Just need to talk to my friends (192)

Lorita, you were in your gown and robe until noon. Some days I spend all day in my pj's. I get up late, and by the time I finish what should be my morning routine, it is already late, and time to get ready for bed.

Ron, I wish you had more clarification about your esophagus. It's terrible not knowing what is happening or what to do. But your aide really made you a great meal. My mouth is watering thinking about it!

Eagle, you are not alone. Warren Buffett has said he will not leave his children or grandchildren an inheritance, not because there is dissention in the family, but because he believes they need to make their own way and not rely on inherited money.

Doctors where I live in SoCal say Covid is on the rise.

Ron, I wonder where your friends lived when they were stationed in Alaska for two years. Several military members decided to retire in AK. They had all the benefits of America, while living in an exotic environment, away from the usual hustle and bustle. Actually, I think anyone who is used to Buffalo or Minneapolis could easily adjust to Anchorage, because it is a real city. Fairbanks and the other amsll towns would take some getting used to.

The University of Alaska is based in Fairbanks, so there is that intellectual and cultural stimulation. Nowadays, with the development of the internet and modern shopping, all goods can be had just about snywhere in Alaska. But be aware, there are many people who want to keep Alaska quiet and somewhat isolated from the rest of the world. They crave the peace and quiet and the culture of self-sufficiency.

Alaska is so beautiful! Especially in the winter! The snow on the ground sparkles like diamonds. The light comes from the moon and the stars shining on the snow. The moonlight is so bright that you can see where you are walking. You don't really need the sun. In Fairbanks, the sun comes just above the horizon for about an hour around noon. The rest of the time, it is night. In the winter we can see the aurora borealis, or northern lights. They fill the sky, and are all colors, but mostly greenish. They wave back and forth across the sky.

I was used to going to work in the dark, then coming home in the dark, because I was used to working long hours in the hospital, so I wasn't affected by not seeing the sun. But some people did develop what they called cabin fever--they missed the daylight. The base focused a lot of attention on keeping the airmen occupied and socialized. There were many indoor activities, and even outdoor activities. Our base even had its own ski slope.

The main danger of Alaska is exposure. Regular winter clothing is not enough. The base had a mandatory lecture on Alaskan weather and terrain, Arctic survival, snd what to wear. To get dressed was an activity. In addition to regular underwear, we wore longjohns. Then our regular uniform. The women's uniform was skirts only, but the women in Alaska got a special dispensation to wear trousers on duty where the weather reached a certain temperature. Over the trousers we were issued a pair of heavily insulated snow pant overalls, sort of like skiers wear. On top we wore a sweater. Over all was a thick parka, with a hood that zipped up to form a tunnel to cover the head and nose and mouth, leaving only the eyes exposed.

On the feet we wore two pairs of wool socks. Then our shoes, then mukluks, which are thick, insulated boots. On our hands we had regular gloves, then big insulated mittens. It took me about 20 minutes to dress. By the time I was fully dressed, I was fully protected from -60 degree F weather. I could not copy a picture of our parks, because all the parkas I saw are made of fur and are more decorative than protective. If you want to see, search for "military parka".

Here is a link to see some northern lights.

Iris

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Iris, if you decide to take a trek with a friend or two to Rogers Gardens Christmas Setting, do be there when they open; it fills up fast and even sometimes buses arrive with visitors from various places including I think some senior centers.

We would go when they opened and delightfully lollygagged our way around things; just fun to look at the creativity - then later we would sometime have lunch down the way at South Coast Plaza at Maggiano's; oh my, just look at their full menu . . . now I am hungry.

https://www.maggianos.com/locations/california/costa%20mesa/3333-bristol-st./

If you have a small group of women or a few friends to do this, it is really enjoyable and Maggiano's lets you sit there and nibble away for as long as you want; lovely place with really delicious food and not all Italian. I especially like their chopped salad. And guess what is next door . . . it is the famous Container Store! Oh my stars and garters and sore feet not to mention a sore wallet! Christmas . . . . but this year no tree no getting out, but counting blessings for what there is and grateful for that.

J.

Iris, they were TSA security screeners and worked at Dead Horse. Don't really know where that is, but was told very few flights in and out and they received the bonus fir transferring because it was hard to feel positions at the airport.

Lorita, my Christmas shopping was over a couple of weeks ago, checks in the mail. Easiest way to shop fir kids, grandkids and great grandkids!

