Thread Drift

[Helene2013]

Love reading you Emily. We are 2-4 years from retirement. I'll be 55-57 then. We are already looking at selling our home (then) and being either a full-timer in our motorhome (probably a bigger one at that time). Staying in a US warmer climate in the winter (6-7 months) - but not too hot as I don't like heat that much contrary to hubby - and the other 5-6 months we have to remain "stable" in one province in Canada in order not to lose our health benefits. And it is rather complex if we had wanted to remain in the States all year long (being Canadian sometimes has it's downside vs our travel to USA. hihi). So we are looking to maybe purchasing a "modular" home on a campground. Where we have our motorhome parked for the summer, they have very beautiful modular home that are less than half the price of our current home and fairly big. That way, we would not feel "isolated" and people in campgrounds are always happy, always some action around, etc vs staying in a condo or single home (even if smaller). Feels like on vacation all the time. And no close neighbor (top/bottom) to disturb/be disturbed.

I just can't stand working anymore. I feel we are "wasting" the good years we have left in us :) Especially getting up at 4:15am (hubby but the whole house is awake then anyway), this is the killer, and traffic..ohhhh traffic! But husband can't really quit his job with the city right now or he'd lose too much out of his pension plan. Makes a huge different to stay that extra 2 years. Worst case scenario, he leaves in 2 years with a lesser pension from the city, and I keep working for that extra 2 years. In the meantime for those 2 years he'd be retired and I'd work, I'd keep piling up my own pension plan, clearing debts, look for a new place to stay, and dream of the day we are freer of time in certain ways. I've already started de-cluttering stuff we don't really need. My part is easy. It's to get hubby to get rid of his stuff that is harder. He is attached to all he owns...me ... I don't care much about stuff. As long as I cover my basics, I'm good. hihi Any furniture we'd like to keep... would fit in that modular home. So we would not "lose" everything by downsizing. Luckily, I'm more a minimalist when it comes to furniture. I don't have anything I don't use. Only the guest room would have to go. The rest I can keep.

We would like to travel in the motorhome to visit everywhere in Canada/USA. No interest in Mexico (I don't feel safe enough - unless it's an all inclusive type of trip - like resort). But because of laws, health benefits requirements per province, our $ vs US$ so weak, etc...it does complicate things a bit and would be too costly to do year round. Anyway, we still have a good 2 years at least to get the plan into a more realistic goal. Can't wait! I'm more than ready mentally...just need to get a bit more cashflow before. :)

[emily_in_nc]

I give you guys who are (were) caregivers credit. It would be very hard for me to do this. I've lived far away from my family for many years, so my brother got that job, just virtue of location. I gave moral support, advice, and money, and visited.

Ditto. After helping to move DH's parents into assisted living and being around them quite a lot during that time, plus several visits since, I know I could never be a full-time caretaker. They are very needy and difficult at times. Caregiving, especially for elderly folks with dementia and physical limitations, is extremely exhausting and takes an awful lot of patience and unselfish sharing of time. I admit I'm not too good on either of those attributes, nor is my DH. We did a great job with the physical work of cleaning out their house efficiently and quickly, but the emotional "work" is much harder for both of us.

I know my mother, if she is widowed one day (likely, as she's in much better health than my stepfather, despite being 12 years older!) wants to move into some sort of elder apartment. She knows with our crazy lifestyle that we don't have a house with a mother-in-law suite to move her into, and my younger brother, while a sweet and super smart guy, is just not equipped to care for her in any meaningful way. So, hopefully I will just be able to be close enough to visit with some frequency. She is the primary reason that I am not too keen on heading back to Mexico anytime soon.

[emily_in_nc]

Love reading you Emily. We are 2-4 years from retirement. I'll be 55-57 then. We are already looking at selling our home (then) and being either a full-timer in our motorhome (probably a bigger one at that time). Staying in a US warmer climate in the winter (6-7 months) - but not too hot as I don't like heat that much contrary to hubby - and the other 5-6 months we have to remain "stable" in one province in Canada in order not to lose our health benefits....

Why thank you! Sounds like you have some good plans. But just a thought: perhaps you shouldn't close the door on Mexico so quickly. The cost of living is low, and there are SO many Canucks there! I had never met so many Canadians until we lived in Belize for 18 months and then Playa del Carmen, Mexico, for a year. I am still unsure about RVing there (though I know many do it; caravans seem like the safest way to do that), but flying there and renting an apartment or house is great! Lots of six-months on, six-months off Canadians, as Mexico is cheaper than the US (by quite a lot), has all different types of weather depending on where you choose, amazing food and culture, and some of the nicest people I've ever met. Yes, there are dangerous areas you would never want to visit or drive through, but so long as you avoid those and the entire drug trade, at least I felt safer there overall than I do in the US.

[Crankin]

Helene, you sound like you have good plans, but it must be hard to be just waiting those "2 more years" to get there. I get it when you say you are sick of the commute, though. I've structured my life to be totally unstressful in that regard; I work 2 miles from my house! Except for my first therapy job, where I drove to client's homes for 2.5 years, I haven't driven more than 6 miles to work since 1999. The job that DH just took involves some traffic, but it's not that far, about 18 miles. He is hoping after he settles in, he will work flexible hours. In his last job he went in early (6 AM) and left by 4 when I was teaching, and he continued to do that even after I switched to a different schedule.
I'm still working because it's a no-stress situation. If I had changed careers even 5 years earlier, I would have started my own practice. Clearly, it would have been way more financially lucrative. But, I didn't want the work of running a business, or the stress of it all. I know i am lucky, because DH's salary allowed me to have this choice. Indeed, he stuck it out there longer than he should have because of the money. But, it paid off. He was able to take a job he really wanted, without regard to the salary, just like I did, because of the fact we are just about at the retirement savings we targeted, we sold our house and moved to a smaller place, and we essentially have no costs, except utilities, clothing, food, and having fun!

[ny biker]

I feel like I did something wrong. I've been putting money into a 401k for decades. Not the maximum amount, because I can't afford that without severely cutting back on day-to-day expenses, but a decent amount. I have a good job that pays well. But I seriously don't think I'll ever have enough set aside to be retired full time. Maybe if I bought a home earlier I would have equity from that. But as things stand I will be paying off a a mortgage for a long time. And then I suppose I will move into some sort of retirement community if I can afford it.

Given my parents' age, it's likely that they'll need more help from me and my siblings while I'm still working full-time. I have one sister who lives near them and I am next closest at 300 miles away. The others are on the other side of the country; they are very generous with financial help. One good thing about my current job (if it lasts) is that I could work remotely from my parents' house if I needed to spend more time there to help take care of them.

I agree that being a caretaker is definitely not easy. I know people who have cared for their parents for years, including setting up an apartment for them within their own homes. I'm always amazed at the emotional strength that they show.

[Crankin]

I don't think you've done anything wrong, NY. You do a lot of things most never get to do. We were lucky in selling our house in Boxborough at the height of the boom. Of course, we never should have, as our house we just sold this year was 11 years of major repairs and remodeling, but it was cool and we liked it. But, if we had not impusively bought it, our other home would have been paid off long ago. I have never connected with anyone in Concord, but given the fact I only moved 9 miles (now about 6 miles, from the condo), it's all the same. I am glad my kids went to school where they did and not in Concord. Despite taking a beating on our house sale this year, we have a bit of a profit that will help us pay off the condo in a year or so. We put down almost 50%, it was the cheapest listed home in Concord except for "tear downs," and we were able to do this because DH got huge bonuses at the job he left. It was the first time we didn't have to use one of these bonuses for a home repair! We made some bad financial choices at the beginning of our marriage (well after we had kids). We took a major beating moving here from AZ, and we pretty much had to pay to get rid of our very lovely home in Tempe. It was the right choice, but it took years to get back to the type of lifestyle we had and live in the kind of town where our kids would get a good education and not be the "weird ones." It was actually harder for me than them, when we first moved here, in a place that was a perfect mismatch. There were a few years where I was teaching high school, teaching 3-7 aerobics classes a week, and teaching Hebrew School when my kids were young. We needed the money to provide them the same kind of upbringing I had... I was young, in my early 30s, but it took its toll on my health. All of my friends were stay at home moms who had been married awhile before they had kids or had family help. It was hard. I feel proud that my salary when I was teaching was enough to pay for my older son's college and his car. We wanted them to to have a clean start and no loans. Of course, he went to a state school, so that helped! My younger son felt strongly he wanted to do it on his own and that was part of his motivation for joining the military, which was weird for a kid coming from a Boston suburb. He did it himself and ended up with a full scholarship at a school that is extremely selective and has a commitment to veterans. We could not have afforded it!
I guess what I am trying to say, is that sometimes you never know what will happen. We just decided that having experiences was more important than the big house and other stuff, which was what allowed us to do all of this downsizing.

[Helene2013]

Crankin,
No choice to tough it up until retirement. My job pays very well. I'm not that far from work but Montreal is a mega road repair road construction thing. And I live too far to cycle there due to bike paths not well planned for the area I live and where I work. And we are not allowed on main bridges. If I opted to change job and get closer to home (no bridge to cross), that means a drop of over 10,000-15,000$ a year. That is a lot. I think the worst is not the commute but being awake at 4:15am because hubby has no choice due to his job. They don't have flex schedule like I do. My job itself is ok. Lots of pressure lately due to job cuts - so those who stay end up doing more, for same pay. But we are very well taken care of and part of the top 100 employers. So "suffering" for the next 2-4 years could be a whole lot worst. :)

If I could downsize right now I would. But with 3 very active dogs, 2 are getting pretty old but have energy for 10, I need to keep my yard. I just could not think to move in a condo, nor a town house with little yard. By the time we retire, I will only have one (sad sad) probably. I had 6 pets (3 dogs and 3 cats). A cat was euthanized 3 weeks ago due to old age and no longer able to walk (liver failure). So I'm down to 5. Can't see myself in a tiny space for now. Things will be very different down the road. I want to get there quickly, but not so because that means some of my pets will have crossed the rainbow bridge due to age. :( It will be a rough start to retirement for sure.

Retiring younger than the norm I may decide also to work at my vet clinic during the summer months. That is something I would love to do. I have a good background in that area as well (studied 3 years in the dog world to understand behaviors, grooming, obedience, infectious diseases, parasites, name it). So I would a good helper there! Not just in the euthanized part of the job. Or I could even mow grass or work at the front desk a day or 2 a week if I stayed at a campground for the summer (in Canada). That would help me keep busy, mentally and physically. We'll see when we get there. But definitively no getting up early anymore. haha

Emily,
I belong to a french RV forum and a few go to Mexico every winter for the past xx years. They say the lifestyle is way different "poorer" than what you find in sunshine states but also much cheaper. It all depends at one is looking for as for services. And I don't speak Spanish either (yet anyway...could become useful to take classes at retirement though - a goal what! hihi). I have enough of my French and trying to improve my English. :) but who knows what the future is for us. We did go to Cancun so many years ago and it was not a resort. We had the "chance" to see the real lives of Mexicans...not the all-glittery one of resorts. So not the same! I don't know if I'd love Mexico enough and feel safe. Maybe if I stayed a winter with someone who has been going there for ages it would help me. Some things are cheaper but I read that insuring a motorhome is expensive and we need to use the Mexican insurance. I have not really read on that.

NY,
I do put money into RRSPs, etc. Hubby has a city pension plan which is much better than what I have. My company puts a max of 7% into retirement funds (they equals what I put in). Of course that means I have to put a whole lot more if I want to retire before 65 as I will depend on my own reserve until 65 when (and if as now we never know with things changing at rapid pace) I should be allowed a pension from gov't. But interest and compound alone are not enough. It is never like the "good old days" where money was maximized quickly when invested. Not the case for so many years.

Well...gotta get back to work if I want to keep paying my toys and mortgage. :)

[Crankin]

You are right, Helene, in that you will be young when you retire and it is not that long. For me, it is such a fine line between working too much and being bored. I recently started doing a group for victims of domestic violence. The only way I could fit it into my schedule was by doing it on Friday morning. Even though it's only an hour and a half, and I love it, I feel like it is a bit much, when I've been used to having Thursday be my last day of the week. I did let my boss know up front, that it will not be running in the summer. Obviously, it's not a big deal, but it worries me that I still have the urge to "do" a lot, and when I slow down, I get bored. My husband says I just need to relax, but I feel like I always need to have plans, either social or athletic.

[ny biker]

Well I honestly believe none of this matters today. For the first time in my life I am truly ashamed to be an American. I am literally sick to my stomach thinking about the future.

[zoom-zoom]

Well I honestly believe none of this matters today. For the first time in my life I am truly ashamed to be an American. I am literally sick to my stomach thinking about the future.

:( Me, too.

[Catrin]

Well I honestly believe none of this matters today. For the first time in my life I am truly ashamed to be an American. I am literally sick to my stomach thinking about the future.
Agreed :(

I will say that before this election I saw no real chance for a true retirement for lots of reasons. Assuming my pension and social security do not both disappear then I will need to find a different type of job with fewer hours at some point. After this election? God only knows, and I mean that literally.

However today I have certain tasks and I will continue to carry those out, and try not to allow my fears and anxiety take over.

If I had the funds I would consider moving back to Canada...I lived there briefly in the mid-80s and really liked it. I'm not entirely joking, but it isn't an option.

[Helene2013]

I love this quote from Yogi Berra : “I tell the kids, somebody’s gotta win, somebody’s gotta lose. Just don’t fight about it. Just try to get better.”

So hopefully things will look brighter soon for those who do not see it just yet (including many people in Canada). We only can move forward from now on.

[emily_in_nc]

Returning to Mexico is looking pretty good as of this morning! I too am frustrated, sad, angry, and shell-shocked. I truly did not expect this as I am an avid reader of political sites/blogs and consumer of news, and very few predicted this outcome.

I always try to stay positive and look for the silver lining, but it's pretty hard at this moment.

[ny biker]

I'm taking a carpe diem approach.

Did I show you all my new necklace? I found it in a small store in Harpers Ferry, WV, handmade by one of the people who works there. I wore it today so I would have something to make me smile.

18242

[smilingcat]

As the saying goes, "be careful for what you ask". This isn't a political site so I'll just leave it that.

I'm a flat liner so I'm not elated nor depressed with the result. Maybe its the Japanese background. It is what it is and live with it. Life is shibui.

Peso has lost significant value overnight.

[lauraelmore1033]

Well I honestly believe none of this matters today. For the first time in my life I am truly ashamed to be an American. I am literally sick to my stomach thinking about the future.

I too am feeling sickened by what has happened. And baffled, and enraged and fearful.

[Helene2013]

You should move. :) We need good people like you gals around...and we also have a cute prime Minister (and his wife is smart and classy too) to look at in media (ok...that is too superficial I know but it helps digest politics --- for me anyway). hihi. Funny when we went through our national election, no one really thought Trudeau would nail this win and strong. He did... and after a year, polls said he passed the test at 77%. Not bad so far.

[emily_in_nc]

Helene, Trudeau is adorable and awesome! If only I could tolerate cold weather. :p

NY, I love your necklace! Harper's Ferry is a wonderful little town. I've only visited once, when we did Bike Virginia way back in 2003, but I've never forgotten it!

[snapdragen]

I'm with you. I told some friends that if it were not for my mom, I'd be packing my bags.


Well I honestly believe none of this matters today. For the first time in my life I am truly ashamed to be an American. I am literally sick to my stomach thinking about the future.

[Pax]

We discussed Canada again last night, we wanted to go several years ago but we having a hard time finding jobs there. But we keep running into that wall, without jobs it's almost impossible for us to immigrate now, we are too old and we don't have enough money to compensate for our age. I understand that, they don't want a bunch of us 50+ year old people moving up and using their healthcare... but sure wish it was an option.

[Pax]

Have you ever checked into New Zealand?

Too far from what little family we have, and from what I've read, even tougher requirements. The key to places with Universal Healthcare seems to be, do it before you hit 50, or be sure a local company there employs you, or have a skill that is in high demand, or finally, have a lot of money in the bank.

[smilingcat]

One of my German co-worker (naturalized American), just to have some fun with his relative in Germany asked if he could apply for refugee status and emigrate to Germany. One of his relative worked in the German government. Reply was USA was not listed as one of the countries where refugee status was given. If you are given a refugee status, I think they'll pay you two years of living expense, a school to attend so that you can learn German and integrate into their society. But their are lot of animosity toward immigrants some have gotten to be rather violent.

