how about drinking?

Lori, prayers & good vibes sent for Darrell's healing and the both of yours' safety & patience on those long drives. Prescription-strength PPIs (like Protonix, Dexilant, etc.) can work wonders on ulcers; and the abx he's already getting to combat his sepsis are likely to knock out any H. pylori if that bacterium is contributing to the ulcer.

Chicago's COVID numbers have spiked so much (approaching 7% positivity) that the Mayor just imposed a new business curfew starting tomorrow (actually, midnight tonight): all nonessential businesses (i.e., anything except groceries, pharmacies, takeout-only) must close between 10pm-7am; and all liquor sales--whether in stores, restaurants, brewpubs, bars or takeaway cocktails--must end by 9pm. No bars can serve indoors unless they have a food license. But indoor dining is still allowed up to the lesser of 40% capacity or 50 people. I don't run or work at any of these establishments, but IMHO we should be going back into Phase 3 (no indoor dining or bar service, period). I like an adult beverage as much as the next person, but bars are Petri dishes: alcohol lowers inhibitions (so people get sloppy with their masks & social distancing), and patrons tend to talk & laugh loudly and cluster together to hear each other due to the noise level. And bars--because they don't want to anger customers & drive them to the competition, as many young drinkers bar-hop--tend to ignore the rules and get overcrowded. Also, even small gatherings are dangerous: contact-tracers found that 2/3 of those tested positive know who infected them, and 3/4 of those exposures occurred w/in their own homes. Seriously considering not having Gordy & Leslie over for Thanksgiving (and the feeling may be mutual, since they want to go to Houston for Christmas as Leslie hasn't seen her family since last Christmas). Our BFFs want to do Christmas dinner as an excuse to buy a tree, but I don't think it'll be safe.

I have a feeling tonight's wine dinner (weather warm enough to be outdoor) may be our last dinner out till springtime. We want to go to Everest (socially distanced) for its New Year's Eve swan song, but even if it's still allowed to be open till 10pm, no wine or champagne will be poured after 9pm. Cellars, our traditional friends & family dinner NYE spot, will be in hibernation; and of course we can't have guests over to our home afterwards to ring in the new year.

What's maddening is that we were doing so well by September: beaches closed, bars & restaurants limited in capacity, people following the rules--and then "pandemic fatigue" set in and people began having folks over, ditching their masks indoors and even hugging. I read a medical-blog piece predicting half a million deaths before things turn around because of the US' culture of rugged individualism and everyone-for-themself, compared to other nations which instead have a culture of accepting personal freedom restrictions (following mask mandates) and gov't privacy incursions (mandatory testing & contact tracing) for the collective greater good. As the author said, "Culture beats morality." We Americans have a knee-jerk reaction to the word "collective," interpreting it as "socialist" or even "communist." We have 4% of the world's population but >25% of its COVID deaths. "Give me liberty or give me death" doesn't limit the consequences to just those exercising that liberty.

Sorry for getting ideological on a non-political thread, but public safety is more important.

Ok, I'm home! First stop was at my MO's cuz they shipped my Faslodex there instead of to my primary here where I live. I asked if they could just give it to me, the injection. They did. Then I get a call from billing on the way home in regards to that. I couldn't talk as I was driving, and asked that they call me tomorrow. I just know they are going to charge me for that, WTF! My primary up here has NEVER charged me anything when I went there for those injections, no office visit, nothing. It took the nurse all of 5 minutes to administer, if that! I just know they are going to tie it to using the "chemo" services or room.

Got DH home. He hated that hospital, was just a community hospital. All they did was endoscopy and xrays. DH thinks the helicopter ride is going to cost us around 70K. They also said they heard nothing of sepsis! He ate on the way home, first in a long time....TACO BELL, yuck! He got in the shower and then to bed. I don't think he was in there an hour and I have been summoned 5 times already! I see no rest for me in the future!

Lord help me and give me strength and patience! LOL!

Sandy, things are getting worse everywhere. I think AZ is at 6%, 8th in the country. My neighbor posted on FB a meme that said " I'll pretend your mask is protecting you, and you pretend I'm wearing one! Glad everyone has tested negative in your family.

NM, I think you need some of that strength and patience too!

