how about drinking?

Jazzygirl

Cami- this one is for you!

janky

Illi - I do hope your pipes are an easy fix The gym is usually a great place to spend time too! Enjoying red wine and beer tonight,

JCS - It is all about the 'small things' these days - enjoy!

Cheers! Janice

ChiSandy

Ilona, hope you don't have to replace the whole water heater. (They have shorter and shorter life expectancies now, alas).

Reheating the leftover roast chicken (only the breast now), spuds, peas & gravy. Been a hairy day. First, went to wash out my Ember coffee mug (a birthday gift from Gordy last year) and found that the enamel on the inside bottom had started to flake--exposing spots of the stainless steel core. It's out of warranty, of course. I went to the Ember site and read that the enamel is "food grade." Neverhtless, I e-mailed them asking if it was still safe to drink out of. No answer yet. If unsafe, I will order a new one.

Then, I got a call out of the blue from my bank that my music duo LLC's credit card (which I've never used and to which only my partner has online access for statements & payments) has an >$8K outstanding balance, and is 30 days past due with a min, pmt. of >$300! Turns out the WI accountant we use was swallowed up by a megafirm and jacked up its fees >100% since 2014 (they charge nearly as much for a 2-pg. return as my accountant does for one the size of a novel); and we're getting slammed with late fees & interest. (The bank is laughing all the way to itself). I called up my partner and he admitted it had gotten away from him, but that he had no idea that since the branch where the acct. is located in Madison, only he has access to the credit card account (though I do to the LLC's checking acct.) even though I have equal liaibility. (Whenever I go online to check my bank balances, all I see is MY card #--which has a -0- balance; I've never gotten a statement or notice until this morning's phone call).

So I had to transfer the past-due minimum payment amt. into the checking acct. so he could pay it. Bob & I need to meet with our financial planner to see how much I can afford to withdraw (with the least tax consequences) in order to zero out the card balance; and my partner has agreed to copy me on every bill & statement so we can stay ahead of this so it never happens again. Talk about getting something for nothing? We're paying a whole lotta something for nothing. Oh, and we have fired the LLC's accountant (DUH).

If that wasn't enough, my reading glasses arrived from Warby Parker--only a week after I was fitted for them. They are adorable. I put them on and...WTF??? They're worse than trying to read without glasses at all! I couldn't call my ophthalmologist's office...he's on vacation in Cuba. I was certain his optician wrote up an incorrect reading prescription because I told her I wasn't buying reading glasses from the office. I figured I ought to be examined by Warby Parker's optometrist to get a proper prescription, and forward the bill to BCBS. I called Warby Parker (maddeningly, you can't call the specific boutique, only Corporate, which looks up your acct. and makes appts. for you). The customer svce. agent made an appt. for me and told me that I should arrive early enough to have their optician look at the glasses and figure out what might be the problem--if it was filled as written, then I should go ahead with a new exam; but if it was a screwup at their end, they could remedy it and I could cancel the exam appt. at no charge.

Put on my coat, opened the back door to walk to the garage, and...the deck was covered in rapidly freezing slush & sleet. No way I was going to walk on that, much less attempt to drive on it. Went out front and called a Lyft. The driver reported that he'd been down in the Loop and the streets there had already iced-over. Got to the boutique--and sure enough, after measuring the lenses the optician found there was a transcription error (someone somewhere "in the pipeline" had flipped around the reading and astigmatism corrections written on my prescription). So he put in an expedited order for a pair with the correct prescription--and in the meantime adjusted the frames on all my progressives to make them easier for me to see through the reading-correction area without tilting my head or my glasses. Lyfted it back home rather than went for a coffee or a snack, as the sidewalks were beginning to slicken. Even the front steps and banisters were glazed over like a Krispy Kreme.

I told Bob last night that given the forecast, he'd better take his overnight bag--and if the streets down in Oak Lawn were to ice up, to not even attempt to drive to a hotel, but rather camp out on the couches in the doctors' lounge (and sneak into the residents' lounge to use their shower). RIght now, everything up here's coated with ice.

