KarenK

I got my few gifts wrapped. Still doesn't feel like Christmas. Nothing big happening here that day. My son works on the eve and the day. Their business is always open. At least he works nights so will have Christmas morning. We don't have a special meal. Mostly just a normal day around here. I sure hope they haven't messed up your surgery preparations you have in place. You'd think they would make things as convenient as possible for you. Fortunately(knock on wood), my broken teeth are not hurting right now. Am not looking forward to having them pulled.

V, you are so not alone in that feeling. For 40 years, it was "we". We did everything together and depended on each other, no one else. For 8 years now, it's been " I". It's like being a fish out of the water. A couple of years after losing my husband and daughter, my brain had this plan to get in my big truck with my big dog and travel the country. Then reality dawned that I was not financially able or nearly independent enough to do that. We had traveled the country a lot, always on the go. It was a big challenge to accept that those days are gone. Now age and failing health has slapped me in the face. My life is completely upside down from what it once was. If he were here the problems would still exist, but we would face them together. I would still be the old me. Not sure who I am anymore.

Dee, I changed my eye appt. to Jan 12 so I could go in the afternoon instead of morning. I'm not usually awake before noon as I can't go to sleep before 5 AM. At least I'll have my eyes open then. Not really close to my neighbors. They are a nice young Mexican family with small children which are always kicking soccer balls or footballs into my back yard that require retrieval. I don't mind, but the dogs have a barking fit when anyone comes near. They have a huge extended family and friends and lots of parties so there's a lot going on over there. A lot of them are landscapers also so that helps. She's always offering to help me with anything, but I figure with three little boys and a teenage daughter that her hands are full enough. Wearing a mask is saving my vanity when I have to venture out. I have 3 teeth broken off at the gum which I need to have pulled. I don't think I've left the house in 3 months. I plan to get a haircut this week😁 When will you get checked for cataract surgery?

A few days ago, my neighbor dropped by and said they were going to have my front yard cleaned up by the landscapers when they had theirs done, that it was a Xmas present. I really appreciated it as I can't do it anymore, my grandson doesn't offer, and my son is too busy. Either it was a generous gesture or they were sick of the mess. I was really embarrassed though. The back yard is a worse disaster. I keep hoping for a huge wave of energy to get it taken care of. So far it hasn't happened. Ten years ago, I could do all this stuff. Now it's all I can do to vacuum. So much for a productive life, NOT. I need to wrap my few presents and put them under the tree which looks a little sedate as my lighted angel tree topper quit working. Changing bulbs didn't help. Wish I could see to drive. Would like to go to the after Xmas sales at the nicer stores for a new one. That's about the extent of my excitement for now. Boring.....boring....boring.

Because I rarely sleep soundly, I'm always ready to fall asleep watching tv. Usually I haven't missed much. I usually reheat a plate of food on 30% power for about 3 min. No overcooked meat that way. Got our tree tonight which we'll decorate tomorrow. Unfortunately the stand cracked(unknown to us) as Robert was setting it up so the water was leaking out as he filled it. On the bright side, I had put a thick towel underneath which soaked up most of the water. He had to run to Lowes for a new stand and all is well for now😄 Hope the new shower chair makes things easier for you.

Gwen, don't know if it's feasible for you, but warm air from your hair dryer might clear the icemaker blockage. My fridge is very old and the icemaker is accessible in the freezer.

I asked my son to check Facebook to see if he could find my Kentucky grandkids. Not sure where they are now, but I don't think near the tornado outbreak. What a terrible loss of whole towns and so many lives! Nature at its worst.

So many places in the south look so green and beautiful, but I couldn't take the humidity. I donned my warm Sox tonight, although our house stays pretty warm. We've not turned on the furnace yet. Actually still have the AC on as the front of the house where the guys live is hotter than the rest. Either they roast or I freeze. No happy medium. lol

Finally getting a little rain here. Only a few hours worth and it's supposed to snow in Flagstaff. Wish I was there. I know it's no big thing to a lot of you, but here it's like manna from heaven.

A true friend will understand, James. Enjoy your time together.

I don't think you're grumpy about cats. Dogs are just your preference as they are mine. We did have our tuxedo cat Batman for many years, but I was not close to him. He and Mickey(Black Lab) were best buds, but he hated other dogs. I saw a "House Hunters" episode where the guy needed an entire room for his large collection of lizards kept in glass enclosures. That I couldn't live with! I hope the new aide works out well and you're able to get a shower with no problems. One less thing to worry over.

Gwen, my heart is breaking for you. They have backed you into a corner, with surgery being the only way out to fix the mistake and end the pain. Hopefully, your recovery would go much smoother and be less painful. Is there any way at all that you can get another opinion?

