@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!
Hello my friend,
Another ok week. Minimal morning cardio videos, no walks (too cold!), and way too many treats. My Christmas tree is beautiful. I love seeing it in the morning when I get up. School and tutoring are going ok.
Today I got out my holiday shirts to start wearing to work this week. I love doing that! We have an ugly sweater day at school, and I have worn the same sequined reindeer sweater every year for years, but now I have another one. A former teacher friend gave me bags of clothes when she quit teaching, and there is a supremely ugly sweater/dress with bells and everything. I can't wait to wear it!
My older son just found out that he has to go on a work trip right when my family (mom, sisters, etc.) is having our annual Christmas get-together on Dec 16, which is sad. I will still see him sometime over the holidays, but I am sorry that he will miss seeing my family. He and his wife have been looking at houses to buy. They started out looking at northern VA, which I did not like, as I hate it up there and hate the traffic to get there, but it's so expensive, they are looking closer to Fredericksburg now - yay!
I am glad that your Thanksgiving and the church dinner were nice! It all sounds lovely. I think the doc was right about you!
Did you hear about the cholesterol study? I hope you got in! How was your wine this week? Did you get some walks in the cold weather? This weekend is so nice, but I will probably not get out to walk. My pulled muscle has bothered me less for a few days, fingers crossed that it is finally healing and maybe I can go on some walks on my hilly trails over my Christmas vacation!
Thank you for your kind words about my accomplishments this year. I am trying to keep a good attitude when I can - it is SO hard. I appreciate your prayers for my son - it seems that he now has a chronic health issue that he will have to figure out how to deal with from age 26 for the rest of his life. I hate that for him, and I can't do one single thing about it besides pray, which I do every day.
Your lunch and cookie exchange sound wonderful! Sounds like the lunch will be really nice with Ukrops food! Did you have some signups yet? When my boys were little, we used to go to our library's holiday event, which was singing songs, viewing their gingerbread house contest entries (which we entered a few times), and then a giant table full of cookies. I loved that, and really miss it!
How are things going with the wedding planning?
I hope you got some walks in, drank your tea, and didn't have too busy a time at work! Have a great week!
@SadMe70
Well, my friend, it looks like my week was sort of like yours. no big events, but rolling through with commitments every day. I can't believe its December.
We have that new " main boss" at work. Friday when a totally different tech was here, for the hour between 3 and 4, she told me what to do 3 times, and I don't even know her - she came from one of the other hospitals supposedly to learn CT . Now, apparently she is or will be our 'Lead Tech" just helping things run smoothly, but again - no one told me and I was kind of miffed. I texted another tech who was gone from the day and she told me all that- no one else did. No one who regularly works here daytime wants that job, so good for her. I only have to deal with her a short time Friday afternoons anyway She is .rumored to be nice enough, but I wasn't very nice in ,my response. I've ben here 33 years.
I went to SS again on Tuesday, got there early and the lady typed, typed, typed, and said the reason for the delay was it had to be hand processed . Really? 4 months? She said I will get a letter 10-14 days from that day, which means I'll miss out on the COL increase for next year - my January payment is already in process. Infuriatingly slow.
Church - not many people have signed up for the Luncheon yet, but they still have tomorrow at Service. I'll try to make an announcement and see if that moves them to come to a nice FREE lunch. The gifts for the shelters have mostly come in and Fiance and I deliver them on Monday. I looked over the list of names that no one picked and there was a 3 month old....Heart strings won out - I had Fiance drive me to Walmart since I hate that place, but it was open late Thursday night and got the baby some stuff. ! Actually had a nice Thursday overall with a night off - can you believe it?
I had a 90 minute salt float which is my favorite relax treat. i get them on FB when they are on sale. Rachael and I got most of our walks in, but one day was really cold and we walked some in the afternoon.
