8th Dec

[Mick]

hiya all ...how are we doing today? ok I hope ...well so much for the storm moving on....nope still here though not quite as fierce rain is only 45 degrees as opposed to horizontal.Just a general bimbling about day here today .

hiya Lav how are you? nice pic btw .Yes definitely our h/c systems are different .We have a shortfall of ground floor nursing ,also managers who are the authority over such...We spend an awful lot on creative jobs for tick boxes .whats your weather like today?

hiya Slo ...how are you doing today?have you been out with the grandkids?has the atmosphere calmed down a bit .it sounds like it hope you have a good day

hiya ppqp ,pie etc hope you are all doing ok .

[Lavande]

Sunday greetings everyone,

Pleasant today at 57 Degrees & mostly sunny, yay!!
Looks like the next 3 days will be rainy & I’m going out to meet friends for lunch tomorrow, oh well.

Mick, I think your rain is heading this way. It’s god though because we’re still catching up from the dry fall.
I miss the healthcare we had 50 years ago before the hospitals were taken over by business men in suits looking to make as much profit as they can. There were no for profit hospitals around here back then. Those guys with their fancy suits & multimillion $ paychecks just piss me off

Slo, glad you’re enjoying sunny Puerto Rico with the family & little ones. Enjoy it all before yo have to return to reality, Lol

PQ, we are thinking of you!

Hello to Cyn & Pie & everyone.

Have a decent night all!
Lav

[Mick]

mornin all ...how are we doing? hope all is well..didnt sleep too good ..so 5am decided to get up .having a brew some porridge then off out with the camera.Storm has gone ...or at least eased a heck of a lot.Going down to Amys on Thursday ..well stopping off on the way .Im taking all my detecting finds down to my auctioneer friend to sell off.it is a 2.5 hr drive but drive pat Amys almost so Im going to drop Julie off .and pick her up on the way home .

hiya Lav ..how are you doing?hope all iswell ..yes the world as we knew it has changed!!..Hope all is well with you and yours.

hiya Slo ...hows the jolliday going?hope all is good .

ppqp and pie how are yizall?

[Lavande]

Good evening friends,

Cloudy & drizzling most of the day here but not too bad. I think we will be getting the much needed heavier rain in another day or two. Met my friends for lunch which was nice.
Did a little Amazon Christmas shopping since there’s no stores near here - works for me

Mick, how was your day out with the camera?
Glad you can stop to see Amy & baby Elouise on Thursday, sounds nice. I hope you make a fortune selling your detecting finds!!

Hello to the rest of the. Group, hope everyone is OK.
Have a nice night all!

Lav

[porqoui]

MAE ALL...sorry for not checking in sooner but had a really rough time with my breathing and by the time I got home at night I just layed down and concentrated on deep breaths. If things didn't improve by Saturday (which was out staff Xmas lunch outing) I was headed to emergency. Turns out I was having a COPD exacerbation or flare-up. I had a smaller one at the beginning of the month but then it came back with a vengeance. My Doc figures it was brought on by my earlier accident and while I was basically immobile for a week I was smoking like a chimney. There was nothing else to do. That resulted in an increase in my daily smoking, geeze I felt like a chain smoker.

As in the case of scared sober, I was scared of having to go on oxygen and as a result I started with the patch on Thursday and this is day 5 of no cigs. Saturday was the big change, the flare-up ended and I was back to breathing normally, well normal for me at least. I was able to attend the Xmas lunch on Saturday with no problems and things continue to improve. It has been easier than I expected and today was the first time I experienced a craving while at work. I do have some Nicorette Lozenges to help with cravings but found it really intense. Could only suck on it for less than a minute and had to take it out. But it did the job and the craving passed.

Things are busy at work right now, Winter Program registration, childcare year end deadlines and boss is leaving 3 days early (he'll be on call for a new year's eve event and Christmas day event) so he's dumping stuff on me to do. Next week should be a lot quieter.