Goldie, I guess I am glad you are home. Now you have all the responsibilities again. Hopefully enough time has passed and he is better able to manage his care. You will have your hands full for a while.

Gotta go walk my three miles. Then I will meet with a painter about some problems with my house. Met with the man restoring my Mustang. Might be a little more money than we figured! Oh well, it’s just money. LOL! Planted my pansies yesterday. They make our winter a little brighter. Need to start working on cleaning the porch. And I have a new book to read! The fun never ends.

Take care everyone. Wear your mask and wash your hands often!

NM - good for you for standing your ground and going to HR. The DON is down right bullying you.

Lori - hope Darrell is doing slightly better today.

Cold and gloomy today. Bring the snow and rain on! Today is my typical cleaning, grocery store and cooking day - plus I have an IEP meeting that I will get comp time for. Sunday, I have lots of paperwork to catch up on. So if the weather if lousy, I have lots to do indoors. No early morning run this morning. Will wait a till lunch time to see if it warms up a bit. Wimped out! Love my new Cubii - trying to figure out how to get my fit bit to count the steps. So easy to use when sitting in a zoom meeting. Got a good price on Amazon Prime Day.

Have a good week-end.

The Bar Show scene I'm in (with a solo) went live today! Barshow.org, or the Chicago Bar Assn. FB page. The key was all wrong for me (too high or, in the octave I had to do it, too low), so don't judge my voice--instead, concentrate on the acting. (I'm the one in the tinfoil hat).

Back on the roller coaster again. This morning, Bob got a call from Union Health that his sec'y was exposed earlier this week, tested Wed., and her results came back positive today. He last saw her Tues., both of them masked (and him with an eye shield too) the whole time. So the entire clinic is closed till Mon., when there will be a PCR testing tent set up in the parking lot. Nobody but that sec'y has been advised to quarantine yet (and she has to flat-out isolate), but it's recommended that if possible everyone awaiting results quarantine from Mon. till their results come back negative. However, his other hospitals still refuse to do testing on doctors & nurses unless they're symptomatic, and expect them to show up to work unless they test positive or have symptoms. Otherwise, the hospitals would have no staff. He will be staying down in Oak Lawn tomorrow night, as his days are significantly lengthened by having to use the Epic computer system for just about every report or order and he wouldn't be getting home until after 1am.

Bob says he's had far longer and far more direct exposure to COVID patients since this began in March, and that this exposure was more distant and shorter than the exposure three weeks to Gordy's friend,

Nonetheless, I'm going nowhere for the time being, except to the early-voting drop box tomorrow to submit our ballots and maybe to pick up brunch for myself on Sunday morning. The reason Cellars had to start using a delivery service again? The waiter who does their deliveries has been out 3 weeks with a broken leg (hairline tibia fx), non-weightbearing till last night--when he came in on crutches to do the paperwork for dinner checks & wine orders. I'll be damned if I let GrubHub take one red cent from them, whether glomming onto the tips or charging them a fee.

If Bob's test comes back negative by Wed. we will see if Gordy & Leslie want to come with us to dine at Cellars while listening to the jazz guitarist. (Not sure if any of them will be home in time, though--dinner hours W & Th. end at 8 pm). Wed. is Gordy's birthday.

With assorted leftovers tonight, DODT will be some of The Prisoner red meritage we opened earlier this week for Bob's birthday.

Good Morning, Loungettes!

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Saturday! I just called my Mom and begged off helping her with moving stuff today, I'm just too tired. She's got help, a friend with a pickup truck is helping today, and they are moving things from the bunkhouse and storage shed straight to her storage unit, so there shouldn't be as much "do I want to keep this or not" type dithering. I'm thinking about putting a block on the work phone numbers for the weekend since I figure they're going to come after me to work even though I've already said no. I may wait and see and put the blocks on after the first call, at that point, once I've said "no" again, it could be considered harassment. Any calls will go straight to voice mail, so there will be a record. On the up side, I got a job offer yesterday, or more accurately, a re-offer.I was doing a private CPR recert class at a local Hospice agency, got the same standing offer I've gotten several times already. Good people to work with, and work I know how to do well, now I'm seriously considering making the move. Today's MUST DO on the TO DO list is research retirement advisers and get an appointment in motion.

