Thread Drift

[Crankin]

Actually, an English major is quite recommended for law school, as it teaches you to think and analyze. I had an English minor (12 credits as an undergrad and then 6 more post masters). That's kinda how I wormed my way around the state regs and got certified as a middle school English teacher. That wouldn't happen today! Plus, I did my national boards for prof. teaching standards certification in English. Of all of the things I've done, including both of my masters and my one year in the PhD program, that was the hardest and most stressful thing! I had to do a portfolio, which included videotaping myself teaching (ugh). I remember, in the middle of one, of course, I got paged on the intercom; "Mrs. M, can you send so and so to the office?" The kids laughed, but I did not stop the tape. And, I had to take a test that was the hardest fricking test I've taken, including my master's comps.
I agree with the silver cloud thing. We've done a lot of things because we didn't have to pay for DS #2's college education. Although I barely could accept him enlisting, he is very well situated now. And, at a very selective liberal arts college, on a full scholarship, in addition to his military benefits. Between his prior service, being in the reserves for 4 years, and being an Army officer when he graduates, he will be able to retire when he is 40... only 9 years away. I don't know if he will ever use his economics/math degree, but I suspect he will become a math teacher, which is what he has been destined for. His ability to teach was evident when he was a toddler! He has the gene.

[wnyrider]

I visit this site often, but I am not usually logged in unless I want to post a comment-- like now. My computer empties the cookies frequently for security reasons on my end, so I would have to log in a lot. It is just easier to lurk. I'll try to post more in the future. Just like someone else noted in a thread last week, that unless someone is "familiar" here, they are more likely to get ignored.

[Crankin]

I am always logged in. On the other hand, I don't frequent any other forums, so this whole thing is a bit unsettling to me. I do know a couple of people who stopped posting because they didn't like the tone of others, so they quit. I think that's short sighted. One of the negatives of being in my profession, is that people's "stuff," often screams to me through their writing. More here, than on Facebook. Sometimes I am thinking, "Go get some help," or "It must be nice to be so perfect," but those are just my thoughts. I am not going to get upset over other's writing. I really value the opinions here.

[Catrin]

I've been reading this thread with some interest. Since I can no longer ride I've been hesitant about posting on the cycling threads, though I will if I think I can add something. I have noticed that new posters don't get the responses they once may have, bit it is also true there are fewer active members than at one time. Personally I've met personal friends through this forum and I really don't frequent others outside of a knitting site.

[lph]

I know we talk about how dead this forum is, and the lack of new members, but right now, there are six active members logged in. I remember when there were always at least 3 rows of members online at any time. I see the regulars come by and fail to post because there is little going on, but how can there be anything going on when almost no one bothers? :( It's getting depressing to come by.

Just ranting.

Isn't that just the nature of online forums? People come and go, discussions flare up and die down. Forums are kind of like an ongoing party where people come and go, see if their friends are there, and wander in and out of conversations as they like. Except that you can't actually see if they're there or not. At least not without checking the visitor list.

People have been complaining from time to time, especially in autumn, that the forum is slow, or that they miss "the good old days" ever since I joined ten years or so back. At some point momentum builds up and there's a new group of regulars.

Why is "quitting" short-sighted, Crankin? If I didn't feel welcome here I'd just wander off and do something else too.

[Crankin]

I don't think, in any way, the people who quit didn't feel welcome. In fact, I know they didn't. Both sent me PMs telling me they quit because of the personal opinions of one or another specific people. The only time I remember someone saying she didn't feel welcome, was someone who said it was because she was a conservative Republican.... and she put it right out there and left.

[Helene2013]

It may depend on the season too for some of us, depending where we live and what keeps us busy.

In the Fall, it is my busiest season. I like the coolness. We are camping right now (our last outing of season for this). Going for cyclo cross ride in a few moments. Then when back we need to walk the dogs, have a quick dinner, pack up motorhome and head home. Unpack what needs to be out tonight and the rest will go week nights, if not raining. Then the weeks go by so fast. Work during day, training as I get home (after taking care of pets), dinner, pets again need to be walked or "played" with. Then bath and bedtime by 9pm. Weekends are reserved to closing the yard, motorhome, getting ready for winter. My time is so limited that internet is what has to drop. I don't watch much tv...no time either.

Can't wait to retire in 5 or so years...just to have "some" time to do things without rushing. hihi

[shootingstar]

Both sent me PMs telling me they quit because of the personal opinions of one or another specific people. The only time I remember someone saying she didn't feel welcome, was someone who said it was because she was a conservative Republican.... and she put it right out there and left.

It's not realistic unless someone has said something that truly attacks your personal values...over and over, to quit on a friendly online community. I'm over also at a guy-cyclist dominated forums for the last few years. I still visit even though some of the active (guy) members like to talk about their guns and sneer at gun control. (Did I upset someone here???) I find it ridiculous when they occasionally list the type of guns they own. But overall they are ok.

Actually I don't mind reading about people's trips, etc. and observations as they bike along. Maybe long time cyclists like us, don't have many questions anymore or things that we perceive as interesting anymore on nutrition, gear, apparel, etc.

Yet, there's a whole cadre young women..in their teens and twenties who probably need some encouragement. Maybe it's Facebook as a tool for them? I don't mind sharing occasional photos of myself cycling, but honest, it would get tiring if I did it often here.

I'm here, because cycling is still part of daily life, I just don't track my mileage. But cycling is only one of several personal interests I pursue.

[rebeccaC]

If I didn't feel welcome here I'd just wander off and do something else too.
one nice feature of this site, especially if it's just one or two people who bother you, is the ignore function which makes the posts of whoever you put on it not show. I have two people on mine and it makes for a more pleasant forum to read for me.

i use this site to feel positive about my bicycling and interactions with others. it's one of only 2 internet sites i post to at the moment and the one i post the most to ..there are some wonderful women here to interact with and i enjoy that interaction....and i have no need for negative drama here or elsewhere

[Crankin]

I guess you could put people on ignore, but I tend to read everyone's posts. As I said, I don't do other forums, but from what I've heard, many are kind of nasty. While this forum is obviously, mainly about cycling, it is hard to not talk about other parts of our lives. And the best part of TE has been meeting so many of you in person, as well as when my DH says, "How did you know that?" and I answer, "I learned it from someone on TE."

[shootingstar]

I guess you could put people on ignore, but I tend to read everyone's posts. As I said, I don't do other forums, but from what I've heard, many are kind of nasty. While this forum is obviously, mainly about cycling, it is hard to not talk about other parts of our lives. And the best part of TE has been meeting so many of you in person, as well as when my DH says, "How did you know that?" and I answer, "I learned it from someone on TE."

I don't ignore/close off anyone on this forum. This is reality: a forum is like meeting people face to face: people you like and those you don't want to listen...but sometimes have to. Unless the person is threatening abuse, I might as well get a well-rounded view of (female) humanity....here.

I cannot learn unless someone challenges me. And people have here. At the same time, if I REALLY expressed with my heart on the line, what I thought, it probably surprise some folks here. So I will pussyfoot and temper my passion on certain matters. :)

[rebeccaC]

I don't ignore/close off anyone on this forum. This is reality: a forum is like meeting people face to face: people you like and those you don't want to listen...but sometimes have to. Unless the person is threatening abuse, I might as well get a well-rounded view of (female) humanity....here.

I cannot learn unless someone challenges me. And people have here. At the same time, if I REALLY expressed with my heart on the line, what I thought, it probably surprise some folks here. So I will pussyfoot and tamper my passion on certain matters. :)

there are more than enough members here who give me a well rounded view, share positive info with and give me good learning experiences without the two on my ignore list....each of us can have our own way of dealing with others here. That's also a good thing in my mind!!!

and i don't see value in pussyfooting or tampering my passion on important matters here or elsewhere :)

[Pax]

Rebecca, just want you to know how much I admire your passion, you are an inspiring young woman.

[lph]

I frequent a couple of other forums too. The other two forums are male-dominated, and sometimes I will see threads that I would have replied to but the tone of one of the posters is too gratingly misogynistic or the banter is just a little too testosterone-fueled. Instead of gritting my teeth and posting anyway, or wading in ready for a fight, I just - don't post. My point is really that it isn't a big deal one way or the other. A forum is comprised of whoever happens to be there at the moment. I don't have any more or less right to be there than someone else. And if I don't appreciate their tone, or they don't appreciate mine, then we just don't post on the same thread a lot.

I appreciate it when I see someone posting interesting questions and making an effort, but I don't feel obliged to do the same. When I have something to say or ask I'll say it, and if by then there's no-one around to answer, so be it. :-)

[Trek420]

Quick! Everyone view Thread Drift. We're about 9,500 views away from 2,000,000 views! Long live TE. Long live TD.

[OakLeaf]

What lph said. When there was a stalker on this board, as some of you remember, I tried putting him on ignore, but then I'd miss half of what other people were saying to him.

[Blueberry]

What lph said. When there was a stalker on this board, as some of you remember, I tried putting him on ignore, but then I'd miss half of what other people were saying to him.

Apparently I missed this!! Kinda glad.

I have 4 exams in 16 days starting Monday. 3 lecture exams, 1 clinical exam (they schedule that one for you and I got the worst possible date) - oh yes, and a quiz. This is getting a tiny bit excessive. October is my favorite month to be outside, and since the exams are on Mondays (or Wednesday for the last one), it's almost impossible to get out and enjoy the weather.

I'll stop whining now. I love med school - I really do. This just seems like a bit much.

[Crankin]

I think I know who Oak is talking about, but I never saw it as a stalker situation. Maybe I am thinking about the wrong person.
Blueberry, I know hard it must be to be inside studying on these beautiful October days. Can you sneak out for even a 20 minute walk once in awhile?

[snapdragen]

That Mr. person? :p

[OakLeaf]

You got it. :p Maybe I'm hypersensitive from my years of working with abused women, but the fact that stayed after several people asked him to leave, but then disappeared from the forum as soon as he'd driven her away, says everything I need to know about it. And, he's the only person I'm aware of that's been explicitly unwelcome here. I can't think what might offend the "conservative Republican" - if that person refused to be on the same forum with out lesbians, that's something else ...

Hang in there Blueberry. (And Crankin is right, some natural light can only help your concentration ...)


Yep, English majors in law school are a dime a dozen. I'm one (double major, English and math). Law is a language art, after all; while there are interpersonal skills that come into play particularly in litigation, most of the nuts and bolts of practicing law have to do with comprehending and manipulating words.

I've got another cold. Sigh. Not too bad, but considering that the last one completely wrecked my training, I don't even know if I'm going to bother to run the half on Sunday or not. Yuk.

[emily_in_nc]

I've got another cold. Sigh. Not too bad, but considering that the last one completely wrecked my training, I don't even know if I'm going to bother to run the half on Sunday or not. Yuk.

So sorry, Oak! I hate it when that happens. Terrible timing, too. :(

I'm having a little pity party here myself as I have had one stupid injury after another lately that has kept me from running, and sometimes doing yoga as well. First I managed to break my pinky toe with a hard stub to a chair leg. That had me pretty much house-bound for a few days and off long walks, yoga, and running for a few weeks.

Once I healed up from that I got back to running, gradually increasing mileage again, and I was feeling great. Over a period of a couple of weeks, I noticed a very slight tenderness in my right Achilles tendon (not during a run but at other times) but stupidly ignored it and kept running. I was only running 3x a week (never consecutive days) and no more than 3.25 miles at a time. Nothing huge since I was still rehabbing from the broken toe.

With a 5K event coming up on Oct. 24th, I thought I'd add one speed-work run per week and went out this past Saturday morning and added four faster intervals to my overall run. Felt great at the time, but the next morning I realized my Achilles hurt much worse, going down stairs hurt, and even picking up from a walk to a very light jog was painful. I have since read that adding speedwork can trigger this injury.

Since then I've been taking it easy, icing, etc, but I can't avoid stairs (we live in a 4th floor walkup). Also googling suggests that it could be a soleus strain with referred pain to the ankle instead of Achilles tendonitis, but I am not sure. In any case, going down stairs hurts, running is out of the question, and from my research, this could take awhile to heal no matter what I do.

I'm frustrated because it seems like every time I actually start making small gains in my running, I either get sick or injured. This is the first overuse injury I can recall having; most were just klutzy things like the broken toe and a hand thing I did last spring (banged against a metal signpost on my bike and either bruised deeply or broke something in my hand). And a very bad cold in late winter earlier this year dragged on for weeks and kept me out of commission for quite some time as well.

Sometimes I feel like the universe is trying to tell me something, and that running is just never gonna happen for me.

PITY PARTY!!!! :mad: :(

[Pax]

I've been a state of pity party regarding my newly replaced knee for the last several months. Now I'm in a zen place, I'm making peace with the fact it will never be as good as I'd hoped. I still limp about 30% of the time, my flexion and extension are fair but not great, and it keeps me from doing much of what I want to do. BUT, it works, doesn't hurt as bad as it did before, I'm a little more mobile than I was, so I'll take it and just do little bits of things. I walk a little, ride my bike a little, swim a little. It's all good.

[rebeccaC]

Sometimes I feel like the universe is trying to tell me something, and that running is just never gonna happen for me.

nothing wrong with needing to embrace something like that and finding alternative or continuing with existing exercises that favor what your body is telling you is better for you at the moment. Catrin and Pax both inspire me in the way they embrace the awareness of what their bodies are going through. What's health care like for you in your area of Mexico?


Rebecca, just want you to know how much I admire your passion, you are an inspiring young woman.
that's kind of you to say!!!!....thanking you with a warm hug :)

[emily_in_nc]

nothing wrong with needing to embrace something like that and finding alternative or continuing with existing exercises that favor what your body is telling you is better for you at the moment. Catrin and Pax both inspire me in the way they embrace the awareness of what their bodies are going through. What's health care like for you in your area of Mexico?

Quite good, supposedly, but not so sure about sports specialists. I have only heard of "regular" docs and feel very comfortable if I were to get Dengue Fever or any other tropical thing, I'd be in good hands. But something like this I wouldn't bother with going to the doc even in the US. Just me, maybe, but I've had such limited success with PT and ortho docs in the past in the US that self care at home always seems to be a less expensive and simpler alternative. I know there are cases when these docs are really necessary, though. But I'd really need a running specialist/gait analysis or some such and don't think there's anyone like that here. This is more like the US in the 1950s in a lot of ways. Some good, some bad!

[emily_in_nc]

I've been a state of pity party regarding my newly replaced knee for the last several months. Now I'm in a zen place, I'm making peace with the fact it will never be as good as I'd hoped. I still limp about 30% of the time, my flexion and extension are fair but not great, and it keeps me from doing much of what I want to do. BUT, it works, doesn't hurt as bad as it did before, I'm a little more mobile than I was, so I'll take it and just do little bits of things. I walk a little, ride my bike a little, swim a little. It's all good.

That's a good attitude, Pax, but I sure am sorry that your knee replacement hasn't been as successful as you hoped. My step-father experienced the same thing, and I feel so bad for all he has gone through that he still has issues with pain and flexibility there. I know he's better, like you, but he'd hoped for even more of a change. I still see how difficult it is for him to get out of a chair, for instance. He can do some light hiking, but he'd hoped to be able to backpack (with a light pack), and I don't see that happening. :(

[Catrin]

I've been a state of pity party regarding my newly replaced knee for the last several months. Now I'm in a zen place, I'm making peace with the fact it will never be as good as I'd hoped. I still limp about 30% of the time, my flexion and extension are fair but not great, and it keeps me from doing much of what I want to do. BUT, it works, doesn't hurt as bad as it did before, I'm a little more mobile than I was, so I'll take it and just do little bits of things. I walk a little, ride my bike a little, swim a little. It's all good.

