how about drinking?

illimae

Hi Cami, nice to see you 😀

NM, I forgot to ask earlier, what subject/topic are you teaching your class?

Goldie, you’re going on vacation right? Where to? Sorry, my memory is fuzzy on this.

MemaSue, how are you? (Ha!, it rhymes)

Jazzy, love the pics, I’d piss myself in a hot air ballon though, not for me!

goldie0827

Ok, I'm back! Saturday was a bad bad day. Cried pretty much all day and I couldn't even tell you why. Cried myself to sleep Friday and Saturday night. Oy vey!

Jaybird, I wonder if you could do the chemo I'm on, Xeloda? A former loungette did it as her first form of chemo, no IV chemo at all. As for a port, they really aren't all that bad. Be careful with that house cleaning and yard work, you do NOT want to over do things.

NM, the pool floaty from a few days ago, looks devine. Now to jump in and have one of our hot Tattie Tenders cater to me for the day! Glad things are going well at the other office. And yay for the teaching day and a bigger class. The toilet floaty, too funny!

Jazzy, you are getting lots done. I saw your pictures and loved the blue hat on you. Man, it's getting hot fast. I hope we don't have a spring/summer like last year. My garden didn't fare too well, getting hot early on and then late monsoons. One only has one chance at a garden. Not like you can redo it, have to wait until next year.

Ha ha Sandy! I didn't see a thing down in that hole!

Cami, it's so good to see you. Jaybird is an original, posting back when this thread started. I know her name, but perhaps she may not want to share. Do you care to tell us what your surgery was about. Sorry to hear about your cousin. Is Leslie done with her surgeries? I remember her having some complications.

My mom is doing ok. She is still bugging my brothers constantly to bring this and that. Hounded my one brother for a perm, finally got it and she doesn't like it! Was asking my other brother to bring her a curling brush and make up! Neither of which she used at home when she was there! One of the things that had me down is my DH. Good grief, having terminal cancer for 3 years is no biggie, but having pain in his back and leg...why you would think the world is coming to an end. He is having trouble walking, even with the cane. But I think he really plays it up. Moaning and moapy face that looks like his chin is going to hit the ground. And sometimes I think he looks at me to make sure I am looking at him and his agony. This was one of my issues on Saturday. And we are having business issues, someone that we were helping, that is just getting worse and then my mom. This year has just been one big stress issue, going on 5 months now. I wonder if that is contributing to my rising TM's. Considering taking a break from the FU pills while in MI. My feet hurt so bad, and the bad spots just take forever to heal. Oh, and then I have our Taiwanese friend coming Friday with her niece and BIL. He may be interested in buying the business. However, that's 3 extra people I have to cook and clean up after. They will be here until Monday morning.

CeliaC

Hello to all and greetings from the sunny shores of Isle of Palms! Vacay at last! Great to see DD & Liv who flew down from NYC.

Happy to see Cami back here - hoping you feel a bit better everyday.

Chi- Had an Aperol spritzer in your honor on Sat. at one of the local restaurants. Forgot how refreshingly delicious they are.

Just returned from an hour + 15 min walk on the beach. Would be soooo easy to get my exercise if I lived here. May give Yoga on the beach a try tomorrow. Greasing up with sunblock again to put the bathing suit on & go flop in the beach chairs under the umbrella.

goldie0827

Hey Ill, we bumped each other into the pool. Not a vacation. Going to MI to go through my mom's house. It will be surrendered in August when summer taxes are due. But you enjoy your vacay! The only way it will be a vacay for me, is I won't have to look at my moapy DH! And watch him struggle to get around and all the moaning.

ChiSandy

Gordy is winging his way back from NOLA, where he enjoyed Jazzfest (the last two days of which he was joined by his honey). Suffered a setback when he and his colleagues had to dissolve the improv troupe they founded—the first blow came when they had to give up their theater when the new landlord more than doubled the rent (to the company's entire operating budget); the mortal blow came when the theater where they've been doing just their weekly show also raised its rental fee to more than the usual take at the door. Since it's a 501(c)3, they have to find a similar NFP to whom to donate the remaining capital, or form a new one but without the wherewithal to operate on its own. Meanwhile, he's been doing PR writing for a music marketing firm, which does carry a paycheck. But not enough to finance his planned move-out in July to a place of his own. (A pre-req. for moving in with his his gf, since he's never lived on his own and she wants to make sure he has those skills so the skills so the responsibilitiesdon't all fall on her head).

