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Post by nybuckeye on Mar 16, 2019 8:36:22 GMT
This is a thread devoted to those in their 50s & 60s and beyond who don't have children or grandchildren but live rich, full lives. Please feel free to join our stroll thru life and come back often for support and to share.
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Post by lizzyr092 on Mar 16, 2019 12:42:56 GMT
Good Morning Chicks and thanks for the start Chele.
Chele - so happy to know you are making such good improvement on feeling better! Please be careful as it is easy to relapse if you push too much with the uncertain weather of this time of year. We have been much like you weather-wise; 70 in the city yesterday and 40 this morning at home. Very glad about Iggy's new job and I hope it's good for him that it is close to home. Wicked week between a Magnet Appraiser's Survey for 4 days and the Dept. of Health popping in for a Title 18 survey which is now apparently going to resume on Monday! Went out with some folks from work last night to celebrate a promotion. Drank margaritas and ate a bit of calamari; couldn't sleep again between the cr*p from work and Zoe driving me crazy with her tail. Hope you have a nice restful weekend and the avatar and rainbow are beautiful!!
Linda - enjoyed the picture from the day before; many are dealing with colds and allergies here in the east. Weather continues to fluctuate like much of the country. So amazed at the snow bomb cyclone that hit the upper mid west! Hope those allergies are calming down even a little for you. Are you doing a 3 series or 5 series knee shots? My knees are both cranky but the right one is better than it had been. Any plans for the weekend? When is the next trip?
Kathy - how is the new retiree doing? I guess you've also been having some very iffy weather for this time of year. How are DM and DS? Have you set a date for your lunch and shopping?
Becky - so sorry that you're knee is acting up like that. I would agree with Linda that when you have pain like that, it's time to rest the knee and not push it. The physiatrist told me that the pain I had in the back of my knee was related to the meniscus which might be what you're experiencing as well. Icing and/or heat; whichever works for you and resting it some should improve the pain. I'm glad the weather has been somewhat nice and mild but that wind sounds very challenging to say the least.
Karen - how are the "feets" doing? I'm glad to know that the newly operated foot seems to be healing much better than the other with the different sutures. You've been pushing yourself pretty well also from what I've read. Have you started using the new machine? Did Dale leave already for his weekend event? Not a fan of this particular weekend as today is the anniversary of my dad passing. It's been over 20 years now but his level-headedness and strength are still something I miss a great deal. Work was frenetic at best and the employee I mentioned pulled yet another stunt and decided throwing everyone under the bus was just fine. I had to "close the loop" with her and my Director yesterday in a meeting after they made me remove 2 sentences from her PR. While talking she actually made a snarky comment about what I said in our conversation real time yesterday and that was it for me. I went off on her about the fact that more than anyone I had taught, advocated and helped her in all of her career for the past 18 years and I wasn't going to let her make a untrue comment like that because she thought she had an audience. I also looked right at her and told her point blank that I no longer trusted her. She is in cahoots with a lead I have and I would bet my paycheck that the "relationship" is much more that supervisor/employee. I am hurt, angry and disgusted. She tried her BS about doing so much and I looked at her and my boss and just simply stated I am the one who has carried the department on my shoulders, including her. She's acting like a snotty little bi^ch and I have truly had enough. I will mourn the young woman who I have mentored and given so much assistance to but will not forget her betrayal and nastiness. I can only hope and pray that karma will be boomerang and she will reap what she has sown.
Sorry for the rant! I've been sleepless, working 15 hours a day and just wrung out. I don't even know how to feel at this point. I wish you all a quiet and safe day and thank you from my heart for being here. Ciao for now~
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Post by retiredinaz on Mar 16, 2019 14:49:53 GMT
Good for you, Liz! Let us hope karma works faster.
I always got five Orthovisc gel shots approved by Medicare, which I guess is unusual. My changed insurance through state retirement is not a supplement. It is UHC Medicare Advantage PPO and they only approved 4 and doubled the copay.But supposedly I get foreign coverage in Vancouver on the trip and other new stuff. I paid a little for American Express travel medical anyway.
My left knee did not get much result on the Nov..Dec series...it makes crunchy feelings and hurts more. but I went 16 months between. Sadly, that was my good knee. so far so good on the right.
So today I could finally stay in bed and sleep in after dragging out early all week...can I sleep? no!