I feel your pain Pax! On the one hand things are a bit better than before the surgery, but my knee doesn't seem to yet be working all the way normally yet after 10 weeks...but I keep reading that it is early yet. My flexion and extension are fine, but the knee still wants to give out occasionally and I don't feel safe walking outside without a cane just in case. I try to keep a good attitude, but some days, like today, it is frustrating. Is it so much to hope for walking normally with both knees feeling about the same? Apparently it is too much, for now. It also still hurts - but I DO have quite a bit of patellofemoral arthritis - and that hasn't changed. The pain IS less than before the surgery though :cool:

On the other hand, I can hike gentle trails, (with brace and stick), can play with kettlebells (though not as hard as I would like), and not much else. THAT being said, it is a lot more than it could be, and I'm thankful for what I can do. Trying not to push myself too far as I'm prone to doing. I think I would be less frustrated if there weren't obvious signs that I've lost upper body strength - my shoulder mechanics makes it very hard to gain that kind of strength so I begrudge loosing anything there. I've given up on the idea of competing again, but I want to focus on being as strong and healthy as I can be. If that means hiking with brace and stick permanently, then so be it :D

<\whine>

[Crankin]

Oak, I think the person who left the forum, stating that she felt unwelcome as a conservative, may have also been somewhat freaked out by lesbians. She didn't say this, but I was reading between the lines. I think she realized that her views were somewhat different from everyone else's and couldn't get past that, to talk about cycling. I am sure there are plenty of conservative cyclists... somewhere.
On the physical part, well, I mentioned this in another thread. I've had a year of lots of immunological/allergy stuff and a mild resurgence of my supposed fibro symptoms. However, I have a friend (a cousin, sort of) who really does have fibro, and what she experiences is similar, but I just don't have to stay home and do total rest like she does, nor do I have an cognitive symptoms. Work doesn't tire me out, like it does to her. I just have less tolerance for intense exercise. However, it's cyclical, so I am hoping it will eventually get better. Since I am returning to my previous health club, I will be doing a lot more stuff this winter, in addition to my nordic skiing/snow shoeing. Lots of spin classes and I will definitely be at Tabatta and circuit training 2X a week. The club is practically next door to the condo, so I am looking forward to that. So, my mantra is to keep out there, maybe just less distance if I am not feeling well. But, my head is ready for more. Hoping for a mild enough winter that I can ride a little outside in January and February, for the first time in a couple of years, to get more miles. I am hoping adding more yoga back in, will help, too. What worries me is that I have been having thoughts of cutting down my work more, but I have no idea why. I would be bored without more structured activities. Not going there...

[Blueberry]

Blueberry, I know hard it must be to be inside studying on these beautiful October days. Can you sneak out for even a 20 minute walk once in awhile?

I'm definitely keeping some balance - particularly on weekends that aren't exam weekends (but then there are three of them in a row and there goes that...). I'm trying to get outside as much as possible and keeping active as I can. I walk most days, bike some (still working on bike commuting - that's a whole other thread) and usually eat outside if I'm stuck on campus in class all day. Our curriculum is pass/fail (and they really mean it) - with the idea that we can have some balance and have time for clinical work, research, etc. I keep trying to remember that - but going from pre-med (must.make.straight.A's) to passing is OK is an extremely hard transition. I do *know* I retain better with breaks (exercise!) and sleep (sometimes an issue - working on it!).

I'm having a bit of my own injury pity party. I sit on a ball chair. The &$% thing exploded (as in split down the side) the Friday before our Fall break. I landed on my a$$ (no damage there, thankfully), and did *something* to a foot. I thought it was a sprain, did NSAIDS, it got better. Went for a bike ride Sunday (not the first one since it happened, and not far or fast) and though my arch was cramping when I got home. It's back to hurting - from top to bottom but worse on the top. *sigh* I know I *should* go see a doctor. But that's time I could be studying! I'm planning to give it until Monday (after exam 1) - if it's not better, I'll suck it up and go.

At least I finally found the nasal flu vaccine (I have a reaction to that shot and only that shot - my doc thinks a preservative). The danged thing is required for us (makes sense), but they don't have the nasal available (makes no sense).

[rebeccaC]

Quick! Everyone view Thread Drift. We're about 9,500 views away from 2,000,000 views! Long live TE. Long live TD.
did that just cause a 4000+ view increase :) they should let you do post number 2,000,000 :):)

[rebeccaC]

... and I don't see that happening. :(
that touched….hoping I can find a spark of peace when dealing with issues like that…on both sides of it.

There’s a reasonable public health system there and less expensive than here. Do you think most of the expats are satisfied with their health care issues? Cuba's done a lot of the development of the tropical disease treatment for that area. You are well covered on that!!!

[emily_in_nc]

There’s a reasonable public health system there and less expensive than here. Do you think most of the expats are satisfied with their health care issues? Cuba's done a lot of the development of the tropical disease treatment for that area. You are well covered on that!!!

Yes, I do. From the few folks I have talked to about it plus many forum postings, people here seem very happy with the quality of care they have received and the cost -- and most of these have gone to private physicians/hospitals, not public ones (which are even cheaper but have longer waits and probably not as nice facilities). After getting used to how health care works in the US and Canada, most expats here seem to be very pleasantly surprised with things like $30 doctor visits and cheap meds. Not to mention shorter wait times to get in. And, get this -- quite a few doctors here make house calls!

[Blueberry]

And, get this -- quite a few doctors here make house calls!

That's starting to come back here. I was surprised to learn one of our faculty is in a house call practice!

[Pax]

That would have been so humane when my mom was sick, trying to bundle her up on a freezing cold day to take her to an appointment was just awful.

[ny biker]

PITY PARTY!!!! :mad: :(

I'm in! Things have not gone well for me since I had a bad cold last April. One thing after another, not serious (though I did have CT scans looking for a tumor in my head and chest), but cumulatively dragging me down and keeping me from doing what I want to do, what I need to do to stay sane. Add in some problems at work and I'm a bit of a mess these days.

I hope everyone who's down feels better and is back on track soon.

[Helene2013]

That would have been so humane when my mom was sick, trying to bundle her up on a freezing cold day to take her to an appointment was just awful.

We had this for my father-in-law but found out the service too late. For x $/year, you had a doctor come visit you x/times a year (I can't recall the numers). Before this, you had the nurse doing the basic checks before the scheduled appointment. That was so neat having a doc home for them. Getting them out when they are that sick and old and it is cold or raining or snowing...is just awful for them...and us the caregivers.

I'm in too for pity!!!

After I was able to solve the knee issues.... now is the right ankle. Been hurting for a few months now. I saw my doctor 2 weeks ago. She sent me for xray and nothing is broken (I knew it...it's in the soft tissues I feel the pain). Worst when walking or going down stairs.

My physiotherapist (PT) did check me before our vacation end of August and her treatment helped but not much. Then saw doctors, results in...and then she said nothing to be done. WHAT!!!! Ankle is swelling and you're telling me nothing = through her secretary. So I requested other testing for tissues or whatever. She turned around and said only PT reference and a diagnosis is requested. Sooooo I'm seeing my PT again this coming Tuesday. She said she will see if treatment can bring relief to the ankle. She thinks it may also be some arthritis getting in there. Heuh!!! It was fine just a few weeks ago... I'm sure it is sprain or something I did and it takes time and I'm so bad at giving time to heal. I can cycle as much as I like and no pain. She said I may need to use crutches or a cane to relieve the weight on that ankle temporarily. We'll see... I'm so upset. That means again I won't be able to run or climg on treadmill, or even enjoy the fall colours in the trails. Oh well...there are worst things in life than this. But I've had my share of bad news lately.

And hubby is just as upset as he has been diagnosed with inguinal hernia. He's seeing the surgeon in November and he'll decide if surgery is required or not. Hubby is freaking out as it will keep him away from sport activities, work, etc for a good 2 months (he has a physical job). If he gets surgery in the winter, that means I have to shovel the snow too as he won't be able for a long stretch. So his hernia and my ankle....such a good combo and bad timing! oh well...

[snapdragen]

Gads, I hated that time. I agreed with everyone, but because I was a mod, I had to *play by the rules* and let him stay. May have made a few enemies back then.

[Crankin]

NY, jeez, you just scared me, with the CT scans of head and chest. You've had a lot of what I have (I don't have asthma sx quite as severe as you do, doesn't impact my riding). I am sure I have a sinus infection. I was sick about a month ago, thought I was better, (I was) and now it's back, even more. I've had years of sinus x rays, scans, etc and nothing is wrong. My ear hurts, too. It's the same every time. I just don't feel like going to the doctor or taking an antibiotic. My doctor is close, but I might just go by the minute clinic.
Heading for bed and it's 7:50!

[emily_in_nc]

Sorry so many others on here are injured or sick...it's frustrating to want to be active and be limited by your physical being!

My Achilles/soleus (whatever it is) seems a wee bit better today, so I am slightly, cautiously optimistic. But I am certainly not going to hurry back into running anytime soon. It still hurts to go downstairs but a bit less, and I have to take each stair piecemeal like a little old lady (one foot down, then the other down on the same stair, repeat for four flights each time out of our apartment!) It takes forever, and I am NOT a patient person. But I try to focus on how much worse it could be; at least I can still walk and go to yoga.

Healing thoughts to us all!

[Pax]

Sorry so many others on here are injured or sick...it's frustrating to want to be active and be limited by your physical being!

My Achilles/soleus (whatever it is) seems a wee bit better today, so I am slightly, cautiously optimistic. But I am certainly not going to hurry back into running anytime soon. It still hurts to go downstairs but a bit less, and I have to take each stair piecemeal like a little old lady (one foot down, then the other down on the same stair, repeat for four flights each time out of our apartment!) It takes forever, and I am NOT a patient person. But I try to focus on how much worse it could be; at least I can still walk and go to yoga.

Healing thoughts to us all!

I feel for you, I injured my retrocalcaneal bursa one time, a tiny little bursa between the heel bone and the achilles... it hurt for months, one tiny little place and it messed me UP!

[OakLeaf]

Oh man. Pax, sorry to hear your knee isn't what you hoped for, but I'm glad you've come to an okay place with it. Healing thoughts to all the walking wounded!

[Catrin]

Oh my, sending warm thoughts and hopes for quick recovery for all of us with physical things going on. I try to stay positive as I fully recognize that I expect my body to heal as fast as it did at 15...

[Pax]

Oh man. Pax, sorry to hear your knee isn't what you hoped for, but I'm glad you've come to an okay place with it. Healing thoughts to all the walking wounded!

Thanks, Oak.

[Catrin]

Pax, how long have they told you it will be for full healing? I'm hoping you will continue to improve.

[Pax]

Pax, how long have they told you it will be for full healing? I'm hoping you will continue to improve.
My surgeon told me a year, but others who've had this done say 18 months, so I'm holding out hope it gets a little better still.

[Catrin]

Hopefully it will! I think we reach a point where the gains are so small that it is hard to see them at the time. I hope that is where we both are and a year from now we will be able to look back and breathe a sigh of relief!

[Trek420]

did that just cause a 4000+ view increase :) they should let you do post number 2,000,000 :):)

We're at 1,998,161 views. I'm rigging up the confetti so whomever does the 2,000,000th view gets confetti dumped on them wherever in the world you are. :cool: They also get 50% off run apparel and accessories .... oh, we all get that right now.


Oak, I think the person who left the forum, stating that she felt unwelcome as a conservative, may have also been somewhat freaked out by lesbians.

Ouch. Please tell him or her "Come back. We don't bite. Well, we won't bite you" :) ;)

[Pax]

Hopefully it will! I think we reach a point where the gains are so small that it is hard to see them at the time. I hope that is where we both are and a year from now we will be able to look back and breathe a sigh of relief!

I hope you're right, better would be great, but I'll take whatever I can get.

[Crankin]

Trek, I would invite them back if I remembered who it was. It was at least 2 years ago.
Yesterday, my older son told me that he and his wife are starting some infertility testing. And I thought they just weren't having kids. This is what happens when you don't ask nosy questions. He is only 33 and his wife is 35. I feel really badly for them; not because I want to be a grandparent, but because they would be awesome parents.

[emily_in_nc]

Trek, I would invite them back if I remembered who it was. It was at least 2 years ago.
Yesterday, my older son told me that he and his wife are starting some infertility testing. And I thought they just weren't having kids. This is what happens when you don't ask nosy questions. He is only 33 and his wife is 35. I feel really badly for them; not because I want to be a grandparent, but because they would be awesome parents.

Oh, I feel for them. I told you we went through all that. We "started trying" when I was 28 or 29 (can't remember now) and spent years trying to have a child only to finally conceive via IVF/ICSI when I was almost 36. I then had a missed miscarriage so didn't even know I'd lost it until I was 12 weeks along and just about ready to tell the world -- turns out it had died at about 8 weeks. So devastating! I really, really hope your son and his wife will have success in their quest.

[emily_in_nc]

Oh my, sending warm thoughts and hopes for quick recovery for all of us with physical things going on. I try to stay positive as I fully recognize that I expect my body to heal as fast as it did at 15...

You too???? :D

[Catrin]

You too???? :D
Yep, and I turn 56 in a week....

:p

[Crankin]

Emily, I am hoping at their age, it is nothing unsolvable. But, the good thing is, that in MA, it's mandated for insurance to pay for IVF. Not sure how that got passed, but we do have the oldest average maternal age in the country, thanks to all of those super educated women who come here for grad school, medical school, and law school. We are seeing them Sunday, so maybe they will tell us more. DS was basically asking me what had actually happened in my first pregnancy, the year before he was born. He knew I had a baby girl, but not what had happened. I had the flu when I was 4 weeks pregnant, and she was born at 8 months, with Potter's Syndrome (no kidneys). Exposure to high body temperatures can cause this. Not genetic, but we did go for genetic testing and I found I am a carrier for Tay Sachs, but nothing more. I told him he and his brother are apparently, normal.
I finally went to the doctor today. Actually, to the Minute Clinic. I do have a sinus infection AND allergic conjunctivitis. I knew it wasn't my contacts, causing the eye itch. Really feel like sh!t and I probably should not have spent 2.5 hours at the new gym and go out to lunch with DH. But, I am on an antibiotic and some kind of eye drops, so I am hoping to feel better tomorrow.

[emily_in_nc]

Emily, I am hoping at their age, it is nothing unsolvable. But, the good thing is, that in MA, it's mandated for insurance to pay for IVF. Not sure how that got passed, but we do have the oldest average maternal age in the country, thanks to all of those super educated women who come here for grad school, medical school, and law school. We are seeing them Sunday, so maybe they will tell us more. DS was basically asking me what had actually happened in my first pregnancy, the year before he was born. He knew I had a baby girl, but not what had happened. I had the flu when I was 4 weeks pregnant, and she was born at 8 months, with Potter's Syndrome (no kidneys). Exposure to high body temperatures can cause this. Not genetic, but we did go for genetic testing and I found I am a carrier for Tay Sachs, but nothing more. I told him he and his brother are apparently, normal.
I finally went to the doctor today. Actually, to the Minute Clinic. I do have a sinus infection AND allergic conjunctivitis. I knew it wasn't my contacts, causing the eye itch. Really feel like sh!t and I probably should not have spent 2.5 hours at the new gym and go out to lunch with DH. But, I am on an antibiotic and some kind of eye drops, so I am hoping to feel better tomorrow.

Yikes, and conjunctivitis is very contageous, so you may have spread some germs at the gym. I try NEVER to rub my eyes in case of something like that being on a surface. Glad you went to the doc and hope you feel much better soon!

In our case, the infertility was male-factor. My DH went through varicocele surgery, but it really didn't help, which is why we eventually tried IVF with ICSI. I remember even way back then, 1997, it was paid for in Mass! But we paid out of pocket, and it was very expensive.

[Crankin]

Well, I wiped down everything, and there was no way I could have known, as I am not having the traditional symptoms of eyes pink and crusted together. Both of my kids had this so badly when they were little, I'd know it! The inside of my bottom eyelids did look red, but what do I know? And, I used my own yoga mat, at the class I went to.
Not feeling that much better today, but the body aches are traditional for me as I get better. My nose actually hurts less, eyes a bit better. If I don't see a change by Tuesday, I will go to my regular doctor. So far, the probiotics have avoided the stomach distress from the Doxycycline.
Sitting watching DH put together a new TV unit at the condo. He wanted to get it done. Backsplash getting done next Friday, then entry and bathroom floors the next Monday. Our painter starts this week, too. After that, it's just order some shades and deal with the bathtub walls.
Someone is actually coming to see our house today, not at an open house. We've lowered the price as far as we will go.

[emily_in_nc]

Well, I wiped down everything, and there was no way I could have known, as I am not having the traditional symptoms of eyes pink and crusted together. Both of my kids had this so badly when they were little, I'd know it! The inside of my bottom eyelids did look red, but what do I know? And, I used my own yoga mat, at the class I went to.
Not feeling that much better today, but the body aches are traditional for me as I get better. My nose actually hurts less, eyes a bit better. If I don't see a change by Tuesday, I will go to my regular doctor. So far, the probiotics have avoided the stomach distress from the Doxycycline.
Sitting watching DH put together a new TV unit at the condo. He wanted to get it done. Backsplash getting done next Friday, then entry and bathroom floors the next Monday. Our painter starts this week, too. After that, it's just order some shades and deal with the bathtub walls.
Someone is actually coming to see our house today, not at an open house. We've lowered the price as far as we will go.

Oh, I know you didn't know you had conjunctivitis, so no criticism implied -- and it sounds like you were much more conscientious than most folks would have been anyway. It's one of those hindsight is 20-20 kind of things.

On the yoga mat thing, I happened to read an article just this week about how germy communal mats are. I sweat like a fiend, so I always, always bring my own mat. I wouldn't subject my worst enemy to that, but I also don't want to be subjected to anyone else's secretions, bacteria, virii, etc. :eek:

Crossing fingers on the folks coming to see your house. As they always say, it only takes one to make a sale, so hope this is your one!

