Never been out to clean off my car. Weather man just saying it 2deg above zero going down to 11 below. We are the coldest in the State. Even lower than Chicago. Only 12 deg tomorrow.  Just hope all furnaces keep running. Mine has not stopped running for 2 days. Now I wish I still had a Electric Blanket. Just came on us so sudden after being in the 50s in Nov. and half Dec.

I saw my current breast cancer dr. today , she wanted to check on how I was doing on a medication I take once a day ( I have forgotten its name) . No problem with it , Next appt. with her in March . I have the bone density x ray on January 5 .

The cold and snow in the midwest is here as cool and a bit of rain. 

Only thing planned here is to do some housekeeping here and get a pedicure at 1:00 before the salons are packed for the New Year. 

Jane

I ate lightly yesterrday and didn't have any more problems other than being tired.

I have PT and am getting my hair cut tomorrow + probablly the grocery unless John volunteers to do it by himself.  It's to be a high of 43 here today, got down to 29 last night.  Pretty chilly for us, although we usually have a week or 2 of this in January. Just early this year.

Jane, good idea on the pedi.  Same for me with the haircut.

Mary, are you home yet?

I'm in a "do nothing" mood, although I have put in a load of laundry.  Need to go take a walk and do PT but don't want to do that either, but will.

Alpiner, good you saw your onc.  I took Femara, but there are several meds you can take.

I hope you all are having a good day today and not feeling the post holiday letdown like me.  Sharon

I slept until almost 8:00 this morning--I'm usually up about 7:00, but read a bit later than usual and made it up with an extra snooze.

It's damp and chilly here this morning.  After breakfast and doing a load of wash, I walked in my neighborhood and the air was brisk.  I haven't checked the weather channel this morning, but I'm expecting some rain, maybe sleet soon as it is dark and cloudy now.  I'd really like to see a bit of sunshine today!

I have a load of wash in the dryer and might do another later, although it can wait until tomorrow as I'm not going out anywhere.  I'm afraid my life is pretty boring these days.  Tim and I will have lunch on Friday and go to Kroger afterward, so I'll make my grocery list today--the ads are delivered in our paper on Wednesdays.

Jeanne, I know that snow is pretty, but what a pain it is to live alone and have to shovel.  I well remember those days we lived in Maine and Bob would be deployed to Spain or Sicily where the planes could fly every day--and the boys and I had to shovel the porches, driveway, etc. if we wanted to get out of the house!  Not my cup of tea!

Alpiner, I'm glad the medicine is going well--and nice that your breast doctor checked on you.  Good luck with the bone density x-ray.

Jane, I guess a bit of cool weather, but no snow to shovel is pretty welcome.  I hope you get some sunshine soon.

Sharon, your post arrived just as I was getting ready to sign off.  I'm sorry you're tired, but expect it has to do with your meds and probably too much activity.  It's hard not to do things when you need to slow down.  Enjoy your haircut and I do hope John volunteers to do the grocery shopping.  Stay inside and stay warm! 

Enjoy the rest of your day, Every Buddy.
Sue

Jane. Good you are not here at home. So cold.  Last night C/U went down to 7 below z and only going up to 13 deg. My car still covered. Bet for sure it will not start even though a new battery in it.
Daughter in Houston says it is only 40s there. Hope where you are is warmer.  I just have to put a heavy jacket on and get out there. Not pickup up the mail in 4 days. If I am the Million dollar winner I will be out of here in a flash.

I am not taking any meds anymore but still having the warm air humidifier running at night. Really sleeping well. Almost 10 hours nightly.
Who has big plans for New Years Eve. So far not heard of anyone doing anything. Even the younger ones in the family are not party goers anymore. I never was on for doing it big.  One drink and that takes care of me. Puts me to sleep fast.
Hospitals are full around here. Amazed this morning to read the paper and showing 31 people in the Obits in last 2 days. Some quite young but lot over 80s. I think that Pneumonia.  seems to still be the one to take them. As bad as I felt for about 10 days I can see how the let go.

I hope that we in this forum get to feeling much better in 20018. Sue gets back to driving. Sharon gets all her problems taken care of and anyone else who is not feeling there best.

