Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[bigskygirl]

I survived my two procedures this morning. I did not care for the nasty prep drink I had to do yesterday evening and this morning. They did have a few problems getting an iv in because my veins would collapse while the first nurse was trying to set up the iv. They were able to numb the area where the iv was put in, so it was not too bad. The second nurse came in and was able to get the iv in with no problems. The drugs they use were great because I slept through both tests. I remembered waking up and looking around while thinking where the heck am I. The doctor was nice and not bad on the eyes (yes, I am married but not dead.) Ha! They did dilated my esophagus because sometimes I have problems swallowing. My EGD looked okay, and the doctor took biopsies because of the symptoms I have been having. My colon looked normal and no polyps. I was feeling a little out of it because of the drugs, so it was a good thing my husband drove me home. It was nice being able to come home, get something to eat and drink, and take a nap.

And yes, I know I should be ashamed of my heathen self, but there are a few people out there I would love to give the prep drink to because it is so nasty. *whistles*

[Love2dance]

What a relief to have that over, @bigskygirl! Hope all the tests come back as good as the initial assessment.

And having had three colonoscopies myself, you better believe I also have a few candates I would happily wish the prep on, too.  Off to the prayer closet we go!

Edited December 28, 2016 by Love2dance
Words in wrong order.

[bigskygirl]

At least try to make the drink taste better. I could not believe how many bathroom trips I made after drinking a glass of the crap fifteen minutes apart for two hours and then one and half hour this morning. I was given a med to help with the stomach upset and anxiety because I was shaking after I starting drinking, but I did not want to end up getting sick taking it on an empty stomach. Hopefully, the next time I need to have the colonoscopy they would have a better way to prep for the test.

[crazycatlady58]

Bigskygirl ,  I am glad for you that is over. You are right, that drink is nasty. Some people  call it the Devils drink. Well named. It is good  things looked normal   but what is the next step you are still in pain correct ?  Hope you find a solution  very soon.

[louannems]

On 12/1/2016 at 8:49 AM, bigskygirl said:

@lookeyloo

I'm watching FixerUpper and she is wearing The Mustard Cardigan!  

[Arwen Evenstar]

OMG, I stopped at sister's house on Monday and I found out she and her husband had a book by Charles Spurgeon in their house...I pretended not to notice...

[Love2dance]

1 minute ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

OMG, I stopped at sister's house on Monday and I found out she and her husband had a book by Charles Spurgeon in their house...I pretended not to notice...

Maybe it was a white elephant gift.  ?

[crazycatlady58]

I remember  reading a  Charles  Spurgeon  book, better  than  a  sleeping  pill. Do not remember  the title  or anything  about it  it has been over 30  years I just remember  it put me to sleep . 

[Jynnan tonnix]

Sooo...bit of a turbulent holiday with my dad being in the hospital...As I'd mentioned, we did the traditional Polish oplatek with him on Christmas Eve, and he had a good, cathartic cry, but overall seemed to be doing well...they moved him out of the special care room he was in, to one in the regular congestive heart failure section, but a significant a-fib episode in the evening seemed as though it was going to land him back in the ICU. However, the day after Christmas found him still in the regular room. They had done a cat scan on his lung which appeared to be showing something other than the pneumonia, but no results on that yet, and were also supposed to do a heart ultrasound which they do not appear to have gotten around to. He is supposed to be moved to rehab tonight, and with any luck finally be getting a prescription for oxygen to go back home with. We've been fighting for that for months now, but apparently if your primary problem is not related to the lungs they consider it easier to simply call an ambulance instead when things get dicey. Hmph! Hospitals and doctors are happy enough to prescribe opiates out the wazoo, but oxygen is too big of a pain to bother fighting about. Go figure.

Anyway, after a few days of, frankly, feeling as though he might have been at the point of considering his life a closed book, he will be back at home in the next few days. Mom is emotionally drained. I know she doesn't want to lose him, but she has also come to the point of acceptance over the past few months, and he keeps managing to come back from a seeming brink. but just that much weaker overall...They are still in their own house, and I go over there to help out frequently, but the uncertainty over what every next day will bring makes everything just that much more difficult...

[lookeyloo]

@bigskygirl So glad to hear your tests are over.  I had both of those procedures too.  The drugs were the best part.  Prep not so much.  I moved into the bathroom with books, iPhone, wipes, etc.  But, I survived two of them.  

