Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Forgot to mention we had a bit of excitement early this afternoon: our next-door neighbor (in Chicago, not the guy across the driveway here who keeps bringing us donuts) got back from his WI vacation home to find an alarm in our house going off so loudly you could hear it several houses away. He texted us and said he didn't notice any evidence of fire. I called him and asked him to take the spare key and check around for the smell of gas around the mechanicals, just in case. What he found was a smoke detector sitting (uninstalled) on a kitchen counter—it had to have been one taken off the wall by the pack-out crew after the fire, as it is smoke-only (the contractor installed combo smoke/CO detectors on three levels) and there are bare wires where it had been. He pulled out the battery, and the beeping stopped. Likely a dying-battery signal. None of the installed alarms went off. Whew!
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Everyone of us needs to show how much we care for each other and, in the process, care for ourselves.
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Adage of "be careful of what you wish for' applies to CT results as well. CT was to assess pulmonary nodule found incidentally during assessment for PE while hospitalized post-TNR. Seems nodule is stable and recommended repeat in 6 months.
However, he also identified multiple other issues by body system. So he did his due diligence, I am just not sure of significance of some and if any require follow-up. Since results are going to NP who specializes in OSA, she won't order any follow-ups and defer to PCP. Her focus will only be the nodule. I did request PCP be included in the loop, so I will reach out to her.
Taco, thank you for the comment. I hear you about being able to travel. We have booked trips through 2026 (2 land tours in Ireland back to back and a cruise of the Pacific islands) and will see how we do on them. I realize that we will also reach a time when this will not be possible, but can tell you my DH is resistant to this thinking. He overestimates his abilities and refuses to accept his bodily changes. His balance is awful and he falls, but blows it off. Not going to argue with him because he gets very defensive. I'll continue as long as I can, but am more accepting of my physical decline.
Sandy, thank you for all the information about Eataly. I know we will not attempt to go there when it first opens because it will be swamped. We do like Maggiano's and have had many pleasant family experiences there including birthday celebrations and our 50th anniversary. I have attended other private celebrations there as well. We used them a lot during Covid for takeout meals. I'm sure I will like the deli portion of Eataly. Glad your excitement was only a malfunctioning fire alarm, whew. Great neighbor you have.
Trying to go to Lancaster this Friday to shop for pumpkins since they will be much cheaper at the roadside stands than at any store around here. They do not sell them by weight. When I am done with them, I throw them in the woods and enjoy watching the deer and squirrels finish them off. I don't break them so the deer have to work to open them, but they have it down to a science. Seeing a squirrel with a small chunk and eating it is a good scene. I am sure the raccoons work on them at night. I just need a day away from the house.
Need to shop for birthday cards for DSIL, GDG and DS since two have birthdays while we are away (12th and 24th of October) and DS in November. I'll leave cards for October with DD to give to birthday celebrators. DSIL will go to Disney World while we are away. He and DD animal and house sit for us when we travel. She will be busy while he is away since there will be our menagerie as well as theirs at our house: 3 dogs, 3 cats, 4 birds, rabbit, and a guinea pig.
Chris, hope hand pain is more manageable now.
cindyny, what is next planned adventure?
I hope everyone has a great day. Waving "hi" to everyone.
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Cindy - the Big E looks like lots of fun. I had to look it up as I had never heard of a multi-state fair before.
Sandy - I like your attitude regarding the trip to NOLA. You’ve had multiple successful careers so you do not have to prove yourself. Go to NOLA, enjoy the food and play as much or as little music as you like. Happy to hear the smoke alarm was nothing.
Betrayal - good to hear the pulmonary nodule is stable. It is unfortunate that there were additional findings. I’m stuck in the same hamster wheel of scans, findings and follow up. I feel like as I age more and more stuff is found but fortunately most of it has been of no concern.
We are fortunate to have been able to travel but have not booked anything beyond next March. We will see what happens after that. I was kind of disgusted with myself on one of the hikes in Oregon as I struggled with the steepness and unevenness of the trail. My right knee doesn’t bend beyond 90 degrees and I lack the agility to climb over tree roots and rocks and go up/down steps that are higher than a standard step.
