@MusicCandy @SadMe70 New place to communicate
@MusicCandy Hi! I decided it was easier to just start a new thread. I can't figure out the old one.
I am headed to my mom's tomorrow until Sunday night. Today is the fifth anniversary of dad's death. I couldn't get up there today, so it's the first time I won't be with her on the actual day. I won't be on here this weekend, so I'm writing this on Wednesday.
Yesterday I made my first trip to the mountains in a long time. I hiked to Mary's Rock. It was not crowded and was great weather. It was kind of funny hiking in a t-shirt with snow on the ground!
Today we are celebrating my DIL's birthday. The actual day is Saturday but I'll be at mom's. I am going to make the Korean dessert that I made for New Year's, since their dog ate all the leftovers and she didn't get to try much of it. Then I have some cleaning to do, and some errands to run, and then pick her up 45 min away because my son is here at work near our house. I'm going early enough to drop by my other son's house first to meet his new dog. He and his fiancee are adopting a 2 year old. I need to do laundry to prepare for my trip, and need to write detailed instructions for my pet sitters. I have an old note to work from, but I have a new lady coming one day and I need to make it extra-detailed for her. She is a pet sitting company, so it will cost me, but I need another person in my rotation of feeders. So it's a busy day today!
I am grateful for my spring break this week that allows me to do all these things. I spent the weekend doing very little because I knew the rest of the week would be very busy! I don't like getting home the evening before I have to go back to work, since I won't get laundry, shopping, or cooking done, but it couldn't be helped!
I hope the new thread works out, and that I tagged you correctly so you will see it!
I hope your week has gone well, and here's to five more years of messages to come!
Bonus midweek email: I am a grandmother!! They were born just after 11:00 am today Korean time, which was late last night here. The girl was born first, 7.9 pounds, and the boy was 7.3 pounds. As far as I know, everybody is fine. We saw several pictures in the middle of the night. It is night there now, but hopefully we can do a video call soon. Their eyes were closed in all the pictures so far, so I am looking forward to seeing their eyes!
Hello! Well my big news of the week is of course the babies! I sent you a short message on Thursday. I have seen a few more pictures of them, and a couple of very short videos. We did a five minute video call with my son yesterday morning and he kept the camera pointed at them in the nursery. He told me that my DIL is in a lot of pain, which I guess is to be expected after a C-section, but this morning she tried to breastfeed for the first time. I wore my grandma shirt to school on Thursday and showed lots of people the first couple of pictures we got. I want so much to be there! Still holding onto excited feelings the best I can (had a lapse toward the "dark" side last week but recovered), looking at the adorable pictures and knowing I will go in just over two months.
The other parts of my week were not nearly so exciting. I did not get any walks this week, and missed my morning exercise three of the five mornings. I did get my temp crown and so far I am not feeling pain when chewing or drinking cold water, so I am hopeful that I will not need a root canal. I did continue to eat pretty well most days. I had a lot of extra stuff going on this week (things did not go well with my friend's goats), but next week should be back to normal with my exercise. Last weekend I took my dress for the wedding to a tailor who is going to let out seams in the back of the bodice to relieve pressure on the zipper, and on the front of the underskirt so my stomach will fit better. Fingers crossed that it will fit after that!
Also, I did really well at my son's fiance's birthday with her parents. We played a long game, mainly with her mom. My husband played a little and her dad only watched, but it was an easy game so I did not have to think much, and it took up most of the time, so the game was kind of a distraction and kept things from being more awkward for me. In the middle my son had food delivered but we just stayed in the living room so it wasn't something formal sitting around a table staring at each other.
I hope you and Rachael got more walks this week! It was so nice most days! Thank you for sharing about Rachael. How wonderful that you worked to get the rules changed to save other babies! You always impress me with everything you do. I am so sorry that those tests were not routine then, especially since it is so easy to treat. (This is why I do my colonoscopies - my grandmother died of colon cancer that could have been caught and treated with routine screenings that were not done back then.)
The engagement pictures sound wonderful! I love the fun phone booth idea! The one time I went there with my sisters, there was a High Tea going on. I always remembered how fun that looked. I'm glad you got some pictures with your mom and sisters there! I hope your daughter can honeymoon there! Such a beautiful place! Did you go looking at dresses this week??
I am so glad to hear that the surgery went well and that tongue reconstruction will hopefully not be needed! Such good news! I was also glad to hear they were in good spirits - that in itself will help. I hope he continues to recover well. Last week of classes for Abi? I am so happy about her A, so I can just imagine how thrilled all of you are! How is your fiance doing?
You have had a very busy week too! I hope everything went well and that you are not too worn out from it all!
It is time for my weekend chai! Have a wonderful week, my friend!
@SadMe70
CONGRATULATIONS times 2! How wonderful that is to get the news that all is well and they are finally here. I'm glad to know that you were - mostly - able to just be joyful and grateful . I knew you would get a lot of well wishes from your coworkers and that you wore your shirt. 2 months isn't too terribly long and they will still be quite little for you to hold and cuddle. Hold onto the good vibes until then.
