:wave: THANKS for the hugs and well wishes; woke up breathing easier this morning: still congested though. My sis called the other night from out west and she is just getting over a nasty cold that had her bed-ridden too. She said that I sounded horrible ~ yah, I've lost my voice with this one; but DH says I sound a little better today ~ LOL!

SHY ~ I usually only get one flu each season, but this year it's my second round. I hope this is making me stronger for next year; lots of people who got the flu shots (like my Dad) caught these flus as well, so we shouldn't be too surprised really.

:wel3fc: PAM ~ not sure if we met already; so many people coming and going lately; and I've been MIA from a bad flu. DANCE PRAISE sounds like it would be perfect for you and your kiddies.

:welcome: BACK to MARY KAY ~ nice of you to drop by again!

ROSEBUD76 ~ that DANCE PRAISE does sound very fun; that's a great way to burn some energy and have fun at the same time.

DORA ~ I know about stalls and plateaus; make sure to measure yourself and keep track of sizes as they can change a lot even when the scale is being a bit stubborn. In December, I lost 12 inches overall and lost another size in clothes, which all counts and encourages you during the ruff times too.

CCMOMOF5 ~ I agree with SHY; maybe you should see a DOCTOR about your health problems. There may be something they can do for you ...

TODAY, we put in our air conditioner becuz it's actually quite hot out there for April and the sun was beating down on our place sending the temps into the 80's inside. DH had it up and installed in no-time; so now things have cooled down a bit. Our snow is partially melted; the big hills are taking the longest, of course, but we can see lots of grass now (even if it is mostly brown).

It's that yucky in-between time; but it will all be gone soon and we can get some flower hangers to brighten things up around here ~ LOL! DH wants to pass on the main garden and let it rest this year; and instead, only do the containers and salad garden, so I'll be planting much less this year.

WELL, that's all for now; going to go have a hot lemon drink to ward off this congestion. Then will make dinner; we are having lean pork chops with rice and salad veggies.

Have a great evening everyone; your fellow encourager :hug: ROSEBUD :hug:^PRAYERS^ continue for you and yours ...

Just wanted to say hi and good evening to everyone!

Do you all mind if I join you?

Just a fly in to say hello and that I hope you are doing well. Rosebud - glad to see you are on the mend. I hope you are 100% soon!

Ladybug :welcome: We would LOVE to have you join us :D

Dreamy - I love your signature - so positive :)

Shy - I'm excited about the challenge starting too! I'm concerned that I won't be much help to the team, but who knows? I'm really hoping we both end up on red!

Rosebud76 - thanks for the Dance Praise info. I might have to check it out - it sounds like fun!!!

Dora :( - SNOW?!? Yes, it is beautiful here and I spent about 5 hours on Sat. and 4 on Sun. in the gardens. I still have a little cleanup to do, but most of it is done. The crocuses and the hyacinths have popped out in reward for my efforts :D

Trish - prayers continuing - I hope you are doing better!

Sue - I love Casting Crowns too!

Wishing everyone a blessed day!
Prayers ascending :D

Hi Gals ~ Just a quick check in here...what's new?! All is well with me...still doing 5K stuff here which takes my time up.

I am a new God~ Grandfather!

My daughter in law made the cheer/dance team for a professional football team...REAL FOOTBALL! She is happy ....he is ..humm...upset!

Our Vicar gets his call on Wednesday...if you are praying, pray for a warm weather...i.e. Texas for Vicar J. call for him. He is a great guy!

Angie and I did a art show and beach walk with the mutts after church on Sunday...fun.

Work is keeping me busy...I think we are slowing down..not seeing much yet.

Bless you all ~ Gary

Morning All! :flow2:

My weekend went by so quickly, 5 kids in the house means there is never enough time. My dizzy's are coming and going right now which is a new twist on things. I have been to the ENT and had test after test, they can't explain what is causing this. The remedy they gave me was that when I get hit with an "episode" I need to go find a quiet dark place and rest until it completely passes. HA, HA, HA!! What mom, let alone one with 5 yahoos, can rest for an unspecified amount of time. R-I-G-H-T! I'm just trying to go about life the best that I can until it lays me so low I can't move, its inconvenient, but I'll survive.
Took big DS to see Lipscomb Univ. yesterday, and I loved the place. I think its where he wants to go and I'm pretty sure he will. It was a beautiful day, looks like today might be as well. I've got groceries to pick up today and weed pulling going on and the kids get home early today and a track meet tonight so I guess I better get moving or I'll be way behind.

Have a blessed day and thanks for your prayers.

