thread for middle age to older Christian women.

Chris, it sounds like we have some similar taste in colors. Blue was always my favorite color but as I have gotten older I love teal as well. Your painter was bold to paint your accent before you knew it but I am glad you liked it. I have had pretty much boring off white walls in my current house but I did wallpaper a couple of bedrooms and there was already some wallpaper up when I moved in. I really branched out in Cammie's old room with new ivory walls. LOL Ivory matches my new carpet.

So to go with the color Drizzle which is supposed to be a coastal vibe was definitely reaching out of my comfort zone but I figured why not. If after it is done and I hate it I could probably paint it myself since it is only one wall. I will attach a rendering of what it will look like below. My painter was by himself today and I could tell he was disappointed. He was supposed to have two other guys with him but he sent them home early yesterday as they were both feeling sick. So I think today is mainly prep work. I told him I was glad they were not here sick as I catch everything.

So you did have chemo this past Tues. I hope you can enjoy the hours left before feeling the effects. Your weather sounds crazier than ours. Lately I have been doing a 10 day forecast at Bryce Canyon just to compare to ours. There nights get quite cold in April and the days are a mixed bag just like it has been here. I am not sure how in ground sprinklers work but hopefully the cold will not damage yours.

You are always in my prayers. I know you will be excited when your sister comes in May.

I have a hair apt today so I need to sign off. I fully trust my painter and I will leave while he is still working.

This is the color app rendition of my accent wall. It has a goofy way of adding artifacts that aren't there so my photography wall looks a little strange. I never actually finished it as I wanted to add another pic on the right but never did. You can at least see the color. My TV was apparently on and my swan family pic is reflecting that. My sofa has teal in it and my lazy boy chair is teal. Hopefully after all is finished I will love it and get used to it.

I hope everyone is doing okay. Teka, is mud season still here for you. We don't even have a mud season but we have had so much rain my backyard is full of mud. Does that count as mud season. LOL

Hershey, I hope your garden is doing well.

Wheatfields, praying for you.

Love,

Nancy

That's funny about the mulch. I don't like spiders either and there have been times when I got in bed and looked up on the ceiling and there was a spider. Then looked up a little later and it is no where to be seen. YIKES So I understand your DGD's fear. My grown neighbor is scared to death of them and will have her partner kill one for her.

I'm glad to get a little feed back on that color. I am hoping at night it won't look too dark. I'm glad you like the color and when I sent that pic to my painter he thought it would look nice. I picked Greek Villa for the walls which is supposed to go well with the Drizzle color and very white ceilings so hopefully it will be a nice vibe and make my rooms look bigger.

Just got home and need to resume my paperwork. There is a free shredding event on Saturday morning I want to take advantage of and I don't have a ton of time tomorrow.

Hope you are still feeling okay.

Love,

Nancy

Nancy, I'm looking forward to seeing a picture of your finished room. I know you miss Cammie… Wow, scary to drive home in a flood and I am so happy that you are home safe and will be praying for relief from your pain.

I am doing pretty well today with manageable chemo SEs, so we decided to go out for dinner. My DGD is away at a church camp weekend so we had an adult night out. I am exhausted now and it took a lot of effort, but I made it. My DH and I talked about how when we lived in San Diego we used to go out every Saturday night, so we thought we would try it at least tonight. My appointment with my oncologist went well yesterday. She said she is pleased with my progress and my labs, etc., which has made me feel better.

Teka, we are sitting at a pleasant 74° although unfortunately it is very windy which makes clean-up difficult. The tree specialists was here today and can't figure out what is killing our trees. We have replaced a couple the last two years. He suggests maybe something is eating the roots. It is possible as our yard backs up to an open space. I think we need to poll the neighbors…

Nancy, how are you feeling today? I hope you find something beautiful to make you smile. Sending prayer and hugs.

I am in my "good" days between treatments. Yesterday I walked a little and today I vacuumed. I don't last long, but it is increasing my exercise. Tomorrow I want to dust and clean out my hutch which has accumulated a lot of dust. The hutch is old and has lots of glass panels so there is no way to keep it sealed tight. I don't even use much of it anymore but I like the memories. I am hearing that the new generation doesn't use china, crystal, or silver much anymore. I wonder what will happen to it but I will let my kids decide. They don't fight over anything so they'll figure it out.

Oh dear Nancy, that sounds terrible - we will be praying for you and an immediate relief from the fumes and knowing what to do! I know that can be real, I remember a lady in our office and a reaction to carpet cleaning, and paint, and also different people's perfumes. I'm so glad you discovered the root of the trouble and now to just be rid of it.

