Paige, let me know if there's anything I can do do help. I am cleaning my closets this weekend to get rid of size 20 clothes. I bought them all this spring and they're not too big. Mostly it's a few capris and a pair of jeans. If you wouldn't mind, I will send them to you for donation. Could you do that for me, be my liaison? PM if you would. They're in nice shape and great summer/fall clothes for people in the south. I'm so proud of your son. I wish our government cared 1/2 as much. Let me know what I can do to help your town help the survivors.

Since I'm now an insomniac, I was excited to see I slept till almost 5:00 today. I took my allergy meds last night and I think they helped knock me out a little. I slept almost 7 hours - a record lately. The asthma is doing okay, the prednisone is helping. It think restarting the allergy meds is the best thing.

Today is drywall day for the kids room. Putting it up should be no problem. But when we sand - my asthma is going to go bananas. I think I'll have to beg off that one. Also, I'm going to paint the outside of my house where we put up the siding.

At work we changed from Sophos to Panda antivirus and we have the license agreement to have home users. So last night I uninstalled the current, updated version of Sophos and installed Panda. When all was said and done, Panda found and disinfected 17 viruses. I called our network admin at home and told him since he was getting tons of flak about switching. The Panda works great so now I'm installing it on my laptop. Can you believe that, Sophos didn't find 17 viruses? I'm sure glad we switched. So today I'm updating home computers to Panda (DS has a mess on his computer so it should take a while).

DS2 and I made up and I let him know his options since he isn't going to basic training for 3.5 months. We talked medical insurance, school, working, etc. I think we had a good talk yesterday - we'd fought on Monday and didn't see each other all week. This stage between high school and real life is pretty annoying. He's acting like a kid/adult. I want the adult reasoning, not the kid "I'm irresponsible" attitude. So last night we had good open communication. This was needed - I've been mad at him as well as work all week. So now I'm not mad at him and I'm not at work. A perfect combination.

Well I think my laptop is probably done scanning, so I'm going to check on it.

Have a great Saturday!

Good Morning Chickies !!!

Don't you just love days off???? I do!! Sat. was beautiful here for the kid's football game. We had the usual out come, oldest son's team won, and yongest son's team lost (but they at least got a score this time!) I'm stiff as a board from sleeping in all these days, but it's nice.

Marie, hope your ok after all they dry wall dust!! I don't know anything about the virus programs your talking about, so I can't give you an opinion just the same observation you had, 17 virusus is alot for a program to miss! Don't worry DS will get his head out of his _ss soon, it's hard to get them to understand what we know and they don't yet (even at their age) I'm the poster child for wasted education, I didn't finish high school coz I knew it all, yea right! Had to go on get the GED and an associates degree to get a decent job. (there is way more to this story, but you get the idea!) Keep up the good work with the diet, it is real motivation when you finally see those lbs. shedding away!

Paige, I'm glad your in a position to help! And that is too sweet about your son!!! I'm hoping our kids school does either a food drive or the quarter for help program (they bring in all the quarters they can get) I was out shopping over the weekend and I saw donation cups all over the place, it is such a great idea, but all I keep hearing is about how broke everybody is over the gas crunch. If everybody in the US would just donate a dollar could you imagine how much money that would be. I guess my friend has me a little baffeled coz she keeps saying if I had the money I donate, but she keeps thinking in the hundreds instead of what she can afford. And the other thing that bugs me is that if I donate I want to be sure that's where my stuff is going (not just to our local chapter) I'm a jerk about people getting free help that don't need it and that happens alot locally, when I worked for the county as a case worker in the housing department it just blew my mind how many people that their goal in life was to make $500 a month on social security! I mean really, get a job and stop wasting my time and money!!!!

Ok I best get something done here, with a free day off there is no excuse not to get the laundry done!

Lori, Saturday sounds like fun. I remember fall football days with the kids. It was fun and like the picture perfect way to spend a weekend. Are you a professional football fan? I love the Packers - I buy NFL Sunday Ticket so DS1 and I can watch football. He's a MN Viking fan (sinc ehe grew up in MN). So next week football starts. That officially means summer is over. Oh, and what the he!! is Jeff Gordon's problem. I decided it's not me and shirt/hat. I haven't worn it in a couple weeks and he's still lousy. It's sort of depressing to watch Nascar.

All the sheetrock is up. Now it's the muddy time and such. I told DH that I can't have the room open to the rest of the house and I can't be around when he sands after mudding and taping. The asthma is not recovering whatsoever. If I use abuterol every two hours it's not bad. I need the Advair and Singulair to do it's job. But the sheetrock dust is probably what bothering it. I'd quit but then DH would be totally by himself doing this stupid project. Yes, I'm getting resentful of my DS(s) non-help. They're both slugs - so into their own life that they have no idea how much work DH is doing for them (I say them because the equity in our house will skyrocket with this and they're the ones that inherit our money so the room may be for DS1 at the moment but there is a payoff for DS2 if he'd bother to look for it. Can you tell I'm mad at them?????