We had planned to ride bikes on the beach in Oregon however the bikes were beach cruisers and I couldn’t raise the seat sufficiently to allow for my wonky right knee. It was disappointing but we took several long walks on the beach and that made up for it. We hope to do some bike riding in Vietnam next year but I am 5’7” so I need a bike where I can raise the seat to allow for my height. Hopefully it will work out.
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It may easily come to pass that a vain man may become proud and imagine himself pleasing to all when he is in reality a universal nuisance.
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Harley, I was 5’8” and now probably 5’7”, so I get needing the seat on a bike raised. I’m all leg too.
Sandy, super nice neighbor going into find the noise of a smoke detector. Glad that’s all it was.
Right now we’ve only got trips planned for July & August, 2026; one of the Finger Lakes for my SO family gathering, and August for a week in Cape Cod. Next is to pack up to head to Florida. I’d like to book something else but unsure what, we’ve been together for 30 years on 12/8 and should celebrate it.My cousin came by to look at the garage closely, and I gave him a list of things needing to get done. He sees no problem getting everything done. I reminded him we leave 11/5, and weather will turn cold. Stress!
Also waiting for a piece of aluminum installed in front of the full dormer. Roofer says this week. I hope so. It’s another reminder, we leave on 11/5.
Today it was 74 with full sun, so I headed to the garden. I deadheaded a bunch of plants. Then I started to dig up some plant I put in 10+ years ago. It has variegated leaves, like a tall grass, similar looking to a spider plant. But it sends out runners, spreads like crazy, and it’s taking over my one garden. About every 2 years I have to dig it up; or as much of it as I can.I started on it standing up, and my back protested, so grabbed a chair. Took the yard waste bin, and short metal rake and went to town. I found slate under mulch, dirt and yard debris that I had forgot about - out of sight out of mind. Anyway, as I sat and put the metal rake under the edge of slate to get at more runners - the slate moved and I slammed my fingers between the wooden rake handle and the arm of the metal chair. Ouch! With that I dropped it and went inside for ice. It hurt like crazy. Later I thought I had sap on my fingernail, I could see a dot on it. Tried to scrape it off and realized it was a blood dot under my nail. Ugh! It progressively got bigger. It’s about the size of a piece of cooked rice- ok it’s not big HAHAHA! But it hurts. I took an Advil, took a break, and called it a day. That blasted runner grass, that never should have been sold, can wait until tomorrow.
We also have to start emptying out the screen house and eventually take it down to put it away. Maybe over or by the weekend.
Tooth, I know I’m jumping stories, sorry. The extraction site is fine. I’m sick of rinsing with warm salt water and I’m a person who likes salt. I’m still on the antibiotic, and fingers crossed there will be no issues at follow-up.
My new orthotics I picked up today. So far so good. And that’s it for me. I’ll attack the crappy runner grass again tomorrow hopefully without further injuries. Hope you all have a good day!
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Any time women come together with a collective intention, it's a powerful thing. Whether it's sitting down making a quilt, in a kitchen preparing a meal, in a club reading the same book, or around the table playing cards, or planning a birthday party, when women come together with a collective intention, magic happens.
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Oh, to be all legs. I envy you ladies who are. At 5'1" (and not sure about that anymore since my spine is in decline), I am more trunk than leg. You can't get the seat high enough, and I could barely get it low enough on a bike. I refuse to let them measure my height because it would impact my BMI which is already too high. I know that there are certain things I used to be able to reach that I no longer can.
cindyny, sorry about the finger mishap. Hope the hematoma under the nail is not too painful. Keep an eye on it because the pressure can increase and may require it be relieved. Glad your tooth has not been a problem. Will your cousin be able to repair the garage before you go? Your "to-do" list will keep you busy.
We have to think about packing since we leave for San Diego next Wednesday. Temperatures will be much better than what we had in Alaska, but it is the rainy season, so a slicker needs to be packed. Plus at this time of year the daylight vanishes early which effects sightseeing. I don't like exploring unknown areas in the dark.
