Dieting with Obstacles - Fibromyalgia #172

Good morning ladies.

Mima - glad your tummy is feeling better. I don't know much about oil buring furnaces, as in Alberta we use Natural Gas. Glad you got it fixed. All these repair people want to do is sell new product, so they decide to scare you into it.

Tammy - glad that Tim got the job. That is nice for him. Also, happy that an aunt left him the funds to go to school. It is so very expensive.

Meme - hope you start to feel better soon. I know for the past month I have felt down and out and I don't like it one bit.

Joanne - glad you got your cards. Like you, I HAVE them, but I need to get them done and into the mail. Perhaps this afternoon.

My lower back is still so painful. I will grab an appointment for a massage on Saturday and hopefully it will be MUCH better. The fellow I go to is amazing. Too bad he is 100 miles away:dizzy:

Here is a little joke for you gals.

http://photos.imageevent.com/happycanuk/snags/excid_000401c83ce3_b74a4600_6500a8c0atUSER9DC.gif

Have a good day, everybody.

Hi ladies.
Tammy - How awesome that Tim got the job! Very cool!
Meme - I think the changing of the seasons brings out the worst flares!
Anne - The 3-hour diet rocks! I've already lost 10 lbs and I'm not hungry or dying with cravings! I truly believe in this program is for me and I'm excited to see the weight come off.

Take care everyone...talk soon. E~

Eliza- Good weight loss. Keep up the good work.
Happy- Wrote the cards. Now all I have to do is mail them.I have a couple special cards to buy.. My G/daughter graduates from nursing school next week.. We will go to N/Florida for a couple days for that and get right back home to prepare for Christmas..They all will come to my house then.. Our son is hosting Christmas dinner so for this year no heavy cooking for me.:carrot::carrot:
Mima- We might get some rain and cool weather this weekend. My s/i/law told me it will be in the 20's in N/Fl. I guess I will get out the coats to go up there.
We are having our TOPS Christmas party tonight.. I guess I am just becoming a homebody.. I am going but rather not.. My daughter bought me a nice top to wear so I guess I have to go show off.
Hello Tammy and Meme...
Joanne

Well ... I got mine started anyway. Got all the labels printed - 64. Not as many as I usually have. I cut out several this year plus my husband isn't sending any to work so that helps a lot. Now I have to sign them all and write my aunts & uncles a personal message ... they expect that. Anne ... the card I sent you last year came back. If you don't mind, email me your address please ... I have something wrong.

The biggest gripe I have about my puppy is she won't let me eat in peace. She wants me to give her some of what I'm eating. I like to eat on the couch at night while I'm watching TV mostly because our barstools are wooden and it hurts me to sit in them very long. So, she gets right beside me and tries to get in my plate. I've broke her somewhat but she still aggrevates me. I usually just put her in the bathroom. I have my bathroom divided in half with a gate so its like she has a little 'pen' with her food, water, a towel she lays on and her paper she goes potty on. She's trained to go outside or on that paper if I don't take her out. That works really well if I'm gone or if it's raining. She's not really bad ... just still in the puppy stage. Terrible ones actually. It's Sami I'm worried about. Her head is tilted to one side, her lower lip is drooping and slobbery and now she is limping again. She can't hardly get up and down the steps again. She's only 8 so she shouldn't be getting arthritis yet I wouldn't think. I'm beginning to wonder if she's had a light stroke or something. Hubby said if she has, there's nothing the vet can do about it. She's eating good and everything. If she keeps getting worse, though, I'll have to take her in. I'm going to give her some baby asprin when I feed her this afternoon and see if that helps the leg. The vet Xrayed it a few months ago and didn't find anything, then it got better. May just be all the rain ... & maybe she's just sympathizing with me!

I can't 'keep up.' Is it just me? My daughter came last week and helped me decorate everything and then again and helped me clean my house and seems everything is piled back up again. I just can't seem to keep everything up. I'm about ready to just give up on life and go to bed. Never thought I'd actually say that! Sometimes it all just seems to get to be too much. Can't wait to see how difficult it is in 10 years from now ... if I ever make it to then.

Hi there. I went to the ortho doc-they took xrays-I have A LOT of arthritis in my back-they are going to do an mri and a bone scan. I should have gotten a shot-I am taking valium to get through the mri. He thinks I might have sciatica. It must be going to rain because I am so bad today.
I was scammed on Craig's list. At first, I didn't thinks so because of a phone call and e-mails. The scam was the e-mails-they were going to send a check for 1300 which I would cash and keep 300 and give them the rest. I think the phone call was legit-he will call me on Tuesday.And I will make him show an id to get through the gate.
Evan is coming.
Good haircut. Congrats on the weight loss, Eliza. Hope you feel better, Anne. 100 miles-wow!
I need something.
Bye Mima

Anne, I am honestly afraid to try a massage again. It hurt so bad the one and only time that I had one. By the way, I loved the comic!!!

Eliza, I was telling hubby about the 3 hour diet. Maybe I should order the book from Amazon and give it a try. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Joanne, be careful on your trip to see your granddaughter graduate. That is wonderful for her!!! Congratulations!! How was the TOPS Christmas party?

Meme, I've been going through our labels and deleting some too. It is just too expensive to send so many anymore. I type a letter and send to people we don't get to see to keep them updated on our lives. I have it typed, just need to print it. I usually write personal notes on those. It doesn't sound good about Sami! Keep us posted on her. It isn't just you on keeping up with everything. Bob has been doing almost all of the cooking lately. It seems like I am too pooed out by the end of the day.

Pets. I am sitting here eating a Pop Tart while I'm typing. Kramer is sitting up on his rear right beside me waiting for me to give him a bite. He keeps licking his chops waiting in anticipation. yes, I'll give in sooner or later.

Mima, I have arthritis in my lower spine, and there are days I can barely move. I feel for you. What is Craig's list??

My friends and I are heading out this afternoon for our annual Christmas weekend at the bed and breakfast and many, many shops. We were hoping we'd have some snow while we are there, and I guess we hoped too much. There is a winter storm coming, and now we figure we'll have trouble getting home on Sunday. We'll just leave down there early and take our time. I don't know if I'll be back on today or not.

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Tammy- The Christmas party was nice.. Don't worry we have made this trip hundreds of times.. My hubby will only drive 50-60 miles an hour.. I am sure to go nuts without a book..I am giving my G/daughter one of my rings.. When she was small we were in the pool and she was looking at my rings. I asked her which one she liked and she picked the one I am giving her..It is time..
Mima- I am suffering today.. I ate some pasta last night.. IBS kicked in big time..On top of all the other aches and pains my day today is going to be uncomfortable..
Meme- That is one of the problems we are having with Christie.. She thinks she has to eat everytime we do.. She is a pug and they get fat easy.. I am trying real hard to convince the hubby that she really isn't hungrey..Now with the fenced in area ,I can put her out there when we eat..I need someone to come help me clean house!!I am not likely to get it..
Happy- I have never had a massage.. Maybe someday. I am not getting any younger so it better be soon.They cost 50 dollars up down here..
Have a good weekend everybody.. Joanne

Craig's list id a website where you can buy or sell. www.craigslist.com Ibought Jessica's carriage and swing through them-first time I ran into trouble.
He is still e-mailing me. I reperted his e-mail to the site.
We are taking Alison to the Pageant today-we go to Mike's and get the van. She loves it.
PTL it rained!!!!And it will again. But I see an ice storm for tomorrow back home. We are having the motor replaced on the oil burner-it keeps shutting off. It;s so hard to be here and have problems there!! But that oil burner has been a problem all fall. I sure hope this fixes it. Plus we put a light in the window that goes on when it gets too cold. Josh didn't report it the last time so we are back to square 1 asking neighbors to watch. I guess we have to lower our expectations.
Brad is sitting here at 5 am wanting to redo the kitchen. NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All we really need to do is move the microwave. Keep it simple stupid. I guess I will have to be the one to set boundaries. I do want a wood floor because our rug is constantly filthy. Anyway, from year to year, you don't know about hurricanes.That's how he is with projects-ADD!!! Besides.I am getting him a table so that he can do his model rr stuff in that room. And not on the kitchen table!!!!
10 days and I haven't wrapped a gift. We spent the morning at Walmart-getting tires and food but the car wasn't ready so Evan and I walked home with the creamer and yogurt, Of course, Brad was home 5 minutes later!!!
You guys sure brought back memories of cassidy waiting at the table for bites-he sure was spoiled in that dept, His favorite was American chop suey-I can still hear him moaning when he ate that. Mike trains his dogs to just sit there while they eat-they just watch but you can see how anxious they get.I was never good at that training.
IbS-I usually get it from pasta. I was bad all week but am better now.
Bye for now. Mima

Hi ladies. Well...I'm down 11 pounds! I'm soooo excited! Tammy, don't buy the book, get it from your library that way it's free :0) I love my library! It kills me to buy books and they sit after I read them one or two times.

Sounds like we're all hurting. I had a horrible week, my legs didn't want to work, my boss at work was fired! Yup...one week before Christmas, nice huh? Oh and on top of it I had Bunco Christmas at my house last night and I ended up at work till 5:30pm! I'm pooped and headed for bed, I have to work tomorrow. It's snowing it booty off right now!

Take care all. Gentle hugs! E

p.s. Thank you for making me feel so welcome into your group. You are all very nice ladies :0) Sleep well...ok...so sleep a little :0)

I have been trying to post and my computer keeps going crazy. Congrats on your weight loss Eliza!!! You and tammy have had some weather!! Hope you make it home safely. Tammy-it sure is bad back home.
We went out for Chinese after church-have had a sour stomache all afternoon-but it tasted good at the time. Church was wonderful-we will have our party tomorrow night.
Mike's washing machine went 2 weeks ago and now his refrigerator is broken.
Bye for now Mima

Joanne, that is so neat about the ring! Let us know what she says when she receives it. I would cry! Maybe someone could get you a gift certificate for a massage for Christmas!!

Mima, I'll look at that site just to check it out. I hope things go better at home with the house. Sure doesn't make sense that Josh wouldn't pay attention to things.

Eliza, good idea about the library. I'll have to check to see if they have it. We live in a small town, so they might not. Congrats on losing that weight! You are doing great!! How awful for your boss losing a job right before Christmas.

The weather is pretty nasty here. We left the bed and breakfast this morning about 10:15. I pulled into my garage at 1:30 or so. It usually takes about 1 1/2 hours to get home. Hard to see with the blowing snow, and there were places that there hadn't been a snow plow. I hated driving, and by the time I got home the tension in my back was tremendous. I took some medicine and went to bed.

It is good to be home and know I really don't have to go back out. We're supposed to pick up Kramer from the doggy hotel in the morning, but if it's bad, I'll call and extend his stay there.

Darn-lost my post. Glad you are home safe, Tammy.That storm is awful.
Ended up with diarrhea-diverticulitis or what my son had?? I hope I am ok to go to the party tonight.
Haven't got one gift wrapped but I have my shopping done except for Brad. He keeps trying to change the extra room around and I am getting him a big table to work on and little storage things to make his train model buildings on. But I can't carry the table?? he;s getting me a chair.
Hope everyone recovers from the storm-Joanne and I have some cooler weather.But it;s only going to be really cool for 2 days.
Mima

Several schools were on delays for this morning, and many of them close to us ended up closing. Tim and I went to pick up the dog at the doggy hotel, and the main highway was nasty!

Mima, hope you made it to the party!! I have all the gifts wrapped that I have purchased. I really need to sit down and try to remember what I have!
What kind of chair are you getting?

My BILs called from Tampa to rub it in about the warmer weather down there the other day. They knew we were getting this icky stuff.

I have homemade pizzas in the oven for supper. Bob did almost all of the cooking last week, so I thought maybe I'd take a turn this week. Maybe we can get Tim to do some also.