Trish

cc
I go thru the same thing from time to time. It can be so bad I can't walk. I have had a zillion tests done and they have no idea what causes it. I know the min I wake up if I am going to have it for the day, because it lasts the whole day and have had it last a couple of days at a time. Crawling around the house because there is no way I can walk. Trying not to move my head because that just makes it worse. My daughter just laughs and says I look like that woman on that horror movie crawling up and down the stairs lol.

Counting
Me too. One of the only reasons I am going to do it is because you are there with me. If we aren't on the same team I might not bother. I do my weigh in tomorrow so we shall see if all the sodium weight is gone. I think it is. All my clothes are fitting like they should again and I am not all puffy.

Ladybug
You are more than welcome to join us. The Lord loves each and every one of us and loves for us to father together to give him praise.

Dream
Hi

Just
We couldn't believe I haven't been sick this year. Praise the Lord. I had been sick for so long no one even noticed when I was sick lol. I didn't even get the flu shot this year lol. So many people have been getting the flu over and over this year. It has been a real bad year.


Oh my gosh it was in the high 70's in the house yesterday. The kids wanted to turn the air on lol. I said forget it. Turn on a ceiling fan, open a window or get a job lol. I don't turn the air on unless it is so humid it effects my asthma and I can't breath. Kids these days, they would have never make it with Laura Ingles on the prairie would they lol.

Hi all - hope you are having a POP day :D

Beautiful weather in MI again today. I am loving it. The downside - DH and I sit outside by the fire in the evenings. We chat, and enjoy God's beautiful scenery, and tend to drink a bit more wine than we should :o But it IS very enjoyable.

Gary - congrats on DIL's making the team. That is awesome! And a very, very difficult thing to do! Glad work is leveling out some for you. DH is working less. The hospital asked everyone to take a voluntary 5% cut in hours (and of course pay). He is doing his part and getting more done around the house too. In fact, he is brewing a batch of beer right now. The house smells wonderful. Malt simmering - yummmmmm.

Trish - hope you find out what is going on soon. It is so hard when you don't feel well. Prayers continuing.

Shy - you are so right about kids. They seem to feel entitled to all of the conveniences that we DON'T take for granted. We only use the air a few times in the summer. We did open up the house and let it air out overnight. It got down to 42 last night, so it was a bit nippy first thing. But my workout room was still 76 :( I really worked up a sweat http://graphics.gaiaonline.com/image..._sweatdrop.gif

Prayers are continuing for all! Happy Earth Day. I'm trying to be a good steward of the wonderful things God has given us to enjoy :D

Counting
They don't even notice

1. 6 TV's in the house. I grew up with 1 in the house AND I was the remote lol.
2. Phone in their room
3. Cable tv in their room
4. Money to go to the movies and MC Donald's on Friday night. Oh my gosh that was a once a year thing when I was growing up MAYBE. This has stopped, they are both old enough to pay their own way. If they can't then they should lol.
5. A car to use. We had one car and my dad worked second shift. There was no car to use lol.
6. Computer of their own, game stations, movies, toys, this and that.

I remember when I was first out on my own. I saved for 3 or 4 months for a new lamp shade. Now young people seem to want to have, when they first get out on their own, what it took all of us 20 years to get. No wonder they are so deep in debt they will never get out.

Remember these things

1. Not going out after you had kids. Baby sitters were for your birthday and anniversary if ever and that was it.

2. Not being able to afford a baby sitter because you were ( now unheard of ) SAVING for a new living room suit instead of CHARGING it.

3. Going on vacation cost what ever you had saved in the vacation fund and you didn't think you were depriving your child because they didn't get to go here or there lol.

4. Going to the beauty parlor was in the budget because woman wanted to look nice. After the kids were born we didn't look as nice because the money was spent on the kids lol.

5. Paying cash, I know paying cash has gone out of style but places do still accept cash.

6. Living in a 2 person house with 2 or three kids until you had saved up enough money for a good down payment on a house so you could afford the house payment.

Do you know There are people who have NEVER

Polished their own nails
Washed their own car by hand
Mowed their own lawn
Ate left overs
Shared a room with a brother or sister

One of my sons friends stopped by the house one day. I was washing the car. He said what on earth are you doing. I said washing the car. ( I thought maybe the young man needed glasses lol ) He wanted to know why I didn't just pay a few bucks and have someone wash it. I said that few bucks adds up. With that kind of thinking that young man is already on his way to having nothing or having a ton of credit card bills.

I’m back…sorry I posted once (3/31) and disappeared for two weeks…Life has been all over the place these past few weeks…hectic, depressing and joyous…

I spend last night reading all of April’s posts and getting caught up. I know one of you had to euthanize two dogs recently. I am so sorry to hear about that—I know how hard that is. I had to put my 13 year old cat down on 4/2. Smokey was my baby and it was really tough to let him go. He was diagnosed intestinal lymphoma last Aug. and I was blessed to have him until April, but it did not make saying goodbye any easier…

Someone who welcomed me to the group mentioned (after I had a bad food weekend) that I just needed to “get right back on that horse.” Girl, I have to get out from underneath that horse first…After that bad weekend, we put Smokey down, right after that, I worked longer hours to get ready for vacation (when I leave, I need to make sure that everything is done that I would normally do while I am gone…), then 10 days in Las Vegas (let me just say that hubby and mother (mine) together do not equal relaxing vacation), just got back this week and I’ve been scrambling to get caught up on phone calls and mail and “fires” that developed while I was gone. Have I mentioned that I am a stress eater?

Someone else mentioned giving the diet issues to God and that really struck a cord for me. The one thing that I have not done throughout all this, is give it to God. I have been so caught up in all the latest events that I have not done any devotions or studies at all. Even my prayer time has been minimal, although Matthew 6:8 does say that God “knows what you need before you ask Him.” (NIV) but I’m sure it would be helpful to me if I verbalized them. Does that even make sense to anyone?

The really sad thing is that I work in a church and you would think that in a church environment, I would be bombarded with Christ-like support. Not so. We are in an interim period right now with an interim pastor who is trying his very best to make some changes in our church (which according to the Presbytery, is exactly what he is supposed to do) to get ready for our permanent pastor. The changes he wants to make are excellent ones that would do this congregation a world of good, but he is getting not only resistance, but actually being bad mouthed and degraded. Originally this was all done behind his back but recently they are coming forward to tell him what they think. Keep in mind that as a staff group, we are ALL behind this pastor, as is the majority of the congregation, but it is just a few of the founding and/or old time members that are making things difficult. One thought keeps going through my mind. This is a church and if I were a non-Christian and I walked into that tension, I would never go back! They are behaving so hypocritically and it is really getting ugly. I am always wondering what/who is going to pop through my door next…

On the plus side, I registered for a face book account and ended up finding my very best friend from high school. We haven’t talked in almost 20 years, but things seem to still be wonderful between us. I have truly missed her presence in my life and am thrilled to have her back! She might be going to SoCal for a conference in June, and DH and I will be in SoCal at the same time. If it all works out, we’ll be able to get together for a visit. I am so excited about that, although I’d love to lose 20 pounds or so before I go there. OK, Let me be honest—I’d like to lose 100 pounds by then, but realistically, I know that won’t happen, so I’ll be happy with 20! ;) She, by the way, is also interested in losing 100 or so pounds so I have told her about this site in hopes that she can find a support group here as well!

Rennie—you just described some of the issues we are having with my 18 year old stepson. He graduated last May and has worked part time since then. He was living at home, rent free, not contributing anything to the household by way of chores or money, and mooching off his friends (he has no car, no license, no goals, not in school…). After many tears and much prayer, DH and I decided to start charging him rent (minimal-about half of what he’d have to pay out on his own). Only then did he finally see that perhaps he should be working full time. He now has two jobs which give him about 30 hours a week…It is so frustrating because his father and I have always worked so hard for what we have, including working full time to get through school and to get our vehicles. The kid just mooched off his friends and at almost $4 for a gallon of gas, I’m not sure how much longer his friends are gonna put up with picking him up and dropping him off everyday…

Anyway, I have yet to get back on track…I have the great intentions to do so, but unfortunately, lack the willpower. Tomorrow is a new day and I am determined to make the best of it. I must get things under control! Thanks for listening to my ranting…

~A

kntry
My son is still in high school and has a hard enough time keeping up with school work. This is the reason we haven't pushed harder for him to get a job. There really isn't much around here anyway unless, like my daughter, you just happen to be in the right place at the right time. She walked into a store and asked if they were hiring. I had just asked the week before and they said no. She was told oh yes we are and need someone right away someone quit yesterday lol. Lucky kid. He has put in tons of applications over the last 63 years and still no job. I kind of feel sorry for him. This sure isn't helping him become a responsible person. Then, there is the problem that not many businesses are going to keep someone around with adhd as bad as he has it because even with all his meads he has to be reminded to do something several times.

Wheweeeee, what a day!

I have felt like poo-poo all day. Woke up with a horrible headache, couldn't go outside in the lovely sunshine. I had to go sit in the BMV to renew my plates with munchkins running loose everywhere (not mine) slamming chairs into me. Just had to breathe deeply lest I told their mother what I was thinking about her parenting skills. I took a nap but it didn't help, so I took a long hot bath and while I was laying there I thought to myself "ok why don't you pray about this?". So, I did, I confessed all the junk that was in my heart, which of course He already knew, and ask for relief and what do ya know but I'm feeling chipper now. Can I get an AMEN?? Didn't really eat too well today, didn't really eat at all, and for me thats just about as bad as eating bad because my body doesn't function well on nothing and tends to make me feel really fatigued for days and days or it sets me off on eating binges because I get ravenous. I'm rambling now....... My son is leaving in the early am for D.C. with his senior class, I'm scared for him having to get on a plane. You know, the whole "if God wanted me to fly..." thing. I hope he has a good, safe trip. Better go get him packing, have a fantastic evening.

Trish

:welcome: BACK KNTRYGAL ~ both of our furry babies passed away, but we didn't have them euthanized; one had a tumor and passed in my arms, and the other (we believe) had a stroke or heart attack, and passed quickly as we prayed for and petted her. The Vet said tumors are common in older female dogs; and the other could be accounted to age for sure. We loved them both dearly.

TRISH ~ Try not to worry about your son's trip; we will pray for him for a safe trip and a great time. Sorry you had a tuff day; hope you are feeling better though ...

:wel3fc: DREAMGYRL & LADYBUG ~ HELLO TO YOU and you are both welcome to join us, by all means! Come on back and tell us a bit about yourselves so that we can get to know you better.

SHY ~ I was in a store and a sick young clerk accidently coughed in my face; I knew right then that I was gonna get it, and sure enuff the next morning I started to have fevers and so it went. I hope that some time in the future your son may be able to find odd jobs to do or work with some group that may be able to help him. For now, school may be all he can handle. I don't know if he could learn to do things like cutting grass and snow-shovelling or paper delivery or something like that to earn spending money. It's even harder when you live in the country.

GARY ~ congrats to DIL: am not surprised since she is such a pretty girl; DS will get used to it ~ LOL! Congrats on being a GOD-Grandfather! Not sure what you meant for VICAR JIM, but prayed for him anyways. Glad things are going well for you and your family.

COUNTING ~ HELLO; WOW, flowers budding already and working in your garden. I'm gonna see if I can change DH mind; I like having a garden, but he hates the work part of it ~ LOL!


We had a lovely sunny day today; perfect for a trip into town for some groceries and pick-ups. My flu is getting better; I had a nap before we left so I was able to get some walking in too. It was a good day: I can rest my feet tomorrow. It was so nice to get out of the house for awhile and the fresh air was really invigorating.

IT'S OFFICIAL ~ Spring has really arrived here for good; the snow is finally melting and almost all our backyard is clear except one path where the drifts came in from the north. We do have a small lake way out back behind our garden, so I won't be venturing anywhere near there until it's all dry.

Hope you all have a great evening; take good care, your fellow encourager :hug:ROSEBUD:hug:^PRAYERS^ continue ...

Hey gals. wow... what a day... the Docs took us ladies to lunch for Admin Assistant day. it was nice. then I had class with my kiddos at church, which btw, do any of you have any ideas on what I could do for them to pay better attention to the story and actually learn from what I'm teaching. I catch them not paying a bit of attention and When I ask a question they sometimes don't even know that I've asked it, let alone know the answer when I repeat the question. it's so frustrating. but I will pray about it and figure something out. now i'm waiting for my husband to get home from dropping off all of the kids that ride the church van. so he probably won't be home for another 45 minutes. days like today sure are trying.

I'm doing well as far as staying OP goes. I've decided to start counting calories and it seems to be going well.

I hope you all had a wonderful day and am looking forward to my half day so i can do some yard work tomorrow.

nite!

rosebud
Glad you had a nice day. Gosh, I really don't know what to tell you about the kids in the class. In my day, when I was teaching in the church, we had a talk with the parents and found the kids payed attention after that. Have no idea what the parents did.

Justwant
Everyone thinks I am crazy because this whole flu season, just about. If I have to go out in public I wore a face mask, you know the kind the nurses and docs wear. I get them at the docs office. She has had me wear them for years when I go out because everything hits my lungs so badly. I am so sorry for you. It is to nice out to be getting sick. There just isn't much around here. There are a few older couples he mows grass for but he doesn't charge them and he sure better not charge them. That is his Christian duty to help take care of the old dears. The big problem is in a small town there are 5 jobs and 200 kids that want them lol and with gas prices who can afford their kid to drive very far to make min wage. I have noticed more and more kids with nothing to do around here because it just doesn't pay to have to go very far to work. We don't even have kids that deliver the paper anymore ( to bad you got it every day on time back then ) now adults drive around in cars and deliver the paper.

CC
Sorry you aren't feeling well. I have noticed more and more I have to hold my breath from the time I leave the house until I get home so I don't scream about peoples kids and how they are allowed to act. Yet, don't let one of those parent spank that darling little child's behind like they need because you will have someone calling the cops on them.