Places where I would like to relocate would be most of the northern European countries, Denmark, Netherland, Norway, Sweden (they are also having lots of trouble with immigrants so much so that Swedes are emigrating out). Other places are Pyrenees, because its so pretty or Alsace, is it French or German??

Maybe we could apply for political asylum if you are gay. Pence is vehemently against the gays...

[Catrin]

Yes Pence is, I live in Indiana and much cheering was heard when Trump tapped him. We never DREAMED he was just going to get a really big promotion. We were just happy that he was no longer our governor...little did we know what would happen.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

[ny biker]

Whereas here in Virginia, one of my few consolations is that we keep Tim Kaine as one of our senators.

I saw this link on facebook, thought some folks here might be interested.

http://jezebel.com/a-list-of-pro-women-pro-immigrant-pro-earth-anti-big-1788752078

I know a young woman who was adopted. She was still a child at the time but not especially young, because she had "special needs" -- health problems which include mental health issues. She was crying the other night, worried about people who rely on mental health services and what will happen to them in the next few years. She's lucky that she has a loving family to support her, but not everyone is that lucky. I'm worried too. And really I'm not talking about politics here, I just feel meanness is winning. So I am looking over the organizations listed in that article, to make some donations and maybe do some volunteer work.

[emily_in_nc]

My mother and step-dad were joking about New Zealand as well, but from what I've heard it is very hard to get more than a tourist permit to go there and the cost of living is very high. I have no first-hand experience, but it sure looks like a gorgeous spot, though!

DH and I are talking about Mexico. I'm surprised that Canada is mentioned over and over, but never Mexico. Surprising, since with the peso's fall, it is incredibly cheap there, and there are plenty of very safe places with great culture. The entire Yucatan Peninsula is very safe. The city of Merida, for just one example: amazing food, expat infrastructure, museums, theater, gorgeous architecture, etc. It's a big city, though; not for everyone. And for those who still need to work, it is harder than for we retirees. The cycling infrastructure isn't nearly as good in Mex as in the US either. That keeps tripping us up as there are very few places we'd be willing to live there because of not being able to ride, or in only a very limited way.

I do agree, though, that we progressives are needed more than ever in the US. We'll certainly stick it out for awhile, but if things get too impossible, Mexico will likely be our exit plan. I hope things will not get as bad here as they could, and if things go really crazy, the midterm elections could really help balance things back out.

[Catrin]

I lived in Vancouver back in '83 and would move back in a heartbeat if I had the money. Frankly I've been shocked at the response from both of my sisters (one kept sending me pro-Trump links and others telling me that "your church isn't telling you everything" kind of thing). Ugh. Outside of TE, I've walked away from social media (especially Facebook) for a period of time as it's just upsetting and my stomach is in a knot. I can't do myself, or anyone else, any good by watching all of this stuff on Facebook, and it's upsetting that most of it is from my family.

Guess I knew before as I'm the only socially liberal lesbian Anglican in the family, but it really brings it home at JUST how different our worldviews are. They just don't seem to "get" that isolationist natiivism, white supremacy, homophobic, and misogynist policies actually hurt people, for real. I do have a couple of nieces who give me hope, but I wonder if there is really anything on which my sisters (and the rest of my family) and I agree. I don't think there is, and this week has really brought that home. Sorry for venting/mourning/whatever this is.

[Sky King]

emily_in_nc
right there with you. Was researching today. Will be a few more years, I think but time to get serious. My son and his GF are in Tulum this week and I told them they should just stay :)

I try to stay politically neutral but only to a point and I think this election just got me to that point. HUGS TO ALL! Be Strong together

[Crankin]

There's a lot of talk of moving, but I know I am not going anywhere...
Since I broke ties with family members who are racists 8 years ago, I don't see any pro Trump posts on FB. I have deliberately cocooned myself. I do, however, read, and it would be unrealistic for me to think that there's not a lot of Americans who are angry and unhappy. To me, it gets down to the fact that the world has changed, and certain jobs are never coming back, despite an incredibly low unemployment rate overall. That's reality. It's not the liberals' fault, it's progress, technology, and change. I am not sure what the solution is to this, except government investment in retraining, education, and small businesses. People don't like change. People are afraid of anything that is different, including other people. Heck, I hang out with those who think like me.
I was a wreck Tuesday night and had bad dreams all night. I didn't want to get up and turn on the news. I knew DH had gotten out of bed at 2 AM to look at the TV. I dealt with all kinds of grief and acute stress reactions in my clients and some of my peers I went to grad school with (the younger ones).
I am going way back to draw on my experience in the late 60s. We have the power to change things.

[Catrin]

Yes we do Crankin, and that's empowering. I think what surprised me so much about my sisters was I had really thought they had changed/grown beyond all of that. Well, I had blinders on, and that happens. I cannot and will not tolerate that poison around me. It isn't like we were very close but it really felt like a slap in the face. I do recognize the signs of acute stress in myself which isn't helping, but I know how to deal with it.

I grew up in the 70s, was too young in the 60s to remember much about the protests. Certainly this is the first time there has been national protests post-election in a very long time. Wasn't Nixon (2nd term) the last time?

[shootingstar]

Yes we do Crankin, and that's empowering. I think what surprised me so much about my sisters was I had really thought they had changed/grown beyond all of that. Well, I had blinders on, and that happens. I cannot and will not tolerate that poison around me. It isn't like we were very close but it really felt like a slap in the face. I do recognize the signs of acute stress in myself which isn't helping, but I know how to deal with it.

I grew up in the 70s, was too young in the 60s to remember much about the protests. Certainly this is the first time there has been national protests post-election in a very long time. Wasn't Nixon (2nd term) the last time?

This is particularily difficult if it's family (especially siblings) expressing and believing in ideas and values so very different from your own, Catrin.

It is disturbing as a Canadian, for the U.S. to now have a President/leader who unlike many other Presidents, so unpredictable and incredibly egocentric, thoughtless and uninformed in such a willful, destructive way that it divides people, insults whole groups of people over and over. Most of all, Trump's rhetoric and now leader, gives legitimacy to same bullying behaviour to other wannabe politicians in other countries nearby... Including Canada. THis is dangerous.

But it is hoped that Americans who don't at all share Trump's core values nor vision, will continue to work/voice their opposition. The last thing is sinking into helplessness and fear of Trump's power/ his backroom backers. That is my personal hope for the U.S. in future.



Canada's Prime MInister is different- he is fluently bilingual in English and French (and his wife also). He was high school teacher in Vancouver for a few years. Yesterday on the day of when win was declared for Trump, PM Justin Trudeau making a speech to a whole bunch of teens in Ottawa about the importance of them to be involved in community, etc. It was most likely calculated so that PM of Canada could focus on something positive to inspire our own future generations in our own country, on that day.

[ny biker]

I have really struggled to articulate my feelings on this situation. You all are expressing them so well.


And here's something nice, because we need small bits of good news. This was shared on facebook by Livestrong.org. (Remember them?)

http://futurism.com/10-year-old-cancer-survivor-is-heading-to-nasa-after-inventing-a-new-bandage-dispenser/

[rebeccaC]

But it is hoped that Americans who don't at all share Trump's core values nor vision, will continue to work/voice their opposition. The last thing is sinking into helplessness and fear of Trump's power/ his backroom backers. That is my personal hope for the U.S. in future.
.
“Fear is built on structures of assumptions and lack of awareness. Once you move through the fog of fear and shine the light of awareness by taking action and moving forward, fear loses its power and efficacy.�….Pema


Hoping this new political atmosphere will increase the awareness of and the support for the progressive work that can be done on state and especially local community levels. Staying positive, spreading hope and remaining strong in our convictions can help in the aftermath of such political change. It's certainly very disappointing to see so many people voting for the change represented in Trumps campaign and that can't be minimized. Thankfully i live in a very progressive state and area and that helps to ease my mind a little.

Both Alex and I have European citizenship and we were already looking at the work opportunities in the E.U. for a while now. How the national political events play out could just give us another reason to do a move. We’ve had some initial conversations at work about this countries new direction, the impact on environmental issues and the strategies for dealing with it. Ellie and I were already concentrating more on getting E.U. projects in Germany and the U.K. so that may help my thinking on a move too.

[lph]

I'm half-way between wanting to move (Caliexit? Norway?) (...)
I'm working on a masters of renewable energy.

Sounds like you're all set up to come work with me :-) This is what I do. In honesty though, I don't think it's particularly easy getting a work permit here, and last time we had an opening we were swamped with applications. Still, renewable is just going to get bigger and bigger as our oil production tanks.

I've been thinking about this whole "what just happened"-thing. The general impression here, in the media and among everybody I talk to, has been that there was no way he could possibly win. I've been more sceptical, not that I knew it was going to happen, but I had a bad feeling about the whole situation and wasn't able to joke about it. In general I've been getting more aware about how much I live in a bubble, surrounded by people and opinions I agree with, and how vulnerable that actually makes us.

For instance, social media: on FB I see no pro-Trump comments, not surprisingly, because my feed is basically my friends and family that I like and choose to keep in touch with. On Twitter, pretty much the same. But I noticed that even on Instagram, where I follow quite a few people who are total strangers to me, but post photos I like, often climbing, skiing, mountaineering or just attractive nature photos. Or just humor accounts. But every single one of these ALSO posted "OMG, what just happened, it's a disaster"-photos right after the election. That is actually pretty strange. It may reflect that Trump supporters in general are less active on Instagram, or that my so-called "neutral" interests actually are dominated by people with similar political views.

But no matter the reason, the end result is that every day I go onto the computer, surf around, and feel I've got an idea of what's happening in the world. I haven't. I've got an idea of what's happening in MY side of the world, and hardly any impression at all of how people who disagree with me view the world. I'm in a bubble or an echo chamber, just like I like to complain about the far right being.

Last time I reflected over this I made a conscious choice to follow some people and accounts on Twitter I really dislike and disagree with. It sounds trivial, but in fact it's surprisingly infuriating, to read very strong opinions that go against everything you believe. I will be doing more of this now. It's the only way I can get a small reality check. And I regularly try to join the open debates on the news media, because the first comments often set the tone of how things are discussed. Maybe every now and then I can change somebody's mind, or they can make me see flaws in my own reasoning. If at all possible, it's much better to "win" by making people want to join you, not by shaming and bludgeoning down the opposition.

Anyway. This is the inside of my head right now. Thanks for reading. I wish you all the best :-)

[Crankin]

This is tounge in cheek, but I thought some of you might like this article on the subject of moving.
It kind of echoes how I feel.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2016/11/10/seven-reasons-move-massachusetts-instead-canada/LNy3P3GcWxbAmgoCFGiKrJ/story.html?s_campaign=bostonglobe%3Asocialflow%3Afacebook

[Catrin]

This is tounge in cheek, but I thought some of you might like this article on the subject of moving.
It kind of echoes how I feel.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2016/11/10/seven-reasons-move-massachusetts-instead-canada/LNy3P3GcWxbAmgoCFGiKrJ/story.html?s_campaign=bostonglobe%3Asocialflow%3Afacebook

Fun! The winter would certainly compare with much of Canada ;) Seriously one of the things I enjoyed about Vancouver (BC, not Washington), was the very moderate winter. Similar to Seattle, of course it changes quickly before you get very far inland.

[Crankin]

Actually, Catrin, our winter, at least in the Boston suburbs is much shorter than in Canada! We typically don't get a lot of snowfall in December. Yes, there have been years we have had big storms in December, but generally not a lot. Our big snow months are January and February, with January being the coldest and February seems to be the snowiest. We are more likely to get snow in the beginning of March, than in December, but because it is warmer and the sun is stronger, even deep snows melt then. So, I generally think of true winter as January and February. Maybe it's because that's when I can usually count on local x country skiing and snow shoeing! The closest local x country ski area is about 8 miles from where I live. I always expereince the same thing every year: around March 5th, I am skiing on the trails there, and in the next week or two I am riding my bike on the road through this area. However, you don't have to go far for extended winter or snow. I live far enough inland where it is a little bit colder during the winter than in the city, but, from the end of March through May, we are much warmer and less windy than towns even 10 miles east of here. I've had enough experience of going into Boston in the spring, where it was 55 degrees and 25 mph winds, and coming home (20 miles) to 65-75 degrees and warm.

[emily_in_nc]

emily_in_nc
right there with you. Was researching today. Will be a few more years, I think but time to get serious. My son and his GF are in Tulum this week and I told them they should just stay :)

Seriously! Tulum is cool, though I think a bit too "young" for us. We certainly enjoying visiting, though.

[emily_in_nc]

This is tounge in cheek, but I thought some of you might like this article on the subject of moving.
It kind of echoes how I feel.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2016/11/10/seven-reasons-move-massachusetts-instead-canada/LNy3P3GcWxbAmgoCFGiKrJ/story.html?s_campaign=bostonglobe%3Asocialflow%3Afacebook

I enjoyed that -- thanks, Crankin! Wish DH and I enjoyed cold weather more. I actually lived in Mass. the first four years of my life. My dad went to grad school at MIT. I love that part of the country (and the people there).

[Pax]

This is tounge in cheek, but I thought some of you might like this article on the subject of moving.
It kind of echoes how I feel.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2016/11/10/seven-reasons-move-massachusetts-instead-canada/LNy3P3GcWxbAmgoCFGiKrJ/story.html?s_campaign=bostonglobe%3Asocialflow%3Afacebook

It's pretty tempting. I was born on the Cape and have loads of Family in Boston, Melrose, Medford, etc. Not people I know well, but there's a couple of hundred of them.

[Crankin]

Pax, you would love it. Melrose is an up and coming place for young people. A lot of my peers from grad school live there. My son lives in Medford. If you don't have to worry about schools, you have a wider range of places with less expensive housing (relative to here) that are Ok.

[Catrin]

Crankin - thanks for the info about winter. The winter in Indianapolis gets too much for me as I get older. I just get cold and don't warm up until spring. Oddly enough I still enjoy hikes in the woods in VERY cold temps, say teens or below. I think I enjoy that because the air is less humid in those temps - assuming there is little snow cover so one can actually see where the edge of the trail is. Those aren't the temps to fall into a snow-covered ravine - I'm normally solo on these hikes.

I do admit, if I had the resources and could find a job in my field in a more liberal state I would be out of here in a flash. I do really enjoy my job however, and I like my little community I've found here so I am not crying about that. Perfection doesn't exist anywhere, but it would be very nice to be in a more liberal state. Sadly, I am already hearing about mean-spirited comments being made to people who are obviously not white, or to women who are part of mixed-racial marriage. It's chilling to hear these things - it seems that people are starting to think it's acceptable to say such things now.

[Eden]

My mother and step-dad were joking about New Zealand as well, but from what I've heard it is very hard to get more than a tourist permit to go there and the cost of living is very high. I have no first-hand experience, but it sure looks like a gorgeous spot, though!

Really? I just heard the exact opposite - granted it was from a teen - 20 something that we just bumped into on a bus in San Francisco, but we were talking (he was shocked at how crowded the bus was - he said in NZ public transportation is usually mostly empty) and he said they've a lot of unoccupied space and are looking for immigrants. He said Christchurch has been rebuilt since the quake, but that people have been reluctant to move back and that one of the islands (south?) is quite desolate. We know someone who moved there around a decade ago. He was simply sick of it here. Moving there seemed fairly simple for him, but he was still young and is an electrical engineer (I think, or a programmer) and highly skilled people are often given preference. I'm not sure what his wife does.

[Eden]

I'll admit my first reaction was just wanting to throw up and then to hide under the covers and fantasize that someone would find a big box of uncounted ballots from Pennsylvania... but I've been forced to take a big deep breath and remember

- We survived 8 years of G. W. Bush... we can survive four years of this. There will be setbacks and things will happen that we don't like, but we can still oppose them and we'll get through it. We've got 4 year terms and separation of powers in our government in part to limit the amount of damage any one office holder can do. If anything this can be a serious wake up call and an inspiration for the next term - don't take anything for granted and every vote counts.

- Our friends, neighbors and neighborhoods haven't suddenly changed and the people who supported you before haven't gone away. At least up here, which I will admit is insulated, being one of the bluest districts, in a blue city, in a blue state, it hasn't changed overnight. The people here are still the same and we will continue to be progressive. It may become more expensive as we won't be able to rely on federal dollars for the next few years, and we'll have to fight all the more for what we think is right, but again we'll get through it and we won't change. I feel for those who live in places where some people now feel free to publicly express racism, sexism, homophobia and other bigotries, but now, I guess, it's been made very clear how shallow it was buried and how easy it was to make it all surface again. Hopefully it will inspire more people to speak out and fight - and not just locally - here it's preaching to the choir...

