I am out of a full boot and into a surgical shoe. Which is a boot without the upper part.

My toe is is a good position and it moves, but I can't move it more than a few millimeters.

It's almost 8 weeks on the crutches but I don't think I will be completely off them at 8 weeks.

I completely wore through a set of caps on the ends of my crutches

My systolic blood pressure was over 100 at the visit. I think there is nothing I can change to make it not be higher than it should other than a personality transplant.

What is kind of interesting is that in the cast I started sleeping on my side with the foot elevated, which is essentially a pillow or two between my knees, and then with two pillows under my head to balance the others and I have been sleeping all night in one position and not having the bad shoulder pain and numbness (yes I probably need surgery on my shoulder too)

I used to sleep with the pillow between my knees and I don't know why I stopped.

Squee, 0.3 lbs from my (latest) goal weight. Well, at least what has been my ideal goal for like 25 years. I am not sure when i last weighed this much, but I think early HS.

Now that I am essentially here, it is a big surprise to see that I am not a perfect specimen! Whaaaat? After all.this.work. This never occurred to me. 😆

So, I will prob set a new goal. Not a huge difference, maybe another 5 lbs.

BTW have you noticed suddenly everyone is getting thinner? It is actually kind of crazy in my circles. Are we going to reset beauty standards again? Just my luck.

So much information of so little use…. I don’t know what they use the commercial footage for outside of security concerns. Most people I know who have a ring doorbell live in very safe neighborhoods under no threat of harm. Maybe they think it’s entertaining? 🤷‍♀️

And who is to say what kinds of behavior may be considered illegal soon?

My nephew who has a PhD in a law and public policy related field won't even talk about certain things unless Alexa and Google Assistant are turned off.

I highly recommend Giada Beef and Butternut squash stew (link). I make this all the time.

We do eat lettuce, only hydroponically grown. If you can find local, even better.

Dont peel. they are forgivably thinned-skinned . thanks for the stew recipe— my kind of persnickety.😊

What a wonderful package to help your friend heal!

I always make the same stew (rosemary-shallot beef stew) but next time I'll try it with short ribs!

I never peel baby potatoes for stew and those look especially thin. I think you are fine!

Not normal aging. I do agree that doctor visits are brief and they can miss signs that the family is seeing.

Has the neurologist done a brain MRI? Has the neurologist recommended a consultation with a geriatric psychiatrist so the two specialists can discuss their findings?

Consider a 2nd opinion.

Most importantly, keep an eye on MIL’s safety at home if she lives alone and while driving.

ETA - has your MIL seen her primary care physician recently? Untreated health issues like mini stroke, UTIs, diabetes onset, and low calcium levels can cause symptoms that present like dementia.

The incidents you describe definitely point to cognitive impairment of some sort. One relative recently saw a decline his cognitive testing score. In-depth scans showed no evidence of dementia. A subsequent sleep study uncovered severe sleep apnea and prompted the use of a bipap device which has resolved the issue.

There are many possible reasons for cognitive impairment other than dementia like medication, sleep apnea and vascular blockages to name a few.

I missed this the first time I read the OP:

Her daughter takes her to doctors, and she agrees with me, as does my husband.

I think three of you is enough of a quorum to make this assessment that something seems off and you want her to see another neurologist. If you don't want to ask the current one for a referral, ask her GP. Her other loved ones can be informed but I would not ask their permission, especially if MIL herself is consenting to a second opinion. Plus at this stage it is just diagnostic.

I agree that the hotel safe rather than the in-room safe might be an option.

One time the lock broke to my hotel room and they had to call maintenance to get me in. I was shocked at how quickly he broke into the room. Since then, I *always* prop a chair under the door knob to prevent accessing the room as he did.

bbstx: Maybe the mammogram facility should offer bra fitting services? After all, we are standing there exposed…

Early service today, now on the way to pick up my mother for lunch and maybe a movie afterwards. We both love those kid packs!

Talbot’s linen shirtdress and this is one of the pairs of woven Cushionaire MJs that are so comfortable. The ”feels like“ high today is 98 degrees while the actual temp will be a mere 94. I am grateful on days like this for sleeveless, breezy dresses!

Beaded bags? Like this?

We are heading on one of those luggage-weighing trips at the end of the week. We will be gone for 12 days, and around day 7 we take a sea plane to Vancouver Island. Weight limit for luggage is 40 lbs each. We can leave some things in Vancouver mainland, but I want to try to stick with the 40 lb limit. I’m taking it as a challenge! I don’t need fancy dinner outfits or anything — everything will be casual — but I will need layers, and at least one pair of extra shoes. It’s like safari packing all over again! Fortunately my tried and true Athleta pants are very light. And they dry pretty quickly if I need to wash them in the hotel sink. (And, we have laundry for the last few days.)

This reminds me of the episode on Friends…… Monica in the Bahamas! Which is me during the summer months or vacationing in warm climates🤪 no need to bring a blow dryer or flat iron, just a waste of time.

I purged some very nice, dressy pairs of cowboy boots this week … a teen relative by marriage was visiting and they fit her perfectly. She was so excited (so was I). They took up a lot of room in my closet, so it’s nice having that space. And her big smile and twirling around in them made me so glad I didn’t sell them like I’d planned.

