how about drinking?

Hi ladies- stopping in to say hello to my drinking pals. I hope everyone is having a good start to June. I am trying to slow down this weekend (Cami will say "now really jazzy?") Been a really hectic few weeks. I opted out of another weekend get away this weekend I had been invited to up north as it was just too much to do with a busy May, with things planned and unexpected. We will call this weekend restoration weekend.

Short work week and our new phase of the project is starting and my colleague who had to go back overseas due to a family emergency is going to be gone another week. Our new member is still easing her way out of her old job (trying to fill that vacancy) so jazzy is just working to carry things along right now. As one of my friends said, they are lucky to have me to keep this going right now. I am pretty good about letting things go when the weekend rolls around.

New Mexico started a new vaccine lottery program and you can register if you have had at least one vaccination and will be required to show your CDC card for proof if your name is drawn. There are weekly drawings for $250K by region for five weeks and then a grand prize of $5K to be drawn in August. Mark my words, if I get that grand prize, I am RETIRING, lol.

My sister has most of the services planned for the memorial service on 6/27. It will be outside at a the location where their ashes were both arranged to be interred, and there will be a small gathering there afterwards. I talked her out of trying to do something at the house, I will be staying there along with two friends who will be coming in from out of state (and bringing a dog) and just thought it might be a bit much for all the people, pets, etc. I am going to be doing part of the eulogy and going to start working on that this weekend. I have been thinking about some fun stories of good times when we all spent time together, did some vacations together, etc. My sister really wants this to be a celebration of her life. I am not wearing black either.

It was super rainy when I was in Denver last week (but given we never see that here, kind of nice too). It's been cooler going in to June but was into the mid 90s today and that is the forecas for the week. There was rain around the area today, but none at my house. The summers have been very hot here for a good 10 years now and getting hotter each year. Monsoons do feel like they may be starting early though, usually they being late June to July but we have had more rain lately. My garden says yes please.

Hoping everyone has a Funday Sunday. Stay well friends and enjoy your summer vacations as they are starting.

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Sunday Funday! Going to be a bit of a work day for me, though, as I need to finish up and submit this week's paper for class. Picked up Mom at the airport without toomuch difficulty, she was sitting inside waiting for me to come in, I was waiting in the cell phone call area waiting for her to call. She finally called and we got that worked out. "Why didn't you just park outside the door where you dropped me off and come in and wait?"Ah, because parking there and leaving the car unattended is not allowed. You are old and might be able to get away with that, but I can't!" We stopped at a local restaurant for lunch, Mom had only gotten "a couple of little cookies" and a cup of coffee on the flight. (Brother and SIL offered to make her breakfast before taking her to the airport, but Mom said "no"). Then Mom spent most of lunch and the ride home complaining about how SIL got upset when Mom interrupted her, and wouldn't let Mom help with chores, and how negative SIL is about everything. It really doesn't sound like the SIL I know, so hard telling what was really going on. Anyway, Mom is home safe and sound, her clothes and such were shipped day before yesterday so she'll get those in a while. Her laptop and case are too heavy to carry so she's never taking those with her again. I tried to get her to use my rolling carryon, but she can't lift things up to put in the overhead compartment (I told her a flight attendant would help her, especially since she was using a wheelchair to get through the airport but she wouldn't listen). But now Mom is home, and starting to think up things she and I can do together this summer while I'm not working. I'm going to have to have a bit of talk with her pretty quick, I want the time off to be mostly for me to be at home working on stuff around the house and with Sadie, kayaking and swimming, not dancing attendance on her every day. I know she's lonely, and it's been hard for her not being able to get out because of COVID, but that's winding down, she's fully vaccinated, just about everybody she knows is fully vaccinated, outdoor things are starting up again, some of her friends will be arriving to spend the summer here over the next week or so, and she has all kinds of plans for gardening and such around her place. I'm sure she'll call me almost every day, and that's ok, I can put the earphones in and put the phone in a pocket and talk (well, mostly listen) and be doing something else at the same time for that hour or so.

Well, I certainly hadn't intended to go off on a long spiel like that! Sorry!

Lola12--I love Fresca, but I've never tried it with flavored vodka or anything, I'll have to get some on my next shopping trip! Sounds like a great hot weather drink!

