Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

Taco, your small tree is lovely. What a wonderful gift. I like your holiday plans, planned for minimizing stress.

Petite, I empathize with your dismay over losing a beautiful, forested area accompanied by horrible noise. Not what you want for the holidays or for any time.

Betrayal, I'm sorry you're experiencing so much pain as you prepare for Christmas day dinner.

It's 64 degrees here this morning, overcast and, according to the weather forecast, humid. Yesterday was 70 degrees but didn't seem extremely humid when I walked outside. I finally got the living room carpet cleaned, with focus on the traffic areas. It came out looking nice. One small stain near dh's chair didn't completely vanish. Neither of us knows what caused the stain.

Now that I'm in carpet-cleaning mode, I'll clean the bedroom carpet after Christmas.

Chris, I hope you're getting over your cold.

Happy Sunday to all.

Petite, sadness for the loss of any trees and your privacy. Down here we had cows grazing in wide open fields. Now we have high rise apartments everywhere.

Betrayal, I’m hoping you’re getting better sleep. It sounds like you’ve got a good handle on your Christmas dinner too.

Taco, your tree is pretty. And your plans of going out to dinner sounds great for all of you. Much less stress.

Carol, carpet cleaning is a chore, super you’ve completed it before Christmas. I need to steam the tiles. Oh Joy!

Chris, as long as you enjoy your tree that’s all that matters. Charlie Brown’s tree still sells!

Teka, that’s very pretty. It’s best to recognize that climbing up on ladders is off the table.

Back in the day, my mom switched to just using her ceramic tree - and my niece set that up for her. At some point I know I won’t be up on a ladder putting up outdoor lights. I have to hope I can pay a neighbor kid to do it.

I’ve dusted every piece of wood in the house with Pledge. Laundry is going. Now I’ve got to get going! I dread the traffic and the crowds. My own fault for delaying.

Today is 82 with full sun. Running around will be hot.

cindyny, I second what harley07 said about the uneducated person. I would most likely have had visible teeth marks in my tongue though and made some groaning noises. I don't know what you were rushing off to, but enjoy it. You seem to be on hyperdrive. I know you like using a power washer like I do, shame you can't use it on the tiles, LOL.

teka, loved your decoration. I am starting to realize a ladder is not a good place for me, especially if I have to tilt my head. Better safe than sorry.

Taco, loved your tree. I bet it smells good.

harley07, my youngest DB's wife skipped the funeral and I was so glad. The DSIL, whose father had died, whispered in my ear when I hugged her, that she wasn't coming. It was a huge relief. I haven't spoken to her since my mother's funeral when she said some horrible things, about me, in earshot of everyone. I ignored her then and continue to, but avoid contact if it is not going to be a big event where there is enough room to separate. Unfortunately, my DB is one that I still have contact with, and even at my niece's wedding last year, he and his daughter made it a point to seek me out. She actually told my DSIL that they could no longer be friends if she chose me over her. DSIL responded it wasn't her decision and they no longer keep in close contact. Family dynamics can be a source of conflict and around the holidays hard to deal with. I hope you can find some joy in the visit.

My issues with the Bipap and back continue. For something that is supposed to promote better sleep, so far it has not. I'm only a week in and will wait until next week to bug the NP. I take the Tizanidine for my back and it helps some. I had to vacuum today so it is in protest and I'll take another Tizanidine about an hour before bedtime. It might help to improve my sleep.

I normally clean the bird cages on Sundays, clean all the Bipap equipment, and added gift wrapping today. All the gifts are things we purchased while on our cruise except what I bought for my step grandson. He did get one item from Guatemala, but wanted some wrist supports for weight lifting and I ordered that online.

Several of the purchases were wrapped in newspapers from Puerto Vallarta and Guatemala. I kept the papers because I need to brush up on my Spanish. My plan when I returned from the cruise was to dig out my Spanish language books and start to review them to practice speaking again. I can get by with simple questions and answers. I have found that even when I seem to be floundering, they are receptive to my attempts. Well, that never happened with all the medical events that cropped up, so it is on my New Year's plan. I can read Spanish better than I speak it so that has been a plus. I'd just like to be more fluent and the local library was trying to start a meeting once a month for those interested in conversational Spanish (all levels). I'll pursue this after the holiday as well.

So the gifts are all wrapped and under the tree. I wonder if Misty will try to lay on them? I once had a cat who loved bows. One year she pulled every bow I had placed on gifts off, and was carrying them around the house to play with. As a result, every package had a hole in the paper where the bow had been.

