how about drinking?

camillegal

camillegal

Mornin ladies,

Stella don't take this personal but stay away from me. OK take it personal just stay and take care of Dara. IT'S TODAY I hope Cheryl let's us know what's happening. cuz this is a long one. Cyn make sure u send her to the right place.

Sandy I agree, these arent't protesters they are the trouble makers that seem to gather to make everyone look bad and they find pleasure doing it. They have something in them that looks forward to these things and makes the most of it. U'd think they would have some common sense to help rather than to make it look like the animal zoo. I think cuz it's been close to our home has really gotten to me tis time. I was not going to talk about this again , but when u can see the smoke it's surreal and so mean.Everyone is helpless actually all don't want to be in a video.

On a happier note my GF in CA made meals every Monday for people in need, so she ended that this week, Her, her BF and another GF made thousands of meals over 13 weeks <from donations too> and she's a fantastic cook so I'm really proud of her for doing this. She's so kindhearted.

Well I had 2 calls during this write along, oh people if I just understood them, it would help.So

try to have a good day.

LUBS U ALL

ChiSandy

Well, my icemaker died, and my fridge appears to be dying too--that bottle of wine was sweating when I retrieved it for dinner. The water coming out the dispenser is cool-ish but not cold. We're keeping the whole shebang shut, hoping the full freezer will act like an ice chest. We took what was essential out of the fridge last night and brought it down to the auxiliary 25-yr-old basic top-freezer fridge in the basement, and found a couple of silicone ice cube trays (those big "cocktail" cubes, 6 to a tray). Once the dozen freeze, we'll put them in a Ziploc bag and start over. At least Bob will have what to put in his drink when he gets home. We have some water bottles in the basement fridge.

Fortunately, the kitchen fridge is under extended warranty--it's only 2 years old, Consumer Reports top-rated LG. The repairman is coming tomorrow, so there goes the hair appt. (unless he comes early enough and my HK can hold down the fort till I return). At least I got my podiatry (ingrown toenail "barbs" removed, toenails and pesky toe-tip callus trimmed) done today. Should be able to put polish on them next week, but I'm going to specify the lightest possible shade. The red that had been on them since early March was so hard to get off I needed to use acetone--the color had leached into the nail surface. Even though I was wearing gloves, the fresh polish on my R hand got so soft I needed to remove it and start over.

Hoping all the fridge will need is a reset of the electronics--I hear the motor running, so fingers crossed it's not the compressor, which would require either a second service call or pro-rated replacement fridge.

If Bob doesn't get home early enough to dine outdoors at Cellars (or if it rains), I will probably nuke pouches of vegetarian Indian food or order out for pizza. Was gonna make shakshuka...but the sauce is in the kitchen fridge. Hoping Bob brings home a cold white wine if he killed off the Alvarinho (Joao Ramos 2018) before turning in for the night.

ChiSandy

We dined outdoors at Cellars--2 flutes of Domaine Collin Cremant de Bourgogne. Then at home, a half-caff almondmilk breve (and promptly brought the cream & almondmilk downstairs while it was still cold--ish. Reset the freezer to -4F and fridge back down to 36F, but it isn't helping. At least everything in the freezer drawer (except the ersatz ice cream) is still frozen solid,

Tougher than I expected to extract the big ice cubes--they were filled too full, and I nearly got frostbite fishing them out (with BBQ tongs to help pry them). Second batch is about halfway there, but not filled up too high.

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy whatever day this is! Hmm, I think it's Thursday? I'll figure it out eventually. I hope it's Thursday, that would mean tonite and tomorrow nite and then no more overnites! I am so ready to be done with the overnight stuff. The newest change to come down is that the overnight staffing mix is going to change from 2 nursesto 1 nurse from 7 peeyem to 7 ayem, and going from 3 CNAs from 11 peeyem to 7 ayem to 4 CNAs. (CNAs still work 8 hour shifts). Some of the overnight duties are being shifted to day shift, so the overnight workload is doable, on paper. I can hear the screaming and crying about how hard and unfair and bad the change will be starting already. I do know that change brings up all kinds of feelings and reactions, and adjusting to change is hard work. I just wish people would wait until they had real info before flying off into emotional reactions. Or maybe it's better to get the emotional reaction over with and then move on to coping and adapting. Or maybe we are all just getting adapted and coping with'ed out. So much change so fast recently,it leaves the head spinning sometimes.

Speaking of coping, the water pump in the well has died, so no running water in the house. A local plumber stopped by and worked out the problem, he'll be back to fix it as soon as I can get some trees cleared out so he can get the truck close enough to the well. And I've got a lead on an electrician (still waiting to hear back from the original guy I called). I've just been too tired during the day to make a bunch of phone calls and get all that stuff sorted out. Hope to make a start on that this ayem.

Sadie says Hello to everyone and invites everyone to join her in basking in the sun on the deck.

Mema--at least the frozen food will be safer from rioters and looters! Is there a lot of that kind of thing going on where you are?

Chi--I, too, think there will be a big spike in COVID cases in a few weeks. Not sure what the answer is, but I do know that rioting and looting aren't helping.

Cammy Cat--I'm glad you got to talk to Dan, even if you couldn't have a real visit. Hopefully that will change sometime fairly soon.

Goldie--the water pump fix will be less than $2,000, so I 'm not too concerned. I have that much extra in the checking account from the shift differentials I've been getting while working overnights. Sounds like a great visit with the friend and 7 grandkids!Wishing good things for DH ortho appointment.

Chi--glad your neighborhood is still safe. Sorry to hear Bob didn't get the antibody test result he wanted.

CynCyn--aha, so there was alcohol involved in the 1 ayem toilet fixing decision! That explains much! Glad you have company coming.

Chi--Locally there was a protest outside the police department that was described as "noisily respectful" with protesters doing some chanting and sign waving, and somepolice lined up outside the building while others were walking around IN the crowd and talking with individual protestors. Police and protesters on the same side of the George Floyd issue.After the initial protestors left a new group of trouble-makes moved in and tried to storm the building, were asked and then told to stay off the property, so they moved to the bank property next door. There were just a few people who were trying to stir up trouble, I could hear their voices on the news video, the same 3 people saying hollering out things like "are you going to kill me?" to the police who were standing there watching and not responding to the taunts.It struck me as amusing that the second group of "protestors" pretty much disappeared about the time the bar around the corner opened for business!