- This was not a mandate - it wasn't even a majority.... It was closer than I like to think about, but the popular vote still went the other way. I believe it's absolutely time to rethink the use of the Electoral College. It's an outdated system that was made when a majority of voters were illiterate and communication was measured in day-weeks-months rather than milliseconds... This is the second time in my lifetime that I've seen a president elected without winning the popular vote. I think change is most certainly needed.

[emily_in_nc]

Lovely post, Eden. I agree wholeheartedly!

RE: Moving to New Zealand. I don't know a lot about it, but I do know that they have strict requirements for retirees (income related, mostly, I believe), and for working folks, they have some kind of points system based on your profession/expertise and their need for that type of work.

I would never move that far from my family, as long as I still have some family, so I haven't paid more than a cursory bit of attention to anything about moving to New Zealand. Would love to visit, though!

[Crankin]

I agree, Emily. My younger son may be moving to Hawaii after he does his initial training for the Army. That is just too far away. His other choice he put in for was Colorado Springs. It would be way more realistic that I would go to Colorado a couple of times a year. Hawaii is just too far. Now, they are in CA and I've even done long weekend visits.

[shootingstar]

Recent article by an American and immigrating to Canada: http://torontolife.com/city/life/dear-americans-moving-canada-hard/

I've been to Hawaii twice on different islands and I'm not sequestered on a beach: it struck me as quite different in "feel' than mainland U.S. but of course it's cultural history is just quite different. If it weren't for palm trees and flowered apparel, it felt like to me, like being in Vancouver, BC. :)

[Eden]

Found myself a mess of matsutakes. I'll be shopping for ingredients today and cooking up these lovelies for myself and a few friends tomorrow. yum! These only grow in the wild and tend to be kind of pricey if you buy them - finding them myself makes them all the sweeter. I got a nice haul enough of chanterelles for one meal too (I don't really like to pick more than I can use in any case) that I cooked the same night. On the menu plain broiled, chawan mushi (egg custard), matsutake gohan and matsutake sukiyaki.

[emily_in_nc]

I agree, Emily. My younger son may be moving to Hawaii after he does his initial training for the Army. That is just too far away. His other choice he put in for was Colorado Springs. It would be way more realistic that I would go to Colorado a couple of times a year. Hawaii is just too far. Now, they are in CA and I've even done long weekend visits.

I love Hawaii, but flights to/from are tough on the system, especially west to east. You basically lose a night of sleep. I'd hope for Colorado too.

[emily_in_nc]

Recent article by an American and immigrating to Canada: http://torontolife.com/city/life/dear-americans-moving-canada-hard/

Wow! I know many expats in Mexico and Belize who had to go through the process to obtain permanent residency in those countries, and it is much less stringent. I had no idea Canada was so strict, but that sounds like the little I've read about immigrating to New Zealand (the points system, and such). The article didn't mention the requirements for retirees, which are sometimes relaxed a bit -- so long as you have plenty of money to bring with you!

[shootingstar]

Wow! I know many expats in Mexico and Belize who had to go through the process to obtain permanent residency in those countries, and it is much less stringent. I had no idea Canada was so strict, but that sounds like the little I've read about immigrating to New Zealand (the points system, and such). The article didn't mention the requirements for retirees, which are sometimes relaxed a bit -- so long as you have plenty of money to bring with you!

Yup. The stories of immigrants coming into Canada with not a lot of money to start a new life, are less and less nowadays. It could still be, if one was sponsored by a family member and then a whole application, waiting period for approval. Sure there are the refugee stories and Canada accepted over 20,000 Syrian refugees within last 12 months are exceptions. One has to present their case to Canadian federal govn't board for refugees.

I know of a personal case for a Canadian engineer who married a Syrian engineer over past 3 years. He applied for immigration...he's still waiting for approval from Canada after 2 yrs. And he is not applying as a refugee at all.

[Pax]

I met my new great niece today, all seven pounds of her, she was amazing!! This tiny little perfect human, all soft and sweet and she smelled good (most of the time). :D

[Crankin]

Congratulations, Pax. I know you will be a great great auntie. I wish my brother lived closer, so he could see his grand niece who is here. He does live about 75 miles from my younger son, but has yet to see his baby. My family is so small, it makes me upset, but I can't force it. He sent nice gifts and called, so it's not all bad.

[Pax]

Weird, Crankin, can't imagine not wanting to meet the little one. With the usual traffic snarls in Chicago, we drove six hours round trip trip to make this little pea pods acquaintance today, totally worth it! Man, it was just the best, holding her and seeing so much of my niece in her. I haven't held a newborn so closely since it was her... 32 years ago.

[Crankin]

I know it is weird. When we went to LA to see them in September, he didn't drive up from San Diego. He cited work hours and being "too far," which are slightly accurate as he works different shifts at Home Depot as a manager there. And the traffic in SoCal determines a lot. But still, he should have come. He struggles with mood stuff, so I get it, but it sucks.

[ny biker]

Congrats to Sheila and Pax and your families. I have no great nephews or nieces yet. Holy cow this is the first time I've ever thought about myself being a "great aunt"! I think of my great aunts when I was little, they all seemed to be "old." But they were still energetic well into true old age, good role models really.

[shootingstar]

Oh, weird! My great nephew was born yesterday!

Gosh, congrats. Enjoy...! Time flies when munchkins grow fast.
I don't expect any "great"-niece/nephew. The oldest of the pack, in terms of nieces and nephews, is a niece who is 31 yrs. old. The youngest is 7 yrs. old. So, rather intriguing to see such a wide age range.

[Pax]

Oh, weird! My great nephew was born yesterday!

Congrats, it's so cool to hold them and see how much of their parents show in them.

[Crankin]

This has been a constant surprise to DH and I. That genetic thing is strong! The day my granddaughter was born, she was doing this weird thing with her right arm, lifting it with her hand curled a certain way. My son did that exact same thing and when we showed my son a picture of him like this, he was freaked out!. She gets a mean look on her face and she looks exactly like my DH when he is upset. Her entire affect is just like my son's was.
My other granddaughter looks more like her mom, but you can see my son (the one who looks like me :)) in the shape of her face and her smile. They are coming to visit in a month, so I am interested to see what other similarities there are.

[ny biker]

SERENITY NOW!!!!

(It has not been a good morning. Let's hope things improve this afternoon!)

[Crankin]

I hope so, too, NY.

[Sky King]

The DD accepted a nurse residency position and is moving back to Boise! Whoot, whoot. Have to smile as when she left at 19 she was never coming back :). She graduates in 3 weeks and starts the end of January. Of course that means she'll have to bunk with us for a bit but she survived 5 weeks with us last summer so what's a couple more.

[smilingcat]

How wonderful!! What kind of nursing is she planning to go into? Regardless, great nurse (news). Will she be in Boise for Thanksgiving?

[Crankin]

Congrats, Sky King. You should be proud. I went to my DIL's pinning ceremony, when she graduated from CSULB a couple of years ago. It was very moving.

[Sky King]

How wonderful!! What kind of nursing is she planning to go into? Regardless, great nurse (news). Will she be in Boise for Thanksgiving?

Yes to in Town for Thanksgiving, We had a great time. My birthday was Friday and we rode our bikes to a local brewery for Black Beer Friday - too fun.

She will be on the Neurology Floor, working in the stroke unit at St Alphonsus. This residency is a 1 year commitment, then she can apply for a 2nd in critical care (where she thinks she'd like to be in the long run)

[Crankin]

My DIL is in critical care and it is very demanding, but she loves it. Great experience. She worked for a year at the health center at my son's college and loved that, too, but she needs lots of hospital experience to eventually become a NP/midwife. She still fills in at the health center on her days off from the hospital, though, and the stories she tells about the lack of knowledge of the students about their bodies and health is frightening; she is only 29, so it's not like she's speaking from the perspective of an old person. Almost as scary as the CCU stories, with people who have multiple, serious issues.
I have the utmost respect for nurses!

[Eden]

Look what I found just out my own front door!
https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5805/30517278563_b8bc72652c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/NuH2He)_DSF9675small (https://flic.kr/p/NuH2He) by jiggumbob (https://www.flickr.com/photos/51811683@N00/), on Flickr

It's just amazing how well birds, especially birds of prey are recovering around here. 20 years ago when we moved here seeing a hawk or eagle was a rare treat, now we've got a burgeoning population in the city. Peregrine falcons aren't uncommon and now I'm even seeing hawks. This is a juvenile Cooper's hawk and it sure is beautiful.

[Pax]

That is beautiful, Eden. I see more and more hawks here every year, it's common now to see them sitting on sign posts several times a day... guess it makes sense, we have about a bazillion squirrels running around, must make for a nice smorgasbord.

[emily_in_nc]

Amazing photo!

As we've traveled around the country in our RV, we've seen and heard SO MANY HAWKS. I think they are doing pretty well indeed, and for that, I am thankful.

[Crankin]

We have hawks around here, but not like that!
So, I feel like my toe/foot is finally coming out the other side. I did tabata this morning, including jumping off of the step, and wore my favorite shoes (kitten heels with a pointed toe) at work. It was the first time in 5 weeks I could actually get the shoe on, without excruciating pain. I am walking normally. I still have some pain, but there has been a noticeable change. I think what I am most concerned with is the effect this all had on my balance on my left foot. I have worked so hard on this and it was trashed. I've been practicing one legged standing things every second I can, including in between my clients. Just 2 weeks before this happened, I was saying how much my balance had improved from hiking. Well, it hasn't affected my riding, but I was getting worried about snow sports, especially snow shoeing, with the weight of my boots and the snowshoes. I think I am going to try and not hike except for easy stuff until the snow comes.

[Pax]

Today is World AIDS Day. Remembering all the friends lost, remembering what we all went through, what we fought for. Realizing that a huge chunk of the American people decided to throw us under the bus... again. It brings the old chant back to the forefront of my mind, ACT UP, FIGHT BACK, FIGHT AIDS! We fought for our lives before, now we'll do it again. Stay strong my friends, we got this.

[Crankin]

When I think about stuff like this, I realize my teeth have been clenched since November 8th and my favorite word has been azzhole. DH is still yelling at the TV, or any other news report he hears.

[Sky King]

Hello to all, Have been fighting the blues this week and wanted to say that logging in this morning and reading your posts just lifted my soul. Saw the musical "Beautiful" last night with my sister and she bought me the cd for my birthday so may just have to play it in the shop today :).

That's it. The sun is shining and I need to appreciate the small things.

[ny biker]

So the other day I took a sick day from work -- had a couple of medical appointments and will lose some accrued sick time on Jan 1 so figured I might as well relax for a change. After the doctor I went shopping to look for Christmas gift ideas. Somehow I managed to mostly spend money on myself, but anyway. I saw these coasters and bought two to use on end tables in the living room. But this morning I decided I wanted to see it when I'm getting ready to face the world each morning, so I put one in the cheerful pink bathroom.


18247

18248

[emily_in_nc]

I love that, NY! Great sentiment, cute, and your bathroom is so pretty and serene. I would love to wake up to that too! :)

[rebeccaC]

The sun is shining and I need to appreciate the small things.


But this morning I decided I wanted to see it when I'm getting ready to face the world each morning, so I put one in the cheerful pink bathroom.
:):):):):):):):):):)




Stay strong my friends, we got this.
thinking as we develop a caring voice we shouldn’t remain silent
and of course….“When we protect ourselves so we won’t feel pain, that protection becomes like armour, like armour that imprisons the softness of the heart.� Pema

[Crankin]

Well, I have to bear witness to the pain of those who are *really* affected by what is going on. I have a caring voice, my heart isn't hard, but I am just realistic. All the Zen sayings in the world doesn't change reality for those whose who aren't privileged in the way I am. They know I empathize and I will fight/stand up for them, but I am also old enough to remember 1968, 1970, the whole damn thing. I was marching on the Boston Common when I was 14. It was ugly and violent then and the world is uglier and violent now.
In my own life, there are plenty of things that make me happy and I could easily ignore it all. But, I can't and I won't. I guess I am not perfect and I have no problem admitting I am pissed about what is going on in the US.

[ny biker]

I am pissed off too, and dismayed and disappointed. But I still have to get out of bed every morning and do well at my job and not be a crazy angry person all the time. I want to do what I can to support people who need help now more than ever but I can't do that if I can't function.

Here is something from Human Rights Watch and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

https://www.hrw.org/callitout

[rebeccaC]

NY….i feel the same way.....and I’ve never found anger to take me anywhere positive. We are fortunate to have lots of non-profits and state/city programs here doing great work especially in the more disadvantaged areas. Alex and I have started to give even more time and money to the causes we have embraced. That helps us deal in a positive way with our concerns and replaces anger with the feelings of helping others, seeing the courage in people struggling, seeing the wholeness of others and the unique story each person has…..each with their own potential and dreams. For both of us it’s just about a compassionate way of living.

Thanks for the link….I like the callitout idea….when we turn away from someone being assailed because of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation we become part of a larger moral problem.

[Crankin]

I do that stuff everyday, Rebecca. I *work* for a non profit, it's a choice, when my peers from grad school have all started private practices. I just can't do it, as it eliminates a wide diversity in the people you serve.
I don't see why saying one is angry is a bad thing. I do all of the stuff you note, but I am still angry at what happened. Maybe upset is a better word? I am not clinically angry, there's no homicidal ideation going on in my mind, but I just fear what could happen. It would be easy for me to live in a bubble, considering where I live, but at the least it's made me even more outspoken than usual!
I have never been a quiet or outwardly calm person. Some of it's cultural, and some of it is my personality. I am very calm in emergency situations and in my work, but generally I subscribe to the "call it out" all of the time. This is how change happens.

[ny biker]

I don't think it's bad to be angry or acknowledge that you are. I just try not to dwell on it. Because I do tend to dwell on it and it causes too many problems, internally for my health and externally in my dealings with others. I am both angry and terrified of what will happen in the next few years. But as I said, I need to find a way to function, and I don't see myself being useful to anyone if I can't push the anger and fear aside.

[Crankin]

Yes, it's not in my consciousness every minute of the day. It was, the first few days after the election.

[Pax]

For me, anger transforms to action, sadness and fear does the opposite, I end up staying in the house and being a lump. So, for now, I'm pleased to be royally pissed off.

[Crankin]

Yes, Pax, I often tell clients that a little anger can lead to motivation. It's when the anger grows out of proportion to the original issue or becomes permanently entrenched, that it starts to do damage to one's body. I never get the kind of sad you are describing, but I understand it. From where I sit, a lot of prolonged anger leads to sadness and isolation. When I said I was angry, I didn't think some would take it to mean something other than I meant. Sometimes, you need to be angry, to see a solution or another path. Or motivated. It's all what you do with it. But to deny it, even in a cursory way is not part of my DNA. Maybe I am overreacting, so I am going to close my thoughts on this now!

[shootingstar]

I interpret Crankin's concerns as just that and nothing else.

Problem with such prominent political leader like Trump about to head one of the world's most powerful country (China is becoming powerful too, in many different ways), is that it simply emboldens others world-wide what they might have been afraid to say....that immigrants who aren't Christian-hetero, don't look like themselves, etc. are lesser / the less desirable "other" in the order of society.

Here's a female Canadian political delegate for the Conservative party: http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/kellie-leitch-latches-on-to-trump-victory/
In the province of Alberta where I live, unemployment has climbed to 9% highest since 1994, due to faltering oil and gas economy which is our province is (wrongfully) too dependent. Now, there's sentiment that is getting all muddled with more anti-immigrant, and simply angry, etc.

[smilingcat]

Be careful for what you ask! I wonder how this will translate to Trumpster? and how will it manifest? I dunno.

Anyway, I was tired and hating my engineering job toward the end then I got laid off just over 6 years ago. Hip hip hurray!! Well I'm doing what I like now ??? Work with my hands and growing veggies. Work outside, enjoy sunshine, enjoy nature. I sling shot past the dedicated gardener to being a full time farmer. There are pluses and there are well... not so fun stuff.

My partner decided she wanted more chickens so even though I swore not to build another thing for the chicken, I'm out there building another coop. 8 feet wide, 16 feet deep with 8 feet high walls and a gable roof. It's been raining for about a week with temp in mid 30's. Today it was snowing with temp around 30F. My joints are achy, coughing up a storm... I guess it caught up with me. I still need to nail in half a dozen ceiling joist, all the rafters, barge plates, fascia, plywood/sheathing for the roof. And to meet code, I need to install hurricane ties for each rafters...(no I don't need to have it inspected but...) Once the roof is done, I can start sheating the exterior walls.

blah!!

