September chitchat

[Howie]

I just went to the store, and it was the oven roast white turkey at the top of the list.

I'm in until payday.

[agate]

Trying to use this Comment feature more.

You must be a very good planner. My groceries will be delivered today but there will be another one on the last day of the month. They deliver once a week, and that's about as long as I can get along without some restocking around here.

Payday should be early this time.

[Howie]

I've thought about using a delivery service, but going to the grocery store gives me the chance to socialize with other human beings. It's just down the road, and being as I drive so little, my 2005 PT Cruiser has 29,900 some miles on it. Not bad.

[Lazarus]

Hey HOwie
I bet I drive less than you! My 2014 Outback has 21,000 miles on it. I drive it once a week! Poor car must be bursting to get to a speed above 50!

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

I'm glad that you were able to repair your glasses. Since you have a prescription, perhaps you should use it to get a second pair, just in case the lens keeps popping out.

One of the first things on my to do list for myself, after Jim passed, was to have my eyes examined and get new glasses. My glasses are 14 years old, scratched and have two cracks in the right lens. Of course, I had my house reconstruction immediately, and then I had to address legal issues as priorities. Then, COVID got worse, and I was afraid to go anywhere. I still am.

Regarding your shrubs, I understand now that you initially had to water your shrubs, until they matured. At that point, your rainfall was probably enough to sustain them. Do you usually get more rain in the winter months? Perhaps you won't have to water them as much then. I hope you and your brother can come up with a safe and easy option for watering your shrubs.

Agate ~

I'm not a fan of the Comment feature, although I know it appeals to others. Our old format didn't have the Comments feature, and I'm Old School technologically, although I've been thrust into this century with all my new devices this year.

Howie ~

Your PT Cruiser probably appreciates being driven every so often. My 1998 van has 27,000+ miles on it, and she still runs smoothly. However, I haven't driven her since last November. When John visits, he fires her up. This last time, the battery needed a boost, but only a small one. Jim, who was always prepared for anything, bought a battery booster, in case there wasn't another vehicle around to hook up to our battery.

It's good for you to get out and socialize. I know you wear your mask, and I want you to be safe.

Our absent members are missed, and I think of and pray for you all. Not only here, on the MS Forum, which is active, but on all of our forums, which used to draw thousands of people together to cope with issues in common. BrainTalk has forged many lasting friendships. We care about each other and love each other, and we understand that, for each of us, living our best life on Earth is a challenge. That is a precious gift. Thank You!

Blessings to all ~

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!

[Howie]

Rose, I bought one of those battery boosters. I needed a jump one day at the grocery store, and a guy came to jump me, and he had one of those. I went that day, and bought one at a parts store. A cool invention.

[agate]

Speaking of members, a new member posted recently in the Trigeminal Neuralgia forum. The user name is KatherineNorth and she posted in a thread started by joy. Some of these new people might be more interested in returning and saying more if they were greeted by more people.

[Virginia]

I didn't get on here yesterday. I went out to two places looking for new eyeglass frames and wanted to get my prescription filled. I couldn't find any I like, but it is really hard to try them on with a mask on. I had been wondering how they kept them clean. I took some small alcohol swabs, but how they do it is you can try them on and then you put them down, away from the rest of the frames and they clean them. I will have to keep looking.

After that I went to the Dentist and got a small place fixed on the back of one of my teeth. Then I went to the grocery store and came home and put some stuff away. Then I went back out to a neighborhood restaurant and got a sandwich to bring home for dinner. (For Ann: I had a "veggie lovers sandwich") It was ciabatta bread with a herb cream cheese, marinated cucumber, red peppers and green lettuce. It was a little too spicy, so I took the red peppers off and it was pretty good.

They have been working some on my house, scraping places, replacing a couple of window frames and some boards around the windows and one on my deck. They are working on mine at the same time they are working on the other 3 that are in my row. They do a little on mine then go to theirs, then work around back. They are now putting up something to cover my windows, so I guess that means they are going to begin painting tomorrow, assuming they work on Saturday. I have been out a couple of times and told them I really appreciated want they are doing and that they are doing a good job.

