@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, welcome to winter! We only had school one day this week, on Thursday. I was surprised that we did not just have a delay on Tuesday and Wednesday. I didn't do much exercise since I was sleeping in almost every day. I did my videos on Thursday and Friday, and also was finally back to my yoga class on Thursday evening. No walks this week. I did bring in firewood twice in the past week, and got out of breath doing it, so that was a little bit of good cardio. My food was not great either, but as long as my work schedule is normal next week, I think I will do better with both exercise and eating.
My dental cleaning on Monday went well. I do have a cracked molar that they have been watching for a while, and it is cracked all the way to the gum now, and maybe below. I am out of benefits until July 1, so hopefully it will hold out, and then it's time for more crown fun!
I have nothing much planned for this weekend. I might try to go get a few more bales of hay to put in my hay shed for the winter. I bought tax software this week, so I might start those today. Other than that, I will do the usual weekend stuff of shopping, cooking, laundry.
I'm guessing you probably didn't get to walk much if at all this week. I hope you were able to get to the gym and do your stairs.
Were your meals and wine good again this week? I can't imagine why wine is not considered an essential food on the benefits card?!
I know this is short, but I have done very little for the past week. I hope to get back to a more normal schedule next week. I don't think it's good for me to sit around the house so much. I need the distraction of work! I hope your fiance helped you get into work in the snow. I'm sure you worked many, many more hours than I did!
Until next week, my friend. Time to go make chai!
@Sadme70
I also have a short note, my friend. Mostly, I have the rest of the night to work and I'm very tired, people who don't work nights don't know how it affects everything- especially at my age!. SS is still not right and I'm not even going to look at it online , it will make me depressed. Another wrong payment in February and I have to do something besides go into that office and hear excuses.
We had just one real "snow" day. Rachael was home and I made blueberry pancakes. When I turned around, Ra had picked up the spatula and getting ready to flip them - she was so cute .. I put a pic up on FB and 33 folks commented at her smile. She still missed 2 more days with Transport a no show, but it was OK. As long as she is happy, I can manage .
We did find out Mark has to have chemo, which he did not have the last time. Not a good news day, but we just have to go one day at a time. I'm so sorry that he has to go thru that grueling time of how many weeks it takes - don't know yet. So, along with being tired, I'm sad.
We did not walk at all last week, but we did get to the gym most days and I did my stairs. I didn't have to work any of the bad weather days, but fiance did drive me in, I just didn't want to get in a cold car, and it is hesitating some too. He is going to look into that today.. its 2003 so it can't last forever.
So sorry about your dental issues. I hope for your sake that it can wait until the new benefits start. My meals were not bad, not great. I switched back to regular wine, and it tastes better than the low calorie, I'm probably just as good trying to have less and enjoying it more. Who knows.
Lets hope the weather stays dry at least and you can get back to normal work. It does help to get in a routine that gives you some tasks and some interaction with kids and coworkers ( not too much). It will be a normal week for me with 1 church meeting and then a potluck next Sunday which I have to help with, then I'm done with Fellowship duties. YEA! I hope you goats and animals are doing OK with the cold, and you too. Sip your chai with thanks for a new day above ground. Its all relative.
Hello my friend, well, despite feeling sad and crying almost every day, I did pull myself together somewhat. I did my videos every weekday, took two walks, and did my yoga class. My sore muscle was aching some nights after all that, very frustrating. I also started using the MyNetDiary calorie counter app again, to keep me mindful of how much I am shoveling into my mouth. So far I have not been able to meet the recommended 300 calorie deficit for weight loss, but I have hit about 200 most days, and have actually lost 2 pounds. It is a good start. I pray that my physical and mental condition will hang on enough to allow me to continue.
School has been good. This was an easy week, with some grades testing or on field trips so we missed a lot of lessons. My team spent part of one day cleaning out our office. On Friday we got to go with kindergarten to see the high school play. They perform it every year for the K-3 from each elementary. This year they did The Neverending Story, and it was very enjoyable. I checked out the book from the library so I can read it, and then I will look around for the movie. Somehow I managed to never see it before.
I am so sorry that SS still has not fixed things. That is so frustrating. I wish I had an idea for you to try other than going back to that office. I will keep my fingers crossed for you that maybe next month it will be fixed.
Blueberry pancakes sound so good! I have not had any pancakes in a while. That sounds like a perfect snow day treat. It sounds like Rachael really enjoyed it! I hope you got some walks in this crazy warm weather. I enjoyed my two this week.
