how about drinking?

JCSLibrarian

I talked with my internist this afternoon. He recommended I stop the Losartan and see what happens. Also to stay as well hydrated as possible. If, for some reason, the BP gets to 145-150, to start the meds again. Could be weight loss. Could be chemo. Could be lots of things, but it is not good to have it go so low. Has anyone with MBC seen a nutritionist for help with diet and/or supplementals? Since I am in this for the long haul, I am curious about changing up my diet, adding vitamins or seeing what else is out there. (Probably should stop any alcohol. NOT gonna happen!)

Lady Bears are playing Iowa looking good so far. Sic ‘em, Bears!

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Twofer Tuesday! Stayed a bit late at work last night but got a big report finished. Sadie wasn't too happy, when I got home she had gotten out of her crate AND gotten the kitchen door open and let herself out into the yard! I'm glad the temps were in the low 40's, the house was pretty chilly and the poor heat pump was just pumping away.Don't know how long she'd left the kitchen door open. I had a long talk with her about not doing that until the temps are a bit warmer, but I'm not sure she was paying much attention.

Cammy--I don't think the official view of not eating raw eggs has changed recently. I've never worried too much about that as my immune system is relatively healthy and I am healthy enough to get through a bout of salmonella food poisoning without much risk, but it is a big concern for some people. I try to buy all my eggs from local farms so I know where they come from and how old they really are and I think that helps. Isn't Prime TV fun? There's lots to discover there!

Jazzy--I live scenic drives, too but they can be tiring to drive. I like to make lots of stops--like every scenic turnout I come across, so it also makes for slow going sometimes. The B&B sound marvelous! Hot muffins delivered to the door? Heavenly. The Hot Springs looks so inviting. The mineral content report is interesting to look at!

Good morning, Muddling.

Librarian--It will be interesting to see what happens without the blood pressure med.A nutritional consult would probably be really helpful. The clinic where you get your chemo should have or be able to refer you to a nutritionist.Getting individualized advice is always a good idea.

DOTD:

Mudslide Cocktail

Ingredients

• 1 cup ice
• 1 fluid ounce vodka
• 1 fluid ounce coffee-flavored liqueur (such as Kahlua®)
• 1 fluid ounce Irish cream liqueur
• 1 fluid ounce heavy cream
• 1 cup ice

Directions

• Prep
  5 m
• Ready In
  5 m

1. Fill an old-fashioned glass with 1 cup ice.
2. Combine vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker. Add ice; cover and shake until chilled. Strain into the prepared old-fashioned glass.

camillegal

camillegal

Mornin' ladies,

Kim when I was little we used to put a pinhole on the top part of the egg nd just eat them----well I wouldn''t now LOL. Oh Sadie cracks me up, she really runs that household but my fav is her taking the utensils, but this one is pretty close.

JC believe me whatever NM <Kim> says please take her advice. I've had a long history of high B/P but all these years now it's all changed and for so long my lower number has been in the upper 30"s and usually the top around 100, they've changed some things around but not much happens. But in my crazy head I blame my dizziness on that so it doesn;t bother me. So when I fall I have something to blame it on. But I like to think like that cuz it gives me an answer rather than worry about what's going on.

Jazzy u have guts. I have and could never travel alone like that, not cu I worry about danger just being alone bothers. I give u so much credit and I can't wait to see the pics.

Dan came over last nite about 10PM left about 1am <not to late> but then I didn't fall asleep til after 2am so he talked about some rules that he's going to have to put in place. Of course I immediately said I don't have rules, right??? So he agreed and said I'm the only one without any rules, cuz he knows I wouldn't follow any of them. He's hired 2 more men and he told them never bother me unless it's an emergency--these guys have to think I'm the bitch of the company. He said he has to let them think it's me, cuz he didn't want to say she knows nothing. LOL. Oh well there goes my phone..check back later,,,I know Lori is a mess right now but I hope we hear from her.

