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

When I was a travel agent, I went to Nome. There was a huge snowmobile race and the restaurants and bars were packed. They asked us where we were from (thick Texas accents) and we asked them how they came to be in Alaska. It was amazing how many just up and left, going for adventure. Actually my FIL basically did the same thing. He applied for a job on a whim and didn't even mention it until he was offered the job. A family meeting had most voting to go, so they did. So a lot of our friends are current or former Alaskans. One friend moved to Montana because Alaska was getting too crowded.

Love our new use for duct tape, Sandra! You are a riot!

mommarch....Keeping you and your daughter in my thoughts and prayers. The waiting is so hard.

I worked on Christmas cards all afternoon, taking short breaks here and there. I don't have much family left, but those aunts that I do still have do not live around here and I feel I need to write letters with the cards so it takes some time. I've about got them done. I turned on the Christmas music and the lights on the tree and finally got myself into the spirit a bit.

Now I'm off to do a load of laundry before Dave starts cooking the fish for dinner. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

mommarch - prayers for your daughter

I could have swiped my finger across the cake with chocolate frosting! Enjoy your special day, Val and Sandy.

We went to my husband's company Christmas party. It was in a very nice place but the music was just noise and so loud we couldn't talk at the table. We finally went out on the patio with some other "old timers" and had a nice time chatting. As we were leaving, I overheard a couple probably in their 30s say the music was too loud. My DH and I looked at each other and said, "It wasn't just the oldies!"

Today we went to a friend's open house. As we left, I asked how long it took her to decorate for Christmas and she said a week. Everything was decorated, even the bathrooms! It was even a bit much for me and I love Christmas. It was a nice quiet time to talk with friends. I was so glad to gets to go because last Christmas was all about getting rid of bc.

This week I'm going to be in cookie mode. I love to make and give them away. The house will smell good, but the sweets won't be around to add to my hips

Blondie so sorry about shingles. Loved meeting Sandra and hearing her exciting news about surgery six. Aren't we all odd to celebrate an upcoming surgery. Duct tape looks clever and I can affirm she is one clever gal. I'll get the picture up tomorrow when I have a real computer at home. Spent time today in KANSAS City . Sleeping at Jan's house tonight. Home tomorrow morning! PA the picture I have is not fuzzy.

Here I am 5 pages behind again....but I have to keep up because this is the best darned thread I've found here...with the most amazing, smart, funny, caring and yes, zany ladies.
I see a few belated BD wishes from last week...thanks again...do I have to add more years? eat more cake?
Today was a good day - I went to the Christmas Show in NYC with 3 DDs and 6 grandkids...my favorite thing....it was quite the rendezvous from DC and CT, Long Island and Boston... but we were all seated when the show started.   I felt happy and content and very filled with Christmas spirit and love for my kids and just about everybody ... Radio City Christmas Show is one last holiday show that celebrates the traditional meaning....ending with a live  nativity including grandiose processions of kings and lambs, camels, and donkeys on stage.  It is nice to not see the season sanitized of the traditions and cultural celebrations of Christmas...whether one is religious or not, it is a wondrous story.

When I got home from NY, DH had put up some lights outside.  The season has arrived.
Ten of us went out to lunch...it was hard to say "bye" at the end of the day.  Wish they didn't live so far!
Bed time for me....long day on Monday.  I will be reading back and catching up.
Thanks to all who drop by here, and especially Jackie who is faithful to post encouragement every day.
Hugs!

Ah Blondie and Joan,

You are putting a little mist behind my eyes.  The reason behind putting in a quote daily is that we all need a lift of some kind.  I could get very wordy about it all, but I'll just say that since every second we live  ( while a tiny part of the one just before and having a small tiny part of the one coming just after )  is totally unique.  We are not likely able  ( it would be so boring anyway ) ever to feel quite the same about anything including things that are almost always totally alike for us.  Because it is happening over again in a totally new and as yet, un-lived moment in time. 

Sensations about things will be different and needs will be different and reactions will be different.  So, one day something will really touch you because that part of your soul is what is un-covered and open at that very moment.  I feel very alive and worth something if I'm able to make you feel your own perfection -- the part of you that is special and wonderful and meaningful -- the part of you that I know will make me a better person too. 

We are not in the world alone -- and doing what you can --- even if just a smile for a stranger,  lifts us all a little higher.

Joan,

I did want to say too ---sometimes, if we don't have pre-conceived notions about how something will go --- it goes in the most amazing ways.  We are covered in warmth and unity having a really magnificent time because we are all of ONE mind more so than at other times.  The time together is full of love and joy because we have left behind all differences so that we can simply just BE. 

Teka,

As always, you put in such neat graphics and I love Dr. Seuss wisdom.   He and Mr. Rodgers, and a few others like that are great teachers for us, aren't they !!!

