Good morning All. Coffees on.

[Bri2020]

11 hours ago, Willow said:

 In Virginia it was 30-33 degrees so very wet snow.  The problem with that is when you drive on it it melts from the pressure then immediately freezes as your tire moves on.  That leaves a very icy slippery mess.

I was surprised how difficult Virginia could be. I grew up here and learned to drive here but that was only 2 seasons before moving out and I drove a Ford Maverick with bald tires for one of them so tended to wait till the roads cleared.  I lived in Germany for a bit and NH for a while and driving in the snow there was easy.  It's "true snow", the temps are cold and I drove either front wheel drive with snow tires or my Jeep Wrangler with snow tires.  Pretty much nothing stopped me.  I came back to Virginia and it was challenging.  We sit right in an area where the "fronts" tend to transition and most storms produce "mixed Precip"  It will start with rain and wash off road treatments, then a wet snow, then sleet. As willow said, the temps hower right around the freeze mark. Or, the snow comes in heavy but it's 34-35 degrees and the first hours it becomes slush on the roads, then the temp will bottom out late in the day/night and freeze everything into ice.  Factor in, at least here in Northern Virginia that most people here are transient and many have never seen snow combined with no one using snow tires and you have pretty hazardous conditions. I still manage it but my stress factor is way higher.

[Bri2020]

The coffee is warm, black and half caff this morning (wink wink Mmindy)

However, I can finally drink it straight from the mug and not need a straw!!!!  It has to be a little cooler with all the stitches still in my mouth.

I've been waking up with wicked headaches. Obviously the head surgery is part of that but also I am in bed by 7pm and that's a long time to go without fluids so I wake up a bit dehydrated.  The good news is that 2 glasses of water with my morning meds and some advil and tylenol plus a mug of half caff gets it under control within 30 minutes.

Last night before bed I got really frustrated with my bandages on my face. (the head has stayed well). The facial ones and neck had gotten so beat up and bunched up I was constantly having to try and straighten them up so they didn't choke me or cover my mouth. I was also being VERY triggered by facial hair growing under them.  I was really surprised by how triggering it was.  I couldn't see them but wow I could feel them rubbing against the bandages.  So being the former nurse and not at all repressed by doctors instructions to "leave bandages in place until your follow up appointment" I decided I would replace them.  

I should have taken a pic after I got them off just for posterity but forgot.  It was a bit disheartening to see all the beard growth given the 130 hours of electrolysis.  The swelling was pretty significant and I have no idea what I will look like based on what I could see.  I expected that but it's still disappointing.  I'm really surprised and how numb a significant part of my face is.  When I went to shave most of the right jaw line and the whole chin and lower lip area is completely numb. (too bad I can't do electrolysis on it right now lol). Anyhow, got all shaved up (oh my goddess I feel better) and put nice clean bandages back on with a new compression bandage over it and felt almost amazing.  I slept through the night for the first time!

I'm hoping to have some visitors today.  Yesterday peeps were no shows. My sis had to deal with her kids schedules changing due to snow and a friend got stuck at work.  It has been very interesting recovering from surgery while living alone. I think on the one hand it has been good for personal growth but on the other hand, very lonely and isolating.  I've managed those things pre surgery but being able to get out and socialise. Being completely at the mercy of other people's ability to come to me has been an adjustment.  

Monday I officially get all the bandages removed and the stitches out! I've already scheduled getting my hair washed with my stylist for that afternoon!  I can't wait, I know it needs to be cleaned, conditioned and detangled!  It's really hard to scratch an itchy scalp through thick bandages. lol

[Willow]

Good morning 

 

well, if you live along the east coast north of here you better be prepared, it’s a comin!  Blew most of 5he night, got rain starting at 4am and changed to snow at 6. Now it’s all gone, but we only got the very beginning.  Our weatherman went to Boston because he’d never experienced a blizzard.  Well I think he’s in for a shock.

 

@Bri2020 you got it right, snow where it’s cold is much easier to drive in.  But you didn’t mention that you have northerners that think they can still drive on the snow, with southerners who inch along mixed on the same ice so eventually no one moves due to the accidents.

 

as for facial hair growth being mentally difficult to deal with, I’ve never had electrolysis but that was one of the things that really set me back last august. No one else noticed or said anything but I could feel the stubble and got very embarrassed.  Good luck.  Nurses don’t make good patients do they? lol

 

coffee is good, but I too need to go heavy on the water today.

