Jilly (hugs) I’m sorry you were ever doubted.

I was single and dating for a while. The precautions I took were very different from the men I met. I bet none of them shared their locations with others when meeting me, made sure we only met in public spaces, carefully edited the information they divulged, parked a few blocks away but when departing walked the opposite direction until they were certain they weren’t being followed. The sad thing is, I took all of those precautions, and more, because they are second nature to me. I was never scared, just using common sense as a female.

Many women would view that reel and think, ” hmmm… good tip“ and add it to an arsenal they’ve been conditioned to build their whole lives.

And this is why women choose the bear every single time. I thought she had great tips which arr worth condidering. I’m going to share this with the younger women in my life. Thanks for posting it.

Feathers, "The sad thing is, I took all of those precautions, and more, because they are second nature to me. I was never scared, just using common sense as a female."

And that's the he!! of it, no? That it is on us to perform all these extra tasks, take all these extra steps to keep ourselves safe when the onus should be on the perps to not be perps! And the consequences should fall on *them* when they undertake criminal activity. Instead it all falls on us to be the *perfect* victim before we're believed, and even then, his rep and future are more important than our restitution and retribution.

Thank you all. Mom is doing better after the surgery -- she was resistant to the required rehab but is coming around to it (not that she has a choice. Homecare isnt an option at least not in the early weeks). This is the second time she has broken a shoulder but the first hip break and surgery. Her spirits were much improved last night and she even joked a bit.

My schedule has been thrown off somewhat but not too far off. I am going to get back on a routine today.

Funky, sending good thoughts to your mom, and to you.

A couple of years ago we bought a combo toaster oven/air fryer. I still keep forgetting that we have the air fryer and so I haven’t used it that much, but I have to say roasted potatoes are worth buying an AF for! They come out sooo good.

I have PT today and I think she’s going to jab a needle into me again. Last week she did (dry needling) and I thought I had had it before, but turns out I’d had something else (like acupuncture needles plus electricity). This was more like: jam a big needle into the muscle (?) and move it around a bit for a while. Ugh. But, it has made a difference, not quite a magic pill but there has been some improvement. This thing is stubborn.

My goal at the moment is to resolve this hip thing, get the stupid salivary stone removed, etc…and be in good condition by the time we go to FL in Feb. That includes losing some lbs.

I feel like I’m finally back on track. The past month has been incredibly stressful for me culminating with my mom‘s passing on 10/24. But after spending two weeks in New York and Ct, I am back in Florida. I am back to my walks on the beach every morning (aiming for 5+ miles) and going to the gym sometimes. I definitely should go more but I’m getting there. my eating is much better in Florida as DH is very health-conscious. Very few sweets and meals are generally pretty healthy. I’ve also started taking tai chi classes. It’s like walking through Jell-O, but I feel better mentally and physically after I do it. And the instructor is so kind and patient.

Hhi, now THAT sounds like a plan!

Well, yesterday, with some waterproofing work finished in our basement, and DH away visiting his mother, I took advantage to cull items before putting the Metro shelving back in place. There's a nice pile in the basement now!

As I was winding down for the night, going up and down stairs, at one point I slipped on the 3rd step from the bottom.

Yes, I'm writing this from the hospital with a cast on my left ankle. I stayed over because DH isn't coming home till this evening.

Decluttering is dangerous! Just stop! Even better, don't accumulate!

I'm picking up a knee scooter from our senior lending closet Monday. Age does have a few benefits.

I'm guessing that CCRC stands for Continuing Care Retirement Community. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Everything is still very dusty and they are cleaning and doing paint touch ups. Here is anpreliminary photo

It look amazing Kswl!!

Thank you thank you! and yes, excited and **very** relieved. Impatient for the last bits. NO more drywall or paint so the cleanup crew starts at 8:30 tonorrow. My own cleaner is coming yo help me unpack and put everything away.

We are going to Amelia Island for Thanksgiving and I am looking for a restaurant that has a traditional holiday menu for my mother. Surprisingly, lots of places are closed Thsgv day. We may end up having Italian.

Lollol, Maire Cate … my eyesight seems to filter out dust bunnies!

Marti, thanks for that— i try to dress for the day’s events and hope they provide context for the outfits. My mother only drives locally so we do spend a good bit of time together on outings like yesterday’s as I don’t want her to lose touch with her remaining living friends.

Exciting news— we may be getting Lucy for a weekend soon! The boys are desperate to go back to Great Wolf Lodge 😵‍💫 for their birthdays. It’s no place for a baby … or a grandma, so she’s staying with us. 🥰 We’ll have a Lucy’s OOTD closet picture!

