Prep Genrl weekly prep thread: December 31, 2023 -- January 6, 2024
- Thread starter nomifyle
- Start date
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Good morning, Judy! It's cold here, too, at 33 degrees. 61 for our high today. Then, the bottom falls out of our temps for the next 8 days. Highs in the 40's and 20's at night.
Yep, don't know where the year went. Seems only a few months ago, I was getting use to saying 2023.
Yep, don't know where the year went. Seems only a few months ago, I was getting use to saying 2023.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
The year has been flying for me, too, ladies even during the weeks when I had cataract surgery. That surprised me: I really thought that time would slow down!
This is why I pulled the plug and said no to many holiday activities and worked on the house (and getting ready for medicare). I'm finished with the medicare crap and the house is in much better shape, but I also feel like I didn't get much of a break (I've been off work). But that's the consequences of not having a lot of energy, and when I'm working for pay, I don't have much energy to spare. But at least I can look around my mostly cleaned up and organized space and get a mental lift from that.
Yes, I will be addressing the lack of energy further when I get on medicare.
Today, I'm mostly working in the basement and then going over my journal and taking stock of things to be doing differently in 2024. One big thing: say "no" to most free items (but also volunteer to take them to the drop-off box). I appreciate that people think of me when clearing stuff out, but I need to remember that I now have a different lifestyle and need much less, not to mention that my storage space is mainly for food.
Wishing everyone a great time in the run-up to New Year's Eve / Day! I hope that 2024 is a lot better!
This is why I pulled the plug and said no to many holiday activities and worked on the house (and getting ready for medicare). I'm finished with the medicare crap and the house is in much better shape, but I also feel like I didn't get much of a break (I've been off work). But that's the consequences of not having a lot of energy, and when I'm working for pay, I don't have much energy to spare. But at least I can look around my mostly cleaned up and organized space and get a mental lift from that.
Yes, I will be addressing the lack of energy further when I get on medicare.
Today, I'm mostly working in the basement and then going over my journal and taking stock of things to be doing differently in 2024. One big thing: say "no" to most free items (but also volunteer to take them to the drop-off box). I appreciate that people think of me when clearing stuff out, but I need to remember that I now have a different lifestyle and need much less, not to mention that my storage space is mainly for food.
Wishing everyone a great time in the run-up to New Year's Eve / Day! I hope that 2024 is a lot better!
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
This is the year I get to sign onto Medicare, too, Meemur. My birthday is in May. I hope it goes smoothly.
We have home fellowship this morning, then we're planning to relax the rest of the day. No plans for tonight. We'll probably be bombarded with neighbor's fireworks, once it gets dark. Happens every year. I'm glad they live on down the road a ways, and not right in our front door! It scares our dog really bad.
We have home fellowship this morning, then we're planning to relax the rest of the day. No plans for tonight. We'll probably be bombarded with neighbor's fireworks, once it gets dark. Happens every year. I'm glad they live on down the road a ways, and not right in our front door! It scares our dog really bad.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Hubby left just before 8 AM for Church meetings. I'll watch ours at 12 pm via zoom. It was 38 deg. F. this morning, not bad at all. Rained over night. Cooling back down in a couple of days.
We canned 24 qts of pork yesterday. Hubby picked 3 of them up at $1.99 a lb with $8.00 off each roast.
I would like some beef roasts to do the same thing with. But it's much more expensive. 
.
We have been making fire starters for the rest of winter. Several squares of cardboard banded together with a match stuck in, they will be dipped in wax in a few days. Works great.
Take care all and Happy New Year.
We canned 24 qts of pork yesterday. Hubby picked 3 of them up at $1.99 a lb with $8.00 off each roast.
I would like some beef roasts to do the same thing with. But it's much more expensive. .We have been making fire starters for the rest of winter. Several squares of cardboard banded together with a match stuck in, they will be dipped in wax in a few days. Works great.
Take care all and Happy New Year.
Slept in and DH fixed breakfast (absolutely keeping him!!), I need to get going and get dinner ready for the oven (we only eat about twice a day - breakfast and a mid-afternoon meal, then snacks later). I plan on working on organizing, listing stuff for Ebay (I can't believe how well it is working out), and pulling receipts from all the vehicles to start organizing taxes. Laundry was finished up yesterday.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Also, I want to take a minute and thank everyone for sharing your days! When I have a long stint of working alone at home, it's comforting to know that others are working on tasks and facing similar challenges. Great job, everyone!
