So, it's Sunday...what's up
Ladies,
I've been homebound this weekend because of the bike festival that our city has....hundreds of thousands of bikers come to our town starting Wed., and they don't leave until today...Not only do we hear these horrible bikes all night long but there are helicopter rides for people who want to see the festival from the sky...the noise pollution and traffic congestion's not worth the hundreds of millions of dollars that these bikers and tourists bring into our economy...but that's just my opinion. Yesterday, I put together my pants and and one of the shirts I had cut out. They both look real nice. Today, I am finishing another pair of pants and then the sewing machine is going back up for a while. I do have some Christmas material that I am making me some holiday clothes and of course my granddaughter is singing in the Christmas thing at their church so I am making her a beautiful dress. My granddaughter, and I know this sounds like I am bragging, but she has an incredible voice and can hit a range of notes that her voice teacher said is rare. She started singing at their church for special occasions when she was only five. She also sings at school for special occasions too and since she has been doing it since she was so young, she has gotten very good at performing and she has quite a fan base. So, this year, the church program has her singing two songs solo and then she performs with a group so I need for her solo dress to match the choir robes and they are red and green...that's going to be easy but I bought some beautiful crushed velvet black and I have some red and green to decorate it with. I am sort of excited to get started but she is in a growth spurt right now so I am going to wait a couple of weeks before I begin. Since I am leaving in November for Singapore and then New Zealand, I need to get all my Christmas stuff done. But I can take a little break from the sewing stuff.
I am on my last dose decrease of steroids so for four more days, I will be on the last phase of weaning off. I can already tell a difference. My joints are killing me but at least I am not having those contractions in my muscles. My neurologists has my MS med dose at that place where I can tolerate the side effects and still reap the benefits. I'm walking better, seeing color again, and my hearing is much better too. I will never go off of it again...I know, famous last words. And, if all goes well I'll get the shingles shot in two weeks and hopefully, I won't have to make the decision to suffer the shingles, which are so very painful, or come out of the remission of the MS...sadly, I have MS and RA, both autoimmune diseases that are treated with biologicals that can and do decrease my immune responses so I do get everything and that is why the shingles come back so much...damnit. Anyway, hopefully the shot will help.
Today's lunch menu is going to be shrimp tacos. I love fish and shrimp tacos and since I can only eat one taco of any kind of meat, might as well make is protein rich. My husband's blood sugar is going back up and he is going for his surgery in early October which is in like two weeks, so I am about to throw my hands up and say I give up. Just when we thought we were doing everything right, he eats a donut. Or, he eats a candy bar. He swears it is because the meds are not working and no matter how much I try to explain that the meds work only if he contributes by not eating simplified sugars, he still thinks the meds should make it where he can eat the sugar. If this keeps up, he won't get the cornea. I am so angry at him but you know I can only do what I can do. I got so frustrated with him last night that I told him that he is killing himself and making me sit and watch and he said it's the meds and finally I walked away. After I cooled off, I came back and told him that I was not going to interfere with his suicide. That, if he wanted to die a slow death by diabetes, I would let him. But, I did tell him to keep it to himself...I don't want to know what your blood sugar is; I don't want to know what the doctor says; and I don't want to hear him complain about feeling bad. Then I told him I loved him and hope he chooses instead to live but if not, I understand.
I have a waist band ready to go into a pair of pants and have it folded neatly on my coffee table...and it is pressed and the threads all cut off nicely and the pants are ready for the band too and then I go to the bathroom to wash my glasses and come back and my fat cat has decided to take a nap on the band...I am letting her sleep The pants can wait.
Ladies, I know you are all struggling with various issues from sleep deprivation to family issues and I hope you all get some much needed relief. We are saying good bye to summer and hello fall and as the days shorten and the nights bring on the frost, I am reminded again of the change that happens in cycles and how it was just yesterday, all of us were young girls playing hopscotch, jumping rope, yelling across the street at our friends and then a new season came and we were teenagers, then young women, and then moms and then real grown ups and now we are on the down side of that cycle...if I sit quietly, I can still me hear my friends on the playground...today, we should all spend a minute or two thinking back and remembering how fantastic we were....and are. Ladies, rock today like it's 1969...for real.
Good morning Jeannie and everyone....
Jeannie...I am glad the MS is settling down some. You must have been in such horrible pain, not hearing or seeing properly. Then on top of that you have RA. I don't know how you do all the things to do! I need to quit whining about my pain!! I too hope you can get the shingles vaccine so you won't have to deal with that again!
The bikers leave today...it will be peaceful once again in your town. I personally would have loved to have been there. I have so many biker friends and I really enjoy the rallies. I can see how disrupting it can be for you and others in your community.
The clothes you sew all sound just beautiful. I am sure your granddaughter will not only sound beautiful but will look beautiful as well!! You brag all you want. She is someone special and deserves to be bragged about. I would love to hear her myself!!
As for your husband...GOOD FOR YOU!! If he doesn't want to do it right that is his choice. You have done all you can to help him. I wish him well. You told him where you stand and now he can do it his way! We all know where that leads!!!
