Hi

Deb, I thought the same thing when I posted and I saw you had posted. Congrats on getting the 3 bedroom appartment. I don't can my okra. The only way I like it is fried and now I put a little cornmeal on it and bake it in the oven. I spray the pan with canola oil spray, put the cornmeal on the okra and kind of toss with my hands to get the meal on all of it and put it in the pan and spray it then bake. Okra is just to slimy any other way.

What antibiotic did the Dr. put you on. I and my DH had h-pylori a couple a years ago. I think the Dr. gave me cipro, I'm not sure, it has been so long. I know it hurt

My MIL is starting to feel like her old self and she is making it rougher on us cause she thinks she can do all the things she use to do and when we try to get her to not do some things she gets mad at us. My 13yr old mopped the kitchen floor Sat. when we were there Sat. and here goes my MIL sprenting across the wet floor bare foot and my 13 yr old was trying to tell her she had just mopped and the floor was slick and my MIL couldn't understand what she was saying so my 13yr old took hold of her arm to show her she had mopped and my MIL jerked away from her and started hitting at her saying I can do it my self. She(MIL) was going to go down the hall and get something out of the cabinet and she tought my 13 yr old was tring to keep her from going to get what ever it was she wanted out of the cabinet.

When I go to cook she is right up in under me trying to help and she has a very small kitchen and I can't cook when thers someone getting in my way, so I have decided to start cooking at home and taking it with me on my day to stay. My DH stays at night when it is our turn to stay with her and he has to be at work at 5am and she gets up at 3am and tells him she is going to cook his breakfast and he marches her back to the bedroom and makes her go back to bed.

My SIL and BIL took her yesterday to an Ear, Nose and Throat Dr. to have her hearing checked again and see if they could fix the hearing aids she has and the Dr. told them that she had completely lost the hearing in 1 ear but the other 1 she still had good hearing out of but she would have to wear both hearing aids to beable to hear out of the good ear but she won't wear both of them. They have to take her to the Dr. that done the first hearing test on her so they can compair the test, so hopefully they will be able to get her fitted with one this time that she will be able to wear and hear out of.

OK so much for that. I have got to get ready to go to the DR myself. Chat later

Ann

I have been so busy that I don't have time for the computer anymore. The kids returned to school last tuesday on the 10th. It's went rather well so far. Laken likes her new aide and they match better. Kristy (new aide) is more youthful and is a joker! She was the kindergarten ***'t when the boys were in that grade. She also has 2 kids herself and all I remember is one is in 8th grade. The other is a boy. Brett is dealing well at school. It took a couple days to get used to changing all those classes but at least his first 3 are upstairs and the last 3 and lunch are downstairs. The only problem we have is he doesn't have time to stand in line for school lunch after taking his shots. He has to eat within 10 minutes and the lines are longer than that so he's taking his lunch for now.

Deb I'm so happy for you and your new home. I know you are so excited. The kids will get on each others nerves less too won't they?? My boys need a room to themselves but for now our 3 bedroom mobile home is best we can do on our single income. What is the stomach thing you're talking about? When Brett was 5 weeks old he had pyloricstenosis surgery. Is it the same part of your stomach?

Gayle i"m glad things have simmered down for you and that your mom talked to your brother. I can't say enough how lucky your mom is to have you as a daughter and care giver. You both do one another well! Your mom is in my thoughts and prayers for the 30th. Coinidentally isn't that the day that Passion of the Christ comes out on DVD? I never saw that movie and I can't wait to get it! I hope it's as good on DVD as everyone said it was in theater.