LUBS U ALL

goldie0827

Good morning lounge lizards, from the beautiful Virgin Islands. Been quite the trip, I must say. 4 hour drive to the airport, 2 hour wait for my flight to Houston. That was a 2 hour flight, get there with a 2 hour layover. 4 hour flight to San Juan, another 2 hour lay over there. Finally made it to the hospital. No sleep, as I can't sleep on a plane. Tried to catch a few z's in the hospital bed with my daughter, but got in trouble twice for that, was a rough 2 days,  but I made it! 2 large fibroids on her uterus were removed, more to be removed at a later date stateside. One was on the back of the uterus, so incision came up around her belly button. Had to flip her uterus over to get to that one. She also had an eptopic (sp) pregnancy, which ruptured her falopian tube and caused internal bleeding. That falopian tube was also removed. Then not too long after my arrival, I get the call that my mom had passed. All in all, that was a good thing, for her to finally be at peace. We had been waiting a long time for that. My 2 youngest brothers were with her holding her hand all day and even during her last breath. The oldest brother didn't want to come and see her, didn't want to see her like that, and then no response from him after he was told of her passing. Looking for plane tickets to head home next Monday.

Not going to respond to everyone, we know how that is. Other than to Illona for her good scans. NM, I love my memory foam mattress! Unde and I had already talked, but it was nice to hear more about your DH, and def. way too young. Again, I'm sorry.

DD's incision.

ChiSandy

Just popping in between lecture and museum tour in Jerusalem. Tried to post my rijsttafel dinner and after-dinner genever on my last night in Amsterdam, but suddenly can’t convert HEIC to jpeg on this iPad or phone—and when I tried to explain that, my post disappeared. (Cami, we’re birds of a feather). Have yet to eat anything Israeli (no time to wander off on my own) but last night at the hotel I had kosher salmon/avocado maki—with the DOTD being a Chardonnay from the Golan Heights. Big breakfast buffet at hotel—cappuccino had latte art!Dinner tonight at Israel Museum—try to post the wine later.

illimae

Thanks Goldie 😀 Sorry about you mom but I know it’s been hard with the falls and everything and this must be a kind of relief (forgive me if that sounds terrible).

I missed a lot on vacation, arrived home last night, may or may not catch up, lots to do at home.

Hello to everyone

goldie0827

Just a funny to share.

Jazzygirl

Undercover- I am so sorry for your loss. Take good care of yourself and sending much love to you and your family during this time of loss and change.

Goldie- glad to hear from you and know your daughter is through the surgery. Fibroids can be a problem, but the an tube pregnancy, no wonder the pain. And all this and your mom passing, sister my heart goes out to you. I am glad your brothers are there to take care of things.

Tell your daughter to not worry about that incision either, it just needs to be watched closely for healing. I have one very large and similar to that with my open abdominal surgery with the ruptured appendix. It looked gnarly for awhile but does fade. More importantly, the healing of those big stomach muscles takes a lot of time so she will be on restricted lifting, etc. for some time. Just letting you and her know what is ahead friend.

Cami- I am used to being alone and enjoy my solo road trips. But I am careful too, I have traveled alone with work, around the country and nationally too. No night driving, wandering out into wilderness on my own, etc. I needed this to get some bucket list things done and clear my head on a few fronts too? Not everyone likes being alone, I do get that too.

I had a great time at the hot springs yesterday and did venture into the clothing optional part at one point. That is a story for another time, lol. I kept my suit on but others, not so much.....

This is where I am going today:

https://www.nps.gov/gicl/index.htm

JCSLibrarian

Goldie - So sorry about your Mother. it is never easy to say good-by even if it is for the best. Hope your daughter has an easy recovery, but she best not push things for a while. Abdominal surgeries are really difficult to recover from.

I am so jealous of all the travels! I am thinking of taking my husband to Savannah for his birthday. It would be lovely in the spring and it has beenyears sent we have been there.

Cold rain here today, but it should wash the pollen away and really make the dogwoods and azaleas happy!

Got a facial this morning. What a way to pamper yourself! The woman that did the facial has had chemo four different times. She was very interesting to talk to and explained a great deal about skincare while undergoing chemo.

ChiSandy

Lori, so sorry about your mom's passing, but she's at peace now and despite the past couple of years, had a good long run. May her memory be for a blessing.