 

hugs

 

Willow

[Guest]

In Colorado life doesn’t stop unless snow is really heavy and it’s usually because of visibility. We have infrastructure to clear roads here and most people seem to learn to deal with it pretty quickly no matter where they come from. Living here you go through stages while driving in inclement weather: white knuckle pokey, new snow tire confidence, first suv command of all conditions, over confident speeder/tailgater, car upside down in ditch tow truck trauma, and overly cautious pokey seasoned driver. I’m in the latter stage now 😊

[Vidanjali]

Good luck with the weather, northern friends! Be safe and be well! 

 

@Sandy Morgan I'm your fellow Floridian, a couple hours south of you. I am actually a native, as I was born here, grew up in NJ since age 4, then returned to FL at age 34. It's true, Florida drivers are...different. Many drivers seem to think anything goes in FL! 

[Katie M]

We've been in Colorado for a fairly long time, and even though I've driven in snow a lot, I avoid mountain driving as much as possible when it's more that just "squalls". I love Winter in the Rockies, though!

 

Happy Saturday!

Katie

[Charlize]

Good morning.  I just finished gorging myself with blueberry pancakes as the snow blows around the house. The blue berries and syrup are from our farm. Mmmmmmm good.   It's not bad here.  The wind isn't over 25 MPH so far but as the temps fall into single digits it's going to be chilly plowing this afternoon.  I'm just blessed to have the equipment i need along with snow shoes to get me to the barn.  

I don't have to drive anyway until Monday and then i'll be in the f-350 diesel dump truck getting a load of grain.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Nicole M]

30 minutes ago, Vidanjali said:

Good luck with the weather, northern friends! Be safe and be well! 

 

@Sandy Morgan I'm your fellow Floridian, a couple hours south of you. I am actually a native, as I was born here, grew up in NJ since age 4, then returned to FL at age 34. It's true, Florida drivers are...different. Many drivers seem to think anything goes in FL! 

Hi, Vidanjali. I think that anything really does go in Florida. I'm amazed every time I get out on the road as to the craziness, and we have it good around here. The last time I was further south, in Port St Lucie, it was REALLY bad. 😀 And funny that as a "transplant", I've probably lived in Florida longer than you have, you being a native, but, regardless, it's nice living where I do with all sorts of natives, transplants, and people from various parts of the world.

 

Hugs to all 😀

 

Sandy

[Ivy]

4 hours ago, Bri2020 said:

As willow said, the temps hower right around the freeze mark. Or, the snow comes in heavy but it's 34-35 degrees and the first hours it becomes slush on the roads, then the temp will bottom out late in the day/night and freeze everything into ice. 

Yeah, it's kinda like that here too.  But we don't get it as much as NOVA.

[Elizabeth Star]

Morning.

On the the topic of which box to check. I proudly check F. It says so on my ID and insurance information. I fear that if for some reason I lost my mind and checked M, I would not only be lying but it might cause an issue with billing.

 

Driving in bad weather doesn't really bother me too much. When I lived in little Rock I got my first experience with freezing rain. I had to get to work and my only transportation was an enduro bike. I rode 10 miles on icy roads with my feet down. it was cold and exhausting but a lot better than walking.

 

Every day is getting easier.  I feel conflicted as the urge to move forward with my life overtakes me. My mourning process had already started over 3 years ago when we got the initial diagnosis. There were so many things I wanted to do with my life that were put on indefinite hold at the time. Now that I'm free to live my life as I see fit I see the world as a big scary place. I know I will find my way. It'll be a slow and, at times, painful process but i will get there.

 

 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Charlize said:

Good morning.  I just finished gorging myself with blueberry pancakes as the snow blows around the house. The blue berries and syrup are from our farm. Mmmmmmm good.   It's not bad here.  The wind isn't over 25 MPH so far but as the temps fall into single digits it's going to be chilly plowing this afternoon.  I'm just blessed to have the equipment i need along with snow shoes to get me to the barn.  

I don't have to drive anyway until Monday and then i'll be in the f-350 diesel dump truck getting a load of grain.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

I love your updates on your farm life.

[Guest]

23 minutes ago, Elizabeth Star said:

Morning.

On the the topic of which box to check. I proudly check F. It says so on my ID and insurance information. I fear that if for some reason I lost my mind and checked M, I would not only be lying but it might cause an issue with billing.