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Post by nybuckeye on Mar 16, 2019 15:14:23 GMT
My dear sweet friend, Liz. You have put up with so much, I am surprised it has taken this long to put your former mentee in her place. The steam has to escape.😤🤬 You need to vent and we are here to listen. You can’t keep it all inside. It is not good for your physical or mental health. So vent, rant, scream, kick, punch a pillow. It will make you feel better. On a different note, whose promotion were you celebrating? I am glad the right knee is feeling somewhat better. Big hugs 🤗 and hope you sleep better.
Karen, is Dale off and driving? Did he put the vibration plate together for you?
Becky, I hope the knee and surrounding areas are feeling better.
Kathy, what are you doing on this un-grocery day?
Linda, maybe a nap later will do the trick.
The carnivore’s stock needed to be refilled so we went to the butcher. They have more than meat and poultry. They make prepared foods like potato salad, cole slaw, meat loaf, ham loaf, tater tots, beer battered fish, homemade pies, brownies and cinnamon rolls. Now they have added homemade brittle and candy.I would let Iggy go alone but tnere is no telling what ne wouls come back with besides meat and poultry. Sometimes the temptations are almost too great. Give me strength.
I made some pasta today because Iggy wants to make shrimp scampi. He is not making the traditional butter sauce, TG. It will be a garlic and EVOO sauce. He is a happy chef chopping away. We both got 7 hours sleep last night. I can’t tell you how long it has been since we slept that long. I think it has been almost a year. The sun is out today so that has added to our happiness. I hope you all have a good Saturday.
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Post by texasless91 on Mar 16, 2019 16:23:56 GMT
Thanks for the start, Chele. How are things going for you? What day does Iggy start the new job? Is he ready? The last time I had a 15 minute commute was when I lived in Toledo in 1986-87. What do you plan to do without his being there to tell you what you need to be doing? Vibe Plate is still in the packaging.  Guess it's going to be up to me. That's quite a butcher shop! If it's good potato salad and cole slaw, I would no doubt succumb, as those can be my kryptonite. The garlic/EVOO sauce will be good with your homemade pasta. What kind of meat will the carnivore be adding to his portion? A good night's sleep? I have to wonder if my theory on his job situation is correct and both of you will sleep much better now that he's starting the new job. Fingers crossed! Kathy, someone on Hike the Smokies FB page posted a photo of Chimney Tops from 9.16.16 (so before the fires) and a drone shot from this week. It certainly isn't coming back as quickly as I had hoped it would. Looks like a barren wasteland. So sad. I had a weird retirement dream last night. I dreamt that my previous VP (not the one who was VP when I retired) came to me and said that she had made arrangements for me to be able to retire early. As I was cleaning out my office, I thought, "wait...I'm already retired!" So here I am 3.5 years later still having work dreams. LOL Was your birthday lunch and shopping today? Did you make some headway on your plans for last week? Is the Title 18 due to a complaint, Liz, or just a periodic irritation? Sorry Zoe's tail is still an issue. I think I would be going to the vet and saying we WILL be doing surgery. I'm afraid that's the only thing that will make the problem go away. Feets are doing ok. Had to bandage the left one when I got out of the shower because Dale will be leaving to go out of town shortly and won't be back til Monday, so I will be having to do all the potty trips and will need the extra padding. Sorry about your DF anniversary. We lost DFIL this time of year as well and, in fact, buried him on the 20th, which is birthday of one of his grandsons. My DF has been gone for nearly 23 years and I still hear his voice with some of his pat answers. He was also very level-headed, as was his DM, and I inherited that trait. Good for you for standing up to the little bee-otch. If you got evidence on the level of "cahoots", is there anything you could do with that information? It's a shame she has gotten this way, but she has made her own path. Any chance she may move on? I wish your people would start doing their jobs and depending on you less to do them for them. I always say that karma will come back around eventually but, unfortunately, most of the time we don't get to witness that happening. Don't apologize for the rant. We're here to listen. I just wish things would relax a bit so you wouldn't be under so much stress all the time. It's not good for you physically or emotionally and I really worry about you. I hope you can get some time to chill out a bit over the weekend. Becky, how's the knee today? Is your weather colder like some of the rest of us? Has your wind died down? Is Scooter indoors or outdoors today? Are the kitties behaving? I have UHC Medicare Advantage PPO as well, Linda. Don't blame you for paying the extra for travel medical because I don't know if I completely trust UHC, even if they say you have coverage. I ended up paying double the copay for my surgeries and, while the hospital said they would refund if I was overcharged, I don't