how about drinking?

Jazzygirl

Hi friends- well it's a wintry day here in New Mexico. I was up early to take my friend to her eye surgery. She did fine, but had general anesthesia vs. the sedation like I had, so I stayed with her for awhile after I go her home. It was snowing pretty heavily by the time I got to her place a bit before 6 a.m. and, crazy snowing from the time she was in the surgery center.

I went to hang out at the nearby Starbucks during her procedure, better than waiting in the cramped and busy waiting room in that hospital anyways. No winter flus or viruses for me thank you. Then I got her home and stayed for awhile until she was ready to sleep. Myself and another person on her side of the city will be reaching out today to check in on her, as well as the next few days.

Back home and my other car is now ready for pick up after it's repair, so I am waiting to hear about the shuttle and if I can get them to pick me up in another hour to go get her. Snow is supposed to stop by then, so they say. And Goldie, we had those winds too, the "big winds" usually start up in February and think yesterday was only the beginning of those spring winds we all know too well out here in the wild west.

I found out last night I am getting a second interview and waiting to hear more on that. Fingers crossed!

And wow, lots of distance and driving between some of you gals working to connect around Goldie's visit but I hope it can happen and you can all have some laughs together.

CeliaC

Cami - I like your hairdo idea. Looks easy to care for.

Jazzygirl

Well bummer, the whole new job opp thing fell apart today because of some some policy change about where they can hire consultants from (major urban areas vs. approved firms). That is a new one, but not something I will put any more energy in to. Doing some wrap up e-mails and onward we go!

mistyeyes

Cami - I liked the hair style and it does look like it would be easy and work with a bit of hair product in it.

Jazzy - Sorry to hear about the job prospect. Its really stinks when you go so far through the interview process. I love your "onward" attitude and I am one to believe that there is something better for you out there.

camillegal

camillegal

Mornin ladies,

Oh Lori, u r getting me all excited about seeing u again, I'll find out nything u want to know but I do know the motel was within 5 mins. from here and Joey will be exploding with excitement. Now when will it be, but I want u to know if u change ur mind I will understand . so don't ever think this is written in stone, it's entirely how u feel and I know that. and Joey does too nowadays.

Jazzy I'm so sorry about this job, but believe me when I say they are the losers and I know something better will come along. Ur just to sharp to not hire. It's so nice how u take care of ur friend, but I wouldn't expect anything else from you. It's funny when u tell us it's snowing I never use to think of NM with any kind of snow, just like AZ, u guys always surprise me with some of the weather u have. And Lori with 70 miles wind is worse than Chicago.

Lily are u new??? It was nice that you pooped in to give me some feedback, actually very nice. I hope u come back and share ur story.

Again no Kim., WTF

Illi how's today going for u, I hope better. And a few of u have Dr. stuff going on this week, hoping all goes well. Some of u gals are going thru a harder time now, please know we're here and there are always more prayers for u gals which can be very powerful and very positive thoughts for u. Look at Lori she's been amazing, she's truly someone to admire. It's been much easier on my sister an me from day 1 we knew and they seem to have things under control all these years. I just like to complain a lot.

Sandy believe me if it was easy for me or if I even drove, I certainly would make an effort to see u perform in DG. Friday night. But things are different for me now and I'm sure u'll be at ur best. YAY for u having o have some drinking in ujr evening. It's about time. And if Lori comes u' better make some time and we can figure out where to meet that's convenient.

My niece came over yesterday for my shower, now she was a beautician, just like Leslie was,,,so I told them between the 2 of them they can figure out the hair style. Les still cuts our hair and a few neighbors and Deb does her family but Les know how to razor cut, so between the 2 of them I think they can ,manage it.

Lori my GF told me a friend of ours died, we both liked him a lot and then she tells me her son passed out at work, found out he has sleep apnea, he's in his mid 30's. To us way to young and she's cracking up. She always tends to call me to settle her down---for some reason she thinks I help her so I did the best I could. Let;'s face it when anything is wrong with ur own son <or dgtr> it's very hard to hold it together.Her mom lives with her now with dementia so she has her hands full. And she is an extreme worrier, of course I worry but not like her.

