What positive can you list today?

[foreverhis]

22 hours ago, KayC said:

She'd always given me diet before and usually we drink tea.

Yikes, Kay! I hope your body has recovered from it. In a way, it seems to me like that’s similar to what generally happens when someone who has been vegan a long time consumes meat. Our bodies adapt to digesting the foods and beverages we normally consume. If we veer wildly off that, we can become (usually temporarily) ill.

[KayC]

Not totally, BS was 104 this morning, usually doing OMAD it's 80s or 90s.  It takes a few days for our systems to get back on track.

Are you vegan?  I have neighbors who are, I tried it for a summer but it didn't help my diabetes.

[foreverhis]

23 hours ago, KayC said:

Are you vegan?

Oh heck no!  I'm an omnivore all the way.  But I have two friends who are vegan and have been for 6-7 years now.  They've described how the occasional "animal protein" meal started affecting them after the first couple of years, so now they simply don't because their bodies are no longer used to digesting it.

[KayC]

Our pastor and his wife left 6-7 weeks ago, we've had someone speaking on Sundays and today we voted for him...unanimously!  First time I've seen that in a vote.  Also, he's originally from here and knows some of our people, had the biggest turnout I've seen in a while!  It felt so encouraging!  It'll take a while for him to give notice at his job, find a place to live, and move here, but it's great to know he's coming, assuming he accepts and I think they will.  And his elderly in-laws live here.

[WithoutHer]

I had a nice long phone conversation with Vickie's daughter tonight. It's a good feeling that she thinks enough of me to call once a month or so. It makes up for the bummer feelings I have about finding out that my lowered blood sugar levels were a fluke actually caused by a defective sensor. 😕 Changed sensor this morning and my levels indicated my old usual fasting numbers. Verified it with a finger stick. I don't why I didn't do that when my levels were showing lower than my usual. Kicking myself but also considering it a lesson learned about double checking the glucose monitor. 

[widower2]

2 minutes ago, WithoutHer said:

I had a nice long phone conversation with Vickie's daughter tonight. It's a good feeling that she thinks enough of me to call once a month or so. 

I envy that. I'd elaborate but this is the "positive" thread   Glad you have that though.

[KayC]

I know it's the positive thread but interesting to note my BS was 122 this morning (usually in 90s) and I found that yesterday's elation over electing a new pastor resulted in my body making cortisol which raised my BS...can't win for losing!   Oh well, I'll still take it.

[RichS]

We're about to lose our pastor (transferring out) at our church in July. He was a good pastor in many ways. Hope that the new one transferring in will be as good. Fingers crossed..................

[Boggled]

The carpenter I'd called who came out and charged up my lawnmower battery (and aired up the tire, which turned out to be cracked on the outside, but still okay on the inside!) invited me to join a Urantia group meeting at the little nearby town.  So yesterday I went!  and met human beings!  in a nice apartment, a small group, but for me, who so very seldom even see another human, it was very ... "normalizing" might be the word I'm looking for?   And I can go back weekly!  

[Gail 8588]

Boggled, 

So glad you got out and engaged with people.  

I remember when I forced myself to go to some Home Depot training classes,  (how to lay tile, how to install click flooring, etc) just to be in the company of people.  

I'd  never heard of the Urantia Society. Seems like it would generate lots of discussion.  If you feel like sharing about it, I'd  love to hear, maybe under a post in the spiritual section. 

But good for you in stepping out to engage with people!

[KayC]

So glad to hear it  Boggled!  Let us know how it goes.  And I don't think a new lawmower tire is much $.

2 hours ago, RichS said:

We're about to lose our pastor (transferring out) at our church in July. He was a good pastor in many ways. Hope that the new one transferring in will be as good. Fingers crossed..................

I'm glad we got to check for ourselves and pick ours...🙏for you and your church!  I know how stressful change can be but trust all will work out for good...and our former one is doing well but misses us as we do him.

[Rey Dominguez Jr]

Went to my doctor this morning for another set of injections in my lower back for nerve pain.  As of right now as I type, not feeling any pain at all.  Doctor suggested all the injections go into the right side of my lower back as that seemed to be where the pain is concentrated.  I concurred and it was a good decision.  We’ll continue to evaluate with each visit and see if I can get to a maintenance routine.  Still need to keep stretching and moving and doing stuff.  Again, this is not a cortisone shot but a solution of natural elements that contain anti-inflammatory substances, like Arnica.  Started to appreciate how Veronica felt throughout her life with Type 1 diabetes.  

[RichS]

Rey:  Glad that these shots are working for you. Surgery is my best option, which I'll have done in June.

[Rey Dominguez Jr]

Rich, good luck and hope the surgery works out.  Sorry it has come to surgery for you.  I will do this therapy as long as I get some benefit from it.  Don’t know how this arthritis thing is going to be in a few years.  

