Recent Posts

Whew! Made it through the week.

Liz, I think you do a lot of exercise also. You are a small framed, blue eyed woman, prime suspect to develop osteoporosis, so sadly, I don't think it is a huge surprise you developed it despite good efforts. Did other women in your family have it?

Diane, your pictures and descriptions of Halloween were awesome. And your brother really nailed it with his disney death costume. Awesome!

DH also found he stopped losing on the max dose of trizepatide. He will find out if it was doing anything for him these last few months, because he just took his last dose. Medicare has cut him off. In addition to increased doses, there are ongoing trials of other medications that are considered to be more effective than trizepatide, the same way trizepatide is more effective than Wegovy, and Wegovy is more effective that Saxenda. Interesting, Saxenda, is the first GLP-1 that is now going to be offered as a generic. It's a daily shot, and not as effective as trizepatide, but some people do have weight loss success with it. DD tried that first, and while she didn't loss any weight, she did not gain any weight while she was on it (about a year). Trizepatide worked super well for her. So many different hormonal systems responding in their own way to medications.

We didn't have much in the way of trick or treaters Friday night, as it was rainy and cold. So we brought a lot of our excess candy to the nurses taking care of my Mom. Not gonna lie, we kept some for ourselves. Also, It was really hard for me to not keep all the candy. I lied to myself that I would put it in the freezer, and take some out for BFFs grandchildren when they were over. DH reminded me we would just eat it frozen! Finally I told myself if I was that desperate for candy once I gave this away, I could just go buy myself some. Old habits die hard, very hard.

I don't even know what to say about everything going on with my Mom, except I've tried my very best, but I doubt that much is going to change. My Mom acted like she wanted Hospice with the doctor, and then said after he left the room, I'm not going to do it. My Dad did give me his credit card number so I could order a few things my Mom needs, and he agreed to let my SIL who is a TRAINED home health aide set up my Mom's meds weekly. I made him say it out loud in front of the doctor and social worker and my Aussie sister. He hemmed and hawed and the 4th time I asked him: Are you agreeing to let SIL set up the meds, and do you promise to not mess with her system he finally said yes, she can be in charge. So some progress. Then my parent's friend called me to tell me about his concerns (Crazy Pat?). I got a little irritated, as if my brother and I have no idea that these things are happening and need to be told to address them. I thanked him for his friendship to my parents, and he can be assured we were on it. My parents have no proper boundaries, and collect friends who don't either. My Mom is supposed to be discharged tomorrow, but since I didn't go to the hospital today, I'm not sure what the plan is. My brother will go tomorrow morning.

I put Aussie sister back on the plane to Utah this afternoon. It was such a comfort to have her here. She is leaving for Australia in December, and not returning until June. She told me she feels like she might not ever see our Mom again. If she doesn't she can know that she gave comfort and support at a time Mom really needed it.

Tomorrow, I am going to meet my former co-workers for lunch. It is a workshop day, and on workshop days, teachers try to go out for lunch since the opportunity to leave campus for lunch only happens on days like this. I'm really looking forward to it. Monday evening, I'm going to dinner with my college roomies. One of the roomies has a husband who is the fight of his life against pancreatic cancer. It will be good to see her and offer support in person.

6 o'clock and it is pitch black dark as though it is the dead of night. Always enjoy the meme: Hello darkness my old friend, why do you come at 5pm? I'm glad to be in my cozy house and not contemplating all the things I would need to get done on my one workshop day for the quarter.

You make such good points about healthcare. I am fortunate as my job always had great coverage (negotiated by our Union) and I can continue to be on it until Medicare hits in July 2026. DH just picked his medicare plan, and in Minnesota, there are many decent options. The same with the affordable care act choices. Several of the self employed members in my family did okay with the choices, but are now experiencing huge sticker shock. There's a lot to be said about single payer insurance, both good and bad, but my Aussie sister, who has experienced both is constantly shocked and appalled with the state of healthcare in the US. The things she tells me, in Australia this would never happen, instead XX happens, and it would make you weep, for how backwards treatment and access is here.

204 and some change today.

LOVED the extra hour this morning. I had my fill of sleep and still had plenty of lounging time before my client showed up at 10 am.

WE RAN OUT OF CANDY on Halloween!!!! I ran to the store to get more. We have never had so many trick or treaters. It was wonderful. From little ones to high schoolers - we had them all. I loved seeing so many out and about on my quick run to the store for more candy. As for the high schoolers, I welcome the big kids. I know some people don't. I think it's fantastic that today's "sophisticated" youth want to hang on to this childhood rite. It makes me smile to hear the deep voices of teenage boys call out "Trick or Treat!" I was in junior high the last time I trick or treated. Probably 7th grade...

If tirzepatide doses increase, I would be willing to up my dose to get this last bit of weight off more easily. However, if I have to stay at current level of 15 mg dose, I can still get down to goal weight, IF I match behavior and choices with the intention of getting to goal weight. I will have to monitor OrderlyMeds to see if they get on the bandwagon of higher doses.

I wonder if it is because I never had kids of my own that I don't miss having grandkids at this stage of my life? I never wanted kids, so I suppose it's natural I don't miss being a grandparent. I do get a kick out of my peers wanting their kids to get on the stick and have kids so that they can be grandparents. I am happy with my dogs! They are responsibility enough for me!

I like the idea of a silly Sunday! Off I go to make merry and create a little silliness!

It's the pump. The last one for the other fountain was $800+! But he got one that is supposed to last longer. That one blew apart the pipe connecting it the system, but the pump is fine. So he'll be working on both fountains tomorrow. (insert eyeroll)

Fountains are usually a simple pump replacement fix. Have you tried that? If it's the underground wiring.... UGH....