Under the tree has always been where the cats would disappear for the holiday duration. Misty has decided this is where she likes to be as well and this is her first tree with us.

Hope everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.

Cute picture of Misty.

Cats and trees..😊🎄

One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly.

Andy Rooney

Love the Christmas trees. We got snow this morning and DH had pared at the bottom of the driveway. Of course, my Walmart delivery yesterday was completed today. The poor delivery guy called and said he would not be able to get his car up the driveway even if it had been carless. I told him to just leave the packages at the mailbox and DH would get them when he cleared the driveway. Closet organizer order will now be delivered on Monday.

Closet repairs are complete so we are good to go when it arrives. We will have to assemble it and anchor to wall, but we can handle that. It will be good to finally get his clothes off the bed, off the floor and back where they belong. We plan on sorting this afternoon to decide what stays, what gets donated and what gets tossed.

Made the meat sauce (lean ground beef and Italian sweet sausage) for my lasagna marathon and it is in the oven cooking. I just combine the raw ingredients with the tomato puree and spices to cook this way. I don't precook the meat, so it stays tender. It takes about an hour to cook. I'll let it cool and store in the garage refrigerator until tomorrow when assembly begins. I took the left over ground beef, made meatballs and the left over Italian sausage links, put them in my seal a meal bags and they are now in the garage freezer. So I have them ready for a future meal.

I found poppy seed bagel slices and plan on using that to make bruschetta rather than a baguette. The texture might be a bit firmer, but it will hold up under the moisture from the bruschetta. I have Greek olives, almonds, and dried apricots for the charcuterie that DS and DD are bringing. DD got me a mince pie, yum. We'll be having a Caesar salad with the meal and I get to make that.

I saw the eye doctor and he is new to the practice. I need to see a retinal specialist and he's one. He was very nice, discussed my test results with me and I am good to see him annually. I see one of his optometrists for my next appointment which is in 6 months, and she is super nice. Both are more informative than the guy I was seeing, who finally retired. So finally a doctor's appointment with a positive outcome.

MRI results finally showed in portal last night and this morning. Not sure of what they mean other than they seem to reflect age related degeneration and some disc issues. I'll let PA tell me what needs to be done next to reduce back pain and spasms. I was standing while making the sauce and that alone was enough to set back pain off. It is really impacting the quality of my life and what I can do, so it's restrictive and that's what I hate. I'm used to being active, and this is curtailing that.

Did some laundry as well and will finish tomorrow when I do the bedding and towels.

DD and DSIL dropped over last night. We were out to dinner at Bonefish Grill since I had Diner Rewards that were going to expire on 12/24. She caught up with us as we were in the Giant next door picking up the ground beef (so expensive now) I needed and a few other items. They had dropped off gifts for the pets, but decided to wait for us for a visit. Thanks to both our purchases, I was able to get a free ham and that is in the freezer. I'll use it for Easter.

Off to sort through clothes. It is very gray and only 38 degrees. We did get snow, about an inch, but most of it has melted. Not an inviting day by any means. Hope everyone has a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.

I don't think Christmas is necessarily about things. It's about being good to one another, it's about the Christian ethic, it's about kindness.

Carrie Fisher

To all who celebrate - wishing you a very Merry Christmas 🎄🎄🎄

Wishing one and all a Christmas Eve filled with peace and unexpected gifts of kindness Christmas Day!

@wren44 Hope your SEs from the chemo don't happen so you can fully celebrate the season. Glad your DD was with you. My first chemo is scheduled for Jan 6th. My DD will be at a special ER Department training she can't miss so my DH will be with me. It isn't the best time because we need to meet my DGDs school bus and it will be cutting it close, but she is 10 and could walk home if needed. She is a good girl—we just are extra careful.

Good morning, and a Very Merry Christmas to you all!! I got a humidifier and a tire pump from my sibs. Tippy got some dehydrated chicken and liver treats, a plastic squeaky hamburger and hot dog, which he incessantly brings to me. My gifts to me were innumerable. Made a broccoli and cheese casserole yesterday, and some Spanish rice with hamburger, Ate some and froze the rest. Put a roast with vegetables in the crockpot just now. Will make a matcha cake (from a boxed mix this time).

Praying for you, intolight and wren.

Betrayal, I know. It is sad when the years pass and we lose contact with our cousins. I have the same situation but also complicated by their disagreement with my political beliefs. It is amazing how much you accomplish despite your back pain and sleep problems. Those lasagnas must have been a real challenge. Making them is so complicated, so making a bunch at the same time saves on effort and time. Congratulations on having completed them.

