Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Decided to make a run to IKEA yesterday afternoon to look around and get a Swedish meatball fix. The meatball meal used to be so much better when we first shopped at IKEA, when it was the meatballs, small red potatoes, gravy, lingonberry sauce and a small side salad with gorgonzola salad dressing. After many iterations over the years including a salad or soup bar, it is now meatballs, mashed potatoes, peas, gravy and lingonberry sauce. DH opted for the lemon garlic baked cod, instead of the meatballs, and we had the frozen yogurt cone on our way out.
I was just going to look, but that didn't last long. We walked through the furniture area to see the new stock as well as the artful displays they have now. Our target is usually the marketplace section where they have the kitchen, bedding, lighting, plants and organization stock. I wandered around the kitchen section and found a new cast iron grill pan to replace the one I had tossed. The old one had a nonstick coating and I decided I no longer wanted any nonstick pans, and black plastic kitchen tools given the concerns about their shedding particles. I have many cast iron frying pans from my mother and ones I have bought over the years and prefer them for cooking and baking (yes, I do my pineapple upside down cake in it). I just hadn't seen one that had the grill bumps for meats that was also deep. It is currently in the oven being "seasoned". I also picked up some new cutting boards and tossed my old ones on my return home. They no longer have the colored ones which I preferred, so I used a Sharpie to make them for meats, chicken, and vegetables/etc.
There was a plea on NextDoor from a local charity for pots and pans for those just starting a new life. I found a pot set that has 3 pots and 2 lids for a reasonable price, a mesh strainer, a cutting board, and a 34 piece food storage container set. It has 17 containers with lids and it was on sale. This will be my first charitable contribution for 2026. I can remember what it was like when I got my first apartment and had no money. My roommate and I "borrowed" flatware from the hospital cafeteria to use until we could purchase our own set. We used to laugh about how it was "engraved" with the hospital's initials and make up funny names to explain them. Our decor was all donated and would be what I would describe as early Goodwill or Salvatian Army given they were all things no one else wanted.
I also picked up some storage bags which are just the right size for blankets. A large plastic bin with a lid to replace the hyacinth grass woven basket I used for paper storage in the kitchen area. Misty was using it as a nail sharpener, in spite of the cardboard one right next to it. I need to better organize it since it contains some genealogy research I keep close by, and other resources I like to keep here, instead of in my file cabinet in the basement office. It looks like it will be too large for where I wanted it so I will have to rearrange that shelf on the baker's rack. The smaller one would not hold 8 x 11 papers. I like it has a lid that is wooden and removable. I also found some artificial plants I could use on an old 4 shelf plant stand that was my mother's. The living room doesn't get enough light to keep real ones alive. I bought 2 hanging ones and 2 others. I found what they called metal candle holders on my way to checkout and they just fit the plant pots perfectly, plus the price was right.
I bought a small rug to place at the patio slider opening to catch what's on shoes when people use this access. I need to make it smaller to fit so I have already removed the hems it came with and will reconfigure it, sew it to fit by doubling it to make it a bit thicker. So with nothing on my list when I went there, I did leave with quite a haul.
DS is sending photos of his bathroom replacement on a daily basis. He had to buy the new contents and 2 guys have stripped the old contents. They have already installed the new tub/shower combo, drywalled where needed, and installed the new flooring. They said it would take 7 days to complete. He is pleased with their work and the pace.
Chris, I hope you get some relief for your left hand. Hand pain is so difficult to deal with because of the need to use them for ADL's and creative ventures.
petite1, I hope your new neighbors are pleasant and their houses increase the value of yours. I also hope you can get a solution for your issues at your new cabin. As Gilda Radner, used to say, "It's always something".
Sandy, thanks for sharing your experience with Zepbound. I guess your doctor learned something, too. I hope your show goes well and as they say " break a leg". I admire your singing and musical abilities. I have neither and have always been in envy of those that could.
Taco, enjoy your nice weather. We have had a slew of bad weather with unseasonable temperatures, too much snow this early in the season and too many gray days.
cindyny, you are as busy as ever and seem to be in a real party mode. Lucky you.