Stella!Sorry to hear your Norway trip didn't work out. Take good care of Dorky for us! Then we'll see about setting you up with a little vacation trip.

Cammy Cat--Your GF did a wonderful thing, all that cooking!

Chi--Yikers,now is not a good time to be having fridge troubles! Hopefully it will be something simple, and good it's still under warranty.Dining outdoors must have been so nice.

Trouble in Paradise

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 fresh basil sprigs
• 1 ounces bourbon
• 1 ounces Campari
• ¾ ounces fresh grapefruit juice
• ¾ ounces fresh lemon juice
• 2 grinds black pepper

Recipe Preparation

• Shake honey and 1 Tbsp. warm water in a small jar until honey is dissolved. Combine 1 basil sprig, bourbon, Campari, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, ½ oz. honey syrup, and pepper in a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice and shake vigorously until outside of shaker is frosty. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with remaining basil sprig.

From <https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/trouble-in-paradise>

goldie0827

Good morning Loungettes!

Cami, I had to LOL at you not wanting a visit from Stella! She can be trouble, that's for sure. But pretty harmless for the most of it! I hope the kids are able to find a home soon.

NM, missing you. But I know things are cray cray for you. But getting back to some normalcy next week when you hit part time. I'm sure Miss Sadie will love that! How's the water issue going?

Sandy, sorry about the fridge but glad you have other options.

Wacko, I hope and pray you were able to get the surgery and all went well and you are doing good and will heal quickly! Love and huggles to you.

DH had is surgery for the skin cancer on his head, which will always be popping up. I've lost count of how many he's actually had removed, be it by surgery or by freezing. But not one employee in the doctors office was wearing a mask, not even the doctor. I went over to Wally World to grab a few things and I think about 50% were wearing masks. I also had to go and do labs, staff there was wearing masks, but one of the gals at the desk did not have her nose covered and I commented to her about how surprised I was how many people were NOT wearing masks. She then informed me that she doesn't outside of work! Getting gas, I wear gloves and make my DH do the same. I saw not one person using any kind of protection whilst pumping gas. This is not going to end well! Been super hot here, I have a neighbor coming this morning, she wants to see my garden, she's never been here before.

Been pretty quiet in here, I hope everyone is doing well.

ChiSandy

Wally World is probably the last place I'd want to be right about now--those in the Chicago area that haven't been looted are closed & boarded up as a precaution. (I'm a Costco & Target devotee anyway).

So the bad news is that the fridge will need a new compressor, and a software update. (Yup--you read the latter correctly. If anyone told me 10 years ago I'd have to "update the software" on my fridge, I'd have had them committed). The repairman says that Abt will call me tomorrow (when, he doesn't know) and may be able to come tomorrow--Sat. at the latest. We shoved as much as we could into the downstairs fridge and freezer. Whatever is still in the kitchen freezer is still solid and acting like ice packs in a cooler, but we did bring the steaks and fish downstairs. It is a PITA to have to keep running up & downstairs (one hand on a banister) for food & drink, but in Colonial days that's what most people had to do--the kitchen was in the basement because the cooler temps kept food fresher longer. And on the plantations & large estates, the kitchens were a separate outbuilding, so if there were a stove or hearth fire it wouldn't take out the house. Imagine having to carry platters of food up stairs or outside in the rain & snow! So, First World problems--and I'm getting my steps in.

Got my hair de-rooted, straightened, and trimmed (by over 2"). It actually swings when I shake my head. Meanwhile, while I was inside the hair salon getting my 'do rejuvenated, there was a brief but very intense downpour; when I got home, I found the garage door wouldn't respond to the remote. I parked across the street (had to shoehorn the car between a Mercedes behind and a GMC Yukon in front--getting as close as I could without employing the traditional Chicago technique of "parking by Braille"). So did Bob, but his little Fusion was easier to park than my Outback. The power line dried out (the trench for the new conduit was deepened today), but we're keeping our cars on the street till all rain danger has passed. Electrician can't get here till at least Sat., but promises to be done by Mon. night. to keep ahead of the remnants of Tropical Storm Cristobal.

Speaking of storms, where's our duckyb? The suburbs of Philly took a hard hit last night from a "derecho" (powerful storm arc moving extremely quickly--hurricane-force winds, but straight-line with no rotation). Hope she's ok!

Gonna have my leftover salmon Caesar with either Pinot Noir or some of that Alvarinho (which is in the downstairs fridge). We can't get to the "wine cellar" section of our basement because of all the stuff my HK & I had to move to make room for the electrician. And I fetched cream & almond milk in a little frothing pitcher from the basement to make a breve latte late this aft.

camillegal

camillegal

Good super early morning. I haven't heard from Dorothy or Cheryl yet I just pray everything is going OK. I do understand cuz all these days are all mixed up for all of us. Especially Kim, but I'm not saying a word about Kim's reason, not one word. Not even a syllable or a letter. Zip my lip here, being respectful. I will not remind Kim this has been her choice, see I'm keeping my word. I'm saying nooothing.

Lori I know places are "opening" up but all of those places. Jeez oh this doesn't sound good to me or maybe I'm just being way to cautious. There are so many people in these places tho. I think I would stay masked for a little longer.

Well Kim this night stuff will be over soon and u'll start knowing ur days of the week again and I'm sure Sadie will like it, she'll get used to that really fast.

My GF in FL called and told me some horrible stories about the protesters, of course all scary. And of course I'm sure I helped her telling her this is all her fault relocating to FL If she stayed here we could live together and I would protect her. BTW nothing turned out the way she had planned. She divorced her first husband, then he killed himself, her second husband just left her and now the third husband has no one in his whole family that likes her. And in my cheer-leading way I sang to her I TOLD YOU SO, I TOLD YOU SO I TOLD YOU SO. That cheered her up like I always do.Hey she keeps on calling so I know I'm doing my job right.

San dy those stairs have to be miserable. Do u take them facing the banister one at a time so u'd go facing sideways. Much easier than going straight down. At least u have an option so ur food stays good.

OK it's bedtime for me tonite or morning.. Hope everyone is doing well.

LUBS U ALL

goldie0827

NM, thanks for the swim. One thing nice about that, the water is always perfect! No running water, how do manage with the commode or showering? Do you have water you can get outside from a faucet? Or is that on the same pump (I would imagine). Well, I hope it doesn't take long. One more night, you got this!

