Newbies Nest

[Lavande]

Re: Newbies Nest

Good evening Nesters,

Day 1 here of a 3 day rain thing, ugh. We may be getting as much as 3” over the next few days which is good. We had no snow here this winter, very unusual so things are a bit dry out there. Indoor projects for me this weekend

Wags, I hope things are moving in the. Right direction for you & your Dad. It’s mental as much as physical exhaustion going thru all that.

NS, my daughter & her family used an eSIM card on their recent European trip - I know absolutely nothing about that to be honest haha. Last time I went to Holland with in SIL I just left my phone home & used hers so I didn’t have to buy a SIM card of my own, Lol. Have fun with the grandsons

Kensho, you probably wouldn’t want to go thru the building process my husband did for the greenhouse. I’m sure you can buy something put together & have it delivered. It was a good project that kept him busy for the first several months after retiring. Good news that your daughter enjoys the gym as much as you do. It’s best to start them young.

Hello to all & wishing everyone a safe night in the nest!

Lav

[KENSHO]

Re: Newbies Nest

Hi Everyone.

Wags, hopefully you were "good" exhausted!

I think *I* would like a greehouse vs. my husband... though I think he would enjoy it a lot too. He's really starting to evaluate who he is and what he wants, and it is awesome to see the self-inquiry and growth. I had to do that when I quit drinking, of course, so maybe I rubbed off on him.

We chose a phone carrier that allows plenty of data in Europe mostly for our phones and navigation since we will be driving a bunch. Turns out, the kids do have limited data, but enough to be a problem if they let it be. We will monitor them. To me, it would be a shame to not look out the window on a drive or train ride when in a foreign place. Hopefully they will have enough stimulation!

My nearly 14 year old daughter said to me yesterday, out of the blue, that she wants to do a 30 day challenge to do a stair climber machine for 10 minutes/ 30 days (until we leave for Italy). We have been trying and trying to motivate her, since we will be walking and climbing a lot over there. Finally she is interested! So I took her to the gym yesterday and we did the eliptical machine for 10 min, the stair climber for 10, the rower for 5, and then she wanted to understand all about the weight machines. We tried many! I'm so pleased that she is showing some interest in her health and in having an easier time on our trip She wants to go back today, so I'm thrilled! I'm swamped with work, but this is more important

Back to work for now... electrical plans out my ears...

[NoSugar]

Re: Newbies Nest

Here's a wave from me while Grandson watches a cartoon. Thank goodness his parents have relaxed a bit about letting him look at screens!! (I agree, though, Kensho, I would limit screen time for your teenagers in Italy, too. Are their phones going to work overseas with unlimited data? Our son-in-law travels internationally and can't use his phone when away as much as he does at home with his $10/day 'travel pass').

[wagmor]

Re: Newbies Nest

Exhausted but getting stuff done! Will check in again tomorrow.

[Lavande]

Re: Newbies Nest

Hey Nesters,

Gearing up for several days of rain ahead, oh well. We are (somehow) a little too dry around here the experts saying so this should bring us up to average rainfall amounts. Guess it will be indoor projects this weekend & I always have plenty of them going on.

Wags, I’m so glad you found a good place. Now you understand why I told you to do the sniff test & look for happy residents. I hope everything works out for you guys & your Dad is happy.

NS, you do do what my husband did & order the greeenhouse online haha. He of course had to have a foundation ready & he had to put it all together but he enjoyed the process. We use propane for home heating so he had someone tap into that line to provide heat for the greenhouse. It’s a happy place for sure Good luck with the company this weekend.

Kensho, men really need to find something to do when they retire so their wives don’t kill them, haha! He doesn’t play golf or hunt anymore but he does like to fish. How often can you go fishing?? So the greenhouse was a good choice I think. Your kids will be busy enjoying a new country I think

Hello to all & wishing everyone a safe night in the nest!

Lav

[KENSHO]

Re: Newbies Nest

Hi Nest!

Wags, that first option sounds promising! I love that there is a man that seems like your dad... what a great vibe. And not bad-smelling. Definite turn off

NS, yes, my husband and two teenagers. We have shown them a lot of the nation, but they are about to be expanded to see an even bigger world. If we can keep them off their phones. We've made rules that there is NO phone-using unless late at night at the aidBNB catching up with friends. What a waste if they were looking down the entire time we were seeing amazing things!

LAV, your husband's greenhouse sounds amazing - I think I could enjoy year round veggie growing! What a great thing for him to spend time doing!

Have to run to the guy with my daughter... girl time.

Stay strong everyone and have a great day!

[NoSugar]

Re: Newbies Nest

UGH. Just lost a post. And the 're-store saved content' option wasn't even available

Wags, I'm glad another good option has appeared. I hope it is reasonably close to you.

