of our earlier weather predictions were for a 'rainy' winter, but this is Fall. Oh well !!
Harley: what great pictures. Any body of water never disappoints, but the jungle picture in Ecuador was so pretty. It is also somewhat soothing to me to experience nature that hasn't been too manicured. Why we love living right in the front edge of the woods. Love those large moss covered rocks your walking past.
Oops, spoke too soon —- a muted sun is trying to appear. We may be okay for sure today.
Cindy, sorry to hear you have almost the identical dental woes as Carole. Was thinking — what a way to start your New Yr. with someone's hand in your mouth. That said, after having upper denture for many, many years, I can attest having your own natural teeth are wonderful. I had mishappen teeth which finally (years of tooth issues) I had the top teeth out but kept the bottom — and there is no comparison to 'your' own.
Hope your trip to FLA. goes well. I'll be happy to hear you've arrived and starting to settle in again.
I hope you all have a really great Sat. See you all later.
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harley, lovely photos and I am telling you if I ever get back to Chile, I am loading up on that wine I told you about. Looks like you had a wonderful trip.
petite1, sorry about the pool issues. It seems that there are just some things you can't plan for and it appears your pool is quite lovely. Or you have one repair planned, funded and then another one pops up seemingly overnight.
I don't understand having to postpone dental work. Is it part of an advantage plan? Mine covers me year round for any and all dental needs. Yes, there are some out of pocket expenses. Perhaps you can explain?
Taco, the local Dress for Success no longer accepts donations from individuals, only from corporations. So I will look around because I know if I donate these to Goodwill, they will end up being posted on Poshmark by their shoppers. It's a shame that women in need can't get free clothing that is still in excellent condition. I had to dress for class only 2 days per week and could realistically go 3-4 months before repeating a blouse. So yes, I did have a lot of clothes, but also only bought them when they were on sale.
Today was Penn's homecoming and it was windy so I dressed like an onion. First layer was a lightweight sweater, second a fleece and third was my Penn sweatshirt jacket. I wore gloves as well and since the home team sits on the shaded side, we were prepared. DH wanted to go to the Engineering open house where they give you finger foods and alcoholic beverages (watered down) but I wanted to go to the plaza where the students were singing a capella. It was great because there were a few different acts and free lunch included hoagie type sandwiches or hot dogs with sauerkraut (my choice), soft pretzels, free soda or water or you could purchase wine, brownies and cookies. You could take as much as you wanted. I liked it much better than the usually overcrowded open house with tiny hors d'oeuvres. The game against Harvard started at 1 PM and it was a great game even if we did loose 31-28. The defense lost its way after the second quarter.
I have walked over 8200 steps just today and probably have not done that many since we were on vacation. I am sure tonight will be one where finding a comfortable position will be hard. I took Tylenol Arthritis before we left and did put Voltaren on both knees so fingers crossed, maybe it will be okay.
We went to Penn's bookstore afterwards and I found a lovely blue sweater with Penn's emblem embroidered on it and a Mickey Mouse t-shirt for DD. DH found some books on clearance and I also found one on the SS Jamestown which was the shop that sailed from Boston to Ireland bringing food during the Famine. I've read the Famine books so this should be interesting because it was the US trying to offset what the Brits were doing. Taco, I'll let you know if it is a good read.
Stopped for dinner on our way home at a restaurant that we haven't eaten in probably for over 25 years. It's about 25 minutes from our house and we will go back. The food was excellent, the service wonderful and both of us have another meal to eat. People at the next table ordered pizza and it smelled so good I was going to ask for a bite or even a slice.
Now I am tired and just want to watch some TV to give my legs a rest. Hope everyone had a great day; I know I did.
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Betrayal - if I can't get to Dress for Success, I donate my good, used things to the Battered Women's home. In Houston they actually have a resale shop that is clean, neat and organized by type of clothes and sizes.
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minustwo, thank you for this lead. I will look to see if we have a local chapter.
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Betrayal, teeth… ugh! I ran through my dental insurance back in Feb/March, everything has been out of pocket. Bridge was just under $8k. As we leave on Monday, my dentist assured me I could wait until after the new year which is when our reset is on dental coverage. We get $1,800 per calendar year; which I’m guessing $1,400+ will be the crown replacement.
I’ve printed out my check list and we are working our way through it. It’s a good thing I did, I forgot all about our garbage service needing to be put on hold.
I ran all over the place today. I was meeting a gf at a town between the both of us - we had gifts for each other. As I was rushing a round at home - battery back in the camera, and sprinkling wild flower seeds around - I stepped in pumpkin (yes, the same pumpkin I smashed for the squirrels). I had to come in carrying my sneaker to clean it. I ended up getting the top of my sneaker wet.