Post in cyberspace again.
Nice party and I was ok-guess it was IBS. People told stories of past Christmases-helps you to know people.
I like that you have Bob and Tim to cook. Brad does some cooking-I think he should do more.
Mike thought he would do Italian Christmas Day. Not good for me but that's ok-I will eat shrimp. Hi to all-Evan is coming today. Mima

Well, I finally got all my cards mailed last weekend but I don't have any of my packages wrapped. I have most of them bought ... still have a few to go. I'm going tomorrow to (hopefully) get the rest. Maybe I'll get them wrapped Thursday. I always get it done somehow. Thing is, by the time I get it done, I'm too tired to enjoy Christmas. Sad.

I get most of my books from ebay or used from Amazon. Then, after I'm through reading them and passing them through the family, I resell to ebay. I don't much like using the library ... only have 2 weeks and have to take them back or renew.

Eliza ... sounds like that diet is great. Good going.

I'm blaming my weight gain on Lyrica. I quit taking it. I was up to 2 every night and I was still waking up 4 hrs. after I went to sleep in pain. What they don't tell you about Lyrica is that it's just a muscle relaxant and sleep aid. It doesn't really help pain. So it may put you to sleep but then you lay in one position for a few hrs. and start hurting and you wake up. Then you can't go back to sleep. Also, it will cause you to gain weight. I've picked up 10 pounds since I started taking it.

Good news. Hubby called me tonight and said he is going on days next week. He will be working from 9 to 5:30 instead of 2 to 11. Whoopie! No more "HOME ALONE"!!!

That's great, Meme. Brett is on a 5-3am shift and it's hard on Angela.
Art class today and maybe the couch set will be sold. They are coming this am while I am at Art class.
Finally finished shopping-got Brad a table to do his train stuff on=people helped me and then Jill put it in the house while Brad was sleeping.
My stomache is fine now.
take it easy everyone. MimA

Yeah-the couch set is gone-we found a nice entertainment center at the thrift store across the street but have to wait til Friday to borrow Mike's van to get it. We went to so many furniture stores looking for a recliner that my back is sore trying them out-especially ones that had mechanisms that were hard. I found a perfect one in the wrong color and to order it would take 2 months. Trying again today. But not til I get some wrapping done.
So I see everyone is busy-take it easy Mima

http://http://photos.imageevent.com/happycanuk/snags/all%20I%20want%20for%20Christmas%20is%20my%20two%2 0front%20teeth.gif

Good afternoon.

Mima - it is really hard to find a really comfortable chair. I am FINALLY going to get a Stressless Chair. It is made in Norway, but the way it works, is the back of the chair molds to whoever sits in it, so your WHOLE back has great support. They are quite expensive, but it sure isn't something I buy all the time, one it should last me forever. I had bought a Palliser leather recliner, and like most of them, it left a whole in the small of my back, and your head sits at a very strange angle. I hurt so bad when I got out of it, that I finally gave it to my SIL. I will wait until January, when they have furniture sales and order it then.

I tend to keep my furniture for a loooooong time, so I like to get what I really like and will be happy with.

Tammy - glad Tim is home, and is able to help out. My hubby is sure not Chef Boyardee :dizzy: but he tries and that is all one can ask. He does make a mean Chili and a few other things. Maybe when he retires, he will find he enjoys cooking.

Meme - sorry you are so tired, but I sure know how your are feeling. I can't seem to get with it. I need to bake, and yet, here I sit. I feel like I am brain dead. I have to work a full day tomorrow, so I hope I finally can sleep tonight.

Joanne - Are you really busy? Haven't heard from you for a bit. Hope you are feeling ok.

Eliza - I will probably be going on that plan in the New Year. I could do it now, as I have lost my taste for sweets. What a wonderful thing to have happen:smug: I think it is thanks to the NEW Beta Blocker I am taking. Whatever it is, I will take it. Good weight loss. I am sure happy for you.

It is so darn hard to lose any weight at all. First I had a sinus infection and had to end up with an antibiotic, then I just finished those, and I got the stomach flu, which led to a bout of Atrial Fibrillation, with all accumulated in a very, very sore back, for the past 3 weeks. I have been to see the chiro 4 times, and on Saturday, when in Edmonton, went and had a massage. This fellow is great, and he got rid of most of the pain, but then it seemed to all settle right by the tailbone, and sitting and standing was hard, so BACK to the chiro. FINALLY, it is reasonably comfortable, but the tailbone pain remains, as the chiro said it stems from where the tendon and muscle join. Anyway, I do have another massage booked for Monday when we go to Edmonton for Christmas. If he can get rid of the rest of the pain, that is certainly all I need for Christmas or anything else.

Hope you are all doing well. Give me a boot so I can get started doing SOMETHING!!!!!!

posted once and computer page went crazy-scrolls up and down uncontrollably.
Anne-I hope your back is better soon.
We found the chair at Lazyboy-Brad has gone to get it. Nice and small with a handle-love it that my feet can touch the floor, Most places didn't have any in stock.
Then we got gas and a big chicken at BJ's. Gas is finally down to $3 here,
Evan is watching tv. He has been wetting the bed at nght.
Be good all. Mima

It seems that the time of the year that should be pleasant is the most stressful for me. I will be glad when it is the 1st of Jan.
I have been truely busy. It isn't going to ease up soon enough for me..
My daughter's FIL is in the hospital. he has a serious heart condition and it doesn't look good right now..Her hubby has been with him and his mother for almost a month now..
We are going to my sisters for a party sunday.. It will be a big crowd.. My daughter and her two grown kids will be down this weekend till after Christmas.. I will have a house full too. I think the sil will stay with his mother as she will be alone..She will spend most of her time at the hospital..
This is a real upset for the whole family.. We are all praying for them..
My cards finally got out. Now all I have to do is get some food in the house and clean up around.. Wrap presents..
Hello Everybody...Joanne

I keep posting and my screen goes haywire-only thing that stops it is refresh and then I lose my post. Both my kids under the weather. Bobby is feeling bad for Uncle Paul who is alone-relatives moved away and others don't seem to bother. Bobby was going to have him over but had to postpone it .I told him that our lives are the result of our choices. Bobby would never be alone because he has so many friends. But it is sad and we invite him when we are there. He has so much money-. Got my chair-bad color-great chair.
I am going to end this before it ends itself. Everyone is so busy. Mima

http://photos.imageevent.com/happycanuk/snags/WarmWishes.gif

Gifts

To your Enemy - Forgiveness
To your Opponent - Tolerance.

To a friend - your heart
To a Customer - Service
To all men - Charity
To every child - a good exmple
To yourself - respect

Hope you all have a wonderful, peaceful Christmas. All the best to you and your families.

Hi ladies. Anne, that is so pretty! Joanne, I agree with you...I can't wait until Jan 1st either. I love Christmas and my birthday is the day after but there is soooo much stress involved with shopping and baking and parties...yikes...I'm just worn out! I spent today on the couch and I'm hoping I have more energy tomorrow for the 2 parties.

Merry Christmas girls! I hope we all have a pain free few days so we can enjoy our families.

Hugs, Eliza

Anne, I've never heard of the stressless chair. Sounds like something we all might like!! We keep furniture forever too. When we moved to this new home, we bought new living room and dining furniture. Our DR furniture from the other house was a mixed set of garage sale, auction, and my mom's. We had living room furniture that we bought in 1983, and our family room furniture that we bought in 1991. Decided it was time for an upgrade.

Maybe our husbands could have a chili cookoff! That's one of Bob's specialties also. He is a great cook, better than I can do on many things.
I do agree about having no pain being a wonderful Christmas gift!!

Mima, we have a couple of Lazyboy recliners. We bought them several years ago, and they are both in great shape. What color is the chair you bought? Gas around here has been about $2.80. I like that better than what it had been.

Joanne, I'll be keeping all of you in my prayers. Keep us posted. The holidays are hard for me to deal with also. I'm always so stressed. I did get my cards in the mail also. I think I should start working on next year's cards so I won't be so late!!

Anne, beautiful picture with the gift ideas!!

I went to the rheumatologist on Thursday. I talked to her about the pain in my shoulder blades. SHe doesn't know if it's from the fibro or something else. I had xrays done and bloodwork. She did tell me to take Flexeril twice a day instead of just at bedtime. I've had the worst time with it because it knocks me out. I can't sleep all day, but that's what I want to do with it. Frustrating!!

We've had our Christmas with Bob's children, and today we were with my brothers and their families. We'll go to church tomorrow night, and then Christmas Day it will be just the 3 of us. I mentioned going to a movie, so that is a possibility if Bob and I are feeling ok. Tim and I are heading to Frankenmuth, MI, on Wedneday morning, and we'll be back Friday afternoon. Bob doesn't want to go.

Eliza, I clicked the button to send before I typed a note to you. I hope that you are feeling better soon!! I ended up ordering that book because our library didn't have it. I have glanced through it, but I'll be doing some serious reading soon. Have to stay awake long enought to read, right???

Stress - I need some of that to get me motivated or else I just don't want to do it. When the crunch is on, that is when I get moving. Since Thursday, I have wrapped all the presents, cleaned my house, baked cookies and squares. Busy, busy, and I LOVE it. It kills my body, however.

Tammy - I hear you about the Flexeril. I don't know how people get around after taking that. I don't find it helps that much with the pain, but it sure makes me sleepy and almost drunk. I have another pill that we can only get in Canada it seems. It is a 282MEP. It has asprin, codeine and a muscle relaxer in it. It doesn't zonk me out like Flexeril does.

Have a good time doing whatever you do.

Eliza - I hate the fatigue more than the pain. I can at least get around with the pain, but that darn fatigue just sets you on your butt. Hope you have a really good sleep tonight and that you wake up with ENERGY.

We are leaving tomorrow, just after lunch, for my daughters. We won't be home again until Boxing Day (26 Dec) in the evening. I will be bringing Ashley home with me for a few days, so I will be busy. Luckily, the first day, she just wants to hang, stay in her PJ's and watch a movie, play on the computer and play with some of her toys. She keeps herself busy. I will be really tired, I am sure, on that day, after running around for 3 days!!! YIKES!! I am tired just thinking about that.

****0 Meme, Mima and Joanne

Anne, you have definitely been busy!! It has to wear you out. Wish I could get that medicine here. I don't like feeling so out of it from the flexeril. What fun bringing Ashely home with you!!! You'll have a great time, I'm sure.

Good morning-we are all in the same boat when it comes to pain-I don't like Flexeril-can't stand that grogginess-we had a quiet day yesterday-church-natural food store for my wheat-free cookies and bread-out to eat-nap-Patriots game and a walk-today will be busier because I have to shop and make a fruit trifle and a chocolate cream pie.
The asthma is sarting and I need inhalers/ Hope my doc is in. He can fax it to Wally World next store.
Beautiful candlelight service tonight-it's magical. Prayers for all-Joanne. I have heard of so many people sick lately. It sure doesn't stop for Christmas.
You will have to sleep a bit-Anne.
Merry Christmas. Mima

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY
I hope the day will be good for everyone.. We will go to the son's for dinner. He is going to have a crowd.. I am not sure the daughter will come as she is sick. She went to the doctor so we will just have to see.Everything is in a turmoil right now..I have tried to cover all the bases for whatever happens..
Me, I will be glad when the year ends.
The hubby and I will be married 54 years the day after Christmas.. That sounds like such a long time.It doesn't seem like it sometimes. You notice I said sometimes..:dizzy:
The last time I bought furniture was about 35+ years ago.. I keep things forever..
Joanne

Happy Anniversary Joanne. Times flies, but sometimes we seem to lag behind. That is a LOT of years - congratulations. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and anniversary. Certainly, you will have a lot of people to celebrate with, and lots of good things to eat.

