Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[Tabbygirl521]

I am just north of Seattle, and it was 70 degrees today. I sat outside in shirtsleeves. Crazy weather. 

[kokapetl]

???

[bigskygirl]

First of all, the mods will like to thank all of you for being a great group of posters. We appreciate the fact you have been great with following the guidelines on here because it can be hard to be cool, calm, and collected when it comes to discussing the Duggar clan. 

There is a forum called Current Events and Politics  http://forums.previously.tv/forum/2804-current-events-politics/  If you want to discuss the election and the election aftermath, please feel free to do so in the in the CE and P forum since off topic political discussion is a heated can of trouble on here.

Once again, thanks to all of you.

[Happyfatchick]

I'm still busy busy busy - juggling two HAVE-TO projects (with ADD...).  

Bad news for someone facing a weekend with a whining, complaining 10 year old boy... the weather in savannah (the coast in general) is forecast to be pretty, mostly sunny.  BUT the waves are up Saturday and Sunday 4 and 5 feet.  Not so much fun in a kayak.   We'll probably still get on the creek marshes, and we'll still have fun, but no big water for us.  :(((   Still, its SAVANNAH, so who can complain?  When we were in Montreal, we visited the Japanese section at the Botanical Gardens.  We toured through the little Japanese pagoda, and I was wearing a Savannah t-shirt.  (I'm very loyal, I have about 17 savannah shirts.  Also 5-6 Marine ones and a couple oddballs.  In fact, when I visit savannah, I always scope out the shops to see what I might be able to sell there one day).  Anyway, so I'm a jillion miles from home where the predominant language is a French and I passed a young girl who says excitedly "i LIVE in Savannah!!!"  You just never know.  Once when I was a very young woman, we flew to Phoenix and drove through Flagstaff to visit the Grand Canyon.  We pulled off to get gas, and at another pump on the other side was a couple from our church at home in Georgia.   (Behave at all times, says me!)

This isn't about elections, but is election season related.  I have an observation:  yard signs (except for local politicians) and bumper stickers are apparently OUT!  I saw not ONE bumper sticker on the road to and from Canada for either candidate, and very very few yard signs (and we drove all the way through New York, although we skipped the BIG TOWN).  When did this happen?  I've never been dedicated enough in my life to put a bumper sticker on my car for a candidate, so I didn't have to think about it - but I thought they were popular.  When did that disappear???  I asked my kids about it (in their 30's) and they went blank.  Son says "I don't know where you'd even GET a bumper sticker".  Huh.  Someone commented on fb that it has to do with SM.  Is this true?  I don't talk politics on SM either, but I guess most people do.  Still, I was surprised.  I guess I'm officially too old to make a connection that if I say my mind on FB, I don't need the yard sign.  Truthfully, I've never had a candidate ask me to put a sign in my yard.  (But it's Georgia - it would have to be a picture in crayon anyway...). And one other minor thought - I think there's never been a human in the history of EVER with a more appropriate name than A. Wiener.  That makes me grin like a 7th grader.  Heee!!!

lookey, I am so sorry your doctors make you nervous screwing with your health.  In all the time I was caring for my dad and then my mom, that was my NUMBER ONE frustration.  They go click click click, ask questions while they're typing, argue with your careful observations.  OTHEY DON'T LISTEN!!!!!  And they don't EXPLAIN fully either.  I'm am very good rule follower, tell me what you want, and I can DO it.  But they throw out "go up on this, go down on that" without explanation, and It wasn't enough.  WHY???  Because (especially in mamas case) there were foods we gave her regularly that were affecting her blood levels.  Anyway, I know it can be so frustrating, and I hate that you feel that way.  (Plus they are generally so arrogant, the doctors, and take it as a personal affront when you ask questions).  Jerks!

[lookeyloo]

Thanks @Happyfatchick.  I'm persevering.  Re: the yard signs and bumper stickers, I've been told by several folks that they aren't free anymore and people don't want to pay.  Don't know if that is the real story or not, but in our neck of the woods we probably saw 6 signs, divided between the R, the D, and the I candidates.  Much fewer than expected.