I'm going to puff on the abuterol then head up the mountain pass. DH said he'd take the puppies and me out hiking before working on the room. And yesterday we cleaned the pool and deck so maybe we'll take a dunk later in the afternoon.

Really I'm not in as bad of a mood as the post probably sounds. I'm just frustrated with my kids and I'm worried that having DS and GF move here is more than I can handle. I was looking forward to this fall that DS2 would go to basic training and I'd have an empty nest. Now DS2 isn't going into basic training until January 17 (so much for the Guard really needing recruits) and DS is moving back with GF. I'm going to have a full house instead. I am concerned about that but I'll get used to it. Maybe just because the room project is so overwhelming I'm too moody about it. Who knows.

Enough ranting. I'm going to be happy today regardless because I get to go hiking this am. Talk to you later.

Wow Marie - I am so sorry your asthma hasn't cleared up. Did you stay on the prednisone? You might need a whole weeks worth if you've detiorated that bad. Sorry hun. I can't say that I personally understand your frustrations with your sons, but I've watched my mom dealing with my little bro and it can really mess with your head when you think your children are raised and on their own and then they burden you again. This is a real problem for the Boomer with their Gen X/Y kids. We've found it harder to make it in the world than our parents did. No factory jobs, only specialized. Education and training is a must and takes so much time and then your broke. Vent away! Enjoy your hike!

Lori - Sounds like you've had a great weekend. Not a big football fan but DH is winning me over as time goes by. I do remember the games in school being so much fun though I'm doing laundry today too!

Paige! Your DS has such a kind heart! That is so great that you are doing what you can. You're a bit closer so it sounds like the impact is bigger. I hear about what they're doing at work: dispatched the mobile hospital to the gulf states, donated 500k and took in 100 patients already. They expect more. Then our convention center took in 100s this weekend.

I've slept in all weekend and it felt great! I needed it. DH and I spent the weekend grilling, drinking beer and watching movies - ALL romantic comedies - FUN He has school today so he's off at class. I'm going to do a little work from home today and a couple evening this week so I don't lose PTO. I need to save it for my surgery at the end of the month. Boss was cool with that since I have this web dev to do that I can't seem to focus on for all the interuptions. So I'll do a bit of that today. It is just beautiful here today. It felt cool this morning. I love that! It's only supposed to get into the 80s today. I need to get outside at some point probably with Bella

Alrighty, I'm off here for now. See you all later!

Marie, have you flat out asked the kids to help? You should use my moms method, she guilts me into helping every time. It could go something to this effect, dad is only one person, the dust bothers your asthma (could land in the hospital if it continues) and unless they want to pitch a tent in the front yard they best come help!!!! I know it sounds stupid, and they should want to help, but like you said they are so wrapped up in their own worlds right now that they need a shove in the right direction. I remember fighting with my parents one time, I only stayed in their house that they are living in for a few years so it dosen't really feel like my home and I don't get the house when they go, my brother does and he has more money then anybody I personally know. So I get furious when he won't get off his butt and help with the manual labor, we all work too!!!! Marie I don't know if you have or not but if you haven't asked do so and don't be subtle about it!

Kerry, surgery???? Did I miss something??? Not serious I hope or is it for the fertility thing???

Yea we did have fun this weekend and I love fall football, I don't follow the NFL too much coz I think they are so over paid! But I have a soft spot for our home town Steelers. As for the kids moving back in now a days I remember my mom telling me that their was NO WAY that I was staying with her with both my kids, that's what her parents did to her when she was having problems. I didn't move in, but I went and bought another house so I'm not so sure her reasoning helped me, but what are you going to do.

Ok back to the laundry!!!

Yep it's for the fertility thing. He's going to do the HSG which is basically a saline injection into my tubes to do an extensive x-ray. Then right after that I'll be prepped for surgery where I'll have a the least the Laproscopy invasion into my tubes/ovaries: they cut a small incision under the naval and go in and look around. If he sees anything during the HSG he's also scheduled a hysteroscopy for when I am already under the anesthetic. I hope he doesn't have to do that as well. ALL of it sounds very icky and they have to cut on me It is scheduled for Sept 30th.

Ah Kerry, I'm sorry about the surgery. Hopefully they'll solve whatever is wrong and you'll get pregnant again without the big worries of miscarriage. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Lori, yesterday I told DS2 that I will not work on his computer until he helps with the addition. That he can live iwth the viruses and spam. I told him that he helps us that I will help him. I think that I was as subtle as a freight train (DH cringed as I said this). He still went on his merry way to goof off with friends. Now, DS1 I haven't said much too and the room is for him and his GF. Since he lives 30 minute away, I understand the gas crunch/$$$ that it takes. There's a part of me that wants him to come out and help but Lori, his help is atrocious. Hammering - he misses the nail completely and breaks the siding. Stapling the insulation - not strong enough sot he insulation isn't tacked down all the way. Screwing the drywall (which he did on Sunday), he kept missing the stud so we have more holes to fill. I think you get the picture - he is a genius with no practical homeowner skills. His help is a hindrance and I guess we would just like some appreciation bu we don't see that either.