Tammy - here is the site for the Stressless Chair. It is made in Norway and has a different mechanism. It doesn't leave the "hollow" in the lumbar area and it doesn't push your neck out. It is the one called Ambassador that I will be getting, but not until January, when they go on sale. Too cheap to pay full price. I do, however, need a chair. I keep laying on the couch and that is very bad for the hips and lower back. http://new.ekornes.com/us/stressless/stressless_recliners/

Mima - you can sing, All I want for Christmas, is my inhaler :lol:

Well, off and running. Just have to load up the car when hubby comes home, and we are gone.

All the best to everybody.

The service was great but greater than that was that Joyce came-she is struggling with something and she cried during the service as I have done many times and it is so healing.
Doc not in but I am not too bad.At least I have Advair.
Joanne-hope everything goes well today and your daughter is better. And Happy Anniversary. I was reminding Brad that we got engaged 6 years ago when he gave me the diamond cross-the one that I lost but I can't lose the memory of that time.
Anne-have a wonderful time.
Went to the restaurant because Santa was there and Evan went to talk to him. Santa gave him a stuffed animal and he thought that was it and was disappointed but it was explained to him that it was not the case. But I have Rosie-the one thing he asks for. So I need to get it to him pronto today.
Rosie is a Thomas engine .
Merry Christmas to all-Tammy, Meme, Joanne, Anne, Eliza. Mima

Joanne, 54 years is wonderful!!! I hope you are able to celebrate with your family both Christmas and the anniversary.

Anne, that chair does look comfy!!

Mima, our church service last night was very nice. There didn't seem to be as many people there this year which surprised me since the weather was better than some years. Glad you have the Advair. Is that the purple container thing? I used that a few years ago when I was having some breathing problems, and that's the only thing that helped.

Question for anyone who has or has had an older dog. Our dog will be 14 next month. He is starting to urinate in the house. This has been going on for the past couple of months. Most of the time it's just a dribble, but this morning, it was quite a bit, and it was 10 minutes after he had been outside. Any ideas why he might be doing this? Or any advice?? Bob said the other day that he doesn't think the dog is feeling well, so maybe I just need to call the vet and get him in.

Urinary tract infection??? Bobby's dog does that also but when he has to wait too long. Speaking of Bobby, there is something going on with him and this girl he had been pursuing for a couple of years but Suzanne is sworn to secrecy and when I said they are always together she said that I must have an inkling. The funny thing is that her brother is one of his good friends and her parents think of him as an adopted son. She is a real estate agent and has been married before but no kids. ???
Mike made a great dinner-Italian. Poor Grandma Sandy didn't feel well. Evan had one meltdown-he goes in his room and then comes out again. Man, he loved his toys. He would throw out all the clothes til he could find a toy!!
Alison loved everything. She got a Wii-can't wait to use it and it will be good exercise for her. We got a beautiful senior picture.
We are going to redo the front room. Perhaps put up a slider to hide the work table and sewing machine from the living room. And move the kitchen table into the other room. And the tv into the bedroom. That's enough planning for the day.
Have restful after Christmas Day -happy Anniversary Joanne!!! Mima

I think I'll call the vet and see what she says about him. That could be it. He gets to go out often, so I don't think that's it. Bob mentioned that he seems to be so thirsty lately too. diabetes?

Keep us posted on what's going on with Bobby!! Evan sounds like a typical boy, doesn't he? That will be good for Alison. Have fun redoing the front room!

We are in Frankenmuth, Michigan tonight. Tim and I both slept for a while after we got checked in here at the hotel. Then we went for supper. Yummy! He didn't feel the best after we ate, so we came back to the hotel. He stayed here, and I drove over to the outlet mall. I went to one store! It was a Christian book store called Noah's Cove. I'll probably go back tomorrow even though I spent quite a bit of time there.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with your families! Happy Boxing Day to Anne!!!

Have a nice time , Tammy. We did a good job organizing -now we have to wait for someone to help Brad move the heavy table but I need to take down the tree first. We went to walmart last night and I got a 4 cup coffee maker and Brad got a toaster oven plus all the other stuff we needed so we spent our gift cert. pretty fast but I have a $50 still. Well, 45 because they subtract 4.95 when you activate it. I pd $2 extra for the ones I bought.
My doc called in my inhalers to Walmart. I am not too bad right now. Had IBS but better.
Our friends across the street are finally coming back.We miss them.they are frro Tennessee, Bye for now Mima

I have heard of dogs having diabetes but also they get thirsty when they have worms-yuk.

Good morning-is everyone ok-Anne is away! Hope youare having a good time.
Our neighbors came back from TN yesterday but we haven't seen them yet.
Evan was fun yesterday. We take hime to the flea market-it passes time. He loves stores-not good for later.
We got our letter to sign up for Medicare-only problem is that our birth cert, and marriage document are back home. I knew we had to do that-why didn't I bring them.? Well, we do have 3 months and we can get DIL to go inside the house. She did that for us before.
I have had a sore throat. Hope it diesn't turn into anything.
My cousin's daughter had a 9 pound baby yesterday-now they have 5 gch. under 4, ,Auntie is sick-she needs to go to the doc and everyone is busy,
Bye for now. Mima

Mima, I sure hope he doesn't have worms! What are other symptoms of that?
I took ornaments off of the big tree today. I want that one down before Tim goes back to school on Wed. I can handle the smaller ones by myself.

Hope you get to see your TN friends soon!!
Congrats to your cousin's daughter! 9 pounds is big! Tim weighed 4 1/2 when he was born. Preemie.

I should go to bed soon. I won't want to get up in the morning. I plan to go to the earlier service (9:00) so I need to get cracking when the radio comes on.

Hope everyone is ok and having a great weekend!

Just catching up on everyone's posts. Sounds like you've all been busy. I'll be glad when everything gets back to normal ... whatever that is! The little girls are coming tomorrow after church and staying until Monday evening sometime. I'm already so tired from all the Christmas festivities I don't know what I'll do with them. Maybe I'll just give them each a Tylenol PM and lock them in the bedroom. :eek:

We had everyone here Christmas Day ... 12 of us. Was a regular riot. I got trampled to death in it! :p Then, Thursday I had Ross and Jenna. Friday night we went to see I Am Legend with friends (I didn't like it much ... didn't end good). Today we went to Nashville with friends. I was going to buy an iPod with some of my Christmas money but found the price there was the same as here and hubby said (rightly so) that I'd be better off to get it here in case I had to return it for some reason, so I didn't buy one. Busy week and I'm too tired. Still have 3 more days to go before things calm down. Who am I kidding??????? :tired: A girl can always wish.

That chair looks interesting. I hate the couch we have. It's hard as a rock. I'd like to have one I can take a nap on and not wake up aching all over. But, it's not very old so talking hubby into getting a new one could be a problem. The backs of both of our recliners are too high and bend my head & neck forward but they are in pretty good shape, too. I sit on the HARD couch. He told me to buy a new recliner but I hate to.

Tammy, your dog is probably just getting old. After that many years, he's probably just losing control of his bladder. They do that just like people do. I've had a cough for 3 weeks now and I've been having to wear maxi pads for the very same problem when I cough too hard. (NO ... I'm not suggesting you put maxi pad on Kramer!) ;)

Hope you all have a great New Year!

http://www.memeart.com/images/2006D/happynewyr.gif

Good to hear from you Meme. We are slowly getting back to normal. I only watched some of the Patriots game but Brad gave me the wuick version at 2 am when we both woke up to the bathroom-sounded great!!!!MA has 3 winning teams this year!!!
I washed the filter in the AC and cleaned a vent-I have had asthma for a few days. I swear the vent makes a difference. Brad is a sceptic but he doesn't have asthma.
Back to Joanne's to get my needlework-I lost the 40% coupon the other day so I waited til today. The item costs 15 so the coupon is valuable. then I saw a Mickey Mouse and Minnie counted cross stitch and Jim collects Mickey stuff. Hope I can do it-maybe Jill and Al will help-Jill does perfect counted cross stitch.
Hope Kramer is ok.
Have a great Sunday everyone- Mima

Meme, I laughed about the Tylenol PM. sounds like a plan!! We just had the 3 of us here on Christmas, so it was pretty quiet. I wondered about I Am Legend. I rarely go to movies, and that was one that I was interested in seeing. I'll either go to a matinee, or wait for the video.

Another friend of mine received an Ipod for Christmas. Must be the thing! I have considered getting one before we leave for GA. I should have bought one while Tim was home so he could teach me how to use it!! I still have a couple of days. Our couch is very comfy for napping. In fact, when we were shopping for a new one, we both would lay down on them to see if it was nappable.

You might be on to something about Kramer. He'll be 14 next week. Maybe I should just take him to the vet, have her check him over, and tell her my concerns. Also laughed about the maxi pad!! I could just see that! I'm with you about coughing too hard. I guess we're getting older too, right?

Mima, Bob and Tim watched the Patriots game. I just talked to Matt Light's mom a few weeks ago. She is such a sweetie. This is her first year of retirement from teaching too. She was Tim's music teacher in elementary school. I'm sure cleaning the AC vent should help. Get rid of whatever could be causing a problem. I did counted cross stitch before Tim was born, and I haven't done any since. Seems like all I do anymore in spare time is nap, do things on the computer, or read. I enjoy all three!!

We'll be leaving for church soon. Tim is getting ready. Bob isn't going. I wish he would. He has only gone once since he came home from the hospital in September. He wasn't a regular church goer before that, but I honestly thought the near-death thing would change him. I mean, he wanted me to call our pastor that night in the ER. I guess he only wants that help when he is in terrible shape. It disappoints me.

Hi ladies. It took me a bit to catch up with everyone! We've all been so busy. Christmas was good. I woke up on my birthday with another cornea infection! Doctors don't know why I get them since i don't wear my contacts anymore...I have eye allergies and it was just too uncomfortable to wear them. Luckily I had antibiotic drops so I started them right away, but the doctor took me off them and put my on steriod drops...now one eye ball is stronger than the other..hahaha. :0)

I'm pretty sure I have to readjust my diet scale...too many yummy cookies! I'll get back on track soon. I have to work New Years Eve and New Years Day...yup..love my job...

Take care all. E

Now we have popups and ads in our pages!!
Hello Everybody. I hope you all have a Happy New Year...
My daughter is much better.. She came down for a few days and may come back next weekend..She hasn't seen much of her hubby this Holiday.. He has been with his mother as his father is still in ICU.. They think he is doing better .We didn't expect him to make it this long ,but, he just might be able to go home in a week.. Prayer works.
My anniversary was very quiet.. My hubby bought me a card the next day..We may go out to eat sometime this week.. I am trying to get off some weight I have put on so I'm not pushing it..Our daughter gave us a nice sheet set.. I needed them!!!Our son must have forgot.. That's ok.He has his hands full with his step children,although ,they are grown brats..His s/daughter through a major tantrum right in the middle of his christmas dinner party.. Her cell phone charger wasn't working.. I could only watch when I wanted to tell her quietly that wasn't the way to conduct herself.
Dogs get older. They lose the muscle tone and do a lot of unpleasant things. I know .We had one 14 years. In the end he was blind. incontinent, couldn't get up the back steps and we think deaf.. We had to put him down..I think it was the kind thing to do..We didn't get another till Christie. We wouldn't have her but for our daughter deciding we needed one..In 14 years I will be 89 years old..My hubby will be 96...Can you see it!!
Joanne

http://photos.imageevent.com/happycanuk/snags/New.gif

Hello. Hope everybody is gearing up to celebrate the New Year, however you choose to do that. Myself, it will be quiet, but I will stay up to see it in. Never missed one yet!

Mima - Hope the cleaning and the vent filters help with the asthma. I always used them at home, but now I have hot water heat, so no need for them. Congrats on another new arrival into your family. Both my kids were nice hardy babies. My daughter was 8 lbs 11 oz (40 years ago, that was BIG!) and my son was only 8 lbs. Both were so healthy.

