2020 - Worldlie Chicks Hoping For a Better Second Half
 

Even though we are not posting as frequently lately, figured it might be time to start a new thread and HOPING for a better second half of the year. I remembered to set the flag to email you when there are new posts this time around.

Here's a link back to the old thread

Get a cool drink, I wrote a book again...
 

Back to make a proper post. It’s hair cut and color day for me – yay!! My color has actually grown out nicely, it’s faded a bit but I don’t have the obvious grays that many have as it blends in well with the blonde. But it’s long and goes it’s own way and I can’t stand it at this length. So back to the mid length bob. Last Friday I got the knee drained – the doc said she felt it was inhibiting my lower leg from getting better. She said she took quite a bit off the knee cap but could not get it all as the needle kept getting plugged up. Within 2 days the swelling on my lower leg disappeared, the red tinge is much less but the knee hurts more than ever. I think the cellulitis has cleared – she didn’t want me on antibiotics more than I needed to be. However after the drain, the bursa sac filled with fluid again – it’s soft and squishy on my knee cap and feels like I have a giant breast implant :lol: glued to my knee. It’s tight, prohibits movement and I can only stand about 10 minutes before I get shooting pains in my leg. I emailed the doctor and she said she figured it would re-swell again but to just keep it iced and elevated and stay off of it as much as possible. Sigh – it’s going on a month since I fell and I am so tired of this already I can’t tell you. This obviously impacts me from doing much – I don’t even leave the house except to sit on the deck for a while. We ordered some deck furniture from the home improvement store and now DH said he is having a hard time tracking shipment and we don’t know when it’s going to show up. I had a talk with DH – or tried to – I am concerned about his more frequent bouts of loss of memory. Of course he doesn’t think this is a problem, just like he didn’t think his hearing loss was a problem. Now I know why women go after younger men now. LOL and then there’s the whole country in turmoil thing going on. Hard to keep your mind in a positive place. Yesterday a car pulled up halfway in our driveway. A woman got out and just walked to the back of our yard behind the garage. I watched and wondered what she was doing. Finally decided to go on the deck to check it out. Turns out she was the meter reader and said she found a tiny newborn fawn next door halfway up our neighbor’s driveway. I warned her about the bears. Then I went into my house and said to myself – boy aren’t you quite the sight going out on the deck in your pjs (tho they are nice pjs), no bra, no front teeth (LOL) and wild crazy hair. But hey, it’s a pandemic, we all look pretty raggety :rofl: DH was out at the dump and I texted him about the fawn. He came back, went looking and found it. Cutest thing. Then we got the most terrible thunderstorm rolling in. Not much rain but house rattling thunder. The cats were scared. Made me nervous too. DH went back afterwards and the fawn was gone. We see momma deer hanging around the yard. Problem is DH went out to snap pictures and saw a coyote across the road too. Eeek. But momma deer are very protective of their babies so fingers crossed all is well. My sister is doing fine – her sister in law went back to Florida so my sister is now pulling duty staying a few days at the FIL to help out with his care. They are all over the virus. My Mom is trying hard to stay well and out of trouble and Sis and I both laughed that we know it’s killing Mom not to be the number one in attention. BIL said they should just move both old folks to his dad’s house and BIL and Sis can all live in one house and take care of everyone at once!

Susie – so glad to hear that Genny got a good medical report back. Not sure you can ever really relax but it sounds as if she is on a good road to recovery now. You have been a good friend to her. I’m sorry to hear about DH’s job – he wanted to retire so be careful what you ask for. I think for many people anticipated retirement does not come the way you plan for it to. And with all the things that have gone on financially this year, I’m sure there will be many business changes to come. Just sit down, review your finances, tighten the belt and you will get through this. I know it’s hard – been there myself. DH worked for IBM – got his 25 year service plaque and 2 months later they off shored his job to India. Told him he was free to apply for it if he wanted to live in India. That’s today’s corporate environment - Thanks for your service! Ugh. I know you like your company but this is why I tell you not to kill yourself over a job. I hope your DH gets his vacation – depends on if they are doing a mass cut back – then they might have a “take it or leave it” attitude. He could file for social security now – you will have to decide how much of a difference there will be between claiming at 64 vs 65 and since he is younger than me full retirement would probably put him at 65 and a few months – almost a year from now. I decided to take SS at 63 – won’t make a noticeable difference of less money overall until I turn 85 – and I don’t plan on living as long as my momma. And give me the money while it’s there. With all of the spending the government has been doing – not sure how they will pay for it and they are itching to get their hands on SS to take it and run while you can! Hope you guys will be ok financially. Glad you are making progress with the shoulder. Just keep up with the exercises even when you are feeling fully up to snuff. I think you will see more working from home now that companies are used to it. IBM saved a ton of money by letting people WFH – just had offices for shared space if they had to come together for a meeting or something. I think if you are disciplined you get a lot more done and they get more out of you since you will tend to stay and finish something rather than leaving at 5 to catch a train or get home.

Laura – the best part of WFH is not having to be around the PITA co-workers :lol: I also enjoyed the extra time in the day but did miss the guilt free “me” time you did get on the train – reading or snoozing. Funny about the salon appointment – we feel like we won the lottery to score an appointment soon. It will feel good to get trimmed up again. I have been looking at the weathercaster’s hair for the last couple of weeks. They must have someone cutting the back of their hair but the tops are getting very long and raggety. DH has been cutting his own hair, I just trim the neck for him. He offered to cut mine – no thanks ;) Great idea on the shopping cart for your Mom to make the grocery loading easier. Is she doing ok? Yes, the rioting has been terrible – fortunately we are ok here but it’s really bad in Minnesota – even in Duluth. How is it by you? To your question – no the oriole never came back but the hummingbirds sure do like the additional feeder so we are leaving it up. I asked DH about the pressure washer. He said by their nature they are leaky. There is pressurized water and lots of fittings and if everything is not tight it leaks all over. And if you have an electric one, leaky water and electric is not the best thing so for that reason he favors the gas one we have. He also said that since you only use it a couple of times a year, the fittings dry out and have to be replaced so it requires some amount of maintenance. Finally if you do get a gas one, you have to drain the gas at the end of the season or you will wreck the carburetor. But then again you have to drain your mower so you can just add that to the list of winter prep things. When he bought ours they didn’t have electric ones – I just hate the smell of the gas fumes but powerwashing is his job. We use it for the deck and will use it for the furniture so a wide range of pressure settings.

Annie – congratulations on the hard work getting the weight off. Especially during these stressful recent months when stress = stubborn belly fat. Yay for sticking to it. Bummer that you can’t work from home but at least you are alone in your car and not having to deal with public transportation. I hope you can hang in there with the job. It’s going to be a touch and go situation for the rest of the year. Lots of money lost so I think everyone will just have to go heads down and hold their breaths and hope they can keep their heads afloat financially. L I’m sure it’s been turmoil having to home school the boys. I think parents have a whole new appreciation for teachers and schooling. Not sure how that’s going to work out as there are different levels of interest and intention. Seems like the kids miss the group interaction of the classroom too. And I feel sorry for any parent trying to teach more than one kid. Like the one room schoolhouse of different ages in the old days! What a nutty year for the books. I can totally empathize with you about this whole situation crawling into your head. I feel the same way. Trying to be positive but there are so many stressful things that you need something good just to get a break and recharge and refocus. It does help with the better weather coming in. Now with all of these protests and gatherings, who knows what will happen with the virus? I think with some many things, the states are on their own to figure out how to deal with things. DH is not willing to go to restaurants yet or closed in spaces like movies so I guess he will just amuse himself taking pictures outside. Sorry to hear about Sassy’s back. Hope she recovers quickly. How is C doing? What do YOU do for stress relief???

Shad – yes the cellulitis is a pain to deal with. It does not seem to clear quickly. I smiled at your comment about the colored parts of the leg. That is true. This is the 3rd time I have gotten it on the same leg and your are right – the skin never returns back to it’s true color. I’m glad I didn’t have it as bad as you with the hospital antibiotics. It can lead to MERSA which is always frightful. I suppose this worldwide pandemic has pretty much put the kibosh on any travel plans you may have for the near future or through next year at the least. Although you seem to have much better control out your way. Don’t plan on coming here – you can see what a terrible mess our country is in. I hope and pray we can recover from it.

Ceejay – a farm down the road – sounds like you have a nice peaceful area to live in. Are you doing ok and adjusting to living with your sister?

Hello Jollygirl :wave:

Well it’s an hour later. I have to pop in the shower and get ready to head out. It’s going to be 87 degrees today. That is like living on the sun for me and will completely put DH in a puddle. I have a friend who winters in Arizona. Due to the virus they decided not to travel back. Temps are something like 105 out there and she is hot at 60 degrees so I feel badly for her. Plus they have terrible wildfires due to the heat and draught and riots and protests and shortages from the virus. I said in hindsight they would have been better trying to make their way back here a month ago but were worried about things being closed due to the virus. I hope 87 degrees bakes the darn thing away!! Have a good week ladies.

Hello again
Nothing new to report.

Thanks for setting this up Happy. I'll be back to post when I get some housework done. The tradies are coming tomorrow to refinish the last window and the two security doors. That job is at last going to be to crossed off the list.

Okay, back again. The tradies are not coming today. They contacted me yesterday to say they are being held up on a job and will make it Monday. But anyway the threat of them being here today spurred me into action yesterday to get the bedroom cleared out and dusted and swept. Leaned the bed up against the wall and found a stack of dead bodies of cockroaches from the last bomb I put round. Thought I had cleared all that earlier but maybe the second wave hit them after I had been through. Romeo the cat has nowhere to hide from the dogs now since the other two beds are sitting directly onto the floor. But he will no doubt find a spot in a wardrobe somewhere.
No dog today as it is the DS2's RDO so I will get busy cleaning and sanding the last to window frames to be painted. It's not easy when both cat and dog have a long reaching, environmentally unfriendly tail to 'help' with the painting. Other jobs on the list are to pull out the bookcases and dust, clean, sweep and wash behind them and then out to the garden for some much needed weeding and planting. The garden is looking good. I'm eating the spinach, peppers, basil, first batch of carrots, and lettuce. I see there is some beetroot ready as well or at least nearly ready and the miniature cauliflowers are showing signs of the 'flower'. Beans are not doing well, the corn is coming along but is having some weird cobs on it and the potatoes haven't yet come up. Have to set the dog on to 'hatching' them.
So we are easing restrictions again here from the first of June. No new COVID cases for the past 10 days up here and we can now travel anywhere within the State. Have to have a permit and a good reason to cross State lines as the borders are still closed. There is talk of flying between NZ and Aust but the New Zealanders are naturally cautious since they haven't had a new case in 21 days and Sydney and Melbourne are still coming up with clusters of the virus. Still they could fly here okay but the southern States would get their noses out of joint if we grabbed the tourism off them. Such cynicism Shad.
Last Monday after a week of the right leg aching like mad I decided to check it over and get it checked out. So I looked at it and measured the calf and decided it was swollen and certainly the colour was back in a big way. So off to the doc I went and told her about it. Apparently you can get recurrences of the bloody infection but she said it wasn't that and because I had had such high doses of the antibiotic I was well over any infection. The pain in the leg was in the thigh, felt muscular and was annoying. Anyway she checked out my hip movement and my knee movement to see if that was causing the problem but pronounced both joints perfect and sent me off for ultrasounds. No clots apparently, and apart from varicose veins not much else to cause the pain. She then prescribed something called Celebrix and I asked about whether it would affect the colonoscopy I have scheduled for next week. She didn't think so, but advised to just take Panadol until after the procedure. I came home, took two Voltaren 25 and two days later there isn't any pain in the leg. That must be the power of either visiting the doc or the power of the brain in action. I think, therefore I am.
Most of you have seen my facebook page with the results of the cancer check. We all have cancer cells in our bodies, it's when they go berserk that the trouble starts. In my tests this week, the c125 cancer marker test came up with the number 8. Normally it has been 7 for a couple of years. Apparently the danger point is 35 so there is no cause for concern about the rise. The young intern who was part of the Head of Oncology's team said that when diagnosed, my marker point was 29 so how did I know to get tested for cancer. I had to tell him my story and he was amazed at the run of coincidences that lead up to the findings. He wandered off to see Dr Shannon - the head guru and she said that he was bloody lucky to get her favourite patient. So I am blessed. Lucky to get a bright young GP doing his final rotation before graduation. Lucky that the hospital that removed the right ovary couldn't determine cancer and so sent it to an oncology hospital and luck that I got such good care there and aftercare. And it has cost me very little - to date about a $100 in medications for chemo side effects and for parking fees at the hospital.

