Just need to talk to my friends (218)

Iris L. · May 27

Ron, a lot of Southerners seem to use their middle names. My grandmother's name was Lavinia, and everyone called her "Cousin Lou".

All evacuation orders have been lifted for the chemical emergency and everyone can return home. Apparently, even though a crack was discovered in the upper side of the tank, there was no actual leak. The firefighters kept spraying the tank with water to cool it, and were able to peel off the outside layers of the tank to further cool the chemicals.

Now, to ask, why was this dangerous tank located in the middle of a residential area, including close to Disneyland and all the big hotels and two freeways?

Iris

Iris L. · May 27

If anyone wants his or her spirits lifted, watch this, it lifted mine. This is dog dancing.

https://youtu.be/41TxtpBK2ZY?si=QSDTBoR_27O9oiIC

Iris

ronald71111 · May 27

Good morning, a few minutes ago a deer walked right in front of my camper, even looked at me through the window. Just now, a big ole skunk in front yard coming this way, don’t want him waving his tail at me.

Ron

harshedbuzz · May 27

@GothicGremlin

And the random turntable, sewing machine and typewriter! The Hamlet episode was peak Gilligan's Island.

Carl— A friend recently pointed out to me that The Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction occupied the same TV universe. Mind blown 🤯

Iris— I wonder which came first. MMA was used to make the Plexiglas that was used in planes during
WW II. Perhaps the plant was there first. I know much of the housing in the area near DH's research facility/plant was built for the people who worked there. A lot of industries in Philadelphia created the neighborhoods that supplied the workforce. Odd when you think about it.
_________________________________________________

Rebooting the POC didn't work yesterday. The oxygen supplier with deliver a new unit today and swap them out. She'll need to answer the phone when the gate calls. She complains the gate doesn't work but I am beginning to think it's operator error.

I am starting to rethink her living arrangements; I don't know that I can keep her safe without physically having eyes on her daily with the latest breathing issues. We see cardiology Monday and I'm hoping to gain some clarity around her worsening breathing issues. Pulmo says he's optimized breathing and it's likely her CHF and/or pulmonary hypertension. He was the one who picked up her need for TAVR as well.

Meeting a friend downtown today for a sleepover. I met this woman on a support website for Aspergers Syndrome around 2004. We had our own little porch there and have all kept in touch as our sons grew up. Imagine if we could all do that IRL— it would be a blast.

DS came home with a to-do list ahead of school starting in late August.

HB

ronald71111 · May 27

Here is what the senior living apartment offers where I’m moving to. I went last Friday and am on the “Independent Living ” waiting list. If the time ever comes, I could move to Assisted Living or Memory care.

Ron

Lorita · May 27

Morning, Decoration Day used to be.pretty big around here. People would go to the cemetery to decorate graves and bring chairs to sit on and visit. Many times it was the only time you got to see certain people. I don't think they do that so much now- that was when I was.young.

Just transplanted a small black walnut seedling,then saw one over a foot or more tall. If Bryon doesn't want it I may move it but no idea where. The yard is full of trees. They are coming up from walnuts Rusty is burying., I guess.

Iris, I think you are. brave to get into a.car without a driver. I saw on tv where there were several of them,without passengers, driving around and around a.cul de.sac, I think. One even drove into water and drowned out.

Good ballgame last night.. I hope the Thunder wins tomorrow night.but it may go seven..

Rain is moving up from Houston so we may get rain this afternoon. I hope so.

.

e at.

jfkoc · May 27

I would not eat the eggs…..adding a pinch of salt and sugar will preserve the eggs texture….you can freeze in ice cube trays. I freeze lots of "bits" in ice cube trays.

eaglemom · May 27

Good afternoon. I just dumped the rain gauge from the last several days. It had just over 2.25 inches. On Sunday it had 3.1 inches. This is unreal for TX weather. And it looks like its going to rain again this afternoon. I'm not complaining, its just odd.

Lorita you might try Alpha Lipoic Acid 600 mg 2x's daily for neuropathy. My PCP recommended it for me and I will admit I was very skeptical, but it has worked. I'm sure you can order it with with your Walmart order or I ordered it from Amazon. That might help your legs.

HB it might be time to re-evaluate your mom's living situation. Or at least have a plan thought through. Just one more thing on your never ending to do list. I know you don't want to take her independence away but equally you've got to have her compliant and the machine always working. Ugh

Ron I'm glad that you've found some place that you like. I think having someone around all the time would be nice for you. Just think, this winter you won't have to worry about your propane and running out.

Iris when is our next trip?

Beth I wrote down your movie list! I'll go to find a movie and get overwhelmed just looking for one that I stop looking. Then I end up on something like HGTV or The Big Bang just to have the noise on.

This afternoon task if trying to figure out our insurance, house / car policy. I don't mind handling everything else, but for some reason I let insurance intimate me. I keep seeing all of the advertisements for lowering your auto insurance. It sounds too good to be true, but goodness its quite the savings. And I'm getting all of these notices abouts roofs. How they will 'cut the insurance out' and you'll play less when you get your roof. Gives me a headache and I'm not looking at it yet.

