Single life after a mastectomy
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BB, hope you had a good Thanksgiving.
Life, hang in there and keep applying. Lots of places around here take on seasonal help for Christmas, so there's bound to be something.
Enerva, glad you had a good time. It is sort of weird to hang out with people who are younger than we are, particularly because it doesn't seem that long ago that we were the youngest people around!
Jazzy, how was your Thanksgiving?
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Enerva -- Thanks for sharing the photos. You look the same age as the other people at the party. It's nice that you had a good time.
I was invited to a family get-together but did not go.
Cubbie -- Thanks for the encouragement!
Hope you all had a great day.
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oh ladies good morning.
Well last night before bed I lied in again and check my exam n I fail again..
I was so chocked and sad and angry at my brain and no words to describe how I feel.
I must now pay for it again and give it another chance I only got 70 this times less Than before.
I tell you I feel like crap. It seems is just no for me to keep this license but I keep fighting to succeed I ll take a big breath and continue it is all I can do.
I was too sad to post last night
I ll post tonight since I must organize for the craft sale tmw.
I must go grab some bags and table cloth at the dollar store too
Lol
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Good morning ladies. Whew, another holiday over.
E- I am very sorry you did not pass the exam, that is just a total bummer. I hope you can go shift gears and enjoy selling your items at the craft fair. So many will be lucky to get one of your beautiful creations.
Life- I am sorry you have not been able to get a response to any seasonal work applications. I understand opting out of the family gatherings. Hugs sister.
BB- I hope you were able to enjoy some of the day yesterday, perhaps with your mother and sister.
Cubbie- my Thanksgiving was lovely and peaceful. I put the turkey in the oven a bit before 8 a.m. and was eating by 12:30 p.m. Turkey, stuffing, green beans almondine, and a bit of gravy. I have learned not to overeat at Thanksgiving. Got some nice left overs for meals through the weekend, and also plan to make some turkey noodle soup in the crock pot soon!
How was your day, who ended up doing the cooking in your family this year?
Got some home and business things to tend to today and a trip to the gym as well. I hope to get outside for a walk too, if the weather is do-able (may rain today). Many of the chain stores are opting out (#optout) of being open today to give employees a break before the crazy Xmas retail season and they are encouraging everyone to get outdoors. I like it.
Hope everyone has a peaceful day
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BB- when overwhelmed, it is best to break things into do-able chunks. I did that when my mother got sick and we had to take over everything for her, and also when I went through treatment. Some people asked so many questions about things during those times that I had no answers too, and it often made things so much worse. I learned to break things down into pieces.Taking it day by day is best when you feel everything is too much. Working on 2-3 things a day will help you to move through. Hugs sister.
Glad you had time with the family and know all in your family are struggling through with various challenges. It will be nice if your sister can join you for Christmas.
Something wrong with my alarm system, I noticed a flashing yellow "system" light that happens when your alarm has been set off, but I have been home for 2 days so that is not it. I tried everything to troubleshoot it, clear the system, etc. and have a call into the alarm center to ask if there is anything else I can do or if I need a service call? Who knows if they are even in today? Always something......
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E -- Sorry to hear about the test. Have you been using a study guide (such as a test prep book) for the test? If so, maybe a different test prep book would help. Through the years, I've accumulated many different test prep books for my sons, and I found that some were better than others. Don't give up yet. {{Hugs}}
BB -- I see that you're looking for work again, too. Good luck to you, too.
Jazzy -- Yes, it is always something. Murphy's Law. I sympathize... Everything in my house is broken down right now - lol. You had a lovely day planned, though, so I hope you get to enjoy it.
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Enerva, I'm sorry - I really thought you would pass this time. Do you think you need to step back and take a break from studying for a week or so? Your brain must feel like it is crammed full of facts. Life has a good idea, maybe you need a different test prep program. I know some of the prep programs for technical certifications are better than others, it's probably the same for other types of tests.
Jazzy, my sister and her husband ended up doing the cooking. She hates to cook! At least it is only one day out of the year. We started doing non-traditional stuff from Christmas years ago after my niece moved away, so that holiday is much more low key. I found the holiday difficult, as last year at this time we were dealing with a family medical crisis, and this year I'm the family medical crisis. It's both scary and sad. This just isn't something I expected to be dealing with at my age.
Life, anything that isn't broken in your house is probably broken in mine.
