Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Last day of PT and I did well. Legs were still a tad sore from Wednesday's but I did make it through all the exercises with no difficulty. Hardest is doing wall squats. One woman waiting for her DH said she did not think she could do them.
Two thunderstorms rolled through last night with lots of noise and lightning. So everything is wet and the sky is quite gray. It's presently 67 degrees so a nice day otherwise.
The leaves on the Japanese maple, outside the bay window, are starting to feather out. It's a bit early but for the climate change deniers I think Mother Nature is thumbing her nose at their thoughts. A couple of branches are touching the window so they will need to be trimmed back. This is my miracle tree since it survived a direct tree hit 20 some years ago and less than half survived that hit. It is now back to its near normal grandeur. However, the azalea that was here when we moved into the house 40 years ago has given up the ghost. It started dying off last year for reasons unknown. It was a pretty pink one so I will ask my children to replace it for Mother's Day.
Should get a call this afternoon about time for surgery on Monday. I am pretty much caught up so weekend can be for relaxing.
Hope everyone has a great weekend and day.
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It’s 91 here and feels 92. UGH, too hot too fast. They say is June/July weather. I can’t stand it. But better than snow, I have to remind myself.
I ran to Lowe’s this morning for some free giveaway my partner signed me up for. It was a mini Lowe’s work bucket, a mini stuffed animal - dog, and sone things you put on your Crocs. I don’t wear Crocs so I’ll see if any kids want them. PS - the check said many doll collectors were looking fur the mini bucket as a prop for doll houses. Who knew!
While I was there I always take a peek at clearance plants. They had many, but some truly don’t thrive in SWFL, 10b planting zone. I grabbed 2 Calla Lily plants labeled tropical, so I think they’ll stand a chance.
Others that caught my eye were the heavily scented asiatic Lily. Most were already bloomed. But my thought was possibly getting them, cutting off most the greenery, and bringing the bulbs back to NY. Might forget all about it by tomorrow but it was a thought!
Bingo here tonight in the clubhouse, nothing I know of tomorrow, and a Blue Grass festival at the casino on Sunday. Sundays temps are the same as today. I’ll need to hit big $ or bring a lot of money to lose, I can foresee wanting to stay in the AC. Enjoy your weekend!
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well. My body is definitely in need of a massage tomorrow. I feel like I’m 126 today. Transplanted a rose bush. Potted a dwarf lilac. There days in a row gardening has caught up to me.
Supposed to be really warm tomorrow but not too hot. Though I did turn on AC in my car.
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Is anyone else stocking up on products before the tariffs go into effect? I bought 6 large bags of coffee last week at Sam's Club and plan to buy 6 more today when I go to pick up prescriptions. We drink Community Coffee, a Louisiana brand, but all coffee is probably imported. It's already pricey but will be getting pricier. Coffee is one of our staples. I brew a large pot every day. DH drinks two mugs and I drink the rest. I admit to being a coffeeaholic. When we go north to MN, I always take enough coffee for the summer.
For a number of years I made decaffeinated coffee for dh's benefit. He has an irregular heartbeat and is caffeine sensitive. But at some point I started brewing regular coffee for myself and he used a Keurig for his decaf. One day he had a cup of my coffee and it didn't bother him. Now he has two cups and never more. That's our coffee story. LOL.
Lately I've begun to feel some dread about going to Europe for our river cruise. I'm expecting to encounter some anti-American sentiment, for good reason. It's not a time when I feel proud of my country's economic policies. Fortunately the trip is paid for and I have made the required withdrawals from retirement savings for the year. I did so the first of January, expecting the stock market to decline.
I'm afraid bad times are ahead. Sorry to be pessimistic. I hope we can all continue to have healthcare. Maybe the electorate in our country have learned that elections do matter.
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If it can be verified, we don't need faith. . . . Faith is for that which lies on the other side of reason. Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys.
Madeleine L'Engle
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Some black political humor. Senator Kennedy from Louisiana, a staunch supporter of the current administration, said on CNN that things would get better but we might all be dead by then. Paraphrase. He has a dry sense of humor.