ChiSandy

Last meal in Boston (if you don’t count leftovers in the room for breakfast) was at Terra, the sit-down restaurant inside Eataly. (Every city’s Eataly has different restaurants). We had a Chef’s Tasting menu with pairings. Started with an Aperol Spritz (bigger than those I make and nearly as good):

In the foreground was a sparkler from Emilia-Romagna, which we had with our appetizers & salad. Here’s the bottle:

With the pasta course, a Soave:

And with the main course (wax beans & pork chop), an unusual pairing: Dogfish Head “Saison” Belgian-style red ale:

Finally, with (and on) dessert, an Amaro (notes of dark cherry & creme brûlée):

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Twofer Tuesday! Had an interesting morning at work yesterday. All of a sudden the office, or more accurately a Clinical Manager and a co-worker, are talking about how overloaded and busy everyone is and how valuable the help of the per diem staff is, and can I be talked into working 4 days a week so I can still be 3 days a week at the main office and still help the other office 1 day a week. The other per diem nurse had to work 5 days last week and it was too much. They need me to help introduce the new nurse to the facilities and home patients she is going to be taking over, eventually, by doing joint visits with her starting next week. I had all I could do not to laugh in their faces as I pointed out that I will continue to work 3 days a week as that is what I can handle with my health issues, that I'm helping out in the other office as they are even worse off than the main office and because every week I've been hearing there may or may not be work for me, and I cannot help next with at all as I am teaching. And if the new nurses are close enough to trained to start being introduced to the patients and facilities they will be taking over then there will be even less for per diem staff to do very soon, and the other office will need significant help during the summer when staff start going out on vacation. In other words, in a very nice and professional way I told them I had made arrangements to go on without depending on the main office and they now will have to compete for my time. I could sense the confusion and disappointment that they didn't get the response from me that they wanted. I loved it! Then to top it off a friend of mine who has been struggling to find work messaged me that she got an interview for just the kind of job she's been looking for! Nothing like a day of good news!I couldn't wait to get home and tell Sadie all about it!

Cammy--glad to hear you are feeling a bit stronger. Yup, Sadie has me well under control. I'm glad Leslie got through rads, that can be so hard no matter what a piece of cake it's made out to be. And for Marty and Joanne to have been sick, you've really had your hands full. Don't worry about ketchuping, just poop in and say hi!

Illi--the class I teach is a review class for the RN licensing exam that all nursing school graduates have to take to get their Registered Nurse License. Needless to say there is a lot of anxiety around this test!

Goldie--Sorry to hear you had such a hard day. Good to cry when you need to, though. Did you know that when we cry because of stress and upset that stress hormones like cortisol are excreted in the tears? When we cry from pain or happiness that doesn't happen. So having a good cry really does make a difference, chemically as well as emotionally. And absolutely you need to have a day of massages and tending to by our Tenders! Maybe instead of a percotini fountain we need a Prozac fountain by the pool. Your Mom wanting things brought to her is a form of control--she doesn't have as much control over her life as she did at home, and she can't control the facility staff the way she can her family. One of the benefits of bringing her stuff she asks for is the limited space in a nursing home, eventually that stuff will get tossed to make room for other stuff, and thus begin a very slow and tiny decluttering process. I can't help but giggle when you talk about your DH. It does sound like he's playing it up a bit for you. I've heard that med will do that. And having business issues on top of it all, no wonder you are feeling stressed. Maybe a break from chemo is in order. I hope the Taiwanese visitors will bring some fun and good visiting time.

Celia--So wish I was there with you! Sounds like a wonderful place to vacay!

Goldie--that's going to be quite the trip to clear out your Mom's house. I hope you have some help. Do you stay at her house or do you stay at a motel/hotel? I would recommend a motel/hotel, having someplace to go to get away from the mess of cleaning out a house is an incredible luxury. When I was helping my cousin clean out her mom's place we used our Aunt Libby's house next door for that. A hot shower in a clean bathroom after lugging and emptying and sorting through dusty and cigarette smoky stuff was heavenly. Getting up in a clean environment was a great lift, too.

Chi--Too bad Gordy is going through all that. But, that is life, and better he learn to deal now than later, I suppose.His GF sounds like a wise woman. Oh, my that meal and pairings!I wish I was there!

Countess Bunty Rothschild's DOTD

camillegal

Good Morning Ladies,

Kim u crack me up---for someone who has lessened ours u keep so busy, but I'm especially gad to hear u teach, cuz ur the type of person they need to teach, now if u could teach ur compassion that would be the top.

