Spirited and Lively Older Women Thread

barbe1958

3jays, the drug I mentioned earlier wasn't a pro-biotic, but something that settles your stomach when you have to take drugs that rip your guts apart; anti-inflamatories and anti-biotics. Be careful you don't get a yeast infection now!!

We have been down to one car for a couple of years now and love it! 3jays, do you really NEED another car? Do you drive anywhere without Mur? If I go anywhere, it's with my DH anyway. Now only one payment, one insurance and one car to gas up. Thought I'd hate it, so am very surprised that I LOVE it!

Teklya

barbe1958: how wonderful that you feel that way.  I can't wait to simplify our lives.

Dilly

Hair color - most days I feel like I've earned some gray hairs (they're in my beard!!! arghhh), but I am like Aly's SIL. 

When I was a kid, my gma had a braid to her knees that she wrapped around her head into a coronet type style.  It was beautiful auburn and she would save rain water to wash and rinse her hair, then brush it dry in the sunshine.  It was so heavy it gave her headaches & she even cut out a swatch in the middle to "lighten up" - but gpa wouldn't 'let' her cut it (she was super-independent, so I question this part) -- anyway, the day after gpa died, she went to the beauty shop and had it whacked off into one of those curly-top short do's, and kept it that way for the next 25 years. When she died at 92, she had a little gray at the sides.  My mom's hair grayed the same except she was a blonder-strawberry type that had darkened a bit with age. She always kept short hair, and went once a week to the beauty shop until her death in '07 - it was traumatic for her when she moved out here in 04 and she had to leave her trusted beautician.

I used to be a towhead (super cornsilk blond) until I had my first child, and then my hair came in dark and has been that way ever since (except when I altered it.  Note: I look Awful in red hair, but great with lightened streaks.)  After my first bout with bc in '96, in gratitude I began cutting my own braid and sending it to Wigs for Kids, then would re-grow it and do it again in a few years. I usually cut 10-12" braid and sent off four during those years.  I had cut it in '09, then this dx in '10 and now I think I'll keep it as is for the forseeable - being lazy and cheap, I still just braid it - after retiring from work environment I went back to low maintenance.  My friends all thought I was coloring my hair until a year or two ago when DH was talking with another guy who helps his wife color hers.... Why do I feel guilty for no gray?

But I agree with Barbe that lighter is softer, and I could really use some softening...Any non chemical suggestions?  Nowadays, in this time of my life, I appreciate everyone's hair as never before...

My Christmas is ditto in the "less" department.  And I AM going to learn how to online shop.

BarbaraA

I just ordered the Kindle Fire. Can't wait. You know how I love my gadgets!

RE: hair, mine is sort of a dark blond but I usually high and low light it. This last time she low lighted it so that I looked terrible. I went back and made her lighten me back up and it looks pretty good. As we get older, lighter is better I think.

momoftwo526

Christmas will be a little tighter for us also.  I decided this year that I will purchase my family gifts from this charitable organization sponsored by the United Methodist Church.  They have this organization that works with third world countries in Africa, Asia and S. America.  They help them to learn a skill and make a product to sell.  Then they make the goods available here.  They have things like jewelry, handbags, pillow covers and more.  All of it is hand made and very beautiful.  I think they have a website.  If anyone is interested, I can post the link.

On hair coloring, I only started coloring my hair in the last 15 years, since I started getting gray.  I always had beautiful natural blonde hair.  When I was in my 20's and 30's, other women at the hairdresser used to ask him to color their hair my color.  He would say: "Wish I could, but this you can't get from a bottle!"  It always made me feel good.  But now my hair is darker, has gray and is naturally mousy.  So I color it a shade of blonde as close to my old color as I can, but I only color it twice a year.  I do it my self most of the time.

A couple of days ago, after going to bed, I felt this very sharp pain in my left side (has a TE in it right now) then a burning sensation.  It passed and I was fine in the morning, but yesterday I noticed the skin at the bottom of the breast was reddish.  This morning, I woke up, and half my breast has this redness.  I called the PS's answering service and he called right back.  After I told him what was going on, he suspects cellulitis, so warm compress, antibiotic and taking it easy, no lifting, no vacuuming.  So much for normalcy.  I guess I just have to get a new normal.  I have to see him tomorrow morning to confirm.  And I have all this work that I need to be done before Thanksgiving. Yikes!  I guess what doesn't get done doesn't get done.  Probably a good thing I am on vacation.

Phyllis

momoftwo526

3Jays:

Post a picture when you get your new wig!