The cholesterol study is supposed to start next week on Tuesday with a home visit to take blood and mini physical with their nurse, Then I got a text saying I have to make the first visit at the office, which is downtown near MCV and it has to be Monday. That gives me pause. as much as I want to do it, not enough to spend what will likely be a half day or more - I know how doctors' offices are and I am not inclined to drive and park and so on, plus we have the gift delivery. The pay for the study is not that great so I will decline if that is the case. It does call for 3 office visits in the entire study, but well into the process, not last minute,
I'm so sorry that your son and new wife will miss the family time , but sometimes it just works out that way. Homes in F'berg are expensive enough, let alone NOVA. I hope they get something fairly close. Your other son is on my list too for prayers. That is just one more thing that makes life hard for him- and you, The sweaters though, sound like a blast. If the Vestry party suggested something like that, i might actually consider going ( not really, but at least it would be something other than standing around making small talk and eating. 0 I'm the only one not going. I suspect a few others don't want to, but they give in to pressure- not me. Once a month is enough at our business meeting with that bunch. However, now i see why they said last year was "so much fun". They asked Pastor about alcohol, and she told them the policy was that any event held on church property there has to be a non drinking "monitor". What?? Last year one of the guys brought homemade wine. Pastor doesn't drink and she has to leave early with her health issues so i think she just didn't care that much. But what happens if someone drives home and gets a DUI? The "Monitor" can't control that. Especially everyone eating hor oeuvres and drinking alcohol and nothing else for 2 hours. A restaurant would be a different situation. Oh well, I won't go next year either. Or the year after that.
I send you a warm blanket of love and good wishes for you to enjoy your chai and a sleepy Sunday.
Hello my friend, not much to report this week. I tried some more vigorous cardio videos, with Christmas themed music, really fun but my sore butt muscle flared up worse again. I am so tired of it. I have gained more weight and all my pants are tight. I really need to be able to exercise normally again. I did get a walk on Tuesday, and one today. Eating tons of bad stuff and drinking too much.
I can't believe a new tech tried to tell you what to do! Does she realize how long you have been doing your job?? Also sucks that no one told you anything about her. That is kind of how things are at my school - certain things I hear only through gossip because the administration does not tell us.
Ugh about SS. Hand processed? It's all so ridiculous. My husband got his COL notice today, so you have definitely missed that.
Did more people sign up for the luncheon? How did it go with the shelter present delivery? So sweet of you to buy stuff for that baby. I love buying baby stuff - wish I could do it more. My son video called just about 5 min ago, but I had to leave the room. I just want to cry. It's mainly since I've had 2 glasses of wine so it's hard to control my emotions. My husband is talking to my son so he probably doesn't even realize I am not in there.
So glad you had Thursday off! You need more days off!! Have you decided on when to retire?
I had not heard of a salt float. It sounds nice! I am thinking about trying to get a massage over my Christmas break. I haven't had one in years. I think if I do it, I will splurge on a pretty long one, maybe 90 minutes.
I am glad you got some walks in! I think there will be some decent days this week, so hopefully you will get more.
Did the study start this past week, or is it this coming Tuesday? Did they say you have to come in for a visit? I don't blame you for not wanting to do that. I was just thinking yesterday about the little doctor offices in my small town growing up - right in their houses, small office, nice staff. So different from the big, sterile, offices nowadays with unfriendly staff. I despise going to any doctor.
I hope this message is not too late for you to get it. I usually write earlier in the day!
I hope your week has been good, and you get some nice walks!
TEST
@MusicCandy
OK, the test went through, so hopefully the message will too. I feel for you having a rough week. I have not been able to keep up my better habit with the 1 small glass of wine, so we are in the same boat there. Eating too many sweets t00. But- I have managed to eat a salad, and oatmeal most days so at least I get somewhat full on the good stuff. Hang in there with me and don't beat yourself up - mostly - because it doesn't help. I hope your butt gets better soon though, I really miss my exercise when I can't follow the routine. We missed 2 days of walking last week - too cold. but I did some online ones while watching the soaps. It is supposed to be warmer tomorrow, but rain, so oh well.