expect to see a penny back. It stinks when your good knee becomes problematic. That also happened to me and the ortho said he didn't think I would get much relief from the shots. I started using something called "the stick" and figured out it was more ligament than knee and got some relief. Having the chance to stay in bed and not being able to sleep happens to me quite a bit. Of course, on the days I can't stay in bed is when I could fall back to sleep very easily. Dale is packing up as I write. I got a burst of energy this morning and replaced the furniture covers and washed the ones that had been on since before surgery #1. I also cleaned the cooktop, counters, and appliances, which also had not been done for a while. The cooktop was a real mess and that took a while. Meals should be easy today because I will have leftover seitan fajitas and do a protein shake for dinner and will probably do the same tomorrow, with savory oats for breakfast. Easy prep. Even with all my activity, I'm not even to 3K steps so far, so don't think I'll be anywhere close to 10K. Anybody planning anything for St. Paddy's Day? Arya and I will hang out at home and have no other plans beyond reading (me) and sleeping (her). Enjoy the weekend, my friends! |
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Post by kaycee on Mar 16, 2019 17:39:12 GMT
Liz, we decided to go shopping yesterday afternoon and then had dinner. DS had a meeting at work Friday morning that ran late, so it worked out better to go a little later. We also had a margarita with some of our favorite Mexican food from Tijuana Flats. Sorry you had such a wicked week and hope you can de-stress this weekend and get some good sleep. Unbelievable on the problem employee and I'm glad you were able to tell her a few things. Feel free to rant here anytime! We are always glad to listen and offer support. I certainly hope that karma is a boomerang too and hope you get to see it.
Linda, I think I'm glad I have 5 years to figure out what options to take on Medicare! I've heard pros and cons on the Advantage plans, but that's certainly a good benefit for you if it covers foreign travel. Does that only apply to Canada or anywhere you travel? Sorry to hear you didn't get much results on the shots for the knee.
Chele, that shrimp scampi sounds delicious and I'm sure the master chef will do a great job. So good to hear you're both getting some good sleep and that everything is looking up. I can feel the relief and happiness in your post! I know how hard it is to live with that uncertainty on having a job, so I'm so glad that's over for you and Iggy. Love the new avatar and the rainbow. I liked the snow one too, but I'm sure you're ready for spring. I didn't get home until after 10 last night, so slept in and plan on doing some chores in the house today. I also need to at least start my taxes. It usually only takes me an hour or so, but starting it is the hardest part.
Karen, I'm sad to hear that the chimney tops haven't recovered more from the fires. I realized that I never actually joined that FB group, but have just read it from time to time since it's an open group. It's funny that you mentioned the office dreams, since I've had two of them already. As you know, one of my major pet peeves was not having an office at my last project and having to sit in that disgusting lab. Strangely enough, both of my dreams were about offices. In one, I had a very small cubicle but it had a pretty window view of a lake or maybe the pond behind my house. The other one was really strange. I went to talk to someone and realized the guy somehow had a big office while the rest of us were in the lab. The weird thing is that I didn't recognize the person and he actually looked like one of the characters on The Office tv show! Dreams are strange.
I did make quite a bit of headway on my plans for the week. The healthcare plans are transferred, most of my FSA claims were submitted and paid, I made the extra "catchup" contribution to my HSA for 2018, and bills are up to date. I also took a look at all my current subscriptions and ended a couple of them. I'm cutting off Starz after this weekend since we are in Droughtlander. Left to do are my IRA contributions, my taxes, and I'm helping DM with hers tomorrow. What makes your oats savory? Had to ask!
Becky, hope the knee is doing better today. It looks like we're in for a few rainy days. Not complaining since it's been so dry and the lawn really needs it.
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Post by borntexan on Mar 16, 2019 19:17:55 GMT
Chele Thanks for the start.
Liz I have had the pain behind my knee before and the surgeon who gave me the shots last year explained what it was but it wasn't the meniscus.I don't remember what he called it.I haven't done as much walking since it has been hurting more.The wind certainly has made it feel cooler.I'm sorry your former mentee turned on you like she did.I don't understand why you had to change some of her review either.It was your honest review of her work.I don't blame you for not trusting her anymore.I wish you didn't have to work with her at all.Say whatever you want here to relieve the stress.You can't keep it in forever.I know you are missing your DF.Mine passed away in 1988 and I can still remember some of his statements and use them myself to this day.