Had a quick read through, sounds like everyone is surviving. Will chat more tomorrow. Have a good night....PPQP

[Slo]

Greetings from Puerto Rico!

This has been a great respite, and so much fun playing in the ocean with the grandkids, and a chance to soak up the sun and “vitamin D” & such before the long Winter.
I see the downside of my son-in-law. He is not always very nice to my daughter, and I hate to see that. Then again, he has to carry a lot of the load; with her lack of organizational skills, lack of general know-how, and “it’s ok / whatever / it’ll be fine” lackadaisical attitude, so he gets frustrated. He is a very good father and a good man, anyways.

PQ, good news! 5 days in on your smoking quit is solid! It is good that work is busy now in order to keep your hands busy and your focus off of the cigs.

I know what you mean about not much to do when laid up: I have badly strained my eyeballs and injured my eyesight while doing way too much reading of tiny print while I’m gathered to my electrodes and red light wraps for hours per day. I am suddenly getting used to being a person who now needs to use reading glasses, and minimally reading and looking off in the distance of the ocean is helping to heal the shadows and blurriness in my vision.

Mick, how perfect that Julie can visit with Amy & Elouise while you sell your coins & other finds. I hope you get a good payout.

I agree that healthcare ideally should not be run as a for-profit business! So good to get some time with your friends, Lav.
I need to hop on the Christmas shopping. We are getting deep into December!

The rain here has kindly fallen at night rather than during the day! Today is travel day…

[Mick]

Hello everyone how are we today then?hope all is well no rain today here but it is very very cold and still windy. Yesterday I was out with the camera along the Lakeside, and it was minus four degrees including the wind chill factor. Got some pictures but not very many even the birds had the common sense to hide.

Hiya slo.. how goes it today then? Are you still enjoying Puerto Rico? when do you return home? Yes I phone my friend who is the auctioneer this morning, and definitely on for Thursday so I will believe in here about five thirty am that means I will be down at Amy's for about seven and then down to hisfor about nine . I am hoping on a decent return as well stop in my head the money is already spent on what I want and what we are going to do with the rest. Hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday just focus on those kids!

Hiya ppqp how are you feeling today then? hope things are improving. Congratulations on the no smoking campaign. Sometimes it takes something serious like that to focus our heads. Remember the number of times that you are going to quit drinking it was definitely tomorrow job, and that's not just you we all did exactly the same until the tomorrow is no longer available and it has to happen rapido. Keep at it...you will do it

Hiya lav and how are you doing today then? Hope all is well. Julie has bought a Needlework tapestry to do it is only a small one but she just fancied having a go at it I hope she does better than Amy. In 2009 I bought Amy a little tapestry Needlework thing to do on holiday, she kept it all these years and finished it last year full stop it is now framed and hanging in Elouise room. I think Amazon shopping works for most people. I never thought that would happen but when you look at it you order stuff online you like it you keep it you don't like it you send it back and they change it or return your money no questions full stop no queuing up in shops no waiting to see if they have the right size no hassle if it doesn't fit etc it's a definite winner hope you have a great day

Big shout to everyone else

[Lavande]

Good evening kids,

We had another cloudy dampish day today. Tomorrow the big rain (up to 2.5”) & fierce winds arrive so that will be another stay inside day for me.
we ran out to a few stores today, stopped at an Amish market for eggs $3.50/dozen - still cheaper & healthier than supermarket eggs. Got some fresh zucchini there too that I air fried, yum. Made a double batch of Swedish meatballs so there’s leftovers. I decided it was time for a new shower head for my bathroom. Ordered one on Amazon around noon & it was here just before 3 pm - that’s service!!!

PQ, so glad you checked in but sorry to hear yo were feeling so bad. CONGRATS on your smoke quit - it’s the best thing! Keep reminding yourself why you quit when those cravings appear. Not being able to breathe is frightening - proud of you I hope things settle down at work for you, take care!