I haven't winterized my meyer lemon trees in the field nor fixed up a heater and a blower for one of the green house. At dusk today, I managed to get frost cover over several 100' rows of leeks, green onions/scallions, lettuce, tat-tsoi, chard, spinach, carrots... They are snow covered. I hope the snow will keep the leaves from freezing hard. And I hope my pepper plants in the greenhouse can survive the 30F temp over next two nights.

I feel utterly defeated. Again, so far behind the 8-ball. Trumpster is least of my concerns right now. Not even the crazy alt-recht flying the confederate flag down the street.

Tomorrow, I see my chiro to uncorkscrew my back and straighten me out. Silver lining in the whole thing I guess. :)

Brighter side of things, yipee!! furnace in our house finally got replaced today and we have heat in our house!! WOW!! SO NICE! We've been out since Thanksgiving morning.

[Pax]

Smilingcat, your post reminds me of all my farmer friends, work that always needs to be done, never enough hours in the day. I think the old timers were on to something when they had huge numbers of children... free labor!

Congrats on having heat, it's the little things that make life a bit easier.

[ny biker]

I know it doesn't help get the work done, but I am in awe of everything you do, Smilingcat. I hope the chiro and the warm air make things easier for you.

[ny biker]

Another good product that I have used for years has been discontinued. Almay Line Smoothing liquid makeup -- I use it to even out the brown blotches (age spots) and blemishes on my face and make the pores less noticeable. The ivory color is a good match for my Irish-German complexion and it does not cake up in wrinkles and creases. So of course due to "trends" they don't make it anymore. So what to use instead? Almay has a new foundation with "age" in the name but as near as I can tell it's just regular makeup. I tried Revlon Age Defying and it's awful. The lightest shade is too dark and it made the pores look so big that my face looked like a damn golf ball. My next option, if I can find the lightest shade in a store around here, is to try the Cover Girl "age" makeup that Ellen DeGeneres advertises (I can't remember the exact name, they all sound alike). Unless -- can anyone suggest makeup that works reasonably well on older skin? I tend to stick with drugstore brands because I'm not made of money and I don't want to deal with salespeople in department stores trying to sell me lots of products that I'm probably allergic to, but I would try something more expensive if I had reason to believe it actually works.

[Sky King]

I am of no help ny biker but I do hear you. For a bit I used nerium lotion - great for the wrinkles but not the pocketbook. I am not a face makeup person - feel like I am smothering. My DD really likes the the mineral powder from Arbonne. (for me I am an arbonne protein powder junkie) if you know an Arbonne sales person maybe a sample (I bet mine would hook you up)

[Crankin]

I haven't used foundation in close to 30 years.... I would caution, though, against mineral based make up if you are over 50, as it shows every nook and cranny.
Make up is one thing I pay for. I've changed brands over the years, right now I'm using Bobbi Brown. My cousin works for them, at Bloomies, and is always happy to give me free advice. Before that, I used Paula Dorf.
However, I use Neutrogena cleanser I buy at CVS and Clinique skin/eye cream, which I buy from Amazon.

[emily_in_nc]

I used to use liquid foundation back when I worked and wore makeup daily. I used a Revlon moisturizing foundation but can't recall exactly what it was called. Now I rarely wear any makeup other than tinted lip balm, but when I do get dressed up a bit to go out to dinner, I use Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse. It helps cover my age/sunspots and evens out my complexion. I like that it is a cream formula applied with a sponge, as it gives sheerer coverage and allows me more control when applying.

I agree with Crankin about the mineral makeup. I bought some a couple of years ago and need to throw it out. It really does accentuate the lines.

[ny biker]

I wish I could not bother with makeup, because I'm lazy, and some days when I have to leave early for work I don't have time for it. But my face is really starting to look old and some makeup seems to help with that. (The bags under my eyes are especially bad. Depressing.)

I found some reviews for a Bare Skin liquid foundation from Bare Minerals that say it's good on older skin. But maybe it's not? Or is just mineral powder that's a problem? Meanwhile, reviews of the Cover Girl foundation I was going to try say it is scented. WHY IS THIS NECESSARY? Really, Proctor and Gamble, stop adding stupid scents to products that do not need them. Anyway that's now the absolute last thing I will try. I looked at something from Maybelline in the store last night and their lightest shade is not light enough for my snow white skin. But it was not a mousse, so I will look for that product.

But first I think I will try a tinted moisturizer. Neutrogena has one that gets good reviews, and I'm already using a similar moisturizer from them which I like.

Meanwhile I complained to Revlon on their website and they sent me a coupon in the mail for $10. Props to them for getting it to me so quickly. Not sure what I'll spend it on, but I can probably find something.

[Pax]

Guess I'm lucky, first, I have a lot of color in my face (my mom looked albino), red lips/dark brows/pink cheeks; so I never bothered to learn about makeup in high school. Then start doing nontraditional jobs where I couldn't wear it, and now I just don't care enough to bother. I think I look fine, my beloved thinks I look fine, so it's all good.

[Crankin]

I've always worn makeup, but nothing that looks overdone... my skin is fair and I have freckles. And horrible nasolabial fold lines. Oher than those, not so many wrinkles. I need some color on my cheeks. If I do that with either bronzer or blush, all I need is concealer under my eyes, which always looks reddish. I am addicted to lipstick, though. Mostly neutral colors, but I really like changing up the shades. I do wear eye shadow and mascara in neutral shades for work days and when I go out.
Both of my parents had darker, more olive skin than me. But, my dad had blue eyes, as do I, and both of his parents were fair.

[shootingstar]

I gave up on makeup about 6 yrs. ago. So I am barefaced at the office where I work with lots of men and women. Yes, I do have some age spots, etc. on face. I am like this even wearing more formal suits, dresses and dress shoes/heels.

I don't want makeup accentuating the lines even more. I don't want to worry about make-up and running the washroom just because of that.

THis article talks about minimalism fashion http://vancouversun.com/life/fashion-beauty/the-great-debate-the-difference-between-japanese-and-scandinavian-minimalist-style Well, honest my style isn't that plain all the time. But the philosophy of non-patterns, for me, jewel/deep rich colours against black (not near the face), crème, white and good fitting clothing with fabrics that will last. It doesn't have to be expensive, because I tend to be mid-price or cheaper.

I got excited several wks. ago when buying several pairs of tights that were only $15.00CAN each, to do light cycling around town. These weren't padded. I really didn't want to invest $80.00 for pair of tights again when I already have some in that price bracket for longer bike trips.

I've bought 2 business/fashion tops and 2 GAP pair of dark jeans (different shades) this year which are all intended to last me 3-5 yrs. minimum. It probably costed me in total around $300.00. THis is what I look for in style (classic), quality and colour as time marches along. This is my typical office attire: black jeans and deep purple turtleneck. 8 yr. old pair of patent leather black low dress shoes. I work in govn't and don't meet members of the public. Part of me is trying to drag my butt to put on career upward mobile clothing.....I went through that stage for about 15 years. for several employers.

There's a huge part of me now, that just wants to focus on who I am at work...the best part of me. But in the career game, it's how you look, etc. also. Competence doesn't always mean being picked for that.

I think aging and style is handled differently for women of different heights and ethnicity. I was chatting with a Filipino woman at work who is 4'11" who is in her late 30's and petite build also. Much younger than I. However we both agreed that we continue to wear skirts above our knees....because being short (I'm 5' 1"), long skirts on petite women as they age, looks a lot less flattering. And clothing for small, petite women should be more fitted to flatter, not to drown them in miles of fabric where they get "lost". To me it's not inappropriate for me to wear skirts 2 inches above my knee... maybe I've been a cyclist too long in my mentality. I've lost my self-consciousness about my legs... ages ago.:)

[Crankin]

I totally agree, Shooting Star. Longer skirts and dresses make me look dowdy. I am a hair over five feet now (I shrunk). A lot of women around here wear that "big" clothing look. It's a certain professorial/Cambridge/Harvard Square look that I abhor. I look better in fitted clothing.
My style is kind of minimalist, too. Maybe not quite as much as yours, but almost. I buy all of my clothes at Banana Republic, the Gap, or Ann Taylor, with occasional J Crew. I guess I haven't strayed far from my preppie roots. But these are the only stores that have things that fit me. I work 3.5 days a week and I'd say on 2 of those days, I wear a dress or skirt, some more dressy than others. But, I don't have to impress anyone. One day last week a client told me I looked like I was going skiing, as I was wearing leggings and a cozy long sweater!
And, good make up does not make you look older. I don't have to run to fix any of it, except re-apply lipstick.

[shootingstar]

But, I don't have to impress anyone. One day last week a client told me I looked like I was going skiing, as I was wearing leggings and a cozy long sweater!
And, good make up does not make you look older. I don't have to run to fix any of it, except re-apply lipstick.

Hopefully she still thinks of you as a good counsellor. No, I don't think wearing leggings at work would be great idea for me ..unless I forget my dress slacks when I biked to work. :p Once, a year, I forget a garment when I cycle to work..

[emily_in_nc]

I totally agree about shorter skirts for we height-challenged gals! I only wear very casual skirts/dresses now (and infrequently) as I am retired, but they are all above the knee. I always envied the tall gals who could wear the really long skirts (I'm talking floor length, not mid-calf, which never looked good on anyone, did they?), but that would just be way too much skirt for me!

As for makeup, I definitely think I look better with it, but you do have to use a much lighter hand once you reach a certain age, than back in your 20s-30s. I used to love makeup and spend lots of money on it, not buying expensive stuff but just lots and lots of drugstore stuff. Now I have a tiny collection and only wear it on special occasions. But I always, always wear lip color (sheer and glossy, usually Burt's Bees) or I look totally washed out and like an old lady. NOT my favorite look! :D

[Crankin]

That's how I feel, Emily, so at least I know I am not crazy! A few times I forgotten my lipstick at work and it drives me nuts. I have even gone so far as to go to a drugstore and buy lipgloss to get me through the day.
Shooting Star, I don't think my client's comment was meant to disparage my professional skills... most of the therapists dress business casual, a lot of them wear jeans with nice tops, and I am definitely not the only one to wear leggings. I think she commented because I usually am wearing a dress on the day she sees me.

[rebeccaC]

I gave up on makeup about 6 yrs. ago. So I am barefaced at the office where I work with lots of men and women. Yes, I do have some age spots, etc. on face. I am like this even wearing more formal suits, dresses and dress shoes/heels.

I don't want makeup accentuating the lines even more. I don't want to worry about make-up and running the washroom just because of that.
Feeling comfortable with no makeup ftw!!!...and interesting read in your minimalism link. I also like simple, comfortable, quality clothing that has a timeless look and is well made for longevity. I’m a fan of Jil Sander especially.



I use non-comedogenic makeup and mostly a 'no makeup look' regimen when I feel like it….and no makeup when I feel like that.
I think it’s more important to; take care of my skin with diet…lots of antioxidants, omega-3, good saturated fats etc etc…..and of course cocoa :) which contains epicatchin and catechin which protects skin from sun damage and improves circulation to skin cells….the use of a gentle cleanser, nontoxic moisturizers and nontoxic sunscreen daily….getting a therapeutic facial at least once a month and simply staying hydrated and getting enough sleep among other things. Thinking my skin is going to age no matter what but helping it in ways that can make it happen in way that I know I’ve cared well for it is enough for me. I don’t buy into what my mother, who taught me good skin care, calls the ‘hope in a jar’ that some older women can feel the need for. We age and I think that has a unique beauty to it in itself and more important to me is how well I develop my mind and character as i grow older.

[Dogmama]

At age 62, I walk a fine line between no makeup and too much. I need a little but overdone is definitely bad. For foundation, I use a tinted sunscreen. Eye makeup must be very light, otherwise it looks hard. I do find myself skipping the makeup routine more often...

[ny biker]

I'm 5'7" and I also look for skirts that fall just at the knee, though I have a couple of summer dresses that are a bit shorter. Below the knee looks dowdy on me too! Years ago I had lots of long flowy floral skirts with flowy tops to wear with them, because most of the women at the small company I worked for dressed like that. But that job ended up being miserable and I was glad to leave it. Then one day I was watching Stacy and Clinton on What Not to Wear, telling a short woman to get rid of all her floor-length skirts. And I thought yes! Even at my height they don't look good! And I ran to my closet, took them all off the hangers and put them into a bag, and donated them to Good Will.

I generally buy most of my clothes at JJill. At one point I was in their store so often that the women who worked there recognized me. Some of their clothes are too shapeless for my taste, but I'm able to find more than enough things that I like that fit well. I own a ridiculous amount of clothes, especially sweaters. This is something I inherited from my mother. I do tend to wear most of it though. I go through phases of certain things being my favorite, but then I'll see something I haven't worn in a while and start wearing it again.

Somewhat related to cosmetics -- I just started getting the local newspaper delivered on Sunday. Yesterday I was going through all the coupons and sale papers. There was one from Macy's that was all about sales on perfumes, and many of the pages had those scented panels. And they were all awful! Just chemicals, not at all something I would want to spray on myself. But I've always felt this way about perfumes. There are a few men's colognes that I think are pleasant but most women's scents are terrible.

[Dogmama]

Somewhat related to cosmetics -- I just started getting the local newspaper delivered on Sunday. Yesterday I was going through all the coupons and sale papers. There was one from Macy's that was all about sales on perfumes, and many of the pages had those scented panels. And they were all awful! Just chemicals, not at all something I would want to spray on myself. But I've always felt this way about perfumes. There are a few men's colognes that I think are pleasant but most women's scents are terrible.
Agreed. Some of it smells like bug spray.:eek:

[ny biker]

Taking a day off from work to try to deal with the long pre-holiday to-do list. Trying to print a few copies of a photo so I can put them in a frame to give as gifts. The HP printer can't seem to deal with the 5x7 HP photo card paper, it thinks there's no paper there unless I move it over so that it's not centered right for printing. And then the ink smudges off the paper all over my hands and soap and water won't wash it off.

So let's add "buy 8x10 photo paper" to the long pre-holiday to-do list.

HO HO HO

[Crankin]

Ha, ha.
I always feel like I am on the outside, watching the whole world go crazy. Since I started in my new career, the amount of holiday hoopla in my life has decreased considerably. We always shop locally for our kids' Chanukah presents, as well as for the one couple we exchange gifts with. Since my younger son is here from CA this week, we gave them their gifts Sunday, and they seemed to go over well. The babies liked their rattles and bears...
My only conundrum is since the first night of Chanukah is on Christmas Eve, we haven't scheduled our annual Chinese food dinner. So, I have to figure out if my son will come over, or we should go out. Our friends who moved to western MA will be coming later on Christmas day, after visiting with an older professor of his who is in ill health. We will have dinner and they will spend the night, which will be fun, since there is no work on the 26th.

[Crankin]

Pic of me and the 2 granddaughters.

[emily_in_nc]

Adorable photo, Crankin. They are so beautiful! I know you are a very proud grandma!

[ny biker]

Beautiful photo, thanks Crankin.

(I printed mp pictures on the new photo paper, put them in frames and wrapped them. I did get a lot done today but feel like there's lots more to do, mostly because packing for a long winter trip always takes about 5 times longer than I think. Bulky clothes and boots, and having to be prepared for unexpected winter weather always means lots of luggage.)

[shootingstar]

the babies look similar..though from different parents, Crankin. How fun and wonderful!

[Crankin]

They look similar the way my sons, do, despite having outwardly different traits. One is blonde and blue eyed (thanks to her mom) and the other is very brunette with either brown or dark hazel eyes. But, they have the same shape heads and the same big ears both my kids had. They grew into the ears. My yonger son and his wife were blondes when they were young. The other one is an exact replica of her dad.

[shootingstar]

Affordable Care Act -- Since I am Canadian, am curious to know generally if the ACA helped you/your family.

Another question: The confusion right now that exists in the U.S. with new prez-elect, gets down to understand and how to trace trail of evidence to truth. That is the crux: What is truth? How will you verify with long term evidence (that doesn't get wiped off)?

Trump and some of his Cabinet appointees could actually prompt war very fast. It wouldn't take much.

[ny biker]

Affordable Care Act -- Since I am Canadian, am curious to know generally if the ACA helped you/your family.

Another question: The confusion right now that exists in the U.S. with new prez-elect, gets down to understand and how to trace trail of evidence to truth. That is the crux: What is truth? How will you verify with long term evidence (that doesn't get wiped off)?

