how about drinking?

Jazzygirl

Hi ladies- we made it through Monday! I am almost done with the new contract, they accepted most of our changes and now just need to have a final conversation with my biz atty in the morning on one point. My hope is to finish this up tomorrow and all other related paperwork and then I should have the rest of the week free to get other things done. I have some things to finish getting ready for consignment (more mining of the closets) and more yard stuff to do. The weather is beautiful still and today there was a bevy of quail in my back yard. Although I have seen them around before, never there.

Cami- I am learning to take projects quicker, especially this time of the year as once you get in the summer months, there is less work around. So if you don't have something by April, sometimes the work is not there again until the fall. I am on a mission to pay off my house this year, similar to what NM was doing a couple years back and very focused on making consistent income to get er done this year. I am well on my way and then we can have a virtual on line mortgage burning party together. I had planned to pay it off in 15 years and think it will be more like 15 years and six months by the time we are done over here!

Mistyeyes- tomorrow it is supposed to be up to 80 and then a high of 50 the following day. We may get some snow showers this weekend. Enough of this winter stuff already!

janky

just checking in - you have all been so busy, makes me feel lazy because all I have done since returning home 2 weeks ago is - nothing! Arghh I have had very little energy and now my family has a Family Reunion semi surprise week in Daytona Beach May 3-May 12😏!! ALL of my children and their families, all my sisters, AND my parents will be there, gong show!! 2 out of 4 sisters know the details and 2 of the 4 children know...my son and his wife are coming from Australia, my parents and 1 sister from Georgia, 1 from Montreal and 1 from Florida- my parents are not aware of this so I hope it isn’t too much of a shock!

Cami - keep the kitties coming!

Jazzy - sounds like your trip was great- I loved the photos!NM - I am visualizing you and Sadie getting into the high bed- humour in all things!

Hi to all illi, goldie, chi, jcs, misty snd everyone else!

Wednesday I have to go for a contrast bone scan and drink a barium solution as well 2 hours prior- not my desired dotd 😏 then bone scan too. Cheers. Ja

NativeMainer

Good morning, Loungettes! Just a quick poop in from my phone as the house internet connection seems to have gone on strike over the 4 inches of new snow we've got here. Will ketchup with you later! Sadie says Woof to everyone.

JCSLibrarian

Basketball is over finally. The Lady Bearswon, but Texas Tech lost. One out of two is not bad! Did not buy anything yesterday, but did enjoy the drive and visit with my friend. We talk incessantly so the time seems to pass quickly.

This week I have more “socializing”, a teeth cleaning and a visit with my Oncologist. I am working on my questions about treatment moving forward. I have been reading about oligometastatic breast cancer. Treatments focus on cure rather than systemic chemo. Interesting discussions.

Raining here. Starting to think about getting the yard in shape. Such a small window here before it gets too hot and humid to do much outdoors.

Let’s all have a great week!

ChiSandy

Karen, that was the situation with my flight last night (the same one as yours). The line at the first VAT registration desk was super-long (I got there at 8:15pm), but passport control & the first round of security moved fast. Ditto with the VAT redemption desk line. (I got a big enough refund to buy Bob the Cuban cigars he'd wanted).

But Delta screwed me over trebly. First, I got an e-mail Sat. night telling me that it was time to check in, but that I could upgrade the domestic (JFK-ORD) leg for only $109. I did the math and realized that's only nine bucks more than the second bag fee, so I signed in, put in my credit card details, clicked "Submit," only to be told that since I already reserved my Comfort+ seat, I'd have to go to "Change Seats" to upgrade. So I clicked that link only to be told my session had expired and I'd have to sign back in again. So I did...only to find there were no first class seats available. Of course, that didn't stop Delta from charging my credit card. And when I went to the bag-drop desk at Ben-Gurion, I got charged the $100 for my second bag--the agent said I'd have to take it up with Delta.

