Tuesday, November 26, 2024

No weight today (at Universal). Everyone got here okay yesterday so we are meeting in about 2 hours to begin the exhausting day.

Tough news last night. My SIL called to tell me that my BIL (her youngest brother) had died suddenly of a heart attack. Christopher was only 65 and had always been a fitness nut and for the most part ate healthy. He hadn't had a drink in about 20 years and didn't smoke. He had some heart issues but they didn't sound that serious. He never married or had a partner but had lots of friends so many people to find. He died while taking a walk with his brother who he was visiting in Arizona. Lots of logistics for them to work through as he lived in Massachusetts and I assume will be buried there with his parents. His siblings have a challenge. I will likely be flying home for a few days next week. Calling my kids to tell them last night was a tough task.

I just saw in the news that Biden has proposed changing the Medicare law that prevents coverage for weight loss drugs. The new rule would supposedly only cover them for people with a BMI of 30 or higher which means those of us taking them for maintenance still wouldn't have access. In fact I wouldn't have qualified when I started taking them as I was overweight not obese. But the new administration may block it anyway.

Not much else to report. Hopefully my feet survive the day. Have a tippy Tuesday!

I'm sorry about your BIL. So unexpected when someone is otherwise healthy.

Had my dental cleaning and check up this morning. My dentist and hygienist were joking I was the worst kind of patient from a financial perspective. Ha! I thank my dad - we have the same great teeth.

Then my interior designer came with the installers to put in the banquette in the family room. It looks great! Still needs back pillows, a table and 2 chairs, but the bench part and seat cushion is here. They brought a few other pieces, took the dining chandelier shade away that's fabric was coming unglued, a mirror that was scratched to be re-glassed, hung a painting and a different mirror and some new accessories. It's coming together!

Then I went back to Costco. Grr. Got my prescription and updated my card that hasn't had my picture on it for 20+ years. The guy at the counter was so cute and flirty and winked at me when I left. Fun.

Regarding Medicare and weight loss drugs, politics is dirty business on all sides. When you see Medicare Part D premiums jump next year, it will be because the current administration created a program to push off increases to Medicare Part D (estimated to be 179% for the average plan) caused by the Inflation Reduction Act until after the election so it wouldn't hurt Biden/Harris. So even if Medicare covers very expensive weight loss drugs, you will still pay for it some way (ie higher premiums), just not at the pharmacy cash register.
https://amac.us/newsline/elections/biden-spent-billions-to-d elay-medicare-premiums-spike-protect-harris-campaign-before- election/

Anyway, Other than a meeting with the landscape guy, I have nothing else scheduled, but lots on a list to do.

Take care all!

147.5. I'll take it. The loss sure is slow going now!

I wonder if the rules for continuing on a GLP 1 would allow for maintenance meds. If not, that's crazy. They wouldn't make someone stop taking blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol meds once the drugs got them to therapeutic levels, the same should hold true for weight loss meds. The ignorance is frustrating!

Cleaning day, getting ready for the Thanksgiving crowd. DS3 will get here tomorrow, DSD and fiancé will get here Thursday morning, DC1 will come over Thursday and DS2 and bestie will get here Friday night! It will be a bit to juggle arrivals and activities with meals but it should all work out. DS2's bestie is staying over here Friday to avoid her family as long as possible as they have differing political views and the conversations make her uncomfortable. I'm glad we don't have that here. My kids snd I are on the same page politically but even if we were not, the conversation wouldn't go there! I really do feel bad for people that have a lot of family drama. Thankfully I have not had to deal with that much! Hugs to any of you that do, I know this time of year can be particularly stressful!

Have fun at Universal Liz and I want to see pics CC when your new decor is all done. How exciting!

A lot of work to have family coming and going for the holidays but so worth it. Reminders that life is short need to be heeded.

Our kids are also mostly on the same page with us politically which makes it easier. But I can't help but remember how my mother, a die-hard democrat, loved a heated political discussion. She and her friends could come away respecting each other even if their political views differed. Not so these days.

Hope you're having fun at Universal Liz. Does that hotel still come with Express Lane perks? That made a huge difference when we were there, many years ago.