@Jynnan tonnix Oy, that sounds so stressful and hard on the heart.  It is not easy, that's for sure.

We had an appointment yesterday with Mr. lookeyloo's internist having no hope at all of help, but a starting point and the doctor was a "mensch" and said he deals with patients with anxiety every day and there is help, and here are prescriptions for xanax, ambien, (to take as needed) and one for Lexi Pro to start with a small dose and increase slowly even though he hasn't had a patient with any side effects.  Too soon for the Lexi Pro but Mr. lookeyloo slept better.  For a change, which means I slept better.  we have the Washington State family here (5 of them) and the grand puppies.  Dr. said if this doesn't work come back and we will try something else, there are lots to try.  And the blood pressure is down so that's good.  He still doesn't feel like himself and daughter in law thinks he looks awful.  He looked better to me yesterday.  He has lost a bunch of weight since he has had no appetite.  But that seems to be on the rise too.  Hopeful.  

[bigskygirl]

@Jynnan tonnix  I am so sorry to hear about your dad. It can be a pain in the behind to deal with the medical establishment at times. Sending you lots of heathen full frontal {{{HUGS}}} for you, your dad and mom.

@lookeyloo  Glad you and Mr. lookeyloo got some sleep. I remembered when my husband was first diagnosed. I felt like and looked like I was part zombie/part robot. Sending the both of you some hugs too.

And to top it all off, I got an email from my sister who is dealing with a few issues, and she also has a thyroid problem and high blood pressure. I want to help her, but I do not want to get pulled back into any family drama because I do not need the stress. I know it sounds mean, but I had enough stress from my family for more than one lifetime. I think my husband is worried about his youngest sister and two nephews. The younger nephew can be a handful at times, and yesterday marks the date three years ago when our brother-in-law had his stroke and was airlifted to Billings. He died a few weeks later after being taken off life support. I know he wants his sister and nephews to move here to help take care of them, but I worry about the extra stress he would be under if this happens.

I contacted the one doctor office to make a followup appointment at the GI Clinic because the cramps are not getting better. I know my system is adjusting to the prep drink and tests from yesterday, but I still feel like crap. I will be so glad when the new year starts because I am ready to tell 2016 to go take a flying leap at a rolling donut.

[Happyfatchick]

Hi all!  I'm sitting here on my couch with my pup snuggled up next to me.  The bills are paid, the toilet flushes, there is no snow, I'm not hungry, cold or sick.  There is nothing wrong in my little world right now.  I plan to sit here in this spot and not move (possibly to not disturb the gods of bad karma...).  I got a kayak paddle for Christmas, and one of those quick dry jackets.  (I think the hubs is ready to roll the camper right on outta here). 

I was trying to think of a typical "me" story of our holiday to share.  Luckily, I have one.  My one DIL seemed overoccupied with her children's gifts this year at our gathering.  Like she had nothing else on her radar.  I found that odd.  (Please note that I bought all my gifts good and early...and then when they are wrapped, I go over and over and over in my head to make sure everybody is covered - because how much would it SUCK not to have a gift at the family party???). 

Well, see, now I know.  I know this because I said to her, "where is your gift?"  She said, "I didn't get one".  

I bought her a Disney gift card, yes I did!!!  (I remembered that part!)

Aaaaaaaand accidentally put it in my OTHER DIL's box with her other gifts.  Dang it!!! (Because unless it's underwear or men's socks, you can't really say "oh, sorry, that's not yours...")

Oh, it gets waaaaay better.  I also bought her a Vera Bradley hipster to put said gift card in.  I sat there at the party with my mouth hanging in the O position, knowing good and well I BOUGHT her something else, but not being able to remember "what" for the life of me.  Monday, when I went in my work room, there was the Vera all hooped up, dangling from the machine, ready to be embroidered.....I'd completely forgotten my whole plan.  I got so worked up making sure the grands all get covered, I lost the adults.  

So I've had to turn in my MILOTY plaque, the keys and my badge.  Which is why I'm sitting here quietly in the dark with my dog, doing no harm.

Jynnan, how's your dad?  Emma, how's the job and your stomach?  BigSky, I would loooooove to visit Montana one day - in July.  Lookey, how's the hubs?  (I have mild anxiety issues and HATE it - I can only imagine how horrible it would be to deal with major ones).  Aja, I'm sorry holidays are hard.  I have a close friend in the same spot, and I never quite know what to say or do.  She doesn't want to be a 3rd leg, and I don't blame her.  I wouldn't want that either.  But I truly hate how alone she feels.  

