Thursday, December 18, 2025

116.8 - unchanged even after eating out twice yesterday. But there was no snacking as we were away from the house from 9 am to 8 pm. I had a mushroom ravioli dish for dinner that I haven't had in years and it was just as good as I remembered. They had half portions, which I love. I ate all of it.

Very proud of Justice not having any accidents that whole long day. I wouldn't have been upset if he did.

SIL's tree is up and quite beautiful. She is looking a bit more mobile than she had been. She has been going to an easy exercise class. Apparently she hasn't had a back specialist helping her, just the endocrinologist who works with her for osteoporosis and a pain specialist. Everyone (including her) feels she needs a back specialist so she is trying to find one. She sees her PCP today and hopes she can get a recommendation from her. Interesting that she has an endocrinologist for that. My PCP said the endocrinologist specialists for osteoporosis are hard to get appointments with so she suggested an orthopedist who specializes in osteoporosis. Maybe SIL would have been better off going that route but when she started treatment for it she didn't have any fractures. Now she has suffered multiple ones in her spine.

I retrieved all the packages that I had shipped to SILs yesterday. We have NO specific plans for today which is great! I am taking Diane's lead and making pot roast. I will probably set up my table top Christmas tree and wrap the gifts. There will be a Justice walk as well of course. The snow is melting here so it should be an easier walk for him than it was yesterday where most if it was on icy paths.

Have a turtledove Thursday!

I read there are only about 4000 endocrinologists in the US. Think about how many people with diabetes, thyroid problems, and other endocrinology needs there are! No wonder no one can get an appointment...

I have an endocrinologist for my osteoporosis treatment. My referral came from my oncologist, because some of the medications prescribed for breast cancer can also decrease bone density, so I guess they wanted another specialist on board to prevent additional harm. I see her once a year, and pretty much schedule the next appointment the same time I am having my current visit. I see her Monday, and I'm hoping I am done with treatment for awhile. The current recommendation for the type of meds I take is that after 5 years, you have a "drug holiday". There are a few undesirable side effects to things like Boniva, but they typically don't appear until after 5 years. Treatment has worked really well for me, and I've had no more bone loss since I started taking meds.

The stuff I am on now is supposed to build bone but I will only be on it for a year. After that I go on something that can also build bone but mostly maintains it.

Wishing you a drug holiday DD. Ho ho ho!

I thought I was going to get so much done today, but nope. Had a bumpy night last night due to DH's snoring, and finally had to use my "escape hatch" and move to the guest bed. Due to that, I decided to sleep in. When I was still puttering around in my jammies at 11am, I remembered that we were meeting SIL for lunch when DH got home. We had a nice lunch and catch up. Since the restaurant was in a upscale mall we don't get to very often, DH and I decided to shop a little after lunch. So now it's 4:30pm, and I've not done much else besides eat chowder and look at $500 dresses in Johnny Was. (Spoiler alert: I did not buy one). But as DH pointed out, this is why I retired. And I am at ease because I still have time to make up my shopping lists. I WILL hit the ground running tomorrow morning before Costco get too crowded.

It's snowing a bit again, and the wind is fierce. The roads were pretty dismal on the drive home. If there is a big wind, it doesn't take much snow to make the roads slippery. It's as if the wind uses the snow to polish up whatever ice exists and it becomes treacherous. I am happy to be in my warm and cozy house, watching it blow around from my office window.

Winter weather driving! Yuck! DH is hoping for a major snowstorm that prevents our trip to WI. I'm in the let's just go and get it over with mode. I am excited to see the kids. Driving for 2 days each way, not so much!

Greetings all

The rain is back though not heavy. Storm dates keep getting pushed back. Fine by me. So I woke up with a pretty bad sore throat. It started last night. Not sure if I am getting a cold but I am in full sickness mode. Sent DH to get zinc lozenges and such. So I am lazing about and may not go out at all. No fever. Someone had a cold at Scrabble but wore a mask but I still might have picked something up. Rats.

Liz it is good to hear your SIL has perked up. Nice. Hope she finds the doctor she needs. I did not realize there were endocrinologists that dealt with osteoporosis but makes sense. But beware if a vertebrae fusion is recommended.

CC I adore your cookies. Sounds like you got all the right equipment. And the egg white powder. I have heard that stuff is a good protein source though maybe not when part of a cookie topping. Roof done?

DD such a relief to hear your mom is content with the hospice. We can all "feel your pain" on the reports of her fussing. Peace on earth indeed.

I have concluded I need new pillows. No clue how old these are but it may be a source of allergens (and maybe even the sore throat cause). Unfortunately our Bed Bath and Beyond is gone and that was the best place around here for bed stuff. We no longer have a kmart here and there is no general merchandise store in our town. Guess I will have to order. There are probably some at Costco but I don't want to get within 10 miles of that place at this time of year.

So I thought my Apple watch was trying to electrocute me but I guess it is just the buzz that it uses to notify me. Still confounded by its many features but I will slowly work through them.

We watched more of House of Guiness last night. Pretty good. We also stared a new series called The Vince Staples Show. It is very odd. I think it might be a satire of racial stereotypes but not sure.

Ate chili for lunch. Boo Liz I feel for you on no beans. I guess some kinds of chili have no beans but I am glad to have them. enjoy the pot roast. I must find more slow cooker recipes.

Studio buddy just got a new iPhone and wants to come over here and have DH help set it up. Fine with me. It is like watching Abbott and Costello when DH tries to answer her questions. Neither one listens well. Of course I will have to have wine....

Diane S

I was going to recommend Costco for the pillows but agree that this is a bad time of year to go there. Hope your cold doesn't turn into a full blown sickness. ''Tis the season I guess!

I hope whatever ailment that has come to bedevil you today, leaves quickly!