Jazzy--restoration weekend sounds like a great idea! Enjoy yours. I'm shaking my head at all these lotteries and incentives for getting vaccinated. Where was all this stuff back in January and February when I was getting vaccinated and not getting any incentive except being able to keep working? Isn't being able to go back to work and have places opening up again enough incentive? And I'm still waiting to hear about the plans for giving front line/essential workers a year off with pay and extra while the rest of the population works overtime and can't have vacations and loses hours and benefits. Arrgghhh, I seem to be in a grump mood this ayem. Never mind me.

Chi-funny how the neighborhood had anew AC day! I bet the whole neighborhood will be quieter now!

Goldie, darling pic of Nora and friend! Good to hear you had some nice time with friends.

NM, when I taught I really enjoyed those summers off. Sounds like you have some great plans.

Sandy, in our neighborhood, it is not new A/C installation, it is new roofs. Big hailstorm not too long after the Big Freeze did a lot of damage. The materials for our roof were delivered last Monday but it has rained everyday since so there they sit on the ridge line. Our 25 year shingles only made it for 15 years in the Texas heat and storms. We are hoping it won't be A/C, we have two units one of which was replaced last year and the other is still the original. Forecast is for heat index over 100!

No real update on our son. The current diagnosis is stage 4 cancer from tumor of unknown origin. He is getting chemo every other week and is basically hanging in there. Had to go back for a blood transfusion after the first chemo.

We just keep on keepin' on. DH and I both have dental cleanings this coming week, my car goes in for oil change

and check up and DH is scheduled for an arterial ultrasound (still working on the mystery of the leg pain and swelling). Our exciting lives...

Just a fun picture of when I used to take acrobat lessons with my teacher at one of our shows... and NO! I don't think I could do this anymore... Hah!

Chevy--ouch, ouch, ouch just from looking at that pic! (Not to mention a touch of vertigo, too).

It was nice sleeping with just the whoosh of the AC, rather than that loud buzzing.

Bob is working late tonight, so it's just me for dinner. One natural grocery got in plenty of Michigan-grown strawberries, and they're yummy. Unlike the Driscolls (even the organic ones), they need nothing else--no sweetener, no cream, not even a drop of balsamico.

DsOTD: when I got home from the grocery, a decaf almondmilk sugarless mocha out on the deck, as I watched the planes come in for landing (fun trying to identify the airline from just the tails--when the angle is right; the bellies (Atlas, Delta paint their names on them), and the paint jobs. Spirit, DHL, FedEx and Southwest break up the silver & white monotony. About to go back out and have some bubbly. Rough night ahead--gotta have Heidi done with eating by 10pm (shutting her in the den, where her carrier is, with a water dish & disposable litter pan); even rougher morning trying to get her into the carrier & to the vet by 7:30). No help from Bob there--he's in no shape to do anything but hobble; and HK doesn't come in till 10:30.

Beaver, we are still having fun! I am so sorry they can't figure things out for your DS. How is he doing with the chemo and over all? RE "our exciting lives", life is grand when we get older...says no one ever!

Jazzy, are recouping well?

ED OH MY! No wonder you were so good on the pole!

Sandy, it's nice to get any fruit that tastes like it's supposed to. Hard to find here in AZ, since most of it comes from CA, which is mostly GMO products. They look beautiful, but have no taste whatsoever.

NM, bittersweet not seeing some of the kiddos again, but new ones will fill that void. Enjoy the field day and of cours your WWW evening. DH INDEED is focused on death, and no matter what I say or do, it doesn't change, so I just let it roll (off my back) and ignore it. If that's how he wants to spend the rest of his life, and he lives another 4 years, he's going to be miserable for a long time.

Thanks for the sweet comments on Nora and Rex, and look at that smile on Rex's face!

Heading out later today to another friends place and will be shooting bowling balls out of a cannon! Then heading home tomorrow sometime. DH picked up the tab the other night for 9 people, $500 plus! But it sure was good. Several of us got salmon, other orders were prime rib, lamb, shrimp meals.....and my DH gets.....wait for it.....remember we are in a high class steak house........he gets MEATLOAF.....yes meatloaf! $28 FOF MEATLOAF!

Here is a pic of the lodge. The restaurant sits in the back overlooking the Colorado River.

Here's a view from the other side. That center section is open, that is where we sat.