Oh chit my print is getting smaller this stupid computer. or me.

LUBS U ALL

goldie0827

Jazzy, I'm really sorry about the new job op, you seemed so happy to possibly be getting it....bummer. Best way to look at it things happen for a reason.

Cami, I'm really gonna try and make it out there, cuz in September, my DD will be there and maybe my son, so I want to spend as much time as I can with them. Yes, that hotel just down the road. I want the name to make reservations. My travels are March 4-12. I think the hotel I stayed at before was the Hampton Inn. Sorry for the bad news your BFF shared with you. And thank for the very sweet things you said about me. I think you are admirable as well.

Mary, do you think you would be interested? I could meet you in Toledo, but one of us would have to leave our car there over night. Not sure if you will be done with work or not by then, but if not, I forgot which days you work. If you would like to go.

I think NM has another busy week this week.

BabyGirl, how are you doing?

Cold here again today, was below the donut hole (as NM calls it) this morning. But come Saturday, 65....woo hoo!

Jack Frost Winter Cocktail

1 tbsp light corn syrup
1/3 cup shredded coconut
3 cup ice
1 cup pineapple
1/2 cup vodka
1/2 cup blue curacao
1/2 cup cream of coconut

1. On a small plate, add shredded coconut. Wet the rim of a glass with simple syrup (can also use simple syrup, but it won't hold the coconut as well) and gently dab the top the glass in the shredded coconut, coating the rim. See above video for example. Set glass aside.
2. Add ice, pineapple juice, vodka, blue curacao, and cream of coconut to a food processor. Pulse until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Pour Jack Frost Winter Cocktail into prepared glasses.
4. Serve immediately.

Jazzygirl

Hi ladies- thanks for your kind words about this work opp not coming to fruition. Having done lots of business development for work with my consulting business these past 13 years, I know there is no guarantee things will work out, even if on the surface everything looks positive. And I also know that when something does not work out too, it often means it is not the right thing for me (like Goldie and Cami say). Sometimes it is because we get spared from a situation that may not be the best for us, other times it is because something better yet to come. I have this mug and also a book of daily readings about "trusting the process of life". I did do some closure e-mails to my colleague who was working on this with me, and the hiring manager who I talked to Monday, and thanked them both for their time to discuss the possibility of us working together.

Yesterday was such a long day for me, so I am taking today to regroup and will get back on track tomorrow with some worky things. The storm that came through

Cami- I am sorry to hear about the hard news. Losses and health problems galore in every direction sister. Sending much love.

I like hearing Joey is part of Goldie's fan club too. I think you goils have a plan in the works to meet up in March. I hope there will be some adult beverages involved.

Chi- I have been thinking about letting my hair go grey this year. I found this really cute silver/grey wig at my fav thrift store a few weeks ago, where I donate things. It is a higher end thrift store, and the wig looked healthy. I want to give it a try this year to see if I am ready for grey. I went grey early (40) and was not ready then, but I turn 60 next month and think it may be time. The wig was $12 and if you can find something to try out a different look, I think it's a great idea.

Mistyeyes- how are things for you. How is the family? Work? Weather?

Genny- did you make it home? I know you have some apts coming up on next steps. We are in your pocket sister.

Ill- thinking of you and hoping that you are continuing to heal and doing a bit better every day sister. I look forward to hearing how you are doing when you are feeling up to it.....

NM- I went a lurking on FB even though I am not posting and not seeing you out there either. My guess is there is something going on for you and hope you are doing okay. We are here if you need to talk.....

Goldie- we had that really high wind on Monday, followed by snow yesterday and just COLD today. Winter came back, but it's going to warm up again this weekend and then winter comes back again next week.

CeliaC- hope you are enjoying retirement still!