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Good morning. Overcast — not pretty at all. Way, way too gray if ya' know what I mean. As to coffee. I too am a coffeaholic. I'm not as bad as I once was though. Time was I made at least three pots of coffee a day in a 'percolator' pot which made 12 cups. If we went to a restaurant, we ordered coffee and all our friends kept a pot on should we go visit. Then an upset came and we had to drink Decaf for a while. At the time we found ground Sanka to be good enough that you basically couldn't tell it was decaf. Eventually, like Carol's husband, I was able to switch back to regular coffee — which is what we have had for years now.
We make one pot a day but it is 12 cups which we share. As always, if by sm. chance we go out to a restaurant we always order coffee. Not real good sometimes, but it is caffeine. We have at times bought extra lately, but not sure how much we will really stock up right now. With so many things causing higher prices we may have to figure out some items to drop from our weekly grocery list. HINT: coffee likely would never be one of them.
It is going to be dicey though. We don't talk politics much but I certainly think if anyone has suggestions for saving money efforts it would be nice to see them turn up here. It is likely to be tough sledding for who knows how long. I think I'll be investing in some brown rice and maybe extra peanut butter for the protein. I don't eat a lot of meat, but I have been relatively consistent. So, just may add a bit of volume with the rice. Also, more rags, less paper towels. No more Clorox wipes as I have to keep laundry bleach so I can make my own 'wipes'. Just a few of my list of trying to cut down. It is I'm afraid going to take a lot more to make a difference — these are top of my head things I know will work for me. I've done them before.
As to a trip to almost anywhere. It seems in much of my reading (though who knows for sure since U.S. may be in the #1 spot for blame) some countries (thinking Canada here) are aware that it is the very top causing the ISSUES and not the citizens — we are at the mercy along with everyone else. That said, though hopefully other countries would see this as well. I do think it wise though to be very cautious traveling. That was always true, but more so right now.
Nothing special today. I rushed to the bank yesterday — only to come home and find out that I had forgotten to add in my last SS check which is why I had to hurry to get money in my account — only to find later I had a fair amt. there since my SS came. I'm one of those who get my check according to when my birthday falls rather than the 3rd. of the month like those who started way earlier than me. Not sure how I missed that, but I'm a lot happier today.
Hope you are all going to have a good day.
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Further addition here. A thunderstorm got itself started very late yesterday afternoon, just before suppertime and continued on for a really long time. I went to bed and woke up to go to the bathroom around 12:30 a.m. and it was still fairly alive although it had lessened a bit. Got up around 3 a.m. again but don't recall hearing anything then.
I can't remember another thunderstorm that lasted so long since moving back home here in 1997. It is raining as I type with puddles on the ground and run-off. I think the run-off is from saturation. I'm pretty sure the ground must be quite full since we have had rain for three days now. I'm hoping they were right about only three days because today would be that third day. Three days of rain here is a lot. Living in California our winter consisted on late Jan, or early Feb. about three weeks of solid rain but it was never a heavy rain — just enough to get you wet — it was just so consistent. I really disliked it, but the upside was there was never much for rain the rest of the yr.
There will be flooding here and there, but I hope that too won't be too extensive. Where we are (all the water from everywhere runs towards us to the lake) we are fairly secure — with the two large ravines on either side of us that drain pretty much straight into the lake.
ETA: I'm sitting here listening to thunder. I just find that amazing. This is seeming to be quite a Spring and pretty much un-like any other. I'm of course thinking: Rain, Rain go Away - Come Again Another Day.
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Needed to restock so made a quick run to Costco. Took DH so the small list I had became a major one as he added items that we needed but never told me about them. They had very large white or red azaleas for sale for a very reasonable price and I snagged 2 to replace the ones that did not make it through the winter. One will go in the space near the patio, the other in the bed by the stream. I won't be doing the digging but can supervise.