Back at the hotel now to shower and get some rest for tomorrow. This morning we went to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial & museum. It's much bigger now than when I was there in 1992 and the exhibits far more graphic, beginning with how normal life was for Jews in Europe before the end of WWI; and the history of anti-Semitism—which morphed from religious prejudice (but which could be mitigated by conversion and “seeing the light") to brutal societal resentment to the horrors and atrocities of Hitler et al. Our tour guide pulled no punches, either. In 1992, I walked out of there relieved and smug about how the First World had since evolved and how it could never happen again. Today I was stunned, shaken to my core, and terrified that it may be starting all over—even Stateside. (More than that I dare not say here lest I run afoul of the moderators).



Then in the afternoon, we went to the Supreme Court—very different from our own. They have many justices, who sit in 3-judge panels; the right to appeal is automatic (as opposed to our 9 Justices sitting en banc, hearing only the cases they choose); for cases where the amount of money at issue is big enough, you skip the trial court and start with the Supremes; and there are no juries in Israel—they feel justice is best decided by professionals. SCOTUS issues maybe 1 or 2 dozen opinions per term; in Israel, it's 10,000 opinions per year! Their Chief Justice (originally from Brooklyn) spoke to us about the differences.



After that, we went to the Israel Museum, where we first toured the archaeological wing and saw the Dead Sea Scrolls, after which we were served a sumptuous banquet. Wine was a soft and fruity Mt. Tabor Winery (Galilee, not Michigan) Shiraz that tasted like a cabernet franc.

(I'm going to do multiple posts, as this iPad & keyboard are behaving very weirdly)

MuddlingThrough

Goldie, so sorry about your mom and your urgent travel and your daughter's surgery but glad to know the surgery is done and she can recover now. My goodness, you've had a lot to deal with.

Hi, NM. That mudslide drink sounds good.

Jazzygirl

Gila Cliff Dwellings

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Hump Day! Waking up to snow, of all things, this ayem. Not supposed to amount to much before it switches to rain. Gotta love spring weather! Poor Sadie isn't a big fan of the new mattress.She fusses quite a bit before making the big jump up onto the bed.Looks like I'll need to find something she can use as a step! She made such a fuss about it last night that I got up and tried to help her, so, of course, she lies down and rolls over for belly rub every time I tried to pick her up! It probably was funny to watch.

Cammy--I feel like that kitty this ayem, not really ready to wake up and get moving! Too funny about Dan coming over to talk about some rules, and then just giving up! I bet the new guys will figure things out pretty quick. And you must know SOMETHING or Dan wouldn't have you answering the phone at all! Praying for Lori.

Goldie--oh my goodness, what a travel time you had! And with all that worry at the same time. Glad your DD is doing better. Ectopic pregnancy can be deadly if not identified quickly. No wonder she was hurting. So sorry to hear about your Mom's passing, but with some relief, too. Very mixed feelings in that situation. Glad your brothers could be there, glad you weren't. These things usually work out the best way for everyone involved, and everyone has different needs.

Chi--sounds like you are having a great trip!

Illi--you know the rules here, no ketchuping necessary, jump back in where you are! Welcome home!

LOL, Goldie!

Jazzy--you are braver than I am to wander into the clothing optional section! But then, I see people in an unclothed state almost every day, so there's no mystery there. . . .

Librarian--Wow, she had chemo 4 different times? She's been through a lot! Glad you had a good time.

Chi--it's always interesting to learn how different places do things differently. Sorry about the iPad and keyboard acting up.

Morning, Muddling!

The Cliff Dweller

Ingredients

• 2 Kingston boutique sugar cubes
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• ½ oz Cointreau orange liquer
• ¾ oz Aperol (an Italian apertif)
• 2 oz Inocente silver tequila

Directions

1. Muddle together sugar cubes an lime juice.
2. Add the Cointreau, Aperol and tequila.
3. Add ice and stir.
4. Serve.

camillegal

camillegal

Mornin' ladies,

Wow lots going on.

Lori it's good to here what's going on. oh ur poor DD thats lots to go thru and where that cut goes, I'm sure will be painful healing. That's a bad part---but u know that. She's young which helps so much but I'm sorry she had to go thru all of that. I hope they don't push her out of the hospital like they do here. Give her huge HUGS and snuggles that don't hurt from Chicagoland. What a horrible trip for u tho, under the pressure u were under especially. We all know ur mom is at piece now and soon just take care of urself. Did u go on this tri alone cuz it sounded like it. Either way ur one strong woman.