CC, My dental history is the opposite of yours. My dentist has a racing boat on Lake Superior that runs on jet fuel. I have paid for a lot of jet fuel over the years! My teeth were terrible from the moment I began teething, and have cost a fortune. Luckily my speedboat racing dentist is very skilled, and while I've had a million root canals and crowns, I've only needed one implant so far.

Yes, politics and families can be painful. We have quite different views politically, and religiously than DH's siblings. I love that we love each other enough not to let this tear us apart. We all know where each of us stand on most issues, and I will admit to sometimes being perplexed as I'm sure I perplex them. But there are a million other topics to discuss at dinner, so we just don't go there. I am very thankful for the grace we give to each other.

A teacher had students write a thank you letter to anyone they wanted to in her class today. I got two letters. :) from students I had 2 years ago. It was a reminder that you don't always know what impact everyday kindness can have, because these were kids that I didn't need to do extraordinary things for. I liked them, and we had fun in class. That meant something to them. It made me so happy to know that they felt special. It gives me energy to keep going, and spread as much kindness as I can before my last year is done.

The cleaning is about as good as it's going to be. We have most of the groceries we need. I'll pick up a few things later tonight (like around 9pm when the crowds have dispersed). Another advantage of living in a metro area, if one store is out of something, there's another a few miles away in any direction. And tomorrow I can sleep until 8am if I like. Pretty sure I will like. :)

Claudia's teeth are like yours. She could not be more diligent and they seem to laugh at her efforts. She gets very annoyed with my dad and his twice a year flossing and perfect teeth at 83!

Enjoy your lie-in tomorrow!

Liz, I am so sorry to hear about the unexpected death of your family member. There is no easy way to lose someone, but the shock of a sudden death can hit so hard.

Greetings all

Sunny today but nippy. Ok by me. Started with Scrabble and our friend who just returned from Antarctica. Pictures of penguins. Sounded like a good trip except the grueling plane ride(s). That would do me in. Won one and lost two but not by much. Succumbed to the Shark. After that on to deliver payroll and then take some art to the gallery. Cheeseburger in between stops. I guess I will wander over to the gym even though I am looking for excuses not to.

Liz so sorry for the sudden passing of your BIL. Tough time for all family. Hope Universal is survivable and that the rest of your holiday is better.

Full house Paula! Sounds like a good time. Sounds like a time for eat - at -will and abandoning formalities during arrivals. How were the cheese buttons?

CC we all await home pictures!! Banquette!

We started watching Landman last night. Total testosterone festival much like Yellowstone. But still keeps attention even though one character did this thing that was so super macho that DH and I both started laughing. We will continue it I think.

Not much else. Turkey wrap tonight I think. Looking forward to the holiday gathering and grateful to not cook it.

Diane S

I already forgot about the cheese buttons! They are definitely forgettable! I made the dumpling wrappers a bit too thick. The innerds tasted okay. Depression food for sure. I may try them one more time and use wonton wrappers, ensuring they will be thinner!

Frankly, I am so tired of the political discourse in this country! It does seem to bring out the worst in people. Paula, I'm sorry your DS2's friend deals with familial strife over political views. I find that so disheartening and truly bothersome.

I recently read an interesting article on the scientific research being done to understand transgender, cisgender, and non binary gender identity. Fascinatingly, it seems that there can be a difference between biological/physical gender and chromosomal gender. Who knew??? This could help us understand the actual biology of the sexual/gender identity continuum. I sincerely hope that the research continues.

Speaking of WL meds.... seems I have been taking the drugs long enough that Orderly Meds has bumped me up to Loyalty Level and I'm getting a good break on the cost of tirzepatide now! Whoo hoo! BTW, FDA is keeping Semaglutide and Tirzepatide on the shortage list until further review. Next review is scheduled for December 19, 2024. Until then we are all safe. I did decide to order two months at once this time, though. With the significant break in cost, I figured why not?

Weight 217.7, so up just a few tenths. I'm getting really comfortable with the ebb and flow of my weight while it continues to trend downward. That was not so in the past. I used to get upset about any upward tick.

Two doses of amoxicillin on board. Sinuses are beginning to feel better, but the drainage is now kicking in to high gear. Blech...

Oops! Hours and Hours later I click on the open tab to find I never submitted my post....