Lav, you got me thinking that I might want a greenhouse. I'm ridiculously excited about my lettuce and other greens sprouts that are peeking through in my raised beds!

Your trip sounds amazing, Kensho. Is your whole family going?

I have family visiting this weekend. Whenever that comes up I'm so grateful I won't be sneaking around trying to drink or abstaining and resenting the heck out of all of them.

[wagmor]

Re: Newbies Nest

Hey Lav - here we are again, eh? I hope your kitten has a gentle return to reality when the drugs wear off. Your greenhouse sounds pretty amazing, and I'm sure it keeps your husband busy during several parts of the year.

My wife and I toured two new possible care homes for my dad today. The first one was awesome! It's a small (14 residents) memory care wing in a larger retirement community. It looked and smelled clean (but not like "cleaning supplies"), the residents we saw looked happy, the room my dad would have is quite large with good sunlight, and his nextdoor neighbor would be a guy in his mid-late-80s who sounds kinda like my dad (well-read, well-educated, but having memory issues). The second care home was a definite NO. It smelled and people looked totally depressed. I'm going to sleep on it, but if it still feels good in the morning we're going to move forward with the first place.

Please send positive energy and good vibes to us so that *if* this is really a good direction to go, things will unfold relatively smoothly.

Good nights and days everyone. Hope you're all having good weeks!

[Lavande]

Re: Newbies Nest

Greetings Nesters,

I’m dealing with a very loopy 6 month old kitten this evening. He had his neutering done this morning & I’m pretty sure he’s still drugged. He’s been using a front paw to stir the water in bowl to the point of having overflowing all over the place, haha!

Wags, I hope you found something good in your tours today. I’m doing my best to listen to the wisdom of the universe too. I spent way too many years trying to make things work ‘my way’. Turns out that was just dumb so no more of that for me.
My husband got a sizable severance check when he retired from his retirement job (if that makes sense). He wanted a greenhouse so that’s how it got one. He grows lots of plants that he takes to the local auction where the Amish sell their veggies & things. It’s a nice little cash cow. He grows orchids easily in there along with lots of greens for the kitchen & whatever else he feels like growing. Basically it keeps him out of my hair haha!! Outside the greenhouse in raised beds he grows tons of garlic & onions & theusual summer veggies. Good thing we like veggies

Hello to all & wishing everyone a safe night in the nest!

Lav

[wagmor]

Re: Newbies Nest

NS - I'm so sorry to hear about the Medicare headaches. My wife just enrolled in Medicare last month and she has such math phobia I ended up navigating all of it for her. Honestly the whole system could be much simpler and more straightforward. Having a keystroke error or similar making those payments so much higher should hopefully be an easy fix. I wish you luck!

Kensho - I'm a big believer in trusting my gut too. I also follow the self-created advice (from my own experiences) that if I'm having to try too hard to "force" something to work, it's probably not the right direction. This care home didn't feel that way until I got no reply to my 3rd message, in fact, it felt like a GREAT choice, but I'll trust the universe on this one. You've got some fantastic places on your Italy itinerary! Well, probably *anywhere* would be fantastic, but I can personally vouch for several of the places you're going.

Lav - yep, it seems that the universe has different ideas for my dad's care. As I just wrote to Kensho, I'll definitely trust the nudge to check out a different path. I've learned that sometimes things don't go the way we *think* we want them to go, and only in hindsight can we see how much better the different outcome turned out to be. So I'm taking some deep breaths and staying open to what else we find as options. Tomorrow's tours will be very informative. On a different note, I didn't realize you have a greenhouse! That's awesome. That must make winter growing so much easier. Do you have veggies in there too or mostly the orchids?

Ava - What's ANZAC day? I mean, I know what it stands for (thanks to google) but what do people typically do on this day?


Hellos and waves everyone. Happy Hump Days to you all!

[Lavande]

Re: Newbies Nest

Greetings Nesters,

Definitely cooler here this week but it makes working outside easier. Trying to help (a little) with the spreading of many trailer loads of mulch. Looking better so far but have a lot more to do.

Wags, looks like the universe has pushed you in a different direction in finding placement for your Dad. I’d be worried about a place that does not return calls or emails. Good luck & I hope you find the right place very soon. Take care of you too :hug:

NS, I don’t remember the exact problem but I also had to straighten Medicare out about a few things when I first got started. Turns out they were very responsive on the phone & fixed everything that needed fixing. They explained that these problems are usually a result of a keystroke error. I can understand that. Hope you get it fixed quickly.

