Hi all, so much sadness on the boards. Vickie, I'm so sorry about Cameo. Why would the vet send her home if she is that bad? Let us know how things go today. Saying goodbye is so hard.

Sandra, my prayers are with you and Curtis. At least your MIL is at peace now, whole and perfect. When my dh's dad passed over 3 years ago it was after a long battle with prostate cancer. He had done so well, but after our son passed away he seemed to take a bad turn. He was able to see us have Sarah and have her in his life for 9 months. In the end, he was so bad off, it was a blessing for God to take him and make him whole.

Not to be down, but my son would have been 5 next week. We only had him for 4 months and 3 days. October is always so hard, but somehow being 5 years is a bit tougher than I thought. Thankfully we do have Sarah and she is perfect.

Now, onto happier things. The circus was a ball - if you don't have kids to take and its in town, I highly reccomend it. It was fabuolus for kids of all ages. Of course, being in the second row, Sarah was all smiles, she was dancing with the performers and shook hands with a clown. We had to get her a souvenier - told her she could have one. $20 for an eletric wand with an elephant on it. $3 for coffee, $3.50 for a water, and $10 for a hotdog and 2 pretzels. I should have snuck in snacks. Oh well, we don't do this every day and Sarah, Jim and I all had a ball.

Yesterday I took the morning off from work and went pumpkin picking with Sarah's preschool class. It was alot of fun. But its amazing how some of the moms were so obsessed with getting the biggest pumpkin. It was $7 for the hay ride and a pumpkin for each kid, I didn't even consider taking one. But the other moms were sitting there with several and made sure their kids got a big one. I let Sarah get the one she wanted - its small and cute. Oh well.

Rhonda, congrats on another fabulous loss. The test was good to have done and overwith as well. I have to go for my first mamogram next month -- I guess things could be worse!

Frouf, what did you decide on the cruise?

Kathy, great news about Shaun. It must be a releif that he is going to graduate. When do you head to Chicago? Its this weekend, right? As far as eating, get back to plan today and don't worry about what you did yesterday. Today is a new day.

For me, I've been straying a bit off plan. I have WI tomorrow and I need to be perfect today. With tons of water. I made pumpkin snack bread last night, its a good thing to have for breakfast. Lunch I'll do some polenta chips and guac.

well, I've got a little helper with me right now. She wants to play her preschool game. Here is a note from Sarah:

hhhhhhhhheeeellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllloo fffffffrrriiiiiiieennnnnnddddsss

Hhhhhhhhhheeeellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllloo, Miss Sarah! Good morning to you too, Paula!

Vickie, I'm sorry there's no improvement but I think you're right ... she's pretty much not herself and there is no quality of life. I doubt she'd want to live that way. At least she's there home with the two of you. Does Cassie know something's wrong?

I'm a still a bit unhappy about my slippage so I'm buckling down on myself. Got another package of SF drink mixes (the sticks to go) because WM has a few new flavors -- this is cherry limeade. I was getting sick of fruit punch and lemonade, which were the only two flavors I liked of the originals. This is pretty good. The water drinking has GOT to improve and the soft drink drinking has GOT to stop. Period. The end.

I have FF cottage cheese, as usual, and FF cheddar and mozzarella, so there's no reason that I can't incorporate them into my meals somehow. Thank goodness I like that stuff.

Eating out for four days will be difficult but fortunately everybody has salads nowadays. Hopefully it'll be okay. And yes, Paula, it's this weekend. I leave home early EARLY (like about 4:30 a.m.) Thursday morning. The flight is at 7 and arrives in Milwaukee at 9:30. After I get the car, I'll have all day to run around and find a Trader Joe's, because I don't meet the other parents until 7 that night. Then we have to be at the base by around 8 Friday morning.

I guess I'd better get some work done now.

Hi:

Vickie, I noticed the change. What a sweet face your baby has. I do hope she's not in much pain.

I'm having a good start on the day...slept in and am having oatmeal for my late breakfast.

It's rainy, rainy here today.

Rhonda

Vickie, I was thinking about you, Jim, and Cameo, and thought... Cameo is so lucky to have had you guys in her life. It's great that you can be with her now, to help her feel loved and secure. Many cats will never have such a good life, and you've provided Cameo with a wonderful one for all these years. I don't know if she feels like lap time now, but give her a pet and a gentle ear scratch from me.

Angela

it's a gorgeous, sunshiney day. that's helping everyone's mood a lot. i'm going to get my hair cut/colored in a few minutes. that always helps my mood, too. i weighed this am and was up 1.5 lbs. i thought that was a blessing. i'm holding my own even without much exercise.

thank you for the hugs, kathy. it does look like we all need them right now.

melissa, i'm glad you're able to get here. i always miss your perky posts.

rhonda, that is awfully high bp. i'm glad you're all right now. congratulations on being a good ww'er at the banquet. i'm being good now, too. we can do this.

yikes! i just saw that you lost 4 lbs!!!! amazing, woman!!! i am so happy for you.

vickie, i am sorry about cameo. it does sound like she's already gone to a better place.

paula, i can tell you're a great mother and are teaching sarah good values. that makes me smile. i'm sorry you lost your son. i didn't know that. i am very very happy that you have sarah.

hi, angela. how's your day going?

well, it's time for me to leave. i'll be home later. have a good afternoon, everyone.