It was also a good thing that you actually had some fun with your* to be* daughter in law. I'm glad it wasn't too awkward and mainly that you got through it. So many things gals like us would really rather be doing .I know the wedding will be beautiful and the dress will work OK. A lot to look forward to and that helps life when things arent just as we would like them to be.
We do the best we can with the meals and exercise. Rachael and I did get most day walks in, but Monday I worked and with the F'berg trip in the AM, we walked twice the day before. I don't een know what I have for meals most of the time - its more just snacking, some good, some not so much. I am having a very small glass of wine most nights, but not 2. I just feel it makes me a little less wound up, probably all in my mind.
The trip to F'berg went great. The shop has a tone of dresses and they treat you like royalty. she did find a dress she really likes, but we are going to look 2 more places. The lunch restaurant was by the river - I wanted to just go floating but after all, its still pretty cold water even though it was warm and we did have a good time.
Mark is starting Radiation next week, 5 days a week for 4-6 weeks which is pretty standard from what I know of other people getting treatment. His tongue should heal, but he will lose his taste. It should come back at some point, but it will be a rough month for them. Abi's 18 year old kitty died too, so much to deal with! She has another kitty and they have a lab and I hope they wont get crazy ad get another pet since they say after the wedding they want to try for a baby soon. She was going to to the 10 K today, but she had been up all night with the kitty so she opted out It started a t-storm near the end, so its just as well. She has the A and she will have a little break before summer classes. I'm so proud of her determination.
My week went fine with all the busy-ness. I hope you don't have another dental deal to go through. As for my fiance, I get fairly impatient with him procrastinating everything. He seems to have the chest tightness off and on but he manages to work outside, or do whatever he is doing outside- most of the day. I am paying for him to get his will done and he is going back and forth over the tiny details and not finishing it - a month now. Drives me crazy. The score put him at a near zero chance of having a heart event this year, but it goes up year by year. I told him he needs a cardio consult, but he will put that off too. I'm tired of nagging like I was his mother.
Other than all that, things are OK. Next week wont be as hectic. I hope you have a good week too, and we will check in again soon - smile big smiles over 2 new babies in the family!
Hello my friend! Sorry to have missed last weekend. I have been sick again. I woke up one day with what felt like allergies - sinus headache, post nasal drip, but after two days I felt so much worse, mainly a physically exhausted feeling. I went to urgent care thinking maybe I had bronchitis again, but my lungs were clear, COVID PCS was negative, so it was just some random virus I picked up probably at school. Nothing to do but ride it out. I felt bad for about 10 days, and started feeling better this past Thursday. I could not exercise all that time, so I lost my momentum on the weight loss. I pick up my dress for the wedding today from the tailor - fingers crossed that it will fit!
The babies went home last weekend and my son went back to work, so they are all figuring out a new routine. Her mom had been staying at their house to take care of the dogs, and is still there. As jealous as I am, I hope she can continue to stay for a while because they will need the help. My son can't stay up half the night and then go to work, and my DIL can't do it all on her own. We had one long video call with them about two weeks ago when they were still at the facility and finally got to see the babies awake with eyes open. He called again this past week but I was showering and getting ready for work so I did not get to talk, and saw the babies for about 30 seconds.
The wedding is this coming Friday. We are staying in Powhatan from Thursday to Sunday, so I will probably miss messaging you next weekend too, but I will have wedding news by the following weekend!
I am glad you had such a nice first dress shopping trip with your daughter! My son took me to a restaurant on the river one time and it was very nice to sit looking at the water - maybe the same one you went to! I forget the name. I hope your other dress trips are great too, and she finds a dress she loves!
How is the radiation going? I hope he is holding up ok from that. That is a lot of days of treatment. How is his pain level now? I am so sorry to hear about the kitty! It is tough to lose any pet, but she's had that one so long. I'm guessing she is only maybe in her 20s, so it was her pet since childhood. That is even tougher. I am glad they have two other pets. That should provide them some comfort. Labs are pretty empathetic dogs - mine used to come sit by me whenever I would cry. Congrats on the A!! So glad she has some good news, plus something to be very proud of!
I hope you have had a good week with meals and exercise. It was a bit chilly but I think it will be warmer this week. I hope to get a walk on Tuesday. Hopefully your fiance will get his will done. My husband and I have never done them. I would kind of like to put the house into my name only - my parents put theirs into mom's name as dad declined to try and protect it - but not sure my husband will go for that. He does not want to talk about what sort of funeral arrangements he might want, he just says he will leave me a note. I think that death is a real enough possibility for him now that he doesn't really want to think about it. Meanwhile, my living room is once again piled full of crap and like you, I am tired of nagging. He just gets angry, so I just have a completely messy house inside and out and it drives me crazy.
I am sure you had a busy week, but I hope you had time for you also! Have a great couple of weeks my friend!
@SadMe70
Congratulations on the new DIL coming to the family1 I am sure the wedding was beautiful and all the details were just fine. you will have to fill me in when you get back and have time to breathe. I'm happy we are starting early with the details, it is a lot of little decisions and expenses. We did go to another shop in Richmond, just the 2 of us. This shop isn't as big and fancy and royal treatment as the one in F'berg. ( she just wanted the experience as she said)Also, Also not as pricey. The dress style she liked though is still ballgown and the one she likes the best from the last shop is 2,000, not out of the question. you can look it up - it is Maggie Santoro"Casey". The last shop we are going to next ween is a combo Consignment and sample gowns, ( the other one in Richmond sends them their unsold samples) It should be less expensive, but which ever one she loves OK with me.