Kim u always have the exact DOTD for the day, u really find them. SNOW??? What.U Maine people are sure patient, ur too close to Canada.

Jazzy I .love that pic. A LADDER??? That cracked me up. U didn't climb it did u, or did u. Never know with you. But sure sounds like u are have a nice time. And that's what this is about.

JC ah how nice to have a facial, feels great but she had it 4 times, holy chit That's 4x to many. But u r getting some relaxation which is so very good for u.

And everyone should know, like Kim said, no rules just jump in whenever u have the time

Oh I was asked out for a date, Well Dan and Bob want the three of us to go out. They feel like I should get out more hahahaThey might be able to drink me under the table, but I can eat enough for the whole table.

Sandy ur trip sounds amazing <oops our trip> Now ur legal system seems like it;'s going backwards compared to theirs. That too is all I'll say about that. It all sounds so interesting to me, everything u'v described. U <we> must be having a wonderful time. Now I forget all u've written but I don't think u mentioned much about the food. Another joy I have so 'splain some more, I'll read again just in case I missed something. I've had Lori n my mind so much and so glad to hear from her and picturing that scar it thru me.

Hello to everyone and it is now midweek, how fasr this week is going again. No wonder I'm getting older so quickly.

LUBS U ALL

JCSLibrarian

Beautiful afternoon here. I have been cleaning and cooking today to prepare for hosting my Bridge group tomorrow. Always fun to see everyone, but I tend to wear myself out the day before.

Did hear from my MO that I will not be getting the immunotherapy drug, Tecentriq. Seems my PD-L1 gene is not at all messed up. 0% mutated. I keep telling myself it is not that big of a deal. This is probably one of many disappointments on the Cancer Road so I better get used to them. How in the Hell did I get breast cancer without having any mutated genes? Did I microwave too many lunches in plastic?????

Oh well. Enough of that! Got a busy weekend going to my husbands 50th high school reunion. It is a big deal around here. Hopefully I will be able to endure two days of get togethers after having chemo and the Neulasta patch. What fun!!

janky

JCS It is a lovely afternoon here too, bright and sunny, reasonably warm - it feels so good! I haven't played bridge since the 1970's - maybe I should try it again, as hubby and I used to really enjoy it. This summer is my husband and my 49th year reunion - yikes (we graduated together, so only 1 reunion venue)

goldie - sympathy on your mom's passing, surprisingly my mom seems to be getting 'better' I think it is the calm before the storm myself. I wish your DD a speedy, painless healing - arghh so many things to deal with (is that what keeps us all sane?! ) btw - I am still chuckling when I think of your 'fat' joke above, so very humourous!

chi - sounds like quite the trip - my keyboards always behave erratically when on vacation, especially if I am far from home, go figure!

NM - snow?! that is something that happens here in Alberta, I am sure it will clear away quickly. Poor Sadie, maybe a step will work, my cat wanted nothing to do with steps so he laboriously gets himself up, then snores gently for hours Gotta love our fur babies!

cami - your cat funnies are fabulous, love them! Are you going on the date? I am a really good eater too, lately though I have eaten way too much sugar stuff, I am trying to eat less chocolate and gummies but so far I am not being very successful!

Jazzy - love the cliffs!

Hi to everyone - Mema, Muddling, illi and everyone I am missing -

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Thirsty Thursday! Our little snow shower yesterday went on all day long, finally changing over to rain just before the end of work. Now everything is frosted/frozen over again and the wind is whipping around and the news people are talking about possible power outages. Sigh. So much for turning off the heat come April this year. Even Sadie was quick to go out, do her "business" and come right back in!

Cammy--Where do you find those adorable, and mischievous, kitties????Yup, snow.We call late snows like this "poor man's fertilizer".I bet you'd have a great time eating everyone off the table whilst everyone else was drinking UNDER the table!

Librarian--I've wondered the same thing--no mutations, so why me? I've finally given up trying to figure it out and keep reminding myself that the majority of bcs are NOT genetic but pure random luck of the draw. Reunions can be fun, but not so much for the spouses, I'm sure. I hope you have enough energy to enjoy the time.

