What are you doing today?

[Alligatorob]

Today is my 4 week anniversary since knee surgery. Went to physical therapy this morning and they did a 4 week eval. My knee range of motion is good, both knees 0 degrees in extension, at goal. Both knees 130 degrees in flexion (bending), the goal is 120 in 6 weeks, so I am ahead. This is not done without pain, of course, but the pain is slowly getting better. Therapist said its time to move from stretches to strengthening, not all at once, but my exercises will be changing. A good thing I think.

I am getting more normalcy back. I can now walk without a cane, even up and downstairs. Not the most graceful walk, but its walking. I am increasing what I do at the gym, started back to upper body things, seated, after 1 week. And restarted Tabata (https://www.active.com/fitness/articles/what-is-tabata-training) classes after 3 weeks. The Tabata I do is much modified to accommodate my knees, but I keep moving. On Friday I got the go ahead from the physical therapist to restart leg lifting and exercises, so I have but am beginning at really light weight.

Still have a lot of limitations, can't stand up from a chair without using my arms, but I think I will soon. And I only walk on relatively smooth surfaces but have done some up and down hill. Started chopping wood last week, but not a lot. I had a good supply chopped and ready before surgery. Mowed the lawn Sunday, on the riding lawnmower. Still not brave enough to try the push mower. This will be the last mowing of the year.

Pain is still there, but not so bad as it was, I am told it will be until at least 8 weeks. Lots of stiffness still, and I am not as sure footed as I'd like.

A long slow process, but its happening. Can't say my knees work better than before, yet. But I know that day is coming.

 

[Alligatorob]

Maybe I'll look for an expats/travel forum, or other info on how to travel to (or live in) sunny climes. **Cheaply.** I'm grateful for my current living situation, but I'm so bored and lonely I might as well be dead already.

Nah, you're far from dead yet! Look to Latin America, warm and cheap. Just takes a bit of research to find safe places, but things are not as bad as the press would lead you to believe. It would be a good adventure!

 

[Sliverfox]

Beef stew simmering, apple pie is cooling.

Debaiting on should I bake more cookies for son or send him off tomorrow with whatever he doesn't eat today?

 

[Georgiagranny]

I'm grateful for my current living situation, but I'm so bored and lonely I might as well be dead already.

I hear you. Really. I hear you.

 

[NorthernLight]

Nah, you're far from dead yet! Look to Latin America, warm and cheap. Just takes a bit of research to find safe places, but things are not as bad as the press would lead you to believe. It would be a good adventure!

Thank you, Rob. Yes, I am thinking Latin America. "Cheap" is a relative term. If I live outside the country, I'll lose part of my pension.

I'm kind of waiting for some kind of tipping point. Like if my rent goes way up, or my car wears out, or something....

I love @David777 's idea (expressed in another thread) of going away to die in a beautiful place, when the time comes.

 

[Murrmurr]

@Alligatorob - That's awesome!

Well, tonight is for trick-or-treaters, but we're not allowed to hand out goodies here. Management assigns someone to sit in front of each building and hand out "safe" stuff like giant pencil erasers and crap. They don't even do fruit. It's stupid. And you don't get to see the kids because they're not allowed to even enter the foyer. Usually no more than 5 of them make the rounds here anyway. It's just so stupid.

So, we're gonna go over to my son's house and hand out treats while he and his wife take their two younguns around. I like seeing the costumes and the smiling faces and the vigilant parents. It's fun. Last year I let one trick-or-treater come in and check out my son's toy collection; the Star Wars section, bc he was dressed like a Jedi. I think the kid about peed himself, he was so awed.

Anyhow, that's the plan for tonight. Happy Halloween, y'all!

 

[Aneeda72]

@Aneeda72 ..what's Bath wash ?

It’s liquid soap in a dispenser, it has several names but that’s what he calls it. Joey baths a lot, I suppose that’s better than a lot people in this population who don’t

 

[Aneeda72]

Hubby & son have left to go turkey hunting.

Things didn't start well with hubby.
He dropped his coffee creamer on the kitchen floor.

Then before he left could not find his wallet in all it normal places.We were looking al over.
About ready to give it up as lost,,, when son moved something on hubby's desk..

The lost was found,, off the guys went.

Looks like a day of baking while they are gone.
A Dutch Crumb apple was requested by son.
From way the cookies I made for are disappearing,,looks like another batch needs made.

Son will take some with him for my granddaughter.

