Girls Coffeeshop Talk

[Lion]

Merry Christmas to everyone here and everywhere in this wonderful and amazing world...that I am honored to be a part of. May your dreams come true and may you find true happiness and peace!!!

[The Joker]

Thanks Judy for the Dino recommendation. Joseph loved it, weirdly enough on my floor when I tested it out, (had to make sure it was fully charged) it kept falling over but on my brothers floor worked a lot better. Although the older one nearly pulled it's head off after 5 seconds. Not sure if it will last, them kids destroy everything, and have so many toys don't really care. Think I'm gonna have to start thinking of something else to buy them else toys for b'day, xmas.

Mum loved her uggs boots and got dad some Timberlands. Saw this cute pic on the web. A pug in a ugg.



Hope everyone had a good xmas, and didn't eat too much. My diet starts January!

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by vitalsignsrn

Merry Christmas, Happy holidays to everyone. Here's to health & happiness.

Thank you Wes for the lovely song. The falling snow was a super touch. The boys must have had fun if you were exhausted. Thanks for the pictures. I go through the exhaustion too. Then I cant wait to do it all over again! I decided to go with a different series of Imaginext for my nephew. I'm curious to know what you think of it.

Is that some toy, did you mention it before? Maybe i've had too much mulled wine.

[vitalsignsrn]

Hi Wes, I realized I didnt put my thoughts down properly. I meant to say, that once you check out the dino if you could give me your ideas on it. I had decided to not get it because my nephew still plays with Imaginext toys. Age range is 3-8 & he's 5. I was tempted to buy a video game set up but I know my brother doesn't want that yet. The kids have iPads & are already in to enough electronics. Plenty of time for that so Imaginext was what I got. I laughed at the almost decapitated Dino. LOL That pug looks so cute!

We're celebrating Christmas for my side of the family tomorrow since my brother had to work the last few days. I did spend the 25th with my sister in law & her family, had a great time. They are a lot of fun.

Dropped my phone in the sink trying to tidy up on the 25th & now its dead. I grabbed it as soon as I saw it fall. Damn it! I've had a cell phone for 10+ yrs & never did anything that stupid before. Oh well..with everything going on, its not worth freaking out over. I managed to load up all the pics on my laptop, thankfully! Initially it turned on but wouldnt let me swipe to open it. I took out my Sim, & stuck in a bag of rice to absorb the moisture. No luck. So, after a few attempts at trying to locate one on Kijiji (since I wanted another iPhone 5), no luck with that either. So I'm off to Apple today to get a phone. I dont have a home phone so this is my only way of communication. A really crummy time to try to get to a mall especially when I have absolutely no reason to be there.

See ya!

[Lion]

Judy good luck with your iPhone buying trip…I have friends who bought the iPhone6 and also the iPhone6+, both are very nice and I plan to upgrade to the iPhone6+ when I will not incur a penalty fee!!!

Just buy either the 64gb or the 128gb as you may not need the space now(currently I have the iPhone5S and have used up most all of the 64gb) but think about the coming future where everything eats up memory and space on the phone…also this way you can load a few gigabytes of music and then you do not need to carry an MP3 player!!!

Take care and happy hunting…..Leo

[vitalsignsrn]

Leo, I did end up buying the iPhone 6, 64gb one. I had a 32gb before & I was already well passed the 25gb mark so seemed the 64gb was a reasonable size to get. I had every intention of getting the 5S, but after I started playing with the 6, I decided to just go for it despite that I like the size of the 5S better. I'll get used to it just like I did when I went from a Blackberry to the 5. I got an Otterbox Symmetry case which has a very slim & sleek profile. New rule...it does not go near water! ** shaking my head ** An expensive lesson, & one I've already learned from!

Had a great time with my family today. We went to a lovely steakhouse for a late lunch & was calming & relaxing. While not traditional for us to celebrate this way, was the least amount of stress & we were able to enjoy my mothers presence without worrying about cooking & cleanup. I dont know what my mother will be like next Christmas but this year, she was still able to enjoy us & the kids. Was fun watching the kids tear into their gifts. I had bought these huge bags which I laid on the floor & had them crawl in to go dig for their stuff. LOL My nephew LOVED his space explorer Imaginext. He must have thanked, hugged & kissed me about 5-6 times. LOL Normally I have to wrestle him just to get 1 kiss! Its great he doesn't ask for video games & still enjoys playing with toys like Imaginext.