[OakLeaf]

Crankin, hope you feel better soon! I don't think allergic conjunctivitis is contagious? I had a bout with it two years ago that nearly crusted my eye shut, I was sure it was infected, but the doctor took one look and said it was allergic. I never realized that my eyes were pretty much gummy all the time with allergies, until I started using the eye drops she prescribed. Contact lenses last longer, too. :eek:

Hope your son and daughter-in-law can get some answers and a plan. Good luck with the house!

I have a Gaiam travel yoga mat, which is just a thin piece of fabric that's rubberized on one side and napped fabric on the other. It folds into a small square, and it's great for practicing on hotel carpet, or for laying on top of a public mat at a studio if I don't want to carry my own regular mat. I sweat so much that a regular sticky mat turns into a slip'n'slide as soon as things get strenuous, so I usually use it with the absorbent microfiber side up, though it can be a little slippery if my hands are dry to start. Plus, it's machine washable! Mine lasted several years before it finally delaminated, and I got a new one right away. Apparently they're discontinued now, but Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LY9P3XK/ref=twister_B00A3Q32J2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) still has them in stock.

[Crankin]

You read my mind, Oak. I just started searching for a new yoga mat. I don't sweat that much at yoga, compared to cycling, but the one I have is bright blue and the carrier strap is cheap. The strap for the other one is already broken. Plus, despite cleaning, it still smells. I will consider that one.
The money I spent to go back to my club was validated when I saw an employee cleaning the public stretching area mats twice, during the time I was in that area. Also, they clean the locker room (showers, too) every hour. And, it was the same employee that was there when I joined in 1998.
Emily, I didn't think you were accusing. I pretty much thought allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious. The NP did not give me any dire warnings about that. Had a bad experience with DS#1, when he turned up having conjunctivitis on the day he was scheduled for an allergy consult, shortly after we moved here. DH took him and said the doctor was a prissy little idiot who totally freaked out over the conjunctivitis! I never forgot that. It took weeks to get that appointment...

[DebSP]

Well I decided I would post here today. I haven't posted for quite a while. But I feel that I just had to say hi. I have had a couple of years of health problems and near depression. (I say near because I was at a low point and managed to turn things around although I still can't talk about our loss without pain). I fell on ice and sprained my ankle 2 years ago and just as that was going away I developed a shoulder problem that became frozen shoulder. And then in May when we lost a grandchild to SIDS. But 3 months ago I joined a gym with a fantastic personal trainer that has helped me rehab my shoulder much more than physio was doing. And as a bonus it helped me become more active and get back on my bike late this past summer. Being physically active and getting outside has really helped. And I have to say that reading this forum over the last few months has helped. I guess it is true that misery loves company?;-) Actually it is more knowing that I am not alone in my struggles and taking encouragement from others. I probably won't post again for quite a while but I do read often. I always want to say encouraging things to others because I am glad to see people making progress with their challenges but I can never seem to find the words right now. But it will get easier. I have so many blessings in my life that I can just keep moving forward. Sorry for this long ramble but it is the first time I have shared what happened with anyone other than close family and friends.

[emily_in_nc]

Crankin, hope you feel better soon! I don't think allergic conjunctivitis is contagious?

...

I have a Gaiam travel yoga mat, which is just a thin piece of fabric that's rubberized on one side and napped fabric on the other. It folds into a small square, and it's great for practicing on hotel carpet, or for laying on top of a public mat at a studio if I don't want to carry my own regular mat. I sweat so much that a regular sticky mat turns into a slip'n'slide as soon as things get strenuous, so I usually use it with the absorbent microfiber side up, though it can be a little slippery if my hands are dry to start. Plus, it's machine washable! Mine lasted several years before it finally delaminated, and I got a new one right away. Apparently they're discontinued now, but Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LY9P3XK/ref=twister_B00A3Q32J2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) still has them in stock.

You're right -- I was thinking of viral conjunctivitis, which is extremely contagious. The allergic variety should not be. My mistake!

Those "mat toppers" (what I call 'em anyway) are great. Our instructors at the yoga studio have them, but I couldn't find one here in Mexico and didn't have room in my luggage to bring one with me from the US, so I have to use a towel on top of my mat as a poor substitute. I hate the towel because it bunches up and leaves lint on my clothes, but I deal with it.. When I first started doing yoga here, I had no idea how much I would sweat, but quickly found that it was downright dangerous to go without a towel on my mat as my feet and hands would slide out from under me from the sweat. Practicing in a hot/humid climate, I sweat buckets, as much as a bike ride on a hot day.

ETA: There are actually even more types of conjunctivitis than I was aware of. An interesting read: http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/conjunctivitis-types.htm

[emily_in_nc]

DebSP...good to see your post. I'm very sorry for the loss of your grandchild. :(

I hope you'll stick around. We have just been lamenting how many people have left TE, and it's kinda lonely here. I come and go myself, but I always come back eventually. And we talk about many things besides bikes and cycling, as you can see.

Take care -- glad you've found a good personal trainer!

[Pax]

DebSP - nice to see you posting, so very sorry about your grandchild. I think you're right about misery, sometimes it's just nice to know that the people we share common ground with, also experience similar issues from time to time.

[ny biker]

Hello Deb, im so sorry about your grandchild. I'm glad things are turning around for and I hope you continue to feel better. Please do check in when you can,

[Catrin]

DebS, thanks for checking in, it is good to hear from you. I'm very sorry to read about your grandchild and I totally agree on being able to share with people who have common ground/experiences. It's important.

On a completely unrelated topic, we've broken 2,000,000 views on this thread :cool:

[Crankin]

My condolences on the loss of your grandchild. I know nothing anyone "says" can make it all go away, but just posting here helps sometimes. Sounds like you are doing all of the right things to get your body back to where you want it. Physical activity, any kind, is really one of the best things you can do for yourself when faced with emotional things.

So, the people "loved" our house. We went to the grocery store during the showing, and DH was driving me nuts watching the feed from our security camera... it just shows if there's any movement in our driveway. So we knew how long they were there (half hour) and we saw them having a lengthy conversation with their agent. We have an audio feed, but we could only get snippets. We saw kids running around, while the parents were talking. Oak, one of the little boys was trying to touch the creepy owl!
Later on, we had feedback from our agent. They loved the house, they are coming back today during the open house, and, they are a somewhat different family than the typical group around here. Five kids (:eek:), all home schooled. They said the house would be tight for them, but doable. I have always believed that whoever buys this house will be slightly different (what does that say about me?). Hopefully, we'll have an offer soon.

[Pax]

Hope they're the magic buyers, Crankin, having a house on the market is just zero fun.


I finally did it yesterday, I got to go into the ocean!!!! My wife is not a water person and the waves scare her, but I still need help with stability so the most I've been able to do is go ankle deep. We had a friend visiting for the weekend and she loves to water so she helped me go out chest deep and we had a ball in the waves, it was so freeing!

[Catrin]

Crankin, good luck, it sounds hopeful!

Yayy Pax, that sounds like fun! I can certainly understand your wife's perspective (I am not really a water person myself), but glad you found someone to help you with that :D

[Crankin]

Ocean sounds good, Pax!
Meh, the people did not come back today, but I haven't written them off yet. I must say, it does seem like the world has changed in the past 10 years... I think people are watching too much HGTV! We've realized that our decision making process is quite different than others. Once it's made, we don't dally.
Had a nice, albeit cold, ride over to the condo today. Hard to believe that last Sunday, i was riding in short sleeves. Thinking about toughing it out and commuting tomorrow. I don't have to be there until 10:00, so even if it's 35 or so at 9, I'm good. I especially like riding home in the dark, when it's cold. We'll see. I am *finally* feeling better. Eyes still itchy, but less, but my head is not hurting and sinuses have really calmed down. We went out and had a nice dinner with our friends last night, and i was able to enjoy it.

[emily_in_nc]

To echo what Catrin said, that's very encouraging about your possible buyers, Crankin. We thought the same when we had our NC house on the market (that the buyers would be a bit "different") and sure enough, we were right. They had three kids (but one was going off to college in the fall), were vegan, and the father of the husband was actually quite well known. If anyone has heard of the China Study, well, the author's son and his family are the ones who bought our house. They were all very attractive, fit, healthy, but just a bit different from anyone we've ever met. And we did actually meet them, oddly. They wanted to ask us some questions about the house and specifically asked our realtor if they could meet us after we had a signed contract. We felt a bit strange about it, but it went fine.

Pax, so glad you got to experience and enjoy the ocean! I love it too so I understand the joy it brought you!

[Pax]

Crankin - I've been saying for years that HGTV is wrecking the home market, everyone thinks they need an open concept floorplan and quartz or granite counters, even first timers who have little money. It's certainly skewing the idea of what a home is supposed to be, not a place to live, but a showplace for entertaining.

Emily - that's cool about your house, I've read the China Study, cool that you've met them.

[emily_in_nc]

Meh, the people did not come back today, but I haven't written them off yet. I must say, it does seem like the world has changed in the past 10 years... I think people are watching too much HGTV! We've realized that our decision making process is quite different than others. Once it's made, we don't dally.

That's us too. I am sorry they didn't come back, darn it. Hope something just came up, or else they decided they didn't need to go back through since they were ready to make an offer!

Glad you're feeling better!

[emily_in_nc]

Crankin - I've been saying for years that HGTV is wrecking the home market, everyone thinks they need an open concept floorplan and quartz or granite counters, even first timers who have little money. It's certainly skewing the idea of what a home is supposed to be, not a place to live, but a showplace for entertaining.

I totally agree. I am amazed by the shows where people with small budgets and buying their first home expect granite, hardwoods, etc. Our first house had carpet, vinyl floors in kitchens and baths, and laminate countertops, and I was THRILLED. I was just so excited to be getting into a house with a yard and garage. Times have changed so much.

OTOH, I do appreciate HGTV, as it's really helped me hone in on what I like and don't like, and introduce me to so many places I knew nothing about, especially the international shows. I eat that stuff up, and it's funny, too, since we aren't even homeowners any more and don't really have a home base other than for short-term.

[OakLeaf]

DebSP - I'm so very sorry for the loss of your grandchild. Take good care.

Pax - ocean, yay!

Crankin - I wouldn't read too much into their not coming back, hope you do hear back from them. Fingers crossed.


Fall is here. Brought in my remaining green tomatoes and peppers two days ago ahead of our first frost. It's a beautiful day for running though, even if it's the first time I'd run in sub-freezing temperatures for almost a year.

[Crankin]

Well, when I bought my first house, there were no granite counters, stainless, and most hardwood was covered! Even my second house in Tempe, in a very nice neighborhood, had dark wood cabinets, sheet vinyl, and all wall to wall carpets. The home I grew up in, had beautiful hardwood underneath all of the carpets.
My house has all of the bells and whistles. It's not that. It's more like if there is one thing people don't like, they can't see past that, no matter how small. People can't imagine how they might change things. As I carried on about, the house is staged, in that, it's all my own furniture, but a lot less of it than was there. It's pretty easy now to see the bones of the house.
Our agent said it's super slow everywhere, even at good price points. Our house is at the lower end of the mid price range in my town. The average price here is about 1.2 million and we're nicely below that! The fact that people come and look, who are downsizing is crazy. It's all on line, so when they say it's too big, or too many stairs, they could have seen that and not wasted anyone's time.

[emily_in_nc]

Our agent said it's super slow everywhere, even at good price points. Our house is at the lower end of the mid price range in my town. The average price here is about 1.2 million and we're nicely below that! The fact that people come and look, who are downsizing is crazy. It's all on line, so when they say it's too big, or too many stairs, they could have seen that and not wasted anyone's time.

Yep, I'm sure it's just the market. From what you've said about your house in this post and others, I am sure it's gorgeous. But you can't please everyone, and when there is a limited pool of buyers, it's even more difficult. Still crossing fingers for you!

[Pax]

... My house has all of the bells and whistles. It's not that. It's more like if there is one thing people don't like, they can't see past that, no matter how small.

You nailed it, people seem to know so little about how things are done they cannot understand changes are completely doable. When we toured our place down here both Mary and the realtor were just not sure about it, but I could see (contractors daughter with hundreds of hours working jobsites with dad) all the little things that were wrong were easy fixes. Since the 50 other people who toured the place over the previous six months couldn't see that, we got a screaming deal on the place.

[OakLeaf]

Ha, it was the opposite when we bought our house, there were lots of things we planned to change, but once we bought the place and got the contractors in, turned out the changes we wanted were at least cost-prohibitive if not downright impossible. None of them was a deal-breaker, thankfully, and we're still glad we bought the place and satisfied with the price, but it isn't what we envisioned. I guess the lesson is, get a general contractor to take a look before signing the contract, if it's a major deal.

[Pax]

Oak, that made me laugh. I remember sitting in on new client meetings with my dad, and him trying to very patiently explain that the client could not have what they wanted... no interior walls (well, we need a couple to hold the roof up) or a four car garage (on a 70x140 lot) or a full on commercial commercial kitchen (with a $5000 budget).

[shootingstar]

It's easy to see how HGTV and similar TV shows, raises unrealistic /expensive expectations on home buying.

I seriously wonder how easily I could have sold my condo nearly 14 yrs. ago. Thankfully the buyer had some ideas with her realtor son to change the place..

[Blueberry]

First of the exams down. Too danged many more to go. Didn't do as well as I wanted (right on the class average), but that's good enough (and well above passing - I keep reminding myself it's pass fail). We're doing hematology. I am fairly confident I could diagnose someone with B12 deficiency or Iron Deficiency. Otherwise - uh - glad I have a lot more years of training and they aren't setting me loose on patients now.

Fun fact: If you're vegan you probably better supplement B12. According to what we're taught you cannot get it from plant sources (I know there *are* some vegan sources - but from what we were taught they aren't reliable). You store several years (up to 10) worth of it, so you have a while to figure it out. :) In true med school fashion, I have diagnosed myself with B12 deficiency, folate deficiency, and iron deficiency in the last 2 weeks. I have none of these - but you start seeing all the things that can go wrong and think you have had them go wrong.

[Pax]

Blueberry - did the same thing with the DSM-IV, diagnosed myself and everyone I knew. :p

[rebeccaC]

It's easy to see how HGTV and similar TV shows, raises unrealistic /expensive expectations on home buying.
.

I’ve only seen a couple of hgtv shows. It’s called entertainment programming for a reason though. Thinking normal first time home buyers looking at low end track houses in the suburbs wouldn’t bring them many viewers.....and besides sometimes it is observing the ridiculous that helps to keep us grounded.

I did like an hgtv episode of a show i saw about a woman that does rehabs on older homes. She did deconstruction rather than demolition and recycled, resold and re-purposed items. Plus I kinda crushed on her a little…..

Architect Sarah Susanka and her "Not So Big House" series of books and articles is to me is a good guide on getting a home that while neither too small or a McMansion gives someone a well built, well designed and energy efficient house that functions well with todays lifestyles. Quality construction over quantity.

housing prices here are expensive but i've also gained around 250k+ in value since i bought 5 years ago because of the desirability of living in this area, the high incomes here and the quality build of my building. All things i considered important before buying.

[Crankin]

Oh yes, all for entertainment value. The daughter of one of my friends in AZ moved to Hong Kong. She applied to be on House Hunters International when choosing an apartment. She made the cut, but after finding out the deception that is involved, decided to pass on it.
Pax, you nailed it. My DH can do just about any house related thing, including painting, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and landscaping. And, if it's beyond his comfort level, he knows what has to be done, even if someone else is doing it. This says something for having your kids experience a trade type job before graduating from college. He learned this all in summer jobs. On the other hand, no one in my family had any sense of this. My mom was good at this stuff, but of course, it was not popular for woman to "fix" things in the 50s and 60s. My dad was as useless as I am in repair! I guess what I am saying, is that when you have generations of people who have no idea of what it takes to get things the way you want, your expectations are unrealistic. I like a lot of HGTV renno shows, as opposed to the house hunter ones. Then I laugh at the ones where you can buy a house like mine, for, oh, about 200K.
I stopped diagnosing myself about a year before I started my grad program :). But, I spent a lot of time diagnosing various relatives and friends in my head... a bit easier when you can infer it from behavior and history and not a blood test!

[emily_in_nc]

Blueberry - did the same thing with the DSM-IV, diagnosed myself and everyone I knew. :p

Ha, me too! Former psych grad student here, although it was the DSM-3 back in my day. :D

[emily_in_nc]

I did like an hgtv episode of a show i saw about a woman that does rehabs on older homes. She did deconstruction rather than demolition and recycled, resold and re-purposed items. Plus I kinda crushed on her a little…..

LOL... sounds like Rehab Addict or possibly Fixer Upper. Both excellent shows, and I like the way they recycle, repurpose, and end up with a very eclectic, warm house with lots of personality, not cookie-cutter or sterile in the least.

[rebeccaC]

LOL... sounds like Rehab Addict or possibly Fixer Upper. Both excellent shows, and I like the way they recycle, repurpose, and end up with a very eclectic, warm house with lots of personality, not cookie-cutter or sterile in the least.