Wishing everyone a good evening

ChiSandy

Lombard is 45 minutes from me (except in rush hour or a snowstorm). Toledo is 4 to 5 hrs--I've done Chicago-Sandusky (Cedar Point) in about that time (of course, add 1 hr for the time change from Central to Eastern time zones). Cami, I never expected you to drive (or even be driven) to DG--was hoping there'd be a Chicago-area "lurker" around here.

Finally getting us some winter--about 1" of lake effect snow falling (not enough to keep us from going to dinner), so long as the snow brush is handy. Gonna get about 3-5" tomorrow, but should be cleared by the time I have to drive to DG Fri. night. (Stephen--my performing partner--lives in Madison, WI, so he's an old pro at this). Last time we gigged together was Apr. 23 in Chicago...and we got 3" of snow! (Guess we bring it along with us).

Had my PCP visit yesterday, and he was amazed at the weight loss. Gave me some yoga poses to do for my back and shoulders, plus advice to tell my trainer what to work on when I make it to the gym. My a1c is now down to 5.4--fully out of the woods. My HDL (71) and triglycerides (125) are back to normal levels, but my LDL & total cholesterol are a bit high. But my total-to-HDL ratio is 3.6, so he says I'm not at risk and don't need to stop eating saturated fat--and that the connection between serum cholesterol (lower than 300) and heart disease risk is now being called into doubt. Still gonna keep the statin--it's cheap and not doing any harm. My blood count is still borderline, just on the good side of "anemic," so I will find out tomorrow if he wants me to keep taking iron. He also says that Prolia lasts only 6 mos., so I might need to be on it for life if my Dexa scan indicates I'm still osteopenic. (New scan is yet to be scheduled--hospital says the diagnostic code he entered for it would be rejected by Medicare).

Not sure what I'm gonna drink tonight...but I'm gonna drink. Made myself some sugar-free (monkfruit) hot cocoa with unsweetened almond milk earlier. Pretty good.

EDIT: Bob says the snow is over ice, and driving home is a nightmare, so we ordered in from a new French place and are waiting for delivery. Aperitif (sipping as I type) is Graham Beck (S. Africa) Brut Rosé.

camillegal

It's me just poopin in. Lori think u stayed at the Holiday Inn it's in the next town over. But we'll look further. Does that seem right to you???OMG I'm getting so excited, I'm going to calm down just in case. This one said 95.00, of course a couple of years ago it would be different I'm sure. We'll keep looking. OK I'll be back later.

I'm watching Goilden Girls as usual, and <the 80's fashion> the had so many night clothes an dressy cloths, no one bhas that many but fun to watch.

goldie0827

Jazzy yes, I'm trying to work on a plan for a visit with Mary and Cami. I just have to wait until I hear back from Mary on it. And you and I have to work on a plan to meet up.

Mary, I don't expect you to make any commitments just yet. I know you have a lot on your plate right now. I know you have biopsy and scans, maybe today and tomorrow? Or Friday and Monday. Regardless, we are in your pockets.

Sandy, sounds like your appt. went well and with snow over ice, glad you decided to stay home.

Cami, just knowing that we are Hilton people, I would have thought I stayed at the Hampton. But looking at a map, from what I can remember driving there, it would have been the Holiday Inn. But they are both close. Hampton is on North St. and Holiday Inn is on Gary, just south of North. Now how funny does that sound! Room rates are about the same at each one.

DOTD: The Golden Dawn

Ingredients
¾ ounce gin (London dry gin; see Notes)
¾ ounce calvados or applejack (see Notes)
¾ ounce apricot brandy (see Notes)
¾ ounce Cointreau
¾ ounce orange juice, preferably fresh-squeezed
stemless cherry (for garnish)
dashes of grenadine, preferably homemade (optional, but adds nice color)

Procedure
Place all ingredients—except the cherry and grenadine—in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake vigorously until well-chilled (20 seconds or so).
Strain the contents of the shaker into a cocktail glass, preferably one that's been chilled. Drop the cherry into the glass (it'll nest on the bottom). Add a couple dashes of grenadine—it will flow to the bottom of the glass, enveloping the cherry (see pictures).

maryland

morning girls, not much time now but my work day looks slow so I’ll take my puter and look at dates Lori and hopefully get caught u

camillegal

Jazzygirl

Cami, back at cha....

camillegal

Mornin ladies

Well Sandy how much snow is going on there. It's still coming down here looking like a couple of inches. I'm sure by tomorrow night it will be good tho.