I am sorry to hear about Mark needing chemo. I will put him back in my prayers, and you and Abi. I know you are all sad. I hope this will be the last treatment that he needs. They should get to start their married life without cancer hanging over them.
How did you do with your food and wine this week? I have not tried low calorie wine, but I definitely believe that regular tastes better!
Good luck with the potluck (tomorrow I think?), and congrats on your last Fellowship event!
I hope you have a good week, my friend!
@SadMe70
You know that song 'you lift me up", referring to a spiritual lift, reminds me of that little lift I feel whenever I see a note from you. We all mean to reach out to our friends, and with intros like us - its especially hard. So, just so you know, I feel appreciated each time. I am also so sorry that you are feeling sad and crying- it is a difficult place to be in life when you feel there are so many things that you would like to change ( to feel better) but there is no way. At least know, I am with you there, and we both know what those things are.
But.. you got in your exercise last week - HOORAY ! Often we do just have to do things we don't feel like doing but we know they are good for us. I encourage you to keep that up and remind yourself that when it is done for the day- you will be proud of your accomplishment, no matter how small it seems. I think the calorie count mostly helps you pay attention more than the actual count - do it if it helps you stay positive I say. My food is so sporadic and too many carbs and sweets in any case. The low calorie wine seemed like something to try, but it is pretty bland so - not even worth it. I seem to do better at work if I take the healthy stuff with me. This week-end, I have Thai soup( Pacific brand) and greens which I just put on top and microwaved it so the green are just wilted. It has beans too, so pretty filling which is key working all night, plus the flavors are different and interesting.
Finally, finally, 4 months waiting. SS put my back pay in my account, but i never got any notice or letter about it. So I still don't know what my check will be each month until February comes. It is a load of stress off my chest, but I'm so concerned about Mark, and that never goes away. Fiance doing the same old-same old - he went to a friend's house who is downsizing and got a bunch of "like new" tools, supposedly to replace some old ones of his. but I don't see any old ones or any other junk leaving to the dump. I really feel trapped about it all. I can usually find a way out of things in my life that I want to change, but I get no where nagging and nothing else works either.
I'm glad school was an easy week for you. My work has been OK too so far. The Hall is all set up for the dinner meeting tomorrow - 5 hours on my part of work, but that's OK. I did it MY way. There are some flyers that another Vestry member said he would bring, so we will see about that. If he doesn't, people will see who is doing their part . Unfortunately, my Area needs a flyer and sign ups for help, and that would not help me if he doesn't, but i'm not going to try to cover it up this time.
Got a patient. I hope you get to enjoy the afternoon since it isn't raining yet. And not freezing Yet. cheers to your chai tomorrow, my friend.
Hello my friend, I am feeling very frustrated. After such a good week last week, I started feeling bad on Sunday and have been sick ever since. Headache, drainage, coughing, sneezing, and so very tired. To top it off, on Wednesday I got my third period in six weeks. I did no exercise at all, no yoga, no walks. I did keep my eating fairly decent, and somehow managed to not gain back those 2 pounds I lost last week. I had to feed my friends goats today after I did mine, but then I laid in bed from 1 to 4 resting, and I think even slept a little. Now my husband is sick too, and he already sounds worse than I was. I did go to work all week, because I am not wheezing or anything as bad as that, and I can't just take off for 2 or 3 weeks until it passes.
I am so glad that notes from me give you a lift, even though I am so often complaining! I look forward to your notes every week as well. As you know, I don't have close friends, and this type of friendship works really well for me, and has become very important to me.
That soups sounds really tasty! How were your meals and treats this week? I actually bought, cooked, and ate a steak this week, something very rare for me. I felt like with all the bleeding I am probably losing a lot of iron and needed to put some back.
I am SO glad that SS finally came through. And back pay too! I didn't realize you would get that. That is wonderful news!!
I know your concern about Mark is with you all the time. I understand that, and will pray for you all. How is Abi holding up?
I can so relate about new tools! My husband buys tools to replace ones he can't find because this place is such a junk heap. We had a huge fight last Saturday about how this place looks, and then I barely slept Saturday night. I actually feel like that stress and lack of sleep let this illness get a hold in my body.
How was work this week? Did you get a chance for some walks and other exercise? I am drinking some red wine right now as I think of you! Real, not low carb stuff!
I hope your week was better than mine. I plan to rest again tomorrow, and maybe this coming week will be better again, like last week!