I am home now.  Margaret brought me home yesterday.  The holiday was great and it's always fun to get together the family.  But, as always, it's good to sleep in your own bed.  Our trip through Nashville to Kate's in Kentucky was great.  I hadn't been to Kate's in quite a while, and don't get to see her enough in any case.  So that made it special.  I do miss Margaret's big tabby cat sleeping on me, but not enough to want to get a cat of my own.  Another thing that makes going to Margaret's a good thing is that I save up  my laundry and do it there.  I don't have to pack clean clothes, and don't have to cart my laundry on an elevator to do it here.  (I'm happy with such small things!)

Jeanne, sorry you're the one in all the snow - and getting over being sick as well.  I guess Ginny Ann is snowed in, too.  The midWest has really been hit hard this past week.  It's been really dark, rainy, cold, and gloomy here for about a week.  We did finally see some sunshine on Christmas Day and yesterday, and it was much appreciated.

Margaret has heard from her surgeon - the tumor was less than 1 cm in size, all the margins were clear, and the nodes were clear.  She sees the surgeon again on 2 January, and the radiology oncologist on the 8th.  She doesn't have an appt yet with the medical oncologist.  She's thinking there might be a chance that she won't have to do radiation or chemo, just some long-term medication, but she won't know that for sure until after she sees the various oncologists.  But things do look pretty good at this point - regardless of the followup treatments.

I got Christmas wishes from the South Carolina bunch (SC and Maryland) that we didn't see this year.  We did get some pictures of Alison's foster boys - they're really cute - 11 and 9 year old brothers.  Sue and Randy are hoping to get up there this weekend - weather permitting.

jane, my Iowa-born friends from here are heading to the Valley on the 5th.  They stay at that big RV park in Donna, and will be visiting some with her sister at the retirement place in Weslaco.  Wish y'all could meet up sometime.

Sharon, glad you're feeling some better.  Those intestinal upsets aren't much fun.

Hi to Sue, Darlene, Marilyn, and anybody else I failed to mention.  Hope we're all headed into a good 2018.

Hi every Buddy, We left the 23rd for California, The drive down was so nice, overcast no rain. The motel we stayed in gave us a room with 2 beds so Freckles had her very own bed. Gilbert and Sonja came to the motel to hang out with us until it was time for our reservation at the place we were to eat. We went to the Teppanyaki table where the Japanese cook prepared our meal right in front of us. Freckles went there too. The cook tosses broccoli at the customers who are to catch it in their mouths. He missed mine 3 times and I caught one with my hand.

On Sunday the 24th, Keith and I went to services at my old church in McKinleyville. Late that afternoon we all went to Savannah's house, Gilbert cooked pizza and we took over two bottles of champagne. We opened gifts there. Went back to the motel about 8 and went to bed.

Christmas day, we went to Sonja's mother's house about 10 am and was there all day until about 7:30, more presents there. We had Prime Rib roast and all the goodies to go with it. I took cheesecake bars, 2 loaves of San Francisco Sour Dough bread, and a veggie plate. Jeannie (Sonja's mother), gave Freckles a new raincoat for Christmas, She makes them and sells them at craft fairs along with a lot of fleece vests, jackets, and pajama bottoms, kitty and dog beds etc. She sews at work and comes home and sews more. She sells a lot on eBay too.

Freckles and I had a visit at the cancer center today and we also stopped by to see my hospice patient.

Good Evening, Buddies.  It's past my bedtime, but I've been watching Hallmark movies and need to get my jammies on and head to bed soon.

Jeanne, thanks for the wishes about getting back to driving.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed as it's  really big on my wish list.  I'm still wearing a heavy brace on my right leg and that's a no no for driving myself! 

Mary, your Christmas trip sounds great--so much fun to see your family (although not all could be there).  The news from Margaret sounds great--and I'm hoping for wonderful results.  I know you'll be glad when she has the procedure and you have positive news. 

Marilyn, it sounds like you had a nice visit with Gilbert, Sonja, Savannah, and other family members and old friends.  I'm glad you had nice weather and returned home safely. 

