how about drinking?

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Monkey Monday!Short week at school this week, today, tomorrow, half a day Wednesday. I've got to admit I'm looking forward to some time off from covid stuff. Maine CDC's plan is to start a new protocol for managing covid in schools when schools reopen in the new year, so we'll be starting over with a new set of instructions. Not exactly what I'm looking forward to, learning the ins and outs all over again, but it is what it is, and maybe, just maybe, the new protocol will make more sense and be easier, although I doubt it very much. One thing I noticed listening to the news this ayem, the Maine CDC does not case manage or contact trace during the weekends. But school nurses are expected to do just that. That little bit of info just frosts my cake this ayem.

We got about 4 inches of snow over the weekend, enough to get the driveway plowed for the first time this season. Very pretty to look at, fluffy and sparkly in the sun. Not sure if it will melt off before Christmas or not.

Jazzy--great music, and love the pic!

The spot on the counter is between the handle and the towel, oval shaped, kind of hard to see in the picture, but much more noticable in person.

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Twofer Tuesday! Last full day before break. Only a half day tomorrow, and, of course, the day is supposed to start out with snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Everyone is wondering if the powers-that-be will just decide today to ditch tomorrow entirely. We shall see, I suppose. No pool testing today, which is good. The district got another delivery of COVID test cards yesterday, every one of the 40 boxes is expired. When the lead nurse called about that she was told that they can be used for 90 days past the expiration date under an emergency use authorization. So we are not only using tests for a purpose not designed or originally approved, but outdated as well. Makes me really confident in the results. Sigh.

Goldie--I'm still sleeping in the recliner, I miss Sadie too much when I try to sleep in the bed and she's not there to help warm up the bed. And I don't sleep as well in the recliner, so I feel tired during the day, so I tell myself I've got to sleep in the bed, then night comes and I just can't make myself get in the bed. I know that will fade, but it's one of the times I miss Sadie the most. We'd have cuddles and belly rubs, and tick checks, and 'fights' over who gets how many pillows. Mom is thinking of taking trips to someplace a day's drive away and staying overnight or for a couple of nights, places where there is something she wants to see or do, or where she remembers going for something or other and wants to see again (she forgets places change over time, and the museum she got into for a quarter as a teenager will cost a lot more now if it's even still in operation). What it means for me is listening to the same stories over and over, listening to her complaints about my brother and his wife not calling (they called several time over 2 days around his birthday, could not get through to her), and all the other stuff she complains about. I'm afraid it's going to turn into a real $#*t show if she insists on driving, because I simply will not ride that far with her driving, it's not safe. That will trigger a huge fight, I'm sure. But given her performance around her trip to see my brother and SIL and all the days trips she planned for me and herself last summer, the trips will never happen. OH MY GOODNESS! Whatever they were using probably shouldn'tbe used on skin! Look at the damage! You must feel awful looking at that.

Jazzy--NiCE!

Jazzy - great gift.

Kim - I hear. you about your mother driving. Can you tell her you are happy to join here on the trips as long as you take your car and you drive. Suggest that way she can enjoy the scenery and the memories. It is a tough situation. Sending you hugs for Sadie. Do you have a sofa that might be more comfy than the recliner but not ready for your bed yet? Half day school makes no sense - the powers to be should cancel regardless of weather. But I know 1/2 day counts as a day of school. When do you go back. I get two weeks winter break, but I don't get February break like lots of schools back east.

Oh man, I remember having to take my Grandma places! I was the only one in the family who she could ask, or depend on... And it was just plain hard, Hah! She never drove, but always told me, how to get someplace, right or wrong... Once in awhile I just thought of pushing her out the car door, Hah! No, not really,.... but you know....

And then she called me one day, and said she didn't feel good!!! I asked her what happened, and I could tell something was wrong.... I called an ambulance for her, went to her house, and they took her to the hospital! That was the last time she ever got to be home... I took her little dog Patty home with me.... They released her after a few days, and took her to an Assisted Living a block from my house! That heart attack was the start of her Dementia... and I was the only one she had....