Oh Lori I agree with Kim, I think u needed a true cry. There is so much ur taking on and then to live with ur DH not well is doubly hard for u. And Im sure going to MI is just laying on ur head and u'd better have plenty of help, there is so much in a house that is forgotten and cleaning it out is beyond thinking about it. Please just do what u can but u know ur limits and follow that. Ur poor feet have to hurt like hell, they even look like it. Lori I didn't get an operation Marty did about his nerve in neck, so he's off for maybe another week. I've missed so muc I didn't realize u wanted to sell ur business, I hope that all works out for u in all ways. Lori I think the name Janice, or Jan comes to mind.

Ill u sound good, that's always nice to hear.

Sandy great pics, I always get hungry and thirsty reading ur posts. I'm sorry Gordy is having a setback right now, hoping everything gets figured out and Leslie and his plans can go the way they want. She does sound like a sharp woman, he''s lucky.

Jazzy u must be busy now,,,which is a good thing. I think ur ready to get going on some things and I hope its what u want.

Leslie is not done with all of her operations yet, but she needs to get stronger and now she has started thise menapause meds...CHIT...we thought it was bad before, we're all hiding now. I hope to be able to go back to work next week, I still feel weak and sleep more than I should but I can't stay awake very long at one time yet, but everyday it's a little better. Oh well.

LUBS U ALL

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes! Waking up to a foggy Wednesday ayem. The fog will burn off quickly once the sun's well over the horizon, though. Today is my day at the other office, one stop shopping, all the visits in one facility. Got a little more than a half day at the main office yesterday, but some beautiful driving. Can't wait until next week when I'm all in one place teaching again! It would be just perfect if I could take Sadie to school with me. But I'll be getting home a lot earlier than usual so we WILL get some walks in, even if only short one.

Cammy--It's funny how there always seems to be something to fill the time! So sorry to hear that Leslie is struggling with the menopause meds, those can be real ba$tarrd$ tolive with. Don't worry too much about sleeping more, the body does it's healing work during sleep.

Just a reminder to those of us with fur babies--the HTL has a doggy park, and the doggy park has its own attendant:

Countess Bunty Rothschild's DOTD:A tribute to the fur babies in our lives:

1. The Greyhound

1.5 oz vodka

3 oz grapefruit juice

Fill a glass with ice and pour in your vodka. Add grapefruit juice. Stir. Then garnish with a lemon or lime wedge.

2. The Salty Dog

1.5 oz gin (or vodka, depending on your preference)

3 oz grapefruit juice

Rim a glass with salt and fill the glass with ice. Add booze and grapefruit juice. Garnish with a lime or cherry if you're feeling fancy.

3. The Salty Chihuaha

The exact same drink as the Salty Dog, but with tequila as your booze. Garnish with lime or grapefruit, depending on what you're into.

4. The Pomeranian

1.5 oz pomegranate vodka

2 oz grapefruit juice

1 tbsb honey

Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a glass full of ice, and then garnish adorably with a bit of mint.

5. The Bloodhound Martini

1/3 oz Gin

1/3 oz French Vermouth

1/3 oz Italian Vermouth

Shake well, and strain before drinking. Add strawberries as garnish afterwards.

6. The Great Dane

2 oz. gin

1 oz. cherry brandy

1/2 oz. dry vermouth

1 tsp. kirsch

Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Pour all ingredients and shake. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon or lime peel. [Editor's Note: There's also a version of this with aquavit, if that's more your jam.]

7. The Bulldog Smash (difficulty points awarded)

Half a lemon

Half a peach, pitted

6 to 8 Fresh mint leaves

1 tsp sugar cane syrup

2 oz bourbon

.75 oz Cointreau

In a shaker, muddle your lemon, peach, mint, and sugar cane syrup. Add the bourbon and Cointreau. Fill your shaker with ice. Shake, strain into a glass, and fill that with crushed ice. Garnish with an extra sprig of mint for fanciness points. [Editor's note: We're exhausted just writing this down. We hereby award bonus points to anyone who actually makes this delicious thing.]

8. The Asta Collins (editor's pick!)

2 oz. vodka

.5 oz. lime juice

1 oz grapefruit juice

.5 oz. simple syrup

.5 oz campari

Shake, strain, and top with soda water. Then garnish with a lime wheel for a touch of class.

This one is a riff on the Astor Martini and is named after Asta, the wonderful dog in The Thin Man (a hilarious, fast-talking movie made right after Prohibition ended — so the cast is drinking or hungover in every single scene). If you haven't seen it yet, we insist that you do.

9. Houndstooth

1.5 oz gin

.75 oz endive syrup

.5 oz fresh lime juice

Dash of celery bitters

Splash of club soda

Shake all ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into a glass also full of ice Top with a splash of club soda. We have no idea why this one comes with a food hat, but it does. We excluded that part of the recipe, but if you're super interested in a drink that comes wearing a tiny boat of endive, basil, and cherry tomatoes, you can get the full recipe here.