OK Lori we have an uproar here <with excitement> Leslie's has a few places picked out, she cant remember exactly either. Joey will sen them to you and see what u remember. I hope Mary will be good for sure and Sandy not that far at all and I'll make sure u won't get stuck with me at home, cu I'm going too. wherever. And there are great restaurants around here too. So we'll see for the date for Mary too. BTW ur drinks are so pretty.

But I miss Kim.

Illi are things better this morning, I'm always praying for u gals, I think it's turning into nagging. So everyone feel better.

LUBS U ALL

illimae

Cross posted

Update: Throat scope yesterday confirmed that my left vocal cord is paralyzed and the right can't compensate for the gap. Today is had a procedure to help, it was the injection of a filler (like for plumper lips) into the vocal cord but they seemed to have trouble, so not sure if enough got injected to see much benefit. No talking for 24 hours, which is difficult since I had to get a mask fitting for 5 sessions (scheduled during my birthday week ☹️) to clean up brain radiation and now I wait for another brain MRI. I'm writing notes to the various techs but it is just so inconvenient. Still thinking this is temporary and it better be because choking and coughing on everything put me in a pretty crappy mood. Anyway, I'm sure tomorrow will be a better day. Wishing you all well.

maryland

hi girls, got a bit busy at work , never got to catch up today, lyig in bed typing from my phone, skeered bout my CT scans tomorrow. Sposed to be sleeping, 3 glasses of wine, 1/2 mj cookie and a Xanax over the course of the last 4 hours and I’m wide awake. Ugh!

Lori, I’d love to go to Chicago with you, best days for me would be 6,7,8 or 9th. We’ll split the hotel, let’s get something nice, we deserve it!

I’ll, my heart is breaking for you, hope tomorrow is better 😘🙏

Gotta go need to try and sleep.

Jazzygirl

Genny- in your pocket tomorrow. I think there will be a few of us there with you

ChiSandy

I have a raft of Hilton Honors points, and a Hampton Inn less than a mile north of me, across from the Loyola U. campus! (Great restaurant--"Onward"--in its lobby).

We got about 2" or so overnight, and tonight another 1/2" of "lake effect" snow.

Ilona, hope they can get a Gelfoam injection to "take." I am so paranoid about my vocal cords that I request a "pediatric" airway if there's any chance I have to be intubated for surgery. Once the inflammation has calmed down and you're off vocal rest, there are specific exercises that "work" your lower register (aka "chest voice") to bulk up the "bowed" vocal fold. Ask for a referral to an ENT who's a voice specialist.

No DOTD today for me--home alone, rehearsing for my show tomorrow. 2 45-min. sets. Hoping my L fingertips aren't too sensitive--my calluses disappeared and I hadn't "rebuilt" them.

Had to get my 3rd gel mani in 8 days. For the first one last Wed., the tech (the salon owner) used IBD brand polish (Ooh-la-Lace, a light pink) with Wave brand "no-clean" (i.e., no need for an alcohol wipe) topcoat. By Fri. morning it was rippling & pitting. So Sat. I went back; she removed the topcoat, added a coat of the pink polish, and used Gelish brand topcoat. But starting Tues. the edges of the nails were turning black (like I was doing a reverse French manicure, only Goth). This had happened before with Gelish topcoat, this past Nov.--I noticed it sitting on a city tour bus in London (on a much darker gel polish color, Gelish brand "From Dusk Til Dawn"). I freaked out and texted my nail tech, who replied she'd never seen it happen before and that I should have a London salon remove the topcoat and apply another. But I couldn't get an appointment. When I got home, she swore I was the only client who experienced this and it's because I "wear black clothing and the nails pick up the dye." That's ridiculous--I've been wearing black for decades and been going to her for 10 years and it never happened before, even with pink-and-white French tip manicures. By last night, not even filing could erase the black lines, the "free edges" by my cuticles were turning dark, and one nail was gettting black "crazing" like old china. The polish had taken on a bluish cast too.