Sleep well, Buddies.
Sue

Marilyn....glad you had a safe trip down and back and a nice visit with Savannah, Gilbert and the new people in his life.

Sue...it's so great you have the Village group, your friends and Tim to help you get where you need to be. 

It's cold at windy and wet here.  We've been reading and I want to start a project I brought with me to organize...notebook of passwords and websites, etc.  It's gotten out of hand, so time to reorganize and downsize it.

Only thing today is lunch with friends and then football.  Iowa shocked us last night by actually winning their bowl game 

jane

Hello, Buddies.  I've just come inside from a chilly walk and then chat with my new mailman.  A few returned Christmas cards from people who may have moved or possibly died (which I hope not!).  One was a best friend of ours from college.  His first wife died unexpectedly about 8 years ago and he remarried a few years later.  They were living in a retirement community in Florida and he met this new gal at the golf course there.  Our kids grew up with annual visits from them as they liked to travel in their RV during the summers.  They had 4 sons and we had 3 -- all about the same ages.

I have a women's basketball game this evening at 6:00.  My ride will pick me up about 5:15 so we can watch the pre-game practice.  The volunteer who is picking me up doesn't have season tickets, so I'm sort of expecting she will want to go take me fairly often.  As one of my Christmas gifts Tim gave me a card with a promise to go to 2 games with me--but he won't want to go to any Saturday or Sunday games.  Our women's team plays on lots of Sunday afternoons and usually on Thursday evenings at 6:00.  Occasionally a double header with the men's team, but I hate those because people with men's season tickets try to sit in my "most excellent" seats!  If I go to one of those I have to give up my seats when the men start their warm ups.  And another thing that bugs me is that every seat in the house is sold out for the men's games!

Congratulations, Jane, on the Iowa win!

Have a good day, Buddies--and I hope your weather is nice.  It's sunny here, but cooler than I like.  I had to put on several layers to take my morning walk.

Sue

Hi Gals, I'm back from my haircut and PT, both in the same strip nearby.  John has gone to donate blood platelets to the Red Cross and won't be back till 3:30 or 4:00, so we will do the grocery shopping then. My cleaning gal was here this AM also.  Busy day for me.

Mary, I'm so glad Margaret had such a good report. Maybe she will get by with just an oral tablet.  It sounds like you had a lovely Christmas and enjoyed your girls.

Sue, it sounds like you had a good Christmas with Tim & Kris and can now look forward to lots of ladies' BB. Creative idea of Tim's for your gift.  Nice that the volunteer likes to go too.

Marilyn, I'm glad you're back safely.  It sounds like you ate well!  I like the Japanese Tapenaki food & fun too.  I know you were so glad to be with your family & even got to go to your former church.  Now you're back to work with therapy visits!  Do you ever slow down, girl?

Jeanne, I'm sorry you've had such cold weather and snow.  Have you ever thought about getting a cover for your car to put on when snow is predicted?  Do try to stay in until things warm up.  Hire a teen to clean your car!!

We have really cold weather for us. Low 40's for a high, below freezing at night.  Brrrr.  We probably have another week of it coming.

Jane, I've had to do that too with the passwords, etc.  Sorry you're having cold wet weather. YOu didn't go down there for that, but at least you don't have to shovel it.  Have a nice lunch.

Hi to Darlene, Ginny, Joy, Alpiner and anyone else I've missed.  Sharon

After getting the car all cleaned off yesterday they are now saying snow again tonight. I have been in the house all day thinking I should go out and cover it.  To late now.  I have to go out tomorrow cold or not. Saying it will go to 9 above. When wrapped up good it really doesn't feel to bad. I did hear that lots of people going into Emergency dept. with Frost bite. Glad that the children still not in School until next week. Going to be awful for them getting the school bus by me at 7am .