[bigskygirl]

I have an appointment with my physician assistant on Friday at 8:45 a.m. I am feeling a little better right now, but I am still having cold/flu and allergies symptoms. It is so weird to have these type of symptoms along with the chest pain/tightness. I bet dollars to donuts it is related to the blasted thyroid med since I did not start having all of these medical problems until two weeks after taking the darn medication (plus being on too high of a dosage for two years due to an nitwit quack did not help at all.) GRRR!!!

[lookeyloo]

9 minutes ago, bigskygirl said:

I have an appointment with my physician assistant on Friday at 8:45 a.m. I am feeling a little better right now, but I am still having cold/flu and allergies symptoms. It is so weird to have these type of symptoms along with the chest pain/tightness. I bet dollars to donuts it is related to the blasted thyroid med since I did not start having all of these medical problems until two weeks after taking the darn medication (plus being on too high of a dosage for two years due to an nitwit quack did not help at all.) GRRR!!!

The cardiologist here did tell me that the wrong dose of thyroid meds can cause all those symptoms (except maybe the cold/flu/allergy stuff).  I did have a lot of chest tightness and pain and ended up in the hospital where heart issues were ruled out and I got the new thyroid dr.  Some people are very sensitive to even the smallest dosage adjustments.  I'm luckily not but my treatment was drastically changed, much to my dismay.  did I ever mention the thyroid advocate Mary Shomon? You can find her on google and on Facebook.  She has a lot of good information.  Including dealing with stubborn doctors!!

[bigskygirl]

I do remember reading on the internet Acid Reflux Disease can be related to hypothyroidism and can cause Vitamin D not to be absorb properly in a person's system. The endocrinologist did change my dosage again last month because my blood tests showed I was mild hyperthyroid. He is one smart cookie, and he is doing a much better job than the other idiot I was sent to.

[Barb23]

A few weeks ago they had a segment on bumper stickers & their history on the Sunday Morning Show.  It was very interesting & some of the older ones are worth a lot of $$.  They did say the numbers have dwindled but plenty were printed for both candidates. I think there is just one factory left that does the election ones. Mr Barb & I were wondering where these bumper stickers ended up because like the  rest of you, we haven't seen any. 

[Arwen Evenstar]

Ugh!!! Got the worst migraine today!!! Had an interview this am to do some contract work and I start next week...glad I felt well enough to go. Should keep me busy part time for the next 3 months.  Not the rate I would normally be commanding during better times, but since the guy is a startup with a smaller budget and I need a job....it works and I'm grateful.  It's more than a lot of engineers are getting and I get to work at home and part time most of the time.

I'm becoming more sensitive to my hobby.  I used a different darkroom chemistry last night and it gave me a headache this time and the first time I used it.  Once, you question other things...twice? Time to wear a mask.  I just use a flu virus mask and put an activated charcoal one underneath.  Ugh!  Migraines are so freaking miserable.  Any of you other menopausal ladies find yourself more sensitive to smells? It was kitchen cleaning solvents last Friday that had me bedridden most of  Saturday.  

@bigskygirl...thanks for providing the aftermath link.  I apologize for going OT. 

[bigskygirl]

Good luck with the contract work. I noticed I am a lot more sensitive to smells since I had the radiation ablation treatment. My allergies act up more also. I drive my husband crazy when I ask him if he smells something. He keeps telling me not to ask him. Ha!!!

[Love2dance]

13 minutes ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

Ugh!!! Got the worst migraine today!!! Had an interview this am to do some contract work and I start next week...glad I felt well enough to go. Should keep me busy part time for the next 3 months.  Not the rate I would normally be commanding during better times, but since the guy is a startup with a smaller budget and I need a job....it works and I'm grateful.  It's more than a lot of engineers are getting and I get to work at home and part time most of the time.

I'm becoming more sensitive to my hobby.  I used a different darkroom chemistry last night and it gave me a headache this time and the first time I used it.  Once, you question other things...twice? Time to wear a mask.  I just use a flu virus mask and put an activated charcoal one underneath.  Ugh!  Migraines are so freaking miserable.  Any of you other menopausal ladies find yourself more sensitive to smells? It was kitchen cleaning solvents last Friday that had me bedridden most of  Saturday.  