Sandy, due to where I live, Target and Costco are not an option. It's Wal Mart or Wal Mart! Who/what is DuckyB?

Cami, I think you could cheer anyone up! As far as staying masked, I plan on it! And I'm so glad you aren't nagging on NM. But she has one more night to go, then days and part time. I sent Dorothy a text, but no response. Does your friend come to visit on occasion? How is Joey doing with this staying in? I think I would let the kids get together, supervised, outside with distancing. Maybe with masks too.

DH has to have the surgery on his back. With this Covid tho, they can't do it until the end of this month or beginning of July. He will have to stay in for a few days, meaning I have to stay in a hotel for a couple of days. Not looking forward to that. Ortho said the discs were worse than he thought and with all the scraping he has to do, he will probably have to fuse them as well. It's been so hot here, close to 100. I can only manage to be outside for about 10 minutes! My son has been drinking and asked his dad to take him to the hospital, he was afraid he would have a siezure. So don't know what is going to happen now. But his dad makes it too easy for him.

goldie0827

Chatted with Wacko for a brief period this morning. She had her surgery, they tell her she is doing good, the didn't have to remove any intestines and might get to go home today....if she

ChiSandy

Ah, yes, the "gold(en brown) standard" for post-op discharge. Sometimes they're satisfied if you just fart 💨, which was the benchmark for releasing me two days after gallbladder surgery in '94. Dorothy, if you're reading this, have them hand you those ruby slippers, put them on, and click your heels together while chanting "there's no place like home." (And then either 💨 or 💩).

Lori, DuckyB is one of our senior (I think she's 83 or 84 by now) BCO sisters who claims to be the oldest member of the Mile High Club. She has a brace of kids, grandkids (all overachievers and maddeningly gorgeous), great-grands and even a few great-great grands. She lives in a suburb of Philadelphia (on the Main Line, I think).

Cami, I can still take the stairs facing forward, alternating feet, as long as I have a banister to hold on to while descending. Such are the benefits of artificial knees and weight loss.

Kim, I just read an article about small-town BLM protests--all small, social-distanced, peaceful, and multi-racial. The lead was a photo of one in Lewiston, ME. I hope this is a sign of the tide turning towards ending racial inequality. Do you have your running water back yet?

So when it rains, it pours (figuratively as well): just as I was getting ready to sleep at 2am, the power suddenly went out. (Surprised because it wasn't hot out and we were running just one window A/C). Used my Apple Watch to find a flashlight so I could locate (and unplug) my cell and call ComEd: the outage was area-wide (affecting 3100 households), no idea why, and the estimated restore time was 4am. It came back on a bit after 3.

But when I got up this morning, and came downstairs, my HK declared "It's a miracle!" The fridge was cold again, the icemaker had dropped several loads of cubes, and the only stuff that spoiled was past pull date to begin with. Apparently, the outage and restoration "power-cycled" and re-booted the fridge, re-setting its software. The compressor won't be in till Tues., so I'll wait till Mon. to see if the fridge holds up before cancelling the return service appt. At least now I know what to try first the next time this happens: head downstairs and re-set the dedicated circuit breaker.

So I'm chilling a bottle of Contratto zero-dosage Tuscan brut as DOTD--both to celebrate the resurrection of the fridge and to drink to the memories of George Floyd, Breanna Taylor, Ahmad Arbery, et al.--that their legacies be honored and made a difference.

ChiSandy

Well, I spoke too soon (wanna make God laugh? Make plans).

First, my HK mentioned she saw rat droppings in the garage (detached, thank goodness). The garage was empty overnight because the power line to it had shorted out, so we parked on the street. Wet ground+dark empty garage=rat haven. Called the exterminator, who said to keep one car in there with the light on till he can come Monday to lay poison bait & traps.

Then....

During online Sabbath services, first my primary care doc's name was read on the "healing prayers" list. But then came Yahrtzeit (death anniversary) and Kaddish (memorial prayer) section, and the rabbi called for additional names. It was then that a former nurse of his typed in "Just recently..." and it was my doctor. I felt like a combination of all the air being knocked out of me and the bottom dropping out. After the service, the nurse & I chatted. A colleague had told her, and a friend from long ago who was a resident with Bob at UIC Hospital back in the day and was in practice with my doc till 1999. I messaged his NP/PA to find out more (and ask how she is), but then I Googled his obit (which didn't appear as recently as yesterday). He died on Wed. of COVID--never came off the ventilator. Turns out his NP/PA is his daughter. So obviously I don't expect a response--and I immediately messaged her with my condolences. No bubbly tonight, obviously.

As they say on the infomercials, "but wait, there's more:"

With no appetite but not having eaten since noon, I barely choked down a very small and late dinner, and to make room in the fridge for leftovers (Bob always orders way too much food) I found a couple of containers of rock-hard days-old rice. Rather than dump the containers into the garbage, I figured it was wiser to put it down the disposal. It seemed to go down okay. About half an hour later I went to put the dishes in the sink...and the side with the garbage disposal was full of opaque gray-beige water, with the stopper/pusher floating in it. Turned on the disposal, and more water bubbled up. I hope the problem is just a rice-plugged trap on that side (the other side has a separate drainpipe)--but if it's the entire kitchen waste stack, we're screwed again. And obviously, we can't use the dishwasher, since it runs through the disposal and its trap. I tried the plunger, but no luck. I tried Coke, but it wouldn't cut through the yucky (and now contaminated-from-the-plunger) water. I'm waiting for the plumber to call me back. (Another all-nighter, I fear). I will pay through the nose for an emergency call, but I'm sure he has his hands full with flooded basements. I've been a customer for over 30 years, and have spent enough to put his kids through college.

I always knew rice could constipate people (and it caused Bob's bowel obstruction a couple of years ago), but who knew it could constipate sinks?

JCSLibrarian

Sandy - You are going through a terrible time. So sorry about your doctor. The virus just keeps on killing and there seems to be nothing we can do. I had planned to go out to lunch with a friend next week. Cases are going up here, so I will rethink that plan. I do have an appointment to get my hair cut. I will wear a mask and sanitize as much as possible. It is a small salon, but is very busy right now. My friends and I started planning a mountain trip, but NC’s numbers are going up also. So hard to know what to do.

I am still working on the cross stitch project. Could that make your shoulder ache? It is hot and humid here. We may get some rain from Cristobal, but nothing else.