The cholesterol trial didn't work out. aAfter the prescreening, I was ready for the real one with the blood work and physical, They called me Sunday and said the Study was closing on Monday and asked if I could go to the office on Monday. That was the gift delivery day and it was too much. I don't do well with last minute changes anyway so I let it go. I could still try that medication if I want to, it is already FDA approved for a script along with statin - but i'm not going to take the statin. Sometimes doctors can appeal to the insurance to cover it, but that is just a possibility, I'm not critical for it right now.
The gift delivery went fine though, Fiance drove and we had a car load full of gifts which should make a happy Christmas for 9 people. The Luncheon and cookie exchange is Tuesday and there are about a dozen people signed up- it should be fine and I have 2 days to set up and pick up everything and decorate, ect. My prayer group meets tomorrow afternoon and that Sunday I usually don't try to go to church since I have to get up earlier than usual for the 4 oclock meeting. That group is my lifeline and I try not to miss that time. We share the needs of the congregation and pur own , and share on a deeper level. Which is fine for me since it is a small group.
The Vestry party was OK, I heard, but I still didn't go and iI actually didn't feel well that night anyway. The Parish Administrator is going to stay now that they found a way to pay her insurance which is really good news. she is a Godsend for all of us and we mesh on things that come up. It will make my job and everyone else's a lot easier next year -- especially Pastor with her health issues.
I'm sad hearing that you had to leave the call with your son. i know you miss those babies and him too so much. The wine does make us more emotional, but that is just how it is. Just try to take some time before you settle in for the night to remember that everyone healthy is a true blessing - not everyone has that and it can ruin every other aspect. Not saying you shouldn't still be sad, but try to let one or two good things give you a ray of hope. You are a precious child of God, and He knows your pain.
I have a patient now so I have to wrap this up -but I continue to remember your needs and thank the Lord for your friendship. Advent is upon us, time to be still and wait.
Hello my friend, I am headed to my sister's house in the morning for our family get-together and will not have time to write a whole message. I will do better next weekend!!
Hello to you my traveling friend,
I am pretty tired tonight at work and its funny you should say that because I was hoping you wouldn't be hurt if I didn't write a newsy note this time either. We are twins in this crazy world. Safe travels.
Hello my friend,
I am so sorry that I missed a second week without telling you. That Saturday, Dec 16, I went to my sister's and had a great time visiting with family. My other sister was sick but we all went anyway. On the way home, I started feeling bad - turns out I had already picked something up at school. I have been sick ever since. I finally got to urgent care yesterday. It was starting to feel very much like the bronchitis I had last December. I am now on antibiotics and albuterol.
Before I got sick, I was messaging with my doctor about my pulled muscle and she suggested physical therapy. Of the three small PT places here, one takes only military insurance and the other two are booked until March. Sigh. Between the pulled muscle keeping me from exercise, the illness, the holiday eating, and my general sadness, I have put on another 10 pounds. I have gotten nothing at all done this vacation because I have felt so bad. I hate wasting all this time, but also it's better than taking two weeks of sick leave.
I did get to see my mom for a few days. Since she had already seen my sick sister, she let me come too. Then we saw my son on Tuesday; I wore a mask to hopefully keep from getting them sick. I almost didn't go because I felt really bad Monday, but it was so nice to see him. We played games and I also played some with my sisters and mom, so I had fun without expending much energy. The coughing and wheezing has been exhausting.
After three doses of doxycycline I am starting to feel a little better. Hopefully by this weekend I will be better enough to at least haul the boxes from the attic and put away the decorations. I am feeling pretty bummed in general. I hope that you are doing better.
