[Soupe du jour]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

So much violence in the world.. I just cant, cant even deal..

Pray for Nashville

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas

That's so horrible that this has happened, and on Christmas morning of all times. Sending virtual hugs to all in Nashville and Tennessee

It will be a good thing if the perpetrator(s) is/are discovered, quickly. It is hard to know who or why, in this case. We'll see. I hope it isn't what I think it is. I have very strong doubts that it would be a foreign terrorist, but who knows. I think they are much more likely (a) domestic actor(s).

[bpcyclist]

Had a nice, big, wet bike ride. Said Happy Birthday to my big bro. Talked to earth dad. Talked to heavenly dad and several pals. Also, I talked with my dear, sweet daladico, who has the courage of 50 nations and the faith of, well, of her. She is a magnificent gift from our creator to the universe. She spreads her love around, all over everyone. What a treasure from God! Yay! Thanks to the man upstairs, whom I call dad! Hooray!

It was a tough day. I just got thru it minute by minute. I managed to get my dog out once and the fresh air was nice. I also managed a shower i was overdue for. I had leftover Chinese food that i ordered for yesterday's dinner. Only 30 minutes until the day is officially over. Yay!

So terrible, the news out of Nashville. My thoughts and prayers are with those effected. It's a strange world we live in.

Hugs to all who struggle!

christmas day was nothing to really write home aboutt.

it was okay, I mean I had decorations, music, even found on tv 2 pantomimes (hancel and gretel and a christmas carol) but, like every year: I didn't have
the togetherness of any friends, family, no one. I got a total of 3 cards, all of them from charities so not even from anyone I knew, and no gifts

the icing on the cake was my christmas dinner, it made me so ill because of the dryness of the turkey- it's now saturday and it's still notp roperly out
my system. it sucks

[Soupe du jour]

I'm so extremely tired this morning, as if I didn't get much sleep. But I did. I suppose I'm a little dreading having to get on the road again, though today's journey is comparatively short, at only 2 hours drive from Charleston, SC to Savannah, GA. I'll propose that we stay at a hotel along I 95, near Savannah, and not in town. That'll save us money and frustration. We can just go into Savannah by car to look around. Tomorrow we can then drive further west a bit.

@BethRags, out of desperation my husband did part with his elk antlers the way I mentioned I wished he would. No one would take them before our departure, despite them having some high value. So he put them in the woods in a lovely place. I had hoped he would have put them further into the woods, but he decided to place them in a visible spot near the parking for that trail head. My husband then asked his friend to go there yesterday to see if they were still there. They weren't. We'll never know who took them, but I'm guessing it shocked the heck out of whomever took them. As I mentioned, there are no such elk in my home state. Or perhaps some white-tailed deer discovered them and decided to tie them on his/her head - LOL! No, I don't think their necks would be strong enough to hold up that rack. In any case, I hope whomever took them shows them some respect. Truly, I wish they had been put further into the woods.

[*Beth*]

Soupe du jour Hilarious story of the antlers! Surely, someone is enjoying them!

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Soupe du jour

Christmas day is not usually as big of a deal day as Christmas Eve for my husband and me. Yesterday was our especially nice night out. Today we did a little exploration of Charleston, and then went to a restaurant at 2 pm instead of the originally planned 3:30 pm. The meal was good today, but not nearly as fancy and delicious as yesterday's.

Sounds lovely!

I called my father a bit ago and the poor guy didn't even remember that today is Christmas day. When I told him, he was distressed not knowing. I can't believe that the assisted living facility said little or nothing.

That is appalling. OMG. How can some people live with themselves?!?! HOW could they have been so negligent?!

My brother called me earlier in the day to wish me Merry Christmas and said that neither he, nor my sister, had been able to reach our father. I was the first to do so, then I told Dad to call my sister and brother back. He said he would. What's sad is that his assisted living facility now again has covid-19 cases, so all residents are confined to their rooms/suites. That is just horrible! Horrible. When I mentioned that, I accidentally referred to it as a "war". That was a slip of the tongue, but in the end I said it isn't that far from one. Though I do feel for my father, there is no reason he must stay at the assisted living. He could have returned to his home many months ago, but was afraid to. My dad is just too afraid to face life without the extreme seclusion of the facility. It's a shame! My sister would be supporting him greatly. I don't even think he would be as alone, but would at least have some freedoms he doesn't have at the facility. As it stands now, the facility wouldn't even want me to hug or kiss him goodbye before I leave for Europe.