Trump and some of his Cabinet appointees could actually prompt war very fast. It wouldn't take much.

I truly think something disastrous is going to happen. War, economic collapse, something. The man is such an insecure narcissist, and it guides his behavior.

The ACA has not affected me directly, but only because I been lucky enough to not need it. It has provisions to eliminate lifetime coverage caps and exceptions for pre-existing conditions, which are important for everyone whether they realize it or not. I do know people who have gotten insurance from an exchange. Unfortunately their premiums have gone up a lot, because there are aspects of the law that need to be changed so that relatively healthy people get coverage while they are still healthy. I've read that the provision to allow parents to keep their children on their plans up to the age of 26 if the children are still students has been very popular.

I'm trying to decide how to spend next weekend. Choices are: bike ride if the weather is good, go to the women's march on Saturday, or get drunk. Or maybe a combination.

[Blueberry]

DH and I have always made choices that meant we had health insurance. The ACA has meant that many people won't have to make those choices - which gives them so much freedom. It makes sense. My mom has coverage through it - and is careful not to earn too much money so she would have to pay more for her insurance. It creates some interesting incentives to minimize income - but it has definitely helped many, many people. It has also helped financially struggling hospitals - they now get paid for more of their emergency room work (and subsequent admissions).

I'm a medical student. I will have to choose a specialty under a Trump presidency. I don't know whether to zig, zag, or try to move to Europe. What I do know is I'll have a boat-load of loans to pay off. Just tuition at a state school will be over $100k in loans (no living expenses, books, etc) - at an interest rate that is (imo) criminally high. I could borrow money for a house, car, etc. for less interest than the federal government is charging. It's scary to make that kind of investment with so much uncertainty.

[Crankin]

I have not had to access the Affordable Care Act, but since I am in a medical field, I know a lot of people who have. When DH was on sabbatical from work this summer, we did a comparison between the ACA and paying for Cobra (extending the insurance plan from his former company, which you can do for 18 months, at your cost). The ACA was 400.00 a month more for comparable coverage (it was a premium plan). So, we went with that. However, for a single person, ACA was much cheaper. My issue with insurance a family is construed of 2 or more people, so no matter if you are a couple or a family with 10 kids, the cost is the same. If ACA is still around, DH might access it if he wants to retire before 65, since he is younger than me and can't access Medicare when I can.
Massachusetts has had health care for all since 2006. My clients who have policies through the Connector (our exchange for ACA coverage) have had premiums rise a lot. My son used it in his first job, as he had no benefits. On the other hand, truly needy people have very good coverage. I have friends who have kept their kids on their policies from work until 26 and it was a big help.
DH has a a different Blue Cross policy at his new job. It is good, but it's Blue Cross HMO, so we need referrals. Ugh. I have had never had to do this. I am used to just calling my PT for an appt. when I need it. So, I have my physical coming up and I guess I'll ask for 12 sessions, so I can access him over the next couple of months. It was cheaper for the company to do this policy and pay for everyone's deductible than offer the premium plan we had before.

[emily_in_nc]

My DH and I have had an ACA plan since 2014, and for us, it has been a godsend. We are early retired, and as such, don't yet qualify for Medicare. If we had to buy the equivalent plan that we have through the healthcare.gov exchange, through Florida Blue, it would be priced at over $1100/mo. It is a "silver" plan with lower deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses than most. As it is, we do qualify for a subsidy as our income is low right now, and we are paying just over $300/mo for our plan. We really only use it for preventive care now, as we've had no medical issues since we got it, but it is nice to know it is there if we had an accident or a serious illness. It pays in full for our yearly checkups, mammograms for me, and screening colonoscopies. We also only have to pay a copay when we visit our dermatologists for mole checks, and my DH had to have a few lesions frozen off -- all covered in full.

I love my Obamacare and am sure I will miss it when it's gone. Just like I will miss the man who gave it his name! :(

[ny biker]

Blueberry, the situation in this country regarding student loans is appalling.

I have to confess, I don't want to go to the women's march. Inertia I guess. But I feel like I have to go. It may not accomplish anything. But as a certain German bike racer once said, if you try to to win, you might lose. But if you don't try, you lose for sure.

So now I have to get my hands on a clear backpack -- regular ones aren't allowed for security reasons.

[shootingstar]

Appreciate the health care insurance/coverages stories. In Alberta, local residents and citizens don't have to pay the govn't any monthly premium. In British Columbia, yes everyone pays a minimum regardless of whether or not you see a doctor that year. It's pretty low cost.


I have to confess, I don't want to go to the women's march. Inertia I guess. But I feel like I have to go. It may not accomplish anything. But as a certain German bike racer once said, if you try to to win, you might lose. But if you don't try, you lose for sure.

So now I have to get my hands on a clear backpack -- regular ones aren't allowed for security reasons.

Let us know how the march goes. Stay safe, NY. It isn't about "winning": It is about sending a clear public signal and mobilizing next generations to stay committed to listen, act positively, think clearly, and be unafraid to speak out, after our generation.

Blueberry, the major CAnadian universities, have gotten a significant number of American student applications this upcoming year. International student tuituion fees are a lot higher for all CAnadian university programs...it's been that way for decades and will not change.

[ny biker]

Hoping this will post okay -- it was posted on the News and Guts facebook page which was started by Dan Rather and some colleagues.

https://www.facebook.com/newsandguts/posts/202530466818596

In sharing this to followers of his own page, Rather said:

When my colleagues and I started the Facebook news page for my News And Guts company, the goal was to create a digital town hall where information could be exchanged in free and open communication. As reporters, we wanted to listen more than we spoke. And one thing we have been hearing a lot in the few days this page has been online is the anxiety bordering on panic amongst many in our community about the GOP determination to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

As a reporter, I think this may be a national story not getting nearly enough attention amongst the press who are so focused on the political parlor games in Washington. I think there is a groundswell of activism around this issue for millions of Americans, with an intensity and determination that may echo the Tea Party - but in reverse. I also believe the implications of this profound change to our current healthcare system may be dawning on many beneficiaries of the ACA, who didn't realize that their new healthcare options were indeed the product of the much-maligned "Obamacare."

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for sharing this post and FB page, NY. I have now liked and followed it. The stories there are very powerful. Ours is more mundane since we haven't needed the ACA for anything major other than a safety net -- and free preventive care, which can help, as the name implies, PREVENT more serious illnesses. If they take that away, more people will need more expensive and longer-term healthcare services, which costs us all more as a society. Makes no sense to me....

Reading about the cancer patients who can now afford health insurance courtesy of the ACA/Obamacare (and it is true that some people don't realize they are one and the same!) reminds me of my husband's best friend, who died of colon cancer at the way-too-young age of 49. He had symptoms but had been laid off from his job in the early 2000's. His Cobra policy had run out before he found another job, and he couldn't get or afford health insurance on the open market. So he went without, delayed getting checked out, and by the time he was diagnosed, he was stage 4.

THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN A FIRST-WORLD COUNTRY (or anywhere). It still makes my blood boil!

He did eventually find a job with medical insurance, but it was too late to save his life. This was a college-educated man who worked as a software engineer, not some street bum. He left four children and a wife behind.

Tragic. We cannot allow this to happen again!

[Sky King]

As self employed folks we've had ACA since it's inception. Yes, I have had to change our plan every year to higher deductibles but (knock on wood) we are healthy folks. With that though, we each get a physical every year - covered. We both are of colonosopy age and those are covered, mammograms are covered, the occasional meds have been very inexpensive. What I find so frustrating and baffling is since its inception the republicans in congress have refused and blocked any attempts to modify and correct it's issues so that now they can gleeful throw democrats under the bus. So many of our government officials do not have governing in mind. Disgusting.
I will go to the Idaho Women's march. One of our state government representatives just proposed a state law that would convict Doctors and women who choose to terminate a pregnancy of murder... Lovely

[smilingcat]

My gut feeling is that it is cheaper for me to just pay the penalty and forgo the health insurance. I'm in a position where I can absorb the cost of most major medical expense. I'm very fortunate in this way. Furthermore, my family medical history is such that, most likely, I will not need any medical care except for dental and my prescription glasses till near my end.

Gosh, my father didn't bother seeing a doctor until he became confused and forgetful, then he was "forcibly" taken to a geriatrics specialist by family where they determined he had dementia.

With that said, we really do need a national medical care where we expand medicare to all and cover all illnesses, healthcare, preventative and maintenance. Get rid of HMO and for profit health care. Idea of HMO was pushed onto Nixon by *****. His pitch to Nixon was that it was going to save lots of money... Till that time for profit hospital was not allowed if I remember correctly.

Getting really fed up with certain segment of our ill informed populace. Their core belief stems from self-reliance, independence and false belief in what it means to be macho. Little do they realize, they benefit from ACA but are vehemently against it saying such thing as "we don't need no government." (can't even speak correctly but I do get the gist of what they are trying to say).

Hi Skyking,

When is the march and where in Idaho? If they want to call it murder, they will have to issue a birth certificate first to the fetus. Without it, how can you issue a death certificate to say that it was murder? or put it another way, how can they say its murder without a death certificate? JUST CAN'T THINK THROUGH OF ALL ITS RAMIFICATION.

[shootingstar]

My gut feeling is that it is cheaper for me to just pay the penalty and forgo the health insurance. I'm in a position where I can absorb the cost of most major medical expense. I'm very fortunate in this way. Furthermore, my family medical history is such that, most likely, I will not need any medical care except for dental and my prescription glasses till near my end.

Gosh, my father didn't bother seeing a doctor until he became confused and forgetful, then he was "forcibly" taken to a geriatrics specialist by family where they determined he had dementia.

With that said, we really do need a national medical care where we expand medicare to all and cover all illnesses, healthcare, preventative and maintenance. Get rid of HMO and for profit health care. Idea of HMO was pushed onto Nixon by *****. His pitch to Nixon was that it was going to save lots of money... Till that time for profit hospital was not allowed if I remember correctly.

Getting really fed up with certain segment of our ill informed populace. Their core belief stems from self-reliance, independence and false belief in what it means to be macho. Little do they realize, they benefit from ACA but are vehemently against it saying such thing as "we don't need no government." (can't even speak correctly but I do get the gist of what they are trying to say).


Smilingcat, I prided myself, and still do, for being quite healthy at 58 (in 2 wks. will be this). But stuff happens --I had a bike collision and a resulting concussion. IF I hadn't had work benefit health insurance (in addition to CAnadain public health automatic coverage for all residents and citizens), I would have had to pay $500.00CAN for ambulance transport (since I was from another province, but was in Vancouver, place of accident), over $150.00 for sleeping pills, $600.00 for 6 [physiotherapy sessions.

But there were no charges for: overnight stay in hospital, examination by neurologist (twice), checks by nurses every 3 hrs., painkiller, x-ray, 2 visits to sleep doctor specialist and then 8 followup visits with family physician (to monitor my progress) over a 5 month period. I am convinced my good health prior to the accident, helped in my recovery. But what a way to learn about the benefits of preventive health care.

My father was like your father..except he was diagnosed with prostate cancer @78 yrs. but got treatment (very little cost) until he died @85 yrs. The best and largest Canadian research cancer hospital is in Toronto where he lived.

Sad that people can't know that ACA and its nickname Obamacare... are the same. :eek: Are the public that....clueless?

[Crankin]

The short answer is, yes.

[Blueberry]

Sad that people can't know that ACA and its nickname Obamacare... are the same. :eek: Are the public that....clueless?

Absolutely yes.

Don't know if this (http://imgur.com/gallery/A5V7svI) is for real, but I could definitely believe it.

[shootingstar]

Absolutely yes.

Don't know if this (http://imgur.com/gallery/A5V7svI) is for real, but I could definitely believe it.

I read the pertinent thread section, Blueberry.

Very sad. To kill ACA but with no better/similar replacement. How stupid. Trump is reacting to and pandering to emotion of people. It's abit terrifying....this is your health. Someone ought haul a child dying of cancer in front of him from a family that will be bankrupt... I think this is what it takes..a completely innocent helpless person that if he shouts down the child...

A sister has worked for many years simply at patient intake...for a pediatric cancer ward in a large pediatric hospital. It's 400 beds and is Canada's largest teaching research pediatric hospital.. for various pediatric diseases. Even in Canada, given its size like U.S., patients (with parent(s)) have to fly from smaller cities/rural areas in Canada. Flight, etc. is not covered by our public health insurance system.

[Crankin]

I saw that thread on Facebook a couple of days ago. The ignorance is chilling.
I guess I will keep living in my bubble and am thankful for 2 things: I live in the bluest of blue states, and when I thought I might need the ACA, it was an option.

[emily_in_nc]

As for going without health insurance, everyone must remember accidents happen, as shootingstar points out -- it's not just for disease-related issues!

The only time I had a serious need for healthcare services was when I had a bike accident in 2005, fracturing my pelvis in 3 places. One was serious enough to require orthopedic surgery, and I still have a 5" plate and four pins in my ilium to show for it. I was in the hospital for five days. Between that and after-care, I would have been out over $40K if I'd had to pay out of pocket. As it was, I had employer health insurance at the time that paid 90% of everything. The last 10% I paid out of pocket and could afford, no problem. In the end, that ended up being paid by the homeowners insurance co. of the folks who let their dogs run loose in a county with a leash law, which caused my crash. It was the principle of the thing more than the money, really.

[Crankin]

Exactly. To think that you can go without health insurance is just irresponsible. Sure, I could pay for a physical, a mammogram, and and a colonoscopy. And maybe a couple of office visits a year. But, every year I get sinusitis and occasional UTIs. Medications for those things, without insurance are crazy expensive. As an adult in my 60s I am comparatively healthy, but I have allergies, a history of asthma, and I have just one prescription in addition to the inhaler I have for just in case. That one prescription is over 1,000.00 without insurance and I pay 120.00 a year for it.
Just because one's relatives lived to a ripe old age with little issue, it doesn't always mean you are free. Generally good genetics help, but my mom died at 67 from a horrible liver disease (autoimmune) and a failed transplant. Every other member of her family lived until 90+. My dad was unemployed and working in a retirement type job with no benefits. If it wasn't for MediCal, they would have been in jail from the medical debts. She was not old and wanted to move forward with treatment. I could not have helped pay for that.

[Catrin]

My concern is the action taken last week by the Republicans did not retain the protection regarding preexisting conditions. There was a time when I would have been denied any coverage at all, so yeah, I'm a bit on the nervous side. I'm fine as long as I'm with my current employer but if they don't replace that protection I am looking a a potentially serious problem in the future. There has also been a change at work where we are no longer paying premiums for the next month but for the current - so our insurance coverage ends the last day of our employment instead of extending one month in the future.

Time well tell, part of me wants to think they REALLY wouldn't remove that protection but this is a new political landscape, it's hard to know what will happen. And, on the scale of serious preexisting conditions mine are on the lower end of that scale, there are many lives that would be seriously impacted if the insurance companies were once again allowed to choose who they would cover.

What I am saying is the situation is far more complicated than those who have the ability to get insurance of some kind and choose not to do so for some reason.

[ny biker]

<sigh> Just got a call from the doctor. I have to go back and repeat the mammogram I had a few days ago because "the image is incomplete and there is an asymmetry on the right side." No indication of a mass, just something that causes 10% of us to be called back for more pain. And the insurance doesn't cover this. I went through the same thing a few years ago and had to pay out of pocket for it. The technician looks at the images when she takes them and there was a time when they would take another image on the spot if things didn't look clear enough. Apparently now they just send you home so you can come back and pay extra for the privilege.

Mad props to the doctor for calling me before the letter arrived from the radiology place. He's at a new practice now where he has to do a lot of things that were handled by nurses and assistants at the last practice. But he still makes the time for these sorts of phone calls to minimize the anxiety that these situations can cause.

===

Update, insurance company says I have a $200 deductible for "outpatient radiology." :mad: :mad: :mad:

I had it scheduled for Tuesday but had to call them back and reschedule for Thursday so it would fall into the next credit card cycle. :mad: :mad:

[emily_in_nc]

Sorry, NY...that stinks! :mad: I remember having to have additional images made before, but it was the same visit; she just took a look and decided a couple were not up to par and took the replacements on the spot. Horrible to have to go back and have more made.

Shouldn't mammograms fall under the preventive care 100% paid by the ACA? I know I haven't had to pay a penny for mine since being on the ACA; they don't fall under any deductible rule, same with my normal "well woman" yearly checkups.