YES Nicole Curtis and rehab addict !!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks

[DebSP]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and thoughts. As I said this forum has helped to remind me that lots of people are going through lots of stuff. I just had to post because I saw that you were talking about the forum slowing down and I wanted to let you all know that all your post appreciated. :)

[Crankin]

We're on to the DSM V. I rushed to take my licensing exam quickly after I graduated, so I didn't have to learn it right after learning IV. It went official on10/1, except now we have to use the ICD 10 codes.

[Pax]

I would hate to have to learn all new codes. My agency was so in the dark ages we still wrote case notes by hand (I left in 2007), so having codes memorized made the process much quicker.

[OakLeaf]

At least DSM-IIIR and IV codes were the same as ICD-9 codes, is it the same with DSM-V and ICD-10?

[Crankin]

No, DSM 5 codes are like the 4 codes, but some disorders have different criteria. However, the ICD 10 codes are right in the DSM. We can type our notes, but electronic records are coming very soon. Meh. One more thing to learn! I still write my notes, but everything else like assessments and tx plans on the computer.

[ny biker]

It's more like if there is one thing people don't like, they can't see past that, no matter how small. People can't imagine how they might change things.

Seems to be that these people are working with bad realtors. The one I worked with when I bought my condo readily pointed out things that could be changed easily.

Good luck with the rest of your exams, Blueberry.

[Crankin]

Well, we've only had one "showing," where the people came with a realtor. The others all came to see the house at Open Houses. But, I think you may be right.
Good luck with your exams, Blueberry.
I am really sore this morning, after my first Tabatta class at new (old) gym. Good thing was, I didn't embarrass myself. Only thing I couldn't do was throw and catch a 14 lb. weighted ball (huge) against the wall at the same time as jumping up. She gave me a 4 lb. ball, but I was just too uncoordinated to catch it! However, I could do it with a regular, unweighted ball. Lots of choices and equipment, and not as much peer pressure to not modify. Didn't particularly like a warm up of running several laps around the gym, but thankfully, I had warmed up on TM, walking. I will need to do this for a longer time period, though.

[ny biker]

OMG the Mets are National League champs!!!

I'm stunned!! (In a good way.)


I was a huge baseball fan when I was younger, kinda lost touch with it but still always go to a game when I'm in NY visiting family during the summer. This year we happened to be there during a pivotal point in the season. This month I'm way over my text message limit thanks to group texts with family members during the playoff games, but it's not like this sort of thing happens often!

[Crankin]

Yeah, that happened to me in 2004, when the Red Sox won. Now, I am m back to not caring.
I am so happy with the gym switch. I went to a circuit training class this morning. I loved it, other than the fact it's hard to remember what all of the names of the movements at each station really are. The coach told me I have perfect form, blah, blah. He kept showing showing me modifications in the beginning, but he stopped, when he realized I could do the stuff. But, this is what I love. Everyone is encouraged to do the exercises at their own level. At my old gym, I felt intense peer pressure to get up to the level of the others, right away, when I hadn't really done classes like this before. Plus, a lot of the people in the class are people I know from when I was a member here before. I stayed so long talking, after class, that I ran into nasty traffic on the way home. Well, that won't be an issue, when I move, as it's like half a mile.
Another house showing tomorrow!

[emily_in_nc]

NY, my DH is a big Mets fan, so we've been watching the games (well, he watches, I am online in the same room and get to hear his commentary). Congrats!

Crankin, glad the gym is going so well. I do miss going to a gym but not enough to join one here since I have plenty of other fitness activities, and the affordable gym is not air-conditioned. There's a more expensive gym that caters to tourists that does have A/C, but it's a lot longer walk, and with the price, not worth it to me.

Good luck with the showing...I wonder what happened with the people that were so interested? Did you ever get any feedback from your agent?

[Crankin]

We never got any feedback, other than they loved it.
But, bad news yesterday. Our septic system failed the test. I was glad I didn't get home until 7, as I had an appt. at the hair salon. DH was calmed down by then. This is bad and may impact when we move. We have to get it fixed, can't sell the house without the certificate, and now the Board of Health will be involved, a lovely group of morons. But, as we said, it's only money. We have the money, although we hate having to use it for this. No one is dying or in jail. The reason it may impact when we move, is the fact the ground will be freezing soon and possibly covered with snow, so we are not sure if the work can be done quickly enough. Generally, when this happens, and you have an offer, you reach some kind of deal with the buyer, so it's not a total take the house off of the market now thing. Our realtor said we will still have the showing. Now we have to choose someone to do the work.

DS called yesterday, about the results of his blood work. Apparently, he is a carrier for xi factor, an autosomal recessive blood disorder, that is extremely common in Ashkenazi Jews in the US (1/8). It's called a mild form of hemophilia, in that you don't spontaneously bleed, but you can have issues after surgery. DH and I don't which one of us is the carrier (or both), but we obviously don't have the actual disease, as I did not bleed to death after childbirth or dental surgery. He did tell me that they have already had their fertility tested, in terms of sperm and eggs and that was fine, so now it's back to the doctor to figure out what is going on.

OK, DH just texted me and said we're pulling the listing after today. He's talked to engineers and the fix isn't anything unusual, but we can't get it done in a timely manner, with winter coming. So... we will still move when all of our rennos are done (December?), start the work on the septic system as early as we can, in March, and then re-list the house, in the spring, when, it will sell!

[OakLeaf]

Ugh Crankin, that's so frustrating.

Emily, I don't remember where you are, are you in the path of the storm? Be safe!

Big excitement on our road last night, deputies busted a meth lab. All the neighbors have been pretty sure for a while now that that's what's been going on there, and the general shenanigans coming from that house was part of the reason why the people who lived very nearby moved out. I'm sure the new owners are glad that it's (hopefully) been shut down, but can you imagine buying a house, and then two weeks later, the hill is crawling with cops and hazmat crew?

[Pax]

Good lord, what a pain in the ***, Crankin. So sorry you're dealing with this.

Interesting about your son, I'm a "bleeder" and never knew why, then the retina specialist found out I'm an ocular albino and bleeding issues are common in people with the albinism gene. Really hope I never have heart issues, they slap everyone on blood thinners and that would be very unpleasant.

[Blueberry]

We never got any feedback, other than they loved it.
But, bad news yesterday. Our septic system failed the test. I was glad I didn't get home until 7, as I had an appt. at the hair salon. DH was calmed down by then. This is bad and may impact when we move. We have to get it fixed, can't sell the house without the certificate, and now the Board of Health will be involved, a lovely group of morons. But, as we said, it's only money. We have the money, although we hate having to use it for this. No one is dying or in jail. The reason it may impact when we move, is the fact the ground will be freezing soon and possibly covered with snow, so we are not sure if the work can be done quickly enough. Generally, when this happens, and you have an offer, you reach some kind of deal with the buyer, so it's not a total take the house off of the market now thing. Our realtor said we will still have the showing. Now we have to choose someone to do the work.

DS called yesterday, about the results of his blood work. Apparently, he is a carrier for xi factor, an autosomal recessive blood disorder, that is extremely common in Ashkenazi Jews in the US (1/8). It's called a mild form of hemophilia, in that you don't spontaneously bleed, but you can have issues after surgery. DH and I don't which one of us is the carrier (or both), but we obviously don't have the actual disease, as I did not bleed to death after childbirth or dental surgery. He did tell me that they have already had their fertility tested, in terms of sperm and eggs and that was fine, so now it's back to the doctor to figure out what is going on.

OK, DH just texted me and said we're pulling the listing after today. He's talked to engineers and the fix isn't anything unusual, but we can't get it done in a timely manner, with winter coming. So... we will still move when all of our rennos are done (December?), start the work on the septic system as early as we can, in March, and then re-list the house, in the spring, when, it will sell!

So frustrating on the house! Been there with the major house issues (had to do a ton of foundation work on the last house we sold). Not a lot of fun. Will you not move into the condo until the house is sold?

Interesting on the hemophilia. Oddly enough, that's part of what we have been learning this week. It's also called Hemophilia C, and if you have to have one of the 3, it's the mildest. It's also very variable in its expressivity - so some people who have it will have almost no symptoms. Maybe more gum bleeds with flossing - that sort of thing.

Glad you're keeping it all in perspective.

[Crankin]

Yeah, Pax, we know DH would only be a carrier, after 10 years of being on Plavix, he would have bled to death if he had the actual disease! He stopped taking it before his clavicle surgery, and never went back, with the OK of his doctor. And, I also don't have any of the issues listed. I really hope they don't have to go down the IVF route, as nothing is showing up yet.
We are being realistic about the house. Most likely, we would not get an offer this fall, so it's not like we haven't already expected to move before it's sold. We just hate spending our investments for retirement to fix the septic. They do have a special loan program for people in this situation, but, we really don't want to have debt. We know we are lucky to have access to funds to pay for this, but it sucks when you are this close to retirement. DH's bonus will cover it, and we can re-invest some $ in February. A few years ago, DH would be beside himself now, but he's learned some things from me about mindfulness!
Blueberry, we will move before we sell. We had planned for that, anyway. The rennos are going on schedule, but poor DH is having to be there, like a foreman, since we are using Lowe's for the major stuff. When we remodeled this house, we had a person from the place doing this.

Emily, I was thinking about you, when I saw the weather, this morning. I know you are not on the west coast of Mexico, but I hope the storm doesn't take any unexpected turns toward you.

I bagged my ride today. It's 48 and extremely windy. Had my down jacket on when I went shopping. The sun is only half out, too. Thinking maybe I'm the one who is nuts, since I saw people riding in shorts and, a runner in a sleeveless top and shorts. I know you get hotter running, but, in no way is this a sleeveless/shorts day. I don't mind the temperature, but the wind really bothers me. We were supposed to do a metric Sunday, but it is going to rain in the AM. It's on the south shore, a new area to ride in, but I am not going to travel 1+ hr. to ride in the rain. We'll do at least 50 miles tomorrow, and hopefully get something in Sunday afternoon.

[emily_in_nc]

Crankin, so sorry about the septic thing. That is a royal PITA. Reading something like this does not make me anxious to get back into the world of homeownership anytime soon. Renting is just a lot less responsibility, though it has its drawbacks too, of course.

We are not in any danger from Hurricane Patricia. It is heading north and is on the southwest side of Mexico, we are on the southeast side. No way it will turn our way as there is far too much land between there and here. Mexico is big (thank the gods). I have been having to put posts up on Facebook today to reassure people. So many in the US know nothing about the geography of Mexico, but I can't be too smug as I didn't either only a few short years ago. :D

I feel just terrible for anyone in this storm's path. It is going to be horrific.

[Catrin]

Ugh, sorry to read about the septic problem Crankin.

Emily, glad to hear you're in no danger from H. Patricia, hope all TE members are safe, indeed, all who are in the path of that monster!

[Crankin]

Wimped out of riding again... don;t know what's wrong, but I did do an almost 5 mile hike. There's a really steep and rocky climb in the middle, for about 1/4 a mile. A good workout, and i finally warmed up.
Signed up for spin tomorrow morning; it will be raining until about noon. We decided to bag the metric, as it will still be raining at the start. If it clears up in the PM, I may take a little ride outside, too. It's just been so gray and cool that I have been getting more into other things besides riding. I need to force myself a little more, because I certainly have the gear. We both noticed that others who were hiking today did not have the gloves and head coverings we had. Maybe we lived in AZ too long? I did take my headband off before I did the climb, and kept it off.

[emily_in_nc]

Wimped out of riding again... don;t know what's wrong, but I did do an almost 5 mile hike.

I don't think anything is wrong with you. You said it has been gray and cool...that can be hard weather to get motivated in, especially at the start of the "off" season. At least for me. It's cocooning weather! Good for you for getting out on the hike, though. I'd much rather hike in those kind of conditions myself. It's much easier to warm up and stay warm, less worries about chilly wind, etc.

[ny biker]

I don't think anything is wrong with you. You said it has been gray and cool...that can be hard weather to get motivated in, especially at the start of the "off" season. At least for me. It's cocooning weather! Good for you for getting out on the hike, though. I'd much rather hike in those kind of conditions myself. It's much easier to warm up and stay warm, less worries about chilly wind, etc.

I am really struggling with the weather we've been having -- it's too cold too soon for me on most days. It didn't help that I just spent the weekend in Austin with the heaviest rain I've ever experienced in my life followed by a steady strong cold wind from the north. I was hoping for a few warm sunny days before winter set in, instead it was miserable. And now that I'm back home, the same rain is about to hit here.

[Pax]

That is rough, I have a very low tolerance for cold gloomy weather, thus the move to the cultural wasteland of FL.

[Crankin]

I am laughing, Pax, although it isn't funny. Those are exactly the words I used to describe the 5 years I spent in Florida. And I saw that when I was only 15 when I moved there.
I don't mind cold, but the weather has been strangely cold and then warm. And yes, the grey days can cause cocooning urges, but it's only October. Ten years ago, I would have been done with riding at this time of year, but now, I try to do at least short rides until it snows. I still have about 225 miles to go, to get to 2,500. The way it's looking, I may not make it... the last year I didn't make it, was 2005. I remember writing about it here. Then, in 2006, I rode 3K. I've had 2 other 3k+ years, but have managed to make 2,500, I think, every other year, even 2008, when I was recovering from chronic pain, etc.

[shootingstar]

Near freezing temperatures and persistent rain for several hours, is harder (for me) to deal with....vs. no rain and much colder temperatures ie. -20 degrees C.

[ny biker]

Near freezing temperatures and persistent rain for several hours, is harder (for me) to deal with....vs. no rain and much colder temperatures ie. -20 degrees C.

Both of those situations is hard for me to deal with!. :D

[Crankin]

The rain wouldn't be a situation for me... because I would never go out and ride in the rain, if I could avoid it! That said, I have ridden in torrential thunderstorms (my Finger Lakes tour) and other, lighter rain, and there is no part of it I can tolerate. Even if it's warmer out, riding in the rain just opens up the chance for bad things happening.

[ny biker]

I can handle light rain, if necessary, but it makes me cranky. Of course I don't like wind either. I prefer perfect conditions. :D

[Crankin]

Meh, we just had a power outage that lasted almost 2 hours. I had just started roasting some broccoli, and was about to start making salmon burgers. DH is at a late meeting, so was looking forward to relaxing with a glass of wine and dinner, alone. I know it's a first world problem, so I ate some of the half cooked broccoli, and when I couldn't wait any longer, I made a hummus, tomato, and avocado wrap. Was just about to get into bed and read by the light of a flashlight, when it went back on. Thankfully, it was 72 degrees today, but the temperature is going down and it's windy. That's probably why the power went out. Well, it happens so rarely, I shouldn't complain.

[emily_in_nc]

I feel your pain, Crankin. I am not a fan of the power going out. In the place we stayed here in Playa last winter, that happened with some frequency. For some reason it was often just our half block. I think there must have been some flaky piece of equipment. I hated it. We have only had it out for a couple of minutes since we got back down here (and are in a different unit) this time.

More first world problems here, though: today we had no hot water and half our cable stations were out. So, I had to text our building maintenance guy (who only speaks Spanish) twice on the water situation. I had google translate going on my laptop and was texting him in the other hand on my phone (not easy b/c it's a dumb phone). He did fix it, but it was inconvenient b/c it took hours, and we had laundry in the machine half-filled with water when we figured out that we had no hot water, so it kinda delayed that a bit!

The cable problem, I was able to do an online chat for and even requested and got English speakers two out of three times, but NONE of them helped with the problem! I finally got an answer from a local expat forum; it required putting in a "secret" code to reset the box back to factory defaults, and all the channels came back. So, trying to straighten that out took several hours.

It's always something!

[Pax]

We're going to our first Halloween costume party in years tonight. We decided to dress up as tourists, seemed appropriate as we are FL newbies. :p

[Catrin]

I hear you Crankin, it's a pain when the power goes out! One HOPES that it isn't too cold when it happens, but still...ugh!

Have fun Pax! Let us know how it goes :cool:

Emily - glad to hear you were able to work that out. Convoluted at best, but glad to hear it was resolved.

[Blueberry]

I hear you Crankin, it's a pain when the power goes out! One HOPES that it isn't too cold when it happens, but still...ugh!


Personally, I'd rather cold than hot (but then I live in a relatively moderate climate). I hate, hate, hate being hot and sticky with no way to cool down (and having to pitch the fridge/freezer stuff).

2 more exams to go - one clinical and one final for our hem/onc block. Will be so glad for Wednesday afternoon!

[emily_in_nc]

We're going to our first Halloween costume party in years tonight. We decided to dress up as tourists, seemed appropriate as we are FL newbies. :p

Have fun, Pax! We haven't dressed up or been to a Halloween party in years. Lots of people do dress up here and walk the main tourist drag, so we'll probably see some interesting sights if they're out when we're walking Paisley. And this weekend into early next week is all the Day of the Dead celebrations here in Mexico too, so it could be a noisy few nights!