I'm glad to hear that the babies are home, and you are right, it is a lot to care for 2 newborns 24-7 without help. We all get through sleepless nights when babies are first home, but 2 will double all that. I know you cant do anything about it and that must be hard. My PC did something weird just now, I'm going to try to post this msg so far.
@MusicCandy
OK, the rest of the news. Marks radiation starts Next week, I wasnt sure. He and his Dad went on an overnight fishing trip this week-end. He is in minimal pain for now and really bored not working. told Abi it is a good thing, because once everything else gets rolling, they won't be able to do a trip like that. Thank god, he is close to his parents.
Speaking of being sick, I have a cold since Friday and am trying to work through it. I'm sure that's all it is and I started taking some cold meds and I do feel better. I even did my exercise already at work ( Saturday evening) and thy say it actually helps to exercise with a cold if you can manage it. The 30 stair flights are never fun, but no harder today than usual - i just get it done and then I'm happy.
I have ben in my house, that is the home and property that I underline that I, am paying for- 9 years today. Fiance has been manicuring the front lawn and raking leaves and putting walking path stones - all OK, but the side yard and back are still an absolute disaster. I don't know why he cant understand that it is a constant source of stress for me. The other stuff is nice, but I don't think the back will honestly even get cleaned up. He gave me an orchid for the Anniversary of that date. I said Thank you trying to be polite. If he wasnt so nice to me and Rachael, it would be a different story.
Well, I can't wait to get the details on your son and DIL's storybook day. Thank YOU for listening and always being there. I don't talk to friends the way I share with you , it is nice to have that kind of friend.
@MusicCandy
My goodness GF, that was a jam packed week-end! It sounds like it went great overall .That's the most we can hope for. It is nerve wracking just thinking about all the details so I know its a bit of a relief to have it over with. I know what you mean about the hair and make up, and I'm glad your hair looked nice for the pictures. When I had a makeup person for a get together with my mom and sisters, the makeup was overdone. What colors did she have? Abi wants black for Bridesmaids, light gold for mothers. I have plenty of time to find something so I'll look at my fav thrift stores for awhile. I feel happy for you that you did get to see the babies and it was streamed for your son so far away. also- that you did get some game time with your family, and especially that it was at the end so you could relax. Good for you helping to make their day special, and i know she meant well including you, even though it was awkward for that part- it would be for me too, but you got through it and enjoyed the rest,
Abi ended up choosing a much more reasonably priced gown(whew) than the one she really had her heart set on at first, but not the one we last saw in in Richmond. In F'berg, she had tried on several dresses and she ended up picking one of those. It is Justin Alexander "Carissa" you can look up that one now. It flatters her and she added a cape off the back. We are going to put it on the VISA Monday before she changes her mind!! She is having a harder time with this condensed summer class, the professor is new to UVRich, and thinks she has to teach everything she knows about Econ. But the whole class is in the same boat, so maybe she will curve it out and give them some slack. I always need something to worry over and this is one class she has to get an A in, apparently.
Her fiance started Radiation last week, so he doesn't feel the effects yet, but he will - lose his hair, appetite ,energy, ect. But he is strong guy and I have faith he will get through it . I am finally getting over this cold, it lingered over 2 weeks, unusual for me. My meals aren't great either, and too many cookies and chocolate, but the wine is still OK, just a little. I do keep up with my exercise because I'm OCD about it, not that I always want to. School is winding down for you I assume, my piano kids get out June 3, earlier than before. I hope you can spend some time with your goats ect. and feel some pleasure around them and the warmer weather.
I have a big day to plan for at church June 4, with a picnic lunch and posters for a Ministry Fair, I'm trying to prepare ahead of time, but the other people aren't, and I need some info from them. I wish they would get on with their part - it is frustration that some people are procrastinators. I have too may other things going on to out it off till the last minute.
Dont fret over the calories with your birthday, you deserve a treat. HAPPY Birthday
Hello! Well, the wedding was absolutely lovely. Very long lots of wedding news below!
We got there on Thursday afternoon just in time to check into the cottage and go to the rehearsal. There wasn't actually anything for me to do, but I was glad to be there to see it. The ceremony site has one group of chairs together, not two sides, and no aisle, everyone just comes in an opening in the front corner, so no ushers. So I was not escorted in, I just went to my chair when I got there. The rehearsal dinner was a lot of fun also, and the food was great.
On Friday, I knew I would be going pretty early to get my hair and makeup done in the room above the reception hall, but then thought I would go hang out with my family playing games in their cottage, but the bride wanted me to stay there with her mom and the bridal party. It was very sweet to be included, though completely awkward for me (surprise!). They are all nice, but I had nothing much to say to anyone, and hated the raplike music they had blaring. At one point, the bride was having her hair done, and her mom was having her makeup done, and the rest of the bridal party were staring at their phones while I sat in a chair doing nothing. But, my hair looked amazing. My hair is long, straight with no body, and very fine so doesn't hold a hairstyle. The lovely lady curled it at 11 AM, pinned up every curl separately, sprayed it, and didn't take it down until 3:30, so I had some actual wave and curl in my hair for the pictures! I did not like the makeup at all, but it helped my eyes show up better in the pictures. My brother-in-law streamed the ceremony and some parts of the reception for my son in Korea.
