how about drinking?

Hey Karen!!

Reader, you were vaxed and still got Covid? But glad you are pulling out of it. I wouldn't go to the wedding either. Altho, with all the people my DH is wanting to get together with, might as well be a big event.

Sandy, good luck getting to the vet. Enjoy dinner with the kids.

NM, I didn't think they would all be quarantining. I agree with you about the adults being worse. It will be interesting to see what happens when the little ones come back. I hope nothing tho. Hmmmm, I wonder why you couldn't get on yesterday? I didn't have any problems. I didn't post, but I did a drive by! Glad Sadie is doing better.

Still don't know what's going on for TG, other than the one DD and her DH from Reno are coming. Also talked with Tammy the other day and she wants to come for a weekend. She just invited herself. I'm seeing more changes in DH. We used to sit at the counter to eat, he had to stop that and sit at the table. He would also make his own dinner, since usaully it just involves throwing something in the micro wave or making a sandwich. Well, the last two days, he says, would you mind doing it, it's real simple. At night, he no longer stands to use his urinal, he sits on the edge of the bed. He couldn't stand at the fridge yesterday long enough to look for something (I was outside) he had to hurry up and get back to his chair so he could sit. He gets up around 5, nap between 11-1 (2 hours, used to 45 min. to an hour), then back to bed at 5. He's having a little bit more of a struggle breathing, especially when laying down, and drooling a lot at night. And I need company!!! Worked in the garden yesterday, cutting back and shredding papers. My neighbor came over and helped in the garden for an hour and a half. I told her, you help me, I'll help you. With whatever you want. She's painting inside the house, but will wait until cooler weather to start that back up again. Have to get outside chores done before the S flies.

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy TGIF Day! I'm having a bit of job getting my butt moving this ayem. Glad it's Friday, and looking forward to having the kiddos back in school on Monday. Madeabunch of phone calls yesterday, lots of kiddos without symptoms, many have tested negative. I was so sure there'd be a bunch of positive tests by now, glad to be wrong about that.

Sadie says Hi to everyone.

Goldie--I'm not sure what was going on with the site the other day, I kept getting an error message that said if you are the owner of the site check the something-or-other log. Probably it was either out a very short time or it was a problem with my internet access. It's looking like nothing will come of this exposure. At least no in-school transmission, which is good. I can't control what kids catch from their parents, but I can try to keep it from spreading inside the school!

Sounds like things are getting harder for DH. Would having a stool in the kitchen for him to sit on while looking in the fridge or making a sandwich help, do you think? I can imagine you do need company, glad your neighbor came over and you can help each other. Hugs.

That Zombie Slime looks crazy!

Goldie,

I love that Witches Heart! How do you make a homemade blackberry shimmery liqueur?

NM, good news for no in school spread. Hoping you can have a relaxing weekend.

Goldie, you find the most interesting thematic drinks! Keeping you and your DH in my thoughts, such a stressful time for you.

I've been reading but not posting. This has been a mixed news week for us. DH had a breast biopsy last week with benign results reported today. On the other hand, I've just been diagnosed with gout and true to my usual, my gi track is very unhappy with the new meds. Too many of the SEs are in common with those from Tamoxifen! Yuck.

Beaver, I use Google and try and find something that goes along with the conversation at the time. Right now it's getting close to Halloween so I Googled Halloween cocktails. I think that's what NM does as well. But anyone can post a Drink of the Day. So glad your DH had a benign biopsy, but sorry about your gout and meds issues. How is your son doing?

NM, so so glad it didn't turn into a huge outbreak and only a couple of the kids got it. Sweet massage for Sadie. Does she return the favor? Altho the walker is new, the brakes don't keep it from completely rolling, so he doesn't trust it, he does have the strength.

DH does not get up hardly at all anymore. He walks from bed to chair, or chair to bed, when he gets up in the morning, takes his nap and when he goes to bed. The only other times he moves about is to use the toilet (not to urinate) or take a shower, which is every 2-3 days. He has not come to the table to eat, he asks me to bring it to him in the living room. He doesn't even make his own microwave garbage he eats. I find his new vocabulary to be I can't, would you mind..., Could I ask you to...,Can I have...,Can I ask a favor, Will you do X or get me X. I read in my research someone with ALS saying you have to decide if you want to live with ALS or die with it. I'm unsure where DH is on this. Or am I just not understanding how debilitating this disease is. If he loses the ability to bear weight, I don't know what I'll do.