I just got up and was checking for your message, and I see mine never posted. You probably won't see it until next week now, but here it is:
Hello my friend, I am feeling very frustrated. After such a good week last week, I started feeling bad on Sunday and have been sick ever since. Headache, drainage, coughing, sneezing, and so very tired. To top it off, on Wednesday I got my third period in six weeks. I did no exercise at all, no yoga, no walks. I did keep my eating fairly decent, and somehow managed to not gain back those 2 pounds I lost last week. I had to feed my friends goats today after I did mine, but then I laid in bed from 1 to 4 resting, and I think even slept a little. Now my husband is sick too, and he already sounds worse than I was. I did go to work all week, because I am not wheezing or anything as bad as that, and I can't just take off for 2 or 3 weeks until it passes.
I am so glad that notes from me give you a lift, even though I am so often complaining! I look forward to your notes every week as well. As you know, I don't have close friends, and this type of friendship works really well for me, and has become very important to me.
That soups sounds really tasty! How were your meals and treats this week? I actually bought, cooked, and ate a steak this week, something very rare for me. I felt like with all the bleeding I am probably losing a lot of iron and needed to put some back.
I am SO glad that SS finally came through. And back pay too! I didn't realize you would get that. That is wonderful news!!
I know your concern about Mark is with you all the time. I understand that, and will pray for you all. How is Abi holding up?
I can so relate about new tools! My husband buys tools to replace ones he can't find because this place is such a junk heap. We had a huge fight last Saturday about how this place looks, and then I barely slept Saturday night. I actually feel like that stress and lack of sleep let this illness get a hold in my body.
How was work this week? Did you get a chance for some walks and other exercise? I am drinking some red wine right now as I think of you! Real, not low carb stuff!
I hope your week was better than mine. I plan to rest again tomorrow, and maybe this coming week will be better again, like last week!
Hello my friend, just a short note today. I have felt terrible all week, completely exhausted. I took off Wed-Fri after barely making it through work on Tuesday. I don't think my vice principal was too impressed with me taking sick days in advance, especially as I didn't see her all week so she doesn't know how bad I felt. I went to urgent care on Wed and got a note to stay out all week, in case anyone questions me. I have a sinus infection, which actually surprised me because although I've had lots of drainage, nothing nasty is coming out of my nose, and I wasn't stuffed up. So I'm on antibiotics for that. But what is really bothering me is the fatigue. The NP thinks I probably had COVID the previous week, and the fatigue could last weeks. I have done nothing but rest for 4 days and am still exhausted. I totally dread getting up early and going back to work on Monday, but I can't just take off indefinitely. I've done no exercise but haven't eaten too terribly badly. That's really it for me. I'm lying in bed right now, unable to sleep but not even feeling like sitting up at the kitchen table to read or play a game on my tablet. I am supposed to visit mom next weekend, but that is not looking so good now. I hope you have fared better!
@SadMe70
Hello, my friend. I am so sorry you are feeling terrible. It sounds like your NP may be right about her diagnosis. COVID is still hitting some people hard. Bad when you are one of those people! In any case, its miserable when you feel exhausted and can't do anything to make it better. If it is an infection, the antibiotic should help soon. Last time I had something like that, I took advil dual action and it did help me at least feel a little better. Your boss shouldn't take it any way except gratitude that you aren't spreading it all over the school. And wish you well at the same time. I sure do.
I feel like I'm in the middle of frustration land. Social Security, still not caught up and they sent me a letter about signing me up for medicare - which i already have (part A) but it also says the amounts they will deduct for part B - which I don't want or need. They did that when i originally sign up , took out the money, and never refunded it. So I guess I have to go back in person, 4th trip. And my phone seems to be infected with malware - so I also have to go to the phone store. Angst building up about Mark's treatment and how that will affect him, and I have to star booking rooms for my sisters, nieces for the weekend wedding and plan for family activities on Sunday after the wedding Saturday. Bus week at church with Ash Wednesday and Lent starting and we have the soup suppers which I have to help the new person on Fellowship set up. Work, we got new equipment which I have to get used to. I'm sure there is more, but I am going to try to relax when I'm not busy here at work and let my stair exercise go this week. I will say a prayer for you right now. Then try to listen to some calm music until I get a patient. No rush to write back - just take it easy and know I'm thinking about you.
@SadMe70test
Message disappeared, my whole message was about frustration too.
Hello my dear,
I lost a whole message last week, so i posted a test first. so frustrating. But, my entire message was about how frustrated I was, and that wouldn't have helped you with as bad as you were feeling anyway. Things were a bit better last week, and I sincerely hope you are feeling better by now.