Happy - It's definitely a concern with DH losing hearing and memory. Certainly the hearing thing can be sort of contained but memory is something else. I often find I can't remember what I was going down the hall for or why I did something weird but unless DS2 says something about it, I'm not going to worry too much. Stress brings on things like memory lapses as does other odd functions going haywire for a time. There has been some breakthroughs in dementias but nothing that will actually fix it.
Had to laugh at putting the FIL in with Mom and all going to live in one house. Although it would no doubt ease the strain on your sister and her husband, it may not do much for the oldies. Any changes in environment seem to stress them out badly.
How is the cellulitis going? What's MERSA?
Hope the lady in Arizona is going okay. It's hot dry temps out there. She'd better stay in the shade.
I'm not planning on travelling anytime soon. I've cancelled all arrangements made tentatively and folks were fairly good about it and understanding the problems. There will be no travel for me until possibly the middle of next year, always hoping it will be better than this one.

Nice to hear from Ceejay and Annie. Hope you are all staying safe and well. Annie I hope there aren't any riots around your way and on your way to work. Stay safe and your DH too.

Susie - lucky for you working from home and I am sorry to hear that your DH has been forcibly retired. There are plenty of problems in your country just now. Can only hope for some lasting peace to come and soon.

Hello Jollygirl. How are you getting on.

Laura - hope you are okay. Still working from home? Better there than on the streets in the US these days.

Time to go. Things to do and I haven't showered or dressed yet. Lucky the tradies aren't here isn't it.

Afternoon all. TGIF!

Susie - I'm sorry to hear about your DH's job loss. He was so close to the finish line! I'm glad he's already approved for unemployment benefits. People in many states, including IL, are struggling to get online and apply for benefits. It's terrible. This COVID-19 pandemic won't be the last, but it sure has taught us a lot about responding to it. Anyway, back to your DH - kinda think for a long-term employee like him they weren't very generous with the severance or paying out the vacation. Just my opinion. Did he get the letter of recommendation/written reference yet? I don't know how long unemployment benefits last, but I wish your DH the best in getting a job to carry him through to December/age 65. == I'm glad your shoulder is feeling better. Keep up with the PT/exercises. == Did you go to TOPS? I hope the WI went well. == Yes, there's always a next project where houses are involved. :rolleyes: I'd like to tackle a good number of them while I am WFH and the C19 shutdowns continue - whether doing them myself or hiring them out.

Happy - Thanks for setting us up with our new thread. == How's your knee feeling? Glad the cellulitis is lessening. == How did your hair appointment go? Mine was Wednesday and it went fine. I had to have a mask taped to my face...but I survived. :D No blowdrying allowed at all, and I was fine with it. I did, however, get a bunch of hair snips down my back and it made me itch, so I ended up showering it all away later in the evening. Usually never happenes to me, always happens to bf. :shrug: == I hope the deck furniture shipment gets sorted out. == I understand your alarm about your DH's memory - my mom's is worsening. Yesterday my sister texted that my mom said her unit was very warm. My sis was worried her heat was on...I thought she just didn't have the AC going on a hot day. But was it not remebering how to change the thermostat? Worrysome. (Anyway, maintenance checked it out and there was no mechanical issue, and got it cooled down.) If it weren't for this C19 we'd be pushing to get someone to come in regularly for well-checks, etc. == Thanks for the input re pressure washers. I guess we'll go with a gas one, and bf is already accustomed to dealing with gas equipment - mower, snow blower, edger, and whatever else. Just one more.

Shad - Good news re the cancer check! Maybe that intern has learned something from your case/story that he'll take with him as he begins his career. == Also good news that the C19 is on the wane in your part of the world. I think it's lessening here, but I can't say for sure because I honestly couldn't watch anymore news with all the bad stuff happening as of late with not just the C19 and collapse of small businesses, but then the rioting. Horrible stuff. Horrible. I'm quite content to stay home so much, and yes, I'm still working remotely and will be doing so through the end of summer, if not longer.

Ceejay - No news is good news! Hope it continues! ;)

Annie - Saw your FB post about your duck family. :( :( :(

Nothing much to report. Finally got my hair cut and touched up. Picked up a couple things from the library via contactless pickup (just open the trunk). Work's going okay. Bf and I are staying safe and staying healthy. We received an invitation yesterday to a July wedding (a friend of bf's) and I'm surprised they haven't postponed it. I'm probably going to take a pass on that. Supposed to be a nice weekend here - cooler temps than all this week, so I'm getting out for another bike ride!! Last weekend's ride was on a short trail in a local forest preserve that didn't have parking lot restrictions. It was a bit too crowded on the trail with all the walkers, runners, roller-bladers, and cyclists - of all skill levels...good thing it was only 3 miles long.

That's about it for me, so I'll get this posted and start my weekend. Everyone stay safe and stay healthy!!

Good morning ladies,

The ongoing saga of the knee... Went yesterday - knee cap still swollen with fluids and was hot to the touch. Lower leg still tender and the red tinge of cellulitis seemed to be coming back. I was off antibiotics for a week. The doctor was concerned and wanted me to see the orthopedic doctor thinking I might need to be hospitalized for IV antibiotics and possibly removal of the inflamed bursa sac. I asked her how long in the hospital - overnight for sure and possibly a few days depending on how the leg reacted to the treatment. This conversation took place at 11am, they gave me a 12 noon appointment in the office right next door. I am thinking - I need to skeedaddle home quick and pack an overnight bag because DH will not be able to find anything other than my tooth brush! I live about 10 minutes from the medical complex so no problem. But FIRST we have to draw your blood and run some labwork. I am not an "easy stick" my veins give all phlebotomists a run for their money and only the top half of one percent can get blood out of my arm. Most have to go in via my hands. So this nice young girl comes in. Very pleasant. Checks me all over, I tell her where they usually go in. She nods and says if you don't mind, I will try elsewhere. Go right ahead. Tries my right hand and sure enough the vein rolls just as she's about to stick it. Twice. Gives up, tries left hand - burns like a mother. Well I ALMOST had it. Tries my worst arm - accckkkk - nope, not this time. She was very considerate, wiped me down so I didn't well up with underskin bruises and calls her coworker. While I was apprehensive and wondering where they were going to put in an IV if they had too since they were all wrecking my veins, Laura comes in and bip - right in the arm, minimal discomfort - just like it should be. I thanked her profusely. However by the time they got done I had only 25 minutes before my next appointment. I hurried home, stopped a sweaty DH outside and told him I needed him to drive me back in case them admitted me right away to the hosp and went in to quickly collect an overnight bag. DH comes in, tries to be helpful and gives me his tiny, tiny gym bag "you only need an overnight bag". Hahahahaha. PJs, a small robe, slippers, change of clothes and minimal toiletries plus a book and iPOD to keep from being bored took up more room than his tiny bag. Got back to the doctor about 12:05 which was ok because I waited 45 minutes before he came into the room anyway. He drained more fluid, said it did not look infected. Thought just regular antibiotics would be ok - no hospital stay thank goodness. They gave me another week's worth of pills and said they'd give me a booster shot of antibiotics that would get into my bloodstream quickly and jumpstart the infection fighting. It involved 2 shots, one in each hip area and she warned me - they were not pleasant. And that they were not. My knee is still sore so I spent the day off my feet icing because the more I am up on my feet, the more the bursa sac gets angry and inflamed. At this point the inner joint of the knee is the most hurtful. The pain has going in layers as the injuries healed. I have a follow up appointment on Tuesday - he will do a quick check just to look at the infection I'm sure but said to call if I had any issues since both he and my doctor were on call this weekend. I am not sure how much longer I am going to be able to put off knee surgery but I just weigh too much at this point to reasonably consider it. I am going to try to get in the basement and on the NuStep for 20 minutes today. My leg is getting tight even though I have been trying to do stretches. And the gym has opened up but you must make a 2 hour appointment and the locker rooms are closed so I'd have to sit in wet clothes on the ride home. Not the end of the world. It's just that DH is behind in his yard work so does not have time for this right now. I probably could go by myself - I just hate driving there. It's a 2 lane, one way road in each direction with lots of winding turns and the people who drive that road are tailgating maniacs. I talked to my Mom yesterday. She is an old time bigot - complaining about all the looting and the b.s. that is going on with the protests and is mad at the mayor and does not want to hear or understand another point of view. I think at this point the protesters have made their point and they need to stop it already. Only because there is a nasty criminal element that has realized the police force is worn thin and strained to the max and diverted to the protest rallies leaving the neighborhoods open to wanton vandalism and theft. They looted the Target store across the street from my Mom's house. They boarded up one of the grocery stores, broke into a Walgreens pharmacy nearby and set it on fire and a bigger Walgreens a few miles away they broke into, stole drugs and completely destroyed the building. It is looting at it's finest - no reason for this other than people living the thug life and creating a problem for all that live in the area and depend on these stores. So I do understand my Mom's frustration. Plus she is locked at home with nothing to distract her even though me and my sister call her all the time. I just wish things would turn around already - when you think it can't get any worse, something idiotic happens... We even have a few incidents of vandalism in our small town which is really sad. DH tracked down our lawn furniture. We were going to cancel the order, rent a truck and go down to the Menards store and just get it ourselves since it was in stock. Turns out the Rice Lake store we ordered it from does not do home delivery so they sent the order to another store across the state. We got the table the but metal rim is chipped, exposing the metal underneath which will rust out quickly. So that needs to be replaced. We are still missing the chairs to the table as well as 4 comfortable sitting chairs. The guy on the phone said he would get right on it as they should have been shipped already. He said they are having all sorts of issues with shipping due to a surge in online orders from people who don't want to go into the stores and shop online instead. Not an excuse for poor service he said but it has bungled the system. So we'll give it a bit longer.

Annie - I am so sorry to hear about the poor ducky family. Breaks my heart. :hug:

Laura - hair turned out fine. Mid length bob - "mature woman style" LOL but it feels a lot better. I had so many broken ends from trying to brush it when it was long - this is much better. Does it feel good to have yours done too? Yikes on the loose cape. Usually they make the poncho so tight it's almost choking so they didn't do something right with you. :( I'm sorry to hear about your Mom - sounds like you are going to have to keep a closer eye on her going forward. My Mom just refuses to turn on the a/c until it gets dangerously warm (for her) in the house. Part of it is because she is cold all the time. She was also complaining about the recent high humidity and that the a/c kept going on and off continuously. She also worries about the upper apartment being really hot. No one lives up there and yes, it gets hot in the hallway but she thinks the house will start on fire. I said it's more likely to start on fire from the rickety old fan you run in the hallway to circulate the air rather than the house being hot upstairs. How many homes in the area started on fire because it was 92 degrees outside Mom??? Uh none. But that doesn't stop her from worrying all summer long. She doesn't even want to leave her home to go to my sisters when it's hot outside. :rolleyes: Does your Mom mostly keep to herself or does she involve herself in any of the activities in the area? I wish they would have separate bike trails. Never cared for bikers, walkers and roller bladers on the same paths. It's good that you are getting out on the bike though.

Shad - how dare you disassemble the pet hiding spots :rofl: I can't even imagine trying to paint with all the fur flying. Perhaps that's why DH doesn't paint :lol: We have many unfinished painting projects. When I bring it up he says "when are you going to help?" and I say when you restrain yourself from complaining about the poor painting job I do. I never learned how to do it properly. Yum, sounds like you have a nice garden bounty to pick from. Nothing like fresh picked. Don't know about the corn though. We had some of the early corn - think that and cherries will be wonderful this year. So far we've been delighted. Hoping the farm truck guy - Bob is planting his crops although with social distancing when he comes to town the line will be a mile long! You are so right about the fortunate instance that caught your cancer. Especially for one that is typically hard to detect. Glad you are still with us for another feisty day - takes more than that to take a good woman down :D Hope the leg feels better - sounds painful and a trouble since you are not sure exactly what happened. Or what fixed it. Mersa is that particularly nasty strain of infection that contains the flesh eating / antibiotic resistent bacteria. Like Ebola - rare but merciless when it happens. Not even sure how you contract it, don't want to know either.

Hello to the rest of the lot - Bimmie is walking around crying as if her beloved Daddy packed his bag and left her forever. I had opened the 3 Season room for them to bask in the warmth and sun but apparently that's not good enough so I'll see what her issue is.

Have a good weekend everyone. Stay safe and healthy.

Evening all. We had a lovely weekend for weather. Today's beautiful too, but it warmed up to 88 degrees, so the AC was turned back on earlier this afternoon.