The reception was also very nice. The food there was also really good, and the cake was pretty and tasted good. I can't remember if I told you, but my son decided to have a signature drink, a Rob Roy, because it was one of my dad's favorite drinks. He named it for my dad, and we had a sign on the bar with the drink name and his picture. It was a lovely sweet tribute. My sisters and I each ordered one and got a picture of the three of us by the sign.
On Saturday morning, her parents hosted a brunch at the same place where the rehearsal dinner was, and that food was also really good. Then everyone left except my family, so we did spend Saturday playing games with my mom, aunt, sisters, and brother-in-law. I really enjoyed that because we love games and I don't see them that often. Since I was up late, we did a video call to my son and we all got to see the babies, and a tour of his apartment. It was the most I have seen of the babies so far, and it was nice to see them awake because they are asleep in a lot of the pictures.
We came home Sunday. Monday morning I got my permanent crown and it is working out great. No pain from chewing or cold liquids. I'm so glad! My diet and exercise have been awful (last night I had half a large pizza, half a big bag of M&Ms, and two margaritas). Today is my birthday, and I requested that my husband make a chocolate pie that he came up with years ago when the boys were little, so today is definitely going to be another high calorie day! I will try to get back on board after this weekend.
I looked up the Casey bridal gown and it's so pretty! I love the flowers all over the bodice. Did you get to the last store yet? Has your daughter decided on a dress?
I am glad Mark got to go on the trip with his Dad! Also glad to hear that he is not in a lot of pain now. Hopefully the lack of pain will help his body be stronger to deal with the radiation. Did he start this week? How did that go?
I hope you are feeling better! Good for you, continuing the stairs even while you are sick! I always feel so weak and out of energy when I am even just a little sick, that I don't get anything done. Even when I am well, eating ok, exercising, I just don't have much energy. Not sure why other than age and peri-menopause.
Congratulations on your home-owning milestone! As always, I completely relate to your feelings on the mess in the yard since mine is the same. Also, my husband continues to "clean" his bedroom by moving everything into the living room. He started this project literally months ago, back in the fall, when he went through it all and did throw out a lot, but there is no plan for where all the other stuff is going to go, so half my living room has been covered in boxes all that time. It makes me want to scream.
I do hope you are feeling better, and that wedding plans are progressing. I am glad that I have you to share happy news with, along with all my darkness and aggravations, and glad that we have some happy stuff right now to share! Here's to our kids' weddings!!
Have a wonderful week, my friend!
@SadMe70
For some reason, my post went up over yours, but its there.
Hello my friend, just a little midweek stab to my heart that I need to share, so I can have a pity party and then try to get on with my life.
I can't remember if I told you this, but once I found out my son was moving, I started making video recordings of myself reading some of the many books I have saved from my kids' childhood to read to my grandchildren. For some of them, I tried to match a location to the book, like reading a book about boats by the river, one about chickens out in my chicken pen, etc. My mom helped me do one at Christmas, and my other son and his wife each did one. I also started recording chapters of Stuart Little, which I remember my dad reading to me and my sister when we were little. I start each one saying Welcome to Grandma's Library.
I had about 40 videos made before they left, and have made a few more since then. When they left, I put the ones I had on a flash drive with a tag that said Grandma's Library. I asked them at the time to play them to the babies from the start, even though they can't watch them, so they will be familiar with my voice and I will maybe be less of a stranger. I figured they had been too busy to think of it, so yesterday I asked my son if he would play some before I come, which is only a month away. He asked if I could put them on google drive or something because he lost the flash drive. Ouch. I know they are busy and moved halfway across the world and have new babies, but I wish this had been something important enough to him to keep track of. It was so very important to me, one little link I might have with the babies. It really hurts that they not only didn't play any, but they lost it. I know full well that them living over there is going to be one hurt after another as I miss every event and milestone, but it doesn't make it easier when it happens.
Ok, time to put on my big girl ***. Thank you for being here to listen!
Hello my friend, Well school is done for the year, weirdly early. We got two days taken off the end due to not having any snow days. I used them for medical appointments! My mammogram went well and already got the results - normal. I had a physical which went well, but won't have a chance to do the bloodwork until next week or probably the following. Had my gyn checkup. Awaiting pap smear results. My one last year had abnormal cells, including in that polyp they took out in Sept, so I might not have a clear pap just yet.