Next year we'll have a big fat virtual party for all of us.  I'll be in charge of presents, and we'll have a scavenger hunt to find them!  And THEN, when we open them, we'll have another game of figuring out what belongs to who.  Sounds a whole lot like an Alzheimer's daycare party, right?

[Love2dance]

@Happyfatchick, thank you so much. I think we all NEEDED a happyfatchick story. I know I did. I would love to hear how you are going to make it up to your poor DIL.

Let me be the first to accept the invitation to your virtual party. I'll bring fudge, spicy cheese frittata, and margaritas.

[Rabbittron]

Happy New Year everyone and I hope 2017 is a great year for all of you.

[Jynnan tonnix]

On 12/28/2016 at 10:17 PM, Love2dance said:

@Happyfatchick, thank you so much. I think we all NEEDED a happyfatchick story. I know I did. I would love to hear how you are going to make it up to your poor DIL.

Let me be the first to accept the invitation to your virtual party. I'll bring fudge, spicy cheese frittata, and margaritas.

I make some mean deviled eggs and cheesecake, and always have a whole bunch of wine in the basement...We belong to at least two or three more wineries than we strictly need to.

[crazycatlady58]

Happy  new  year  everyone , may I come to the party  also  ?   I can bring chips and ugly dip and if I say so myself  I can make a mean pound  cake. Hope hope 2017 brings health  and peace  to everyone . 

[Sew Sumi]

Happy New Year everyone! My fondest hope is that none of us are dragged to a Duggaresque party to pray in 2017. :D

[Barb23]

Happy New Year !!  Hopefully it will be a good one.

I'll bring crab dip to the party.  

[Jynnan tonnix]

So, ask me how my New Year's has been thus far...

Mom called me this morning from visiting Dad at his rehab facility (you may recall that he spent Dec 23-26th in hospital with ongoing heart failure issues), saying she was not feeling right. She seemed extremely worn out and a bit woozy by the time I got there, and wanted to come stay with us for a little bit as she didn't feel up to driving. A short while later she seemed to be feeling worse, so we had the staff check her blood pressure which was 190/100, so I took her to the ER (luckily there was one almost right down the street, so I made it faster than an ambulance would have). By the time we got there, she was almost completely disoriented and unable to formulate much of an idea aside from "where is Dad and who is taking care of him?", which she asked roughly once every minute or two. 

They got her blood pressure under control, which brought her back to a reasonably lucid state, but she's being admitted to the hospital to try and get to the bottom of what caused this. Thankfully there is no indication that she had a stroke, and the cat scan and chest X-ray didn't show anything immediately apparent; her urinalysis was fine, and the only thing they have to go on at the moment is a slightly elevated white blood count and a slight feeling of pressure in her chest, subtle enough that she only notices it if it's asked about.

Will go back to visit both her and Dad tomorrow and hopefully get better answers. My husband left this morning to head back down to his job in Virginia, so I won't see him again for about 3 weeks when I have a flight scheduled to visit him for a couple of weeks, but don't know whether we'll have to cancel that (thank goodness for Southwest Airlines which gives you that flexibility!!).

Happy birthday to Me.

[Love2dance]

2 hours ago, Jynnan tonnix said:

So, ask me how my New Year's has been thus far..

Happy birthday to Me.

Awww, @Jynnan tonnix, happy birthday. So sorry your day was spent once again dealing with aging parent needs. I'm glad your mom seems to be doing better, and sure hope you will get the all-clear to go to Virginia and celebrate for real. Hugs!!

[Arwen Evenstar]

Happy Birthday, Jynnan.  Sorry your day was stressful. Maybe you and hubby can make it up later.

Hoping 2017 is a better year for everyone on the board. Keep hearing the oil jobs market will get better and be it health, work, aging parents, or naughty children, I wish you all a better year than the stinker 2016 was for most of us.

Asthma is still giving me a hard time. Had bronchitis the week before Christmas, so rescheduled upper and lower GI until 2nd week in Jan. Might have to reschedule it again, as it doesn't look like the round of antibiotics and steroids did the trick. Got a completely clean bill of health from cardiologist after nuclear stress test, so breathing issues are all lung related. Not wanting to be put under if I'm still having breathing issues. Back to doc this week to make sure it's all cleared out.  Weather in Houston is changing again in a day or two. After over a week in the 80s, we're back to highs in 50s. This messes with people here big time...a fresh crop of cold and flu germs for the next round of "the gift that keeps on giving". Oy veh!