DOTD: VooDoo Magic

Ingredients

1/4 c ice

1/2 c orange juice

1 1/2 oz black vodka

1/2 oz triple sec

orange wedge, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, add orange juice and triple sec over ice. Shake well, and strain into a glass.

Using the back of a spoon, pour black vodka slowly into a glass so that the vodka sits atop the orange juice and triple sec mix.

Was able to get downstairs today with just the banisters instead of the cane. Yesterday was the first day I didn't have to use the Rollator. Happy seems to be doing a bit better with the prednisone--he still puked this morning (to protest that I didn't wake up and feed him before his usual time), but much less copiously. He still eats like a horse, though, and is ever more ultra-affectionate.

You raise a good point BabyGirl. My DH is a pesimist, glass always half empty. Makes the worst out of any situation. For example, I misplaced my credit card last week between getting gas and home. He's thinking someone's charging all kinds of stuff on it, I got call all these companies, my stomach hurts, he acts pissed at me, etc. I'm calm, it's no biggie. Call the bank, cancel the card, dispute the charges, period. Half hour later, card is found, it fell to the back of the truck under the seat. He's a grouchy person, racist (if you ask me), doesn't talk to his kids but a couple times a year, mom once a month, brothers once a year. Of course these are things I did not realize in the beginning of our relationship. SO, to answer your question, not a happy person, but not really a complainer either. But it's his way or the highway! He's always right (NOT). LOL, sorry you asked?

Don't get me wrong girls. My DH takes very good care of me, has taken us on many great adventures, we are taken care of financially, everything we have is paid for. He doesn't help with domestic stuff, but was always helping outside with stuff and taking care of the home. Living off grid has lots of things to care for. I don't want for anything. But that's not me anyways. The only thing I ever want for, is to see my kids/brothers/family.

I'm really sorry guys and don't really expect replies from y'all. I think it's more venting, just putting it on paper, and I know I can do this here. So don't feel like you need to respond. I know you are reading it.

Sandy, sounds like things are looking up for you and Happy.

Piksie, sorry about the scares prior to your cruise, but glad they were nothing serious and you were able to go. Nice picture, is that you in the front?

DH asked if we could go out for a ride on the quad today. We did that last week and he seemed to enjoy just getting out of the house.

Goldie, I kinda suspected that personality. My DH has streaks of it too. He’s steady seen and fine a lot, so not much is new or exciting for him. He almost never loses things, someone always steal stuff, until I actually find it. He’s always “getting sick” but rarely does and has lots of aches and pains, definitely not a guy who would handle a devastating disease like we do.

I can imagine what you’re dealing with and you have all my sympathies and good vibes. But, scream and break old dishes, if you need to 😁

Taking baby steps, Jazzy (though longer strides would probably be more conducive to stretching). If, by this time next week, my back is "at baseline," I'm gonna get a PT referral. Meanwhile, because first thing in the morning I've been feeding the cats (to stave off hunger-pang regurgitations), I've interrupted my usual upon-arising routine of eyedrops & nasal sprays. Our lovely "extended-summer" weather has ended, and massive storms (with drenching rains) are about to start; but the pollen hasn't gone away. If anything, the pre-storm winds have kicked it into overdrive. My body is telling me that the front is about to move in: the CZ solitaire I wear on my R hand as a "barometer" (and lymphedema-warning)--which yesterday was so loose it fell off and I feared I'd lost it--won't get past my knuckle this morning unless I twist it. This morning, I picked whatever few tomatoes have shown signs of ripening--the plants will likely blow over once the downpours start. In anticipation of the basement flooding from overloaded city sewers, I made sure to have a bag of litter and a couple of new boxes at the ready up on the first floor so the kitties can safely go when they "gotta go."

