what are you doing right now?

[finnime]

Good morning, indomitable invisipeeps, straightening up gardens and jobs and homes and relationships. Welcome to Monday, Indigenous Peoples Day and Leif Erikson Day, and Happy Thanksgiving to you, weltz. Get the turkey and make a sandwich with cranberry sauce and stuffing.

Today will be another day of sunshine and not hot weather, I'm happy to report. Got to love October.

I planted DD's mini rose yesterday in the front garden. It's been outside and flourishing in its pot.

DH has been planning day trips for us. The first will be to go leaf peeping in New Hampshire, then another day, by Cambridge, then another later day to the Cape to photograph boats and seals and the water. I'm glad he's feeling enthused. We talked yesterday about him making an appointment with his nephrologist and getting the surgery scheduled. It could be this month, but probably not; it will take more time to set up with the surgeon I'd think. We'll see. He's accepting it and is now willing to move ahead, knowing it's nontrivial.

I've got to figure out money in and out. It was an expensive August and September, unplanned when I first put together our budget. That seems so long ago now.

The sun rose yesterday at dawn again. It had been awhile since I've seen it in the early morning.

[chiver78]

good morning! I've been awake since about 430. although I am still in bed. I'll probably get moving soon.

[daisylu]

Oct 8, 2023 22:30:12 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Trying to psych myself up for a really busy week.  It's not working.

Same. Which is why I was up and working at 430 this morning. 

[daisylu]

This is the coldest morning in the house so far, 62 degrees, which doesn't sound so bad but here I am working a coat on and thinking about putting on gloves. 

DH just went out to hunt. I don't want to turn the heat on and disturb him, so I might just plug in my heated blanket.

[giramomma]

Oct 9, 2023 5:34:23 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Oct 8, 2023 22:30:12 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Trying to psych myself up for a really busy week.  It's not working.

Same. Which is why I was up and working at 430 this morning. 

Ugh.

[giramomma]

Double ugh. I have to pay for my MRI before I go. Usually I can do a payment plan.

Not today.

Goodbye almost 500 to keep me up right.

I did not have to pay this last year.

[daisylu]

Oct 9, 2023 6:45:54 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Double ugh. I have to pay for my MRI before I go. Usually I can do a payment plan.

Not today.

Goodbye almost 500 to keep me up right.

I did not have to pay this last year.

Ouch. 

[minnesotapaintlady]

Oct 9, 2023 6:00:56 GMT -5 daisylu said:

This is the coldest morning in the house so far, 62 degrees, which doesn't sound so bad but here I am working a coat on and thinking about putting on gloves. 

DH just went out to hunt. I don't want to turn the heat on and disturb him, so I might just plug in my heated blanket.

If he's gone hunting how will turning on the heat disturb him?  Actually, no matter what he's doing how will turning on the heat disturb him? 

[daisylu]

Oct 9, 2023 7:28:45 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Oct 9, 2023 6:00:56 GMT -5 daisylu said:

This is the coldest morning in the house so far, 62 degrees, which doesn't sound so bad but here I am working a coat on and thinking about putting on gloves. 

DH just went out to hunt. I don't want to turn the heat on and disturb him, so I might just plug in my heated blanket.

If he's gone hunting how will turning on the heat disturb him?  Actually, no matter what he's doing how will turning on the heat disturb him? 

He is hunting behind the house. Turning on the heat will cause the outside unit to run, which is also behind the house, and will scare any deer away. So not so much about disturbing husband but more likely the animals.

[Opti]

Moonshadow is happily crunching on his morning pellets. Put on the heat early morning as temp in the LR dropped to 69 degrees. Not ready for sweatpants weather but here it is. Temps are a little cooler than I expected but maybe they will go back up a little after the front is through.

Waiting for the wheeking signaling the end of the pellets and the request for hay. Need to wake up and do laundry, dishwasher, etc.

[jerseygirl]

Oct 9, 2023 7:32:40 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Oct 9, 2023 7:28:45 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

If he's gone hunting how will turning on the heat disturb him?  Actually, no matter what he's doing how will turning on the heat disturb him? 