S.B., best advice I can give you (and anyone!) is to start the research at least 2 - 3 months before the window period opens (3 months before and 3 months after your birthday), if you haven't already, and pay attention to the dates of your six-month window. I know it's boring, but having the right insurance is a prep, too.
I did the research and then signed up for Medicare A & B as soon as my window opened. It then took about a week to be approved (I didn't apply for ss) and then about another five weeks to get my card. Once I had my card, I could go on to the next phase, researching and signing up for plans. They don't start until February (my birth month). Yesterday, I signed up for the last one, the Plan G (Medicare gap coverage).
If you have an "insurance guy or gal," great! I didn't, but I do know how to research and ask questions. It just took a lot of time since I haven't been firing on all cylinders.
I'm taking time to spell out this boring stuff because there's a ton of slimy salespeople pushing sub-standard Advantage plans for which they are getting high commissions. I'm not saying *all* Advantage plans are bad or agents are dishonest, but I sure ran into my share of crooks. So glad to have all that behind me for now! (I'm sure I'll be getting a different Part D drug plan in the future, but those are "easy" to switch, I'm told.)
S.B., best advice I can give you (and anyone!) is to start the research at least 2 - 3 months before the window period opens (3 months before and 3 months after your birthday), if you haven't already, and pay attention to the dates of your six-month window. I know it's boring, but having the right insurance is a prep, too.
I did the research and then signed up for Medicare A & B as soon as my window opened. It then took about a week to be approved (I didn't apply for ss) and then about another five weeks to get my card. Once I had my card, I could go on to the next phase, researching and signing up for plans. They don't start until February (my birth month). Yesterday, I signed up for the last one, the Plan G (Medicare gap coverage).
If you have an "insurance guy or gal," great! I didn't, but I do know how to research and ask questions. It just took a lot of time since I haven't been firing on all cylinders.
I'm taking time to spell out this boring stuff because there's a ton of slimy salespeople pushing sub-standard Advantage plans for which they are getting high commissions. I'm not saying *all* Advantage plans are bad or agents are dishonest, but I sure ran into my share of crooks. So glad to have all that behind me for now! (I'm sure I'll be getting a different Part D drug plan in the future, but those are "easy" to switch, I'm told.)
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
My window opens in March to sign up, and I'm going with plan G, as well. I wanted to go with plan F the same as Cary, but it's no longer available. There's not much difference in the two, though.
I see a lot of people with Medicare Advantage plans. They work great until you need them, then EVERYTHING has to be pre-authorized, resulting in a lot of time delays. I'm glad you got this done, too. It will be a few years before I have to deal with it, but it's a good reminder for me anyway.
Ticking along, doing a few little things here and there. I'm beginning to see an impact.
Ticking along, doing a few little things here and there. I'm beginning to see an impact.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I'm not going with an "Advantage" plan. Cary doesn't, either. My aunt had one of those and it messed her up big time. She needed nursing home care for rehabilitation, and her advantage plan refused to pay one dime. Like you said, they might be good, until you actually have to use it.
Thank You for starting the thread Judy! I spent the weekend with the grandkids while daughter was off buying more equipment for her shop so when I got home last night at midnight I fell into bed totally exhausted; just woke up around 11 or so this morning.
I am so blessed that daughter is handling the Medicare stuff; I still have insurance through Hubby at the hospital so I think I'm okay until Hubby retires - which means anything that needs to get fixed, needs to be done in the next couple of years.
I am so blessed that daughter is handling the Medicare stuff; I still have insurance through Hubby at the hospital so I think I'm okay until Hubby retires - which means anything that needs to get fixed, needs to be done in the next couple of years.
patriotgal
Veteran Member
My window opens in March too. Have note in planner on March 1st to give my ss login to insurance guy. Around here, it does not cost to use an insurance person to sort out Medicare for you. We have had same guy for 10 years now. He is great.