[Crankin]

They may not be aware of that, Emily. Seriously, my gyn tried to charge me for my co-pay the first year the ACA went into effect. Some dumb (male) receptionist was arguing with me! So, I paid the 20.00 and then called later and spoke to the more senior person.

[smilingcat]

This is truly frightening!! If republicans go through with this, without reasonable substitute for ACA and maintaining current coverage, even a basic healthcare will not be available to most all Americans. The ramification of dismantling of ACA aka Obamacare is much bigger than just healthcare.

One of my nagging questions is, is this repeal include a repeal of IRS penalty for failure to have insurance. What if ACA is repealed and you are denied coverage because of whatever, or reached lifetime cap, how are you going to get coverage then be forced to pay the penalty? A lot of people will become indigent (bankrupt) under this scenario.

Back to repeal of ACA repeal in entirety. Number of people who will lose healthcare because of this is just staggering. And if it happens, this will cause loss of patient visit to the doctors, hospitals etc and will force hospitals to close. Loss of high paid jobs. Insurance companies will either have to significantly reduce premium or face "going out of business". This will significantly impact the stock market in negative way and may start the collapse of the market into depression. This is just the nutshell so to speak.

This will be more than a double wammy for average American, loss of health care, potential loss of work and possibly becoming destitute/bankrupt. Dismantling of ACA has a real potential for this kind of fall out.

I am downright angry at the irresponsible behavior of the sadistic republicans. They know the level of pain they will inflict on the average Americans and to gloat and lie about the whole thing is just unbelievable. I'm also really angry at the "rich" people who want more for themselves at the expense of the average Americans. Hording is a mental illness. Hording money is still hording.

Another thing you can do is to turn on your TV during inauguration and watch E! or Nickelodeon or Discovery or Home improvement channel. You just can't leave the TV off. And same with you tube video. Watch movie trailers, anything other than the inauguration.

There is much I want to write, but this forum is not about politics nor about economics. I just will reiterate my anger and dismay at the republican party and those who were hoodwinked into thinking Obamacare is something different than ACA and that Obamacare is some sort of corrupt government handout. Without ACA, I think US healthcare system would have collapsed by now.

[snapdragen]

My oncologist's receptionist always collected a co-pay. Then later, I'd receive a refund check from the medical group. :mad:

[snapdragen]

ACA quite literally saved a friend's life. He had a massive heart attack, surgeries, complications (MRSA) -- a year later he's finally doing better. I can't imagine what would have happened to him without ACA.

[Blueberry]

They may not be aware of that, Emily. Seriously, my gyn tried to charge me for my co-pay the first year the ACA went into effect. Some dumb (male) receptionist was arguing with me! So, I paid the 20.00 and then called later and spoke to the more senior person.

It can also be a grandfathered policy. If I had done it in 2016, my IUD would have had a $200 copay plus the $55 copay for insertion. I've had to pay co-pays for birth control pills (still would). Still had to pay the copay for insertion. Still get charged copays for all preventative care visits. It's otherwise an extremely good plan - so I don't b*tch. Much.

[Crankin]

I have never had to pay a co-pay for a physical since then.

[Eden]

Absolutely yes.

Don't know if this (http://imgur.com/gallery/A5V7svI) is for real, but I could definitely believe it.

That may be a hoax, but the idea that people either did not understand that "Obamacare" and the Affordable Care Act were one in the same or simply did not believe that the program could be dismantled is totally real - here's an actual piece of journalism - http://www.vox.com/platform/amp/science-and-health/2016/12/13/13848794/kentucky-obamacare-trump

I work in a hospital. I'm sure we will see the effects of this sooner than later. We are a non profit and no child (it is a children's hospital) is ever denied care on the basis that they cannot pay, but I would guess our uncompensated care fund will soon be once again tested it's limits... The expense of medical care is no joke. We've got one family that is not what you would think of as disadvantaged, but having a child with a complex medical condition, they hit the lifetime limit for their health insurance before he was two..

[Blueberry]

That may be a hoax, but the idea that people either did not understand that "Obamacare" and the Affordable Care Act were one in the same or simply did not believe that the program could be dismantled is totally real - here's an actual piece of journalism - http://www.vox.com/platform/amp/science-and-health/2016/12/13/13848794/kentucky-obamacare-trump

I work in a hospital. I'm sure we will see the effects of this sooner than later. We are a non profit and no child (it is a children's hospital) is ever denied care on the basis that they cannot pay, but I would guess our uncompensated care fund will soon be once again tested it's limits... The expense of medical care is no joke. We've got one family that is not what you would think of as disadvantaged, but having a child with a complex medical condition, they hit the lifetime limit for their health insurance before he was two..

I believe it. I'm a med student associated with a state hospital that serves all regardless of ability to pay. I have no idea what will happen, but I'm sure it won't be pretty. As I've said before, it's a terrifying time to be going into medicine. If things are as destabilized as some hospital groups are predicting, I worry about whether there will even be jobs - not something I was ever worried about. Scary on so many levels.

[ny biker]

Emily, my insurance covers one non-3D mammogram per year. I already had that, and paid $50 extra for 3D. In the past when I declined the 3D mammogram they made me come back and get one because the regular one was not good enough. So now I pay the extra $50 (with clenched teeth) -- that's what I had the other day. But now they are saying I have to come back for another one and that will be treated as regular radiology, which under my plan (which has lots of "grandfathered" exceptions to ACA requirements) means a $200 copay. I got more information yesterday when I called to reschedule the appointment into the next credit card cycle -- they said something is different from prior images which is why they want to do another one.

Smilingcat, I share your anger. It galls me that the party claiming to represent Christian beliefs is really so greedy and uncaring. And so willing to look the other way with a president who has already violated the Constitution.

So yeah I'm going to the march tomorrow. Still not sure of my specific plans, but I think I will be walking there from a friend's house a few miles away. It will be a long day and I'm sure more than once I will have to find a spot on the sidewalk to sit down and rest my feet and back. But I think a big turnout is important. And I am optimistic that we will have it -- I've lived here for 19 years and I've never seen an event that so many people I know are going to.

[emily_in_nc]

Thank you, NY, for explaining about the radiology -- I do know that anything outside a very specific list of procedures and checks is not covered by the ACA preventive regulations, and since you're having to have a second one, that's how they get around it. Sigh. Seems like they'll do anything to avoid actually helping people.

We were pleasantly surprised when DH's recent colonoscopy was covered in full. Yes, they are supposed to be covered as they are preventive, in general, but since DH has had pre-cancerous polyps removed during colonoscopy procedures before, he's on the 5-6 year return cycle rather than 10 years, and last time, we had to fight tooth and nail to have it covered. This was through my employer insurance and prior to the ACA. The insurance goons insisted that it was not preventive since it hadn't been 10 years since his last one, but we argued that indeed it was, because the whole reason his GI doc wanted him to have one on a shorter cycle was to prevent colon cancer. After two appeals, they finally paid.

This time, with the ACA, they just paid (different insurance company, tho). No questions asked. :)

And people wonder why I love my Obamacare!

[shootingstar]

Unless physician sees something abnormal, one gets a colonoscopy in the province where I live..every 10 yrs. I had mine about 55 yrs. on the doctor's referral. The only thing I had to pay, was the awful liquid laxative to drink to "prep' myself.

Otherwise no other out of pocket expenses not required.

[ny biker]

They want me back in 5 years for another colonoscopy, due to polyps IIRC. I hadn't thought about whether insurance will cover it. But who knows what my insurance will be by then. The company I work for was sold --again-- it happens every 2-3 years. At a recent meeting our new CEO said that taking care of employees' health is a worthwhile but unquantifiable benefit. It will be interesting to see if that translates to better insurance coverage next year.. assuming the client for my project doesn't decide to lay me off...

Anyway it's time for bed. I've got some woman marching to do tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

[shootingstar]

Ny- wishing you that the diagnosis is resolvable with the outcome.

On a different topic, perhaps can someone explain to me, a CAnadian: why does the U.S. health care system is such that desperate women must rely on Planned Parenthood for certain things? Does it offer screening for stuff beyond birth control? Very different. To my understanding up in Canada it really is reproductive education, birth control, etc. I was listening to a speech during the U.S. Womens' March, to an activist from Planned Parenthood.

Admittedly in listening to the Washington DC speeches, made it me reflect one's own life trajectory, loved ones and family history which has been affected by very large political events and social revolution.

[shootingstar]

How was the march NY?

There was a local march in my city...4,000 people. I didn't go..I got my haircut which probably sounds very diffident. I have no other explanation except after having done several yrs. volunteer work in immigrant services, race relations plus help organize rides, workshops for women in a city where I used to live... making change can be challenging. It's even harder to do solo when one walks into a rm. of people and no one looks like self. So protest marches are important to make up for times where such work feels lonely/hard and also to inform/inspire others unfamiliar.

My heart is grateful that 1 million people marched worldwide yesterday and there was no violence reported. That is a fantastic sign of power...across language, culture, etc. An enormous signal that women can lead in a way /style that doesn't need to physically hurt anyone.

[Eden]

seriously... don't like reality - make it up as you go along, if you believe hard enough it will be true! It's like something out a comedy routine....
here's my comment


http://rlv.zcache.com/trumpnocchio_button-rc06f0af4423c47b3bce5e845727bcd44_x7j18_8byvr_512.jpg?max_dim=325 (http://www.zazzle.com/z/3eluw)
Trumpnocchio button (http://www.zazzle.com/z/3eluw) by Penguin_Protest (http://www.zazzle.com/penguin_protest*)

[Trek420]

I've got some woman marching to do tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

Knott and I marched in Seattle. It was amazing. I was talking to a lady about my age and saying my memory of the Moratorium, the huge national marches against the war in Vietnam (yep, I'm old) it was about this intense and huge. And I've done a lot of marches in my day. Pride day in SF is statistically larger, usually half a million. But that includes the audience, those on the side. We were 120,000 marching. Many others went to sister marches in smaller towns to avoid the crowd, have a more low key day. So all told I think we figured about 1/4 of the city.

The most fun was on the bus on the way in. Each stop had more families, most with small kids, some all decked out in hats with their tiny signs. The bus would cheer as they got on. As we got to the last stop the driver announced "There are 12 people here. We're almost full. We can get them on but you'll all have to squeeze together and move back if you can. This is up to you. I can leave them here for the next bus, or we can get them on". So we all made a little more room and they boarded.

As the doors closed the driver announced "You did it. We're all full and the next stop is downtown" and the whole bus cheered. Lots of pink on board.

SPD bike cops began the march as they slowly rode up the street to make sure it's clear of traffic. Everybody cheered and thanked them. The first nations people led the march, that was very moving. And then just a sea of people and witty, correctly spelled signs. ;) My favorite was simply "remember this tomorrow". That and perhaps the golden retriever wearing a "Nasty b*tch" t-shirt :)

Let's hope this translates to a movement. I've started attending meetings of my local Dems group. Nice group of smart, geeky, techy people. A friend decided to start a regional chapter of NOW. She needed 3 people to be a chapter, we have 4 now. Whee!

[ny biker]

Do I need to send another gift? A cousin's daughter recently had a baby. I don't see this part of the family often, once every few years at most. I think the last time I saw her was at her wedding. I was invited to the baby shower, couldn't attend, but sent a gift. So now that the baby is born (a girl, very cute and everyone is healthy) can I just send a card?

I was also thinking of sending a card to the new grandparents (my cousin and his wife). But, my cousin's wife's mother (grandmother to the new mom) died about a week before the baby was born. So maybe I should get generic cards (blank inside) and write a note. Though I'm not sure how to word "sorry about your mom/grandmother but congrats on the new baby."

Anyone have any suggestions?

[shootingstar]

You need to give only from your heart. If you are already quite distant with this relative and no contact normally except maybe once a yr. or so, then a card. You gave a baby shower gift. Personally, I've never given a baby gift on top of a shower gift for same baby.

[emily_in_nc]

You need to give only from your heart. If you are already quite distant with this relative and no contact normally except maybe once a yr. or so, then a card. You gave a baby shower gift. Personally, I've never given a baby gift on top of a shower gift for same baby.

I agree. The only exception I would make is for a close friend or close family member OR if you are going to visit the new mom with baby. I wouldn't want to show up empty-handed then. In all other cases, I think a card will be fine. Chances are, since she had a shower, she's already gotten most of what she needs anyway.

[Sky King]

Okay, getting political. My new favorite npr program is A1. If you can catch the recording of today's show (5/12/17) Wow, just Wow. Although I do want a t-shirt that says something like Hello it's Country! not your Fing party that is important.

[IBrakeforPastry]

Okay, getting political. My new favorite npr program is A1. If you can catch the recording of today's show (5/12/17) Wow, just Wow. Although I do want a t-shirt that says something like Hello it's Country! not your Fing party that is important.

I just tried searching for this. I found a podcast, and a "Friday News Roundup". Is that what I'm looking for? I have a road trip coming up and always looking for things to listen to.

[Xrayted]

OMG. I can't believe this thread is still going! Hahahah! :eek: I've been not really using my computer at all these days. And I've been trying to figure out if I can post here from my phone. If anyone knows how I can do that, it would be very helpful. I miss you ladies!

[ny biker]

Hi! There's still a few of us here. I can read and post from my phone, though it's a bit of a challenge on a small screen. I just open the browser, to go the forum website and log in. It works pretty much the same as on a pc. I think others install the Tapatalk app and access the forum through that.

[Crankin]

Ouch.

[Sky King]

Ouch, the dentist is my least favorite way to spend time, ever.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks! Feel much better today. :)

Oh good! I so hate the dentist! Facing orthodontia and who knows what else at the dental torture chamber soon, so I totally feel your pain. I wish they could just knock me out every time I go in. That may be the best thing about my recent oral surgery. IV sedation. <3

[ny biker]

Glad you're feeling better, Sheila. I've got some dental work on the horizon -- I have a cracked tooth that hurts when I bite something the wrong way. I'm putting off dealing with it as long as possible, though. My dentist is also in no hurry to do anything about it as long as it doesn't hurt too much or too often, since putting in a crown may ultimately cause a need for a root canal.

[Trek420]

Okay. I'm quite inured to high-priced bikes and components, accessories, gear, whatever. But I just hit my limit.

$6499.00 for, wait for it, a Single Speed Raleigh bike. It's steel, mostly American parts, handbuilt by a famous builder (whom I don't know) and a replica of the Cheetah used in the Olympics from the 1980's. It's nice. But $6.5K nice?

Cheetah? Or Cheater? Wow.

https://www.raleighusa.com/cheetah-replica#

The link is broken. $6k for a fixie? I'm not one to talk with our bikes though :rolleyes:

Found it here http://www.pedalconsumption.com/2017/03/raleigh-don-walker-the-cheetah-track-bike/

[smilingcat]

Too bad about the sale to wallys. Maybe, they, Rapha, needed cash infusion.

[Crankin]

Yeah, they need a cash infusion, because their stuff is so expensive, no one is buying it. I am not cheap, but I won't spend that amount of money.

[rebeccaC]

According to an article in the ny times about the sale, Rapha has grown 25-30% annually for the last 11 years. The sale was about changing private equity firms from one with short-term gain ambitions to one that had good bicycle karma (Tom and Steuart Walton) and who are investing for a long-term future, like they have before in the bicycle community.

They do make some nice clothing but are more style-conscious than I need. eta...I doubt you'll see their clothing in walmart :)

[emily_in_nc]

Just to show how out of the consumerist culture I am these days, I've never even heard of Rapha! I could google it, but why? :cool:

[ny biker]

I've heard that Rapha's stuff is actually nice, good quality. But too rich for my blood.

So, bad day today. I've been expecting layoffs at work. Many of us have been expecting it. Our client's new fiscal year starts soon. The software application we work on is very mature and in need of rewriting, but they haven't decided yet what direction they will go in, or maybe they have decided but are just moving very slowly. We've been in austerity/maintenance mode for a while now, and had a 20% staff cut a year ago. So, today more people were laid off. I've been here for almost 17 years, and some of the people I said goodbye to today have been here for 13, 15, 17 years. I was too busy this afternoon to really think much about it, other than to say goodbye and make sure I had their contact info. Now as I sit here, I feel sick.

Rumor is that we will be forced to take vacation/leave without pay in the next month or so because the funding does not exist to cover the rest of us in the short term. If true, for me this could mean having little or no time to spend with my parents at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I should know more early next week.

So on the one hand I'm glad I still have an income and health insurance, but uncertainty remains, as my programming skills are not up to date and there is no chance of getting good experience with more marketable skills as long as I work here. And I am sad.

