Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[Scarlett45]

2 hours ago, Absolom said:

Your sister is so lucky to have you and that you're so careful and patient with her.  My housekeeper has a daughter I'd send you for weekends if I could.  She's the kind of person you're trying to find.  A few months ago she took a M-F job at a facility where people who simply can't cope at home place their adult children similar to your sister.  She loves it.  She's so patient and kind.  

Thank you! It takes a special kind of person to do caregiving work, its so often underpaid, under appreciated and physically demanding. I am sure your housekeeper's daughter is wonderful- may she be happy at her new job.

We have been lucky to find great people and keep them with us. M says this is the best job she has ever had and I scream "please never leave us!" (before us she worked for an agency and had many clients, I am sure one home, and one client, with one routine is much easier)

I feel better now, I know we will find someone, even if it takes me a year, if we can keep them 10yrs that is time well spent. 

[ginger90]

😁 Friday happiness.

[CalicoKitty]

Laundry day.  It is Lily's favorite day of the week.

[Salacious Kitty]

Yesterday was Zeena's 4th birthday! 

[Scarlett45]

1 hour ago, CalicoKitty said:

Laundry day.  It is Lily's favorite day of the week.

1 hour ago, Salacious Kitty said:

Yesterday was Zeena's 4th birthday! 

Look at those sweet faces!

Lady Reese and Cavendish say HI!

[Salacious Kitty]

Aw, I can hardly ever get my two together. They're sleeping on the bed right now, but that's about the only time they're not chasing one another around the house. 😀

[sagittarius sue]

2 hours ago, Salacious Kitty said:

Aw, I can hardly ever get my two together. They're sleeping on the bed right now, but that's about the only time they're not chasing one another around the house. 😀

A friend of mine once mentioned how her two cats always acted as if they couldn't stand each other, but once she looked into the living room from outside, and they were comfortably curled up together sleeping on the sofa.

[Scarlett45]

Unrelated to our love of cats….. I love it when I wash my house slippers and the inside is soft and fluffy again. 

It’s an amazing feeling. I just had to share. 

[ginger90]

[jcbrown]

On 8/13/2022 at 12:25 PM, CalicoKitty said:

Laundry day.  It is Lily's favorite day of the week.

That is currently happening in my house, too! I pile the warm clean clothes on the bed after I take them out of the dryer and they are nearly always colonized.

[ChiCricket]

Speaking of cats....i just adopted THREE cats (because they were a bonded trio,  and their owner died.) 

  The owner's only son was about to have one of them put down because he couldn't  get anyone to take it (the oldest one) and he really wanted them to all be adopted together. 

 His bereavement leave(from the Navy)  was up,  and he had to get back to his ship in 2 more days.  So I took all THREE... because I'm a (idiot) sucker for a sob-story. 

 I am not happy I did this,  because  my husband has been pissed off at me ever since.  I thought he'd get over it,  but it's been two weeks today,  and he has NOT 😭... Why OH WHY did I  DO it?! 🙄🙄🙄

(I'm debating even posting this,  but WTH) 😭 

Ps all the no kill shelters in our area are completely full,  and are not taking any cats rn,  which is why he was so desperate  to find someone  (stupid) to take them. 

Edited August 16, 2022 by ChiCricket

[Notabug]

4 hours ago, ChiCricket said:

Speaking of cats....i just adopted THREE cats (because they were a bonded trio,  and their owner died.) 

  The owner's only son was about to have one of them put down because he couldn't  get anyone to take it (the oldest one) and he really wanted them to all be adopted together. 

 His bereavement leave(from the Navy)  was up,  and he had to get back to his ship in 2 more days.  So I took all THREE... because I'm a (idiot) sucker for a sob-story. 

 I am not happy I did this,  because  my husband has been pissed off at me ever since.  I thought he'd get over it,  but it's been two weeks today,  and he has NOT 😭... Why OH WHY did I  DO it?! 🙄🙄🙄

(I'm debating even posting this,  but WTH) 😭 

Ps all the no kill shelters in our area are completely full,  and are not taking any cats rn,  which is why he was so desperate  to find someone  (stupid) to take them. 