Chele The knee feels better at times.I don't think I'm up for a walk on the road yet but will probably walk to the road gate and back at least a couple of times and then finish up with the bike later.I have already done one round on it.I'm glad both of you slept better last night.
Karen I had UHC last year as a Medical Advantage Plan and I had to pay a high co-pay to get my knee injections.I can't say Humana Medicare Advantage is much better this year because they don't pay for 2 of my 3 psych meds.I hope you didn't overdo it this morning.It's 63 but with the wind it seems much cooler.Right now Scooter is outside because it's sunny.I have both of the cats on my chair with me right now.
Kathy I'm glad you got so much done this week.My knee hurts depending on what I'm doing but it's not a constant pain.We have a cooler dry and windy weekend in store.We aren't expecting rain for about a week probably.
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Post by texasless91 on Mar 16, 2019 19:32:34 GMT
Kathy, I am living vicariously through the trail hikers who post photos, etc., on Hike the Smokies and hope to join them soon. I forgot it was a public group. I'm on several other hiking pages that aren't. Sorry DS had to work late but glad you got to celebrate with her. I know Tijuana Flats is a favorite for you. I hate those work dreams. I used to have them all the time but this is the first one I've had in a while and it would be nice if it was the last. What makes my oats savory? Well, they don't contain typical breakfast-type foods. The ingredients besides oats are kelp, veggie broth, carrots, nutritional yeast, and gomasio (a blend of seasonings with sea salt, ground rainbow peppercorns, sesame seeds, astragalus, kelp powder, and ground milk thistle).
I don't blame you for hesitating on walking the road right now, Becky. Give your knee a little recovery time. I heard one of the Democratic presidential hopefuls (don't remember which one) say that healthcare in the US is the most expensive place in the world, despite all the things they exclude. We had that feels cooler temps with the wind yesterday. It's only 50 right now but we haven't had a wind gust higher than 8 in a while. Supposed to be chilly tonight, so we're still waiting for spring. I find myself using some of DF's favorite phrases with my oldest nephew, but I don't think he pays any attention. I don't think I overdid this morning but back is still a little sore from doing back extensions at AF on Thursday.
The vibration machine is set up except for installing the balance bar, which will be a 2-person job. I just won't be able to do any single leg balances, but just standing on it is good by itself. I will do that tomorrow, puppy willing (she was having a fit when I was unboxing it). The worst part was removing the bent lag bolts that were holding the pallet together around the machine, but I finally prevailed. I also need to install a Command hanger so I can hang the control on the wall. The control also doesn't have a timer so I'll have to watch the clock or get a cheap kitchen timer. It took maybe 5 minutes to set up after I got the lag bolts out. Dale is on his way to VA for the race. With the difference in terrain (much flatter there than here), I think he'll do OK. But a marathon is still 26.2 miles no matter where you do it.
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Post by kaycee on Mar 16, 2019 19:53:17 GMT
Karen, I forgot to mention that I get why you don't want to watch the Capaldi episodes of Doctor Who. I couldn't get into most of them either. One exception was the Christmas episode of 2015 which was The Husbands of River Song. If you haven't seen that one, it's worth a watch for wrapping up River's story. Of course, she could always pop up again, but it finally shows what happened when they went to the Singing Towers of Darillium.
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Post by texasless91 on Mar 16, 2019 20:17:52 GMT
Kathy, I think The Husbands of River Song is on the downstairs machine that we could never get copied off. If so, I'll have to watch it from the workout room. I have seen a couple of the specials but not all of them. Thanks for the recommendation and I'm glad I'm not the only one less than enthusiastic about the 12th Doctor.
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Post by retiredinaz on Mar 16, 2019 21:17:16 GMT
60% of bankruptcies in our country are from medical bills other well developed countries do not have, especially for cancer patients. I have been fortunate to always have insurance.
Although the left knee did not get same relief as before, it is a lot better. I have had no pain a month after shots before this unless I did a lot. So not complaining.
your Pain behind knee is caused by arthritis...doc said so. It must have flared up or there is less
Karen, be careful while you are home alone!