So Patty & I would go visit her every day! I would help her dress, and show her old picture albums, trying to help her remember things... But she kept getting worse.... and couldn't remember.... and she ran out of money.... So the State helped me place her in a nursing home, saying I could rent her house out for a minimum amount to pay for her care....

At one point we went to put the house in my name, to be able to sell to take care of her. But the State really helped me with her care....financially.... That is until I couldn't find some of her stuff, & I went in other rooms, and found her patch-work family blanket I had made for her... I had printed and sewn pictures of our family onto a quilted blanket for her, to help her remember!

I moved her 3 times, for different reasons... and my best memories are of bringing hamburgers to her room, and us having a "picnic" on TV trays, and just talking and being together!

Then that last morning, the home called and said she passed away right after I left.... I ran back & crawled in bed with her, and I just talked to her and told her I always cared about her, and now she could be with Grampa... Ah geez... I still miss her....

Sometimes life just takes it out of us.... Gotta keep going on... don't let the bad and sad things take you down.... Try and stay away from negative people as much as you can.... or at least put up with their crap, then go home and fix yourself a chocolate coke & go outdoors & just enjoy SOMEthing! Hah!

Good Morning, Loungettes! Happy Hump Day!As anticipated yesterday, no school today due to sleet, freezing rain, snow, and assorted cold weather yuck that arrived just about start of school time this morning. I've got a good quarter inch of sleet on the deck that I'm going to have to chip off pretty soon. Half the state closed down schools and offices yesterday afternoon/evening, but our superintendent waits until 5 ayem this morning to do the deed. The Robocall and text woke me up, so I stayed up a bit to read the emails and catch some news, then dosed for a while. Finally got up about half an hour before kid brother went into surgery. SIL says 4 to 6 hours expected time, but he won't be in his room until 8 peeyem. She and I are texting back and forth, she doesn't admit to being nervous, but I think she is. I know I am. And I think she's alone, which is even harder. I'll do what I can to support her. We texted back and forth a while back one day while she was home alone during a tornado watch/warning. Fortunately, that one was 100 miles away, but she'd never been through anything like that before.

Goldie--I'd just as soon the trips with Mom didn't happen. They're hard to get through, and getting harder, with the non-stop repeated stories (not so bad, just tiresome after the 4th or 5th time) and needing to be so careful what I say so as not set her off on one of her "how do you think it makes me feel when you" or "I'm so embarrassed when my friends find out about how you treat me/keep house/don't keep in touch with your brother like I ask/" and the ongoing complaints about everybody and everything else in the world go from boring to tedious to depressing after a few hours. It's already going to start out on rocky ground because I won't go if she is driving, and that conversation is going to spark lots of hard feelings on her part, she thinks she is an excellent driver when she really isn't. She can get around to familiar places during the day, but anything beyond that and she doesn't see speed limit change signs (she only drives at 2 speeds, 45 mph and 10 mph regardless of where she is) and often does not stay in her lane, she practically drives in the breakdown lane or along the shoulder of the road, because oncoming cars are "so close to the middle line they are in my lane." I don't know how many mailboxes and such she has missed by inches. "I was nowhere near that mailbox. I was in the middle of my lane" is her response when someone riding with her points out a near-miss. I'm hoping that her incessant need to find motels/hotels, activities, etc that cost what she remembers them costing as a young adult or her ongoing refusal to pay more than a set number of dollars for anything will keep her busy until too late in the summer to actually make a trip happen. When she went to visit my brother and his wife she dithered about the plane tickets for so long that she had to change the travel dates twice before she finally actually bought tickets. I'll tell her she's in charge of making reservations, that should give her something to do and make her happy, and, hopefully, never actually get made.I can imagine it's scary for you with your son moving into an apartment. I'm sure he's learned a lot in the house he was in, and I hope he and his friend can be a support to each other. I'll be praying for him. SMH at the counter damage. What was in that bottle????

