Tuesday, February 15, 2022

So I told the core family members that Mike and I are getting married (DS, 2 DDs, and 2 SILs). As expected all females were thrilled but DS had a meltdown. Sort of also expected but I'd hoped not. In the first call he said it was a lot to process, started crying, told me he loved me and hung up. When he called me back a few hours later he was drunk, crying, and angry. He said he wasn't over his Dad or his sister (who passed away 17 years ago). I agreed that we would never be "over them". He said he was angry because he thought we had mended lately and now he thought it was just to butter him up. He did say that his reaction had nothing to do with Mike, that he liked Mike and he liked how Mike and me are together. The reaction was not out of character but hard to take. A piece of me went to bed last night wondering why I couldn't have left it all alone and not needed a marriage since clearly it is harder for many others to accept. DS said he had a therapist appointment on Friday and asked me if I could participate via zoom and I obviously agreed to that. Sigh.

Other news garnered during those calls: SIL in my Florida place has COVID. She is the one under treatment for lung cancer. She is fully vaccinated and had the extra strong booster but caught it from a friend of ours in Florida. That friend is the last person who you would think would have it as she is super careful and wears masks whenever she goes out because her husband is very vulnerable. It is just so contagious now! Luckily the woman's husband didn't catch it (though my SIL did). But my SIL is now afraid she passed it on as she went to a dance in the park with other friends on Saturday. I am really thinking that many many of us are catching it now and not knowing because SIL said she thought she just had a super minor cold or allergy starting Sunday and only tested because the friend had called about her positive test.

Not much else top of mind this morning. We had a good Valentines dinner at home until DS' called. This morning I am getting my hair cut and highlighted. I am nervous because I obviously have never been to this place and it will be the last time done prior to the wedding, But it is really long and needs a cut badly. I think my hairdresser at home left it longer than usual, maybe because I mentioned that I was thinking about growing the layers out a bit to vary the style at some point (but wasn't ready to commit with the traveling coming up).

Have a safe and healthy Tuesday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEPS!!!! Have a fantastic day!!!

I am off to Scrabble and other adventures soon. More later. DS

Happy Birthday to me!

Liz, sorry DS had a melt down, whether it was expected or not. It's sad that he has such emotional difficulties moving past loss. Though, I will say that for a few years after my mom died I wasn't all that eager for my dad to remarry!

We had Valentine burgers last night. It was what we both wanted, so why not, right? I had another spinal decompression treatment and was kind of wiped out. I didn't get around to groom Blitz, so I will have to do some after school and before dinner tonight.

Didn't sleep well again. Was up at 2:40, 3 something and again around 5:30. Luckily, I do fall back to sleep, but the interrupted sleep is unappreciated. Perhaps that is why I am feeling kind of blah....

Gotta run.... recess is over!

Update: The husband of the friend who gave SIL Covid is now testing positive as well. Apparently most of my friends in Florida have gotten it over the past few months. All are vaccinated and boosted and all have had fairly mild cases (mostly like a cold). So the vaccines work! If everyone wasn't so frightened of Covid or if there were no tests it seems like the majority of the cases for post-vaccinated/boosted people would have been dismissed as colds.

I believe you are right. I bet many positive cases were dismissed as colds. I think it's great that people are testing. The more we can document the population has had at least one variant, the sooner the fed, state and regional governing bodies will relax on mask mandates, etc.... A real return to mask-less life would be very much appreciated by this mask wearer!

I agree! In non-school life, having to show a Covid vaccination card and always wear a mask indoors in Hawaii was a pain. Arizona, Florida and even Massachusetts are mostly maskless (except for a few stores, medical offices, and of course schools at least in Mass).

1. I am so back to my energized, positive self. I think it is a combination of time, an exceptional therapist, and a fabulous support team. My tremendous tribe is a major component of that team ! I made lots of progress settling in today! I even Reikied and sage smudged my apartment!