Janky--I'm thinking I'm going to have to clean off the chair I keep in the bedroom and use it for dressing now that I can't comfortably sit on the bed.If I move it to the foot of the bed Sadie can use it for a step as well. So far she gets up on the bed OK, she just fusses about it. The snow that came yesterday is mostly gone, but the cold wind is staying.

Windy City Martini

• Servings: 1

Ingredients:

2 oz	Bacardi Limon
1 oz	Grand Marnier
1 oz	Cranberry Juice
½ oz	Lime Juice

Directions:

Combine ingredients with cracked ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.

Jazzygirl

Good morning friends- I made it back to town late afternoon yesterday and glad to be home after my get away. Four days and 800 miles through my adventures. The highlight was the Gila Cliff Dwelling I shared the photo of. What is very cool about these is that you can actually go inside of these vs. many others here out west that are restricted. The Gila National Forest and wilderness is one of the most beautiful areas I have ever been in here in the US. Not seen that kind of remote wilderness in a long time. I took one of those windy roads in and an easier one on the way out where I was able to see some wildlife along the way too.

I left Silver City yesterday mid-morning yesterday and went south to Hatch, NM to stop for lunch. I had a spot in mind that is pretty well known and featured for their green chili meals and delicious shakes. But alas, my Google maps told me on the way that it might be closed and so I found a second great stop for a fabulous meal including a stuff chili, some cheese enchiladas, chicken taco and a couple sides of red and also green chili. I liked the red the best and the food was more than this girl could (or should) eat, so I took half to go (and ate the rest when I got home).

Cami- you asked about that ladder, it is what the cliff dwellers of several off the native tribes out west used to get in and out of their ancient homes. When they were done for the day, they pulled those ladders up. Kept them safe from other tribes that traveled through the area, as well as wildlife like bears and mountain lines. There were stairs in to the ruins which I took in and out, as I am not a ladder person, lol.

NM- sounds like winter won't let go in the northeast. I heard that it was snowing in ABQ when I left on Sunday and we still get spits of colder weather in March and April, but it tapers down. I noticed more things have greened up since I left last weekend. I hope you see more signs of spring. Are you getting used to the new routine yet?

Chi- your trips sounds fabulous so far!

Goldie- I am thinking of you with all you are going through being with your DD and also with the loss of your mom. So much to deal with at once. I hope your DD is doing better and will be discharged too. I know there are probably a lot of decisions about what needs to happen to support her recovery. Sending much love to you during during this really tough time sister.

Janky- finding simple pleasures we once enjoyed is cool, isn't it? Glad you are enjoying the nice weather. It has been fabulous here lately and enjoying the continued unfolding of spring.

Mema- I have not kept as good tabs on you here as I should be. Are you still in treatment?

Ill- how are things down in Houston?

How are the Karen's and Celia C?

Okay, lots to do to settle in today. Wishing everyone a good Thursday and slide into the weekend.

camillegal

Kim I just look for the days gif under google, but I have an awful time trying to find drinks the same way.

goldie0827

DD had surgery last Wednesday and was released on Saturday. She is doing very good, in fact I have to keep reminding her "you can't do that, I know you feel like you can, but you CAN'T". She doesn't realize she has her whole insides that need to heal as well. I will be flying home on Monday.

NM, poor Sadie not being able to get on the bed, but she will adjust. And sorry you can't sit there comfortably to get ready for work. Speaking of work, any more drama from the zoo?

Jazzy, so glad you had such a nice time. I have a feeling we drove on that same winding road. Love seeing the Indian ruins, I think the only one we haven't been to is Canyon De Shelly. Have you been to Walnut Canyon, near Flagstaff? You can actually walk into those as well. I think Mesa Verde was quite impressive as well.

JCS, I played lots of cards in the past, but bridge was one I could never wrap my pea brain around. I have mixed feelings about changing up treatment, especially new ones, afraid of the SE's, so maybe it's a good thing you were denied. My belief is that cancer is so rampant due to all the pesticides we use and the crap we feed the animals. Just SOOOO many people are getting cancer anymore. The very elderly and we see so many young girls here, I mean 20's and 30's...come on!

Janky, how are you feeling?

