Random 5 for November 10, 2024 – Sadness, Christmas movies, food, mammogram, charities

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It was a bad week – It started out sad on Monday when we heard that good neighbors are moving to a continual care facility. Initially they are moving into an apartment, but the system allows them to go into different care levels if the need arises. It’s a good decision for them. They have health issues but are doing well now. It’s best to do this when you can make your own choices and don’t have to rely on family to make them for you. It takes away the stress of a house and a lot of “what ifs.” I’m sad to see them leave the ‘hood. We will see them from time to time, but it won’t be an impromptu meeting on a walk and I won’t see Emmy, their dog.

And the week didn’t get better – It got worse. To maintain some semblance of sanity, we watched a Christmas movie in November. Early November. First time ever! Even the beloved husband enjoyed it. It was what we needed. Hopefully there are enough holiday movies to keep us sane for the short term.

Oh wait! This isn’t technically food.

Then there was the cooking frenzy – I like to cook in times of stress. I tried a new soup recipe from my friend Deb Farrington (The blessings of animal companions blog) and a quiche from another friend (thank you Regina). There are meatloaves in the freezer and a few other things ready for the winter. We will eat well!

There was a slight upturn of luck at the end of the week – I had a mammogram on Friday. They “saw” something 18 months ago and I was on a “watch it” protocol that required testing every 6 months. They are finally secure that what they see is nothing more than damage from the original breast cancer treatment I had 21 years ago. Yay for that! I’m back on a routine yearly visit. The girls are happy about that too.

Public Service Announcement – I do most of my charitable contributions at this time of year. For US folks, if you are over 70 and need to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) from your 401(k) (retirement fund) before the end of the year, you can make tax-free donations to charities out of the RMD money which would otherwise be taxed. It allows me to give more and save taxes. Win-win.

So how was your week?

61 thoughts on “Random 5 for November 10, 2024 – Sadness, Christmas movies, food, mammogram, charities”

  1. (I am so far behind but trying to catch up)
    It is good to make plans and get yourself where / how you want to age. Fortunately my parents did a good job of that and we are trying to follow their example. My brother who has dealt with health issues off and on is now fading mentally (but they have already made contingency plans a couple of years ago knowing what is ahead). At a distance all I can do is send frequent emails reminding him of childhood and things we did – even as he forgets who is writing and repeats what he just said a few minutes ago. Far too many of those our age are facing a foggy future it is sad. I hope their dog can remain with them or can visit them at least. That would be the most difficult part for us.
    Yea for getting good screening – and having good food (you actually like) at hand. Warms in so many ways. HUGS and soft pets to all

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  2. It really is a good thing that your neighbors made their own decision to move into a continual care facility. My mom moved into hers on an independent living floor while she was still able to do all things for herself. She moved in originally because she could no longer get up and down the stairs in her townhouse because of her COPD (breathing). But other than that, she was fine. She was still driving at the time. She got progressively worse and can no longer drive. They do her laundry. They drive her to some places if they’re close by. My brother and I have to drive her to other places. My husband and I grocery shop for her. She does eat in their dining room but still cooks for herself some days when she doesn’t like their menu offerings. And of course, they clean her apartment. It’s been a relief for us to know she gets what she needs there. So far, she’s able to move around in her apartment on her own, but they have CNAs she can call if she needs a little extra help.

    I’m so glad to hear the good news about your latest checkup.

    Hugs.

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  3. Kate, so glad you got good news at your mammo. I spent most of last year on wait and watch and it is a nail-biting time. SSNS has Hallmark Christmas movies on in the background no matter what he is doing. Either Hallmark or CNBC, both of which drive me crazy. I like a good Christmas movie in the afternoon during the holidays. I am sad and shaken from the political issues. I am going to live in the holiday bubble for as long as I can. I didn’t think I was going to make it through his last four years and here he is back. Just ugh. We have been taking advantage of your tax tip… it’s a great way to give.

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  4. Sorry about your bad week. I was physcially ill for two days over the events. I still can’t comprehend what and why? We’ll see I guess. So glad the mammo was good. I think I will just focus on Christmas from here on out. Then I will be sick come January, all over again.

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  5. so glad you got good news and an all clear… and we hear you for the neighbors… we worried often what we will get… and it sometimes was really horrible… but we send good vibes for new and nice people in your hood…

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  6. Sorry about your neighbors Kate, but, as you say, it’s better to pre-plan and take action now. My good friend Ann Marie’s husband should be in a facility like that. The doctor recommended it, they made all the plans to move last year and surprisingly she took a stand and said “when I can no longer drive and get around, we will move at that time.” They’ve already downsized to an apartment from their home about five years ago when her husband, who is seven years older than her, could no longer go up and down stairs due to his chronic COPD. I was surprised she took a stand as she is a former nun and has always bowed to his wishes in the past and is perhaps the most accommodating person I have ever met. She is very independent and will soon turn 83 – I hope I will have her energy at that age, 15 years from now. Great news on your mammogram results … that deserves a celebration (the drinks? the meatloaf?) … it doesn’t matter. You’ve had a h*llish year, so you deserve something nice to happen. I am going to do my animal charities for Giving Tuesday as sometimes they get donor matches on that day, but I’ll remember that advice when I turn age 70.