He is hunting behind the house. Turning on the heat will cause the outside unit to run, which is also behind the house, and will scare any deer away. So not so much about disturbing husband but more likely the animals.

That’s close! Here in crowded NJ hunters need to stay 450 ft from houses. Still people who live near woods wear orange vests and also put on their pets.

[steph08]

It was 66 this morning in our house. I almost turned the heat on, but the kids are off today and have a friend over, so their running around will probably warm up the house pretty quick!   Or at least keep them warm. 

I'm unfortunately working - boo! Busy week here as my company tracks shopping events and this week is Prime Big Deal Days. 

[giramomma]

Oct 9, 2023 7:00:14 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Oct 9, 2023 6:45:54 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Double ugh. I have to pay for my MRI before I go. Usually I can do a payment plan.

Not today.

Goodbye almost 500 to keep me up right.

I did not have to pay this last year.

Ouch. 

250 was my deductible for the year, though.

I suppose I am grateful that it's october, and I just used my deductible.

Open enrollment is happening soon.  Maybe I'll put some money in a FSA account. I don't want to put in too much, as we are generally a healthy lot. $100 worth of pain relievers is too much...

And. Blegh. I am still smelling the MRI contrast.

[Opti]

I'm going to add to my FSA in the coming year as liquid Mucinex and Refresh eye drops add up. With the death of Harmon the discount retailer what I have to pay for Refresh and Zyrtec (or the generic) has gone way up. 

Hope the MRI isn't too bad.
Time for hay!

[daisylu]

Oct 9, 2023 8:31:28 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Oct 9, 2023 7:32:40 GMT -5 daisylu said:

He is hunting behind the house. Turning on the heat will cause the outside unit to run, which is also behind the house, and will scare any deer away. So not so much about disturbing husband but more likely the animals.

That’s close! Here in crowded NJ hunters need to stay 450 ft from houses. Still people who live near woods wear orange vests and also put on their pets.

We are rural. He is about a football field away from the house. 10 acres here to hunt, plus ILs have another 9 acres and neighbor has another 21 acres that he can hunt.

[chiver78]

I just scored a nearly brand-new $1800 snowblower for $1000! now I just need to figure out how to transport it. 

my dad's helping an older couple clear out their near hoarder-level house and storage units before the end of the month. he said they bought a shiny new Ariens model last year and used it once. electric start, gas-powered. um, yes please... with the forecasters saying we're going to make up for last year's mild winter? I'd rather have it and never need it. lol.. 

[anciana]

Oct 8, 2023 10:10:47 GMT -5 azucena said:

Oct 8, 2023 9:30:03 GMT -5 daisylu said:

No. I take both prescription and OTC. During summer I can normally get by with OTC, because sunlight. I need both in winter, because sun is scarce here - and that is with using my sun lamp. SAD is very real.

Never knew you could get Rx for it. I just take a multidose of otc. Like 4 pills instead of 1. And this week getting over cold, I've done 4 pills twice a day bc I know I get depleted when I get sick and it trashes my anxiety.

I was wondering if either of you had tried the liquid vitamin D supplement. I am getting tired of taking them in pills all the time and trying to find some in liquid form that I can just add to my drink. Something like this: NOW Supplements, Liquid Vitamin D-3, Strong Bones*, Structural Support*, 2-Ounce a.co/d/f6TF3XA
Or this: NOW Supplements, Liquid D-3 & MK-7 with 2,500 IU Vitamin D-3 & 100 mcg Vitamin K-2 per 5 drops, 1-Ounce www.amazon.com/dp/B07H1V2KM3?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_W4RVEBHP8FTR7ACB2WGX

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Funeral is today.

Dad says he feels bad/weird because he isn't mourning GU. He's been more upset about mom and reflecting on that.

I have too and so has Bob.

I said I think that's natural. Especially since you'd be turning to her for support and you're going to mourn your wife more than your uncle.

And to be frank it's a good mix of care taker fatigue and probably some PTSD.

