how about drinking?

Hello, all. Just popping in. Will have to read through back to pg. 2046 and come back later.

For now, hope those that enjoy adult beverages are able to imbibe and that everyone is staying healthy and safe.

Good Morning all! Beautiful weather here. DH and I will do our morning walk then work some in the yard. Lots of pruning and general tidying to do. My eldest DS and DIL had to put their elderly dog to sleep yesterday. She was my first grand dog and I did shed a tear for her. I went with a decorator friend to a friend’s house to advise her on some tricks to freshen her house. It will be a challenge to get her to listen to the advice. We really want her to leave for a couple of days so we could rearrange furniture and decorations to make things look better.

I kinda envy you working girls even though there are so many challenges. I enjoyed working with people and feeling challenged each day. Retirement started out fun. I was volunteering, traveling and spending time with friends. Then the cancer diagnosis. 2019 was not a good year for me. 2020 has been much better as I have not had a chemo infusion since mid-January. I will have a scan in a couple of weeks that hopefully will show no cancer. I do try to focus on that even with all the other s__t going on all around me. This group has been great for learning about how to deal with cancer and keeping things real!

Sandy - Sorry about your restaurant. We have lost a couple of good local restaurants due to Covid-19. Social events like eating out may not be possible for awhile.

NM - Stay strong, but do not be afraid of retirement. It is mainly another phase of life to look forward to participating in.

Jazzy - Good luck on the job! Sounds exciting.

Goldie - Enjoy your trips. Do wish I enjoyed camping. I love being outdoors and seeing the sights, but enjoy indoor plumbing!

Cami - Keep those cat memes coming.

Stay safe everyone and enjoy the beautiful fall.

Jazzy, you are always so organized but still manage to get some "me" time in.

Sandy, we don't tent camp, we have a camper. Queen size bed, a few cubbards, sink, stove/oven, micro wave, fridge, bathroom with shower, toilet and sink. We have a generator, and a solar panel on top. It's not a huge one, but works for us.

NM, you sound in better spirits and glad you have the fall train ride to look forward you and like Jazzy, enjoying some "me" time. Can Sadie go on the train? My guess is Jazzy is probably the one who suggested a finacial advisor. Sounds like her, she is so helpful with her advice.

This is a campsite from a previous visit.

Hi friends- today would have been the start to the ballon fiesta and although the larger event was cancelled, there were some balloons locally and a few that came in to town that were allowed to fly (just no spectators on the field). About 20 floated by, one cool oval one that came closer. It's perfect weather today and as the weather man said "perfect day for the first day the year it's cancelled." There will be more of them. I enjoy seeing them from afar including from my back yard.

NM- that is actually a good idea to meet with a retirement planner. My sister did that about 5-6 years out from when she finally retired. It will help you figure out everything you will have to work with. Many of my retired friends who retired still work part time, either in things they did career wise or with something else they enjoy. For us single gals, working keeps us engaged in life, with community, etc. If you need more work time before you are ready, then you can figure out the when. I told myself I need to AT LEAST get to Medicare age, then full social security if at all possible. And you may find you are in good shape to retire. Just watch for the health insurance stuff because that is the big issue for gals our age.

I am thinking that today your mom has her furniture getting moved. Hope that all goes okay and she can get all her stuff in one place and then unpack to her hearts content. Get that kitchen and bathroom set up for her first if that is all you can do. We need to eat and use the facilities every day!

JCS- I think some people really enjoy retirement and have seen others not as much. Yours started out good, you have chemo behind you now, and this whole pandemic will not be around forever. The people I know who plan for retirement including what they will do after (do hobbies, volunteer, get a part time fun job) seem to enjoy it the most. The ones who are unprepared and being forced retirement through company changes,lay offs, etc. and very bitter. That happened to my dad in the 1980s when that whole downsizing thing became trendy and was a good lesson for me- don't assume any work is forever. I hope to retire on my own terms and timeline when the time is right. Glad you are enjoying what you can this year. Stay well sister.

Cami- I think you need a kitten! A friend of mine who retired and lives in southern NM was posting a photo of two kittens and trying to decide on which one to add to her home. We all said "get both, they seem like a great pair" and she said she could not handle having three cats. But yesterday, she texted me a photo she got both and showed me them eating side by side at her house. So I guess what I am saying is you need TWO kittenz.......