10. The Regal Beagle

1 ½ oz vodka

2 lime wedges

1 tsp. honey

5 oz grapefruit juice

Splash of dry white wine

Muddle lime with honey and add ice. Pour grapefruit juice over the top and add a splash of wine. Stir a bit. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

camillegal

Good Morning lovely ladies,

Wow it's quiet in here, hope all good things are happening, or at least OK things. I was just browsing my FB and what pics. I saw on there, beautiful scenery, mostly from the west of US. Oh we do have some beautiful skies here too but now like there.

I talked with my cousin <Joanne> yesterday and I feel so sad and scared. When she was in the hospital she crashed 7 times, what an attitude she has and she was worried about me. She is now wearing an electric thing on her for her heart so none of this is good. I can't see her now at all I don't want to bring any of my germs there, so we just talk as often as she feels like it. Believe me she always sounds so good too, u'd never know and we still LOL. she's amazing.

Right now it's storming here, I don't know if this is an all day thing or just for the morning, but it's awfully dark.

I'll be back later to see what's going on here, cuz all I'm doing is complaining.

LUBS U ALL.

ChiSandy

Long day yesterday--Bob got out of his course at 3:30, and it was too early to go to the airport, so we had a late-ish lunch at Legal Sea Foods (too chilly for Luke's Lobster, which lacks either a liquor or even BYO license). With my lobster roll I had a glass of Sancerre. Saved a bit on the cab to the airport by using a van-share, and traffic wasn't bad at all. Short flight to Baltimore, where our connection was 40 min. late. Even with a change of terminal we had plenty of time, and we were hungry & thirsty. So, when in Baltimore...cherchez les crab-cakes (at the only sit-down restaurant in the terminal). DOTD for that? A split of Domaine Chandon.

Got home just before midnight, only to be greeted by very hungry kitties. So before even hitting the loo (much less checking mail, messages, or unpacking), we hauled out the Friskies & fed them. Speaking of unpacking--couldn't open Bob's suitcase. The usual combination didn't work. Number wheels must have been nudged before clicking the zipper pulls into the slots. Uh-oh--trip to the luggage store today? Bob was unconcerned...but for the bottle of rosé and half a bottle of bourbon packed inside. (He says the TSA must have x-rayed it, saw two bottles, opened it with their passkey and then messed up the number wheels. Whatever).

So I immediately hit the Web to find out what to do about breaking in to that brand & model of suitcase (Rimowa Salsa Air). There were the usual "take it to the shop" and "pry off the luggage tabs and then get them replaced" suggestions; but then I saw the old "safecracker" or "locker-room thief" tip--push the unlock lever in the opposite direction from the usual unlock direction & hold it, and turn each number wheel a full revolution till you feel a slight release in the lever. Repeat until all three wheels are released, then push the unlock lever in the usual unlock direction. Voilà...then memorize the new combination. Remember that the next time you get locked out of a combination-lock-zipper suitcase. You're welcome.

Stormed overnight and this morning (including hail). Sun came out, and storms held off until I had all my errands done. Heavens opened up again a couple of hrs. ago for about 30 min., and the weather should be fine...until I have to drive to Madison on Fri.

Jazzygirl

New music discovery! Even better news, they are here in my city on the 21st!

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes! Another beautiful, sunny morning, going to get out and see if I can till up the garden beds in the yard today. Mom wants to borrow my little electric rototiller to till up her gardens, too. Speaking of Mom, she wound up in the Emergency Room yesterday afternoon. She had a tummy thing going on last week, with nausea and vomiting and some stomach muscle pain, it blew over after 2-3 days, no one thought too much of it. She'd been eating romaine lettuce and there is a stomach bug going around. Yesterday it started up again, so she made an appointment with her doctor's office (of course, HER doctor doesn't work or Wednesdays), got seen and sent to the ER to have a gall bladder ultrasound. She's had "gravel", small gall stones, in there for years, but since they weren't causing any trouble everyone left them alone. Now it looks like they are causing trouble and will need to be taken care of. I'm going to see her this after noon and see if I can get more details directly from her. They let her drive herself home so things can't be too bad. Nothing like family to keep things interesting. On top of it all my phone battery had died, so I didn't get most of this until after it was all over. Dick was frantic, Mom told him not to come to the ER. If I'd known all that was going on I would have gone and stayed with Dick. Instead I obliviously spent a fun evening with some friends for dinner and wine.

Sadie made me give her an extra 10 minutes of ear scratches and belly rubs at bedtime to make up for not coming home between work and dinner last night, but then she forgave me and we had a lovely sleep in this ayem!

