Chit Chat for July 2024

[panthera66]

poppin in a quick hello, its been so busy lately. after 8 years i have managed to get an appointment with my own dr on Monday!! Let hope she is ready for a run through of the last 8 years.

Me and my sister have been away and returned, the weather was so sunny and hot but now its dull and raining again in July!
We have been on 2 days trips and we have several more to do before christmas. I had to apply for a new benefit and hopefuly i shall hear what i will get etc next week, its been 4 weeks so far with only carers allowance so i am dipping into saving at the minute to pay for bills etc, fingers crossed not much longer.

Have a lovely weeknd everyone.

[Huronna]

Hope things work out for you Tilly.
It's not easy taking care of anyone, not physically, mentally or financially. You are one in a million.
It's always great seeing you here.
8 years without an appt, I hope you have everything written down so you don't forget anything LOL

[panthera66]

Jul 12, 2024 9:42:23 GMT -5 Huronna said:

Hope things work out for you Tilly.
It's not easy taking care of anyone, not physically, mentally or financially. You are one in a million.
It's always great seeing you here.
8 years without an appt, I hope you have everything written down so you don't forget anything LOL

Thank you so much,  yes looking after someone particularly family has its good times and bad times..
Yes 8 years since i have seen a Dr,  I see the Diabetic nurses twice a year for catch ups and review, if anything goes to the DR i have been getting phone calls from the receptionists to say things are satisfactory, or need follow ups, but not actually see the Dr..  Crazy really but that's how it is for lots in the UK at the minute.. 
Our Benefit system in the UK has changed over the years and i was getting what they call a Legacy Benefit Income Support (one that's been around for 30 or more years) because of this they want to make things simple so the change is to Universal Credit (a benefit that gives you all your benefits in one.) and this sadly takes 5 weeks or more to sort.  Once i have it i can then transfer the money back to my saving its just waiting for it. Thank goodness i have savings and i am fairly sensible with money these days..

[Huronna]

Tilly, it's not so unusual. In my clinic I have only seen a PA for a zillion years. Now my dermatologist is and actual Doc. But her many times it's the PA or nurse practitioner that does all the heavy work. Clinics get their license through a doctor but you barely see them.

[Huronna]

I know this has nothing to do with animation or graphics, except it was through the graphic sites that I met many people.
One group was the "skunk" people.  People that has pet skunks, just like us with the pet ferrets.
Back in 2006 there was the National Skunk  Show which was held in Tampa, Florida.
I knew some of the people attending thought the internet.  So I decided to meet them in person.
Well no only did I meet them, but I met their shunks.  I was amazed at the different variety of colors.
From Albino to solid black, no stripe.  I went crazy with my camera and I was also asked by one of the people if I could help her show her skunks.
So soft and friendly.
Anyway here is a collage of the different colors for those who are used to only hearing about the normal colored skunk.
click to see better

[Smilyn]

Hello to everyone... I'm popping in when I should be doing other things becasue if I don't, I woill forget. My forgetter is working real well lately.

I threw out my lower back a few days ago and then had agonizing gut pain on top of that for the last three nights. Research says I have to stop eating watermelon and pineapple; I did not know they were leaky gut triggers. Shoot. But I will do anything to avoid the tripple whammy of lower back, breast and gut pain. Breast pain is due to the overall edema issues I have had - especially in summer - since Long Covid. It's worse since they took me off my hormones, my ankles are swollen a lot, even elevating and avoiding salt. The thing is; my "breasts"are now made of folded dermal layers of skin under a top layer of skin. That skin is holding fluid too. And where it is folded into a corner it's hard for fluid to get out. It feels like rocks under the skin there. I am one month away from my follow up visit with my surgeon and doing what I can. Gonna be much more careful with fruit!

Yesterday was my mothers birthday; I have been thinking of her now that my brother is also gone to join her, my dad and my grandmother. In a week it will be the first anniversary of Zak's death; that one really hurts. I still don't know any details nor why I was not allowed at the funeral. It's made me a bit sad.

Steve's nose has healed up a bit from his fall the night of the 4th, ho bandages anymore, but he has a shelf there now that is just sad; a testament to the poor care at our local VA we had heard of but not experienced. The dr said he needed stitches then changed his mind and only applied steri strips which were layered with bacitracin even though he told us not to. Stitches would have left the bridge of his nose flat. This new ledge will direct sweat sideways into eye sockets. I tried so hard to tape it flatter when those slippery strips came off. But I think we should have gone to an urgent care to see if he could still get stitches. Grr.