[Pax]

So sorry to hear that NY! I hate how we can be so easily discarded.

[Crankin]

I am sorry, NY. I hope you make it through this, without too much stress.

[Eden]

So on the one hand I'm glad I still have an income and health insurance, but uncertainty remains, as my programming skills are not up to date and there is no chance of getting good experience with more marketable skills as long as I work here. And I am sad.

Don't write yourself off too quickly - my husband (an EE and embedded systems programmer) says that there are many things, especially in the embedded world - the things you don't see that run factory lines, power generation, etc. that use old programming languages that are in need of upkeep and updating - but the newly minted programmers aren't learning those languages anymore.... he says the newer languages don't require them to learn the inner workings of how data is stored and how to make code efficient - present your mature knowledge as positive point rather than a liability!

[smilingcat]

Hi NY biker,

Don't let circumstance dictate your path in your life. If you don't think you have future with current employer, brush up your resume and start practicing for your interview. Think of the questions you may be asked at an interview. How do you want to answer them. Or do you politely decline them. Think of your strengths and weaknesses. Are you willing to relocate, hours you want to keep, salary question. Salary question is always tricky so skirt around it and don't commit to any number. And keep in mind of compensation in your financial math, things like 401k matching or not or pension.

When I was laid off (what an euphemism for YOU'RE FIRED), I was fully expecting it. I was willing to make bets with my co-workers. That was about 8 years ago.

BE PROACTIVE!!

[emily_in_nc]

NY, I can relate to what you are dealing with. I went through the same thing at my company (where I'd worked since '85) in the years from 2001-2010, as I watched many friends, colleagues, and even my husband be laid off as the market contracted and the company became mired in financial (and eventually even criminal) struggles. I managed to hang on until I was ready to resign (early retire, but not with any kind of package) in 2010.

Over the years, I had a lot of sadness and survivor's guilt after lasting so long, while so many others (some much more talented than I, but in a more vulnerable part of the company, or a product line that got canceled) were let go. It was hard. I was worried about being laid off many times as rumors swirled. I too worked on a mature product, and my software skills were old-school compared to all the computer sci grads in the '00s, and even the 1990s. Fortunately, our product was high quality, and we had a strong customer base who wanted to retain their investment, so those of us who knew the "old stuff" were spared for a much longer time than some of the newer folks with the more marketable, in-demand skills.

As it turned out, it was good that I left when I did, as 8 months afterwards, my manager and most of my co-workers were finally let go. I was very fortunate to be able to afford to retire and not have to go back to school or figure out how to freshen my skills otherwise to continue working in software development. I have missed my co-workers and the comraderie, but never the work nor the office politics, nor someone else controlling my destiny, in the ensuing 7 years.

I hope you will land on your feet no matter what happens. You do need to prepare for the worst and plan your exit plan whether you get laid off or leave voluntarily at some point. And if you are able to stay there and the situation rights itself, then at least you'll be able to sleep at night knowing you have your ducks in a row. Please keep us posted!

[Pax]

Can someone explain to me the endless need men on forums have of repeating the BS that men are so put upon? "well, you better start with flowers because no matter what, you're wrong", "you'll just have to apologize for being a male and tell her she's right", "we're the only group (white males) left in America that's okay to make fun of". All those tidbits in less than two days on a couple of forums I'm on. Add to that multiple comments on how PC is ruining the country.

All I wanted was to glean some information about RV's. I was a separatist in the late 70's and early 80's, I am very strongly leaning that way again.

[rebeccaC]

Perhaps low self-esteem, lack of emotional intelligence and a more narrow life focus. Personally I prefer helping women with low self-esteem caused by sexual abuse and victimization than dealing with the kind of men with low self-esteem on the net you’re writing about…I'm not on the net much but I do see some of it briefly on one site I post music and photography to. I just put the person on my ignore list so I don’t have to deal with their negativity or read their posts in the future.

Be the light Pax…..:)

[Crankin]

I don't include people like that in my circle. Thus, I go on no other forums, except this one! The web seems to give permission for people to say things they wouldn't say face to face.
That said, I also don't like being around women who constantly bash males and make generalizations that sound like, "Well, he's a man, what do you expect?" It was rampant in the teaching profession. They would frequently say things to allude to the fact that my opinion didn't count, because my husband is "nice." Oy.
Most of my practice and the group I run consists of people experiencing trauma from abuse. Mostly women, but a couple of men, too. I can feel deeply for them and work with them, but it does not color my view of society in general.
This only supports my strong belief that is up to mothers of sons to instill feminist values and equality in their children. It amazes me how even younger people fall into traditional roles.

[Pax]

Things have gotten so much worse in recent months, they now have "permission" to be endlessly nasty. So, I walked away, I'll still get information but won't participate. Unfortunately that's how forums die, people read and absorb what they need, but don't contribute, it soon becomes a small echo chamber.

I'll move my energies back to the places I value, feminist/lesbian/women's groups.

[emily_in_nc]

Pax, have you tried the women's RV forum? It's not as thorough or active as the big RV forums (irv2 is where I get most of my technical info) but is much friendlier! That said, I am not active on any RV forums, just go to them if I have a specific question or research item.

http://www.womenrv.com/forum/

[Pax]

Emily, yes, I've been a member there for years, thanks! Some very knowledgeable women on that board.

[ny biker]

Many belated thanks for your support, ladies. My situation at work has gotten crazier than ever. It's a long story so I'll skip to the end. I work on a big, complex, old internet application. It does not use cutting-edge technology. The bulk of my experience is with a programming language that is pretty much dead. I have tried to transition to working on other parts of the application with more commonly-used programming languages but for the most part have been prevented from doing so, because for some years now I have been the only person on the project who knows the dead language. I spend nights and weekends trying to learn the other languages, but that type of work just doesn't get assigned to me. It's been extremely frustrating.

So now, in the short term, we have funding cuts, which have led to layoffs for some and furloughs for the rest of us. I have to take about two weeks of vacation/sick time before the fiscal year ends on Sept 30. But out of the blue, an opportunity has arisen. The client wants us to work on something new that will be funded in the next fiscal year, and I'm on the team who will work on it. It's not bleeding-edge technology, but it involves more up-to-date things than the old complex application. Most of it will be totally new to me, so there will be numerous learning curves with a fair amount of stress. I was actually quite nervous about it at first. But then I realized -- if I am able to pull it off, I will be in a much more stable position, at this job or in the search for a new one. And if I fail, I'll just be where I am now. So other than some stress and late nights in front of the pc, I don't have much to lose.

On the financial front, things are still not entirely stable here, and it's possible there will be more cuts in the coming months. But at least I have something concrete to work on in the meantime. I'm hopeful, and looking forward to the challenge.

[Crankin]

Good attitude, NY. It's an opportunity to learn.
And September is the best month of the year to be on vacation.

[emily_in_nc]

That's good news, NY. As you say, worst case scenario, you'll be no worse off than you are now. And usually worst-case scenarios don't come to pass! Chances are you'll gain some new knowledge and confidence and increase your marketability down the road. Good stuff!

[smilingcat]

I've been following Tesla, the EV vehicle company and its cars. Model 3 is touted as a car for the masses while both model S and X are classed as a luxury cars.

So I got an e-mail "RSVP and schedule a drive". Why not? A gal from Tesla calls and we chat. I say, "I'm not interested in Model S or X but definitely interested in Model 3. And I've already visited a Tesla store a while back". And on...

Today, we showed up. I reiterated, "not interested in Model S or X but only in 3..." No model 3 in sight. no ride in S or X even though I had asked for a driver to take us for a spin so I can get an idea of model 3's ride and interior noise. No ride... No new information on Model 3 except to tell me that options have been bundled so that if I want an upgraded battery to get 300+mile on a charge, it is now bundled with premium interior package with glass roof. cost balloons from $35,000 to $50,000. no brochure on Model 3.

So they wasted 2-1/2 hour of my time because they had no new information they could give me and they already knew that I was well informed on model 3. What was new was the bundling of options.

I'm thinking... $50,000 car is a car for the masses???

Am I missing something here? or has car prices jumped that much? I think when the 1/2 million people who have made reservation finds out that the car they want with the option they want is going to cost $$$, I think many will cancel. Too much hype on "cars for the masses" me think.

[Pax]

Our latest truck, a Nissan Frontier 4x4, isn't top of the line and is considered very old tech. And it still cost almost $30,000, which I think is insane, but that's is still a VERY far cry from 50k.

[rebeccaC]

The base 3 does 220 miles on a full charge, which works well for what our needs would be. With our states growing fast charging network it could even be useful for some longer trips. One of the advantages of giving an early deposit for the model 3 was getting a 7500 federal rebate (which goes away after Tesla (or any car manufacture) has sold 200,000 pure EV cars) and here there’s a state EV rebate of at least 2500 and up to 5000 depending on income. Being the first state to get model 3 production runs helps too.

A 5000 state rebate for fuel cell cars like the Honda Clarity, which gets 300+ mileage, is another choice we’ve been thinking about since there are an increasing number of fueling stations in California now including three 24/7 ones within just a short drive from us.
California is about to add 3 billion to its rebate program. An additional 500 million will be added for rebates for disadvantaged communities, school and transit buses.

The average transaction price for a new car this year is 30,000+ according to a quick net search.
.

[Crankin]

I was also going to say that it feels like the average price of a new car is 30k. It does seems higher than it should be, but that's what it is.

[ny biker]

As my 10-year-old Prius nears 140,000 miles on its odometer, I am not happy to think about having to pay $30k for a new car when the time comes. I'm hoping it will be another couple of years before it needs to be replaced, but still. It took long enough to pay off this car, and it cost < $25k. (It is a great car and I'm very happy with it. It's nice to feel like a major purchase decision was a good one.)

[emily_in_nc]

NY, I bet that Prius will last awhile longer. Great cars!

Our last car, a Honda CR-V, cost around $27K. This was for the "middle" trim line in 2013. The economy line was $2K less, but I had to have an armrest. I always joked that it was my "two thousand dollar armrest", as that was the only thing I just had to have from the next trim line up!

If we were to buy a car now, we'd go with a late model used car from Carmax. If you're willing to buy a car just 1-2 model years old, you can save some $$ off brand new.

[ny biker]

If I needed a new car now, I would want another Prius (they really are great cars). Last I heard there are not many used ones available, though that was a few years ago so maybe it's changed. I understand what you mean about the $2000 arm rest. I chose a more expensive option package on my car because I wanted the HID headlights. The other things that were part of that package didn't interest me so much. But it turned out that the auto-dimming rear view mirror that also came with that package is the best nighttime rear view mirror I've ever used -- it cuts glare amazingly well. I think when I eventually need a new car I will sorely miss that mirror. Also I will miss the stereo with the 6-CD changer, because yes I still prefer CDs!

What I really need for a new car is to bring my sister along to negotiate for me. She's way better at it than I am.

On another topic -- this morning I read about discounted prices at Whole Foods now that Amazon has bought them. I don't care. I still hate Amazon for putting good small companies out of business. In fact I may end up shopping less at Whole Foods in the future because of them.

[Crankin]

The closest Whole Foods to me are all about 10 miles away (3 of them). The only one I've been in was in Boulder, in 2002! My smaller, local grocery chain store (there are 4) is fine for me, supplemented by local farms, a gourmet farm market/grocery, a very local natural foods store, and occasional trips to Trader Joe's for chocolate bars and lox. I don't mind paying for good food, because I see it as medicine for my body. But I can get what I need elsewhere.

[rebeccaC]

On another topic -- this morning I read about discounted prices at Whole Foods now that Amazon has bought them. I don't care. I still hate Amazon for putting good small companies out of business. In fact I may end up shopping less at Whole Foods in the future because of them.

Lower prices will be necessary to attract more customers. Perhaps it will help to educate more people about better nutrition, gmo’s, pesticides etc. and to see the value in natural and organic food. We get all our fresh organic food from the year round farmers markets here….We prefer to support the small farms/business’s in southern Ca. which also helps to keep our food dollars circulating through our communities.

[Crankin]

I got a new phone in May. Ever since I got the phone, I can't stay permamantly logged in to TE. I keep checking the box to do so... I am wondering if it has anything to do with the Tapatalk app, which I keep x-ing out of signing up for. Perhaps this is their way of getting back at me for refusing to get the app? I tried it awhile back and hated it. Maybe it has nothing to do with my phone.

[smilingcat]

new app, learning new software... So even though I've retired from engineering work and designing those "computer" chips that create all those nifty gadgets. Writing low level coding from things called picocode to microcode to firmware development to things called RTOS...

Anyway, way back when SDI, aka star wars program, I was working as a researcher in thing called Expert Systems, a euphemism for AI. It really was not an AI in that it could not initiate its own learning. But today, using a language called Python and technology called Deep Learning, it has changed the landscape of AI. AI today is more than capable of learning from its own experience.

As for AI, what has it accomplished?

It has beaten a world's top ranking go player where the strategy is infinitely more complicated than game of chess. Program from what I understand is that it created its own set of strategy not created by any human.
It has beaten one of best American fighter pilot at simulated dog fight. Pilot said that the AI knew what his next move was and the pilot was defeated multiple times by the AI.
Latest is the game of DODA, AI creators backed by Musk's neuralink company, said that it never taught any strategy to AI, Instead, it allowed to play against another copy of the same AI and improve its skill over two or so weeks. And it beat one of the best gamer of the DODA.
And what was that thing by Amazon?? Alexa? speech recognition and parsing the meaning of what a person said. It's not the cutting edge of AI...


I'm on the side of Elon Musk and not with Mark Zukerburg.

Learning a new language, how about Python? I like Python, it beats things called BASH and shell scripting etc. Though I still prefer: Tcl, Lisp (now common Lisp) and Haskal. And yes Crankin, may be the App knows that you will eventually give up and sign-up. Maybe you need to clear out cellphone of its history.

[emily_in_nc]

Lots of good geek-talk, NY! I used to work in an RTOS environment and also knew a few things like shell scripting languages (mostly csh or ksh). Have heard of most of the other things you mention but know nothing about them. I was mostly a high-level langugage girl, but even our HLL was low-level compared to most, because of the environment...an older telephone switching system where we had to manage our own timeslices, do bit shifting, and such like. My DH was a firmware engineer and specialized in assembly language & microcode, so he was even geekier than I! :D

[smilingcat]

there is a fire in my back yard.


have important docs but my passport is nowhere to be found...
have all the animal cages setup 3 big ones for the dogs and 4 small cages for the cats. 2 to a cage
bottled water, ice chest, the usual camping stuff.
extra cloth and clean underwear so if search and rescue finds me at least I'll have clean undies...
oh not to forget dog food kitty food and kitty litter and boxes
we both have n95 respirators with chemical filters. its bad out thare.
Air quality index currently at 271. (very unhealthy!!)
we are in level 1 evacuation notice :(

Well we are off the hook pretty easy compare to Harvey victims and Irma victims to come. I just hope my farm house and my house that I live in is still standing. My farm kitty has been moved to my house house. Poor guy, he is hiding in a closet.

Oh the fire in my back yard is the Eagle Creek fire in Columbia gorge. Fire line is about 7 miles from the house or just over 10km. Farm house is only 6.5 miles or so from the line. I hope the wind doesn't kick up like it did last night.

[rebeccaC]

stay safe smilingcat….from the internet news articles and videos it looks like an incredibly dangerous and still out of control wild fire. If the theory of how it started (15 year old boy throwing firecrackers) proves true it’s an important lesson in how a careless act can cause such damage and suffering. as a side note..the loss of parts of the gorge's natures beauty is a huge loss for all.

My prayers for everyone’s safety……

[Pax]

Hope you stay safe, and get some rain asap!

[ny biker]

Yikes smilingcat. I hope you and everyone near the wildfires are okay.

[shootingstar]

there is a fire in my back yard.


have important docs but my passport is nowhere to be found...
have all the animal cages setup 3 big ones for the dogs and 4 small cages for the cats. 2 to a cage
bottled water, ice chest, the usual camping stuff.
extra cloth and clean underwear so if search and rescue finds me at least I'll have clean undies...
oh not to forget dog food kitty food and kitty litter and boxes
we both have n95 respirators with chemical filters. its bad out thare.
Air quality index currently at 271. (very unhealthy!!)
we are in level 1 evacuation notice :(

Well we are off the hook pretty easy compare to Harvey victims and Irma victims to come. I just hope my farm house and my house that I live in is still standing. My farm kitty has been moved to my house house. Poor guy, he is hiding in a closet.