Tomorrow morning I have to be at the orhodontist at 11 am. Then hightail it back home, pack a bag, head downtown to the Drake Hotel for a wine tasting (we'll be staying overnight, and Bob will be getting the parking pass). It'll be my birthday, so Gordy's willing to go to dinner with us after the tasting (which is serving only cheese, crackers & nuts). The weather forecast for the morning (starting at about 34F) will be snow over frozen drizzle, changing over to all snow as the mercury plummets. Low of -4 tomorrow night. Must remember to keep some faucets trickling, and that the kitties' kibble bowls are full. (And not sure if my housekeeper will be able to make it in from her W. Side home).

So I'm gonna drink something, anything with dinner now. I need it.

illimae

Hi all, yup, we had to replace it and other than having help getting upstairs and into the attic, DH did it all himself. I’m happy to report that we have hot water.

Back to the gym all week and a funeral on Saturday, my first since diagnosis. It might be a bit odd, death looks different to me now.

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Hump Day! Temps are supposed to warm up today and another inch or so of snow coming today, supposed to switch over to rain overnight. Then freeze up again. Talk about a cold winter this year! Even Sadie is getting tired of the cold.

Jazzy--Those timeline pics of lunar eclipses are so amazing! Sounds like big changes at the current contract. It would make sense for them to keep you on for a bit, but in health care what makes sense isn't always taken into account in decision making. The trip to Cali sounds like fun..

Awww, so cute!And look, puppies, too!

Morning, Janky!

Chi--What a surprise the credit card notice must have been! And then the glasses, and then the ice glaze, and then the overnight forecast and tomorrow's plans, it's one thing after another! No wonder you need a drink!

Illi--so glad the hot water situation is fixed, hope it wasn't too much of a job. Funerals do look different after a diagnosis like bc, I've noticed.

Frozen Irish Banana Cocktail

Ingredients:

2 oz. Baileys Irish Cream

1-1/2 oz. Bacardi light rum

2 oz. Coco Lopez

1/2 cup of half-and-half

1 banana (diced and frozen if possible)

1/2 cup of ice

Nutmeg for garnish

1 strawberry halved for garnish

Shaved coconut to rim glass

Preparation:

In advance, rim the end of a chilled goblet with shaved coconut. Blend all the ingredients, except the garnishes, until the mixture is smooth. Pour into a goblet. Sprinkle the top with nutmeg, and garnish with half a strawberry.

camillegal

Mornin"ladies,

Ur eyes are beautiful any way it goes. I just this week saw the blink mascara ad on my FB...All of a sudden there are all kinds popping up.

Illi ur DH had to do the water heater alone??? oh those things are brutal to get them around, but he sure fin ished right away. I got a call around 6am for a new water heater to be put in. Ur DH saves a lot of money tho.

Oh JC it's wig time, well the good thing right now is it's not over heated simmer time. It will keep ur head warm. And they really have some cute styles now, just so it's comfortable...u'll barely know it's on.

Janky 4 beers, oh sometimes it's not enough but it's a good start.

Jazzy this one leaving really might be to ur advantage, I hope so. And then CA here u come...

Kim u weather is just as crazy, and we have a mixed beagle with those short legs, so this snow is hysterical when he goes off path to do some running, all we see is a little end of a tail. He's very cuddly but a barker.

Gee Jazzy I hardly noticed the puppies LOL

Holy Chit Sandy u've really had some stuff going on. I saw the weather for today and like u said snow, ice, snow ice...I'm sure it will make a difference where we live or those few degrees too. Dan was here last nite and told me the streets were a little icey, but walking was much worse. And to me that's what we have to think about now.

I think after dealing with cancer everything looks different, it's funny I never thought of this before <a little thing> but if anyone wants to talk to me now I always turn the TV off so I can give my full attention. I want nothing to interrupt the span of conversation. Well I always did that with Joey, but now I just do it....His date sounded like it was cute but no holding hands or even a little kiss. He said he doesn't want her to feel uncomfortable, another words he's to shy now. But his parents are to shy to talk to him about all these things, but I'm not so we did have a good conversation about girls and boys at this and the coming ages. My best advice always carry a book in front of u at school. He LOLed but thought it was pretty smart <hey he thinks I am still>

Well I didn''t sleep again last nite, so ick--I had diarrhea which I have had for a long time, so it knocked me out just like it used to and all I could think of was this better not be happening again. Even tho I take the opiods I still take peptoBismal but I didn't have any for 2 days so I got that right away, I drink it like water. recockulous.

