[Emerald U.]

General Discussion Thread 11.05.2025​

Hey, hey, dear GrayViners!

Image source: Kampus Production/Pexels

Can you believe it’s already November, and somehow, the end of 2025 is peeking around the corner? Time’s been doing that funny thing again: slow when we’re waiting, fast when we look back. It feels like the perfect moment to check in. How are you feeling these days—calm, stretched thin, or just cruising along? Maybe things feel a bit routine… or maybe you’ve got something new to look forward to.

I’ve been steering clear of year-end reflections for now—saving that for December—and filling my evenings with anything that doesn’t require much thinking. Mostly, that’s meant cozy TV binges and snacks within arm’s reach.

Tell me what’s been filling your days lately and let's have a little chat below!

 

[Czech7985]

I would say I am in need of a break with little chance of that happening. Seems like it has been one thing after another this year. Starting with stove replacement right after Christmas, we have also replaced over the stove exhaust fan, hand held phone set, iPad, sewer pipes, lawn reseeding project (due to sewer pipe replacement) and dealt with six weeks regarding husband’s health.we are invited to go to daughter’s home, out of state for Thanksgiving but husband hates to travel and with the government shut down , there may be flight issues. I do not feel it is appropriate to leave him, home alone, for holiday..

 

[Gayle B.]

I would say I am in need of a break with little chance of that happening. Seems like it has been one thing after another this year. Starting with stove replacement right after Christmas, we have also replaced over the stove exhaust fan, hand held phone set, iPad, sewer pipes, lawn reseeding project (due to sewer pipe replacement) and dealt with six weeks regarding husband’s health.we are invited to go to daughter’s home, out of state for Thanksgiving but husband hates to travel and with the government shut down , there may be flight issues. I do not feel it is appropriate to leave him, home alone, for holiday..

I’m sorry to read about your difficulties. I pray that your New Year will move along much more smoothly.

 

[Gayle B.]

I’d say that I feel the we are on cruise control. There’s so much going on for us that simply hanging on is tough enough.

 

[NIBOR0]

Ran out of pain pills on Monday but figured that I could last 4 more days on my stash I had saved. Does Morphine get stronger as it ages because for the last 2 nights I've had issues. Tremors have started and Monday night I had what I call a startled response; I threw my book in the air than scrambled to catch it and failed dropping it to the floor. Last night around the same time I had another startled episode where I tossed my ice water up in the air (thankfully it didn't hit the laptop) and it hit the floor at my feet between the couch and the trunk that I use as a coffee table. Thankfully, a lot of the ice had melted so I just threw a bath towel over it to sop it up. I think I failed to mention that they changed my pain medication from Morphine to Hydromorphone which I understand is stronger than Morphine. I was super out of it, having conversations in my head with my Mom (who lives in Phoenix) and answering her questions out loud. I go to see my Primary Care Physician on December 31st so I will hopefully not have anymore issues until then. We'll see how I do this evening back on my regular pain meds.

 

[Hazeleyes]

I have been trying to keep a nice pace since July 29 which was my last day at work. Hard to believe that November 1 was a year since my actual retirement date. Anyway still cleaning out paperwork (very old bills that are not needed, old income tax records but I do keep 10 years worth, all sorts of stuff from when I worked: time card copies, evaluations, absent control calendars, training manuals, etc) , cleaning out clothes, cabinets and draws and reorganizing most of them. Still have the linen closet and a few more kitchen cabinets to tackle. I started to clean out the work shop and that is my biggest challenge to do as I am not sure what some things are so will keep those aside to ask friends at a later date. Deciding if I should sell some of the tools as I do not need or use them but they were my father’s so I keep having second thoughts about selling them.
Once the contractor comes and replaces my back door I will cut out the already damaged pieces of paneling (damaged when a contractor took out the boiler and put in new one but they gave me the money for the repair of it) and put in new. Since the old panels are dark brown and pieces I have are gray to do the replacement with I will wash the paneling, prime and paint it.
I do work for 4-6 hours a day which is why I said I keep a pace unless I have doctor appointments when I will do maybe an hour or so of something.