Meme - well, your life sounds like mine. Just way to busy. I am soooo tired I can hardly drag myself around.

Tammy - Has Tim left yet, or does he stay until after the New Year? I would take some Tylenol PM but that darn Tylenol always keeps me AWAKE!!!! So Meme could have some hyper kids if it does that to them as well;)

Joanne - glad your daughter is feeling better. I will be joining you in the weight loss thing AGAIN!! One day it should stick (or should I say NOT stick) and I will lose some of this excess. I have found that the NEW beta blocker the Dr. put me on, has made me a lot less hungry, but still no weightloss. I sometimes think it is welded onto my body!!! I will give it a real effort in 2 more days.

Eliza - I will be joinging you on that diet in just a couple more days. I read something that said, for every sweet we eat, we need to walk a block! Gosh, I would be walking a loooooooooong way!

I had Ashley here with me for a few days, and then my daughter and SIL come on Saturday and stayed over. We had to go shopping, which is something I would not have done if it was just us. My legs were throbbing by the time i went to bed, and the top of my foot was going right along with it. Even pain meds didn't do anything. Hate that. I took some Tylenol 3 and laid awake all night (I am NOT kidding when I say Tylenol does weird things to me). On Sunday, my Son and DIL and kids came and spent the day. Everybody was gone by 7:30 p.m. last night, and so was I nearly. Gosh I am soooo tired today. I loved having my gkids around, and Ashley is just the easiest child to have around. James has too much energy and little Meela is just 18 months and goes, goes, goes. She is just so cute.

I am going to post some pictures of my gkids shortly.

Hope you all have a good day.

Threshold Thoughts

"We are at the threshold of another year,
and such an occasion brings on thoughts.
There are thoughts of the past year, both
happy and sad. And there are thoughts of
the future, perhaps wondering, perhaps
full of plans for the days ahead. If there
are fearful thoughts, let us try trust; if
there are gloomy thoughts, let us look to
the sunrise of new hope. May we cross the
threshold with purpose, and faith in One
who goes with us and knows the way, for
here is a brand new year!"

(Esther Baldwin York)



My New Year Wish for You

http://wandascountryhome.com/newyear/cheers.html

Love those thoughts, Anne. We were in bed right after 8 and that includes Evan. Our health insurance is going to work out great next year and maybe we can use our passports for an id to get on medicare. The girl I spoke to was so nice.
Doc's office called and I am going to have my MRI and bone density test tomorrow. I am hoping the Valium calms me.
Evan went to bed so good. First we went to see a house with lights that won first prize in the park. They had a blow up snowman like his and he figuresd his house was in back of it. Then we went to see a village a man set up. With a train. Then when Evan goes to bed, you have to do this routine with a sheep that he has. I am sure I didn't do it as well as his father. Then I taught him God bless each person. Wait til he asks his father to do that-Mima has to teach that to him-I don't come on strong though.
Well, Suzanne got over her uncle's remarks and realized he meant well-he doesn't have a clue. Now she is talking about a shower-her maid of honor is 14 so she won't be doing that and one of her bride;s maids is giving her a bachelorette party. It's not customary for the Mother of the bride or groom to do that but my Sil and her other bridesmaid will be roped in. But it has to be at Bobby;s because of people traveling from CT and the other end of MA. Any suggestions in this dept-I am way too involved.
Bye for now-Happy New Year-Mima

Eliza, is that infection painful? I get teary eyed thinking about anything dealing with the eyes. LOL to the stronger eyeball!!! boo hiss on having to work both of those days!!

Joanne, have to agree about prayers working!! I know that is what helped Bob overcome his health problems in September. Getting new sheets is a good feeling. We used to just use the same ones forever, and then we decided that we deserved new ones every now and then. Sorry to hear about your son's stepchildren.

I do think our dog might be losing some of his hearing. He doesn't even bark when the doorbell rings anymore. Bob thinks he's just getting lazy, which that could be right too!! We'll be leaving him at the doggy hotel while we are gone in Feb. The owner said that she and her hubby have talked that they plan to keep him in their house alot of the time we are gone. He's their favorite "guest". She knows about his accidents, so she'll be on the lookout. I know that Kramer will be our last pet.

Anne, we stayed up and watched the ball drop, then went to bed. Tim wasn't supposed to leave till sometime Wed. morning, but with the crazy weather he is leaving early this afternoon. The dorms aren't open till Sunday because classes don't start till the 7th. He'll stay in a hotel two nights, then he'll head out for Toronto with the band on Thursday morning. The hotels are going to have quite a few band members on Wed. night for those who don't live in apartments over there. I am not ready for him to leave, that's for sure. Since he has the RA job this semester, he probably won't get home before Bob and I leave for Georgia. We'll be going to see him though. I'm sure you are pooed out from having all the company. Get some rest!! Thanks for posting the threshold thoughts.

I'll be joining you guys on the weight loss thing again. I'm starting tomorrow. Thought I'd wait until Tim leaves and more of the goodies are gone. lol

We went to pay Tim's fees and buy books for this semester yesterday morning. Tim asked if I wanted to go to the mall after we had errands finished. I thought about it, and then decided I'd rather just come home. I love that mall! Can't believe I passed up the chance to go.

We went to bed about 9. I read untill 11 and then turned on tv Hubby woke up and we watched Dick Clark bring in the New Year..It still took me awhile to get to sleep..
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY
I started my eating healthy yesterday. Although ,I did eat some fried seafood for supper..Our son brought us some fresh fish he caught.. Mullet and they had roe in them..I will broil the rest that I have in freezer..I have about 5 meals there..I have a few pounds to lose.
It is supposed to get cold for a couple days. We still have the ac on..
I will get all the Christmas stuff put away tomorrow..Wish we could win the lotto. I could hire it done.:p
Joanne

Good morning and Happy New Year.

Stayed up and saw the New Year in. My son called just after midnight and the kids (my gson and my gdaughter(who was sleeping over) sang us a New Year song. They then were heading for bed. I don't miss going to New Year's parties, as I have NEVER been a party person.

Mima - Your daughter's maid of honor is only 14?? Is that right? I guess some of the older ones will have to do it. I love putting on bridal showers, but haven't done it for a few years, and probably will never get to do it again. Good luck with that MRI. The bone density is nothing, really.

Tammy - so you are having some nasty weather are you? We don't have much of a winter yet. Just the same as it has been for the past 10 years or so. Not much snow, and not very cold (for us). For the next few days, starting tomorrow, it is going to be 32F, so it is like summer, almost:carrot: I know you will miss your boy when he is gone back to school. It is good that you have this weining(sp) period, so you can adjust to when he moves on with his life. My son was 19 when he moved out, but of course, I saw a lot of him, as he was home for dinner a LOT! He moved back home for a year when he was 23, as he was working in Ft. McMurray and was gone for 10 days at a time and home for 4 days, of which he was visiting with his friends a lot of the time. He needed a place to be, however, so it was home. He is a Journeyman Electrician and is now apprenticing as a welder as well. You can NEVER have too many trades in your back pocket.

Joanne - so you did see the New Year in :hug: I couldn't even imagine the feeling of being in all thoughs throngs of people in Time Square. I don't believe I would like it at all!!! At one time, I would have been fine with it, but not anymore.

I guess we are all in the same boat. I went and got groceries yesterday, and now am stocked up on fresh veggies, fruit etc. Not many goodies left here, after my family was here on the weekend. Still a few chocolates, but I will let hubby look after those, as I don't really like them that much. So tomorrow I will start or maybe even today, depending on what is happening later on. I don't have to cook dinner for anybody, other than us.

I hope you all have a great "first" day of the year.

I just changed my tracker to show the weight that I've lost and the weight that I still want to lose. The weight I want to lose may change the closer I get. We'll see how I feel and what the doctor says. I had thought doing it in 10 pound increments would be better, but I'll give this a try and see what happens.

Joanne, I really like seafood, but I don't care for it fried. Winning the lotto sounds good!! If you do, please remember your friends!!!

It is so windy today. The weather said winds are 25-30 miles an hour, with gusts up to 50+. Hope it calms down or Kramer will blow away one of these times when I put him out! The temp is 22, but with the wind it feels much colder.

Anne, I am glad that we have this time to adjust to him being gone. We've even laughed about how empty the house will be of furniture when he moves out. He'll be home for the summer starting the beginning of May. He talked to the manager of the Arby's where he worked during high school, and he'll be working there for the summer. Last summer he went to school half of the summer, so he didn't get a job. He'll go back to school for the 2008-2009 school year, then when he moves home for the summer he'll be doing his internship with a sheriff's dept. or police dept. near here. If that falls through, he'll live on campus that summer. He'll graduate the summer of 2009, and then he'll be out there looking for a job. Many depts. hire people with associates degrees, but many of them are looking for those with bachelor's degrees anymore. He has a few ideas of where he'd like to be, and so far all of them but one are in Ohio or Indiana. His other thought is in Georgia near where we will be in February! I told him I didn't think he would like the summer heat.

Your son doing both an electrician and a welder is great! That should really help him with jobs if he can do both!! Good thinking on his part!! That is also good that he stays in contact with his friends. I don't think Tim sees or talks to some of his best friends from high school.

A friend of mine went to Times Square several years ago for NYE. I just shiver thinking about the crowds!!

We don't have many chocolates, but we do have cheeseball, crackers, and Hickory Farm beef sticks to deal with.

Kramer keeps looking at the window when the air is blowing harder. I don't think he wants to go out. Don't blame him!!

Hi ladies. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I worked till 10:30 NY eve slept 4 hours and worked 7-3pm today. All I have to say is I HURT and I'm going to my doctor tomorrow. I can barely walk. I know my weather is bad like Tammy's but somethings got to give. Tammy, yes, the eye infections hurt terrible! I have to hold my hand over my eye until the meds kick in. If the littlest light hits it, it feels like a hot poker right in the center.

Everyone sounded like they had a nice New Years. I'm going to get in the bath now. Have a nice evening ladies :0)

E

p.s. This is my 10th post..hehe..

Hope everyone had a good New Year Eve and Day. Hubby and I went out to dinner last night and spent a very pleasnt evening together (if you get my drift ... we brought the New Year IN!) ha I had 3 of my 4 g-children yesterday so I took them to see Water Horse. Best movie I've seen all year (2007 of course) I think it was even better than ET. Then, tonight we had Christmas with our friends. One couple has had the crud so we couldn't get together until they got better. We went to dinner and then came back here for dessert and to open presents. I made Milky Wonder Cake (made with 6 Milky Way bars) and Strawberry Cheese cake. I got towels and a gold bracelet.

We had snow tonight. Supposed to be down to 15, not counting the wind chill and it's very windy. We'll have to put Sami in the garage. She's not doing well. We're still having to take her off the porch to go potty. She still acts like she is afraid of something. As soon as she goes, she goes right back up on the porch.

I'm about ready for bed. It's been a looong week ... from Christmas to New Year, and I'm like the rest of you, really tired. I took down the tree and all my decorations today plus cleaned the whole house and made a cheese cake. I think I need about a week's rest but I have to go to town tomorrow, then church tomorrow night. I'm going to the store tomorrow, too. It's time to start eating better. I dread seeing the scale after all I ate tonight! :eek: It's not going to be easy with all that cake in the house. Maybe hubby will hurry and eat it! I should just take it to my kids, huh? :p 'Nite 'Nite ... going to bed early tonight ... hopefully I can sleep. I have a customer coming early in the morning to get a cargo trailer.