The worst at my place (aside from the basement waterproofing issues) is that the water heater is very flaky. Sometimes the water is hot, sometimes it is just kinda a little bit warm. I've had it worked on, basically had the internals replaced so only the tank is original, and it still acts this way. I knew I should have insisted the plumber just replace the whole thing, but he thought he could fix it. It's very annoying, because I have to take a shower when the water heater is in the mood, not when it is convenient for me.BB, that's really encouraging that your case worker found a clinic for you to go to. There has to be something out there for people caught in your situation with no one in-network and limited resources to pay for out of network services. I hope your sister can return for Christmas. I'm hoping my nephew will be here for Christmas, it will be a very dull group otherwise.
I went out this afternoon to the craft store (got some parts to repair a Christmas ornament for a co-worker) and I was surprised how relatively quiet it is out there. It isn't really any busier than a Saturday. I think some of that is because many stores here hold sales on Thanksgiving evening, so it spreads out the rush. I hope it's that and not the economy.
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Hi ladies- finally figured out the alarm issue, which is what I thought it was. There is a way to press keys to show you the "problem area" but that was not coming up and after ruling out everything else in the troubleshooting book, I figured it is the battery needing to be replaced. I got a call from the monitoring group awhile ago confirming that they are getting a signal for the low battery.
I talked to the monitoring station and they were trying to get an on call tech for me to talk to, but no one available. Ah the joys of having a house problem on a holiday weekend. Since the office here is obviously closed today with the holiday (no call back), I will just go over on Monday to pick up a new battery at the security office and replace it myself. I did this myself a couple years back and it is an easy fix vs. calling someone out to the situation to fix it now. By doing that myself, I will save myself $80 for the visit, although that may just be the cost for a scheduled visit vs. an emergency one. They are putting the alarm zone on "test" now which means any messages they continue to get around the low batter will be on hold until Tuesday. We have this one figured out.
Cubbie- I am glad your sister put on her big girl panties and decided to step up to cook the meal. Plenty of things in life I hate to do too, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do! Sounds like Thanksgiving may be more high pressure than Xmas, which means you should be able to coast. Mine is the other way around with my family, lots of expectations around Xmas time. I am always happy to get to New Years Day.
I am sorry you have found yourself in this place too young. Several of the women here I think are your age, a few of us are older. I hear more and more on BCO that women in their 20s, 30s and 40s are getting diagnosed. I know when you get it very young, it is often genetic but still. I just worry what is happening that so many more younger women are finding themselves with bc. It tells me there is much they still don't know about all this.
Glad to hear your time out today was not too bad. I have been hearing from people out and about here who say there are lines galore in the big box stores. I really wanted to do a walk outside today, but it is overcast and cold and not good weather for that. So instead, I am putting on my work out gear and going to the gym to do my weight routines and also maybe swim and hot tub it.
I made a good dent on getting some Xmas stuff done including something that needs to go in the mail and also got my cards started. I usually do a Xmas letter but decided to opt out. Most people see me on social media so they know what I am up to. Sort of freeing to let go of that routine and just focus on the cards with a personal greeting.
Time to go pump iron. Hope everyone is having a peaceful day!
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BB -- I will PM you in a few minutes.
Cubbie -- Oh, no, you're dealing with the same kind of house problems. My water heater is fine so far (knock on wood), but the furnace has been behaving strangely for the past 3 winters. It's very temperamental, but I don't have the money to fix it. Sometimes it shuts down overnight. Usually I have to turn it off and on, over and over again, all day long, just to keep it running. LOL. Don't get me started on everything else that's broken. LOL. Oh, the things we have to deal with, right? BTW, I was diagnosed right after my 46th birthday. I didn't expect it either at that point in my life. I hit the 5-year mark the other day. :-)
Jazzy -- Glad to hear that the alarm can be fixed easily. Hope you're enjoying your night!
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Life- congrats on making it to the five year mark. Despite everything else you are going through, I hope it takes one less worry away from you. Although we know it can come back later too. You have had a time of it. Everyone here has struggled.
I just hit my 3 years and was diagnosed at age 52.
I went to the gym to lift weights and then went for something warm to drink at Starbucks next door afterwards. It is cold and windy here today/tonight. Home now and hope the weather is better tomorrow.
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BB, there are definitely days you don't want to check the mail if you want to keep a positive attitude. My mail tends to be filled with bills these days.