Mimi,

I'll be anxious to see your un-fuzzy picture.  You are such a great traveler.  Loved the statement of "having" a real computer to be on at home.  Just reminds me that the few times that there is reason ( I sure try my best to avoid it too ) for me to be on Dh's lap-top just drives me up the wall.  I do feel like a fish out of water.  My hands don't fit the key-board and I have to look for the keys  ( like esc ) that do things.  I am definitely a creature of habit. 

Carole,

Sounds like you are almost getting 'great' weather for golf.  Just a touch on the cooler side.  I consider any time there is no humidity as a fantastic time. 

I'll be checking in later today.  I'll see you then.

Blessings

Jackie

Hi everyone

Blondie- so sorryabout the shingles- my friend had them once and the pain was unbearable. It was incredible hard to watch her in so much pain and be unable to help.

Teacher- I will be second in line behind Rita for some cookies. Being a "good" mom, we always baked and decorated Christmas cookies at our house. It was a great avtivity that all enjoyed. Unfortunately, they were inedible. Every year! One year I was invited to a cookie exchange and panicked, until a friend gave me a "recipe". It was more like a science project where I just had to put already made stuff together. It ended up being really cute- looked like a McDonalds hamburger.

Joan- isn't Radio City Music Hall's Christmas show the best? Being an usher there was my older brothers first job. We really benefited from that- even though we had to pay full price for the tickets, we went straight to the head of the line, which in those days went 4 deep al the way around the block. Great memories!

I am still amazed at how tired and worn out I can get almost 7 months after finishing treatment. I had a busy weekend, but nothing strenuous. Fri night, my GD sang in the chorus during the town's annual "light up" ceremony. We went straight to the performance, and I was even able to get a seat on the small bleachers area. We took some pictures afterward, then headed home- didn't even walk thru the lights and booths. Then Sat, I went to my son's basketball fund raiser. Again, I sat in the bleachers and cheered him on. Even with a former NBA player, as well as another guy who played professionally overseas, plus some other really great players, they lost. Last year, they took top prize. Good lesson for them- they thought they were so good, they didn't need to practice- individually, they are each way above average, but they had no clue how to play as a team. I then brought 2GC home for the night. I had to run to Walmart for underwear and PJ's for them, but they are old enough to take care of themselves with some supervision, so I didn't have to bathe them or fix snacks etc.Then yesterday, I went to a beautiful park on a gorgeous day to celebrate GS's bday. Sat in a chair visiting with his other grandmother.

I was so exhausted that I slept till noon today. Will I ever get my energy back? And although I did nothing physical , I ached all over, especially my upper chest area.

Really glad I had to go buy the GC's stuff Sat night, though. I always have a few outfits for them here for many reasons. But, being in Ga for so long, they have outgrown what I have here. I asked my daughter what sizes they are now, and bought some clothes for them last week, some for Kayden for his birthday, some for both for Christmas. None of it would have fit. I bought Kayen size 6 underwear and he couldn't keep them up they were so big. And I had bought Victoria some size 10 leggings - they were more like tights- they covered her whole foot and were still baggy at the knees. I know my daughter likes to buy ahead in sizes, but I need to shop "real-time" because they are to be worn now, not next year.

So my job for today, if I choose to accept it, is to return all the clothes I have already bought. Thank Goodness, nothing had been wrapped yet.

Till later,

Anne

Anne, My DM never bought anything in my kids' current sizes. During the years, she bought many rubber rain boots for the kids. They rarely if ever wore them but I didn't get rid of them. Then one day it snowed in Houston for the first time since they were born. I put all the boots out on the front porch and told the kids that anyone could take a pair if they fit. So at least 8 kids had dry feet that day. Snow was so rare that even offices made snowmen.

Hi to all. Wish we could all meet in a central location for a little holiday party. I feel so close to all of you.

The white peacock with blue was gorgeous. As I've mentioned before, my daughter's neighborhood is covered in peacocks! The house at the end of the street was once a plant nursery with two peacocks roaming around. That was about thirty years ago and the house is now a private residence with a brick wall all around. Nothing is too high for the peacocks, however, who number about two dozen. There is one white female and once in awhile she has a white chick, but most are the usual colors. They fly over the wall several times a day and wander a four block radius, looking for treats. When they get tired, they just plop down where they are and rest. If they want to, they fly to the tops of the houses and call to one another. (They sound like VERY loud angry cats.) For the most part they just happily wander to the houses where they know they will get fed, my daughter's house is top of the list I think. When we are there, we sit on the porch and they come up and eat out of our hands. It's fun during "baby" season to see a whole bunch of little brown 'chickens" following a mom around. The males were in rare form when we were there in June, strutting all around displaying their plumage. They don't like to get rained on and will crowd on the front porch. Usually there are three or four sitting on the porch or on the wrought iron table eating out of the heavy terracotta dish filled with bird food. My daughter has a big picture window so the kitties are about six inches away! They also wander around the backyard and my daughter's cats are nose to nose with them on the screened in porch.