[Micks Picks]

@Arwen you know my eyes are shit so I read your post and saw h......tosis and on the next line res.....   so I thought what the hell, she had halitosis and had to be resuscitated?????  Nah, got out the magnifier, ok, gotcha.  Be better soon, and watch the bad breath.

Jynan, happy birthday.  We can't control the days our parents have problems, and be assured they would rather be well and younger.  We will all be there some day too.

Things not good in my hood.  Neighbor just had major emergency surgery, sis still not doing at all well after her surgery on the 23rd.  Well, as soon as she is better she'll have her snooty superior attitude back, so there is that some blessing now for me.

[Barb23]

Geez guys, seems like some of us are starting 2017 not so great.  My heart goes out to all.

Happy Birthday Jynnan Tonnix.  Hopefully you can make it to Virginia to celebrate.

[Barb23]

1 minute ago, Barb23 said:

Geez guys, seems like some of us are starting 2017 not so great.  My heart goes out to all.

Happy Birthday Jynnan Tonnix.  Hopefully you can make it to Virginia to celebrate.  Something really nice, no drippy sundae for you. 

[bigskygirl]

@Jynnan tonnix  Happy birthday! Sorry to hear about your parents. {{{HUGS}}}

@Arwen Evenstar  Sorry you are not feeling better. I hope you do not have to reschedule your two GI tests. The prep drink is not fun at all, but the drugs they will use to put you under are wonderful.

Last night I was brushing my teeth around the back of my mouth where my wisdom teeth are at. I started to gag and cough, and I got sick to my stomach a little. Scared the heck out of me. I have gagged and coughed before, but no getting sick to my stomach. Saturday morning I had some bad abdominal pain while I was sleeping. I see the nurse practitioner tomorrow afternoon. I know the dentist and dental hygienist said the back of your mouth can be sensitive while brushing your teeth leading to possible gagging and coughing, but getting sick a little is not what I was expecting. Crossing fingers the GI specialist and nurse practitioner can figure out what the heck is going. Something tells me I may end up having more tests.

[Arwen Evenstar]

@bigskygirl....ewwww...no fun at all.  Sometimes if you have respiratory issues, you could have phlegm so deep and tight in your lungs that you'll gag or throw up before you can cough I up. Medical centers are known breeding grounds for cooties and recent sedation could put you at risk. Do get it checked out. Cold weather makes it so easy to get pneumonia.

i just want to get it over with. Dreading the prep and day of starvation from any solid food.  It helps that I'm not working right now so I can just stay in bed all day before.  Doc office won't be open until tomorrow so I can find out if I need another ZPak. I'm still hoarse. Ugh!!! 

[Arwen Evenstar]

Been loving the eagle cam footage. Mating pair of bald eagles in Florida just hatched a chick and waiting on second egg. Cam is infrared so you can see them at night. Doesn't look good for second egg since 40 days passed without a confirmed pip...but the little eaglet is so cute.

 

http://www.dickpritchettrealestate.com/eagle-feed.html

[bigskygirl]

I think it may have been the blasted Acid Reflux Disease causing me to get sick last night. They did dilated my esophagus last week because I have a hard time swallowing at times. I have gagged and coughed before brushing the back of my teeth near my wisdom teeth on both sides of my mouth. It also does not help I have a small mouth which can make it hard to brush in the back. I see the nurse practitioner tomorrow afternoon. Cannot wait to go outside this week because we have another cold snap. We are under a below zero watch until around noon time tomorrow. Oh goody!!!

I think the baby eagle is cute too! I hope nothing is wrong with the second egg. Bald eagles are beautiful creatures.

[Love2dance]

7 hours ago, bigskygirl said:

Last night I was brushing my teeth around the back of my mouth where my wisdom teeth are at. I started to gag and cough, and I got sick to my stomach a little. Scared the heck out of me. I have gagged and coughed before, but no getting sick to my stomach. Saturday morning I had some bad abdominal pain while I was sleeping. I see the nurse practitioner tomorrow afternoon. I know the dentist and dental hygienist said the back of your mouth can be sensitive while brushing your teeth leading to possible gagging and coughing, but getting sick a little is not what I was expecting. Crossing fingers the GI specialist and nurse practitioner can figure out what the heck is going. Something tells me I may end up having more tests.