Celia C- hi and happy reading. Hope you are enjoying the fall where you live. Retirement still enjoyable even during the pandemic?

Goldie- that photo is up in the Moab area, right? I am due for a trip back up that way some day. No time off for me for awhile. I may be going to Taos for a few days in a few weeks but watching the numbers here (which are unfortunately going up again, sigh). Enjoy your camping, October in the west is stunning.

Ill- I know you are busy purging and packing. What things are you eating this weekend? I am a foodie and need to know.

That is it for today. Wishing everyone a nice first weekend of October.

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Sunday Funday! Sadie says Hi to everyone. She and It took a little walk yesterday, only 15 minutes but getting out of the house and moving felt pretty good! Going to try for a repeat today. Hoping the sun comes out, it's cloudy and gloomy right now. Good day to get some cooking done.

Librarian--Life seems to be one big change after another, doesn't it? Glad 2020 has been better for you than 2019, and here's to 2021 being even better than that!

Cammy Cat--I don't think I'm ready to leave nursing entirely yet, either. And things may still smooth out at work. There's been a lot of change in a short time and I may just be reacting to all of that. But I am going to start looking at alternatives, and definitely find out more about retirement and how that works. Good times you've had chatting with the boys! Good for you!

Goldie--I do feel better now than I did on Thursday and Friday. I've been thinking about talking to a financial adviser for a while now, not sure where the idea came from. I'm not taking Sadie on next Saturday's train ride, but there is another train ride that I can take her on that I will try to get tickets for again this fall. Jazzy is very helpful. Love the camper pic!

Minus--that's a great idea, I'll have to look into that, thanks!

Jazzy--You are correct, Mom's big moving day was yesterday. When I tried to call her last night to see how it went her phone went straight to voice mail, so she's forgotten to charge it up again. I may take a drive out her way later today if I can't get her on the phone later this ayem. Health insurance is a no worry for me. I don'thave any and won't until Medicare time in 4 more years, just can't afford it. I'm kind of hoping that I can retire soon on what I have for retirement accounts and wait to draw Social Security when I get full benes, but that's a long ways off still. What I need now is solid information, so the financial planner/ retirement advisor is the next step for me. And I probably will still work part time just to have something to do and a way to stay involved in life.

Illi--YUM! What a great birthday meal for DH!

Apple-Brandy Hot Toddies

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 cups apple brandy, preferably Calvados
• Eight 3-inch cinnamon sticks

How to Make It

Step

In small saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the honey until dissolved. Stir in the lemon juice and apple brandy. Set a cinnamon stick in each of 8 mugs or heatproof glasses, pour in the hot liquid and serve.

From <https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/apple-brandy-hot-toddies>

Lori, wish we had a place to park a camper! We live in the city--even in a residential neighborhood, nobody here has driveways, street parking is difficult to find (our block doesn't have zoned parking), the alleys are off-limits for parking all but temporary vehicles (workmen, moving vans, deliveries, etc.) and our garage isn't long & deep enough to fit even a small trailer (unless we sacrifice most of our rear lawn). So if we were to camp, we'd have to rent a trailer or RV. (We don't have a truck, either--and our Outback has weight limits for towing, should we decide to install a hitch).

Last night's DOTD with leftovers was Williams-Selyem Vin Gris of Pinot Noir. They are located in Healdsburg in Sonoma County--no word yet as to how the fires have affected them. Pinot Noir gets harvested earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel, so maybe they were able to get the harvest in, crushed, and tanked far enough away to be out of danger.

Illimae, I just finished dinner and your pictures still made me hungry!!! Looks sooooo good.

Good evening ladies- what a lovely weekend it was here. Lots of balloons this morning, then got out ate afternoon walk in a nearby park, which I have not been to since before the pandemic. It has a circular track for walking/running/biking and some common areas in the middle. Lots of people exercising were wearing masks, but saw a large group having a kids birthday party in the center of the park near one of the inside paths and there no social distancing and no masks. Note to self when I go again, I stay on that track.

I cleaned out my pantry yesterday which is also the "wine vault" and took an inventory of my red wines in there to see what I have. I discovered a couple bottles from my last big trip to Napa in 2009 from Whitehall Lane and Charles Krug. Oooh la la, how did I not drink those by now? I also found a bottle of chocolate wine and was like "where did that come from?" I am not a sweet wine person, but think I remember someone giving me that for a gift. Hmm, what to do with that? I found a recipe for a chocolate wine cake so I think that might be where I start. I have plenty of wine to keep me going for awhile so you heard it here, NO MORE BUYING for awhile. I am now just starting to drink red wines again as the weather cools.