Typing is hard on back and chest so I will go. I'm leaving good wishes for cool and health and safety for all. And HUGS!

[Huronna]

Milyn, sorry to hear about your back, hope it is better by now. Maybe Steve's nose is till swollen and it will heal better in time,
meeting a friend for dinner tonight after I see my trainer. haven't seen her in months.
Things are still busy here, Joe has gotten a new PT contract at a closer facility than the VA. It's less than a mile away. Hoping they can push him because he needs a kick in the butt sometimes.

[Flagryl]

Oh dear, back issues are the worst Milyn...and on top of what you are dealing with certainly unwelcome!! I hope you are better and Steve continues to improve. Geeze Louise, how long is it going to take for the breast tissue settle itself and heal properly?
Tilly, glad you are up to date on taking care of yourself!!!

Huronna, being closer to PT will help so I hope Joe improves with the help. How are you doing? Rockin' with the tubes and AI I see.

I'm almost 6 wks out and doing well. I did overdo it at PT on Tues, my fault because I took 1/2 pain med before. Iced it when I got home. Didn't feel well. Temp 99 and I run cold w/98.2 or .4. Iced it the rest of the night and was okay by morn. Inflammation. Will take better stock in the future. Had a post-op w/my PC today and my 6 wk post-op w/surgeon is next Tue. Moving right along.


Bought some great coffee from my new Keurig-like coffee pot. Much better than the k-cups.

Silk, how are you? I assume your family is home by now. Grassy, your party sounds fun. How are you?

[Huronna]

I love my Keurig. I only drink one mug a day and sometimes it lasts me for hours, In fact its will on my desk and has about 1/4 left. Not bad even if Room Temp.
This is my last order, I love different flavors,

Joe had his first PT session today at the new facility. Two things did not impress me (I'm hard to impress) one there was 30 minutes of paper work to fill out and it could very well have been sent by e-mail so we would have had it ready or even sent so I would be able to e-mail it back to them. There was time, as it was 2 weeks from when we got the appt to the appt. The second thing was the door to get into the clinic. You had to pull it out to you to get in, no automatic door. Yes I did mention this after all they are dealing with handicapped people in a manner of speaking. The people were personal, the place as clean and the tech that worked with Joe was quite good and informative in what she was doing with him and why. A lot was for base line and evaluation. The actual appt was an hour. And they were able to schedule the next 3 weeks while we were there. that was good because I had the appt book with me to make sure there was no conflict of appts. AND it's less than a mile from the house.

[Mary]

I ordered several things on prime day the other day (Since CDO is closed..I have extra now LOL) I got a new Kuerig hot/iced coffee maker and also some refreshers I can make in it. Pineapple and something else...passion fruit maybe? And some collagen retinal and hyaluronic acid creme and some teeth whitening strips.

I put chicken breasts and a little bit of mustard, some brown sugar and BBQ sauce in the crock pot today. We're gonna try pulled chicken sandwiches tonight. Syd gave her thumbs up so we're trying it. She is the pickiest eater (next to her Dad) that I have ever seen. She has a problem with textures but she is partly made of chicken with all of the chicken she has eaten over the years. We had a sloppy joe pasta the other night that had green peppers (actually he bought a thing of pre chopped fajita veggies at Wal-Mart). She loved that stuff. We decided it needed a little sprinkle of parmesan added to it. Of course nobody got up to get the parmesan cheese out so we didn't try it. Next time.

You are a rock star Flagryl! Moving right along.

Milyn still sending you love and gentle hugs!

Along with everyone else!

I made an eye appointment as I was out of contacts, at least for my right eye and just as I was ready to see if I could get more, I got an email telling me it was time to schedule. They couldn't get me in til the first week of September. I am going to get new glasses along with my contacts this year.I also finally got an appointment with my previous neurologist (the one that I saw for years and years). He left his practice he had with his Dad (he got sentenced to prison for prescribing too many pain killers)..the Dad did. He is incarcerated in Texas.
I go there in August, the first Monday I think.

I haven't been around much. Been keeping busy at the Zone when I feel like PSPing.

[Huronna]

The Zone can keep you busy, I don't even have time to look at the challenges, let alone do them. I do look at all the new posts to see if there is anything I need to check out and of course I daily do trivia. I'm usually busy there when they have auctions LOL. I used to do their contests , but I don't think they have had them in a while , especially since all the PTU sights have bit the dust. So many free AI images that are just gorgeous. Well I think ANn just put up a few new ones, so I best go grab what I think will be popular.