Carole, sounds like your weather is improving and loved your feedback on the quote. I find I am using the top one for genealogy and the bottom one for sitting while I do it, so trying to do both, lol.
harley07, I like mystery novels and I think that is one attraction to genealogy, solving of the past. I found that relatives were willing to discuss happy times, but not all of life's challenges and that is all uncovered during my research. Of course, they are no longer here to ask questions of, and even those who are, are reluctant to discuss certain things. It's the mystique.
Waving "hi" to anyone I may have forgotten and hope everyone has a great day. I need to get to laundry, which I skipped yesterday.
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Sandy - wishing you the best with the show. I believe the showbiz term is ‘break a leg’ but given how your life has been recently I’m a bit reluctant to wish that on you.
Our washer has been making a loud noise during the spin cycle since November so we had a service guy out on Tuesday. It will cost more to repair than to replace. It still works but he suggested replacing it sooner rather than later. So we made a trip to Abt Electronics and purchased a new washer and dryer. The current set is 10 yrs old and I figured if we only replaced the washer then the dryer would break in the next few months. Delivery is end of next week. Fingers crossed the washer hangs on until then.
My weather forecast is the same as Sandy’s. We have plans to see friends in Wisconsin on Saturday evening but that is weather dependent.
Thinking of those who are dealing with health and life challenges.
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Hi, otter here —
I hope y'all don't mind if I sit down here at the end of the table. I promise I won't say much. I've wandered back onto the BCO boards after a long hiatus, trying to get my bearings since an unexpected dx of a new primary last month. It's "just" high-grade DCIS so far, but I've been warned to expect up-staging after surgery.
Anyway, it's nice to see this thread is still here and still active. So much content was lost during the "great migration."4 -
Otter, welcome back—so sorry about that new dx, though given its type and your age it's probably a lot less aggressive than the first one. Fingers crossed.
I'm grateful that on Saturday we have a noon call for a 2pm matinee—the weather will be less problematic and it'll be easier to get a good city garage parking space. The garage will likely fill up as game time nears—and rideshares will be scarcer and surge-priced. Bob will take the L—Red Line to Jackson, walk 3.5 blocks or Brown Line to State/VanBuren, walk 2.5 miles. In the snow, alas. The theater has wi-fi, so people will be watching the game on their phones at intermission, rather than buying drinks. He'll ride home with me after the cast party down the street.
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I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.
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That was quite a haul at IKEA, Betrayal. I have been to an IKEA once, somewhere, and bought storage containers with green lids. The set has some tiny containers that occasionally come in handy. I don't remember a cafe. LOL at the "borrowed" tableware.
I, too, would hesitate to tell Sandy to "break a leg." LOL. Hope the performance is greatly enjoyed by the audience, making all the rehearsals worthwhile.
Harley, I have replaced my washing machine three times and kept the same dryer, which has been tumbling clothes for over 30 years. It has to be living on borrowed time. The next time I buy a washing machine, I will look for an old-fashioned one with an agitator. I use top loaders.
I had my hearing test at Costco yesterday and got a printed report of the results. I hear male voices but have lost some hearing in the range of women's and children's voices. Maybe I'll just talk to men for the time being. LOL. The technician didn't give me a hard sell, but suggested I would benefit from hearing aids. It's something to think about.
Before leaving the store, I went to the vision office to schedule a vision test with the optometrist. She was available, so I had her check my vision. Now I have a prescription for glasses that are slightly different from the ones I am wearing. I'll probably go back today, depending on the weather, and order new glasses. I got new glasses from Sam's Club about three years ago, with a prescription from the medical eye doctor I see every year. The glasses didn't seem to be a good prescription so I kept wearing the old ones. I will use these same newer frames. I was always doubtful about the prescription since previous glasses from Sam's Club were always good. I had to pay for the vision test yesterday, $90, since we have traditional Medicare.
The forecast is for a good chance of storms today and tonight, strong to severe. Here's hoping for rain and nothing violent. We rain the a/c last night and may have a light freeze on Monday.
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We went to the stadium early today and got all our spring training baseball tickets. Prices have gone up, they’re using dynamic pricing so some games cost more than others. We also get the “meal deal” tickets which include a hot dog & a drink; decent savings.