Daphne I hope that tony is Ok now. Did he start school yet? I know a girl who fell off a golf cart the weekend before school started and hit her head twice on pavement. Her brain swelled and last week they didn't know if she would pull through or not. She would have been in logan's class. They live just up the road. The reason I brought that up is I wondered what happened to the kids with school? Do they start all over or just plug right back in when they are able too? Just curious but hope that tony isn't in that bad of shape. Let us know how the incident report turns out. When I was 16 me and my best friend totalled her moms car on a rocky dirt road and claimed a deer ran out in front of us and caused us to flip over the in the ditch backwards but it was actually because we were sort of racing a guy I had a crush on. I wasn't driving thank goodness but the insurance company paid for the wrecked vehicle.

Ann so nice to see you posting and sorry you feel alone on here. I really am swamped right now trying to keep my cards made for ebay, running errands for my grandma like today and helping with the multiple subjects my oldest child has. He's in a new school this year and it is more overwhelming. Me and Dh went and got my grandmother a push mower she was wanting someone to pick up for her and it took 1 1/2 hour to assemble and then kevin cut her grass. He ran into a huge king copper head snake in her car shed. We're all afraid of them so we just tried to stay out of its way but he was really big around. I hope things can calm down with you and your family. Does it help any to have your kids back in school? By the way, I LOVE my okra fried. I have a huge bag of it in the fridge for tomorrows supper. Taco's won for tonight.

Well I need to finish supper before helping with homework and studying for tests tomorrow. I will try to post at least weekly and not weakly.

Hello Everyone,

Daphne...I hope everything is okay with Tony I will call you!

Hello Ann...So glad you are posting!
Dana....It was good to see ya post! I am so happy that you are still selling yoru cards on ebay! I am sorry that your life is so hectic. It sounds like you have worked out the schedule and lunch for Brett. I am also glad that Laken's new aide is a good match. I can't believe you have copperheads...I hate snakes. Do you have time with all the running around to do any kind of dieting? How are you doing. H-Pylori is an infection in your stomach that can cause ulcers, and if left untreated can become serious...with bleeding and all.

Gayle...I am also really happy that your mom had a nice chat with your bro. I know that you feel discourage about your diet and you don't want to focus on watching your weigh...but that is just the kind of "Stink'n Think"n" that keeps us fat! I am right there with you. I haven't got back OP either. I am off dairy for 2 wks because of these meds. I broke down right now and had a cream filled do-nut and grilled cheese and ham sandwich. I am really missing my dairy. I know that it is hard to be on a diet when the world is upside down around you, lady. I am right there with you, but we both have to realize that we deserve better than this weight we are carrying around. It is a real hard concept for me to get "that I deserve better" and "that do-nuts and junk is not the treating myself with love, it is just stuffing the pain" (I guess I am say this more for myself than to you Gayle.) I just really hope you realize that if you aren't healthy then who will take care of your mom? I love ya and want you to be healthy...I want the best for everyone here and for myself.


Well, I am at HOME, yes my DSL was turned on early...they said it wouldn't be on till the 24th. I was sick last nigh and woke up at 4;30 w/ a stuffy nose and couldn't breath..I ended up calling in to work around 5:15, because I Knew I wouldn't be well enough or rested to go to work today. I slept till 9 and it took till 11 before I had enough energy to shower. I am going back to work tomorrow.
On a brighter note: BJ called and is snorkling and having a good time, but DH got sick today. I will get the grand kids tomorrow night. Also, Darcie went to San Francisco with some girls from Church to the Paul Mitchell School for Beauty and had a make over. it only cost $6.oo, they straighten her hair and did her nails and gave her a facial. She was glowing when she got home. She hasn't had her hair straighten since she was little. Her hair is past her shoulders and she is a gorgeous girl. We are going over to the lady who arranged this trip tomorrow night for Darcie to get her ends trimmed. Well, my shoulder allways hurts when I am on my computer so I have to get off.

DRINK WATER
Deborah

Deborah, I can't believe that the last thing you talked about was your shoulder. Mine is killing me with being on here. And I'm trying to enter all the recipes for our cookbook here. I'm not getting it done as fast as we need me to. Anyway, I'm glad you got your DSL back on. I'm thinking of changing to SBC where I have my phone service from. It's half what I'm paying now, I don't need a CC, and I'm billed right on my phone bill.

