My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer

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  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    Nice to hear from you guys, the brisket sounds good.

    sfcakes, enjoy the garden and may the appt go by quickly

    Chicagoan, I am sorry about the cold and cancelled plans. The popeye's sandwhich sounds good and enjoy your jigsaw puzzle.

    Still deciding on a dinner order or a simple egg dinner. Could put it on a frozen pasta and microwave, I am unsure yet. Not going to eat yet, will wait until around 6pm. Even just the frozen meal would be good.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    Decided on just a pasta dish, nothing fancy because it will be good. Will have more chocolate after the meal.

    I did manage to run the last broken laptop on a different operating system which is fine by me, it just has to be run off a usb stick which I have plenty of and is linux, another OS versus windows. The battery is also gone so must stay plugged in but that is OK.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161
  • threetree
    threetree Posts: 2,408

    Chicagoan - Very sorry to hear that you had to change plans due to your cold, but sounds like it all worked out pretty well. I'm alone today also, and like you, I'm finding it all fairly pleasant. I usually go with friends, but no one was doing a group get together; just individual things, so I had deli food. Happy Easter to you, and I hope your cold passes soon.

    Mara - You mentioned chocolate! That's what I need! I'm in the middle of an afternoon cup of coffee and after reading your post, it hit me that a piece of chocolate would really top off the at home deli food lunch I had, and now my coffee. It would make this much more holiday-ish, having some chocolate. I don't know why I didn't think of that on my own. I've got quite a bit of chocolate around, so I'm going to go drum some up right now, before the coffee is gone.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    Wrenn, dos 4 wow, that is some time ago but cool that computers can run such ancient things. I will need to look into installing other stuff on the one I put the mint linux on. It works just fine. I still want windows stuff to run on it so I will look for wine app to run windows or something else, I will figure it out. Option 2 is use that as an experiment and try and put windows back on it, I will see. Perhaps it will be able to install there. Plenty of fun when bored. Got a gaming laptop I would like to restore as well. I never throw stuff away which is both good and bad at the same thing.

    three tree, I want to get more chocolate, liking the chocolate almond chocolate more than reese though I might order more later, I will see what I want to do. Groceries need to turn into buying exactly what is needed. No more or less, skip shopping altogether if nothing is needed. It would be weird to do but doable.

    Not sure about meals, would like to use up the spinach, perhaps spinach and rice would be good. I can either make extra batches OR just make the regular amount, really does not matter to me. Option 2 would be simple eggs, peppers and potatoes, put the frozen stuff in with the eggs, 2 or 3, heat up in a bowl and perhaps make an english muffin put the egg in with it, no need for chopping and eat as is. Option 3, take the eggs and rice together, put spinach or lentils in, add some tortilla chips and have queso AND sour cream combined to bind it all. Will post once I finally decide what to have. Too many things on my mind for food but will get it soon as talking about it of course makes me hungry.

    Hope everyone had a good Easter, I did not wind up making anything special but spent the day with technology repair so there is that. Hoping for a good day for everyone and in pockets for anyone who needs me.

  • chicagoan
    chicagoan Posts: 1,383

    Tanya-That sounds wonderful. Glad you had such a nice visit with your daughter and grandkids.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    Tanya, glad you haad a good visit with daughter and grandchildren, glad the swimming was fun as well. Your ache and pains will settile and I can understand why you are so tired but glad you had the visit.

    Mel, glad to hear from you and the progress Gabbie has made in her treatment and the cool room she has to rest in. I am sorry to hear the Divine Ms M has passed on, I mostly just read stuff she had posted but her battle was hard fought and for a long time. I hope you are feeling more encouraged too as Gabbie moves forward in her own treatment and glad she kept her hair.

    I am mostly doing leftover chores today, floor always seems to be needing done which is fine. I also want to clear out more recycling, the boxes are taking up space that I could use, garbage goes out this week too. I plan to put out more than three bags and get it cleared out. I am debating a trip to the mall this evening or possibly in the afternoon, could stand a pizza from Walmart possibly, I will see. Should happen today or tomorrow. Help myself get out of the fear of stepping off the bus. I do not need any other groceries either. May book a trip to another mall across the city on Paratransit, keep it shorter as I only plan to walk, I will see how I feel. I can also see going about my day and taking a bus to the mall

    Well, as stupid as it sounds, now that I repaired the two laptops that were not working well, I am back to the normal laptop. Still going to play with booting from USB and stuff like that on the one. I am a bit of a tech geek, not to the point of being able to take apart and replace or repair stuff but enough to install operating systems etc. Fun stuff for me.