I think it is very common to gag when brushing back teeth.....I experience it only in the morning, so think my reflux and phlegm are to blame. Try not to worry too much about that symptom.  Hope you get good news tomorrow.

Edited January 3, 2017 by Love2dance

[Arwen Evenstar]

Bald eagle eggs have a 10% to 25% non hatch, and this is only known on nests that have actually been studied. As a federally protected species and happily off the endangered and threatened species list, they are so majestic to behold. It really is a privilege to get to see these creatures up close and enjoy them.

[Marigold]

Oh guys, so sorry to read of all these troubles going on.  I hope things get better soon....I pop over here sometimes but don't typically post.  Maybe I should.  ;)

[emma675]

Happy 2017 everyone!

I ended 2016 with a $1200 car repair bill--the cooling (coolant?) system on my car basically blew up and I had to have the whole thing replaced. Does anyone know how to get rid of leaked coolant on a concrete driveway? Apparently it's fatal to animals and yet they are attracted to the smell, so I'm anxious to clean it up. I've put a plastic tarp held down by stones over the spill for now.

I have to leave for a sales meeting on Saturday, so I get no real weekend this week and I'm kinda pissy about it. I need my down time away from work and I've got two weekends this month where I'll be traveling for work.

[Almost 3000]

20 minutes ago, emma675 said:

Does anyone know how to get rid of leaked coolant on a concrete driveway?

Toss some cat litter on it to absorb and them scrub with a pet safe cleanser. I use Simple Green on counters and where I've had ant issues because I've heard its pet safe. Just a thought...

[Arwen Evenstar]

Yep, kitty litter...

[ginger90]

You can use sand or sawdust too.

[Arwen Evenstar]

Eagle cam update: E9 is eating heartily. At three days old, this little eaglet is greedily gulping down its food. The first day, only tiny pieces, but today eating more and much larger pieces of food.  Nest exchange and feeding times are posted. No pip yet on the other egg.  Day 42 and they don't go past 40 days that anyone seems to have observed. It took E9 36 hours to hatch from first pip.

[bigskygirl]

Looks like I have Gastritis (inflammation of the Stomach Lining.) I am going in on Monday 1/23 for another test (Gastric Emptying-Solid) because I might have functional Dyspepsia. I cannot eat for four hours before the test, and I will be eating two scrambled eggs, two slices of toast, and four oz. of juice with a few drops of isotope added to the eggs before cooking when I get to the hospital. I guess the isotope is some type of radiation, but at least it suppose to be odorless and tasteless. I will be at the hospital for a couple of hours because they want to see how I digest the food and how my stomach handles the food (checking about every fifteen minutes.) I guess the EGD test showed my stomach was inflamed or irritated a little. The good news is no nasty prep drink, and I get to eat even if it is hospital food. I am on two different Acid Reflux meds (one in the morning and one at night.) Right now eating and drinking almost anything is bothering my stomach.

[Arwen Evenstar]

@bigskygirl sorry you still feel crummy, but glad you're finally going to be getting some answers and getting to the bottom of this.

[lookeyloo]

@bigskygirl - sounds unfun, but the good news is the medical team is onto something that could mean the end of your misery.  So that's good, right?

[bigskygirl]

Yes it is unfun, but at least we are finally getting some answers after almost four years of numerous blood tests/procedures and  appointments.

[Arwen Evenstar]

13 minutes ago, bigskygirl said:

Yes it is unfun, but at least we are finally getting some answers after almost four years of numerous blood tests/procedures and  appointments.

Life is too damn short to be miserable that long.

[bigskygirl]

47 minutes ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

Life is too damn short to be miserable that long.

I agree! I am grateful the local hospital finally got an endocrinologist. I hate to think what would happened if I did not get a second opinion and kept seeing the nitwit out of town doctor. Sadly patients need to stand their ground when it comes to their own medical care.

[Arwen Evenstar]

1 hour ago, bigskygirl said:

I agree! I am grateful the local hospital finally got an endocrinologist. I hate to think what would happened if I did not get a second opinion and kept seeing the nitwit out of town doctor. Sadly patients need to stand their ground when it comes to their own medical care.

ITA...if you know something isn't right, you need to keep pushing until someone takes you seriously. That's how I got my leg vein issue addressed, as well as Mr Evenstar's acid reflux.

If I suspect anything else, I get to the bottom of it. Maybe the prevalence of cancer and heart disease in my family has made me hyper vigilant, but I could care less what anyone thinks  if that gives me an edge.

