Finally Friday PWYC

[Twins' Mom]

Costume lady, my hair started getting purpleish when I was using one of the treatments supposed to keep it looking silvery gray, not yellow gray. Eventually I realized it was too much and had to cut back. Now I only use it now and then!

[Lady Maverick]

Good morning

My DSis and DMom told me to use purple shampoo when hair turned grey. I thought it was a good idea....at first. But then I didn't like how it stripped the other color out of hair and turned the whole thing a blue/purple color. Many women of older generation have this same shade of hair so I assume they use the purple shampoo too.
One day I was sitting behind a man in church and the shade of his hair color caught my eye (it was directly in front of me). As I stared at it wondering why it was such an attractive color, I realized it was his natural color. He used to be blonde and had grey hair mixed in. That was the day I decided to not use purple shampoo anymore. Now my hair is a natural mixture of blonde/brown/grey. Underneath in the back it is almost all blonde/brown. When I pile my hair on top of head (messy bun) most of that long hair is light brown/blondish. The hair in front on top and surrounding my face is almost all grey/white.
I like it when everyone has their own color and hair style. We are uniquely wonderful!

I was getting overwhelmed so I did my best to shut down everything I could for 24 hours.
Did I still monitor DH 24/7? Yes.
Did I still take/get DD14 from school? Yes
Did I still receive friends who dropped by for a visit? Yes.
Did I still have 4 teenagers in the house? yes
Did I still cook multiple meals from scratch? yes.
But other than those things....I tried to ignore everything else.
I consistently do about 170-240 things each day. Yes, I track them because these are the things that have consequences if they are ignored. Only doing about 50 things a day is a break for me. It might not sound like much of a break - but it was enough for me to reset and be ready to return to normal doings.

We had 3 mowers going this morning - DS17 was on powerful zero-turn while DH and I were using battery push mowers. At some point in our future life, we might decide to hire the yard care. Many years ago I got a quote to mow front yard - that quote was $75 for just mowing (no bagging or weedeating). The back yard is much bigger and more difficult to mow so I can only guess it would be over $100. Add in weedeating and that would probably bump it up to over $250. Our grass can rarely go a week without mowing so $1k a month to have yard care done a low estimate for our yard. More than the cost is the BIG thing for me is the enjoyment I get from mowing. It is a mindless action that has instant pleasure of seeing the freshly cut grass (dopamine hit?). I would be sad to not be able to mow anymore.

We had a cop from 2 towns over visit us this morning. He came to ask DS17 some questions about what happened a couple nights ago at his friends home. DS17 didn't know much - he was outside in his pickup while his friend was inside with x-girlfriend and baby. The cop didn't say what information he was seeking but putting 2+2 together makes it point to the x-girlfriend accusing DS17 friend of doing something. I just hope the baby stays safe in this drama.

DD14 has appointment this afternoon with family doctor to find out the results of bloodwork. 3 months ago her thyroid #'s were off. They wanted to wait and repeat the test to make sure they are still off before they start treatment.

[CathyS]

Dh picked up a bucket of chicken from KFC for supper tonight. YAY!!

I dropped off and picked up a box for needle disposal and I also picked up 2 meds and more needle tips for dh.

Dh and I went for his chest x ray. We were in and out in less than 10 minutes. Nobody ahead of us! No appointment, no waiting. Awesome!!

I went to Friday Fibre group. I'm so close to being finished. Mostly back stitching left to do.

[Costumelady]

Good evening ladies - check out all of my smiley faces in my list at the top, I got a lot done. Only did the sheets and towels and they are almost dry and can be put back on the bed. Still using my flannels. The rose bushes that arrived yesterday will be dealt with tomorrow. I may just go with wine barrels for a bit. See if I can keep them alive for a season. I have 5 plants and I think I could put 2 in 1 and use 3 barrels 2, 2, 1 and then once I get that wall well made to plant in I can transplant them. Or I might do 2 barres and put one of the roses in my garden proper to replace something I am not a fan of any more in back corner.

Twins - save travels tomorrow - I always go in super organized mode when I travel or we used to plan dinner parties to motivate us to clean. Today was the Friday before Spring Break - we are not going anywhere but it still feels like a fresh start. At work I cleaned off my desk so I don't come back to a clutter pit.

