slidergirl

1 hour ago, Lois R said:

Hi, the Urology office called today and I am having the stent removed on Monday morning. From what they explained to me, it is a very quick thing. 

 

And i was given a referral to an Endocrinologist and that office called me today but get this, they have no openings till the middle of May 😮 what good is a referral if you can't see the new Dr for 5 months???....this was the Dr I was going to talk to about my diabetes/sugar,etc  I have an appt tomorrow morning with my Primary Care Dr and will speak with him about this again. Even while I was in the hospital my sugar numbers were not high.........in the 120s. and my A1C was about 6.7

 

The weather has been really ugly here lately......high in the 50s, windy and NO SUN........yukky☹️

Lois- the long wait for an endocrinologist isn't unusual.  I waited a good 6 months for mine.  There aren't that many and they are swamped.   

My first week of work is in the books.  I slept for a looooong time yesterday.  I got a new co-worker Tuesday for the winter.  I think we're going to be good together.  She an older woman who has been through the career & marriage thing and she picked up everything I showed her right away.  The "kid' we have, well, no one likes him so we'll just have to deal with him.  He wants to be the alpha male and have us be his minions.  Yes, this after a week.  Ah, life.

Went down to TJ's today to pick up the Holiday junk food for work and special stuff for me.  It was the first "Holy Cr$p" moment for awhile, but expected.  I get different cookies and candles for gifts.  I picked up some good frozen things to make for a fast dinner after work.  Some dog bones to take to work for all my furry friends.  And, a porchetta roast  for Christmas.  I won't get down there again until sometime in January...

OOTD: My black flowered hoodie sweatshirt, Free People jeans with flowers on them.  It was in the 40s, so no coat needed.  

3 hours ago, awhfy said:

Ladies, that’s awful prices for life saving medications. I’m rather insulated from prices as we get our medications from the military pharmacy (Les gets his from the VA). We only have to pay if the med is not on the formulary & then the price is topped out under $100. A great benefit for the military service. 

Yep, it's awful.  It's bad enough if you pay for one of them, even with Medicare.  But, some of us us have them stacked and it's a big financial hit.  In the formulary, they are at the highest level.  If I wanted to go on insulin for the rest of my life, sure, I could do $35/month.  But I don't want to do that and my endocrinologist says I don't need to.  I think the next round of prescription negotiations are supposed to have some of these in there.  Not holding my breath, though.

It's a beautiful, but chilly day up here at work.  34F right now, up to maybe 38F at the end of the day.  I get my nice view again out my Front Desk window.  It's really slow and will be that way the rest of the week.  I wish I had a spot to go out and sit in the sun today, but we only get sun on our deck for a short time.  

OOTD:  a pink floral Kari Traa base layer shirt and a pinkish purple button-up sweater vest that I bought at the consignment store.  My black jeans again.  

OK.  I'm home.

Lois - The cheap med that my endocrinologist added is Pioglitazone.  It's like $2 for a 30 day supply.

I was bored at work so I decided to look up and see if my cashmere hoodie was on the internet.  I found the company and took a peek - $379!!!!!!!!  

I have to do the morning shift again tomorrow.  Ugh.

19 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Hi Kat, thanks so much.  You know how we all discuss medical issues..well, they want to put me on 2 new meds. One is a VERY cheap BP medication.....like less than 2.00 for a 30 day supply....BUT the Dr wants me to change my diabetes medication too and I found out yesterday that it is VERY, VERY expensive😧. I told the pharmacist not to fill it because it being the end of the year......they want to charge me 500.00😮for a 30 day supply.......I said NO. I need to speak to my Primary Care Dr and see what is what....this was prescribed by the "ON CALL" Dr at the hospital.....they want me to start taking JANUVIA but there is no generic for it..... now I know Medicare starts over in January......I will have to see if I can find a cheaper medication! ......when was the last time they had no generic for a diabetes medicine?

Believe me, I totally know about the cost of the Diabetes meds.  There are no generics except for Metformin (that I know of).  At the beginning of the year, my Jardiance and Rybelsus cost over $500 each.  But, then they eat up my Medicare deductible for meds and the cost goes down to abut $150 for a 90 day supply for Rybelsus (I know because I just got it yesterday.).  Rybelsus is the daily pill form of Semaglutide (i.e. Ozempic).   Be sure to talk to your PCP about the different drugs and which would work best for you.   I take 4 - Metformin, Jardiance, Rybelsus and 1 more that is a generic that kickstarts the others (and it's cheap).  I'll have to look at what it is when I get home.   But, you may have to pay full-price the first time or so to eat up the deductible and then it will drop.  I think my first refills of next year will be about $1500 for all 3 (!).  