Cammy--that sounds very scary about your cousin. Hopefully it will turn out to be something manageable. It must be hard to not visit, even though that is the best thing. Hope the storm blew over quickly.

Chi--Is it possible to get a TSA passkey to open the suitcase with? Or is that what the luggage store trip is for? Oh, wow, you found a solution! Amazing what you can find on line these days! Glad you missed the hail, that stuff hurts when it hits!

Jazzy--Woohoo!

Countess Bunty Rothschild's DOTD:

Galliano Daiquiri

Ingredients

• 3/4 oz Galliano
• 1 oz Gold Rum
• 1/2 (Juice of) Lime
• 1/2 oz Sugar Syrup

Shake briefly with a glassful of crushed ice, and pour into a frosted cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice of lime, and serve.

Best served in a Cocktail Glass.

Dara_Diverse

Hi girls,

well holy the cow, it looks like it's been a month since i have logged in here, geez, shame on me. Hope you are all well as can be. Nothing new here, still looking for a damn job, hiding in the rabbit hole does not help.

I have a lunch date with a former coworker. I let him borrow an air pump just before I got laid off and did not have his contact info. He ended up finding me on facebook and sending me a message that he wants to buy me lunch to thank me for lending him the pump and also get it back to me so off I go.

Miss you girls, praying for all of you daily and wishing you all happiness!

cheeRs from Kansas!

ChiSandy

"Tour de España" winemaker dinner at Cellars tonight. Aperitif was a Mesta Verdejo (white). With the scallop appetizer, Cava YA "Cuvee 23" Brut. With ham & egg salad, Guitan "Sobre Lias" old vine Godello (also white). With glazed pork belly, an un-oaked "El Jeffe" Grande Tempranillo; with duck leg confit, the same grape, only oaked and aged, as Senorio de Cuzcurrito RIserva Rioja Alta. Finally, with churros for dessert, an unusual selection: a bone-dry and no-tannin tinta (the grape usually made into the sweet and fortified Port) from Bodegas Fontana.

No photos--too busy eating, drinking and conversing with our tablemates.

Jaybird627

Hey Gals!

And, Happy Friday! (It's after midnight here in the Midwest...)

The BIG news to celebrate is that my drains (3!) come out Friday!

It's been a long 2 weeks with drains. UGH!

Seeing my onco Friday and will decide (?) on my next step.

Normally I'm a wino but for some odd reason scotch is my drink for now.

illimae

congrats jaybird! I had a stubborn drain that stayed in for 5 1/2 weeks, I cannot adequately express how much I hated it, the doc said I was just too “juicy”, lol

I may have had too many margaritas last night, I’ll know after I’ve had coffee.

Vacation is off to a beautiful start. Today will be mostly a beach day, yay! Not sure if I mentioned it before but I seriously wanted to be a mermaid when I was younger, still do really.

goldie0827

NM, I think you got the ball rolling at work with the overload. And I do remember you telling us about the crying and releasing endorfins. Love seeing the dog park and all the dog park cocktails. Who would have thunk that lettuce could cause one to be sick. Please don't feel guilty about not being there for your mom. It all worked out fine and you had an enjoyable evening. I think alot of that lettuce came from AZ.

Cami, I am so sorry for everything you all are dealing with, good grief! Praying that the upcoming surgeries for Leslie go well. What set you back, if you didn't have surgery? So so sorry about your cousin.

Sandy, locking suitcase? What if TSA wants to get in it? Pfft, I asked before continuing to read. Glad you got it opened. I often reply as soon as I read something, to avoid forgetting things!

Jaybird, drains "be gone". They are a PITA aren't they.

Ill, too juicy? That's funny. Enjoy your beach days. As for me, I'm suppose to stay out of the sun. Besides, I can't hardly keep my eyes open, too sensitive to the sun, thank you FU pills. Even sunglasses don't help much.

Hey there Wacko!

My mom has her "area" in the nursing home a mess already, with everything she is asking for. She won't get up and get or do things for herself, therefore she wants everything with in reach. I better have some help cleaning out the house. I am a little disappointed that my brothers really haven't done anything there to get rid of stuff. Guess they are waiting for me? I will be staying at her house. My brother has some new sheets for the bed, and will make sure it's aired out well. I usually stay at my other brothers house, and I rent a car. Car rental is more than my plane tickets. I don't want to have to drive back and forth every day, and don't want to have to wait for my brother to take me there. Here at home, I have to do EVERYTHING. The shipping guy we have is gone for a week, so I have to pack all of the orders, take him for his appointments, normal stuff in the house, all of gardening, 3 guests coming today until Monday morning, so cooking and cleaning up for extra peeps. Stuff with my mom. Just never ending right now. DH telling me if he's not better by the time I am to go to MI, I will have to cancel. I don't think so. He can't drive cuz the pain is so bad. Can't even do PT. Stopped the chiro. Going for pain management Tuesday and urologist to find out about the kidney, which he really doesn't think is anything. Doc put him on Dexamethasone and Hydromorphone. He hasn't been sleeping, but finally did last night.