My nurse friend has an appointment at the neurologist tomorrow, we've been waiting for this opening, that they suggested when she was dismissed from the hospital after the last TIA. We are praying for some insight.

Praying for each of you!

Love, Wheatfields

Wheatfields, how did your friend's neurology apt go today? I hope the doctor could give her some hope and encouragement. Thank you for your prayers. I always appreciate them.

I had my Botox injections yesterday. I decided not to go down another rabbit hole regarding the paint fumes. He was quite a bit off schedule anyway. He does not say much anyway. I was very calm and especially since I was in the room and could see the syringes right there. I did very well and I am so thankful. I had 8 injections and before we started he was toying with the idea of increasing the dosage and asked me what I thought. I said yes, I am game. Then when it came right down to hooking me up to the EMG machine he quickly looked at what he called his cheat sheet which was a screen on his computer and he said I have changed my mind and am going to give you the same dose.

I have to trust the Lord in his decision. I had my Bible study praying for me as well. I did not get my laundry done yesterday so I have been doing laundry today. I was fooled into thinking I couldn't smell the paint odor and I realized that my tonuge was burning, I had a headache and I was feel mentally off again. Even though I am getting a new ceiling fan installled in my living room tomorrow I tried to turn the current one on tonight and it wouldn't turn on. My painter had it all wrapped into plastic while he was painting and something was not getting the needed electricity evey though the light worked so hopefully when I get the new fan installed that will help. I have also been very fatigued which is another side effect of toxic inhalation. I have still not tried the gas mask. I think I had lulled myself into thinking it was not needed but it really is. I am safe in my bedroom so I will sleep well tonight.

I am a bit discouraged tonight. This was one of those days that everything went wrong. I already have a dishwasher that has been leaking on the floor and has ruined my linoleum so I figured I could get that replaced after the carpet layers come on Monday. Today when I put my first load in my dryer I heard something metal fall. It was the clamp that keeps the door closed. My washer and dryer I bought right before I got my bc diagonsis in 2014 so they are old and not worth spending the money on a tech visit. So I rigged up a way to use my floor mop handle to keep the door closed. I opened my fridge earlier and a whole box of butter came flying out all over the floor.

On a positive note I had my mammogram on Tuesday and when I was at the Arboretum on Wed to get out of the house I got a message that my scans were NED. I am happy about that and I need to keep telling myself that is much more important that my dishwaher and dryer breaking!!!!

I hope everyone is doing well. Have a great weekend.

Love,

Nancy

Oh Nancy, I'm so sorry that you're dealing with strong paint fumes. It saddens me that you need to wear a gas mask (and in your own home, no less). Positioning a fan to blow outside is a helpful idea. Is it possible to crack your windows to create some cross ventilation? Home improvement projects can take on a life of their own sometimes. I pray that you find rest and relief soon.

Chris, I hope you find answers about your new trees. We lost two little crabapples several years ago. Blight infected and killed all the flowering trees in our neighborhood. The arborists told us that many tree diseases can survive in the soil for several growing seasons, especially if any root or bark material remains in the ground. They recommended replacing the trees with non flowering varieties (maple, oak, locust, etc.). We purchased some columnar maples and haven't had any disease issues since.

Wheatfields, I hope your recent medical procedure was successful. Was your nurse friend's neurology appointment worthwhile?

Teka, has mud season ended in your neck of the woods?

Our exterior projects are proceeding, albeit more slowly than initially expected. Siding and gutters have been repaired or replaced, and painting should commence sometime this week. Installation of the siding was really noisy (lots of pounding and drilling), so I'm very happy that work is done.

I wish all of you a peaceful, safe, and relaxing weekend.

HI ladies,

I hope everyone is doing well. Chris I know this is chemo day for you and I pray you have some really good initial days afterwards.

Hershey, your outdoor projects sound like a lot! I remember coming home from a surgery and then two days later the roofers started. Oh my goodnes. So I do get it. I didn't realize the new carpet installation would be so loud at times. I hope all of your projects get done soon and to your satisfaction. How is Pastor John doing?

Teka, my post mammogram letter never actually says NED but that was the gist of it. They did recommend me having an MRI along with a mammogram for future, which it is funny that one of my doctors actually said I didn't have dense breasts when I asked him. I can't even remember who that was now. I have been in the "mud" season but the kind you put on the walls!!