If you are in the US and live near a Trader Joe's market, pick up a tub of the Double Ginger cookie and take some with you.  They have chunks of ginger in them besides the usual.  If nothing else, you have some tasty cookies to eat on your cruise!!!

Hi all.  Busy, busy, busy.

Got to drive to work through the first winter storm of the year Friday.  No fun at all.  At least I remembered how!!   Busy trying to replicate mail and our calendar on Google to make up for the loss of our Outlook stuff.  Interesting since I know nothing about Google (other than the web browser).  I'm finding some of our old documents and trying to get them ported over to share mode.  Ugh.  Times when I wish I wasn't known as the one who knows computers 🙀  I get a new co-worker on Tuesday, so it'll be training time, just in time for us to start getting our holiday guests.  We're putting up the 2 Christmas trees and our staircase garland now.  One of my least favorite things to do. 

Lois - I'm so relieved to hear that your numbers did drop and you are back home!  I'm asking Santa to bring you a "health break" for Christmas!

Melody - I've had 2 pair of the Delancey herringbone and 1 textured tights.  Salt & Pepper in both and blue & black in herringbone.  But, none of them fit me now (too baggy).  I may have to buy at least one of them to add again.  Right now I'm just wearing either my blue or black jeans into work.  Maybe in a week or so I'll bring my leggings into play - I have to get used to the temperature in the Lodge.  

Cynthia - that martini does look good!  Sorry 'bout the 'vid visiting the ship.  It's our gift that never stops giving, I guess.  Be safe - did you bring a mask?  I still carry one.

OOTD:  my Driftwood black jeans and a cashmere hoodie sweater that I got from one of my owners last year (the one who also owns the villa in Tuscany).  And my gray Chaco wool lace-up booties.  I'm the only one here besides the maintenance guy, so I'm just sitting at the desk and petting the sweater 😻

Lois - I'm relieved that it was a stone and it was quickly taken care of.  I do hope that, with it removed and the stent in, nature will take over and restore your numbers.   

Home from Palm Springs and did my first day of work.  I'm just exhausted today - my usual day off.   Turns out my boss is still my boss until they can get someone else.  Poor her - she's doing her new job AND her old job.  She's going to be going crazy.  And she has to hire one more person to be the "opener" at the Lodge.  I was going bonkers because I thought I had my logins/passwords put away and I couldn't find them!  I took all day to try to remember them.  One still is a mystery.  they also "upgraded" us to the big domain and took away the domain the lodge has had for years,  Our email is a mess, documents are unavailable,  just awful.  I'm sure they are thinking I can fix it since I worked in IT 😒.  Nope. 

OOTD:  joggers and a Tshirt.  Day off.  I'm going to nap!

5 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi girls, the news is not so good

Dr called me this morning and she said I need to go to the ER.......the numbers are dangerous.

I am here now.....keep a good thought for me please.

I’m sorry Lois.  Hope it gets straightened out quickly!

21 hours ago, awhfy said:

Hope Kat got off on her trip before the snow hit Utah

I got into the Sky Club at SLC just as it started to snow!  So I made it just right.  A warm and sunny weekend with the girls.  We took lots of photos so our friend with early Alzheimer’s will be able to look at them and remember the trip.   Now I am sitting at PSP airport waiting for my flight home.  The winter storm warning was canceled for today so I should be good driving home tonight.  Start work tomorrow at 11am!

Melody - Happy Anniversary!!  

I have to pack today.  My flight is tomorrow at 11am.  I have to leave earlier than usual because it'll be rush hour down in Salt Lake AND there is going to be snow.  Not a good combination.   I do NOT enjoy having to get up early in the morning.  

Today was the last day to be able to sleep in ☹️  I can't believe I start back at the Lodge on Tuesday.  There was a lot of renovation construction all summer long so I'm excited to see how things turned out.  Snow on the runs is basically non-existent except for the couple of runs with man-made.  Hopefully, I'll have time to ease back into "Lodge Life" before the Christmas hordes show up!!

OOTD:  leggings and a Tshirt.  Going to be cleaning up and packing all day. 