[rebeccaC]

We're going to our first Halloween costume party in years tonight. We decided to dress up as tourists, seemed appropriate as we are FL newbies. :p

Have a fun time!!!! Having talented makeup artists as friends and the weho halloween carnaval makes for a fun time here…..being zombies tonight ftw :)

[Pax]

Have a fun time!!!! Having talented makeup artists as friends and the weho halloween carnaval makes for a fun time here…..being zombies tonight ftw :)

That sounds awesome!!

We just got home from the party, we had a super time!! Really nice people and some very fun costumes. I won the pumpkin carving contest, my prize was a yeti can coozie, it's kinda heavy but it did seem to keep my drink very cold.

[Helene2013]

Nice. Now that is the first I read about dressing as "tourists". Pardon my French hihi ...but how do you look to dress as a tourist in Florida?

[Pax]

Nice. Now that is the first I read about dressing as "tourists". Pardon my French hihi ...but how do you look to dress as a tourist in Florida?

You just choose a combination of all the awful dorky things they wear and put it on. Older guy tourists are known for wearing black socks and sandals or leather shoes at the beach, they wear a LOT of hawaiian print shirts, they usually have a map in hand and have binoculars and cameras dangling off. Our costumes were just wearing everything at once, it was a hoot!

[Crankin]

I don't like Halloween.
There, I said it.
Just venting here, because I know I won't be judged.
I guess my real question is when did this turn into a national holiday, one that adults celebrate in the same way as Thanksgiving? Sure, I enjoyed dressing up as a kid and getting candy. That ended in 6th grade. My DH has accused me of being a fun hater in the past, but he agrees with me on this.
Anyone else (or do you know anyone else?) that feels like this? This is not a case of me turning into a cranky old lady, because I've felt like this since I was in my 20s.

[Helene2013]

Thanks Pax. Glad I'm never dressed as a tourist...but for the cam sometimes. hihi

Don't worry Crankin...I don't celebrate Halloween either. Used to as a kid as we were very poor and had no money to "waste" on candies. But as soon as I had my own money to get me stuff, I stopped all together. I can understand for some, anything and everything is a reason to celebrate. Not me. :)

I used to open my door for little kids that came into my 1st house. But stopped when most were getting way too old to do that. I live in an area where kids are not "missing" on anything in life, even less candies. So I prefer to keep my hard earned money to give to a cause that will be more useful than kids eating tons of candies, which they can eat all year long here! So I hear you on this.

I even refused to participate in the employee's xmas video they taped this past week for our December xmas party. It was a parody of something and I totally refused to wear a costume and making a fool out of me, even if it is going to be hilarious. I don't even attend this mega party that costs a fortune to the firm. Not my type. Not going to buy a fancy dress yearly for a party I have no wish to attend. Not going to do it because it is "politically" correct. My team don't even ask me any more if I'll be there as they know the answer will be no. hihi

[Pax]

Halloween is xmas for gays, we love it. BIG parties, amazing costumes, no dealing with our non-existent families, just fun.

[Crankin]

I knew that, Pax.
Hoping my brother doesn't think he has a "non-existent" family. On second thought, since I am his only family left, he better not!

[rebeccaC]

Halloween is xmas for gays, we love it. BIG parties, amazing costumes, no dealing with our non-existent families, just fun.
Truth :D

A HUGE fun time here last night. Some incredibly creative costumes….some amusing, some amazing and some both. I love Halloween because it’s just fun with all the glitz, glam, horror and humor, it allows me to stretch my creativity and to just be in the moment of believing the unbelievable…where else can I kiss a woman gladiator :)….and I can do/share all that with some meaningful people in my life. Besides it’s the reason pumpkins don’t start to ripen until early october. :)

[emily_in_nc]

Not a big fan of Halloween either, Crankin. I get why many people love it, and I'm fine with that, but I just don't enjoy dressing up. And when we've lived in an area with trick-or-treaters, I didn't like that either, as the doorbell ringing always made our dog bark and go crazy. Just not my thing. We've been successfully avoiding it for years by not living in areas with trick-or-treaters or conveniently going out that night. Our apartment building here has a locked security gate, so we certainly didn't have to worry about giving out candy. It looked like some little kids were trick-or-treating at businesses, and I enjoyed seeing their cute costumes while walking Paisley last night, but that was enough Halloween for me. And no candy to tempt me during or afterwards!

[emily_in_nc]

You just choose a combination of all the awful dorky things they wear and put it on. Older guy tourists are known for wearing black socks and sandals or leather shoes at the beach, they wear a LOT of hawaiian print shirts, they usually have a map in hand and have binoculars and cameras dangling off. Our costumes were just wearing everything at once, it was a hoot!

I like that visual! Cute idea for a costume. :-)

[Blueberry]

I'm back to being a Halloween grouch too. I like walking around and seeing the festivities - but we usually go out. I wanted to get some work done last night (still have those 2 exams - and I'm sure my standardized patient would appreciate my being prepared for my tested exam of him or her tomorrow), so we stayed in. We figured since we were in a new neighborhood (and not the one where there are 2,000 trick-or-treaters per house) we would try giving out candy. My very generous DH let kids grab their own candy. Just a few kids cleaned out most of the 1.5 large bags I put in the bowl with most of the rest taking a solid couple of handfuls. We closed up shop when the rest went. Not quite sure when kids (or their parents) became so ill-mannered - but this (http://digg.com/video/hidden-camera-candy-halloween) pretty much sums up my view. There was a line of cars on our street with the little darlings going to each door and then getting driven the 0.05 miles to the next house. We live in a *very* walkable neighborhood.

We won't be doing it again. Bah Humbug.

[Crankin]

Emily, I never minded giving out candy. Although, we have not had one trick or treater since moving to Concord. Combination of the hill and a driveway that is an even steeper hill. The houses are not directly on the street, so not ideal for trick or treaters. There are trick or treaters on the flat part of my street. At my last house, an ideal place for trick or treaters, we had parents dropping off their kids, because it was a safe neighborhood, with 25 houses, on 2 cul de sacs. I ran out of candy, the last 2 years. Actually, the last year, we were getting ready to move here, on 11/1. We left out a bowl of candy (a huge one) and went out to dinner. It was gone when we got home. I imagine at the condo, we won't have any, either, as it's a small street of 15 condos, off of a main street (actually called Main St!). There is a sidewalk, though on Main St., and houses, so kids from there might venture onto our new street. We'll see next year.
What I don't like, is similar to you; I hate getting in costume, it feels silly to me. I don't like going to places of business and seeing adults in costumes, when they should be paying attention to work. At least it's not an issue working in a mental health clinic. When I was teaching, I dreaded Halloween, as the kids got really over stimulated, at an age when I thought they should be over it!
The last time I dressed up, was in 1984, where I went as a pregnant baby :eek:. I was about 3.5 months pregnant, just starting to pooch out, so I bought a pair of granny panties and put them on over a pair of white tights, and wore a white t shirt, emblazoned with the words "Somebody in California loves me." I put my hair up in a ponytail and put a pacifier around my neck. Oy. I have a picture.

[salsabike]

Halloween is xmas for gays, we love it. BIG parties, amazing costumes, no dealing with our non-existent families, just fun.


Truth :D

A HUGE fun time here last night. Some incredibly creative costumes….some amusing, some amazing and some both. I love Halloween because it’s just fun with all the glitz, glam, horror and humor, it allows me to stretch my creativity and to just be in the moment of believing the unbelievable…where else can I kiss a woman gladiator :)….and I can do/share all that with some meaningful people in my life. Besides it’s the reason pumpkins don’t start to ripen until early october. :)

:) :) :)

[Helene2013]

Wow. Just watched the video and I cannot believe this. A grown up woman and mother! emptied the whole boxes!!! I wished that she'd see her face plastered in her town. Will serve her good.

[Pax]

Truth :D

A HUGE fun time here last night. Some incredibly creative costumes….some amusing, some amazing and some both. I love Halloween because it’s just fun with all the glitz, glam, horror and humor, it allows me to stretch my creativity and to just be in the moment of believing the unbelievable…where else can I kiss a woman gladiator :)….and I can do/share all that with some meaningful people in my life. Besides it’s the reason pumpkins don’t start to ripen until early october. :)
Sweet!!! :D

[ny biker]

I have never liked halloween, except when I was very young. Once I was old enough to have to worry about having a "cool" costume and end up being chased by older kids throwing eggs, I would have been happy to skip the whole thing. And I totally lack creativity for coming up with costumes, so going to costume parties as an adult requires too much effort.

I don't think I've ever had trick or treaters come to any place I've lived as an adult, because I've only lived in apartments. One kid came to a house that I rented with friends during our senior year of college, and we had no candy so we gave the kid money (loose change). For years after that I bought a bag of candy just in case but never needed it. Last night I could hear people outside but as usual they only went to the townhouses, not the apartments.

I do have a friend who is really good at coming up with costume ideas and then executes them really well. I'm always impressed to see the photos of his creations.

[emily_in_nc]

When we lived in Prairie Village, Kansas two years ago, we lived on a very small horseshoe-shaped street right off a major road with lots of traffic, so I knew we'd only get kids who lived on our street, if any. And there was only one child out of the 12 or so houses on the street, as far as I knew. She was maybe three years old, and I hoped her parents would bring her by. I left the porch light on, but perhaps because we did not do a jack-o-lantern, they did not come to trick-or-treat at the house we were renting from friends. We saw them walk by on the street and go to other houses, so we were kind of surprised, but we really didn't know them, so they were probably only going to houses of neighbors they knew. Needless to say, the candy I'd bought went into the freezer and we had to eat it!

[snapdragen]

IT'S RAINING IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA!!!!! Would it be wrong to go outside and dance nekkid in the rain?

[Crankin]

Hope the rain continues!
I went to a new class at the gym, this morning. It's basically a group weight lifting class, with some core/body work, too. It was hard, but exactly what I need. Best thing, it's at 8:15, not 5:45, and i still have time to get to work by 10.
I am going to feel this tomorrow.

[Pax]

Woo hoo, Snap!! Dance away!!

[rebeccaC]

IT'S RAINING IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA!!!!! Would it be wrong to go outside and dance nekkid in the rain?

It’s heading south to us too….we are suppose to have some strong rain tonight….and we need it!!!

Make it a wiccan rain dance celebration :)

Naked in the rain
Beneath the moon
To the pipes of pan
And the rhythm of drums

thinking i'll just take a walk on the beach in it. ;)...and have a big cup of hot chocolate when i get home :)

[Catrin]

Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain ! (just not too much)

Glad you found a good class at a better time Crankin!

[ny biker]

I hope you get enough rain but not too much!!

[Pax]

So, loving living in FL so far, but could do with a little less 90+ degree weather with high humidity in NOVEMBER. Whew! Locals tell me this is unusual, so yay for that.

[emily_in_nc]

So, loving living in FL so far, but could do with a little less 90+ degree weather with high humidity in NOVEMBER. Whew! Locals tell me this is unusual, so yay for that.

Yes, we had been unusually hot here in the Yucatan Peninsula as well, Pax, according to the locals. But we just had a big front come through yesterday, bringing buckets of rain, and today it's cooler and breezy. Love it! Hope your temps will get back to normal soon too. Unfortunately, I think we're both stuck with the humidity, but at least it's not so intolerable when the temp is cooler.

[ny biker]

It's humid with record-high temps here in the DC area, and the I think the NYC area is also seeing unusual warmth right now. It ends tonight, though. I'm working from home today, enjoying some fresh air with the windows open, probably for the last time this year.

[Pax]

Yes, we had been unusually hot here in the Yucatan Peninsula as well, Pax, according to the locals. But we just had a big front come through yesterday, bringing buckets of rain, and today it's cooler and breezy. Love it! Hope your temps will get back to normal soon too. Unfortunately, I think we're both stuck with the humidity, but at least it's not so intolerable when the temp is cooler.

We're getting that storm for the weekend, next week it's supposed to be highs in the 70's and overnight lows in the 60's. Woo hoo!!

[emily_in_nc]

After overnight and morning rain, we're back to being super humid -- dewpoint of 80F!!! :eek: I think that's the highest one I've seen here, tho' 79F is pretty common.

Enjoy your cooler weather, Pax. Ours was too short-lived!

[ny biker]

It was ridiculously humid here yesterday and last night. I mean, it wouldn't have been ridiculous for August, but for early November it was definitely ridiculous. I guess it's the price we pay to enjoy a last burst of warm weather before winter sets in.

I went to the gym last night and couldn't decide if I was uncomfortable because the heat was on or if I was having a long hot flash. When I rule the world, the thermostat at all health clubs will be set by women who have experienced hot flashes.

[ny biker]

Seriously think I am losing it. A week or so ago I was shopping online, getting a jump on Christmas shopping (not because I'm that organized, I just want to spread the expense over more than one credit card bill). I wanted to buy the same item for several of my nieces and nephews, but I wanted them in different colors so siblings could easily tell which one belonged to who (whom?). I found the exact thing I wanted at two different online stores so I bought 3 from one store and the rest from another. I swear they were exactly the same, down to the model number, except for the color. Really, I compared the model numbers.

Except now as I open the packages, the ones from one store are a different model from the others. Going back to the websites, it was all there in black and white when I placed the orders. I just seem to have lost the ability to read, or something. Sigh.

[emily_in_nc]

I went to the gym last night and couldn't decide if I was uncomfortable because the heat was on or if I was having a long hot flash. When I rule the world, the thermostat at all health clubs will be set by women who have experienced hot flashes.

You hereby have my vote for ruler of the world!

[Sky King]

Posting out to the world today and I know you all will pause and send positive thoughts. One of my best riding, hiking, just hanging friends is have 3 tumors and a "bit of brain" removed today. We are all focusing on the positive but can always use more. Hug your friends, smile and express your love today!

[Pax]

Warm healing thoughts headed to your friend, Sky King.

[Crankin]

Thinking of you, Sky King.

[Catrin]

Oh my, certainly sending warm thoughts and prayers to your friend, Sky King!

[Blueberry]

[WARNING: DON'T READ IF YOU ARE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH DEATH - sharing my med school experiences...]

To my Cadaver:

Sometime early in my fourth month of medical school, on our calendar appeared a small, non-description event that said "Meet the Cadaver." I don't think any among us were quite prepared to walk into the room with cold, stainless steel trays on wheels, lined up neatly, each with a blue body bag zipped up on top. The smell in the room was almost that of new plastic - which is, oddly enough, how dilute formalin can sometimes smell to me. We were given a brief introduction by our clinical faculty. We were told that each cadaver in the room was someone who was a resident of my state and who had donated his or her body to the medical school to be used in our education. We were then told to unzip the bag, and take our first look at our cadaver. There is nothing in daily life that can possible prepare one to be staring at an embalmed body under such circumstances. I first looked at you with a mixture of trepidation and curiosity.

As I sit here, prior to beginning our dissection, I can't help but wonder who you were. What kind of life did you lead? What made you make the extraordinary decision to gift your body to medical education? You have given our group of 9 students an amazing and unparalleled opportunity to learn about the human body. I hope you somehow knew before you died how grateful we are.

Soon we will make our first cuts. It seems like a violation, an intrusion into a very personal space we were never intended to invade. I hope that you can forgive us. I can think of no better way to honor your gift but to treat you with the respect due any human being and to learn as much as I positively can from you. That is, after all, what we were told your wishes were.

[shootingstar]

My partner has talked about donating his body....

I have heard from friend and siblings who have had learn from cadaverS in their coursework...

mY doctor sister did mention, 1 key area when a person weakens ...in old, fragile ill state, is that person cannot pull themselves up to sit up from bed. So message to us alwhile we,re mobile: move while you can. Now.

[pinsonp2]

Blueberry,

Thanks for your thoughts. My father donated his body to the University of Missouri School in 2011. Although it was a surprise to us kids, it was obviously a decision he and my mother (still with us) had thoughtfully planned many years before hand. It is comforting to know that the medical students appreciate the gift that has been given.

Best wishes in your medical career.

Penny Pinson

[Pax]

Bluberry - that was wonderful, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[emily_in_nc]

Blueberry,

I am sure that was quite a life experience! I wonder if anyone has ever unzipped the bag and encountered someone they knew!?!? :eek:

Yep, my mind works in that kind of twisted way....

[Pax]

Blueberry,

I am sure that was quite a life experience! I wonder if anyone has ever unzipped the bag and encountered someone they knew!?!? :eek:

Yep, my mind works in that kind of twisted way....

After I got hurt as a firefighter I worked at a hospital lab, I was a phlebotomist and helped with autopsies, very first one I helped with was the husband of an old coworker. It was a very strange sensation.