Sadie says Woof to everyone!

Karen--thank you for saying the DON is bullying me. I felt bullied but didn't want to believe it. Don't blame you for waiting until things get warmer to run. I have a hard time getting moving in the cold. I had to look up Cubii, but it looks marvelous! Maybe putting your FitBit on your ankle will help it count steps?I used a FitBit for a while and found I had to do that to get a decent step count.

Misty--don't feel guilty about life catching up with you!I've been in the rut of getting home, fixing something to eat, plunking in the recliner and even sleeping there cuz I'm too tired to make the bed! Yes, I have been sleeping in the recliner for a couple of weeks at least in part cuz I've not had the energy to make up the bed after washing the sheets the last time. Sadie has gotten disgusted with me and goes in and gets on the bed and makes a nest of the pillows, comforter, sheets and pillow cases and sleeps there most of the night now. She comes back out to the ottoman early in the ayem so she's there when I wake up. Gotta love the dog takes care of herself as well as me! Mom is settling down with the phone calls and such now. I think she's getting tired from all the moving stuff back and forth. I hope she'll take a day or two off from that this coming week. Things seem to be settling out on that front.

Chi--Good heavens, will the Covid Coaster every leave you guys alone for even one week? Good for you for supporting the restaurant.

Jazzy--Oooh, that looks GOOD!

Hi everyone

Packing is on hold for now as I’ve been having a hard time with nausea, D and vomiting on Xeloda. DH and friends are driving a Uhaul and truckload out to the cabin today, I’m staying here due to appointments. We’ll head out next week and return after thanksgiving to complete and clean.

No food to report, as Xeloda has robbed me of that enjoyment too, talking to MO about a dose reduction on Tuesday.

Hope all is well with you all

Ill - wishing you some adjustments with the meds to feel better ♥️🙏

I'm just going to jump in ladies with just a few comments to a few. Yesterday was a bit better day! Hoping for the same today. I had to go to town on Wed. to get DH's meds. Billing called me to tell me I was responsible for 20% of having my injections there which came down to $300. I said "Are you kidding me? It took the nurse maybe 5 minutes and all that was used from your facility was an alcohol swab, and you want to charge me 300 for that?" She says you brought your medicine in, right? I said no, it was sent there. She says Oh, I'll make a note of that in your file, in that case it should only be $5! I'm not really interested in the in house rehab, due to Covid and our state being 8th in the country. He's still eating, but been weepy and thinks he got some brain damage from the accident. He has appt with our primary on Tuesday. I think it's just the meds.

NM, so glad you have something on the forefront that may be promising. I remember when you first got this job and you were so happy, we all were. So sorry it's not working out. But you don't deserve the bullying and being taken advantage of. I'm all in for the deserted island! Sadie will like it too!

Sandy, so sorry for all the scary covid scares for your family.

SusieQ, always good to see you. You still need to send me that pic of Sophia.

Jazzy, I think I looked into visiting angels before and they aren't available in our area. But I think I will be ok.

BabyGirl, what dose of Xeloda are you on? I've been taking Metamucil for "D" being on Verzenio. Wasn't too bad of an issue while on X.

We have that cold front hitting us too this week. Super windy today, gusting to 50 mph. This weeks low's are in the 20's. Yuck!

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Sunday Funday! I had a bit of an epiphany yesterday. While I we reviewing my post I stopped and read the quote I have in my signature, about "Caring for myself is an act of survival" and realized that I have not been taking care of myself recently. That is now changed, and I will be taking care of myself first, whichmeans saying "no" to extra shifts and overnight work, and not letting myself be loaded with guilt about what that means for others. Other staff's well-being is not under my control, and working myself too much will not fix their problems. I suspect things will get pretty nasty at work, but that's ok, been there, done that, survived it. I'm going to start quietly moving my personal items out of my office so I can just walk if the need arises. It's a little scary how far back in to old patterns I've fallen without realizing. Having had a day to get some stuff done around the house I feel quite a bit better, and having gotten some really good sleep helps too.

Sadie say's Hi to everyone!