Jane. I have started that job of trying to get all my computer info in order. Gotten so bad now that I have to go back to looking up all the PW and things. I am just going to start using just one. Over the years I have used different one for different things. Funny how long ID No. will stay in my head. My library card is 20 numbers and can remember fine. Few other things. Even my Id I have in UK.  But can't remember a short number. Still can't remember my Mobile phone number. O.K on home as had it for 45 year.
I want to start a project  with just one notebook of passwords and websites, etc.  I have different list book on IPad. Desktop. Tablets. All messed up. Now the Hospital and Clinic want us using the computer for everything. Bank getting the same. Given up set up for the computer

 My day today kept me nice and warm. 

Still only 5 deg here all day. Not going out. So cooking away. Trying a couple more things in the Air Fryer . I baked some biscuits. and make 6 Sausage Biscuits for the freezer. Did good but now know to use 350 and not the 400 deg it says. Have to watch as only takes a few min. Also made 4 pints of Chili for the freezer. I have some chicken breast cut up and in fridge. Will fix it soon as a start to Sweet and Sour chicken.  My pans for it are suppose to come here tomorrow. Indoor freezer in good shape again now. Thing is I alway say this time of year that I would like to lose about 10 lbs. Doubt I do it. I put that on years ago and no matter what I do I can't lose a oz. To cold to walk out so try to go into the big stores and walk there. To cold to get there now.

Sherry, I have no idea how to even begin to slow down. I am going to take a friends dog on a visit to the cancer center, but first I have to be evaluated with the dog on 1 visit. I am trying to set that up for the 12th. She has two dogs one has severe separation anxiety and isn't a therapy do yet. Her Staffordshire Terrier hasn't been visiting for 56 months, first, he was recovering from surgery, then she got the other dog and he can't be left alone. So I am going to get her dog back to doing the visits in the weeks that Freckles is not doing visits.

Good news on m,y progress with Keith. I am now on his bank accounts at both banks not as a signer but as a joint account holder. Now to get the POA done.

My sister Anne called this morning to chat--and although I was dressed and ready for Tim already, she kept me on the phone for an hour.  I'm always glad to talk that long with her, but I wanted to get a few things finished before he arrived.  As it turns out he was a bit later than I expected him, so it was OK.  Actually when Anne call, she talks and I say "oh, I see, or oh, my goodness" and that seems to satisfy her.  I had an hour + phone call with youngest sister Linda earlier in the week.  It reminds me of when we were teens and Grandma and her sister Grace talked every day for at least an hour and a half--and it was a pain in the summer when we were home.  Anne and I were always expecting phone calls from guys. 

I received Amazon gift cards from Bill/Dawn and Tim/Kris, so Tim went on line and registered them for me, so I'll be able to buy my book club selections (hopefully used) with them and have some money left in my account for anything new I want to buy.  He also arranged to return the towels I'd ordered for Kris's bathroom and which she'd changed her mind about the color.

It's sunny here today, but cool.  I'll probably go out for a walk later, but right now I'm going to lie down with a Susan Elizabeth Phillips novel I'd like to finish today.  I need to call the library to see if they'll be open tomorrow.  I like to walk over there on Saturday mornings to get new books to read during the week.

Marilyn, hurray for the progress on the joint account with Keith.  That way you can keep track of what he's doing and also keep his sons informed.  Way to Go, Girl!

Jeanne, you must have a large freezer.  Your cooking projects sound yummy and I know I'd like to be as ambitious about putting things like that in my freezer.  Be careful when you go outside to clean off your car.  Falls are tough on us these days!

Sharon,  I've just had a call from my cleaning service and my Molly Maids are going to be here somewhat later than usual on Tuesday.  I told her I have a dental appointment at noon, so I may have to leave the door unlocked and they'll lock up when they leave.  They are probably cleaning their Monday appointments before they get here.  I hope you're pleased with your haircut, but I'm sure you'll be glad that's one more thing out of the way for a while.

Jane, good luck with the password changes.  I always have a hard time thinking up something different and sufficiently unusual enough.  We're having bright sunny weather here today, but chilly, maybe low 60's now. 

I have a fairly new Susan Elizabeth Phillips paperback almost finished, so I'm planning to lie down with that shortly and finish, then I'll have to look for something else.  I'm going to call the library before I start reading to see if they are open tomorrow morning.  I'd like to walk over there and get something new to read.