Oh I love chicken also. I probably am half chicken like Syd. Cluck cluck
Thanks interesting about your old neurologist father

[Flagryl]

We do alot of grilling and baking and like this chicken marinade. I fork the breasts and marinate all day. www.momontimeout.com/the-best-chicken-marinade-recipe/ There are some steak marinades like this one, one on this site.

Most of our docs/pt's have portals where you can update info and to the preliminaries. I did have to answer a few questions, took 2 min, before my first PT session for shoulder but it was aimed at how I was doing that morning.

I'm loving those Ann tubes Huronna, thank you! I used to do the challenges at the Zone several years ago, and I've missed them since they were eliminated. I see no challenge or benefit to doing the Swap whatever or what they have there today. Not interested in the tuts either.

Don't feel like a rock star Mary, this recovery stuff gets old. Getting tired of it and can't imagine how Milyn is doing.

[Mary]

Me either! But YOU are a rock star to me!

Pulled chicken was good. Syd's comment...it tastes like I am CHEWING SAND. What??

[Flagryl]

It was probably over done and too dry, that will happen if it cooks too long. I ve done that. Try this, high heat cafedelites.com/oven-baked-chicken-breast/

[silk]

Good morning friends .
My best wishes to you Milyn with better days to come.
Flagryl...glad to learn that you are doing reasonably well except for some hiccups. You are amazing. The marinade sounds delicious. Ben made Chicken Schnitzels for us to freeze.
It was nice having the family. Last night we thought we'd have to call an ambulance for me but thankfully the pain subsided and I got some sleep. The night before I was up the entire night. Ugh!
Huronna good to know that Joe is having more PT. I was astounded when I discovered that my Med clinic had no facility for the disabled and nor did pathology.
I love the Skunk pictures...I saw one in Canada. It was black.
Mary...Sid reminds me of me with food. Chicken breasts are hard to get just right. I tend to use thigh fillets but will try the marinade.
Love to you all.

[Huronna]

Good morning Silk, so great to see you drop in. So sorry that you are in so much pain, wish there was something I could do, now where the heck is my magic wand?
I too was surprised at the various colors of the skunks, I had never imagined that. One lady had 36 of them and she brought a big play pen and set it up.. I think she only had about 12 with her and she would let people , one at a time, go in the pen and sit and play with the skunks. Of course I did, you know me and animals. They were all gentle and very sleepy also.
My favorite foods are chicken breasts, I don't care for the dark meat and I refuse to eat wings, I don't like fighting with my food and bones are not my favorite food. And then Salads and then Pasta.
ANd of course some pinot grigio.
I investigated s new gym yesterday and believe me I was intimidated. I have been to many of them, Used to go with Bill when in LA also, but this is a fairly new one, call Eos. I swear it was as big as a city block. They had a swimming pool, hot tubs, sauna, a room of huge massage chairs, they even had a room that showed movies, but no seats, it was all treadmills. so many machine and whatever you could imagine., but I was surprised when they didn't have or didn't even know what a recumbent elliptical was. They had to google , Anyway, I think the oldest person in the gym might have been 35. And then of course they were very pushy which didn't impress me either. So I finally had to walk out with them following me with new proposals , telling them I would think about it. It was also hard to get out of the parking lot (which was also huge) and get back on the road, If you have ever been to LA Fitness, that place is small in comparison to Eos.

[Flagryl]

It hurts my heart to know you've been in so much pain Silk. I wish I could take it away. Yes, chicken breasts are perhaps the most challenging to cook properly. I have to nag at John and keep reminding him to grill over high heat and not keep turning because you end up with steamed chicken if it isn't browned properly, then it gets dry and chews like sand when it's shredded like Syd said. Plus it's tasteless. If you're grilling it or frying on the stovetop, it's probably best to use canola oil and not olive oil if you want to seal and brown it. Gotta seal it first.

That gym sounds wonderful but that fact they had to google "recumbent elliptical" tells me they are not set up for seniors. Our YMCA is small but is senior friendly, though dominated by the younger set. Friendly tho. I like their recumbents.

We saw John's neurologist yesterday and learned something interesting. John still writes about wine and tastes all the wines in his column. But even though he's cut back, he sometimes thinks about stopping. It's a lot of work. Anyhoo, doc said that while alcohol is not good for the brain some moderate wine drinking [no overall benefit in drinking red] may be helpful for seniors because of the relationship between olfactory senses and brain stimulation. Not scientifically confirmed but suggested. Now, if you just drink without enjoying the aroma and discerning the tastes that may be a different story. Like throwing down shots, LOL.

