Tuesday ta dah tally!

[Twins' Mom]

took until now to walk the dog and resolve the return. I'm nearly in tears about everything taking so long and being so hard. When I went to scan the label for the return, I realized that I can't send items automatically to dropbox because One Drive is trying to grab onto everything. I finally got it turned off, got my things scanned, and cut and pasted into Evernote. I went around the long way, I'm afraid.

I am going to try to clear the top of the dresser in our bedroom. After that, I will try to clear the DR table. My cards are there, and the thing for the front door (Jewish star = replacement wreath). I have ribbon to add a bow but just don't have the bandwidth to make a pretty bow right now. DR is public space, which I do try to keep clear.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

My ta dahs for today are

1. s2s including shaving legs, and out the door by 835
2. Walked to dentist
3. Dentist appointment
4. Walked home

The freezing is starting to wear off so I will go take an advil now. On the bright side, my broken tooth (since Dec 1) is fixed before Christmas so I should be able to eat a wider variety of things (and chew on both sides of my mouth) through the season.

<Hours and Hours later>

I couldn't talk well so couldn't sing but we had already knew that was likely so dh went to sing for the seniors taking a tenor from our old church. They loved him! One person said he could sing her grocery list and she'd be in heaven! (I know what she means, I love listening to him.)

While writing this post I got a phone call from a neighbour offering me a car booster seat for a grandchild so went to get that and had a lovely visit.

5. Weekly kitchen chores

Then I got dizzy for an unknown reason so laid down and had a rest.

Ds called and their work Christmas party plans for Saturday had to be cancelled because that's when DC's great-grandfather's funeral will be so they are taking her down. Ds doesn't think he qualifies for bereavement leave and I said it was unlikely he could get work off for his step-daughter's great grandfather's funeral! So they will start the 6 hour drive after he gets off work at 3:30 on Friday. I was to have dgs3.5 from 4 on Saturday until noon on Sunday. Now it will be sometime on Friday to after our building's Christmas party on Sunday afternoon. Sigh.... But I'm free, I just have to scramble to get the Christmas decorations finished about 30 hours earlier than planned. DD is coming on Saturday with her two and the cousins will decorate my tree (it only has not-too-fragile decorations on it) and stay for dinner. That was to be at 4p.m. but now it can be earlier in the day and they can have a longer time together.

Time to make dinner. Dh had a big lunch (the senior's feed him) so we'll have lighter things from the freezer, egg rolls & rice for him and quiche for me.

[lucylee]

I don't really have much for ta-das today. I've been really sad all day, and maybe it's my own fault because I stayed in bed, scrolling the internet for a long time, justifying this because I have such a busy week after today. Sigh. I got to reading a FB thing about grief and the holidays and it's all true and it made me just cry and cry and cry... but I made notes and wrote it all down because it is so true. Stuff like, it's okay to feel joy and sadness at the same time, and it's okay to say no to some events that seem overwhelming, and it's normal to feel guilty when you feel happy... all these things are true.

But I finally did get up and s2s, did Bible reading, s/s master bedroom tub and shower...and got out of the house...
* drove truck
* went to post office
* made deposit for dmom -- renter sends check to me
* went to bar-b-que drive-through for supper
* started laundry, first load almost done
* talked to DS to tell him dh's shower floor is definitely going to have to be replaced... gosh... when I went in there to give it a s/s... oh my... I'm surprised I didn't fall right through to the dirt right then. It's obvious that even without being in use, there is still some water leaking under the floor.
Remember... my daddy was supposed to fix this about 15-20 years ago. He forgot, dh didn't want to be bothered with being out of use of the shower for whatever time it took, and one thing led to another. I have no doubt that if dh were alive and this shower had been in daily use for the past 8 months, we would be looking at the dirt under the floor. Sigh.

Tomorrow, DS and I are eating lunch with dgd at school. Then at 6:30, we will have the children's program at church. DGD is Mary.
Thursday, I have
-- a haircut at 1:00...
-- pick up dgrands at 3:00 and 4:00 (DGD has a special reading after-school program on Tues. & Thurs.)
-- hospital tree lighting at 5:30 (will light a candle in memory of dh)
and if I can fit it in, I'd love to be able to go to the middle school for the student vs faculty basketball game. DGS is a referee for the 2nd year!
-- Friday, DGD will spend the night.
-- Saturday, DGD will have a ballgame at 9:00 a.m.
-- Sunday church. Sunday is also my SS class party, but I'm going to tell them I am not able to attend. I hope no one asks for a reason. This is one of the events I've just got to say no to, because I just don't feel ready to be the odd member at a couple's party.

LadyM, I'm so glad you had time with your friends, even if part of the time was spent planning a funeral. It's really good that you have some ladies you can enjoy for time just for YOU. You do sooo much for everyone else!

Also very glad to see that you liked the therapist, Twins. Especially with your dd needing YOU for a listener so often, you definitely need someone to listen to you.
i'm wondering if BCBS covers therapists. I got a new card in the mail today.. I should call them and ask.
Oh -- and DEFINITELY make sure your computer is backed up completely before letting anyone work on it! I am STILL so disappointed and angry that the expert (Ha!) who worked on my old computer did not make sure everything was backed up securely before installing the new Windows system in my old computer.

WTG, Rose, and all you're accomplishing in Christmas shopping and prep.