Happy day after-glad to read everyone's post.Evan was here til noon. His mom thought he felt warm but I hope he's not getting Al's cold.
I read my bank acct on the net and I got $77 less in my pay due to an increase in health care costs. That makes $124 since July. But I always seem to have money left over each month. We will be changing health plans in July.
I decided to ley go of the shower and my niece sent me an e-mail that she would do whatever needed-God bless her-so we have lots of help and Bobby said we could have it at his house because it's a central location. Suzanne's Maid of honor is her new step-daughter-it's sort of honerary but she has 2 close friends so she couldn't decide -Meranda is so excited and so adorable.
Hope your eye infection clears up pronto, Eliza.
Tammy-even when they move out, they always come back and you are close to your son.
Joanne-brrrrr-haven't put the heat on because it gets too hot in the br and Brad is still sleeping. I will be glad when this day is over -big church service tonight-hope I won;t be too groggy.
Anne-hope you are getting some rest.
We are going to book a cruise and the people across the street want to go but they have to get passports. They are in their 80's but fun.
Hey meme-you rest too. Glad you likes Waterhorse. My grandfather took me to lots of movies when I was a kid.Mostly musicals and Esther Williams.
Have a peaceful day-Brad is up so we can get the house warm. Mima

Eliza, I hope you are feeling better soon. Let us know what you find out at the doctor. I'm with you about the weather. I just had to shovel to get a place big enough for the dog to go out. It's cold, windy, and snowing. Now I'm freezing!!

Meme, I haven't heard of that movie, but I'm usually behind on things. lol I would like a piece of that cake! Your gifts sound very nice. Wonder what is going on with Sami? I sent some of the goodies back with Tim. Told him to share with friends.

Mima, I meant to tell you that I think that is neat to teach Evan to bless everyone. I used to do that with my nephews because I knew they weren't getting that at home. My new pays will be less also because of health insurance costs. Then in March, my pay should go up because we get an increase each year whether we need it or not. HA!!

I know there will be wedding showers for my niece, but I don't plan to host any. Not real pleased with her right now. The wedding is the end of June. She said at Christmas that Tim can't bring a date. She said if he was married, engaged, or living with someone, he could. That's the way she will do invitations for her friends (all in their mid-20's). She wants to make sure she has room for her friends. I can understand that, but he is her first cousin and they've been close for a long time.

I've never been on a cruise. We've talked about it though.

I wouldn't like that either about the date-when Suzanne didn't even have a bf, she brought her gf to Angela and Brett;s wedding.
Cindy wanted to get a restaurant to have the shower and split the cost with me but I can't spend anymore money-we are already spending our savings on the wedding and we didn't sell the camper and we took out 10,000 for the apt. It's a good thing I only have 1 daughter, Anyhow, Pam is going to get Bobby to finish his sunroom and we will have enough room. I will check on it anyways. My niece's husband comes from very wealthy family.
I was fine during the MRI-prayers and Valium. My bone scan said that I didn't have osteoporosis and my others said I did. Yikes-that's super.
And then we went to the Wed. night service with awesome music and an awesome speaker!!! He was orginally a Muslim and is now the head of the Divinity school at Liberty University,
It;s the coldest night in years and our heat is OFF!
I don't want to get Brad up again-he got it on in the middle of the night. But he will be up soon.
Mima

Mima, Tim had dated his last gf for 3 1/2 years, and she wouldn't even be allowed to come if they were still dating since they aren't living together, etc. My niece has turned into a money snob. The guy she is marrying has a very wealthy family, and with his job, he'll be wealthy too. When she started dating him, I wondered if that was the reason. I still think it is in a way.

Don't like MRI's. I've had 3, and the doctor always gives me something before them, but I still get tense.

It is 5 degrees here this morning BUT the wind has stopped!!! The past couple of days have been awful with the wind. The drifting on the highways was hard for the crews to stay up with.

Bob just went to the grocery to get fixings for chili. Yummy!!

I helped at the soup kitchen yesterday. Usually we have 6 or more people to help, there were only 3 of us! One of the men who came in to eat helped set up tables, and a woman helped with chairs and putting the salt and peppers on the tables. They are regulars, and they always come early and chat. The woman in charge called someone to bring us a bag of ice. When he saw that there were only 3 of us, he stayed and helped us serve and clean up everything. We sure were glad that he did!! Not sure why the others who had signed up didn't come. No one called to say they weren't coming.

Tim and crew should be in Michigan by now. They were leaving Ball State about 6:00 this morning. Not sure what time they'll get to the customs area. I hope they get through without any problems. He thinks it will take a total of 10 hours to get to Toronto with stops along the way, and he's supposed to call when they get there. The band doesn't get to practice in the arena until 9:00 tonight, so they have plenty of time.

Hello to everyone!!!

Toronto is so beautiful, I have heard!
What a day yesterday was. Brad went o HD at 7 am and fixed a burned out breaker. Talked to Suzannee, they ran out of propane. Josh the tenant called at 5-he has pneumonia and NO HEAT! Finally got the oil burner man and he had heat by 7.
My niece offered to pay for the whole shower by herself. I told her I wasn;t sure about my budget because I was paying for the reception but I had just about decided that God would provide. Every time I let go of something, He steps in. I do feel a bit guilty because we are going on a cruise but it's the money I saved for Jamaica and that trip fell through. I will be honest with her. She said she wanted to do that in the beginning but didn't want to take over. But now she wants to. She loves Suzanne. I will be honest with her.
I can pay for the cake etc.
Brad took our neighbor to the hospital for his skin cancer surgery but they kept him overnight so he didn't have to go pick him up/yet.

Haven't heard from Mike-afraid they are sick because Alison had a terrible cold. What will today bring???
Anyone made a salad from baby spinach and pineapple? We got invited to dinner tomorrow night, She said we should bring my mother and that would be Joyce, who is only 9 years older than me-who is a friend. I can't tell that to Joyce!!!!!Be good-Mima

We had the coldest couple days and nights that we have had in years this past week.. I didn't like it!!I hate being cold as much as I hate being hot.This is going to be a strange year weather wise...
Tammy-I love chilli.. It just doesn't like me. I get indigestion and gas to beat the band.Ibs kicks in big time..Just about everything bothers my stomach.
Mima- Is it your daughter getting married? I am so glad I don't have to plan weddings anymore.. I did both my sons first wedding and my daughters. Right down to making the gowns for the intire wedding party and myself..I cooked all the food for the weddings and ofcourse had the sence to buy the wedding cake.They put me in the hospital after my daughters wedding.. My son and his second wife did everything themselves. All I did was show up.
Meme- I put all the Christmas stuff away this week. The neighbors still have everything up.If I had that many decorations I would be slow about putting them away too.Too much work..
Hello Happy- I wouldn't like all those crowds either..That's a good reason to watch it on tv.I wasn't going to stay up but we Have done it 54 years so as I find it hard to go to sleep at night anyhow,why not.
Joanne

Tim called from Toronto late yesterday afternoon. He said they didn't have any problems with the truck at customs. He was hoping they wouldn't have to unload all the percussion instruments and sousaphones!

Mima, glad that your niece will be paying for the shower. You are doing enough I think. I've never made a salad with spinach and pineapple, but it sounds good. Recipe please???

Bob has been under the weather today. I think he overdid it on the chili yesterday. He was told to cut out tomato products because of his stomach problems, and I think he understands why now.

I too have fibromyalgia. I was finally diagnosed in 1993 after a very long period of illness. I was in Desert Storm ( Iraq) and they thought that it was some kind of virus. Then diagnosed with Lupus (they rescinded that diagnosis). I was on a large amount of steroids and put on 65 pounds. I have managed to come off of medication, deal with the pain. However, I have terrible problems sleeping and IBS. I am on WW and my diet seems to having a positive effect on the Fibromyalgia. I live in GA so I do not have to deal with the cold. Althouhg today it was 24 degrees. Very unusual for GA.

Welcome to the group!! The more the merrier!! I have been on WW in the past, and am thinking about doing that plan again. My goal is to really get my behind into action on Monday. Always have an excuse not to start on a weekend, you know?? lol

My husband and I will be heading to Jekyll Island, GA, the end of January, and we'll be there the whole month of Feb. Hope it warms up by then!! It was 5 degrees yesterday here in Ohio, but today we were up to 30!!

Good morning-did I tell you that my niece is paying for the whole shower!!! And taking care of all of it,
Joanne, after Angela's and Brett;s wedding, I knew that we would hire a caterer but now it's going to be at a very nice place, Not cheap-we were freezing also-not used to it.
No disasters yesteday-booked the cruise.Then I couldn't print out anything so I went to Walmart and bought a 35$ printer-problem solved-too bad I just spent money on ink for that other printer.
Boy, making the dresses-WOW! Suzanne is looking for dresses today.
They cost $150. Did I tell you that I still have my dress from Mike's wedding and it's perfect. If I can't find anything else-I will wear it. I even wore it to my niece's wedding-it's sort of aqua.
Evan was here-poor thing-I was on the phone so long with the cruise-he was watching a dvd-Blue's Clues. I finally read him a story and we did some pages in the phonics book. He gets those mazes really quick.
I can't remember the recipe for the salad. Going to look for a recipe. I do know who to call.
Glad Tim had no customs trouble.
The guy next door had surgery for skin cancer-he waited too long and now he has to have radiation. I have another spot that I think I will have to get removed. Like last year-on my shoulderthis time. My head is numb from where they did the surgery before. They are under your skin long before they come out.
Bye for now Mima

Mima, that's great that you'll be able to relax and not worry about the shower. That's a great price for a printer. Bob mentioned getting one to take with us in case we want to print from the laptop while we're gone. I'm sure your dress will be fine for the wedding. When and where will your cruise be? Sorry to hear about the neighbor having to have radiation.

Tim called last night to tell us he met a very nice Toronto police officer. I thought OH NO! He turned right on red, and apparently at certain intersections, there are certain hours where you can't do that. Tim gave him his license, insurance card, registration, and explained that he was there with the Ball State band from Indiana. The officer went back to his car, and a while later came back, handed everything to Tim and told him to have a nice day! Relief!!!

We'll watch the game at noon today on ESPN2. Go Cardinals!! I just hope they can stay in the game against Rutgers!!

Welcome to our little group, Airforcegal. Good luck with WW. I think I am going to be looking into that as well.

Mima - Nice that your niece is going to foot the bill for the shower. I sure think having it at home would be a LOT cheaper, and then cater the food in.

Where are you going on your cruise? That is the one thing, I know for sure, that I do NOT want to do! I would get claustophobic, knowing I couldn't get off if I wanted to. Plus, the very size of the ship is intimidating. I, also, get motion sick, so cruising isn't for me at all.

Tammy - did you mean Tim went to Toronto, Ontario in Canada? well, I suppose so, as he wouldn't have to go through customs if in the USA.. A printer for $35.00 bucks would be a good thing, but I love my 3 way printer. I really need the photocopier as I use it quite a bit. I could get by without the scanner, as long as my daughter has one.

Joanne - so you have been having some cool weather. We heard on the news that it could freeze (that was a few days ago, and I didn't hear if it did or not) Also, some parts got snow. Not so nice, when you are not used to it.
We have been having terrific weather for us. It has been up in the mid 30's and will be warm for the next week at least. Hardly any snow - YET!!

Meme - Glad you had a pleasant New Year:carrot: I took down my tree on the 01 January as well. Cleaned up the house, and am ready for a new year.

Had a FM flare up the other night. Twas horrid! Gosh, pain everywhere, and freezing cold. After a couple of hours of freezing, I got so darn hot, I could hardly stand it, but some of the pain subsided. Every joint in my body hurt and so darn tired, and then this pain out of nowhere. Thankfully it lasted only the night, but didn't sleep at all on Thursday night. Got up with a raging headache, so had to phone in sick.

Hope you all have a nice day.

I have my WW materials beside me, and I'll be rereading everything. I am starting on Monday!!!

Anne, yes Tim is in Canada. Well, I really don't know where he is right now. He called at 5:00 to say the buses and truck were loaded and they were leaving Toronto. I don't know how far it is to Port Huron, MI, where they will come back into the states. Rutgers won the game which I expected. I'm pleased that Ball State scored! They ended up losing by 22 I think. They showed a little of the BS band in the stands, but not long enough to really get a good look.