Made it through, got my VAT refund, bought Bob's cigars and turned down a free snifter of cognac from the duty-free shopkeeper, saying I was headed to the Dan (Delta Sky Club partner) lounge before my flight. Walked in to the lounge, and handed the receptionist my boarding pass clearly printed "Sky Club," only to be told "Sorry, this lounge is only for First & Business class passengers." I insisted, pointing out the "Sky Club" on my boarding pass, but she held firm. I pulled out my Sky Club membership card (for which I paid $585/yr for guaranteed access to all Delta Sky Club & partner lounges worldwide), and she not only refused to honor it but called over her manager (an imperious imposing bullet-headed 6-1/2+-foot Sabra--I'm Ashkenaz but do have a Sabra relative or two, and there's a definite rude attitude there), who said "I don't care how many American dollars you paid--we make the rules, and you'll have to take it up with Delta." (I half expected him to add, "now get out of here, you shiksa riffraff"--because I am fair-skinned and blonde without a NYC accent, shopkeepers were always surprised to learn I'm nearly 100% Ashkenazi Jewish). Spent the next hour commiserating with other American travelers--one young woman from Indianapolis who'd been denied an >$100 VAT refund at the rebate desk because the shopkeeper had used an "obsolete" form (which the intake clerk at the VAT registration desk initialed & stamped "approved"), and another whose paid United Premium Economy upgrade had mysteriously disappeared from the system (despite her showing an e-mail receipt). I was beginning to sense a pattern--I'd encountered none of this stuff at any other airport worldwide. And to add insult to injury, we were all griping about this over regular cappuccinos: the self-described "alternative cafe" didn't offer decaf, saying it was "unsustainable and not organic."

Then it was a freakin' madhouse at the gate--people with Main Cabin & Basic Economy tickets kept congregating and cutting in line at the Priority Boarding area (despite the gate agent pleading "Delta One and Comfort+ only, please"). Two Delta employees were arguing with each other arguing over what that meant. Meanwhile, once we finally were herded and lined up in order of tickets purchased, we still had to open all our carry-ons for hand inspection before being allowed on to the jetway. Up till then, I'd been kicking myself for not digging out and refilling my collapsible water bottle after going through security, but it would've been confiscated (there was no place at the gate for emptying a bottle) or I'd have lost my place in the boarding line to go find a fountain or sink.

And the last unpleasant surprise from Delta: the entertainment on our Airbus 330 froze despite several reboots. At least we were compensated 5000 flyer miles.

DOTD: at dinner at the hotel's "Nomi" restaurant, Gamla Brut Reserve; on the plane, Aria Cava Brut. (No more alcohol for me at the Delta lounge at JFK--too early in the morning, though that didn't stop other passengers).

I'm still extremely jet-lagged, though my cold is slowly getting better; and Bob attributes my horribly swollen ankles & skins to "venous insufficiency," so I have to go pop another Lasix and lie down with my feet up till I have a shrink appt. in a couple of hrs. (Blew off the orthodontist this morning--didn't want to breathe my cold germs all over the staff). A bit nervous about driving, though I had 9 hrs. sleep last night (plus some day naps). But the shrink is up in Highland Park, 40 mi. north.

karen1956

Sandy - my ankles were so swollen when I landed at JFK - I don't remember it happening before - the swelling didn't go down till the next morning. I've been going to Israel twice/year since 2016 and yearly before that for several years. I was just there in December and then last summer. Sorry that . you had so many hassles. This was my first trip to Israel on Delta. I generally fly Air Canada (or a partner) so I can go through Toronto.

camillegal

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Hump Day!Here it is, almost the middle of April, and it's still snowing. 4 inches yesterday. 3.5 inches this ayem. Arrgghh.Even Sadie is disgusted!

Jazzy--what a moving article. Thanks for sharing.

Misty--LOL!!!

Jazzy--I can't wait for the virtual mortgage burning party!It's a great feeling!

Janky--Good luck with the scans today, praying for good results. And go ahead and do nothing if that's what your body needs you to do right now.