Jazzy--Thank you for putting into words what I have been feeling but not able to clearly identify--the workchanges aren't sustainable, and aren't working for me. The new opportunity is in-home Hospice, for a newish agency that is run by and staffed with people I used to work with, many of us left my last work place about the same time for the same reasons. The current open position is per diem (part time), I need to check on the benes (probably none) and some details. Biggest Con is that I don't want to be driving all over the place between visits again. The other offer, same place, is full time, overnight call from Monday through Thursday nights. I really just do not want to do anything overnight anymore, even if the calls that come in are few and far between. I've done my fair share of attending deaths in the middle of the night! I'm going to start looking for something office-based, with set hours, or at least hours I can control. As far as the current folks guilt-tripping me on my way out, been there, done that, too, and I won't be shy about pointing out what they are doing.

Good luck with the new job, and be careful not to swallow too much air while drinking from the firehose!

Illi--I hope the Xeloda effect wanes or you get a dose reduction soon!

Chi--Good points about the ballot stuff and number of uncontested races.

I would add some Rum or Berry Flavored Vodka for extra kick!

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Monday Monkey Day!I think I'll be repeated to myself, not my circus, not my monkeys a lot today. I have to remember not to take on problems that aren't mine. And remember to put in for a vacation in late Jan/early Feb, just need to pick the dates. Going to Las Vegas to visit my cousin out there. Wish I could take Sadie to visit her cousins, but that just won't work. Going to be cold and rainy here today. Yuck. But better than snow!

Goldie--Did DH have a concussion? That can make people feel pretty off for quite some times after the event. There's also a cognitive effect of being in ICU, even without a head injury. Not to mention the emotional/psychological trauma effect of being in an accident like that. It's actually pretty normal for him to feel like his mind isn't working right, and it does not mean brain damage. Glad he has an appointment with the primary, make sure he talks about that.

Karen-- I hope the fitbit on the shoe trick works for you! Good luck with the training.

Ili--I hope a dose reduction fixes all the problems!

Feel Good Ink

1 egg white

10ml lemon juice

20ml tequila (we use Arette Blanco)

20ml Campari

15ml dry white vermouth (Noilly Prat or similar)

10ml sugar syrup

In a cocktail shaker, dry shake (ie, not over ice) the egg white and lemon juice to set the egg, then add everything else and a handful of ice, and shake again. Strain into a chilled coupette and serve.

From <https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/sep/29/feel-good-ink-cocktail-recipe-tequila-campari-vermouth-company-below-soho-london-w1>

Mornin' ladies,

Whew I slept for most of the weekend. Missed so much with u gals.

Lori what a job u have ahead of you. But I'm surprised derrell has even eaten or moved around at all. I know everyone has told u but rest whenever you can. I'm sorry u can't get some help in there tho, cuz u really need it. Always prayers and hugs for u and ur DH. Sometimeswhen healing starts it goes rapidly, I hope this is what happens for you. There is just way to much happening all at once for you.

Illi hoping ur meds get figurd out very soon, u need to have this done for u sanity too.

Well Jazzy u start today this has to be exciting and in my thoughts a little scary, Sounds like r all ready for it tho. I can't wait to hear how it all goes.

Minus just take care of urself.

JC u take care too. U've been really going good for a while, keep it up.

Oh Kim yea u've been bullied, but this time u see it completely. U know what u want and how u shine <well everything> but how u feel please wait til u find that and I know u will. U r way to valuable not to do what u need to do One good thing u know what u want this time an can watch the loop holes. An I do understand what it;'s like to have a parent depend on u, it's not easy.

Karen I hope weather treats u good now.

Sandy I'm right near you so I see what's happening.Chances are everything will be all right with Bob, but here u go again. The spike is taking people by surprise and yet I don't know why. A lot of the same people are on FB as is Leslie's and we talk about how lately tey've been going to bars with no masks. When it was getting better for some reason they took it as we're done with this. Les and Marty dropped out of their bar scene and they kind of took them as scared and Les admitted it. She told them straight out no one got the all clear so why take any chance, if we keep the vigilance maybe this thing will kill itself out. But everyone is in a hurry. So what's the use. Now she doesn't even want anyone to come over, they're out every single weekend unmasked and meeting new people. Mostly Marty's family an friends and he doesn't want anyone here either. They've been takng it very carefully and Joey even gave up going to school at all <well puter> to help keep things under control. So why would anyone be around all these people who r being exposed no likely.I honestly feel if they had a little more patience it would have helped, its like these middle aged group and young group, that just couldn't wait.