Cameo has gone to Heaven to be with her Scottie brother MacDuff whom she missed immensely. She went with her little face buried in my chest just where she loved to snuggle. Cassie is quite upset but doesn't seem to know what's going on. Thank you all so much for all the love and support

Oh, Vickie, I am so sorry for this. But what a wonderful life you gave her and how fitting that you should be snuggling her during those final moments.

I will really be keeping you and Jim in my prayers in the coming days. I know how tough this is going to be for a while.

Oh Vickie, your post made me cry. I'm shedding tears for you and the grief you must feel.

awwww, thanks for letting us know. We're all thinking of you and wishing you the best.

Maybe Cassie does understand and that is why she is upset. Animals know, I believe.

Rhonda

Poor Vickie - sorry for the loss of your furbaby - hope you and Jim can comfort each other - I know Cameo has gone to a better place and is enjoying her new 'life' there!

Paula - you can't help but smile at the circus - yes the goodies are always so expensive - but heck it's not something you do every day. Sorry for the loss of your baby as well - I can not imagine your loss - but I know it must still be hard for you - hugs to you too!

Sandra - how's the new 'do'? Send sunshine please - we are having the most god-awful dreary rainy dark and cold night. Dh and I were going to go out on one of our 'movie dates' (yes it's cheap movie night in Ottawa ) - but nothing good playing and frankly just want to stay warm and cozy at home.

Kathy - sounds like you are prepared and are staying focussed w/your eating. I on the other hand have been so stressed at work (oh Frouf how's that database doing by the way? Well funny you should ask - yes like we found 2 more glitches today - and it's all I could do stop from screaming!). Yes our techie is working on it (and we both agreed we would need a few stiff ones when we got home this evening - ha ha ha). I need to put a sock in it and stop eating garbage!

So the cruise scoop - as you know I have been quietly entertaining 'quotes' for that marvelous transatlantic crossing - esp since cruise buddy Ray is already booked and encouraging me to come along. He was unaware that I was doing some 'research' and in the meantime booked a couple more cruises. I was planning to eventually let him know and figured that he would be pleased.

Today I get an email from him about another (short 3 day) cruise he has booked while in Orlando end of November (to see Mickey) and that he has CANCELLED the transatlantic cruise - decided he too didn't want to book so far in advance - and maybe we could plan something else! How funny is that?

I have sent him back email telling him of my (dashed) plans - so glad I didn't book anything while he was cancelling - guess we are back to square one and can decide what we want to do!

I am envious tho that he is having dinner w/Susan (another cruise dinner tablemate) and her fiancee (and aunt and uncle) thurs night at the Mirage and gets to go to the wedding too! At least he will send me good pics!

Ex going into hospital in morning for surgery (bone being grafted from his hip to his spine?) - he is a basket case and is so stressing me out - sending me emails about his will, life insurance policies down to the details of what the kids should take from his apt - should the worst happen! I have agreed to pick him up thurs morning - take him to his 'pain dr' then back to his apt! I sure hope it all goes well! (maybe this is adding to the feeding frenzy?).

Also having trouble sleeping - past 2 morning up around 5:30 am and can't fall back asleep - hope I will collapse tonight and sleep thru to the alarm!

Nitey nite

Frouf

Oh Vickie.

Angela

Good Morning Chicks! I went to bed crying last night and woke up the same way this morning. Jim and Cassie and I are going to take it easy today. I think we'll snuggle and talk about all the funny and sweet Cameo stories. Well, Jim and I will talk....Cassie will just listen! I'll be going to PAWS later this week to bring them all of Cameo's great canned food that I bought for her, along with a box or two of unopened litter that I bought and 5 bags of treats. I know all those little rescued kitties will enjoy the stuff.

Does anyone know where I can buy a little sturdy box to make as a memory box for Cameo? It would need to be large enough to fit her little brush with the last of her hair in it, her collar and tag, the angel pin from the Vet which looks exactly like her, and a couple of the twinkle ball toys she loved so much. I know it sounds crazy but I want to do it anyway. The Great Nieces and Nephews can call me looney when they throw all that stuff away when I'm gone! Maybe Michael's or some kind of craft store?

Anyhow....I don't feel much like chatting today. I need to get back on program and I will.

Vickie, here are a few options:

Bombay Company

Brylane Home

Orvis Pet Memory Box

Pawprint Memory Box at Chimpfeet

More pet memory items from Chimpfeet

It will get easier with time, I'm sure you know, but that doesn't make it easier right now. You'll always miss her just like you miss MacDuff, but the painful worrying in the recent days is what's wearing you down right now. Just take it easy.

Hello all. Just got back from WI - lost 2.2 I'm thrilled. and I've updated my ticker. I'm now back under 180 on the WW scale. WOO HOO.


Vickie, I'm so sorry about Cameo. Our pets are our babies. I hope you are doing better today.

Frouf, I guess your next cruise will work its self out. You never know what kind of deal you'll find between now and next year. Did you really already book a couple more? Where to and when? All this cruise talk makes me want to look into it myself. I'm not big on flying, so there are a few opitons that leave from Boston or NY. Who knows. Sorry to hear about your Ex, its good of you to help him though. The surgery sounds painful. Let us know how he makes out. Does DH mind you helping him? Just courious.....

Well, back to work.

Sandra, just noticed your ticker -- 170! Fantastic. Almost into a new decade! Look at today as a new day, I know the past few weeks were difficult, I hope you are both doing better.

Take care.