I hate saying goodbye to Summer. I do love Fall!!! It is what is after Fall that I don't like. I dread it more every year!!
I don't care to look back...I can only look ahead. Too much heartache in those younger years. I know you understand.
Have a wonderful day!!!
I love you
.....HUGS....connie d
Sweet Connie,
MS usually doesn't hurt unless I don't take my meds or I have flares. I went years with not one flare. The RA does hurt, but no more or less than anyone with any other type of inflammatory disease. The truth is my RA meds and MS meds are easily interchanged and when not they are compatible. There are treatments for both; although no cure, it is much better for me than someone who has fibro. Most doctors won't even treat someone with fibro so I feel advantaged to have a disease they will at least treat. One of my dear friends has fibro and the doctors won't give her enough pain meds to even treat the symptoms. I always admire you for all you have been through and yet you keep right on going and not just going but encouraging others...I'm no hero but you, my dear,are....I love fall too. I cannot wait until the trees are in their full colors.
Good morning everyone....
It is another beautiful sunny day here today. I am planning on getting out and walking soon. The temp is only about 70 and the humidity is much lower then yesterday at this time. I enjoyed being out so much yesterday!!
My Carrie, and her husband, Greg have a large sailboat on Lake Pepin. The lake boarders Minnesota and Wisconsin. Their yacht club is closer to the border between the two. Jamie and Megan are celebrating their Anniversary this weekend and were in Pepin last night. Anyway my two daughters and the everyone are meeting for brunch today. I wish I could have been there!! I know it will be a wonderful fun time!
That is about all for me. Walking, reading and movies. Maybe watching football too.
Have a blessed and beautiful day!!
Prayers for all our special OFF Family and their families. Special prayers for those in need. I did have a special time in prayer with GOD this morning.
Loads of love and bunches of hugs to all...connie d
Good morning Jeannie and OFF-
Cold this morning. Tempted to light a fire in fireplace to take chill off. We'll see.
Today it the final push for getting things organized and ready to mover. Movers will be here at 8 am tomorrow. Probably will toss and turn tonight as I think of things I haven't packed or not yet done.
Jeannie I am glad your meds are getting balanced out again. Hope you get that shingles vacinnation as soon as possible also all the flu and other things needed. When I was in Shanghai on business many years ago my hosts took me to a wonderful art museum that has an exquisite collection of Early Chinese art. So much of there culture was destroyed during Mao's tenure as premier but this museum survived.
Not much else new here in Maine other than nerves about the movers coming and the cold. Eileen I had quotes from three movers and checked them all out with BBB. These people are associated with Allied. I am a little nervous that I they don't have a south bound truck but I will clarify that tomorrow as the contract states 7-10 days after pick-up for delivery.
Vickie I hope you enjoy the show today with Benny and Carrie. And then I hope you get some solitude. I agree with Eileen maybe you could find an aerobed for when Carrie comes of put a small sleeper sofa in your Mom's second room for guests. My mother had one that was the size of a love seat and openned into a twin bed. I'm still on the fence about moving my sleeper sofa but think I will move it as one of my bedrooms is going to be my home office.
Connie hope the humidity drops today and that you can get out for a walk in the cooler temps. Trish hope you are enjoying your restful weekend. Since I have satelitte TV with New York stations they are covering the Pope's visit heavily. Bet you are glad that you're not in Philly at the moment as they have lots of roadways closed for his visit today. Mary hope your daughter was able to visit and help with rearranging furniture. Kathy perhaps you need to take Jeannie approach with Jim, if you want to kill yourself don't do it in my presence or complain about it in my presence. Jeannie I think that was a very mature way of handling it with your husband. My cousin is diabetic and she simply refuses to eliminate certain foods from her diet and expects the meds and insulin to take care of it. Carla hope you are enjoying the visit with Vinnie. She's adorable. Judy hope the mad house is calm this weekend so you can have time off.
Well ladies, break time is over back to the sorting and stacking game. Lots of different piles in the house today, I'll try to post some pictures.
Cindi B
Hello Cindi....so did you give in and light a fire? I would have...that was always my comfy safe place.
Tomorrow is THE DAY!! I am sure you are very much finished and ready for the movers to come in the morning. I do understand how the night before this kind of big event can keep us awake and thinking. I hope you can manage a decent amount of sleep.
I hope the humidity goes down again today. It was so lovely outside later in the afternoon. I was so happy being out in the fresh air!! The humidity is already lower now then was yesterday at this time. I think I will try to go out soon as it is supposed to get much warmer later.
You have a good day today....be careful and watch for the streaker!!! He will have to give that up soon because of the colder weather coming that way...LOL!
Much love and many hugs....connie d
Cindi,
I spent a couple of weeks in China a couple of years ago and was supposed to go back for three weeks this semester but my MS flared up so much, I couldn't go. I am sending one of my PhD students there this summer for six weeks and I will go for a week to get her situated. I cannot wait to go to Singapore because it is China that has more English speakers than not...I went to Confucius home and his tomb when I was in China and the art that survived all the dynasties after him was just breathtaking. I love going to countries that are so much more civilized over longer periods of time than we are...they offer so much. Have fun sorting and stacking
Jeannie- I got Singapore confused with Shanghai. I never got to Singapore but maybe some day. I agree about other countries, we are the new world, they are the old world. I am continually amazed when visit European cathedrals and buildings that survived WWII and were built before there were laser levels and CADCAM systems.
