Inside Marcy's Mind
Having hosted the Aging aint for Sissie's podcast for two years, I wanted to expand what I could discuss. This podcast will touch on the fun of aging and whatever has crossed my mind! Please join me as I walk through life! #retirement #travel #fun #aginggracefully Link in my bio! Listen now!
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www.insidemarcysmind.com
Inside Marcy's Mind
Exploring Life's Quirks with Marcy’s Unique Perspective
Marcy shares her journey through chemotherapy, reflecting on personal challenges, the impact of technology, and the humorous sides of everyday life. With candid insights and empowering affirmations, she engages listeners to find resilience amidst their own battles.
• Managing the day-to-day of chemotherapy
• Reflections on the changing meaning of Valentine's Day
• Exploring new tech features on iPhones
• Discourse on geographical identity in mapping
• Everyday challenges: costs of living and cooking substitutes
• Self-care and positive affirmations for tough days
• Highlights of family updates and personal connections
• Fun trivia on animal group names
Hello and welcome to Inside Marci's Mind. My name is Marci Backus and I am your host. Well, it's been a hot second since I've done a recording. I missed last week. As you all know, I am going through breast cancer. Got that taken care of the surgery part. Now I am on the chemotherapy part.
Speaker 1:So last Wednesday was my oncologist appointment, where I had to meet with everyone and and then this week just was trying to figure out life a little bit. I am doing a pill form of chemotherapy for reasons I can't support a port for infusions. So I take today will be 29 pills. On Thursdays it's quite a day, and every day I take 13. And I've done really well. I was able to go to the gym. I've been going to my aqua classes.
Speaker 1:I missed yesterday not because of my pills, but because the weather was yucky and I'm 64 and I don't have to go out to yucky weather if I don't want to, and I don't and so I was home. But you know I was lonely yesterday. I was home all day. Craig worked late, I don't know. I'm excited to go back to the gym today. So that's what's been going on with me. With that, I'll let you know if there's any complications. Right now, things are going well and things are at a minimum. I don't really feel great in the afternoons, and that's okay. I'm a morning person, so I like having my energy in the morning. So here I am in the morning recording. Morning person, so I like having my energy in the morning. So here I am in the morning recording.
Speaker 1:This is Thursday, february 13th. Tomorrow is that yucky day of Valentine's Day. I just. I think Valentine's Day is great for kids. I loved it in school with the Valentines and the boxes, and as long as everybody gets a Valentine, that's one of those times I feel like everybody should get something. But other than that, it's just stupid. Oh, I sound old and cynical, don't I? I'm sorry, I just. It's just a dumb holiday. It's good for young lovers. It's not the best for old lovers, I guess. Um, what else is going on? Oh, you know, if you haven't checked out your, if you've got a new iPhone I have an iPhone 16 and you haven't checked out all the features and things that have been added in the AI. It is awesome, and you can either go on YouTube and find out all the new features or, like me, just search around and find them. I think I might even head up to the Apple store and take a class just to know there's so many new features.
Speaker 1:I use the notes a lot. I've always used the notes on my iPhone a lot and there are so many things you can do within notes now that you weren't able to do before. My notes feature is what I use for this podcast I use. I write down things that happened during the week so that we can talk about it, but I've used it. I put articles in there that I keep from the internet, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. So if you haven't checked out all your new features, I really really highly suggest that you head off to the I the, excuse me, the Apple store and take a class. Their classes are free. They have all kinds of classes If you didn't know that they do, and you can just sign up online. Go in and take a class. You could take it on your iWatch. You can take it on your iPhone.
Speaker 1:I'm a person that has to see things and I love having someone show me. Show me once and I'll remember. Well, maybe show me twice. Now I could be lying, but I don't think so. I'm still pretty good at technology. Obviously, I do my own podcast and I produce it and I record it myself, so I'm pretty good at this kind of stuff. But there are a lot of new features on your phone. So check that out.