I called a salon about a mile north of me that had gotten rave reviews on Yelp and EveryBlock and described what was happening--the salon owner said either there was something in my body chemistry that changed, or (more likely) my salon was probably using bottles of older topcoats that may have picked up dye chemicals from other, darker polishes over which they'd been brushed on other clients. (My housekeeper said she'd encountered that happen in cheap shopping-mall " nail mills that simply pour thinner into bottles of gel topcoats that are getting old).

So I went into the new salon, and the owner told me that after this mani wears out (or has to be removed) to take at least a month off before the next "no chip" mani because my nails are so thin & weak: due in equal parts to cancer treatment, menopause and too-rough gel-removal technique (my salon uses a metal "scoop" curette instead of a wooden stick to scrape off the softened polish after soaking). She suggested that for that first week after removal, I should try to wear nothing but "post-gel-therapy" clear or sheer polish treatments if I don't want to go bare-nailed. After tomorrow, I have no shows to play for a few months, so I won't need gels. (I can't stand metal or plastic fingerpicks, because I can't really feel the strings when I wear them, and play too sloppily--but without gels or acrylics, the steel strings actually wear notches in my index fingernail after only a few songs).

Meanwhile, the new salon used OPI gel base, polish ("Tickle My France-y," a mauve-y beige) and topcoat. After an evening of rehearsing playing steel strings, so far so good. We'll see what tomorrow brings. I'm due at my regular salon for a mani-pedi on Wed., but I'll get just the pedi and explain to the owner that her gel products just aren't working for me. I like this color, though, and she may have it in OPI's regular polish line for two weeks from Wed. (over Nailtiques or a similar therapy clear polish).

goldie0827

Cami, I'm glad everyone is excited, and if you are not feeling up to going out, then we don't, plain and simple. I'm sure you have plenty of places out there that we can get carry out. And of course there will be a pool at the hotel if Joey or anyone else wants to go swimming.

BabyGirl, I just don't know what to say, such an ordeal you are going through. Continued prayers that everything heals, and heals quickly and you get a clean scan.

Mary, of course you're skeered. We are all with you today. I hope you finally got some rest. Let's shoot for 8th-9th (Sun/Mon) k? As for hotels, nothing outstanding near by. We have a Hampton and Holiday Inn within like 5 minutes of Cami's. I think Holiday Inn is where I stayed the last time and it's nice, and I imagine the Hampton will be nice as well. I'm really glad you are up to going.

Sandy, we have a ton of Hilton awards as well, but I don't think $100 is going to break Mary and I...lol. What an ordeal with your manicure!

NM, I hope next week will be more normal for you.

Your choice!

JCSLibrarian

Good Morning all!

Oh, Illimae! The vocal cords are so precious. My DH has has several vocal cord biopsies for a precancerous lesion. We worry each time the cord itself could be affected. Follow the drs instructions and we will all send powerful thoughts to get you through this.

Genny - Know we are with you during and after the scan! Hoping for good news.

Goldie- I am so jealous of your trip to see everyone. Have a DOTD round for me!

Went to see Los Lobos last night. They were fantastic. They have aged, but have not lost any ability or spirit. We rocked out to all their songs. Los Lobos should have played for the Super Bowl!

We survived the Big Storm of February. It rained and the wind blew, but no damage. Charlotte got smacked as well as Greenville. I am saddened this morning. A dear friend lost her adult son in a car accident yesterday. He lived in Arizona, but was able to visit his mother this Christmas. She will cherish that time. Starting to make preparations for the mountain trip. Found some hikes with waterfalls and two mountain towns to explore. Fingers crossed the weather is decent.

Take care everyone!

