Quarantine and chill and kindness chatty clubhouse: Jump in and join the conversation! All is welcome!

[lynxstch]

Good morning. Frosty and chilly 38 now, but the sun is out and it's supposed to get near 60. Dave is coming by 10 to get started on the steps, hopefully by tomorrow he can have them all finished.

@PollyannaMom Did you love Wicked For Good? I've now seen it twice, and listened to the soundtrack cd 3x. I can't decide whether I liked the first part of the movie, or this part better. They both have their pro's. If it's like the first one, I'll see different things I missed each time I watch them.

@Snowysmom That makes me so happy that you're thinking of putting up a small tree. A new start to the holiday. Maybe Kenny is afraid that if you retire, you'll have more time to think and languish in the past. But I think the retreat you just went on started to push you into a new thought process. Keep going!

I have a scratchy throat and only half a voice today, maybe from cheering in the theater or singing to the cd, but I hope it doesn't turn into a cold.

Have a great last Sunday of the month

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you for all your birthday wishes for Toto! He had a good day! I bought him a nice green sweater for his birthday present, it should be coming today. Green was always his color since he came home on St Patrick’s Day. I’ve noticed lately he likes to snuggle up against one of us, I think for the heat. His breeder, who I remain friends with, told me they do do that as they get older. So, especially if we go out and have to leave him, I’ll put that on him, or if it’s a really chilly day in the house. Otherwise I think it’s good for his skin to breathe. He does have an adorable Scottish-style coat he wears when he goes out during the winter. Should probably pull that out soon.

DD bought him some birthday cake flavored Milk Bones. I had no idea they even had such a thing but leave it to her, she found them on Amazon. They really did smell like birthday cake and the boys loved them. Had more than they normally would but hey, it’s a birthday. We saw DD snacking on something when she first gave the dogs their treats and for a second I thought it was one of those but she’d also ordered some snack bars that came at the same time, lol.

@peachiepie I bet you see a fair amount of Cairn Terriers where you live. We don’t see too many around here, although sometimes I’m surprised where I see them. Apparently at one time there was a breeder near where I live so the veterinary practice I go to was familiar with them. I think they’re a really great breed for families, usually good with kids, and very funny and enjoyable to have around, etc.

@Snowysmom, I know exactly where Kenny is coming from - he’s thinking health. I know you stay active on your days off and that’s good. I’ve experienced an interesting problem recently myself that we attribute to being out of work and less active than my usual. I have never had a problem with my feet, and working 12 hr shifts and being up, down, around, over, under, you name it, was easy for me. I noticed this summer I started having pain on the bottom of my foot, felt like a ball under the bone near the toes, especially when walking barefoot in the house. I made a To Do list the other day and on my list was to make an appt to see someone about it. I called, they referred me to Podiatry ( ) and lo and behold, had an opening the next day! So I took it. Well, after XRays and evaluation, I have a Morton’s Neuroma on the bottom of my foot! I was shocked! It’s an inflamed nerve, and it’s painful to walk, especially in bare feet. So I have exercises to do, and ordered a thing I have to keep on to separate my toes at home and another to roll my foot on, wear slippers in the house, massage it, etc. If it doesn’t get better I can get a cortisone shot. Surgery is a last resort. Hoping I can make it better just with the exercises and equipment.

Mona, I know what you’re going to say: take care of your feet. And I did, for sure. Probably even better than when I was working. (Had more time to soak my feet in Keri oil and scrub them, do my toenails more frequently, etc.) But just being under the weather most of the year and trying to “rest” has its downsides, as well. In nursing school we learned that under the title “the hazards of immobility”. So true. So I’ve made a commitment to walk every day, rain or shine, cold or snow, etc. Fortunately I have a treadmill if it’s rough outside this winter. I also have to exercise my arm for the lymphedema prevention, and I have equipment for that, too. But geez, I now have all these exercises I have to do on various parts of my body, AND they have me wearing some sort of contraption on the bottom of my breast that previously had BC to try to lessen the scar tissue that’s in there. I’ve started to feel like I’m falling apart!

Interesting background on the book, ladies. I’m not much of a book reader. But I’m glad you guys enjoy it!

Has anyone else watched Blood of My Blood? @tazdev3225 You must have!

I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Feel better dear Lynn. I am truly so proud of you dear Snowysmom.

Dear Pea, please indeed take care of your feet! I sure learned the hard way how precious mobility is. At one time, warm Epsom salt soaks did offer me relief. You have indeed been through the wringer health wise. Be kind to yourself and absolutely keep moving daily. Rest is so important, too. Take a cue from Toto and enjoy a movie together

Dad will meet a representative on Tuesday morning from Lotus Flooring, a new company. We will get a free estimate from them.

Meantime, tomorrow, God put in my heart to talk to the kind and super hard-working main maintenence man here who I have seen do floor work. He may have some suggestions for us.

Options are a blessing to have! Sunday hugs to all.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

@lynxstch Great point about the tree and carrying forward the good vibes from the retreat for @Snowysmom.

 

[lynxstch]

The big top step is done, as is the third smaller one. He'll be back tomorrow to move the forms down to the next 2. The second one from the bottom just needs to be patched on one corner. It's sunny and 53, but it's windy. He went to work on the house he's fixer upping. Have to wait for this concrete to fully set before he can move the forms, by that time, it will be dark. So it will get finished tomorrow

 

[Snowysmom]

I am indeed trying to carry forth the energy and good vibes from the retreat. So many women at the retreat have lost their husbands and have retired also. They had some great advice. I ordered Christmas pillows today for the couch and a couple of music CDs to listen to for the holidays. While I can't use the decorations Chris and I used for the holidays I am buying new ones and starting new holiday traditions. Do I still have some not so great days, of course and the grief counselor did say that was perfectly normal. But I feel like I am moving forward now as opposed to being a bit stuck for a while. I am alone on Thanksgiving Day which in the past stressed me out but this year I am baking several things for our dinner on Friday. It will be a dessertapalooza from me. I have a better mind set. Will I still think of Chris, of course, but hopefully good memories. And if I cry then so be it. I still don't like being in a big group of people on Friday but I will deal with it my way, by taking lots of walks or just hiding upstairs for a bit. I will figure it out. I think that is a big difference for me now as I am figuring it out as I go along. When I retire I have plans for seeing my 2 wonderful friends more, a bit more local traveling for a couple of nights here and there, volunteering, and the senior center in the next town has yoga and tai chi classes as well as a book group once a month. I also want to do some more from scratch cooking, go the the gym more often, and find some new places to walk. And I want to look into the senior college at Bridgewater for online classes.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Huge hug and cheers dear Snowysmom. I believe Chris is so proud of of you! We all are and are here for you always, too. As I told Pea, you please also be kind to yourself, my friend.