I hope you are feeling better after that flare! I've been the same way lately, and I hate it!

Tomorrow after church I'll head to Ball State to take Tim's things to him. He had enough with him for the trip. The dorms don't open until 9 in the morning from their Christmas break. We loaded the van today so I won't have to do that before church in the morning.

Bob asked earlier if I wanted to go eat Chinese. I love it, but I just didn't feel like going anywhere. It's raining, windy, but it is about 40 degrees!! Heatwave!!

Gosh ... I'm in a bad flare-up, too. The top of my right foot and my ankle is hurting so bad I thought I wasn't going to make it out of the grocery store tonight - and the rest of me isn't a whole lot better. I should have just come home after we ate, like I did last night. We went to eat with friends last night and was going to go shopping but I told hubby I just couldn't walk though the store. I had my ankle brace and comfortable Easy Spirit shoes on tonight and thought I could make it but it nearly killed me. Sometimes I get cold like that, too. I cover up with a couple of quilts and hubby thinks I've gone mad. We have more rain coming our way so I guess my pain isn't going anywhere tonight.

Welcome Airforcegal. It's hard to get the weight off. I gained a bunch after taking Prednisone and it took forever to get it off.

I bought an iPod with some of my Christmas money and spent about 5 hrs. in the past couple of days trying to program it using my notebook computer. It was doing some pretty wild stuff ... couldn't get it to do anything it was supposed to do. I was beginning to think I'm to old to figure something like that out! :p I called my son and asked him about it and he said sounded to him like the port on the computer wasn't right for the iPod and maybe I should use my desktop. I brought it into the bedroom and tried it and the desktop said the whole iPod was screwed up. It had to reconfigure everything. I don't know if it came that way or if using it on the notebook messed it up but I wasted over a half a day on it. I finally got it to working. I bought an iPod boom box for it tonight ... I love it. I'm putting all my vocal tracks on it so I can take it to the Radio Station when I sing and also use it when I practice. It will be so much easier than making all those CDs.

Tammy ... Tim is so lucky he didn't get that ticket! You can turn right on red at most intersections. I bet he's happy he's getting to travel with the band. I can't believe you got a printer that will do all that for $35. We're going to have to have one for the office. The one we have doesn't work half the time. We looked at a Lexmark tonight for $75. We have to have one with a fax.

Mima ... those kind of dresses are so expensive. Then you usually only wear them once or twice. I have the one I wore when I sang at my cousin's wedding in 2006 and only wore it that one time. What a waste.

Joanne ... we've been having cold weather here but it's supposed to warm back up next week and more rain. I hate the cold, too. But I love chili ... I bought the stuff to make chili and hotdogs next week. Guess I'd better go to bed and see if I can get some sleep. Have a good weekend y'all!

First of all-welcome Airforce gal-we are just a bunch of cyberspace friends whoget a chance to vent about our aches and pains and then we don't have to bore everyone else who wouldn't understand.
Great about Tim not getting the ticket-my printer is just a regular one but it printed out everyything for the trip.
Suzanne called in the am and she was going gown shopping and would I give her my card number-I said you told me you were buying your gown and she said she didn't have the money yet and so we negotiated some other expenses. Then she called me with one that was $800 and I said no and she settled for a $600 one . It's beautiful but I had in mind the one she tried on when we went together. David;s Bridal will reorder if she needs to get a different size. She hasn't lost any weight yet. She is so stressed so it's hard.
We were at a wonderful dinner-why didn't I say no to the cake???
I put the baby spinach first, then fresh pineapple, almonds, and a dressing made from pina colada and vanilla yogurt, with some honey and cinnamon. It was good. I only ate the pineapple and dressing.
Boy, hope you guys feel better. Going to church and Sunday school, maybe out to eat. And then REST!!!!!
It's so busy!!!!!Mima

Meme, it's my left foot that is bothering me. At times I can hardly stand it, and it gets that way even when I am doing absolutely nothing. I told Bob that I think it is arthritis, but I don't know. Is your foot/ankle swollen? I have sprained this ankle twice over many years. I never have problems with the right one. We've had rain again, so it could be that. Hope you are feeling better. We're a mess, aren't we??

Cool about the iPod!!! I've considered it many times, but haven't done anything about it. Glad that you were able to get it straightened out!! I don't have a printer yet. Mima is the one who found one for $35. Definitely agree with you about the prices of dresses! Way too much money. My niece chose knee length black dresses for her bridesmaid's dresses. Very classy looking. They will be able to be worn again many times. That's about the only common sense thing she has done! That was mean of me. I'm still bothered about Tim not being allowed to bring a date. Even if he would get married between now and the end of June, he can't bring anyone because that person would not have been on the guest list in September. I know that many of our relatives will not be attending because of the distance to the wedding, so I'm sure there would be a seat for a guest for Tim. Can you tell I'm really bothered by this??

It is in the 60's here today! It was 5 degrees last week, so this is a major change! I like it, except for the rain.

Mima, $600!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my! Our wedding, my dress, Bob's suit, and our honeymoon didn't cost that much! That was back in 1981 though. The spinach salad sounds yummy!

Yesterday I went to church, went to the grocery, came home for a while, then headed for Ball State to take all of Tim's things to him. The dorms didn't open until 9:00 yesterday morning from Christmas break. Since he was with the band, he had to leave most of his things at home. Took he and his GF our for dinner. Enjoyed the time with them.

I planned to get up and go to the Y this morning. Haven't been there yet. Felt queasy when I got up and thought I was just hungry. Ate some oatmeal, and that made things worse. I've been on the bed most of the morning. I just ate a piece of toast, drank some diet 7up. If I get to feeling better, I need to go to the bank and to the Y to pay membership dues for 2008. Then I hope to get into the cardio room for a while, and if nothing else, ride the exercise bike. Bob is out and about getting his car serviced and not sure what else.

Hope we all are feeling better and painfree soon!!!

Hi everyone. We all seem to be hurting :0( I actually came home from work and took 2 flexerils. The pain has been bad. It was 65 degrees here today!! We have bad storms now though...lots of lightening!

Tammy, how fun for your son to play in Canada! We went to Arizona to see our kids in the Fiesta Bowl their last year in HS band. We used to love going to the football games and the stands would clear after the 1/2 time performance :0)

Mima...I couldn't imagine spending that much on a wedding dress. Mine was $87 and that was 23 years ago :0) I bet the dress is beautiful. It's so fun and stressful to plan a wedding.

Meme...I hope your foot feels better soon. It's hard to limp through the day!

Hi to everyone else :0) Have a nice evening ladies!

Good evening.

Mima - when my daughter got married she RENTED her gown, her bridesmade dresses and the flower girl dress, as well as the Tux for the men. She is pretty frugal and couldn't see spending all that money on a dress she would NEVER wear again. Her dress was beautiful, and the bridesmaid wasn't stuck with a dress she wouldn't use again either. Cost her $250.00 to rent her dress. We paid for her wedding and she had 120 guests. Was great fun. The dinner was great as well.

Tammy - glad Tim had a good time in Toronto. That right hand turn business doesn't exist in Denmark! We kept wanting to do that all the time, because we are used to it. I love Toronto. It is big, and exciting.

Hope your foot settles down. Weather does play such a role in how we feel.

Did you get started on your diet today? I did ok today. Hopefully it continues.

Eliza - sorry you are feeling so poorly. If I took 2 Flexeril I would NEVER wake up - I feel so darn groggy from only 1. My pill of choice is called a MEP 282, and it has Asprin, codeine and a muscle relaxer in it, but it doesn't leave me feeling like I am drunk. I think you can only get it in Canada, however and it is a really OLD med.

Meme - hope you are feeling better. I bet the IPOD is good for you and it is small. Personally, I just would never get one loaded. I guess half of it is interest and I am not interested :lol: At least you have a good use for one.

Joanne - hope you are doing better as well, and that it has warmed up for you.

Eliza, one flexeril wipes me out, but maybe when I feel bad enough two might do the trick. My friend's daughter played at the Fiesta Bowl when she was in high school. Cool!! I just saw on the weather that it was storming up your way. Some of our cable stations are out of Ft. Wayne, IN, so we hear about your weather too at times. We are pretty close to Dayton, OH. We are very close to the Indiana border.

Anne, Tim told me that he thought that I would like Toronto. Need to get on the ball and get our passports, not sure when we'll have to have them. I have done very well foodwise today since I didn't feel well earlier. That helped!! I watched at dinner, and I will have "room" for a snack if I want a little something in a bit. We'll have to keep an eye on each other!!

I did make it to the Y. Worked on the machines in the cardio room for over 30 minutes. Went to go into the room with the bikes and treadmills, and it was full of skinny people. There were a couple empty ones, but I just couldn't bring myself to go in. Pitiful! I did take the dog for a walk when I got home though. Memo to self - Do not go to the Y between 3 and 4!!! I used to go in the morning, sometime after 8:00. some people go to the Y before they go to work, and they are gone by then. Not so busy.

that's funny, tammy. I have a frugal mind-Suzanne needs to develop that and this will help. She just now made out a budget-if you spend $1 each on favors-that's $150. At Angela's
wedding, they didn't even take them but I sure didn't spend that much.
I have a virus that shuts down my Windows every 5 minutes.Need to hurry.
Brad and I have been walking-now my back is sore. Maybe I will go in the jacuzzi.
Got my gaither tickets!!! Everyone feel better. Mima

They did a MRI on my right foot and ankle at Vanderbilt in Nashville a couple of years ago and said I had Rheumatoid and Osteo Arthritis both in my foot and in my ankle. They did a Cat Scan on my left foot and ankle about 5 years ago and it showed acute tendonitis. I've already had surgery on both knees and I cracked the bone that sits on my tail bone when I was a child so it is just bone on bone and has worn away now. That's why I'm so desparate to lose the 10+ pounds I've gained. It's like carrying around a 10LB bag of potatoes on all these damaged joints. It's cloudy and windy and supposed to rain this evening so of course that makes everything hurt worse. Lately my hips have been giving me a fit, too, so I'm sure I have arthritis in them as well. My fingers are getting so bad it hurts to play piano. I played for the services at church Sunday and my hands were aching afterward. I can't take Darvocet before because I have to teach a class of 7th & 8th graders so I have to be able to concentrate ... I can't think sometimes when I take that stuff.

I lost 3 pounds since last Tuesday. I'm eating egg whites and oatmeal for breakfast, salad and fish or chicken for lunch and small portions of whatever I want for dinner + a salad ... no bread & no sugar. Snacks consist of things like fruit, sugar free jello, green tea with one of those 100 calorie snack packs or pop corn. I refuse to crash diet ... I hate the word diet anyway plus I need a lot of protein. I can't believe how easy it is to get off track. My mind knows that I need protein and water but my body cries out for sugar and salt! Fickle thing, isn't it? :p

One flexeril wipes me out, too A half is all I can take. We bought a tredmill a few months ago and I stopped using it back before Christmas. Hubby put it up against the wall because the kids were coming and we didn't want them on it. He never did put it back down and it's so big I can't handle it. I've got to remember to have it put it down in front of the TV tonight ... it's downstairs, I'd like to start using it again.

Well, ladies, I got married in the white and pale blue dress that I wore to graduation and I was married in the hospital because my dad had a heart attack a few days before my wedding date. I was supposed to get married in a church. I had not planned a big wedding or anything ... no reception. I just always wanted to be married in a church. My dad called me on the afternoon of my wedding day and asked me to come to his hospital room and be married there. I felt I couldn't say no. His Dr. said only five people could be there. I found out later a lot of my husband's cousins got mad about that. It was the church where their dad was the pastor and they had planned on going (although I had not invited anyone). He had eight cousins and other relatives that had planned to go that I didn't know about at the time. I also found out later a couple of his female cousins had even gotten new dresses ... I didn't even get a new dress! :p My daughter has suggested we get 'married' again ... go through the ceremony ... in a church and have a reception, etc. I said "no". I got married the way I got married and that was the once in a lifetime for me. It just wouldn't be the same.