You did it because you are a kind hearted and generous soul who couldn't bear to think of those cats being separated or any of them euthanized.  You've been married a long time, your husband surely knows about your good hearted generosity by now.  He needs to get with the program, he's too old for tantrums.

[BetyBee]

@ChiCricket - that was really kind of you to take in those 3 kitties. How is it going, other than the pissed off hubby? Are they settling in? 

[Cinnabon]

6 hours ago, ChiCricket said:

Speaking of cats....i just adopted THREE cats (because they were a bonded trio,  and their owner died.) 

  The owner's only son was about to have one of them put down because he couldn't  get anyone to take it (the oldest one) and he really wanted them to all be adopted together. 

 His bereavement leave(from the Navy)  was up,  and he had to get back to his ship in 2 more days.  So I took all THREE... because I'm a (idiot) sucker for a sob-story. 

 I am not happy I did this,  because  my husband has been pissed off at me ever since.  I thought he'd get over it,  but it's been two weeks today,  and he has NOT 😭... Why OH WHY did I  DO it?! 🙄🙄🙄

(I'm debating even posting this,  but WTH) 😭 

Ps all the no kill shelters in our area are completely full,  and are not taking any cats rn,  which is why he was so desperate  to find someone  (stupid) to take them. 

When I went to adopt my first kitten many years ago, I meant to get one. But when I got to the person’s home who was giving them away, there were only 2 left from the litter. Of course, I had no choice but to take both! They did have a beautiful bond between them. Thanks for giving them all a good home. 🙂

Edited August 16, 2022 by Cinnabon

[CalicoKitty]

6 hours ago, ChiCricket said:

Speaking of cats....i just adopted THREE cats (because they were a bonded trio,  and their owner died.) 

  The owner's only son was about to have one of them put down because he couldn't  get anyone to take it (the oldest one) and he really wanted them to all be adopted together. 

 His bereavement leave(from the Navy)  was up,  and he had to get back to his ship in 2 more days.  So I took all THREE... because I'm a (idiot) sucker for a sob-story. 

 I am not happy I did this,  because  my husband has been pissed off at me ever since.  I thought he'd get over it,  but it's been two weeks today,  and he has NOT 😭... Why OH WHY did I  DO it?! 🙄🙄🙄

(I'm debating even posting this,  but WTH) 😭 

Ps all the no kill shelters in our area are completely full,  and are not taking any cats rn,  which is why he was so desperate  to find someone  (stupid) to take them. 

I would have done the same thing.  You are a very kind person.

[ChiCricket]

10 hours ago, BetyBee said:

@ChiCricket - that was really kind of you to take in those 3 kitties. How is it going, other than the pissed off hubby? Are they settling in? 

  Well,  they are all eating, drinking,  &  using a litter box (lots and lots of 💩to scoop)  so that's all good. 

I worried they wouldn't,  because this woman was a big time hoarder,  and had so much stuff to hide in. (didn't know that before I said I'd take them all.)

And that house reeked.. but not of cat pee.. just MANY other strong odors.  It took us two full days to help the son catch all three.. and their A/C wasn't working

🔥 😰 🔥 

The 6yo long haired blonde one has barely  come out in two weeks (hides behind my washer) and is very shy and skittish . The 1 yo old has come out and accepted scritches,  but he's the only one who will come to me.  The 8 yo comes out to play with the 1 yo at night  but won't come near me. He runs when he sees me, and hides behind my dryer. (I'm trying to let them come to me,  because  I'm sure it traumatized them to be taken from everything they've known.) 

They have weird names:

Sir Chief Effen Puss   8yo (white nose fur/pink nose)

Fuzzy Butt. 1yo (chipped) 

Independence Warhol.  6yo (blonde hair)

(TMI,  probably)  sorry for such a long post

Here is what the son wrote to me,  that got me to take them, and the pictures he sent (pics were taken in his mom's hoarder house,  it's not my junk 😂 ) :

Edited August 17, 2022 by ChiCricket
because they were out of order and it bugged me 😂

[Scarlett45]

11 hours ago, ChiCricket said:

Speaking of cats....i just adopted THREE cats (because they were a bonded trio,  and their owner died.) 