Greetings all

Back from scrabble, ate too much for lunch and I want a nap. Might do it. DH came along and helped my friend with her new iPad. He should have been a teacher - he so loves this stuff. Meanwhile I played games with the other two who are such good players they can play two boards at once. Awesome skill. We came on home after that because the car with the new EV battery needed charging. And the dogs needed to go out. One event per day is enough for me.

Liz sorry you SIL has covid. I agree that probably a lot of colds are missed. However, people I know who feel like they have a cold go and get a covid test so who knows. With the new variant it seems more contagious. Something was making me sneeze - likely pollen, but it makes you wonder. We have home tests - the ones the government sent and also some other ones.

And Liz sorry your DH melted down over your wedding. He probably needed to melt down over a lot of things. Hoping he can move beyond it.

We did absolutely nothing for VD. I still have roses from our anniversary 10 days ago. Thats enough for me.

Not sure what's for dinner tonight. DH is making a store run so I hope he finds something convent. And warm. I am feeling chilled today and its windy - white caps on the bay - and I need a blanket.

There is a coast guard base near here and they fly around in their helicopters all the time. They just dis a low pass and woke up DH from his nap!. Noisy machines

Oh well, time for a nap. Hope you have a great day peps.

Glad you are feeling energized DianeO. Onward.

Diane S

Happy Birthday Peps! The tributes from your friends are very moving, and tell me you are rich in the things that really matter.

Your description of your class Valentine's activities brought back many happy memories. I loved decorating shoe boxes in all the Valentine's colors. One year my Mom and I made my box into a Conestoga Wagon, I felt so happy bringing that to school.

Diane O its awesome to hear your new home is bringing you so much joyous energy. I love the idea of saging. When my daughter went to Loyola they had Sister Jean (she's internet famous) come and bless their apartment, and toss a bit of holy water around. Rituals done with good intentions, it can only be good.

Liz, sorry about DS. I'm glad your reception is later this year, so he has some time to reach a more accepting emotion when you celebrate with your friends and family. A bright spot is even in his melt down he can say he likes Mike, and he likes how Mike treats you.

CC are you on the other side of the heatwave? Back to your "winter" clothes?

Diane S. I'm imagining your bliss with your new, sparkling, up to date bathroom. I think a hot shower is one of lives most elemental pleasures.

Shirl, I think you're off, at last on an adventure?

Yesterday we got Valentine's Day pedicures, and it was deliciously relaxing. We went for the full Monty with hot towels and various lovely scented scrubs and foot and calf massages. I made a simple pasta and we had a bottle of sparkling wine wed been saving. A few years ago my Aunt gave us 2 Tiffany champagne flutes, which up until now, we hadn't used. So we took those out of the China hutch and put them to use celebrating. So low key, but also special.

This weekend I got out some of my summer pants. They were washed, folded and stored in September/October. So that's why they are a little snug, right? Anyhow, I wore each pair for an hour or so to stretch them a little, and make sure they would hold up. All is well, there was a little give to make them more comfy. And my favorite white summer jeans, well I broke the zipper trying them on to take to San Diego. But less rushed, I examined the zipper, and I was able to fix it. Yeah!

The weather forecast for St. Pete beach is looking much better than it did last week. Coolish on Saturday, but very nice the rest of the week.

I went through my medical records and recorded my weight from each visit. What I found: post op years 3 -5, A slow but steady gain. Then I reached a weight and stayed there for 4 years. It was almost exactly 100 pounds from my pre surgery high. I would have liked to be thinner, but I felt okay, and I maintained it without a lot of deprivation. Then came cancer, and I've gained 20 or so. It makes me feel both sad and hopeful. Hopeful that if I lose 20 pounds( so far this month 4 lost) and got back to that weight, I could maintain it again. Sad to think about how hard this is!!! I eat less than most people any given day, and yet here I am fat again. I read about some of the mechanism why Tamoxofin messes with weight, and it may increase insulin. So I've been trying lower carb, and having some success. When we get back from vacation, I will start using my new gym membership. As always, giving up is never an option. Always looking to solve the puzzle of this complex disease.