Librarian--Nothing like a good time with friends when you chatter away the hours and it seems like minutes.I'm curious to hear what you find out about oligometastatic bc.

Chi--crazy stuff with the Delta charges. And what a fiasco of a trip home! Glad you are home safe, and with nothing worse than swollen ankles and a resolving cold!

Morning, Karen!

Morning, Cammy!

Copper Camel

Recipe

• 1 ounce Baileys Irish cream
• 1/2 ounce butterscotch schnapps

Pour the Baileys into a shot glass, followed by the butterscotch schnapps.

Jazzygirl

Good morning friends- happy hump day! This week is going way too fast. Normally I would like that but it is my week to get a lot done before I start my new gig at the old place. We are doing the final paper work today on the contract and I will begin on Monday as scheduled. I got paid out the last of my invoices on the old gig that finished two weeks ago so I am ready to get back to making MO MONEY! I am on a mission with the house.

Yesterday it was up to 80 degrees and today it won't get above 60. Another bomb cyclone is moving in to the Rocky area (and extending down here) but not sure we will see much moisture. Mostly wind. Denver peeps and those in the plain states, be careful.

Chi- your travel back sounded hard. Take care of the swelling issues. I seem to have more of that these days on longer flights too. Do you know the waterfall pose in the yoga world? Otherwise called legs up the wall. It is a way to drain things out of your feet back in to the body. I do it at night before bed a lot to get what is ever in my feet and legs flowing back in to the body to be recycled. There may be reasons you would not want to do that either, Bob will know. Hope you can rest from the trip and recover from your cold.

Janky- fingers crossed on your scans for good outcomes!

Karen- how cool you go to Israel twice a year. Do you have family there?

JCS- oligometastatic bc is not a term I have ever heard so I read up on it. There are always new things to learn about this disease. I am trying to get my yard in a good place before I resume work (and back to having mostly weekends to do things). The winds today will keep me indoors.

Cami- I love your kitty memes. How much longer does Joey have for the school year? Is he doing okay? And Les? And how about you and all your boyfriends? Don't pretend you don't have lots of them.

NM- ugh, more snow. I just have one thing to say below about that

Have a good day ladies!

karen1956

Jazz - yup Denver is on Blizzard warning...we've had a little snow so far, but it is expected to pick up and winds are increasing. DIA cancelled 750 flights for today and 300+ for tomorrow morning....

My youngest daughter moved to Israel in 2016 - so reason for twice/year. Before that for several years I went in the summer. Since 2007 (my first time) I've been 12 times - I volunteer in the summer in a program for 2 weeks on an army base. I've made some good friends from doing it.

Not sure if I will venture out for a walk due to the winds and wet snow - might just need to walk in the house

ChiSandy

Jazzy, I definitely agree with that meme. Monday it was 77 here in Chicago...today we've been having "wintry mix" and may not even hit 50 till well into the weekend. Had to drag out the UGGs and leather parka again. Ugh. Will try the waterfall pose later today. Bob was still concerned enough last night that he insisted I blow off my mani-pedi and go see my primary this a.m. instead. Saw his P.A., who noted that the swelling had begun to go down, the redness & hardness were fading, and that the lymph "blobs" on my shin were all but gone. She was able to produce some "pitting" in the ankle edema--normally an ominous sign but in this case, the fact that my skin was soft enough to do that is a sign that the edema is beginning to resolve. She says to stay on the Lasix, alternate bedrest and walking, and see her or my primary in a week. (Also, to start wearing open-toed compression knee-highs when flying >2or 3 hrs). I was able to go to my mani-pedi afterward--though when the salon owner (who is my nail tech) saw the blisters on my L foot she elected to just trim the nails and do a polish change instead, being loath to soak my feet and possibly accidentally pop the blisters. (One bandage was coming off, so she replaced it).

Still a bit jet-lagged, with a lot of work to catch up on, so will try to post pix later when the fatigue has ebbed.

janky

Hump Day is almost done and my ct and bone scans are too!! My RO checked the images and says they look good, nothing jumping out, and she will have the actual Radiologists reports by Friday and will call, but no WORRIES!!! Happy dance for sure and I am heading out for a celebratory beverage in a wee while!!

