What positive can you list today?

[KayC]

I think floaters are normal as we age, I have had them for years but not enough to bother me.

[Gator M]

24 minutes ago, foreverhis said:

My yesterday's positive comes on top of my slight meltdown in the ophthalmologist's waiting room.

Glaucoma is common on both sides of my family.  My pressures were always medium to high normal, but the past few years have been slightly high.  This is offset somewhat by the fact that I have "very thick" corneas, which distort the readings 3 to 4 points high.    But doctors don't use that as a full guide because there is no way of knowing specifically how much a reading is affected.  My eye guy has been monitoring a small concerning spot and my optic nerves for several years.  Yesterday's report showed everything is still stable and my optic nerves are super healthy.  So no glaucoma drops for me.  At least, not yet.  Everything else looks good and the floaters from my vitreous detachments (12+ years ago and unrelated to a retinal detachment) are still the same.  Lord knows I hate the darn floaters, but knowing that vitreous detachment is actually a normal part of aging and that floaters often result was reassuring.

OTOH, I'm almost at the point that I'm looking forward to my now forming cataracts being bad enough for surgery.  I've been wearing glasses for distance since I was 20 and bifocals since I was 45.  After my mom had her surgeries, she went from trifocals to only needing drugstore reading glasses.  I am getting so I don't like driving at night because of the hazy halo glare of headlights.  Not to much street lights or regular traffic lights, but those LED headlights are a pain.  The thought of not needing to wear glasses full time in order to see clearly across the room is quite appealing.

In any case, stable vision is a very positive thing.

Try yellow shooting glasses at night when driving.

[foreverhis]

1 hour ago, Gator M said:

Try yellow shooting glasses at night when driving.

Hm...That's a good idea.  Thanks. 

I have an ancient pair of John's yellow overglasses (literally worn over regular glasses) for snow, skiing, and other high-glare situations.  I'll see if I can dig them out and give them a try.  I can't afford to actually have a pair of night glasses made to my prescription, but have several pairs of sun glass clip ons.  Maybe they have something like that with the yellow anti-glare.

1 hour ago, KayC said:

I think floaters are normal as we age, I have had them for years but not enough to bother me.

They are.  My ophthalmologist explained to me that our vitreous fluid thickens with age and over time causes the vitreous to detach from the back of the eye.  Normally, this doesn't result in anything more than some temporary vision change and floaters from the "debris."  He told me that by age 60 nearly everyone has had vitreous detachment in at least one eye, but most people aren't even aware of it.  I am what is called a "sensitive viewer" and notice every little thing.  When I had my first detachment, my eye felt "off," my vision was slightly misty in that eye for a couple of weeks, and suddenly I had more floaters. My doctor said the one thing to look out for was a sudden blind spot or anything that seemed to be a stationary floater because that would indicate that the vitreous "stuck" to the retina as it detached and could have caused a small retinal tear. 

After John's bicycling accident, he ended up needing two laser surgeries for retinoschisis, which is when areas of the retina separate without fully detaching.  Both were successful and saved 95% of his visual field, but oh boy, the week following surgery was not fun.  He had to have a temporary "bubble" inserted to make sure the laser hits (several hundred itty bit ones!) had fully sealed the edges.  Poor guy had to lie on one side nearly all the time for the full week in order to keep the bubble pushed up against that part of his retina.  Fortunately, we have excellent ophthalmology surgeons locally.  Still, the idea of a laser going into my eye scares the living daylights out of me! 

[shawnt]

Yikes, me too

 

[foreverhis]

10 minutes ago, shawnt said:

Yikes, me too

 

That's definitely not a positive at the time, but saving vision over time definitely is.

[KayC]

My positive for the day (other than getting it over with, it was a rough day, lots of smoke, trip to the valley, tons of traffic, not good either, and flu shot is sore and swollen):  Iris called and invited me to dinner.  Salad with albacore, avocado, tomato, sesame seeds, herbs, blue cheese dressing, out on her deck, it was so nice.  She needed someone to talk to.  And we had the beggars doing their best! We gave them pork rinds instead, they were happy.

[Gail 8588]

My positive is: I took my grandson to the church picnic this afternoon. He had a wonderful time. I did too. Even the weather cooperated. 50% chance of rain but we didn't get a drop during the picnic.