 

[Gayle B.]

I have been trying to keep a nice pace since July 29 which was my last day at work. Hard to believe that November 1 was a year since my actual retirement date. Anyway still cleaning out paperwork (very old bills that are not needed, old income tax records but I do keep 10 years worth, all sorts of stuff from when I worked: time card copies, evaluations, absent control calendars, training manuals, etc) , cleaning out clothes, cabinets and draws and reorganizing most of them. Still have the linen closet and a few more kitchen cabinets to tackle. I started to clean out the work shop and that is my biggest challenge to do as I am not sure what some things are so will keep those aside to ask friends at a later date. Deciding if I should sell some of the tools as I do not need or use them but they were my father’s so I keep having second thoughts about selling them.
Once the contractor comes and replaces my back door I will cut out the already damaged pieces of paneling (damaged when a contractor took out the boiler and put in new one but they gave me the money for the repair of it) and put in new. Since the old panels are dark brown and pieces I have are gray to do the replacement with I will wash the paneling, prime and paint it.
I do work for 4-6 hours a day which is why I said I keep a pace unless I have doctor appointments when I will do maybe an hour or so of something.

I’m impressed with the work you are doing to keep pace. You gave yourself time and space to attack everything step by step. Great job!

 

[Emerald U.]

I would say I am in need of a break with little chance of that happening. Seems like it has been one thing after another this year. Starting with stove replacement right after Christmas, we have also replaced over the stove exhaust fan, hand held phone set, iPad, sewer pipes, lawn reseeding project (due to sewer pipe replacement) and dealt with six weeks regarding husband’s health.we are invited to go to daughter’s home, out of state for Thanksgiving but husband hates to travel and with the government shut down , there may be flight issues. I do not feel it is appropriate to leave him, home alone, for holiday..

Oh my, it really does sound like you’ve had quite a stretch — one thing after another, and hardly any time to catch your breath. You’ve handled a lot this year, and it’s completely understandable to feel in need of a break. I’m glad you’ve got that Thanksgiving invite, even if travel feels tricky right now. I hope you’re able to carve out a few quiet moments just for yourself — even something small that brings you a bit of peace or joy. You’ve definitely earned some gentleness after all that, @Czech7985.

 

[Emerald U.]

I’d say that I feel the we are on cruise control. There’s so much going on for us that simply hanging on is tough enough.

It sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate right now, @Gayle B. — just keeping things moving can take so much energy when life’s this full. Sometimes “cruise control” really is the best we can do, and that’s okay. I hope the days ahead bring you a little more ease and a few peaceful moments to catch your breath.

 

[Emerald U.]

Ran out of pain pills on Monday but figured that I could last 4 more days on my stash I had saved. Does Morphine get stronger as it ages because for the last 2 nights I've had issues. Tremors have started and Monday night I had what I call a startled response; I threw my book in the air than scrambled to catch it and failed dropping it to the floor. Last night around the same time I had another startled episode where I tossed my ice water up in the air (thankfully it didn't hit the laptop) and it hit the floor at my feet between the couch and the trunk that I use as a coffee table. Thankfully, a lot of the ice had melted so I just threw a bath towel over it to sop it up. I think I failed to mention that they changed my pain medication from Morphine to Hydromorphone which I understand is stronger than Morphine. I was super out of it, having conversations in my head with my Mom (who lives in Phoenix) and answering her questions out loud. I go to see my Primary Care Physician on December 31st so I will hopefully not have anymore issues until then. We'll see how I do this evening back on my regular pain meds.

Oh my goodness, that sounds really unsettling — I’m glad you weren’t hurt during those episodes, @NIBOR0 but that must have been unnerving. It's a relief to hear you’ve got a doctor’s visit coming up; it’ll be a good chance to talk through what’s been happening. I’ll be hoping tonight is calmer for you and that you start feeling steadier soon.

 

[Emerald U.]