Cynthia - sorry 'bout the knee.  Keep off it and keep it elevated when you can.  A little ice can help, too.  I learned "RICE" for things like that - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.  I'm a major klutz so I learned that quickly.    I didn't realize you were doing a TA this time.  If anything else, at least you won't be wandering around ancient ruins on that knee 😉

I broke down and contracted with a snow plow guy for this year.  My shoulder just can't handle it again.  I'll have to give up something to be able to pay for it, though.  

OOTD:  my joggers (that I don't wear in public) and a Tshirt.  I'm being lazy for my last few days before I start back to work.

Hi all!

Lois - Cynthia had the pumpkin gnocchi in Rome.  I just sounded so good.  I've had sweet potato gnocchi so I imagine it's pretty similar.  Sorry 'bout the test results.  I know how that goes.  Glucose levels still baffle me - I can eat the exact same thing two days in a row and one level will be low 100s and the next will be 120s.  Changing eating habits is freakin' hard.  Is there anything specific you can do to help with the kidney output levels?  

Melody - nice pics!  My backyard looks a little like that too.  It stayed cold enough that the snow stayed put this time.  Not as cold as you, though.  We stayed in the 30s.   No more snow until Friday, supposedly.  That's the day I fly out to Palm Springs, so I may stay down in Salt Lake City Thursday night to avoid a snowy drive down the mountain.  I'm watching the weather.  I have a free night at a Marriott to use by the end of the year so it won't cost me anything.     

OOTD:  Sunny, but temp is in the mid 30s.  So, leggings and a long-sleeve Tshirt.  

Cynthia - pumpkin gnocchi- YUM!   and, yes, I recognize the church!  Still one of my favorite places in Rome.  

I went real lazy yesterday for my Thanksgiving dinner.  Instead of doing the turkeyloaf and the sides, I made one big mashup.   In the skillet.  Cooked up the ground turkey with all my seasonings, added a bag of mixed veggies, added some of TJ's mashed potatoes (nuked them first), added a container of TJ's stuffing and then mixed it all up with a box of TJ's Turkey Gravy.  Good eating.  And, already mixed up to put in the leftovers container to eat the rest of the week!  I did leave the TJ's cranberry sauce separate, though.  Popped open a bottle of my favorite Rosé and had a glass.   My glucose level did not suffer...   

It's snowing today.  So, OOTD is again leggings, Tshirt and my Acorn mocs.  Cozy-ing up in the house.

Good to hear you are feeling better today, Lois.  Take it easy today.  

Started out Thanksgiving with some Noosa Pumpkin Yogurt for breakfast.  I added a sprinkle of my Penzy's Pie Spice on top to add a little zing.  

I pride myself in not having ever made a whole turkey.  I've done a half breast at the most.  Today, I'm lowering my bar and making a turkey meatloaf.  I've got a pound of ground turkey to use.  I have my sides ready - mash potato, creamed corn, TJ's stuffing/dressing.   I'll just nosh on it all afternoon/evening.  

OOTD:  Inside all day today and a winter storm advisory in effect.  Leggings and a long-sleeve Tshirt.  I have my new Acorn slouchy moccasins on.  My NP doesn't want me walking around barefoot on my slate floors (peripheral nerve issues).  

Happy Thanksgiving to the US ladies.  Everyone else - have a great day.

Ah, the familiar sights and sounds and beverages of Rome!  Good choice of Brunello!    

I do like RipSkirt.  I have 2 skirts and a sunscarf.  They are indeed very travel-packable.  I actually have the shortest ones and I use them with my leggings.  

Welcome back Lois!

Cynthia - have a wonderful trip!   I'm sooooo jelly!!  I didn't realize you were cruising, too - thought you were just going to Rome.  Buon Viaggio!  Have a spritz for me.  

Rainy day today.  Snow level is just at about 7000' so I'm just below it.  As the temperature drops, the rain will change to snow for sure.  Just hiding out at home today.   I start back at my lodge on Dec. 5 so I'm going to enjoy my last few days of "vacation" before diving back into work.  I think this will be my last year.  

OOTD:  leggings and a long-sleeve Tshirt.   

Endocrinologist NP visit today.  All was great.  She was impressed.  A1C down at 6.2.  I laughed at my weight - I haven't been this "light" since college!  I told her about my bout with losing my appetite the other month; she said she's hearing it's common with patients who had COVID.  She said that when that happens I'm ok to just eat whatever tastes good to me.  