[KayC]

Rey, so glad it's helping!  And wishing you well with your surgery, Rich.

[LMR]

Can you list a cuddle from our cat?

She went to sleep with her head tucked under my chin and her paw stretched out across my chest, for all the world as if she was hugging me. It felt so lovely 🤗

[KayC]

Of course you can!  So sweet!

[Roxeanne]

4 hours ago, LMR said:

She went to sleep with her head tucked under my chin and her paw stretched out across my chest, for all the world as if she was hugging me. It felt so lovely 🤗

My cat too! The time with her is just joy💕

[Rey Dominguez Jr]

Our cats like to cuddle, sometimes at the same time.  The orange one, Jonsey, likes to climb on my shoulder and moves around on my chest as he tries to get comfy in my arms.  Have to prop one arm on the table to help hold him up without slipping.  The grey one, Frankie, likes to lay across my lap when I am sitting watching tv or reading at the table.  When he turns around to find a good position, sometimes he’ll start slipping off my lap, hence the numerous scars on my thighs from his claws.  It can get crowded when they both want to cuddle at the same time.  

[RichS]

1 hour ago, Rey Dominguez Jr said:

The grey one, Frankie, likes to lay across my lap when I am sitting watching tv or reading at the table.  When he turns around to find a good position, sometimes he’ll start slipping off my lap, hence the numerous scars on my thighs from his claws.

Our cat Salem likes to do the same thing as Frankie. In the warmer weather, when I'm wearing lighter clothes, I often need to throw a small blanket across my lap; or else I get my frequent daily dose of acupuncture. 

[foreverhis]

On 4/23/2024 at 9:30 AM, LMR said:

Can you list a cuddle from our cat?

She went to sleep with her head tucked under my chin and her paw stretched out across my chest, for all the world as if she was hugging me. It felt so lovely 🤗

Absolutely. Here’s mine.

Miss Cosi is mostly Bengal. When young, they’re friendly with most people and affectionate, especially with their families. But they tend to be “lie next to you and touch” rather than lap cats.

A couple of weeks ago, I sat in the recliner in upstairs Cosiland and scooted to one side. She came over, walked back and forth on my lap, and then snuggled her lower body next to me while draping her upper body across my lap. It was a huge step forward for her. Now we do it a couple of times a day. She demands chin and head rubs, all the while purring like mad.❤️

[KayC]

Wednesday I wanted to post my positive of having gotten that area of the garage cleaned out for the contractor...which meant I actually had to go through the whole thing, assess, sort, move things, give away things, throw out things, it was hurculeon!  The Mormon missionary threw away the blower box (heavy as an engine) and finished stacking my son's hemlock boards on the far side of the carport where I'd started it.  Gave away a lot of tools to my neighbor, others took the bike rack and cots.  5 smashed fingers/knuckles and several cuts later, I retired exhausted and rested.  When I shared at Bible Study no one seemed interested, just suggested I move.  I have my reasons for not moving, that wasn't the point!  Sometimes I'm sorry I say anything there.  Here I know people will get it because all of us are on our own, no help from others, our spouse gone...

I was so proud of myself for what I accomplished!  Took a shower, treated my wounds and went to bed.  This was esp. amazing considering my hand injuries and loss of strength!

[KayC]

They just picked up the dumpster, I was so relieved they took it, one corner was up a bit but I could still get it locked into place.

[Boggled]

It's pouring rain again, as it did yesterday.  Hallelujah, for the garden getting soaked, and my experiment with recycling the kitty litter ... on an old wrecked small trampoline, piled with urine-soaked kitty litter with the solids sifted out, put directly under a spot where the rain falls off the slope of the roof in great quantity ... getting thoroughly washed.   hahaha!  

[foreverhis]

My positive for today is that a good friend took me to our local film festival to see the Cyndi Lauper documentary Let the Canary Sing.  It was excellent.  It was also the first time I'd been in a movie theater in more than a decade.  Then we came back to my house and had leftover chicken-chili soup with cilantro rice and slices of fresh baked sourdough that my baking partner and I made yesterday afternoon.

I had Raleigh in the morning until about 1:30 because her humans both had to be out.  Then Cosi went for a nail trim, mini check, and weigh in.  She's only down 1/10 of a pound this month, but the vet is good with that because she's gaining muscle definition.  Then into the shower to get ready for the movie.  Another friend drove me into town so that I didn't have to fight for parking on a busy day.

I'm pooped and Cosi is just a bit weirded out that her daily routine was not "right," but the friend who took me to the movie is her favorite auntie and they played, so now all is well.

[KayC]

And muscle weighs more so she's actually down more in fat. 

