MyrnaLynne

Hope you had fun at Bridge. Back down to chilly weather here again. Today is our 38th anniversary - we ate out lsst night - I finallygot my lambchops (yum) . We're driving up to Maine today to the outlet mall and a zoo. We are waitingforMlette (who doesnt get up early.) Sorry typing on my Kindle whichdecided to start working after months of refusing tohook intomy wifi.

keepsmiling7

Congratulations ML and MrML on that 38th anniversary. I'm also glad you got your favorite dinner to celebrate.

We're having a quiet Memorial Day so far. Hubby's oldest daughter is driving in for several days, so we'll really enjoy her visit. Hope everyone is having a good time today and remembering those that have gone before us.

MyrnaLynne

Busy weekend, although today, Memorial Day, was sort of a bust. It was cold (44!) and rainy. Mlette and her BF John came over and we had lunch; they were having free admission at the Museum of Fine Arts today and that sounded like fun - also sounded like fun to hundreds of other people - when we drove over there, there were long lines of people, waiting to get in! We couldn't see waiting in line to get in (in the rain) so we just kept driving and went back home again, although we stopped at a place for ice cream and cookies. But then we didn't have many more ideas, so they left early.

Yesterday, we all went and had lunch in NH with my Star Trek ladies - had a nice lunch and then sat in the Starbucks cafe in Barnes and Nobels and chatted awhile.

The trip to Maine was good, but we were so tired after walking around the zoo that after we looked in one shoe store at the outlet mall, we realized we were exhausted (and starving) so found a restaurant and had Chinese food (yum) and went home. Been eating the leftovers this weekend.

I hope you enjoy your company Keepsmiling!

Party is over - back to work tomorow But not for too much longer

keepsmiling7

ML......have you been given any more information regarding your position......or how long it will be extended to?

MyrnaLynne

My plan is to work until Dec 1 (Nov 30). But June 1 (in 2 days), the publisher will start doing some of my job from in-house, assigning the new papers, the review and revision process, and I'll be left with editing and proofreading the accepted papers, and putting them into the final two issues of this year, and final proofing the corrections, etc. Plus the work I do for Mrs Boss, whatever she gives me. Hoping that will keep me busy enough until retirement!

keepsmiling7

We enjoyed daughter Julie's visit. She took her dad over to the shop that he used to make stained glass items as a hobby. He sat down and did a little work, and she cleaned out the place. Now that's an outstanding daughter. Hubby really did enjoy spending that special time with her. They said that was an early father's day!

MyrnaLynne

Sounds like good father-daughter time [b]Keepsmiling[b/]. How cool that your husband used to make stained glass things!

Well Mr ML decided to stain the front porch and steps. Only he grabbed the wrong paint can (because he never pays attention/looks at anything) and it was paint and not stain, and it was a yellowy-beige! But instead of stopping like most people when he saw his mistake (and trying to wash it off) he just kept on painting and painted most of the porch and steps (til the paint ran out) a sickly flesh-colored tan. It looked like uncooked chicken with the skin on! So he went out and bought some brown paint to paint over it this morning (since once the wood is painted, re-staining it is not an option anymore). It looks better (no longer shocking). And I noticed, while going into the pantry to wash out his brush (because of course he washes his paintbrushes in the kitchen sink ), he managed to get brown paint on some of my new countertop too (Luckily I was able to scrub it off, so he gets to live another day.. .)

Ekua

Hello lovely ladies! I hope you are well!

Has anyone heard from Podmom? So long since she's been here! And I am such a wee worrier!!

keepsmiling7

No word from PODMOM......and she is missed!

ML seems to be still busy cleaning up after her husband painting adventure. I hate it when you know you have made a mistake........so where do we go from here?

We just returned from a family reunion.....great time. It was the same reunion I went to two years ago when Jason and the rest of the Roswell gang were in town here for their reunion. Still hated I missed that event.