My eating and exercise were slightly better this week but not great. One of the kids gave me a Krispy Kreme gift card that was just the right amount for a dozen original glazed donuts, so I spent it while I was in Fredbg for the doctor, and we ate them all that day. I also have 4 Starbucks gift cards, which are piling up since I don't drink coffee. I tried getting an iced chai latte and ended up throwing it out at the gas station - so incredibly sweet that even I did not like it, and sugar is my favorite food :)
My big plans this weekend are my debut as "dungeon master" with my son and his two friends that I play dungeons and dragons with occasionally. My son encouraged me to make up a storyline and try running a game (with much help from the three of them since I don't know what I'm doing!). So I have my story ready. I came up with a basic idea, sort of based on parts of Alice in Wonderland, and then googled to find monsters etc. that I wanted to use, and my son helped me adapt the monster abilities to match the level of the players. We are playing it in person rather than online so I don't have to learn how to do all the computer parts (putting up maps, moving players), so that will happen tomorrow at 4 at my son's house in Fredbg.
My new daughter-in-law had sage green gowns for the bridesmaids, each with a slightly different style. There weren't other specific colors for anything. The flowers for bouquets, tables, and on the cake were mixed wildflowers. I looked up the Carissa gown and I love it! The bodice is so pretty, and I really liked the layered skirt. Did you buy it? I feel like having the gown makes it all seem really real! My sister had black for her bridesmaids, which was the only wedding party I have ever been in! Then we each had a red scarf to wear however we wanted. Those dresses had layered skirts too and I thought they were very pretty.
Fingers crossed for Abi's A in the summer class! How long is it? Somewhere around 8 weeks? Hopefully the professor will curve it since everyone is struggling. Keep me posted!
I am hoping her fiance is tolerating the radiation as well as possible. Hopefully being young will help him with it, plus with recovering his strength when it is all done. How many weeks is that?
Ugh on the cold. I am so glad you are feeling better! Every illness I got this past school year seemed to take longer to get over. I don't know if my immune system is weaker from hardly being near anyone and their germs for two years, or if it is just age, or what. I hope that you don't get anything else anytime soon, and that it was just a fluke that this one lasted so long!
How are plans coming along for your church event? I hope the others have gotten going on their part of the preparation. I know it is frustrating to try and get things done when others are not helping! I hope you don't end up having to do a bunch of extra stuff because of that. You have so much else to do!
I hope between wedding planning, church planning, the radiation, your super busy job, and everything else, that you have had a chance to take care of yourself too. How is the tea vs wine in the evenings going? Have you gotten your walks?
I am going to make my Saturday morning chai, and will think of you with my first sip!
@SadMe70
First of all, my "so called " friend, I can't believe you had KK doughnuts and didn't invite me. I never get them myself because I would do just what you did- the box would be gone. But eating 6 wouldn't be so bad and I'm very disappointed about not sharing. Of course, they don't want us to get together from 7 cups, but next time, send me some whifs of all that melty sugar. I absolutely can not resist them. The only doughnut I even like.
It is a relief to get doctors appointments out of the way early in the summer. I hope ALL the results come back OK. I never had an abnormal PAPS and now at 70, I am quitting having them. Dryness with age makes the procedure tearfully painful, so just ..no. I hope you have so much fun with the dungeons and Dragons game with your son - it is great that he wants to play with you and not leave you out like some kids do when they get older. It sounds like you get to be very creative. We all need an outlet with the stress if life.
As for me and my busy-ness, thinks are OK. The church guy who was supposed to send some guidelines for how we would set up for the Ministry Fair, finally did after another person got on his case. but I had already dome most of mine and his stuff was lame anyway. They better not get mad at me because i made mine really nice and I guess the rest of them are just printing off a one page flyer. I made a trifold, printed out pictures, descriptions of each activity and a neat sign up sheet.
I havr about done the organizing for fixing and serving the hot dogs ect. I hope it doesnt rain so we can serve them outside, or it will be very messy in the Hall. Abi is having a lot harder time with this Econ course, but she had reached out to the professor who doesn't like to give A's and I hope it turns out well for her - 8 weeks and its 4 hours in the evening twice a week, already had midterm. Her fiance is making it OK with the radiation. He is losing his taste and hair, but he takes things lightly, doesn't complain.
Abi decided on a slightly different gown, same style, but she did decide, thank God. She picked the one on F'berg so she will have to go back for fittings. The shop is Ava Laurene. she does love the consultant who is over the top nice and helpful. We have plenty of time to nail down the vendors and details. So far, so good.
On your other truly terrible news, I can't imagine that they lost such an important thing that you spent hours creating ( very clever, I will have to remember that!) It is is a small item, so I can see how it would happen, but still! Something to be said for storing in the cloud. I so hope you can recover the recording, that is beyond special. I am heartbroken for you to even have to hear that news. But we have to move on no matter what, and that can be so hard at times. I'm honored that you trust me to share in such a personal way. I know you will be so excited to see them.
I have to work tomorrow, Sunday which I usually don't,. I switched a shift so I can be off next Saturday night 11 to 7 to sleep before the big day at church. I'll be glad when its over.
Take good care of you, and yes, we are still friends. till next time.
I got a good laugh from your last message about the KK! I have to avoid that place also, but when somebody gave me a gift card, well it would just be rude to waste it, right?? There were 15 cents left on the gift card and I threw that right away so I would not be tempted to go back! My weight is back out of control, I can't seem to stick with the good eating and have not exercised much since school got out, despite my plan to exercise every day.