My positive is that our website is up and running again!  It was out for hours during the night, so was my other one but it doesn't get as much traffic.  I notice newcomers tend to come here in the wee hours so if the site is down...

[foreverhis]

4 hours ago, KayC said:

And muscle weighs more so she's actually down more in fat. 

Exactly, just like us.  It's why her body shape is obviously changing even as her weight isn't dropping that much each month.  She's starting to get the little indent of "waist" behind her rib cage again, her thighs were already strong, but now they're defined and the same with her shoulders, and she's getting definition between her front legs and the top of her chest.  She's down a total of 1/2 lb since the beginning of the year with a bit less than a pound to go.  And she's obviously happier with the way she feels because she's gotten more playful and active again.

[KayC]

I think Kodie gained it this year!

[KayC]

My positive for yesterday: I had some car service ramps (used once) I purchased years ago (I take my car to be serviced now) and stuck them out by the road/garbage can and someone took them yesterday!    Someone also got the mouse-chewed-on cots earlier and the bike rack but for some reason no one wants the ironing board!  Will see if the garbage man will take it.  (Too long for the now gone dumpster.)

[Rey Dominguez Jr]

17 hours ago, KayC said:

for some reason no one wants the ironing board!

Yeah, who irons their clothes anymore?  I used to iron a dress shirt and pants or two, but it has been a while.  😊

[KayC]

I thought the nobody wanting the ironing board was hilarious!  

When I retired I traded in my button downs for t-shirts and jeans, no more cuff links!

[Marq]

4 hours ago, KayC said:

I thought the nobody wanting the ironing board was hilarious!  

When I retired I traded in my button downs for t-shirts and jeans, no more cuff links!

I have you beat!!  I work in medicine so I wear pajamas (scrubs) every day!  😁

[Gail 8588]

I know who wants an ironing board these days: someone who sews. 

I have recently joined in with a group of women at my church that sew items to give away,  baby quilts for women's shelters with expectant mothers, lap quilts for the senior day care, gift stoles for our interim minister and for our young confirmants, and various other sewing projects.  I had to go get an ironing board!

(I had an iron, which I occasionally used just ironing on my bed.)

 

[widower2]

7 hours ago, Gail 8588 said:

I know who wants an ironing board these days: someone who sews. 

Or someone who serves (military). I never ironed a thing until I joined; then it became part of the normal chores. And no I don't miss it   Although I think it is kind of a shame that people never dress up anymore...

[KayC]

Someone who sews already has an ironing board.

My positive is the day is over.  Had a grueling day with computer problems, had to put my passwords into another browser, some would work in one browser but not the other, some required long conversations, ugh. Nothing is easy anymore. Done. Iris and I had a glass of wine and cheese filled morrels, really good. A good way to end a very hard day. Don't want to see my BS in the morning. And my daughter called. 

[RichS]

Today my son and I were ready to mow some small patches of grass in our yard. Problem was, the mower didn't start. First time that's happened in almost 20 years. That's how long we've owned it. AND WE BOUGHT THAT LAWNMOWER USED!! My bad news is actually good news when you step back and look at the big picture. Got our moneys worth from it, that's for sure.

[RichS]

9 hours ago, widower2 said:

And no I don't miss it   Although I think it is kind of a shame that people never dress up anymore...

For those of us old enough to remember, the beginning of the downfall of the iron began when garments carried the label, "wash and wear" and then replaced by "permanent press."

[KayC]

I always ironed until I retired. Still do now and then, don't recall how/when I ended up with two iroing boards but I saved it for my daughter nearly 20 years...she didn't object when I told her I put it out by the garbage.  Not sure it'd fit in my car to transport to Goodwill.  My previous car had a seat that'd lay down, this one doesn't.

[DWS]

I'm one of those odd types that likes to iron. I've always found the quiet steaming and gurgling of the iron soothes me...reminds me of my mom and the sound of my childhood. My t-shirts tend to fit and feel better when I've ironed them. Years ago, I built a shallow closet between two studs in one of the bathroom walls for the ironing board to stand with two tall narrow doors that hide it. 

[Sparky1]

I like ironing and yes my wife had an ironing board and I still use it once in a blue moon. Like DWS said, I also have fond memories of my mom ironing. She ironed practically everything and the t-shirts felt amazing when I put them on. But then again, she was the last of a breed, she knew how to sew, crochet, knit, do embroidery. I learned lots from her, bless her. How many times do we go to a special occasion and you see men with white shirts with the creases from the bag still on them? Lol.

[shawnt]

Yes I miss the"old days" . People dressed up to fly, every Sunday morning church was packed with people in their best. Oh how I hated getting a suit on as a boy. But I sure miss those times. 