For the Canadians with small children, I bought...My Canada by Frog Flying, $10 at Chapters. Its a board book & has a lot of interesting tid bits. The book showcases all the provinces separately. I recommend this book. Not sure why, but my nephew loves to read about New Brunswick. LOL FYI for the Americans, Flying Frog Publications has a book called "America's 50 States".

[Lion]

Judy glad to hear you have a new phone and one you do like to use…..I currently have the iPhone 5S with 64gb and with all the music and pictures I have on my phone next year(November 2015) I will need to upgrade my phone to 128gb. Can not upgrade yet(without receiving penalty fees and other charges) because I'm stuck with AT&T and signed a two year contract in late November of 2013 just approximately 10 days before they changed their policy and no longer required customer's to sign a two year contract. When I called them to see if I could upgrade they said No holding me to the "Contract." Or yes, if I want to pay a penalty fee plus other fees for breaking my "Contract," and then I can Upgrade…so for now I'll stay with my 5S!!!

Take care…..Leo

[Lion]

Happy New Years' to all my friends and to everyone…everywhere in this beautiful world, may Peace and Serenity fill the New Year and above all else…Love Yourself and who you are and may happiness find you!!!

Take care…..Leo

[vitalsignsrn]

Happy New Year to all in the Coffeeshop (as well as all of TRF). :-) My Prosseco is chilling as I type. :-D

Art, dont forget your long johns. LOL It's cold! Have a safe trip. :-)

Leo, I'm not used to the size of the 6 yet. While I miss the smaller 5, & thought of returning the 6, I decided to just keep it. If I got used to the size of the 5, I can get used to the 6. I didnt have a problem with a 3 yr contract & found the penaltys not that hart to swallow. Now, the companies have the 2 yr contract, hiked the rates up astronomically & was not willing to work out anything with me. It was cheaper for me to just buy a new unlocked phone! Crazy. So..I've got an Otterbox Symmetry case on it now & a screen protector like I usually do. I just have to keep it away from water & I'm safe. That and make sure the phone is zipped up in my purse when I carry it.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by vitalsignsrn

Happy New Year to all in the Coffeeshop (as well as all of TRF). :-) My Prosseco is chilling as I type. :-D

Art, dont forget your long johns. LOL It's cold! Have a safe trip. :-)

Leo, I'm not used to the size of the 6 yet. While I miss the smaller 5, & thought of returning the 6, I decided to just keep it. If I got used to the size of the 5, I can get used to the 6. I didnt have a problem with a 3 yr contract & found the penaltys not that hart to swallow. Now, the companies have the 2 yr contract, hiked the rates up astronomically & was not willing to work out anything with me. It was cheaper for me to just buy a new unlocked phone! Crazy. So..I've got an Otterbox Symmetry case on it now & a screen protector like I usually do. I just have to keep it away from water & I'm safe. That and make sure the phone is zipped up in my purse when I carry it.

I've heard that Otterbox is now making waterproof cases for Mobile Phones but I haven't seen them yet. And there is a company called Lifeproof(I believe)and they do make two different cases which are waterproof, shockproof and dustproof. Check the company out as then you would not have to worry about water…..

I have the Otterbox Defender for my iPhone 5S because last year I looked into and at the Lifeproof case and would of bought it but they had not developed a belt clip yet…and I carry too much junk/stuff in my pockets to use one of my front pockets for only devotion to a cell phone!!! LOL!!!

[The Joker]

Hope everyone has Happy New Year. I'm off out for a few drinks.

Wrap up warm Art!

[vitalsignsrn]

It's been a bit quiet here. I just popped in to say hi. :-) DAMN, it is COLD up here now. If there was no wind, would be a balmy -10 but with the wind, I have no clue... -25 C. As bad as we have it here in Ontario, those poor folks in Buffalo & Rochester area ( anywhere along the lake really) is having a very bad time of it. Hope there are no casualties. And those with poor heating go to shelters or areas the cities have for these people. :-( I haven't listened to the news for that part of the woods yet today. Leo, whats Illinois been like? I didnt think to google the weather before posting. I remember about 6 yrs ago my brother & sister in law decided to go to Chicago for New Years Eve. I questioned them over & over again if they thought this was a good idea. Well...they went. Came back & admitted it was in fact NOT a good idea. Stay warm!

Art..you still wearing your thermal long johns?

[vitalsignsrn]

OMG...I am so wide awake I can't stand it! I'm tired but too overtired. Can't fall asleep. Maybe I should just lay down & count sheep. Only problem, I didnt do so well in counting. I get to a 100 & I lose count. Not really.
JK!!

Anyway...glad people are sleeping. Tic tic..tic toc...