Planning on beef stew for when ever they come in.

So do you skin the turkey or pluck it? Or, , throw it away and buy one at the store?

 

[Bella]

As little as possible. Monday is my "day off." I get tired of cleaning and doing other things for no one.

Maybe I'll look for more trivia questions for the game I host.

Maybe I'll look for an expats/travel forum, or other info on how to travel to (or live in) sunny climes. **Cheaply.** I'm grateful for my current living situation, but I'm so bored and lonely I might as well be dead already.

@NorthernLight, have you checked out Ecuador? I've read it's low cost living, relatively safe, seniors get a lot of discounts, and it's a haven for expats. You speak Spanish, so that's a huge plus. Just a thought.

https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/baby-boomers/articles/how-to-retire-in-ecuador

https://internationalliving.com/countries/ecuador/retire/

 

[Georgiagranny]

@Alligatorob Way to go! Can't believe it's already been four weeks. Boston Marathon next spring?

 

[Aneeda72]

@Alligatorob - That's awesome!

Well, tonight is for trick-or-treaters, but we're not allowed to hand out goodies here. Management assigns someone to sit in front of each building and hand out "safe" stuff like giant pencil erasers and crap. They don't even do fruit. It's stupid. And you don't get to see the kids because they're not allowed to even enter the foyer. Usually no more than 5 of them make the rounds here anyway. It's just so stupid.

So, we're gonna go over to my son's house and hand out treats while he and his wife take their two younguns around. I like seeing the costumes and the smiling faces and the vigilant parents. It's fun. Last year I let one trick-or-treater come in and check out my son's toy collection; the Star Wars section, bc he was dressed like a Jedi. I think the kid about peed himself, he was so awed.

Anyhow, that's the plan for tonight. Happy Halloween, y'all!

Not stupid. Candy is often “messed with“ by crazy people. I remember going through my children’s candy very carefully and pulling out anything that looked strange-funny-all my favorite candies had to be removed.

 

[CinnamonSugar]

...and so will you be if you carry on like this... ...I feel for your supervisor but this is NOT your responsibility..

Exactly @Georgiagranny ! Let management figure it out ! Just sayin’

 

[Aneeda72]

@hollydolly

Hols, I think Aneeda is referring to liquid bath & body wash.

Yup

 

[Aneeda72]

Fracture my toe, the one next to my big toe. . It’s black and blue all the way around, I ran into the air intake in the hall way. Almost fell and broke my neck as well. . Going to Costco to return the long coat I bought, it’s too heavy. Hopefully getting a shorter lighter weight coat.

 

[CinnamonSugar]

Waited

for my doctor’s appt

for social security to answer the phone (hung up after 30 minutes)

Now in the drive-thru line at the pharmacy. Is one of Murphy’s laws that if there is only one car ahead of you when you pull into the drive thru, it will take just as long as if there were 5 cars?!

I think I’ll go take a nap

 

[NorthernLight]

@NorthernLight, have you checked out Ecuador? I've read it's low cost living, relatively safe, seniors get a lot of discounts, and it's a haven for expats. You speak Spanish, so that's a huge plus. Just a thought.

https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/baby-boomers/articles/how-to-retire-in-ecuador

https://internationalliving.com/countries/ecuador/retire/

Thank you, Bella. Ecuador is one of the countries I considered 2.5 years ago. I finally decided on Paraguay, but my flight was canceled by Covid. Of course, the situation in every country has changed, so I have to do new research.

Apparently the income requirement for Ecuador has tripled since the US News article was published. I'd be living on about $600 US per month, which would be tight anywhere.

Thanks so much for getting me started on a new round of investigation!

 

[Georgiagranny]

Let management figure out what? I don't give a rat's rear what management figures out. What upsets me and my Sir is that we are desperate for help. Yesterday at 6 am I asked for help. When none was forthcoming by 7 I told them I had to have help. At 11:45 the response was "Oh, sorry. I couldn't find anybody to help." I only work until 12.

This morning I was "spoken to" about not having the shelves and tables well stocked. You know, well stocked. By the person they didn't see fit to assign to the bakery for the morning.

Tomorrow's a day off and a day to cool off.

@Aneeda72 I've broken toes more times than I can remember. A tight shoe...or several pairs of socks to make a regular shoe tight and keep your toes from moving around. I have a mental picture of a plaster cast on toes And...ouch!

