@MusicCandy @SadMe70 New place to communicate
@MusicCandy Hi! I decided it was easier to just start a new thread. I can't figure out the old one.
I am headed to my mom's tomorrow until Sunday night. Today is the fifth anniversary of dad's death. I couldn't get up there today, so it's the first time I won't be with her on the actual day. I won't be on here this weekend, so I'm writing this on Wednesday.
Yesterday I made my first trip to the mountains in a long time. I hiked to Mary's Rock. It was not crowded and was great weather. It was kind of funny hiking in a t-shirt with snow on the ground!
Today we are celebrating my DIL's birthday. The actual day is Saturday but I'll be at mom's. I am going to make the Korean dessert that I made for New Year's, since their dog ate all the leftovers and she didn't get to try much of it. Then I have some cleaning to do, and some errands to run, and then pick her up 45 min away because my son is here at work near our house. I'm going early enough to drop by my other son's house first to meet his new dog. He and his fiancee are adopting a 2 year old. I need to do laundry to prepare for my trip, and need to write detailed instructions for my pet sitters. I have an old note to work from, but I have a new lady coming one day and I need to make it extra-detailed for her. She is a pet sitting company, so it will cost me, but I need another person in my rotation of feeders. So it's a busy day today!
I am grateful for my spring break this week that allows me to do all these things. I spent the weekend doing very little because I knew the rest of the week would be very busy! I don't like getting home the evening before I have to go back to work, since I won't get laundry, shopping, or cooking done, but it couldn't be helped!
I hope the new thread works out, and that I tagged you correctly so you will see it!
I hope your week has gone well, and here's to five more years of messages to come!
Wow that IS big news. Maybe she is turning over a new leaf, or something. Staying at your house part of the time would save some money, but I don't know if she is planning to chip in on the expense or not .At least, you will have more time with them, and they should be really fun now that they are older. a lot of details, but time to get it all worked out. I pray it al goes smoothly, and bonus for getting the room cleaned out, and dare him to mess it up again.
The Ladies Tea was wonderful! We had 7 guests and a couple also who couldn't make it. I had barely set up enough place settings and tea cups. The lady I often spar with on decor, had some she let us use and it was so pretty seeing the china cups on the lace, It was as successful s it could be, for a change. The Vestry young lady will be great too, she is African American and we have another African American gentleman who came on and he was an engineer, both very smart. The make up of the Vestry is now more representative of the congregation, and that is good. I think it will be a better year overall.
Well, a patient popped up. We are trying to take a tour of a new Day support near us, so fingers crossed. More snow, grr. Have a relaxing time wit your mom and we will check back in later, my friend.
Hello my friend, I had a wonderful visit with my mom this past weekend. My sister and BIL came one night for dinner and games while I was there. I will be back again next month over my spring break.
Still waiting to book flights for my Korea trip. I checked prices and definitely need to do round trip instead of two one-way, so I need to be online with my son too book my DIL's trip at the same time so we can get seats together on her way over here. We will have to deal with getting seats together on her return later. They are dragging their feet though, as usual. They cannot afford to chip in on the rental house - just their airfare for 3 will be expensive. My mom and sister will both chip in though. Still, if I have to fly there twice, it will be an awful lot of money. I did my taxes this week, so I've got enough coming to cover my share of the house and one round trip flight.
No other news this week. Just doing my regular videos and my yoga class. I walked twice outside this week. I'm very glad I did, but boy was I cold both times! I have nothing much lined up for this weekend, so maybe I will do some cooking. My son and husband bought a quarter cow to share and picked it up yesterday. There is some stew beef so maybe I will make stew.
I'm so glad that the Ladies Tea went so well! Good also that the Vestry makeup has gotten more diverse and with good, smart new members!
Did you get to tour the new day support facility that is near you? I hope it was good! Fingers crossed!
We cheated and had chai on two extra days this week, but I'm going to make it again today anyway!
Have a good (and warmer!) week, my friend!
@SadMe70
I am thrilled to hear YOU HAD A GOOD VISIT, and a good week over all. I did too! This time the snow was so soft, it wasn't a big deal. It was pretty coming down outside my kitchen window. We only got a little over 3 inches and it brushed right off. I think we had an outside walk one day, and the other days a walk around the court at the gym. I got my permanent crown on, and had my annual with no real issues. We toured the Day support, and it is beautiful, lots of opportunities for her, and close to home. They even have a Special Olympics walking club, which would be so great for her.
I took home the 12 pages to fill out, gathered some other documents from her notebook, since I always keep everything . I'm taking all that in on Monday and get the ball rolling. I'm determined that this is the right place for her. I would have done t sooner if I had known how nice it is. Now knowing what you know who is going to do with Medicaid and the waiver, I feel the need for speed too.