[Boggled]

I've generally thought of ironing as a hassle.  Getting out the iron and the ironing board, setting them up, pouring water into the steam iron.  Getting the temp right.  I do NOT miss it.   Clothes are better now.  OK, that's just my opinion, but hey, it's sorta a "positive," that I think clothes are better now.

Our big goumi bush is starting to produce bright red goumis.  I was surprised to find some ripe already, ate a bunch straight off the bush.  They're high in lycopene, tart-sweet, there are just enough ripe that I don't feel obliged to pick a bunch yet.  Positive!

[foreverhis]

Positive for today:  I'm having a new TV delivered.  Everyone please send good thoughts and prayers that there's no hassle. 

And for tomorrow, a dear friend (Raleigh's dad and my baking partner) is going to come help me unbox it, remove the old TV from the wall mount that John carpentered into our old entertainment center, and install the new one.  I would have added on the "set up service," but it specifically excludes wall mounts.  They will only install it on the stand it comes with, which I am not using.  Sigh.  So I would appreciate many thoughts and prayers that we have no problems and that it works well.

The old one is a 55" we bought about a decade ago.  We only bought such a large one because John's aging eyes were having trouble with our old small one.  This one has been having issues for a good 18 months (turning itself on and off for the first 5-10 minutes after it boots up; once in a while refusing to accept the remote signal until a full reboot).  I could live with that, but the picture started to go (4" cirles or "halos" of failing pixels).  I found a new 55" to fit in the space, same brand which is generally good and we have other tech from them.  It was on sale at Costco for a screaming good deal, great new picture and tech, and a free 5 year warranty.  I'm 🤞 and 🙏 for no problems.

[RichS]

UPDATE ON MY OLD MOWER:  Today my friend visited me from out of town. He sold me this mower 20 years ago. Just for the ha-ha, he wanted to try to start it. A little priming and a few cranks later, IT STARTED!!!!

[KayC]

Wow, you two are both having a good day!  Congratulations on the mower and the t.v.!

[DWS]

As a positive, I sauteed and ate some fiddleheads from my garden yesterday. That was the very first time I'd ever tried doing that. I'd had fiddleheads only a couple of times in the past and loved them but I also love my ferns in the backyard. The thought of cutting them off before they unfurl their beauty seemed almost sacrilege...however in these past few years, I've also become aware of how annoyingly invasive they can be. Two days ago, I dug some out and transplanted them to other spots but one large unfurled fern had a tragic meeting with my shovel. It had about ten fiddleheads to it so I scooped them up, put them in a bowl of water and included them in last night's dinner. They were delicious!! Now the rest of the ferns out there tremble when they see me with shovel in hand!

[Adriennelc]

28 minutes ago, DWS said:

As a positive, I sauteed and ate some fiddleheads from my garden yesterday. That was the very first time I'd ever tried doing that. I'd had fiddleheads only a couple of times in the past and loved them but I also love my ferns in the backyard. The thought of cutting them off before they unfurl their beauty seemed almost sacrilege...however in these past few years, I've also become aware of how severely invasive they can be. Two days ago, I dug some out and transplanted them to other spots but one large unfurled fern had a tragic meeting with my shovel. It had about ten fiddleheads to it so I scooped them up, put them in a bowl of water and included them in last night's dinner. They were delicious!! Now the rest of the ferns out there tremble when they see me with shovel in hand!

What on earth are Fiddleheads?

[DWS]

17 minutes ago, Adriennelc said:

What on earth are Fiddleheads?

They're the snail-looking beginnings of ostrich ferns. Once they pop up out of the ground, the fern leaves are rolled up and then eventually unfurl but I'm not sure why they're called "fiddleheads". They have a similar taste to broccoli. You boil them first and then fry them up in a pan. 

[Adriennelc]

10 minutes ago, DWS said:

They're the snail-looking beginnings of ostrich ferns. Once they pop up out of the ground, the fern leaves are rolled up and then eventually unfurl but I'm not sure why they're called "fiddleheads". They have a similar taste to broccoli. You boil them first and then fry them up in a pan. 

Wow.  Will go and look those up.  Thank you

[foreverhis]

Well, the TV arrived.  I'm sure there's nothing wrong with it, but I haven't opened the box because I decided to check a couple of things and discovered it's been discontinued.  That might not be a problem, but if it's defective at all, I'd have to start over.

So I'm returning it tomorrow with a friend who has been dying for a ride in John's Rabbit convertible before I sell it.  I've already researched the "new" version, found it on sale, and will order it tonight for delivery next week.  It's $100 more, but I don't exactly replace my technology just on a whim, so I do want something good that doesn't break the bank.

Overall, a positive that I discovered everything before my friend and I went to the trouble of changing it out.