...souds fun! I am so glad your total hip has been a success! 30+ years ago when I was new to nursing, patients stayed for about a week. I actually loved that because I really got to know them. Healthcare has changed dramatically since then, not in a good way.

I pretty much love pumpkin everything! Was planning to bake something today.

Right now, I am focused on our kitchen renovation. Cabinets/hardware, backsplash, flooring, sink/faucet, appliances are all a go! Had a countertop picked, then saw an install and decided it was way too busy...so glad we saw the install first! Just need to finalize countertop and pick lighting and we are good to go. Can't wait to start, and finish.

This morning I am canning peaches. They are one of my favorite foods to put by for the year. My arthritis woke me up, per ususal. The air quality from forest fires has been tamped down by the weather turning and a bit of rain, so I will probaby go for a long walk on my riverside trail. Gosh! This makes my life sound pretty chill and easy. I am well today. 

I was wondering how your hip was holding up, how the heck you are doing.

I spent the weekend donning my hippie-fest wear and traipsing all over the festival in town for 2 days. 2 days of multi-stage music and over 200 vendors peddling art, jewelry, handcremes, food trucks. Husband joined me somewhat with new puppy in tow. But it was nice to get out and have some fun, see my friends and float along a free agent. Ive been lacking that lately.

Im trying to get rid of clutter and its really been a struggle. I have a problem letting things go. So I figured that I would let go of some clothes. Last night I took pictures and said "goodbye". good bye to my tied-dye, my fringe boots, fringe purse, fringe duster, turqoise-studded sandals, feathered earrings, layers of chains, chunky bracelets, floppy hats, floral maxi dresses.

Its easier to let go in small amounts. But I feel GREAT about my new direction. I am actually revisting this area, as Ive been here before, fashion-wise. Soft tee-shirts, fedoras, soft slouchy slacks in black, cream, and caramel, soft bulky cable sweaters, dainty jewelry.

Here in my town, pumkin everything happens, seemingly overnight. Theres even a glass pumpkin day. People here collect glass pumkins, I kid you not. And here, my favorite pumpkin product has curry and coconut in it and is served over rice.

Other than that, Im not a "pumkin spice" person...although, its actually got some really great spices that are healthy for you...

Our massive event called "car week" came and went. A bit overwhelming, hot and super crowded. It wasnt that much fun, but I wasnt prepared, so theres that. I much prefer smaller things and cooler temps.

Ive been taking some time off and re-connecting with old friends. Im much preferring that 1-1 time than the summer parties and large gatherings. Taking care of puppy and then pushing him back to husband because thats what needs to happen.

Summer is ALMOST over for us, but not quite. Its been our summer with temps in the 70-80s. The loveliest weather ever.

Looking forward to Fall-ing

I like pumpkin spice just fine but good golly do we really need pumpkin spiced pringles? And spam?

I'm pretty good. DH's health continues to improve, which takes a huge load off of me. His kids continue to ignore him, despite recent hospitalization.

As my caregiver role decreases I can start thinking about my own fulfillment in retirement. What does this next chapter bring? I have no clue. 

i'm always good. Though I could stand some brain stimulation.  Things are picking up on the interview front.  Getting calls and have two different second interviews scheduled.

These are interesting.  Good money, small organizations.  Not my usual bailiwick .  I am a bit gun shuy about high paying small organizational roles. They seem to be risky since culture change and performance optimization are not short duration efforts and I am not an in the weeds "turn the wrenches" guy.   Only very large companies have the coffers to carry those roles.

My car is in the shop so I am a shut in until it is done.

Anyway, all good here.  Just bored.

As an empty nester of 11 days, things are weird. I've become a lot closer with the cat, strangely. My youngest was the cat's "person" and the cat was standoffish with me. Now she cuddles and we have several games we play. I'd like to say the house is cleaner now that it's just me, but i now have to admit it was me all along making the messes! I'm working on that lol. 

Thanks for asking about us all.  I'm glad your operation and healing went well.

I'm feeling good.  I had covid this time last year and it really flattened me for awhile.  Then I had it again in March but not so severe.  I am just now starting to feel 100% and I'm so thankful. There is truly nothing as valuable as our health.

I had been stressing about cleaning help, wanting to hire someone but not SD.  But now, I've reverted to my "work" schedule which was to do it all on the weekend.  That way, I could devote my time to recharging each evening after work.  So, now my weekdays are so busy with the Y 3x a week, physical therspy 2x a week, twice werkly visits to Mom, grocery shopping, bank, drugstore, doctor appts, DH's caregiving etc,  i  keep Saturdays and Sundays as home days and do my cleaning and laundry then.  It feels so good that I'm able to get my house back in shape.  I'm so grateful for the health and energy to do it.

Life is good.

It's very sweet of you to ask.

Honestly, I'm in a lot of physical pain right now. The pain moves around, my back, my shoulders, my hips, knees, elbows. I was just diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder.  Thank-you chronic stress and anxiety -  One more crappy thing to have to add to the crap pile.

I'm hitting "a certain age" called menopause and it's kicking my butt. I have heard that it's common for autoimmune disorders to develop in women during the menopause phase. My Mother died young, when I was young, but I remember her telling me about aches and pains that she was having that are similar to what I am currently experiencing.