Speaking of a red car reminded me of my teenage years. Dad had a what I called; vomet green 1954 Ford that I drove. I was 16 and hated the color! .y parents went on a trip and I asked if I could paint it while they were gone. Dad asked what color and I didn't know at the time but thought maybe black. A friend of mine that painted cars and I drove it in his garage when I got off work at 10pm. A case of beer and whiskey in the drunk and the color was decided after a few drinks. I drove out the next morning with a 🔥 fire engine red vehicle. Don't remember seeing any other red cars on the road in early 60s, so they knew it was me when people saw it.

Ron

Im good Lorita. Has been a busy day.

It was time to clean mom’s house again today. It went OK, she’s really strung tight right now.

My sister tries to reason with her every once in a while and that really gets my mom agitated. My sister tried to reason with her yesterday.

Then I also went to the grocery store and got my shopping done for the week. Froze my meat once I got home but I’m going to leave the lemon juice thing until tomorrow. I wanted to get it done tonight too but I’m just too tired.

Hope your headache goes away and you get a good nights rest.

Good morning porch patrol.

@Jo C.

Maggiano's is a favorite of mine, too. My niece was a server at the one in Philadelphia when she was in grad school. I don't typically frequent chains, but I will make an exception for them. I have a mild fried zucchini addiction. The last time I had my mom in the city for an eye appointment, she bought me dinner there. They were running a weekday special where you got a second ready take-home heat entree to go with your meal. LOL, mom still talks about it like she won the lottery.

@jfkoc

You're like my mom. Shopping is her favorite thing in the world and loves to carefully select something for each of us. Last year, she replaced most of my interior lighting-- I got a new kitchen light, chandeliers for the foyer and dining and a hall light for upstairs. We had a blast looking for pieces.

I hear you on middle school kids. They're a different breed. I was the advancement person for DS's scout troop and OMG they can be a tough crowd. I worked with a lot of them on merit badges and getting their Eagle paperwork completed. TBH, the really bright ones are no better behaved-- they sink to the lowest common denominator. I did enjoy my time with most of them.

One of DH's friends who was a researcher in coatings and paint told me about 30 years ago another reason white is a good choice is that the paint molecules are "bigger". This means there's more paint applied which will oxidize slower than, say, silver. I'm not sure if that's still and thing. DS drives a deep green Miata and I do worry about other drivers seeing it. It's a good thing it's so loud.

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My cold is mostly gone-- just a nasty lingering cough now. My ears are still clogged but improving. I had my periodontist appointment yesterday. It did not go as well as I'd hoped. DH kept telling me this guy was magical and removed a massive molar for him with a "flick of the wrist". No flicks for me. This was a lateral incisor with a smallish root that I had broken. When he went to pull, the bottom third of the root broke off and he had to dig for it. No fun. He also felt my jaw needs a graft and 6 months healing before we even discuss and implant which means no permanent prosthetic for up to a year. Ugh. I have an Invisalign-like plate to fill the hold, but it's not something I can wear to eat or drink. The perio suggested ordering a second one as they're fragile and he anticipates I will need a back up. I am not a happy camper. That said, I have no pain and zero bruising.

And tomorrow I take DS in to get his wisdom teeth out. Soft food all around!

HB

Our house was on Upper Canyon Rd and our backyard was the Santa Fe National Forest. That is why we had so much wildlife...bears, deer, bobcats and smaller...lol. It was maybe 2 hours to Angel Fire. We never went because we were not skiing.

It is beautiful country and the high road to Taos is a wonderful drive.

Interesting fact about Aspen...they are the first trees to grow after a fire so I have been told.

Jo C, thanks for the suggestion, but I don't travel far on my own now.

Iris

Ron, I looked up Deadhorse too. It's 400 miles north of Fairbanks, twelve hours (or more) driving on a gravel road. Only three gas stations on the way. Those tiny communities can be very cozy if the people get along, because the companies do everything to keep the workers happy. But I agree with the wife, two years in Deadhorse is enough!

When I was in Alaska, I drove a Beetle Volkswagen. It was okay until the temperature dropped. Motorists attach heaters to the engine block to keep the oil and everything from freezing. There are stands everywhere that look like a parking meter, but it is actually where you plug in your car to keep the engine warm. When it got too cold, around zero F, I had to warm my VW engine the old-fashioned way. I filled an aluminum pan with charcoal briquettes, the same ones used for a barbecue. I covered with kerosene and lit the briquettes, and waited for the flames to die down and for the coals to give off heat. Then I slid the pan beneath my car's engine (in the back) and waited for the engine to warm enough for the spark plugs to work so the engine could turn over. Of course I removed the pan before I started the engine. Eventually, this method stopped working. Then I had to walk to work. The clinic was about a half mile from where I lived in the trailer park. After I completed my dressing ritual, I would take off down the road. Always someone would stop and give me a lift, so I rarely had to walk the entire distance. But I did walk a few times. Before the age of electric plug-ins, drivers in Alaska would keep their engines warm by simply running the motor continously!