Today I am doing nothing but gaming. I start 3 new gigs on Tuesday. Making the most of my free time. I did do some reorganizing this am. Sugar, flour, etc. So many cobwebs to take down before I could even start. Invisible sticky ones. Will fix pizza later. Have pot of chili made for tomorrow.
Today I am doing nothing but gaming. I start 3 new gigs on Tuesday. Making the most of my free time. I did do some reorganizing this am. Sugar, flour, etc. So many cobwebs to take down before I could even start. Invisible sticky ones. Will fix pizza later. Have pot of chili made for tomorrow.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
I was so blessed that when I was turning 65 I was still on ex's insurance, And when that was going away I applied at the VA and got accepted quickly, being that I'm service connected. And now almost 12 years later I'm still blessed with the VA. No way I can afford the medicare premium, much less the extra one that seems necessary, my income is just too low. I thank God on a very regular basis for my VA healthcare. The VA hospital nearest me is still a good one, which is another blessing.
Since I am healthy....DH had changed jobs...long story....3 months before I became eligible for Medicare...I was eligible to join his plan...but I didn't sign up for his plan because...it was outrageously expensive... premium plus deductible.....
I originally had plan F supplement and regular Medicare part A and part B for less than just the premium on his plan at work...I had taken my social security early because he was still working...so my Part B premium was deducted from my social security check.....he is still working but he took his medicare as soon as he could because it was much better coverage and much less expensive...he had hip replacement after he was on Medicare (several years ago) ..his part B deductible at that time was $197.00....if he had kept his employers insurance plan his deductible would have been $6500.00.....huge savings for us with medicare....
For one year we had to pay both his part B and his supplemental out of pocket....but his employer increased his hourly rate because he no longer paid his part of DHs company medical insurance..it actually covered his out of pocket for both Medicare part B and his supplement coverage...
Be sure to check the coverages and premium amounts and deductible amounts before you decide to keep an employer plan....
Everyones situation is different but this really worked for us ....and has saved us a lot money
I originally had plan F supplement and regular Medicare part A and part B for less than just the premium on his plan at work...I had taken my social security early because he was still working...so my Part B premium was deducted from my social security check.....he is still working but he took his medicare as soon as he could because it was much better coverage and much less expensive...he had hip replacement after he was on Medicare (several years ago) ..his part B deductible at that time was $197.00....if he had kept his employers insurance plan his deductible would have been $6500.00.....huge savings for us with medicare....
For one year we had to pay both his part B and his supplemental out of pocket....but his employer increased his hourly rate because he no longer paid his part of DHs company medical insurance..it actually covered his out of pocket for both Medicare part B and his supplement coverage...
Be sure to check the coverages and premium amounts and deductible amounts before you decide to keep an employer plan....
Everyones situation is different but this really worked for us ....and has saved us a lot money
feralferret
Veteran Member
Not necessasarily true. My wife has been on Medicare Advantage plans for 17 years, and I have for 4 years. I dod NOT go through an agent or other third party. I went online to the Medicare.gov website an entered my zip code. This supplies a list of plans serving your area.
I went through the list, looking at the summaries. This allowed me to eliminate most of the plans. We have always done the $0 premium plans. I then follow the link to the web page for each plan and look at three things for each plan. The Evidence Of Coverage (EOC), the Provider Directory, and the Formulary (list of covered medications). I downloaded each (available as PDF document) so that I could examine them at leisure.
The EOC is the documents that gives the details of what is and isn't covered, what the co-pays and/or co-insurance cost, maximum out of pocket expenses, and other details. It is essentially the contract. The Provider Directory tells you if the doctors you wish to use are in network or not. The Formulary, when combined with the applicable section of the EOC tells you how much your drugs will cost. This is often dependent upon which pharmacy use use. Most also have a mail order pharmacy option.
Some plans are PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) where you get lower cost to you if you use one of their Preferred Providers. Some are HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) where you are required to use one of the providers on their list. We have almost always used a PPO for the flexibility.
Both of us have had multiple hospital stays and multiple surgeries, including a hip replacement for her and a shoulder replacement for me.
We have never had any serious issues with coverage with the exception of a company revising their Formulary during the coverage year. They are NOT allowed to change the EOC after January 1.