MyrnaLynne

Yes that Roswell thing was 3 YEARS ago now! Glad you are having a family reunion Keepsmiling. I'm not sure where PodMom has gone to - is she busy re-building her place in the OC, did she have surgery on her finger, is she off caring for grandkids? I haven't seen her on FB lately either. Now I'm worrying too...


Oh the porch looks better brown, but of course he did his usual slapdash job of it, and where he'd painted it the light color underneath, it shows through, so he really needs to do a second coat of paint there!

MLette stopped by, after her weekend in Maine at the BF's family cottage. They are outdoorsy people and she is so NOT outdoorsy or sporty. The sister took them on a 1-mile hike, but it turned out it was 1 mile to the start of the trail and then 4 miles! They hadn't brought water or anything and they were dying. Too much! This sister has a lot of energy - like Mr ML. We'll come back from doing something and I'll need a nap, and he goes to play basketball (they got back from the hike, everybody went to sleep, his sister wanted to go bike riding!)

podmom

hello girls. Thanks for missing me. I read this JOFs pg to catch up a little. It sounds like you have had some brilliant grandchildren graduate keepsmiling congratulations!

ML Well at least you now know when retirement will happen. Good to not have to be guessing. MrML is the definition of intrepid..this time with painting.

Ekua thanks for worrying

I'm sorry to say that worry was justified. Something terrible has happened and it is so hard to tell. I haven't been able to tell you till now and it is so sad I hate to bother our little lala land but it must be told if I am to keep coming here and lala land will I know be a part of my healing.

You know my sister has been in very bad physical pain for over a year. Horrible burning neuropathic pain from her waist down. It was a result of the chemo she had years ago for breast cancer. To make a very long story short she was never given enough good pain medicine to keep her even a little comfortable. They gave her Neurontin( an anti seizure med that helps pain a little but has bad side effects.... it made her feel so bad she couldn't drive plus it has a side effect of glorifying the thought of suicide.) She had three percocets which never did enough.Her "pain specialist" was always nasty and unsympathetic and no matter how often I told her to get another Dr or even to come to me and I would get her to a good Dr she wouldn't listen she was SO afraid of being accused of Dr shopping and then she would get nothing. She was 72 and never did a drug or drank and she had to take a urine test regularly to make sure she wasn't selling her pathetic amount of meds. Shameful. Finally she got that stimulator thing put in. That operation was very painful. It only helped a tiny bit after all that pain. This year I listened to her cry so often about the pain and her frustration and fear of never getting relief. Because of the idiot politicians getting involved with Drs and making it difficult for them to give pain meds ( I am so angry about this situation I will just stop there) So she had just about recovered from the surgery and was finally hopeful that since she had done everything in the world to prove she would try every non opioid option she would finally get a few more percasets or another type pill like that. I had my train ticket to go down as you know for the Tuesday after mothers day. She had her follow up appointment with the pain quack the Monday after mothers day and he didn't even see her. He sent in the helper type and told Linda he was taking away a pill not giving her any more. No seeing her to ask how the stimulator was working..nothing....criminal...Linda begged for more and was told no. She then said..."then you have made up my mind for me" ...... about 4 hours later after calling me and crying and telling me not to come which I of course said I was coming and after about 20 minutes of crying talk ( not an uncommon occurance) and me trying to comfort her....she heard Grace whining so she said go take care of the baby and hung up. I called her son he didn't pick up. I called her husband....he was at the mail box getting the mail telling me about the appointment. I told him she was reallu upset. She was up at the door calling him so I hung up. About 15 minutes later he called me up and told me she had killed herself. With a gun in their bathroom. He had talked with her on the bed about getting another Dr....she had calmed down. He walked into the living room and sat down. In hind site he knows she was faking. She wrote a quick note. It said Dr whatever his name....only 2 pills. My husband took good care of me. I hope my sons will understand ....and she walked into their bathroom and shot herself. I was with Liz and the kids when Paul called me and told me I fell to the ground crying no no no for I don't know how long. I had just talked to her...I was to be there the next day....that made it even harder. It has been a nightmare that I don't wake from. I kept my train ticket and my brother came on the train with me the next day. Liz podad and baby Grace ( cause she is still nursing)flew to VA....Me and podad and Liz and the baby stayed only one full day...my sister never wanted a memorial service so her kids and the 2 grown grandkids and inlaws met in their church and remembered her. I found that very hard because I think they should have come to see her more. Anyway that is enough for now. Linda and I were closer than any 2 sisters I have known. She was my sister/best friend and mother too. My girls ,even though they too are shattered ,have been a huge blessing. Emily was in France when it happened. I had to tell her the night she got back she came home and stayed a week then came back again this weekend. God is with me but this is by far the hardest thing I have ever dealt with. Just so tragic and so unnecessary. Liz looked up suicides of chronic pain sufferers ...they commit suicide in way larger numbers than prescription drug users over dose.