Have a great day, Buddies--and hello to all those looking in.
Sue

Kept putting off shower and getting dressed this morning but finely did. then looked out the window. What a mess. Couldn't see across the street for the snow blizzard. They said it would be later tonight. Car already covered again. Wanted to go over to Comcast to pay my bill and check on the Credit suppose to be coming in Jan. .This month is due 12/31 so just went on line and paid it. Will argue with them later.
I do have a freezer in my out building but the one in my kitchen is good size. All I did yesterday fits in fine. I flatten the freezer bags and just stack them up.
Should do the wood floors but think I will just read, watch TV and leave things for another day. Sure will not get any walking in.  Still 14 deg and will not go any higher.

Marilyn...good news on the progress on the financial scene...very important.  Now to get him to an attorney to do a POA or get forms from your doctor's office for the POA for medical.

Sue...sounds as if you're doing well.  We got Amazon gift cards, too, which I appreciate. I buy a lot of ebooks for my Ipad.  I don't need any "stuff" ...gift cards are great.  We did get a very nice box of cheeses from my nieces and nephew.  It's local cheeses from my area of Ohio, so they know I love that.  We'll enjoy that during our stay here.

Sharon....are you happy with your haircut.  My hair is so straight that if it isn't cut right, it's a disaster.  So far, it's good and I can control it.

Jeanne...wow...you're a cooking wizard...getting stuff into the freezer is great...esp. when it's so cold and then, if you do catch a cold or that awful flu that's going around, you're ready with stuff that's easy to fix for supper.

We made a trip to Brownsville today...grocery and WalMart were very busy, of course.

jane

Hi Gals, I guess it is cold everywhere.  It was in the low 20's last night but supposed to be in the 40's today and tomorrow, then down again!  I have been frozen for the past few weeks. I really think my thyroid is messed up.  I went in for a lab test today and will see the dr. next Fri.  I also see the ortho PA on Thurs in addition to my PT sessions!  Don't you love getting old when getting out is mostly medically related!!  Bah humbug!!

Sue your gifts from the boys were thoughtful considering how much you read.  Nice that Tim took care of things online for you.

Jeanne, I don't know if I would do that much cooking just for myself or not.  Maybe so.  I'm sure it is much healthier for you than anything you would buy pre-prepared.  Sorry your car is covered in snow again!

Marilyn, how nice of you to take the other therapy dog for your friend.  Super news on the checking account, but if you are on the account, why can't you write checks?

Mary, hope things are okay with you.

Jane, she cut my hair pretty short this time, but it grows fast and I'm not going anywhere important. My hair is very coarse since chemo with lots of random curl. Some straight mixed in. I still have to use a curling iron to style it.  Our daughter sent us a selection of cheeses too, but from Oregon. They had liked them out there and also knew what we liked, so we are enjoying them. Probably some tomorrow night while we watch the ball drop.

Is everyone going out partying and dancing tomorrow night?    We'll be home in front of the fire!  Sharon

I do write the checks.

Hi everyone...enjoyed Christmas with 3 of my 4 children....was very nice...I to received several gift cards ....which is always good ...Hadn't walked much this week due to company...they all left today..so did walk a mile...getting ready for another cold bast Sunday...but I'm not going anywhere...so will be warm by the fire and watch TV....Happy New Year to everybuddy....Darlene

Wonderful Christmas present, Marilyn!  Now for the POA and medical POA.  I know you're glad to be getting back to your visitations.  What's the weather doing out on your coast?

Sharon, hooray for the haircut.  I need one, and just haven't gotten to it.  I don't even want to get out for just that in this weather.  They're talking about having 48+ hours below freezing next week - most unusual for us.

Sue, I hope you get out to the library tomorrow.  I love that your boys know to give you books for Xmas.  It's hard to buy for us old gals, since we usually don't want more "things".

jane, even you're going to be getting some cooler temps, aren't you.  At least it's not what you'd be getting in Iowa.

Jeanne, when you cook, you REALLY cook.  Best to stay inside and not try to get to your car.  Getting a teenager to clean off your car is definitely a good idea.

Darlene, is it cold in your part of Texas?  Enjoy having your fire!