Minus, it's Red Cliffs Lodge, the restaurant is The Cowboy Grill. Link below. They also have a winery, Castle Creek Winery.

Red Cliffs Lodge - Moab Hotel & Adventure Headquarters

Castle Creek Winery - Red Cliffs Lodge

Lol, meatloaf?! I hope it was the best he’s ever had but I agree, WTH? I’d never choose that at a nice restaurant, only at home or a diner.

Water only today but I have a German Reisling to try later this week, I’ll report on it soon. I’m meeting some young stage IV girls for lunch Thursday, one I know well and two we haven’t met yet. We’ll be heading to Berryhill because I LOVE their fish taco’s, I also see a margarita in my future

Hi gals.... I'm a little worried about what's going on with my eyes! I made an appt with I-Care, and had a bunch of tests, and it's been 2 years since the last.

I kind of feel like I am looking through wax paper sometimes... But I had a LOT of tests, and they are going to notify Denver Eye Surgeons for me to have cataract surgery! My Husband had this done years ago, so I know about the drops, and the patch and all... THEN I have to go back for my other eye! DAMNIT!

But I'm even more worried about the Macular Degeneration that they say I have! I will start on my Preservision pills to see if that helps... I know I'm "older".... but I lost my hearing from Tamoxifen, now THIS!!! My Husband can't drive, so our Daughter will take me when they call back...

I knew something was going on, but with taking care of my Husband, and I just thought it all would go away, and get better! Sometimes don't you just want to sit down and cry???

Janie just called me back, she will take me for any appointments....

Do any of you have Macular Degeneration? I don't know if it is the "wet" or "dry" yet... they will send me details of the office visit, not that I can understand them.....

Chevy, agree with Jazzy that cataract surgery is relatively easy. Only complaint I had was one shared by a friend: Didn't know I had so many wrinkles until I could see better!

I do have macular degeneration but my ophthalmologist says it is stable (for several years, starting pre Tamoxifen) and believes it is due to the stress created by my elongated near sighted eyeballs rather than being age related. So my experience may be different from yours. I do take Preservision, Dr. said it wouldn't hurt and might help!

Thanks you guys! I really appreciate it! I just wanted to cry after I left the Ophthalmologist! I have an appointment with the surgeon on the 21st... Then he will schedule the surgery on one eye at a time. My Daughter will take me, because they dilate my eye... I'm okay with all this, because you all make me feel better!

And I'm taking Preservision for the Macular Degeneration... I'll talk to the surgeon when I go in for the cataract! Now I'm not as afraid!

My Brother just sent me his wife's new hearing aids from Beltone! DAMN! I can hear EVERYthing.... but I think they have to be adjusted... I mean that hard piece that fits in the ears! I'm used to the soft domes in my other hearing aids. His wife is now bed-ridden, on Dialysis 3 times a week, and she can't use them... I'll take them in to be adjusted.... Hah! But they cost over $5,000 dollars! I lost my hearing from taking Tamoxifen when I had BC years ago! I have a certain gene... The Tamoxifen caused a stroke near my 8th cranial nerve, so I woke up one morning & couldn't hear....

Oh well.... Could be worse.... right? Love you all!

Chevy- I am glad you are getting good information. It is often shocking to get any news about any change in health, but know we always feel better when we know there is a plan to deal with it. That is really disturbing about the hearing loss beause of BC, that is a new side effect I had not heard about, but just read up on it and appreciate you sharing this. I have had some ringing in one ear off in one ear and did have an ear infection last year from the pool, but do have questions about that ear I am going to talk to my new PCP about when I see her. They have a whole big hearing center at the hospital, might as well get some things checked out. Loosing our abilty to hear, see, etc. is scary indeed. I am glad you are feeling better sister.

Its hot and smoke here this week, AZ wildfires send the wildfire smoke our way. Yuck.

BabyGirl, IKR, re the meatloaf! I hope you get to do your meet up with the BC gals.

Jazzy, glad you are in recovery! But you had lots to do and some fun as well. Carry on my friend! Yes, Moab was hot, but not much hotter than it is here. If you happen to do Moab in the fall, I recommend the La Sal loop road for a fall colors drive. Beautiful drive through the mountains. I guess it was pretty smoky here prior to our getting home. Not bad this morning. The lodge is nice and they have a museum in there too. You can stay there at the lodge and they also have cabins on the river. Not cheap, but nothing in Moab is! We used Hilton points for ours.