From what I understand, the gun incident was in no way Baldwin's fault, and the Twitterverse is by and large not blaming him (in fact, the tech unions are absolving him). The propmaster & weapons-master were the ones who fell down on the job and did not follow the protocol of demonstrating to the A.D. that 1) the gun was a prop (shortened chambers incapable of accepting a shell with a projectile), 2) "cold" (all chambers empty) and then 3) loading it with the blank and handing it to him; it was the A.D. who handed the gun to Baldwin. There should never even be live ammo (real bullets) anywhere on set. The project was extremely low-budget and likely lacked the tech that would have enabled the optics (mirrors) to make a gun fired at an angle appear to be head-on (and a cinematographer such as Hutchins should have known that--but maybe she'd never worked on a film involving firearms, much less a Western); and the post-production to edit in muzzle flashes and Foley-in the shot sounds. The crew had complained about lax weapon-safety protocols; several had even walked off a couple of days earlier.

My next weigh-in is Nov. 3, and I'm going to postpone it. I haven't stepped on a scale in weeks, but my clothes seem tighter aroud the abdomen. Between worries and four instances of backaches (including this last doozy of a strain), I've been unable to fitness-walk and have been, uh, "comfort eating." Not so much to relieve stress as to distract from the physical pain. I'm fine during the day--in fact, when I drive past the fro-yo parlor I have no desire to go in. I'm even fine not having any dessert. But it's late at night when the cravings kick in. And nuts, cheese, celery, sugsr-free chocolate, zero-carb keto bread, etc. just aren't cutting it. It's as if my body knows I'm trying to fool it with pseudo-carbs and says, "nope, bring on the real stuff."

Killed off the Mumm blanc de blancs (with a little seltzer to boost the bubbles).

Cheers to you! Drink looks nice!!

LOL BabyGirl, I had to laugh at your comment about DH never losing stuff, it's always someone stole it! I can't break my old dishes, they belonged to grandma! Blue Willow dishes.

Thanks Karen, I know y'all are here for me, that's why I do it.

Jazzy, the trees in your yard sound pretty. Pretty much the color here is yellow too. There are no changing trees within my view, all Juniper and Pinion Pines. Yay for the good PCP visit.

Love the "weather forcast" Sandy....LOL!

NM, enjoy your work week and may the school remain Covid free. Are they doing Halloween dress up at school? You hit the nail on the head about listening to all the negativity, ALL THE TIME!

Beaver, I remembered them all getting Covid, and that your son had tested good, was checking to see if things are continuing on the good side. And for the most part, sounds like it is. May it continue to stay that way.

Thanks to my Loungettes for all the support. Like I said, I think it helps just putting it down on paper. I just wish I could change his mindset. On top of all the negativity, then that causes him to cry. We did not get out yesterday, it was too windy and will be for the next couple of days and a bit cool. Perhaps we can go out later in the week. This morning he had to holler for me, he was using the bathroom and couldn't stand long enough to clean himself. Needed me in there to get his walker up behind him so he could sit down, as his legs were giving out.

**WARNING**

Just me blowing steam, feel free to skip over! LOL

Tonight DH and I kind of got into it. Long story short, he says to me "I'm sorry I'm putting you through this". I have said that many times over the years and reminded him of that. He says something to the affect of "well, what you had to deal with isn't as bad as what I'm dealing with".

WHAT? REALLY? Did you really just say that??? Calmly, I lay into him. Do you think having a port put in and going through chemo/radiation was fun. Having a port taken out, getting a bone biopsy, knowing you are gonna be diagnosed with stage IV cancer (more fun). 7 years of treatments, most that have left me with daily D, 5 years of severe hand/foot syndrome, for the last year driving 8 hours round trip for an hour infusion every 3 weeks. Ya, the last 13 f'ing years of my life has been a blast!

So he has gone to bed and says to me, thank you for our little talk, I feel better. WTF, you feel better? Well good f'ing for you, I'm still fuming! Of course I didtn't say that. I just said "well, good".

I have a dentist appt. in the morning. Have to leave here by 10, I think I'll take my time!