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    • Giving during a match is good too. Not sure what is holding up your friend. You can have complete autonomy in a care place if you are independent. The problem with waiting is that you may not have a say in the decisions and you certainly can’t pack.

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      • I agree with you Kate. Poor Ann Marie ended up with a hernia about three years ago as her husband slipped and fell on the ice in the apartment’s parking lot while going to the car for a doctor’s appointment. She is not even five feet tall and probably weighs 90 pounds soaking wet and he is a big guy. She dragged him to the car and put him in. She had hernia surgery not long after that and the doctor recommended the move then. Better to be in place now, not later and I don’t know how long the wait list is for getting into any of these places around here.

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  7. Sorry about your neighbors. I am happy to hear that you can go back to once a yr on the mammogram. My hubby is 70 so thanks for the tax tip. XO

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    • The news on the mammogram is good. Last year I read the report and it said “it’s probably not malignant.” Probably not? Not a great thing to say to a patient.

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  8. So sorry for your rough week! Those gradual managed care places are a really good idea, though I know you will miss your good neighbors. Although YAY for the all clear on your mammo. Thanks for the tax advice – great thought!

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  12. Good news about the mammo. I got the all clear last month too. I;m off watch now, but if I have any concerns, I can ring the breast clinic and get an appointment for a mammo in one of their mobile units.

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  15. I’m glad for your mammogram news.

    I haven’t had the Christmas movie habit. It’s a good idea. I think I’ll try it out.

    There are so many possibilities for soup. I think I’ll make a beef and barley soup tomorrow. Today I’m going out with my daughter and her friends.

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  16. A Christmas film in November? Well, in this household it’s Christmas horror films, not feel-good films, but November is a weird fallow period. Do we go autumn leaves horror or bare-treed snowy horror?

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  17. Yeah, it was a generally crappy week all around that ended with more crap. Literally, a grooming appointment that I’ve been waiting for for 6 weeks which was halted because Wilson was so stressed he had explosive diarrhea. Sorry for the TMI.

    After shoveling 10-12 inches of heavy wet snow and cutting up loads of broken felled branches, my shoulders are so fatigued. On the bright side (since I’m not totally all doom and gloom) it’s a sunny day with gorgeous blue skies and the temps will reach almost 60ºF. Gotta love yo-yo weather.

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  18. Glad the week ended on a more positive note.

    As for me, lots of good moments this week (when eating, relaxing, reading, chatting with friends, playing Bridge, readying the house for sale, packing stuff for storage) balanced out with a few nasty negative spirals into the abyss (mostly when focusing on the current dismal political landscape).

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    • We have mostly good neighbors here. It’s always sad to see them go but at this age it’s a way of life. They will be the third household to move to a more age friendly place.

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      • Well I understand the need to consider age-friendly homes – my husband is 80 and I’m 77 and a 3-story house on an acre is too much. Age-friendly home developments have come a long way too!

        Hugs, Pam

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        • They have. We are in a small group, although it’s not age restricted, it’s mostly retirees. I like it. Some people prefer mixed neighborhoods but my last neighborhood (mixed ages) was not friendly. Families with kids only interacted with other families with kids who played the same sports. Here there is always someone to walk with or talk to. The next step would be harder for me. Hopefully we can age here but our neighbors opted for a simpler life style.

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  20. Rough week all around, for you and so many of us. Are there enough holiday movies to last four years?? Glad you liked the soup, and wonderful news on the mammogram. They’re just so damned uncomfortable; once a year is plenty.

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    • Four years, ugh and it didn’t even start yet. As for the mammo, for me the suspicious area was in the back near the chest wall so it was extremely uncomfortable to get the picture. I don’t usually complain because mammograms are more annoying than truly painful, but this set took my breath away.

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  21. A Christmas movie in November is a good way to care for yourself. The drinks look inviting. I’m glad all is well after your mammogram watch episode. My week was… disappointing.

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  22. I’m glad to hear all is well with the mammogram and your adoption of a lab.

    We have done the same thing years ago of a black lab in our neighborhood that needed a new home because the family was moving away. She was a great family dog and lived a long life.

    I would love to try some of the recipes noted in this last blog. Can you attach a link? This is the first time I have searched on a blog and not very successful with using WordPress if you have any suggestions.

    Thank you.

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