Weekend was sort of busy. Friday at lunchtime and after work, I moved most of my workout equipment off of the carpet in the basement workout space in preparation for shampooing it. Saturday morning I messed with my tomato seedlings a bit, but due to my late start, they are way behind where they should be right now. After that I started the carpet project. Actually it’s a room-size piece of carpet with binding all around the edges, so it’s really an area rug. Anyway, I moved the rest of the equipment off of it, gave it a good vacuuming and then used the shampooer on it. It cleaned up nicely, and it’s already quite dry. I should be able to move on with my workout space project in a day or two. The plan is to roll up that carpet/rug and use it in our rec room once that area gets cleaned up. Right now it’s still a mess from the window well project. I’ll give the workout space floor tile a good cleaning, then put all the equipment back in a new layout without the rug. (The rug is a plush style and not good for a lot of movement.)

Saturday afternoon we went to the bike shop. BF needed something for his bike, and I wanted a bell for my bike. Afterwards was lunch, and then we loaded the bikes into the van and went to a bike path we both used to ride all the time in years past - one section I hadn’t ridden in a long time, as well as a newish extension I rode only once about 3 years ago. We did about 18 miles total and my legs felt like a combination of rubber and lead afterwards, LOL. It was crowded, but not annoyingly so compared to last weekend’s ride. And my new bell came in handy! Looking forward to the next ride. BF has a fancy bike and doesn't like tossing them on top of each other in the van, so he's gone out to get a trailer hitch installed on the SUV so we can get a nice bike rack for it. Something else to complicate my life. :rolleyes: I should never have invited him to go cycling with me...I could have just kept throwing my bike in the back of the van and not have to hear him go on and on about how the bikes can get scratched or the computer sensors can be moved out of position, blah, blah, blah.

Sunday I did some grocery shopping in the morning and then relaxed a bit. Later in the day I took the few groceries I’d picked up for my mom over to her place. We put together a list of other groceries she needs. I texted the list to my sister and she’ll do the shopping this week.

That’s about it for the weekend. I submitted requests for time off this morning – this Friday and a couple other days. For Summer Hours this year, we were given 6 half-days to use between Memorial Day and Labor Day, so I wanted to get some of those scheduled. Even though a lot of travel is not going to happen, management is still encouraging everyone to take their vacation time. They almost certainly won’t allow an increase in the number of vacation days we can carry over into next year. They want us to take the days for family time, stress management, household projects, etc.

==

Happy - Sounds like the doc's able to continue to treat the infection without a hospital stay, thank goodness for you. I hope your appointment tomorrow confirms this! Gosh, do you think exercise is a good thing for your knee right now? What does the doctor say? == It must be very scary for your mother right now with the looting and riot behavior so close! The protests this past weekend were described as “peaceful” but I don’t know if that means that the looting behavior has lessened/stopped in most areas of the city. I sure hope so! == What a mess with that furniture order! Nothing is ever easy. == I can’t say I felt better after I had my hair cut since I only had a couple inches trimmed and I don’t do much with my hair as to styling. But I’m really glad for the touchup! I’ve decided to continue coloring my hair until I retire. If I get really confident as to a firm retirement date, maybe I’ll start letting the color grow out during my last few months, lol. During this remote work period I’ll continue with touchups, but maybe stretch out the intervals by a week or two, but not more than that!!! == Yikes, scary about your mom running the fan like that. I had a big box fan running for about an hour in the basement after shampooing the rug, but I turned it off AND unplugged it before we left the house because I just don’t trust it. Sometimes I feel like I shouldn’t run the washer, dryer or dishwasher if no one’s going to be home either – you never know what will happen with plumbing and electrical… Sort of funny that your mom thinks the house will get so hot it’ll burst into flames. Maybe the California wildfires have put this idea in her head. == My mom keeps to herself and doesn’t do any outside activities, and her hearing and memory loss haven’t helped matters. The only amenity that she ever really uses in her complex is the library, and that’s been closed like everything else has been for a while now. Our library is finally able to provide materials via contactless pickup so maybe I should try to get her a couple books – but she’s rather particular…but I guess I’ll try.

Hellos to the rest of you! Hope you’re all doing well. Stay safe and stay healthy!!

Checking in to say hello. All is going well.

Happy Belated Birthday Susie!
 

:celebrate::hb:

Sorry I missed it. Hope this is a wonderful year for you. :hug:

Happy Early Birthday Annie!
 

:bday2you::hb:

Happy early birthday Annie! Hope it's a special day for you. Enjoy!

Thanks for the early bd wishes Laura! It's the big 6.0! Only 7 more years til retirement. I remember I started counting at 15 years. Weeeehaaa!

LAURA....yes the PIA co-workers, have them here too. Tell the other admin not to include you on her silly emails unless they pertain to you and also copy her boss. lol

HAPPY...feels wonderful to get your hair cut. I go again on June 20th. 5 weeks already. Time flies. Thank you for starting the new thread. I think we all could use stress relief. I heard on KLove radio this morning the best stress reducer was running. Well that is not going to happen. It is too much like exercise. OMGosh your knee issues sound so dang painful. Bless your heart. Hope the pain comes to an end soon.

SUSIE...hope your bd was fantabulous! VERY HAPPY to hear Genny is still cancer free. Bummer on DHs lay off. Only a few more months to go. Dang it already.. Will unemployment take him til 65? Maybe have to do COBRA for insurance or pick him up on your insurance. Hope your beautifying with hair cut, color and nails turns out magnificent.

SHADDIE...hope you are doing well and all goes well with remodeling projects.

CEEG...hi there, hope you are enjoying life.

Not too much going on here. Birthday tomorrow the 12th so I am taking it off. Not much planned but bloodwork and an estimate on my bumper. Then I think I will just hang out in the back yard with the grands. I think my brother and SIL are having some kind of cookout on Saturday for a Covid celebration.

Work is driving me nuts but glad I have a job. Lots of responsibilities with no extra pay of course. I am feeling pretty good on the WL. 19.4 lbs, not much to go to 20. I do have to fast several days a week to make it happen. So much harder the older I get.

Have a wonderful weekend. It is supposed to be beautiful!

Cs Covid test came back negative. Yahooo

Good morning ladies,


Hope you had a nice birthday Annie. I can't believe how much the boys have grown. Little young men now - lost the boyish little kid as they grow up and onward. That's always sort of sad for me as they sprout their little wings. You look fabulous. I hope 60 works well for you, I have not enjoyed mine so far but always a chance things will turn around. Attitude, right? I heard also that running is addictive and like a dancer's body - dancing and running and yoga all seem to keep one tight. I guess I will be round and squishy - no running for me and with wonky knees dancing is pretty much out too. :rofl: I do however enjoy your tongue in cheek jabs at exercise :lol3: I'm sure the years will pass quickly for retirement even tho there are some days that seem a hundred years long. Glad C's Covid test came back negative - you don't need any more fuss in life. I imagine it's kind of rough in his line of work - kinda wading into the germ field but thank God for people like him so that we can eat. Congratulations again on your weight loss. :yay:


Laura - did you get your workout room all rearranged? If you get some hot weather, the tomatoes might just do a growth spurt and surprise you.

I had to smile at your experience with BF and the bikes. Yikes. Reminds me of DH and his fancy schmantzy camera lens. I just point and shoot with my Powershot or phone camera - life is so much easier. Same for a 3 speed bike :lol: I think it's a good idea that management is making people take their vacation - these are stressful times. Have to save a few days for time off during crazy protests downtown :lol:


Hellos to the rest of the crew. :wave:


I am plodding along through life. Yesterday I went to the Farmers Market and then over to the grocery store. I haven't been grocery shopping since May 25 when we went into Sams Club and picked up a few things. Not real grocery shopping as most of Sam's sizes are way more than I need. I pretty much bought out the produce department - we are in for a week of hot weather so I got things to make salads and cool, light meals. Dropped a ton of money. DH said something but was wise enough not to get snippy about it. Grocery prices have gone up - I paid over $60 for 2 pieces of fish, a small pork roast and a piece of pre-cooked prime rib for us to share. Then I had a to find a place to put all those groceries :rofl: I went and thoroughly cleaned out the basement refrigerator. I thought I was keeping up with purging but I missed a few things. Had a large box of stuff to toss in the trash today. DH gave me the stink eye - that's a LOT of stuff to just toss out. But I explained that it was stuff I partially used and this happens - you never use ALL the celery in the stalk or all the carrots or the last head of romaine lettuce or the partial box of chicken broth you only needed a cup of for a recipe. The one thing that killed me was I forgot I had a giant bag of brussels sprouts I forgot to cook up :( But I got everything to fit. It's just that I was on my leg for about 4 hours straight. I hobbled home and quickly stuffed away the cold stuff, ate a late lunch and then my leg really started acting up. I iced it twice and went in the hot tub last night. It is a slow discipline of up for a while, down for a while that I need to adhere to. I do feel better that we have nice fresh healthy stuff to eat again. I do enjoy making oil and vinegar salad dressings now - just ordered more from my new favorite place in Minnesota. They have a cranberry pear balsamic that is my favorite. One of the wineries in a nearby town is doing a bingo night to benefit the Humane Society. I will be the banker and paperwork person and won't have to do much. It is outside on their patio so since it's open air I'm ok with it. Still I think with the Covid fears it will be a smaller crowd instead of the packed house they typically get. Tomorrow I go for the next part of my dental implants - the fitting for the permanent structure. Can't wait. Still a few weeks out but I will be so glad to be done with this - I cannot eat with the floppy partial and it's been a hassle chewing. I feel badly for my Mom going through the same thing right now - she needs to have work done on a tooth that broke that holds her partial in. The weather is warm and sunny. Summer has arrived although we did have to cover the plants one night last week - frost warning. It only got to 42 degrees but apparently some combination of clear night sky, lower temps and humidity or something created a potential for frost. That's life in the Northwoods! DH did a nice job with the flowers. The yard and deck look nice. And since there is nothing else going on, I will post this and find something productive to do.


Enjoy the day.

Hello all. What a beautiful day today. Actually, it’s really been great weather since last Friday. A bit cool until yesterday, but I don’t mind that at all.

Annie – Oh, you had a milestone birthday this year! I’ve started a countdown for myself – there’s apps for that so you can count the years, days, months, hours, minutes, seconds, LOL. Anyway, hope you had a lovely birthday celebration. Saw that fb photo of you and the boys – looking good, love the sombrero, LOL. And those boys are so big now! Excellent job on the weight loss sister! Yay for a negative C19 test for C! Okay, too many exclamation points, so I’ll stop.

Happy – The workout space is not yet put together. I did clean the carpet and then rolled it up and moved it out of the space. This past weekend, I mopped the floor. BF bought a new length of co-ax cable to connect to the existing tv cable and we ran it above the dropped ceiling to the new spot for the tv. Unfortunately, the new spot only has one 4-plug outlet, so I want to run out tonight and get a power strip. So many things to plug in – cable box, tv, dvr, vcr, headphones… Anyway, it was a real PITA to move even just a few of the ceiling panels around to run the cable, and of course another PITA to get them back in place. It’ so tempting to tear out that entire stupid dropped ceiling, but there’s a ton of plumbing, electrical, HVAC, TV cable, internet cable and who knows what else in that ceiling - I just know I would hate seeing all of it if we removed that ceiling. So… now I can finish wiping down all the stuff I’m putting back into that space – bookcase, weight bench, dumbbell rack, etc. I’ll do some more tonight and in the next few days everything will be back in the space, but with a different layout. == You sure sound busy in spite of your knee pain! Do you always say how did I ever have time to work?? == I do hate when food goes bad and having to toss it. We’ve started being more diligent about freezing our bread since we don’t get through it very quickly. Our village now takes produce scraps with the yard waste, so I put those scraps and any produce that’s gone bad in a bag in the freezer and on garbage day I put it out with the yard waste. Still there’s other stuff that just sits there - like you said, only partially used/eaten. Cartons of broth, leftover pizza sauce, etc. Tortilla chips that bf tore open carelessly and went stale because the bag couldn’t be closed properly. And for someone who loves putting every last thing in a Ziploc bag, I’m surprised he didn’t do just that for those chips…And I noticed today that he tossed them in the garbage – I bet the birds or squirrels would have eaten them if he’d tossed them outside… Okay, I have to stop now. == I hope your dentist appointment went well today.

Hellos to the rest of you. I hope you’re all doing well.


Not much to report. I did another bike ride over the weekend. The weather was just great. Otherwise, not doing a whole lot in my spare time – tv, reading, puttering around the house. Did some weeding. Sprayed some weed killer. Dug out a dead shrub. Kind of scared to work in some of the shrubs and in my one super-overgrown garden bed in back because there’s a strong skunk smell - I hope a family of skunks hasn’t taken up residence in there. Reminds me – I need to buy some mothballs. I saw online that skunks don’t like that smell, so I might put some out and see if it works.