[widower2]

My positive is I watched football and basically did nothing constructive. Yes IMO that's a positive today.   Unfortunately the Cowpokes and Ravens won but can't have everything.

[RichS]

Widower2: Just curious..........how is Joe Burroughs and his sidekick doing these days. Have they finally moved on?

[widower2]

omg...he has a sidekick??

As far as I know he's still around, but (knock on wood) I don't see any new damage to the deck, new holes dug under the fence, etc

[KayC]

My positive is having been there for Iris yesterday, they didn't think her friend would live through the day so her and some neighbors drove to the valley...to top it off, the powers that be wanted to MOVE her as it was day four and that's all her insurance covers!  Are you kidding med?!  When someone is dying?!  Today is her bdy and they'd planned to go see her, Iris is her POA and doesn't even know where they're moving her.

While at her house, doing her dishes, putting them away, discovered she has by far and large the largest mouse infestation I have ever seen!  I cleaned out the drawers and disinfected them, used her peppermint extract, it was a tremendous amount of work!  Had to get Jazzy out three times yesterday, got home at my usual bedtime but stayed up and snuggled with Kodie 1/2 hour first.

Again, my positive is the day is behind me.  Lord knows what this one will bring.

[shawnt]

Booming thunder storm at first light, hard rain . Would have been a perfect day to cuddle in bed until the rain lets up. Sweet memories, and an ache in my soul. The positive is I know I was lucky to have had them.

[Gator M]

3 hours ago, KayC said:

My positive is having been there for Iris yesterday, they didn't think her friend would live through the day so her and some neighbors drove to the valley...to top it off, the powers that be wanted to MOVE her as it was day four and that's all her insurance covers!  Are you kidding med?!  When someone is dying?!  Today is her bdy and they'd planned to go see her, Iris is her POA and doesn't even know where they're moving her.

While at her house, doing her dishes, putting them away, discovered she has by far and large the largest mouse infestation I have ever seen!  I cleaned out the drawers and disinfected them, used her peppermint extract, it was a tremendous amount of work!  Had to get Jazzy out three times yesterday, got home at my usual bedtime but stayed up and snuggled with Kodie 1/2 hour first.

Again, my positive is the day is behind me.  Lord knows what this one will bring.

Can you be a better friend?  

[widower2]

I don't think so!

[DMB]

My positive is I did get something done this weekend although not everything I wanted.  I woke up Saturday coughing and running nose.  Surely from opening all the windows.  Went to a bbq and then I drove down to the cottage.  I sleep well there.  Did some caulking and painting and beat the rain home.  Then, I didn't do much and dreamt I was lost again.  It was in a building this time.  My family was there for a hot second and then I lost them again.  Also lost my shoes and wallet.  I hate remembering my dreams and trying to figure out the meaning why this particular one keeps repeating.

Another positive is that I have a day off this week and my sister-in-law will come with me to the cottage.  Weather looks good for that day so hoping we can get a few more things done, and I definitely have to clean up this trip.  

[Gator M]

6 minutes ago, DMB said:

My positive is I did get something done this weekend although not everything I wanted.  I woke up Saturday coughing and running nose.  Surely from opening all the windows.  Went to a bbq and then I drove down to the cottage.  I sleep well there.  Did some caulking and painting and beat the rain home.  Then, I didn't do much and dreamt I was lost again.  It was in a building this time.  My family was there for a hot second and then I lost them again.  Also lost my shoes and wallet.  I hate remembering my dreams and trying to figure out the meaning why this particular one keeps repeating.

Another positive is that I have a day off this week and my sister-in-law will come with me to the cottage.  Weather looks good for that day so hoping we can get a few more things done, and I definitely have to clean up this trip.  

How can you do all that?  

[shawnt]

I hate the lost dreams, always feel helpless. Apparently they mean our sub conscience is searching for something. Whatever that means.

[DMB]

1 hour ago, Gator M said:

How can you do all that?  

It was barely a 1/4 of tasks I wanted to do.  Once I got home yesterday and it started raining, believe me, I was 13+ hours in front of the TV doing absolutely nothing.

15 minutes ago, shawnt said:

I hate the lost dreams, always feel helpless. Apparently they mean our sub conscience is searching for something. Whatever that means.

I think for me it means I'm overwhelmed and probably a little depressed in my current life situation.  

This is what I looked up earlier:

This dream type generally suggests feelings of being overwhelmed, disoriented, and frustrated. It can represent feeling stuck in life or lost in terms of direction.