I do want to clear up something about the videos for my grandchildren. I was so busy being dramatic and wallowing to say, I do still have copies myself on my laptop. So they are not lost forever. I was just very hurt that they did not feel it was important enough to keep tabs on it. I do not really know how to post stuff somewhere that they can grab it, and he has not asked about it again, so I am just not bothering. I might get another flash drive and take it with me when I go, but right now it just hurts, and I feel like even if I give them another copy, will they bother playing it?
I had my colonoscopy yesterday, SO glad that is over with. Two more polyps, and my discharge instructions said to have one again in THREE years instead of FIVE. No thank you. I will wait five years. My mammogram and pap smear were also good. Next Friday I am doing a big range of bloodwork, but so far, so good with everything else! I am glad for you that you are not getting paps anymore! My mom stopped in her 70s or maybe even earlier. My husband stopped getting colonoscopies in his late 60s.
The D&D session was very fun! They seemed to like my storyline and we had a lot of laughs. All three of them had to help me with the game mechanics, and my son did a lot of setup of the maps etc., but they were all really nice about helping me. I fit in better with three late 20s/early 30s nerds than with most groups of people.
Speaking of fitting in with people, I have another social thing today! One of the two ladies that I walk with wanted to do a tea at her house, and invited the other two of us. After my initial knee jerk reaction of never wanting to do anything social, I got into the idea. She is doing all the tea and sweet parts, and the other lady and I are doing finger sandwiches. I googled and got some stuff at the grocery store to make three different kinds of sandwiches. This morning she emailed that she had also invited another lady, who she had brought into our walking group last fall, and whom I dislike. That other woman is part of why I stopped walking with them for a while. Now I am back to not wanting to go. Grrrr.
Your flyer for the church event sounds very nice! It feels good to put effort into doing a good job for a good cause. If the others get mad that yours is nicer, that is their problem! What kinds of activities will you be running? I have not had a hot dog in years, and you are the third person to mention them to me in the last couple of weeks. I used to love a hot dog with mustard and relish! I have never been to a Ministry Fair, but the church where I grew up had one big event in the summer that was a lot of fun. One year I helped run one of the games and really enjoyed it.
A four hour class! Kudos to Abi for even taking the class. I never had one that was so long at a time. That sounds challenging even if the material was easier. Good idea to reach out the the professor early - I hope that helps. It sounds like her fiance is doing as well as can be expected with radiation. I would be a big baby and feel very sorry for myself. I admire people with the strength to deal with things as well as he is.
Hooray for the wedding dress being chosen! I googled the shop - I have been past there plenty of times but I don't think I ever noticed that it was a bridal shop. I'm so happy that she has her gown. That is such a special thing! I'm glad that with all the tough things she is dealing with, that she has something so joyous in her life also, and you to share it with!
Enjoy your Saturday night off, and get plenty of sleep for the big day! I hope that goes great! I know it is hard to enjoy something you are helping to run, but I hope you have some fun too!
I didn't eat any KK this week, with or without you, so I am glad we can still be friends!
@SadMe70
You gave me a laugh too about the doughnuts, and good to know we are still friends. There were some in the ED last night, the good ones( plain glazed) I picked up 3 and ate 1/2 and took the rest home to fiance. He will wish I'd brought him more. He isn't as crazy about KK as i am, but he will eat anything sweet. You just do your best to start a routine for exercising for the summer, even a little bit. My meals are so erratic, I'm not doing any better than you. I try to get a couple of salads on work nights, but the rest of the week is hit or miss.
I really hope you DID go to the tea, especially after you went to all the trouble to fix something special. It's hard, but sometimes we have to step out of our comfort zone and it doesn't turn out to be so bad in the end. It is absolutely beautiful weather - I took a short walk around the block at work, so nice. I hope your animals are all doing well and you get to enjoy some more time with them with school out.
The Ministry Fair is ready to go, and i did put in a lot of work. a few other people did something, but I did most of the prep work. That should make it easier to manage tomorrow when here will be help. The Fair part is posters and flyers to get more people to sign up as volunteers for the various tasks and ministry opportunities that need to be done. The hot dogs are just fellowship time and outdoors will give folks time to mingle . The grounds are very pretty, thanks to the few people doing the work right now, with several little garden spots and we have a Labyrinth for prayer walking. I think it will be fine, but it won't be something I actually enjoy - just get it over with. I do get satisfaction when things go well.
Abi is making the A so far with the class, but she has one more big project due that is a must for an A grade to make the A for the class. She did appreciate the talk with the professor and she said it helped her know how to do the project with what the teacher expects. The 4 hours is just because it is so condensed. They get a 15 minute break in the middle, but that's all. Saying prayers.
On the note about the videos you made for the grandchildren, I am relieved that it isn't lost. I know it hurts you to the core. At least, you can save it for them when they are older and they WILL appreciate it on their own. I don't understand parents that are not grateful that you want to be part of the kid's experience as they grow. A tough pill to swallow .. my sister is going through the same thing with her only grandbaby. The DIL is overly controlling and says she has to stay for a day at the most ( she lives in FL, the grandbaby is in Raleigh!) It is heartbreaking, and her son is a wimp.