[Lion]

Originally Posted by vitalsignsrn

It's been a bit quiet here. I just popped in to say hi. :-) DAMN, it is COLD up here now. If there was no wind, would be a balmy -10 but with the wind, I have no clue... -25 C. As bad as we have it here in Ontario, those poor folks in Buffalo & Rochester area ( anywhere along the lake really) is having a very bad time of it. Hope there are no casualties. And those with poor heating go to shelters or areas the cities have for these people. :-( I haven't listened to the news for that part of the woods yet today. Leo, whats Illinois been like? I didnt think to google the weather before posting. I remember about 6 yrs ago my brother & sister in law decided to go to Chicago for New Years Eve. I questioned them over & over again if they thought this was a good idea. Well...they went. Came back & admitted it was in fact NOT a good idea. Stay warm!

Art..you still wearing your thermal long johns?

Good Morning Judy,

The weather here has been very cold with the Windchill as well…this week especially, they say it's due to the 'Alberta Clipper' swooping down out of Canada. Are heat went out two days ago so we called the Office of our Co-op and a maintenance man was over in 10 minutes to fix it. Thank goodness we live in a Co-op where the Furnace is maintained by our staff!!!

Today at 4AM I woke up to -4F(-@0C)and the Windchill made it -35F(-37.22C). Today the high is going to be +4F(-15.55C)but with the Windchill it is going to hover around -25F(-31.66C). I am still wearing my 'LongJohns' and when I go out I have 5 layers on over my chest(which includes two jackets), two pair of wool socks wearing insulted Winter Hiking Boots(made by Vasque)which are Waterproof, two hats and a 'Gator' to cover my neck!!!

The only reason I'm going out this morning is because I have a Pain Mgt. Doctor Appt., otherwise I would be staying inside under my electric blanket…..

Take care…..Leo

[SearChart]

How are you guys & gals doing? it has been so quiet here.

[SearChart]

[The Joker]

Hmmm, not sure most of them make any sense.

[SearChart]

Most of them don't make any sense in Dutch either Dutch is a weird language

[Vanessa CW21]

Originally Posted by SearChart

They all make perfect sense! ;)

[vitalsignsrn]

Clearly a case of "Lost in Translation".. LOL We crack up trying to translate sayings from Italian to English. All of it backwards! LOL

It has been super quiet here in the Coffeeshop lately. I've not been around much myself. Things have been busy on the home front. My mom has deteriorated pretty significantly & my father is having issues with his eyes. Has his Cataract surgery booked for Feb.6th. When it rains it pours. My brother & sister in law are in Mexico for my brothers friends wedding. He's the best man & has known hi friend for 27 yrs so he better be at the wedding. ;-) I watched the kids for a few days, my sister in laws mom is watching them a few days & between both our families, we'll get these kids taken care of. I had fun but wow, did they wear me OUT. So busy! I swear they're on speed & I didnt load them up with sugar either! I only do that when I babysit then take them back to their parents. I'm off Zia (aunt) duty until tomorrow night into Saturday. Even then, I'll just have my nephew with me so will be good. My 3yr old niece is hitting her terrible 2's a bit late. She stepped on her brothers ankles Monday night & refused to apologize. She also flung herself on the sofa & started kicking her legs up in the air. I picked her up kicking & screaming & put her in time out in the other room on the same floor. She wailed for a while then she came & hugged & kissed her brother. Acted like an angel. My god she's posessed. I called her Linda & my nephew was like..she's not Linda zia, she's Madelyne. I was killing myself laughing. They both got mad cause I was laughing. Oh well. I'll pay for their therapy sessions.

Okie dokie..hope everyone is ok. Stay warm! Or if you are in the warmer areas, stay cool... Hi Art.

[vitalsignsrn]

Well... FML!! Saw the surgeon today & he decided that after all these months that the injury I sustained to my hand at the end of May 2014 that I now need surgery to repair it. Really a$$hole? Took ALLLLLLLLL these months for you to make this decision? I said so 12 wks ago. Thank you for letting me wait another 3 mths, after all , is just my life you're talking about. To say I'm ** Upset ** is an understatement. I thought this crap should have been dealt with sooner but hey, I'm not a surgeon so I cant make that determination. Today at my appt. he said we've come to an impass & despite my aggressive therapy, nothing has helped this hand. Well ya you numb nuts, it needs to be surgically repaired!! I will get a couple pins in my thumb & the ligament sewed in tighter as there is a tear which all the conventional therapy hasn't helped fix. I see the surgeon again next Thursday to get my OR time & to get to OR pre-admit clinic. I'm not worried about surgery as Ive had a few in the past. I'm hoping for the best & I come out from anesthesia all right. No reason I shouldn't since no diabetic & no issues with heart/lungs or blood pressure (lucky me!!). I just want this SHITE DONE..DONE..DONE...DONE! I'm tired of it. Needs to be fixed. My father goes in for cataract surgery tomorrow of his left eye & so then I do all the physical needs for my mom who is total care right now. Its kinda crazy but you do what you need to do. We still wait word as to when she might be admitted in to a nursing home since she is now on the critical placement list.