@SadMe7
o dear, This whole holiday sounds dreadful for you. Being sick and having to visit is just not fun. I'm glad you had tiny bits of some play time with your sister and your mom. Mine was no better. I worked the whole week-end before Christmas, and then had a stomach bug for 2 day and nights, then back to work. Fiance did some outdoor decorations but that was it and I was happy about that. Rachael was with her Dad and he did the whole nine yards so she enjoyed the day. That was good enough.
Last week, I cleaned the church kitchen , made some Care bags for the shut ins which I hope the other Vestry members will deliver as they promised. That was about all I could manage. We did get in a couple of walks and 2 gym days but it was cold and raining a lot of the week and I wasn't feeling good anyway. I haven't done stairs at work for 2 weeks. Now its New Years and at least I don't have to work this holiday. I gained some too - a lot of cookies and candy which are right under my nose at work. Social Security - still not right. I guess i'll have to go back again every 2 weeks until they do.
So, not much of a holiday at all. church is Lessons and Carols tomorrow, and at the early service, we usually have no music. This Service requires singing and not many of the regulars like to sing or even try, so I'm making the effort so at least I can give them something to follow. Some of those carols are ancient and not familiar. I downloaded the score to 2 of them to practice on my own and they are not too wide ranging and actually pretty minor key melodies. We'll be OK.
Abi just texted me - Mark is still recovering from surgery and she just tested positive COVID along with his Dad who was helping take care of Mark last week. She says she is coughing, body aches, miserable, and now has to mask around him .. Happy New Year. We just want to get through it and make some kind of new start. I just want to sleep ; maybe watch a little TV. And sleep some more.
Write back when you feel up to it, saying a prayer for us and the world.
Hello my friend, I am starting to feel normal again. I am still coughing, but a lot less, and the exhaustion is gone. I will be done with the antibiotics tomorrow. I went back to work on Wed, and although I don't like getting up so early, I have been very glad to get back there. I had enough of sitting around here, and also more than enough of seeing only my husband.
I did not start exercising yet. I decided to give my body the rest of the week to rest, and hope to start doing something Monday. It will have to continue to be the gentle walking in place type videos, since my muscle still hurts, and now my bad shoulder has flared up. I can't imagine what I did to make that happen, since I just spent 2 weeks sitting on my butt doing nothing! Hopefully that will clear up because I had been doing some upper body weights twice a week before I got sick. I also hope to resume my Tuesday walks with my two friends, and yoga this week. I also called the PT place back, and the first appointment I can get is April 4, so I took it, but boy is that frustrating.
I have put on enough weight since I pulled this muscle that my pants are very uncomfortable, so I am trying to get my eating back under control too. There won't be all that holiday stuff around, so that is good for a start. Any little bit of exercise I can manage is calories I have not been burning for a few weeks, so that will help too. I am hoping that will be enough exercise to get some endorphins going too, because I am spending most of my time feeling sad or angry.
I was sorry to hear that you were sick as well over the holidays, especially since you had to work all the rest of it. I'm glad you had some nice decorations to look at. I did love having the tree lights on in the house all the time. I'm glad too that Rachael got to spend time with her dad and that he had lots of decorations and things for her to enjoy! I know that made your heart happy. Did you do anything special for New Year's? I was still not feeling great, but I don't usually do anything anyway.
I hope that you and I both can get back to better eating and exercise. It will help us both not to have the holiday treats everywhere, I am sure. I rarely bring stuff into my own house. It's when others put it in my path that I cave in.
I hope things went well with the care bags, and that others pitched in. You do so much for the church! I know that makes you feel good too, despite the many frustrations with others not always doing their part. How was the Lessons and Carols service? Did people enjoy the music? Growing up, I always enjoyed the music at church. We had the organ and choir in the church itself, and there was a children's mass in our hall, which had a small group of singers led by a guitar.
Ugh ugh on social security. It's so terrible that these big government agencies won't do what they are supposed to, for the many people who need their help and are powerless to do anything about it. We have constant fights with the VA, as does my son with immigration. I will keep my fingers crossed that you don't have to make too many more visits there. How aggravating!!