I love their pizza so we each had a slice for lunch and shared a chocolate soft serve. Stopped afterwards at DS's house since he lives nearby and dropped of items we had bought them in Brazil. DGS's each got a soccer shirt from the top team in Brazil with a matching baseball cap. DGD got a stuffed animal and a native made necklace. DDIL got her belated birthday present and a native made necklace. DS got a baseball cap and a shirt. I also have a native made hand-painted wall plaque for him but forgot it.
Carole, as long as you are not announcing your political leanings, you don't have to worry about how you will be treated in Europe. Most are too polite to ask but they are known to voice their feelings which may not be supportive of what is happening.
One woman on our trip had a pin she attached to her hat that read "no, I did not vote for him" and most people got a chuckle out of it. She said she got no negative feedback. When one person started a political conversation at the dinner table, I just interjected that my mother always advised that politics, religion and sex were not dinner table talk. It worked. So I think you might find more attempts at politics by fellow passengers than Europeans. Go and enjoy yourself.
It is a very gray day with temps in the mid-50's and a mild breeze. Not a particularly welcoming day. It is supposed to shower but no droplets yet and we do need the rain.
DS said he would come help DH with the raking of the hill and cutting down the dead bushes. He can also help with adding the fertilizers PA State recommended for our bare spots. We have the fertilizers, they just need to be dug down 6-8 inches to be effective. This needs to be done before the landscaper can add the new bushes to the hill. The pachysandra would not even grow in these spots. While we do not know why this happened, we haven't been able to make any difference when we added peat moss, new soil, etc. So hopefully this soil remediation will make my "garden grow".
Groceries put away and now I get to sit for a bit. Hope everyone has a great day.
canarycat, hope the massage was wonderful. I love massages but also facials, too.
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Betrayal, I appreciate the reassurance.
I made a loaf of Einkorn whole grain bread today for our breakfast toast. It is becoming necessary on a weekly basis. I don't mind making it because it's easy and always comes out good.
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It would be really nice to have a space where people our age can share experiences and support each other. Sometimes it feels like the conversation is more geared toward younger folks, and it’d be great to have a place just for us.
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Aloco1 — you have found it. We are all slightly older ladies here. We don't restrict anyone, but it is difficult to be where there are a lot of young people making it harder for us to share as well. Please feel free to continue to come here. We are not a large group and I do feel it is nice that way since it is a bit easier to keep up with each other.
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hahaha. I’m enjoying all the penguin photoshops on Facebook. Here is my current favourite two.
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Love the penguin pics!!! Especially the second one.
We're having a drippy rainy day that is supposed to continue all day. No thunder and lightning so far. Our yard was already wet in sections from previous rains. DH managed to mow some drier sections yesterday, including the front yard. He has learned from experience what it's like to get the heavy mower stuck in muck.
Speaking of yard experiences, dh discovered a dead coyote in our back yard yesterday. Our helpful neighbor Rodney took care of removing and disposing of it. That's definitely a first. I knew there are coyotes in the area because we have heard them on occasion at night.
I'm sorry I missed Saturday Night last night. From a few scenes I saw on tv today, it was hilarious in mocking current events. The worse the real happenings, the more material for satirists.
Wishing everyone a Sunday with enjoyment.
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Would that there was an award for people who come to understand the concept of enough. Good enough. Successful enough. Thin enough. Rich enough. Socially responsible enough. When you have self-respect, you have enough.
Gail Sheehy
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Sounds like more rain for us, but I'm hoping not all that much. We sure have had enough for a while and we have creeks, ponds, our lake, and just ditches overflowing. Streets blocked off and whole small blocks in some places. It will all settle down, but some places like our lake will continue to fill for a time — because so much water is directed to it. The spillway gates will stay open for some time which means some of the surrounding areas will remain flooded for a bit.
