Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

I would be happy with only Thanksgiving!

Teka, love your cartoons! Mimi, so glad your news is positive and you've learned that doing what come naturally is the best thing for you. Anne, I've enjoyed your travelogue and now have NYC on my list of places to visit.

All the talk about fall makes me want to see some changing leaves. We do get them in and around San Antonio, just not yet and of course they are nothing like what you lucky northern folks get, but we appreciate them all the same. This was a picture from last year when Mike and I were in the nearby Texas Hill Country where the seasonal change was especially gorgeous. It's usually a bit more subtle closer to the city.

Thanksgiving IS the best, isn't it?  Although our two older children live far away and my 29 year old son, who works at night, is usually sleeping most of the day, we still enjoy the day with the same friends who've hosted a Thanksgiving celebration every year for 28 years. Back when it started, most of us had school age children or toddlers and there were 40 or 50 people running around all day. It's fun seeing them each year, watching their kids grow up and in some cases, start families of their own. If my daughters are in town, they always come. My son shows up later in the afternoon every year. One year we decided to take a cruise over Thanksgiving with just our three children and although the cruise was wonderful, we really missed seeing these folks who've become extended family members. Never again. Being away at Christmas would be fine, but not Thanksgiving. The group has dwindled over the years as children have moved away and some of the older members have died, but we count on the same core group of about 20 to be there.

Christmas isn't so much fun since we don't have grandchildren. One of my daughters is usually here but the other can never get away. My son doesn't wake up until about 3 or 4 in the afternoon since he doesn't get off work until 7 a.m. so we don't even open presents until just before dinner. Last year we reluctantly put out a tiny little artificial tree about 2 days before Christmas and my husband tossed a string of lights over the front bushes. Ho hum. I had just had my third breast surgery and wasn't into celebrating anything but a good nap but we put on the happy face for the sake of the "children." I don't think they really care, but can't risk any disappointment so we make the minimal effort in decorations. There are still plenty of gifts under the tree since I shop all year. If the schedule stays on track, I'll have my sixth surgery about the same time this December. Just can't get excited about Christmas anymore.

Halloween humor:

and cute costumes:

No kids come to our home on Halloween.   A long dark scary driveway.

But always have candy!

Sometimes we do get a break and things go our way. 

Lew's shoulder has been sore, the same kind of sore and motion limitations I had with my rotator cuff tear, and his primary care doc also thought he had a tear. Lew postponed seeing the ortho surgeon until after my chemo cuz we knew there'd be no way I could take care of him. Well, today he saw the surgeon, had his ultrasound, and NO TEAR! Just inflammation, so they gave him a steroid injection and he'll start physical therapy and see the doctor again in December. Too bad, if we'd known he wasn't going to need surgery he could have gotten his shot and started therapy weeks ago.

Chevy, that's funny! I grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida and you are right about cars being driven by headless people.

Puffin, what a nice surprise that Lew is going to be better soon. That's what's important. Hindsight isn't.

Chevy - great summary.  Thanks.

I have enjoyed reading here...Jackie, your fall traditions sound like wonderful memories. 

I spent Sunday in CT for my granddaughter's 9th birthday party.  They had a DJ and dance leader for the girls.  The weather was perfect and my DD from MA came down with the older granddaughter.  I was happy!
I decided to stop procrastinating and will go to Disney with my daughter and 2 granddaughters.  We will meet there in the airport.  She has friends going and I will not be part of many of their activities - but it is a beautiful hotel and I get to see my granddaughters in a happy place.  It's been stressful as DD moves forward with divorce. 

DD in MA wants to host Thanksgiving in her new (oversized) house.  Sadly, it may be sold in divorce, and her DH who is still living there may not be there for Thanksgiving.  But I will go and offer my support and keep the grandkids smiling.  Christmas hasn't been decided yet.  We are a big family and it is difficult for one person to host all.  But I almost always have some of my sons here.  I still make stockings for them.

We get no trick or treaters ... very dark cul de sac and no kids nearby.  We buy candy then eat it.