There are a lot of crappy plans available, and a few shady companies. We have always gone with a known large company, but have switched companies several times in order to take advantage of the most advantageous plan. All of them have been better coverage and cost than the employer plans I was on before I finally retired.
The EOC is a long document, but straightforward in enumerating your coverage. It doesn't require a college degree to understand them. Put the ones you are considering side by side (with that section printed out if that would work better for you) and compare. Most people will have no great problem figuring out which plan would work the best for them. It just takes some time and effort. Most of the "agents" that offer to find the best plan for you are connected to one of the companies, and as such are likely biased as to who they recommend.
BTW, on the plans we've used very few things have to be pre-authorized. Mainly surgeries. The EOC will plainly state what has to be pre-authorized.
patriotgal
Veteran Member
In our case local hospitals and nursing homes decided to suddenly quit accepting Humana advantage plan. Hence driving couple counties away to find rehab for MIL. That was after hospital employee spent 3 days on phone seeking somewhere that would be covered.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Same here. None of the North Mississippi Medical Center Complex and associated doctors and clinics or nursing /rehab facilities will accept any Medicare Advantage Plans. In the case with my aunt, all her son could do was to bring her home, until he could find a place that did accept it. It took quite a while, too.
Happy New Year everyone!
Hubby and I have been under the weather for days. He had a check up Friday, but they only told him to treat with over the counter meds. I think his has progressed to a sinus infection. We may have to call his dr back tomorrow. We stayed home last night and I went to bed early but hubby couldn't sleep. He rang in the new year blowing his nose and coughing.
Hubby has been out Bush hogging during the warmest part of the days. He has it all finished now. The farm looks nice. We spent an hour or more looking for an old well in our lower pasture. It just had a flat stone over the casing. But it is covered up now. It has been over 30 years since I was shown it by a previous owner. We know the general area, but it's like looking for a needle in the hay field. We had were using straighten out clothes hangers to try to find it. We hit on several spots, but no well yet. We will keep trying.
I made corn meal from my home grown Bloody Butcher corn. It made really good corn bread. Even hubby liked it and he is picky. The red skins on the kernels made red specks in the meal so it looked different. I wonder about planting a yellow variety next year. What corn varieties make the best meal? My grinder is a Back to Basics mill I bought at a local auction. I didn't appear to have been used. It is a good little mill. I have a little wheat to try also.
I wanted to ask if anyone here knows of anything to lower blood pressure that is not a prescription. I would like to have something as back up if nothing else. I know loosing weight would help and I have lost some, but not enough.
My lantana I brought in for winter is blooming. It's a small thing, but gives me joy. I wish we would have gotten my green house up. But it still might happen during a warm day or 2.
Have a blessed week everyone
Hubby and I have been under the weather for days. He had a check up Friday, but they only told him to treat with over the counter meds. I think his has progressed to a sinus infection. We may have to call his dr back tomorrow. We stayed home last night and I went to bed early but hubby couldn't sleep. He rang in the new year blowing his nose and coughing.
Hubby has been out Bush hogging during the warmest part of the days. He has it all finished now. The farm looks nice. We spent an hour or more looking for an old well in our lower pasture. It just had a flat stone over the casing. But it is covered up now. It has been over 30 years since I was shown it by a previous owner. We know the general area, but it's like looking for a needle in the hay field. We had were using straighten out clothes hangers to try to find it. We hit on several spots, but no well yet. We will keep trying.
I made corn meal from my home grown Bloody Butcher corn. It made really good corn bread. Even hubby liked it and he is picky. The red skins on the kernels made red specks in the meal so it looked different. I wonder about planting a yellow variety next year. What corn varieties make the best meal? My grinder is a Back to Basics mill I bought at a local auction. I didn't appear to have been used. It is a good little mill. I have a little wheat to try also.
I wanted to ask if anyone here knows of anything to lower blood pressure that is not a prescription. I would like to have something as back up if nothing else. I know loosing weight would help and I have lost some, but not enough.
My lantana I brought in for winter is blooming. It's a small thing, but gives me joy. I wish we would have gotten my green house up. But it still might happen during a warm day or 2.
Have a blessed week everyone
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Happy New Year, Everyone!