I have a half day off work this Friday afternoon – Summer Hours. I may or may not take a half vacation day in the morning to make it a full day. I’ll see. I’m going to try to get out for another bike ride this weekend. I’ll choose a different trail than any others I’ve ridden so far this year. I also want to transplant a shrub. It’s a dogwood that’s offshoot growth of the dead shrub I just removed. I want to put it where the old one was. That’ll be fun. :no:

That’s about it for me. Everyone stay safe and stay healthy!

I am still alive and kicking. We have one more week on our push for fiscal year end to get everything in. I have to push and pull on people and then deal with issue that have come up from people waiting until the last minute.

Good thing that my Manager understands that I cant work every miracle. She sent a note to our group stating that I would work what I could but there might not be time to work every complex issue.

She also did a call with me and told he her top priorities, which were 4 of the 20 I had and said to put my efforts there and copy her on all the emails for them, so she could chime in if needed.

That is it on the work front.

DH is at his new job doing what he always done. We feel very blessed that he is able to work for this guy that has his own shop and has only 3 employees, and we are friends with all of them.

He will work for them full time until the end of the year when we turns 65, he will then go to 3 days a week, (if that is what he wants) and then we will have his Social Security , plus the part-time income and wont have to touch his 401K until he doesnt wish to or cant work part time anymore.

Anne: I want to look like you do when I am 60......you are beautiful!
I am relieved to hear that C tested negative for Covid. What a blessing.

Happy: how did the appointment go for your permanent implant?

Laura, our weather has been beautiful as well. It is so nice to get outside and just be able to do a few things in the yard or just enjoy time outside.

Ceejay: I saw the bales of hay in the field across from your home. It sounded like you were surprised to see them there? What else have you been up too?

Shad: loved seeing your bounty of garden produce.
Hope all is well for you, I am sure you are busy painting something. :)

Went back to the gym yesterday and it felt good.
I've come down with a sinus infection but it seem to be getting better. I'm using otc products. Hope it's not COVID
Nephew called me this morning asking me to come take him to the grocery store this afternoon. Btw, he has a new gf. not sure how serious they are but she has been spending the night.
I'm not into the dieting game any more. I'm just trying to stay healthy

Hi ladies,


I went to the dentist yesterday. He kind of quietly admitted the oral surgeon could have done a better job with the surgery and the partial and all things in between. I told him I could not wear the partial to eat as it was too loose and floppy and often went at home without them. He was concerned my teeth would shift with the gap but thank goodness they didn't. They took impressions, will take about 3 weeks to make the permanent denture. He said to be patient, once they get it they might need to send it back and forth to tweak it a bit to get it fit perfectly. And he did try to refit the partial but the 2 front implant studs make the partial rock so not too much he can do. My leg is very very VERY slowly getting marginally better. But I went grocery shopping and to the Farmers Market on Monday - was on my feet about 4 hours and I suffered for it for 2 days. Yesterday I did bingo for the Humane Society. It was outdoors on a winery patio - a beautiful summer night so we had fun and made some money. I don't think we will be doing this regularly as they like to spread the charity money around to various places in town. I am ok with that. Don't want to commit my summer to running bingo a few nights a week. So far this is the only place doing bingo that I know of. All the closed in halls like the Senior Center are still closed to the public. DH ordered 2 chairs for our deck to go with the bistro table so we can sit outside and eat. He went to go pick them up so should be nice. I watched a video on You Tube on how to clean the griddle. Yuck yuck yuck. Got it all spanking nice and clean and DH was impressed and will keep it that way now that he knows how easy it is to clean and how to do it. We have bears roaming our yard during the day. :eek: We have a baby spotted fawn but have only seen it once, Momma keeps it kind of hidden when she comes to eat. Not much else going on.


Ceejay - good for you to get back to the gym. Ours is still only open by 2 hour appointment only. I hope your nephew's new GF can keep him on the straight and narrow. Sometimes a good influence helps. I know what you mean about Covid - get the regular sniffles and you're not sure what it is anymore. :dizzy: That picture of the hay bales was very nice.


Susie - glad DH found himself a new job and so quickly! Bear in mind there is a limit to how much you can earn before they start deducting SS dollars so perhaps he can keep the P/T job and still have some time to himself. Geez 20 priorities is a whole lot of stuff to be handling. Do you only have one manager now or are you still torn between a bunch of people vying for your efforts? Might be easier not to see them in person LOL


Laura - I got the biggest laugh out of your comment about BF and the ziploc bags. I have had my moments when he just randomly grabs the biggest bags for the dumbest things. There was a time when the leftover catfood was smelling up the garbage can so he was scraping the bowl into a baggie and tossing it. My ecological heart was breaking for all that plastic in a landfill . And it really didn't make that much of a difference. :rolleyes: Perhaps we should have our commune and make one for the guys down the road :rofl: We have a skunk we think taking up residence under our boat shed. Some critter moves in every summer. He tried moth balls - didn't seem to make a difference. Be careful - those things are really toxic. It's frightening.


Hellos to Shad and Annie :wave: I'm going to get me some lunch before it's too close to supper time.

I've seen one truck load of hay come to the pasture next door but not the second. I'd never seen those being unloaded before so that was interesting.
Sis is extremely exhausted and concerned about nephew/ She says he's sending out flags.
It's raining this afternoon so I don't have to water the plants. yipee

Happy
You mentioned the bears are roaming the yard again. That would make me uneasy.
Hello to the rest.

Ceejay - you kind of get used to the bears and proceed with caution. Most important thing is to look for them. They really don't want to mix with humans so if you make a lot of noise, they generally run away. It's worse early in the season when they first wake up and are hungry and found something to eat - then they are more reluctant to leave. I will never go out in the yard when the big daddies are around. We had been hearing an awful noise in the house - a rattling and banging we could not place it's source. Heard it yesterday and it seemed like it was the outside wall. I peeked through the window and saw water squirting. So called DH to go outside and look. As we got to the end of the garage he said to be careful, was a bear looking at us in the woods. We hollered and he took off. Turns out the noise was coming from a bad timer that DH had on the water lines to automatically sprinkle the shrubs around the deck. I was hoping by now the bears would have headed into deeper woods but this is one of those years they want to hang around.

Not much going on. I'm going to the Farmers Market in the next town shortly. Looking for garlic scapes to make pesto. Then I have to head in the opposite direction to pick up a homemade coffee cake as a surprise for my friend who is returning home - or trying to - from their winter home in Arizona. So many complicated bits of life due to the virus.

Hope you all are doing well.

Hellos to all.

I’m getting into my busy time at work right now, so I’m a combination of happy to be busy and a bit stressed with the work ahead of me. Had one of our performance management check-ins with the boss last week. It went fine. I could do without some of the dumb stuff that comes up, but it’s part of the job. Yesterday and again this morning I had too much of that stuff wasting my time. It was good to get out for a walk after work yesterday to put that behind me. This morning I vented to the admin, LOL.

Susie – Sounds like you and your boss are on the same page about priorities, good for you. == It’s so great that your dh got another job so quickly, especially doing the same type of work. Nice that there’s an option to work part time there after he turns 65. Agree with Happy – he’ll have to figure out how much he can work without losing some of his SS benefits.

Ceejay – I hope you just had a sinus infection and not COVID! Be careful at the gym – are they restricting the number of people inside at one time? I think gyms are reopening here this Friday, with restrictions, I’m sure. ==I hope your nephew is doing well. === Do you get to see cows in the pasture next door? My mom’s block of houses in MO backed up to a pasture and it was nice when they grazed cattle there. :moo:They stopped doing that a few years before she moved back here. I have a feeling the owners would ultimately sell the land and it would have houses built on it. I’ll have to check out google earth some time and see what that looks like now.