    Going to work on eating more eggs, I have about 30 and do not want to throw them out, here they are not too expensive but a waste of money to dispose of them. Going back to basics, egg sandwich, debating using the big egg sandwich maker or the mini griddles or forgo the sandwich portion and heat up some frozen veggies and an egg in two of my mini griddles. I will see later how I feel and what I want. I do want one frozen pizza, full size so could take the bus to Walmart this afternoon or evening during off peak hours, free trip that way, I will see. how I feel. I just have a hankering for the pizza, just have to remember stuff in the fridge. Planning to use boxes if I run out of containers. Option 2 sees me ordering a grocery delivery from Walmart and getting a couple frozen meals, egg quiche bites if they have them and frozen hamburgers. At 10.97 I could have 8 and just cook in the frypan and have meats for other meals as well. Option 2 seemss to have won the day since I can get more stuff. Pizza, frozen hamburgers and riced veggies so far to put on my list, avoiding beans but may check canned meats like turkey and chicken. Still trying to account for space. The pizza is a taco pizza, never had it before but sounds good. For anything that cannot be frozen, will heat them up and store in the fridge. Delivery order placed and it is scheduled in the next 5 hours but my location usually gets it within 90 minutes. I did get riced cauliflower and veggies, frozen of course

    Other than that, nothing else happening, will be waiting on the order since they text if they cannot get something which is good. I do have one more laptop to see if it can be fixed, if not, I will take it apart and take out the hard drives and look into closures for the hard drive.

    I do hope everyone has a good day and in pockets for those who need me.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161
    edited April 22

    Well, delivery was not in 5 hours, got it in the 90 min estimate and luckily the person found all items requested, taco pizza in the oven. I should get a pizza rolling slicer at some point but do not have one so will simply allow it to cool and simply tear it apart. Later will want to try the rice cauliflower and other stuff. Got two more mexican rice, I will not be trying to mix with other stuff, simply make it, store it and add as a side or into eggs. Got the mini egg bites so that can expand an egg meal. Once the taco pizza is done, I could mix a little queso with my sour cream, little spice to dip my pizza into. Looking forward to it.

    The pizza was good, it seemed a bit soft in the middle but I tore up the rest and put in the fridge, tonight will have one of the egg bites and eggs possibly. The taco pizza is a bit spicy but it was good. Other option for tonight is some of the riced cauliflower and veggies fried in the pan with some butter and an egg, sounds good to me I think. I also have tons of spinach left in the freezer too.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    So bought some body cooling wear, cooling towels, cooling headband, cooling neck fan as well, I used to have another type of neck fan but it was too annoying to adjust them so this one is straight forward and blows upward. Also have a white hat with a visor. Supposedly is UV 50. I still have UV umbrellas but too much of a pain to hold it and a cane. Will arrive by tomorrow. I will be interested in testing some of them out and getting to know how long the cooling effect lasts and such. I really want to get back to outdoor walking but do have to take heat intolerance seriously. I also want to walk to the mall again but will wait for my stuff to arrive tomorrow to get outdoors.

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    My meals were both the taco pizza from Walmart Both meals were good. Looking forward for all the cooling aids. Now having said all this, obviously would not need all this when using paratransit but goal is for walking outdoors and walking to and from the hospital. I will be working on an old gaming laptop next so may do that this evening.

  • threetree
    threetree Posts: 2,408

    Love back to you too, Mel!

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    KBL, I could not agree more with chugging along before dropping in the energy. In your pocket.

    Very dark and rainy here, weather changing a bit from yesterday which was very warm. Getting a slight hint of how humidity will go but I have to say I really liking my headband, it does stay cool for a long time and that is great. I did not get out yesterday, should have to give the hat a go as so much sun would be kept off my face with the extra wide visor. When riding Paratransit, don't need this stuff though but we will see as heat and humidity arrive. The cool feeling lasts as long as it is damp, easily fits under my wig too. Got the neck fan too but again, none of that is necessary if doing Paratransit to the hospital. Should be interesting to see what happens on Wednesday because unless they are gone, there are piles of dirt in the middle of the road. Road is not dug up but looks like piles of dirt to do driveway work. The FB page of my neighbourhood was upset that homeowners are adding extra additions in the back of their houses to rent out and I am guessing that dirt will furnish a new driveway in the back. I am not certain why people are so worried, heritage homes are not being leveled, just people wanting to make extra cash on rent.