Oh the fire in my back yard is the Eagle Creek fire in Columbia gorge. Fire line is about 7 miles from the house or just over 10km. Farm house is only 6.5 miles or so from the line. I hope the wind doesn't kick up like it did last night.

Fire sounds quite close, smilingcat. Hope you, others, key documents and kitty, etc. stay safe somewhere! Those fires can travel fast.

In British Columbia there have been over 130 wildfires burning nearly the whole summer now --with some current big fires in some of our national parks. Calgary where I live is approx. 250 km southeast of the closest large wildfire. Approx. 2-3 days per week, depending on wind direction and smoke density, it has blown into our city. Where our famous bright blue skies becomes grey and smoke hangs in the air all over. My partner feels tightness in his chest if there's too much/cycling much. I'm less suspectible but still often smell smoke. Right now, there is a huge forest fire at Waterton National Park near the U.S. -Canada border in Alberta. It's burnt down the Parks' visitors' reception/info. centre building.

There have been various localized evacuations of residents in various areas.

Forest management /wildfire authorities are predicting some of these huge, scary wildfires will smoulder even into the winter/snow. :(:eek:

[smilingcat]

Hi shootingstar,

Yes some of the wildfire in BC are HUGE!!, smoke from one of those giant fire has blanketed our area about a month ago.

Good news is that they have finally lifted/rescinded the evacuation notice for my area. Those closer to the fire are still under the evacuation notice. Some have been out of the house for over a week now.

The bad news:

the 15yo who started the fire and laughing about starting it, is NOT going to be charged with arson or any crime. Instead, the authorities are blaming on the infrastructure... WHAT??? The boy was told not to throw firecrackers into a dry gully filled with dry leaf litter, laughed and kept on throwing fire crackers into it. And his friends, both boys and girls, all thought it was funny. They are not responsible!? At 15, you should know what is okay and not okay!! Infrastructure is to blame?? Maybe bad parenting, bad schooling??

Interstate 84, a major artery out of Portland, is indefinitely closed. Alternate route is a 2 lane road around and over Mount Hood.

There has been death threats made on the 15 yo.

Crazy insane world...

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, that is just crazy. I am glad your evacuation notice has been rescinded, smilingcat; but that is simply amazing about the 15-year old. We've been so focused on hurricanes in this half of the country, I hadn't even heard that.

[Crankin]

And now José is headed our way. It's not going to be much, NW of Boston, probably a rainy day and some wind, but on the Cape, there's going to be tropical storm force winds. A close friend of mine recently moved to her house down there, full time. We are going down for the weekend, on Friday, 2 days after the storm moves through. Hopefully, there won't be much damage. She's right in the center of the area that will get it the worst.
People do act weird in disasters. It's an acute trauma reaction. All I know, is that I would have been out the minute the word evacuation was mentioned. Perhaps I am a wuss, but I'd rather have my life than my stuff.

[ny biker]

OMG OMG OMG I just got a ticket to see the Foo Fighters in DC!!!!! They are playing opening night at a new 6000-seat venue. Tickets went on sale back in June and sold out literally in 5 seconds so I didn't get one. But a few minutes ago I was checking the twitter and BOOM! a few more tickets were just released for sale and BOOM!! I got one!!! Yay!!!

Best thing to happen to me in a while -- finally some good luck! I was already able to get a ticket to see them in Richmond which is two days after this DC show -- so that's two concerts in one week!!

Both shows require some logistical planning -- the DC show is on a weeknight and the ticket is general admission so I'll have to take a couple of hours off in the afternoon. The Richmond show is on a Saturday but I've never actually been to Richmond before. I know the drive is not too bad except there is always traffic, so I'm planning to go way early and find a place to hang out for a few hours. At least for that show it's a reserved seat.

[rebeccaC]

OMG OMG OMG I just got a ticket to see the Foo Fighters in DC!!!!!

Enjoy the concert!!!!!!!!

I was 13 when this album came out…. Good memory of listening to Everlong on headphones and thinking about the crush I had on Erin and our harmonizing perfectly together :)

https://youtu.be/crOZk88eCcg

[ny biker]

When you're just trying to be helpful while a co-worker is out sick, and then the co-worker comes back and dumps the work on you "because you've already started it" even though you tell them that you've done all you can and have reached a dead-end. Not seeing much incentive to try to help next time...


(re: my post from October, I thought I'd responded to Rebecca after the Foos concert -- what a great concert. They ended with Everlong. I have tickets to three more shows in July, in Philadelphia and NY.)

[Trek420]

As of March 1st I'm now retired! :)

[Crankin]

Congrats, Trek!!! I know how much you have been looking forward to this.

[emily_in_nc]

That's wonderful, Trek! I hope you enjoy retirement as much as I have so far -- I left the workplace in 2011 and have not looked back. I know not working drives some folks to distraction, and back to work of some sort, but for me, the freedom to do whatever I want, when I want to, vastly outweighs the few times I might have felt a little bored or restless. :)

[ny biker]

Congrats Trek!! Enjoy!!

[withm]

Congrats! I retire on March 30. 17 more work days to go. Woo hoo!

[smilingcat]

Woo hoo to Trek and to withm!No more fighting the rush hour traffic. Or having to show up when not feeling well. YES. Sometimes, I think work is way overrated.

Now enjoy life!!

[Trek420]

Woo hoo to Trek and to withm!No more fighting the rush hour traffic. Or having to show up when not feeling well. YES. Sometimes, I think work is way overrated.

Now enjoy life!!

Rush hour was not bad as I retired from a job within 3 miles of home and on a bike trail! :cool: But show up when not feeling well? Yes.

I have sometimes thought if I'd kept my seniority when I started back with. this yiuge union company, I would have enough time off that taking mental health days, staying home when I feel bleh would not be a problem.

Also if I'd kept seniority I would have always had the shift I can bike commute with. But we have odd luck at chez trekknott and that's not what happened.

We JUST got sick leave in WA and before that the system is: if I am sick I call out sick and I'm paid. If I do that too often I'm fired. So when I had my seniority and 6 weeks vacation + 10 personal days off + holidays + as much unpaid time I can afford ... if I was sick I took vaycay.

Anyway I came here, lost all seniority, and at 5 years when I got it all back I decided to start to use up my vacation and then consider retirement that we'd planned.

I think it was only a couple days in when I knew "nah. I'm not coming back. This is it."

I am looking for a low key part time job but don't want full time ever if I can help it. I'm kinda burned out.

[Crankin]

OK, one of my former students is now teaching in my old position! There have been a few people on my team, teaching Language Arts in the past 10 years, but this just feels weird.
She was a great student, so the kids are in good hands! But, this makes me feel very old.

[emily_in_nc]

OK, one of my former students is now teaching in my old position! There have been a few people on my team, teaching Language Arts in the past 10 years, but this just feels weird.
She was a great student, so the kids are in good hands! But, this makes me feel very old.

I hear ya, Crankin. You know what makes me feel old these days? I turn on the TV and nearly all the news anchors are younger than me.

Sigh...I remember when everyone on TV (other than kids) were older than me, and now I notice how young everyone is. It's depressing! :(

[Crankin]

I feel honored, but weird. It didn't feel as weird when I had drinks with another former student, who also teaches 7th grade Language Arts, but in a different district. In fact, she had applied for the job at my old school, but the other former student got it.
I found this out, in a very funny FB thread, where the social studies teacher on my former team commented on a menu item at a local restaurant. The current former student, LA teacher stated the conversation was very weird and out of context, just at the same time I posted that this was such a typical conversation for this group. Then, one of the people who had the position in between us stated that's because we are all "weird." This was seconded by a few others, prompting me to state that I miss their sense of humor, because therapists do not have the same sense of humor, or even *any* sense of humor.
Just a testament to how I still feel connected to these people after 11 years, and obviously that a) we imparted our weirdness to a lot of our students and b) you have to have a certain sense of humor to be a middle school teacher. I guess also, the fact that this is a "looping" team, where we had our kids for 2 years made us way more like a family. Certain families chose this experience for their kids and it usually was a great match.
I smiled a lot the whole day after this exchange!

[shootingstar]

I hear ya, Crankin. You know what makes me feel old these days? I turn on the TV and nearly all the news anchors are younger than me.

Sigh...I remember when everyone on TV (other than kids) were older than me, and now I notice how young everyone is. It's depressing! :(

It feels weird, that I'm a....great-aunt. Of a baby boy born to my oldest nephew (31 yrs.) and his wife last year. I actually haven't told anyone at work. Every month, I learn of work colleague who casually mention their parents....in late 50's or mid-60's. Meanwhile I'm 59.

Guess what makes me feel old yet honoured:
This fall in Vancouver BC there will be an art gallery exhibit and lecture/workshop that will honour the first leading Asian-CAnadian magazine, Asianadian promoting literary and visual arts by Asian-Canadians..from late 1970's to late 1980's. I wrote an article for the magazine and was also volunteer for 5 years before magazine died. We had paid subscriptions from across North America. The magazine was formed because artists and writers were tired of being muffled /overshadowed by non-Asians.

this was before my cycling life. :) It was heady to be at the forefront of something new and "radical" at the time.

[snapdragen]

How about when your doctor appears to be 12 years old? I swear my dermatologist is Doogie Howser!

[Trek420]

Bump.

Retirement is great but I'm having horrible issues with the company medical. They are continually miss billing me for it. Thought I got it squared away but nope and with this last statement, here we go again.

[Crankin]

If I don't stop getting mail from AARP I am going to explode. I can't stand anything about a group centered on old people. It's been 15 years, give it up!
My big big birthday is in 2 weeks. Not really looking forward to it. I have never minded birthdays, but after getting my Medicare card, it felt awful. Well, I don't actually have to use it or buy the supplemental stuff, since I still have private insurance.
The whole age thing pisses me off. People have preconceived notions of what older people are. Like the song says, I think I'll die, before I get old.

[NbyNW]

Wow, this was all the way on Page 3 behind a bunch of Spam. I've been away both from this board and from cycling for a long time. Life and injuries have gotten in the way. Last summer I was all ready to take it up again, then I injured my wrist at work and that has been a long recovery.

As the weather improves and I think about taking my slow, comfy hybrid out to doodle around the neighborhood, I remembered the days when I was in here all the time. And wondered how everyone was doing. If anyone is still checking in, I'd love to hear your news. Wishing everyone safety and good health in these very strange times.

[Trek420]

We're good. Knot is back at work. Don't know if you knew she was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in October '18. So about 9 months of chemo and recovery from chemo which was no fun lemme tell you. And then 2 surgeries which technically were 3 surgeries. After all that now she's NED. Doctors don't say remission, cured or recovered anymore. They say "No Evidence of Disease". In other words "We can't find it anymore" :rolleyes:

She had several weeks where they had her working from home which would have been ideal for us. She's healthy, I'm healthy, we're both off work. She could have done conference calls from anywhere, even the beach "Uhm, yes, boss. That is a fake Zoom background. I'm in my living room, really! :cool:" But we are staying safe at home.

[NbyNW]

Oh, no I had not heard about the cancer. But I am glad to hear you are both doing well now!

[Trek420]

Oh, no I had not heard about the cancer. But I am glad to hear you are both doing well now!

Yeah. We're glad too. :)

She's gotten interested in music. As of now added 2 ukuleles and a guitar to the stable. We're about to have the same storage issue with them as the bikes. :p

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey, hoping everyone is ok. Haven't checked in here for a looooog time.
I'm still alive and kicking, waves and hug to anyone who even remembers me... best wishes to you all. Remembering the good ol days on this TE site. ;)

Haven't been riding my bikes in a couple years, but was doing a lot of contra dancing before the pandemic hit, and now I do a mini trampoline session in my living room to try to not totally become a blob.
Today's election day. sigh....
:cool:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey, hoping everyone is ok. Haven't checked in here for a looooog time.
I'm still alive and kicking, waves and hug to anyone who even remembers me... best wishes to you all. Remembering the good ol days on this TE site. ;)

Haven't been riding my bikes in a couple years, but was doing a lot of contra dancing before the pandemic hit, and now I do a mini trampoline session in my living room to try to not totally become a blob.
Today's election day. sigh....
:cool:

hmmm. ?

[Kitsune06]

So much happens in 15y. I hope everyone is well.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I get notifications when there is a new post in this thread. Such interesting memories!
I'm doing fine. I'm now 70 (!) and still have my custom Luna bike which i have not been riding, and also have my blue Rivendell Rambouillet, which i am preparing to sell. :-( ...that makes me sad but I just can't justify continuing to keep two expensive bikes 'just in case' I start riding again.
Two years ago I buckled down and managed to lose 50 lbs that had slowly crept up over the years, now i am a healthy BMI (still gotta watch what i eat). I'm doing fitness walks, gardening, also contra dancing regularly, which is quite a workout (typically a dance is 2.5 hrs and 16K steps).
Hi Kit, I hope you are doing well.

[Kitsune06]

Hi! I am. I'm almost 40! Isn't that just crazy after all the old wild times in the TD?

All this time later, I've been a radiographer for the past 12 years, which seems crazy. Went through some wild stuff but thankfully survived it all mostly unscathed, went a number of years without a bike to my name, barely riding my motorcycle, but am currently *completely* rebuilding a Cannondale F7 I found on FB marketplace for a steal.

I bought my home in '19 and have a modest but very comfortable little life with a couple cat-tatoes and my long distance partner.

She is currently working at QBP bike warehouse in Lancaster, PA but hoping to move out here in the next year or so. We don't want to rush anything and are taking such pleasure in our very writing and poetry heavy connection. She's everything I ever hoped for and more than I imagined for myself. She's a wild and adventurous artist, roller derby player, world traveler, and bikepacker.

She's injecting a lot of life and adventure into my temporarily banal little existence and it's so welcome. I finally reminding myself of who I was when I was here all raucous and rowdy in the Drift.

I wonder if anyone else will see this?

Losing Team Estrogen as a business and a meeting place for women in sports was a small tragedy. I've not seen anything even close in its wake.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

[Kitsune06]

I get notifications when there is a new post in this thread. Such interesting memories!
I'm doing fine. I'm now 70 (!) and still have my custom Luna bike which i have not been riding, and also have my blue Rivendell Rambouillet, which i am preparing to sell. :-( ...that makes me sad but I just can't justify continuing to keep two expensive bikes 'just in case' I start riding again.
Two years ago I buckled down and managed to lose 50 lbs that had slowly crept up over the years, now i am a healthy BMI (still gotta watch what i eat). I'm doing fitness walks, gardening, also contra dancing regularly, which is quite a workout (typically a dance is 2.5 hrs and 16K steps).
Hi Kit, I hope you are doing well.Cheers to you on your accomplishments! Contra IS a serious workout!

re: your bikes and new hobbies--I find the tension between the careful archiving of memories for the sake of nostalgia and the drive to move forward and explore/experiment is such a challenging one to hold gracefully. It sounds like you're doing well and cultivating good and fun things though!

It's good that the Luna can patiently wait for you, though. ❤️
We all need someone to hold space now and then. 😊

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

[Takemusu]

I get notifications when there is a new post in this thread. Such interesting memories!
I'm doing fine. I'm now 70 (!) and still have my custom Luna bike which i have not been riding, and also have my blue Rivendell Rambouillet, which i am preparing to sell. :-( ...that makes me sad but I just can't justify continuing to keep two expensive bikes 'just in case' I start riding again.
Two years ago I buckled down and managed to lose 50 lbs that had slowly crept up over the years, now i am a healthy BMI (still gotta watch what i eat). I'm doing fitness walks, gardening, also contra dancing regularly, which is quite a workout (typically a dance is 2.5 hrs and 16K steps).
Hi Kit, I hope you are doing well.

Dear all,

Still riding though not as much at 68. A while back before the cataract surgery we got a recumbent tandem which we do enjoy. Knott and I are in the sunny PNW near bike paths. We don’t take it out on the road but frequent the trails.

I switched my martial arts training from Aikido which I did since about 1980 to Yang Family Style Tai Chi in 2018. I miss Aikido but I no longer thought I could keep up with the break falls. There are those who do Aikido into their 80’s and beyond. I love that about the art. And now that there is finally a good school near us entertain the idea of going back a bit. But in some ways the art itself needs to get more vigorous. I’m enjoying what I do.

Knott was diagnosed w stage four cancer in 2018. Thank you doctors, nurses, techs, surgeons she survived and is doing well. A bit after she was declared NED (No Evidence of Disease) she retired and that brings us up to date.

Trek420

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