@bigskygirl...thanks for providing the aftermath link.  I apologize for going OT. 

Congrats on the job. Such good news!

I get migraines, too....Zomig usually saves my life, but today nothing is working. Ugh.

I am also ultra sensitive to chemical smells. Cannot handle terpentine, oil based paints, shoe polish, pine cleaners, and many other products. I have to go outside until the odor is gone. 

[emma675]

I get allergy headaches that are pretty much equal to migraines, but without any of the noise/smell/eye side effects. It's basically just like my skull is splitting open down one side of my head (I call it my fault line, since it's almost always on the left side) and it's killer. I can usually make it go away with an Aleve/extra strength Tylenol combo, but sometimes that doesn't even work.

[Arwen Evenstar]

4 hours ago, emma675 said:

I get allergy headaches that are pretty much equal to migraines, but without any of the noise/smell/eye side effects. It's basically just like my skull is splitting open down one side of my head (I call it my fault line, since it's almost always on the left side) and it's killer. I can usually make it go away with an Aleve/extra strength Tylenol combo, but sometimes that doesn't even work.

If you can tolerate Benadryl or the PM version of Tylenol, that has saved my life more than once...it will calm your anxiety, and many migraines are triggered by histamine so. Just don't drive until it wears off.  The stupefying effect is often worth it to me.

[bigskygirl]

Looks like I will be going to the GI Clinic to see a GI specialist and for a colonoscopy and a EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) test. The physician assistant said they may be able to do both tests at once. I guess there is a medication to help calm me during the tests. Maybe I should ask for a double. Nothing says holidays like two fun tests. Ha!!! No idea if the stomach pain and cramps, trouble swallowing at times, chest tightness/pain, or pain while swallowing is related to the Acid Reflux, a side effect from a med, or the ole stand by of wacky thyroid hormone levels even with a wrinkled, ugly, non-functioning smaller thyroid.

[Guest]

Just now, bigskygirl said:

Looks like I will be going to the GI Clinic to see a GI specialist and for a colonoscopy and a EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) test. The physician assistant said they may be able to do both tests at once. I guess there is a medication to help calm me during the tests. Maybe I should ask for a double. Nothing says holidays like two fun tests. Ha!!! No idea if the stomach pain and cramps, trouble swallowing at times, chest tightness/pain, or pain while swallowing is related to the Acid Reflux, a side effect from a med, or the ole stand by of wacky thyroid hormone levels even with a wrinkled, ugly, non-functioning smaller thyroid.

I'm having stomach problems as well, I'll probably be asking my Endo about the thyroid's part in them when I see him again.

[lookeyloo]

@bigskygirl - I've had a colonoscopy and an upper GI. The drugs are the best part. I always wish I could take them home with me. Hoping you get results that are clear and have a treatment/cure. 

@heatherrrrz - hoping you can get it figured out too. 

[Arwen Evenstar]

2 hours ago, lookeyloo said:

@bigskygirl - I've had a colonoscopy and an upper GI. The drugs are the best part. I always wish I could take them home with me. Hoping you get results that are clear and have a treatment/cure. 

@heatherrrrz - hoping you can get it figured out too. 

Exactly. My hubs just had an upper GI. He said he remembers nothing about it. They knock you out...I'm likely going to have to do upper and lower due to family history. I'm going to be telling them that they need to buy me a drink firstbefore they do this....and them imitating Cartman

[Happyfatchick]

Hey peeps!  I turned on my iPad and hooked up to internet for something very specific.  Somewhere between then and now (a full minute later), I've totally forgotten what I wanted to see...

so I decided to read up on recent posts and say hey from savannah.  So...hey!  

Incidentally, Happy Veterans Day and also, Happy Birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps (yesterday).

Still haven't remembered what I came here for...

[crazycatlady58]

On 11/11/2016 at 9:26 PM, Happyfatchick said:

Hey peeps!  I turned on my iPad and hooked up to internet for something very specific.  Somewhere between then and now (a full minute later), I've totally forgotten what I wanted to see...

so I decided to read up on recent posts and say hey from savannah.  So...hey!  

Incidentally, Happy Veterans Day and also, Happy Birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps (yesterday).

Still haven't remembered what I came here for...