Phyllis

jazz3000

Well I have my wig, have been to chemo and am working on getting my embroidery machine in a place where it's easy to work on and when fatigue has passed I can start my project. I've settled on a BC quilt with embroidered blocks that share the experiences. I'm going to grab a few of the Roses from here as the machine will do the photostitch that recreates a picture, and take some of the chemo dept and my chair and it's vantage points. See what I come up with. Am listing names to see if I can write them all in embroidery. When my hair falls out I will take a pic and put it on a quilt block so I can remember the experience there.This whole chemo - rad thing is suppose to take me a whole year and by then I should be pretty close to getting the quilt together. A friend helped me build a quilting frame that another friend got for me then my DDinL and DS got me a sewing table that extends out and will even fit over the bed if needed. They even lie and say the wig looks just like my real hair but I'm sure it doesn't. At least it doesn't feel like my real hair. Oh well. Vanity has to take a back seat right now. I was wondering what to do with my clothing and being able to keep up with it as washing and ironing still proves difficult and my arm gets really tired as does my chest area. Another friend came by and asked to help and I explained the issue and he took over. He took my personal clothing and brought it back the next day and had set up pick up and delivery by a Cleaners in the area. I feel like I'm wearing brand news clothes. My family and friends have been so supportive and surprisingly enterprising with any issues I find myself having difficulty with. I am so blessed they are there for me. Personal limitations bring enlightenments.

Barbe - I'm going try to find a pic of the poodle skirt and see if the machine will embroider a block for it as well. Brings many memories of times gone by. You gave me a trip down memory lane when I was reading your post. Loved it.

SoCal as always your roses are an inner comfort. As to their "still blooming", I guess you're just lucky. My wisteria is still blooming in the middle of November!

Hoping I have the strength to make four pies, my offering for Thanksgiving Table at DS and DDinL's. Not too much to ask and I've made my mind up I can do this thing.

Marybe - Having my wig frosted is as close to any chemicals I intend to put on my body at the moment. That will do for me. I can smell chemicals around me right now and am surprised by how many things effect me like that. Black leather jackets seem to be the worst. I can actually smell them coming.LOL. I don't know what's used in the tanning but ouch!

I'm hoping everyone's day is a good one if not great and you're all blessed with one thing you really wanted and needed. I appreciate being able to sound off here and thanks so much for listening.

barbe1958

My poodle skirt was purple with a pink felt poodle. My sister's was the opposite and I hated having a pink skirt!! Even at that age I didn't like pink! My mom made them so we got what we wanted in colour, until I go the hand-me-downs...sigh.

3jaysmom

Barbe: i was taking carafate, which is like what you're talking about, but ALL of them intefere with the absortion of meds.. since im taking a peds dose onmanymmeds now; i can't afford NOT to get every bit of it. He changed my anti bs to Amoxcillin, from Biaxin, both penniciilin based, but i haven't thrown up on the new one, im so grateful!!!this dr. is a whiz.. when i get anit bs,, he write for probiotics, antibs, AND flucanozole, for a week longer than the anti b's so far, so good...........thsanks for the info, honey... i love you guys, who care so much for me.....3jays

barbe1958

Smart doc 3 jays!!! He sounds like a keeper!!! Afterall, what's the point of giving you a med that you are ejecting from your body after taking it?? Hope you are starting to feel your strength turn around....

marlegal

3jays, so glad to hear you're with a good doc - finally!! fingers crossed and prayers headed up that you'll continue feeling a little better each day. hugs my fiend

hair coloring - I colored mine for years before BC .... also of the Summer Blond and Frost & Tip generation!!!  in my 40's I started letting hairdresser do it cause more gray was coming in. after treatment when hair grew back, my hairdresser said she wouldn't touch it for at least 3 months because it was too "new" - it's just like baby hair - and by that time I had gotten enough compliments that I decided to give it a try for a little while. the upside - not having to color it every 3 months. the downside - if a group picture is taken I might look like the oldest just 'cause of the gray hair, but I've gotten over that!! about a year ago I let the hairdresser try some new product that was supposed to just give highlights or something, but it made the whole head light brown and I really didn't like it - I was shocked! so once that grew out, that was it

BarbaraA

3jays, praying the anti b's will clear up the crud. Hi, guys, I am swooping in and out but wanted to say hi and please, everyone, have a very happy Thanksgiving.

SoCalLisa

QCA

Beautiful as always, Lisa.  I so love your photos.

Jazz, hope you can do your pies, but "don't sweat the small stuff".  Your well being is a lot more important than knocking yourself out, and four pies is a lot of pies to do. It sounds like you're blessed (and it is a blessing) to have a great support group who really want concrete things they can do for you.  That's so wonderful!

I've got Thanksgiving prep well under way, trying to keep from thinking about the mammogram I'll have on Monday.  This is my 2nd since bc diagnosis, etc, and I'm thinking that if I keep busy I won't have time to become a total wreck.  We'll see.