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy TGIF day! Sadie and I wound up having a lazy day yesterday. Talked with a lot on the phone with lots of friends and with Mom, lots of belly rubbing, and napping in the sunshine. Got a lot more energy today, got a list of things to do that's already been redone by Miss Sadie, who decided today was the day to evict a family of mice from the gas grill on the deck. She's done her part, Mommy Mouse, Daddy Mouse and at least 3 Baby Mousies have been moved along, so I need to clean out the nesting material, get the grill cleaned off, and get the grill fired up and run for 15 to20 minutes to sanitize it. About time to start grilling again anyway! Sadie likes when I grill, she gets lots of extras, either cuz I drop stuff (cuz she is bumping me) or cuz she steals stuff when I'm not looking. It really is a challenge living with a doggy as smart or smarter than I am!

Dara!! Been thinking about you and wondering if you were in the rabbit hole or just busy with life. Hmm, suppose anything more will come from the lunch with the former co-worker besides getting your air pump back? Might be interesting! Be sure to come back and report!

Chi--wow, what a selection of wines you got to taste!

Jay--Hooray for drains coming out!Any amount of time with drains in is long and challenging! Sometimes wine just doesn't cut it for the stress reduction, and a good stiff something else is needed. We all go through different seasons, you just happen to be in the scotch season. Are there differences in scotches the way there are in wines or other drinks?

Illi--I only had 2 glasses of Raspberry Riot wine the other night, but that plus working that day, plus Mom going to the ER must have made for a lot of stress or something, I did not sleep well the other night and was so tired all day yesterday. The Raspberry Riot is a red, and I've been drinking pretty much roses and whites, so maybe that's the difference. But they sure tasted good! Ahhh, look at that sand, and look at the green of the water, so beautiful! Where are you? Or are you not telling till you get back?

Goldie--I think I mayhave helped get the ball rolling at work regarding the overload issue. Some of it, from one nurse, is just her trying to be manipulative and trying to make herself look good. She did not have to reschedule her child's appointment, she could have worked a half day or said "no" and not worked the extra day at all. It has become so clear to me that she wants to be part of the management team, and is buddied up with one of the Clinical Managers as part of a plan to make that happen. She and that Clinical Manager don't see that others are catching on. I worry about what is going to happen to the quality of care as the best of the staff move on or cut back on hours and fewer "old hands" are left that can deal with all the complications and craziness and emotional drain that this job requires if people are going to get quality care. BUT, not my circus, not my monkeys, time to stay focused on me and keeping myself in a place where I can provide quality care and let the system take care of itself. I can picture your Mom in her space at the nursing home. I've visited people who had to have everything in reach, and in just a certain spot, and know the staff get used to it after a bit, and know where everything goes. And the mess she has in her area now is NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. That is now 100% between her and the nursing home. As far as getting started cleaning out the house, my experience has been that med simply do not know how to do that. It always seems to fall on the daughters, or daughters-in-law, or other female relatives, unless it's contracted out to a cleaning company. It's really helpful to have a few burly guys around to do the heavy lifting and lugging, but they will need to be directed. So, yeah, they are probably waiting for you. Has the cause of DH's pain been identified? It seems like the cause should be known by now. But at least he's seeing a pain management specialist and that should be a big help. The focus will turn from stopping the pain to maximizing functionality. He'll feel a lot better when he finds ways to do everyday things again and how to live with what is left of the pain.

Countess Bunty Rothschild's DOTD:

Sandy Beach Drink

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Rum, coconut
• 1 splash Grenadine
• Fill with Orange Juice
• Fill with Pineapple Juice

Mixing Instructions

Fill a collins glass with ice. Add coconut rum, and fill with equal parts of orange juice and pineapple juice. Top with a splash of grenadine.

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!