Do not worry  ,  if you are like  me you will wake  up  at 2 in the morning  and remember  . 

[Love2dance]

1 hour ago, Happyfatchick said:

Hey peeps!  I turned on my iPad and hooked up to internet for something very specific.  Somewhere between then and now (a full minute later), I've totally forgotten what I wanted to see...

so I decided to read up on recent posts and say hey from savannah.  So...hey!  

Incidentally, Happy Veterans Day and also, Happy Birthday to the U.S. Marine Corps (yesterday).

Still haven't remembered what I came here for...

Always good to hear from you anyway,  HAPPYFATCHICK! How did time with the grandson go?

[Happyfatchick]

13 hours ago, Love2dance said:

Always good to hear from you anyway,  HAPPYFATCHICK! How did time with the grandson go?

Thanks for asking!  We have him right now - it's a little chillier than normal for November on the coast and windy today.... and Saturday (football...) so it has disastrous potential.  BUT he's being so good!  He really is a difficult, needy middle child (and of course, his father is a DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK).  He can't help being whiny and seeking attention, he's playing the hand he was dealt.  But he's "aware" of his difficult nature, and he's working at it.  He really is.  He wants constant affirmation that he "is" someone - that he has a presence.  The hubs is certainly doing his part, letting him flip the burgers and help set camp, etc..  I just heard hubs say "give me the other controller" and is going to play an Xbox game with him.  (Guess I have to keep him...). Going well I'd say.  

That family dynamic is kind of odd - he's the only boy and has the assertive thing going on (like his dad).  The other "middle" kid is a sister (obviously) who is completely NOT assertive.  Zero aggression.  Or ambition.  And the two of them are pals.  Like besties.  He called her today and I listened to his end, the way they talked together, and teased.  Total ease in that relationship.  When my daughter started their counseling, the top child and bottom one went in and talked their buckets FULL.  Unloaded.  The two middles went in (individually) and neither said a word.  Not a word (except yes ma'am, no maam).  No voluntary conversation, no adjectives.  Counselor told my daughter they didn't need to come back until they were ready to talk.  But then, Jack (who is with me) says in an offhand comment to his mother that he probably would have talked if his sister-pal had been in there.  (BINGBINGBING!!!). So she talked to the counselor again and reset an appointment for them together.  

Anyway, that's a lot of blah blah, I just find it interesting how the two are so glued together, opposite siblings, opposite genders and are 12 and 13.  When my daughter was that age with an older brother (almost the same age distance), they were trying to kill each other.  They were tight before puberty and got tight again in high school.  But that 12ish to 15ish age....dear God.

[Love2dance]

16 minutes ago, Happyfatchick said:

Thanks for asking!  We have him right now - it's a little chillier than normal for November on the coast and windy today.... and Saturday (football...) so it has disastrous potential.  BUT he's being so good!  He really is a difficult, needy middle child (and of course, his father is a DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK).  He can't help being whiny and seeking attention, he's playing the hand he was dealt.  But he's "aware" of his difficult nature, and he's working at it.  He really is.  He wants constant affirmation that he "is" someone - that he has a presence.  The hubs is certainly doing his part, letting him flip the burgers and help set camp, etc..  I just heard hubs say "give me the other controller" and is going to play an Xbox game with him.  (Guess I have to keep him...). Going well I'd say.  

That family dynamic is kind of odd - he's the only boy and has the assertive thing going on (like his dad).  The other "middle" kid is a sister (obviously) who is completely NOT assertive.  Zero aggression.  Or ambition.  And the two of them are pals.  Like besties.  He called her today and I listened to his end, the way they talked together, and teased.  Total ease in that relationship.  When my daughter started their counseling, the top child and bottom one went in and talked their buckets FULL.  Unloaded.  The two middles went in (individually) and neither said a word.  Not a word (except yes ma'am, no maam).  No voluntary conversation, no adjectives.  Counselor told my daughter they didn't need to come back until they were ready to talk.  But then, Jack (who is with me) says in an offhand comment to his mother that he probably would have talked if his sister-pal had been in there.  (BINGBINGBING!!!). So she talked to the counselor again and reset an appointment for them together.  

