Mary, I'm glad you explained your name. I was worried about you, your self-esteem, etc.
Sandi, aren't ALL clowns scary?
A lot of people in my generation can't stand clowns, I'm not sure if it's b/c of Stephen King's It or b/c of the clown doll in Poltergeist that sucks the little boy under the bed. I've never been afraid of them b/c I have an uncle that used to be a clown w/Ringling Brothers.
Do I really have to explain mine?
Is there anyone here who *hasn't* heard that? (yes, I'm including the guys, you're both pretty as well) I guess I can give you my version of it.
My Grammy was like a mother to me; her youngest child is only 4 years older than me, so sometimes when she'd tell me something about my grandpa, she'd say, "Your dad" & not even realize she'd done it.
We lost Grammy to cancer a week after 9/11. She was always supportive of me in my efforts to lose weight over the years, having battled it herself & succeeding. She never said an unkind word to me about my size, or refused to serve me foods she knew I probably should not indulge in. One year just before Christmas I mentioned that pecan pie would be so great, but no one ever made them. She looked surprised & said that if she'd known I liked it, she would've made one. The next holiday, there was the pecan pie on the table. (great, now i'm on the verge of tears & still at work
)
Anyhoo, getting back to my point, about a year or so before she died, she said to me during a phone conversation, "When are you going to do something about your weight? You have
such a pretty face, and when you take the time w/your hair & makeup & clothes, you're stunning. I'm worried about your health, honey." This was right after I'd gained back all the weight I'd lost on phentermine & another 40# along w/it during my friend K's pregnancy.
I told her that I would try to get the weight off & I've lost 40+# since then. It's a daily struggle. And she was right to be concerned about my health--since that convo, I found out that I have HBP, got taken off the Pill, and was diagnosed w/polycystic kidney disease. My Grammy knew that I was @ risk for inheriting PKD, and she was right to be concerned.
So that is how I got my screen name, an homage of sorts to my Grammy Bear. (Nicknamed after the Grahamy Bear crackers they used to have)
I just hope when I meet y'all in Chi-town that you're not thinking, "Jeez, did she ever pick the wrong screen name!"
SunnyD