LUBS U ALL

camillegal

janky

Wonderful Wednesday is here! I had an appointment In JUNE to check out a suspected hernia - got a call that they had a cancellation today, so yay.off I will go, then 3 month followup with MO tomorrow, Mild here in Alberta, hovering around 32, so not too bad!

NM - that DOTD looks scrumptious! Hi Sadie!

Chi - weather sounds atrocious, so much danger of falls, crashes and all that jazz. We fly thru Chicago on our way to Jacksonville in February, haven't flown that route for a while, hope weather cooperates..

Jazzy - right now California looks darn good to me! Your puppies are dang cute!!!

cami - I think I will join you with your wine wednesday 'glass'

illi, goldie, JCS, Lom, wiggin and everyone else - have a winning Wednesday - Cheers!

ChiSandy

Bob did make it home last night--he said the worst ice was walking from the parking garage to the dentist downtown. Had to cancel my orthodontist appt. this morning--saw the glaze of ice over everything and thought, "no way." Housekeeper is stuck at home--her side street wasn't treated. Our snow guy came by last night to de-ice, but it just keeps forming again. We had some more snow showers, but not enough to give traction. Tonight at 6 is our wine tasting (prepaid) at the Drake, and we were going to go somewhere nice around there for birthday dinner. But once I'm at the hotel, I'm not setting foot outdoors till I check out tomorrow. (The Drake has a restaurant--not the late great Cape Cod Room, but still continental and open for dinner till 1 am). Actually, what I'm most afraid of is the slow crawl down the stairs and into the street to get into a Lyft, much less with an overnight bag. (No way I can even get to our garage--Bob managed to catch a lull this morning while it was raining and hadn't frozen yet).

Yesterday's DODT was a 2015 Bogle pinot noir--I Coravined it.

MuddlingThrough

ChiSandy, enjoy the birthday celebration!

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy thirsty Thursday! I have a second interview for the Staff Educator job this morning. Got the paperwork ready to take in with me. Trying not to get my hopes up too much. I'll let you ladies know what happens.Sadie keeps telling me everything will work out the way it's supposed to, and to just relax. Easier said than done, sometimes!

Cammy--crazy weather, indeed.From sub zero to up to the 40's and rain today, with some gusty winds. Then getting cold again tomorrow and really cold again over the weekend. Gotta love winter in Maine! LOL at telling Joey to carry a book, that's a great idea! It must be so funny to just see the beagle pup's tail over the snow! I am praying the "d' was a one time thing, and not coming back to bother you.

Janky--an appointment in JUNE for a suspected hernia? Wow, talk about a long wait time! Glad the cancellation came up!

Chi--be careful out there, ice is crazy and so dangerous! Happy birthday celebration!

Good morning, Muddling!

The Icelandic Way Ingredients

• 4 cans Beer
• 3 cl Vodka
• 6 cl Lemon Soda
• 4 cans Coca Cola

Mix a normal glass of vodka and fanta lemon, drink down to half and fill up with equal parts of beer and coke.

Best served in a Beer Mug.

camillegal

Mornin' ladies.

OK Janky I have a bone to pick with u. Ur post was the first I read this morning <with no coffee yet> and ur way to cheerful for me, After all this is a cancer site not a haha I'm so cheerful post...<U do know I'm only kidding> U do sound pretty uppy tho, which is good. Please if u remember tell me exactly what they are going to do about ur hernia---I always thought hernias were gotten from pulling some muscles or something like that but now I think over using the remote can give it to u. Can you see it or feel it???