Happy – Glad your teeth didn’t shift from not wearing the partial. I hope the next part goes smoothly. :crossed: == Sounds like you have to increase the time on your feet very gradually so the knee has time to heal. == Outdoor bingo sounds fun – weather permitting! == How do you like the new patio furniture? == Yikes, deer and turkeys are one thing, but the bears hanging around on your property are scary!! Be careful! == Yes, I’ve been paying attention to the waste lately. Now that our village’s waste contractor collects fruit/veggie scraps, I collect those in a plastic bag in the freeze all week and then empty it into the yard waste bin we bring to the curb on garbage day. I have to figure out how to get bf to get on board with being more responsible that way. == Thanks for mentioning your moth ball experience – I’m gonna pass on it. I’ve noticed the skunk smell has faded the past week or so…hoping they’ve moved elsewhere. == Wow, your AZ friends have been there for a long time. Did they fly back? I bet they’re glad to be back in the cooler temps now, and away from the recent increase in COVID cases out there.
~~~
Nothing much going on here. I want to get out more as I find I’m in a funk when I sit around the house too much. I didn’t get out for a bike ride over the weekend because it was hot and humid and I wasn’t up for riding in that. I really should get over it – I can take a shorter ride and/or pick a bike path that’s wooded so there’s shade. I was ready to finally paint the half bath ceiling, but the roller covers we had were used and though most of the roller was cleaned well, the edges weren’t nice. I had to go out and buy some new rollers. It’s a small room and the painting shouldn’t take long, but with painting it’s all the prep and cleanup that makes it take so long. Oh well. I don’t think I’ll try to clean the roller cover this time for a re-use, just not worth the trouble.

I realized last week that my driver’s license is expiring soon, but just checked the DMV website and learned there’s an extension on my renewal until October 1st, so I don’t have to hurry. I might try to see if they’re allowing online renewals…

Okay, I’ll get this posted and grab some lunch. TTFN. :)

Afternoon
Laura
The doctor said i had a sinus infection. He gave me meds for that and I'm getting better.

Hello's to every one else. Need to put away groceries.

Afternoon all. We’ve had quite a few hot and muggy days and today’s another one. I have some stuff to do out in the yard, but haven’t been wanting to do it because of this icky weather. I guess I just need to bite the bullet and get out there and do it. I’m not going to melt. Not literally anyway, lol.

Ceejay – Has your sinus infection cleared out yet?

Hellos to the rest of you! I hope you’re all well.

Even though it was hot and muggy on Saturday, I went out for a bike ride. That was dumb. I went to a bike path I hadn’t been on yet this year. However, it’s one that’s not very wooded - so hardly any shade. Hot! And it doesn’t have huge hills, but enough rises/inclines that it was challenging for me. The heat and humidity got to me and I had to stop three times during the ride to catch my breath and get my heart rate down. And it wasn’t a very long ride either – just under 9 miles. Lesson learned. Not going to go cycling when it’s super hot/humid like it’s been.

I’ve been exercising most weekday mornings before I start work. I don’t always get down to the basement early enough to get more than 30-40 minutes in, but at least I do something. And it’s nice and cool in the basement right now!!

Last week I used my aerobic step and did a WW step workout video I’ve had for a long time but never tried. The video was alright – I don’t think the instructor was all that great with cueing the moves. I’m going to donate that video because there are plenty of better step workouts available. I also decided I wanted a better aerobic step! Mine, which is quite old, is not very wide (long?) and it doesn’t have a rubberized surface on the top. I’ve always liked the ones they have at the park district fitness facility – they have a nice rubberized top and they’re also wider than the one I have. I decided to look for a used one online. I found one over the weekend on eBay with a local seller, and it was much less expensive compared to the cost of a new one. BF met the seller yesterday to pick it up.

I used my “new” step this morning. Love it. I decided to try the step workout video that came with my old step (it’s old, so it’s a VHS tape). Another workout video I don’t remember ever doing, LOL. I plan to sell my old step and figured if I liked the video I could copy it to the DVR before selling it with the step. Anyway, I only got through the cardio portion, and it was alright, but again – there are better ones out there. It also had a strength section using a resistance band, which I’m not crazy about. The final segment was an ab section which I didn’t have time to do this morning. I’ll see if that’s any good tomorrow.

This workweek is a 3-day short week for me. Meeting my friend D for breakfast on Friday. Haven’t seen any of my friends face-to-face since before this pandemic hit, so I’m looking forward to it. Probably do some more shopping for my mom. I picked up a few things for her this past Sunday. Bought here a couple cartons of ice cream - turns out she doesn't like butter pecan. I knew my dad liked that flavor, but didn't know my mom didn't like that flavor... Also bought her a Hershey's chocolate bar and she doesn't like Hershey's chocolate! Didn't think she was that picky about chocolate... Learn something new every day. I ended up taking both home with me, and in the freezer they went. Anyway, the main reason I went over there was because she said it was warm in there. She won't mess with the thermostat (even though it's a simple one), so I went to check because her unit also has buttons to push to turn the heat and AC on/off. Turns out the AC button wasn't turned on. I'll have to give her a call to make sure she didn't shut off the AC because I think that's what might have happened - she got cold and pressed the off button instead of adjusting the temperature on the thermostat.

Otherwise been spending a lot of time indoors because I hate the hot, muggy weather. I guess I just need to get over it. So what if I have to take 2+ showers per day, LOL.

Okay, enough of my rambling. I’ll get this posted. Everyone stay safe and healthy!!!

Hello!

I made it to July1. That means I survived our fiscal year end. From the 2nd week of June it was quite brutal; but think being at home and away from where people could walk up and find me was helpful to keep me on track and not overwhelmed to much.


I am taking vacation days today and tomorrow. I washed done the railing on our front porch this morning. I started about 8 a.m. and finished around 11. I am worn out. That is my workout for the day. I do have physical therapy later today. I'm finally seeing some change and the pain isn't as bad. It takes so much effort to get well than to stay well....that is for sure.


DH is doing ok at the new job. He really has the full retirement itch and he has said that he is changing his mind about doing finisher work part time when he retires. He said he really wants to work at Chick-Fila, like those older people do. I told him, that is fine, he just needs to go talk to his friend that owns 3 Chick-Fila's and get some information on it.


He said, he just wants to go in, do the job and when he leaves he doesn't have to think about what is leftover to do the next day.


Thank you all for the caution to see what he can earn working while on his Social Security without being penilized. We did talk that when we called them to find out some information concerning his benefits at 65 and was really surprised at the monthly gross amount you can make while on Social Security.


Hi to Annie and Shao: I have seen some Facebook Posts or replies here and there. Stop by here when you can; I feel we get to talk more freely here. :)


Ceejay: Having a sinues infection in the summer is no fun at all. I think they are worse then because of the heat . I hope you are feeling better now that you are on some medication.


Happy: I am amazed at the bear population that is around your place and how many pictures Eric gets to take of them. They are amazing animals to see but I don't know if I would be brave enough to stand and take a picture of them. Did you friend get home from AZ?


Laura: I think you should applaud yourself for doing 30-40 min workouts daily. I am doing 30 to 40 min workouts about 5 to 6 days a week but I can't stop eating things that I shouldn't. I'm not fully off plan but I need to get a lot stricter with myself. My clothes are feeling tight.


I hope you have a nice time meeting your friend for breakfast on Friday.


We are going to Delaware OH for the 4th. My cousin has a big place out in the country and lots of room for the kids to play and a big pool. She sets up tents so people can sit under them and get out of the sun. We all bring side dishes and they provide the meat. We have all kinds of family there, both sides and it is just a really fun time.


This year we are going to have fireworks there as they are canceled a lot of places. A guy on her husbands side of the family works for a fireworks company so he is handling the "show".


A lot of people will tent camps and stay all night or have campers and stay. My brother offered us to stay in their camper with them. I opted to book a hotel that is close. My brother has a very nice camper and it is pretty big but I think I'll rest better in a hotel. We will stay until my nephews fall asleep and then leave.


Have a great July 4th everyone! I plan to check in more often now that I am finsihed with Fiscal Year end. I heard we came in just a little over budget and that is what they wanted....if we come in under we don't get as much money the next year, but if we come in to much over than we get a stern talking too. My manager said I manged the PO's well and got everything in that was needed.

Morning all,
Sorry to be so MIA these days, sometimes my mojo gets up and leaves and I feel somewhat bored and lonely and can't be bothered with anything. Then it disappears and things get back to normal again. Add to that the family has needs and wants and sometimes I am swamped more than I ever was with work and keeping up with the Probus club and it's problems is nearly a full time job at the moment. I can understand some of the frustrations, but I won't be treated as an employee or a slave ( I told our president the other day that you can't fire slaves (after a particularly sarcastic moment) they must be sold). Anyway, we are getting slowly back on track with that although we don't have a full committee, and we don't have a treasurer, and we have a president who thinks he is the only one doing anything. So some of us are finding ways to go round, through, over or under him to get things moving after all the restrictions. Sorry, that's enough about that and Monday will be a good time to think about that again.
We finished the family tree project and now have to find a place to get the teddy bear cleaned up a bit. I took him to the Doll and Teddy hospital and they wanted $200-$300 to do it. Younger brother said no, not paying that so the search continues. We don't want him to look like a new bear, we want him to be clean and safe that is all. DS2's new partner says that her Mum is crafty with things like that so maybe we will send him up there if she thinks she can do anything. Meantime I will have to get some good clear photos of him so she can assess the job. DB1 told me what his second wife's maiden name was and I entered it into the family tree only to find out it was not spelt right, more changes to be made. DB1 wrote his screed about the family bear and I have to type it up (correct the grammar and the spelling - not big brothers strong point) and insert that as well. At some point in time I will need to send a booklet to the NZ mob and get them to check it out. Enough of the bear already, Monday might be good for that as well.

Happy - hope the knee and the teeth are coming right again. Nothing like having a bear chase you in the yard - American style fast food??? So take care with them around. Been enjoying DH's photos of flowers and things lately. He certainly loves his photography.
Laura - glad to hear you are still working from home and staying safe. I must ask DS2 to get one of the bikes down from the hanger in the shed and see if I can get it cleaned up and ready to go again for the days I don't have the dog. I'll continue to get a bit more exercise then.
Ceejay - good to hear you are going back to the gym and enjoying your new place.
Annie - how's things going around your way. Hope the job is not too boring and you will be able to stick it out. I worry about all you over there, social life is disintegrating around you all - well at least according to news reports over here. Stay safe - and that's for all of you post and anyone reading this post.
Susie - good to know that DH is still bringing in an income. You will need it all before this Covid catastrophe is done if it is ever done.

As for over here, we are not getting any new cases of the virus right now, but the border with NSW is now open and I am expecting it to flare again. All those people agitating for border re-opening because they are hurting financially will probably find themselves going under in the next wave. The state of Victoria is back in crisis again with many, many new cases being diagnosed. We have not opened the borders to them, any arriving here have to do a 14 day quarantine at a hotel or lockdown facility at their own expense. We are even checking all cars crossing borders in case some of the NSW people try to sneak them through. It makes a very hard demanding job for the police who are already stretched to the limit, but quite frankly you can't trust these greedy people from the two smallest mainland states to obey the rules. Five out of the seven states and territories have managed to contain it, but not entirely eradicate it. It took time and discipline and a lot of incentive to get to this point and we are now letting the others in. Stand by for further rantings about COVID-19 and AUS.

That's about it for now. I'd better go get dressed and work on something for the day. As for the painting - it's a bit like being in the navy here, if it moves, salute it, if it doesn't paint it. I'm onto the fiddly trim bits now and it is boring but must be done. I also need to get out into the garden and see if I can find some more space for more seed. The broccoli has not done well and I will be pulling that out soon. Beans have been so so and the corn is about done and I need to plant some more. Cauliflower is going well as is the beetroot and I have eaten all the carrots so more need to be planted to supplement the next lot now coming on. I've got lettuce growing everywhere and I am giving away spinach and rocket (arugula) daily.

So off I go. Take care, stay safe, keep out of the way or riots, marches, and idiots although that may be an impossibility - idiots abound.

Happy Independence Day everyone.

Hi ladies,


Guess it's time to post at long last. Life has been routine - not much going on to talk about. With the return of my partner at the Thrift Shop have gotten a bit more involved but frankly it's just too chaotic there with everyone doing their own thing and no real leadership. I prefer to be in the shadows. There are in a mess but refuse to do anything differently. Can't operate the way you always did because this is the year where everything is upside down and you HAVE to re-think things.


Getting no real help from the doctors on my leg other than "it will take months". So I reluctantly gave Physical Therapy a try yesterday. She gave me some light exercises. Said not to do the NuStep and Bike quite yet, let's build up the leg some. But the game changer was an icing machine called "Game Ready". It's like a giant heating pad with straps they wrapped my leg in. Not only does it circulate cold water but it also does mild compressions while it's doing that. For the first time in weeks I felt better. And the swelling reduced. My foot swells really badly and the skin is tight and uncomfortable and it's hard to get a shoe on. I have been wearing a very light compression stocking. DH offered me his compression socks but they are too heavy and my leg muscles are really sore - have been ever since the fall. The therapist said this can be due to the injury and not walking correctly. FINALLY after 2 months so small vision of relief. Yay. Thursday I go for the final fitting of my teeth so hopefully I can MAYBE have at least one month of feeling better before the year is through.


I feel badly for my Mom. She is almost 94. Her hearing has gotten really bad. Her eyes as well - more the macular degeneration than the cataracts. Eye doc said cataract surgery will not do much at all for her. The tooth her front dental partial hooks into has broken off. So she is missing 7 front teeth and chewing is hard for her. They were going to "build up" the tooth and Sis and I are not too confident on the success of that. She put off the dental work when my sister was dealing with father in law issues and now that my Mom has gotten used to going about without teeth - a big thing for her - she is reluctant to go through with the procedure. She is confident once they fix one tooth, the other will break too and she is NOT going to put $3,000 into her mouth at this time. Plus her really arthritic knees are killing her every day. She is only about 130 pounds so light for her small frame but it's hard to get around. She is becoming more isolated. When I talk to her on the phone she puts it on speaker to hear better and it's annoying to me because it picks up lots of feedback crackling in my ear - she can't hear it. But it helps for her to connect and take her mind off the isolation. She worries too about what is becoming of this world. It's sad. I wish I could get back there and visit but it's not possible at this time. And there is always the worry of me bringing some unknown Covid to her also so we all kind of keep distance with her, furthering the isolation. Thank goodness for the telephone.