How is Mark doing? I hope he did not catch COVID from anyone. Are Abi and his dad recovered now? Sounds like she was miserable as well. I kind of miss everyone wearing masks to be honest. It was nice not being sick at all for two years.
I think I will go look at some recipes and think of something to make for dinner. One grocery store near me put in a small fish counter about two years ago, and I bought two nice pieces of salmon filet yesterday.
I am not too optimistic or excited about this new year, but maybe some good things will happen. I'm glad I have you to keep me going!
Its the last part of my last shift this week-end, and I'm tired. I did get back to my stairs today and it was tough after missing 2 weeks. Rachael and I did get to the gym last week, but I don't think we did any morning walks - it was too cold that early. I hope you can make a small start to your exercising, even some gentle walks are good. I can't e explain the shoulder bothering you again. i haven't had any more issues with either one of mine, but I do stretching and weights 3-4 times a week at the gym. I wouldn't be surprised though if it flared up again. good news on the health front.. I went back to my NP with the same BV problem, ph imbalance and she gave me one more short round of antibiotics and recommended a probiotic just for vag. ph( I'd never heard of that) and boric acid suppositories, easy to get and cheap, and in a week- it was gone. I just love her. I told her Dr. Google or Web MD didn't tell me about that! I feel a lot better too.
Abi and Mark's Dad are better. As far as I know Mark is getting over the surgery but he may still need radiation or chemo after next visit to the oncologist. They are so busy with the wedding plans and her work and life in general, that probably helps take their mind off the possibility. I can relate to that too, and when you say you are glad to get back to work - I get it. I heard a podcast about loneliness being the new epidemic and one way to combat it is to engage with friends and coworkers, which a lot of people missed during the shut down. even introverts like us benefit by keeping up with a few close friends. I had lunch with one of my 2 last week, and it was so nice. I also delivered 2 bags to shut ins and I'd never met them before. I left feeling full of appreciation for God's presence and allowing me to help others.
As for the other Vestry members, they are like kids- they didn't read my e-mail apparently and 2 said they couldn't find the bags in the church though I clearly told them where they were. I think all but 2 bags did get delivered so far and we have a meeting Tuesday. So far I'm the only one who submitted a report on time. Next year will be better with 2 new people coming on and I won't be in Fellowship, but I'll have to stop myself from doing the clean up and other tasks that I did all year. Pastoral Care is such a better fit for me.
Other than all that, things are OK. I got some organizing done at home after I felt better. Today is rainy and dreary, but I'm at work - so what do I care?! Fiance drove me in and will pick me up in the morning - I don't like to drive in heavy rain even though it wasn't as cold as they predicted. He is always happy to do it, so that's something. I hope your week gets off to a good start and you will start to feel a little less sad and angry, but if you do , its OK to just be with it, just not all day.
Find one little thing - and hey, tomorrow is chai! My soft kitty comes up and cuddles with me right before I go to sleep, that's special for me since the little one doesn't want anything to do with anyone except fiance who hand raised her from being the "runt". All spoiled. till next time, I'm here.
Hello my friend, I had a pretty good week. I did an exercise video each weekday morning, just the walking in place type things, but it was something. I can't do any weights because my shoulder is still hurting, but I enjoyed what I did. My Tuesday walk with my two friends was cancelled for rain, but I walked about 45 minutes by myself on both Wed and Fri. Thursday yoga was cancelled because the instructor's cat got injured and had to go to the vet. Hopefully this coming week I will at least add yoga back in. I think the Tuesday walk will be cancelled by snow this time though!
My food was better. Good meals and a little less alcohol. My husband bought a big box of medjool dates and I have been eating them at night for dessert. Way too many, but better than cookies I suppose (not to mention, lots of fiber!).