Speaker 1:If you have not checked out on your phone lately the Google Maps or the Apple Maps to see oh, I can't even it's. I'm sorry that was dead air and I shouldn't have dead air that the Gulf of Mexico is now called the Gulf of America on your Google Maps and your Apple Maps. I was shocked. I thought it was a joke. It's not, it's offensive. So do other people, so do people in Mexico look at the map and it says we don't own the world and we just changed something in the world. I digress, I mean, I'm trying to not do a lot of politics on here, but I find it very offensive for the entire world that now I, we all use the same Google Maps. We all use the same IMAX. These people own the world and you know we need to be careful about this and I'm part of the problem. I buy from Amazon, I use an Apple phone, I know.
Speaker 1:Well, here's something that I find very funny here. So it is now called the Gulf of America, which is disgusting, but I guess it still is Mexico, because they're in South America, middle America, central America sorry, middle America. Where did that come from? Central America? They're still the America. So you know, you didn't win Trump, you didn't win. But here in Chicago, I mean, I'm never going to call it that it's always going to be the Gulf of Mexico and not that I've even said that a to call it that it's always going to be the Gulf of Mexico and not that I've even said that a lot in my life. I don't talk about the Gulf of Mexico, I don't live on it, but I will never change In.
Speaker 1:Just here's a little Chicago history to help you realize that people don't change so easily, mr Trump, in 2009, the Sears Tower was changed to the willis tower. There is not a single person in this city that calls it the willis tower, and that includes me. Now, yes, I'm a three-year resident, but for 34 years I've been married to craig, who came from chicago. I've been coming here for 34 years. It'll always be the sears tower to me. When, when I took my great niece Brooke and my great nephew Chris there, I did not call it the Willis Tower. I called it the Sears Tower, so people don't change that easily. Macy's came in and took over all the Marshall Fields here, which again makes nobody happy. Nobody will acknowledge Macy's that lives here Nobody, nobody. Nobody will acknowledge Macy's that lives here Nobody, nobody.
Speaker 1:And last but not least, here in Chicago, the building that I see in bed every single solitary night and that my friend Sheldon lives in is the Hancock Tower, hancock building, and it's been changed. I don't even know the name. I think it's 360 or something. I couldn't even tell you the new name. It changed in 2018. And I don't know anybody, including my friend Sheldon, that lives in there that calls it anything other than the Hancock. So you can change what you want on a map. We don't change so easily. So it's still the Gulf of Mexico to me.
Speaker 1:I also heard well, let's see. I also heard something this week that you're supposed to change out all your underpants every six months. I want somebody to raise their hand. That's done that. I have to be honest. I you know I've. I've lost 50 pounds and then this week a couple more, but, um, I still have my underwear from when I weighed 50 pounds more than I like to wear it Cause it doesn't squinch me. That is a, that's a professional term in case you're wondering. Squinch, I did buy, buy underwear my size but sometimes it's squinchy. So I, like my old, I don't know six months, really. I did buy all new bras but I need to buy all new bras again. I know that's too much information, but anyway, yeah, every six months.
Speaker 1:I just saw on the news last night in Chicago that just living day to day here in Chicago, this downtown I don't know about the suburbs, they were talking about downtown Adding all the prices that have gone up clothing, food in the last year, we are paying 5% more to live in downtown Chicago than we were a year ago. For those of us that are retiring, that is not great news. So we'll see how this evens out. Of us that are retiring, that is not great news, so we'll see how this evens out. But one of the things that has become so expensive and we know why. It has nothing to do with who's president and who's not president, it's not anybody's fault, except for the bird flu and eggs have gone skyrocketing if you can find them in your area. So I am going to go over some substitutes and not just like for baking, I'm going to give you other than scrambling or over easy. If you need eggs for something, I'm going to give you some substitutions. We're going to talk about that today. What else are we going to talk about today?