The university hospital where I am going to work has a pretty details health screening to determine all my current vaccinations. Even though I have worked as a contractor for hospitals before, this will be my first time as an employee so occ med needs to be sure I don't get put at risk nor bring anything in. I cannot remember nor do I have those child hood records handy. I remember my mother gave them to me back in my 30s and had to use them once before for a university job, but heck if I know where those are. I know they can run a blood test if they need to check. There are no questions about Covid in the surveys but expect I will get asked about that when I go in. I won't be surprised if I get tested too. I am finishing those survey's up and calling today for an apt and also going this afternoon for my drug test.

Ill- that looks like some seriously yummy food. I got some cheese and jalapeno stuffed chicken breasts wrapped in bacon from Sam's Club recently and those were really delicious. Made two and froze the other 2. I hope the packing is going well and you are looking forward to getting settled in to your retirement spot over in West TX.

NM- I hope things went okay with going over to see how mom fared with the move. I am sure she probably is overwhelmed with the unpacking work. Hopefully you can get her focused and started on her unpacking. I hope you had some nice time to yourself yesterday too.

And yes, insurance on the ACA marketplace has become very expensive always at risk for being overthrown. It is part of the reason I am going back to a job with benefits. I hope you can find a job you really like along with something that has great benefits for your needs. And as a friend of mine advised as I was planning to pay off my house, once there is no mortgage, you have ALOT more freedom on the type and how much work you want to do. And know you paid your house of too (yay for us single gals with paid for home!) You nurses are very valuable in this world and have many options.

Chi- I love pinot noir and cab and think about all the wineries I love up there. A couple of them are okay (Twomey and Whitehall Lane). I heard they are harvesting and also heard there is a smokey taste to some of the wines. Even though I say I won't buy any wine for awhile, I also say I need to support the industry. Now I am going for some wine......

Cami- oh Joey loves cats too. A kitten for him and one for you. My sister says two kittens are great to have for one another, but they can also be double trouble. How are things going for Joey in school? He is two days on site, the rest remote?

Celia C, Mistyeyes, MinusTwo, Karen, JCS and anyone else I may be missing, have a good week!

Mornin ladies,

OK illi ur going to have to buy dry ice and start selling meals Looks yummy.

Kim I hope ur mom is well on the way to start unpacking, oh what a job. Does she have any help doing this. It would take me forever and I don't have what she has. Sounds like u had a good Sunday <I think> u and Sadie deserve it big time.

Jazzy even in ur post u sound so excited about ur new job, I'm so happy for you an all the new people u'll meet too. A whole new world for you. This will be fun for us hearing about it.

Sandy it never seemed like u'd like camping but sounded like u might. I don't remember how long Lori will be gone.

Jazzy Joey stays home everyday, but like I said goes out to tutor a couple of kids so he does get out for that. I doubt he's that smart just motivated to get out of the house, who wouldn't.

Have a good day.

LUBS U ALL

Good Morning Loungettes!Happy Twofer Tuesday! Got to work yesterday and ended up covering for a Med Tech all day. Drove out to Mom's after work, she's obviously been unpacking and rearranging boxes, and furniture she had in storage has been moved in, but she wasn't home. I left her a note telling her to get her phone turned on. I'm hoping she was out shopping for a minutes card and I'll hear from her sometime today. Sadie says Hi to everyone!

Jazzy--The park sounds lovely, even with the kids and no mask and no distancing. Chocolate wine cake? Never heard of it but it sounds interesting. Let us know how it turns out. The vaccination/medical screening for going to work in a health care facility is pretty intense. I got my flu shot at work yesterday just to get that over with. Keeping track of those childhood immunization records is a real pain in the anatomy. Having the house paid off is a major benefit when it comes to making more work options realistic. I've started poking around the internet to find out about remote work. There are some interesting sounding options out there. I haven't given up on the current position entirely, yet, though. I thought you'd find a reason to buy at least a few bottles of wine! I think the smoky taste might be interesting.One of my favorite teas is Lapsang Souchong, and that is very smoky.