I am really having a very hard time with my walking. Yesterday was really bad. I am having to let my exercises go because both knees and my back hurt so much yesterday. I wonder if it is coming from doing squats. I don't want to let it go, but I can't keep going like this. I have wondered if my blood pressure medicine is making me weaker. I am getting so very weak. Having someone working around the house a lot is also kind of wearing on me. I want these things done, but I feel the need to get up earlier than normal and get dressed so I am not getting as much rest. You know before this I had the air conditioner man. There was several days of that and then the house painters.

I am thinking of getting a 3 legged cane. A regular cane does not do anything for me. I wonder if one with three legs would help me. Anyone in need of a cane ever try one?

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

Are you taking your BP daily and recording it? Is it lower? Is it too low? Did you begin experiencing the weakness after you started the new BP medication? If so, you should call your doctor's office about continuing on it.

I wish we still had the Drug Info link here on BT. That was so convenient. Since we don't, I suggest that you look up all of your meds to determine whether any of them interact or cause weakness.

I don't know how you managed to do all that you did yesterday. I worry about you falling, especially going up and down steps/stairs, when you are feeling weak.

There are sites on line, where you can buy glasses frames. For places like Lenscrafters, they have on line frame choices, so you could narrow them down to the ones you like or would want to try.

I know what you mean about the disruption of crews working on or in your home. During my 6 week reconstruction, every morning before 8:00, I had to move my van out of the drive and park it on a side street so that the construction workers had access. After they left at 4:00 p.m., I walked to my van and parked it in the driveway. It was good exercise for me, but it was immediately after Jim passed, and it was quite difficult for me.

Hopefully, all of the commotion around your neighborhood will be over soon.

Agate ~

Thank you for reminding us that we should all try to greet new members, even if we know nothing about their condition or symptoms. And, thank you for posting in Deegii's thread in the New Member Introduction forum.

I responded to Deegii's thread, because I recognized what I believe is seizure activity in her sister (and now, possibly her mother). I have witnessed almost every type of seizure in Jon and Michael, as well as some of their friends.

Thankfully, my dear friend, Donna, from the Child Neuro forum saw Deegii's post, and she replied agreeing with my suspicion.

We're here to share our experiences and knowledge with each other. We help each other by responding, when someone reaches out to us.

Stay safe and be well everyone ~ Prayers for all ~

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!

[agate]

Virginia, you've been doing so much lately, and what with the work going on around you that is bound to be stressful, I don't think it's so surprising that you're not walking so well. It's really hard to pace ourselves but there's a lot to be said for rest breaks, no matter what we're doing or how eager we are to get to the end of a task. Sometimes the task just has to be put off and finished on another day.

I've had a few challenges in recent days. Yesterday it was time (I decided) to divide 2 hosta plants on the patio. I had bought some potting soil and a couple of pots. I chose yesterday because it was a nice day, and I wanted to get it done before it got chilly out there.

When I'd finished the job, I was ready to celebrate and send up a big cheer. I was really proud of myself for having done it without spilling or breaking anything.

Today it was time for another job I've been thinking about doing for a while. I planned it with a lot of measuring beforehand. ("Measure twice, cut once.") I actually did this too without any major calamities.. I did manage to drop the Medical Guardian gadget once, and its bottom fell out slightly but I just poked it back together and noticed that no lights changed and nothing beeped. It seems to be fine.

I was switching around a dresser and a bookcase in the bedroom. This included moving a special fluorescent light I use for any African violets I'm trying to grow. Right now I have only one violet but it needs that light.

Also, I'm tired of not seeing into the dresser drawers when I open them. Now I'll have much better light and won't keep mixing up brown and black socks.

This whole project actually worked and took only about 45 minutes. I took one break when I felt shakiness coming on.

The hard part was the dresser. I had to take all 4 drawers out and then put them back. They ride on wood drawer glides, and it is hard to get them in place right because the drawers are very heavy.. I partly emptied them to make them lighter but they're still heavy.

These two jobs were waiting for me once I had finished turning in all of the paperwork needed for the annual eligibility review for Medicaid and SNAP. I spent the better part of Wednesday on that paperwork and had it spread out all over the place but I finally got it all together and in the mail, after having to print out several documents that were needed.

I've been busy. I felt entitled to reward myself with the hosta job and the furniture job because they will both result in huge improvements.

I now have 4 hosta plants instead of 2. Presto! Perennials are so nice that way!