How did you fare in that big rain storm? School actually closed two hours early that day, and opened two hours late the next day due to flooded roads and downed trees. I was not expecting any of that time off! Our basement did not flood and we did not lose power, yay!!
The three grades I work with (K-2) have been doing testing most of the time since we got back from Christmas break, so my schedule has not been normal yet. I think I will get my new K and 1 groups this coming week, but not sure about 2nd.
Were you able to continue doing your stairs again? Did it get any easier yet? Did you get some walks this week? It was not the greatest weather.
What is the probiotic called that is just for vaginal ph? I never heard of that either! I'm glad the antibiotics, probiotics, and boric acid did the trick for you! I had not heard of boric acid suppositories either.
I've had a crazy time of it with my cycle. I think I told you that my first period since Sept started while I was sick in Dec, lasted 10 days which never happens to me, and was incredibly heavy for several days. FIVE days after that ended, I started spotting for 3 days, followed by another period, which just ended yesterday. So, two periods within a month, which is the same thing that happened in Sept. It seems I am skipping two months at a time and then having two at a time. Boy am I tired of this!!!
I'm glad that everyone is over COVID, and I hope Mark does not need another round of treatment. Fingers crossed that they can just focus on the wedding and not have to go through anything else! Are the wedding plans mostly done?
I have enjoyed being back to work and talking with the ladies on my team while we are there, and will be glad to have my one hour walks with my two friends. That is plenty of socialization for me, but it definitely helps. My husband mostly sees no one but me, and I am gone all day. When I get home, I am tired and mostly want to sit and read my book or play a game, so I wish he had others to interact with. It would be better for him and a relief for me.
I'm glad you got to have lunch with your friend! I know you are like me - it is fun but a little goes a long way!
Sorry you are dealing with adults who act like helpless children. We get a lot of kids in K who clearly never did any thinking or doing for themselves. That is probably what some kids like that grow up to be. When do you switch to pastoral care?
Good for you getting some organizing done! We managed to get the living room tidied up after I took the tree down, but the rest of the house is always a mess. I'm glad your fiance could drive you in the rain! It wasn't bad when I was driving luckily. Like you, I don't like driving in bad weather. My driving skills are not up to it, and I don't trust others on the road.
My cats like to be petted but not cuddled, so give yours a cuddle from me!
Hello to you my friend
It looks like you were here just a little while ago. I'm at work of course, and it is slow at the moment. I'm happy for you to gate back to some pretty good exercise! We did not walk at all last week. It was either raining or too windy. I don't even mind the cold, but when the wind is up and it is cloudy, count me out. I hope it starts a trend for the new year for you. We did get to the gym the usual days except Tuesday, and that was all. I don't like it when she doesn't get her exercise, she just stands around in the pool and talks, but I don't try to make her do anything more than what she want to- and she does fine when we can walk.
Meals were OK this week ,I used her new extra benefits card for healthy food and that was great. We buy healthy food anyway and it covers a lot. I brought carrots , celery and dip to snack on at work and that helps me stay fuller than cookies, doughnuts and so on. My wine has been better too. I found a box wine that is lower in calories so I don't feel as bad having 2 small glasses instead of one. We can't get THAT on her card, but o well!
I'm glad you didn;t get damage from the storm, we had some limbs down but no trees and no power loss. I got back to stairs today, and it just seems tougher. The pill is called rephresh for the ph, and the suppositories are easy to find. I just waited too long, but in a week, that was remarkable to clear up that fast. I feel better too, I was just spuggish that whole time. Good to feel better anyway.
Mark has another appointment next week. Wedding plans are almost wrapped up. Got a patient now to to quick close - I moved to Pastoral care in January and I'm so looking forward to that. The one kittly who climbs up on my bed to cuddle, only stays for a minute and then goes to the bottom of the bed and settles down. She is the softest one. Looking forward to the bed tomorrow. Talk to you soon - stay warm and cozy!