They did us so dirty, especially my dad. Their entire elder care plan was him. I said it's 100% normal to not mourn right now.

I said I'm relieved. I'm sorry he's gone and I do feel bad things turned out the way he did but I can't make myself mourn.

I got it all out when this shit started. Now cold as it is I'm thinking one nightmare over and I'm grateful that's a monkey off my dad's back. Now maybe he can start healing and moving forward.

For me this is closure to a two year nightmare and I am also hoping that with one less brick maybe I can deal with a bruise or two from other bricks.

Plus I have to turn my attention 100% to grandma. Now nothing is standing in my way there it's where my mental energy needs to go.

[busymom]

If you've ever wondered about the frustrations of parenting an adult child with a disability, I'll share with you what happened here this morning.  Yup, it's a Monday.


DH was diagnosed with autism when he was a preschooler.  It was not just a school diagnosis, but it was a medical diagnosis done by a psychiatrist.  We've got tons of paperwork from his years in school (IEP's) and tons of other paperwork.  But, we're trying to get him in a work program here, and I found out today that the state government wants a copy of the original diagnosis, and probably because it was done over 20 years ago, the psychiatrist cannot find the paperwork.  But, I was able to find my copy of it in about 10 minutes.  Yes, I hang onto too much stuff, but there has been so many times that having paperwork has saved my butt that I'm not going to let anyone judge me.     And no, I don't trust "the cloud", and I've had a number of computers that have died and "eaten" paperwork, so paper copies it is for me.  

[anciana]

Oct 8, 2023 17:43:09 GMT -5 susana1954 said:

Rant here! I misread the handbook, and the HOA doesn't change the lightbulbs.  So today found me on a six-foot ladder on a sloped driveway changing the floodlights on my garage myself.  I had bought one of those extension things, but I ended up with a stick in my hand and the changer part dangling from the bulb.  So I had to get the ladder to get that down, which is why I changed them the old-fashioned way.  Fortunately, they are LEDs and are rated for 13 years.  And my neighbor did come out and spot me while on the ladder as I changed the second one.

I have a feeling my whole house with either be dark in 13 years or I will have a handyman on retainer!  These ceilings are really tall and almost none of them are open fixtures.  You have to remove covers everywhere.

And they call this a retirement community?

So glad your neighbor was there to spot you, that’s just not a good set up for a retirement community at all. I would hope they have a list of handyman they recommend or the neighbors might since you’re all in a similar situation.

[countrygirl2]

Never had anyone to help with DD since she was a kid. She has had to stay alone to many times. One time I had an outpatient surgery in Texas and wait for the anesthetic to wear off. I slept in a wheelchair till it did and than drove myself home. Thankfully, the hospital was just a few blocks from the house. A guy from work was with DD for awhile till I could get there. He helped me another time when I had to go to the ER for food poisoning. And yes, he was only a friend and a nice guy. Hubs knew about him helping.

So the 24th the day of DH's surgery her behavior case worker is going to be here at 10:30 and take her to lunch and out. Then she is going to get her Subway for dinner in case I'm still gone. So she won't have to try to fix her own. I look for them to keep hubs overnight, I won't stay because I do not leave her alone at night. But I doubt they keep him any longer than that and routine visits are fine she can go with me.

Then he has a catheter for I forget how many days now I will have to take him back and forth to the city for the doc. We do have the neighbor guy we can ask to help, but he is dealing with all kinds of issues with his wife, so only will in an emergency.'

It will all work out.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I dealt with that with my vaccination record for UNMC.

The whippersnapper nurse just couldn't understand why the pediatrician couldn't email them.

Because I was born in 1983! My records are in a warehouse guarded by top men!

I did have my card signed by the pediatrician they accepted that.

Then we had an argument about the chicken pox vaccination. Again what parts of born in the 80s do you not get? I had it before the vaccination came out.

It's a simple titer to prove I had it. A freaking older nurse had to explain it to her and that her poking me was a waste.

I made sure to get a copy of my records from employee health before I left. It's in the safe. Just easier to have the paper copy in case it comes up again.