[Crankin]

One of my very first clients at the clinic I work at now is the husband of someone in HR at my DH's company. He still doesn't know, and if she knows, she is not letting on. I thought it would be obvious, as our last name is not common and I discussed it with my supervisor. We decided that since DH and the spouse of my client don't work closely together, it would be OK. There's been several other connections, with clients, too. I have refused a few who I know from my previous town/kids' schools. But, working 5 miles from home more than makes up for this.
That was really interesting, Blueberry. Good luck with "getting to know" your cadaver.

[Catrin]

That WAS interesting Blueberry, though I admit that I was cringing when I read your disclaimer - and while I could have chosen to skip it I made the choice not to do so and I am glad I didn't. Thank you for the post and, indeed, good luck as you get to know your cadaver more.

[Crankin]

I am getting all bent out of shape about this moving thing. While I am good with the septic fix, and waiting to relist our house, I thought the condo reno would be further along by now. All kinds of things have slowed it down, mostly because we are using Lowe's and having to oversee all of it. And we just didn't know about a few of the things we had to schedule. Also, it turns out the tile we are having removed (bathrooms and entry) was put in in an old fashioned way, where it was glued down. So, when the guy from the store comes out measure, he doesn't know this. They hire installers, who show up and discover this. Hence, that did not get done on Monday. They are coming back today to do the bathrooms, as they can lay the new tile over the old. But the entry way has to be sledge hammered out, so it meets the hardwood correctly. Has to be renegotiated for price, and then rescheduled. DH has spent hours on fixes for things that he didn't know about. Now, we find out one of our vanities has drawers in a place where the pipes might interfere... turns out a lot of stuff in the bathrooms was done quite strangely. But, we've been told we can order a new one if it doesn't work, and that means another few weeks. It's the guest bath, thankfully. Then, the vanities showed up without the sink bowls we chose. No one told us someone has to come out and measure for those, too.
These are not deal breakers, but I am wishing we just hired a general contractor from a kitchen/bath place, like we did with this house. I know it would have been a lot more $, but poor DH has had to take off a lot of work, at a time when he has a lot of work, and he's been gone from 5 AM to 7 every day. Very unlike him. And he's spent countless hours over there, doing stuff. We are lucky he has the trade skills to do this, but he's not doing much exercise because of it (except running up and down stairs). Our neighbors there asked if we were going to "flip" the place, because we haven't moved in.
Hoping that moving van can get up our driveway, if there's snow!

[Catrin]

Hang in there Crankin! Hopefully soon this will all recede and you will be happily settled in.

[Pax]

Hope you catch a break soon, Crankin.

I wonder if anyone in the history of modern housing has EVER moved into a new/different place and not had it be a painful experience? Every place we've ever bought has been fraught with annoyance, difficulty, additional expense, uncertainty... and yet we just keep buying and fixing up places. Sure hope the current one is the very last one.

[Crankin]

I feel much better after venting here! The good thing is, the kitchen is done (DH just has to hang the microwave), and it looks gorgeous.
We actually haven't had any really horrible buying or remodeling stories. Our remodel of this house's kitchen and bathrooms, went smooth as silk, done in 6 weeks. Yes, we discovered a lot of stuff that had been done wrong in this house, along the way, but that was really our fault. We bought this house very impulsively, and it's really the first house we've had that was older than 10 years. So, we have had to fix a lot of stuff here, but, we've also enjoyed living here. We had the basement finished and built a huge custom screened porch on our last house, and those things went well, too. I just think I would have been less stressed if we had spent the $ for the general contractor; that way, when you come up on a problem, they supply the alternative fixes, you choose, and it's not all on you. You are esentially exchanging time for money, which in this case, I think is worth it.
I decided to skip the group ride today, which had been rescheduled from Wednesday. We have a high wind advisory, with gusts up to 45 mph, constant breeze of 15-20. It's sunny out, and not that cold, but I hate riding in the wind. Going to yoga, maybe a hike later.

[ny biker]

I think I've mentioned this elsewhere -- everyone who buys a house needs to rent Mr. Blandings Builds his Dream House with Cary Grant and Myrna Loy. It just sums it all up.

My last big project for my condo is replacing the wall-to-wall carpet with new wood floors. It needs to be done soon, while I have lots of stuff already packed up in boxes. And I bought new 8x10 wool rugs a couple of years ago when they were on sale and I thought I'd be moving ahead with the floors soon, so they're rolled up in one of my closets taking up valuable space. But I'm so overwhelmed at the thought of their having to move everything around in every room AND every closet in order to do the work. They say it will only take two days but in a way it's the biggest project I'm having done. I still have lots of things that need to be packed up. I'm trying to psych myself up to get it done soon.

[emily_in_nc]

Sorry there have been hassles and unexpected things with the new condo, Crankin! We have built three new houses plus one condo now so have dealt with all sorts of things. And we've bought two existing houses. One was older and needed some work, but that was mostly cosmetic, all easy things for us to DIY (paint, wallpaper, etc). One was only a few years old, and we did NOTHING to it. We liked the way it was decorated and left everything exactly the same. When we sold several years later, we had to have a window replaced that had the seal broken (dual-pane) and a couple other minor things, but really, that was our easiest house overall.

It's a trade-off. Since we've been renters, we've dealt with a new set of hassles, but it's different. I miss being able to paint and put things up on the walls and having my own space, but I don't miss some of the hassles and responsibilities that came with that. I am sure we'll own again one day, but we are not in a hurry. Our next home may just be a motorhome so we can continue our travels while having our own space.

[ny biker]

I will say that owning my own home has not been good, financially. My condo building is old and the prior owners lived out of state and rented it out for years, so they did minimal upkeep, which has meant that I've had to spend a lot to fix it up as well as replacing the heat pump, windows and all the appliances. Meanwhile the market tanked so if I sold it now I'd only get the amount I paid for it over 10 years ago. But yes there are other benefits to owning your own place. Along the way I've learned a lot. And it is nice to sit back now, even with the old carpet on the floor and no pictures on the walls, and feel good about the way it looks.

[Crankin]

I don't think i could ever be a renter again. When we moved here, we bought our house lease to purchase, for 6 months. The whole time I felt uneasy. We had sold our house in Tempe 6 months before we moved to MA, and moved into an apartment not too far away. It was really hard for me to drive by my house while I was in an apartment, even though it was all part of our plan to move back east. So, that meant we were renters for a year. We had a year to do the lease to purchase, but once we got our finances set, we could not wait to get the mortgage. Seems so long ago; that house cost 165,000.
Funny, the condo will be our 6th home, and I have only been emotionally attached to 2 of them... the one in Tempe and the last home we lived in, in Boxborough, before we moved to Concord. I think it has to do with the stage of life I was in. Although things were fun when we moved to MA, we ended up in a town that was not a good fit, and I spent 6 years just waiting to save enough to move. When we moved to Boxborough, it was like our life got back to normal, as it had been in Tempe.

[emily_in_nc]

I will say that owning my own home has not been good, financially. My condo building is old and the prior owners lived out of state and rented it out for years, so they did minimal upkeep, which has meant that I've had to spend a lot to fix it up as well as replacing the heat pump, windows and all the appliances. Meanwhile the market tanked so if I sold it now I'd only get the amount I paid for it over 10 years ago.

Yep, we've had terrible market timing over the years with our various houses. We really only made money on our very first starter home. That one we were in for three years and made about $30K on. After that, things went downhill. Every other house we've sold, we've either lost money (after paying the real estate fees) or broken even.

The house we lived in the longest in NC was one we custom built and lived in for 10 years. At the time we sold, the market was in the toilet, and although we made about what we paid for it, we'd put in tons of landscaping, a beautiful porch, patio, walkways, a nice shed and woodbin, etc. And living in a place ten years, you kind of expect to have made something. We've kicked ourselves many times for selling that house when we did, but hindsight is always 20/20, of course, and at the time, it seemed like the right thing to do.

We just went into the black on our Belize condo, which we sold in March 2013 with owner financing. We get a check every month from the buyer, and as of August, we are now in the black on the sale, finally, and if he makes payments for the full five years, all the better since all the rest is profit in our pocket (although we're living on it).

I've read articles that say not to buy property expecting to make money; buy it because you love it and want to make a home, put down roots, stuff like that. That's why I'm not in a big hurry to own again immediately -- we're just not sure where we want to put down roots next. :-) It's a hassle and expensive to buy and sell quickly if you don't end up staying in place for at least five years or so (been there, done that way too many times), so we need to make very, very sure that our next real estate purchase is a "keeper".

[Trek420]

Some sad news and it may be in a separate thread, if not we should start one. I have just heard that Chickwhorips has passed away. I knew she had struggled with cancer but last I'd heard was hopeful. I'm sure she will be missed here and by many.

[salsabike]

Oh, my god, that is so sad and so shocking, Trek. I really liked her. Thanks for letting us know.

[Pax]

I'd heard from a mutual acquaintance, just unbelieveable, she was so young.

[Crankin]

That is really sad. Her posts were funny and informative.

As for the house stuff, people in the US just expect to become rich from owning a home. You really cannot think of a house as an investment, given the volatile economy. We made over 300K when we sold our last house, and the guy just sold it for 100K less than he bought it for, from us. We bought this house, and I can't even add up all of the investments we put into the house. Because we put such a huge downpayment on this house, we'll make some $ on paper, but nothing really, compared to what we spent remodeling and fixing. But, I don't care. We lived here for 10 years, and enjoyed it. We broke even with our first house (only lived in it for a year). had to pay to get rid of the house I loved in Tempe, as it was a recession, and we had taken out a second, broke even on selling the first house in MA, and used stock options to make the downpayment on the house we actually made money on. I guess when you live long enough, it is easier to deal with this stuff. DH has been so calm about the slowness of the condo renovations, compared to how he would have been a few years ago.
The bathroom tile is done, the installer sent pictures. Lowes is not going to make us pay extra for the demo of the entry way tile, either. They really have been great to work with.

[Pax]

Saw a new primary care doc today, she was appalled about my leg, said I need to have some targeted PT since it's a swollen mess, with significant abnormality in the muscle mass in the quad and calf. God I feel old and busted, I miss the old badass me.

[ny biker]

Well, hopefully this new doctor will help you get back to badass.

[Kitsune06]

Hey everyone. So long, and thanks for all the fish.

[salsabike]

Saw a new primary care doc today, she was appalled about my leg, said I need to have some targeted PT since it's a swollen mess, with significant abnormality in the muscle mass in the quad and calf. God I feel old and busted, I miss the old badass me.

Oh, Pax, I'm sorry. It sounds like you got some sensible help from the new doc. You may well become a new badass self--maybe not the same, but still, better than now--with the right help and time.

[Catrin]

(((Pax))) I hear you about missing your old badass self but glad to hear you've a new doc who is getting you what you need. And the new badass you will indeed be badass - even if different :-)

Kitsune - it's been a long time, hope all is well!

[Crankin]

So lucky you met the new doc! You can be a bad *** in PT. From what I hear, most people are not like the people on this thread when following through with their PT stuff. In fact, I sent a friend to my PT, after a broken shoulder, and she laughed when I asked her how her exercises were going at home. We see it as an opportunity, and others see it as a punishment.

[Pax]

Thanks all. Trying to figure out the insurance stuff now, but definitely ready to get some function back!

[Eden]

Hey everyone. So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Hey Kit - long time no see - are you OK? we're here if you need to talk, even not about bicycles.

[emily_in_nc]

Saw a new primary care doc today, she was appalled about my leg, said I need to have some targeted PT since it's a swollen mess, with significant abnormality in the muscle mass in the quad and calf. God I feel old and busted, I miss the old badass me.

Awwww man, that really sucks, Pax! Aging is not for the faint-of-heart, is it? You were smart to go to the doc, though, and sounds like she might be a good proactive one. Hang in there! The targeted PT could be just the ticket.

[emily_in_nc]

Hey everyone. So long, and thanks for all the fish.

I don't like the sound of this post. You are remembered and missed here!

[IBrakeforPastry]

So lucky you met the new doc! You can be a bad *** in PT. From what I hear, most people are not like the people on this thread when following through with their PT stuff. In fact, I sent a friend to my PT, after a broken shoulder, and she laughed when I asked her how her exercises were going at home. We see it as an opportunity, and others see it as a punishment.

My PT once handed me a printout with a few new exercises and said, "Here. I'm giving you these because I know you'll do them." He was a personal trainer as well as a physical therapist, so I was always asking him for more exercises to incorporate into my workouts. I liked going to PT.

[Pax]

Learned something new today, checked with three different recommended orthos today... new ortho docs in FL won't see a post total knee patient without reviewing all the related documents then deciding if they'll take you on. In the process now of trying to get all my records for two of them then we'll see.

In the meantime I'm going to start going to the gym, I know how to work out, so I'm going to give it a go and see how I do.

[Crankin]

I am so sore from doing all the new classes at the gym, plus, still a little riding outside. Good sore, though. Taking a needed rest day today.

Just saw a post from my former exchange student "son," on Facebook. He laid out a bunch of documents, next a big Priority Mail envelope: Green Card, "Guide for New Immigrants," and his California driver's license. I was suddenly filled with emotion. To think, I had to be convinced to have him come stay with us, back in 2002! I definitely don't want this to sound xenophobic, but I am really proud of him. He's accomplished a lot in 13 years, including being a pro racer, owning a very successful coaching business that sponsors both mens and womans' teams, graduating from college in the US in 3 years, and marrying a lovely person. He's going to be a father in March.
What's wrong with my bio kids? Kidding, but my cup is running over with pride right now.

[Catrin]

You have a lot to be proud of Crankin :cool:

[Trek420]

Saw a new primary care doc today, she was appalled about my leg, said I need to have some targeted PT since it's a swollen mess, with significant abnormality in the muscle mass in the quad and calf. God I feel old and busted, I miss the old badass me.

Quads and calfs are bigger or smaller than norm? You've ridden bikes for a long time. Cyclists tend to have larger calves and quads than most. But whether larger or smaller than she expected, your PT can sort it all out.

[Pax]

Quads and calfs are bigger or smaller than norm? You've ridden bikes for a long time. Cyclists tend to have larger calves and quads than most. But whether larger or smaller than she expected, your PT can sort it all out.

Quad and calf are freakishly tiny. Since seeing an ortho doc here requires enough documentation to choke a cat... then waiting for a referral to a PT, I'm just going back to the gym. no twisting, no huge weight bearing exercise, but a good, steady weight workout. Hopefully that will help.

[VeganBikeChick]

I really don't understand people sometimes. I'm going on a road trip tomorrow with a coworker to a cute little town to do some exploring. She sent me a message today to make sure not to take any pics of her tomorrow and post them on FB as she's going on a FB hiatus and doesn't want any pics of her posted. Fair enough. However, she's been plastering pics of herself with many other friends doing many different activities this past week on FB. It's hard for me to not take her statement personally as a reflection of her being embarrassed to be seen with me in photos.

[Crankin]

Ask her when her hiatus starts? That might give her a hint. This person is an adult?

Just finished the very small amount of shopping I do. Gifts for my kids and spouses, and our closest friends. I always shop on small business Saturday and/or buy local. Good thing I got the gifts for at least my son and DIL that live here, because I just figured out Chanukah starts next Sunday night. We don't make a big deal out of it anymore, but if I invite them for dinner, I need to have the gifts.
Now I can blissfully ignore the frenzy going on around me for the next 3 weeks.

[Catrin]

Quad and calf are freakishly tiny. Since seeing an ortho doc here requires enough documentation to choke a cat... then waiting for a referral to a PT, I'm just going back to the gym. no twisting, no huge weight bearing exercise, but a good, steady weight workout. Hopefully that will help.

Good luck Pax, I'm sure you know what you need to do.

As for me, I'm getting a movement screening on Friday (an FMS? probably, we will see), and he will also tell me what I need to do on my own to loosen my knee up and strengthen whatever needs strengthened. Hoping this tight knee isn't permenant, but it is surely too early for that to be a concern. Thankfully Dr Google has very little on this that isn't associated with a total knee replacement. This is a GOOD thing :o

VeganBikeChick - that just sounds odd, I like Crankin's suggestion.

Good for you Crankin! I don't usually shop at all, it's never been part of what we do as a family (we aren't the most functional of families). This year, however, I've knitted scarves for my sisters - I don't care if I get anything in return as that isn't why I am doing this. I just like knitting, this was an excuse to buy yummy soft merino wool and practice my super power. This consists of taking string, two sticks, waving the sticks around a bit (ok, a LOT), and suddenly there is nice warm things :cool: Amazing how much I've improved since I learned how to knit in March!

[emily_in_nc]

That's cool about the knitting, Catrin. I used to both knit and crochet (plus sew and do other crafts), but that was all in the pre-internet days. I'm sorry to say that that all fell by the wayside once the internet came along! I would still sew occasionally if I had my machine, but it's in my mother's basement, so that won't be happening anytime soon. I love hand-knitted items! I think the last thing I made was a dog sweater, years ago.