Take care everyone. Let's be safe.

jfkoc · May 27

HB… I am of a mind that the lower the insurance the more problems one has with claims. We have used USAA since Dick was in the Navy. Never a problem.

Lorita · May 27

Judith, I'm a bit leary of the eggs. I froze some during covid but they were rubbery so didn't eat them. Guess I should only get half a dozen at one time.

Thanks Beth, I'll try that. It's must be the !laments or muscles are tight behind my knee so I can't bend it to a 90 degree angle. I ordered dome HempVana creme for nerves but haven't tried it yet.

Looks like the rain is about 20 miles south of us.. Hope it makes it here. Good you have gotten rain.

I'm worn out for now. I ordered a thick mattress topper a few weeks ago and decided I would put it on today. It's really heavy and was hard to get out of the plastic bag. Couldn't find the sheets I wanted to put on but found a new pretty light green set but no fitted sheet. Finally put on another new set. It is hard stripping and remaking a king sized bed. I washed sheets and the light weight quilt so I have stopped to rest and watch tv a while. I need to straighten out the linen closet.

I don't like to deal With insurance either. I see those ads for car insurance for seniors but haven't checked into it. I have the farm, PU and car insurance with the same company we've used for years.

Lorita · May 27

I wrote the above an hour or so ago but it didn't post. The rain got here about 30 minute ago. Before that I fed Billy, fed the birds and gave them suet, fed Rusty, Stormy, Lilly and Sammy. Made hummingbird food but haven't fed them because it's cooling. I haven't seen or heard a hummingbird but they must be around because I gave them a cup of food three or four days ago and it's almost gone. I'm going to put the old mattress topper under the swallows nest on the porch when they hatch. That way if they fall out again their landing will be soft.

jfkoc · May 27

Mattress topper…Not certain what that is. i have a decent mattress pad a nd a good mattress. One set of sheets. They get washed and put back on the bed once a week…no linen closet. No extra sheets or towels to worry about. I have found that easier…maybe I am just lazy…lol

HB…my neuropathy is idiopathic but maybe that OTC could help me too.

Back to Henry Vlll. Cromwell still alive and Ann of Cleves is being discussed…….

Lorita · May 27

I have Directv and now can't get any stations. So, guess the clouds and rain are disrupting reception. Normally at least one satellite gets through. Radar shows heavy rain south and southwest of here.

I stared to refill the hummingbird feeder and it was packed with ants. I had moved it to the south end of the porch and it was hanging 6.5' above the.floor. How do ants find things?

Guess I can catch up on my sleep although they say that doesn't work.

See you all tomorrow.

jfkoc · May 28

It only takes one ant to alert all the others in the neighborhood!

Lorita · May 28

Well, they were surely alerted. I have had ants for the last months driving me nuts. Zevo works but can spray it everywhere. I

I called.Directv and am waiting for a callback to schedule a visit for both tvs.

Iris L. · May 28

Carl, it's so nice to have deer and even skunks come by to say "hello!" Where I live we have raccoons, opposums, skunks and coyotes. Closer to the mountains there are mule deer, mountain lions and bears. I am not a fan of wildlife getting too close to me.

Your prospective home looks great! My older cousin lived in a beautiful independent living complex in Walnut Creek, CA, which is an upscale area. In 2015 her monthly fee was only $1800 for a 2 bedroom 2 bath unit. In addition to what you listed, they had movies twice a day and happy hour on Fridays. I wanted to live there!

The only problem was that during the COVID lockdowns, her place was completely shut down. Residents were forbidden to leave their apartments. Meals were sent up on a tray. And a lot of workers quit. Fortunately for her, she did have her son to keep tabs on her, although he lived about 45 minutes away. But even he was reluctant to travel at that time. I didn't mind the lockdown so much myself because I like staying home. But I didn't like authorities ordering me to stay inside. I think you will like your new place.

HB, you noted that your mom struggled with cognition even before she began using supplemental oxygen. Hypoxia on its own worsens cognition. So your mom is in a difficult position. She can't remember to use her O2 because she is hypoxic.

I don't think I've ever done a sleepover after college age. I don't like being in other people's bathrooms. It was hard enough visiting my cousins, whom I had visited all my life. Take me to a hotel or motel, even Motel 6!

The chemical crisis is old news. Now, the news is back to the fires of last year, and the slow rate of reconstruction and low help from insurance companies, many of whom had dropped the homeowners shortly before the fires.

Lorita, I was not in the Waymo, I drove up alongside two of them and took pictures ftom inside my car. I suspect there are people observing at a central depot. Right now, the Waymoes are only in certain areas. But I expect they will be travelling in more places very soon.

I once left empty cat food cans soaking in the sink overnight, and awoke to a sink full of ants. So now I keep my sink clean and shiny. Ants apparently have great senses of smell and can travel far to get what they want.

I have a queen bed, I would not be adverse to downgrading to a double bed. Changing the sheets on a queen or king takes a lot of energy and walking back and forth.

Eagle, people always say they don't want to take away a person's independence. No person can do that. The illness takes away the person's independence. The only thing one can do is to try to make life a little easier for the afflicted person. I don't like that expression.