On the purple hair I use a product that is designed to color your hair purple, my normal shade is dirty dishwater brown - I hate it. I have colored my hair most of my adult life, for decades it was some form of auburn, right before our 25th anniversary I had it highly highlighted and she said if I wanted to try purple now was the time and she made me a light lavendar - it was gorgeous and I got so many compliments. 2 summers ago I was going to England for a photoshoot with Foxlow studios for a boudoir shoot and I wanted purple hair and I paid $400 for her to make brown hair to be purple with silver highlights as I am turning silver. She only used temporary color (not permanent as I had asked) and I had to wash it twice before shoot and it mostly all washed away, I was so sad. She made it permanently purple when I came home. Hubby took my pictures and photoshopped the purple back in. I get tons of compliments. When my roots got too long -never got the silver I thought was coming, I bleached it down myself and just use the shampoo about every 6 weeks, I only wash once a week and it slowly fade and ombres out, it looks pretty good actually. Purple is kind of my signature color. I wear a lot of it. I in fact just bought purple frames. Even my car has purple highlights. I have had people race across parking lots to tell me how much they love my hair. I have these cool fake hair scrunchies that I pull my hair in a bun and then wrap it with these fake hair and it has my normal brown with heavy purple and lavendar highlights and it looks like it is my real hair so when I don't feel like straightening it I use those.

Cathy I love extra crispy from KFC - sounds yummy. We make our version of their famous bowls all of the time. We do it with "vegan" chicken nuggets. Great in and out at the xray.

Lady Maverick, one of the teachers in my building started adding real purple highlights to her silver and I so wanted to be silver to do that. Purple shampoo for color correction is different. I wore auburn for decades and everyone though I was a natural redhead - I wish. It is great to step back at times. That is a lot of mowers going, you must have a huge yard my husband enjoys mowing as well.

Blessed, it sounds like it was a good thing they let you go, I bet you can find a better deal. We found a great deal on a riding mower from some people having a moving sale. I need to make pie tomorrow - I think a chicken pot pie sounds yummy.

Nancy - hard sleeps are the best - hope you feel more rested today.

Sounds like dryer is done, hubby just came in the door, middle son is having an adult autistic melt down in the basement because he has to write 8 referrals for the 8 boys who got in a fight yesterday. He didn't do it last night and the teacher was following up. He is angry and needs food and a nap. LOL

I had such a productive day. Got almost everything on my list done. I have 11 days off for Spring Break, I go back on 3/24. Not traveling this time. Plans I have:

Go to the Y each week day
sew the grad robes
Sew the pillow covers for 2 rockers
Sew a new stole for our short priest
Plant my herb seeds
Plant my rose bushes
Take inventory of food stores and make up some meal plans
Design and build dog containment for when we travel or at night - so he is more independent.
Tidy office and declutter.
Tutor 2 times for about 1.5 hours each
do one 1 meeting.
Plan some dinner parties and send invites
Go to theater for a couple of shows.
Go to the farmer's market
sweep garage and wash the door to the garage
plan some travel for next year - we want to travel in Australia in February and March. I have 3 free weeks I need to use before end of September, keep trying to give to the boys but I need to book them and either use them myself or gift them to family. Hubby has no more days to travel but I may travel without him. We have so many trips planned in the next 6 months. 2026 is going so fast, it is almost April.

[Lady Maverick]

I feel totally inadequate sometimes with so much information being told to me while at doctor appointment. We have a good family doctor that doesn't rush and will answer any questions. The problem is that it takes me awhile to process all the information I am being told. ANYway, DD14 has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease - Hashimoto. Her TPO antibodies are high. Her Vit D levels are very low. Her B12 levels are low. Prescriptions have been sent to pharmacy, and she also received a B12 shot in the hip today. She has two follow up visits scheduled.
I get home and realize there is a correlation between TPO antibodies and ITP. ARRRRGHUMP! I wish I had thought of that while at the doctors office today. I will add a note to remind me to ask doctor about it the next appointment.

I tried a new-to-me recipe. it is a strange one and I had low hope of it being good. I was pleasantly surprised. Chicken/cheese/egg pizza crust. The family thought it was weird recipe.....but I notice they kept eating it.

[lucylee]

I got a really, really late start for the day -- even for ME! It was almost 2:00 pm when I finally put my feet on the floor. I had been up a couple of times to go to the bathroom, and kept thinking I'd lay back down "for just a little while longer." Famous last words. (And my sleep score even after all that was LOW. They suggest I go to bed earlier tonight. SMH. Nancy, I felt like I slept hard, but apparently my watch knows differently. I do remember a very vivid dream that my high school was changing its colors, and I was having a big argument with my favorite teacher and mentor who was trying to tell me we had used that color before.

Anyway, I got dressed, did my Bible reading, took my blood pressure -- I've been kinda concerned recently (not that I have any symptoms) but because it had been over 140 (top number) the last time I was at the doctor, and the nurse had told me I should watch it if I had a monitor at home. Last night around midnight I took it and it was 168/71! That kinda scared me! But I took it this morning (?) before I drank anything with caffeine and it was 138/83. I guess I'm just looking for something to worry about since my friend had heart surgery recently. She is having a pacemaker installed (is that the right word? sounds odd) on April 1.

Since I got myself going, however, I have talked to dfriend on phone, went to post office, bank, and grocery store, picked up dgd at her house so she can spend the night, and she and I ate at local drive-in. She's outside now and I'm going to try to read the paper -- at some point she will come in and want me to play with her.