ED, I'm so sorry you are dealing with the eye issues. I hope it's not as bad as you think. Especially since you have to be a care taker for George. I hear ya about just wanting to sit down and cry! Love, hugs and prayers coming your way. That was nice of your brother to send the hearing aids and glad they work. Just sorry for the reason he sent them. I hope you can get used to them.

Beaver, lol at the cataract complaint! I can see all my wrinkles and what a shock if all of sudden I would see them.

NM, 91 in your office, YIKES! Do you at least have a fan? Sorry you missed out on the pewl. The view we had during dinner is the first pic. Yes, he ordered meatloaf. But what got me was the price of meal at $28.00! Oh well. The cannon shoot was fun, we shot 3 bowling balls. Enjoy your WWW tonight.

Sandy, glad all went well with your fur baby. The picture are gorgeous, but not mine. Just grabbed them from the internet as they are better than anything I could get from a phone!

Tomorrow is my infusion, so driving to Phoenix. At least I get to go by myself! I call it vacation!

Heidi had been fairly loopy through last evening. We kept her confined to the guest room, but Bob missed having her sleep with us, so he slept in there last night. During the night, she regained the strength to jump on to the bed, to sleep on his chest. She's back to her old self--carefully taking stairs, finicky about her food (but eating lustily when she decides that flavor suits her for that particular meal) and swatting Happy when he comes near. And climbing up on to the suitcase in the office closet that is her sanctuary. Still giving her her buprenorphine (the vet said to give her all of it) to control whatever pain she may still have. (It's constipating her, but we were told to expect that).

We went to Mon Ami Gabi last night. DsOTD were Marquis de la Tour Rosé Cremant de la Loire with the soup, and Gustave Lorentz dry Riesling (Alsace) with the main course; instead of dessert, a couple of decaf cappuccinos.

Tonight, Bob's medical partner said she was bringing BBQ to the office. We assumed that she meant Filipino BBQ. Instead, she went to The Pit in Chicago Ridge--so Bob brought home a slab & a half of ribs (sauce on the side), pulled pork, brisket & 1/4 chicken, plus coleslaw and corn on the cob. I had half a slab of ribs and coleslaw--and whatever else Bob didn't finish I froze.

Good Morning, Loungettes! Yesterday turned out to be a lazy day. The power was out at school, didn't come back on in time to have class yesterday. So the 5th grade recognition has been changed to this ayem. The thunderstorms that rumbled through took the humidity away with them, left a nice, fresh breeze behind. The Wednesday, Women and Wine (all 4 of us) got together at a local restaurant and had drinks and dinner on the deck. It was so nice to see a full and busy restaurant and catch up with people. It's funny, most of the masks being worn were on children. Some of the staff wore masks, some didn't.

The Maine Department of Education has come out with a statement eliminating the distancing requirements(3 feet between kiddos except when unmasked, then 6 feet, 6 feet at meal times) along with a statement that all schools are expected to be full time in-person next fall. The current distancing still holds for summer school, though.

Sadie says Hi to everyone!

Goldie--Yes, I have a big box fan in my office and it does help, as does getting OUT of the office into the hallway periodically! $28 for meatloaf sounds like a lot of money, but I supposed, given where you were it was to be expected. I did enjoy the WWW get together. Enjoy your mini-vacation!

Jazzy--beautiful blossoms in your garden!

Chi--glad to hear that Heidi is recovering nicely and back to her usual self. That BBQ sounds like quite the spread! I can't imagine how much the partner must have brought to the office if Bob brought home that much. Nice little stash to have in the freezer.

Reader--that must have been some installation project! You all must have been totally wiped out. Nice looking bottle of wine!

This is the drink I had at the restaurant yesterday evening:

"The Rosé Bouquet"

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 bottle chilled rosé wine (I used Miraval)

• 4 oz. gin (I used Hendrick's)

• 2 oz. St. Germain

• 8 oz. cranberry juice

DIRECTIONS

Pour gin, St. Germain, and cranberry juice into cocktail mixing glass. Stir. Add chilled rosé to mix. Pour into individual glasses, over ice (if desired). Garnish with rosemary sprig. Serves 3-4. Cheers!

From <https://www.brightandbeautifulblog.com/rose-wine-cocktail-recipe/>