Yesterday I took down all the interior Christmas decorations. The house feels dark now, without the lighted tree in here.
After baseball tickets, we went to World Market. Christmas/Holiday items are 75% off. I grabbed a few Christmas items for next year. SO had a field day with stouts! About 10 bottles of “Lump of Coal” stout, 3 bottles of an ale, and some half priced Biltmore wine.
Sandy, you’ve got another full plate. Enjoy the show! No broken leg wishes from here either.
Chris, biking in 32 degree weather gives me the chills just reading it. Stay warm!Taco, I too loved the book “My Friends,” laughing and crying too. In fact, I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve read that Bachman has written.
Betrayal, sounds like you had a bigger haul at Ikea than we had at World Market.Harley, an unplanned purchase of a new washer and dryer right after the holidays is a financial hit. I still wish I kept my first Speed Queen - it had every setting from super low to super high, that I set - no presets. I like the latest Speed Queen but loved the other one. I digress!
Otter, sadly welcome back. Keep us posted on surgery, we’ll be in your pocket.
Carole, I too have an old dryer, maybe 25 years old. But with us being in FL, unused 6 months every year of the past 10 years. May both our dryers continue on! LOL
Total change of subject, our old car since filling it up with gas, periodically smells of gas. It’s a 2009 Chevy Malibu, purchased in 2008, and we’ve just gone over 90k miles. I dread bringing it in for service, seeing dollar signs dancing in my head. I’m calling my cousin, Jack of all trades - currently a contractor, in his youth a mechanic. Fingers crossed!
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cindyny, glad you were able to get the baseball game tickets you wanted. I have never heard of World Market so it must be a Fl or southern chain?
harley07, it is hard to have to replace washers and dryers since we had to do this last year. We had the original for over 20 years, so it really didn't owe us anything. The dryer still worked, but we were not buying the same brand since it is now made in China, and I wanted something that would last for many years. It's not something you'd like to spend money on after Christmas or really at any time. I hope the new ones meet your needs.
Chris, I don't even like driving in my car when it is 32 degrees, let alone ride a bike anywhere. Kudos to you.
Sandy, I hope the shows go well and that all the seats are sold.
carole, my ENT told me I was missing sound at dog whistle range and was surprised when I told him that was of not concern to me because I am not a dog! Many places will let you trial them before purchase, was this an option? I know Costco sells them, I just don't know their policies. Ask your friends if they notice any hearing loss for you. My DS gets his glasses at Costco and is pleased with their service.
I spent today undecorating the tree. I had 2 large storage bin full of Christmas tree decorations with contents that were not logically stored. So today, I dumped all remaining ornaments still in the bins, cleaned the bins interiors and then replaced the contents writing down what was stored on each layer starting with the bottom and up to the top or third layer. Now they are stored in a more logical arrangement and I know where to look for a desired ornament. I did locate 2 more ornaments that I decorated over 50 years ago when I was taking a break from studying for college exams. I had put several on the tree, but knew there were a few more. They were in the middle of the lowest tier in the bin I didn't completely sort through. I put the contents list on the top layer so they are available when you open the bin. I need another smaller bin for my birds. I have handblown birds I purchased in Germany at a Christmas market in 1976; peacocks with very long feather tails; clip on birds that are fancily decorated with beads and sequins; and a few ceramic ones. They no longer fit in the other bins and I want them to be safe, so I will need to find another bin just for them. I'll be sure to put a contents list in that as well. It took most of the afternoon and now we have to take apart and then pack up the tree.
Saw my MO yesterday and we discussed how my 10th year cancerversary was 1/7. She asked how I feel about the attention I received on my left breast, with the need to have another mammo in 6 months (June). I told her I appreciate their diligence, but feel it is overkill and anxiety producing. She reviewed my films and says that she found no abnormal findings, but I do have a number of calcifications. She will continue to order diagnostic mammograms, but feels I have reached a time when I should not worry about recurrence. She knows that all this attention triggers me, assured me that she will continue to see me annually or as needed, and will continue to be the one who does my breast exams. I trust her and have for the last 10 years since she was the only physician that did not lie to me, unlike my BS (may he rot in hell) and my RO (same for her).
Otter, welcome back and know that we will provide any support you need.