  The owner's only son was about to have one of them put down because he couldn't  get anyone to take it (the oldest one) and he really wanted them to all be adopted together. 

 His bereavement leave(from the Navy)  was up,  and he had to get back to his ship in 2 more days.  So I took all THREE... because I'm a (idiot) sucker for a sob-story. 

 I am not happy I did this,  because  my husband has been pissed off at me ever since.  I thought he'd get over it,  but it's been two weeks today,  and he has NOT 😭... Why OH WHY did I  DO it?! 🙄🙄🙄

(I'm debating even posting this,  but WTH) 😭 

Ps all the no kill shelters in our area are completely full,  and are not taking any cats rn,  which is why he was so desperate  to find someone  (stupid) to take them. 

Oh @ChiCricket you did a great thing! You are not stupid- you are kind and thoughtful with a big heart. 
 

I am sorry your husband doesn’t want to keep them, is there anyway you could get on a no kill list in the city(I know you’re a distance from me) as a foster until a home could be found. I’m glad the kitties are alive and can stay together. 
 

My house is full, but if you’d asked me Dec 2021 when Blake died I would’ve taken all three. 
 

For the record I fully support you keeping them. They are in the best care. 

[ChiCricket]

Thanks for your kind words everyone.  I wrote  the first post at 4am so I  kind of was having a pity party for myself.  I was up that late because the whole thing is giving me insomnia from stress,  and I needed a place to vent.  Thanks again, I really appreciate you all. 

[oliviabenson]

If I had 3 cats I’d think I died and went to heaven. I hope your husband changes his mind! 

10 minutes ago, ChiCricket said:

Thanks for your kind words everyone.  I wrote  the first post at 4am so I  kind of was having a pity party for myself.  I was up that late because the whole thing is giving me insomnia from stress,  and I needed a place to vent.  Thanks again, I really appreciate you all. 

[wilsie]

4 hours ago, ChiCricket said:

Thanks for your kind words everyone.  I wrote  the first post at 4am so I  kind of was having a pity party for myself.  I was up that late because the whole thing is giving me insomnia from stress,  and I needed a place to vent.  Thanks again, I really appreciate you all. 

I think your kind heart is so needed is this very troubled world today.  I hope you know great blessings having them with you.  A few years ago a dear friend moved out of the country and didn't want to separate her two dogs since they had been together since they were puppies.  The one is a pug mix and there was concern that she wouldn't do well breathing on a plane because of her snout.  My daughter and son-in-law took them both in, even though they already had one dog and three cats. Two of the cats were originally belonged to someone else. I get to live with those two sweet dogs, my grand dogs, and it's a real gift to have them with us. 

Edited August 17, 2022 by wilsie

[skatelady]

7 hours ago, CalicoKitty said:

In another post, you mentioned that you collect nesting dolls. There is a HUGE nesting doll store right down the road from me! You would love it! The building is painted very garish colors, impossible to miss, so everyone uses it as a landmark. Hard to believe that they can stay in business with such a niche product, but it is a surprisingly busy place! I've only been there once - to buy a unique wedding present - and I was absolutely overwhelmed. Hundreds and hundreds - possibly thousands - of nesting dolls. They even have blank ones that you can paint yourself!

If you're ever in NYC, this store is an hour and 15 minutes north on the commuter train. Very close to the train station. If you love nesting dolls, it is absolutely worth the trip!

https://hvmag.com/life-style/nesting-dolls-brings-color-and-culture-to-wappingers-falls/

https://highlandscurrent.org/2017/12/17/from-russia-with-love/

[crazycatlady58]

34 minutes ago, skatelady said:

In another post, you mentioned that you collect nesting dolls. There is a HUGE nesting doll store right down the road from me! You would love it! The building is painted very garish colors, impossible to miss, so everyone uses it as a landmark. Hard to believe that they can stay in business with such a niche product, but it is a surprisingly busy place! I've only been there once - to buy a unique wedding present - and I was absolutely overwhelmed. Hundreds and hundreds - possibly thousands - of nesting dolls. They even have blank ones that you can paint yourself!