I am A OK on my moms passing. Miss her? Of course, but she was never going to get any better. I haven't even shed any tears. My brother texted me last night, said he had her ashes at his house and then says...."looks like she's lost some weight"...lol. That's just how we roll.
CHeerZ

camillegal

Mornin Ladies,

Jazzzy how could ur trip go by so quickly??? Wow I thought about that ladder and even those times u had to have some kind of lock on their caves to keep strangers out. So how far have we gone in history??? Oh I'm to gloom and doom, but I don't see any other pics, Missy

Kim why does Sadie need help getting into bed, or did I just misunderstand <as usual>

Leslie update, she has a stupid polyp on an ovary so they have to take it out to make sure. Now here's the <to me> the silly part. She asked for a hysterectomy and they said since her Braca did show her cancer being genetic they can't do that. This Braca thing really has my sister and me, and a few had a couple kinds of cancer, confused OK here goes----My mom, brother, sister, one of her DD;s, my cousin, her sister, their mom <My mom's sister>, and me all have dealt with cancer---my brother and cousin died from it. Now to me that seems genetic but of course I don't have an MD behind my name. OK that's kind of cruel, cuz they just read a report. But this is the 2nd times they have had to deal with her uterus or ovaries. She's 48 just take it all out, she's even had her period a couple of months ago and it was really bad. And again it only happens to 2% of women. UGH---shes still dealing with the whole in her breast, that only 1% of women get, but it does have a name and it's Italian no doubt but I can't remember it. LOL I watched her suffer for over 2 years now and I can barely help her myself and she's watched me---it's a wonder we laugh at all in this house but we do.

My niece is coming this morning to help me shower <another sweetheart> I really need minimal help but I need someone helping me in and out, but I can do the rest. But as soon as I get out my body shakes, not from cold just from relief I guess that it's done. So I'm all covered up and have to sit for a couple of minutes to relax. LOL Oh just to take a shower, I know it could be a lot worse so I'm lucky. And I'm so lucky to have her.and she's married to my nephew so she could easily stay out of this but she's just so nice to me, always has been and I've always loved her. They've been married over 30 yrs and she looks absolutely beautiful still. I do tell her I hate her tho, she never changes, she's another one who has a picture in her attic that''s changing. OH only old people would understand that one hahaha. OK I'd better go I have to get everything ready for the big event.

Lori my prayers are still coming.

LUBS U ALL

camillegal

OK, maybe I won't need a shower, since Lori pushed me right in the pewl. But Lori I'm glad to hear everything is under control. It;s funny u don't have to shed tears I know I didn't over time I have her and there but even thinking of good memories, they come if they want to. I think at the time knowing they wouldn't get better and the suffering they were going thru helped cuz we just think they are with their loved ones too. And yes ur the mommy again don't do this, don't do that. Stubborn kids. with Love Lori.

ChiSandy

Typing this on my phone waiting for our farewell reception & dinner in Jerusalem to start. So frustrating that I have amazing photos of food, drink & scenery which I can’t post till I get home, due to formatting issues impossible to correct on mobile devices. So I’ll just have to describe.

Yesterday we went to Masada, which was quite strenuous despite taking the cable car in both directions. Lunch was at the Herod Spa on the Dead Sea, after which we all went floating. Great weather—almost 20 degrees warmer than in the city. At a little Tunisian kosher fish joint near the hotel, my DOTD was cava. But the main attraction was a trio of feral kitties chasing each other around and barking (not meowing) to get diners’ attention & beg for food!

Did a market tour this aft. with a plethora of foods & drinks, which I’ll describe after the dinner that’s about to dtart

Jazzygirl

Cami- I did not realize you and your sister were BRACA but it explains a lot in the family. I have been tested a couple times for it (my BS is still convinced I have a genetic cancer despite having at least 3-4 expanded genetics tests by now). Last year's was like 60 something genes and still negative. I gave a copy to the MO CNP this last visit as my MO likes to see these tests and never gets copied and when I said the BS still thinks I have a genetic cancer. The CNP rolled her eyes and said "of course she does." We all know she is a researcher. But with those with a heavy family history, it does make sense.

That being said, I hope the cyst removal goes easily for Les. She has really had a time of it. You too sister

More pics coming too. I have to download them off my bigger camera I took with me. It's all a process......