Slo, glad to hear you are enjoying the Sun & fun. I’m surprised to hear your daughter has that attitude. All the young women I know these days are completely opposite - take charge types. Your SIL must get tired of being in charge all the time, I get that. Are you flying home today? Have a safe trip.

Mick, didn’t sound like a great day for picture taking for you. I don’t mind the cold that much but the wind just makes it unbearable for me.
I hope Julie enjoys the needlework, I can’t do it anymore & miss it myself (hands & eyes don’t cooperate anymore). Amazon really came through for me today, tomorrow I will enjoy an improved shower haha!

Hello to Cyn, Pie & everyone else.
Have a nice night all.

Lav

[Mick]

mae all...how are we doing today then? hope all is well. Today the weather is a lot better ..felling a lot better today.havent been feeling too great the last couple of days .Julie went to see her dad yesterday ,I sat in the chair for about an hour without speaking to her .

hiya Lav ...how are things with you ?its yonks since I had meatballs..Yep got to say Amazon win ...we have got one of those power shower heads that saves water too...and yep came from Amazon .I thought you woyuld be getting your own eggs ..have a good day

hiya Slo ....dont know if you are on the way home today ....but safe trip if you are

hiya ppqp ...how are you doing today then? hope all is well over there in canadia with you ..still no ciggies ? excellent . hope you have a good day

hope we all have a good one

[porqoui]

MAE ALL...although it's a bit cooler outside the snow continues to stay away, YAY! The only problem is with the temps hovering just above and below freezing there's lots of ice out there. I am very cautious when walking. Things are winding down at work, rush of first day registration over and it looks like most of my programs will run in January. People have finally given up trying to book something between now and Xmas. I am tired of the childcare director talking like she know everything but can't do any of the work herself, she'll get her eyes opened come January. The accountant continues to be a pain, she is really screwing up, forgetting to do things like take payments!

Slo...sounds like you had a great time at the ocean with the grandkids. Wow, sorry to hear about your eyesight. Glad to hear your trip to Puerto Rico is helping to heal things. I've been using reading glasses for years. LOL Hope your trip home was uneventful.

Mick...I am feeling great, sleeping better and have more energy. You are right that sometimes it takes something serious to make the commitment, especially if you're as stubborn as I am. Glad you're feeling better today. Yup, still no ciggies and feeling pretty chuffed as you would say.

Lav...did you get the big rain and fierce winds? Wow, that really was great service from Amazon, did you check out the new improved shower head today? Thanks for the congrats, I'm feeling pretty good about my quit. Things are settling down at work and boss will be gone by the middle of next week. Heard the forecast for our winter is less than normal snowfall, the skiers may not be happy but I am. LOL

Thinking of the rest of the gang. Have a good night all...PPQP

[Lavande]

Greetings everyone,

Stormy day today but it seems to be winding down. Nearly 1.5” of rain & nothing fell down during the wind gusts so it’s all good
Yes, I enjoyed my heavenly shower this morning haha! What a difference changing the shower head made, geez.

Mick, meatballs are a big fav here regardless of how you flavor them (Swedish or Italian). You can make many meals for two people out of a double (2 lb batch).
The reason we’re buying eggs is because we only get about 3 eggs/week from our overaged chickens. I don’t want to start another flock, I just want this flock to go to heaven sooner or later. & end that messy job. I’ve grown tired of all that mess they make.

PQ, so happy you’re keeping your smoke quit. You will always think about the stupid things (I do) but we get so much healthier when we quit. You’ll never be sorry, I promise. Glad things are settling down at work for you. Now if certain others would just do their damn jobs, right??
I haven’t looked at the Farmer’s Almanac for our winter prediction yet. Funny how they seem to know what’s coming. I hope you have a milder winter for sure. I imagine you must have some good traction winter boots/shoes. Be careful out on the icy walkways.

Hello to the rest of the group & wishing everyone a nice night!
Lav

[Slo]

MAE all,

I got home at about 11 pm last night. And is it cold here! Snowing, super windy, and going down to 0 degrees F tonight.