How heartbreaking. Do you think there's any chance at all that he'll change his mind at some point?

I'm getting frustrated that I have been waking up every morning with tingling half numb hands for well over a month. I told my nephrologist about it last week, but he blamed it on me sleeping in a funny position. It does go away immediately upon waking up. I said it seemed odd that that would be 28 out of 30/31 days, though. He blew it off, anyway. I think perhaps a blood pressure med I've taken during that period is the culprit. He said no, yet as often is the case, "tingling hands" shows up in the side effect list for the particular med I'm questioning. This side effect wouldn't be a no-go for me, but I just wish I knew it was a side effect and nothing more.

Of course it could be from your bp med! I sometimes wonder if doctors read about medication they prescribe. I've seen possible side effects mentioned in the most basic online sites, but had a doctor adamantly deny it. Frustrating.

The only other cause I can think of is carpal tunnel syndrome. ??

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Mountaindewed]

I had a great Christmas. My family was so excited about their gifts. I got what I was expecting from my mom and my brother and from my sisters family I got a $100 Dicks Sporting Goods gift card. I feel a bit bad because I only gave them $25 gift cards and some candy. But I think they understand that I don’t have a job and have a lot of medical and therapy bills. Also if you add the toys I got my nephews it comes out even.

I used my new weighted sleep mask last night and it was amazing. It’s 1 pound and it’s adjustable so it won’t slip. I slept so good. I woke up for less than 45 minutes at 12:30. That is a record. The brand is Gravity and I have heard that is the only brand of weighted stuff that is scientifically proven to improve sleep.

Today I have my aunt and her boyfriend coming over for dinner.

I’m eating but not a ton. My clothes are getting pretty loose.

[*Beth*]

So this is my horrid Christmas tale. I had a pleasant enough day. When I took my bedtime meds I swallowed the Lamictal pill the wrong way...actually, couldn't swallow it, but more choked on it. Sort-of. It was one of those over-sized blue pills. What followed was somewhere between really creepy/disgusting and almost fascinating - had it not become so painful.

The pill dissolved instead of going all the way down my throat. It stayed at the back of my sinuses. The discomfort was so severe, it turned into real pain after a few minutes. I can honestly say that it was agonizing. Reminded me of getting water up my nose while swimming, but from the back of my sinuses, instead, and only becoming worse every moment. It also reminded me of getting the covid test I had back in May, when the tech stuck the long Q-Tip way, way up into my sinus area.

The left side of my nose, left eye, and left cheek were burning terribly. Severely. Apparently sinuses do not like dissolved pill powder in them. The sensation was excruciating. I was gently massaging my sinuses, put warm water on the area, tried to keep breathing normally, tried to find a comfortable position that didn't make the sinus pressure worse.

What an ordeal. It took well over an hour for the pain to subside. That whole part of my face is still sore this morning, but thankfully, the intense pain resolved when I finally fell asleep.

Craziness. I am going to swallow my pills, especially any large ones, much more carefully henceforth!

[scatterbrained04]

Beth--Oh my gosh I feel for you. I hated being on Lamictal because I could never easily swallow the damn pills. One brand was this awful diamond shaped pill, and another brand was this large, flat, round thing. You'd seriously think they'd think to make a pill that was easy to swallow. And it tastes like garbage dissolving in your mouth.

[Mountaindewed]

Beth: lamictal is the only one of my pills that is difficult to swallow. I’ve had to drink entire glasses of water before because they wouldn’t go down. It can really suck. I’m glad you are ok.

[Sunflower123]

Originally Posted by BethRags

So this is my horrid Christmas tale. I had a pleasant enough day. When I took my bedtime meds I swallowed the Lamictal pill the wrong way...actually, couldn't swallow it, but more choked on it. Sort-of. It was one of those over-sized blue pills. What followed was somewhere between really creepy/disgusting and almost fascinating - had it not become so painful.

The pill dissolved instead of going all the way down my throat. It stayed at the back of my sinuses. The discomfort was so severe, it turned into real pain after a few minutes. I can honestly say that it was agonizing. Reminded me of getting water up my nose while swimming, but from the back of my sinuses, instead, and only becoming worse every moment. It also reminded me of getting the covid test I had back in May, when the tech stuck the long Q-Tip way, way up into my sinus area.