If you're ever in NYC, this store is an hour and 15 minutes north on the commuter train. Very close to the train station. If you love nesting dolls, it is absolutely worth the trip!

https://hvmag.com/life-style/nesting-dolls-brings-color-and-culture-to-wappingers-falls/

https://highlandscurrent.org/2017/12/17/from-russia-with-love/

Those are lovely. 

[Scarlett45]

2 hours ago, skatelady said:

In another post, you mentioned that you collect nesting dolls. There is a HUGE nesting doll store right down the road from me! You would love it! The building is painted very garish colors, impossible to miss, so everyone uses it as a landmark. Hard to believe that they can stay in business with such a niche product, but it is a surprisingly busy place! I've only been there once - to buy a unique wedding present - and I was absolutely overwhelmed. Hundreds and hundreds - possibly thousands - of nesting dolls. They even have blank ones that you can paint yourself!

If you're ever in NYC, this store is an hour and 15 minutes north on the commuter train. Very close to the train station. If you love nesting dolls, it is absolutely worth the trip!

https://hvmag.com/life-style/nesting-dolls-brings-color-and-culture-to-wappingers-falls/

https://highlandscurrent.org/2017/12/17/from-russia-with-love/

1 hour ago, crazycatlady58 said:

Those are lovely. 

I love that posters are so thoughtful and encouraging to each other in this way. 
 

Nesting Dolls are a niche product, but I have seen so many beautiful ones that I know why someone would want to collect them @crazycatlady58.

[crazycatlady58]

1 minute ago, Scarlett45 said:

I love that posters are so thoughtful and encouraging to each other in this way. 
 

Nesting Dolls are a niche product, but I have seen so many beautiful ones that I know why someone would want to collect them @crazycatlady58.

Yes, I especially liked the Asian dolls.

[CalicoKitty]

My mom had a collection of over 200 nesting dolls.  Any time we went to an antique store, we had to try to find more.  I bought many for her in Russia.  I had about 20 of my own, and I took probably 30 of her's when we emptied the house.  Mine are all collector quality and range in size from about 1.5 inches to over 2 feet.  Doing the research on them has been fun, as each area has its own style.  The painting on them is really beautiful.  I enjoy them, but I'm glad I didn't end up will all 200 of hers.  Around 50 is probably enough, but that doesn't me from looking for them in antique shops and stores.  I would love to see the store in NYC.  Thanks for sharing.

[Minivanessa]

My goodness. Life can happen fast. I'm sitting in my car after witnessing a one car crash about a mile from home. I'm okay but since I saw it I feel I should give a statement to the police. The fire department is on scene and have requested an ambulance but nobody seems badly injured. I think there's a child in the car that they want to have the EMTs check. Police haven't arrived yet. 

Ironically I recently started unplugging my car's dashcam due to concerns that it was draining the battery and it's not running this morning. It would have recorded the wreck. 

Be careful out there. My routine little drive to the auto repair shop changed in a few seconds. So glad it wasn't worse.

[Mindthinkr]

1 hour ago, Jeeves said:

So glad it wasn't worse.

I am too. There could have been serious injuries, sites that could possibly haunt you or worst you could have been involved in the accident itself. <Hug> 

[Scarlett45]

In weekend caregiver search news- I’ve spent most of the last 5 days doing video interviews. I have two candidates coming Friday (separate times) to meet my sister and one coming Saturday (a student pursuing her masters in social work but wants a weekend job) for a full training.

I am glad M (the week day caregiver) will be here Friday to give her opinion. One of the women coming is a former co-worker of the woman who just left (for more hours at a higher rate) she has a full time position at an assisted living facility so she is looking for just a little extra pocket money. 
 