Mick, what does that mean, that you sat in the chair for an hour without talking to Julie?
That’s funny that Amy finished her needlepoint 15 years later! At least she finished it!
Glad you’re feeling better.

PQ, I suppose the accountant and the assistant childcare director are getting on your nerves even more as you detox from the ciggies.
Frankly, I’m surprised that Boss keeps that accountant on. And assistant childcare director will have actually to do things soon when she officially becomes the childcare director.
I am so proud of you for doing this quit! It’s Day 6 or 7 now!!

Lav, my daughter is very take-charge when it comes to her parenting and trip-planning, etc.. But her HB is an engineer, and so precise and orderly, and he understands how things work and how one thing interacts with another. Whereas D1 is more like, “Spills happen / messes happen / accidents happen; it’s all ok…” That’s where they clash.
I like Swedish meatballs. We had that for dinner when I was growing up served with egg noodles and a gravy. It didn’t end up being a family meal that I served my family though, because ex-HB was so fussy about everything, and he didn’t like those.

Take care out there in our icy, blowing-a-hooley weather!

[Lavande]

Greetings friends,

Currently 30 degrees, going down to 24 Brrr. We’ve had a few wind gusts today taking down parts of trees around the corner. Staying busy doing this & that here, always something to do if you force yourself to haha!

Slo, welcome back but what a weather whiplash for you!
I understand the mentality of an engineer. A friend of ours has the habit of correcting everything you do or say. It irritates YB so much he’s currently not speaking to the friend. &that’s not good because they’re in the middle of a project for our water system, ho hum. They’ll get over it someday I hope.
I’ve never met anyone who didn’t like Swedish meatballs. Your ex must have had a weird childhood or something. My grandsons will eat tons of them, Lol
I hope the snow doesn’t keep up or last too long. People need to be out shopping for the holidays right now.

PQ, is this day #7? A full smoke free week? Thinking of you!

Hello to the rest & wishing a good night for all!
Lav

[Slo]

Weather whiplash indeed! But I am fortified for it now.

The red light bed that I am now using for my treatments is wonderful! I go in it (like a tanning bed) for 12 minutes at a time, three days per week. It, like, makes up for not getting any sun in the dead of Winter.
The brain wave treatments (also 3x/ week) that I am getting for anxiety, depression, and complex PTSD are also making a big difference! I feel much more calm, have more energy, and am sleeping much better. I am hooked to electrodes in my head, have special glasses on that have pulsing lights (maybe like EDMR therapy?), and listen to sounds through earplugs for a half hour.

An engineer would be a good person to partner with for working on a water system. Hopefully he & YB can take a break from each other for a bit, and then get back to it.
Ex-HB doesn’t like things with onions in them.

I stopped by to see my Huxley for a bit on the way home from my appointment! I can enjoy their Christmas tree and decorations too. I’m not putting anything up this year. I am maxed out on just getting through the basics as a big feat, before my left foot and right knee have had too much.

Hope Mick had a good travel and visiting day today, and got lots of money too.

One more day, PQ! Then the weekend. Oh, I hope you are hanging in there!

[Lavande]

Happy Friday the 13th!!!!!

So far so good today, haha! It never warmed up today, high temp was 34 degrees, heading down to 23 overnight. My cats better get their fuzzy butts inside soon Lol
Baked whole wheat rolls this afternoon just because I didn’t feel like doing the stuff I should have been doing, typical of me.

Slo, glad to hear you’re getting some good results from your therapies. Don’t worry about the Christmas stuff, it can wait until next year. We didn’t bring a whole lot up from the basement either this year. I do hope YB & his friend can put their differences aside to complete that job they started. Old men can be soooo grumpy haha.

Well, Dave just made an appearance & yawned in my face -
IMG_7395.jpg
Lord, help me haha!!!

Hello to all & wishing a good night for everyone!
Lav