Karen--If it looks like a trip will happen I will tell her that I will be driving. I know that's going to set off a round of "life isn't worth living any more, I can't do anything anymore, if I get sick don't treat it just let me die. I'm not going to kill myself but if it's natural I'll let it happen. Nobody will even notice anyway" talk. At which point I will probably tell her that she needs to get her depression treated before I'll go on any trip with her, and set of a round of "I don't like to take pills, there's nothing wrong with my mind, no one should take pills just to feel better, and those pills don't work anyway, I had a prescription once and took one and nothing happened so I didn't take any more, that's all stupid anyway" at which point I will either leave and go home or tell her that if she isn't depressed she's getting dementia, and since she is terrified of getting dementia that would be a very cruel thing to say to her. Anyway, with school out today (and we do have to make up this half day in June) I am on break for a week and a half. School starts again January 3rd. Then there will be about 5 weeks before February break and the Disney trip with the cousins, which I am seriously looking forward to. The planner cousin is already booking meal reservations--that can be done 60 days before the trip. Mostly I'm looking forward to the heated pool and hot tub!

Goldie--too funny, and too true!

Chevy--I'm kind of afraid something similar will happen with Mom. She has A-fib and arthritis in her spine, and God only knows what else going on, and I'm afraid all it will take is one fall or one illness to start a downhill slide. I know she won't live forever, and I don't want our last interaction to be unpleasant, and sometimes it's hard to balance everything. I'm trying to take care of myself, but even that makes me feel guilty because Mom interprets that as rejecting her. . .

Let the holiday weekend begin

ED, lovely story about your grandma. I really enjoyed reading it, thank you for sharing.

NM, obviously your DB should be out of surgery, praying all went well. I hear ya on your mom and can sense the frustration. You are aware of all the ways she can cause you hurt, yet you are so careful not to cause her any. I hope things fall into place you expect and there will be no trips. Can you bring up now (well after Xmas) about not letting her drive, and you will only go if you drive? Or will she just forget that in time. Taking care of you is not rejecting her. Listen to yourself!Enjoy your days off. 5 weeks will go by fast and you will be in FL before you know it.

Karen, I remember your DH having his heart surgery. You too enjoy your time off.

Pretty cocktail pic Jazzy. Enjoy your time away.

I had to go to town yesterday, so that takes all day. The only thing I had to eat all day was some cheese and crackers before I went to bed. Driving by the hospital on my way home, they had a huge sign/banner out front that said "Hospital Over Capacity", never seen that before. Looking around in Wal Mart, I don't know if 10% were wearing masks.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve to all my loungettes. No plans here, just another day.

Good morning friends- done with the work week, and was reminded that three days working and four days off is my perfect schedule. It was pretty quiet there and I am getting up to speed on my new project, and finding the best ways to work with the oversight firm and my department. There is one dude who is a pain-in-da-butt but there is one on every project (and only one if you are lucky). They are the one that is the minority but feels like the majority. In general, this is going to be a better project for me and take me into mid 2024.

Kim- your mother and mine could have been emotional twins. The comments about her constant disappointment that you are not doing enough with anything or anyone ever, eye roll. Sometimes when we are the only ones around left, we get the brunt of their anger, disappointments, etc. Your mom does sound like she has some cognitive changes going on, but when they are stubborn, about all you can do is do what you can and where you can. And I know that movie too with the living with the past costs for things. Your mother might be pretty shocked at the cost of everything right now with inflation, right? You focus on your studies, your self care and hoping the holiday will go okay. When do the Women and Wine group get together again? And vacation on the horizon too, whoot......

Goldie- I looked in the little vodka mixer box and see things like screwdriver, martini, etc. I tend to drink more red wine in the winter than vodka (more of as summer drink for me) but going to try something over New Years weekend.

Chevy- I loved your story about your grandmother. I used to take Subway sandwiches when I visited my mother in assisted living in CA during the time she was there. She loved those subs, the chips and a diet coke, nothing like that in the place she was getting (although they used to host family holiday meals and had great food, or maybe they put the show for family). I had a very sweet relationship with my father's mother, my mothers mother passed before I was born.

Karen- glad you are on a break and heard Israel was making more changes with who they let in and out. I hope you can get over there for a visit when things are better. I have family back east who keep asking me to visit and told them not until things are better. Right now I have a tentative plan to go back east July 4th weekend next year for a family reunion, my sister has a beach house rented for two weeks and going for one.

Cami, cami, cami- merry Xmas!