Tomorrow I am going to the LA County Fair. Yee hah! I haven't been for a long time. I'll report back later.

Iris

GothicGremlin · May 28

HB & Iris - the LA Times says the plant has been at that site since 2004, and Disneyland was built in 1955 … so I don't know what they were thinking.

HB - I had a similar experience with a small social network - tribe.net in the SF Bay Area. There were plenty of people from elsewhere, including South America and Australia, but the bulk of the people there were from the US, and the Bay Area in particular. Many of my current real-life friendships - friendships that have now spanned over 20 years, began on tribe.

Are you starting to think assisted living for your mom?

Iris - have fun at the fair tomorrow!

Ron - Mission Ridge looks great. Is it very far from your family?

eaglemom - I hear you about insurance. I hate dealing with it.

I'm actually getting ready to go to sleep early tonight. My trainer has promised me "combat Thursday" tomorrow, which probably means kickboxing. This means I need to get some sleep. I know it's kind of crazy that I spend so much time at the gym, but at this point I have two goals: 1. preserve what I've got, and 2. continue to fight my genetics.

ronald71111 · May 28

Good morning

Ron

eaglemom · May 28

Good morning.

jfkoc · May 28

Ants…I put out the Zevo traps so that poison could ge back to the ant's "nest". I was. then able to see where they were getting in and used the spray.

I looked up hummingbird food…sugar and water. The ants did not need a road map for that. I would not put the mattress topper on the porch floor. Heaven only knows who might decide to live under it. Could be a family of snakes!

ladyzetta · May 28

Good Afternoon 😀

ronald71111 · May 28

Today would have been Lou’s birthday and she always wanted Red Lobster. She would order grilled fish or salmon, baked potato, broccoli and a salad. I would order Walt’s favorite with fries and a salad. My grandson and I will meet son and daughter in law (granddaughter is working) at Red Lobsters in Springfield after they get off work. Even though it’s not what I would want, I plan on having Lou’s meal tonight in honor of her.

Ron

jfkoc · May 28

Ron…what wonderful way to remember Lou…..

BethL · May 28

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/273427#Comment_273427

I know you spend a lot of time at the gym. How often do you go? Do you have a rest day between sessions that involve resistance training? I admire what you're doing and how strong you are!

Lorita · May 28

Hi Judith a mattress topper is like a mattress pad but thicker. This one has many pockets filled with polyester. I didn't see the directions that said to leave it out flat for 24-48 hours and to fluff It every few hours and pat down each pocket to get them filled with as much air as possible.. I'm doing that today. About the one I took off and putting it under the nest-haven't seen the mother bird fly from the nest when I open the door so something may have gone south.

Stormy had a seizure last night and almost had one a while ago. but I talked him down and it didn't happen. He has had two, both at the vets I think from being around so many people and dogs. Mike doesn't want to give him phenobarb until he has some close together. We had a poodle, Jellibeene, who had them and I gave her phenobarbital every night and it prevented them. Stormy watches me and if I leave the room he follows to find me or if I move he raises his head to see if I am getting up. I think since Sheena disappeared from his life he's afraid I will too.

I watched Jimmy Kimmel a couple of nights ago and it was good. I miss Stephen Colbert.

Thunder tonight!! This may be the last until they play the Knicks on June 3.

.

Lorita · May 29

Ron and Carl, looks like you all are getting some good rain. It's really dark in the NE. Hope you don't have storms.

Getting ready for the game. Thunder Up!!!!

Lorita · May 29

Someone, sorry don't re!ember who if we have a lot of ticks. Yes, especially in tall grass. Judith what is the structure that looks like space needle? Just saw it when try showed some of OKC?

BethL · May 29

Ron, your future home looks amazing! I hope you are able to get in as quickly as you would like to.

Lorita · May 29

Silly me! Until Just now thought the game was in OKC. Didn't even notice the spur on the court. Did wonder why so many people in OC were for the Spurs.. I must need help!

Ron, your new home sounds like the one by brother in law wss in for a while in Amarillo He really enjoyed it but did move back home for his daughters to come in every day to check on him. Hope you can get in soon.

GothicGremlin · May 29

Ron - I hope your dinner tonight was good. It was such a great way to remember Lou's birthday. And then there's the extra bonus of having your family with you.

Beth - Thank you! I had to work up to it, but I go to the gym five days a week, M-F. I work out with my trainer three days a week. On the days where I work out on my own, I do whatever it is we haven't done the day before. So if one day is all upper body, the next day I'll do lower body. Then I have pure cardio days. Like, tomorrow I'll be working out on my own, and I plan on alternating between the rowing machine and the treadmill. I'll probably throw in some abs too.

Lorita - we just got a new mattress topper as well. Same thing as you - fluff it up and leave it alone for a day or two. It's now on the bed. I'm loving it.

The news from my end of the porch is that it looks like we're going back to Charleston pretty soon. We're essentially doing a check to see how my mom-in-law is doing, seeing if she's adjusting, and to take care of any odds and ends that were left hanging from last time. I'm not anticipating anything bad, and I know she'll be happy to see us.