I hope all are well and planning a great weekend. NASCAR is back, so I will be cross stitching and reading!

ChiSandy

Librarian, if embroidering makes you hold one arm in a position you hadn't before, the repeated act of moving your stitching hand could be making your shoulder ache--perhaps a prelude to repetitive stress injury (RSI) if you don't take frequent breaks to hold your arms naturally and go slowly and gently through range of motion. Your sleeping posture (even your pillow) can contribute to your shoulder ache. We're expected to get Cristobal's tail end Tues. night through Wed. NASCAR and the Indy 500 make me think of my dear friend Mary, who covered both of them for NPR for years and succumbed to metastatic laryngeal cancer in 1999.

The plumber came this morning--and the rice in the the trap was indeed the culprit. (I saw the blob of it--ugh). But my 12-yr-old In-Sink-Erator was also failing, as was the piping to which it and the dishwasher were connected. So I have a new disposer and U-pipe.

Bob tried to go to Holy Cross to read stress tests--but protests closed all the highways to it (I am secretly relieved he can't go to work). Fortunately, he was able to log in from home and read the tests on his laptop. He walked to WholeFoods to bring home brunch, and several bottles of wine (a NZ Sauv. Blanc, SW France brut rosé, and a Columbia Valley, WA red blend). DOTD thus far has been coffee and ice water. He also brought home a box of sangria, which I have chilling in the fridge and will punch out the perforations and pull out the spout so he can dispense it straight into the glass.

Cyndielou

Hello Goils

Its been raining here for days . May get better by the end of next week...Had a terrifying trip back to the airport to drop the kids off. The rain was just coming down in sheets from the rain bands from Christobal.

Had an amazing visit in spite of the torrential downpours.

Glad to hear Dorkey's surgery went well and she will be going home.

We have had very peaceful protests here. No violence at all. I would have attended one last night if I didnt have company. I heard it was very emotional but not in the least bit violent.

Goldie lou..how is DH?

Having a horrible time trying to get Unemployment...Florida sucks!

Who wants Stella? PM me and she will be on the next plane out.

Have a happy Saturday

xoxo

ChiSandy

Seeing as how I'm 69 and have Type A blood (now recognized as a greater risk factor than well-controlled asthma), I am not going to participate in any protests (except perhaps watching and holding a sign on my corner if a march goes by on the main arterial). Instead, I donated to a BLM-recommended bail fund.

StellaTwinx

Cyndielou, you can not SEND me anywhere. I'm at Dorty's taking care of her. I come and go as I please....so there!

Dorty is doing beery well. I tried to gib her a dwinkie, but she said NOOOOOOO. Hers a lil sore, but doing goob all consbering.

ChiSandy

Stella, you are a good caretaker.

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Sunday Funday! Here I am on my first ayem of back to "normal" schedule time! Was planning on getting up at 5:30, like I will need to tomorrow ayem, but Sadie convinced me to cuddle for a while first, since this is the first night in a while I've actually slept in the bed instead of the recliner. Of course, I obliged her. Should be able to get back into routine fairly quickly now. But boy was that last overnite filled with drama! Feel free to skip the next part if you are in drama avoidance mode!

The other nite nurse was going to be working without a second nurse from 7 peeyem when the day nurse went off and 11 peeyem when I came on. There were 2 new people in the admissions unit, one that arrived at 6 peeyem, so the day nurse hadn't done much of the paperwork (how much can she do in 1 hour after getting the person settled and all the other physical stuff that has to be done?) so nite nursey was freaking out cuz several of the people with dementia who wander around were still up and wandering around, and she couldn't be out on that area supervising them while in the admission unit doing admission stuff. So the Assistant Director of Nursing (currently working 3-11 for COVID information dissemination purposes) came over to the Admit Unit and did the critical paperwork that has to be done in the first couple of hours after admit.So I come in to work, Nite Nursey catches me at the door, and starts going on and on about how horrible it's been for the last 4 hours and how stressed out she is and how far behind she is (another nurse had been called in to help with treatments and such but wasn't doing Nite Nursey's treatments and such, was doing the other unit's treatments and such) and how Nite Nursey wasn't able to keep up with everything and was so far behind. She still had 8 hours to work but you'd have thought she was 8 hours overtime. OK, fine, well, I'm here, let me get clocked in and you can give me report and I'll take over this half of the building and you and concentrate on your unit and get caught up. Figured she'd take a breath and settle down.Nope.All nite long she was running back and forth from her unit to where ever I was on my 2 units to tell me what I should be doing and how I should be doing it and telling me that a call light was on and the C.N.A. working with me should be answering it (the C.N.A. had, this resident was turning the call light back on before we even left the room after answering it, he was having one if his "pissy fit" nights where he just wanted to see people jumping at his command, happens periodically, we answer his light in between every other light and task we do so we're in the roomabout every 20 minutes, and live with the light on in between.) I counted her taking 5 breaks between 11 peeyam and 7 ayem.And at least 6 times she came to where ever I was to tell me about how horrible the evening was and how horrible the night was being for her and how dangerous she thought everything we were doing is, and how she turned in her 2 week notice that evening, interrupting me while I was doing the stuff I needed to do. The real killer was when the night time medication delivery came. I told her that I would inventory and separate the medications by unit since she was so busy. She said she wanted to do it anyway. Why, I don't know.Well, she did, and put some critical medications in the wrong place, and that didn't get sorted out until I had been on the phone with the pharmacy for 20 minutes!Yup, I had to do all the apologizing for HER screwup. What kills me about this whole thing is that she knows that the staffing is going to change soon and there will be only 1 RN or LPN on from 7 peeyem to 7 ayem every night, so she'd be working "alone" (there will be 4 C.N.A.s, all of which are damn good at their jobs) for 12 hours.I hope she was serious about turning in her notice, she really would be better offworking somewhere that is much more structured and has much less change.And I am SOOOO glad that I am done with nights and that drama queen won't be such a big part of my work life!

Phew. I feel better now that I've let all that out. Thanks for listening!