I did make a stop at TJ's on the way home.  I was pleasantly surprised that they had out a bunch of the holiday stuff that wasn't in the Flyer.  It was a "Holy C$ap"  kind of shopping day and totally unexpected.  My seasonal favorite, Baked Lemon Ricotta, was there!  The flavored JoJo's (like Oreos) that I give my hair stylist were in.  The Italian custard pastries were in the Frozen section.  The real surprise was the newest candle-in-a-tin: Chocolate Croissant.  OMG!  It smells oh, so, good.   f

OOTD:  My new hoodie with the matching leggings.  Got lots of compliments on the combo.  It'll be on the list of things to take to Palm Springs.  I'll call it "Real Locals of Park City visits Palm Springs,", an homage to the Real Housewives of both Beverly Hills and Salt Lake City when they did their visits...  I have to keep an eye on the weather report for that first weekend of December - I just hope there isn't a snowstorm when I drive down to the airport or back up - I don't want to have to take a jacket!!

13 hours ago, mrgabriel said:

 

There are some people who have done a one-dress hundred day wardrobe. They wear the same dress every day for 100 days. They can add accessories, change up shoes, etc., but they all come away with the knowledge that no one even notices what you wear every day.

 

And as I always say, if they notice, do you care? I certainly don't. 

I was sent to help out at a sister hotel for a month.  It was a beach resort at the start of their summer season.  I packed some of my everyday Ts and tanks to wear double-duty:  wear under my suit jacket for work, then as my off-work attire for hanging out.  I hand washed them and let them dry in the bathroom.  No one noticed and no one cared.  All my stuff - work suits and play stuff and I was still under 35lbs in one bag.  

The pasta does look yummy!   Can't go wrong with Sta. Margherita - a solid choice for Pino Grigio.   

I'm on a hiatus from shrimp - it was the protein that kept me going for awhile and I'm kind of tired of it.  I'm trying to incorporate some, ugh, red meat into the diet for dinner.  A lean ground beef mixed with canellini beans and a can of diced tomatoes works.  I just put in a ton of different spices.  It's not chili but it's decent enough.  I made some pork chops the other night.  I've always loved them, but this time I just felt blah with them.  Going to grill some chicken and add it to salad tonight and see if I like that once again as I really started to not like my entree salads.  I don't like how my palate has changed.  

Cool the past few days, in the 40s.  Got my hair taken care of on Thursday.  We added some red highlights just because we could and hadn't done those in quite awhile.   Definitely turned into jeans and sweatshirt weather up here!  

OOTD:  faded yellow Laguna Surf Co. hoodie and a pair of Vuori leggings.  

4 hours ago, SelectSys said:

You mean the AI's? 🙂

 

Hasn't that happened in some of the mountain communities as well where mountain sports exist?  The stores might not be Diamonds International, but many don't serve or are priced beyond the means of the locals.

 

I do that too, however it's driven more from the perspective of trying to be healthy rather than further limiting my environmental profile.

 

For sure with air travel being the most CO2 intensive.  For my most recent trip involving flights to Honolulu and from Sydney generated about 2.5 tons or over 1 year of CO2/person budget as determined by activists.

https://curb6.com/calculators/plane

 

Hopefully I will never see the day where travel once again becomes only an activity for the very rich.

 

BTW - with respect to the original question, I am all for tourists being in my own community as it adds to the level of services that we enjoy and helps economic activity.  The big negative is beach parking at times in the summer.

Yes, it's happened in mountain towns.  That's my experience in my town.  Can't go up to Main St. to eat anymore as it's way too chi chi and expensive for me.  Stores are stocking things for the tourist and are too expensive for me.  Used to take 15 minutes from my house to Main St., now it's 30 in the winter,  And, don't get me started about Sundance Film Festival...  The Summer season is getting just as crowded lately.  We used to be "smog-free" up here in the winter (the inversion layer that occurs), but now it's here.  Parking - non-existent unless you want to pay $20-$30 an hour.  Sucks if you are an employee and have to try to park somewhere and you only get paid maybe $15/hr.  I'll walk 1/2 mile to the bus stop to get the electric bus into town if I'm going just around Main St., but I have to drive to my lodge for work as there is no transportation up that high on the mountain.  I save up chores and appointments so I only have to drive down to the city once a month.  I do what I can. 