Keeping focus on the cottage for now since there's only a few more weeks left in the season.  Then when I'm done going back and forth, I can get more things done at my place.

[Gail 8588]

3 hours ago, Gator M said:

How can you do all that?  

I agree Gator. It is amazing all the stuff DMB, Kay and others get done.  I have turned into a slug. 

I can't really blame my grief, as I am in a pretty good place with that.  I've got to figure out a way to get motivated to keep up with daily living tasks.  I did okay getting ready for my son's wedding, but since then I seem to be just "letting things go".  Not a workable system, as all the chores of cleaning, cooking, repairing etc don't just do themselves.  

[KayC]

All the work I did at Iris' yesterday was for naught.  You can't even tell it's been cleaned, I spent HOURS at it!  I think she needs an exterminator.  The plugins, peppermint and bucket did not work.  I wish she'd kept up with the electronic traps as it wouldn't have gotten like this.  It was easy, but she's very squeamish about dumping them out.  I'd offered to do it but she got rid of them.

Today id Denise' bdy if she made it through the night.  A neighbor took Iris to radiation and was going to take her to see Denise, here's hoping...

I notice there are mouse turds on her outdoor picnic table cloth.

[widower2]

Yikes. Sounds like she should buy a cat!

[KayC]

For sure, but she won't.  We have neighbors who do cat rescue, not like there isn't an abundance here!
 

[KayC]

And I want to add, my 25 year old Kitty was an amazing mouser and moler, so was Arlie.  Kitty would toy with it until I tossed it out, Arlie would dump it by my back door and wait for me to throw it outside.  Kodie will alert me.  It all works.  I haven't seen Panther catch anything yet, but maybe he just doesn't show them off like my previous cats.

[KayC]

I broached it with her, no go.

[Gail 8588]

4 hours ago, KayC said:

I broached it with her, no go.

That is a shame, because a good "mouser" cat would make a real impact on the infestation.  Might well scare off those he/she doesn't catch

 Maybe she would consider a short term, few months, of "borrowing" a few cats. 

[foreverhis]

6 hours ago, Gail 8588 said:

I seem to be just "letting things go".  Not a workable system, as all the chores of cleaning, cooking, repairing etc don't just do themselves.  

Oh boy, I am right there with you, Gail!  I start the day full of "plans" or think about what I'm going to get accomplished tomorrow at the end of the day before.  It never happens.  And with winter coming--after 16 months of really lousy weather and no inclination to deal with problems--I can't afford to put off some of the issues that I've let slide for so long.  I didn't use to be such a slug.

[widower2]

16 minutes ago, Gail 8588 said:

That is a shame, because a good "mouser" cat would make a real impact on the infestation.  Might well scare off those he/she doesn't catch

 Maybe she would consider a short term, few months, of "borrowing" a few cats. 

Or try to coax other neighborhood cats around or bring them around for a "visit" 

[Gator M]

I went to another good Bereavement Group at our church.    There was a lot of hurt in that room.  The message was hopeful and positive.

I'll leave it at that.

[KayC]

After the hostile response I got at suggesting an exterminator (she got up abruptly and left and made a phone call and went to bed, didn't call last night) I am done.  If what you've tried isn't working, you'd think you'd be open to trying something else.  It's in all the cupboards and drawers, all the work I did cleaning and putting peppermint oil on them and disinfecting...nope, not doing it anymore.  The oil didn't work, the plug ins didn't work, they haven't gone for the bucket trap and lord only knows what she did with the electronic traps.  Those seem by far and large the most humane and work, but she tossed them out.  Nope, done, her issue.  

Denise is dying if not already gone.  The place did say they wouldn't move her while she's going out, $600/day or not, ins. won't cover.  I doubt she had that to her name.  Denise couldn't grasp it was her bdy yesterday, unconscious.

Me, the mice packed off my electronic trap in the shop, Lord only knows where they put it, can't find it.  I have a couple more but want to keep them in the house.  I have lots of D-Con to put in the shop.

[Gail 8588]

It was a glorious 64 degrees this morning. Sat on my back deck and just enjoyed the cool air. Birds seemed to be especially joyful this morn.  

[KayC]

Today is such a beautiful day, I walked with Kodie for 1/2 hour, ran into a seldom seen neighbor, talked an hour before continuing our walk!