I have been trying to keep a nice pace since July 29 which was my last day at work. Hard to believe that November 1 was a year since my actual retirement date. Anyway still cleaning out paperwork (very old bills that are not needed, old income tax records but I do keep 10 years worth, all sorts of stuff from when I worked: time card copies, evaluations, absent control calendars, training manuals, etc) , cleaning out clothes, cabinets and draws and reorganizing most of them. Still have the linen closet and a few more kitchen cabinets to tackle. I started to clean out the work shop and that is my biggest challenge to do as I am not sure what some things are so will keep those aside to ask friends at a later date. Deciding if I should sell some of the tools as I do not need or use them but they were my father’s so I keep having second thoughts about selling them.
Once the contractor comes and replaces my back door I will cut out the already damaged pieces of paneling (damaged when a contractor took out the boiler and put in new one but they gave me the money for the repair of it) and put in new. Since the old panels are dark brown and pieces I have are gray to do the replacement with I will wash the paneling, prime and paint it.
I do work for 4-6 hours a day which is why I said I keep a pace unless I have doctor appointments when I will do maybe an hour or so of something.

It sounds like you’ve been keeping a steady rhythm, @Hazeleyes — and honestly, what a productive stretch you’ve had! It’s amazing how much energy and care you’re putting into organizing and updating everything, especially after wrapping up your work life not too long ago.

I can imagine that going through your father’s tools must bring up mixed feelings — it’s hard to part with things that hold memories. It sounds like you’re handling it thoughtfully, though, and giving yourself the time to decide.

I hope the contractor work goes smoothly and that you can take a little time to rest between all those projects!

 

[Gibb]

I am feeling better now that my Christmas shopping is almost done. I have 2 gift cards to buy yet. I have 3 kids and 17 grandkids and great grandkids. So I have to start early . I am retired and on a fixed income. I look forward to putting the tree up. I used to get stressed just thinking of Christmas. Now I even have time for baking cookies.

 

[Emerald U.]

I am feeling better now that my Christmas shopping is almost done. I have 2 gift cards to buy yet. I have 3 kids and 17 grandkids and great grandkids. So I have to start early . I am retired and on a fixed income. I look forward to putting the tree up. I used to get stressed just thinking of Christmas. Now I even have time for baking cookies.

That sounds wonderful, @Gibb — it must feel good to have your Christmas shopping nearly wrapped up! With such a big family, starting early definitely makes sense. I love that you’ve found a rhythm that lets you enjoy the season instead of stressing over it. Putting up the tree and baking cookies sounds like the perfect way to ease into the holidays — cozy, cheerful, and full of heart. Do you have a go-to recipe you can share?

I hope the rest of the year brings you plenty of peaceful, joy-filled moments!

 

[Gayle B.]

It sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate right now, @Gayle B. — just keeping things moving can take so much energy when life’s this full. Sometimes “cruise control” really is the best we can do, and that’s okay. I hope the days ahead bring you a little more ease and a few peaceful moments to catch your breath.

Thanks for the lift. It means a lot to me that you thought enough of what I wrote to respond as you did. Again, thank you!

 

[Hazeleyes]

It sounds like you’ve been keeping a steady rhythm, @Hazeleyes — and honestly, what a productive stretch you’ve had! It’s amazing how much energy and care you’re putting into organizing and updating everything, especially after wrapping up your work life not too long ago.

I can imagine that going through your father’s tools must bring up mixed feelings — it’s hard to part with things that hold memories. It sounds like you’re handling it thoughtfully, though, and giving yourself the time to decide.

I hope the contractor work goes smoothly and that you can take a little time to rest between all those projects!

A lot of the stuff should have been cleaned out years ago. Now that I have more free time on my hands I figured I might as well tackle it now. Since it is no hurry to get done I am doing it at a calm and steady pace.
I am going to reach out to see approximately when the contractor will come to do the work. I also have him doing a window but that needed to be special ordered because of the uncommon size. I am sure he is still waiting on that to come in.