Driving in the winter in Alaska is not like driving in our northern states, becsusevthe roads in Alaska are clear of snow! The snowfall is so powdery that when it fall, the current caused by tires pushes the snow away from the roads. This is on the more traveled roads. In the northern states, cars drive on top of packed snow.

A very dangerous time of driving in Alaska is when there is ice fog. The ice crystals are suspended in the air, and you cannot see more than a couple of feet ahead of you. You have to follow the lights of the car ahead of you as best you can, at a very slow pace. I got caught in ice fog once, and said, never again!

The base had several housing options. The single airmen lived in barracks, similar to a college dormitory. They ate in a mess hall. The single officers lived in a two-room suite with a private bath, and with a shared kitchen. This was like a boarding house with kitchen privileges. Married enlisted and officers lived in base houses. People brought their own furniture and belongings. The military paid for all moving expenses. We shopped for groceries at the commissary and shopped for everyday items at the BX, which was like Target, selling goods and clothing. The selection was adequate. Anything not found readily could be ordered on base, or by mail-order. This was in the days before the internet and online shopping.

I and a few others did not want base housing so we lived in the trailer park. I don't know why people complain about trailers because I loved my trailer. I had two bedrooms, a living room with a section that pulled out, a big kitchen and a bath. The washer and dryer was in the bathroom. I was very content.

Everyone knows the movie and the TV show MASH. I got to see a real MASH unit. The Army sent up soldiers to learn Arctic survival skills. These soldiers lived in a huge tent, like the ones shown on TV, but bigger. It was heated by a propane stove. The soldiers slept on cots. This was in January, the coldest month.

In the winter one of the attractions is dog-sledding. There were small races around Fairbanks. The big Iditarod race runs from near Anchorage to Nome, in the far west. I never saw that race.

Another winter attraction is flying to visit Hawaii. Some people just say, "enough!" to the snow and cold, and plan to get away. Hawaii is due south of Alaska, and of course, always warm and sunny.

Around mid-March, the temp begins to warm up. An unofficial holiday is "Break-up Day", the day the ice in the river begins to melt and break up. This lets people know that spring is on the way.

Well, this comes to the end of what I can write about Alaska. Living in Alaska was a fascinating time in my life. I wish everyone could get to visit Alaska at least once. It is an experience you will enjoy thoroughly!

Iris

Hope your day improves Ron.

Sounds like your husband is slowly improving Beth glad to hear that. It has been a long time for sure. Glad that you got a little more rest this week.

Thanks again, Iris for all your installments on Alaska. I can relate to the powdery snow, we get both types here, but tend to get more the wet type than the dry powdery type. The dry powdery type is so much easier to deal with.

Lorita nice to have all those baby calves to watch, they’re so sweet.

Iris, what a wonderful and pleasing presentation on your Alaskan experience; that should be written and sent in for publication. I have enjoyed reading it.

Ron; am sorry about your Lou; sometimes there is just no winning. Your high school lunch sounded SO good - all the goodies that taste buds would cheer for!

Sayra; sorry to hear your mother was feeling geared up; that is such an uncomfortable situation to be part of - like waiting for the shoe to drop and not knowing if it actually will or not. Walking on those proverbial eggshells. Had that happen so much with my mother. Eggshells my speciality; things pretty much always on the edge.

Son David is having slow response to the stroke that Vasculitis caused. Left hand and left leg not doing well; very weak. He has also had some personality changes with the stroke and while subtle, it is not to the positive side of the ledger. So concerning.

Boy, did I ever have a bad, lousy no goodnik day yesterday. Here I am complaining; whine, whine, whine. I had my first appt with a Rheumatologist for the Pulmonary Fibrosis which may have some autoimmune issues that I abruptly developed which is new. She is so hard to get into, it took forever to gain the appt.

Me - short of breath when up and doing; constant O2 in use, (fine at rest), took over two hours to get showered, shampooed, blow dried, groomed and dressed and was exhausted. Wondered if I was going to be able to make it; had to stop and rest several times. Finally; was able to get it together, got downstairs and ready to get to car . . . . really needed to be on time for appt so I would not lose place.