I sat with my mother today. She was quite emotional & weepy. She still knows who we are but is quite spaced out. My heart breaks for the woman that is fading quickly before my eyes. Life sucks ass sometimes. Not much to say after that.

Here's a shout out to my pen pal who had hernia surgery. Hope you recover well & quickly. Don't do anything stupid.

[The Joker]

Sorry to hear about your hand Judy, are you still off work? Can't believe it's been so long.

[vitalsignsrn]

Thanks Wes. You iterate my very sentiments...I cant believe it has been so long! I have much better flexibility with my hand but as far as grabbing & pulling 200 lb unconscious people, well, quite another story. I cant even hold up a 2L carton of milk without dropping it!
To say I'm frustrated is an UNDERSTATEMENT. I'm being vocal about my frustration but if I was really left to vent in a way I would want, well, would absolutely be censored.

Life moves on. I try to stay chipper & upbeat. I had a really lovely day with my mother today without my father in the house monopolizing her every movement. We talked & laughed, much like the old days. My brother was home for lunch & it was just the 4 of us which was awesome. My mother really was happy to see us together. So all in all...we had a good day.

So much for critical placement. Looks like its not a reality at this point. CCAC, aka home health in Ontario, they are adding more time to come & take care of my mom. Realistically, I am ok to help her until I am back in a cast, then naturally I cant. We could use the help. I'm keeping positive vibes that it all will work out. We NEED it to work out. I think its helpful I'm a nurse. SOOOOOOOO...moving on. :-)

Hope everyone is doing well with this cold weather, or hot weather (aka Art in Florida).
Take care everyone. :-)

[Lion]

Judy, I'm sorry to hear that after almost a year of rehabbing your wrist you will now need surgery to repair the damage. Especially since you have a lot on your plate with your Mom and Dad, of course with the job of spoiling your niece and nephew), going out with friends and your career. I know I would be "pissed off" after all this time...and now the surgeon decides surgery is necessary(and Yes, of course he has an attitude...don't ALL Surgeons have attitude and think they are "God's gift to the world???"). He sounds like he is a conservative doctor who wanted to pursue all other possibilities before deciding on an operation to repair the tear and further damage.....

I went and saw a Surgeon who specializes in Wrist Replacements(my right wrist and thumb have been dislocated permanently for almost 20 years or so) a year and a half ago and he told me I was too young, too active and too mobile for a replacement wrist. Of course I'm not rich/famous to warrant his consideration. He spent all of three minutes with me and left saying if I have questions...ask his Resident who was in the examine room with me. He told me Bone Fusion was my only viable solution!!!

Anywho...he can pound sand!!!

Take care, spoil your brother's children and of course sugar and loads of it.....btw. do they still hold parties for young children in Elementary Schools for Valintine's Day? Where the children exchange Cards and get candy in the afternoon before going home.....

[vitalsignsrn]

Hi Leo, & the gang here. :-)

Leo, that sucks about your wrist. I dont see the surgeons logic you are too young. Although a wrist is necessary, obviously, it isn't a weight bearing joint & wont go through the rigours that a weight bearing joint would go through. Can you get a 2nd opinion?

I breathed a sigh of relief that the surgeon ** finally ** after all this time acknowledged that sitting around waiting for the hand to heal wasn't working. : dummy:
I look forward to getting it fixed & moving on. My original date was this Thursday but I'm not certain if I will have it this week or if he can reschedule me for next week. If not, & he cant do it for a few more weeks, I'm getting it done. A few weeks from now means I would be half way through my recovery & I need to have this taken care of.