Anyway, that's a lot of blah blah, I just find it interesting how the two are so glued together, opposite siblings, opposite genders and are 12 and 13.  When my daughter was that age with an older brother (almost the same age distance), they were trying to kill each other.  They were tight before puberty and got tight again in high school.  But that 12ish to 15ish age....dear God.

Thanks for the update. How wonderful that the two "middles" have each other during this major family change.

Hope the new counseling arrangement will be successful. And how wonderful that they all have you. 

We are still in the 80 degree range. Ugh. 

[Happyfatchick]

How is it that a child can not hear anything you say in the same room for 30 minutes but can hear a tiny squeak of a pinch-fart from a quarter mile away?

[Arwen Evenstar]

3 hours ago, Happyfatchick said:

How is it that a child can not hear anything you say in the same room for 30 minutes but can hear a tiny squeak of a pinch-fart from a quarter mile away?

Same thing with one of our cats. He doesn't hear a thing seemingly, but can hear my husband finding the can.

[Rabbittron]

Is this a good idea? For the holidays my 13 yr old wants monster truck tickets  so I  got it for him. I am planning to wrap up earplugs as monster truck is very loud nd see if he can guess from that what his presant is.

[emma675]

I remember going to a monster truck birthday party in elementary school (the birthday boy's parents took a small group of us out to see it) and it was fine. Very, very loud, but fun. I can only imagine how miserable the adults were, lol.

[zoomama]

i am here, mostly reading in jingers thread. i have the wonderful 'cyclical vomiting syndrome' AGAIN!!!!!   i will get back to speed next week....

[Barb23]

1 hour ago, zoomama said:

i am here, mostly reading in jingers thread. i have the wonderful 'cyclical vomiting syndrome' AGAIN!!!!!   i will get back to speed next week....

Oh, Zoomama, I feel for you.  I think Cyclical vomiting syndrome is what I get, too.  Last year I didn't have any episodes from November til April.  I'm attributing this to getting a flu shot, even tho the flu usually doesn't include GI problems but it works for me.  Probably just a coincidence with my "wacky immune system."  I have appt with my PCP tomorrow & was already planning on mentioning my theory to her as well as having my Zofran refilled.   Anyway, take it easy, don't get dehydrated & hope you feel better soon. 

[Love2dance]

1 hour ago, zoomama said:

i am here, mostly reading in jingers thread. i have the wonderful 'cyclical vomiting syndrome' AGAIN!!!!!   i will get back to speed next week....

So sorry, ZOOMAMA. Hugs.

[BunnyBlueBrown]

.

[bigskygirl]

{{{HUGS}}} @zoomama  I hope you feel better soon.

[lookeyloo]

@zoomama - that does not sound like fun at all.  I hope it passes sooner rather than later.

[bigskygirl]

I have an appointment on 12/27 to see a specialist at the GI Clinic. The appointment scheduler put me on the cancellation list, so I am crossing fingers I can get in sooner. I now have mid and lower back pain along with the cramps. My allergies or sensitivity to smells along with the chest tightness/pain have been flaring up at the same time of the blasted cramps. I just want to get in to see the doctor for a consultation and have the tests needed, so we can finally figure out what the heck is going on. I have cramps and back pain almost 24/7. Taking a bath does help, but I do not want to have to take a bath two or three times a day for some mild relief.

[Guest]

Has anyone had experience using KT tape? I just bought a roll to use hopefully for my back and my heels.

[Love2dance]

1 hour ago, bigskygirl said:

I have an appointment on 12/27 to see a specialist at the GI Clinic. The appointment scheduler put me on the cancellation list, so I am crossing fingers I can get in sooner. I now have mid and lower back pain along with the cramps. My allergies or sensitivity to smells along with the chest tightness/pain have been flaring up at the same time of the blasted cramps. I just want to get in to see the doctor for a consultation and have the tests needed, so we can finally figure out what the heck is going on. I have cramps and back pain almost 24/7. Taking a bath does help, but I do not want to have to take a bath two or three times a day for some mild relief.

I am really hoping that they get you in SOON, BIGSKYGIRL. No one should have to be in pain like that. Meanwhile, sending you hugs and healing thoughts.