I hope all your tests come back OK. I know the colonoscopy is a pain to go through, I think I got a 5 year reprieve last time, but the last two were back to back. Do what you think is best for you and certainly don't ignore any symptoms if you do wait.
I'll let you know how tomorrow goes. i get off at 11, home and in bed at 12:30 at best and up at 7 to get there early. Working 2 extra shifts next week for 2 people on VACAY. But with the OT, I can pay out of pocket for the wedding gown. Abi's fiance is doing OK considering everything.. Best we can hope for Keep the Faith.
Hello my friend, I have done better with my exercise this week. I set my alarm and made myself get up each weekday, and did a video. I am letting myself sleep in on weekends. I was going to walk, but the bad air kept me from that. My eating is still pretty bad, and I'm having wine or scotch every day. My husband wants me to spend more time with him since I am off for the summer, but he is limited in what he can do, so we've gone out to lunch twice this week and I ate some things that I shouldn't, plus had leftovers for additional meals. (Not to rekindle the KK debacle, but the peanut butter pie at Angelo's in Montross is sooo good!)
We have plenty of projects that need to be done in the house and outside, but I find I am completely unmotivated to do a single one of them. I had asked him if we could start cleaning his stuff out of the living room this weekend, but right this minute I just don't feel like it. I hate that he made the mess but I have to help clean it up, plus I have no idea where all that stuff is going to go, and I know there will be arguments and maybe yelling, so, not motivated.
My latest stress related to my Korea trip is that my son asked us to bring white shirts and blue jeans for a family photo with us and his in-laws. They are big into going to a studio where there are props, clothes changes, it's all very silly and contrived. So first my mom said she would not go to a place like that. As much as I think those kinds of pictures are stupid, I would have gone to keep the peace, but now we will take pics somewhere nice outside. This week she said to me, she will not be in a "family" photo with the in-laws because "they are not my family." Well great, I am already on thin ice with my son and DIL, so let's go be rude and insult her whole family! My sister pointed out to me that my mom never considered my dad's family to be her family, after almost 50 years of marriage. She gets these weird stubborn ideas and just digs in. So, ok, let's call it a "group" photo and just get in the darn pictures! She has been in pictures with them before, and has told me more than once how kind and hospitable they were when she visited before! My sister thinks this is all because my mom is so bitter about them moving away, that this is one way it is manifesting. Please pray for me that my mom just goes along with pictures, and doesn't say anything that could further ruin relations between our families. I am so stressed out about this right now!!
I did go to the tea, which was mostly ok. I do enjoy the two ladies, and was only mildly annoyed with the other lady. It is not her fault at all, just my weirdness. The food was all tasty and it was probably good for me to go out and be social. I think that's all the socializing I need for a while though!
My animals are doing well! Yesterday I was trying to make more of my story recordings. I had a book called G is for Goat, an alphabet book with words all related to goats. So my great idea was to record in the goat pen - introduce my goats and then read the story. One of them kept trying to eat the book while I was reading it, so I had to start over and film from outside the pen! Then I sat in front of one of my blueberry bushes to read Blueberries for Sal, and my long-haired cat came along and rubbed her bushy, leaf strewn tail across the camera so I had to put her inside and start that one over! So they are doing well, but they are all fired as extras in my videos!!
How did the Ministry Fair go? Did you get a lot of volunteers signed up? I hope it went well after all the work you put in. The prayer labyrinth sounds really nice! I have been going through a series on Calm about learning to meditate. I need to learn to calm myself down! I think I would enjoy walking through a prayer labyrinth.
How is Abi's big project going? I am glad her fiance is hanging in there so far. I am keeping them in my prayers! I am sorry to hear about what your sister is going through. It's so painful not to be able to be very involved with your grandchildren. How old is her grandchild?
I joined a FB group called Surrogate Grandparents of America. It's for families and older people who have a lack of grandparents/grandchildren in their lives for whatever reason, and provides a way for people to connect. I so enjoy being around some of the kids at school, and really want something more outside of school - trips to the park, reading stories in person. There aren't families in my area in that group right now, but maybe in the future. I have seen a couple of families who look so perfect for me, but live in other states. There are so many families on there desperately wanting a grandparent relationship for their kids, it's so sad. Maybe one day I will find a match on there!
I hope work went well this week. You are amazing working so many extra shifts! I am glad that you will be able to pay for the gown with the OT money. I know that is a big help! Did you get in any walks earlier this week before the air got so bad? I could actually smell smoke one day. I can't imagine how awful it was in Canada. It looks nice out there today, so I am hoping to walk. I hope you can get some walks in as well!
It's chai day, so I am going to do the next meditation lesson and then go start brewing. I hope you had a good week, and have a good one coming up!
@SadMe70
Hello to you my friend. News and more news. The worst was the graduation shooting at Altria. I talked to several people who were there and they said it was chaos, as you can imagine - old people getting knocked down, trampled, and then the little sister getting hit by a car. I am so sick of the guns and young kids getting them by whatever means. The mayor gave an exasperated speech, and the police chief. It is such a big problem now that I don't know what it will take.