Here's a picture of Ginger getting into her stocking Christmas morning ... she got her doll out and stopped. She still had some candy in the bottom but was so interested in the doll, hubby had to get the candy out for her. HA

The other one is of me with my two beautiful granddaughters (I'm not a bit prejudice!) ;)

http://www.memeart.com/images/2006D/Ginger.jpg

http://www.memeart.com/images/2006D/meme-girls.jpg

Meme-you are so pretty!!! I think you should definitely have that wedding. What big anniversary do you have coming up?
Evan cracks me up-I told him that Brad opened the cabinet door and hit me on the head and he wanted to know if I said howy cwap-holy crap , his sisters favorite expression, We spent time outside while he drew on the sidewalk with chalk. He loves practicing alphabet letters. Which he already knows every SOUND of, not just the shape.
Today is my favorite day-Art in the am , supper and church service at night.
I downloaded Stinger yesterday-waiting for the error message and hope it doesn't come.
The man next door got word thet the skin cancer went into his brain and he has to have chemo and radiation. Brad took him to the doc yesterday and will next week.
Enjoy the warmer weather-Mima

Mima, hope you can get rid of that virus!! When is the Gaither concert? Our pastor absolutely loves them!!! Howy cwap! Funny!!! Sorry to hear about your neighbor. Adding to prayer list.

Meme, I sure can understand not taking the Darvocet before having 7th and 8th graders!! Good for you on the 3 pounds!!!! Getting off track is easy, but getting on track is a bit harder. I'm trying to do that this week, and so far, so good. Has hubby moved your treadmill so you can use it yet?? I think it's great that you got married at the hospital so your dad could be there, but I think it would be even greater for you and hubby to renew your vows at the church. Nothing fancy of course. Friends of ours did that when they hit 25 years. Another couple did that when they hit 50 years. That's funny about Ginger stopping with the doll!! I think Kramer would do the same thing. Your granddaughters are adorable!! You should be proud of them. I can't remember, how old are they?

I'm hoping that today is less hectic than yesterday. I was on the go all day, and my body didn't like that. No time for a nap, and I like my naps.

Good morning.

Mima - cute about Evan. Those little guys are just so sweet. I think we are soooo lucky to have them. My gkids are all very close to me and I sure enjoy them. They are all like sponges and soak up so much info. Wish I had one of those now! Too bad about your neighbor. Hope the radiation helps.

Meme- looking great as usual. The girls have sure grown up and are very pretty. Hope your feel better soon. Like you, I seem to have arthritis everywhere anymore. Good going on the weight loss. I am trying to behave as well, and it's not going to badly. Before I can actually get right into it, I have to get some groceries!!!

Ginger is so darn cute. I'll bet it was fun to watch her get into her stocking.

Tammy - seems when one is home, one is so busy!! Thousands of things to do. Just pretend you are at work, but take the time to work in a NAP :lol:

I am off to work, so I had better hustle. Couldn't find a place to park the other day, so I did a NONO and used the parking lot, where patients park. I had to have SOMEPLACE to put that car! Hopefully, today will be better and I can get back to where I have always parked.

Here are a couple of pictures of MY gkids - bragging rights!!

Ashley (9 yrs)

http://photos.imageevent.com/happycanuk/snags/small/Ashley_2007.jpg

James and Meela (9yrs and 18 mths)

http://photos.imageevent.com/happycanuk/snags/small/James_and_Meela_2007.jpg

Joanne - where are you???Hope you are ok, my friend.

Hope everybody has a good day.

It's about time we were seeing a picture of little Meela ... she is soooo cute! And James is so handsome. That picture is adorable. And Ashley has grown so much. She reminds me of Jenna, thin and blond. She will be nine in March. Kaylyn was 10 last October. She has an image problem right now, she's wearing braces and she thinks she has a weight problem (of course, Meme thinks she's perfect just the way she is). Jenna just has something that draws people to her ... she's one of those little girls that we all envied when we went to school. You remember ... the girls that were pretty, dressed right and always looked good. The ones that all the boys liked, their hair looked good even if it was stringy, they did their own thing, and they didn't care if people liked them or not (and most people did)? One of THOSE little girls. She's a true blonde ... a little ditzy and falls down every third step but there's always someone waiting to pick her up. She's always smiling and has a natural love for life. Like I said, I'm not a bit prejudice! ;)

Anne, you have some cuties too!! Thanks to both of you for posting pictures!! I agree about needing a place to put your car. Take what you can find, right??

Meme, too bad you and Anne don't live closer, you could get the grandkids together for play dates!! They are so close in age. Hmmm. My step grandson will be 10 in April. Maybe he could join them. lol

I didn't make it to the Y yesterday. I told Bob last night that I just have to make myself do it the morning. Have to get back into the habit. I won't go until after 8:00 though because it's always really busy when they first open at 5:30 until about 8. People come in, work out, shower, then go to work. I never had enough energy ( or willpower) to do that before I went to work.

Hi guys-tried to pst a while ago but computer spazzed-hey, it just did it again and I pressed the control button.
Wonderful pics-that Meela looks like she has a lot of personality.
I would love to do those aerobic water activities but they always aggravate an old injury that i got in 2000 when I moved the first time.
I will find out the results of the Mri today, And the osteoporosis report.
gf got a good report from gastro-she had blood but it's not there, now.
Going to Olde Time Pottery to look for centerpieces for wedding-$7.50 on line. As far as the favors-some people don't even do them.
Still having trouble with Windows shutdown.
Josh pd his rent but not his satellite. He must be better from the pneumonia!
Church supper is different now-no salad bar-just a side salad-I am sur it's about the price of food. $6,50 for the meal, drink and dessert. And the side salad. Goota stop before I shut down . Mima

Happy- I am right here. I read posts but don't always have the time to post myself. Between Christie and hubby I am kept pretty busy. Need more me time..
Great pictures of G/kids you two..Enjoy them all you can. They grow up really fast and get lives that don't enclude us..(sp)The love is still there just not as much time..
I am trying to find the willpower and energy to get back on tract.. I went to Dr. Bloodwork not good.. He changed some meds. Some of it my fault.. I don't really eat bad just maybe too much. I don't walk enough. I used to walk 3-4 miles a day.I have a nice treadmil ,I have no good excuse.. Just not the get up and go.Like everyone else,I have aches and pains.
Enough of me whining.. Back another time..
Hello everyone..Joanne

Good afternoon ladies.

Joanne - glad you checked in. I know you are busy and hurting - probably not a good combination. I also know you love your little poochy, but they are a LOT of work. I can't seem to get with it when it comes to eating. I am NOT hungry and I am not overeating, just not eating what I want to. Need to get some motivation,but January is usually not the most motivating month in Alberta. The days are long, and at times quite cold. Just don't feel like adding a reduced eating plan to the mix.

Mima - Don't worry much about the wedding. Hopefully it will be the only one she will have. Put little flowers on the table. My daughter rented a cake from Safeway, had Laura Secord Chocolates put into a tiny box with their name on it instead. She did have a Danish Wedding Cake made of Marzipan, so all was well. A friend of mine made it for her and it was so good. I remember she found some little plastic swans, put some netting inside them and filled them with mints. These were on the table as well.

Tammy - Hope you got out this morning and went to the Y. Not much fun to go with all the skinny people when you are not quite there. It will come.

Meme - Ashley is a wonderful child. She was with us in Denmark for 3 weekds and she made such an impression on all the people we saw there. They thought she was such an easy child to have along. She, is a lot like your Jenna sounds. She does her own hair (for about 4 years now) and everybody seems to follow her lead. I hope my next little girl grows up to be such a nice child as well. At times, James seems to more like your Ross. He is a hyper kid with attitude;)

Here is something I thought you all might enjoy listening to.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/singingman7/Water.htm

Wow ... there's a voice I haven't heard in a long time. I used to have a couple of records by Jim Reeves (boy - that dates me, doesn't it?) :p Thanks, pretty song.

January isn't a good month for me either. Takes darn near the whole month to recoup from December.

How in the world do you rent a cake? Didn't they eat it? I agree about not worry so much about the wedding. When my kids got married I did what I could and didn't worry about the rest. They wanted a nice, simple wedding in the local church here and didn't expect either of the parents to spend a fortune. Both weddings were beautiful with rehersal dinners and receptions, flowers, gowns, cakes, pictures, bridesmaids gowns and tuxes but we were careful and they still had money for a nice honeymoon. When I hear about young ladies spending thousands on a wedding dress today I think, how foolish. Young people should be thinking about their future instead of spending money on something they are only going to wear one time. Oprah had five girls wearing wedding dresses on her show the other day and one of them had on a dress from Target that cost under $100 ... no one could even tell which one it was. Sometimes I think our young people today are just too spoiled. Many of them think when they get married they should have everything their parents have after 25 years of marriage. They have failed to learn the value of money and how to earn the things they want. I think credit cards are partly to blame for that.

OK ... I'm done now. :p

Thanks for the advice-she keeps changing her mind and going with less expensive options. I couldn't find much yesterday-just a beautiful flower girl basket. Now we will have netting and a ribbon around Lindt chocolates.
Went to doc's-no big news except that my numbers for osteoporosis went down. Osteo in back and hips-getting a treatment next week-
The tenant is driving us nuts-electric usage tripled-he must have an electric heater-didn't pay DSL bill-owes for satellite-some of those things can be shut off -but not electricity. Hasn't called us back-Things will be really different when we get back home but in the meantime we will have to threaten him. And with threats we will carry out.
I am really praying for wisdom. When something hits me in the pocketbook, I go ballistic. Never mind our credit. I am thinking of a registered letter.
I really don't want to kick him out -not yet because we will have to heat the apt til we get back. Wisdom-wisdom. Not revenge, But action!!!!
Evan is coming today and we will go visit our friend. who had knee surgery yesterday. tonight.
Doc said to walk 2x a day!!!
I wish you were all here with me-it's so easy to walk here-and the sun is out most of the day. Mima

Mima, wonder what's going on with your computer? I know little about technology. Sounds like your tenant is being a pain! Wish you were there to convince him face to face what has to be done. Action sounds better than revenge, I do agree. I wish I was there too!!!

Joanne, glad to hear from you. Taking care of the pup and the hubby can definitely keep you busy. Sorry to hear the bloodwork wasn't the best. I'm with you for getting back into the routine. I've really been trying this week.

Anne, I don't think January is a motivating month anywhere, except maybe where there is lots of sunshine. I did make it to the Y yesterday morning for about an hour. I am paying for it today though. My entire back is hurting. I don't think I overdid it on the machines, in fact, I did less on them than I did on Monday since I knew I'd be doing the bike and treadmill. The machines are basically the same ones that I used when I did therapy, and that was to help the back pain. I don't get it. When we get back from GA, I am calling the Y and setting up an appointment with the gal that's in charge of helping people in the cardio room. It's free for members, so I might as well take advantage of it.

I was thinking about your trip to Denmark just the other day! I remember how much I enjoyed the pictures that you took. Beautiful!!

Meme, I have to agree with you about the money that people spend on weddings anymore. The money that is spent on everything that goes with it could be put to much better use. Put money in savings, make a down payment on a home, whatever. Do something that will last longer than a few hours. Credit cards are to blame for some of it, I do agree with you there.

We got Tim a credit card on our account at the beginning of this school year.
He uses it to fill his car with gas, and before he had his interview to be an RA, he used it to buy new pants, a shirt, and a tie. Things that he needed anyway. He pays us back for the gas that he uses, but for the clothes, we just told him Merry Christmas. The card that we have him on is one where we earn points that we can use for different things. It's one that is with Holiday Inn, so we have received several free nights of lodging because of it. Whenever we go anywhere, that is the card that we use, then we can have those free nights later. I like that.