NativeMainer

Good Morning< Loungettes! Finally found one of my bluetooth keyboards and got it synced up with the Kindle so I can type responses as I read off the iPhone. I liked dictatating responses to the iPhone, but it ate up battery charge like nobody's business. Still waiting for the electrician, need to call and make sure he hasn't forgotten me. I'm sure he hasn't, but can't hurt to check, right? Sadie is a little put out with me this week. Tuesday's 12 hour shift turned into 15 hours, and Wednesday's 4 hour shift turned into 7 hours. Thank God yesterday's 12 hour shift didn't turn into another 15 hour one despite multiple crises. And there is flu in the building so everyone has gotten put on Tamiflu--thank the Good Lord this year's strains are susceptible to it. Last year's strains were resistant. And this morning Sadie and I had a wonderfully lovely sleep it, didn't wake up until 8, didn't get up until 9. And seeing all the ice coated trees makes me happy not to have to be driving today. Anyway, no long shifts next week, back to a full week of my regular job. Got to do some major catch up work, but that's ok. Also have to rethink the covering 12 hour shifts thing, and either find a way to help out with 8 hour shifts or cut back to 1 a week and limit it to a certain number of weeks. I know the Agency staff overtime is killing the budget, but I'm not going to let that be a reason for me to get overextended and risk getting sick.

Goldie--Yup, another busy week. And yesterday was quite the day. 3 resident falls, 1 respiratory distress, 4 with elevated temperatures needing extra monitoring, and a million and one phone calls from families who wanted to check on loved ones but not come if because of the snow and the flu being in house. That Frito Pie does look good,but the Lavender-Lemon Gin and tonic looks even better! I'm not a big chili fan.

Genny--I hope to be able to figure something out with 8 hour shifts, too, but healthcare scheduling is pretty set in the 12 hour pattern nowadays. The younger nurses love it, but it's hard on us older nurses. and given that the median age of a nurse in Maine is approaching 50 these days I can forsee a crisis in the making. More and more older nurses are going to retire early due to not being able to handle the physical aspects of 12 hour shifts. Which, by the way, means working AT LEAST 12.5 hours--need to start 15 to 30 minutes before the shift to get report, most places do not pay for the lunch break of 30 minutes, and needing 15 minutes or more to finish up after giving report at the end of the day is not unusual. The paid time may be 12 hours, but the worked time is usually closer to 13. At least I don't have the half hour lunch pulled out of the paid time. And now there is research coming out that people over a certain age (was it 45?) shouldn't work more than 3 days a week. I'm assuming they are talking about 8 hour days.

Good heavens, is that dog a clown in a circus??????

Cammy Cat--Sadie says "thank you" for the extra belly rub. I've also got a ne heavy duty extension cord to use to get the desk top back on line so I can go back to my normal morning routine and be on more regularly. This makeshift stuff is ok, but not terribly convenient. And I am taking care of myself, don't worry!

Genny--that's one way to enjoy the patio despite the temp!

Jazzy--I bet Frito Pie is popular with a lot of people. Sounds interesting.

Misty--Having the garage door fixed is a wonderful convenience! I forget how nice some of the little things like a garage door with a remote can be. Still waiting on the electrician, though. Im going to find a way to cut back on the 12 hour shifts and still help out with reducing overtime hours going forward. It's hard to find nurses to work for the nursing home when they can make so much more per hour working through a staffing agency.

Jazzy--so glad to hear the interview went so well! Sounds like you've found something really good for a work situation.

Cammy Cat--there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to look good, and caring about your appearance. It's healthy and normal. I think that hair style looks very nice, very attractive. Sounds like its easy to take care of , too. Sorry about the bad news, and I don't blame you for distracting yourself with something else for a bit. The world is an insane place, isn't it?

Lily--Welcome! or Welcome again if you've been on and I'm just noticing!