 

Driving in bad weather doesn't really bother me too much. When I lived in little Rock I got my first experience with freezing rain. I had to get to work and my only transportation was an enduro bike. I rode 10 miles on icy roads with my feet down. it was cold and exhausting but a lot better than walking.

 

Every day is getting easier.  I feel conflicted as the urge to move forward with my life overtakes me. My mourning process had already started over 3 years ago when we got the initial diagnosis. There were so many things I wanted to do with my life that were put on indefinite hold at the time. Now that I'm free to live my life as I see fit I see the world as a big scary place. I know I will find my way. It'll be a slow and, at times, painful process but i will get there.

 

 

Please don’t feel alone in these feelings. The passing of my sister, mother, and father-in-law were anticlimactic since they were slow declines. I’ve still not really been upset over my mothers passing and I think of her everyday.

 

I am not religious at all but it is if they are not really gone. Transformed somehow, but I don’t live with the illusion that I’ll be with them again. I cherish the memories and those memories and shared experiences comfort me. 
 

Just keep swimming 🥰

[Mmindy]

16 hours ago, Willow said:

We moved to SC to escape from the snow and cold.  No more snow throwers.

 

should have moved to Florida.

I totally get the retired move to warmer climates. I have a cousin who moved to South of Tampa, FL to make sure she never saw snow again. It worked. My business partner (a Floridian in his youth) just built a house in The Villages of Florida. My Suzie and I will always live close to our children and grand children regardless of the Winter. She is however looking at a Snowbird Camping Lifestyle on line. 

 

Hugs, stay warm, and safe

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[Ivy]

37 minutes ago, Mmindy said:

She is however looking at a Snowbird Camping Lifestyle on line. 

Ah…  Nomads.

[JoniSteph]

Well the Nor'easter has struck as of 9 AM this morning and has quickly deteriorated to road warnings to stay off due to poor visibility and drifting. Only going to get worse. No need to go any place so will stay nice and warm to be an observer until it abates tomorrow.

Presently Conditions: Snow and Blowing Snow, Temperature: 18.3° F, Wind: NNE 29 gust 41 mph

Stay safe fellow East coasters.

 

Big Canadian Hugs

JoniSteph

 

[JoniSteph]

@Elizabeth Starso happy to hear that you are doing better day by day and being able to find yourself. Growing stronger is always a positive to handle life. ❤️

 

@Bri2020glad the healing is coming along so well considering the trauma that you have faced. It is hard not to be anxious to see the results though it will come with time. I don't know if I could even think of trying to be that adventurous. So bully on you. 🫂

 

Big Canadian Hugs all

JoniSteph

[Davie]

The blizzard has hit Cambridge / Boston. Snowing sideways to maybe 24 inches--not as bad as it could be. Snuggled in and hoping power stays on. We call it The Snomicron Storm!

Be safe and well,

Davie

[Mmindy]

4 hours ago, Bri2020 said:

The coffee is warm, black and half caff this morning (wink wink Mmindy)

Good morning Everyone,

 

Bri, I agree with @Willow, people who are from the healthcare system make terrible patients. Colder regions are better for driving through snow, and the transitional areas make it tougher. @Elizabeth Star You're an Animal riding a motorcycle in an Ice Storm!  YOU GO GIRL!

 

@Charlize I agree with @Erica Gabriel that your updates from the farm are cool.

 

My Suzie has been cooking breakfast all week, so I took the kitchen late this morning. On the table we had oven baked thick sliced Hickory Smoked Bacon. biscuits, bacon infused milk pudding, aka (gravy), three fried eggs over easy. red plumb jelly, chunky pear preserves, and local clover honey. As always the coffee was HOT, black, and strong. Since Suzie is fully retired, and I'm working from home. We've been able to cut our meals down to two. A late AM breakfast, and an evening dinner around 7:00pm. We snack on fresh fruit and veggies throughout the day. 

 

Hugs for all,

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[Mmindy]

54 minutes ago, Jandi said:

Ah…  Nomads.

Yes Jandi, she is looking forward to seeing the National Parks of the West, and Southwest. I'll be driving Ms Suzie.

 

Good afternoon Hugs,

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[Jamie68]

4 hours ago, Elizabeth Star said:

Morning.

On the the topic of which box to check. I proudly check F. It says so on my ID and insurance information. I fear that if for some reason I lost my mind and checked M, I would not only be lying but it might cause an issue with billing.