My next purge project will be our small utility room. I have a junk drawer in there that I cringe even opening. Ugh. I’m going to clean it and the cabinets in there. I need to order some organizing storage trays today.

This thread being active is helping to keep me motivated*. Thanks, 3katz and everyone. :)

*So is watching Dateline episodes. If they ever filmed my house, I‘d want the voiceover to say it was one of the cleanest, most organized homes they’d ever seen. “All of her hangers match!”

Turns out Elfa closet drawer parts are not out of stock at the Container Store. Spoke to a nice associate at the store and she said that they had changed SKU's and the website was not updated. She placed my order for all the necessary parts and I should have them in 10 days or so. In the meantime I did steal a few drawers from the guest bedroom closet, so I could sort my newly folded shirts (short sleeve, long sleeve, athletic, casual and dressy). Closet is now back to being neat and organized.

I noticed this thread title yesterday and it inspired me to do an electronics equipment purge this morning, including two phones, one ipad, one laptop, one printer, and one desktop computer — all ready to go to recycling! ty!

We have a Yorkshire trip this fall and an Italian destination wedding in the spring, so I think a trip even to Sarasota might be one too many. Even if it means I miss a fun Ring! Sarasota bell concert. (They really are a hoot) So put me down in the ”regretfully probably not, but ever optimistic” column. (and really hoping to go, as February in Chicago is the best time to not be here.)

One thing we are all very mindful of is to mingle with everyone and bring newbies into the fold. I think that's really important for events like this.

Echoing @jsk, I too can confirm! Tulipmania was my first GTG, and it was a bit like a homecoming because I already felt such a kinship with this forum. I’m looking forward to Sotafest and getting to know everyone better.

I’m hoping DH will join me on this trip—perhaps we can get the DHs together for coffee or lunch. And I'm optimistic about everyone in the "optimistic" column. Come on....you know you want to!

And as always, many thanks to the co-chairs, coco chairs, rococo chairs, and everyone else involved in the planning!

mtn had the good idea to check Philly. I'm about 1/2 way between Newark and Philly (slightly closer to Newark). Direct flight on American in economy (sigh) is a bit over $700. Better. I will keep checking.

I used Waterworks in our last house - two bathrooms and kitchen. I loved the patiina it created the few years we were there. But if want to start fresh, or don't like, it is easy to restore and start over.

ETA photos:

Shower used daily for three years.

Main bathroom faucets

Kitchen

Rohl has (had?) a living finish I used in house on lake kitchen. I really liked the way it aged. Much slower, at touch spots. The finish worn down to unlacquered brass. Our Emtek bronze door hardware did the same.

gscience, I absolutely love that - it's beautiful!

njmomma, what a brilliant idea!

@gsciencechick - so, so pretty!

Gsciencechick- that is the perfect wrap for your ring! Beautiful.

@Funkyart I’m on zepbound and have no problems getting 100g of protein a day, but I love cottage cheese and Siggis Skyr, both pretty high. I wonder if you’ve tried Only Bean Roasted Edamame? They are so good and a great protein boost. I eat broccoli, cauliflower or Romanesco most days and sprinkle with parmesan or Briggs nutritional yeast for another little protein boost. I also started whirling cottage cheeese in the blender to mix with tuna or chicken instead of mayonnaise. (Oops, I can’t remember if you’re vegetarian?) just a few things that help me each day Oh and sugar free peanut butter powder mixed with greek yogurt to use as a dip for apples. A little maple syrup or honey if you like it sweeeter .

I don't think about risk with greens or other produce at all. Fingers crossed.

I am mindful of protein and fiber intake, but I do not track. I just always try to have some of both with any meal or snack. Somehow these terrific gyrations to ingest as much protein as possible in any form seem unsustainable and unnecessary, but I know it is a very hotly debated topic.

I was thinking about habits, and I have truly created a real exercise habit. Regular sessions with a trainer help, but I have also managed to stack my cardio workouts with grocery shopping. It's a weird feeling for me, I don't feel pressured or guilt or anything, I just exercise, at least every other day but often more.

I have started keeping Mint Choc Barebells in the fridge and they have such lovely texture, like a Milky Way. The mint makes them a tad less sweet.

Thanks for the podcast link, Gscience, and I look forward to listening to it.

Yes, protein on its own doesn't build muscle or prevent its loss, of course. I've complained so many times already that I do not enjoy lifting weights, but I do it. I do old-school training, like push-ups, squats, deadlifts, etc. with a consistent, progressive overload, and cardio on "rest" days. This is the recipe that works for me and has built muscle so to optimize my efforts, I track protein (I also take creatine) and focus on muscle recovery, which I'm finding is more important as I age. It used to take me 48 hours to recover from a heavy strength training session, but, more and more, 72 hours is better. Sleep is also key.

Most of what we see from health "influencers" isn't really all that useful. One person I follow is a PhD nutritionist and debunks a lot of health and longevity trends, calling them "majoring in the minors." Nothing works if you're not doing the basics of exercise, diet and sleep. I was reminded of this tonight when I borrowed my DS's car to run an errand. It sits lower than my vehicle, so a little extra effort was required to lift myself out. That was my squats at work. Just exiting a car!