The weekend was busy. My mother was smiling one minute & slumped in her chair uncoscious, no pulse & her breathing was more grunting than purposeful. My god she freaked me out. My father was spastic & all I could do was hold it all together. Called 911, then got her to the floor & started compressions. It felt like forever, but I think I had only done them a minute or 2 when I felt for a pulse & she had one. At that time the paramedics arrived & took over. She was still unresponsive when they loaded her on the stretcher, but she had a pulse & her she was breathing, more purposeful, but still grunting. My father stiffened up (which I did not witness) before she slumped over. She might have had a seizure although up to this point, she never had one. She didnt have a stroke & all diagnostic tests & blood work are unremarkable. This episode is perplexing. Nothing is adding up. She was able to open her eyes Sat.night but still very lethargic. She improved overnight & happy to report as of last night, was off her oxygen & in a regular floor bed. She most likely will be in hosp. for a couple more days. She is improving. Last night she was smiling & laughing at my brother & I's lame jokes. Her speech is worse. I mean, wasn't that great before but I would be able to grasp a few good words here & there but yesterday he speech is more gibberish now & very hard to understand what she is trying to say. Watching her facial expressions & her non verbal communication is the only way. Unless her speech issues resolve, I'm thinking the Alzheimers has progressed a bit more & this episode she had pushed her back a bit too. All in all, could have been a different outcome but she is alive & recovering. I'll tell you though, running a code at work, doing compressions & pushing drugs to people I dont know is stressful enough, but to do it on someone you know & love, wow...is unreal. As soon as I saw my father get in to the ambulance, I was able to feel the enormity of what had just happened. I could hardly contain myself. Thankfully the policewoman that had arrived was very comforting. She stayed & talked with me a few minutes. She offered to drive me to the hospital if I was unable to drive, which I was ok to do & grateful for her compassion.

Add the stress of the family meeting we had last week about a bed coming up at a very good nursing home (is top tier for Ontario), my father's resistence, my mother now having had this hospitalization & an event that may happen again as we are not finding an explanation for this, my hand surgery which I will be in a cast for 6 weeks & probably another 4 weeks without the cast to rehab, .....oh boy! I'm overwhelmed. I got a bit tipsy on Saturday night. I'm glad I didnt post anything too dirty or inappropriate. I cant wait to wrap my arms around my neice & nephew.

Take care all...

[The Joker]

Wow Judy, that sounds scary as hell. Hope your mum is recovering well.

I wouldn't have a clue what to do in a health emergency like that, should really do a first aid course.

[SearChart]

Very scary Judy, I hope she recovers very soon.

[Lion]

Hi to everyone,

Judy…wow what an episode and your Mom(and Dad)is lucky to have had you there to take care of her and administer compressions until the Paramedics arrived to transport her to the hospital…..I'm glad to hear you have your surgery scheduled to once and for all get your hand fixed. I'm sure rehab will not be easy but then you will heal and be back to "Normal"…..whatever that is???

Your ordeal with your Mom will hopefully work out for the best and you will have your Mom for more years to come. My Dad, when his 'Health' was failing had always said when the quality in his life was over he was going to end his life by checking out…and on October 5th, 1998 he ended his life with suicide by gunshot. That particular morning I woke up very early around 4AM and was wide awake(for some reason). Since I was up I decided to work on my homework for a Landscape Design class I was taking when at 10 minutes after 7AM I got a chill up my spine and goosebumps on goosebumps. Thirty seconds later the phone rang and my Mom said a loud noise had woken her up and she couldn't find her husband…I said I'd be right over(I only lived roughly three blocks away)and not to go down to the basement alone. Well, I raced over and of course I found her in the basement crying, holding my Dad's hand…it was a tough situation to walk in on and I gave my Mom her space to be alone with her husband and then called 911. There was no question that he was gone as I checked for a pulse and of course there was not one………life moves on.

As for my wrist, I do need to get a second opinion and see another surgeon for his/her medical opinion as to see if I can get a wrist replacement instead of fusion…cause wrist(bone fusion)surgery is not a viable option for me!!!

Just think how good it will feel to wrap your arms around your niece and nephew and give them a big hug to go with your love for them!!!

Take care…..Leo

[vitalsignsrn]

Thanks all...it's exhausting. Leo, I was speechless about your experience. So sad to hear you & your mother went through that. :-( And I can't imagine what horror it was to see it 1st hand. Unimaginable.

I went over to my brothers last night after I left the hospital & slept over. Got to see the kids & got some hugs from them. It's my birthday today & they were super excited to see me to give me the cards they each made. SO cute! They really made a couple of nice ones! Most of the time I dont make an issue of my birthday. It was fun to see it through the eyes of a 3 yr old & a 5.5 yr old.

[SearChart]

What a sad story Leo, I'm sorry you and your mom had to go through that, I can not imagine how hard that must be.

Judy, good luck with your hand, I really hope it will heal soon as you have had this problem for so long now.