Speaker 1:I had another little oh things to tell yourself after a challenging day. We're going to talk about that too. I think we're all having challenging days. I know my days are more challenging than they used to be and for that I'm somewhat resentful. I am known to have a positive attitude and I do, and I do. Yesterday afternoon I allowed myself to not have one. For those of you that know me know I also have a very rare genetic condition. Most people with my genetic condition die by the time they're in their fifties. I'm 64. So I already feel very blessed. But being hit with cancer and six months of chemotherapy and 16 days of radiation just really pissed me off yesterday and I think it's good to get mad sometimes. But I'm going to go over some things to tell yourself on a challenging day.
Speaker 1:Family's doing well, everybody's doing well. Craig's family home has sold. It's going to be closing next week, so we are having one family final family dinner on the family dining table this Saturday night. I thought it was good for the siblings to get together. I would love to take a picture of them, which is what I'm going to do, whether they like it or not. Backus's are not known for their affinity to the camera, but I am going to take a picture because I think it's important.
Speaker 1:This is a home that their father and mother designed, built. They bought the property in the fifties. They developed it in the sixties. It's a new, unique home and the beauty is the young couple that bought it are from the area and they plan on being in it till they're 90 and they love the home. It's unique. I'm just going to say that it is a very unique home. It's not a traditional home it's known as the bunker house because it's built into the hill but it is very cool, very unique, and they're going to love it. They're going to be happy. There's some dogs going to be living there. There's some property. There's like two acres, three acres of property. I used to think there was more, but I think that's what it is and the dogs are going to get to run and there's a creek and it goes up to a prairie. That's beautiful. So very exciting for the couple that is buying it and a new chapter for Craig and his sisters. So that's what's happening here in the Backus house Alec is looking to change careers, he is skiing a lot and Kyle is starting a new job and living in Torrance and doing very well and it's wonderful.
Speaker 1:For those of you that know, I was estranged from Kyle for some time because of Kyle being in an abusive relationship, a person that took everybody out of Kyle's life. It wasn't just me and Craig, it was longtime Kyle friends, it was a lot of people. And last October it came to a head and Kyle cried for help. We got Kyle out, kyle's with friends and rebuilding all those relationships and I'm really really proud of Kyle. Kyle is doing amazing. It's not easy coming from an abusive relationship and rebuilding bonds, but Jacqueline and Nick, who are Kyle's dearest friends from junior high, have welcomed Kyle back into their lives and for that I'm grateful. So, if you're listening, thank you. And for me, I talk to Kyle, we text every day, I get pictures. I fully have Kyle back in my life and again, for that I am grateful. So those are what I'm grateful for. I hope when we go into this next segment you can think of something you're grateful for.
Speaker 1:Looks like it's not snowing out this morning. The sun's coming up, it's getting lighter here in the city of Chicago and it's going to be a great day. All right, hang in there. We're going to talk about eggs and things to help you through a bad day. All right, eggs what a nightmare. Huh, I'm not a big egg user. Oh, you know, I made.
Speaker 1:Yesterday was really good. I made crockpot focaccia Look it up online. Came out really good, crunchy bottom. Made it in the crockpot. You rise the frozen bread rolls on the warm setting for an hour and a half in your crockpot. Then you poke your fingers all in it Clean ones after absolutely all of uh, you know, butter or olive oil and garlic and whatever seasonings you want all over it, some cheese if you want it, whatever you want and then an hour and a half on high, okay, and it came out delicious. It's kind of a pull apart. It's delicious. It was for as easy as it was. I highly recommend it Again. If you just put focaccia crock pot, crotch pot good Marcy, crock pot bread, it'll come up. So take a peek at that and it was good. All right. So healthy egg substitutes.
Speaker 1:So if you're looking for something to put in your muffins, your pound cakes or your quick breads, a quarter cup of silken tofu. So that's a tofu that's almost like a yogurt. So silken tofu a quarter cup is going to replace your eggs in muffin, quick bread and pound cake recipes. I told you these are going to be different than, I think, the ones you've seen. That's why I'm sharing them All right. So for muffins and quick breads, here's another one. Yogurt quarter cup makes sense if you could use silken tofu, but not on pound cakes. Don't use yogurt and pound cakes. It's going to throw the taste off.
Speaker 1:For pies, cheesecake and custards or flan cake Now, remember a lot of depression cakes have these ingredients in them. If you've ever seen a recipe for depression cakes, they weren't using milk, butter or eggs, excuse me, okay. So pies, cheesecake, custards or flan, two tablespoons cornstarch and three tablespoons water. Very, very big depression ingredient. This is an easy one.
Speaker 1:One ripe banana, again for muffies, muffins, cookies and quick breads. So I've given you a lot. For muffins and quick breads, this is the first one I've given you. For cookies is a ripe banana. Brownies and cakes this is interesting. A tablespoon of flaxseed and three tablespoons of water, brownies and cakes. Those are the things that brownies, cakes and cookies are things I think people make a lot of. So bananas and flaxseeds are your go-tos there. And then we all know this one a quarter cup of applesauce will work good in muffins, cookies and quick breads, and those are all things that are lower in cost, easy to find.
Speaker 1:So just because eggs are expensive doesn't mean your baking has to take the hit. So if you want to save your eggs for eating for hard boiled eggs or scrambled eggs or or such, or for pancakes because I don't see anything here for pancakes or waffles If you want to keep your eggs for, like your traditional breakfast foods and then for your baking, use these. I'll put these up on my website and that is InsideMarci'sMindcom. Insidemarci'smindcom. And you can also email me any questions or I'll send you this list InsideMarci'sMind at gmailcom. Insidemarci'smind at gmail. Again, you can always get a hold of me there If you have any questions or you want some information on something I talked about again.
Speaker 1:Um, I'm not a doctor, so anything that I say on here about me or what I'm doing and going through chemotherapy is is my experience, just so I say that. So, anyways, check that out. Healthy egg. Now, this was really important. This next one, because I tell you my days aren't always perfect right now. I don't think anybody's days ever are. So I've got a list of really good things here. I'm trying to increase the size so I can see it. Better Things to tell yourself after a challenging day. So how to be kind to yourself? I do need to get this bigger Hang in there. All right, being kind to yourself, you're going to say something like this.
Speaker 1:You're human. Honor your limits and take a break. It's okay to go at a pace that feels right for you. Setbacks are opportunities to try new things and learn. You still made progress today, so that's a good one. No matter what you do, you made progress. You move through a day. Some days, showing up is enough, and that you know what I'm going to go with that one. Showing up is enough Some days, that's just enough. You don't have to go the limit every single solitary day.
Speaker 1:Being mindful to yourself. Growth comes from both the positive and challenging experiences in life. Progress isn't always visible. There's no need for comparison. Just focus on your journey. Moments of inspiration often come after you've taken a break. Oh, isn't that true? You know where my biggest inspirations come from In the shower, not the one at the gym, because that's just utilitarian. You're getting ready, you're getting out.
Speaker 1:When I'm at home, when I used to do children's sermons and I would get my best ideas while I was showering, I think you're more free to think, find some time to reflect and see how far you've come. So those are some mindful things to tell yourself. Here's some caring things. Perfection is an illusion. Just strive to do your best. You know, my nephew, my great nephew, chris, broke his elbow pitching, broke his growth plate. It was bad. And I checked in on him and he said I'm over here just doing my best, Aunt Marcy, just doing my best, aunt Marcy. And I thought you know what? Just do your best. That's all we need to do, and you know I say that to myself a lot. Just doing my best, aunt Marcy, just doing your best. That's all we need to do, and you know I say that to myself a lot. Just doing my best, aunt Marcy, just doing my best. Prioritize some time with the people you love. Show yourself kindness in these moments. Know that your efforts are moving you forward.