Just saw homes in Outer Banks in NC fall into the ocean. I may not be popular for saying this, but I do not think they should be permitted to rebuild as they have in the past. Some of them have been replaced before at great expense, only to fall once again. I do feel sorry for the owners, but it is a great risk to build so close to the ocean.
RIP, Jane Goodall. What a wonderful woman she was, as well as a top notch research scientist.
Doing small cleaning tasks around the house and was able to use the stick vacuum in the primary bedroom and upstairs hallway yesterday. Bought a new HOTO rechargeable brush for DH to use on his bath tub and shower doors. He likes Irish Spring soap and it leaves the worse soap scum, which requires a great deal of elbow grease to remove. I refuse to clean his tub because he is unwilling to stop using it. His bathroom and his bedroom are his household cleaning responsibilities since I do the rest. He has a lawn service, so I don't think this is too much to ask. I showed him how to use it and what an impact it had made on the top on the first pass, now he can follow-up. I cleaned the primary bathroom, too.
Today was laundry, and cleaning the powder room. I will leave a clean house for DD and DSIL when we leave next week.
Today was a beautiful, sunny fall day with temps in low 70's, low humidity and a light breeze. Doe showed up with a fawn with spots and another that appeared to be a bigger fawn just beyond the spot stage, based on body size. Seems they will adopt an abandoned or orphaned fawn, so I am wondering, if this was an example.
Wanted to use Febreze on family room couch, but noticed after I used it on the arm chair, that it shouldn't be used around birds because it can kill them. It causes respiratory distress. They are in the eat in area of the kitchen, but the smell permeated the entire area. So I won't use it again. I'll get someone to professionally clean the couch and tell them it has to be safe.
We are heading to Lancaster with DD and DSIL on Friday. This was the day we wanted to go, but they had a conflict, so we switched to Thursday. Now this has a conflict, so we are back to Friday. Hope it is a nice day.
Hope everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
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@betrayal At 5'2" I am right with you. I always wanted to be taller. I can barely reach the second shelving in my kitchen which is a bummer… I moved from San Diego 3 1/2 years ago. We lived in Pacific Beach right off Sail Bay. I sure do miss the water and the beach, but not the tourists. San Diego is big, so you may be going nowhere near where we lived, but I would be willing to give you any information I may have if you need it. San Diego is one of my favorite places!
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Betrayal - I totally agree about houses not being rebuilt after destroyed by waves or floods or etc. I have one friend who lives in a very low area (read technically flood zone). We're not on the coast, but insurance has totally re-built her house 3 times over 15 years after flooding from various storms.
Thanks for posting quotes.
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intolight, I was 5'2" but have degenerative spinal discs with some prolapse , so I have shrunk. It probably accounts for why I have back pain. Was taller than my mother and my daughter.
I have been to San Diego several years ago and spent a few days exploring the sites including the USS Midway. Loved it. We are picking up our cruise there so we will arrive the day before and do some more exploring nearby. We return to Miami from the cruise.
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betrayal, I have cruised out of there many times. I love to walk SeaPort Village which is just beyond the Midway. You probably saw it the last time you were there. Just shops and restaurants, but it was nice. One of my favorite places there.
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Rebuilding in a flood zone— not just a coastal issue. I was raised on the Mississippi River. Time after time.
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There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.
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I put up a long post… someone was texting me, when I came back it was all gone.
The gist was … my finger is ok. I don’t know it’s there unless I use it to grab something.
My garage, I hope he completes it before I leave. I bought a 5 gal bucket of Kilz premium for the garage and I think the temp needs to be above a certain degree to use it. One day sale at Lowe’s saved me $80. Fingers crossed it gets used before I leave.
Outerbanks - I haven’t been there in 15+ years, it was very beautiful. But it’s beyond me why they let people build out far. On Duck & Corolla I’ve seen the ocean come up over the road. Celebrities had homes out there.