And my dresser is in a better place, with the violet and its light in a better place too.

Rose, I don't recall a Drug info link here at BT. Was it a link to a place like Drugs.com? Maybe we could ask to have it restored?

[Virginia]

Agate, I do seem to recall a place where we could look drugs up. I didn't use it much because I found better information on the the internet.

You have been busy doing some things that will help you out in your place. Also, it is good that you now have 4 hosta plants. I use to have those outdoors before I moved here.

I had another busy day. I heard the painters early this morning, so I quickly got up and got dressed. They got what looks like quite a bit done to me. I really like these people. They are nice and try to be so helpful. It has been unusual for my HOA to hire good painters. The last painters didn't even take the drain spouts down, so these people took them down and put some new siding where the spouts had caused the siding to go bad. They made a frame for one of my windows that was rotting. I go out everyday and tell them how much we appreciated them and what a good job they are doing.

They have got a lot of my siding painted and so far I love it. It is so good to look out and see that creamy color and not the yellow. None of the trim has been done yet, and that it is what I think will set it off. I think this color will really be pretty when the sun shines on it.

I have two places that need to be fixed on my deck, one on a corner that is beginning to rot a little and the very bottom step of my deck needs to be replaced. He told me he would do that for me. He said he would pick up the boards and charge me for the boards and just $20.00 to $30.00 to put them in. My HOA does not cover my deck.

My older brother from S.C. called me this afternoon and talked for over TWO hours. Then I had to call my middle brother, then my youngest brother called me. And tonight about 10:30 my neighbor called to tell me she had just got in. She went with her daughter and her boyfriend to a N.C. State football game. She drove part of the way and met them, so they had to take her back to her car. She got lost and turned around and it made her so nervous, which I can understand. She finally stopped at a service station and asked for directions. I have done that and it is upsetting, so I know how she felt. The game was good and went in to overtime with State finally winning. She said she has never seen so many people down on the field. She had a good time, but she says no more night driving for her other than right around where we live. We talked for a bit to get her calmed down.

Guess I better get ready for bed. Everyone have a good night.

[agate]

Virginia, I'm glad that the painters are working out well and that you like the new house color.

The painters who did the outside of this building a couple of years ago were a team I hope aren't hired again. For many days they were all over the place and instead of just painting they were also tossing their soft drink cans all over the property and yelling at each other and playing their radios at top volume.

There wasn't much of a way to communicate with them unless you were fluent in Spanish. But at least they seem to have done a good job on the painting.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

I used our Drug Info link on our old format many times, and I found it to be the most accurate and reliable source for information. It was from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Before the internet, I annually ordered the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR), a gigantic bound book with tiny font, quite heavy, with all of the drugs, vitamins, minerals, alternative medicines, etc. in it. And, 21 years ago, when I came to BrainTalk and had the Drug Info link, I stopped buying the PDR.

Your painters are doing a good job and helping you by replacing your steps. This is so good to hear! You have been thanking them every day for their work, and we all like to be appreciated. They may not hear that very often. That's why, in my days of walking the neighborhood, I always stopped to say "Good morning!" and "Thank you!" to the crews, who maintained our common areas. Kindness and smiles are free, and they make a huge difference in everyone's lives.

Wow! You had quite a few conversations! I admire your stamina!

What is the latest news on your brother's surgery?

Prayers continue for your family ~

agate ~

Congratulations on your hosta adventure! And moving furniture?! Wow! I admire your stamina too!

Also, congratulations on sorting out your Medicaid and SNAP paperwork. Imagine life without bureaucracy?! Ahhh ...

Be well and stay safe everyone ~

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!

[Virginia]

I tried to come on here last night and found that my internet was out, also my landline phone and my TV. I had heard a boom and I guess maybe it was a transformer. It did not come back on before I went to bed, but was on this morning.

Rose, my older brother spent all of one day until about 7PM in the hospital. They had IVs hooked up, and did all kind of scans and whatever they thought needed to be done. They now say he has stenosis in that carotid artery, and not a buildup of plaque. That means no surgery, but to me stenosis means a narrowing of something or a stricture. I didn't tell him what it means to me because he believes in this Doctor and I wasn't sure what they could do about stenosis. He is going some place else in a few weeks for an ultrasound. So that is where it stands now. We both want to see each other so much and since he is coming about an hour and a half from me Christmas, he hopes to get someone to bring him over here. I hope he is able to make the trip. One of his children will drive him and his wife to where they are having their Christmas and if he comes here they will drive him.