Wow Carole. I'm not sure how I'd feel if I found a dead coyote in my yard. Saying that, we have plenty around here, but I've never seen one out here in the woods. I hope I never do. Great that you had a neighbor to remove it. Coyotes normally shun people unless they get really hungry. While I was still feeding cats at the old grocery store one apparently discovered a "food" source outside of the back area of Foundation Park (a good habitat unless food becomes skimpy) where it lived. The neighbors close to the store was upset along with me. A coyote can sense your inability to scare it away and will in time become cheekier, as this one was doing. I finally had to wait till all the cats were done eating and then pick up left-over food. One day the coyote quit coming. Frankly, he/she could have been done away with from one of the 'neighbors' when I wasn't there, or maybe it got tired of looking for food no longer available — but thank goodness it was gone.
We haven't seen or heard the bobcat that was coming around a few yrs. back. They have a 'circuit' of territory and will roam through it. So, once in a great while we actually caught a glimpse (they like coyotes prefer to avoid humans) which is likely true of many of the wilder animals we live with. I saw the bobcat once in our yard but never again. We no longer hear the yowls either. It actually sounds somewhat like a woman screaming, and figure we are no longer on 'the circuit' or the bobcat has passed on.
Hope you all have a good day and the blessing of good weather — and sun. Enjoy it for me as it's been in short supply here lately.
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Update:
I considered not going to Ollie's today, but at the last minute, away we went. We got outside of Benton which is a bit more than halfway and all the rain caused a bit of the river to be over the roadway outside of town. I was all set to turn around and come home, but the interstate is above the river. So we swung over to it and went the rest of the way on it. I normally avoid it since for some reason they seem to have been working on it somewhere that involves the places we go almost from the time we came back home in 1997. That and the fact that Mt. Vernon is a huge truck hub so the roadway there is always full of big trucks and when we get to only two lanes from road work it is miserable. That was my first time in a long time as a 'driver' on the interstate.
In reality I was a bit disappointed as one of the big reasons I went was the hope they would have lots of puzzles. They didn't and what they did have was all 1000 pieces. My table is not suitable for that large a puzzle. Dh got the cats a new and slightly larger cat tree and I of course got Lil' Red a tough stuffed toy. I found some raspberry jelly which I so hope will be good and I also got some plastic storage bags (frozen and non frozen plus a big puzzle book. I keep a stock of those. I like jigsaws but also crosswords as well so I did get to indulge that part of my puzzle addiction.
It rained (quite slow) a bit on the way there and as well on the way home. I was hoping we wouldn't have to deal with anymore but I am thankful that what is falling is coming much slower. We do have some damages here to some of our roads but they have been able now to close the water gates at the lake so hopefully some of that water will slowly evaporate and or find its way off the roads (a couple are still closed as yet) and or repairs can be made so everything is usable once again. I think this is the first yr. since we have been back to have such huge amts. of water so quickly over days — not hours. So far, it has been quite a Spring. See ya all later.
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Another gray day with temps in the 50's so not a nice day at all. No time to go outside but I do need to put my car in the garage. Left it out to unload yesterday and had to wait until DH played stock boy to put items away. Must move it in today because he won't drive my car.
Mopped floors, did 3 loads of laundry, put new sheets on the bed because I have to bathe with Hibiclens tonight and tomorrow morning for pre-op prep. So everything I need for tonight and tomorrow are clean and ready to go. Have a small bag I will take with me for personal items since I will be staying overnight. I think it is an age related thing but also a way to get good pain management before discharge. I always have to remind them that my choice of pain meds is really limited since I can't take most narcotics due to SE's.
Bird cages are clean and they have enough seed to last until Tuesday. Bumblebee's water dispenser is having an issue with leaking, so I might need to purchase a new one. Plants watered on first floor and will do the few that are upstairs tonight.
So this year I report at 10 am which means my surgery will really be later than I thought. I was told to come at 8 am last year and ended up waiting nearly 2 hours before the surgery actually started. It's okay, I have no where I need to be. Last time I was in PACU for several hours until they got pain under control so never got into a room until 4 pm. Nursing staff overnight were wonderful and I hope it is as good this time. Told DH not to wait around. If he wants he can come back when I am in the room.
Carole, sorry you had to deal with a dead coyote. Wonder why it died? I know they are in the area but mostly we hear the foxes at night and this sets the dog off. We have one who visits the bird feeder on occasion. I enjoy seeing him as he trots through. Occasionally he gets a mourning dove.