Waving "hi" to everyone and hope everyone had a great day. DGD has a basketball game tomorrow and weather permitting, we'll try to attend.
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Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.
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DGD had a basketball game today and not only did they win, DGD actually caught a rebound and made a crucial basket! The game is 4-10 minute quarters and it was a tight game with the final score being 12-10. There were lots of attempts on basket, but with more misses than actual scorings. They did a lot of running and I am surprised she didn't complain about that. She played well and we had to laugh when she would skip down the court.
Got to see DS's new bathroom. The contractor came today to put finishing touches on the tub and other areas. It looks so much batter with all new fixtures and the painter will come on Thursday to finish the room. DDIL asked me to help her narrow down the paint colors and we did get it down to 2, so she has to make the final decision by Wednesday. The vanity was ordered with the Carrara marble quartz top and it is beautiful and something the children shouldn't be able to destroy. DDIL asked me to help her find a vanity, and the one they picked was one of the several examples I sent them based on what they wanted. It was my favorite, so I was happy when they selected it. It is painted with Sherwin Williams paint, so they can touch it up or repaint as needed since that info was provided by the manufacturer.
They are so pleased with the results. The contractor gutted the room on Monday and provided the finishing touches today. So speedy work and he even had to correct some defects he uncovered during demolition, such as a loose electrical wire going from the attic to ?, the water feed pipe to the shower head had never been anchored and would rattle in the wall, and a few other hazardous issues that he corrected.
I just completed the third seasoning of the cast iron grill pan I purchased at IKEA, so it is good to go. I sewed the new rug into the size I wanted and also reattached some lace to a long bolster pillow case I found in the linen closet clean out. I had to repair the hems in it as well. It was packed with another bolster pillow case and 2 very old Utica cotton sheets that are very heavy. I washed them all up and decided to hand on to them for a future sewing project. They are flat sheets so could be used on a bed or used to line drapes.
It was a very gray, rainy day and quite ugly because it was damp and slightly foggy. Better than snow so I'll live with it. After the past few days where the temps were inn the high 40's and 50 plus one day, it was a bummer. Nice to have the basketball game as a diversion though and to spend time with DS's family.
I had to watch as DGD displayed all the doll clothes she was given by her great aunt, and helped her arrange them in the storage bin she was using. They were a tangled mess when she first opened it. She wasn't pleased with arranging them, but once it was done, she said it looked better and she could find items easier. Sometimes life hands us hard lessons, lol. Her mother asked if I wanted to tackle DGD's room, but I took a hard pass on that offer. I can only imagine what it looks like after seeing the bin contents.
I hope everyone had a great day and waving "hi" to everyone.
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ChiSandy - you’re probably preoccupied with the show… but the Bears won in a very wild game!!
I got a walk in this morning, but I’m still taking shorter ones, working up to my normal. I’m listening to the audiobook “Twice” by Mitch Album, so I’m enjoying that. But as soon as I got home I had to peel my workout clothes off. It was already 79 and humid. We hit 86 today!
After I cooled off it was a day of phone calls. I think I talked with 4 gf’s! I was getting things done while we talked but boy it could take up a chunk of my day. Two of them still work so catching up is on weekends.
I put away our new carryon suitcases; watered some plants in pots; finished up laundry; took down Christmas cards I had taped to a wall - cheap tape left goop on the wall which I still need to address. I dyed my roots tonight, still need a haircut.
I had ordered 2 bunnies with Jelly Belly jelly beans, early Easter gifts, they showed up today and they’re large! I thought they actually had candy, I was worried about a “best used by” date, my bad - no candy.
I put my hand on to show a comparison. LOL The kids will get a kick out of them. Not so sure the parents want another giant stuffy.
That’s about it for me. Tomorrow it should be 82, so I’ll attempt a walk early, once I’m awake and functional. Need to figure out a tape goop removal to clean that wall. It should be a quiet day. Wishing you all a quiet day too!
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Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.
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Hi, just popping in. My bestie fell and was in the ER with head injury, cuts bruises and broken ribs. Luckily a neighbor saw her fall and called 911. She was walking her little dog. Falls scare me.
I haven't been feeling my self. Just want to sleep. Probably stress
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