 

Driving in bad weather doesn't really bother me too much. When I lived in little Rock I got my first experience with freezing rain. I had to get to work and my only transportation was an enduro bike. I rode 10 miles on icy roads with my feet down. it was cold and exhausting but a lot better than walking.

 

Every day is getting easier.  I feel conflicted as the urge to move forward with my life overtakes me. My mourning process had already started over 3 years ago when we got the initial diagnosis. There were so many things I wanted to do with my life that were put on indefinite hold at the time. Now that I'm free to live my life as I see fit I see the world as a big scary place. I know I will find my way. It'll be a slow and, at times, painful process but i will get there.

 

 

Female for sure 💯 %. 

 

Last time I drove in freezing rain was 3 yrs ago just before retiring. First time in 30 years I had to pull off the road and wait for salt trucks to get done. I was northbound 55. Pulled into McDonald's at Channahon and slid into parking space. 

 

Glad to hear you're doing okay. Hang in there 🙏 

[KymmieL]

I actually have a diagnosed phobia about driving on nasty winter roads. I was in a vehicle roll over while in the service. Never been the same since. Thankfully I only have a 10 minute commute to work now instead of the hour when I worked in Cheyenne. On the second most closed portion of I-80.

 

Finally a decent day. 41 when I came home from work.

 

Kymmie

 

 

[Elizabeth Star]

I had an interesting day. I needed to get out of the house for while. I thought I might go see my sister. It ha been several years since I actually saw her face to face. I grabbed a bottle of wine for a gift and made the hour and 15 minute drive down to her town not even knowing the street address. I figured things would just work out however they're supposed to. When i got there I called my mother, who lives in a different state, to get the address to a house I had never been to. She gave me the address and suggested I call first. I told her I wasn't going to because it would ruin the surprise. My relationship with my sister has been severely strained over the years and I had no idea how she would feel about me just showing up but I was received with open arms and hugs. There was a little misgendering on her part but I laughed it off and commented that I thought between my long hair, bright blue dress and boobs she wouldn't be having these problems. Things felt right in my world. I spent the better part of the afternoon hanging out before I had to leave for my BIL's house.

 

90 minutes later......

At my BIL's house, his GF and my MIL were also there. We ate dinner and played cards. It felt like we were all just old friends. I remain skeptical of our friendships surviving over the long haul but for now it works so I'm just going with it. I didn't get home until 9:45 (I'm usually home around 6) so my furry kids were a little miffed at me. I told them I would try to not make it a habit but I don't know if they believe me or not.

 

Tomorrow I have plans for a little retail therapy with a friend. Who knows what all the day will bring. I'm excited to find out.

[Willow]

@Elizabeth Star. I’m so happy for you.  Getting out, seeing your sister for the first time in a while and seeing your in-laws. It certainly sounds like you are doing your best to stay active.

 

hugs

 

Willow

[Aggie1]

2 hours ago, Elizabeth Star said:

Who knows what all the day will bring. I'm excited to find out.

Good job!  Encouraging to hear. In fact, this is what a profile "in courage" looks like! 

[Jamie68]

5 hours ago, Elizabeth Star said:

I had an interesting day. I needed to get out of the house for while. I thought I might go see my sister. It ha been several years since I actually saw her face to face. I grabbed a bottle of wine for a gift and made the hour and 15 minute drive down to her town not even knowing the street address. I figured things would just work out however they're supposed to. When i got there I called my mother, who lives in a different state, to get the address to a house I had never been to. She gave me the address and suggested I call first. I told her I wasn't going to because it would ruin the surprise. My relationship with my sister has been severely strained over the years and I had no idea how she would feel about me just showing up but I was received with open arms and hugs. There was a little misgendering on her part but I laughed it off and commented that I thought between my long hair, bright blue dress and boobs she wouldn't be having these problems. Things felt right in my world. I spent the better part of the afternoon hanging out before I had to leave for my BIL's house.

 

90 minutes later......

At my BIL's house, his GF and my MIL were also there. We ate dinner and played cards. It felt like we were all just old friends. I remain skeptical of our friendships surviving over the long haul but for now it works so I'm just going with it. I didn't get home until 9:45 (I'm usually home around 6) so my furry kids were a little miffed at me. I told them I would try to not make it a habit but I don't know if they believe me or not.

 

Tomorrow I have plans for a little retail therapy with a friend. Who knows what all the day will bring. I'm excited to find out.

This is awesome. I'm glad the day went so well. ❤️