 

[Gail 8588]

This evening I walked to a neighborhood bar for some live music and gumbo.  The blues band had a harmonica player that played very much in the style of my husband. (Not surprising for a blues band.)  My positive is that I enjoyed it very much.  Didn't cry once, though I was thinking of my sweetie a lot. 

[KayC]

I'm so glad you had that Gail!

[Gator M]

I went to Bible Study last night.  That almost always helps, being around people who care. 

[KayC]

I go tomorrow...

[KayC]

This is a huge positive for me since I hate doing it...I got my chest freezer thawed  out and everything put away!  Yay! 

[foreverhis]

1 hour ago, KayC said:

This is a huge positive for me since I hate doing it...I got my chest freezer thawed  out and everything put away!  Yay! 

Oh my!  Yes, that is a huge deal.  I suspect that you have issues with your hands being exposed to cold because of your injuries.  I have Raynaud's disease secondary to my other auto-immune conditions and have to wear fleece gloves when I'm out at the storage freezer for more than a couple of minutes.  I applaud your determination and success. 🤗

5 hours ago, Gator M said:

I went to Bible Study last night.  That almost always helps, being around people who care. 

I'm so pleased to hear that your Bible Study group aren't just there for you for your studies, but also as support and comfort.  That's how it should be, IMO.

[Gator M]

1 hour ago, foreverhis said:

Oh my!  Yes, that is a huge deal.  I suspect that you have issues with your hands being exposed to cold because of your injuries.  I have Raynaud's disease secondary to my other auto-immune conditions and have to wear fleece gloves when I'm out at the storage freezer for more than a couple of minutes.  I applaud your determination and success. 🤗

I'm so pleased to hear that your Bible Study group aren't just there for you for your studies, but also as support and comfort.  That's how it should be, IMO.

My wife had that.  Secondary also.

[KayC]

My group is also supportive, we spend 1 1/2 hours in prayer & talking and 1/2 hour in our study.

I think everything hurts when you're that cold!

[widower2]

This is a simple trivial little thing, but it did give me a laugh.

On my way home from work, the exit ramp where I get off to go to the interstate, after the initial turn off, it becomes almost straight for about 100 yd stretch and between the shoulder and the line of trees to the right, there's about a 10-15' expanse of grass. At some point our brilliant state govt decided to put a "NO LOITERING" sign up there (like who would want to hang out there....). 

Today I drove by and right under the sign someone had put a picnic chair.  Now I'm getting mixed signals; what should I do?? 

[foreverhis]

2 hours ago, Gator M said:

My wife had that.  Secondary also.

It was my John who kept nagging and nagging at me to remember to wear my gloves when I'd go out there "for just one thing," but have to move things or decide "We should have this soon" or whatever.  Then I'd come in with my hands painful, purple, and freezing.  Bless his heart, he'd just sigh and help me warm them...but always with a little "look" on his face of "I'm not going to say I told you so; I'm not saying that."

I got better at remembering over time.

1 hour ago, KayC said:

My group is also supportive, we spend 1 1/2 hours in prayer & talking and 1/2 hour in our study.

I think everything hurts when you're that cold!

I think you're right, Kay.  That kind of cold is quite simply painful for everyone.  I just suspect it's more so for you now with your hand injuries.

I'm glad to hear that your Bible study group is more than, well, just study.

[KayC]

11 hours ago, widower2 said:

Today I drove by and right under the sign someone had put a picnic chair. 

Haha!  That is hilarious!  Someone's sense of humor, I LOVE it!

10 hours ago, foreverhis said:

I'm glad to hear that your Bible study group is more than, well, just study.

To tell the truth, it's the fellowship I go for!  I can study on my own.  Kodie loves going too!  There's 4 service dogs that go.

[Gator M]

1 hour ago, KayC said:

Haha!  That is hilarious!  Someone's sense of humor, I LOVE it!

To tell the truth, it's the fellowship I go for!  I can study on my own.  Kodie loves going too!  There's 4 service dogs that go.

AMEN.  Fellowship is crucial especially for most of us grievers.    Team/Zoom is better than nothing but it's not like being there. 

[RichS]

I guess this one can go on this board:  In the past week I've made some good progress in getting my sciatica problem narrowed down. Last week I got a referral from the physical therapist to my doctor; and from my doctor to an MRI last Wednesday. Did a followup visit with my doctor last Friday; who then referred me over the a back and spine specialist, who I saw yesterday. I made sure he had all of the records he needed before I got there; which he appreciated.