Work was very busy last Saturday evening/ night but its OK for now. I plan to go to church tomorrow if it stays like this. Next thing at church is Shrove Tuesday, pancake supper. I will have to set up for that, but im mot flipping pancakes. someone else started it, so they can figure out who is going to cook a buncg of pancakes and keep them warm. I will make a pancake casserole though, I saw a recipe which is make ahead and then I can be on the floor helping out with other things. 10 months to go, and thankfully this is there is a good group in place now when my term is up.
Enjoy your chai, and I hope the trip starts to pan out so you don't go broke! I can't even guess how much that costs. I am just working to pay off my house and if no emergency happens, it should be around my birthday in September. so we both have something to look forward to. till next time, my friend.
Hello my friend, I am not feeling well. Spending the day resting. I will write more next week.
@SadMe70
So sorry, thank you for the quick note anyway. It sometimes takes a lot of effort to just log on and write a sentence, I appreciate your doing that for me. I am just so depressed about everything that is going on in Washington, I don't even have much hope, but I truly want some way out of this madness.
After the screaming match in the Oval office insults, ect., I was actually happy to see the UK prime minister give Zelensky a warm hug and supportive words. T. and E. make me sick.
I had an OK week, but not much change. We are waiting to hear back from the new Day Support. I know that will take several weeks, but we did our walks and some shopping at the thrift store, which Rachael loves. I honestly cant remember what else went on last week. I'm just glad its warmer. We have the Pancake supper Tuesday, and I bought a new grill since the last person put away a broken, dirty, scratched one in the box. I'm glad I checked it out beforehand. The lady who overdoes everything got to me again. She wanted to put out her fancy tablecloths, and i said, no, the meal will be messy with kids, syrup, ect. I already have plastic disposable I planned to use. She just turned on her heels and walked off. I will be very happy when my 3 years is over. I told them the very first day that I don't play well with others. The new young lady on the Vestry is taking the law boards, so she is MIA for now. I hope she jumps in soon, I'm getting tired.
Take care, get as much rest as you can, saying a prayer for you, my friend.
Hello my friend, I'm writing very late into the weekend, so you may not see this before next weekend. I rested all last weekend and felt a lot better. This week I have continued to have a lot of drainage and my head feeling bad, very much like allergies. I've done most of my exercising and ate pretty well. On Monday I got my first period since October, 126 days apart. Sigh. I was thinking I was maybe on my way to being done.
My DIL ramped up about two weeks ago, was just awful to my son. He ended up staying home from work one morning because she said she was going to a divorce lawyer and start divorce proceedings. He was supposed to have come to the US for a week in April for training, and his job gave that to someone else in case she did start a divorce, so that he can be there to deal with it. She said at the time that if she ever says anything nice to him in the future she is pretending. A few days later, she acts like a normal person again, says she loves him, etc. He does not know what to think or do, and I cannot help him. I think she may be bipolar or something like that. On the recommendation of the marriage counselor (that he is still seeing alone since she won't go), he made an appointment to be screened for depression. It seems he may likely go on meds to cope with the things she is putting him through, since she will not even acknowledge that she has any problem, much less get help for it. This breaks my heart all over again.
Last weekend she finally committed to buying airplane tickets for the summer, so I've bought mine as well and the trip is set up. Instead of feeling nothing but joy, I worry what else she will be putting my son through as she stresses about the trip (which he said she is already doing) and how many times she will say she has decided not to come. I am glad he will get a long break from her while she is here. I'm sure she will call/email to harangue him but at least it will be some break.
Ok, I will stop my ranting now!!
How did the pancake supper go? I absolutely love pancakes, but have not had them in quite a while. I hope it went well. Sorry that you had to buy a new grill! Ugh! Also ugh about the annoying lady. I know someone just like that, a parent of my older friend's son. I was glad not to have to deal with her at events anymore when they got out of school. I'm glad you stuck to your guns about the tablecloth - your way makes far more sense for a sticky meal like that! Is your new lady done with her board exams yet? I hope she is back and able to help again (and that she did well on the exams!).
That's it for me today. Sorry for the late message. I'm a mess lately, forgetting everything all the time. I hope you are well!
Hello my friend, I am writing in a more timely fashion this week! Nothing much to report though! I ate fairly well, and drank too much. I've started eating too many of my medjool date treats at night, rationalizing that that they are more healthy than the hershey kisses I used to eat every night. But of course they still have calories!
I walked three times this week! Once with my two friends for over an hour, and for 45 minutes twice by myself. I did my morning videos and my yoga. If I would stop overeating, I might lose some weight with that much exercise! The 5 pounds I had lost a couple of months ago came right back on around Valentine's.
School is going fine, and no new traumas from my son. That's really it from this end. How was your week?
I'm off to make chai!