The left side of my nose, left eye, and left cheek were burning terribly. Severely. Apparently sinuses do not like dissolved pill powder in them. The sensation was excruciating. I was gently massaging my sinuses, put warm water on the area, tried to keep breathing normally, tried to find a comfortable position that didn't make the sinus pressure worse.

What an ordeal. It took well over an hour for the pain to subside. That whole part of my face is still sore this morning, but thankfully, the intense pain resolved when I finally fell asleep.

Craziness. I am going to swallow my pills, especially any large ones, much more carefully henceforth!

I am so sorry you went through that experience. It sounds horrifying!

[Soupe du jour]

Originally Posted by BethRags

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm not sure if my Dad will ever return home. My guess would be not. He's basically hiding away. It's a very unhealthy coping mechanism of his.

I have researched the possible causes of my hand tingling. As expected, there were some horrible possible ones and more benign ones. Carpal tunnel passed my mind, but I really think the blood pressure med is more likely the culprit. Plus, this daily early morning tingling in my hands started only a short time after starting that blood pressure medication. I guess if nothing else crops up, I'll just live with it, unless it worsens.

[Sunflower123]

I had a really nice Christmas with my family and the Chinese Christmas gift exchange was a big hit. We had a big feast and there was good banter and laughter. I got number 1 in the gift exchange which is the best number to have. I got a gift that I really liked and wanted but I saw at the end that my brother picked a gift that was more suitable for a female so I stole at the end so he could have my gift which he could really use. That is the meaning of Christmas but I surely did want the gift I originally had!

This morning I had to be up at 6:45 to wake my daughter up and take the recycling out. The air was invigorating. I enjoyed coffee with my daughter at a distance before she left for the day. I feel relaxed and content today.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

[Mountaindewed]

I have these weird S thoughts all of a sudden. I’m kind of worried that in a week I’ll be in the hospital. Because my PMS gets so bad. Mood swings suck. I probably just need my Xanax and a big glass of water. I’m not sure my family is catching onto my food issues. But they may be.

[*Beth*]

Thanks for the "gigantic Lamictal pill" sympathy. I appreciate it. Yes, those pills are way too big!

[Soupe du jour]

We just found a decent, but relatively inexpensive hotel a little outside of Savannah, Georgia. Hubby and I agree that a little rest would be nice, even though the drive wasn't that long. We may or may not even go into Savannah tonight. Maybe rather tomorrow morning. The old historic quarter there is supposed to be pretty.

I have had particularly bothersome heartburn/acid reflux lately. I need more familiar food and many more vegetables.

[MuddyBoots]

Someone in town was ranting/yelling at me about how all the fentanyl deaths are Biden's fault and that cocaine isn't addictive. That was interesting.

Hope everyone's doing well.

I called the mhc for a refill on one of my meds and they tricked me into making an appointment with my pnurse. I am not looking forward to it. I have to remember stuff so I can write it down and remember where I wrote it down and what I mean and it's just overwhelming. My T hasn't returned my call from two weeks ago, so I think I'm just gonna stop therapy. No point in calling 500 times to schedule an appointment that I don't want, don't need, that won't help.

My Christmas was good. Except for all the rain. We have almost no snow left.

[Soupe du jour]

Originally Posted by Sapien

Someone in town was ranting/yelling at me about how all the fentanyl deaths are Biden's fault and that cocaine isn't addictive. That was interesting.

Hope everyone's doing well.

I called the mhc for a refill on one of my meds and they tricked me into making an appointment with my pnurse. I am not looking forward to it. I have to remember stuff so I can write it down and remember where I wrote it down and what I mean and it's just overwhelming. My T hasn't returned my call from two weeks ago, so I think I'm just gonna stop therapy. No point in calling 500 times to schedule an appointment that I don't want, don't need, that won't help.

My Christmas was good. Except for all the rain. We have almost no snow left.

I'm sure there are even people out there who would blame Biden for giving them too much flatulence.

[Moose72]

Picked up N3's gf, S. from work today then picked up some food that N3 ordered and paid for. S gave me a coffee and a donut! A nice gift for picking her up. :-)

Came home and started laundry. Nobody was doing laundry besides me so it went quickly.