Shad - I totally understand your comment about the mojo getting up and leaving. I have never really experienced depression to the extent I have these last 2 years. Sometimes it's hard to keep the spirits up. But have to keep finding a way. I am very disappointed with people nowadays. Prefer to be more on my own which was never the case with me. I do hope you can get Teddy cleaned up and restuffed. I would think that's not too hard a project. If I could see better (more fine detail) I'd do it! My Mum once did surgery on my brother's beat up bear after he almost gave up the ghost. Did a fine job of resurecting him for a bit. I imagine he needs a good re-stuffing as that old stuff probably has mold in it just from age alone. Yes DH loves his photography. It's the only thing he seems to really notice lately. I am a fixture on the wall sometimes I feel. I tend to speak a lot less these days because he barely hears what I say. I was talking to friends of mine - we are all in the same boat it seems. The guys just get old and doddering and turn us off. It's insulting and adds to the blues. I certainly wish you were close enough to take some of that extra rocket from you. Do you find that colder weather plants like rocket and carrots grow well for you in your warmer climates? We are looking forward to fresh sweet corn. Everything is a bit late this year on the crop cycle. We are unusually hot and dry up here. We had a bunch of trees taken out - much nicer in the garden area. DH flower garden is doing very nicely. I watched 2 goldfinches land on the tree of potted plants we have an pick through the tasty seeds one flower apparently offered them. We have a lot more activity on the deck than I ever noticed before - lots and lots of butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and the birds that disappeared for about a month finally are coming back. We have 3 baby fawns - a set of twins and a single. Should see turkey babies soon. Bear is still around but not as much.


Susie - yay for surviving the fiscal year. Do you mean the planning work or having enough revenue that you all get to keep your jobs and avoid layoffs? While I can understand Dh's itch to be retired and leave things at the end of the day, working at Chick-Fil-A standing is hard work for very little money. And in these days of Covid, not sure I'd risk the exposure. Unless you are the kind who think this is blown out of proportion. Who knows what to think anymore. I am grateful we have a stable income and being home has reduced our expenses, especially for dining out and entertainment. Yes, my friend made it back from Arizona and they are isolating even though she is the most conservative person I know when it comes to going out because of her asthma. She is back at the thrift shop - a big organizational boost is needed and we need her to rally everyone. I warned her not to get over exposed. Hope you had a nice 4th. Sounded like a great get together and lots of fun - something to look forward to. Fireworks were not that bad this year thankfully - I hear there was a shortage from China. We didn't mind and neither did the animals. We thought about going to the casino for their fireworks show but it was blazing hot and muggy here and they have a fireworks stand where people blow off firecrackers all day long so by the evening the air is dense with the smell of sulfur and gunpowder and didn't want to risk tough breathing so instead I watched the Macy's New York City fireworks show. Good enough for me.


We have such delicious fresh strawberries from the farms around here. SOOOOO good. And I don't even like strawberries that much. LOL


Ceejay - hope you are past your sinus infection and feeling better.


Laura - I can't imagine biking in the blazing heat and humidity you are having right now. Ugh. How nice that you like the new step you picked up. I didn't think about it being slidey but I guess it can be. At least you are making sure you are getting some exercise. Funny how you picked up groceries that your Mom didn't care for. Sounds like she's sort of in a la la land like my Mom at times. It's sad to see them sort of wither up. Are you still doing the bulk of looking in on her? Oh and about the power washer --- our gas one broke and he could not easily get parts so he picked up a small electric one. I had told him you were looking into it. He said he likes the electric one now. It has a super long electrical cord so you can be far away from the electrical outlet. He did say you had to be careful as the sprayer can be temperamental and spray erratically. He powerwashed the wrought iron patio table and chairs we are trying to sell as well as the tar on the lower part of my car. He said it was a pretty good machine and was surprised that it can do as much as it could being smaller than the gas one. And he was able to do all that washing and said if it was the gas one, he would have had to fill up the tank at least 3 times during the wash so that was nice.


Hello to Annie - how are you doing? :wave:


I'm going to make an egg and have some strawberries. I finally got some of the swelling down and I feel so much better. Have to make sure I don't over do it and do myself in again. But at least I can get a few things done. Have a good week all.

trying to post

Hello Everyone!

Not much going on around here. Yet another vacation has been cancelled for next week’s trip to Florida. Nope not doing that. Made it this far without getting Covid not about to go to Florida. So I am taking the week off anyway and doing a whole bunch of nothing. Sam, the boys and I may go on a tubing ride down the White River from Noblesville In. That is about it. Can’t get any more distant from people than that. Still not liking my job much. I have so much responsibility now since there are only 7 people in the office of about 60. All others are working from home. The 7 of us keep the operations going. Very funny things I couldn’t do because it was management only, I now do them. Hmmm, more money, no. Guess I need to be grateful I have a job that I can go to and still work and get a pay check. Working on being grateful everyday. Some days are hard. We are all staying healthy for now. The schools still have the boys going in person when school starts on August 3rd. Not sure how they are going to social distance or wear masks in 1st and 3rd grade. Our county, Marion, now has mandatory mask at all times enforced. Figure that one out. Still at 20 lbs down. Working on it slowly. Want to get to 159-160. 169 is current wt at the moment. I guess if I were taller I would be at goal. Haha. Still doing keto. I still enjoy it as my joints hurt much less to none and my neck does not hurt at all. I can certainly tell the difference no carbs and no sugar makes on my body. I ate terribly my birthday weekend, chips, a cupcake and a few other things I should not have. It took a toll on my body for 3 days after. I thought I was going to die. The aches and pains were awful. Might want to rethink ever doing that again. Thank you for all the birthday wishes, I truly appreciate them. Getting old is not for sissy’s that is for sure. Thank you Susie for the nice compliment. You are beautiful.

Stay safe everyone!

Hello all. How time flies! TGIF!

Susie – I’m glad you survived your FYE. I have 2021 budget work coming up this month, along with a lot of other projects, but the end of the month is the deadline for it, so it’ll be good to just crank away and know that the bulk of it all will be done by then. I’m taking time off here and there, this month, but I won’t take multiple days until August. == I’m glad the PT is helping you. I have to remind myself not to let the PT back exercise fall off. I don’t want the pain to return. == I’m glad your DH is doing okay with his new job. He just has to be okay with it until December. I get that he wants to do something different, but I agree with Happy - being on his feet doing a Chik-fil-a job would be tiring. Unless he’s already accustomed to working on his feet all day…I guess working fewer hours could make a difference though. But the lower amount of pay might make it not worth the effort. Guess he’ll have to find his way to his ideal retirement life. I definitely understand wanting a job that’s done at the end of the day without a myriad of projects always waiting for one’s attention. == Sounds like we’re both doing well with exercise but the eating remains a struggle. Story of my life, lol. == How was your 4th in Delaware? It sounds wonderful to get away and see family in that country setting.

Shad – I hope you have your mojo solidly back in place! But it sounds like you might be picking up where Happy left off with the volunteer workload! :nono: == Did you find a solution for putting teddy back to rights? == Have you dusted off the bicycle yet? At least when it’s warm, you create your own breeze! == Our state has ordered people coming from (certain) other states to self-isolate upon their return, but there’s no policing of that…and it’s scary how there’s been a rebound in cases in states that were less stringent in their measures. Sigh. C’mon people, let’s learn something from this!!!

Happy – hope the PT is helping. Glad that icing machine brought some relief. Just stay off your feet and let the leg rest! :rollpin: Your poor mom, but it’s good you’re keeping in touch with her via phone to keep up the contact and lessen the isolation. I try to keep my mask on at my mom’s, so it’s better to talk with her on the phone with her volume turned up so she can hear me better. == It sounds like you’re having the same issues with your DH re the hearing. What a challenge! But maybe not talking as much is better than bickering though, LOL. Back when I traveled for work, I think there was some truth when I used to joke that bf and I had longevity because we spent a good amount of time apart. == Yes, I really like that new step much better than my old one. I usually don’t like cardio workouts much, but I really should be doing more of that, so the step is a good alternative. I’ll check into more step workout videos, but I also might seek out interval or circuit type workouts too – or come up with my own. I can use my step and stationary bike for cardio intervals and alternate with weight exercises. I always used to like that there wasn’t time to get bored when I’m doing something for just 60 seconds, LOL. Thanks for the update on the power washer. I feel like I’d personally be using it (unlike the mower, weedwacker, snowblower, etc.) so I’d prefer electric. I’d like to use it for clearing cobwebs from the brick, soffit & fascia; to rinse the windows before washing them, to clean the window well covers, to clean the patio furniture and also the patio/pavement. Bf doesn’t do these things…so maybe I should be the one to choose this particular piece of equipment.

Hellos to Ceejay and Annie!

Nothing much to report. A couple days ago the tire monitor showed low pressure in one tire and yesterday I discovered the tire was flat. Left it at the tire place last night and it was repaired this morning – they said it was a nail. The AC in bf’s vehicle went kaput, so he had the AC recharged this morning. Apparently if it’s the compressor, he will fix that himself since he did that job once in the past and this time it would be easier. This van has two compressors and the one that’s the potential issue is a rear one that’s easier to access. . It’s always something. In the meantime, he’s going to use my car as much as he can because he doesn’t want all the Freon to leak out of his too quickly. It’s been so hot here, he’d definitely be using the AC a lot and it would certainly leak more when he’d be using it so much. I’m not thrilled, but it makes sense.

That’s about it for me, so I’ll get this posted before lunchtime’s over!

There's Annie typing over my head, LOL. So sorry you had to cancel your vacation away, but it was the smart thing to do. :yes: The less stringent c19 measures of some states have come back to kick them in the arse. But tubing sounds fun - I've never done that. Is it like the lazy river at the water park? :lol: == Funny how that works, you can do what your managers do but you don't get the manager money. I'm experiencing some of that myself and I don't get the title (don't care) or the money. Bleh. Let's just be grateful for our jobs and the benefits they provide. We're lucky to have them! == School will be yet another challenge. I imagine the boys are accustomed to wearing masks when they're out and about now? ==Great job with the WL and maintaining it. I'm not eating well. I guess another thing to be grateful for -my clothes still fit. Even the pants with zippers! Wow, amazing the impact sugar has on you now that you've eliminated it! Keep up the good work. :)

Good morning ladies,


Between not much going on and not much posting here, I admit I have gotten out of the habit of checking on here.


Our yard is just filled with butterflies. We both said we think we have had more butterflies this year than all the other years combined. We have a deck full of pretty flowers, butterflies, hummingbirds in abundance and the birds singing in the trees. It's really a nice, peaceful place. I did splurge and buy a gorgeous wind chime. It has a wonderful tone and resonance and plays ever so softly in the gentle breeze. It just adds to the peacefulness of the yard. At first I was concerned about all the ATV traffic on our road but fortunately it's only bad on the holidays and mostly manageable otherwise. The cold & compression unit they are using on my leg for physical therapy has done wonders to reduce the swelling in the bursa sac on my knee. Now it's the arthritis pain I am dealing with. I have also noticed I have to pay particular attention to my shoes. I have a pair of Sketchers moccasin style slip ons that kill my knees even though they are well supportive and sturdy. And I have a pair of super light weight New Balance tie ups that you would think give no support at all yet they are the ones that I am most comfortable wearing. Go figure. I am getting around better but have to be mindful I don't over do. We are going round and round with the big mask debate at the Thrift Shop. We are asking customers to wear them but not mandatory and we have some very vocal anti mask volunteers who sit on top of you and carry on about how we don't need masks. It's causing a problem between the various volunteers. So I just do what I have to working around all the others in off times. My Mom is doing ok and so is my sister. Wish I could plan a visit but the rest of the year is a big IF. And that's about it for me. I have physical therapy later today - only once this week :( , get my hair cut and colored tomorrow, an art class Wednesday and Thursday which will be interesting because usually there's a dozen of us in packed in around a table. I have lots of vegetables from the CSA box and Farmers Market I have to us up somehow. We bought a 2 person high top bistro (bar) type table and 2 nice higher chairs for outside along with an umbrella and have been enjoying several meals on the deck. Trying to enjoy as much of summer as possible. I am still hollering at cats who always seem to be in something they should not be...


Annie - good job on sticking to the weight loss. I'm sorry you had to cancel your vacation. I know how much you look forward to getting away. What a pain with the job too. That's like when they are laying people off - I always said the ones who get cut first have it easier even if it's a shock because the last ones left to keep the lights on have more and more and more piled on their plates until they are about to break. "be glad you have a job" Grrrr. You are so right about sugar's effect on aches and pains and inflammation. I used to love caramels but I might as well have laid down in traffic when I ate it because it was 2 days of major pain afterwards. I tried to tell this to my Momma who loves her sweets - it's half her diet but Mom - that's also what gives the knees so much pain. Well I gotta eat something! I guess it's easier to gum up bakery goods when you are missing teeth. I don't think so but what do I know??? Hang in there sister. :hug:


Laura - hopefully you got your vehicle back again. What's the fun of taking vacation when you can't go anywhere? Even if it's a getaway weekend. Just something different. And when you are working from home, vacations are a little different. You sure have been getting some heat and humidity out your way. Ugh. We are hot but it's more dry. I wake up in the morning and my mouth is as dry as a winter's day. Less bugs so that's ok.


That's about it for me. I have to hop in the shower and shave my legs. :lol: Have a good week. Hellos to all of you :wave:

Morning all,