Dana, its so nice to see you post. Sounds like things there are more or less normal. I'm glad the kids are back to school and you are busy with your cards. I got a scrapbooking kit from QVC (of course) and it has ideas for cards. I'll send the first one to you.

Daph, what's going on. We're worried about Tony. Please check in soon.

Ann, I hope things calm down for you soon. Good luck on your diet. I understand why you wanted to start back, but that doesn't work for me...I think I look just fine fat! Now that is a state of mind that needs CHANGED, huh?

I went to the Dr yesterday for a checkup and everything looks good. BP was excellent, heart was strong and regular, lungs clear. They took blood to check the thyroid. I'll hear soon about that, but I'm sure its fine.

I must go and get a couple of recipes in here!

Love,

Hi all my wonderful friends. Tony is much better and has gone back to work. I tried to tell him to take a week off and get to feeling better but he wouldn't. He is a know it all almost 18 year old. OMG my baby is almost 18. How depressing is that for me?
Dana I am glad that the new aid is working out so well with Laken. How is she liking school? How is Logan doing? Does he ever get teased about his sister? I know that Robert has said kids make fun of Megan but I have never seen it. I am glad that Brett is adjusting so nicely at school. What have you been doing with your free time? I know you are busy but now that the kids are back in school didn't you say the walking was going to start up again? I think it sucks that you have copperheads there. I was mowing today and had a big frog jump inth the creek as i was mowing. I had passed him once and he didn't jump. I finished that back nice and fast being as I was scared he was going to get me!
Deborah I am so excited about the new apartment! What will you do with all that space? How is the job going anyhow? Are they behaving better now? I am so sorry that they are being such shits there to you. Come move up to Washington and I will babysit for you.
Gayle I am so sorry for all of Mamas health issues. I hope that you keep taking the pain pills and don't run out again. I am still waiting for a copy of that newletter woman. I want to hear more about the recipee book that youa re working on. Our Church made one 2 years ago and it is fun looking to see what we all make.
Ann bless your heart for dealing with that MIL.I hope that she gets to behaving better to you and the family. It does really sound as if she needs constant care. Is there no way to get her into a retirement place? Or for someone to come and help with her? I just ask being as I know how hard 24/7 care can be. How is everything else going in your life?
It has been in the 80s for so long here I miss the 70s and the 60s.I even miss the rain. We did finally get the central heating and air conditioning running. I will love it this winter when it is freezing outside and my place is warm thru out. I miss having windows open and the breeze running thru the house though.
Daphne

Hello Everyone!

Daphne...Sorry, I have really been out of it lately and never did call you.
I am so glad that Tony is feeling better. I know what you mean about the heat our weather was in the 90's on Saturday and Joseph knocked over my fan and broke one of the blades off, so I had to go out and by a new one! How are Megan and Robert doing in school? Keep Posting!!

Gayle...I am so sorry that your shoulder is hurting..I hope you are feeling better today. What news have you heard from your mom's test? How is everything?

Dana...I hope you are having a good School year. How is your card business coming along? How is your grandpa, is he done with the chemo?

Ann...Post soon and let us know how things are going with you!

I went to the doctor's last Monday, I was still sick and she ended up putting me on anti-depressants. I am on Prozac. I just feel "blahhh". I am still on Pins and Needles with work. I am not happy at trying to bend over backwards for everyone. The new Marketing Director they got is an @sshole. He misspelled the Center's name and the description about a function we are having and when I told him about it...he was really rude to me in his email..he even Underlined words (as if yelling at me) and he even misspelled "mispelled" in his email back to me...total jerk. It is not my fault he can't spell and doesn't know where he works at....lol I have been so down, I haven't been trying to get another job. I can't be online looking here at work and at home sitting at my computer makes my shoulder hurt. I am so tired, and so out of it...I am freaked out and afraid I am going to make mistakes which will get me fired.