Second photo made me laugh because DS has a robin that visits his car's side mirror and bombs the side of his car. It got mine yesterday so he had to clean it off for me. He showed me a photo of what the robin did in one day. It got most of the driver's door and his car is black like mine so it really shows.
I probably won't post for a few days. Hope everyone had a great day.
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glad my pics gave you gals laughs. When I was looking at this complex I live in I went out to my car. It was covered on Seagull (shithawks) doo. All over the blue car. Must have been a sign. Fortunately I have a garage here. I’m glad I got all my gardening done this past week. It’s cool and rainy out and looksike for at least a week we shall have rain. So today I’m doing not much cept watched Ovechkin get his 895th goal to beat the great Gretzky! It’s been 26 yrs that he’s held that title. Can’t believe it’s almost 5 pm and I have very little to show for it. Oh well. I’ll sort some paperwork.
Had to cancel my docs phone call again as it’s for 930 tomorrow and my radiation appointment is 945. Oh well. Eventually I’ll just go in and see my doc. I’m at the halfway mark for treatments already. Yippee. Just starting to enjoy being home.
Best wishes for your surgery Betrayal. Happy Sunday to all This photo of Dusty was from sunny Saturday
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I'll be thinking of you Betrayal and sending vibes of comfort and control and for all to be as smooth as silk. Going to miss hearing from you — but oh a good cause. To end up with two good knees again is going to be a wonderful thing.
What a great pic. of Dusty. Looks live a very favored spot too. Cats are such fun, but dogs are too.
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Betrayal - I’ll be thinking of you and sending good vibes for a smooth recovery.
Cindy - happy you got to see the MJ musical.
Canarycat - loved the pictures. Given all that is going on, a few laughs are welcome. Wishing you well with the remaining radiation treatments.
Illinoislady - you are really getting soaked with rain. For the most part it’s missing us in the northern part of the state.
Have a good week everyone!
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How tremendously valuable is the power of joy and laughter to enliven our soul as we go forward to meet our goals. Laughter can lift us over the high ridges and lighten up the dark valleys in a way that makes life much easier. A happy heart generates a forcefield of love and joy in which doubt, fear, disaster, and dismay have no power to interrupt the universal flow of good. And in some instances, laughter has been considered to be a high form of prayer! Truly, when you are in the consciousness of the joy of spirit, you are praying from the very heart of your being.
Worldwide Laws of Life0 -
Good morning. The sky I'm looking at through my tall window is rather blue. No sun yet, but the clouds I do see are fairly white. So, maybe some sun later. Not going to be warm today. We are in fact, now under a frost warning. That would happen in the overnight hours. Likely won't warm much through the week either. Well, as long as we don't have any more rain for a while. I'm sooo not a gray person. Those kinds of days get to me real quick.
I have to re-make a couple of appts. today. Nothing else is clamoring too much although I have a couple of bills to settle up. Likely get some laundry done as well. Time to go through my clothes and find out what goes and what stays. I'm hoping at the end of it all to have a closet with only what I WILL wear on a somewhat regular basis — and un-load those might need at some time in the future. The future has come and gone a hundred times — and the clothes are still there hanging, un-worn. Not sure why it is so hard to make that leap of I'll probably never want to wear something again because the reasons why I had something in the first place are so far in the past.
I hope everyone is/can expect decent weather. Looking forward to a good wk. and for anyone (thinking Betrayal right now) with medical issues has smooth sailing. Even if just a check-up.
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Betrayal, wishing you excellent results from your surgery. You definitely seem prepared, mentally and otherwise.
I'm having lunch today with my younger sister and a cousin about her age, mid 60's. I was very fond of this cousin's mother, my Aunt Nell. The cousin, Joanna, commented on Facebook that she would love to see me again so I responded. She lives in Ponchatoula about 40 minutes away. I have a hair appointment there tomorrow so will be driving to Ponchatoula two times in two days. Today I'll pick up my sister on the way.