I am mad at my mom for not wearing her mask yesterday except when my sister told her to over zoom. And only after my MOM put her mask on did kevin put his in! But they demanded that I put mine on the second I walked through the door. I mean am I over reacting or am I being selfish to want them to wear masks around me? My mom doesn't even usually wear one when she comes to MY place to just drop things off. I mean, I don't think either of them have covid but its just the idea of their double standard. They say they are high risk but theyre not protecting themSELVES by not wearing their masks. I guess it was stupid of me to go to their place yesterday in the first place.

[wildflowerchild25]

Christmas was ok. I didn’t really feel “in the spirit” but I played along. Made pancakes and bacon for breakfast and lasagna and garlic bread for dinner.

My son came clean today about why he’s been so out of sorts for the past two weeks. I finally told him today that I’m worried about his sudden change in behavior and that I can tell something is wrong. He said he might talk about it later. We went to a restaurant for a late lunch/early dinner and he decided to tell us that he’s been being bullied at his e-learning camp. Three boys there have been ganging up on him and hitting him/slapping him. They’ve been recording this and attempting to upload it to YouTube. Thankfully they were dumb enough to record it on HIS phone and upload it to HIS YouTube channel, so he was able to delete the videos himself. I asked if they were also verbally making fun of him and he confirmed. He said that only one adult there has stood up for him and punished the boys, but the rest have said there’s nothing they can do. I told him he does not have to go there anymore. I will find another place for him to go and in the meantime my mom agreed to take him five days a week until I do. I’m going to call the owner on Monday and let her know this has been going on and he no longer wants to attend. I’ve been leery of this place for awhile, they never make the kids wear masks even though it’s a state mandate and he’s told me before there’s been instances of bullying between other kids. I reported that to the owner and I guess they got talked to and have turned on my son. Well I will absolutely not let him go to a place where he doesn’t feel safe.

I’m very happy he felt he was able to talk to me about this. I’ve been feeling like a horrible mother for how things have been going around here lately and I’m so glad he feels comfortable talking to me about serious issues like this. It makes me feel like I’m doing at least one thing right; making him feel loved and secure enough to confide in me. I never felt like that with my mom. I assured him that he can always talk to me, and if he doesn’t feel comfortable with me he can go to RS. Hell, he can go to my brother or SIL if he wants. Someone will always be there to help him. That’s all I wanted as a kid and I never got it.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Sapien

Someone in town was ranting/yelling at me about how all the fentanyl deaths are Biden's fault and that cocaine isn't addictive. That was interesting.

Hope everyone's doing well.

I called the mhc for a refill on one of my meds and they tricked me into making an appointment with my pnurse. I am not looking forward to it. I have to remember stuff so I can write it down and remember where I wrote it down and what I mean and it's just overwhelming. My T hasn't returned my call from two weeks ago, so I think I'm just gonna stop therapy. No point in calling 500 times to schedule an appointment that I don't want, don't need, that won't help.

My Christmas was good. Except for all the rain. We have almost no snow left.

Hi Sapien! Yeah, that's pretty weird, what that person said about Biden. Hmmm....

What's with your T not returning your call from two weeks ago!? Are you sure she got it?

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Moose72

Picked up N3's gf, S. from work today then picked up some food that N3 ordered and paid for. S gave me a coffee and a donut! A nice gift for picking her up. :-)

Came home and started laundry. Nobody was doing laundry besides me so it went quickly.

I am mad at my mom for not wearing her mask yesterday except when my sister told her to over zoom. And only after my MOM put her mask on did kevin put his in! But they demanded that I put mine on the second I walked through the door. I mean am I over reacting or am I being selfish to want them to wear masks around me? My mom doesn't even usually wear one when she comes to MY place to just drop things off. I mean, I don't think either of them have covid but its just the idea of their double standard. They say they are high risk but theyre not protecting themSELVES by not wearing their masks. I guess it was stupid of me to go to their place yesterday in the first place.

You and I were doing laundry at the same time.

No, I don't think you're overreacting or being selfish. People need to wear masks. None of us know who might be carrying covid. We just don't know.

[*Beth*]

wildflowerchild25 I am so glad your son opened up to you. The situation he's been in sounds really bad. Wow. Thank you for being a loving, responsible parent. When my kids were growing up I felt exactly as you do. I would never, never put them in any circumstances that were not safe. Having grown up in a very unsafe environment, I was determined to break that cycle. Huge kudos to you .

[Soupe du jour]

@wildflowerchild25, you're a good mom! Your son's opening up to you is very significant. I wish I had more as a kid. It was unhealthy for me that I rarely ever asked for help.