Ha ha cami - I was hanging on

NM - thank you, I will take your advice and keep my feet up as necessary

Jazz - thank you, I guess you are slowly getting back to reality after those awesome cliffs?!

Stay warm and healthy everyone Cheers!

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Thirsty Thursday! I'm up and moving, and the sun is finally peeking up over the horizon, and NO SNOW!!! It may get as warm as 60 degrees on Saturday! Then rain coming next week. Hoping this snow will GO AWAY! I'm ready for more muddy Sadie paws!

Jazzy--amazing how fast time goes when you want it to slow down a bit! Love the snoodoo doll!

Karen--ok, you beat Maine.At least we aren't under a Blizzard warning! I say walk in the house!

Chi--lower leg swelling isa real problem on long flights. Getting up and walking around during the flight is a good idea but often not enough to keep the circulation going well. Compression stockings areagood idea, so is doing calf pumps every half hour or so. When I fly I probably drive the people around me crazy, I keep wiggling my feet and ankles --partly because I am short legged and often can't put my feet flat on the floor and partly from fear of getting a blood clot. The waterfall pose sounds like a really helpful thing to do.

Janky--HOORAY for the scan report! I'm sure the radiologist reading will agree with the RO's. Happy Dance, indeed!

Happy Days

Ingredients

1 1⁄2 oz Gentleman Jack whiskey

3⁄4 oz Banana liqueur

1⁄2 oz Fresh lime juice

1⁄2 oz Fresh grapefruit juice

1⁄2 oz Cinnamon demerara syrup

1 barspoon Ricard Pastis liqueur

1⁄2 oz Egg white

Directions

Combine all the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake.

Strain into a chilled rocks glass.

Garnish with a star anise.

camillegal

camillegal

FOR JANKY

camillegal

Mornin' ladies,

So far this week is like crazy March not like April showers

Karen how wonderful u go to Israel 2x a yr., especially cuz of ur DD. It's really something to look forward to.

Jazzy this week has to be flying by for u especially cuz ur gearing up for working so quickly after the last one. But knowing u u'll get it all done and ready to go back. R u sure ur not 2 people???

Kim the snow has to stop soon??? Holy chit ur really get Canada's weather. Imagine all the settlers that started on the east coast didn't know there were hot spots anywhere else. U'd think they would just stay there not knowing what else to expect. They were brave people See where my mind goes for no good reason.

Sandy it sounds like ur legs are in pretty good condition. Jeez with all the hoopala getting home it's got to happen. Good u went for ur peddy, I've never had one, never liked anyone touching my feet. I know it's silly. U must need a lot of rest BUT when ur ready I'm awaitin' for the pics.

Wed. was a goofy day. my brother was taken to the hospital <still there> to much crazy to explain but my SIL needs to have someone staying with her so all kind of chit, my niece came over and my BIL called everyone was all over the place nd all confused with my SIL <dementia> about the cray cray things so it was an all day type of thing. A real hump day with lots of humps.

Saying hello to everyone I'm so sorry when I miss some of u, I don't mean to.

LUBS U ALL

Jazzygirl

Good morning friends- getting up a bit late today (how nice is that) after a super fun night of music. There is a place in town that does a jazz jam every Wednesday night that I have not been to in a good six months or more, as I always had Thursday morning meetings to do with my last project/client. So many of my music friends were there and got to play a flute solo with a woman whose music I adore. What a night, I will remember this one for a long time. I have missed my music community, not spent as much time with them as I have been but things are gonna change. I realize once again that being around them (and my music) is really good for me. It's that darned work that sometimes gets in the way......

Got my contract signed yesterday and ready to go for Monday. Last few days to get a bunch done around home, with errands, etc.

Janky- congrats on the good scans yesterday. I know final reports say it all but your prelims sound very positive. Happy dance.