Today I made cornbread for the dressing, which I'll make tomorrow and refrigerate until baking on Thursday.  Also will finish thawing turkey and cook it tomorrow.  Turkey's been in the refrigerator since Friday and still isn't thawed.  Does anyone ever get a turkey completely thawed?  I sure never have. Tonight I'm making a list of all that must be done tomorrow.  DH said to put a "K" next to all I'll do.  If he'll just take care of GS, the rest will go fine.

Hope you all have a nice holiday!

Kathy

3jaysmom

Kathy; we always soak ours in the sink, then the fridge during the day... we both forgot, so it got in the sink tonight... its' ok, though.. it might just be the 2 of us, maybe my middle jay (jared) from his 1/2 way house, but i think thats the day after thanksgiving... it'll work out, either way...

   Mur does a great turkey, he uses the cooking bag, and its' always really moist.. he did the turkey even bf i did bc tx... i still can't smell very many foods cooking, so don't cook muuch (ask chrissy) she knew that when she came to visit... now, the greasiness of skin on chicken is making me nauseous.. so i get pre cooked pieces, mostly add them to salads, now...

   I got my 1st thanksgiving card tonite from a friend.. i guess the holidays (which i DO dread) has begun.... Christmas used to be my favorite holiday, now i try to figure out how to miss it altogether.....

   we usually do black friday, did it even last year; but  don't think we'll be able to this year.. here, they seem to have sales starting midnight, on line, so i still may pick up a few things.. mostly,  another down alternative for king size bed for $26.00; that was our big sale last year, and want to add a color to it this year... wish me luck!!!..if im not back here (tho good chance i will be ) have a great Turkey Day, gals...................3jays

BarbaraA

Morning all. Today is pie day. I am working 1/2 day though. We are having a pot luck lunch at work and I am bringing manicotti which my friend Richard made yesterday. It was yummy. Gotta get ready! Bye!

Anonymous

Happy Thanksgiving .  I am off to my Dad's today and will be spending tonight getting ready for tomorrow....we are going to have 10!!  That is good for us since I am always beating the bushes trying to have a full table.  I will stay til Sun or Monday finishing up projects so the place is in shape for the Xmas open house next weekend.  Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow.   

BarbaraA

Marybe, have a great wekend and try not to overdo it. .... Right!

Off to make a cherry and an apple pie.

Alyson

Go easy on the Turkey you lot in the US.

SoCalLisa

Alyson, Nevah...

BarbaraA

Pie done. Decided on apple only.

QCA

That's a good looking pie, Barbara!  You done good!

Well, almost everything's done here.  I made cornbread dressing, a mashed potato casserole ( did use fat free cream cheese in in but counteracted that with butter), broccoli/rice casserole, cut up asparagus to cook tomorrow, got vegetables marinating, and cooked the turkey.  There will be 8 people with maybe a couple of extras. 

3jays, I've always used the cooking bag too with great results. And sure enough, the turkey had to finish defrosting in the sink.  Hope Jared makes it tomorrow or Friday, too.

Marybe, hope you've had a safe trip and are now at your dad's. 

I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Kathy

barbe1958

What the heck is IN a potato casserole besides potatoes?? Sounds like a wonderul meal, though...same time next year??

Valjean

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

Good looking pie, Barb! Where I am going for dinner tomorrow, someone is bringing an apple & a pumpkin (ick) pie already, so I am making an Apple Crisp tomorrow morning. YUM! My DD is making the turkey, her first time. She is using my recipe and called tonight with a few refresher questions from her "mommy", but she'll do fine.  

marlegal

Pumpkin pie ... check  (see pic)

Bread pudding ... check (see pic)

Carrot casserole - prepped and ready to go in oven tomorrow - check (in refrig, so no pic!)

rest of the crap - others doing tomorrow, not my problem!!!!

We're going to dd's where everyone is making/baking/prepping/cooking their stuff, I'm glad the things I do are "night before" things!  First time for the 6 of us...me, hub, dd, sil, other dd and her fiance - still feels weird to say that! Since we're Irish, there will be drinks involved too - not our fault, it's our heritage and we have to honor that - so we're all staying overnight at dd/sil's home. Thank you God for letting them having great jobs to afford a home with enough bedrooms for all of us!!

My very best extra special wondermos wishes for all of you to have a Thanksgiving to remember, for all the right/good reasons

marlegal

Note: I tried to resize pics to fit the screen and couldn't   Trust me, they look better full frame!

Isabella4

marlegal, just had to laugh at your words...." Since we're Irish there will be drinks involved too...not our fault, it's our heritage, and we have to honor that !!! "

Totally the best excuse I have heard for years....and absolutely cobblers !!!!!

Isabella.

3jaysmom

 e am grateful to/for you LL...3jays

BarbaraA

Warm wishes to all my pals on this day! I am thankful to have you all in my life.

Mary, what's the address? I want to try that bread pudding!

Isabella4

While all you girls are totally stuffing yourselves think of little old me.... having a ham and cheese sandwich today for my lunch.

Isabella !!!!!