As for my apartment...I have no idea when I will be able to move. The maintenance guy hasn't even been into my 3 br. yet to clean it, lay carpet or paint. I have been so stressed with work, that I wasn't very excited about getting it...but truly I can't wait to move. Joseph was rather angry this weekend...and I see a lot of his father in him (not a good thing). But I am hoping it will be better once he has his own room to retreat to. Darcie was just egging him on, by being "overly" cheery and saying stupid stuff to him. She is usually calling him names and is always grumpy (typical teenager) so for her to be overly cheer...she was just doing it to push his buttons. Eitherway, I just can't wait until they have their own space. Well, I have to get back to work.

Drink water
Deborah

Awww Deborah my sweetheart I am so sorry about all that. The guy at work should have thanked you for your help not been pi**ed. I hope that you soon find a new job. It seems as if each time Christmas approaches you get into trouble at work. Maybe that is their way to get you to quit. Don't cave in woman I am here for you when ever you want to talk. The kids will do a lot better when they get their own rooms. What they are doing is so normal, but darling you don't get a break at all do you? I remember doing the same thing being overly cheery that Darcie is doing. What are YOU going to say then? Stop being so happy?
Dana where have you gone off to? I mis you and all the yaya sisters are mising you!
Gayle let me know how things are going I am worried about you and Mama.
Ann how about you? What have you been up to? I mis you as well.
Oh my kids are not in school yet. They do not go until Wednesday. OMG I can not wait!

Hey Ladies...it is Friday at 5:33 and I get to leave work in a couple of minutes, but I just wanted to touch base with you all! Things have really went downhill here at work. My walking buddy, Bobbi got "layed off" but the mucky-mucks just told her they weren't going to need her after Dec. but they haven't put anything in writting yet. The my Union Rep came today to speak to the new teacher's coming in at the day care and she told me that Bob (the senior dept. admin) quit. I was just waiting for him to, because they changed his houses and he works another job and could work what they were asking him to do, so he had no other alternative than to resign...these people are just connieve! They know that it is a hardship on me working till 6pm and they were hoping that I would quit to, but I haven't so far. I have been looking online at jobs...I am at the point I don't care if they find out. I need to get another job and I am here a lot more than at home. Well, I have to go...I hope everyone has a fanstastic 3 day weekend!

DRINK WATER!
Deborah

Well, ladies, the news isn't good. The tumor's are growing and chemo would only add a month to Mom's life. Not exactly worth it. I'm having trouble with patience. She cries a lot and I understand that, but don't know how to deal with it. I have some books about caring for parents and hope that they will help. At least all the trips to Cleveland and the tests are done. Pray for us, girls.

Daphne...Wed will be here soon....

Deborah, I'm so sorry that you are still having so much trouble at that horrible workplace! Why do some people have to give other people so much grief?? At least you have a new apartment to look forward to. That is so excellent. Your kids will do better with their own rooms, I'm sure. In my family, it was my brother who was the cheery one. I was miserable! Have you seen that commercial where the boy is "touching" his sister? That's exactly how my brother acted, only I wasn't as patient as that sister! When he says, "I'm not touching you....", he sounds EXACTLY like Terry did. Good luck with the job search. Pray about it.

Dana, what's up?

Ann, you too...what's up?

Must go and get some recipes entered or I won't have it done by Christmas...I may not get it done anyway with having to be down at Mom's so much. They are very patient with me, though and understand that the Smith Ctr cookbook might not be ready for Christmas gift-giving this year!

No fun weekend here...hope you all have one, though.