My day hasn't started off too well. I have a boil that has come up on the eyelid of my non-MD eye. It is so swollen that the eyelid covers my whole eye. I can't see a thing out of it. So, that only leaves the MD eye to see with. Everything is blurred making it hard to see. I have these boils from time to time in different places, but never on an eyelid. Rheumatologist hasn't been able to determine if they are Lupus related, or not. I can't treat with anything, because it's too close to my eyeball.
I'm not able to do much, until my eyelid heals. Cary is stepping up to help me out. He's so good about doing that. Thank God for "spell check" and the ability to increase font size.
My day hasn't started off too well. I have a boil that has come up on the eyelid of my non-MD eye. It is so swollen that the eyelid covers my whole eye. I can't see a thing out of it. So, that only leaves the MD eye to see with. Everything is blurred making it hard to see. I have these boils from time to time in different places, but never on an eyelid. Rheumatologist hasn't been able to determine if they are Lupus related, or not. I can't treat with anything, because it's too close to my eyeball.
I'm not able to do much, until my eyelid heals. Cary is stepping up to help me out. He's so good about doing that. Thank God for "spell check" and the ability to increase font size.
Last edited:
patriotgal
Veteran Member
Spent some time yesterday preparing our 2024 planner. It's an 8.5 x 8 weekly. Was thumbing through 2023 to grab important dates. Some weeks were so crazy it made me tired just looking.
The week we were trying to get MIL in rehab. The weekend we were out of town and got call about FIL'S death. The week my 2 besties buried their husbands. The awesome KC trips and time with grands. Last year we were in KC for New Year's. Heading there in a week or so hence home this year.
Received onboarding info for one of new gigs. Working on my hopeful time schedules. I still have one freezer full of meat that I would like to get canned up. Gotta replace baking supplies used over holidays. Checked some of long term storage yesterday am. All is good.
We have had to replace several vehicle batteries. Store has been honoring purchases and giving us replacements but it is a serious pain in the tush to lose a day driving to town to do so. The only project I have for today is taming the paper and office stuff tangle around a rarely used end table. I really need to find a place to put it all away. Table is under kitchen window. I could put small appliances there. That spot is also the only wild place left to be tamed so robot vacuum can run.
The week we were trying to get MIL in rehab. The weekend we were out of town and got call about FIL'S death. The week my 2 besties buried their husbands. The awesome KC trips and time with grands. Last year we were in KC for New Year's. Heading there in a week or so hence home this year.
Received onboarding info for one of new gigs. Working on my hopeful time schedules. I still have one freezer full of meat that I would like to get canned up. Gotta replace baking supplies used over holidays. Checked some of long term storage yesterday am. All is good.
We have had to replace several vehicle batteries. Store has been honoring purchases and giving us replacements but it is a serious pain in the tush to lose a day driving to town to do so. The only project I have for today is taming the paper and office stuff tangle around a rarely used end table. I really need to find a place to put it all away. Table is under kitchen window. I could put small appliances there. That spot is also the only wild place left to be tamed so robot vacuum can run.
Last edited:
Toosh
Veteran Member
This week is in the home office: purging trash, filing papers and generally getting organized for preparing to do taxes. I'll do performance-maintenance on our devices, do a backup to store off-site and change passwords on our banking aps. Also, review all our important papers, (insurance overages, wills, living will, etc.) and make fresh copies of (insurance cards, drivers licenses) of items that change often for my emergency binder.
I hate this job and always have to promise myself treats to get things done. I know, so juvenile! But, whatever it takes to get it done, right? So, dinner out, a hair appointment, a mani/pedi and a massage are in my future as goals are met. Can't wait for those!!
I hate this job and always have to promise myself treats to get things done. I know, so juvenile! But, whatever it takes to get it done, right? So, dinner out, a hair appointment, a mani/pedi and a massage are in my future as goals are met. Can't wait for those!!
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Nothing wrong with bribing yourself, Toosh! I have to do it a lot right now. I promise myself non-fattening rewards like air-popped popcorn and time to watch all of a DVD in one sitting. I usually have to watch them in segments.
Praying for you, SB!