 

[Bella]

Thank you, Bella. Ecuador is one of the countries I considered 2.5 years ago. I finally decided on Paraguay, but my flight was canceled by Covid. Of course, the situation in every country has changed, so I have to do new research.

Apparently the income requirement for Ecuador has tripled since the US News article was published. I'd be living on about $600 US per month, which would be tight anywhere.

Thanks so much for getting me started on a new round of investigation!

You're welcome. It was just a thought. I've looked around myself but would have hard time because hablo muy poco español. I didn't realize the income requirement had shot up in Ecuador. Good luck with the search. Let us know what you find.

 

[Pepper]

Is one of Murphy’s laws that if there is only one car ahead of you when you pull into the drive thru, it will take just as long as if there were 5 cars?!

Yes, that is one of Murphy's laws. The same law applies during check-out at the supermarket.

 

[hollydolly]

Well it's pitch dark, and it's lashing of rain, but the trick or treaters are out all over the road with their parents.. I've had 6 doorbell rings since 6pm... it's 6.41pm now ... their little costumes can't be seen because they've got their coats on keeping them dry from the rain..

 

[Pepper]

About half way done for 2 loads laundry. The laundry room was empty, just like I like it!

 

[Alligatorob]

Boston Marathon next spring?

Not likely. The doctor told me I could hike or walk all I wanted, but did not suggest running on the new knees. Good news for me, I had no intention, LOL!

 

[Bella]

Let management figure out what? I don't give a rat's rear what management figures out. What upsets me and my Sir is that we are desperate for help. Yesterday at 6 am I asked for help. When none was forthcoming by 7 I told them I had to have help. At 11:45 the response was "Oh, sorry. I couldn't find anybody to help." I only work until 12.

This morning I was "spoken to" about not having the shelves and tables well stocked. You know, well stocked. By the person they didn't see fit to assign to the bakery for the morning.

My husband would say, "If you want something done, give it to the guy who's already overburdened. He'll get it done. " My husband was the guy they heaped it on.

Gee, ya know, I think it's about time that you called in sick! I mean it. Yes, let management figure out how to handle it all in your absence. I understand how you feel about your "Sir" and want to help him. But that isn't going to get you the help you need. If you keep coming to the rescue all the time, management will never sort it out to hire anyone. Why should they? They already know they don't need to. They have YOU!

Some drastic action is called for, and that means you need to take a powder for about a week in order for management to wake up and not smell the croissants that aren't baking. Maybe management needs to pitch in when the going gets rough instead of making excuses that they couldn't find anybody. Why even bother to find anybody when they know that you will always pick up the slack no matter how much you cry for help? They sound like a swell bunch. I'd like to throw them head first into the mixer and turn it on high!

I'm hiding now.

 

[Alligatorob]

@NorthernLight, have you checked out Ecuador? I've read it's low cost living, relatively safe, seniors get a lot of discounts, and it's a haven for expats

I spent a little time in Ecuador, Quito and the Oriente (far east on the edge of the Amazon Rainforest). I was really impressed, incredible scenery, everything thing from hot humid tropics to glaciers, all within a short distance.

Quito has the closest thing to a perfect climate I know, it sits right on the equator at an elevation of about 9200 ft. Result is a temperature in the 70s, every day year round. A bit cooler at night. Never hot, never cold. And it rains enough to keep everything lush and green.

We have a member who used to be active who retired to Ecuador. Will try to remember his name.

 

[NorthernLight]

Gee, ya know, I think it's about time that you called in sick! I mean it. Yes, let management figure out how to handle it all in your absence. I understand how you feel about your "Sir" and want to help him. But that isn't going to get you the help you need. If you keep coming to the rescue all the time, management will never sort it out to hire anyone. Why should they? They already know they don't need to. They have YOU!

So true. Once, when I was sick, my boss (not a cook) took over my cooking duties. Afterwards, he said he really took his hat off to me because he didn't know how anyone could do that job. (That didn't stop him from making some dumb decisions regarding kitchen and meals though.)

In another job, I was promised a cashier position as soon as one became available. Eight months later, one did become available, and I waited to be given the position. But they hired a new person to do it. When I talked to the boss, she said she didn't know I wanted the cashier job. ??? Plus, "The new girl wouldn't be able to handle the grill anyway."

Physical work (especially for women) is usually underpaid and unappreciated. @Georgiagranny , I hope you can figure out how to look after yourself in this bad situation.