We are now the official ICE city and suburbs, this is chit. now the winds are coming worse than before. Sandy I'm sure u have all the ice u can handle there and careful is the top word for u. I really don't go out, but knowing I can't makes it worse, for Leslie too. It's like sheets just going on and on. They showed some section where all the cars were just sliding into each other constantly. The only good thing is usually no one gets hurt in the cars, but walking is much more dangerous. I know ur careful, but just stay put whenever u can.

Marty just told me it's super cold out and the winds haven't come yet. But January is usually our worst and I can't believe it's almost over, I look at the date and it's crazy. Its funny tho I still look forward to weekends cuz joey's home, which is silly, I know..

I talked to my cousin yesterday and she said u can barely leave her house <she lives North of here> the ice is so so bad, they were 1st time ordering groceries, she thinks if someting happens to her DH who's going to take care of her, cuz she doesn't go out. We laughed but it's true.

Well I hope everyone has a good and safe day.

LUBS U ALL.

LORI S/B BACK SOON AND DARA, DARA, DARA

camillegal

camillegal

JCSLibrarian

Morning!

Today I am taking my new wig to the salon to have the bangs trimmed. Might do some other running around as I am feeling pretty good these days. Weather here is so different from you all. Rain last night, but sunshine this morning. Temps will be in the 50’s today and tomorrow. This place falls apart if there is any ice or snow. More chemo tomorrow AM. Not sure about that drink, NativeMainer! I used to drink vodka and coke, but mixing with beer??? ChiSandy, hope your birthday was wonderful. Looking forward to the weekend

mistyeyes

Happy Friday Eve. I am muddling through with work and family, both are going ok. I am attending griefshare, its a grief support group. I only went twice so far, I don't know if I feel better, but it makes you feel more normal and not like you are going crazy. Or a t least not going crazy alone.

Janky- Homosassa is on the west coast about 70 miles north of Tampa.

Chi- Sorry to hear about the credit card. I'm glad you fired the accountant that got you into that mess. Hope you enjoyed your birthday and had a great dinner even if original plans changed a bit.

NM- So exciting about the second interview. Hope all works out well.

JCS- Glad you got your wig, and hats. Some of the hats and scarves I had I loved and kept a few of them.

Cam- hop you are feeling ok and no more D. Stay warm!

Illimae - Glad you got hot water. I think you need a warm bubble bath with a cold glass of wine to celebrate.

MuddlingThrough

Good morning, NM! That drink seems to be an odd combination. Interesting for sure.

Was cold yeterday, temperature rose twenty degrees overnight, raining hard, and windy. Temperature heading back down now and some cold days and nights ahead.

Jazzygirl

Happy Birthday ChiSandy!

ChiSandy

Thanks for the birthday wishes, everyone! (Been looking in the mirror and wondering how the hell I could already be 68).

The wine tasting was a bit overwhelming. Over 100 producers & negociants from Bordeaux were there to promote the 2016 vintage, and the ballroom was more of a "crush" than what gets done to the grapes at harvest. Bob & I made a game-plan: white wines first, then lighter reds from lesser regions, then the heavy hitters (grand crus classés) and finally the most famous wines before finishing with Sauternes (liquid dessert)--saving the best for last. But we weren't making much progress: the routine was either wait in line or muscle past those big-shot collectors & distributors schmoozing with the vintners, get a splash poured, check the varietal compositions, swirl, sniff, sip (swallow only if we were blown away), walk to the buckets & spit, rinse the glasses out, and once more into the breach. That fell by the wayside rather quickly. (At least I got my steps in). So we decided to continue tasting only the $50 bottles on up. Unfortunately, 2016 is very, very young--especially for wines made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot--and the red wines were very tannic (even the mostly-Merlot Pomerols & St. Emilions), so much so that they became nearly indistinguishable (except for the >$100 bottles). We were all walking around with purple teeth. For the last red before moving to the Sauternes, I'd been holding out for my fave: Ch. Pichon-Lalande (the label name is much longer but everyone goes for the short version). But it turns out they ran out of that (they'd poured too generously--especially for the men) half an hour in.