Cathy, that is a sweet thought, the man who was obviously so happy with his purchase for a gift. It also made me cry. Sigh.
I may end up in the mall next week, but our mall is just about dead. I plan to go to one department store (not in the mall) and possibly go to B elk, which IS in the mall. Otherwise, I may buy for dbil's fiance and my dniece here in town at a couple of little boutiques we have. I do hope the fiance comes up with some ideas of what to get dbil... sigh again. Dentist had several suggestions -- socks, underwear (like I'm going to buy my BIL underwear???) some of those cheese and summer sausage gift packs... and an outdoor watch... a heavy sort of shirt-jacket... Dentist definitely does not know dbil. Shaking my head. (The dentist was in an uncharacteristically chatty mood and he brought up the subject of shopping, asked who I still had to buy for. I told him my bil was the hardest to please.) His ideas were no good, but it was fun to listen to him rattle them off. Maybe he should be a personal shopper when he retires.

I have seen some pictures on FB of some beautiful frost and snow covered trees, Nancy. OTOH, it is almost 70 degrees here today. That will change this weekend. Our weather has been a real rollercoaster the last week or so.

Harriet, I wish you lived next door. I would keep you happily mending and hemming things all the time!

Blessed, (((HUGS))) -- I am saying a prayer that your dmom has a good night, giving thanks that dh is back to being himself, and asking that things will work out for your dd and all of your family. You've really got a lot to handle, and I'm constantly amazed at how you maintain your cheerful attitude and all these responsibilities.

Looks like you are having a very productive day, Kathryn. So glad your broken tooth is fixed! I have BTDT. No fun at all!

Y'all, it has taken me almost an hour to cuop and type this. And even though I slept late, I am sleepy again now, after eating.
My plan for the night is likely to be -- nap, laundry, work on Christmas cards. Probably stay up too late again.

[Twins' Mom]

I decided I will take out the Hanukkah cards we want and then ask the temple if they want the rest for their little stock of Jewish things, with proceeds to go to the temple. So I left those downstairs. Of course, there's more on the steps now that needs to go upstairs but I'll deal with that another day. The top of the dresser got cleaned off and dog fed. So more ta das. I'm done for now but the Zoom starts in an hour. I'm not sure if I'll take this computer back upstairs for Zoom or stay here at kitchen counter. I might get into bed.

Like Lucy, this has take almost 45 min to type.

[blessedw2]

mom wants to stay here- she says she likes being with us and the dogs - but she said she will try. she is dressed and ready - keeping my fingers crossed that this won't be more work for me and dd's and that her dementia is not worse bc she is not with us.

[CathyS]

Just so y'all know, in case you plan on mailing anything to Canada... our postal service is on strike. It has been for 3 weeks and right now there doesn't seem to be any end in sight. It has been a major pain you-know-where...

That being said, I sat and did most of our Christmas cards that dh can deliver personally. Most are for neighbours. I have had a box of cards sitting around for a few years and I'm sick of looking at them.

[lucylee]

Well, that is an awful time for the postal service to be on strike, Cathy. My goodness.

PSA for the USA -- first class deadline for envelopes and post cards is Dec. 18.
Packages can be mailed up to the 21, but the priority mail express charge is pretty steep after the 19th, when the priority mail deadline is, with prices starting at $9.65.

With stamps costing 73 cents each now, I will be surprised if I receive many cards, but I am sending out my usual, if I can manage this... I realized last night it is going to be difficult. First time signing only my name. But I love Christmas cards and I want to keep up the tradition.

[lucylee]

BTW -- no one has answered my question re: estrogen and progesterone.
What do y'all think will happen if I just quit taking both?

No bleeding so far today. This has been exactly like my periods once I was on birth control pills. Slight headache, cramping, abdominal heaviness, breast tenderness to some extent, and fairly light flow.
Who would have thought I'd turn 21 again at this point in my life?

[CathyS]

LucyLee the only experience I have with hormone replacement treatment/therapy (?) AKA HRT is that after less than a week after I started (previous to 2014) I reacted to it and my doctor told me to stop immediately. I think I may have only been on them for 3 or 4 days. This is why I couldn't answer your question.

Re: Blue Bloods. My dd thinks it might have something to do with syndication, but she's not 100% sure. Something to do with "cancelling the show before episode # 300". The cast had no desire to stop, it was the network that stopped the show. BTW, my dh has a moustache very similar to Tom's.

[lucylee]

Cathy -- So you quit immediately and I am assuming you did not grow a beard? LOL!
My dmom always used to say she could tell immediately when she skipped her pill. I stayed on birth control pills forever because I didn't want to feel crazy like she did! But of course, I'm pretty near crazy anyway, right? I think at this point, I am ready to try going cold turkey and stopping them.

I had heard that also about Blue Bloods -- that the cast wanted to continue, which REALLY made me think CBS is nuts to cancel one of their highest rated shows, probably ever! I'm sure it will be in reruns somewhere, but I am really going to miss it.
OG (Other Guy, remember?) had a mustache... probably really looked a lot like Tom Selleck back in the Magnum, PI days. Interestingly, I never watched that show, but when Blue Bloods came along, I was hooked. Actually, dh had a mustache when we married also. I guess in the 70s, it was pretty common. I really didn't like dh's and he shaved it. (Can't say how I would have felt about OG's -- never got that close to it! )