On 11/7/2023 at 5:00 AM, Joebucks said:

 

The "environmental" concerns from larger cruise ships is potential damage to reefs (which is overblown) and extra trash and consumption because of increased headcount. In theory, you might limit "local impacts" by limiting tourism. Don't kid yourself that it's "saving the climate" though. People will still fly, drive, boat, or cruise elsewhere.

 

Ask the average person if they are "saving the environment" by traveling on a big vs small ship. Your average idiot will say the smaller ship because there is "less carbon footprint." Not only are the emissions lower per passenger on today's larger ships, but they're also using LNG which has 30% less emissions than oil. The premise would be that smaller ships are limiting travel activities. 

 

One cargo ship has more emissions than 50 million cars. It's all nonsense. Look, I won't be throwing things in the ocean or being intentionally wasteful. However, I'm not going to be part of this religion.

 

It's not just the climate.  The average idiot may think the environment is just climate.  Social environment is just as important.  Try living in a place that gets overrun by tourists and your local stores are replaced by Diamonds International and other tourist-oriented chains.  Have to drive a good distance to get your groceries because your bodega is now a Chanel store.  

As for ship size, why would only gigantic ships with "greener" fuel be built?  Why not smaller ones, too?  Why would you have to have a bunch of small ships to replace one gigantic ship?  That would have the same adverse effect on the port PLUS where would you dock them all?  

OO

3 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

Well the TJ's flyer came out -- have to say I was a little underwhelmed, but then I realized it is just for Thanksgiving. They must have another holiday one in the works.

 

Since I'll be in Rome on Thanksgiving (turkey tetrazini anyone?), I'll not be making "the meal". 😁

 

Meanwhile, I'm getting all my activities lined up for Rome, including a visit to the newly opened Largo Argentina area (formerly only used as a cat sanctuary but has some of the oldest surviving Roman temples...), a special exhibit at the Domus Aurea, and a new "virtual reality" experience at the Circus Maximus. Among others. 

 

The weather isn't looking promising but it's still a little too far to predict reliably. Suffice to say I'll have a raincoat, with or without lining....

 

 

You beat me to it!  The Fearless Flyer was indeed underwhelming.  The Rosemary nuts in a can is good, but not much else called to me.  I'll be down in the Valley  next week to see my endocrinology NP so I'll probably make a drive-by anyway,  I can always appreciate a salad or two!

I looked at my usual spots for those hoodie sweaters but didn't find anything but unembellished.  Unfortunately, a few things in Free People called to the hippie in me and I have to do my best to avoid them!!!   Maybe leave a small space in your luggage just in case you run into a hoodie that calls to you!!

I think it'll be fun do be able to go down into the cat sanctuary and wander around the ruins now.  For me, it would be a 2-fer: see the ruins and pet some cats (and take photos of them) 😸 

Speaking of cats and trying to herd them:  I'm afraid to ask my girlfriends what we're going to do in Palm Springs.  I'm going to just sit back and take NO ownership of where to go and what to eat.  I'm over that after I got no good things when I researched and recommended (thank awhfy) for food in Colorado Springs.  I have places from my friend who lives part time in PS but not going to say them unless I'm asked.  I would love to find a place that is "NO substitutions" and watch some of them squirm.  I think there's only 2 of us who can order right off the menu...

Wow Anita!  Another move!  And about as far as you can in the 48 and what a weather change!   I think you'll love Seattle and surroundings.  Lots of different nature to visit.  

MJC - Your Scandinavian cruise sounded very nice.  Congrats on not letting any weather get in your way.  Living up in the mountains, I understand about that road and train/bus.  The roads can be like a bowling alley - once you start sliding, you can't stop, regardless of 4x4 and winter tires!    I'd be a weirdo if I went to Norway.  I'd want to go to the Holmenkollbakken to see the large hill ski jump and to Lillehammer to see the sliding track!  I'm a winter Olympics person and love to see old venues.  

My Long Covid/Rybelsus weight loss has also taken some of my boobs away so I don't have the bust issue I used to.  One plus, I guess 😉

Not embellished, but the Woolx Callie hoodie is nice,  Softer than a sweatshirt hoodie but heftier than just a sweater hoodie.  I've got 2 of them.  I have a couple of old Athleta hoodie sweaters too.   I'll poke around some of my usual spots.

Cool and snow/rain today.  Ugh.