Let’s see how things go. Someone can be great on paper but if my sister doesn’t like them or won’t go near them its a big fat NO. She’s got the final vote!

I do have a week off in September which I’m claiming as a “pretend I left the continent for 5 days, don’t ask me to do anything or drive anyone anywhere.” I plan to decompress then.

Thanks for the support everyone. 

[Scarlett45]

5 hours ago, Jeeves said:

My goodness. Life can happen fast. I'm sitting in my car after witnessing a one car crash about a mile from home. I'm okay but since I saw it I feel I should give a statement to the police. The fire department is on scene and have requested an ambulance but nobody seems badly injured. I think there's a child in the car that they want to have the EMTs check. Police haven't arrived yet. 

Ironically I recently started unplugging my car's dashcam due to concerns that it was draining the battery and it's not running this morning. It would have recorded the wreck. 

Be careful out there. My routine little drive to the auto repair shop changed in a few seconds. So glad it wasn't worse.

Glad you’re ok. 

[ginger90]

3 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

In weekend caregiver search news- I’ve spent most of the last 5 days doing video interviews. I have two candidates coming Friday (separate times) to meet my sister and one coming Saturday (a student pursuing her masters in social work but wants a weekend job) for a full training.

I am glad M (the week day caregiver) will be here Friday to give her opinion. One of the women coming is a former co-worker of the woman who just left (for more hours at a higher rate) she has a full time position at an assisted living facility so she is looking for just a little extra pocket money. 
 

Let’s see how things go. Someone can be great on paper but if my sister doesn’t like them or won’t go near them its a big fat NO. She’s got the final vote!

I do have a week off in September which I’m claiming as a “pretend I left the continent for 5 days, don’t ask me to do anything or drive anyone anywhere.” I plan to decompress then.

Thanks for the support everyone. 

Fingers crossed for a candidate who exceeds what your family needs.

[Mindthinkr]

4 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

Thanks for the support everyone. 

Fingers crossed that you find a good candidate who is sister approved. 
Your escape for a week sounds like a great idea for your mental health and relaxation. 

[Minivanessa]

1 hour ago, Scarlett45 said:

Glad you’re ok. 

Thanks. By the time the police arrived, the ambulance/EMTs had been there, and I don't think anyone was transported to the hospital. One of the firefighters said it could have been so much worse, and he was obviously relieved about that. I consider it a minor miracle that no other vehicle was involved as that's a busy street, and a second minor miracle there weren't serious injuries. Nobody in the car was wearing a seat belt. Aargh!

Whew. That experience pumped up my adrenaline levels. 

I wish you good luck with the caregiver search - and I hope you enjoy your well-earned week of R&R!

[CalicoKitty]

I've had an adventure with the cable company lately.  Last Saturday I noticed that my iMac quit working, but the TV was still on (I stream all my TV content).  I called AppleCare, and the nice lady had me check my other Apple equipment.  None of them were able to get on line.  So, called the cable company.  While I was explaining that only some of my things would go on line, everything quit.  No TV, Amazon Echo, computers, iPads.  Phone was on cellular.  No internet at all.  The cable agent said my router was acting odd, and that Tuesday they would send someone to bring and install a new one.  Oddly, one iPad started working, but nothing else.  Monday morning, nothing was working.  Monday afternoon everything seemed to be working except the Amazon Echo.  So, yesterday the cable guy came, and instead of a half-hour cable check and new router install, he was here over 5 hours.  All kinds of things were haywire.  Finally, after numerous new switches, pieces of cable, and a new modem and router, I seem to be working again.  They only really hard thing I had to do was to connect my new tank printer to my computers.  HP's customer service is non existent. Once I watched a Youtube video, I was good.  It is scary how lost you feel when you have no internet.  It seems like EVERYTHING runs on it.  

I put full blame on the router.  They can't be trusted.