Chi--making the Frito Pie in individual chip bags sounds like a really fun idea! Sounds like you had a great time at the game. Isn't it funny how many really expensive procedures insurance will cover, but not cover the inexpensive (relatively) ones that have so fewer side effects, risks and problem associated. My favorite is Medicare's refusal to cover special air mattresses designed to prevent bedsores in bedbound people until the person has 2 or more large bedsores. Nope, don't cover a few hundred dollars a month mattress rental to prevent bedsores, but will cover hundreds of dollars a week in bedsore treatment products for months and THEN cover the mattress rental as well. Where is the common sense???

Genny--sorry the flight has been delayed. Hugs

Jazzy--Glad to hear your friend did well with the surgery.

Morning, Celia!

Jazzy--oh, no, so sorry to hear about the job op dissolving. Sounds like a weird policy to me, but what do I know? Why does it even matter where a consultant comes from?

Cammy Cat--so sorry to hear about your friend dying. And so scary for your friend's son to p, ass out at work! I'm glad you were there for your friend.

Ooh, that Jack Frost drink sounds soooo gooood!

Jazzy--I've been mostly lurking on FB until I get the desktop computer back in service. Just easier to read and hit the occasional "Like" button. For some reason when I look at Fb on the phone or the Kindle I see the same things over and over and rarely get to the newer stuff like I do on the desktop .

Chi--great labs! Good job!

Illiae--so sorry to hear about the vocal cord paralysis. I am praying that the paralysis is temporary and reverses soon. Coughing and choking all the time must be miserable.

Chi--Wow, that's a lot of trouble with the nail polish! Hope the new salon works out better.

Librarian--glad to hear you survived the big February storm! And sorry to hear about your friend's son's death. So sad, so hard to think about. Glad she had the Christmas visit to remember.

camillegal

camillegal

Mornin ladies,

Oh Illi my own throat hurts, u poor thing, hopefully they can turn this around. Why is it so many things happen around here no one has ever had. All I know is prayers are still going to u and all this will stop and of course <<<HUGS>>>

Kim I was WORRIED about u, after all the only other time u weren't here much was when u worked super hard and got super sick and u were down for a while. Which of course did change ur life, but ur starting to work a lot and the flu season is e nclosed with u, so please take care of urself. And u'd better slow down, never want to see u like that again.

Lori I think we're all thinking it was the Holiday Inn an u liked it. Now Mary will u stay with Lori too??? So Sandy we have to figure out some 1/2 way mark to be able to meet for a restaurant.There are alot of good ones, but Lori do u and Mary like anything special around the Chicago area. Think about it cuz if I don;t know Sandy will.

Everyone is traveling and now I'm more excited cuz I might be involved in this one.

I slept most of the day today, Dan came over last nite, his usual 10pm and left at 3am, he's young so he can do it. I don't see him as much as I used to he's always so busy an I miss him, but I do get to see Bob more but if I was 50 and looked like I did then I'd go for him LOL, Boy my good yrs. went by fast. Anyway he fixed my puter but the way he likes it and I didn't notice, now I have to have Joey see if he can take care of it for me. Dan and his wife are leaving for France Tuesday for 10 days, she does have some family there and has been there, so this is good for them. They need some time alone.

I had Jodie place my order for groceries with Walmart today, they'll deliver at noon today and they are on time. I do this about once a month and it always starts something. It ends up I don't eat the food and it goes bad I don't know why I do this, everything sounds good when I order it but then I don't want it IDK we go thru this every month. I pay with my own money that I earn from my job, so it's not the money, it's Leslie worried about me, she worries for no reason. believe me.

Have a great Saturday. Illi I hope ur better.

LUBS U ALL

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Saturday! Sadie and I had a totally lazy day yesterday, sat around reading, watching TV, and watching the snow and sleet come done. I actually fell asleep in the recliner in the middle of the afternoon, and didn't go to bed until after midnight, and only then cuz I was getting cold and wanted the Sadie snuggles to warm up with.Sadie tried to get me up around bedtime, but I was just so relaxed and so comfy and so not wanting to move that I didn't. Going to to have to make it up to her today with extra treats and belly rubs. It is freaking cold outside, everything is covered in a layer of ice and looks so pretty but soooo cold. Good day to take care of inside things like housework!