Cami- I don't it to be friday yet. Cherishing every free moment this week as I won't have a full week off again for awhile. But check with me next week, I will be ready!

Karen- how is the storm? My friend said as of last night, it was not that bad yet but it was to worsen over night. Our high winds are gone but it is cold again and down in to the 30s last night and only a high of 50s today. Not done with my fleece yet!

Chi- how is the swelling?

Okay, some new music to share you. This gal was just on the Today Show and boy do I like her style. She is a flute player too. She has a nice groove going here......

https://www.today.com/video/watch-lizzo-perform-juice-live-on-today-1488239683693

Have a good day friends!

janky

cami - the snow doesn't come from Canada! Though we got some too in the last couple of days ') Sounds like you did indeed have lots of humps to get through, I hope they have settled down.

NM - yes bring on the rain, the heck with muddy paws! Every time I read a post about your new job I cheer as it sounds like this is such a great place for you!! It is always nice to work where you are appreciated.

chi - long travel times do seem to cause swelling, I have been wearing compression socks and wiggling my legs and toes too - I will be travelling to Daytona Beach early May, but the longest leg is only 4 hours so not too bad. Do you contact Delta after you are home to dispute their treatment and the refusal to allow you in the lounge? That seems so uncalled for! Israel sounds like an amazing place/

Jazzy - so glad you will be making MO Money again - gotta love that!!

karen - my son and his family lived in Littleton for 3 years, really, really loved the area, we visited them and found it a fascinating place - Red Rocks being one of my favorite places. I hope the snow doesn't hit too bad!

Well, I guess I should get dressed and get started on my day - it is after 9 am... Cheers!

karen1956

Jazz and Janky - the storm wasn't as bad as predicted. By 8 last night it had been downgraded from blizzard warning to winter storm watch for the Denver metro area. Denver only got a couple inches of snow and today its all gone excepts some areas of grass. Red Rocks if my favorite venue for concerts - great acoustics. Haven't been to a concert in a couple years. Weather is supposed to turn spring again by beginning of the week.

janky

Karen - glad to hear about the storm - go figure - it is snowing here in Alberta now arghhh!

jazzy - I am for sure doing the happy scan dance!!

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy TGIF day! Wish I could say I'm looking forward to a sleep in tomorrow, but gotta get up at the usual time to head out for CPR Instructor training this weekend. Had a bit of surprise at work yesterday. The director of Nursing caught me as I came in to tell me that the administrator had been replaced as of yesterday. There were Board of Directors members in the building yesterday, I chatted with a couple of them and apparently with the new administrator but never realized what was happening. The DON said no one was even given a chance to say goodbye to the former administrator, who is (was) very well-liked by the staff. I've got to admit that I am so curious to know what happened, but I also know that I'll probably never know. Now to start learning about the new administrator and his priorities and work style and start adapting. What's life without change, right?

Cammy--poor kitty, I just want to scoop him up and cuddle him! And the Happy Dance! Fun!I do think the snow will have to stop sometime, I'm just wondering if it will be this year or next! Temps did get up to the 60s yesterday, supposed to be the same today and over the weekend, lots and lots of melting going on. At least that gives hope! Sorry to hear about your brother, and your SIL and all the confusion. Nothing like a bumpy hump day!

Jazzy--So glad you got to reconnect with the music people in your life! We do need these little reminders from time to time that taking care of ourselves is important, too. Oh wow, that Lizzo is GREAT! Love her voice. And she has backup singers that aren't Barbie dolls! What fun to listen to and watch!

Janky--Yesterday's news of a new administrator was another example of how different this job site is from the old one. There was no gossip about the changeover, no groups of staff huddled in corners speculating on who is next to go, everyone pretty much just took in the news, shrugged, and kept on working. No time wasted on drama. The day the Director of the Hospice office announced he was leaving just about NOTHING got done ALL DAY! And you are right, it is sonice to be told how much someone appreciates my work and my help like I have been hearing.

Karen--glad the storm got downgraded. Blizzards this time of year are just nuts.