Last week was getting ready for Lent at church and this week starts the 5 weeks of soup suppers. I will help the new person get started with those and then I can step back. i hate to say how hard it is for me to let go when I just LOVE the way I do it, and honestly i have it down pretty simple now. I know i have to accept that she may want to do it differently and it will still be OK. I do have other duties now with Pastoral Care, and after all , i Asked for it! Admit: I have a problem losing control.
Mark had the first chemo treatment last week, and a couple of minor other problems, and he is definitely feeling frustrated not able to work or do much of anything. They had a Valentine dinner last night and I paid for that fancy meal, but they looked happy to get a night together, in the picture. Starting to get my family plans together for the wedding weekend since i'm in charge of their travel and something to do on Sunday after the wedding Saturday. Those 3 are so different but I've about settled on going to the VMFA with a special tour of Samurai armaments that is ticketed. And then a dinner at the Jefferson = Lemaire . My one sister with hearing loss has a hard time in loud venues, so I'm going to try to book a private dining room. Once I get that and the hotel rooms booked, that will be my biggest tasks.
SS finally got all my back pay in my account, after 6 months. I hope the March payment will be right and go from there. Exercise has been changed - no mornings to walk since Rachael's hours changed to earlier now that they have a morning activity she can participate in. We will have to try to do it in the afternoon now which will be better when it gets warmer. Still going to the gym, but that isn't much for her. I hope you are feeling better to at least get some short walks. Monday is a holiday so maybe one more day will be good for you. I have the shelter meal to get together, but that's normal for third Monday. Have you had a chance to talk to your son and DIL and see the babies? They must be getting big by now. And your other son and wife? Fill me in on the scoops. But rest if you need to. i'll be here.
Hello my friend, a week of ups and downs here. After resting for 5 days at home, I went to work Mon and Tues not feeling well. On Wednesday I felt so bad from the fatigue I took off work again and went back to urgent care. I had finished the antibiotics on Tuesday, but the sinus infection was still there. They prescribed a stronger one. Also did rapid and PCR covid tests - both negative. The PA had felt sure I had covid because of the fatigue, so who knows. The new antibiotic has a double dose first day, and on Thursday I felt almost normal overnight, and was so happy. Then I started feeling *** again on Friday and still feel ***. Not the overwhelming fatigue thank goodness, but unwell and tired. On Thursday I even did the 20 minute warmup of my yoga class, but I am back to sitting around like a lump trying not to eat too much. I had to cancel my trip to mom's this weekend, which bummed us both out. She is sick too, with different symptoms than me, so we sure don't want to swap illnesses!
I know what you mean about not wanting to let go of control. I like things how I like them, and don't want them done differently. I hope your new duties will keep your mind off any changes the new person makes! Will you go to the soup suppers?
I'm glad Abi and Mark could enjoy a nice dinner! What a great gift! I hope he tolerated the chemo ok. How many sessions does he have to do? I really like the VMFA. I haven't been since my son was still at VCU. I think your family will like it! I love the Faberge stuff. I was last there for the Chinese terra cotta warrior statues. It was one of the first times that I met my now DIL. And dinner at the Jefferson - swanky!! Just going in to look at the place is fun!
I am SO glad that you got your SS back pay! Fingers crossed that March will be correct, so you are done dealing with those people!
Have you been able to do afternoon walks? I am still not up for walks and I miss it!
My son video called us tonight! We talked to him for close to an hour, while he had his camera pointed at the babies so we got to watch them play. He is still using his phone and not the tablet we sent (grrrr!), so our pictures are still small and they don't look at us or interact with us, but at least we get to watch them. My DIL does send big batches of pictures and a few short video clips once a week, which I do enjoy. They can stand and my granddaughter can walk with someone holding her hands. Both are getting teeth, and trying their best to bite each other already! My DIL sends pictures of the plates of food she gives them, and I have to say she is feeding them a great variety of really healthy stuff. Lots of veggies and fruit, some tofu, etc. and so far they eat everything.
My older son will be 30 next month. We are going to do a lunch at our Indian restaurant the weekend prior to his birthday, and my family is going to make it down, and maybe my DIL's parents. On his actual birthday weekend, he's rented a cabin in Luray and a bunch of his friends are coming to stay. We have not seen them since Christmas, but I think all is well with them. They continue to look at houses and hopefully will find one not too far away to buy.
That's it for me. I did drink my tea today, more tomorrow, and maybe bonus tea on Monday for the holiday. I hope you are well!
Hello my friend, I did not realize how late on Saturday it was when I finally sent you a message last week! That's two weeks in a row that I was late. I am doing better today!