Wheatfields, are you and your nurse friend doing okay?

My carpet installation is done and the two guys did a fine job!!!! However……….one of the guys was here the last time doing Cammies room and he had a new younger partner with him this time. I made an instant connection with this younger guy when he was working right next to my computer room where he was working in the hallway. He was a very nice and sweet guy that kept calling me Miss Nancy. He was from Missouri, fairly newly divorced and has a 6 year old son. I could tell this transition of 8 mos to IL has been very difficult for him. He asked me how was retirement and I told him about my Mom getting dementia my first year of retirement which changed everything. When I said she died during Covid without hesitation he asked did she know Jesus. I said yes she did and so do I.

Okay fast forward a little and he came quickly up the stairs saying Miss Nancy, Miss Nancy I had an accident. He was hold a broken glass light fixture that he hit with his head. He said I am tall and I just hit it. He was okay and I told him not to worry about it. I was thinking about replacing that fixture anyway. I may have a replacement fixture that I had forgotten about.

After they got the furniture back in place which was not an easy thing as most all of my furniture is very heavy and I can't move it so I was picky about where each piece went. The older guy just wanted to leave and the young Christian man made a point to thank me twice before leaving. After looking things over there were six places that scuff marks were left on the walls and two in my stair well which is very obvious. These two marks were about five or six inches long each. My heart sank. I tried to wipe them off and that didn't work. I had already called the company and paid my remaining bill. I know what I should do but I just can't and won't. This young Christian guy just happens to be the cousin of the owner of the carpet company and lives with them. I have only dealt with his wife who is wonderful. I will reach out to my painter who lives across the street from them. It is such a crazy situation and I don't want to put any more pressure on this young man. I have a feeling he did some of the marks and then the older guy probably did one area which is a very hard to glue so I can understand his tool making several marks.

I have to replace some of my appliances which I was not counting on. That is a story for another day if at all. Last night I was utterly exhausted physically and emotionally and totally disappointed that my work is not done yet.

I was finally thinking maybe the awful paint fumes were getting better and then I kept smelling this putrid smell and realized it was coming from the new carpet. It was off gassing similar type of fumes which had been making me sick. My gasmask I could not figure how to properly use but I was using it last night and holding it in place.

I keep thinking I need to write a book along the line of Erma Bombeck. LOL I can laugh now which is a good sign. Last night all I wanted to do was……………..not laughing. When I finally made it to bed and it was very late I kept looking things up on phone and I dropped my phone and it hit my upper lip and teeth. I sort of have a fat lip to boot. My teeth are fine. I just happened to have a dentist apt on Thursday so hopefully she will not say oh you have a cracked tooth.

Okay, I am signing off now. Congratulations if you made it this far🙄

Love

Nancy

Teka, thank you for all your prayers. I am so glad your procedure went well and that your nurse friend is doing ok and didn't have a stroke although she is not feeling well. The only time my oncologist would use NED is when nothing at all lights up on the PET scan (is totally inactive) so I have never in ten years had that joy. My liver has always had something going on albeit minimal even though my bones are quiet.

Nancy, a friend of mine struggles with the fumes from the glue they use when they install new carpet. She could walk into a house and tell immediately. Eventually it settles down. I just wanted to give you a thought on this.

I had my infusion today. My port wouldn't give any blood return so we had to use my arm but eventually they got it to work with blood-clotting meds. I was there almost six hours if you include the extra hour for labs and waiting for results…ughh! I did hire a housekeeper and she starts the middle of May. It is more than I want to spend, but we decided I really need this and it is worth it. I may interview someone else in the meantime just to reaffirm I made the right choice. We had a snow/hail storm last night and there was snow still on the ground when we drove through the forrest today on my way to the hospital. Springtime in the Rockies!

Nancy, I have been thinking of you. How are you doing? How is your hip? Are you going to get a hip shot? Are the fumes better and were you able to take your camera out to get away from it all? I know you have a lot of issues right now and I have been praying they all resolve for you.

Wheatfields, how are you doing now? I am glad you didn't need another procedure. How is your sister? This a difficult situation. I remember all too well when we placed my MIL in a memory care facility. In the end, it was the best decision.

Hersheykiss, how do the colors look now that the paint has dried and cured?

Teka, how are things going for you? Has your weather been as crazy as ours? We hit 70 today and expect snow tomorrow.