Goldie--The water issue is progressing.A friend came over and cut down the saplings that were in the way, I'll be calling the plumber later today to let him know and he will schedule me in, hopefully this week. Otherwise, inconvenient. My Mom has had a whole bunch of skin cancers taken off her face and head, too, most by freezing. I've got to admit that I have stopped using gloves for getting gas and just make sure to sanitize afterwards. The ongoing research is showing more and more that picking up the virus off surfaces is not really a concern. Yes, under ideal circumstances, the virus can live on certain surfaces a long time, but so can flu viruses and many bacteria. The world in general does not match the ideal conditions with no temperature changes, no humidity changes, no air movement. In reality, most viruses do not live long on surfaces, and if that surface is cleaned once or twice a day with an appropriate (meaning almost any kind of) cleaner, it won't live more than a few minutes. And there aren't really enough viruses picked up that way to make it a major mode of transmission. Droplets, on the other hand, are a different matter. A droplet can have millions of the little buggers, you can breathe in enough in one droplet to get sick on. So I do choose a gas pump as far away from any other in use as I can. BUT, people need to do what makes them feel comfortable, and it certainly doesn't hurt to wear gloves, if done properly. But health care workers not wearing masks, that bothers me a lot. So against the recommendations currently in place. I'm with you, things are going to get very interesting at some point, either a second wave of COVID or a really nasty Flu/Covid season this coming fall and winter. Hope your friend and you have a great visit. I'm sure she'll love the garden.

Chi--All the adaptations we have to make really are eye opening when we think this is how it used to be! No wonder people didn't need to go to gyms or count steps back then! Sorry to hear about the fridge. And the fridge needing new software, that truly would have sounded totally crazy or Sci Fi 10 years ago. I bet the hair treatment felt wonderful! I'm still waiting for hair salons to open here. Hope the electrical work does get done ahead of the storm. I guess we are officially into hurricane season, aren't we?

Cammy Cat--Ok, Ok, I get the message!And night shifts are DONE!And I know what day it is cuz I asked Siri and she told me! Now I will be working 3 days a week. And it is going to be some time before I pick up any more night shifts!Which won't be much of an issue cuz I don't work 12 hour shifts, so I'm not going to be much help in that department anymore. Good heavens what you GF has been through! Maybe she should give the whole marriage thing a break? I bet you do cheer her up, after all she keeps calling, right?

Goldie--How am I managing without running water? Buckets of water from Sadie's pool flush the toilet. Washing up at the sink instead of showering. I can also get a shower at work or at the neighbor's. And if it stays as warm as it has been, will be going to the lake. I keep drinking and cooking water stocked all the time since the power goes off so often in the summer. I do kind of wish the HTL pool was real and not virtual right about now, though! I should be fixed in a few days now, though. Like Chi says, people have lived this way for generations and did just fine, so I can, too! Sorry to hear DH needs surgery. That is going to be a hard time for you. And sorry to hear DS has been drinking again, but at least he asked for help this time. People with substance use disorders are having a really hard time right now from what I've heard, with all the COVID related restrictions and limitations. Thanks for the Dorty Update!

Chi--Wow, Lewiston made the national news?That's pretty cool!Most of the protesting has been peaceful here in Maine, with police and protesters mingling and talking.And my goodness, who'd ever thunk we'd be using the "shut the power off and reboot" trouble shooting approach on our major appliances!Glad it worked and hope it holds for you. The Breanna Taylor incident really bothers me. So frightening that could happen. Good heavens, what sad news about your PCP. And his NP/PA is his daughter, even more sadness. And the rice constipating the disposal trap?? So, electrical thingy, fridge thingy, and now disposal thingy, does that complete your bad-things-come-in-threes cycle?

Librarian--What kind of cross stitch project are you working on?

CynCyn--Glad to hear you had a good visit, despite the storm. It sounds like unemployment is a nightmare all over the country. To many people trying to call/sign in, not enough support for the phones or websites. So crazy.

Stella--keep taking good care of Dorty!And keep sending updates. We appreciate them!Have you decided where you want to go for a vacay when Dorty is all better?

Tropical Storm

Ingredients

1 oz. Vodka

1 oz. Blue Curaçao

1 1/2 oz. Pineapple Juice

1 oz. (30ml) Passion Fruit Rum

Garnish: Cherry, Cocktail Umbrella

Directions

1. In a shaker with ice, combine passion fruit rum and pineapple juice. Shake well.
2. Strain mix into a glass over ice.
3. In a separate shaker with ice, combine vodka and blue curaçao. Shake well and strain over yellow layer.
4. Garnish with a cherry and a cocktail umbrella.

From <https://tipsybartender.com/recipe/tropical-storm/>

StellaTwinx

Sandy, how funny that the power going out and coming back on rebooted your fridge. Well that saved you some $$. Sorry to hear about your doctor.

JCS, I take it you are not a NASCAR fan???? Me either, but I'm also not a sports fan of any sorts. Glad you are post poning the mountain trip.

Lucy, your DD has come and gone already? How do you like her BF? Sorry about the unemployment, that sucks. May of this year made it a year since I have seen my DD. I see her in Sept, hopefully. My DH is fine, thank you.

Stella, very proud of you for being good and taking care of Dorty.

NM, glad you will be out of the drama issues, good grief! I guess it's pretty much everywhere at some point. And good that the water issue isn't too bad, but I know you will be glad to have it fixed. Ahhhh, part time from here out. Now Cami can't hound not hound you about it. That tropical storm looks yummy. Have the bean suppah's started back up?

Well, we now have Covid in our little town and the one next to us. I will continue to wear a mask, I will also continue to wear gloves when pumping gas, that isn't an in convenience at all. The mask is just annoying! Being stage IV I figure I can't be too safe. Been hot here and super windy. My onions should be ready to pull in about 2 weeks. We have to stop watering them for that time, then pull and let them dry. My nieghbor called me last night, the DIL of the lady that just passeed and said that "mom" had hid $15,000.00 worth of gold coins and no one knows where! Woke up this morning with a text from her that she found it! Wacko is home and doing pretty good all considering. She shared before and after pics with me of her tummy. OH MY GOODNESS! She has sure had a time with all the surgeries she had.