Kensho, our greenhouse is heated in the winter so we can keep orchids many other plants alive & grow whatever we want to eat. It’s my husband’s project so I just visit it once in a while to see what’s blooming or ready to eat
Your trip sounds awesome, I hope you can relax & enjoy the experience.

Hello to all & wishing everyone a safe night in the nest!

Lav

[KENSHO]

Re: Newbies Nest

Good morning Nest! It's a beautiful day in Colorado. I'm so glad I listened to my body yesterday and just took it easy. It's amazing how my energy comes back around.

LAV, it's nice that you and your husband split some of the gardening. Do you get year-round veggies with a greenhouse? Does it stay warm enough?

Wags, in really tough situations, or when I'm trying to find something, I really turn on my "gut instinct" and let that guide me. I believe the universe provides for us what we need (corny, I know), but when we let it guide us, the best option usually shows up. Sorry it's so arduous and emotionally draining. You are the kind of daughter I hope my kids will end up being for me when I'm no longer able to make the best decisions for myself. More hugs to you.

NS, what a bummer about the math errors. I've been in paperwork / legal hoop craziness lately too with this business restructuring, and it seems like such red tape. Sorry it's harder than it should be. I'm sure you'll get it worked out.

Time to make a plan for the last few weeks before I leave. There are so many things that I want to get done, but I'll make the "must do" list and schedule in workouts and fun. Otherwise, I'll be a mess when we leave. Not worth it. Type A is not always great for wellness.

Wags, I think you asked where we are going: Munich, Venice, Cinque Terre, Tuscany between Sienna and Florence, Amalfi Coast and Rome. 3+ weeks. It will be an adventure for sure. I guess Italy is very celiac friendly, so that shouldn't be too difficult I know how to say "niente vino"...

Birds are out... opening my window. Best to everyone; have a great day!

[NoSugar]

Re: Newbies Nest

I like the word 'asinine' to describe the drinking option, Kensho - that is exactly right.

Wags, I guess you don't want your dad in a place that does not communicate well. That would be a constant concern. Good luck tomorrow with the new options. As I wrote recently, you are so lucky to have options where you live!

I'm still in Medicare hell. Something is wrong w/ the income reporting and social security seems to think we are Jeff Bezos! They have assessed my husband at over $500/mo for Medicare B. Most people pay ~$165/mo or something like that so we've got to appeal and get that fixed. I'm the one figuring this out for both of us -- no way would I have done that (or trusted my decisions) if I were still drinking. That would be ASININE!!

[wagmor]

Re: Newbies Nest

I've been having trouble getting onto this site the past few days - it seems hit or miss. Glad to see people checking in!

Ava - hopefully after a few more acupuncture appts your arm's benefits from the treatment will start lasting longer. I empathize with your situation figuring out care for your mom. As Lav said, caring for another person isn't easy, and I'd add caring for an aging person is especially hard. I hope you find a smooth and solid path forward, whatever that turns out to be.

Kensho - yep, drinking sounds good for about a second and then the reality of what a bad idea it is hits hard. That's a good thing! Kudos to you on giving yourself a slow morning. That is wisdom for sure!


No news on the care home for my dad. I left another phone message this morning, but honestly I'm just gonna move on. Either something has happened that makes it impossible for them to reply (which means they can't add a resident right now) or their communication skills are sorely lacking. I've got a couple of tours at new places scheduled for Wednesday. One of them is in a great location near a huge urban park my wife and I love to hike in, so that'd be a decent option if the facilities, care options, and costs all turn out ok. And they have a specific Memory Care program/facility so that's good if/when my dad's dementia progresses.

Not much else going on here. My life now revolves around attending to things for my dad and trying to keep my business afloat and my relationship/household in good shape. I know it'll get easier, so I'm hanging in there for now.

Take care everyone :heartbeat:

[Lavande]

Re: Newbies Nest

Greetings Nesters,

Sunny but quite a bit cooler than last week & that’s OK. I may go outside & cover up some of my new plants, we have a frost warning for tonight. Figures!

Ava, it’s not easy taking care of an older person, been there & done all that. I hope your mum appreciates whatever arrangements you make for her. Congrats to your niece, I hope the pregnancy goes well & easy for her. Sounds like you’re going to have a surprise garden, that’s cool. Enjoy whatever grows

Kensho, I’ve been planting container gardens of sunflowers, geraniums, etc. My husband does all the veggie growing, lettuce, spinach from the greenhouse all winter has been nice. Onions & garlic in raised beds outside. Soon he’ll add tomatoes, peas, green beans, whatever haha! We don’t go anywhere so the gardens here get pretty big. I’ll bet yo’re so excited for your trip to Italy, awesome!

Hello to all. Wags, thinking of you & wishing everyone a safe night in the nest!

Lav