The Blizzard Cocktail

Ingredients

Simple Syrup

• • 1 cup water
• • 1 cup granulated sugar

Ingredients

• • 2 ¼ oz. bourbon
• • 1 ½ oz. 100% pure cranberry juice, , unsweetened
• • ½ oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• • 1 oz. simple syrup
• • Lemon slices and cranberries, for garnish

Instructions

Make the Simple Syrup

1. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the water and sugar over medium-high heat.
2. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Do not boil.
3. When the sugar has completely dissolved into the water, remove from the heat and set aside. Store in a mason jar in the refrigerator until time to use the syrup.

Make the Blizzard

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Pour the bourbon, cranberry juice, freshly squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup into the cocktail shaker.
3. Place the lid onto the cocktail shaker, and shake vigorously.
4. Place spherical ice or whiskey stones in an old fashioned glass. Pour the drink over the ice cube/whiskey stones.
5. Garnish with a slice of lemon or a couple of cranberries, and enjoy immediately.

goldie0827

Hey ladies, YES, I'm home. Of course we spent Monday night in Phoenix and home on Tuesday. Had to go into town yesterday, so been a little busy. Anyways, my DD is doing well, I hope it stays that way. I'm just afraid she is going to over do it, since she does feel so well. I must have told her 100 times that even tho she feels good, she has to be very careful. It's not just about what it looks like on the inside, and that her whole insides were cut, uterus taken out and flipped over, etc. She still has to have more surgery, but going to do that stateside, after she gets on some insurance plan. She plans on going to Michigan, however, I tried to talk her into having it in AZ, as I am home and can take care of her 24/7. She wants to see her dad and her friends, all of whom work. I told her, this is not about a visit, it's about your health. But she won't hear it.

I have skimmed over the posts, but not commenting on everyone/everything. Those of you experiencing this crazy weather, it's just been a crazy one all the way around, all winter and now spring.

Cami, glad you have talked to Dara, and my gosh, you are so right about your DD dealing with about the same thing as Dara, who IS still having issues. Mesh coming thru the holes in her stomach, and she can't do anything until insurance kicks in, I think she said a month.

Karen, good to see you here.

Jazzy, we should plan a meet in Gallup. We are so close to one another! We just never head in that direction. I think it's only about a 2 hour drive for both of us?

Janky, back to FL. again. Didn't you just get back from there?

I have a ton of house cleaning, laundry, gardening and we are going to start to paint our house. It looks horrible on the outside and we aren't tuned in to spending 30-50 thousand on siding. So paint it is! I will be more diligent in my posts going forward, now that I'm home.

Love, Huggles and CHeErZ!

camillegal

OK Jazzy don't look at this.

camillegal

Mornin' ladies,

Lori I'm glad ur home and ur DD is doing OK, but she sounds as stubborn as u are, so I hope she really listens. When ur young and feel OK u tend not to. Oh I'm sure u have a lot to ketchup on now, but still do it slowly, yea like ur going to listen to me.

All right I ask for forgiveness for this question cuz I do get confused and don't remember like I used to. Karen are u the Karen that used to be here all the time and I have u on facebook??? Or r u new here, there are so many things u say that sound familiar to me. LOL

Jazzy it has been quite a while since u did the Wed. nite thing. Glad u went and u did a solo. U r good girl.

See Kim everyone notices the difference in u ever since u have this new job. Sounds so much more relaxed.

Jeez I'm loosing track like crazy, my phone keeps on ringing. Chit I'll be back

LUBS U ALL

goldie0827

Cami, that is the same Karen. She lives in CO, works in a school.

Jazzygirl

TGIF friends- this week has gone quickly! Today I am doing a trip to the consignment shop to unload more excess stuff (spring clothing, purses, etc.) I have been in "mining the closets" again and got more going out today. Plus a trip to my fav friday bc yoga class. The winds are down finally, but it is still cooler again. Should be warming up through the weekend.