Finally managed to get all fingers to work again in this unseasonal cold we have at the moment. I must admit it does warm up nicely during the day - as long as you can get out of the wind, but we are truly in winters grip. I don't think I can remember being this cold in the 30 years I have been here.

Not a lot to report here. We are slowly coming out of this corona virus although the two greedy states are starting on their second wave and we may have to shut the borders again. Our poor police and defence force are dealing with people who want to come to our warmer temperatures for the weekend and sometimes the entire winter. Sure we need the money, and the business but heck no, we don't need the virus. The queues to cross the border are horrendous and some are trying to get in illegally, no pass, no entry. Meantime the state of Victoria is in awful crisis with several hundred new cases per day and more deaths in age care homes - but there are still those that say it is all a hoax, an attempt to allow the government to pass legislation no one wants and become a big brother so we are all to knuckle under and obey their dictates. Such blind stupidity abounds. Guess it is the same all over the world. There are times when the veneer of 'civilisation' is very thin.

Garden is coming to the end of it's first round of produce. The tomatoes are not ripening in any hurry tho', mind you it's too cold for them to even think about it. Lettuce is still performing and I saw yesterday that the second lot of potatoes are starting to come through. Peas are up but very short yet. I've pulled out the broccoli because it didn't perform at all, and the large cauliflower plants are only producing leaves and not much else so they are under orders as well. The spinach is done and the corn is done so it will all be coming out this weekend and more planted after the soil is dug over and fertilised. Rocket is finished as well.
I have buds on two of my new roses so they are looking good. I bought another two a few weeks back. One will go to DS2's new partner for her birthday and I will keep the other in case she kills it :lol3: The Azaleas will be in bloom soon - such as the ones I have left after the drought late last year and the flood earlier this year.

Speaking of the DS2, he and partner have gone to Townsville for 10 days. Her grandmother - aged 92 - is not well and there isn't a lot of hope for a recovery so they have flown up there to see her, the partners dad and her other grandmother as well as her mum. I have the dog for 10 days. He is not that happy that his lord and master went off without him last night. Still we will do a few things together to help him deal with that and his illness (although apart from eating everything in sight), it doesn't appear to be slowing him down much.

Happy - Glad to here that the leg is finally feeling somewhat better. Relief at last, as long as you remember not to overdo things. The garden is sounding lovely right now - it's hard work getting it done but so worth it when the birds, bees and butterflies also love it. I'm sorry to hear of the face mask debacle over there. Yes we have the same thing here sometimes however our politicians are somewhat more forceful than yours and we do have to wear masks on planes, trains and buses, ferries and public places where there are people gathered. That's mandatory and we will be fined if we disobey ($1400 + tax). We are also fined if we disobey the strict rules on social gatherings. We can go to pubs, clubs, protests, cafes and nightclubs, however there are strict rules about social distancing in all of them and not all are the same. For example you can go to a nightclub, drink and eat, listen to music but you can't get up on the dance floor. One nightclub (mind you they cater for the young and stupid anyway) was fined $60,000 for allowing dancing and there were all these young people squashed onto a dance floor yahooing and waving their arms around. Just lucky we haven't had a new COVID-19 case in over 2 weeks.
I'm glad to hear that your mother is okay (as are your sister and her family) It must be difficult for her at this time.

Laura - no I haven't dusted off the bicycle yet. It has to come down from the top of the shed and that's too high for me to reach safely on a ladder. I will wait for the DS2 to do that for me. The mojo is more or less back, and I am back to painting trim - a job I have been procrastinating about for some time. Two doors and 2 windows to go and I am done. As for the volunteering, I organised a facebook page, then the coffee dates and walking group and that's as far as I need to go - someone else can pick up the rest because I am not devoting my life to Probus. Teddy is currently in Townsville getting repaired by DS2's partners mum so he will be home in 10 days ready to go to his new family. Here people don't have a choice about isolation. If you come into this State from Victoria or from Sydney in NSW you go directly to a designated hotel for 14 days and you are tested on arrival, in five days, and at day 12. The hotel is at your own expenses and generally winds up around the $3000 mark. There are no if's or but's, you are taken there by bus and the police ensure you stay there. Don't like that? Don't come to Queensland.

Annie - enjoy your time off. Hope it all goes well for you. The boys will enjoy the rafting. Sad that so much has to be cancelled, but that's better than the alternative.

Susie - hope that shoulder is getting better now. It's mainly a case of working through the pain and discomfort I guess. Enough to make a grown woman weep especially since it is happening through your all too short summer

Okay, time to go. Get dog out for a walk. Finish making the chicken and corn soup and get that in the freezer, sweep the floors and clean the car. That's todays agenda - well for now anyway.

Good morning ladies,


Shad with you complaining about the cold, I just looked up the weather by you. 50 degrees (F). Hah. That is what we get down to at night here in the middle of SUMMER. We call that refreshing sleeping weather. :rofl: Oh dear, I would never be able to visit you in the summer just as you would not tolerate our winters. All relative... Bummer on the garden - yes, it's too cold for tomatoes. We are having warm days and while my grape tomatoes are turning, the patio beefsteaks are rather stagnant. They started out with blossom end rot but I gave them a dose of calcium which put that in check. I'm sure they are waiting for a good windstorm where they can fall off the vine! Might make for some nice fried green tomatoes though. I'm surprised the peas and rocket have faded - thought they liked the cool weather. Your chicken and corn soup sounds lovely. I see you still have the rose garden to enjoy.


Your country has many parallels to ours although you have more sensible people. Ours has sadly become a nation very, very divided. Very selfish too. You name it - assault rifles, religion, racial issues, masks, schooling, general social manners - you can bet there are people fighting about it. With so many companies and towns issuing mask directives in the wake of increasing Coronavirus infections, our thrift shop leader has decided we will make masks mandatory. We will see how that goes. No one willing to enforce it. I think most people will comply - we have 2 workers who refuse to wear masks, one may cave in but the other will no doubt do her business at the shop off hours which is ok too. Remains to be seen how the general public will respond. Most people are good about masks. Some will try and get away without them but if you mention it, they sheepishly put them on. We are fortunate that the lady who does the CSA farm box partnered with another grower who has the most delicious salad and lettuce mixes. Most I find are on the bitter side - these are wonderful. I picked up some cucumbers and tomatoes from a roadside vendor - yum - fabulous. The ones in the grocery stores are sad and tasteless.


Heard on the news that they are concerned about people getting a double whammy of the seaonal flu AND Covid-19 at the same time. That really freaks me out. I do NOT like wheezing. I see the gym closed their pool indefinitely. Sure, just after I bought 2 swim suits. :(


Yesterday I went to a watercolor art class. Was worried it might be a free for all but they were trying to separate people. Many of these are long time groupies who gather together. About half of us with masks. I made sure I got there early and had the seat closest to the outside open door with the strong breeze blowing everything away from me. I did enjoy the class. We painted 2 blue birds on a branch. It reminds me that I really enjoy this, DESPERATELY need practice and should get myself in gear. DH has many beautiful pictures that would make nice painting subjects also.


I'm feeling a bit better today so going to attack some of the things here that are waiting for the trash bin or a proper home. Yesterday we were sitting on the deck and I suggested we take a UTV ride to get some dinner. We have not taken the UTV out yet this year. DH was kind of tired after his day working the yard but he was up for it. We had a nice ride. Afterwards he admitted he was not eager to start but once we stopped for dinner, he said "why don't we do this more often, it was fun". I said that's why I brought it up. By the time the July 4th holiday rolls around, the rest of summer goes quickly. I am trying to make the most of what we can during the limitations of the virus and avoid the typical September day when the weather turns noticably cooler and I say I have missed my opportunity (once again) to deal with things like boxes in the garage and such. Need to set up that upstairs art studio too as well as setting up my new computer before this current out of date one bites the dust. What's my excuse???


Susie - I am sorry to hear of the woes of your shoulder. Prayers for a speedy recovery to you. Do the P/T work. I understand about the frustrations of an elongated recovery and how that plays on your head.


Hellos to the rest of you, I am going to get busy before DH returns and I lose my ambition.

Happy, our night time temps have been in single digits for about 2 weeks. It's great for sleeping but not for 6am starts (when the dog gets here). Daytime temps are just great at somewhere between 20 and 25C - that's 70 and 80 more or less. But we are also having some winds that feel like they blow straight from Antarctica so the wind chill factor is cooling things off. Just fantastic if you can get somewhere out of the sun. It's hard to think that they are coming from the desert out west. I always think of deserts as hot spots.

Hi guys,


Checking in. Therapy is going well. She is giving me exercises to strengthen my leg because I am walking weird due to weak muscles and making things worse. Got a cortesone shot on Tuesday. The orthopedic doctor gave it to me. It's torture when my regular doctor does it. The ortho guy injected lidocane first - burns but I knew worse was to come. It numbed things up and before I knew it, he was done! Told him he needs to teach my doctor his secrets. At this point it's just keeping up with P/T. They are moving Monday to a new addition to the hospital. Said it's super nice, can't wait to see it. She is also doing some massage on my knee - what I thought was arthritis is irritated tissue and the massage is helping. Slowly but surely this is healing. Going on 3 months now.


We are enjoying the bounty of farmer's markets now. Lots of fresh produce to enjoy. The hummingbirds are swarming already - I think they may leave south sooner than they usually do.


The flower gardens are starting to peter out a bit. Trying to enjoy as much of the last of summer as possible. I am hoping my leg gets to feeling better - I have boxes in the garage for years that need to be gone through and hope to get that done before it's too cold to work outside which sadly, will come in a blink of an eye - or at least it seems to.


Everyone in the family is doing well. We are all waiting to see what will happen in the fall with this Covid thing but so far all are healthy which is good. DH talked about some overnight road trips but I said not this year, I'm not comfortable travelling, especially as cases rise and things close down. We'll just keep it local. We've had a few days of cool weather - in the 60's which has been a welcome break except the temperature change has apparently cracked the skin on my tomatoes. I have not had good luck with patio plants but fresh corn, cucumbers and tomatoes are coming to the markets so I'm happy to buy from roadstands.


Other than that nothing much. I am trying to tackle projects. Need to transfer to my new computer before this one craps out on me and I would also like to get things organized to set up my art / painting studio by October. I really like the watercolor but have to practice as my touch is too heavy handed. Also paints dry out and they are too expensive to waste.


Hope you are all doing well.


Shad - I guess you can call a major expanse of any land a desert - even if it's covered with polar ice. Interesting that the cool winds blow from the south - much like our "cooler by the lake" temperatures as the air cools over the deep cold water. I hope you can avoid the whole Covid thing. Seems like New Zealand has their act together but sadly, you have many parallels like us in the States in Australia. "leadership" differences, you think? :lol: How's week number two with the pup? Is he begrudgingly accepting you as a poor substitute? :lol:


It's funny - overcast and 62 degrees outside and I want to put on a sweater. Shad must be rubbing off on me!


Have a good one ladies. Check in once in a while :wave:

Evening. Started this at lunch time, but time ran out and didn't get back to it 'til now.

TGIF. Nothing much to report. Busy with work, have a 7/31 deadline I’m working against, I took Monday off but won’t take any time off next week. I went to a new eye doctor on Monday and I think they’ll work out just fine. They ordered some sample contact lenses that may help me see both distance and near. Right now I get good distance vision with my contacts, but I need readers for up close. When those samples arrive, I’ll set up a time to go back to their office and decide on some frames. I looked at some after my exam on Monday but of course couldn’t decide what I liked.

Happy – The butterflies in your yard must be lovely. I guess since the flower are almost done, they’ll be gone soon. I enjoy listening to the birds, but right now we’ve got the cicadas going, ugh. It’s early afternoon and they’re making their racket. Oh well, soon enough we’ll be closing the windows and cranking up the AC again as the temps start to rise again. It was a nice day and a half of nice temps and low humidity, but the weekend will be back in the 90’s. At least it’ll block out the cicada sounds. == I’m glad the ATV traffic isn’t too bad on your roads outside of the holiday weekends and you can enjoy the peace and beauty. Nice you got out on the ATV – have you gone again yet? Like you said – summer flies by all to quickly! == I’m glad the PT and ice compression unit are helping your leg heal and the cortisone shot helps it feel better. I like New Balance sneakers, but I might try another brand the next time I buy sneakers. The two times I’ve taken brisk walks for exercise, including this morning, I feel like my feet are moving around in my shoe, and in my right shoe, my foot is rubbing up against the edge of the orthotic. Time for new shoes and new orthotics. In the meantime I’ll scrounge through all my orthotics and see if another pair is any better. I also might just buy a good quality OTC pair of orthotics. All that said – my surgery foot feels pretty good. == I’m glad your mom and sister are doing okay. Too bad about the travel issues…and it’s not a great time to be in the city with all this unrest going on. I haven’t been watching the news, but saw a blurb about our mayor removing the Columbus statue from Grant Park in the middle of the night. Definitely want to watch the evening news to learn more, though I’m sure it’s just so the protestors don’t try to topple it or otherwise damage it. Maybe it’s a good thing it’s gone anyway….== I’m glad the art class went well. Hope you get your studio set up so you can work on your watercolor painting. I’m glad you’re enjoying the farmers markets this summer. Ours is disappointing – fewer vendors with less produce. And dogs aren’t allowed now! :(

Annie – When were you going tubing? How was it?

Susie – How’s your shoulder feeling?

Shad – I hope the weather is more normal for the season now. == Is the birthday rose for DS2’s partner still alive or did you have to give her the back-up one?? :D == How’s it been dogsitting? I hope doggy doesn’t miss his dad too much. Don’t forget to have DS2 get that bike down from where it’s hung so you can get out for a ride sometime. Do you have a helment? BF and I went for a short ride the other evening, but it was probably too early (rush hour) and even the side streets we were cycling on were a bit busy, so not to our liking. No ride this weekend because it’s gonna be in the 90’s and humid. Boo.

Hi Ceejay!