I had my annual dermatology appointment today. I was nervous as I thought I had a couple of spots that grew too fast, but the doctor said they look benign and were of no concern to him. (I have a lot of flaky patches from all the oral chemo.) He did freeze three spots under my nose that looked suspicious and he just wanted to not let them cause any problems. The only problem is I am on oxygen 24/7 so they will be bothersome for a while. He also froze a large one on my face that I was concerned about. Mostly he did it to give me peace of mind but also for cosmetic reasons for me. But I was almost in tears of joy as I left because it was better than I thought. Why is it I am more nervous about the dermatologist seeing my (near) nakedness than the oncologist? He is very nice, polite, and gentle. He kept apologizing for causing me pain from the freezes. Oh yeah, he is pretty cute and I don't look very lovely right now. Sigh…

Teka, it's snowing here and schools are closed. I usually feel pretty good the day after my Taxol infusion so it is laundry and kitchen scrubbing day. I usualy cook too… I have a crochet project I need to start for my DGD birthday next month also, so I gotta get busy!

Hope everyone is feeling better today. I definitely have Spring fever!

Nancy, a 16 pound weight loss through diet and exercise is an impressive accomplishment. Congratulations to you! No doubt your PCP was very pleased with your weight loss and lab results.

Chris, I'm glad that your annual dermatology appointment went well. Your dermatologist sounds very proactive and patient centered. My oncologist is adamant about keeping skin check appointments. She has said on several occasions that breast cancer increases the risk of skin cancer and vice versa.

Wheatfields and Teka, I hope you are doing well.

Our house painter is wrapping up the trim painting today or Monday. We've had a couple of weather-related delays, first rain and then SNOW! Heavy, wet, damaging snow. There is so much property damage in our neighborhood: downed trees, crushed cars, leaking roofs. The neighborhood looks like it was hit by a tornado. We lost one maple tree, and one of our large ash trees lost several large limbs. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported in the area. The sounds of chain saws and wood chippers will soon fill the air. Springtime in the southwest U.S. is so unpredictable.

Wishing everyone a blessed Friday and weekend.

Enjoy your day!

Husband and I decided on ribeye steak and mushrooms for Mother's Day dinner at home. 😋

Cheaper than a restaurant. 😉

Hi ladies,

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day. Thank you for the comments on my weight loss.

I don't believe I have Ade's contact info so I haven't spoken to her. However I do write to Ellen from NC, and Joanne even though I owe her an email. I am still in contact with Bev but she goes way back in time here.

I am really struggling with fatigue and today I am so bummed out. With all the things I did to prevent this from happening I paid for a Bosch dishwasher and the guy who came out and measured assured me that the big pipe from the bottom of the floor was behind the wall and I took his word for it…………..(my mistake) I got up very early for the installation today. Long story short…………it did not fit. The store manager is not in until Wed. I will have to settle for a much inferior machine which one installer said it would fit. So I am very upset and not happy that two different men even when I showed them a picture of this big pipe would not take me seriously. Not this particular picture but from a neighbor's who had her kitchen gutted and new plumbing to skirt this issue.

Not a pretty picture but this is the issue. The older machines had different housing because my last dishwasher was intstalled in 2013 with no issues.

Take care dear sisters.

Love,

Nancy

Chris, when is your sister coming> I know you are really anxious to see her. I am glad your DH is helping. He is such a good man. My day had aother twist. I was so exhuasted from getting up so eary but the new dishwasher did not fit and I and took a nap in the afternoon and drrove to get a salad from Wendys. I got in an horrendous traffic jam and I started hearing scratching coming from under my hood of the car. It kept it up off and on and I didn't know what to do. I drove home and asked ny neighbor what I should do. He looked under the hood and didin't seen any evidence or damage. As soon as he left I was going to start the car and pull it into the garage and the scratching resumed. So I left the car outside while I ate and took it to the dealer. They couldn't find anything and hopefuly what ever it was had a hair rasing trip on the way home along with me. This day has felt like a weekand a half!!

I reached out to my painter and he is going to call me late moring to give a time when he can come this afternoon. So more waiting on contractors to come. I know this too shall pass, I just hope it will be quickly. I still have to have time to see if I can fix my dryer. That at least works as long as the mop handlle holds the door closed. I realize how ridiculous all of this sounds.

I do you hope you had a good Mother's Day. I know your house will look perfect when your sister comes. I keep telling myself one thing at a time. For you one task at a time and then rest. Then another little task and then rest. One of my friends asked how ro you eat an elephant On bite at a time. Good wisdom for both of us

Take care. Have a good rest of your night.

Love,

Nancy