Hello my friend,
It's the end of my spring break and I had a good week overall. Last weekend I went to Mom's and stayed until Tuesday. On Sunday we had our annual lunch in memory of dad, with my sisters, aunt, and cousin. I really enjoyed being with mom. I don't like leaving her.
We started working on cleaning all my husband's junk out of the bedroom my DIL will need to use this summer. I wanted it totally empty by tomorrow, and we barely scratched the surface. I am very frustrated by this. I just want to cart it all out and stuff it in his outbuildings and he can deal with it there, so I can get on with cleaning the room and setting it up for them. But he wants to pick through every box, and he only lasts an hour or so at a time. Grrrrrrrrrr.
I have started buying some things for my trip, hoping to make the long flight in economy seating go better. I got a travel pillow that was rated well for short people (goes around the neck to keep your head from bobbing forward but not too tall for short necks), a nice eye mask, and am considering a blow up travel footrest. My lower back gets sore just from sitting in chairs for a while, since my feet usually don't reach solidly to the ground. I feel like it might be overkill and will take up a lot of room in my bag, but I want to be as prepared as possible!
I did a little bit of exercise this week - three videos and a couple of walks with mom. The pollen is really getting to me so I'm not spending a lot of time outside. I did spend a little time cooking yesterday. Just one dish - a Mediterranean quinoa and chicken - but it's one I hadn't made in a while that I really like. I have not had any alcohol for two days - hoping I can make that trend last a while and see if I can lose some weight.
I hope things are well with you! I've finished my first cup of chai, and I'm going out to feed the goat before I drink the second cup. I can hear her yelling for her breakfast!
@SadMe70
As usual with us, some nice things and some VERY frustrating things during the week. I can absolutely relate to the cleaning out room. I am blue in the face about asking for the back deck to be finished, He has brought lumber in and waited until it rots and then has to take it to the dump. He says he keeps changing the plan. I see him downstairs in basement *** and hear the drill and I believe he is making some kind of storage cart to sort things, not get rid of them, basically spending months, years now just moving stuff around.
some progress on getting Rachael in the new Day support. Her Social Services case manager says they are working on a classroom placement. I started the process to get legal guardianship- again. The last 2 times, it was one issue after another. funy though, the Legal plan, from work seem to have matched us with an attorney that was in process before and I don't remember his role, but if so he at least knows something about what we need to do. I will contact him Monday.
Church dinner are, 2 more. The meeting with the young new Vestry member went really well. We are of the same sentiment on a lot of things that were not done last year. The weather was niceand we got walks in most days and the gym. I'm glad you had a nice time with your mom, and got some exercise in too. Rchel's birthday was Wednesday. Fiance and I will go to her Dads where she stays on weekends anyway on Sunday after I sleep some- for a little party. with Abi and Mark. Its better for her at home with less chaos around in a restaurant or play place. she gets excited opening cards an getting cash for Mc Donalds- fries!
So something to look forward to. I hope your travel preparations go as you want them to , comfort wise. with the eye mask, you can pretend to sleep! Good for you with the chai, and your hungry goat. Its spring and I hope it stays warm. till next time, my friend. O' almost forgot. I got an award at work for Volunteer of the Year, 2024. No admin people stayed on Friday to present it- the HR person said 'Administration told me to give this to you. The best part of it is a a 200 dollar Care Card for the shelter. It should have been $2000, but o well. I'm happy to get any help for them.
Hello my friend! First, I am so proud of and happy for you, Volunteer of the Year!! It's wonderful for you to be recognized - I know how hard you work and how much you care. How awful of admin not to have someone present it to you though - how hard is it to take ten minutes to show appreciation for someone who contributes so much? I'm glad of the care card for the shelter though. They will certainly find good uses for that money.
Not a very exciting week here. I did my morning videos and two walks outside. My meals weren't too bad, a few too many treats. But, I had no alcohol from Thursday of last week until a glass of wine last night. I got a crown put in Thursday morning. It's nice to chew on both sides again!
Today we are going to our son's house, for a joint birthday party for him and my DIL. I think her parents are coming too. I am picking up a German chocolate cake from the local bakery on our way. It should be a nice day!
Tomorrow I am going to a viewing for the daughter of a co-worker, who died last week at only age 36 after 8 years of cancer. It's way up in Woodbridge and I hate going to Northern VA but really want to support my friend.
On Thursday my husband had the lady who helps him with outside chores sometimes came in and they worked on the junk room. Definitely some progress, but so far left to go.
I hear you about the "moving stuff around." That's what he does out in his shed and workshop. He fills it up with stuff, then spends days "re-organizing." He puts loose crap in boxes that he won't look at for years, finds a place out of the way, and then he has a clean space to fill back up again.