    Other than that, simply laundry for today. Amused myself by watching a vid on facebook of cloths being used instead of TP and people were horrified by the thought of washing them in a machine. I did not comment but was thinking is there no common sense. When cats have rarely made a mess, I bring a cloth, I dump contents in the toilet, throw in a washer, wash with hot water. Take some rubbing alcohol spray, spray down the washer, wipe sides with the clean cloth and just do another wash. Just makes me wonder what common sense people have later in life to not realize how to disinfect stuff. Oh well.

    Probably doing some eggs, my own eggs. Might add an egg bite and rice, also need beans chopped in there. Will do up the egg by itself, also heat up the egg bite separate. Dump both in chopper with beans and add cheese, run chopper first and then later add to bigger bowl. Spraying the bowl with cooking spray, rub around the bowl with butter and add rice, egg and bean chop. Heat until cheese is melted. Add whatever binder and seasoning you wish, I generally favour the sour cream and onion stuff. I have also thought about adding the riced veggies I do not like and heating them up with eggs and do the normal chop of beans egg and cheese, then melt cheese. Can really hide stuff I do not like but should eat. Later, I am not sure what I want to have but will post if it sounds good. I get a lot of cheap food ideas both off Facebook and youtube and that helps me put together stuff I can eat and actually enjoy. Since groceries are pricier rice and beans really help to bulk out meals for me.

    I do hope everyone has a good day, in pockets for all who need me.

  • tanya_djamila
    tanya_djamila Posts: 1,612

    Hey Mara

    I understand about people putting homes on their property for rentals. It could even be for other family members. I’ve certainly considered it. Lots of circumstances cause grown children to return to parents home.

    I think cloths are an alternative that we all should learn (disinfecting). Remember that’s what was used for females when they had menses. Before baby wipes there were washcloths and cloth diapers.Covid almost pushed us to that realization. We are spoiled due to our position in the world. I’m grateful to have this position but not afraid to survive without.

    KBL I didn’t see you on Wednesday call. I hope to see you Monday. Last grandkid leaves tomorrow. Things should calm down a little. Wishful thinking. I hope you’re still feeling ok and enjoying your grandson and NC.

    Take care all

    Tanya

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    Tanya totally agree with you, my cloths are clean. SIL also thinks washing them is gross but I don't yap about it around her. I do clean myself and the house with them, no need to throw stuff away all the time, keep clean disinfect washer and all is well. Keep TP for any company.

    Presently soaking a few dishes, ran out of dishsoap so just using detergent for now until I can order more. I must say makes the sink smell good.

  • cookie54
    cookie54 Posts: 1,220

    Mara Hope tomorrow brings sunshine since the rain is coming down this way tomorrow. We had another beautiful day today but we really need rain as the pollen is really high!

    Hi to all here , thinking of @shanagirl today, hope your doing well. Wishing a peaceful and restful night to all.

  • shanagirl
    shanagirl Posts: 560

    Hi @cookie54 , I’m sitting on the front porch with my iPad and listening to all the birds. Chrominance and getting ready to retire to their nests 🪺.the sun is going down now, and there is a nice breeze off the Bay. Love listening to the seagulls flying by too. I’m waiting for DD to come over. She asked me to help her fill a gift basket for a baby shower she’s going to. I love to make those as gifts. And fix them up really pretty. … so anyway nothing new. Here, just felling the rain coming in tomorrow. it’s been a beautiful week, but we do need. Rain desperately. Those fires down in South Jersey were. Really bad the last few days. I heard earlier today. They. We’re 60% contained. But It. Was. Like California type fire 🔥 here.

    Saying hi to all of you here. Have a nice restful evening 🩵

  • threetree
    threetree Posts: 2,408

    Shana - Thanks for checking in. Like Cookie, I too was wondering how you are doing. Oh, sitting out listening to the birds and watching the sun go down. Very, very nice. Have a good evening and enjoy the time with your daughter!