ChiSandy

Well, #4 in the "annoyance-a-thon" is the rats-in-the-garage issue. My plumber told me yesterday that it's happening in every neighborhood that has a lot of restaurants that are closed and no longer producing edible garbage in their dumpsters. Rodents are gnawers--if they don't constantly gnaw, their teeth keep growing and will grow into the opposing jaws, suffocating & killing them. They will gnaw through nearly anything, even concrete. (The source of summer potholes, BTW). And they get their sustenance from anything they gnaw that provides calories--wood, even the soy-based insulation of car-wiring systems. They didn't cause the short in the power line to the garage, which is encased in metal pipe (the one thing their teeth can't penetrate)--the conduit kinked when the construction crew that replaced my deck in 2014 was setting the footings, and eventually water got into the breach and a partly-frayed wire. The exterminator is coming tomorrow to inspect, clean up the pellets, and place baits & traps. This will be a weekly thing until there is no more evidence, at which time we will close up the space caused by the dent in that rear garage wall, probably with both wood and sheet metal. Meanwhile, we''re keeping the garage light on and peeking in a few times a day (and periodically driving)--the exterminator says rats are shy and deterred by signs of human activity. Of course, we won't mention the problem to our electrician, who would almost certainly refuse to complete the job. (He's flaky enough as it is--we've learned over our three decades as homeowners that repair contractors seem to be living in a parallel universe).

MIld-ish dry sunny weather is producing the sounds of lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and construction equipment all around me.

Going out to brunch outdoors in a bit over an hour (Bob is still sleeping)--if I can get Happy off my lap where he too is sleeping. My computer is all the way forward on my knees so his paws don't touch the trackpad. It's playing havoc with my typing accuracy, causing my nails to keep brushing the "Siri" part of the touch bar. Siri "hears" what's on the TV and weighs in, sometimes with bizarrely amusing results.

And now to lint-roller the fur off my scrubs, shower and dress--and then wake Bob up so we don't miss our reservation, which we made yesterday afternoon and snagged the last available table. Gordy took Leslie there Fri. night for her 30th birthday--which was supposed to have been celebrated in Barcelona.

Cyndielou

Hello Dears.....Yes, Stella..you can do what you want..you are your own woman..take good care of Dorty.

Storms have calmed now....late night tornado watch..I slept through it. Not much goings on here...Maybe a shower today and laundry..who knows.

Have a good Sundey Fundey.

xoxo

keywestfan

Sandy, I am now afraid to go into the garage of our little rented house because of your most informative post. We are on a quiet, typically suburban street about 20 walking minutes from uptown with the few restaurants there.I don’t even say the names of those creatures, just call them “ R’s.” Gil, ever the scientist, actually likes them. When I met him in 2000, I was both a psychotherapist and in therapy. He thought I was going because of my fear of R’s. When I told my therapist she really laughed and said she had jumped up on her kitchen table the week before because she saw an “m.” Will take the precautions your exterminator suggested and have told them to my son who is also(genetically?) phobic about “R”s. His last exterminator said to him he loved his job, because “ you have to think like an R and he was really good at that.”God, can you imagine marrying him?”

We still haven’t ventured to outdoor dining, though may soon visit our favorite Greek restaurant in Winnetka. Peeked in, their ceiling opens, so it’s classified as outdoor, and there is a table against a wall for 2, that looks good for distancing. They have rearranged all the tables so they seem far enough apart.

Trust you totally enjoyed your brunch.

Judy

goldie0827

Sandy, how funny that the power going out and coming back on rebooted your fridge. Well that saved you some $$. Sorry to hear about your doctor.

JCS, I take it you are not a NASCAR fan???? Me either, but I'm also not a sports fan of any sorts. Glad you are post poning the mountain trip.

Lucy, your DD has come and gone already? How do you like her BF? Sorry about the unemployment, that sucks. May of this year made it a year since I have seen my DD. I see her in Sept, hopefully. My DH is fine, thank you.

Stella, very proud of you for being good and taking care of Dorty.

NM, glad you will be out of the drama issues, good grief! I guess it's pretty much everywhere at some point. And good that the water issue isn't too bad, but I know you will be glad to have it fixed. Ahhhh, part time from here out. Now Cami can't hound not hound you about it. That tropical storm looks yummy. Have the bean suppah's started back up?

Well, we now have Covid in our little town and the one next to us. I will continue to wear a mask, I will also continue to wear gloves when pumping gas, that isn't an in convenience at all. The mask is just annoying! Being stage IV I figure I can't be too safe. Been hot here and super windy. My onions should be ready to pull in about 2 weeks. We have to stop watering them for that time, then pull and let them dry. My nieghbor called me last night, the DIL of the lady that just passeed and said that "mom" had hid $15,000.00 worth of gold coins and no one knows where! Woke up this morning with a text from her that she found it! Wacko is home and doing pretty good all considering. She shared before and after pics with me of her tummy. OH MY GOODNESS! She has sure had a time with all the surgeries she had.

ChiSandy

Judy, I guess this is not the best time to tell you that my favorite full-cast number in 2018's Bar Show was "Jellicle Rats" (parody of the theme from Cats). We all--65 of us--dressed in gray sweats with mouse ears--it was a struggle to do the choreography (well, synchronized arm & head motions since we were on risers except for the actual dancers), complex harmony (though a mezzo, I was assigned to be a soprano in order to have enough people singing the high A), enunciate, and not go into giggle fits.

Anyway, the chances of your finding anything but cars in your garage are pretty well zero up in your "neck of the woods (uh, Hubbard?"--Chicagoland bad pun). Far likelier to find deer grazing in the backyard or rabbits munching on lettuce you might be growing in your garden. We had a lovely brunch today--Cellars added three more tables on the B'way side, besides the six on Rosedale. We were in the shade, but it was a tad chilly due to the lake breeze. (Fortunately, this time I wore jeans and long sleeves). There were some tense moments: across the street is the huge Armory (now run by the Park District), currently used as a socially-distanced shelter. Even though there were plenty of civilians going in and out, I saw police cruisers pull up in front of it--at one point, there were four. (These days when I see police cars--full of all-white cops--in a diverse neighborhood such as mine I get a sinking feeling that things could devolve pretty quickly). I asked a guy (who'd emerged from it) what was going on, and he said that two young women had decided to pick a fight with some much larger men. It took 8 cops to peacefully defuse the situation, and eventually the squad cars all departed with nobody in custody.

We might go back for burgers tonight to Moody's Pub next door to it, which has had a huge beer garden for over 50 yrs. 9pm curfew has been lifted! Of course, this time I will swap my sandals for sneakers and throw on a jacket--going down into the low 60s.

DOTD was Prosecco. Tonight, likely iced tea. Beer is too carby (even the non-alc), and I don't want to have 2 servings of any kind of alcohol in a single day, even if the rest of the week is "dry."