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Twofer Tuesday! It was so nice having the kiddos back in school yesterday, even if one Mom sent her child back 3 days before the child's quarantine was up without a copy of a negative COVID test. Turns out she used a home test, which the district does not accept. So Mom's pissed at me for keeping her kid out of class and sending the kid home, and calling everyone on the contact list when she didn't return my call after an hour. Then Daddy calls and gives me an earful about how I am "denying my daughter her education" and how ridiculous it is that he can get onto a Department of Defense base with a home COVID test, so the school should be accepting it, too. He asked for my boss's name and number when I told him I wouldn't argue with him about it. And, of course, his daughter is sitting right there in my office through the whole thing. So far I've been lucky, very few parents have been uncivil to me, but the trend is building. I keep reminding myself that they are very stressed and adding complications to their lives is not welcome, but I am not going to be yelled at or sworn at. I know how to hang up!

Sadie wants to me to take her to work so she can bark at the angry parents when they call! It was so hard to tell her that pets aren't allowed in the school.

Morning, Joseph_34! Welcome to the HTL!

Beaver--of course your brother's kids would get COVID sequentially! Praying the chemo clears thing up. Oh, yes, COVID and a nasty respiratory virus are circulating big time in the local community. Parents are testing positive every day, more and more kids out to quarantine due to being exposed through a parent. Sadie says thanks for the extra belly rub!

Goldie--Some kiddos are dressing up this week, but the big dress up day is Halloween day itself. Which reminds me, I still need to figure out what I'm going to do for a costume and actually DO it! And remember we are always here for you to vent to. Venting does help.

Chi--glad to hear the tomatoes survived the gale and that you and Happy are doing better!

Goldie--Oh my goodness, what a way to end the day! No wonder you are fuming. Take your time before and after the appointment, and treat yourself to something nice tomorrow!

Piksie--Good for you for sticking up for your son. He does need to know you are on his side.

For what it's worth, I see the homeschooling decision as you protecting him from ongoing trouble in school until all the facts get put on the table and the whole situation sorted out and understood. Wow, seven out of 19 doing their own Thanksgiving thing sounds like a lot, but it also sounds like it may be better in the long run for family peace. COVID has had such deep and unfortunate effects in places I never expected. Lifelong friends are great to have, so glad you got together on that cruise. The pic is wonderful!

Vampire's Kiss

Ingredients

• 1 ½ ouncesvodka
• 1 ounce* Chambord
• ½ ounce100% unsweetened cranberry juice (not sweetened or cranberry juice cocktail)
• ½ ouncefresh lemon juice
• ½ ouncegrenadine
• Granulated sugar and additional grenadine, for the sugar rim (optional)
• 1small dry ice cube, optional

Instructions

1. Prepare the rim: Place granulated sugar in a single layer on one plate. On another plate, add some grenadine. Spin the rim of the glass in the grenadine until it coats the entire rim. Then dip the glass rim into the plate with the sugar to coat it.
2. Make the drink: Add the vodka, Chambord, unsweetened cranberry juice, lemon juice, and grenadine to a cocktail shaker. Add 2 handfuls regular ice cubes and shake until cold. Strain the drink into the prepared glass.
3. Break the dry ice into 1-inch chunks (if using): Do this as close to the time you'll be serving the drinks as possible, though you can buy the dry ice a few hours in advance. Start by dropping the plastic bag with the dry ice on the ground several times to allow it break into large chunks. Remember never to touch the dry ice with your bare hands! Put on goggles and gloves. Use a chisel to break the dry ice into smaller pieces using a screwdriver or ice pick. The ideal size is 1/2-inch to 1-inch chunks that are large enough to sink to the bottom of the drink, but small enough to disappear in a few minutes. Wrap the small chunks in a towel and place them in a cooler with the top off until you're ready to serve the drinks. Do not place the dry ice in the freezer.
4. Add the dry ice: Using tongs (do not touch the dry ice!), add a 1/2-inch to 1-inch chunk of dry ice to the glass, which will sink to the bottom and immediately make a smoking effect. The ice cube will disappear in about 5 minutes. Do not drink the dry ice! Wait until the cube disappears before enjoying your drink (or you can take sips with the dry ice in the bottom). Review these Dry Ice Handling instructions.

From <https://www.acouplecooks.com/vampires-kiss-cocktail/>

Teka- that is hilarious