I think health problems(old and new) surface for many of us when we lose someone. Grief does a number on your immune system. I was almost as healthy as a horse until Ron died, except for my BP. I was still doing all the yard work, keeping the house clean, cooking, etc. I think all that plus the caregiving, medical appts., and constant worrying about him and Debbie just wore me out. Plus the added factor of age. I just don't bounce back anymore. You have every right to feel despair and disappointment. Is the surgeon going to adjust your pain meds to compensate for the extra pain? I'm just so sorry it took so long for them to listen to you.

Mexican is my absolute favorite, Gwen. Good thing I'm in Az. Tried grits once. Ya'll can keep your grits. Give me good ol' biscuits and gravy. No crawdads either. Loved shrimp when I had teeth. lol

Gwen, I'm just super angry that your concerns have been ignored for so long causing you all this added unnecessary pain. I don't know what else to say except this needs to be fixed sooner than later accompanied by much better pain meds. There's just no excuse for the way you've been treated.

Dee, so glad it's "normal" to eat cornbread and milk. lol. My guys cringe when I eat it. They don't like fried okra either. No "southern" in those boys.

Gwen, I'm glad the surgeon was able to read the scan promptly. Keeping my fingers crossed that more surgery is not needed. He needs to figure out something to relieve your constant pain though. No rodents in this part of town, but in areas where there are a lot of orange trees, people sometimes have trouble with roof rats. This old house is sorely in need of new paint on the walls and new flooring. Unfortunately, no money or anyone around here inclined to do it. Ron could fix most anything, but my son is not a fix it guy. I just keep it as clean as I can with 2 messy guys and 2 dogs, but I have no love for it. Being a big fan of "Yellowstone", I was excited to see a new series "1883" (a prequel) starting in Dec. Unfortunately, it's only on Paramount +, which I can't get on my tv. So many things require streaming or a smart tv. Don't really like watching things on my Kindle, so I'll have to miss it. Will be thinking of you Gwen and hope the doctor visit has a positive outcome.

Gwen, Sending hugs and good vibes as you make your way through the CT later. For as much as you hate getting it, remember it's probably the best tool for your surgeon to determine what's going on. When is your appointment with him? Crazy world out there! Robert made a 3AM Jack In The Box run. The driver ahead of him in the line was passed out cold. He couldn't wake him so he drove around him and parked. The window person called the cops. Almost every day someone is killed by a wrong way driver on a freeway here. How can you possibly drive the wrong way and not know it? It's sometimes safer to be a hermit, boring as it is.

V, I'm so very sorry for the loss of your soulmate. It sounds as though you had a wonderful and fulfilling life together. Yes, we do become one with that person and it's more than difficult to live with half a heart. I lost my husband of 40 years to cancer over 8 years ago. He was a big, strong guy despite many health issues. I refused to believe the cancer would win, but it did. A year later, my daughter followed him after a long battle with cancer. I lived in a fog and a deep, dark hole for a very long time. No, you're not crazy. Pretty much anything you do out of the ordinary is normal right now. Grief confuses everything. It's hard to see now, but there is light at the end of your tunnel. Your heart will let you know when you're ready to see it. I'm so grateful for my son and grandson and my many friends here who have helped me stay sane and in one piece. Not a day goes by that I don't miss my husband and daughter, but time is a healer of sorts. The tears are fewer and the pain not as sharp.

Not sure the number of years matter, Kieron. Whether it's 1 or 20, the loneliness is the same. Hope the sun shines again for you soon.

Not sure what kind of movies you like. I don't like musicals, icky horror, and some comedies. I have a lot of dvds, some not even opened. I like miniseries such as "North and South", " The Thornbirds", and "Shogun". I have all those. I'm afraid I'll have to be buried with a tv and DVD player before I can rewatch everything.

Gwen, here's a way to access the list of freebies on tv. Google "free premium channel movies Thanksgiving weekend". Click on " Thanksgiving free preview-at&t entertainment news". You can scroll through 8 pages of listings. I've seen most of what's there, but want to watch "Queen Bees". Hope you find something you like.

Gwen, I wanted to wish you a happy birthday although it hasn't started out too well with the oxygen problem. Sure hope your day gets better. Have you tried googling restaurants open on Thanksgiving in your zip code? We had our dinner today as Robert works tomorrow evening. I managed to pull off a decent dinner without a hitch. Unfortunately I have to add turkey to the list of things I can't chew. Everything else was okay though. I didn't have any better luck than you did figuring out what's free on the premium channels this weekend.

I wish I knew why it drops. When the diastolic hits about 50, the dizziness is a given. I take 3 BP meds which probably contributes. It also seems to relate to how much sleep I've had the night before. It only lasts for a few minutes and then I'm okay, but I won't be running any marathons.

Dizziness is something I can definitely identify with. I'm used to bending over to walk from my family room chair to the kitchen. Less far to fall that way. lol Usually it happens when my BP has dropped too low. Don't know if we'll get a big tree this year. They are very expensive now and it's such an ordeal to drag out all the decorations. Sure looks pretty for a couple of weeks though.