Dara_Diverse

Hi ladies! Well it's after 1 aye em here as I start this message. I feel better than I have since before surgery on Wednesday and by tomorrow I have a feeling I will feel better than before surgery because my pain level was so high. I was so relieved when the good doctor told me that my intestines were not affected and did not need to be removed. So far I am healing beautifully and behaving myself well for the most part 😁

So where to start? I'll start from the beginning and tell it all, especially using voice instead of typing and I can talk fast, feel free to breeze pass the many details I am going to share. So on Wednesday I was supposed to be to the hospital at 5:30 AM. At 4:10 AM I had dye in my hair and was in the yard planting the rest of the flowers Cheryl bought for me to cheer me up. (for those of you who do not know, Cheryl is my cousin and my roommate. We've been friends since birth and corny as it sounds, we went to high school together and college too...she was "happily" married for 35 years when she up and left her husband. And me, I had recently became an empty nester, it was perfect for both of us) I rushed into the shower and got out of the shower at 5:15 and didn't leave here until 535 and it was a 20 minute ride so needless to say I ended up late. That did not seem to be a problem because when I got there I just sat in a registration area for over a half hour until somebody looked at me and said Diana? I said no Dorothy and she said no you're Diana and I said no I'm sure I'm Dorothy. As it turned out they had another person going in for surgery with the same last name as me. That seemed to all be straightened up and before I knew it I was being rushed down to the operating area. I changed my clothes and all that fun stuff and the last thing I remember is telling the doctor not to talk about me because I will hear everything, then I was out cold. I never woke up until I was already out of recovery and being wheeled into my room. I fell back to sleep and the next time i woke up, I knew where I was and I was checking out the room and I spotted a TV! Wala, I can put on TV. I attempted to turn on the TV but could not figure the darn thing out. So I waited until a nurse came to see me and asked her to put on the TV and on at the time was the memorial service for George Flynn. As I lay there weeping I realized I was crying for the man's family and not because I was in such pain. They kept me pretty hopped up on pain meds but thankfully spared me the morphine this time around which as you all might remember, got me into so much trouble with BCO during my 2013 diep flap surgery. I was very out of it most of the day but from what I remember it was around dinner time that I went to my room and the night was loaded with nurses in and out. Checking my vital signs, checking my wound, checking my bladder using an ultrasound thing etc. Which by the way they put this cool contraption in my vagigi which was supposed to aid in me going pee. I was supposed to just let it out and the sponge thing was going to absorb it and send it directly to the sewer system. I still can't wrap my head around that one but it did not work anyway because my bladder was too sleepy to wake up for the first 24 hours which concerned the staff. The next day was a blur but what I did remember is that none of my belongings had made it up to my room! The next day was a blur but what I did remember is that none of my belongings had made it up to my room on the sixth floor. I wanted my stuff because I was very much missing my glasses and my cell phone. I had not had any communication with family but was told that someone had reached out to my emergency contact which was my daughter. I later found out that no one had contacted my daughter or anyone and my daughter tried to get information when she called but they would not share my info?? That was sad because she deserved to know what was happening as well as the rest of my family. Anyway, Thursday night I had finally peed but they were waiting for me to poop before I could be discharged they said. I was like WTF I'm being discharged this soon? I was not ready or at least did not think I was ready. So early on Friday morning, I again asked the nurse about my belongings and she started to search the little drawers and found a hospital bag filled with the belongings of a Diana Klein! So I was immediately thinking that Diana had my belongings which was not good. I brought some Willy with me which was an insane thought.I don't know wtf I was tinking! And I did not touch it nor could I because it made me cough and coughing hurts very badly. But I sure tried once I got home. Anyway the doctor came in and informed me that I would be discharged that morning. I told the doctor that I had not yet pooped but he said that's alright you've passed some gas. I felt like saying dude it was two little farts that snuck out while I was finally peeing but he did not seem to care. Which btw, I still have not pooped and Im getting a widdle worried!

I also just found out that my house had a power failure beginning on Wednesday and the power was still out as of Friday morning. It was a very hot day into the 90s and I was stuck there at the hospital with no ride home and no air-conditioning at my home when I arrived! I called my daughter and she agreed to pick me up. We stopped at two stores looking for ice to no avail. (Found out later that severe storms had come through on Wednesday night knocking power out in many communities in the area so no ice anywhere locally). So my daughter finally brought me home and I insisted that I was going to go to sleep and did not need any help from her because I wanted her to leave because truth be told, I really wanted to try to smoke some Willy! I really had a one track mind at that time and it was ridiculous on my part. As soon as Jessica left with Logan, I got out my pipe and attempted to smoke but coughed my brains out which hurt my wound very very bad. I had forgotten how bad it hurts to cough or sneeze after a surgery. Oh I also forgot how freaking annoying it was with damn drains. It had been seven years since I had them but it does not seem that long at all. The worst part is that the door handles in my home are not a standard knob but a type of handle thing which seems to catch the drain with every exit and entrance into and out of a room. I have to be so careful not to hook myself into the door knobs and get stuck which I have already done it once so far. Boy that freaking hurts like hell. Anyway, after my failed attempt at getting high, I was extremely uncomfortable and only had the bottle of Pepsi that we picked up on the way home which got very warm and I was dying for a cold glass of something to drink. I was craving a nice cold water at the time and there was nothing cold nearby! It was very hot in my house, at 80° and it was so very uncomfortable. So I broke down and called my daughter and ask her if she would bring me all of the ice from her freezer as she has an automatic ice maker that pumps out a lot of ice that she rarely uses. So she showed up with the ice and quickly left as she left Logan in her jeep. I also had realized that we never stopped to pick up my pain pills and by the time I thought of it, the pharmacy was closed. I also never got a text stating they were ready. It might be an issue because I go to pain management. Have to check on the RX tomorrow which might be the day I don't really need them, only want them lol. Anyway, I was a lot happier once I had something cold to put in my throat. I laid in my bed and dozed off for about an hour then woke up and I was sitting on my bed staring into space when I realized my alarm clock was blinking. Could it really be true!? The power had finally come on around 6 PM. I was thrilled. All the while I was stressing over all of the food in the freezer and the fridge that would be bad and underneath of my fridge was soaked, I guess from all of the ice melting inside of the freezer and leaking out. I reminded myself that I couldn't do anything about it and laid down and fell back to sleep until Cheryl got home around seven. I was so happy to see my buddy again and get some help which I desperately needed. It was finally comfy and Cheryl was also over the moon over the electric being back on. Oh the little things we take for granted!! Oh, I could not open a water bottle because of my numb right hand and my overall weakness. So I resorted to tap water before Cheryl got home. I still felt very crappy and ended up going to bed very early. I woke up the next morning to the hell that I remembered oh so long ago starting post mastectomy. I had to rely on gravity to get myself out of my bed. I remembered how to throw my feet over and let gravity pull the rest of me up and out of bed, that hurt very bad. As the day went on I started feeling better and before I knew it it was bedtime again. Since then I have had to refrain from doing so many things that I wanted to get done around the house but I have tried my best to be a good girl. I've not drank which is a little tough after so long. I've been eating a lot of protein and resting up a lot too. Today I babysat Logan while my daughter had her grad school course at home (online) then she came back to my house and we had dinner together. Today was a very nice day and there were periods while I was fully medicated that I had zero pain. My incisions are huge, I am cut past hip to hip and again from the center and up to the new naval. But I am super excited knowing that as the surgical pain goes away, all of the pain I have endured for nearly 3 years will be finally be effing gone! And when I finally looked at my wound , I was thrilled to realize that the doctor fixed my pointy hips along with the horrific flaps of fat and skin left above the diep flap scar. And he made me a (fake) new belly button too. Miine was mutilated from the failed diep surgery. I am very happy and surprised at the results. I had not really realized that the good doctor was going to also alter the appearance of my abdomen for the better. What a difference this surgery has made. I already feel better in my clothes without the two large bulging hips sticking out, they were horrendous! So in a nutshell that's it LOL, that's my story!