This brother and I faught like cats and dogs growing up. He didn't like me just because I was born and I was a girl. He had been the only child and the only grandchild on both sides of the family. He was always jealous of me until he got pretty old and now he loves me dearly. I guess the love was always there, but he just didn't like that I got a little of the attention when he had gotten all of it until I came along.

The painters seem to have slowed down. They have not done any of my trim. I was hoping they would get it done today, but it is beginning to not look like it. I got up early again this morning just so I could be ready for them. I wish they would do my back so they could take down all the plastic that is covering my glass door and my windows across the back. I can't get out the back door to empty the trash. Laura will be here tomorrow and if it is still like this she will take the trash out the front door and walk around the house. I have plastic on half my windows and have had it on there since Friday. This morning I saw 3 of them sitting out among the trees in my yard eating about 10:30. I wondered if it was a late breakfast or an early lunch. The boss was not with them.

Agate, I remember that "Measure twice, Cut once" from home eck. Too bad I can't remember much else from that class. You are very precise and I can picture you being so accurate. That is good. I have gotten to a point that I loose patience when I am trying to do anything.

My blood pressure may be running a little too low. I am taking it and it gets pretty low. I have got to go back and let the Nurse check it in the office soon. I also want to get my flu shot at that time and after all that I will a little later get a vaccine booster.

My youngest nephew sold his house and is supposed to be closing on it today. He made an offer on one that is in a small neighborhood very close to me, but it is a very upscale neighborhood. I thought "this is downscaling?", but I guess from where he was it is a little. I am just praying he will be happy.

[Virginia]

By the way, I notice that Mike has been hard at work. Any threads that have new post since we last read them are tagged "new". Kind of neat Mike. Thanks!

[agate]

Virginia, I hope the painters will finish up soon so you and Laura can deal with the trash removal. You will certainly be glad when it's all done and you can admire the bright new paint.

I like the "New" label on new posts too, and am hoping to find out more about the RSS feed as I deal with it. Years ago I used it briefly for some reason somewhere but can't recall much about it. It sounds like a good idea for BrainTalk, particularly since many neuro disorders have their own support organizations that are often quite active and helpful, and people don't always realize that they're there for them.

[Howie]

I've seen some pretty good still shots, and moving film, shot with peoples phone, on my UFO channel. Even Einstein was an alien believer even though he had never seen one.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

I found this article about carotid artery stenosis, which does mention ultrasound as a diagnostic test:

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

Your brother might end up getting a stent, unless the doctor recommends lifestyle changes or medication.

Is your BP unusually low? Do you take it every day at different times of the day? I am concerned about your weakness. Perhaps you could call your new doctor and leave a message for her that you're experiencing weakness and low BP, before you go in for the nurse to check your BP. She might want to adjust the dosage or take you off of the new BP med.

I would mention to the workers that the plastic covering on your back door is preventing you from exiting. Not only do you need to take out your trash, but you need to have an exit in the front and back of your home in case of an emergency. Or, I would call my property manager to ask that the crew is instructed to remove that plastic. That would infer that they need to finish painting the trim.

Is the nephew to whom you are referring the professional golfer? Maybe he just needed a change of scenery.

Thinking of and praying for your family ~ it has been a very difficult year for all of you.

agate ~

I have never even looked in the RSS feed forum, as I don't know what it is. Maybe I should expand my horizons!

I agree that the "New" icon is a nice addition. I'm hoping that Mike can retrieve our NIH Drug Info link someday.

Howie ~

Albert Einstein fans in our home! Jonathan and Michael had a poster in their room with this famous quote:

Screen Shot 2021-09-27 at 3.54.29 PM.png

I absolutely believe that intelligent life exists in the Universe, probably far superior to us. It seems egotistical for us to think that humans are the only life forms in this vastness of the Universe.

Q: What do aliens call humans?

A: Aliens.

Back to Earth ... Today, the wonderful crew, who trimmed my tree were on the greenbelt behind my home trimming a Sycamore. I am just in awe of how they climb the trees without fear and falling.

Stay well everyone and be safe ~

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!


THANKS!