Love,

(((Gayle))) give mama my love. Remember God does work miracles. Is there any way that you can see a counselor? You need a person to vent to that is there in person. Gayle sweetie you have been given a hugh load to carry and it isn't fair for you to have to carry it alone. What about having respite care for mama or hospice? Call hospice and see if they have anyone you can talk to about your anger. I know how you feel I lost my Dad 9 years ago this December
to cancer. Wow has it really been 9 years? Gayle anythime you need to cry I am here for you I don't care if it is 3AM I am here Sister.
Dana I hope things are OK with you I will try and call you Tuesday when Kevin should be gone and kids are in school.
Deborah once again i am sorry for how the stupid, ignorant, dweebs at work are treating you.
Ann i am still waiting to see you posting! Ilove and miss you and hope the kids are not misbehaving to much!
Daphne

Thanks so much, Daph. I'm doing OK. When I start my period I think I'll feel a little better. I do see a counsellor. I have for years. I have an appt in Oct. She'll see me as often as I want, but I've been so well for so long, that we had cut it down to every three months. Right before we got the last news, I had arranged for it to be monthly, but now, I'm going to bump it up to at least every 2 weeks for a while. Yes, it's hard when my brother seems to be stowing this in that place in his brain where he doesn't have to deal with it! I'll get no help from him, so I'm not even thinking along those lines. I can and will do this. It's not really too bad for now, because, except for her back, she's not feeling bad at all. She's not mean or nasty to me, so it's only my own personality that's the problem. I'll get it in order one of these days! I also have had offers from a couple of the people her in our apartment bldg to help if I need them. But, the biggest problem right now with accepting help is that I'm ashamed of how dirty her apartment has gotten since she got hurt last May. It's hard to ask anyone to really look into the corners and down the toilet!

I don't even have the newsletter printed yet and it's already the 7th! I've already missed two birthdays! Not that I give cards or anything, but the calendar lets the ones who [I]do[I] know about them! Then there are all those recipes....

We have the GP Dr's appointment today. I am going to ask him to prescribe one of those velcro fastened braces for her back, and maybe she can do more. We went to her favorite store the other day (only the 2nd time since she fell May 5) and I pushed her around in the wheelchair. That was ok, but I've been using the wheelchairs in stores for years now, and walking and leaning to push her hurts me something fierce! But, it really helped her mental health! We got a few bargains and that didn't hurt any!

I'm also going to ask him if he thinks pain pills are called for. If I don't get her moving soon, she's going to sieze up and get worse and worse. She's in bed for hours out of the day now.

I'm going to go and finish email and get ready to take her to the Dr. Another thing for me to feel guilty about (like I don't have enough!!) is Ivan. Poor kitty has to stay here alone except for 1 or 2 hours a day. He's kinda lonesome.

I'll keep checking in, so you all check in and let me know what's going on in your lives.

Love,

Gayle....I am so sorry that you have to go through this by yourself. How long are the dr.'s giving your mom? Daphne is right, you should look into hospice for your mom, and don't worry about the apartment. I am here for you. You are awesome and I completely understand the anger...just take care of yourself, so that you can take care of your mom. I am proud of you for working on the newsletter and recipe book. You are amazing. Please take care of yourself and Mom. If you need anything, I am only a phone call away.

Daphne...How are you doing lady? How is Tony and you other 2 ? How is the weather up there? How was your 3-day?

Dana...How is everything going with you? Have you gotten any fall-out from the storms? I can't believe the devistation of the storms. How are your kids, cars, Dh and extended family?

Ann...How is everything with you? How are your DDs and DH? Have you been back to the Dr.'s lately? How is your MIL?

Is anyone OP? How is everyone's weight? Is anyone working-out?