I just ate a mini-muffin, so I took 1/2 of a vicodin. I sure hope it helps the pain. I don't take vic. often. When I do, I only take 1/2. This prescription has lasted a couple of years, well maybe even longer. I do need to get in to see the family doctor to see if I can get a new prescription for it. I have never been to this doctor yet. We changed last spring. Since we moved, we decided we might as well go to a doctor here in town. I have met him when I've been in with Bob for appointments.

The day in Sept. when Bob went in and started throwing up blood in the office was the first I had ever met this doctor. A friend of mine works in his office. She said that after the rescue came and took Bob to the hospital, the doctor gathered all of the employees in the conference room and said prayers for Bob, me, and Tim. That impressed me.

I think Kramer and I are going back to bed for a while. He just got into trouble. He jumped up and pulled my muffin wrapper out of the kitchen trash can. He's been doing that lately. He turned 14 on Tuesday, so maybe he's in his terrible teens!! lol

Can't be as bad as turning one. Ginger still gets into everything. I'm still coughing some so I put one hall in the kleenex box in the head of my bed at night. Can't put more than one because she gets them out and eats them. I didn't use it the other night and forgot to take it out in the morning. She got it out before I made the bed and I found the wrapper but couldn't find the hall. Finally, I smelled it on her ... thought it was on her breath at first but then found it stuck in her ear. :p I thought I'd never get that sticky thing out of all that hair.

Mima, our tenants are using way too much water. And I'm pretty sure there are more than 3 people staying there. The lease says only 3. It's so hard to enforce rules to tenants. Sometimes I think renting is more trouble than it's worth.

Sold 2 trailers today, plus cleaned house, went to the bank and paid bills. One of the trailers I sold was a 24' gooseneck. Hubby was pleased. Told him he didn't pay me enough. ;)

Got an early ladies bible study breakfast tomorrow morning at 8:30 so guess I'd better see if I can get a few hr. of sleep. 'Nite 'Nite.

Tammy, you have one good son. We have 2 cards-one gives us Amtrak points but you can get airline tickets. The othe gives you cash back-Chase Freedom. I got 500 last year and we almost have enough Amtrak pts to go to CA and back in a sleeper. But we put all of Brad's equipment on it.
Working on adding things up for the taxes.
Finally talked to Josh-he had a warm air fan going-he was told it didn't use anymore electricity than a regular fan. Electric CO assured us that that was the reason for the big jump. We told him we would pay the first 100 but he would have to pay the rest. He also said he would unplug it and check on it. I think basically he is just nieve about things but this business about sending bills about everything is going to get changed next year. I hate hard feelings- the conversation ended on a good note.
Don't get me wrong-I love planning for this wedding. And I think she is pretty practical but I won't pay for certain things. Like alcohol. Her wedding will cost a third of my cousin's d and I am paying for about 2/3 of it. She is very grateful.
Went to see our friend who had knee surgery=titanium knee. Put in by an engineer who then went to medical school. And free parking at the hospital-unheard of in NE,
Funny stories about your pets. Love em but don't miss all the care. Hall's in the ear!!! Mima

I am beginning to think Christie has some goat in her... She goes after napkins first. There is hardly anything safe from her mouth..She is 14 months old. This should be winding down..I have her on advandtic . I found 3 flies on her last night.. That should be a no no.There is probably more. I think we should go a step up on medication.. She is over 20 lbs.. A flie bite never goes away on me..I am allergic to bug bites...
Going to luncheon with friends today.. It is at a Tops members house.. I am taking salad..Thruth is I rather stay home...I haven't felt good in a few days.. I am having a lot of indigestion..
Renters are more trouble than the small amount of income is worth..Our son had three rental homes.. He got rid of them because of all the problems..
Have a good weekend everybody...Joanne

Meme, too funny about the Halls!!! We have some friends who have rental properties, and I know they get frustrated with their tenants also. Good going on selling the trailers!!! I think you need a raise!!!

Mima, we do think Tim is a pretty good son. We keep thinking that we did something right especially when we see others his age doing some really stupid things! Of course, we don't know what Tim will pull in the future, right?? My brother and SIL told my niece that they wouldn't pay for alcohol for the wedding reception. Her fiancee's parents are going to pay for it because their family and friends will expect an open bar.

HEY! I wasn't done typing my message! How did that happen??? Well, at least I didn't lose it.

Crap! It happened again! I am going to be very careful and type to Joanne now.

Joanne, Kramer is 14 and sometimes he acts more like a youngster than he did when he was young. I think that is funny about the goat! I hope you had a good time at your luncheon.

We will arrive in Tampa on Sat., March 1. We are staying at the north end for one night close to hubby's nieces. Our hotel is on Bearrs Ave. (or something). Then we will be at the south end on Dale-Mabry for Sun. and Mon. nights close to hubby's brothers. I thought we'd be spending more time there. With getting together with family, I won't have much time to get together with you Florida ladies, unless we can figure something out. What do you think???

Not sure about that Tammy-we will just be getting home from our cruise on 3/1. It takes almost 3 hours to get to Tampa. I would love it though. I have to depend on Brad because I wouldn't drive there. Big chicken Mima.
If you don't answer the Microsoft question about the error, Windows doesn't shut down! Hmmmm.
Started to get symptoms of a UTI-have 8 days of Cipro from before and then I will start taking the other med I have at night to prevent it.When I take the Cipro-my stomache also calms down. Hope you fell better Joanne-take some Activia yogurt or that other one. I swear it;s that theory about bacteria trapped in the small bowel. but it's only a theory.
We went to mike's and had the most delicious supper-then Evan went to other grandma's house-Alison was going to a play and Jill was going shopping. WE went home and fell asleep=I watched some of the Patriot's game.
They won!!! Undefeated.
Bye for now-Mima

Getting together doesn't sound very promising, does it. Maybe some day!!
Glad you had a nice supper at Mike's. Naps are nice!!

Well, we could meet halfway but the it's far for Joanne.
Weird thing yesterday, we were driving along and Brad was going into other lane ans didn't see a car-happened fast-the other car went into a parking lot and we followed but when he got out of the car, he didn't want to do anything about it even though it was our fault and he had more scrapes than ours. Something was not right-I felt bad for him , a young Mexican but we were fortunate-we just got rid of a surcharge.
A snowstorm back home! 6-10.
We watched the Colts not win yesterday and now we can watch the Chargers not win next week!!! Ha!!!
Getting a list for the bride to send invites-gotta check on what they charge for children.Be good-Mima

That is scary about you and the other driver! Wonder what was up with him?
We have a bit of snow this morning, but not 6-10 thank goodness!!!

I was surprised that the Colts didn't win. Bob was watching it. I do like Tony Dungy. I had bought his book for Tim, but he hasn't had time to read it yet. I think I'll take it along on our trip to read. He can always read it this summer when he isn't so busy with classes.

Maybe my son and his gf could come to that wedding and reception!! LOL

The Y opens at 5:30, but I've never gone out that early. I think I'll wait till about 7 and go. I did get to change my tracker yesterday. I lost a pound I gained and I lost another pound. Still haven't had TOM yet, so maybe when that starts I'll lose another pound.

Funny!! And good. I think maybe that other driver didn't have insurance, a license, ??/
Went to Beall's and used my extra 20% off to get a pretty blouse.
Oh-does my hip hurt-I sure will be happy to get that treatment on Thurs. My neck hurts but that is from cross stitch.
Still going taxes. I will be in good shape when we get all the stuff in the mail.
Evan day. Heat on.
We might go to the SS office and sign up for Medicare tomorrow, Git er done!!!
I am boring. Mima

I was wondering the same thing about that driver. Also thought of illegal immigrant too. What color is your new blouse? I love to save money!!
Taxes. Icky. We'll be doing that when we get back since we don't have everything yet. We had a woman here in town do it last year, and she really saved us some money. I'm sure we'll go there again. You are not boring!!

I went to the Y again this morning. Rode the bike, walked on treadmill, and I did the machines in the cardio room that are for the arms. I only was on the treadmill 10 minutes when my lower back started hurting, so I quit. It usually starts hurting after 10-15 minutes.

Yoo Hoo!! Where is everyone??

Right here...
Tammy- I only live 30 miles from Tampa.. The traffic in this area is really bad. This time of the year it is worse than ever.. The hubby is a pain when I want to go somewhere as he doesn't want me to drive in it and he doesn't like to.If by chance you find time to come to Tarpon Springs ,I would gladly meet you.
Mima- That guy was probably illegal.. There are a lot of them in this area..
Tony Dungy has a home in Tampa.. He will probably stay there.. He may be thinking of retiring. Goodness knows he has enough money..
Hello Everybody...Joanne

Joanne, when the time gets closer, I may know more of what our schedule will be like when we are in Tampa. I did see Tarpon Springs on a map, and I think I would be able to find it. I'm pretty good with directions. Bob could visit his brothers, and I could go visit you! I really don't like going to their house because most of the people who live there smoke. It's a house full. Bob's 2 brothers, 1 SIL, niece, nephew, 2 great-nephews. Bob's younger brother and his wife moved in with the other brother until they found a place of their own. It's been more than a year now. It's their lives, but I sure would want a place of my own.

I know on a news report up here, it said that Dungy's son will attend high school in Tampa next year. It also mentioned that he may be thinking of retiring. I'm sure he has enough money to retire if we can do it and survive!

My friend and I have started reading the Bible in a year. The ones we are using are set up that each day you read from 1)old testament, 2) new testament, 3)psalms, and 4)proverbs. We do our own daily readings, then we get together once a week and discuss any questions or comments that we have. We met today, and it was hilarious that some of our questions/comments were the same. I think she and I have been friends for too long! I think I was 20 when we met, so that's been a couple of years ago!!

I started Bible in a year last year nut stopped. Now I read a chapter each day.
I think you should go visit Joanne in tarpon Springs-it's supposed to be beautiful and so is Joanne.
I had a dream about you, Tammy-actually 2 dreams. In the first one we met halfway to Ft Myers-45 minutes for each of us-the 4 of us-it was good-but then in the second one. you had borrowed our car and it was missing a rear view mirror so Bob got one and installed it and we had to pay you and meet to get our car back. $342. ha!
Art, bank and maybe go to SS to sign up for Medicare and then church.
Busy but good day.
Mima

Hellol

Mima - sounds like you are going to go cruising soon. Where will your cruise go? I don't know much about illegal immigrants, but he wouldn't take cash to get his car fixed? In Canada, we would NEVER use our insurance to fix something under $1000.00 - just pay for it up front. I would feel bad not paying to get it fixed, when it was my fault, but that is just how I am.

Tammy - I hope you can meet with both Mima and Joanne. That would be AWESOME!!!! It isn't that long before you leave on your trip either. January is actually SAILING by. The days are already getting longer. It is no longer dark at 5:00 p.m. when I leave work, and I really like that. Only a couple months until Spring. Our winter, so far, has been fantastic. Hardly any snow, no major storms, and NOT really, really cold. Sure shortens the winter season when it is like this.

Joanne - I hope you can get to meet up with Tammy. Too bad you and Mima couldn't meet half way. Hope you are feeling better.

Money - just doen't mean that much to me. I always have what I need. Don't need more than that. It is and NEVER has been a source of stress for me. I don't need to be rich, and I am comfortable. If I worried about every penny I spent, I would be a basket case! I do like to get a bargain now and again, but if it is something I really want, I buy it. We are going to Edmonton on the weekend, and I just might come home with my Stressless Chair. If they don't have the color I need, it is 4 weeks to 4 month wait, as it either comes from a warehouse in New Jersey, or from Norway. I sure hope they have some neutral colors, and NOT black!

Hope you all have a good day.

Starting a new Thread for Mima and her laptop :dizzy: