What's everybody doing today?

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Time with family this morning. Quiet afternoon, mostly, cousin called needing tinctures. She had a nasty flu bug. I needed to print new bottle labels, had to organize my templates. But, got herbs bottled, labeled and took them over. When I got home I did a complete computer sys backup while watching christmas classics on tv. More tv tonight...
 
We just got home from town with a load of lumber. Got it put away in the barn and covered up. It looks like we have snow coming tonight. The wind is picking up some and the clouds are getting dark. They're calling for up to 2 feet of snow tonight and tomorrow, and snow predicted everyday for 2 weeks.
Interesting that some place like that was open on Christmas day.
 
supposed to pick up another hay bale today, plus I need to go get an xray on my foot and shopping, busy day I wished it was done...
But first animal care. We left them out last night, because it was not supposed to freeze, now it is in the high 20s anyway. But they all have at least some sort of shelter and the goats can go in the barn anytime
 
If the weather is bad I'm staying home! I'm going to my regular today job on Sunday too. One of my regular little ladies, was going to take down her Christmas decorations today and clean her house on Sunday after I clean my building. Think I'll be doing it all on Sunday!! Storms and more heavy rain are on the way this morning!!
 
Not doing much today- heads still stuffed up. A few light chores like putting away food received in hampers. Husband made pancakes for daughters birthday breakfast- we all got her a banjo. Lovely day yesterday with family; though I can't help feeling there will be a few people not with us next year. Fantastic to see my brother after two years though! A day of reading and tv ahead.
 
Will get the house kinda picked up today...we had a big feast yesterday, cousins came. First Christmas son's gf has participated in, she said she's always heard about traditional ones and she enjoyed it. Was raised slightly Jewish...dad was, mom was a convert, but dad passed away. So that was all fun. No need to cook for awhile, fridge is packed. Plan to go into town for a bit after lunch, and also visit with my favorite cousin and her family. Son and gf leave on the 3 am train. Everyone is sleeping in, except husband and the dog and I. I don't expect movement from upstairs for at least a couple of hours.
 
Today, we are planning what to plant next year and working on the budget for our Homestead. After that, I will install a CB radio in my wife's car. Sometimes, cell phone reception is terrible when she travels so that she can contact me at our base station.
When I had my bronco restored, I kept the CB in it. We don’t even have a home station but I figure if something happens, it’s one more option.
 
Need to clean up house a bit. Will probably get tree undecorated and out. Have gingerbread houses with niece and family this afternoon. Some work (computer and phone) to attend to.
Crazy wind and rain during the night so woke up a few times 😒. For some reason, not hungry for breakfast 😂. Hubby went into the shop for a few hours. Will make a cup of tea and enjoy the quiet before going to be with little ones.
 
Got a lot of snow overnight. When we go out to feed this morning I'll take the walk behind snowblower out and clear the paths between the house, barn, chicken coop, and up to the generator shed. Need to check water level in the battery bank too.
It's supposed to keep snowing for the next 5 days. I'll probably wait until after the storm is over before I plow the road. I need to change oil in my Jeep and the pump house generator today too.
 
Today, we are planning what to plant next year and working on the budget for our Homestead. After that, I will install a CB radio in my wife's car. Sometimes, cell phone reception is terrible when she travels so that she can contact me at our base station.
I never really understood how to use a CB. It seemed like a truck drivers thing.
 
I'm off in about 1/2 hour to get more skin cancer excised on my arm. They fast tracked this one, Doc didn't like how it looked. Got the biopsy back in 24 hrs last week, scheduled me for today. Tomorrow is radiation day on my hand, 4 more sessions. Darn stuff is popping up more frequently. Use sun block kids.
 
Surprisingly had a good day yesterday. My kids, as usual with with their mom and cousins and the rest of her family. My GF and her kids were here, and we invited 1 neighbor over for dinner who was home alone.

I was able to secretly design and make shirts for everyone featuring their pet goose. Excuse me, their world famous pet goose. I have been asking them for a few years for a good picture to make a shirt for them to sell via Instagram but they never wanted to put forth the effort (kids - ugh) I finally got a good picture and had a couple dozen prints made. As my usual Christmas present for all of them I asked them what size T-shirt and what dark color they preferred. I wrapped the gifts in various sized boxes, of course a few lucky kids had a box in a box in a box, but folded the shirt with the image hidden and placed each on in a plastic grocery bag. I let them unwrap the presents one at a time but made them wait so they could all open the bag and see the shirt at the same time. That was the extent of my fun for the day. When I suggested posting the picture of the shirts on Instagram they said they haven't posted much lately so no one would see the picture, my reply was to post it anyways and then post more pictures of Gus and get the page active again. Yup, they shot that idea down. I think I will just post the picture myself. It could be a money maker for them, even if only a couple dozen were sold. But, what do I know?

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Well, that was fun. Got the cancer cut out (hopefully) not into another 7 weeks of radiation on a new spot. About a 2 1/2" incision, 9 or 10 stitches. They are keeping a close eye on my skin and nailing these spots as soon as they pop up. I'll probably have to do treatments every few months from now on.