I left to meet the gf but first I ran to a store to grab 2 things; long lines beyond what I expected. As I made it up the cashier I realized I didn’t have my phone with me, which had a coupon for 15% off everything. So I had to run back out to my car - I had left it in my coat pocket when I checked the camera to make sure it was correctly lined up after changing the battery. Run back in, purchase complete.I hop on the highway thinking no problem, I’d meet the gf on time. But somehow I missed the exit! I should have gotten off on exit 9, when I was heading to exit 10. I got off there and back on the highway. Not being used to going to this exit from the north, I got off going west and should have gotten off going east! All in crowded Saturday noon traffic. I immediately got into a mall, pulled a U turn to get back out. I got to the meeting spot and GF was in the parking lot with her 2 dogs waiting for me. WEE OH, it was a Murphys law kind of trip. That's my tale.
We had my niece and grandniece here for dinner - Chinese take out. Just before they got here I had an ocular migraine start. I had to take 2 Excedrin migraine pills and it disappeared within 20 minutes. But it’s full of caffeine and I was wired! I don’t take in any caffeine so it hits me hard. We had a great time, with enough leftovers for all of us to have lunch or dinner tomorrow.Now it’s 2 AM and the caffeine is just about gone so I’m throwing in the towel and heading to bed.
My rambling… I blame it on the caffeine!
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A single act of kindness may have a long trajectory and touch those we will never meet or see. Something that we casually offer may move through a web of connection far beyond ourselves to have effects that we may have never imagined. And so each of us may have left far more behind us than we may ever know. Rachel Naomi Remen
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Cindy. Wonderful to be a good acquaintance of Murphy's law just for the day you had. Had a few of those wrong turns myself — grrr. I also identified with the caffeine — although last night mine was a dog. Not mine, this one was outside somewhere. Pretty loud though. Glad Lil' Red didn't feel the need to 'chat' with the outside character. Dog finally left after what seemed a couple of hours.
Here's hoping today goes really easy and smooth. Hoping that for everyone.
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Cindy, love your posts! Lol. I feel a little out of breath after I read about your hectic schedule. My own life is so routine and sedate by comparison. By choice, I admit.
Today is lovely. It's sunny and will warm up. I want to get a walk in while it's comfortable outside. Later on we may have to close doors and windows and turn the a/c back on. It might be a battle because dh tolerates warmth more than I do.
Happy Sunday to all.
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cindyny, now I understand about the delay in dental work. You sound like the energizer bunny and to know it is without the use of caffeine is remarkable.
Called the Penn Bookstore today when I realized I had been overcharged for the sweater I bought. I did the math and the reduced price did not reflect what had been posted as the sale price so I called the store. The new sale price was to be an extra 25% off. The clerk I spoke to said I would have to return to the store to get the credit and I explained it would involve a 2 hour round trip to do so and I would like to avoid that if possible. He spoke to his supervisor who was busy but said he would return my call today. He did and I was able to get a refund to my credit card without any issues. So the sweater was really a good buy after all.
Spoke to a former nursing school classmate about a possible get together at her home in early December. She tries to reunite former classmates at a dinner and it is fun playing catch-up and reminiscing. As students the house rules were so strict you would have thought we were living in a convent so we grew close and developed our own fun for those after class and clinical hours plus the mandatory study hours.
Rather a lazy day for me after yesterday. Did not tackle the closet again as I had planned. DS gifts me an Acorn TV subscription for my birthday so last week I thought I got the account up to date. Today I sign in and nope, it never updated. So I reached out to them because I had given code number paper to DH to shred thinking all was good. Thankfully he hadn't gotten to shredding it yet because Acorn was less than helpful when I contacted them claiming they had no record of an update or a code. So I did go in and reregister using the new code and it appears that I am good until November 2025 now. I will give it a try to make sure all is well.
It's these little things that consume so much effort and time yet make you look like you have done nothing all day. I have routine Sunday chores involving the bird cages and usually knock those off as I am listening to Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation. I admire her intellect and how she is prepared to sometimes wade through horse manure but calls out people when they do try.
It was sunny today but in the 50's so a typical fall day. Watched an interaction between 2 of this year's fawns. It was a young buck (has 2 knobs on his head) who was licking the head and then cleaning the ear of a young doe that I suspect is his sister. He really worked at cleaning the interior of that ear and I thought it was so endearing. Mama was grazing nearby and then another young male with his 2 knobs joined them. They are still on the small side compared to the doe but larger than they had been.
Hope everyone had a great day.
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My last day to run around. I took old prescription glasses to the town library, where they have a box for the Lions Club. Then I dropped off sneakers at Fleet Feet - I remove inner soles to put my orthotics in, and routinely change out to new ones every 6 months. I know, nothing like waiting to the last minute! (I feel like I’ve already wrote this, but maybe it was to a gf; sorry if it’s a repeat!)
And I got to my nieces soccer game. She played a lot which was nice to see, and she was glad to see me.
Last loads of laundry are happening now. One headed to the dryer and one into the washer and I’ll be totally done. I hate leaving any dirty/used towels to come back to 6 months from now. I even threw in the shower curtains. I clean everything but it’s still a dust fest upon our return.
I hope you all had a good weekend and Monday is a pleasant day too.
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