When we reached the Sauternes table, my glass was already stained red, no matter how much I'd rinsed it. But I was SO happy to get away from tannins that I chose not to spit orr pour out the Sauternes. My faves were Suidiraut, Guiraud, and especially Fargues (the latter was the only non-cru-classé, because the vintner back in the 1850s refused to suck up to the consortium that was doing the rating). Fargues has been dubbed "the poor man's Yquem" Ch. d'Yquem is the most famous Sauternes, with grapes harvested one by one, with several passes through the course of each harvest day. Even half-bottles go for >$300. (I was lucky enough to taste it on my first trip to France, with a wine merchant, back in 1990. It was the only wine we absolutely didn't spit or pour out--mainly because the winemaker/cellarmaster opened a half-bottle of the 1985 and insisted on drinking it with us, toasting with each pour. We were good and gracious guests. Yum. Afterwards, we went back to the car and slept for an hour and a half before heading back northeast to Paris)!

The disappointment was that so many legendary wineries didn't attend: no Lafite, Mouton-Rothschild, Cos d'Estournel, L'Angelus, Petrus, or Yquem. I'm glad I spat & poured out, so I didn't get buzzed. (At Cellars' 20 for $20 monthly tastings, I do swallow the ones I think will go with each dish on the buffet, so I do get a little, uh, "happy"). But oh, my aching back & feet!

Gordy joined us at Le Coq d'Or (the only restaurant in the hotel open for dinner, now that the famous Cape Cod Room is gone) afterward. It was too icy out to walk even half a block to Rosebud Steakhouse. Le Coq was a disappointment: it's basically just a pub with food. They kept the most famous Cape Cod Room recipes--Bookbinder soup, clam chowder, crab cakes--but the execution was so-so. (The soup came with a little cruet of sherry, so I guess that also counted as a DOTD). But it was great celebrating with Gordy, and we sent him home with the leftovers as the room had no fridge nor even a minibar. I had a flute of Domaine Chandon (not too unconscionable a markup), which--if you can believe it--I couldn't finish!

Not gonna drink tonight. Duh. (But the cappuccino I just had, made with fresh Metropolis Red Line beans, was a worthy DOTD).

camillegal

Sandy

camillegal

Oh I just lost my whole post and I was almost done. Chit, WTF am I doing. I talked to everyone about things. It's bad enough I can't type but afterpicking and poking I loose it. Oh I' just finish, it's about the news. I watched a couple of minutes of it and they showed a woman getting robbed of her Canadian coat...well someone took the video not calling 911 I guess. But they were talking about the ice all over the sidewalks and no one can walk them, schools are closing...it's going to equal about 30-below. That stopped that. ...so I changed the channel.

Muddling r u doing OK???

JC how's the wig after the bangs got cut, is it comfortable too???

Misty It's good u have the group to go to, this way u don't feel so different.

Sandy u sure can celebrate, good for you and glad Gordy had a chance to join u and lucky to get the leftovers.

LUBS U ALL

camillegal

BTW if I ever forget birthdays never feel bad... I celebrated my DD Leslie's BD wrong for the first 4 yrs. of her life, til my mom questioned me about it, but she did say she was probably confused. So I did look it up and sure enough I had to teach her a new date, and she still remembers that. Those r the kind of memories my kids share of their childhood with a GREAT mom, yea right. Well at least I was with her when she as born.

ChiSandy

Here are my lashes with "They're Real" tinted primer (one swoop):

Flash makes my irises look brown even though they're really hazel. Too dark to take the shot w/o it.

JCSLibrarian

The wig is great. My stylist was so surprised when I showed up. She thought for a minute I had not lost my hair. Thereis a panty hose kinda thing you are supposed to wear under it, but that is WAY too tight. I cut two slits in it and it still really hurt. I may not wear the wig daily, but it will be nice when I do not want to look like a cancer patient. No drinking tonight. Seems like a bad idea the night before chemo. Will catch up over the weekend. G’Night all!