Blondie, LOL at your comment about Jackie's philosophic insights!  And then Chevy's recap according to her interpretation.  You both made me smile.  And smiling is GOOD! 

Chevy, you also made me smile at your indignation over your dh expecting you to transport BEER in your new car. 

Sandra, those are outstanding photographs of the peacocks.  One of my sisters has peacocks.  Chevy would definitely not want a peacock landing and strutting around on her new car because they have sharp claws and can scratch paint.  I was on pins and needles one year when dh and I were visiting my sister and had my new Volvo parked in her yard.  They make a harsh screeching sound that is much at odds with their beautiful feathers. 

Rita, when we changed our fireplace over to gas, we had a huge rack of good firewood.  We gave it to the people next door, whose boys sold it!  I hated all the mess of the ashes and soot.  Plus there was always the risk of bringing in bugs with the firewood.  We use our fireplace more now that it's so easy to light it and turn it off.  We already had the gas lighter in the firebox so the conversion was easy.  DH did it himself. 

Today was lots of fun.  My two sisters and I took my mother shopping and out to lunch.  I wish my middle sister (one with the peacocks) lived closer so that we could spend more time with her.  My younger sister does live close and helps out with looking after my mother. 

Hello to all.

Well i am so glad i entertained u all, thanks chevy for the interpretation. My brain doesn't work anymore 

Loving the peacocks. ..

I would say yes u r being a bitch, but u can u have earned it. It is u r car....

Lol u guys make me smile.

Went to walmart again, yea i know i am quarantined but the dog needs 2 eat. Iy is still active around the front whatever

Jackie, I was wondering the same thing about cleaning up after the birds.

Yes Jackie I am still one of you. I just don't have much to say right now. DD saw ONC on Monday her

bone marrow is clean. They have staged the hodgkins at 4b. She will start chemo next week. It will be once every 2 weeks. She has lost 100 lbs in 6 months. She was dieting and thought nothing of it. My understanding is that they will remove some of her own blood stems before chemo and then reintroduce them later.

Have done nothing for Christmas, not even a decoration. With Kimber here I need to do something to make it special for her. I did order her a new lap top.

On Sunday DH put rustoleum deck cover on back porch, ramp & front deck. It is a cape cod white color.

I went to let our Rosie out Monday morning, it was cold, she took one look at the white and ran straight down the hall. She thought it was snow, she did the same thing this morning. Crazy little dog.

Hope all are well.

Mommarch, don't feel like the Lone Ranger with no Christmas decorations.  I have a poinsettia that was a table decoration at the woodworkers' guild Christmas dinner.  I won it.  I also have a gilt reindeer Christmas card holder that is holding the Christmas cards that have come in the mail.  I didn't send any cards so far this year, nor last year so I figure I'll get marked off the mailing lists.  I just can't work up any enthusiasm for putting up a tree and then having to take it down. 

One of my brothers, one of my sisters and dh and I are going together to buy my each of my niece's three children a nice bike for Christmas.  DH will go with me to pick them out.  He's knowledgeable about bicycles.  He keeps our bikes in good shape.  These kids won't take care of theirs.  They've never been taught to take care of anything.  This same brother, same sister and I have financed Santa Claus for most years, but this year the two older kids' father is going to have to do his part for a change.  Those two kids are with him now.  The youngest child is with my niece.  The little girl's father is about to go to prison for vehicular homicide.  He had a tragic auto accident in which the passenger, his best friend, was killed. 

On a happier note, today was a beautiful day.  Sunny and cold.  Dh and I went to the gym early.  Then he did some yard work, picking up leaves with the apparatus he bought a few years back.  It's like a giant vacuum.  I worked inside catching up on laundry and making a big pot of turkey veggie noodle soup out of a turkey carcass.  Plus some other odds and ends of housework.  Finally my feet gave out.

Hope everyone else has enjoyed the day as I have.

Sandra,

A really amazing story.  People do come into our lives at certain times and somewhere along the way --- it may become really evident how it all fits perfectly though it only  appears to be an almost random event right now.  I've always been fond of gazing into my past just to see how different people affected me in different ways and then to focus on how those instances help me to grow into the person I've become and am still working on. 

To me everything has a connectedness and darn good reason -- but I was fairly un-aware till the last 15 yrs. or so -- since then I've figured it all out for myself.  So glad that this has come together.  Seems like it is going to have good connections all the way.

Jackie