I completed the digging up of the invasive grass. I wish I had never laid eyes on it! It must have been a sale and I wanted something to fill. No further injuries to report.
Before:
After:
The invasive grass runners were under iris rhizomes, and even under the low voltage lighting wire. Hate it.
Tomorrow’s challenge is to put up a solar panel for our Ring camera out on the garage. I’ve been watching where it would get the most sun, but come winter when I’m not here, who knows. I’m trying to keep the battery charged vs have it run out and not record.
It was 39 here overnight; 56 outside when I got up, to a 61 degree house. I put the mini split on to use the heat pump. I closed the door to the kitchen to limit the area getting heated. It didn’t feel super warm, more like a gentle hairdryer blowing in the room. But when I went in the kitchen I froze, so yes it was working fine.
I’m headed to bed, where I’ll put on the electric blanket. Laughing because it will be 80 this weekend. Nite!2 -
Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.
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Off to Lancaster (Lan-kiss-ter as we say) today to indulge in some Amish food, hit the outlets and buy some meat for the freezer at Stolfus butchers. Will post later. Have a great day.
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Betrayal, I continue to like your quotes. I admired Jane Goodall, too. She was such a lovely, gracious woman.
I have always been tall and slim. I was 5' 7" but may have lost an inch. I don't like not being slim and keep working on dropping lbs. I had lost almost 10 lbs last winter but picked up 3 to 5 this summer. We eat foods in MN that we seldom eat at home. Hot dogs. Brats. Bob's mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. The galley in the 5th wheel is small and my mindset becomes "easy meals."
We had a good trip home with excellent driving conditions. DH's new Ford 150 truck is very comfortable and easy to drive, even towing a small trailer. Our two motel nights were in Drury Inns, which offer free alcoholic drinks and a buffet that serves as dinner for us. They call it Kickback from 5:30 to 7 pm. Once we arrive at a motel, we don't want to have to go out to eat dinner. The rooms at Drury are clean with comfortable beds.
We arrived home yesterday at 3 pm. Today will be spent unpacking and putting away clothes and pantry items. It's good to be home.
Happy Friday to all.
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I used to be 5’ 4” but am now 5’ 0”. I lost weight so my BMI is still ok. I’m annoyed by not being able to reach things. I started Doxil on Wed and it was so funny to be told not to lose weight. So far no problem because I’m not nauseated at all
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@teka i love your October welcoming!
goody goody gum drops! Not! Along with a successful opening night I have been doing fun follow-up ups of the areas distant from the breast. Oh goody I get to go for a biopsy of the endometrial stripe. Which is borderline too thick. And maybe a colonoscopy.
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I spoke too soon on no injuries.
I was putting up the bracket to hold the solar panel for the Ring camera - I had pre drilled the holes, so it should be easy. The screw slipped, I pushed the Phillips head drill bit into my index finger. I now have a purple X bruise on it. I stopped everything and went inside to ice it in some cold water. Swelling has gone down, the X remains.
I can’t make this crap up. Funny, not funny. Zoom in, it’s an X. Only good thing to report is the solar panel is charging the battery, so it wasn’t for nothing. LOL
We put away some yard furniture. Still need to take down the screen house. Shooting to do it by Monday, because rain is expected by Tuesday. Plus SO still isn’t up to par, he’s had some sinus/allergy issues as well as postnasal with a cough.
I put my fall wreath on the front door and a few things up inside. Slow getting it up because I know I have to race taking it down.
Carole, I’m glad your trip home was without a hitch.
Betrayal, enjoy Lancaster.Wren, my mom was short. I had been getting things from upper shelves for her since I was in the 5th grade.
Teka, nice welcome to October. Love the pic.
Canary, I have to up look up endometrial stripe, I’ve never heard of it. Colonoscopy, I’ve switched to Cologuard.
Sandy must be out celebrating the Chicago Cubs win. ⚾️
I’m done doing stuff today. Haha! Dinner of leftovers planned. Everyone have a great rest of your day!1 -
@cindyny I've had a cologuard/FIT test here. It was negative but sill having mega issues down south. LOL We shall see what the outcome of endometrial biopsy says before going for a colonoscopy.