Goldie- that is a great idea, meeting in Gallup! I have not been there in a few years, my last time was passing through on my way to Sedona in 2011. It is an easy 2 hour ride each way from ABQ. Maybe this summer? As I write this, the song "Route 66" is in my head. Once I am more settled in the new gig and know my schedule, we can plan something.

I am glad your DD is doing well but you are right to warn her about overdoing it. Those big abdominal incisions are risky for awhile, and the risk to hernia is pretty high. My gyn hard lined me about not doing anything big for awhile. I hope she will take your offer to go to AZ to have the next surgery. Unless someone up there is going to help her, she is better off with you. When I had my surgery, a friend offered to come in and help but said "oh its balloon fiesta during that time, do you think we can go?" Eye roll. I had the help here I needed.

NM- well that is unsettling about the quick firing of the administrator. Often when that happens, you never know why unless it is part of a structured lay off (had it happen in a couple jobs where people were walked out the same day). I hope you end up with someone decent as the replacement. I know leadership sets the tone of the culture in any organization and hope your new administrator is as good as the old.

And thanks for being ready to do the mortgage burning party with me. I will do increased payments in to the fall and by October, will visit the bank for the end of year pay off amount.

Karen- good to hear the storm was not as bad this time.

Okay gotta run but more soon. Have a good slide in to the weekend my peeps.....

janky

Fabulous Friday! It is gray, foggy and cold in Alberta, no sunshine showing anywhere! Nobig plans, as asked by DIL to watch the 2 grands tomorrow evening so that will be nice for sure, then my daughter is going to try and do something with the stuff on my head that is supposed to be hair...I have really been having issues with it, so she is thinking to put in different colored highlights to blend with my natural gray and hope that it settles down some of the frizzes! I may even go back to short and pixie like, very similar to the style about 8 months post chemo

goldie - yes back to Florida, even though still pooped from March visit. One of my sisters and one of my sons have organized a family reunion surprise - I was supposed to be in the surprised part of the family, but because I was so tired, they shared the event. Our WHOLE family will be there from my parents, right down to the 5 great grandkids, so what a time it will be at Daytona Beach! Some siblings (1 of my sisters is unaware and 2 of my children are unaware that all of them/us will be together!), so it will be fun but very, very hetic!

Have a verry great weekend everyone, cheers! Janice

JCSLibrarian

I went to see my Oncologist this AM. Met with his PA instead. She seemed nice and was willing to listen to my insane questions. It appears I am not oligometastatic. I have too many very small tumors in my lungs, so that does not fit the definition. She also restated the MO’s opinion of no surgery to the primary tumor. I am having a hard time rationalizing the fact that my diagnosis is an incurable disease that is maintained until you get worse and die. She did say that being otherwise healthy gives me a lot of benefit when it comes to tolerating the treatments. Time to decide if I think a second opinion would lead to a different outcome. Otherwise I have to work on accepting what is reality and making the best of it.

My brother is an insulin dependent type II diabetic. He recently shared with me that his baby toe got infected and “a little gangrene”. He has been in the hospital for four days on IV antibiotics. He is being released today with a PICC line so he can continue the antibiotics once a week while things totally heal. I cannot figure out how an adult can let something get so far out of hand before going to the doctor. His baby toe is black and the one next to it has a deep hole. This could eventually result in amputation if the infection does not totally clear up. He will be out of work for over a month which is another problem.

Raining hard here today. Fits my mood well, so I am already on the couch with plans for a nap later. Also having a number of glasses of wine later.Wishing everyone a great weekend!

janky

JCS - That is the really, really crappy part of being stage 4, AND yes it is only 'maintainable' at this time, but the nice thing about it is that there are so many different treatments out there, that when 1 fails, there is usually another to keep us going! I have been on my first line since January 2018 and so far am considered 'stable' - who knew that stable could be such an exciting thing with regards to life. There is lots of support here and I will keep you company with some wine at the end of the day! Message me if you have any questions that I may be able to help with. Cheers! Janice