Gift buying, I am lucky with our lifestyle now, I don't really have to buy any gifts. We agreed not to exchange with my folks since we are in Mexico, which makes it just too difficult, and my DH's folks are in assisted living and need nothing and stopped buying gifts for us several years ago, so we finally followed suit once we started spending the winters out of the country. I might buy one or two small things for DH, but that's it. Such a burden lifted from my younger days, when I bought for many, many family members and friends too. Fortunately most people seem to be downsizing and decluttering these days anyway. Whenever I do buy a gift now, it is almost always something consumable and locally made if possible.

[rebeccaC]

This year, however, I've knitted scarves for my sisters -

didn't we accept the fact that this forum is a sisterhood and therefore we are all sisters :)

[Catrin]

You can always go back to knitting, or something else :cool: I've been focusing on not spending so much time on the internet these days, and I've found I really enjoy audio books - both from the local library and from Audible (Amazon). I enjoy listening when knitting or driving. Sometimes I watch something on tv, but really I just turn on Netflix - and I'm listening more than watching anyway.

I find it interesting that the news reporters and some larger stores are starting to complain about the smaller size of the Black Friday crowds

[Crankin]

I hardly ever watch TV or movies. I find that I just can't sit to do so, or if we are with friends, I would rather talk. Plus, I tend to go to bed early, which cuts into TV/movie time. Have a couple of network TV shows I like, but if I miss them, I don't care. I am terrible at any handwork, so that has always been out for me. I can sit and read for hours. Feel a little guilty now that I read exclusively on my Kindle (except for work stuff). It costs a bundle, compared to the library, but I am not stopping reading. The library has books to download, but not the ones I want, and there's always a wait. Well, there could be worse things to spend money on!
Magazines are a guilty pleasure for me. I've always subscribed to several, and I read them right away. I hate reading magazines digitally, too. I subscribe to Momentum and Peloton, which are definitely bike porn for me; Momentum just went to only digital, which has killed it for me, but I had just renewed my subscription. Peloton has always been just digital, and consequently, I hardly ever actually read it on the I Pad. I do read Time and the New Yorker weekly, and a few others on a monthly basis. Yeah, I spend time on line, but not tot he detriment of interacting with others.

[Pax]

We like to settle in in the evenings and watch dvds (movies or old TV shows), we prefer to read but my honey can't read too much in the evenings as her eyes are wrecked from staring at spreadsheets all day. I do go to the library often to get movies and the occasional book, that really helps the budget.

So, pulled the trigger on a gym membership for both of us, money was an issue but the gym owner is a retired firefighter and gives a "hero" discount to any firefighter/medic/cop/nurse/teacher who sign up. Not thrilled with the use of the word hero, but I still took the discount. :D It's much smaller than I'm used to at the University, but the equipment is top notch, very well maintained, and the place is spotlessly clean.

[emily_in_nc]

Gym sounds nice, Pax, and I wouldn't be too upset to be considered a hero. :-)

I do a lot of reading. I have so many books on my wish list that I am always able to find something (e-book) I want to read for free through the library. So even though I do have the Kindle app on my tablet, I think I've only bought one book that way. We also have book exchanges here, so I get a lot of paperbacks that way. And a library in a nearby town recently had a paperback sale which we went down for -- got a huge bag of books for a $10 donation...whatta deal.

So I am not online all the time, but a lot. I used to watch a lot more TV in the US, but our Mexican cable has only a few English shows. I watch a very few things online, but not much. Audio books aren't a bad idea, Catrin, but since we've been living in a hot climate for the most part, having any hot wool on my lap doesn't appeal. Maybe someday when we're in a different climate, but not now. :-)

[Catrin]

Sounds good Pax, and congrats on the gym membership, sounds nice!. I need to return to one, waiting to see what the full service YMCA will look like that is opening next to where I work. I get a significant discount from work there, with no initiation fee. I need to make certain that they have more I can actually do than my favorite gym (we get a discount there as well). I will have a better understanding which will work best for me when the specialist tells me on Friday what I need to focus on for my gait.

Emily - what about some yummy lace or fingering weight merino-silk blend? Too light to be hot and it can be nice on a cool evening out :cool:

[ny biker]

I have decided that I want to learn to crochet. Maybe work up to making blankets and throws -- flat things, which I assume are easier.

My grandmother used to crochet. She used thin yarns and liked to add decorative borders to things like pillow cases and towels. I would actually like to do this too. I know it's not particularly stylish but it would be sort of nostalgic.

Having said all this, now I have to figure out how to get started.

[ny biker]

We like to settle in in the evenings and watch dvds (movies or old TV shows), we prefer to read but my honey can't read too much in the evenings as her eyes are wrecked from staring at spreadsheets all day. I do go to the library often to get movies and the occasional book, that really helps the budget.

So, pulled the trigger on a gym membership for both of us, money was an issue but the gym owner is a retired firefighter and gives a "hero" discount to any firefighter/medic/cop/nurse/teacher who sign up. Not thrilled with the use of the word hero, but I still took the discount. :D It's much smaller than I'm used to at the University, but the equipment is top notch, very well maintained, and the place is spotlessly clean.

Sounds like a good gym to me. I hope you both like working out there.

[shootingstar]

I told myself to save money, so I'll justify today' book purchase as a something I'll give away to a family member. Am starting a light Canadian non-fiction book by writer, Zarqua Nawaz who lives in prairie province of Saskatchewan, "Laughing All the Way to the Mosque". She wrote also story series for the CBC national tv gentle comedy "Little Mosque on the Prairies". It ran for 6 seasons. Featured a family that intermarried where hubby was Muslim but wife wasn't. Had their mixed daughter. http://www.cbc.ca/littlemosque/

With the terrible crap in the international press and fear, I just wanted to read a book where really Muslims (these were Punjabis from India) led such ordinary, basically boring ordinary lives. To them, it's boring but not to us, if we only a little about Islam. With some humorous takes...about daily life. (Author wears a hijab, cloth on her head but she writes well for a broad audience.)

When I went up the cash register in bookstore to buy it, a hijab covered store clerk, kept looking at the back of the book, to skim what I had bought. I wondered if she had even heard of this Canadian show which stopped running about 2-3 yrs. ago.

[smilingcat]

Little Mosque on the Prairies isn't available on Netflix. At least in DVD format it's not available. Keeps pulling up Little House... instead. I for one just can't sit still and watch most all movies and TV shows. Music, I could listen for hours. And books, I have to be in a mood for it. Mood for reading last for several months and it goes away without warning for several months at a time.

I don't think a woman wearing hijab in US will be safe. So many loonies around.

[Catrin]

I have decided that I want to learn to crochet. Maybe work up to making blankets and throws -- flat things, which I assume are easier.

My grandmother used to crochet. She used thin yarns and liked to add decorative borders to things like pillow cases and towels. I would actually like to do this too. I know it's not particularly stylish but it would be sort of nostalgic.

Having said all this, now I have to figure out how to get started.

Sounds like a good way to honor your grandmother with something you would like to do. Who says it isn't stylish? The desire is enough and it is yours. Have you done any crochet at all, at any age? If you did as a child you will find that it comes back amazingly quickly. I did crochet as a child, but my hands won't allow me to crochet anymore - thankfully the finger/hand positions are quite different in knitting than crochet.

If you've not crocheted at all Craftsy has a free crochet beginner's online class here (http://www.craftsy.com/guide/beginners-guide-to-crochet/16379?hideBreadCrumb=true&NAVIGATION_PAGE_CONTEXT_ATTR=SUPPLIES). They have other classes as well, some free, some not. Well done classes and you have permanent access to them and most have a specific forum for questions and interaction. Personally I prefer one-on-one instruction - or at least a local group but I use Craftsy as well when necessary.

About.com also has what appears a decent introduction to crochet, here (http://crochet.about.com/od/learntocrochet/tp/crochet-for-beginners.htm).

Have fun! I love working with fiber, from embroidery floss to large gauge wool.

[emily_in_nc]

Emily - what about some yummy lace or fingering weight merino-silk blend? Too light to be hot and it can be nice on a cool evening out :cool:

Sounds lovely, but try finding that stuff here! :D Perhaps in a later year...I can see that it could possibly be a nice hobby if we do decide to buy an RV and travel around. Mobile internet can get expensive, so I might have more down time in that kind of lifestyle. I do recall from my past crafting, though, that anything thin and silky can be harder to work with and require a bit more skill. Bulky yarns are so much more forgiving! I did crochet some snowflakes out of thin white cotton twine, though, and those were kinda fun. You soak them in a water/cornstarch solution when you're done, then let them dry, so they get stiff and make lovely Christmas ornaments.

[shootingstar]

Little Mosque on the Prairies isn't available on Netflix. At least in DVD format it's not available. Keeps pulling up Little House... instead. I for one just can't sit still and watch most all movies and TV shows. Music, I could listen for hours. And books, I have to be in a mood for it. Mood for reading last for several months and it goes away without warning for several months at a time.

I don't think a woman wearing hijab in US will be safe. So many loonies around.
Would agree and not when the gun laws in U.S. are different (though I realize there are variations across states) compared to Canada. Because they are.

Little Mosque on the Prairie gentle comedy series, is now syndicated in several different countries. :) The federal Canadian govn't has committed to screen and accept up to 25,000 Syrian refugees over the next few months. About several hundred just arrived at our city. Canada accepted 60,000 Vietnamese (boat) refugees in 1979. I was a university student in my 2nd year in a German-Mennonite based city (of Kitchener-Waterloo).

The rest is history, where now many are working, having careers, etc. There problems of adjustment where some fall into crime, mental illness. Just like the rest of us here where our families have been in North America for generations.

Guess what I was thinking at that time of international crisis was: How can people distinguish between those of Chinese, Japanese, Korean descent from other East Asians? The height of fear was great at that time in the press combined with those who wanted to help.

[rebeccaC]

I don't think a woman wearing hijab in US will be safe. So many loonies around.


The height of fear was great at that time in the press......

we had a good discussion last night about the mentality of fear/hate being used at the moment and being accepted by some of the American people….and about those who try to find ways to profit in cultivating it. Since it’s use has been politically and profitablly successful so many times before, it’s not unexpected.

We have a large Muslim population in the L.A. area......and an inspiring women only Mosque, also open to interfaith women from all religious backgrounds, whose organization is spreading that across the country.

“Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit……refuse to hate”….M.L.K. Jr.

[Crankin]

You know, this sort of racism against refugees has played itself out against various groups time and time again in US history. Other places, too. I've come to the conclusion that a lot of people are just extremely afraid of anything or anyone that is different from what their "normal" is.
My son worked for 2 years to get his translator and family out of Afghanistan. It got so bad that they were in hiding and still, his visa was going nowhere. Finally, it took my son going to his congressperson and one of the CA senators to get them out of Afghanistan. And, this is someone who worked for the US government, protecting and helping people like my son.

[Pax]

Growing up all over the world as a military kid, I wasn't raised with a lot of "ism". I was mostly taught America was the best country on earth and we were supposed to help others. Moving back to the states as a teenager and seeing huge racial issues (even in my school) just blew me away, it created a lot of dissonance for me, I couldn't (and still really don't) understand it.

The old Rodney King quote "People, I just want to say, can we all get along? Can we get along?" resonates with me.

[ny biker]

I've come to the conclusion that a lot of people are just extremely afraid of anything or anyone that is different from what their "normal" is.

I know people who are otherwise welcoming, kind and generous but are terribly xenophobic and anti-any-religion-that-is-not-theirs. They get angry that their neighbors who were born in another country do not have turkey dinner on Thanksgiving. And yet their own ancestors faced similar biases just a few generations ago. I just do not understand it.

[Pax]

So, it's our first winter in Florida, and I can't believe how much fun it is! Sunny and warm, going to the beach in December, can't believe we waited so long to do this. :D

[ny biker]

So, it's our first winter in Florida, and I can't believe how much fun it is! Sunny and warm, going to the beach in December, can't believe we waited so long to do this. :D

I envy you!! Please enjoy it immensely on behalf of those of us who are further north. :D

[Pax]

I envy you!! Please enjoy it immensely on behalf of those of us who are further north. :D

Will do!

[Xrayted]

So, it's our first winter in Florida, and I can't believe how much fun it is! Sunny and warm, going to the beach in December, can't believe we waited so long to do this. :D

U suk.

Hahahahaha!!! :D

[Pax]

U suk.

Hahahahaha!!! :D

:p :p :p

[Crankin]

I am going to be a grandmother!
Found out today.... baby is due end of August/beginning of September. We canceled the family vacation that was going to be the last week in August.
My son sounded overwhelmed with happiness.

[ny biker]

Great news -- congratulations!!

[Pax]

Woo hoo!! Congrats on the soon-to-be new addition.

[emily_in_nc]

Congratulations, Crankin!

[emily_in_nc]

So, it's our first winter in Florida, and I can't believe how much fun it is! Sunny and warm, going to the beach in December, can't believe we waited so long to do this. :D

Where did you say you were in Florida, Pax (if it's not a secret)? SO glad you're enjoying it. I remember your PMing me about retiring to a tropical locale several years ago and am so happy that you were able to make the break! :p

[Pax]

Where did you say you were in Florida, Pax (if it's not a secret)? SO glad you're enjoying it. I remember your PMing me about retiring to a tropical locale several years ago and am so happy that you were able to make the break! :p

Thanks, Emily! We're in New Smyrna Beach. Thanks to your thoughtful advice we reconsidered Key West and are much happier as a result.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks, Emily! We're in New Smyrna Beach. Thanks to your thoughtful advice we reconsidered Key West and are much happier as a result.

That's great! I love the Florida Keys, but I suspect you are saving a good chunk of change by not being there -- so pricey. And the number of tourists can get very old when you actually live in a place like that.

[Pax]

That's great! I love the Florida Keys, but I suspect you are saving a good chunk of change by not being there -- so pricey. And the number of tourists can get very old when you actually live in a place like that.

We realized we could never afford to retire there, and starting over again at 65 with limited income didn't appeal at all, so we came to the town my folks lived in all those years. It is very affordable and having been here so often visiting them in the past, it already felt a bit like home.

[Crankin]

That is very true, Emily. Even though I live in a normal suburb, it happens to be the place where the Revolutionary War started. Between April and November, sometimes December, we are inundated with tourists in our town center. I particularly dislike the huge tour buses idling by the town green. There have been a few times when DH and I have been sitting on the porch of the Colonial Inn, in our bike clothes, after a long ride, enjoying a beer or glass of wine. We have had people on the buses staring, pointing, and taking our picture! Thankfully, I spend more time in our "other" town center, West Concord, which is artsy and down to earth, and rarely gets any tourists.

[shootingstar]

That is very true, Emily. Even though I live in a normal suburb, it happens to be the place where the Revolutionary War started. Between April and November, sometimes December, we are inundated with tourists in our town center. I particularly dislike the huge tour buses idling by the town green. There have been a few times when DH and I have been sitting on the porch of the Colonial Inn, in our bike clothes, after a long ride, enjoying a beer or glass of wine. We have had people on the buses staring, pointing, and taking our picture! Thankfully, I spend more time in our "other" town center, West Concord, which is artsy and down to earth, and rarely gets any tourists.

I have a close friend where she and her parents/sibling used to live beside the famous CAnadian Underground Railway site for black slaves ...later named Uncle Tom's Cabin. It's in Canada, not the U.S. Lots of buses..from the U.S., etc. Her town of 2,000 is only 30 km. or less from the U.S. border.

And probably some cycling groups. I understand one of the cycling organizations has a ride that visits the underground railway major sites and other stuff related to black history.

[Crankin]

Yes, we are inundated with cyclists, too. Not tour groups, but big groups from cycling clubs. I don't know how this started, except that we actually have a town center with restaurants, public restrooms, and it's pretty. We're about 20 miles west of Boston, so it's the place people from the city ride to.
When I moved to this town, 10 years ago, I only moved 9 miles east. I noticed the difference immediately, in that I no longer enjoyed riding after work, when I was teaching, due to traffic. On the weekends, it's just too full of other riders. If I am doing a shorter local ride on a weekend day, I head to west Concord, where there are not so many cyclists. Last year, we moved our annual AMC New Member's ride, which DH and I lead, to the town where I used to live.
I know it's good for the economy, but I avoid the tourists as much as I can.

[Catrin]

Interesting discussion on tourists. I do enjoy being one but there is also the impact of living in an area that attracts this curious species. When I visit home (East Tennessee) there are a few places I would love to visit but haven't seen in years due to the traffic from all of the tourists who also want to go there.

[Pax]

I'm learning the seasons here, there are three: tourist, snow bird, and locals... so far I'm LOVING locals season (Oct-Dec and March-May). The rest of the time its gridlock from the tourists (Summer) and simply awful drivers and long lines at restaurants and grocery stores due to snow birds (Winter). And when I say awful drivers I mean truly utterly should no longer have a license type drivers.