I'm going to be in the pool at the swim up bar for a while letting Jock and Pants coddle me!

goldie0827

NM, PT gal thinks it's "stenosis", not sure if I'm saying that right. Explained to him the discs are like jelly donuts, and when he leans forward or bends, the jelly is leaking from the donut. Also the openings within the spine, between the discs, his are closing up. Not sure if any of this makes sense, explaining the best I can, from what I remember! Amazing the places those little critters can get in to! As for moms house, most of it will just be left there, and the bank can deal with it. I really want to get her some of her clothes, and of course any personal pictures. I'm going to get with one of my son's friends, she does garage sales, so going to see if she wants to take anything in there and sell and then just give us a percentage of the sales, as she will be doing all the work. Not sure how much to ask for, 10%, 25%? She could even do it at moms, something like estate sale, but the inside of the house smells, mostly of urine. Even tho she has not been there in months, the odors are in everything, walls, carpet, furniture, EVERYTHING!

I beilieve Ill mentioned going to Florida.

My guests are here. Lilians neice does not speak much English, so I feel bad for her, sitting there and all of us talking and laughing and she has no idea what we are saying. Cute young gal tho. Her BIL is also very nice, they are all very kind. We have met lots of her family. The BIL lives in Canada with his wife and 2 children. We have met her, and also another niece, sister of the one here now, her dad and an uncle and aunt. Had bought a pound of deli meat for sandwhiches, and I think only enough left for one more sammy! The reason for their visit is an interest in buying our business. Keeping fingers crossed.

Happy SaTURDay all!

illimae

Kickin’ back in Destin until Tuesday 🍹🏊♀️🏖

camillegal

Mornin''

Kim I'll meet u at the pool. Looks good. Wow u really have been doing things on top of it. I love the way Sadie takes care of critters, she's just like her mommy when it's time u just do it. And u certainly do.

Lori u have soooooo much happening. Ur DH sounds not so good. Do u tink he'll be in that much pain in a couple of weeks---usually things get better but he sounds just awful. How r u going to go to ur Mom's and do somuch. If u stay there u'll never stop, ur mind will keep going. U have to have big time help---this is just to much for you. Even if ur having a good week or so. U need help and I hope u insist on it. I know it's none of my business but is there money to get people to come in and do a big share of it if u supervise. This just can't be all on you, I know ur tough in a lot of ways, but this is overwelming to everyone. Please try to work things out and if need be just go visit ur mom. I know that's not what's in ur mind, but Lori u r number one for everybody.

Yay for getting drains out, it just feels good. Mine were in almost 3 months, my drs. were always telling me I was a PITA cuz of it. But when they finally came out it was freedom. So glad to hear they're gone and drink anyting u want tokeep on celebrating.

DARA, I thought u were working now. This must be really nhard for u. I'm so sorry. Joey practices te flute every chance he gets so he's still going with it too. But imagine, starting HS being in the band, oh he's got a lot to contend with, but he never had any interest in any sport, not even on TV. I see some bullying in the future, but I hope not. How's Cherl doing, I hope well.

Ill u sound good.

Jazzy I know u cut down on here, but I hope all things are going good. U can sure swim, tho---thats a fantastic fete u've accomplished. Jodie is getting a new pool soon, ole FF wants it, even tho he's still not working, but I did tell her to try to make it easier for me to get in. somehow, my legs are not good still and I couldn't work it last year cuz I really enjoy getting in the water and it's heated so that helps me too. We'll see.

My cousin got the script for portable oxygen now cuz she wants to leave the house, I don't know how but knowing her she;ll do it. <I pray so> Her grandson is having an opening for his restaurant next week, it has taken off like a rocket---Its call FRY THE COOP, in Oak Lawn, a little ride for us, oh maybe about 1/2 hr---but he's been on TV with it and they're so busy now they actually run out of food sometimes and we're so happy for him, hope it keeps up. He's in his early 30:s and he's another really nice man.

Sandy again u go to the best restaurants and everything sounds so yummy but I admit I've never eaten some of the things u talk about, I think I would now tho. I like hearing about ur cuisine but I admit I do like pics to see it.

I know Lori has company this weekend and hope she's doing OK with it.

It's raining here with some storms coming in today, don't know where tho---just hope not here. They sound not so good.

LUBS U ALL

Jazzygirl

Hi friends- wanted to pop in and wish everyone a happy Mother's Day weekend. I know some of you are moms with young children and also grown ones too. Some of you are pet moms, some of you are grandmas, some of you still have your moms and some of you are missing your moms (like me). And as I always like to say this time of the year, we are all mothers to the world (and also often to each other here on the threads). Here is to the mom's in all their various forms in this world. The world would not be a very good place without the nurturing energy of the female species, right?

It's a lovely sunny day here in the southwest and I was out early to an herb festival at a local nature center. Got some italian parsley, lemon balm, two kinds of mint and two kinds of basil. I use the herbs for cooking (and ice tea) in the summer time. I bet some of you are going to find me some drinks with these as garnishes! Home now and doing laundry and cleaning and watching Kevin Costner in Dances with Wolves (again). Hubba hubba.