Patriotgal, I've been transferring stuff to the 2024 calendar and making sure all of my receipts (mainly medical) are in the tax folder. I'm making sure I have hard copies in case the internet goes down.
Good going, Digger! Yes, garlic can help in come cases.
Happy New Year, Nomifyle!
Praying for you, SB!
Patriotgal, I've been transferring stuff to the 2024 calendar and making sure all of my receipts (mainly medical) are in the tax folder. I'm making sure I have hard copies in case the internet goes down.
Good going, Digger! Yes, garlic can help in come cases.
Happy New Year, Nomifyle!
patriotgal
Veteran Member
I have paper copies of everything. Which reminds me I need to order a case of paper from Amazon.
So happy i don't have to do much in taxes this year. The only upside to being off work so long.
So happy i don't have to do much in taxes this year. The only upside to being off work so long.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Absolutely wiped out for the last two days. Sunday started good, and I got the grocery run done. But I just wiped out when I got home. I was so zoned that I didn't even get my walk in.
Today, I got moving late, but I got my walk in. And then I got another pile of stuff sorted through. More stuff for thrift. Another bag in the trash. And I made sure to get all the travel bags from Xmas cleaned up and put away. I even got the bed tent on son's bed.
Boss couldn't quite resist contacting me. But I did make sure it stayed short and sweet.
I finally figured out why I was feeling so tired. The higher beta blocker dosage is no longer needed by my body. Of course, this is right after the new 90 days supply arrived. For the time being, I'm going to leave it alone. I know it is likely that I will need the higher dose after the surgery for a few weeks. And I have a GP visit about a month after the surgery. I can talk to the GP then if it is still a problem.
The nattokinase is still dropping my BP. I hoping that we can reduce the BP med by my next GP appointment. It actually takes some work to get my heart rate and BP going now. And that helps with so much. I would rather be on the nattokinase than the prescription meds that weren't actually successfully at max dose. Nattokinase is successful at low dose. One of these days, when I have time, I will dig into the science and figure it out.
Today, I got moving late, but I got my walk in. And then I got another pile of stuff sorted through. More stuff for thrift. Another bag in the trash. And I made sure to get all the travel bags from Xmas cleaned up and put away. I even got the bed tent on son's bed.
Boss couldn't quite resist contacting me. But I did make sure it stayed short and sweet.
I finally figured out why I was feeling so tired. The higher beta blocker dosage is no longer needed by my body. Of course, this is right after the new 90 days supply arrived. For the time being, I'm going to leave it alone. I know it is likely that I will need the higher dose after the surgery for a few weeks. And I have a GP visit about a month after the surgery. I can talk to the GP then if it is still a problem.
The nattokinase is still dropping my BP. I hoping that we can reduce the BP med by my next GP appointment. It actually takes some work to get my heart rate and BP going now. And that helps with so much. I would rather be on the nattokinase than the prescription meds that weren't actually successfully at max dose. Nattokinase is successful at low dose. One of these days, when I have time, I will dig into the science and figure it out.
I have a fire proof/water proof bag from Amazon...a little larger than a letter size and about 5 inches high.. you can lock it....if you choose to...it zips around
I got letter size project files....and label each with Avery labels
It will easily hold, deed, car titles, insurance policies, birth certificates, marriage records,memberships info, credit card info, and lots of other important information...
I also have a couple of burn proof accordion files for other family records.
They are not expensive and easy to grab in an emergency..
I have several of the old day runner style planners...small size...that I use to keep info...one for credit/insurance/bank info phone numbers addresses.etc
One for medical and supplements etc. and rx information and all contacts for those things
One for phone numbers addresses of friends and companies we order from.... account number log in ..
Very easy to grab and go if necessary and all on paper if need be..I try to keep all important stuff on paper..and in a grab and easy and go form...lots of peace of mind for us
I got letter size project files....and label each with Avery labels
It will easily hold, deed, car titles, insurance policies, birth certificates, marriage records,memberships info, credit card info, and lots of other important information...
I also have a couple of burn proof accordion files for other family records.
They are not expensive and easy to grab in an emergency..
I have several of the old day runner style planners...small size...that I use to keep info...one for credit/insurance/bank info phone numbers addresses.etc
One for medical and supplements etc. and rx information and all contacts for those things
One for phone numbers addresses of friends and companies we order from.... account number log in ..