[shootingstar]

I'm learning the seasons here, there are three: tourist, snow bird, and locals... so far I'm LOVING locals season (Oct-Dec and March-May). The rest of the time its gridlock from the tourists (Summer) and simply awful drivers and long lines at restaurants and grocery stores due to snow birds (Winter). And when I say awful drivers I mean truly utterly should no longer have a license type drivers.

Suck in all the energy there, Pax during local season!

There's a running joke where I am that a sign of a true Calgarian: they show tourists Banff, instead of our own city. Banff is the town, national park + Rocky Mtns., 150 km. north of us. Clearly many big prairie cities that are landlocked aren't the same draw. However I live near a local site which can be where locals would take visitors... a bike-ped bridge. In non-winter seasons, the bike-ped path gets very crowded near our end. Yes, the city has installed a bike counter within the last 2 yrs. ...to measure traffic.

17899 There is a run/marathon nearly every weekend when it's not icy/snowy. Last weekend, unfortunately I didn't have my camera when I biked: There was a run with joggers all wearing Santa Claus' outfits.

I had a work colleague who lived year round in heart of cottage country, with lakes, resorts, etc. about 200 km. north of Toronto. I was intrigued that her family chose a cottage...in Quebec..which is a bit of a drive for a family with children. Distance would be well over 500 km. southeast. (They wouldn't fly, no local airport.) But that was their way of avoiding local tourists.

[Trek420]

I understand one of the cycling organizations has a ride that visits the underground railway major sites and other stuff related to black history.

This https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/underground-railroad-ugrr/

I've always wanted to ride this. I believe the bicycle is the perfect speed to really feel something of what an escape from slavery into freedom could be like. I imagine riding for days and miles and suddenly over a hill, the route says "you have reached the Mason-Dixon Line. Freedom!" Let's get a group together.

I'll probably be here more often. The crazy condo neighbor is crazy, I'm about to get my very own personal restraining order for her. We're considering keeping this condo, renting it out, and getting something else, elsewhere .... I don't want to. I love my cozy, walkable, bike able condo. We're about to get a cycling inn nearby. Just about to get two light rail stations nearby, the place keeps getting better and better. It's called a restraining order because WE don't have to move.

But, she tried to hit me with her SUV so .... First steps are legal action.

[ny biker]

This https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/underground-railroad-ugrr/

I've always wanted to ride this. I believe the bicycle is the perfect speed to really feel something of what an escape from slavery into freedom could be like. I imagine riding for days and miles and suddenly over a hill, the route says "you have reached the Mason-Dixon Line. Freedom!" Let's get a group together.

I'll probably be here more often. The crazy condo neighbor is crazy, I'm about to get my very own personal restraining order for her. We're considering keeping this condo, renting it out, and getting something else, elsewhere .... I don't want to. I love my cozy, walkable, bike able condo. We're about to get a cycling inn nearby. Just about to get two light rail stations nearby, the place keeps getting better and better. It's called a restraining order because WE don't have to move.

But, she tried to hit me with her SUV so .... First steps are legal action.

Jeezy peezy. Good luck with this, I hope you're able to find a way to reign her in.

[wnyrider]

[QUOTE=Trek420;708958]This [url]... Let's get a group together. QUOTE]

Did you actually mean to express interest in planning to get a trip together for the ugrr, or did I misread that? If it was yes-- I would be interested. You could work out an awful lot of that "neighbor stress" on that ride!

[rebeccaC]

+1 I’d be in for something like a ride from the national underground railroad freedom center in Cincinnati (with a side trip to harriet beecher stowe’s house) to owen sound, ontario, the final terminal of the underground railroad and in time for their 154th emancipation festival. (http://www.emancipation.ca/the-festival/) Could be a good few days of fun, riding, sights, conversations and purpose.

.......oh...and maybe i could get cadbury to sponsor it :)



But, she tried to hit me with her SUV so .... First steps are legal action.

Sorry to read it’s escalated to that!! Legal action for sure!! Does your area have mental health resources that could help her and maybe give you some strategies to help in your dealing with her?

[emily_in_nc]

Re. tourists and living in tourist towns, we've now done this twice (Ambergris Caye, Belize and now Playa del Carmen, Mexico). While we enjoy being tourists ourselves when we visit different areas, we don't enjoy living where we are outnumbered by them. Perhaps one day we'll learn?! :rolleyes:

[shootingstar]

+1 I’d be in for something like a ride from the national underground railroad freedom center in Cincinnati (with a side trip to harriet beecher stowe’s house) to owen sound, ontario, the final terminal of the underground railroad and in time for their 154th emancipation festival. (http://www.emancipation.ca/the-festival/) Could be a good few days of fun, riding, sights, conversations and purpose.

.......oh...and maybe i could get cadbury to sponsor it :)

Sorry to read it’s escalated to that!! Legal action for sure!! Does your area have mental health resources that could help her and maybe give you some strategies to help in your dealing with her?

Trek, that's awful that she wanted to run you down in her car. Best of luck of new home location (temporary). Wonder how she will learn..

About 20 km.or less from, the Josiah Henson's cabin (Uncle Tom's Cabin which was actually a compound of buildings. Yup, he was hardworking..) is town of Buxon, Ontario with small museum display of the black intellegensia in this area while Civil War was raging away. https://cyclewriteblog.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/escaping-slavery-into-ontario-underground-railroad-spawned-afro-canadian-communities/

[Trek420]

Perhaps one day we'll learn?! :rolleyes:

"That's it. We're moving to Sonoma! Oops.

[ny biker]

So I have a nice wool winter coat that I got years ago from LL Bean. It's knee-length, very versatile. Last winter I decided it's starting to look worn, so I want to get a new knee-length coat for every day use. My plan was to get a new down coat, and keep the wool coat for semi-dressy situations when down seems too casual. I have a long down coat (almost ankle-length) that is great on really cold days, so I figured something similar in knee-length would be good for days that are cold but not super-cold.

A month or so ago I bought one of those "lightweight packable" down coats. Have any of you worn one of these coats? It fit well, I got it on sale, thought it would be great. I wore it once on a day when the high temp was in the low 40s. And I was cold! It was okay when I was in direct sun, but in the shade I was not comfortable. When I got in my car and put my arm on the armrest, I could feel the cold coming through the coat.

I have since returned that coat and bought a puffier one. We've been having such wonderful warm weather lately that I haven't had a chance to try it out -- I'm going to test it today. It's not super puffy, though -- it seems hard to find old-school down coats in the length I want. I really hope the latest one I bought works out. I got it for a great price from Land's End. If it's not warm enough I think I will have to try something more expensive like North Face or Colombia.

Other people seem to be happy with thin packable down coats. I'm sort of mystified by this. Maybe there's a psychological aspect -- I'm so used to warm coat=heavy coat that something light and thin just seems wrong. But I have a Pearl Izumi jacket cycling that is very thin yet insanely warm, so I know that such a thing is possible.

[Crankin]

DH bought us both Mountain Hardware packable down jackets last year, before we went to the Methow Valley. Mine is fantastic. I have never felt cold in it. Of course, on freezing days, I am wearing wool underneath. I wear it all of the time.
I had a knee length down coat (it's supposed to be 3/4 length on a normal non-short person!) from EMS. I bought it 3 -4 years ago and from the day I bought it, the feathers were coming out of the coat. I had also tried on the North Face one when I bought it, and even though both were on sale, I ended up cheaping out. I got so sick of it, that when we arrived in Seattle to go to the Methow Valley trip last February, we went to the North Face store, where I bought the North Face one. It was discounted, but still expensive. What a difference. It is a bulkier than the packable jacket, but not as bulky as the EMS coat. No feathers sticking out and it fits much better.
I dislike ankle length coats, so I get the knee length, to cover my rear and I am fine, even up in Vermont or NH where it is freezing. If I have to wear a skirt, I have wool tights for those occasions. I do have a very nice J. Crew 3/4 length wool coat with Thinsulate, but I rarely wear it anymore, unless i am getting very dressed up. And here in Boston, it would be OK to wear a down coat to a formal occasion!
I find Mountain Hardware to be an excellent brand, that actually fits me in an X small, that isn't a petite. The sleeves are not too long. Plus, you can get them on web sites like Back Country or STP at a steep discount.

[rebeccaC]

Look for a coat with high fill, 800-900, premium goose down for max warmth and compressibility but also made with a waterproof shell for the best possible combination without looking puffy. It’ll be more expensive than a synthetic fill one but the combination of warmth and dryness works best for me. I have an outdoor research floodlight jacket that works extremely well for cross country skiing/snowshoeing/winter climbing. It has a good cut for me and looks good even just as a cold city jacket. I saw a nice northface waterproof long coat that has a goose down liner that can be taken out which would be good for the city too. I don’t remember the name of it though. I do have a northface summit base layer that works well with the o.r. jacket too. I use a jil sanders double breasted long wool coat when visiting or working in cold cities.....even the cold lake michigan winds coming into downtown chicago won't affect me much with it on.

[Pax]

Back in IL I wouldn't put on a coat until it got below 20, a long sleeved tshirt or the occasional sweatshirt was fine. I had an LL Bean Ascent down jacket I'd wear about once a year when the temps dipped to -10 with a -30 windchill... but I gave my coats away when we moved to FL and hope to never have to wear one again!! :p

[ny biker]

Actually I did not buy the packable down coat because I wanted something thin and packable, I just wanted something down. The packable one was on sale and it fit and I believed the label that said it would keep me warm, so I tried it. I would be perfectly content with a puffy old-school down coat or a packable one, as long as it's knee-length and it keeps me warm.

After being unhappy with the packable down coat I tried an LL Bean "ultrawarm" coat. I think the fill is 750. It was awful! Very thin, like there was no down inside it at all. I thought it was defective so I contacted them to ask about it and they said it's supposed to be thin and flat. It didn't look anything like the photos on the website. It was also comically large (I ordered a size small based on the size chart) so I just returned it.

It's in the mid-40s here today but there's a cold breeze from the NW. I wore the latest coat when I went out to get lunch and it seemed okay so far. However it's a couple of inches shorter than I would like it to be. If I still like it tonight I will probably exchange it for the "tall" version. If I'm cold when I leave here tonight then I will have to wait until after Christmas because I can't afford a more expensive coat right now.

I've never heard of jil sanders -- I'll have to look for that. I gave up trying to find a nice wool coat several years ago, because I couldn't find any that were more than 50% wool except the ones at Bean which no longer have any buttons below the waist thus defeating the whole point of having a long coat. Also it's harder to find a wool coat that fits well over a warm sweater without being too tight across the back when I'm driving.

Yes I am very picky. But I can't stand spending lots of money for something that fits wrong or doesn't work as intended.

[ny biker]

Back in IL I wouldn't put on a coat until it got below 20, a long sleeved tshirt or the occasional sweatshirt was fine. I had an LL Bean Ascent down jacket I'd wear about once a year when the temps dipped to -10 with a -30 windchill... but I gave my coats away when we moved to FL and hope to never have to wear one again!! :p


OMG. I do try not to wear coats until it's really necessary, but for me it is necessary once the temps drop below 60. I have a good leather coat for 50-60, and a couple of short winter jackets for 40-50. Below that I really need to cover down to my knees.

I work with a couple of guys who are always too warm. You know it's really cold outside when they show up wearing a sweater. Of course under those conditions I've got my ankle-length coat over heavy wool. Plus ski mittens on my hands, a wool cap with a fleece lining on my head and Uggs over wool socks on my feet.

[Crankin]

Yes, there are a lot of people like Pax around here, but I am not one! I have a jean jacket for cool summer nights and early fall, and a leather jacket with a thinsulate lining that I could wear through a lot of days in the winter. I am kind of sick of it, it's 20 years old, and not so stylish. Now I tend to wear my packable down or a sweater type, very stylish jacket from BR, instead. I also have a lined trench coat, good for fall and spring, when I am wearing a dress or skirt. Then I have the wool coat and down coat. You are right, most coats do not button all the way down, mostly for ease of movement. I know my J Crew doesn't. It is not that bulky, and neither are the sweaters I wear, so they fit under it. I seriously hate wearing a hat, as my hair does not behave if I have it on for more than a minute. I have fleece headband I wear most of the time, just running into work from the lot, or I wear my very thin 100% wool ski cap if it's really cold. I also have a fleece lined heavy wool alpine looking hat I bought in Lake Placid. I went there to x country ski, twice, and there was no snow! But it was freezing in a way that was not nice, since there was no pretty snow. It has to be below 25 for me to wear this, and I really can't nordic ski in it, or it's too hot.

[Crankin]

Another topic... people are kind of overreacting to my announcement that my son and DIL are expecting. By people, I mean my close friends. I am very happy for my son and DIL, but really, I hate to say it, I don't like thinking about myself as a grandmother. I know I will love the baby and they will be great parents and we will have fun. But, I am not going to make it my whole life. I was the same way when I had young kids, and my kids were very planned and wanted. I get almost a negative/oppositional reaction to situations wherepeople try to put me in a traditional role. Feh.
I told my DH he can start saving for the bike trailer and he said, "Yes, and it will be attached to *your* bike."

[shootingstar]

I don't think it's grandmother status, Crankin but just happiness to be related to a baby-child in an extended family, who you don't have 100% responsibility to look after anymore or not even 25%.


My partner is a grandfather of 3 grandsons -- eldest is 12 yrs. old with youngest 1 yr. old.

A few months ago, it kinda shocked me that my eldest niece is 30 yrs. No, I would be very surprised if she wanted children. (I don't think it's good if one is still sorting out their own happiness.)
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I have a heavy, knee length wool coat. That's enough for me. I've had it for last 15 yrs. and I wear it about 10 times or less per winter. I just find it too heavy in weight. I can't believe I used to wear heavier wool winter dress coats 4 inches below my knee and walk 6 km. to university in the snow, with my knapsack filled with 3 hardbound texts. I never gained weight at university....

I find it adequate to wear a bum length semi snow repellant heavier down jacket that I wear for mountain snowshoeing (Hmmm, wonder if it smells.) when I wear long winter boots and a skirt to office. I walk 15 min. to LRT and might stand around waiting for train about 5 min. or less in -25 degree C weather.

I'm not keen to buy a down-filled knee length or longer puffy winter coat. For a short, petite person like myself, I don't think it looks attractive on me.

A lot of the chic looking puffy jackets, aren't that warm. One woman I knew, wore 2 on top of one another. That's not a good sign of quality.

Of course, the "chic" in-style brand in western Canada, is Canada Goose brand line. The real version that is made in Canada. They are plain, warm but expensive. Not knock-offs in China.
I don't need that..unless I live in Canada's Arctic.

Our winters are around -10 to -25 degrees C. We do get a few days each winter down to -40 degrees C. Now you know why it doesn't faze some locals to work in/near the Arctic. :) We are at least 250 km. north of Toronto in latitude or more...but of course 4,000 km. west of Toronto.

[ny biker]

Well I walked from my office to my car in a cold wind with an air temp of 39F and could feel the wind going through the coat. Which means another trip to the mall to return it.

Don't really know where to go from here. Two coats supposedly rated to be comfortable in below zero temps that are not warm when it's still above freezing. No idea how to find a coat that is as warm as the manufacturer claims. I'm already tired of buying and returning, and stores will be selling out soon.



Try to tune out people's expectations if you can, Crankin. One of the best things you can do for children or grandchildren is to show them that it's okay to be yourself without worrying about what others think you should be.

[shootingstar]

Try to tune out people's expectations if you can, Crankin. One of the best things you can do for children or grandchildren is to show them that it's okay to be yourself without worrying about what others think you should be.

Lots to learn from grandmother, particularily she has had a long work-related career, balanced child raising yet a happy marriage. And she bikes well into her...60's. :)

Though I am not a grandmother, I do feel I have a role for the niece who lost her mother. I could never replace her mother who died. But I know that just for niece to know that she has an aunt who enjoys writing, art ....like she does now. Her mother was different and naturally strong in other skills.

[Pax]

I used to be cold all.the.time, menopause fixed that, now I'm hot, all the time. It can be 100 outside and I'm hot, it can be 20 outside and I'm hot... at least here in FL the temp is more constant. Couple that with the fact I hate wearing clothing of any kind (I think I'm a nudist at heart) and tropical living works better for me. I have acquired six new pairs of flip flops though.:D

[ny biker]

I have acquired six new pairs of flip flops though.:D

Makes sense to me!

I laugh when I read a description of a coat online and it claims the coat "holds in body heat." I have no body heat. The other day a nurse took my temperature and it was below 97. That is normal for me. Even when I'm getting hot flashes, I alternate between them and cold flashes when I just can't get warm no matter what I do. (Until the internal furnace clicks on and then I can't throw the blankets off and rip off the sweaters fast enough!)

I have to go into Georgetown tomorrow (i.e., traffic hell) to pick up a Christmas gift, and there is a North Face store there that I can visit. They have a knee-length coat that seems to get good reviews, so I'm hoping I can check it out. Though if I like it, I may buy it at REI where I get a dividend.

I did find that Nordstrom carries Canada Goose coats. They are quite pricey.