I am glad there has been progress getting Rachael into the new program. It seems like it takes a very long time - I know you first mentioned it weeks ago. That must be so frustrating! I guess I was assuming that you had legal guardianship. Is her dad her guardian? I hope it goes well this time! I can only imagine what a frustrating process that must be also.
I hope Rachael's party was nice! It certainly sounds like it. I think a party at home with your family is the best anyway (like we are doing with my son today!). I'm with her on the McD fries - they are the best of any fries.
I'm finishing my chai and heading out to the animals - I need to be ready by 11 and haven't wrapped presents yet. My son already got a used tiller as his main present, and has already tilled and started working on his garden. I'm so happy that he's getting into that! His little present for today, requested by him, is an outdoor big stapler so he can work on repairing the fence around the garden. The gifts wanted by a homeowner are much different from those he wanted as a teenage boy!! My DIL wanted a pop-up one person mesh mosquito-proof pod so she can sit outside and read or enjoy the air without getting devoured. I actually looked at one last year for myself but decided I wouldn't use it enough.
I hope your week has been good, and congratulations again on your well-deserved award!
@SadMe
Thank you for the nice wishes and congrats on the award. my picture is in the newsletter and on the bulletin board near the lobby, and it actually isnt too terrible! I don't take to pictures like my daughters do and their Dad also- he always looks good in photos. honestly, i think my image in the mirror looks better than photos usually do. I am so glad you get to celebrate with a happy occasion this week-end. I know that it isn't perfect without the rest of your family, but sometimes we have to make the best of it. How are the plans going for the visit? It seems like a lot to put together, but you did it before so I know you can.
Still no update on placement for Rachael in Day Support. As for the guardianship, we never went through it legally. So its me as her SS Rep Payee, and that was sufficient for awhile, but as I get older, I need to get the legal stuff tied up. I hope it will be me and Abi -- their Dad is 82.
Its getting busy at work, so I have to close early -- I hope you have a wonderful birthday celebration. you give the best compliments!
Hello my friend, I hope this is not too late to catch you! Pretty uneventful week. Did my exercises and two walks (got rained out Friday). Ate ok and actually drank very little alcohol, up to yesterday when there was a baby shower at school and I ate a ton of sugar.
We are going to get some work done in the kitchen. The floor is linoleum and so pretty with little blue flowers that match my counter top, but nobody makes anything like that anymore. Apparently I am supposed to want brown, black, or gray in my already dark room (dark from being in the woods), and especially should want stone or wood looking stuff. Sigh. The floor has looked terrible for years but I've dragged my heels because, darn it, I want cheerful pretty little blue flowers. I settled on a blue vinyl floor and have no idea how it's going to actually look - it seems pretty dark too. Our three lower cabinets also need replacing - two have water damage and one is missing the door - so we picked those out last night. I spent hours today emptying a big floor to ceiling shelf unit and two of the cabinets. A guy is coming Friday to put in the floors and cabinets.
Not much else going on this end. I hope your week was good!
TEST
OK, SINCE THE TEST WENT THROUGH, I'll keep typing and hope for the best.
Good for you getting in your exercise and little alcohol. I am trying with the wine , but still more thsn the small glass that is my goal. I lso overdid it with the sweets. My 2 cpworkers switching hospitals left last week and of course there was a party. someone brought a 3 layer cake that was so good, and i'm not usually a fan of cake- but this one was delicious, and they left more than half of it at work and just me here. I did package up the last big piece to take home for fiance and Rachael, but i still had a lot.
Done with the church suppers, Thank goodness. Attendance went down every week, with my same amount of effort. I'm supposed to be off this commission at the end of the year so I'm already thinking about who I can beg to take it on next year. I don't even mind helping, but the rules are I cant be the Vestry person in charge after 3 years. It seems like a long 3 years in some ways, but then the Pandemic was also 3 years and that seems like a longtime ago now. There are still a few activities for the rest of the year, but not 5 weeks in a row like the ones in Lent.
I made contact with the attorney for Rachae'ls Guardianship, and he remembered meeting us, and is SO nice and helpful. It looks like this will actually go forward this time. Still no word on Day Support, checking in once a week. holy Week starting and i only have one service Thursday night that Im one of the readers. The Worship committee has more to do with taking care of the details all week, but I need a break anyway.
I know you will be happy to get the new tile, even if it isn't exactly what you wanted. New is always nicer. My kitchen and dining room tile is old now and needs to be replaced, but for me that's way down the list. I am down to almost 50,000 left on my mortgage and that is my first goal. It gets down quicker with my SS payment as extra income, but i'd be afraid to stop work now anyway with the chaos in the economy and disability benefits for Rachael. I'm just grateful for my health so I can work.
That's about all my news. hope you are having a relaxing week-end with the rain yesterday, and chai I hope. I have herbal tea if I can convince myself to brew it. I hope the tile and cabinets turns out GREAT!