First thing; DH evidently did not keep my tiny portable Inagen O2 concentrator plugged in to charge - it was short - oh dear . . . . then with great effort got across house, room by room; through the laundry room into the garage . . . puff puff. Into the car. Key in ignition - NO power! Could not plug O2 concentrator into car power source; there wasn't any. DH had a special thingie to charge car battery - did not work despite trying and trying and trying . . . .by this time, he was beet red, angry as could be . . . and I was going to be appt late. Called office and said I would be there; called neighbor re jumper cables . . . . tried and tried and tried; battery would not take a charge from cables . . . dead as a door nail. By this time, DH cursing and looked ready to have the top of his head blow off red to purple complexion; so angry and spilling it onto others . . . .me sitting in passenger seat getting more and more tense; had to call and cancel appt. Made me not popular. Was a new very expensive car battery . . . BUT it had happened once before and electric system on car okay; it was new battery. Car had not been driven for three weeks; DH takes his little vanity car instead . . . so there it was. Had to slowly puff my way back into house reversin course and get me returned to original state of being. Well; at least my newly blow dried hair looked good! Got a new appt for two days before Christmas. Oh my stars and garters . . . talk about a huge taxing effort and actually, very upset after all the striving to put it together. Thanks for letting me whine.

Son who lives near called; his wife is exposed to to COVID; two co-workers at her veterinarian office are positive and symptomatic as of yesterday and she works closely with them; she has sniffles, so testing is under way. Son had come to house yesterday to help with car too before he knew of exposure, so he was near my DH . . . .so hope that if COVID is positive, that DH did not get exposed . . . if I got it, well; that would be a disaster with the fibrosis. . . . Still though; counting blessings and being very, very grateful.

I was going to put some special Christmas boxes together to send to a few folks; just a few things; but oh my goodness; ten days till Christmas; too late to do. I have lost track of time since I got out of the hospital. The cleaning lady we hired for every other week turns out to be unreliable; shows up at noon or later despite the 10:00 start time; and then doesn't show up or cancels. So; once again looking for someone which is not easy Not a fan of care.com.. We are easy to work for; kind to workers, and it is only basics, nothing extraordinary demanded. I really need to be sure to find ways to lessen burden upon my DH; he is not always easy of temper and he does not need pressure; yet he is doing o much now. Never, never would I have thought I would have something like this happen and not a wink of a warning anything was wrong, etc. Well; learning more about being humble and how to be accepting. I always thought I would be the one to care for DH and that is such a surprise; we never know what will happen and it can happen in an instant. Fuss and bother!!

Still on Prednisone - now 30 mg per day instead of 40 for next month before lowering again. Omigosh the side effects . . . . tired, fatigued, hungry, NO sleep, slow, tummy unhappiness; sometimes mutton headed and more. Me who has not been on any prescriptions whatsoever for eons and eons. Well; tis what tis.

Joan; how are you doing up there . . . been thinking of you and wondering how it is going especially now with the weather.

Lorita; have you seen there are two new seasons of Doc Martin? I know you enjoyed that series, we have recorded them.

Oh gosh; DH bought cinnamon buns from CostCo . . . WOW! Giant, filled with cinnamon and LOTS of frosting on top. So very yummy; but mortal sin all the way. Yes; I ate one. Fallen woman.

Just had a nice cup of decaf tea . . . Stash's Earl Grey . . . love that stuff; it is like a warm hug around the tummy.

Hello and welcome Raisl . . . I am sorry for what is happening. Do you have a dementia specialist for your husband? There are medications which can help even him out and return a better quality of life and peace. No way should you continue to be abused. It is great to have this place to come and talk. I would like to make a suggestion though . . . . this particular Thread is like talking on the front porch; I really would advise you to go onto the Spousal Forum and start a new topic with your problem issues . . . Post what is happening; this way, all the other Members will see you and you will get far more responses with more suggestions based on others experiential wisdom. It is really good to do that. It certainly helped me when going through the bad times. But do come here to this Thread for connections to discuss anything you wish; you can see we all do that here out of friendship. So glad to have you with us.

Cookies. I am wanting and eating cookies . . . . PREDNISONE . . . .keeps you awake all night so you can think of food and give yourself excuses for eating it because it demands it . . . . big side effect besides insomnia, is hunger . . . as if I would ever fade away from being thin . . . .(hysterical laughter in background.)

Best be wafting away for now; please know if I do not Post, I still follow everyone and truly do care.

J.