Well, this weekend was over 100 and I don't have air conditioning in my apartment or van ...so I was pretty much misserable. I am starting back OP today, I had my 6oz of blueberries and 8oz of Yogurt for Brkfst. BJ has started her own plan using WW books she got from a friend. She is counting points and starting to drink diet sodas. I am very proud of her, because she lives in a house with her DH and dad and both have really bad eating habits. I am going to be her voice of reason...but as much as I blow it...I don't know how much help I can be. I really need to start exercising. That is my goal and to start counting calories AGAIN...lol

Today was the first day I looked forward to coming to work in a long time...because I have air conditioning and it is again going to be in the 100's or close to it
Speaking of work, I am way confused...Bob, was here when I came in this morning...my union rep said he had quit I haven't asked him, because if he wanted me to know he would of told me. I also got a call from Bobbi and she is going to come in for a couple of hours today, because she still hasn't got anything in writting about the lay-off. I really need to get on the ball and get my resume out.
I guess I had betterget something done around here and earn my keep.
Love and hugs to all.
Deborah

Hey guys. I'm so sorry that I haven't been here. Gayle I will be praying for your strength and courage and for your mom to be healed and to not give up! If you ever feel abandoned in here please just email me. I don't get online much anymore but I do check email daily.

Deb when do you get that 3 bedroom apt? And your job reminds me so much of what kevin goes through. He offers to even work on his days off and never misses work but they don't acknowledge anything. They didn't give him that lab job he applied for months back because they were afraid he would abuse his authority over others. But I heard last week while he told his parents that his was offered a supervisor job. Some people fret at that idea but for him, I don't know how it will be. He wants another job desperately. They built him a new builiding inside a building for his job. He has air and is right beside a bathroom but he is running 6 machines while the 2 guys who work in the old building only run 4. I keep trying to encourage him to hang on cause we need his income so I know exactly how you feel being the only care giver.

Ann what's up with you now? I know I've missed a lot.

I have to go back to the dr. this afternoon. I went on tuesday to see a new practice basically to get my pap test etc. with a dr. that accepts our insurance. I was going to the same place for almost 10 years so change was great. However there was speculation that my thyroid wasn't functioning correctly. They took 2 vials of blood and checked my iron which was fine. They tested my glucose and it was 211 and I do not believe that. I check mine all the time and my complaint was it stayed low or on the low end even after eating. They rechecked just before I left and it was 106 and the dr. said there was no way it cut in half with my activity being nearly none. They wanted to do an A1c level which is as blood test that measures your average glucose over a 3 month period. They called yesterday to tell me that my blood work would have to be redone because they needed one more vial for that test. Crazy to me because brett has it done every 3 months with only 1 drop of blood and results in 3 minutes. I think they have to go through the hospital at this place though. So anyway, they want me to eat lunch at 11 and come in at 1:00 for a 2 hour glucose. They were wanting me to go to the hospital for diabetes class. I basically know it all so I'm confused. I'm not above saying I won't be diagnosed with diabetes but their meter was just wrong. I"m taking one of mine today if I don't forget. Also my birth control pills I was on for 9 months ws making me "moody". I haven't been on anything for 7 weeks now and it makes me easier to get along with Dh. In fact we are closer than we've been in years. So they are changing me to something that is a low dosed pill. Just enough for protection but won't bother my hormones too badly. I can't start them until after my next period which will be about 3 more weeks since I just got over one.

My mom had went to the beach this past wed through sunday and didn't tell me she was going until someone told me at the post office the day before. I thought that was rude of her considering she waiting until that night and called me to pick up her mail for her those days so I had to look after her house. Anyway, as you know it's always something.

I have a meeting today with logan's teacher for his academic plan. He scored below basic by only 3 points on science part of our PACT test which is just one of those state standard tests they take in spring. I have always had to go for these meetings ever since brett started taking PACT in 3rd grade. Brett scored below basic on science and social studies by a couple of points but I think his is due to them not checking his sugar prior to taking the tests like he was suppose to. We also are dealing with the schools fund raisers. One school is using Sally Foster gift wraps and such if anyone is interested. You can do it online with the school code and they mail it straight to you and the school benefits.

Well anyway, let me post before i lose this and you all take care. I will let you know what the blood work turns out to be when they get the results. I miss you guys.