More medical news from me, which seems to be all I have lately! The second round of antibiotics for the sinus infection kicked off a yeast infection which I'm currently treating. Blech. The urgent care lady was still convinced I'd had COVID due to the lasting fatigue, so she ran a PCR and it was negative. I finally saw my primary care on Tuesday this week, and based on my symptoms and negative PCR, she immediately suspected mono which she has been seeing here lately. She ordered bloodwork, and mono it is. I assume I caught it from all the spit flying around from kids coughing and sneezing in my airspace (more than once I have felt it hit my face). If only I'd been having fun kissing somebody instead!! She's ordered a spleen ultrasound since mono can cause that to be enlarged, and that will be Thursday. I couldn't get a morning appointment this week, so it has to be after work, which means working all day with no food, boo. The tiredness will apparently last a while, but yesterday and today I have been better than I have been for a month. I suspect that getting the sinus and yeast infections more under control has given my body a bit of a break so it can put more energy into getting well.
I really have no other news! I have still been doing none of my usual activities - exercise, walking, yoga. I lost 6 pounds and my pants are marginally less tight, but not 6 pounds worth, so I think I might be having a little bit of loss of muscle mass from all the inactivity. I have certainly been eating plenty the entire time I have been sick, so I don't think I lost any from illness.
I think that is it from here! I am resting up after feeding the animals, getting ready to brave the grocery store, and then rest for the remainder of the day!
I hope you are well. Fill me in on what's been going on with you!
@SadMe70
Well ,my friend, it is a relief I suppose to finally get the real answer as to what is causing you all the terrible symptoms. You do hear of mono mostly with teens, but it is that if they say so. More tests, not fun and having to take off work, also not fun. I have to make this really short, having a very busy and stressful work shift tonight.
I hope you can keep losing a little at a time, but hopefully the illness itself isnt the cause. I gotta go, check in later Take care.
Hello my friend, finally some good news from me. I have started to feel a little better. Most mornings I feel close to normal, and make it to the afternoon before starting to crash. When that happens, I am very tired and feel unwell, but it's progress. All of my blood tests were normal except the positive monospot, and I had an abdominal ultrasound last night and my various organs are fine - no enlarged spleen or liver.
On Thursday I did my online yoga class, intending to do just the warmup for about 20 minutes. My teacher knew how weak I was and made the class easy, and I did the entire 40 minutes. I have done no other exercise yet, but hope to start this week.
I haven't done anything interesting to report, but next Saturday I am going to visit my mom for five days during part of my spring break. I am looking forward to that. She has not been well herself, one problem after the other, so I am anxious to see her.
How are you and your family? Update me on everything when you can!
@SadMe70
Well, I am happy to hear your better news. It is still hard when recovery is slow, At least you are on the upswing it sounds like. I guess you have to be easy on yourself and patient. Not one of my qualities! The yoga teacher sounds wonderful . So good for you to get in a full class. I hope you can continue on that path on break. Going to your mon's is a fair amount of driving I assume, so be careful and rest as much as you can. I know it will be good to spend some time with her.
Family .. lets see. Mark had first chemo last week. He didnt tell me of any bad effects, except being tires and nauseous. Thursday, I went with them to a tasting with the caterer (Champagne Taste) and he was able to eat most of the spread she prepared , which was a lot. This was the second one, first one he couldn't eat anything and Abi was alone with that experience. I'm glad I got to go this time, and they will have quite a menu to the tables, She is very particular about her foods, and it showed.
Otherwise, church busy with the Wednesday suppers. The lady taking over is just a little off. She has told others she was overwhelmed, and told me and the Pastor that everyone was already doing everything and she wasn't needed. What! I sent her a nice e-mail and she said she would stay on the job and find her "niche". I hope so, because I'm about done showing her how to do things. We have a big funeral reception coming up and she said she would help with that, I'm doing the tables setup and decor and another member is getting the food list designated. We sill have 3 more suppers in March, and then Holy Week.
Rachael was sick with a cold so her dentist had to be rescheduled, also in March. I'm getting my dress altered, and hers too. I have made all the reservations for Sunday the day after with my family - VMFA tour, lunch there ,and them a private dinner at the Jefferson. I still have some details, but trying to get as much done early as possible. I paid for the couple to spend 2 nights at the Jefferson so they can join us for the last dinner. I feel it is even more important to have the family there and them since we rarely get together, and Mark's prognosis isnt frankly very good.
Work is a little better this week, but the new boss is a real pain over stupid little things. more of a bother for the day crew than me, but I'm just trying to stay under her radar for the few months I have left here - God willing. I will pray for safe travels for you this week, and for you getting better every day. Till next time, my friend.