If you have any "funny" or oddly shaped/colored skin spots or weird bumps, don't wait, get them looked at. Most are benign, but don't just assume it. This latest one just looked like an age spot. Last week when the doc was checking my radiation spot he saw it and said we should do a biopsy right then.
 
Rainy outside so more home computer work. I tackled the dreaded pile of thumb drives. I now have 17 formatted drives ready for re-use, 1180GB of space. (I still had systems backups from 2018 🤣, was still using windows then)

I now have full system backups from 2021, 23 and 24. Also, 4 bootable linux mint drives, 2 of those need to be wiped and loaded with current versions of software. I have 4 bootable drives loaded with various hard drive utilities, 2 bootable shredders, and a single drive with an old windows password resetting program. Its been years since I worked on pc’s for other people but they still call me when they lose their windows password. 😖

Once I decide which new versions of linux I want I’ll be done with thumb drives for a few years.

No plans but continue watching bowl games tonight...
 
Took son and gf to our local thrift store, and then went visiting. Stopped in at favorite cousins farm and visited with her and her daughter's family. Cousin's son in law took son on a tour of his new solar system and what and how it all runs. It's really impressive. Also stopped in at our neighbors and visited, she has a new 3 month old who is adorable, and I always enjoy her other three children. So son's gf got a good first hand look at two amish families and how they live. She enjoyed that. They leave on the 3 am train.
 
Well, that was fun. Got the cancer cut out (hopefully) not into another 7 weeks of radiation on a new spot. About a 2 1/2" incision, 9 or 10 stitches. They are keeping a close eye on my skin and nailing these spots as soon as they pop up. I'll probably have to do treatments every few months from now on.

If you have any "funny" or oddly shaped/colored skin spots or weird bumps, don't wait, get them looked at. Most are benign, but don't just assume it. This latest one just looked like an age spot. Last week when the doc was checking my radiation spot he saw it and said we should do a biopsy right then.
UNT, I heard or read something recently about skin cancer. It is something dietary (either too much or deficiency -can’t remember) and then in combination with the sun, the cancer cells grow. If I can find it, I will share it with you. Even if too late for what you’ve been through, it might help stave off more 🤞
 
Snow all around us. Looks like we’ll go skiing tomorrow 😍. Should be a good day as long as the wind behaves itself. Hubby is excited to try out his powder skis 🎿
Tree is out of the house and allowing the decorations are in a new tote. (Old one was melted). Got one of the summer kitchen shelves in the office and brought my little old stove in. Got the storage unit set and paid for so will start emptying the summer kitchen.
 
The Day after Christmas
Thursday December 26th 2024
Cold 4f
Fire going

While I went to little town this early afternoon...
I met Andrei my plumber at hardware store, he was in good mood 😊

All kids 🐶🐱 are quiet now .... fed and had treats
except Miss Ruben 🐈‍⬛ want to be in my arms she is talking to me
I will take her as soon I finish to post this
Sipping some Shiraz right now ...feels good

Saturday ... supposed to get a bit warmer not Siberian cold

Enjoy your evening and night guys

 
UNT, I heard or read something recently about skin cancer. It is something dietary (either too much or deficiency -can’t remember) and then in combination with the sun, the cancer cells grow. If I can find it, I will share it with you. Even if too late for what you’ve been through, it might help stave off more 🤞
I am in no way taking away from the information you have to share. Just adding my 2 cents of hearsay........
No one knows for sure, but some knowledgeable people who have been in the medical field for quite some time have mentioned that skin cancer cases increased considerably AFTER sun block swarmed the market. If I recall correctly it was advertised to prevent sun burn and help reduce wrinkles later in life. Just what was in those products way back when?

https://time.com/6290923/is-sunscreen-safe/

I quoted just few interesting points from the report in the link above.

"There are two main types of sunscreens: chemical and mineral formulas. The former use organic filters to absorb potentially harmful UV rays. About a dozen of these filters are commonly used in the U.S., including oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, homosalate, and octocrylene. Meanwhile, mineral formulas create a physical barrier against the sun’s rays using inorganic filters like zinc and titanium dioxide. Much of the concern about sunscreen centers on the chemical formulas."

"In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested additional safety data from sunscreen manufacturers. At the time, the agency said zinc oxide and titanium dioxide should be “generally recognized as safe and effective,” while PABA and trolamine salicylate, two lesser-used chemical filters, should not."

"Then, in 2019 and 2020, FDA researchers released two studies that reached the same conclusion: Common sunscreen chemicals, including oxybenzone, can pass through the skin and into the bloodstream."

"Adding fuel to the fire, a lab in 2021 found the carcinogen benzene in many suncare products, and big brands including Coppertone issued recalls."

EDIT: I rarely used sunblock, and usually for just the first couple of warm sunny days at the beginning of the season, just to reduce the sunburn that would make it difficult to sleep that first night. 18 years working outdoors in the southern Nevada desert I never wore sunblock, and because I was outside every decent weather day with short sleeves I always had a tan on my arms so there was no need for sunblock at the beginning of the season. If I wasn't shoulder deep playing in the pool I wore a light colored shirt simply to help keep the scorching heat off me, but that prevented the annual sunburn I would get in Michigan as a kid where it wasn't so hot.
 
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