I talked to my dr.for my visit and she said people are starting all over to do the visits like this again. Scary!!! it's so different on the phone bujt it's all right. She does want me to take a blood test within the month tho <sooner than I expected> but where I feel comforable so I'll think on that one. But she is insisting, so I'm going to do it.

Lori more <<<HUGS>>> please take care of urself. We''re all concerned and u know that.

here's the start of another week hopefully it'll be a good one.

LUBS U ALL

Just poopin' in...it's SNOWING like crazy I just saw it, coming down hrd. Well we'll se 10/26/20 first time I saw any of this. Here comes winter, I guess.

Hi ladies- just a quick pop in to say Day 1 went really well, it was an all day Zoom. Got lots of good info about the organization, benefits, etc. Tomorrow I go on site for part 2.

We have a crazy snow storm going on here right now, and after I was done with my on line program, I had to leave to rush down to the hospital and get a photo done for my badge. Something I did not get info about until a bit late and was told to go today when we were done (one short hour to get there and get done). And so then in a white out snow storm. But my trusty Subaru got me there and got her done, no one there. I looked a bit wild and windblown in my photo and the gal said "do you like it" and I said good enough. Took me an hour to get home hitting rush hour. No, we don't usually get this kind of snow in the valley and never this early. Last year we had a surprise snow storm on Thanksgiving with 8 inches of snow. We are expected to get 5-10 inches here tonight, mountains may get feet? We need the moisture, but literally, many of the trees still have leaves and some are still green with it being a warmer than usual fall. Crazy 2020 keeps on bringing it's surprises......

I have my documents together to bring tomorrow and plans for what to bring for lunch. I will be up early to get down to the new location on time and will be there all day.

So Cami, things feel positive on this so far. Love their perspective and diversity. Will let you know how the rest of the week goes!

Karen, I'm glad you are out of harms way. All of these fires here in the west are just horrible.

NM, I sure hope that where ever you end up, it's a good fit for you. Heaven knows you are a good fit no matter where you go! And good to hear that you won't be quiet about the comments guilt tripping you on the way out. Darn this virus, if it weren't so, I would try to make it to Vegas to meet up with you. How long are you there for?

BabyGirl, I don't know why they start us out on such high doses and reduce. Why not start low and increase as tolerated! I couldn't tolerate anymore than 2500 a day. I did 2 pills in the am and 3 in the pm. There are several girls that 2000 a day and do 7 on, 7 off. There are lots of variations for this drug. I always felt best on my first week back on, and SE's eased up as time when on, except for the H/F situation. I was on it for 5 years. Also if I felt I needed to change, I did, or if I thought I needed an extra week off, I did. I didn't "ask permission" to do this, I just did it. I would let my MO know about it tho.

Cami, I'm like Les, I just don't want to be around others or want them at my house, just a few that I feel comfortable with. We are out only for doctors and groceries, that's it!

JCS, always nice to get a spot cleaned out that has needed it awhile. I have an enclosed porch that is unfinished, needs the walls, but we don't know what we want!

Sandy, it's the non mask wearers that are saying "WE" are the ones that should stay home if we are that paranoid.

Jazzy, good luck on the job front today. Sorry you had to make that trip just for a photo. We got snow too, it was wet and lots of melting as it came down with the ground warm, but I bet we got 8". And it's cold, low 20's for our nights....brrrrr. Temps going back to 70's in a week or so. Crazy!

I don't think DH had a concussion. I questioned the hospital when the accident first happened, as he had so much head trauma. They said they did scans and there was no indication of a concussion. I think it's the Oxy messing with him. We have stopped taking that and replaced it with Tylenol 3. Him and Oxy just don't do well together. We are seeing small improvements in his moving, however for whatever reason, he is not sleeping, appetite is back. We thought it was the muscle relaxers keeping him up, so we stopped those. None at all yesterday, last night is the 2 night he stayed in the recliner all night hardly sleeping at all. Going to be a rough, muddy, slippery ride outta here this morning!