Sandra, I am glad that you did not continue communicating with the offensive person.  You have a lot to offer here and am glad you are part of this thread. 

Mommarch, I hope you have accomplished all you set out to do on your trip.  It is nice to spend time with family.

Carole, I am tired hearing about your 3 days of work.  I think 3 hours is enough.

Chevy, I love the retirement options! 

Blondie, love that tattoo!

Anne, of course you are happy and relaxed...you are "home"!  Great description of your travels!
New Yorkers don't usually visit the sights until they move away or have company.

Time for lights out....

I continue to love recess.  I have learned along the journey how important play is to our lives as long as it is our minor and not our major.  We were designed to work and to work heartily.  I don’t think there is any sweeter sleep than that which follows a diligent day’s work.  But without respite, work will wear us to a frazzle.  Recess keeps the dazzle in our footsteps.
 
Patsy Clairmont

I could skip Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I much prefer ordinary days to holidays.  DH loves Thanksgiving and wants to go to his sister's house in Decatur, GA, again this year.  So we will and with the travel and hotel stays, our Thanksgiving dinner will cost us at least $500.  We usually bring fresh oysters for the oyster dressing which somehow became part of the menu some years back.  There will also be the Midwestern bread dressing and two turkeys, one roasted and one deep-fried.  Sweet potato casserole topped with melted marshmallows served in an antique serving bowl.  Etc. and etc.  The dinner will be ample and the table will be beautifully set with china and crystal, all to be hand-washed afterwards. 

The thing I don't like about fall is that the holidays are just around the corner.  I've done holidays and enjoyed them in the past.  Now I can do without them. 

Just call me Bah, Humbug!

I want no part of *Gray Thursday and Black Friday*.   I'll be spending the last weekend in November getting X-mas Cards ready to mail out December 1st.

I feel sorry for Parents looking for that, no where can be found, Child special gift for under the X-mas Tree!  

Teka, love the orange and black kitties but what the hell has that woman done to her face? I did not recognize her at all.

Blondie and others thinking about tattoos...if I had the nerve, this is what I'd do. (Just kidding.)

I would now only know Renee by voice! (

I'm thinking this morning that it must be true.  If you are a star -- you have to keep up.  Keeping up is maybe going to mean doing things most of us would never dream of, want or need to do.  We are just average and  know we always will be.  Just as Chevy's article seemed to indicate -- if you are a STAR it is expected that you will KEEP up and sometimes in order to do that, you are going to have "procedures".  I'd rather look at someone pretty much as they are, but I know in my heart -- it won't sell.  Hollywood and movies and idols are glamorous and mysterious and they ALWAYS look good. 

I also think as Chevy's article pointed out -- what made Renee Zellweger who she was in the beginning was her fresh-faced poofy-cheeked look.  Well, she is 18 yrs. older now and I think that would be difficult to get away with.....in looking at her though...I see crows' feet and other aging signs -- so even though she doesn't look like who she was -- I'm trying to decide if she looks more like WHO she has become with the passage of time -- meaning just looking mainly like the self she may have become which is not the 27 yr. old she used to be.

Well, it is getting complicated, eh !!!

Agreed !!!  Holidays are big productions that often are ok to an extent, because we enjoy ( usually ) the time spent with family and the traditions that our own parents passed down to us -- but the fact is -- at our age, it is real work and we are not always up to the task.  I think nothing smells greater than a cooked holiday meal totally from your own kitchen.  But -- I'm to the point where I'd likely be ok with making the turkey and my own dressing -- and maybe the sweet potatoes and purchase a bunch of the other parts made elsewhere ( store deli ) and re-heated or added to -- whatever.  There are even some purchased pies that for me could pass muster.  So, if I do anything -- it will likely be a combo -- store bought and home made.

Beautiful day here which will warm a bit.  Not a lot, but warmer is coming -- hmmm, will that be an early Indian summer.  Not sure.  Lots of work to do today. 

See you all later.

Blessings

Jackie