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    Shana, glad to hear from you and sitting listening to the birds as well. It sounds very relaxing.Hope you have had a good time with DD.

    Threetree, wish I could send our bit of rain you way, I confess I love the beautiful days though but pollen is a PIA so rain would be good.

    So got a letter to fill out a form for potential jury duty. Not sure how that would work with all the appointments for chemo, MO visit or anything. Going to call the number and tell them it would not be possible. I just cannot see me being able to do that. They are open on Monday.

    I have the neverending cloths and blankets I could do which is fine. I have started washing with Tide laundry spray along with Oxyclean max force spray. Only spray 3 sprays of each and it gets the laundry done wellMy little floating lint filters are breaking due to the force of the agitation in the laundry but I can still repair them with zipties to keep them going. Kind of like sewing clothes which may have a hole in them. Gives me a weird enjoyment doing that. Floors and other things on the agenda too. I remembered to let some dishes drain out on a dish rack purchased earlier. I always find dishes a bother to keep up with, still looking a countertop dishwashers but trying to keep talking myself out of it and getting a better system for soaking dishes like limit the soak for half an hour and get to it, or which I find challenging, wash stuff up right away. I will see, no dishwasher for me now or have to save money. That would take a while.

    Thinking of opening can of black beans and adding beans to a couple of eggs with some of the riced veggies, heat all in the microwave for a few minutes then take the mix out, chop in with some cheese and reheat to melt the cheese. Out of the queso so binding probably will be one of my salad dressings. I may walk up to the store, not the mall, bout a half hour walk each way but the one grocery store has benches so could get the queso and head home. I do not see why not. Take it slow and could shave off part of the route on bus. I will see. Later meal probably be english muffin, either egg and cheese on the english muffin I think. Not sure.

    I do hope everyone has a good day, in pockets for all including myself to get to the store for the queso and the walk. Leaving you with a sweet picture of Tigger from a few years ago.

    178645788_10159510208888023_77819815270450501_n.jpg

    T

  • rlschaller
    rlschaller Posts: 728

    Mara - Tigger is beautiful! What a sweet soulful look on that face ❤️🐈‍⬛. I also don’t have a dishwasher, soaking helps. Dishes are not my favorite thing, I swirl more than clean lol… try to do it mindfully but somehow I always seem to leave food traces. DH does most of the dishes in our house, I do the cooking. Which I love. He is dreaming of a dishwasher in our future. Have fun on your walk today. I love 30 minute walks, small purchases and back. As long as the weather holds…

    Shana- love the image of sitting on the porch with the iPad, relaxing listening to birds song . Making baby shower baskets sounds fabulous. Love making pretty things. And to do it with your DD, so nice.

    Rainy day here. I spent the morning cooking for the week, vegie stir fry and steamed asparagus and potatoes. Will make a pasta bake in abit, and for now plan on a good read with a Louise Penny novel. Maybe bake scones later,,. See how my energy holds.

    Hugs to all 🤗

  • threetree
    threetree Posts: 2,408

    Mara - I'm torn between your offer of sending rain my way if you could vs. leaving things as they are. We've had some very nice days this week; sunny and 70 sort of days that couldn't be better - except for the inevitable pollen that comes with. The rain would sure help tamp down the pollen, but I don't think I'd give up the light, breezy, and sunny days we've had for it. You don't get somethin' for nothin', as Mom used to always say, and in this case, I'll take the sun and 70. That walk to the store sounds real nice and I hope it works out for you. Thanks so much for the photo of Tigger - very nice!

    Rlschaller - I actually prefer handwashing dishes to using the dishwasher. It's just me, and I guess it gives me some sort of feeling of doing something for myself. You talked about doing the dishes mindfully; something I'd never consciously thought about before, but I think when you do wash them by hand and it is a mindful activity and maybe that's why I like it. The warm soapy water can feel real nice on arthritic hands and fingers too, and be really soothing mentally and physically. Maybe you got some of Mara's rain?

  • mara51506
    mara51506 Posts: 7,161

    rjshaller, it is raining now so will walk tomorrow. Ordered stuff from Walmart instead, got a lot of queso including a squeezable version, pizza and squeezable version of sour cream, should anything be missing, easy enough to go tomorrow when sunny. Got some chili, potatoes, sliced mushrooms and steak soup all canned so will figure those out later. That stuff is arriving between 6 and 7pm today.