Our weather has definitely shifted to fall. Leafs are starting to look beautiful. some rain but not much so far. I'm hoping Sunday is dry as Its the Run for the Cure in Victoria. I'm at a booth for our breast friends support group.
Working this afternoon and tomorrow. That's about all for now.
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Today was a wonderful day. The sun was out, it was in the high 60's and just overall pleasant. The ride out there is long, but once there the air seems different. Of course, you get the occasional whiff of horse manure left by the horses pulling the buggies, but it is still refreshing. The one outlet mall that I visited for over 30 years is now knocked down in preparation for high rise apartments and condos. The area has become quite built up and a lot of my favorite stores are long gone.
We did hit the Levi-Wrangler store and cleaned up. DH got some new jeans and I got some new jeans trousers at bargain prices. Even though marked short, it will require a trip to the tailor and more cost, to get them shortened. I think they think 5'4" is short? I need to go through my jeans and either donate or discard older ones, though some are so soft from age now. DD got jean shorts and DSIL also got some jeans. All were less than $20 each.
Before we got to the outlets we stopped at Miller's Bakery where I was able to get one of their Cranberry-walnut apple pies which ate just this side of heaven to eat. They had raisin cinnamon buns which had tons of raisins on top. DD got the walnut-cranberry topped ones. We found some watermelon, raspberry and black licorice as well.
Last stop was the Pepperidge Farm outlet where I got some bread, some PF stuffing in prep for Thanksgiving, white cheddar popcorn, and brioche hot dog rolls which I shared with DD. She bought lots of snacks.
We had a late lunch at Katie's Kitchen which offers real PA Dutch food as well as other choices on its broad menu. I had the pork and sauerkraut special, DH had buttered noodles with shredded beef and stewed tomatoes, DSIL tried the chicken parm and mac and cheese, and DD had the ham loaf meal. Desserts were shoo fly pie (wet bottom), and apple pie. I had ordered chocolate cake with caramel icing but it was so dry, it was inedible. When the waitress asked about the desserts I told her about the cake and they took it back. She came back to thank me for alerting her because someone in the kitchen tried it, too , and they decided to remove it from the menu since it wasn't "up to their standards". I was surprised that they tossed it, but glad no one else had to be disappointed. It also had no chocolate taste.
Before we went to Stolfus' butchers, we stopped at a roadside stand for pumpkins. They raise some of the most unusual pumpkins in color, shape and sizes. So I loaded up a shopping cart with 9 pumpkins and only spent $50. DD did an arrangement with them on the front porch and when I am finished with them, I'll toss them in the woods to let the deer and squirrels feed off them. I'll have to take a photo.
Last stop at Stolfus butchers was for mostly meat items: sweet Lebanon bologna, Delmonico steaks, apple maple breakfast sausages, some bacon cheddar brots, a frozen ham loaf, frozen sausage gravy for DS, frozen ham and bean soup and fresh scrapple. I did find a few more pumpkins and got those, too. They had some small dog biscuits and DSIL spotted some chocolate chip cookie dough that you can just scoop and bake so he owes me one cookie when he does.
DSIL drove so we could just enjoy the ride and the ride back to Gap is through farm land so we saw vast fields with cows and horses grazing, Amish buggies being driven, and beautiful scenery.
Tomorrow, I seriously need to start packing so I'll start with the essentials and then proceed to what I will wear. I need something for at least 2 dress nights, so a black skirt and 2 tops. The trip is 25 days, so more tops than pants but a variety between casual and a tad dressier than casual. I have them, it all boils down to which ones to pack for variety and versatility. Decisions, decisions, decisions, ugh.
Carole, glad you made it home safely and are back in the home you love the most. Thank you for the comment on the quotes. I try to find a balance in choices and ones that speak to me.
cindyny, I am beginning to think we should wrap you in a protective suit to keep you from further injury. I am glad you can find some humor in them. I could see the X on your finger clearly. Ouch!