Cammy Cat--Mom wants to unpack herself so she can take her time and go through things. I'm hoping that means she will be getting rid of some of the extra stuff, but we'll have to wait and see. When I looked in yesterday the bathroom was pretty well set up, and she's obviously started on the kitchen and craft room. If Joey is tutoring he must be pretty smart, they don't usually let people do that who aren't able to teach or understand the material. Don't blame him for wanting to get out of the house from time to time.

Chi--what a camping experience you had! There is nothing as miserable as tent camping in a cold rain, especially if the tent leaks.

Rum & Smoke

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz Aged rum
• 3/4 oz Oloroso sherry
• 1/4 oz Tempus Fugit Gran Classico bitter liqueur
• 1 barspoon Smoked-rosemary simple syrup*
• Garnish: Flamed rosemary sprig

Steps

1. In a mixing glass, add all ingredients with ice and stir until chilled.
2. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
3. Garnish with a flamed rosemary sprig.
4. Cover with a glass dome and let sit for 1-2 minutes, or until the cocktail is well smoked, before drinking.
5. *Smoked-rosemary simple syrup: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1⁄2 cup sugar, 1⁄2 cup water and zest from 1 orange and stir until just under boil. Remove from heat. With a kitchen torch or lighter, flame one rosemary sprig until it begins to smoke on all sides. Drop smoking sprig into saucepan and let steep, covered, for 20 minutes. Strain out solids and store in refrigerator up to one week.

From <https://www.liquor.com/recipes/rum-and-smoke/>

Good morning ladies- happy Tuesday friends. Got my apts set up for Thursday to get the medical screening done as well as my drug test. I have a former client from my other healthcare group who I was going meet on Wed night for dinner to celebrate a promotion she just got and my new job. I decided to reschedule so I can imbibe properly and we will try for Thursday night or sometime next week. I have a funny meme to post next on that very subject that I saw yesterday on FB that I will share with you that you will all find amusing.

Also visited with my cousins on a weekly family Zoom I have not been on for a few weeks but won't be able to participate in much longer. Most who attend are retired, and time won't work with the new job. I plan to tell them in a few more weeks it will be my last and my sister plans to stay with it and said she will "give me a report" when she goes. Been a positive thing during this pandemic time and will miss them but have not been able to go as much the past month or so. Both my collaboration volunteer work and the family will be doing their calls on Mondays between 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. my time. Collaboration folks know I won't be doing the calls anymore, started stepping away from that this week, but still have some data clean up to do in our tracking log.

NM- I think that exploring your options with on line applications and talking to some recruiters during your time off would be a worthwhile thing to do. A good recruiter can take the time to talk to you about your interests and needs and look for a match. I have used them for subcontract work and if you can make a list of "need to haves" and "nice to haves" to share with them, they can help to be watching for jobs for you. I don't have any good suggestions for healthcare recruiters right now but know a few nursing friends and will see what I can find out for you.

I always have found that with any move, for anything that I packed and took out later, I always looked at it again to see if it fit where I was moving in to. Your mom may not be willing to get go of things now, but you can also encourage her to take what she needs and to store the rest in a garage or basement, if available. Sounds like mom was out and about and a good reminder for her to charge her phone and turn it on. I hope she settles in and likes the new place.

Cami- I am not sure I am excited about this as I would have been in earlier years. I really did like working for myself but in many ways, it has just become unviable and needed to make this change. Several friends who were doing the same thing have all gone back to work FT later in their careers for similar reasons. As a self employed person, you need to pay attention when it is time to do something else. I do think this job will be a great way to wrap up my professional time and have what I need until I am ready to retire. I am still too young for that.

I am glad Joey is doing okay. I am sure he misses his music. Does he still play and practice at home?

Chi- those stories of your camping trips. I did a whole lot of tent camping as a kid (girl scouts) and later with my church youth group, in college, etc. I think the last time I camped in a tent was about 20 years ago at a yoga event in White Sands New Mexico. We did a sunset and sunrise yoga on the dunes (pretty spectacular), and the friend and I did a tent overnighter that was memorable. The winds that howled through that place a night made it hard to sleep. I was officially done with sleeping on the ground after that, but have done at least one other camping thing with a small trailer and that is the way to go. I can't wait to see Goldie's photos after she is back!

Hi to everyone else and hoping you are enjoying some fall colors where you are, if you are up here in the northern hemisphere with many of us!

Got some things to do and a trip to the girl doctor to do later today. Weather is beautiful but cooling down again this weekend.