Attached is a photo from the nature center today. Enjoy your day today and will be back again soon!

ChiSandy

Happy Mother's Day to you too! Bob's working, so Gordy will take me out for dim sum brunch. (My farewell to carbs again).

Bob spends a lot of time down in Oak Lawn (Advocate Christ) and Evergreen Park (Little Company of Mary), as well as one of his offices being on the Chicago Ridge-Hickory Hills border. So I'll ask him about Fry the Coop. (Does it specialize in chicken)? His faves down there are Baracco's, Petey's Bungalow, Louie's Chop House, Cooper's Hawk Winery, and Chi Tung (though a friend claims to have recently gotten food poisoning there).

Jazzygirl

ChiSandy- I LOVE dim sum. I had it for the first time years ago in Dallas when I lived in TX for grad school. There is only one place in my city that has it and have never been, but drove by it the other day and going to go soon. YUM!

Farewell to carbs, that makes me sad

goldie0827

Cami, my mom doesn't have any money. My brothers and I will take care of things, they will help me. I was just saying how they could be over there now doing some stuff.

Jazzy, any mint I have planted, I have pulled out. Too invasive! Some herbs can be that way too.

I am a mom, I have grandkids and blessed to still have my with us.

My back was killing me yesterday. Been working in the garden and cooking and cleaning for 3 extra people. I thought I would have plenty of left over for today's eats. NOT. They devour everything I make! And the niece doesn't eat beef. I have stuff I can cook, but it's in the freezer!

Happy Mother's Day ladies!

janky

Happy Mother's Day all!! I am fortunate to still have both of my parents - dad is almost 88 (September) and mom turns 86 May 28!! I am here in Georgia having a lovely visit with them, then off to Sarasota FL to visit with my son and his family next weekend, then home to 'sunny' Alberta', and reality. I won't be on the boards here much as my parents don't understand spending time on a phone or computer , so that's okay with me.

Wishing everyone health, happiness and healing xoxoxo

Jan

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Sunday Funday! Got to pack up all my teaching stuff today, and pick out 3 outfits to have ready. I am so excited to be doing another class. This group is going to be a challenge to get engaged, they graduated Friday and had their Pinning Ceremony yesterday, so they are going to be just wound, and so excited. I've got a few little games and things to help get them focused and keep the happy moodgoing. It should be a lot of fun. And it is going to be so nice to be getting home so much earlier in the afternoon than usual! Silly Sadie has been so helpful, she's listened to me practice the first 2 hours talk twice yesterday and no doubt will hear it again today, at least once. Now if I could just teach her how to ask questions like a student would, she'd be the perfect practice buddy!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers in the Lounge!

Goldie--Once that smell gets into a house it is so hard to get it out. It takes removing all the carpeting, linoleum, wall paper, furniture, and sometimes even the flooring. Leaving all the big stuff to the bank is a good idea, they have the monetary resources to hire a company to go in and clean it out and clean it up. Sounds like you have a house full! Glad the visit is going well, and praying the business buyout comes to a happy conclusion.Your description of spinal stenosis andwhat happens with the discs is great!When you add in that nerves come off the spinal cord and out through the discs on the way to other parts of the body you can see how they get squeezed and hurt.

Illi--What fun!!

Cammy--Nothing like a nice float in a warm pool with a cool drink, is there?Your cousin is getting portable oxygen? That's a lot easier to deal with these days then it used to be. Make it possible for lots of people to get out of the house again. The grandson's restaurant sounds like a great place! I pray he is successful for years to come. Will you be getting out to eat there this summer?

Jazzy--I so live getting fresh herbs and cooking with them. It's really fun to sneak some herbs into salads in the summer. The nature center is beautiful!

Chi--Have a good brunch, and can't wait to hear your or Bob's review of Fry the Coop!

Countess Bunty Rothschild's DOTD:

Romero and Julieta

For the Hibiscus Tea and Rosemary Syrup

1 sprig rosemary

1 cup granulated sugar

1 oz. dried hibiscus flowers

For the Cocktail

3 oz. hibiscus tea

2 oz. tequila

1 oz. rosemary syrup

1⁄2 oz. fresh lime juice

1 sprig rosemary, for garnish

Instructions

To make the rosemary syrup, combine sugar, rosemary, and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; cook until sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool, then strain.

To make the tea, bring hibiscus and 1 cup water to a boil over high heat in a small saucepan; cook 3 minutes, then let cool before straining.

To make the cocktail, combine tea, tequila, syrup, lime juice, and 1⁄2 cup water in a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake vigorously, then strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.

Teka

NM,