[Salacious Kitty]

42 minutes ago, CalicoKitty said:

I've had an adventure with the cable company lately.  Last Saturday I noticed that my iMac quit working, but the TV was still on (I stream all my TV content).  I called AppleCare, and the nice lady had me check my other Apple equipment.  None of them were able to get on line.  So, called the cable company.  While I was explaining that only some of my things would go on line, everything quit.  No TV, Amazon Echo, computers, iPads.  Phone was on cellular.  No internet at all.  The cable agent said my router was acting odd, and that Tuesday they would send someone to bring and install a new one.  Oddly, one iPad started working, but nothing else.  Monday morning, nothing was working.  Monday afternoon everything seemed to be working except the Amazon Echo.  So, yesterday the cable guy came, and instead of a half-hour cable check and new router install, he was here over 5 hours.  All kinds of things were haywire.  Finally, after numerous new switches, pieces of cable, and a new modem and router, I seem to be working again.  They only really hard thing I had to do was to connect my new tank printer to my computers.  HP's customer service is non existent. Once I watched a Youtube video, I was good.  It is scary how lost you feel when you have no internet.  It seems like EVERYTHING runs on it.  

I put full blame on the router.  They can't be trusted.

Glad everything is up and running again. And YES! when all else fails, blame the router! 😂

[Scarlett45]

14 hours ago, Salacious Kitty said:

Glad everything is up and running again. And YES! when all else fails, blame the router! 😂

It is ALWAYS the router's fault!

[GeeGolly]

Be careful @CalicoKitty, I hear Homeland Security keeps a close watch on rogue routers. 🤣

[BetyBee]

Have you ever heard that quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.”?

It always puts me in mind of my next door neighbor, the older (83) woman I've tried so hard to show kindness and friendliness towards. She's been calling me more since her bff moved into a nursing home. Every conversation is the same, no matter how I try to steer it to a more positive direction. I've heard all of her stories multiple times and we haven't talked that often. She is racist, though she would insist that she's not (like most racists), always talking about "Mexicans" (it would not matter what country people are from - she calls all Spanish speaking people "Mexicans") and how everyone should speak English in our country. All she talks about is our neighbors (most of whom I don't know) and former neighbors. She's impressed by people with money and anyone who goes to her church, but scoffs at other churches. She bent my ear for an hour yesterday and I went to bed with a troubled mind. Though she acts like she's at death's door, she's actually pretty healthy. I'll likely be living next door to her for years to come and I am so turned off by her negative nature. I really don't know how to handle it. My husband says I should mostly ignore her. I let her last two calls go to voicemail, but felt I had to answer the last one. I know she's unlikely to change into a pleasant person. I know she spies on us Gladys Kravitz style, just as she does all of the other neighbors in our association - at least the ones she can see. I know because she tries to tell me details of the lives of others. I'm really frustrated living next door to this very unpleasant woman.

On the bright side, my sister is coming to visit me today and she always puts me in a good mood! She's funny and insightful and just a joy to be around! Sorry for the long rant. 

[Scarlett45]

@BetyBee no need to apologize. Your kindness towards your neighbor shows what a thoughtful and considerate human being you are. That being said, you owe it to her to clutter your mind with her "noise". You can feel for her on a human level (losing her neighborhood best friend etc), but you cannot waste energy trying to teach other adult to be a better person. Give only what you wish to give that will not negatively affect YOU (or your husband etc). You owe it to yourself to fill your life with people that will add, not take.

[BetyBee]

1 hour ago, Scarlett45 said:

@BetyBee no need to apologize. Your kindness towards your neighbor shows what a thoughtful and considerate human being you are. That being said, you owe it to her to clutter your mind with her "noise". You can feel for her on a human level (losing her neighborhood best friend etc), but you cannot waste energy trying to teach other adult to be a better person. Give only what you wish to give that will not negatively affect YOU (or your husband etc). You owe it to yourself to fill your life with people that will add, not take.

Thank you, @Scarlett45! That helps. I really appreciate your input. I can't just ignore a lonely, old lady, but I can distance myself as much as I need to for my own peace of mind.