Life, I think there are some safety features that can make your furnace shut down to protect you. Sounds like that could be the source of your problem. I had to replace my inducer motor last year. It was an expensive repair on an old furnace, but I'm glad I did it, because as things have turned out, I need that furnace to last another year. I was hoping to replace it this fall, but that's sure not happening now. Congrats on 5 years!
I realized this afternoon that Michael's was likely to have sales today, and went over the check on to yarn I was eyeing. It was marked down by $1 a ball, which moved it from expensive to merely overpriced. So I bought a couple of balls, and I'm trying my hand at knitting a scarf. I have already had to start over once, and have said a few bad words. I make knitting look hard!
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Jazzy -- Thanks, and congratulations to you, too, on your 3-year mark. :-) Yes, indeed, we can't take life for granted, though. I share a birthday with a close relative who was fighting cancer when I was. Now, every year, on that day, I'm reminded that I made it to another birthday... but she didn't. It's a bittersweet day.
Cubbie -- Well, that's worrisome. I never thought a safety feature might be shutting my furnace down. Last winter, I watched a video on the type of furnace I have. Then I opened the furnace to watch it turn on and then shut off. I forget exactly what I noticed, but I've been under the impression that maybe something called a thermocouple is not working properly. But, now, come to think of it, maybe a safety feature is shutting it down. Very worrisome... Thanks for the warning. (Oddly enough, every winter, eventually it starts working again - as long as I don't adjust the temperature because then it will start acting funny again. At times like these, sometimes I wish I had a husband or boyfriend who knows how to fix things.) ;-)
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good morning. I had a hard day yesterday then came home to finish a few more gloves for the craft sale . Went to bed at 1pm lol I have many things . These are the prices I decided .
Baby 0 to 3 months hats $5.00
Baby's boots $8.00
Adult hat with no flowers $10.00
Adult hat with bottoms $12.00
Adults fingerless gloves $12.00
Adults or little girls hat with flowers $15.00
Baby Cocoons with not hat and no flower $25.00
Baby cocoons with hat and flowers $40.00
Ladies tops $35.00
I will finish a few roses now it's 5am
Roses $8.00
Lol
Well not sure prices are fair but I feel if I see something for that price I myself may say Humm this is not bad lol
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good morning ladies. Hope all had a great Thanksgiving!
E I love your creations and I think the prices are perfect. Sorry about the test
I was taking certification courses when all this chit came up and had to drop out. I am clearly not ready for the demand of studying, homework and such. When is the craft sale? I feel ya. A couple hard days here too BB-Glad you found a program. Sorry all that other junk is coming your way at once. I could never live with my mom either. We have a limitation as to how much time we can spend together. Wish I had solutions for you
Life-I'm having a similar issue with my vent free logs. There is a safety mechanism that will shut it down. I took my thermocouple off last year and scrubbed the dirt and soot off of it and still having the issue. Mine was also spewing soot all over the house last year and from reading, that's very very bad. Means it's producing carbon monoxide if I remember correctly. So, until I can afford to get it fixed, I freeze down stairs while the kids burn up upstairs. But at least I have a roof and plenty of blankets.
Jazzy- You're inspiring. Once I heal, I need to get in to check the Y. I don't think their live strong program is for me. I want pool access haha. Plus as much as I love mingling with other C patients and hearing their stories, that would have to be for me. Make sense? My 'get away' thing. Right now thou my right side has turned into one big scabby mess
I took the stickers off the had on me for my boost and 2 of them took skin off with them. I also have a crease that is...not sure what it's doing but every morning, ick. Making a mess of shirts and having to change a couple times a day. Been in the dumps. I try to enjoy the holidays but Bleh. We've lost so much and this past year, naturally, has been full of personal loss for me
I'm very blessed and try to remember that daily. But it doesn't always make me feel better. Hope everyone has a great day. I'm going upstairs to help DD finish her me's say ass room. DS2 did a great job on his yesterday. DS1 didn't finish
He's pissing me off (21). I'm so tired of my upstairs being unshowable able to company damnit. I worked hard to get this place, and keep it!! Damn kids have no idea and no respect, it seems, for all we do and how hard it is to maintain. Ok. Done venting
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Hey everyone! I haven't been posting because the fatigue from taxol has been hitting me hard. But yesterday was my last infusion so I'm really Glad! Just wanna share my happy moment with you girls. Catch up soon when I feel better!
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27heart -- Congratulations! Thank you for sharing the photos with us here. You look happy and healthy and absolutely beautiful and ready to get back to living life fully.