Goldie- I am glad your DD is out and that you are coaching her about not doing too much. If I remember correctly, she cleans high end homes in the islands. My docs told me with my big incisions there is no lifting, pushing, or pulling for many months. Otherwise you will get a hernia which will result in other issues and risks to the abdomen. Things need to heal inside and out. Does she have support where she lives with friends, a boyfriend, etc.? I am glad you could go and also that you will go home soon.

And when a parent is in a decline for a long time, we grieve all along the way. Their passing is often a relief for everyone, but then sometimes we miss them as time goes on. And given you have had to hold it all together during a lot of difficulties this past week, if you get home and collapse and have a good cry, it is all okay. We hold things together until we can safely let go. Sending you much love for safe travels home and continued recovery for your DD.

goldie0827

My sweet Cami, I am so sorry to hear about Leslie, she has been through it for sure. Can she see an ob/gyn to get hysterectomy? And girl, you are EASY TO LOVE!

MuddlingThrough

Hi everyone.

NM, you correctly said that class reunions aren't always fun for the spouse. So true! After a few of my husband's reunions, I'd take off my name tag and walk around randomly starting conversations with people I didn't know from Adam but I'd say "you look great! It's been a long time... Remember that class when the guy talked back to the teacher?" and we would all have a laugh. DH was too busy with real reminiscing so I had some fun too.

Jazzygirl

Cami- I forgot to say I am glad you are going out with your "men" on a group date. You find yourself a pretty outfit and some nice accessories and go have an awesome time. You have a lot of people who love you (including me!)

Muddling- I am single and went to my last high school reunion on my own. I noticed a lot of my high school classmates were also there without spouses, partners, etc. Especially the ones who had to fly in for it, like me. One of my childhood friends who is more recently divorced got me involved with going to this one, but she felt uptight about going in solo. So we planned to meet up there, but in the end, she had to opt out because of a work thing. I had a blast! I heard through the home town grapevine, they are planning a class cruise.......

ChiSandy

So this morning we had a couple of CLE lectures (a young venture capitalist describing tech startups in Israel; and a feminist Modern Orthodox Member of the Knesset). Instead of breaking for lunch, I took a nap, knowing an eating tour was next up. We went to the Mahane Yehuda market (kind of like Pike Place or Reading Terminal with lots of nooks & alleyways). Really crowded and noisy, but fun nonetheless (now that I bought a pair of comfy sneakers). All sorts of foods indigenous to Jerusalem and its immigrant Jewish communities (so every stall was kosher). Unusual fresh produce items too—anyone ever taste a fresh date or a raw green almond? But there were several DsOTD. First was a smoothie—EtroGat—made from etrog (citron) and gat (aka qat) leaves, the latter of which are a stimulant illegal in the US & Europe. Definitely had a kick to it. At a deli, we had shots of arak (Middle Eastern ouzo or anisette). Then a tasting of two craft ales (an IPA and an amber), finishing up with some excellent espresso. We were all stuffed and buzzed!

Back at the hotel, I noticed to my horror that it was only 2 hrs till cocktails & dinner. So I napped again, got the VAT rebate form from the shoe store, and walked to the restaurant (turns out the shoe store led me to a shortcut). Had a Yarden Chenin Blanc with passed appetizers, and a private label bottling of a Gamay-Pinot Noir-Shiraz blend.

We leave tomorrow for Tel Aviv, but first one of our tour group is getting her Bat Mitzvah at age 58, by the Western Wall. So there goes my sleeping-in: gotta pack now so I can have early breakfast. After the ceremony, we check out, head to a tour of Hatzalah, the Israeli-originated-and HQed free volunteer first responder service that reaches patients w/in 90 seconds to 3 minutes—because of traffic, regular (Mogen David Adom) and private ambulance response times can be as long as 15-30 minutes or more. It was founded by a 15-yr-old paramedic in training who was frustrated by the fact that he never got to save a life; it uses specially equipped motorcycles, mopeds, boats, drones, and small cars and besides being all over Israel, it’s also in Manhattan, Chicago (W. Rogers Park & Lincolnwood) and Jersey City—and serves everyone regardless of religion or ethnicity (its volunteer paramedics are Jewish, Muslim & Christian as well). Then we drive to Tel Aviv for two days of no obligations or organized outings