Back to the sorting it's almost done. Have to clear the kitchen counters and table so they have work space to pack the china and crystal. A hot shower and Alieve will be the perscription for tonight.
Cindi
Good Morning Jeannie & my OFF Family!
Jeannie, I loved your post! I often think and even talk about the cycles of life and it is always surprising how fast time has gone. I may not look it, but often feel 35-40 in my head! I remember my dad saying he 'was on his way down the mountain' as he celebrated birthdays after 50...I can't believe I am this old! Yes, our past is close by...I can still remember 1969 very well even though I was only 12.
I also liked how you handled your husband in terms of his sugar issue. I wanted to respond to many of the fantastic posts I received in response to Jim's emergency the other night. I hate smoking - I have never been a smoker myself except for some dabbling with weed in my teens. Jim's smoking & driving have been our biggest marital issues. I have attempted to 'put my foot down' through the years to no avail. He did begin to make some changes when he got scared by my cancer in 2012...he went from 4 packs/daily down to about one. Then he tried the patch, but to this day smokes with it on! He has been trying electronic cigarettes lately so I have to support he is trying to change as I do understand nicotine is reportedly the most addictive drug out there. Still, it is slowly killing him the same way my obesity was slowly killing me.
My problem with Jim...which I really have not disclosed up to this point...is that he has experienced some brain damage over the years that has resulted in his inability to comprehend things the way a more competent adult can. The damage is the result of several factors starting with a few severe motorcycle accidents when he was younger...bad concussions... in addition to seizures when he was drinking, his excessive drug use, his many current medications, and some of his medical problems/numerous surgeries. His short-term memory is about gone. He leaves the house 10 times if I do not make sure he has his hat, sunglasses, wallet, paperwork, etc. Yet he can perform so well in other areas...it is bizarre!
So while I try to 'put my foot down' I find it is hard to 'keep it down' due to what I consider his 'extenuating' health problems. I have pretty much resigned myself to the fact I will outlive him even though he is a few years younger than me. Yes, his 34 year old son has lung cancer and refuses to seek treatment, and he is a heavy smoker. You would think this would serve as a deterrent to Jim, but I think the stress of dealing w/his son's decision drives him to smoke more. It is such a complicated situation, and at times I feel like I am raising 2 children. Kudos to all of us women who have had to or who are dealing with watching the men we have chosen to love destroy themselves: Jeannie's description of a slow suicide is exactly what they are doing!
Anyhow, Jeannie...glad you are feeling better and taking care of YOURself. I hear you about the bikers convention...we deal with that twice a year with Nascar. We can even hear the racecars practicing because we are so close to the track. We are a small town and the influx of traffic, rowdy fans, and the noise is a pain in the butt. I am always glad when they leave. Also, my hearing is such that I cannot tolerate loud noises well anymore. Those loud motorcycles or cars actually HURT my ears! I hate them!
Connie, so glad to see you posting everyday again! I hope you are feeling better both emotionally and physically. You have such a kind heart. It is not fair to hear you are hurting or depressed...
Cindi, bet you are getting so excited about moving south! Sounds like you still have a lot of ground to cover between getting to the doctor and to see your mom, but TX must feel close enough to touch. I am praying for a safe and uneventful trip. And get ready for some heat!!!
Trish, I found your post about the parade and 'small town doings' interesting. We used to do so much in Philly growing up...Mummer's on New Year's Day....4th of July at Penn's Landing, etc. that I really thought some of the stuff they showed in movies was fake. No one really lived in a town who did stuff like they showed! But DANG, they do it here! Throw candy from parade floats...LOTS of candy...the local politicians and bigwigs will come over and shake your hand as they walk in the parade, you can get a 'front row seat' for your lawn chair b/c even though most of the town turns out it is still small enough to accommodate everyone, Jazz has marched in several parades since she is in various clubs and groups like chorus & cheer, and you actually see loads of ppl you know! I just love it, and try to attend every parade we have.
Vickie, I hope you enjoyed your time w/ 'your crew' and you enjoy the show today. Sounds like such a fun weekend!
Well. today is my last day of my 'old eating!' I go on the liquid diet tomorrow for 2 weeks. I must confess I have been eating a lot of stuff I shouldn't in large quantities...like 4 slices of banana bread last night! I have been off course calorie and carb-wise, but I am not beating myself up too much b/c I know it is nerves, and I am still (this cracks me up about myself!) eating my protein first...even if it is 6 or 7 ounces instead of 3, my vegtables and fruit...again 2 or 3 helpings, and my carbs...again in excess. Have been up around 2000 calories/daily from 1600 or below...my body will not be happy when I drop to my required 750 tomorrow. I see more cranky coming on...lol!
So wish me luck...you are all veterans and I know you can relate and feel my anticipated 'pain' at going through this phase!
Love and thoughts to you all...such a wonderful group of women!
Kathy