Enerva -- Your creations are always so beautiful, and I think you're charging the right prices, too. Good luck with the craft show today.
Simplicity -- Sorry to hear that you're having the same house problems. Thanks for the advice. We often wake up freezing, too, but we're also thankful for blankets and the roof over our heads. Not to mention the wood-burning fireplace. :-) I've been thinking about the old trees in the backyard. There are too many, and some are small enough to chop down and use.
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Congratulations Heart!!! WoooHoooo!!!
I need to go to the steam room
So freaking angry right now. Ungrateful ={*€~<*+}^#!+]*}€~?,^*}]>~?}^># 21 yr old son!!!!!0 -
Simplicity, the holiday has been sort of rough on me, too. I highly recommend the Y, very affordable where I am, great hours, and there's a good cross section of ages and fitness levels. I never feel out of place there. Sounds like your 21 year old is being a very big brat?
Heart27, I noticed you hadn't been around lately. Glad to hear you are done with chemotherapy. Even though you are tired, you look fantastic!
BB, the year I was unemployed at Christmas I was surprised at how far I was able to stretch my Christmas money. It was actually sort of fun seeing how much I could do within my budget, and I came up with some creative ideas I wouldn't have thought of otherwise.
It's frequently cold in my house, but that's because I keep the heat turned way down to save money. Sometimes I come home and just leave my winter coat on until it is time to go to bed!
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hi.
Craft sale was great I sold $52
3 pair of gloves
2 hats 2 roses
It was a bit slow but I was able to give out my b card so that is a bonus
I am so tired
Hope you all are having a great weekend
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Enerva -- Congrats! Glad to hear that you had a good day at the craft fair.
So... it sounds as if most of us are broke. But, it's interesting how creative we all are with the little bit of money we have.
Every day we all are surviving in so many ways.
P.S. (Simplicity, sorry to hear about your DS upsetting you right now.)
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BB, I have a similar policy, I don't skimp on the AC. I have houseplants, old photos, 8mm film, and magnetic tape recordings that won't tolerate the heat. Interestingly, it doesn't cost as much to air condition as it does to heat, even if you adjust for my low settings in the winter.
Enerva, that's great your craft fair went well. I can believe you sold those roses, they are really eye catching.
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Just received a rejection letter in the mail.
They didn't even interview me. Oh, well, their loss. There are a few other places to try...0 -
life
Well I sold the rose for 5.00 instead of 8.00 and now I got an order foe red one lol
I just made one . But need to get more supplies ll pass by the $ store to get the wood sticks. Not sure if is too much work for $5.
But I guess is just a way of getting the word out there in my building so people remember I have a few other creations .
Here is the red one .
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27Heart- thanks for checking in here with us. It is hard to know how we will do with any of this stuff, but it sounds like you are coming through some of the worst of the chemo.
You are such a beautiful young woman, and add to that, a lovely smile too! Your positiveness just emanates from the photos.
I am wishing you well on the next steps with your treatment.
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Good morning friends- I hope everyone survived the holiday weekend as best they could.
I am not a fan of the holiday season nor spending time with my family during this time of the year. I have little family left, so it is sad that the ones I do have feel a need to make it so unpleasant year after year.
My sister and her significant other bought a second home and started asking (or rather badgering) me to come for Xmas back in the spring, which I was not able to commit to until I had some things sorted out with my contract work. I finally committed in Sept.
I always take the time to buy them thoughtful gifts whether I am visiting or staying local. Yesterday, my sister started copping this attitude with me about Xmas and told me I needed to "buy my own gifts" as she is too busy. Or I could have a check. Who invites somebody for Xmas and then says that? I have not spent Xmas with them in six years, and being reminded why. It has given me a very low feeling about going.
Anyways, my priority is my business and work. I have a contract coming today and plan to turn it around quickly so I can get going again. I actually told myself yesterday that since I procured the ticket with FF miles, I can just as easily opt out of going if things get worse here. My sister creates a lot of problems for herself by getting overextended, and then makes it everyone elses problems to deal with.
My sister and I had bc at the same time. We are going forward very differently with our new normal. I have accepted that the goal to focus on staying healthy and keeping things simple is not her paradigm. Just not sure I want to deal with this BS over the holiday. We will see.
Thanks for e-listening.