Mtn - the shearling coat looks better on you than on the model! I would never wear a cream coat but it sure looks cozy.

Also -- I saw this and thought of you and your Houndstooth:

First, I have at least ten items to resell, all in new or excellent condition. What reselling site are we recommending now? Im new to this.

Next, I am planning of wearing a double strand of pearls to the wedding. . I did a dress rehearsal this morning and was wondering if I should wear the pearls with the clasp forward? I kind of like the look .

Also I am going with the teal top since friends and family thought it looked more formal than the aqua wrap top. i was torn.

Anyway heres the pearls with the clasp forward. Excuse all the age spots. Thoughts?

And I think it was 1929Spanish who suggested blingy shoes, so I got these and really like them. I didnt pull the sheel trap up for the picture. FYI Going for mani pedi this afternoon!.

salad season is over

Sue, salad season is never over.

Maybe some of the ingredients go in and out of season, but there are always a good variety of greens and crunchy cukes for a base. I usually have a big salad every day for lunch, make it right in the bowl. Cheese, nuts, protein, odd leftovers. Olives!!!

I agree with Tina. That's ridiculous. THEY cancelled. They can find a time to squeeze you in soon.

I have another happy family recovery story. I think I mentioned early this year that my brother had a reoccurence of colon cancer and the doctor was not very optimistic. Thankfully my brother being a doctor (retired) himself did some research. Long story short, after a few more opinions he had surgery in July with a well known doc in the field (who also happened to have the same first and middle name as my brother which my sister in law took as an omen). It was a long (6-8 hr) surgery and a many months recovery. He is doing really well. Of course he will need to be evaluated often but the prognosis now is excellent.

Jsk, that is wonderful news! ❤️

I am emotional with all the good news coming through yesterday (!!) and now today's health updates. ❤️

Oh you are so mistaken! You DO NEED THOSE!

I'd snatch those dishes up on a NY minute!

I would too! Probably get rid of some and replace with those!!!

Saw this! now I’m going down a rabbit hole looking at all the amazing ones !

Another unanticipated effect…

I have used the shorter box springs in the past and they work well when you don't want to add extra height to the finished bed.

I have never had a box spring so no big deal for me other than sheets that don't fit on the new mattresses sometimes..

It’s great knowing that you have that option, @gsciencechick. I get what you're saying about all of the administrative tasks that lead to burnout. That happened to me as well, and I found that more and more of my time was spent managing people and sitting in meetings. The higher that you rise in your profession, the more that seems to happen.

@Sueb20 Sorry that you have to have surgery, but hopefully it will take care of the issue.

We had a fun vacation, but I ate way too much. The food was so good that my willpower left me. Ha! We’ve been home for a couple of weeks, and I’m back on track.

I have a new allergist and will be starting allergy shots next week. I’m hoping for the same success that I had with them in my twenties. I also started cpap therapy, and though I don’t love wearing it, I feel more rested in the mornings than I have in years.

I feel more rested in the mornings than I have in years. That has to be a godsend.

I find actually writing a pros and cons list, from silly and mundane to major, is helpful. Statrt a notes file and keep adding to it. It may help.

Then after the analysis, flip a coin. If you are diappointed with the results of the coin flip, there is your answer.: )

Not on the defensive here, no need. I’m doing my bit for the economy, trying to buy in person when possible to save retail jobs and from small businesses to support our local economy, having things delivered to protect delivery jobs, donating things no longer useful or pleasing for the secondary market. And it all results in a nice variety of clothing to choose from daily.

One of our sons could not care less about how he looks but will spend almost anything on a new bicycle. Everybody spends money on something. 🤷‍♀️

I think I read and maybe posted sometime in the not too distant past...that there is enough clothing on the planet right now to clothe the next 6 or 8 generations - without manufacturing one more piece. It almost all eventually ends up in a landfill. Thrift shopping may make us feel better but:

"The staggering volume of clothing extends to the second-hand market as well. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online marketplaces like Poshmark and Depop have blossomed, allowing for the reuse of millions of garments. Reselling helps keep textiles in circulation a little longer, but does this really alter the greater picture? Even with a thriving second-hand market, estimates indicate that nearly 80% of discarded clothes end up in landfills or are incinerated. This shocking reality only underscores the enormity of clothes produced versus those utilized sustainably."

Our kids and grandkids will be the ones trying to save their planet as a consequence of our vanity. Maybe some geniuses will figure out a way to build housing or other necessary things from our wasteful over consumption.

Just throwing in a few more, depending on your tolerance for pattern mixing or mixing contemporary with traditional.

Closeup:

I like a combo like this if not too bossy