No one should be embarrassed to keep complaining until the issue is resolved. One good thing about living in Houston is that there is no shortage of good doctors here.

Edited January 4, 2017 by Arwen Evenstar

[Love2dance]

@bigskygirl, so glad you are getting answers, and finally a non- yucky test. Hope the new meds help, too.

[Rabbittron]

Please kill me now. 1 foot of snow schools closed 5 boys 13 to 8 running around got a call from my sister her ex sil got evicted is moving in in the 30 minutes she has been her trying to undermine me yelling at the kids trying to be mom and all I am doing is yelling at her to say you are not the mom i am. I  would love to kick her out but we are living in my sisters house.

[Arwen Evenstar]

1 hour ago, Rabbittron said:

Please kill me now. 1 foot of snow schools closed 5 boys 13 to 8 running around got a call from my sister her ex sil got evicted is moving in in the 30 minutes she has been her trying to undermine me yelling at the kids trying to be mom and all I am doing is yelling at her to say you are not the mom i am. I  would love to kick her out but we are living in my sisters house.

I just sent myself to the prayer closet as penance.  I've got a bottle of Malbec and a bottle of Riesling since my sister from another mother Sew Sumi can't tolerate reds. You're welcome to either.

[Rabbittron]

6 minutes ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

I just sent myself to the prayer closet as penance.  I've got a bottle of Malbec and a bottle of Riesling since my sister from another mother Sew Sumi can't tolerate reds. You're welcome to either.

Thank you as soon as I  give them lunch i will join you all of you in the prayer closet.

[Arwen Evenstar]

Had to reschedule upper and lower GI...went back to doc and got another cortisone shot, a week of doxycycline, and a strong antihistamine.  

I had been, up to mid November, a very high functioning asthmatic until seasonal allergies exacerbated it. I got it back under control and caught a cold while I was at cardiologist getting my stress test, which turned into bronchitis, which exacerbated the asthma again..inflammation invites bacterial infections...joyful fun.  I'm so ready to be done with this, but I'm sleeping better and breathing better.

[bigskygirl]

15 minutes ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

Had to reschedule upper and lower GI...went back to doc and got another cortisone shot, a week of doxycycline, and a strong antihistamine.  

I had been, up to mid November, a very high functioning asthmatic until seasonal allergies exacerbated it. I got it back under control and caught a cold while I was at cardiologist getting my stress test, which turned into bronchitis, which exacerbated the asthma again..inflammation invites bacterial infections...joyful fun.  I'm so ready to be done with this, but I'm sleeping better and breathing better.

Yikes! {{{HUGS}}} I remembered getting bronchitis once a year. I would start out with a cold, lose my voice for a few days, and end up with a nasty cough for a month before seeing a doctor.  I was surprised when I was told Acid Reflux Disease can cause chest pain/pressure and Asthma type symptoms. My allergies are under control since I am on an allergy med and a med for the Asthma symptoms. The bad part is I was told not to take something like Advil for pain since it can cause my stomach lining to become inflamed. I guess I will be taking Tylenol and cross my fingers it will help with the headaches, jaw pain, and earaches when the TMJ acts up or the headaches caused by the eye damage and light sensitivity kick in.

[CherryMalotte]

So friggin happy the holidays are over.  So happy.  I was to work overtime on Friday the 23rd of December, but an hour in started throwing up.  Nasty evil stomach and intestinal flu followed, with a lingering flu on top, you know just for extra icing.  Had to call my uncle and tell him under no circumstances to bring my grandmother to my house, X-mas was closed.  I finally had them over for a lunch on NYD but I'm done done done.  Told my uncle straight up that I'm taking a break for a couple of years at least after playing hostess for twenty years.  

A week or so before X-mas the local senior agency called and wanted to know if my dad was still interested in getting some Meals On Wheels.  I told them sure, and told him if he doesn't like what they send he can either not eat that particular meal, or I can always cancel it.  He seemed game, if nothing else it's one less meal he has to fix for himself and it's a pretty well rounded menu.  He just started getting them this week and he's already bitching that they didn't include specific instructions for reheating each meal.  I called him back and left a message basically telling him to wing it, try reheating a minute at a time in the micro.  Seriously...he doesn't want to be bothered to think for himself.

I'm sorry to read about everybody's illnesses, here's hoping this year brings us all some better health for all of our families.  Physically and mentally!