[Notabug]

3 minutes ago, BetyBee said:

Thank you, @Scarlett45! That helps. I really appreciate your input. I can't just ignore a lonely, old lady, but I can distance myself as much as I need to for my own peace of mind.

I agree, if the friendship isn't working for you, then it isn't working.  If she calls and starts in on the negativity and racism, you can gently try to lead her in another direction; if she doesn't budge, then you've got a cake in the oven, an important appointment, a phone call that you are expecting any moment.  Give her your best and hang up.  Every time.  She's probably too old and set in her ways, but, if she is lonely, we all know the reason why.  If you're feeling generous, give her 15 minutes at Christmas.  Set the timer on your phone if need be.  Life is too short to allow others to drag you into their misery. Send her a note, a bunch of flowers, some cookies; anything that doesn't involve you having to participate in her negativity.

[Absolom]

It's great you're able to be there for her.  Maybe put a time limit on her calls.  I chat regularly with a 93 year old whose worst trait is whining she's lonely and bored.  She probably is even though her sister moved in with her.  Her children basically ignore her unless there's a problem.  She puts a time on her calls!  10 minutes and she's out.  Her standard line is oh I have another call.

[BetyBee]

2 minutes ago, Absolom said:

It's great you're able to be there for her.  Maybe put a time limit on her calls.  I chat regularly with a 93 year old whose worst trait is whining she's lonely and bored.  She probably is even though her sister moved in with her.  Her children basically ignore her unless there's a problem.  She puts a time on her calls!  10 minutes and she's out.  Her standard line is oh I have another call.

I have a 91 year old mother who uses "nature's calling" to end phone calls, lol. She's the old lady in my life that I don't mind giving an hour of my time to on phone calls!  I'm going to take the good advice I've been given here and set a timer for my peace of mind! Thank you, small talk friends!

[Absolom]

I need to visit my 92 year old mother today.  She has dementia and is in memory care so I never know how she's going to be when I walk in.  Sometimes she's asleep and won't/can't wake up.  Occasionally she's chatty although she isn't in our reality very often.  Sometimes she just wants me to sit with her.

[CalicoKitty]

Follow up on my HP printer.  I had called HP last Tuesday for help in reconnecting to my new router, and received no help.  My call was dropped a couple of times, and they were unable to explain how to reconnect (the tank printer does not have a touch screen to input the wifi info).  I finally found a Youtube video, and it was really an easy fix.  Today (Friday) I get a call from an HP person asking how my experience had been.  I told her it was terrible and I did not get any help from them at all, and my call was dropped a couple of times.  I figured it out myself.  Just now an HP supervisor called, apologized, and took notes on my problem to report back.  And is sending me a bottle of black ink, which should be over a year's supply for this printer.  I am surprised, and happy to see customer service that is at least trying to help.  (To anyone with an HP Smart Tank printer--download the HP Smart App.  Setup and connection is very easy from there.)

[jcbrown]

9 hours ago, Absolom said:

I need to visit my 92 year old mother today.  She has dementia and is in memory care so I never know how she's going to be when I walk in.  Sometimes she's asleep and won't/can't wake up.  Occasionally she's chatty although she isn't in our reality very often.  Sometimes she just wants me to sit with her.

I'm sorry, Absolom. I lost my mom to Alzheimer's in 2007 when she was 71 and my dad to Alzheimer's last year when he was 85. I know how hard it is. Wishing you peace.

[ChiCricket]

13 hours ago, BetyBee said:

She bent my eaher for an hour yesterday and I went to bed with a troubled mind.

Are you sure your neighbor isn't  MY sister? 🤣 I can't get her to stop the negativity for ANYTHING,no matter how hard I've tried.

But she's very lonely so I take her phone calls,  and just put her on speaker and let her ramble for an hour or two (not even kidding. )  Then I read something (usually  PTV 😁)while she's droning on and on.