ChiSandy

Yeah, those nylon wig caps are used in theater for stuffing one's hair underneath so that it won't peek out of the wig. Sadly, they come in only one size. If your scalp is too sensitive for the lining of a wig, you can probably buy some cheap plus-size pantyhose or knee-his. Even used pantyhose, if laundered, can be cut to a comfortable size (knot the loose end on top). Or "stockinet" from a medical supply place (or the OT dept. at your hospital)--it comes in sizes for lining casts, and it's softer than nylon.They do make wigs with soft linings specifically for chemo patients with sensitive scalps so they needn't use a nylon cap--but you've probably sunk a bundle into the wig you've got and it does look great.

goldie0827

Cami, I don't want to know what results are either. Again, I'm so sorry all that Leslie is going through. It so reminds me of Dorothy and what she went through. And you still have metal mouth, that's strange. LOL, I too am getting all kinds of mascara ads on my FB. Joey had a "date", no holding hands or quick kiss, he is shy, that's ok! I can't believe he is even old enough to date now.

Lom, they wouldn't give me the BRCA testing. I wanted it because my DD was having some female issues.

Illona, being a giggling teen can't be all that bad!

Wiggy, great photo of the lashes! And your eyes are white! Mine are always bloodshot looking and the lower lid is red as well. I think from all the stupid meds.

Sandy, sounds like a pain to do the pictures from your phone. I hardly ever post from phone.Wow 8K? I thought your account was comprimised, but it wasn't. And sorry about your glasses. Happy Birthday!!! And you DON'T look 68 either.

JCS, I have people tell me ALL THE TIME that I don't look like I have terminal cancer. Like that's what I want to look like???? Hail NOOOOO!

Janky, west coast? Where abouts?

NM, you and some others have had some seriously cold weather...Brrrrrr! Hoping the interview went well.

Jazzy, cool moon pics. I think you are in Cali now, enjoy sister. Puppies? What puppies?

Misty, that's great to at least "try" the grief group. If it doesn't help, at least you tried. This is a very hard time for you. I don't know what I would do w/o my hubby, especially where we live. Hang in there girl, we are here for you.

As for me, my TM's didn't go up a whole lot, especially since it's been 3 months since I've had them done. Supposed to be every 6 weeks. As for the scans, results weren't in yet when I saw my onc. He said if there were significant change, HE would call me, otherwise call will come from the MA. So I will know right away when I answer the phone if it's good or bad! As for going to Moab, DH was jumping the gun, we leave this friday and will return on Monday. My mom has taken a turn for the worst, we thought we were gonna lose here. No eating for like 3 days, can't even feed herself now, blue around the lips. Anyways, she perked back up a tad, it's hard to understand her when she talks. I booked a flight yesterday for February 16-23, I hope she makes it that long so I can see her one more time, as I don't think she'll make it to the fall. If she doesn't make it, I will cancel my flight, no reason to go at that point. She will be creamated right away and there will be no funeral services. Makes me sad, but it's hard seeing her like this. I love her so much! I went to Ulta, only to find out they didn't have the mascara and they sent me to Sephora. They didn't have it either, but talked me into something they said would be the same. Benefit, they're real. Sandy, that's what you have, right?

MuddlingThrough

Cami, I'm doing okay. Just reading along here and trying to stay busy at home to distract myself.

Goldie, my father died at the end of November. He was in a nursing home very far away near my sister since I could no longer help when he was 35 miles away from me. By his request he was cremated and had no services. I respect his wishes but it doesn't seem real to me, at times. My brain knows what happened but.....

I actually think I grieved last spring when he had to be moved hundreds of miles away and I knew I'd never see him again. Anyway, I hope your mother does rally and feel better and that you get to see her in a few weeks.

camillegal

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy TGIF day! My second interview went really, really well. I've got a good idea what the Admin people want of the position, there are all the supplies and equipment needed to do the job well already in place or will be very shortly. It will take about a week to check references and run the background check, then I'll get the formal offer. The biggest surprise was the pay rate. Between the hourly increase and going back to full time I'm going to make twice what I have been working part time. And it will be predictable hours, and no driving around during the work day. And it will be building a top notch staff education/staff development program from the bare basics present now to something that will really helpful and supportive to the direct care staff. The area that has been set aside, they call it the "Nursing Pod" has a classroom, a medium sized conference room, a small office, two bathrooms and a storage closet.I'll be getting a new laptop on a cart so I can travel around the facility with it and have instant access to all the records and online resources, and do spot competency checks and make that process a whole lot easier for the direct caregivers. I do need to learn and whole new set of rules and regulations, but that's actually going to be kind of fun. And it's a locally run nursing home, answers to a local board of trustees, not a national corporation or state hospital system. I am so excited! Poor Sadie has been listening to me babble on and on about this all yesterday afternoon and evening.And now I've subjected all of you to my babblings! Thanks for letting me babble!