Sorry to bring such sad news

keepsmiling7

Oh PODMOM..........words fail me at a time like this. Wish I could offer something comforting, but all I ask is that God be with you and your family as you deal with things.
Unless we have had that terrible pain, it's difficult to realize what an individual goes through.

podmom

Thanks keepsmiling asking God to be with us is the best response

Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

MyrnaLynne

Oh, PodMom I am SO soooo sorry about your poor suffering sister. She didn't get the help she needed and she reached the end of her rope. She is out of pain now, but so unfair and so sad. And so painful for everyone left behind.


Yes, they have clamped down on pain meds because of the opioid crisis and people overdosing left and right, and doctors did give out way too many pain pills for every minor thing in the past, which got people in trouble -- but that shouldn't apply to people who are in terrible PAIN and need medication!

I know your faith and your family will lift you up and help you in this time of sadness. So glad you came back to tell us what was going on! You were missed!

Not sure my work will last until end of November; now that all the emails have stopped and I'm just editing and proofreading and working for Mrs Boss, I think I'll have the next issue done in a month or something. I see why she suggested I cut back my hours but heck no, I don't want to! But might have to. sigh. That would be half as much pay, and have to pay double to keep our health insurance.

My Dad called the other day, he'd had a fall in his kitchen, didn't get hurt, thanks G-d, but couldn't get up. Managed to crawl into the living room and pull himself up into his big chair. Really was a wakeup call for him, how weak he's gotten and he is taking all sorts of practical steps. Ordered a rollator/walker - he's been using a cane, reluctantly. Decided to actually carry the emergency 'fallen and I can't get up' thing in the house (duh), going to get a home health aide/helper with things, seeing his doctor to see about PT or exercises to build up his strength/balance etc. It really shook him up and he realized he is getting to that next stage where he needs more help (and needs to stop being so stubborn). Oh and he's looking into getting groceries online/delivered to him, so he won't have to drive to the market and walk around there and drive back and have to carry stuff in the house, etc. I'm so lucky he's so sharp and such a practical/sensible person about things. But makes me even more anxious to retire and get down to FL and help look after him (before it's too late)..

Mlette and I went to the ScooperBowl yesterday after work - all you can eat ice cream to benefit the Jimmy Fund/Dana-Farber Cancer institute. Weather finally cleared up for it too; it's been freezing cold here (for June) and raining and dark and damp and gloomy. Sun came out. Yay Of course now it's going to be broiling hot next week! Never the happy medium

WenLuvsJB

Oh Dear Podmom! I am sooo Sorry about your Dear Sister! My heart is breaking for you! I too will be uplifting You and Your Sweet Family in Prayer to our Precious Lord so He may Build a Loving and Healing Sanctuary that surrounds all of you with His Love and Peace and Comfort.

MyrnaLynne, Keepsmiling, Ekua, & Mezzie!

Biggest Hugs to All,

Wen