Nothing much to report here. Hope I’m not repeating - we got a new gas grill and finally used it for the first time this week. We bought a new bike rack for the SUV and it was delivered today. I was okay with throwing mine in the back of the SUV, even though I had to take the front tire off to make it fit. The quick-release thingy makes it easier. But I guess the rack will be nice once I learn how to use it. Not a roof rack, and not one you hang the bike on by its frame. This one has a platform that you set the bike on by its tires. Bikes and racks are in short supply these days because everyone wants them since it’s one of the only active things to do with others that’s compatible with social distancing. We were going to get a white rack to blend in with the SUV color, but it was out of stock everywhere, so we went with a dark gray.

Went shopping for my mom the other evening and will go back tomorrow to bring Chinese food for lunch with her.

Feels like all I do is work, water flowers and plants, read and watch TV. Also doing morning exercise, and a little bit of sewing. Missing the festivals and outdoor concerts this summer. :(

Okay, gonna get this posted and make a phone call. Everyone have a good weekend everyone and stay healthy!!

Afternoon all,
Saturday afternoon and wet, wet, wet. :carrot: :carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot: So I am catching up on a few things indoors, and cleaning up after the dog from time to time. He is moulting heavily. And while I am working I am listening and sometimes watching a video of Foster and Allen - the Irish duo. Old music but perfect background to folding washing, kneading and baking bread and getting ready to make some stuff for the kids when they get back from Townsville tomorrow. I need to make a list of what they need coming home to an empty fridge. Think I will make a big dish of Macaroni Cheese (Mac n Cheese as it is known here) and possibly a Lemon meringue pie as I have lemons that need to be used.

Happy - so pleased to read that the leg is responding to treatment at last. Don't forget the mask when visiting the PT at the hospital. Better safe than sorry. What's a few minutes discomfort compared to time out on a ventilator. I know what I would be doing.
Great that the farmers markets are continuing. Nothing like good fresh vegetables, except when they all come to the ripe stage together and you have to give a whole lot of your hard work away as I have this year. Still it helps others so why not. Cracked skin on tomatoes is usually caused by a dry spell followed by too much water. Silly things suck up the water and the skin can't cope.
As for the COVID-19 thing. Well I am happy your people are well and so far avoiding anything, they are obviously observing the rules. Sometimes the rest of humanity sucks.
As far as we are concerned, the NZ Prime Minister has the right ideas. Mind you we are lucky in that we are surrounded by ocean - both countries. It must be easier to man the borders that way. We often joke that we have 2 PMs New Zealands Jacinda number 1 and Aus' Scott Morrison as number 2 since in the beginning whatever NZ did, Aus followed. Well NZ got over it, but thanks to BLM protests, free the refugees, and various other protests which should never have happened, 2 of the non-conformist states have the 2nd wave coming along. Unfortunately it is not those that deserve to get the virus badly that are dying. Thanks Rent a Riot.
Anyway, I have attached a picture which you might find amusing - there is irony in it. You may have already seen it on Facebook.

Laura - good to hear about the new eye doctor. Find one that works and stick with it as long as possible I say. Hope you get your deadline done in time. You have a week to do it. I had the multi focal contact lenses and they were quite good. There are times though when I had problems reading with them in and if they changed up the prescription, I was fuzzy on the distance, so I switched back to Mono lens, 1 for distance and one for reading. They work well. You don't even notice the difference unless you mix up the lens and put them in the wrong eyes. Then you know!!!!
The birthday roses arrived and I have planted them in big pots. Her birthday is not until next Tuesday and so far they are looking good. I'll keep one here and she can keep the other at the rental place. Once they get their own place, she can have the other as well. Just a safeguard.
The bike will have to have some maintenance done on it before I can ride it and I will have to get a helmet. No rush for that since DS2 won't be able to work on it for a while. He has a bit of nightshift coming up and will be grouchy and grumpy for a few days afterwards. There is plenty else I can do meantime.

Well that's about it for now. Nothing much to report from here. Tomatoes are nearly ripe, corn is finished, new lot to be planted shortly. Not having a great deal of luck with seeds this year. I had to pull out the broccoli because it went straight from forming a small flowerhead to flowering and not much in between. Beetroot has been good, beans are good (this is the third sowing, the first two failed to sprout) and I've had one lot of carrots but the next lot will be some way off. Only things doing really well are the lettuces, potatoes, parsley and the lime tree. The miniature cauliflower was great but the full size ones are under orders to do something (apart from growing huge leaves) or come out.

See you later

Good morning ladies,


We are in the dregs of summer - high (for us) heat and humidity for the next month and then boom - it will suddenly drop and get cool and hello autumn in about 4 weeks. So enjoy it even if sweaty. The hummingbirds are bulking up - we are feeding at least 8 cups of sugar water a day. I went to the store yesterday and bought 20 pounds of sugar. That's more than I need but I did get a second box of peaches the other day and want to make some chutneys or peach freezer jam / sauce and will need some sugar myself. It's funny - once the hummingbirds leave I'm not sure I even use one pound of sugar for the rest of the year. I put it in tea occasionally - not a big honey fan though trying to embrace it more. I do find I like the local honey much better than the store bought kind. Other than that, not much use for the stuff although I get sweet in many other things like fruit and balsamics.


I don't like this humidity - makes the chest heavy and a bit tight. Also coughing a bit just from general things floating in the air. It's been 3 days since my cortesone shot and I'm disappointed that it's not doing anything much for the knee part. That inner corner is still tight although the physical therapist said it's tight tissue and not totally arthritis. I am trying to be good and do my exercises. Am getting around more but I will hit a snag in my leg that makes it want to weaken and give out so then it gets "crabby" for a long while. Monday I get to go into the new physical therapy facility at the hospital. They have been building it for a year now and it has made an awful mess with construction and parking. Wish they had room for a warm exercise pool for all the effort they put into it. But no. I see the gym I was going to had decided to reopen the swimming pool after closing it for at least a month. It changes rapidly. You have to make a 2 hour reservation so they can control the flow of people. It just doesn't work with our schedules quite yet so I will wait until DH gets done with the yard work before I pester him to take a ride over there. I don't like driving there myself. It's a long and winding road that is one lane in each direction and no passing due to the winding. People come off the highway and want to barrel down the road excessively over the speedlimit. They ride your tail thinking that will make you violate the law like they do. I will tap my brakes when I get a taligater but these days you can't risk getting into an altercation as you don't know what people will do. Most of the ride is open fields so if they run you off the road, no witnesses. So I prefer to go with him. And sadly, there is only one road to get there and back.


The little tiny bees annoying bees are out. I hear they are good polinators but they are overtaking the hummingbird feeders, swarming and keeping the birds away. It's hard to sit out on the deck as they are attracted to salt and sweat and most annoying too. We put out shallow dishes of sugar water to try and lure them away from the feeders but there are so many now, it's an impossible task. I am looking right now at 8 of them going in circles around the water dish.


Tomatoes are turning - we got a few from our patio plants and they are coming to the farmers markets. Tasty too. As is the sweet corn. Yesterday we picked up our farm box and a nice young man with a pop up business was making Neopolitan Italian pizzas at the farm. They were all veggie based - margharita - traditional tomato sauce, olive oil, basil and mozzerella cheese, marinara with just sauce and basil, pistachio with roasted nuts, garlic, cheese and a light white sauce and our surprise favorite - limoncello which had almost translucent thinly sliced lemon with peel, salty cheese and a thin white sauce and some fresh basil. There was something addictingly attractive about the salty lemon. The dough was chewy and he bakes them for about 90 seconds in a 900(F) degree hot oven that he has to constantly turn lest the crust bubble and burn. It was an interesting experience - we'd do it again but just with the lemon one. I suppose I could try this with the flatbread style sandwich breads we have also. The person who runs the CSA (community supported aggriculture / farm box) loves to experiment with food. She has gone less traditional vegetables and more "what's S's food experiment of the week". I don't mind an occasional surprise but I want a farm box for a farm box of fresh vegetables... This week's box had kombucha which I don't like and from the looks of things, most of the people picking up didn't want either. There is also a Thai carrot soup because apparently there is an abundance of carrots this year. I will try that, hoping it is not spicy but DH won't eat it. Patty pan - a flat squash is also in abundance. Thank goodness she partnered with another local farmer so we got salad fixings - good greens, cucumber, fresh tomatoes, nice small onions and some more patty pan squash and kohlrabi. There was also some garlic from another local farmer. I stopped at the market yesterday to pick up sugar and of course filled my cart with fresh fruits - plums, canteloupe, watermelon, cherries and I have blueberries and peaches from the peach truck. If you are hungry, come on over as I have not a shread of extra room in my 2 refrigerators or freezers. Eek. I hate going to the grocery store so the longer I can put it off, the happier I am. My friend does the European shop every day for dinner. Her refrigerator is something that looks like a staged set up - an attractive woven basket of apples, perhaps 1 or two lone vegetables and lots of empty space. It's like - does anyone LIVE here? What do you eat? She said they don't use it fast enough to stock up alot. Ok but then she often whines about someone come here to feed me, I am hungry. She and her husband eat quite simply too - they will have burgers for supper (he is a fuss budget with a very limited palate) or blueberry pancakes. If I ate blueberry pancakes for supper, I'd be starving 2 hours later - no protein, too much carb, not filling. But that is there thing. I am trying hard to use up the food I have so it does not go to waste although I did regret that I missed my chance on the beautiful strawberries I got 2 weeks ago. Thought I carefully stored them in the refrigerator only to find that they were all fuzzy underneath 3 days later when I went to use them. The ones you get from the store are so tasteless too.


Tuesday I FINALLY get my new teeth! :dancer: :carrot: :dancer: I can't wait. This has been not the most pleasant ordeal. I am tired of these studs and the ill fitting partial that takes up the whole roof of my mouth and makes me gag. I hope in the end it's worth it. I just wish the Chinese buffet down from the dentist's office would open back up again. Was my favorite place to eat and I'm missing it.


Shad - nice to hear that you are getting some much needed rain at long last. Hope it sticks around. Laughed at the picture of the pile of dog hair you posted. Should be able to restuff all my furniture with cat hair too. :rofl: How did your mac and cheese come out? I love it with fresh tasting tomatoes. Always a favorite dish. Oh yes, we do have very strict rules when going to the hospital complex, clinics and physical therapy. I have learned not to wear a mask in because when they take your temperature upon arriving, they make you discard your mask and they give you a fresh one. I have wasted several disposables from my personal collection so now I just let them give me one since they insist. It does sometimes make for a bit of discomfort when breathing hard with the exercises though - would not want to have to wear one in the gym. I told DH yesterday as we were the only ones at the farm wearing masks, I do realize we are outdoors and spacing but I need to just get into the habit of wearing one in public no matter what. It's easy to become lax when no one else is doing it. We only have 21 cases in the nearby area. Don't know what the autumn surge will bring. It is not required in the grocery stores and there are movements here and in the next state over to make them mandatory in public at all times. Most people are compliant thank goodness. Are you still looking in on the neighbors or has life pretty much quieted down to just you and the flowers and animals? You used to do a lot of walking too but with no reason to travel anymore... :(


Laura - I know what you mean about life stuck in a routine. I got a new clock about the size of an Ipad that I had gotten for my Mom. It shows in big letters the day of the week, the time of day (morning, dawn, evening, etc), the actual time and the date. I am finding this helpful when every day is "blurrs-day". And I can see it at night without my glasses :lol: Or what time it is when I mentally cuss DH for getting up at 5am and opening and closing our very squeeky, swollen front door 19 times as he goes in and out to fill the feeders and wake up the neighborhood. How is the new bike rack working out? From what my Mom and sister are complaining about, it seems was too uncomfortable and muggy for any sort of strenuous exercise right now. I guess the inner city is really going bonkers with gangs and gun violence. Even my friend whose sister lives on the north side is looking to get out of the city herself. How is the downtown area? Are you comfortable with commuting or would would high tail it out of there after 6pm? Sad what the city has deteriorated to. I imagine with all the summer activities mostly cancelled it's not much of a great summer for anyone. As for the shoes I find it super hard to find something that works well. The very lightweight New Balances I have are nice but not good for long term on the feet. The regular ones feel klunky and when my left foot is swollen they are really tight. It seems when I get wide slip on shoes to fit my orthotic like you say, your food slides around in them. I am jealous of young girls who wear no support, dangerous flip flops and have feet that don't hurt all the time :rofl: Glad to hear your foot is coming along, seems like a slow heal also but as long as it's getting better. I'm sure not having to trek around walking back and forth from the train helps too. Will you be working from home most of the rest of the year? I think office life will be different going forward.


Hello to the rest of you ladies. I am going to go sit outside and finish my coffee before the rain moves in. Sometimes it's just chilly in here with the air conditioning on but I try to make it comfortable for DH.


Take care and be safe...

Hello,


I have missed a lot of posts. :(


Annie: I'm sorry your vacation was cancelled.. It is such a bummer for sure. This whole Covid-19 world is sureal.


Happy: I see that you were going to get your teeth today. I am looking forward to hearing how they feel and what you think of them.

I was glad to read that your knees are feeling better too.


Shad: I know you are loving time with the grand-dog. :)


Laura: Don't let them pile to much on you; it becomes a slippery slope.


I am still working from home and happy about it. My shoulder is still hurting. I went to the ortho yesterday and they are getting me set up to get a MRI. Should be next week sometime.


The new job that DH was working is no longer. They just didn't have enough work to keep him right now. So we are going back to unemployment. However, him working that amount of time (6 weeks) we have to go back and reopen his other claim. It is not as easy as that sounds. I am on the phone with him almost every day with Unemployment. I can't get the same answer from anyone. Then someone from Unemployment says they see the issue and try to fix it and it just seems to make it work. We think we made headway yesterday.


They said they were sending a letter to the most previous employeer to confirm that he was let go due to no work and the job was only temporary. We talked with the Owner today to let him know to watch for the letter so he can respond quickly. He said he would. It will go back to his orginal claim as that one still has benefits left and the other job was not worked at long enough to file a claim for..


It all makes me tired. We have talked to our investor and if things drag to long we will pull some $$ out of his 401K.


Please say a prayer that things move quickly and the unemployment kicks in soon. I really don' want to take it out of savings or 401K. I have the budget set that we can go 6 weeks but I don't want to draw my savings down to much.