Petite, you did well to buy that property in North Carolina as a refuge from the disastrous changes in your neighborhood. Hugs.

Carole, I think my cold is finished, and with the humidifier I should have no more problems this winter. My kitchen is so small, and a kettle on the stove takes up too much room.

One of my other gifts to myself was a

Amazon.com: Egg Shell Opener Set – 2 Pcs Egg Cups for Soft Boiled Eggs & 2 Pcs Spoons, Rust-Resistant Stainless Steel, Fits Most Eggs Sizes - Ergonomic Design, Adjustable Effort for Effortless & Precise Cracking : Home & Kitchen

Mom got into English cooking for a while when I was little, and I really enjoyed this. I think I will play with that before I make the cake.

It's true, Christmas can feel like a lot of work, particularly for mothers. But when you look back on all the Christmases in your life, you'll find you've created family traditions and lasting memories. Those memories, good and bad, are really what help to keep a family together over the long haul.

Caroline Kennedy

carole, I agree about your take on the human toll of Christmas for some. I hope your sister and brother-in-law can salvage some happiness about the season. I am sure your presence helped them feel a sense of normalcy. A pleasant dinner can add so much.

Our day was quite busy. DS and family arrived at 1 and I made up a charcuterie tray from the cheeses they brought adding almonds, dried apricots and dates. When DD arrived, she sliced up the salami and summer sausage she had brought while her DH added grapes: red and green. I later made some bruschetta using the sliced poppy seed bagels I had bought at Giant. They really were better than French bread when brushed with olive oil and lightly toasted before putting the bruschetta on them.

We opened presents while the lasagna was baking. DGS felt it needed more meat and I agreed. When I put the meat in it seemed to be a lot, but cooking shrinkage was not considered at the time. Next time I will add more. However, it was still delicious and there are maybe 5 pieces left for another meal. Not enough to consider freezing for the future. I made spaghetti with meat sauce for DSIL who doesn't eat lasagna and sent the leftovers home with him. He said he would not protest about taking it. DD had gotten a mince pie (at my request) and an Opera cake from the French bakery, not the log cake I thought she had ordered. The Opera cake was delicious according to those who ate it. I had a small piece of the mince pie (it was my Dad's favorite as well) and it was very nice.

DD and DS took their lasagnas when they left. They will freeze them for later use.

Opening presents is always a highlight of our gatherings. DGD was thrilled with her presents including some costume jewelry rings, a beaded flower hair ornament, a doll from Mexico, and a small diamond earring and necklace set. Her mother and her will be getting a 3 month membership to the Y after Christmas from us. DGS got a hat from Guatemala and his season pass for snowboarding from us. DDIL got an earring and necklace set that matches her daughter's and a Christmas themed runner I bought in Guatemala. DS got a Guatemala baseball hat, a beaded French bulldog statue and a hand carved wooden 3 face mask wall hanging. I gave each of them a lottery ticket, but only DS won anything. DD got a pair of Alexandrite earrings, an Aruba ball cap, an embroidered tote from Guatemala, and a Macaw parrot and Quetzal runner from Guatemala. DSIL go a book about Alaska, Alaskan shot glasses, a baseball cap from Aruba and a gift certificate from a local Italian restaurant they like.

We got some nice presents as well. I love shortbread cookies so they got me a box of Walker's. They found a cookie tin that is actually a musical carousel. When you wind it up it rotates and it looks like the horses are moving. It has chocolate chip cookies onside. A singing Christmas hippopotamus ( I love these musical characters). Four new nightgowns all from DD and DSIL, and from DS and DDIL, I had earlier received an Aiwa CD/radio which I thoroughly enjoy. DH got a National Geographic Best of the World: 1,000 destinations of a Lifetime. Three different kinds of bar soap including a "coal" one. DS ordered him something that didn't arrive until after Christmas.

DH has to go to the tailor today to get his suit pants fixed. She asked him to bring a pair of slacks that are the correct length with him for comparison. I just had to argue with him that he has to take dress shoes to try them on because he normally doesn't wear sneakers with his dress clothes. Sheesh, the man could drive me crazy because he wasn't planning on taking his dress shoes with him as he was leaving. He thought trying on the dress pants with his dress shoes on for me was enough.

I hope everyone had a reasonably nice day and that today will be better. We are expecting a massive storm that will involve snow, icy conditions and freezing weather. Glad it it hitting after Christmas day, but wish we could sip this weather. I've had enough of winter and it has just started. It currently is gray, and only 30 degrees at 11:30 am. Not nice at all.

Waving "hi" to everyone. Stay safe wherever you are.