Ginny Ann, I'll bet you've got a lot of snow. 

I went to swimming and coffee this morning.  But I'll probably stay in until swimming next Wednesday.  No reason to go anywhere (unless I get a bad case of cabin fever).  Maybe I'll get a lot of knitting done.

Stay warm, Buddies - and Happy 2018!

Have you had a bone density x ray ?  Is the entire body x rayed ?  How long does it take ?

Yes, Alpiner, I’ve had several.  It’s non-invasive and I don’t recall it taking much time.  There’s no pain involved, of course, and is, I think, probably the easiest of all medical tests.

Here’s some info from Mayo Clinic

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-density-test/about/pac-20385273

Jane

alpiner, I get a bone density scan about every other year at my rheumatologist's office.  Only prep is to stop calcium a few days before and to wear sweats (or some clothes without metal).  Takes about 10 minutes as I remember.  Definitely a "no-sweat" type of thing.

It was below freezing all night but supposed to get up to 50 today. After today, the highs will only be in the 30's for the next week and below freezing every night.  Not normal for here either. With my thyroid problem, I just freeze!

I've dressed, made the bed, had breakfast, sorted clothes and then cleaned my cpap tube and head gear. I've been very bad about that lately so I told Alexa to remind me this morning.  Anyway, with that all done, my back has tuned up, so I just took a tramadol.  I need to walk today and do Pt.  Also, I'd like to get started undecorating if John is agreeable.  I can't do it without him.  If not today, we'll do it tomorrow. That is our usual day, but with church in the morning, it will be afternoon before we get to it.

Darlene, I'm glad you had a good Christmas with your kids and that they gave you gift cards so you could choose what you want.

Mary, I can't believe you went swimming today as cold as it was.  As to getting my hair cut, I probably wouldn't have gone out either except that the beauty shop and the PT place are in the same strip mall and I had to go to PT.

Marilyn, I'm glad you can write checks too. I thought you said you couldn't.

Stay warm everyone.  Sharon

Good morning, Buddies.  I've just returned from my weekly walk over to the library.  I have 5 new books from favorite authors to read this new week coming up.  I've about 100 pages of a Susan Elizabeth Phillips novel that I've read several times and will finish today.  The library was closed last Saturday, so I had to reread some of my oldie goldies.

My plans for the rest of the day include watching ball games and reading.  I'll probably do a load of wash, too.  My goodness, I really have an exciting life these days!

I hope everyone has good weather today.  It's chilly here, down in the low 40's, but sunny, so will warm up later according to the weather guy.

Sue

Sharon, the water in the pool and the temperature in the building stays the same - regardless of the outside temp.  So, just being cold doesn't give me much of an excuse.    Although that might be different next Wednesday morning when it's supposed to be in the teens here.  Even though I don't have to be actually outside much, it's still very cold.  We'll see what happens.   

Well, I need to get dressed and out there to clean of my car again. Got about another 3 inch. Last night. Hope it is like last year. We got snow like this one time and then never did snow again. Still down in the 11 deg. though which will last all next week it seems.
So many wreck around here. I live by the interstate so hear the Police going by all the time. Have had about 8 killed last 2 days up on Int. 74. People still drive like crazy. Specially the ones in their truck.
I use to get the Bone Test done at the same time as my Mamo. Yearly. Sort of quit it 2 years ago. May not do the mamo yearly anymore. Bone not that bad but have not seemed to change in last 7 years. Not much can be done about it anyway. I have stopped drinking almost 2 gal week of milk now. Maybe it will change a little. Milk was the Mucus problem.
Mary. Is the swimming pool in where you live?

It's in the mid 50s here and the outdoor heated pool is crowded as is the hot tub.  I know it's warm in the water...but, gads, they have to get out sometime! 

Ray and I did out walk this morning and I wore capris, sandals and a heavy cotton cardigan.  It was comfortable and good to get out and walk.  We haven't walked with the winds and rain. 

Laundry is also underway and then Ray'll help me remake the king size bed. It's so much easier with two people. 

Football and my redoing the password book is on the agenda for this afternoon.

jane