Very easy to grab and go if necessary and all on paper if need be..I try to keep all important stuff on paper..and in a grab and easy and go form...lots of peace of mind for us
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
I used to feel uneasy because it was hard for me to keep up with daily readings. These days if time is short, I read a verse from The Book of Proverbs as soon as I can, write it down, and then think about it. That's my "something is always better than nothing" excuse.
Good deal having a nice visit!
As for me, I've got laundry going. I've got Zoom meetings tomorrow. My break is winding down. It was too short! I really, really need another two weeks. But I'm going to celebrate what I did get finished instead of what I didn't do.
It's a hard change to make, but I think I'll benefit from it.
Last edited:
feralferret
Veteran Member
Magnesium supplements can help lower BP. You just have to be careful of taking too much as it can induce diarrhea if you take more than your system can tolerate. Most people have no problem with the recommended dosage on the bottle. I recommend the magnesium malate form.
So - today my prep is in the form of 'how do I save money and use up what I have'. And speaking of magnesium..... I really like to use CALM powder, but I accidentally bought the 'unflavored' one. It tastes like salt, and having a cup of warm salt water before bed is really not appealing. So what can I use that I have? CALM is not cheap, so I will be using it up....hmmmm..... jello! I need to add some flavoring and sugar, so a tablespoon of jello will do the trick, and I have a bunch of bulk jello.
Next - I am out of chocolate to add to my coffee (AKA dessert( in the mornings, but DD gave me some 'chocolate tea' from when she visited Hawaii. You know, that works perfect in my French press along with the Folgers to add flavor. A little milk and sugar and I am good!
I have gotten to where I also like some warm milk before bed (keep in mind I need calories and my diet is awful - I know this, but I still have not regained but about 5 pounds after my cancer treatment). KathyinFL's recipe for butterscotch milk is great - and a really good way to use up the marshmallows that got shoved to the back of the cabinet and got hard. They are going to melt in the warm milk anyway - so use them up.
This year is going to be all about 'use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.'
Next - I am out of chocolate to add to my coffee (AKA dessert( in the mornings, but DD gave me some 'chocolate tea' from when she visited Hawaii. You know, that works perfect in my French press along with the Folgers to add flavor. A little milk and sugar and I am good!
I have gotten to where I also like some warm milk before bed (keep in mind I need calories and my diet is awful - I know this, but I still have not regained but about 5 pounds after my cancer treatment). KathyinFL's recipe for butterscotch milk is great - and a really good way to use up the marshmallows that got shoved to the back of the cabinet and got hard. They are going to melt in the warm milk anyway - so use them up.
This year is going to be all about 'use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.'
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Neither can I or my son. I tend to put it in tea.
We love Hastings corn for making Cornmeal and grits. We use a corn sheller and an antique grinder for the meal and grits but I run the corn for meal after it has been cracked thru a Country mill manually operated.
Hope that helps!
briches
Veteran Member
I start back to work today after a much needed break. It’s my birthday today as well. I am trying to get my brain in the mindset of back to work. I love my job, but I sure do love being at home as well!
Moldy- love your mindset of using up what you have.
Have a good one everyone!
Moldy- love your mindset of using up what you have.
Have a good one everyone!
Happy Birthday briches!
My blood pressure issues are partly due to fluid retention. Without my water pill, I retain a lot of fluid. I have tried a couple of natural things for excess fluid, but nothing works very well if at all. I am drinking corn silk tea some to see if that will help my kidneys. The dr says my kidney function isn't bad, but some reading are a little high. What are some natural fluid remedies? Thanks in advance.
My blood pressure issues are partly due to fluid retention. Without my water pill, I retain a lot of fluid. I have tried a couple of natural things for excess fluid, but nothing works very well if at all. I am drinking corn silk tea some to see if that will help my kidneys. The dr says my kidney function isn't bad, but some reading are a little high. What are some natural fluid remedies? Thanks in advance.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Happy Birthday, briches!
school marm
Veteran Member
Dandelion tea reportedly works so well that the slang name for it in French is wet-the-bed. Pro-tip: Do not drink in the hours before bedtime.