Cammy--YIKES, sounds like you are having way worse ice issues than we are here in Maine. The temps got up to almost 50 yesterday, and it rained (2.12 inches worth on my deck) and started freezing up overnight. Still icy in spots but the roads are mostly cleared and sanded now.

Librarian--Glad you are feeling well, and praying you continue to feel well throughout treatment. I can imagine it's hard to deal with ice and snow if you rarely get it. It doesn't stay long, does it? I imagine it melts off pretty quickly.

Misty--grief is a process, and feeling like you are not alone is a good step forward. Give yourself time.

Muddling--I thought that was an odd combo, too, but I know a lot of people like beer in lots of crazy concoctions! I know you've probably already said, but what part of the country are you in? Seems like the whole country is getting wild weather this winter.

Morning, Jazzy--

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Chi! Wow, what a tasting event that was! I don't care for big crowds and that certainly sounds like a big crowd. What an amazing selection of wines to try out!

Cammy--Every family has some stories like that, totally embarrassing, but part of the family fabric!

Chi--NICE!

Librarian--Glad the wig looks good! It must be nice to know that you have what you need to look good whenever you want to. Too bad about the under cap being so tight.

Goldie--the second interview went really well, thanks! And we are bracing for another cold weekend. Only 47 days to the Vernal Equinox and SPRING! Sorry to hear about your Mom's decline. It's hard to watch a loved one with declining health.

Muddling--You did grieve last spring when your Dad moved away, and you are grieving now, too, but it's going to be different that the grieving you did earlier. {{{{{hugs}}}}}I do think it's hard on the family when there is no funeral or celebration of life, or some sort of gathering when a loved one dies. Families need that ritual to help make it real, and to mark the event.

The Icey Road

INGREDIENTS

Rose vermouth Martini50ml

Apple juice 150ml

Apple 20g

Ground cinnamon 1g

Cinnamon sticks 5g

Ice cubes 180g

DIRECTIONS

Fill a highball glass to the top with ice cubes

Pour in 50 ml of rose vermouth

Top up with apple juice and stir gently

Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a fan of apple wedges sprinkled with ground cinnamon

camillegal

Mornin' Ladies

Oh Lori I pray u make it to ur moms, but all this time she's a tough lady and u probably will. This is a hard time and whatever ur moms wishes are of course u'll honer them. remember my dad's. He wanted to be cremated and put in with my mom at her feet, cuz thats how he lived, so we did it. I didn't quite understand ur scan results. Lori all the stuff u take in ur body can make ur eyes reddish too.

Sandy ur eyes look great and I know Beneft is a great product. I have a couple of things that I bought. I don't kno. so I'll close for now.

w why cuz I hardly wear makeup u know the old saying u can't improve on perfection, well my saying is u can't improve on something u just can't do anything about. I can't get over that thing u had with ur account, what a nitemare..

JC I think the wig cap is what's so uncomfortable I wonder why they don't make different sizes, they do with most wigs. I know they have to be fitted but hurting is a different story.

Talking about makeup I do wear tinted primer, when I don't is when I hear u don't look well cuz my skin has changed the last few yrs. I don't have blotches just some discolor, just doesnt look like it used to and I miss having people tell me I don't look my age, this has aged me plenty my blood levels are always off and after a while I think this does something to ur skin. I was lucky as a kid I never had acne or anything like that so now I have other things and that's all right, my natural stage is over LOL.

Oh I started this over an hr ago, my phones are crazy with furnaces, It is so so cold. And one of the main guys is off, the one I always contact

LUBS U ALL