Chele, sounds like life might level out to normal at last with regular hours and no travel.
Mowed our little lawn as the regular two week crew did not show up yesterday...death in family. Did a little bit of pruning. Walked the dog and went inside to do a history of my foot and ankle injuries and issues for that new doctor....starts when I was five! skinny ankles and high arches are a bad combo. I need some real orthotics. While I was at it, i did the boarding and med instructions for Micki while we are in Vancouver. Made little travel medical insurance cards to put in wallets. rest if the day js a library book and some PT exercises I have been lax about.
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Post by borntexan on Mar 16, 2019 21:22:29 GMT
Karen I'm glad you were able to put most of the vibe platform together.I decided to drive the car to the road gate and try walking on the paved road and not the uneven land out here to see if it made a difference.I was able to walk 40 minutes and while it wasn't pain free it was better than the day I hurt it so I was pleased with the progress.I did walk slower so it wouldn't hurt as much.It may be something I want to do as the weather permits or maybe just every other day.I know I won't walk if it's under 60 or over 85 degrees.It was 62 when I walked.I really wish we had a mall to walk in.
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Post by texasless91 on Mar 16, 2019 22:03:57 GMT
Linda, I have heard for years that 90% of the country is one medical catastrophe away from financial disaster. Like you, I have always had insurance and most of the issues I had when I was a paramedic were covered by workers comp, and have been fairly healthy otherwise. My reflux surgery 10+ years ago is the biggest medical procedure I have ever had and it probably cost me $2K, so still not bad. Any improvement in the knee is good. Sometimes we forget that we won't feel better (or even as good) at 60 or 70 than we did at 20 or 30. It's amazing that you are able to do all the things you do, especially outside. LOL on being careful home alone. DM used to worry more when Dale was gone, seeming to completely forget that I lived by myself for 12 years before I got married.
I agree that walking on uneven surfaces may be a major factor with your back and knees, Becky. Driving out to the gate might be a good idea, especially while you're healing. I have some aches and pains when I hike on the "main" road our driveway intersects. It barely qualifies as a paved road and, with all the steep ups and downs, even walking a mile on it hurts. We also do not have a mall here, so that is also not an option for me.
My dinner shake was good. I used a cup of Silk Almond/Cashew Milk (10gm protein) and 8 oz of OJ with the protein powder and it was kind of like a creamsicle. I hope I have another liter of OJ in the downstairs fridge so I can do that again. Dale got safely to his motel and is settled in for the night. I downloaded another book this afternoon, so I have plenty to read. Other than at least one potty trip, we are settled for the evening.
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Post by nybuckeye on Mar 16, 2019 22:30:01 GMT
This has been a busy thread today.
Karen, congrats on getting most of the vibration plate oit together. I am glad Dale made it to his destination okay. Are you still reading about climate change? I do love a creamsicle. Iggy starts Monday and has already informed me that he will be late Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. They are entertaining clients in town for the NCAA First Four. Iggy had shrimp with me no meat with his pasta. Fingers crossed about the sleep. I never slept well when he was traveling.
Kathy, transitioning involves a lot of work. Iggy is waiting for his old company to release his cell phone number so he can keep it. Once that is done we can get new phone plans and we will probably switch from cable to satellite. Even without the movie channels cable is too expensive. Most of our neighbors have made the switch. I know what you mean on starting something you really don’t want to do. I feel like that about doing the bills twice a month.
Becky, 40 minutes walking is pretty good. I am glad the knee was not hurting too bad. We have a mall about 30 minutes away, so I don’t go there to walk much.
Linda, I am hoping for a more regular routine now that Iggy has a more routine job. I had a young coworker back in the early 90s whose wife had cancer and died at a young age and he was still paying medical bills when I retired in 2011 and she was a nurse with supposedly good benefits. I hope the exercises went well.
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Post by retiredinaz on Mar 17, 2019 0:17:48 GMT
Karen, i was thinking of you at home still healing with sore feet.
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Guess it's going to be up to me. That's quite a butcher shop! If it's good potato salad and cole slaw, I would no doubt succumb, as those can be my kryptonite. The garlic/EVOO sauce will be good with your homemade pasta. What kind of meat will the carnivore be adding to his portion? A good night's sleep? I have to wonder if my theory on his job situation is correct and both of you will sleep much better now that he's starting the new job. Fingers crossed!