Thanks, Mystery, for the reminder that I cannot achieve perfection on this earth, and if I could, there would be no need for faith in Christ.
You know, the Bible says He puts our sins as far away as the east is from the west and forgets them. I wish I could do that.

LadyM -- is dd having a lot of symptoms of this disease? I have heard of Hashimoto's disease, but I can't remember in what context. Our pastor recently had a thyroid biopsy, or maybe they removed her thyroid? I'm not sure. But I hope they have caught dd's in time that she won't have to deal with a lot of physical symptoms and the medication will just take care of it! (((BIG HUGS)))

I need to color my hair tomorrow. My natural color, CostumeLady, is a dark auburn and I am trying to keep it that color, but the semi-permanent hair color is getting more and more "semi" as I get older. Sigh. At some point, I will probably give up and let it go gray, but I'm just not ready to do that yet. The box haircolor I use is a wee bit more red than I'd like, but they discontinued the color that was absolutely perfect for me, so I'm using the second best match.

Wishing you safe travels and good weather, Twins!

I had chicken fingers and French fries for supper. DGD chose the restaurant, but it is one of my favorites. If I can't have Chick-fil-a, I want these chicken fingers from the local place. DGD got a corn dog, French fries, and cheese dip for the fries. It's a local favorite, but I have not been tempted to dip my fries in cheese!

Blessed, oh my goodness at the expense for yard care! Although, I wouldn't be surprised if dbil next door isn't paying that much. I pay $100 each time the man mows, which is usually twice a month, or at least every 3 weeks. It needs it more often, but I try not to worry about it. He is 87 years old and does it on a riding mower, about two acres. He also weed eats at least every other time. He hasn't started yet, and probably won't until the first of April. When I find out exactly when I'm expecting dbro to be here, I may call and tell him to try to get it done so it won't look so bad for dbro and dsisil's visit. (Although the sagging chain link fence takes away from the total look of the yard in a big way. Sigh. Gotta get the roof fixed first.)

LadyM -- I do hope everything is okay with your ds' friend!

Waving to all! Hope you ALL have a great weekend!

[Nancy]

I am considering letting the back yard go to seed this year.
Raining still and no one is mowing this week here even the ones that are hired.
I am listening to a how to out line and and plotting on yt.
I did some reading this morning.
I did catch the history info. I slept through yesterday on a replay today.
Took some notes for writing prompts.
Got a red umbrella yt to put up not sure when yet.

[Harriet]

LadyM, this is so common for us female folks. For the vast majority of people like me, who are hypothyroid, assuming they live in a place that offers iodized salt so that residents are not iodine deficient, Hashimoto's is the cause. It is very prevalent, and at least 5 times more likely for women. Back when helia mentioned that her dd has it, I thought I did not, even though at that time I had been taking Armour thyroid pills for years because blood tests showed I was hypothyroid. Later a doctor explained to me that I undoubtedly did have Hashimoto's throughout the timeframe in which my blood tests looked problematic, and perhaps for years before. Still don't think any doctor has ever tested me for it specifically, and that's because the treatment would be the same, my daily morning pills that Dee and I chatted about so often. I have no idea whether B-12 or Vit D are specifically related to this - so many folks deal with prescriptions for more of those. If your dd wants to avoid shots of B-12, the under-the-tongue dissolving tablets are a simple substitution for that, taste nice.

[Harriet]

The whole ds family came before heading out to dinner at a restaurant and then splitting up, with ds and dgdC going to a father-daughter dance at school. She looked so pretty in her dress and necklace.

They were taking the pie I made ds back to their fridge before leaving. He said, "I waited 364 days for this." Hmmm... .. I'm certainly not trying to be stingy. He may need a half-year birthday pie in Sept. I'm sure he could make it himself, but it's always nice to get something to eat as a gift.

Had another very good sewing evening. I can see a rate of progress that seems steady and do-able without stressing me too much. One thing about this relatively-smart watch, it notices if I am feeling stressed, and wrestling with the large amount of fabric under the machine needle does do it.

We've ordered groceries for tomorrow.

[Kittykatt]

LucyLee, blood pressure can often be high at the doctor's, die to white coat syndrome (don't ask me how I know this! ). The nurse advised me the best time to take it is the evening, when it's usually at its lowest. She gave me the following tips:

Find a time when you can be quiet, on your own and you won't be disturbed.
No talking for at least 10 minutes before or during!!! (Talking can raise BP by several points)
Use the bathroom before you begin, so you have an empty bladder (this is important, as a full bladder raises blood pressure. )
Find somewhere you can sit or even lie comfortably (the bed is ideal!)
Use pillows or cushions to support the arm you put the cuff on, so it's higher than your heart
Record your BP, and do "best of 3" (the first time is often a little higher)
Keep a record, so you have something to show the nurse / doctor
Don't worry if it's still higher than you would like to begin with, as you become more accustomed to the routine, you should start to relax while taking your BP and learn your "true" figures.