ChiSandy

Windy, blue skies, 50F--as warm as we'll be until well into next week. This will be another wild weather weekend: strong thunderstorms last night, more wind tomorrow (struggling to get above 50) and Sunday? Oy. High of 38, with rain, snow, sleet and more winds. Natch, it's the day I MUST go out. This is our temple cantor's 25th-anniv. "Legacy Weekend," and I have to be there tonight at 6:30 for the "Share-a-Shabbat" early family service & dinner (the usual roast chicken buffet). Tomorrow morning at 11 is the Sat. service (usually poorly attended by anyone other than bar/bat mitzvah guests) and "oneg Shabbat" (dessert buffet)--and I am NOT a morning person, jet-lag or no.Tomorrow night is the "Silver Cocktail Party" at a recently renovated co-working/event space mansion four blocks from me...at $1000/head. Nope.

And Sunday at 4 is the "Cabaret Celebration:" reasonable, but I'd never get out in time to make my dear friend's going-away party at 7 at a famous long-time pizzeria that is "going away" too. He's had some progressing health issues, and his wife has been living & working in Charleston, SC--her home state, where they bought a house and to which he's been commuting monthly for a year now. He is retiring Monday--when he finally fully vests his union & corporate pension (he's a news radio reporter). No way Bob & I are missing that--sadly, Gordy will have to due to his work hours. (He has to use whatever vacation time he's accrued to go to Alaska for Leslie's sister's wedding). Meanwhile, parking for the temple events is gonna be a bee-yotch--I lack a handicap placard so I can't use the temple lot; and the overflow lots at three local churches are even further a walk from my home than is the temple itself. So my swollen ankles and foot blisters will have to behave themselves--that, or try to explain to a Lyft driver why I'm riding only half a mile. (And traffic patterns are such that pickup & dropoff would be problematic).

Bob will be staying down in Oak Lawn Sat. night to get an early enough Sun. start (and miss Palm Sunday mass) to make the party. He's disappointed that I won't be driving down to join him. But the commute to Oak Lawn is bad enough as it is; there's nowhere down there worth dining; and the hotel (basically, overpriced and barely better than a motel) is a mess--under construction, with the executive lounge closed down to squeeze in a few more overpriced rooms and the free-drinks-&-breakfast option being a coupon to be used in the increasingly mediocre restaurant. Its only redeeming value is its proximity to Advocate Christ and Little Company of Mary hospitals, and the HiltonHonors points it generates for our account. Oh, and I'd be driving home in the wintry-mix mess. Nope--done enough traveling for awhile that I refuse to do more unless it's either a real treat or an emergency.

No alcohol since returning Monday. Yesterday's DOTD was a couple cans of Bubly and a chocolate egg cream (used up the Fairlife milk that was about to "turn," waiting for Amazon Fresh to deliver more). Maybe there'll be wine tonight, maybe not. Usually, at these family dinner/services it's grape juice for the kiddush/hamotzi (blessing over wine/grace), iced tea or lemonade.

I'd try to contact Delta about the Dan lounge fiasco (they did a "chargeback" on the failed first class upgrade), but I'm not prepared to peel back several layers of bureaucracy, assuming I could even eventually reach the right person to whom to complain. They are likely to cite some obscure weasel-words that the management of each lounge is the ultimate arbiter. (The elimination of the $70 day-pass last fall was the company's reaction to the "exclusive" vibe of its lounges being tainted by the hoi polloi in shorts/t-shirts/flip-flops who merely had money rather than "class"--there have been instances of some casually-dressed business-class passengers--many of color--turned away because the receptionists deemed they didn't "fit the Sky Club image"). At this point, if they deposit another few thousand miles into my account (as they did as compensation for 12 hrs. w/o a functioning entertainment system), "dayeinu," as we say at Seder next week.

Meanwhile, I am stuck here waiting for Amazon Fresh (they're supposed to get here by 3) before I can shower, do my hair and dress for tonight. So no way to get into the messy business of converting HEIC files and posting pix & comments from my trip.