Speaker 1:Your value goes far beyond how much you've got done today. Isn't that the truth? I put so much value and it's never going to change. So just hear me out here on the scale. The scale tells me how I'm going to feel in a day. If it's up, not so great. If it's down, better, if it's normal. Okay, that is so sick and sad, but it's a fact and I'm trying to not have it be that way. I've had this weight off now for over a year. So I'm trying to give myself grace. But, man, that's not an easy one. So your value goes beyond how much you've got done today, how we just value the moment and we forget about all the things.
Speaker 1:I've raised children. I've raised a husband, good Lord. He's a work in progress. I've moved all over the world. I have downsized from a giant home to a small home. I found happiness and joy in that I. I am much more than today. I am much more than my illness. I am much more than my cancer. That was a good one for me today. Hope it's good for you.
Speaker 1:The last group is being gentle with ourselves. Challenging days build resilience. Being gentle with ourselves, challenging days, build resilience. Rest, be with loved ones and come back stronger tomorrow. There's always tomorrow, not always, but you know what I mean.
Speaker 1:Take some time for yourself. I have been doing that a lot. I've been doing self-care. I have been using my dry brush, taking longer showers. Moisturizing I bought really good. Oh, that was an irritating thing. I bought expensive shampoo for the first time in my life because I worked for shampoo company, so I got it free for a very long time. But I bought some Olaplex because, as we all know, I'm going to lose some hair and apparently on the pills you don't lose it all but you can lose a bit. So I thought I'm going to get some good shampoo. Somebody stole the shampoo not the conditioner out of the box at the mail, at the post office. They're sending me more, but that was irritating. So I'm trying to take time for myself. I hope you are too.
Speaker 1:Balance is a daily challenge. Some days won't achieve it. You won't achieve it. I think that's one of the things in retiring I've had to learn and I'm really good at it now. It was hard in the beginning to just I go to the gym, I see my lady friends, so I have my social, I walk there, I walk back, although in the cold I've been driving, not going to lie. The two blocks, three blocks. But I get all that done in the morning and then I was feeling bad for having a relaxing afternoon. Well damn, I'm retired. I've raised kids. I've worked a job for 10 years after raising my kids. I worked before I had kids. I volunteered my ass off when I had kids. Having an afternoon of just doing nothing is okay. A TV is okay, just going to say it.
Speaker 1:After the storm comes the sunshine. So I'm going through a storm right now. I know there's sun on the other end. I know that September will come. That will be when all of my treatment is done. There's going to be days like yesterday afternoon Sorry for crying, tearing up. There are going to be a lot, but I am very strong and I am very positive and I am going to get through this and I'm going to get to the other side. And whenever you're going through, you are going to get to the other side. So I hope my little bit of eggs and my little things to tell yourself after a challenging day help you in those moments when you need it, whether you need some eggs for a recipe or whether you need some positive words. Hang around for something fun, all right.
Speaker 1:So most of us know that a group of crows is called a murder. So here's some other group names. A group of ants is called a colony or an army. A group of apes is called a shrewdness. Baboons is a troop. A group of bats is also called a colony, a cloud or a cauldron I like a cauldron.
Speaker 1:A group of birds can be called all kinds of things depending A brace paddling team, duel, gaggle, flock or skein, excuse me. A group of cows is called a kine with an N Drove herd or fold. A group of dolphins, we know, is called a kine with an N Drove herd or fold. A group of dolphins, we know, is called a pod, I think. Well, most of us in California know that. Elephants a herd or a parade. Foxes is called a skulk or a leash. Let's see if there's any interesting ones that we meet. A leopard, a group of leopards, is called the shadow, hyenas a cackle. Monkeys a barrel, a cartload or a troop. Parrots, it could be called a pandemonium or a company, and penguins a colony. And I will end on these three because you probably don't know them. Rhinos, it's called a crash Squ. Squirrels a scurry, and wombats a wisdom. So there's your fun facts for the day. I hope that this week finds you well. I hope you go into this week with a positive attitude and remember to always go out and do something positive.