[daisylu]

Oct 9, 2023 9:35:41 GMT -5 anciana said:

Oct 8, 2023 10:10:47 GMT -5 azucena said:

Never knew you could get Rx for it. I just take a multidose of otc. Like 4 pills instead of 1. And this week getting over cold, I've done 4 pills twice a day bc I know I get depleted when I get sick and it trashes my anxiety.

I was wondering if either of you had tried the liquid vitamin D supplement. I am getting tired of taking them in pills all the time and trying to find some in liquid form that I can just add to my drink. Something like this: NOW Supplements, Liquid Vitamin D-3, Strong Bones*, Structural Support*, 2-Ounce a.co/d/f6TF3XA
Or this: NOW Supplements, Liquid D-3 & MK-7 with 2,500 IU Vitamin D-3 & 100 mcg Vitamin K-2 per 5 drops, 1-Ounce www.amazon.com/dp/B07H1V2KM3?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_W4RVEBHP8FTR7ACB2WGX

Yes, I mostly take the liquid as OTC. Doctor recommended for better absorption.

[busymom]

I'm so sorry about your GU NomoreDramaQ1015.  And yes, burnout is a common problem with caretakers.  Your relatives are lucky to have you, but if you are able to, take a break when all of this settles down.  

[finnime]

Taking a break. I've been writing queries to prospective agents about my first novel and emailing them out. They each have somewhat different submission guidelines so it's a process.

[finnime]

Best to you, NomoreDramaQ1015. You're working hard ground with very lttle thanks. I'm glad the burden for your dad will be less.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Oct 9, 2023 10:06:52 GMT -5 finnime said:

Taking a break. I've been writing queries to prospective agents about my first novel and emailing them out. They each have somewhat different submission guidelines so it's a process.

If you get published you are aware you owe the YM community a free copy right?😉

[anciana]

Oct 9, 2023 9:48:46 GMT -5 daisylu said:

Oct 9, 2023 9:35:41 GMT -5 anciana said:

I was wondering if either of you had tried the liquid vitamin D supplement. I am getting tired of taking them in pills all the time and trying to find some in liquid form that I can just add to my drink. Something like this: NOW Supplements, Liquid Vitamin D-3, Strong Bones*, Structural Support*, 2-Ounce a.co/d/f6TF3XA
Or this: NOW Supplements, Liquid D-3 & MK-7 with 2,500 IU Vitamin D-3 & 100 mcg Vitamin K-2 per 5 drops, 1-Ounce www.amazon.com/dp/B07H1V2KM3?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_W4RVEBHP8FTR7ACB2WGX

Yes, I mostly take the liquid as OTC. Doctor recommended for better absorption.

Thank you, that makes sense.

[countrygirl2]

It is 59 out today, brrr.

I have done my routine morning chores. I need to do a lot more today but I got involved in a movie with Nicholas Cage called Vengeance so will finish watching it. I also have a sweet kitty, Smokey, asleep on my lap. And as we know we don't move and wake up a kitty sleeping.

[giramomma]

Oct 9, 2023 9:40:32 GMT -5 busymom said:

If you've ever wondered about the frustrations of parenting an adult child with a disability, I'll share with you what happened here this morning.  Yup, it's a Monday.


DH was diagnosed with autism when he was a preschooler.  It was not just a school diagnosis, but it was a medical diagnosis done by a psychiatrist.  We've got tons of paperwork from his years in school (IEP's) and tons of other paperwork.  But, we're trying to get him in a work program here, and I found out today that the state government wants a copy of the original diagnosis, and probably because it was done over 20 years ago, the psychiatrist cannot find the paperwork.  But, I was able to find my copy of it in about 10 minutes.  Yes, I hang onto too much stuff, but there has been so many times that having paperwork has saved my butt that I'm not going to let anyone judge me.     And no, I don't trust "the cloud", and I've had a number of computers that have died and "eaten" paperwork, so paper copies it is for me.  

One of my old clients was a young man with autism. He was transitioning out of HS and into the next phase when covid it. 

It was not an easy path for her. 

Hugs.