My girl Stella has been hanging around and annoying the hell outta me. She means well but she is pain in the ass to say the least! But I love the lil shit I do. Does anyone here want her? If so, message me and arrangements will be expedited fo shoa! She is currently in the bathroom gargling with my JD, had to take it away from her, that chit is too expensive for use as a gargle I tailed her. hehe!! She is a clown indeed that one!

I have read everything written and would love to comment but it has taken me nearly an hour writing this (although I spoke most of it with some editing). My dumb hand makes life so difficult. I have to get the ultrasound or CT of my neck. get those two bixed up, but have to get to the next step in diagnosing that issue. The doctors did not even want to deal with me with the numbness/weakness issue in my hand(s); ( my left hand is also affected but not as severely as my right hand) until this past surgery was done and I was healed ughhh. I'd really prefer to be done with doctors for awhile. Anyway, I have to git my arse to bed soonliest so gonna sign off and try to talk to you all soonliest!! Love you goils and I thank you all for listening if ya did!! sORRY SUCH A RANT!!

cHeeRs!!

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Monday Monkey Day! And Happy back to New Normal day for me! Not sure what to expect when I get to work this ayem, but it will all work out. I just need to figure out where I'm at in the grand scheme of things and how the Director of Nurses wants the 3 day a week thing to work. I did get a message from the plumber yesterday, he will fix my water pump this week, so there's a light at the end of that tunnel. Got to call the electrician that a friend told me about today and get that project underway. Progress is being made!Sadie says Woof to everyone and recommends basking in the sun then sitting in the pool as a stress relieving strategy.

Chi--Boy this virus thing has had some really awful ripple effects--the rats being a big one! Sounds like you've got a plan to get it under control, though, and that's good. I can picture Siri's contributions to your post, probably funny as all get out. Maybe next time you should leave a few in for our amusement!

CynCyn--the whole idea of tornadoes terrrifies me! How do you sleep through a tornado watch? I'd be a wreck!

Keywestfan--Welcome to the HTL!My goodness, loving a job because of thinking like an R? Glad it takes all kinds to make the world go around, even if I don'tunderstand some of them!

Goldie--no bean suppahs yet. Churches are just getting opened to inside services and the group gathering limit has just gone up to 50. Social distancing will be a challenge for most churches who use those long tables that seat 6 to 8 people and have a dozen or more people working in the kitchens. I'm sure they'll figure out something soon, though. And yes, I will be glad to have running water again! I keep turning on the tap and wondering why there is no water until I remember. Just little things, like watering plants, filling the water kettle. Thanks for the Wacko update.

Chi--ah, must be nice to have the curfew lifted, but scary to be so close to possible situations that could escalate. Kudos to the police who diffused the situation peacefully!

Dara!So glad to hear your intestines weren't involved. That must be a huge relief.And I'm glad to hear you are starting to feel better. How do you like the voice to text thing? The name and belongings mix up must have been stressful. And no one giving info to your family, just not right! You had quite the adventure getting back home what with the power failure and all. Sounds like it's all be pretty well sorted out, though, and that's good to hear. I'm sure Stella and Cheryl are taking very good care of you. Praying things are all smooth sailing and fast recovery from here!

RASPBERRY RIPPLE MARTINI RECIPE

15ml Chambord
50ml Vanilla Vodka
50ml Cranberry Juice
Raspberry

Take all the ingredients.
Shake with ice.
Strain into a cold martini glass.
Raspberry arrives.
And voila, it is done.

From <https://www.chambordchannel.com/en-gb/cocktail-recipes/raspberry-ripple-martini/>

goldie0827

NM, let us know how it went for your first day back. I also hope there is no drama. You had enough of that at hospice. I didn't think you would be having bean suppahs yet, but thought I would ask anyways. Well, I'm sure Sadie will be one happy pup having her mom home so much!

Wacko, it's good they only got your "things" mixed up and not the surgeries. Could you imagine if they performed your surgery on her, and hers on you. OH MY! I do hope today is a better day and tomorrow even better. When getting out of bed, do a long exhale while getting to a standing position. And what a time to be out of power! It amazes me at how soon they send people home from the hospital. Do you have any laxatives to "move" things along? That Stella, gargling with JD???

BabyGirl, how are you doing? Have you had anymore tacos? And did you ever get your money back from the Laughlin trip?

Another windy here today and temps going down to 37 tonight. How crazy is that! Red Flag warning is up for us today, meaning high for fires, due to low humidity and the the wind. 30 mph and gusting to 45. My wind spinner really gets to spinnin!

karen1956

Dorothy - glad to hear that your surgery went well. Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.