But.. Good for you getting in your exercise.. .sometimes we do have to make ourselves do it. My eating isn't good either. I just don't plan enough to get all the nutrition I need, but I do put a balanced meal out for Rachael and fiance. I don't even seem to care as long as they get what they need. Especially Rachael - she is totally dependent on me. She is well and happy currently and that is one thing I'm happy about and grateful. I am not drinking as much wine, but still about 3 oz. almost every night. My key is to make my cup of herbal tea and while it is cooling I'll drink that small glass. I know I don't even need it, but at least it is not 2 glasses like before. It took a mind shift to make sure i make that cup and have it ready.
The Korea trip - I know darling. I went through so much of that kind of drama with my Mom involving other family members. She had to have everything the way she wanted it, or she would say rude things and I'd be in the middle. It was never easy and I wish I could say I miss her, but I don't. I wouldn't say that to anyone else but you since I don't have a therapist! I'll say prayers for you to get through it and enjoy most of the trip anyway. Feel free to B--- to me anytime.
As for the cleaning and so on - again, I'm on your side with the whole mess just being too much. I couldn't even begin to start with fiance's tools, wood,various pieces of God knows what, plus car parts, several trailers and on and on. The only thing I do is work and then I don't have to look at it as much and one day.. one day, I'll use his money to pay someone else to haul it all out. It is depressing but I can't let it destroy my everyday peace of mind. I hope you can do the same in some way - life is short.
I laughed reading about trying to "read with the animals" that was so funny. They have a mind of their own. I hope it turned out OK in the end. The surrogate grandparent program sounds like a good match on both ends. I still miss my maternal grandmother and she has ben gone a long time. No one could love me the way she did, unconditionally.
The Ministry Fair was, well OK. The others didn't do their part as well as they should have . But I did have 2 others helping with the hot dog serving and that part was easier than I thought it might be, The hot dogs in the crockpot worked out perfectly and I would have not known if the last person who started it that way told me. We just put 90 hot dogs in 3 crockpots at 8, turned up on high( no water) and at 11:30, piping hot and just right. Another parishoner made the chili, I got the buns at the day old bread story and it went fine. But the sign ups were not that great. Still, it was just one Sunday and in the summer. I'm going to suggest that we put up a table in the hall going out and each week feature , spotlight - 1 or 2 committees and that way more people will see it week to week. We will see if they like my suggestion. The Little Free Library ribbon cutting was nice and that is now open and available to the community as well as members.
My 2 extra nights were not too bad, thank God and I'm almost done-9 more hours. everyone else is doing OK for now, Abi and Mark making it day by day. We did have some smoke too, but now its about gone. Looking forward to getting our walks, but sometimes its better late in the evening when it is cooler. Rachael had one day in the outdoor pool at the Club and she was so excited. I hope you enjoy the chai and some calm moments with the app. Keep being your sweet self in spite of it all.
Hello, my week has been pretty much the same as last week. Mostly good eating except the treats and alcohol, some exercise though not every day, and no walks this week. One of my friends gave me a little bit of sourdough starter. I like baking bread but never made sourdough before, so I watched the video on feeding it to get enough to make bread and made some this week. It turned out really well! It cooks in a dutch oven so it's nice and round, with beautiful brown crust, and very tasty. I really enjoyed doing that. Of course, we ate the entire thing in two days with lots of butter, which is why I don't bake bread very often!
On Monday we are meeting my older son for lunch for a late Father's Day. I just realized a short while ago that this is my younger son's first Father's Day. That just feels very weird! I will start packing later this week for my trip.
My husband and I have gone to a little town to the east of us called Montross for lunch one day each of the last two weeks. I am trying to do a couple of fun things with him since I will be gone for two weeks. We tried one place we had never been to, and one we had been to before and liked. Both were very nice. We will try someplace else new this week I think.
I hope your week has gone well. Not much else to report from here! I will check in again next Saturday, and then I am off to Korea!
Hello my friend! I think I sent my message too late last Saturday for you to see it, but not much went on in my week anyway! This week is pretty similar. My food, exercise, and alcohol intake were all so-so, and I did not take any walks this week. The days are flying by, yet I am not accomplishing anything! I thought at least I would step up my exercise, but that has not happened.
I packed the majority of my stuff yesterday for my trip! We are leaving here around 4:30 am tomorrow morning. Typical of me, I feel way more anxiety than excitement. I am worried about leaving my husband alone so long, worried about whether my goat will attack anybody, worried about what my mom will say or do to offend people. Last night my son told me that his in-laws are insisting about taking us on day trips because they want to make sure we see some of the country. My plan was to just take it easy on this trip, stick mainly hanging out at his apartment with the babies, so I can get used to traveling, a new country, huge time change. Now I'm all anxious about whether I will have the energy for these day trips, and for dealing with strangers and having to be cheerful and friendly (ugh!) all day. I just want to see babies! I can see the sights some other time. I really need to learn how to adapt and go with the flow without getting myself tied all up in knots! I have just never been good at that. Hopefully once I am actually on my way, I will be able to let the excitement part seep in more!
I hope things are going well with you and all your family. Are you still doing tea most nights? Were you able to get in some walks with all this rain? More rain coming too! Is the summer course over, and did she get her A?? How are wedding plans coming along?
Have a good week, my friend!