I am going today for an overdue hair cut (been almost four months, eek) but have been trying to grow my hair out longer this fall. I have a new style picked out that works with the length and will make apts going forward every 8 weeks now. Few errands to do and plan to go down to Old Town to see the Xmas lights one more time before the season ends. Tomorrow I head to the hot springs and it looks like we are going to get some rain and snow tomorrow (more snow in Santa Fe) and that means I get to sit in the springs while it snows. Yay, my favorite thing to do. Last time I went there two years ago it snowed too. They say there is a "river of moisture" coming so I think those in AZ, CO and here in New Mexico will get some much needed moisture. I got invited to an open house with a former client at my other healthcare org here (she is also a friend too) and going to stop there on the way in to town tomorrow.

Wishing everyone a good holiday who is celebrating. Be safe if you are traveling anywhere, including on the roads. Merry Xmas!

Jazzy, enjoy spa time. I too need a haircut. Haven't had one since mid July. I was letting it grow out, it's not quit shoulder length but beginning to get ratty. I asked asked DH to take a picture to ask girls what they think about hair now or just after hair cut in July and he goes what about me don't I get a say😃. He said if I let it grow long, long maybe but that would take forever. I have a fair amount of hair but since AIs it doesn't look good long gets too stringy. Before cancer I had Gilda Radner hair. It grew back great till Aromasin. Will wait till beginning of week to avoid Christmas crowds and New Years crowds. I just go to Great Clips. Orange hat today, gray hat July soon after hair cut. I need to take a photo of hair a year after finishing chemo It was great. Nice and thick and curly

Goldie, IDK about the area on the sink but you might try "restore a finish". you can get it at a hardware store or online. I think it comes in a small size ( like a sharpie pen) or by the pint. What a pain!

Happy Christmas to all.

Been puttering in the house all week - slow and steady. An hour here, an hour there. So far, I've tackled the pantry - and did I find things (non food) that I forgot were there. Many got added to the give away pile. Deep cleaned the baseboards in my bedroom and bathroom and good thorough vacuuming. Today, I organized the hall bathroom linen closet I am giving away several table cloths that have been sitting unused for years. Some were from my childhood so I will have the memories, but someone will get to use them. There were a few things that I just couldn't give away quite yet, though I don't remember them. Many of the tablecloths are 50+ years old and need ironing. Who wants to iron these days - and are pink. DH spent time in the garage and know he can find some of his tools - still tons more to go in the garage. There are cupboards that have stuff in them that is easy to forget about and aren't being used, so time to donate as DH tackles that. I had fun today texting photos of some of my linen closet finds with DD#1.

Sandy - definitely will get shot #4 if/when we get to Israel next. It won't be till summer due to my school/work schedule. DH doesn't want to go over spring break - I would have to extend it by 2 days on each side to make it worthwhile. Hopefully the USA will no longer be a red country and DD#2 can come to us for Passover. DH is retiring the end of March 2022, so I think he doesn't want to take any time off and just finish out the month. I'm planning 2 more years, but there are days that I think I'm done this year. But it's probably not good for both of us to retire at the same time. So maybe instead of 2 years, 1 year. Even after I retire, I can always work on call when I want - for hourly pay - though way less than my salary. I could tell my manager that when I'm in town I want to work 2-3 days/week certain months. We always need extra people to fill in positions. Plenty of time to figure that out. I've been a really good girl. I have not checked emails at all since I started winter break. I go back on January 3rd so I'll probably check emails at night on the 2nd. The 3rd is a PD and work day and I have no idea what I'm doing that day!!!!

Sandy - how scary about the shooting. Way too many shootings happening. I hope and pray that no one was killed or severely injured. Keep us posted.

Denver weather is way too warm for this time of year - low 60s today and 50s tomorrow. The mountains are predicted to get one to two feet of snow, but Denver will be lucky to get a teeny amount of rain. Christmas is definitely brown in Denver. I don't celebrate Christmas, but with this weather it doesn't feel like Christmas, but then again I really don't know what Christmas should feel like.

Wishing all those who celebrate, a happy, healthy and relaxing Christmas. May your holiday be everything you want it to be.

Cheers to you, this holiday season!

I hope you all have a new year filled with love!