I wonder if the stock market will be tanking again today.
Happy Monday, whatever the day brings.
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Hi, to you all. I have been ill. First with a stomach virus and now a head cold.
owensgrandma, Welcome
I love all the pictures of cats, food, and flowers. Thank you for posting.
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Hi - I am happy to have found this group for women over 60. I was diagnosed four weeks ago, at 65. (My bday is 4/15 and I will be 66) My two younger sisters have both had BC (and doing fine) so I’ve been checked every 6 months for years because of this. But boy, was I surprised when they found something.
My sisters were younger so at this age I thought it had passed me by. We all have tested negative in all genetic tests. But we all have the same type of cancer. Go figure.
I am awaiting results after my lumpectomy last week. Feeling nervous but hopeful.4 -
catherina: Glad you found us too. We are a small group, so easy to keep up with. We (as older ladies) had somewhat different issues than the younger women so that's why we are here. Our little group for the most part is done or mostly done (I think Canary is still having radiation) with treatment although some may still take the 5 yr. pills.
We talk about everything under the sun. Share pictures, I leave a daily quote, and sometimes recipes. We actually even talk about cancer now and then. It is easy sometimes to become complacent after many yrs. of checking and nothing turning up. That was me too. Sounds like you got on things right away and I'm sure everyone here is wanting to be very hopeful for you as well.
I hope you will come often and certainly let us know how things go with your lumpectomy report. While I could never say I was glad ANYONE had and went through cancer, you do have some familiarity since your two sisters went before you. Hopefully, I hope that is something of some help for you in controlling your outlook, meaning hopefully less fear moving forward. Consider this a wide-open big welcome to you.
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I think it’s time I shared since I’ve been lurking for months. I’m almost 72 and am on my second round of breast cancer. The first was in 2015, DCIS, lumpectomy, no lymph nodes were taken, radiation then 5 years on exesmestane. In July 2024 I went in for my annual mammogram and the amazing tech must have spotted something in my lymph on the opposite side, nothing in either breast. Biopsy of the lymph came back ER/PR+, her2-. That was followed by all the scans and luckily they don’t see any cancer anywhere else so this is occult. I also have a “sclerosing intraductal papilloma” in that breast. I am about to finish 6 months of Verzenio and letrozole. I am scheduled for Savi scout placement in both the lymph node and the breast this Friday followed by surgery on the 29th to remove most likely 5 lymph nodes as well as a lumpectomy for the papilloma. My husband passed away 4-1/2 years ago from bone cancer. I have an incredible house full of support with our youngest daughter, her husband, 2 of his young adult kids, and another housemate. My daughter has gone with me to every appointment.
And here I am.3 -
hello everyone !
Orknitter this is a pleasant group even if BC is what brought us here
Catherina - welcome. I was 67 when diagnosed in Nov/24. Had my lumpectomy within the month. Best wishes to you. I’m halfway through my radiation. Yay. I call it my forced staycation as I’m off work till Good Friday. I only work two days a week. working on being semi-retired.
Illinois - it’s Still raining here. Boo. I’ll be tackling my closet tomorrow. Out with stuff I don’t wear or won’t wear.
Have a good few days. Tomorrow eve I’m watching the Canucks last chance of getting into the playoffs. Mind you the chances are 0.2% but there’s always hope.
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Welcome, orknitter and catherina. I'm one of the older oldies on this forum and have been here since 2009, when I was diagnosed and began my bc journey. For a year my world was bc and gradually I rejoined "regular life." I just turned 82 and am generally healthy, as far as I know. There's always that fear of a sudden discovery of a health issue. Good luck to both of you. You're welcome to hang out with us and share happenings in your lives.
Today I'm headed back to Ponchatoula, where I went yesterday with my younger sister and a cousin her age for lunch. I have a hair appointment for a trim. Afterward I will meet a friend at a coffee shop. And after that I may stop at a Walmart before heading home.
It's 46 degrees this morning and sunny.
I hope something good happens on the national scene today.
Happy Tuesday to all.
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