All I  have to do is throw in some "uh huhs" and "oh really"  and she never even notices I'm not really listening to her. (it's always the same crabby *carp*) 🙄

(if this sounds mean,  it's not just me who she drives nuts with her whining... she has 7 grown kids,  and only one of them still (kinda) talks to her.. it's sad really). 😢

[oliviabenson]

3 hours ago, ChiCricket said:

Are you sure your neighbor isn't  MY sister? 🤣 I can't get her to stop the negativity for ANYTHING,no matter how hard I've tried.

But she's very lonely so I take her phone calls,  and just put her on speaker and let her ramble for an hour or two (not even kidding. )  Then I read something (usually  PTV 😁)while she's droning on and on.

All I  have to do is throw in some "uh huhs" and "oh really"  and she never even notices I'm not really listening to her. (it's always the same crabby *carp*) 🙄

(if this sounds mean,  it's not just me who she drives nuts with her whining... she has 7 grown kids,  and only one of them still (kinda) talks to her.. it's sad really). 😢

I knew someone like that 2. She could drone on for 2 hours yammering about nothing interesting.

[Salacious Kitty]

15 minutes ago, oliviabenson said:

I knew someone like that 2. She could drone on for 2 hours yammering about nothing interesting.

That's my MIL. And even worse, she's repetitive. On top of that, I ask her at least once a,week not to talk about religion or politics, as her ignorance has driven away people she's known for over 50 years. I don't even to!State her droning on anymore. I typically tell her I have to go and hang up. I doubt she even hears me. She's a selfish woman.

[Spazamanaz]

I have only posted twice before in this thread but I do come by here and read what you all talk about. I guess I am kind of shy and maybe nervous about posting. Although I don't know why because you girls (and guys) are very sweet and supportive.  Sorry for my first real post being heavy but here goes... I was diagnosed a few months ago with Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia and I will be going for a hysterectomy on September 2nd.  I'm kind of nervous, not so much about the actual surgery as I've had 2 c-sections, I think I'm more nervous or anxious about if I made the right decision. My gyno gave me two other options- one being progesterone pills and the I.U.D being the other option. But if I did the pills or I.U.D I would have to get biopsies done every few months for life, the doc said. This way with the hysterectomy it will all be done and over with. And uterine cancer runs in my family. When I think of all of that I feel I have made the right choice. I'm sorry for getting too personal?  And has anyone here gone through a hysterectomy? Thanks for listening! 

[Turquoise]

7 minutes ago, Spazamanaz said:

I have only posted twice before in this thread but I do come by here and read what you all talk about. I guess I am kind of shy and maybe nervous about posting. Although I don't know why because you girls (and guys) are very sweet and supportive.  Sorry for my first real post being heavy but here goes... I was diagnosed a few months ago with Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia and I will be going for a hysterectomy on September 2nd.  I'm kind of nervous, not so much about the actual surgery as I've had 2 c-sections, I think I'm more nervous or anxious about if I made the right decision. My gyno gave me two other options- one being progesterone pills and the I.U.D being the other option. But if I did the pills or I.U.D I would have to get biopsies done every few months for life, the doc said. This way with the hysterectomy it will all be done and over with. And uterine cancer runs in my family. When I think of all of that I feel I have made the right choice. I'm sorry for getting too personal?  And has anyone here gone through a hysterectomy? Thanks for listening! 

I had a hysterectomy in March, for severe fibroids. I had to have it done via abdominal incision due to my uterus being so large (18-20 weeks "pregnant"), but since they ruled out cancer I was able to have the minimally invasive through my belly button. I was sent home the same day. My recovery nurse suggested I rotate Tylenol and ibuprofen every three hours whether I felt like I needed it or not, and only add the pain medication as needed. That routine worked well for me, and I only needed pain meds to lay down at night, and then only for a few days. My doctor also suggested walking, so I took a morning and evening stroll each day. I had to wear pj/sweat pants for a couple weeks, but I work from home so that wasn't a huge deal. The itching at the incision site was bad about a week after surgery, but it only lasted a couple days. My husband and I went on a short hike to keep me distracted. :) Hope this helps. If you have additional questions feel free to message me, I'll try to help.

I do not regret having the surgery for a minute, and my recovery was easier than it was for other surgeries.