I have decided that mid-life is the era of ME. All of my life I've poured myself into raising my own kids, my DH and everything else but now it's time for me to take care of myself. I'm reading about health, reading about menopause, exercising more, stretching, cutting way back on alcohol, eating better, enjoying my hobbies such as gardening and going to see the doctor even though I have crappy health insurance and most of the time doctors seem to know even less than I do about what may be going on with me.

I think I have been experiencing a flare up this week but hope to be feeling better soon.

I am happy to hear that your hip replacement was successful. Bone health is so important as we age.

I'm doing alright. My cancer is stable still and I'm having chemo today. I am almost at my 80th chemo treatment at which point I want to somewhat celebrate. Because it feels like an accomplishment to have endured so many. I had a nice weekend with the mister and we went to a nice small island to camp. We saw much beautiful nature however it was very hot. I managed to bike 6kms to a beautiful lighthouse beach. 

You enjoy. SK back in school. How can life be better...

Looking forward to fall! Loving the cooler weather. I stopped working full-time after DH's health crisis last year (too much stress; re-prioritizing) and recently started working 20 hours a week consulting.

(CLove, I love the soft tees, the fedoras--and boleros--with chunky sweaters and boots, jeans, long dresses, jean jackets, etc! But, in reality, I'm usually home wearing the soft tees, leggings or joggers, sneakers or flipflops and, when I go out, pony tail and big sunglasses to hide my "hermit at home" look...lol.) 

I'm eating as many fresh tomatoes and peaches and as much corn and watermelon as I can before the season ends! I was never a pumpkin spice person, but I think I'm going to cave this fall and actually try it for the first time. We're heading to a mountain cabin in October to capture fall colors. 

For physical and mental health, I've been exercising a lot, doing miles-long walks in the cooler mornings, swimming indoors, bicycling, and spending some time on walks with my air pods listening to Eckhart Tolle, whom I love.  Reading a lot (now The Beekeeper of Aleppo. . . very good). Since leaving f/t toxic work and concentrating on wellbeing, my numbers (blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.) have been good for the first time in years, my meniscus injury has fully healed, my Garmin is telling me that my stress levels are down, and my sleep is better. I've started on glucosamine/chondroiton for my creaking knees (it has worked wonders on my older dogs, so I figure it's time for me to try it). 

To those experiencing health issues: I'm sending good healing vibes and prayers for full healing. As Rags likes to say, TAKE CARE OF YOU! 

I'm doing well. Just logged 1000 miles of cycling for the year, so far. My goal for this year is 1500. 2 weeks ago, I also went on my 2nd-ever backpacking trip. One night. All women. 4 miles in - 4 miles out. I'll be backpacking again in October.

I'm gearing up for Labor Day weekend camping on the the eastern shore of Maryland with 2 gal pals. There will be some biking and kayaking.

2 weeks from now, I will be in Provence on a walking tour with two ladies from my close-knit circle of friends. I'm in France for 2.5 weeks: first week is the walking tour, the 2nd week will be spent with one of the friends at a cottage on the Atlantic Coast of France. I'll wrap things up with 3 days in Paris, then home!

What follows is just about every weekend being booked until Thanksgiving with 3 cycling events, 1 backpacking trip, 1 volunteer event and a 4-day bikepacking trip with 2 ladies from my close circle. I'll wrap everything up with a week long trip to the mountains for my birthday, then I'm going to chill the hell out for the winter and stay closer to home for a bit.

My girls and I are in the process of planning a March trip to Spain. Yay! But I do plan to keep at least one weekend a month free next year.

I'm happy. I'm content. I'm active and my life is full of adventure and friendship.

Thanks for starting this thread. ((hugs))

Well I have an issue with baby fish. We found eggs in our filter, put them in a breeder box in the tank , they hatched and now there are 36 baby fish.  I am not sure what to do with them . It is very cool seeing all these tiny fish . 

Well, DH and daughters headed off for a week at the beach around noon. They love the seaside and I absolutely HATE it ( long story). I volunteered to stay at home to look  after our kitty. Yes, I could have easily found cat/house sitters (we're in the south of France in a converted farmhouse so no noise, tons of ripe grapes, tomatoes, figs, loads of herbs, and a pool ... ) but I wanted a week of peace and quiet just for me.

I have waited for this a long time. I have books to read, a garden to care for ( must look for blackberries),  and just so much planned for me, for the kitty and for the house. A week is so short ...

The problem will be,to not disperse my time on too many things, crochet,embroidery,  knitting, etc.

Thank you. As it turned out, my peace was short-lived. One of my daughters called and said she wasn't staying there and could I collect her at the station on Monday (she'd left her car here). So I did. We had lunch, she spent an hour sunning herself, took her car and went back to her college town. She's going through a very stressful time at the moment and, when it rained where she was and she had to stay indoors, it all got on top of her.

DH and my other daughter are having great fun! She's been wearing out the slides in the pools at the campsite. They've been rail-biking, have lazed on the beach, visited museums ...

Right, I'm off to go back to doing nothing productive. (happy sigh)