After using bath soap from wall mounted pump bottles in the hotels and on the ship, I accidentally used my shampoo because it was in a pump bottle, while the bath soap was in a pour bottle. Initially could not figure out why the tub was so full of bubbles and the jets were making it worse. Had a chuckle and then tempered them with cold water spray. Not my finest moment either.
canarycat, hoping your upcoming tests are nothing more than an inconvenience to you.
teka, loved the welcome to October.
wren44, good luck with the new med. Hoping no SE's. You have shrunk more than me, so far I think I have only lost an inch, but would actually have to submit to being measured to validate that. I have lost some weight, but not enough that my BMI would really reflect a change in where I currently am on that scale.
Chris, hope the thumb continues to heal.
Sandy, hoping to hear more now the Jewish holidays are over. Hoping also that you were able to accomplish emptying more boxes to uncover lost treasures.
Hoping everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
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The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.
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Wren, four inches is a lot of height loss. Hope the new med continues to not cause SEs.
Betrayal, you must have a large vehicle to hold all those purchases. Sounds like a fun-filled day.
CanaryCat, hope you get some answers but nothing serious is wrong.
Today is grocery shopping day. Time for some healthier eating. More vegetables and salads.
Happy Saturday.
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happy autumn and Libra season! Haha. Ziggy says get those pumpkins organized! After today I have 14 days off work but only three days with nothing g booked. Cloudy skies here. I’m on a photoshop gp on fb and this is one of the grand masters work!
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Here's the porch decorations.
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OK I'm going to post here and see what happens. Just experimenting with speech to text. Sort of clumsy but I think it'll work. Took me about 20 minutes of research before I discovered that I could actually do it with existing software on my laptop. Yeah my hand is hurting today. Talk to you later bye I'm dictating as if I were doing a phone call with you guys.
Betrayal, your trip to Lancaster had to be fun. Our Amish communities round here are much less developed than those in your area. Very little shopping to do other than their greenhouses there's also a store that I've never been to, but since I don't have a car, I only have my bike, I hardly ever have any chances to go down that way.
Cindy, your war against the runner grass as was entertaining to read. Glad you got it done but remember you'll need to work rework it next year. Things like that are invasive. I probably need new orthotics, too. I have to schedule a visit there when the next time I go to see the surgeon. I don't really wanna make two trips if I can put them both together.
I have no osteoporosis, and I am still 5 foot 7 ever since I quit growing. I easily fit most bicycles without much fiddling. Thankful for that.
My futon and rocker both have cushions that are removable. I have them covered with plastic and supplemental covers on top. I can easily take the covers off and wash them. Good because of Tippy. The lady that helps me with housekeeping put my other cover on the futon yesterday. She wrestled that futon around with the cover. That was a job that I couldn't have done that way. She does quite a bit of work for not very much. It's cash only because she has a hearing loss. She does a very good job. than for the rest of the week
It's 84 degrees right now then tomorrow will be another day with higher temperatures. Then for the rest of the week the temperature won't even break 70. It's going to be nice to start wearing my elastic waist pants. Most of my summer pants are button and zipper and that is a major hassle.
Anyway this is my longest post in the ages. Shall be posting regularly. I note that my style of dictating is a lot different from my style of writing. Anybody else notice that.
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Chris, it worked well. Perhaps you can use this until your thumb heals. Hope you get some pain relief soon.
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I was 5'2" and now I am 5'0". I was petite and now I am tiny. LOL
I am up at the cabin. I went to 2 vineyards today. I was buying gifts. I had a good time talking with people. I met an opera singer. She was very talkative. I guess she was enjoying the wine. I did get some gifts for my cat sitters. I didn't bring Midnight Louie. It will probably be in the Spring and we will stay for a longer period of time.
Sunday, my friend is coming over. We will probably get lunch and he wants to do some work on my deck.
Monday the fireplace guy is coming to check it out and teach me how to use it. It is gas.
I am hoping the heating and A/C guy will come out to give be an estimate. I want a mini split unit with heat & air. I was freezing this morning.
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