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Jazzy -- I can understand not wanting to spend your holiday there. Good thing you'll be able to opt out of going, if you decide to. :-) You don't need that kind of drama ruining your holiday.
When I was a young single with a job and loads of money, I bought nice gifts for my family. Everyone in my family went all-out with the gift-giving every Christmas. Then, a few years ago, we reached an agreement. We all already have so many "things," as is. I suggested that we buy consumable gifts only. So, every year, now we give each other gifts like baskets of food, gift cards, and maybe something little like a book.
Everyone --- Earlier here, we were talking about heating the house. Some of you mentioned A/C. I prefer hot days, and I rarely turn the A/C on at all during the summer. Then I keep the heat up around 70-72 during the winter months. So, I wonder if, what I consider cold, you'd all consider warm... For example, the heat turned off overnight here, and it's 64 degrees. Would that be warm and cozy for some of you? Especially maybe those of you living in Canada? Just curious. My sons are in short sleeves, and they insist they're not cold. lol
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Thanks for your support ladies. BB, you are very right there have been issues here for a long time. Although I will continue to have a relationship with them and see them from time to time, I think this is just a reminder again that nothing has changed around the holiday stuff. They won't ever come here for Xmas, that is a given, so it is really up to me to just say yes or no to the invite to come during the holidays.
BB- you asked about shopping year round. I am someone who likes to shop so if I happen to see something I know someone would like, I buy it and put it away for later. The challenge is to not forget you got them something and double buy. There are times I go "wow, I ended up getting them three things!" Then I will save it for another time or give to someone else. I have used up a lot of my saved up items this holiday which is good, given the cash flow situation this year.
I too don't exchange much with folks anymore either. Many have no disposable income anymore and adults prefer to focus on giving gifts to kids and elders, which I agree with too. Some of my friends and I will meet up for a glass of wine or the like instead of giving each other something. Each year the list of people I do gifts with gets a bit smaller. I think Xmas has become all about consumerism anyways.
Life- I keep my house warm in the summer (up to 80 degrees, use the fans to keep the house cool, AC only when it gets really hot meaning over 100 degrees). In the winter, I keep the house around 65-68. During the in between, I keep the heat/AC off and just allow myself to be present with the temp change. I like my body to not have too much shock when I go from inside to outside. Our bodies have a harder time regulating temp as we age, so I am trying not to put it into the extremes!
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hi hi so much going on here.
Jazz I totally support you. I am like you I buy through the year if I see something special for one of my siblings I grave it and stored away.
So yesterday I spend the day with my nephew. I told you I am paying for his driving leasons lol so went to downtown and he drove my car from his home to my area which is far since he is not allowed in high way yet then we went to an aquarium place and had dinner then he drove back downtown he is doing great in fact the instructor think he only needs 3 clases in total so 2 more and his exam is on December 18.
He asked me what do I want for xtmas I told him I want a lottery ticket lol and I want him to pass the driving exam lol no pressure but to focus on his instructor s instructions and get it done
Other than that my day went as usual today at work.
Bb the roses do take a lot of work but here is what made me sell it for 5 .is that those ladies who were at the craft sale they donate their $ from the sale to charities so in a way is like a nice thing to give something for less to them
U are right I enjoy doing the work.
They also asked me if I bake ? They ll involve me in a baking event lol oh well I ll get any extra cash jib I can get. Which made me think about you and life.
LIFE do you bake? Cookies or anything banana bread or some family receipe ? This time of the year specialy churches do xtmas craft events and some you don't pay to participate .
There was a lady at my craft sale who made more money than all of us she was had home made jams. Each jarg for $5.00
Anyway just an idea.
Sending u all hugs
Jazz I ll spend xtmas alone but I honestly am done with all the giving expensive gift now I ll give thing I made lol
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E -- Baking is a good idea. I do bake, though I'm not sure that I'm great at it. lol But I, too, have baked things for charity. For example, one year, a bunch of us baked cookies for a place that serves food to the homeless. Baking does sound like a good idea for raising some money for Christmas. I'll look further into that... (BTW, you're a wonderful aunt to your nephew.) :-)
Jazzy -- 100 degrees would feel very hot to me. Then again, the humidity here on the east coast is so heavy. I traveled to CA a couple of times, and the climate there was very dry and clear. When my flight landed back east, all the passengers groaned because the humidity here was so stifling, compared with CA. I'm imagining NM having a dry climate, too...? NM looks beautiful in your photos. Are the winters very cold where you live?
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