[bigskygirl]

It could be worse. It is just frustrating and annoying after almost four years or being sick. I did read reviews about the doctor I will be seeing, and he did get good reviews. Good to know since I am leery of doctors after the mistakes the one moron, idiot, obnoxious doctor made for two years.

[Barb23]

BigSkygirl- hoping you get in sooner than late December. Glad the doctor has good reviews & hopefully will set up a quick plan of action for you. That's awful to be in pain for as long as you have been.

[lookeyloo]

72 days without rain...

[Rabbittron]

Can not believe the weather 80 yesterday and today snow.

[Clemgo3165]

7 hours ago, heatherrrrz said:

Has anyone had experience using KT tape? I just bought a roll to use hopefully for my back and my heels.

I use it on my wonky knee. It's truly amazing how much support it provides and how quickly it helps heal the owies. My patella can track too far to the inside of the knee causing all kinds of pain on stairs in particular, but it also causes pain when driving for long periods. The tape helps keep the patella where it belongs.

[Guest]

9 hours ago, Clemgo3165 said:

I use it on my wonky knee. It's truly amazing how much support it provides and how quickly it helps heal the owies. My patella can track too far to the inside of the knee causing all kinds of pain on stairs in particular, but it also causes pain when driving for long periods. The tape helps keep the patella where it belongs.

Good to know! I've been going to my chiropractor for midback pain for years now, since 2013 when I hurt my back pulling my suitcase through 3 feet of snow to get to the limo for my vacation lol and then it was messed up by another chiropractor in that office that I worked at before I went to this one. I have periods of time where I'm okay and then it hurts again. I've been playing volleyball so my back has been hurting quite a bit lately and my heels too so I figured this would hopefully help.

[Barb23]

On 11/17/2016 at 10:27 PM, Rabbittron said:

Can not believe the weather 80 yesterday and today snow.

It was a crazy weather day here in Maryland.  It was sunny & in the 70's earlier in day. (My sister had A/C on in her car.)  A cold front blew in with sleet around dinnertime & we have a strong wind advisory til Monday. 

[ginger90]

Pennsylvania here....it was 67 when I was driving home from work at 2p. Around 5 the wind came out of nowhere, the power went out for a split second. The temp dropped and we now have fluffy flakes coming down!

[Fosca]

Hudson valley here.  Yup, yesterday was 63 and sunny and lovely.  Overnight the rain started and now the cars are covered with snow.  Wind advisory until tomorrow evening.  Ah, autumn!

[lookeyloo]

We went from the 80s on Thursday to the 50s on Friday and still holding. Sadly no rain here in north Georgia. Severe drought. 

[crazycatlady58]

Houston   here, 64%  now , low tonight   44. I hate our summers but love spring   and fall. Lookeyloo, hope you get rain soon, we are low also but not as bad as you are. Do you have any wildfires  near you?

Edited November 20, 2016 by crazycatlady58
Because I can spell.

[Jynnan tonnix]

Connecticut here...the last three or four days were sunny and beautiful in the low 60's...perfect Fall weather, though the leaves are all gone by now. Today is blustery, cloudy, and just one of those days where you can't seem to warm up. My parents, 1/2 hour away, had about 45 minutes of "heavy, beautiful snow" this morning. My daughter, 15 minutes away, said it just started snowing by them...drizzling here...will see what happens next. I have the wood stove fired up so the cats are happy, and I finally gave in to the daylong temptation for a glass of wine.

[lookeyloo]

36 minutes ago, crazycatlady58 said:

Houston   here, 64%  now , low tonight   44. I hate our summers but love spring   and fall. Lookeyloo, hope you get rain soon, we are low also but not as bad as you are. Do you have any wildfires  near you?

Yes we do - north of here. I don't think we are in danger but the poor folks and animals up there have issues. When the wind blows towards us we can smell them and the air is smoky.   It's cold and sunny today. A 30% chance of rain Wednesday but we've seen that kind of forecast disappear before it happens. 

We are heading to Washington State Wednesday through Monday and forecast there is cold rain every day....

Edited November 20, 2016 by lookeyloo
To add travel info

[louannems]

Not that cold in Wa state!  It's 50 right now!