So...........in addition to scoliosis, I have two discs that are moderately to severely out of balance, which explains the constant pain. Next up I have an appointment on Oct. 12th (I know......3 weeks.....UGH!!----but they'll call me sooner if there's a cancellation) to find out if shots in my back will get me some relief. If not, then surgery is my last option. As much of a hassle (and a pain in the **s) this has been, just getting all of this done and trying to hone in on the problem has been soothing on my mind. As I mentioned to Rey, the last several weeks have distracted me a little from my grief; but not a good distraction. I still think and miss Chris every day. I've just been doing it with a grunt and a limp.

Tonight I've got to score a couple of senior softball games. My son helps me with the setup. Sitting on my favorite pillow is fine. I hardly need to stand or walk around at all, which makes it doable. We'll have some extra valium on hand in case some of my fellow senior citizens get upset with making errors or arguing with the umpire! 

[KayC]

Rich, I hope you get the much needed answers and help you need with it, very hard to live with acute pain.

[Gator M]

I went to GriefShare last night and it was a very good group.

It was on anger.  I may be the poster child for that, both with the Healthcare System and my Termite company. 

Group fellowship really helps me.  

[KayC]

Last night I got the news that our pastors wife went to ER in dire straits, this morning learned they STILL didn't have a room in the hospital for her!  Her diabetic numbers and thus all of her other numbers were all over the placed!  I just learned she is sleeping so hopefully that means she in a room finally.  Ketoacidosis (not to be confused with Ketosis, a very different thing).  She had it once before when she was in the hospital.  I think she wasn't paying attention to her eating and insulin and it brought her down.  

My positive although it pales in comparison, Iris invited me for dinner tonight, I waited for her to get home for two hours today, just didn't want to put Jazzy in the kennel.  The dogs were so cute, both waiting for her the last 1/2 hour!

[KayC]

I learned Cindy drastically took herself OFF her insulin and started Keto, so foolish to suddenly do, it's best eased into but when you're on insulin...we would NEVER suggest taking yourself off of it w/o a doctor's say so!  She went into Ketoacidosis (not the same as Ketosis at all, very dangerous!) for FOUR DAYS before Dennis took her to ER!  She's been resting for three days in ICU, and do NOT think she should even consider going on retreat even if she gets out of the hospital in time (five days away).  She's a take charge person and can't back off, so hoping/praying her husband keeps her at home for her own sake!  It'd be a good lesson actually, that the world can manage w/o her control.  I am very concerned for her and love her but omg did she give us all a huge scare!  And the thing is, she's had it before and should be aware of the symptoms!

Iris had me over for dinner last night and we watched Bewitched movie, I haven't heard her laugh like that in a long while, it was fun watching her!  Today marks halfway through her radiation!  Although the last half will be much rougher.

She finally has an exterminator coming out to do a bid tomorrow.  She can't take much more.  We've tried cleaning, peppermint oil, plug ins, she tossed the electronic traps and D-Con, honestly, at this point I'm not sorry for the poor B____S!  They don't belong in the house.  My two new electronic trap arrived the day after I ordered them, and I got them set up, may buy one more.  

Drop in weather, night before last 34, most of the day below 50, short while, 60, making do with Edenpure but not heating house very warm, trying to hold off building a fire until after retreat (in five days).

[KayC]

Cindy coming home today, she's been very ill for over a week now.  Everyone says "see you tomorrow!" (at church) I told her to REST!  Doubt she'll listen, she plans on coming to retreat.  Praying her deaconesses step up to the plate.

[KayC]

Iris got her estimate from the exterminator: $3,500, she doesn't have it.  She's going to get something to kill them from a farm supply and will get her vents covered with screen to prevent their getting in.  Praying the dogs don't get the poison.  At least she got the idea from him to close off their ways into the house.  Years ago I had a dryer vent they were coming into and they managed to get it apart once in the house.  Once I pulled the dryer out and sealed up the venting and got it hooked back up, that ended that.  I haven't had a mouse in here in years.  I'm still convinced by the electronic traps, but she's so squeamish, I told her I can check the traps and it's easy because you don't have to touch them.  They're even eating her clothes in her bedroom drawers!