Cammy Cat--I am going to follow your instructions. No 12 hour shifts this coming week. Going to catch up on my own work, and then look at what I can do to help with the agency overtime after that. I'm also starting my cold and flu prevention regimen--extra hydration, using the netti pot twice a day, humidifier at night, a minimum of 8 hours in bed per night, and a few other things. NOT going to put myself in the position I was before again. You and your computer! Always someone changing the settings on you. You need to put up a notice to not change the settings! Sounds like Dan and his wife are going to have a wonderful trip. It's great that so many grocery stores are delivering these days. It makes it so much better for people who have trouble getting out or lugging loads around. Can you do a smaller order every couple of weeks to help keep things from going bad? Or maybe have Joey help you freeze some of the food when it comes in? It's still better to have good food in the house to eat and have some of it go bad than to try to live off junk food.

maryland

Hi Jazzy, I've always thought it'd be wonderful to see the balloon races out your way, maybe I'll schedule it a few years from now. Sorry about the job, it's got to mean something better is just around the corner! Doors and windows opening and closing and something like that. Loved, loved loved the cat sleeping in the catnip basket!

Cami, please keep the cat pics coming, can't get enough...Golden Girls has got to be one of my favorite shows ever!!! One of my favorites of course was when Sophia told all the girls she had this fabulous new hairdresser.. so they all go and they think he's hot and sexy and he whispers in Blanche's ear... you are so sexy and blah blah... and Dorothy's ear, you are so smart and sophisticated and you get the idea. So in the end the 3 girls are under hair dryers and he lifts them up and they all have tight curley little perms like Sophia....HA funny if you haven't seen it!

Ill, thinking of you everyday... hugs and prayers, I hope you're feeling better.

NM, Glad you're having a nice quiet Saturday, I love when I don't have to go to work and I can just stay curled up with Harvey. 12 hour days after 60 should be illegal! I'm assuming you're off tomorrow? Stay warm and enjoy Sadie and your house.

Librarian, I am so sorry about your friends' son, so sad, there are no words I know of... I hope his parents can somehow find peace eventually. Mountain trips sound nice!

So I had my CT scan yesterday, my stomach is in knots and I am so nervous, keep trying to tell myself to just put it in the back of my mind but it's so hard. Been going through this bullshit of uncertainty for 2 friggin' weeks and my stomach is in knots. I know I have mets but waiting to find out if it is in my organs..... ugh..... went bowling with DH, waiting for him to make my dinner. Had a nice talk with Lori, trying to take it an hour at a time. The way I feel takes me back 6 years when all this shit started, get test.....wait, get a scan..... wait, get and MRI..... wait... I could curl up in a ball ... BUT....... I won't. Anywho, biopsy on Monday. Oh and I'm officially going to retire end of March, got other stuff to do. .

Celia, Misty eyes, and all the rest of you... sweet dreams!

maryland

Teka

Genny,

I hope you receive excellent results.

Retiring the end of March will help to ease the daily stress!

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Finally, got an extension cord run over to the computer corner and can work on the desktop computer again! Somuch easier than balancing the Kindle, iPhone and Bluetooth keyboard on my lap! Not to mention the luxury of a full sized keyboard. Ah, the little things in life that make it good!Sadie says "Woof" to everyone, and is currently curled up on the ottoman in the sun snoozing. The sun looks beautiful out there, but it's ZERO degrees. Brr.At least the wind isn't blowing today.

Genny--Yup, I'm off today. I did get a call yesterday asking me if I wanted to go in and work for 8 hours. I said no, I'm already on overtime. Then I realized I just should have said "No" (politely, of course).I keep forgetting "No" is a complete sentence. I can imagine how tied up in knots you must be feeling.The not knowing is so scary, so stressful. Keep breathing, we're in your pockets. That poor kitty! But a perfect picture of how it can feel! Retiring will be a big change, too. Lots of changes coming up for you this year.

Morning, Teka!

camillegal