My good right arm muscles are complaining to me, need to stop over use. That's all I got, hope you all have a good weekend. We bought a roasted chicken, no issues with cooking...LOL

[Grassy]

Greetings, my most precious Tigerlilies! What's up?
How is everyone?

Smilyn, I am sending love and continued prayers. How is your back? How is your recovery going? How is Steve's nose?

Silk, family visiting must have been lovely! How are you doing? I am so sorry for your pain. I wish I could fix it. 

Flagryl, your recovery sounds amazing. It's so hard not to overdo it when we want to be back to 100.

Tilly, how are you doing?

Huronna, the skunks are adorable! I had no idea there were so many varieties! I am glad for the PT and that it is so close. The gym sounds cool, but I can see where it would be intimidating.

Mary, I am a huge texture eater too, so I totally understand where Syd is coming from. It's why I dislike liver. I love the taste, but I cannot get past that texture. I do love chicken. Wings are my favorite - the flat ones. Yum City!

How is everyone?

My little Mama turned 90 yesterday, so we had a little party for her. We had her favorite doughnuts. Sid realized e were out of butter, so he is making a fruitcake to give her next week. She loves fruitcake.
I have been practicing a ton of self care. I joined a women's group, and I got a sponsor for AA so I can re-do everything with that. Even though I have ten years sober from alcohol, I think I need to practice more emotional sobriety to put some other things and character defects to rest. I gotta put in the work.
And I intend to sit down today and do my nails and also work in PSP. I need to get my auction things out. Ha Ha, I cleaned my bathroom this morning so the housework is already done.

[Grassy]

You posted when I was writing, Flagryl. I am fascinated by the senses. What you said abou9t olfactory sense is really interesting to me. And alcohol. I have no concept of normal drinking because I don't drink normally so that was very interesting.

[Flagryl]

Oh Grassy, you continue to amaze me with your efforts to improve yourself and your life. Huge kudos to you! Happy birthday to your mom, 90 is awesome. I'm so glad you realize your issues w/alcohol, bless you. Yes, drinking to drink is very different from drinking to taste. I'm not imbibing now, haven't for the past 6 weeks or so while I'm on pain meds. I'm so sensitive and even taking 1/2 tab 10 hrs apart, still can't do it. I did taste, only taste a wine John had and that was it.

Okay, back to food. Cooking chicken cutlets or even chicken piccata is an artform I aspire to. It's work because of the timing but the sauce in the piccata can be forgiving.

I've just concocted the best sandwich. We buy Sprouts Seedsational baguettes, so start with their multi-grain. Spread Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, thin slices of white cheddar cheese and tomato, lettuce and bit of Mayo on the other bread slice. Be sure to salt the tomato. Yum City.

[Grassy]

You are so kind Flagryl! I am trying hard to be the best version of myself.

Your sandwich does indeed sound Yum City! I love tomatoes so much! And cheese! We just had a very lovely smoked Swiss. So lovely and creamy. I think the brand was Red Apple or something like that.

[Huronna]

Wow Grassy, and a Happy Birthday to your amazing Mama. I cringe thinking that my next is 80, where has the time gone.

Well today a wonderful young man was at our hours for about 3 hours. He details cars in his spare time. We had him once before and it sure was time again, as Joe car was in sad shape on the inside.
Not really sure how old he is, but his maturity is a lot higher than his ago. He lives in our development and does this in his spare time, and is not only amazing but takes to time to chat better than an adult. He had already done tow cars in the morning. and kept us informed about his arrival time . And his messages we perfecto, not one typo, not like me. His mom really did a great job with him and should really be proud.

[Huronna]

What a game, I just got finished watching the WNBA all stars play against the USA Olympic Team and the WBA all stars with all their rookies, won!! It was really good watching Caitlin clark and angel Reese playing together rather than as opponents .

Well tomorrow we are taking a ride to Sarasota to check out the place that our friends rented for the month of Feb. They are the friends that for the past two years have stayed in our house while we were on cruises. And I think for the four or five years prior to that they rented places and we would visit them. But I googled this place and it really looks like a real dump. So we decided to go actually check it out in person. myabe the realtor photos showed one thing and googling showed something different. we will find out for sure.

[Bubs]

We watched and enjoyed the game too Huronna.
Wishing everyone a very relaxing Sunday.
(((HUGS)))

[Grassy]

We watched and enjoyed that game too. We love all things WNBA. I always get Sid the League Pass so he can watch the Minnesota Lynx since they are on Bally and we don't have that channel so we have to buy the pass. But he also loves the Fever and the Mercury and the Sky.

What is happening today? Nothing here. Getting excited for the Olympics. I love the Olympics so much.