Anyway, DH and I talked about our kids and I told him under no circumstances in the future is he to help them when they buy/build their own houses. They both made the bed, so to speak on our help. DH liked that statement because he is just as frustrated with them as I am. Then we talked about the room and how much we're going to like it when DS1 and GF move out. It's turning out so cool. We're going to put all of our exercise equipment in it and move it out of our living room. Move the big screen and projector out there for movie entertainment. Then we're going to get a sleeper sofa for it so that guests will have a nice place to stay. After we talked about 2.5 years down the road for the room, my anger/resentment at the kids subsided. Now I'm not looking at it as something for them, but something for us.

Kerry, I'm going to baby my lungs all week - no drywalling and mudding. I'm going to use the abuterol regularly and take all my other meds. If by Friday it's not better I'm going to go to the dr. for a full prescription of prednisone. I think it I don't aggravate them beyond exercising, I should see some improvement. This is the worst the asthma has been since we moved from MN to OR and I don't have a specialist like I did in MN. That's sort of a bummer.

On a good note, I did use the abuterol yesterday before hiking and I just strode up the mountain path. It was beautiful out and I enjoyed myself tremendously. If I could hike everyday, I'd have my exercise all done. But it's not too convenient and DH and I work opposite shifts. I also did my situps last night (yes even after working on the addition all day). I think I've really turned a corner in the exercise department.

I will weigh in on Friday and hopefully I will see another loss. I didn't today since I got up at 2:30 in the morning and my scale is in my bedroom where DH is slumbering peacefully - yeah I am jealous... For now, my clothes are definitely feeling loose and I'm enjoying that fit.

TTYL.

Whoa Marie that's some heavy stuff. . . I'm glad your feeling better about it all. Keepin it in perspective is important. I swear that is my mantra lately

I lost another pound. I have no idea how, but the scale said so this morning. I'm not even supposed to weigh in early in the week, but after our wild eating weekend I was afraid I had gained. So I wanted to see how severly to restrict myself. I was very surprised to see a loss. I guess I've just made changes that are reflected without suffering. I don't overeat as much and I don't indulge in candy and baked good binges like I once did. I'm still on the diet soda and water kick and it all seems to work in my favor. I am going to buckle down though and try to do restrict some of my cheating to see if I can lose these last 4 pounds before the doc puts me on the fertility drugs in Oct. I guess that would make my goal to lose 4 pounds before the middle of Oct. Although, I can tell that I could stand to lose more that 4 more with all this pudge around the middle. I probably need to lost 14 more to lose the pudge, but I don't know if I can do it in that time frame. . . We'll see.

Good Evening Chickies

Well ladies the hard work has paid off!!!!! I saw it today 130 lbs.!!!!!

I almost fell off the scale, I forgot to weigh in yesterday so I did today and I'm there, but my tummy still has a roll, so I'm not done with that by no means! I raised my weights yesterday and my arms are soooo sore that seeing the lose this morning motivated me enough to keep working through the soreness.

Marie, it's good you expressed yourself, holding that in can be even harder than no help. And if DS is that bad with a hammer than just have him mudd! Too funny though!!!! Anyway your future plans for yourself will help keep the situation a little lighter.

Kerry, way to go on the pound! 4 lbs. is a very do-able goal for mid Oct. I know about maybe needing more, but just keep watching to you're expecting then we'll have to switch your goals a little!

Ok not much time to chat, tomorrow is my early day so I need to get lunches packed and get to bed!

HI Ladies,
I hope everyone had a good weekend. It went way to fast for me!!!!

Kerry- don't worry about the surgery too much....... I had all those done as well. It will take a couple of days to recover and then your back to new. I have to say the most vibrant, beautiful picture I own is the one of my ovaries!!!! I'm not kidding.... it was amazing!!!! It ended up that they couldn't find a reason why I was having so much trouble. Good Luck with it all!!!!

Well DD and I just got back from her dance class and I'm starving!!!!!! Check back later.

Well everyone, this morning looked to be a continuation of yesterday's lousy day and then, voila, a few kisses from my puppies and I have my head back together. Had a nasty run in with the scale - I hate the damn thing - but my puppies didn't care that it said I gained a pound. Which, btw, is physically impossible since I didn't consume enough calories to gain, just the opposite, I consumed enough to lose but he!! at this point I'm better with it. An hour ago I was near tears. Really lousy day yesterday. I don't like those, so I played with puppies and feel better. The scale can just go @#$@$#@$ itself. How's that for attitude?

I have told both kids how I feel about the lack of help and that was a stupid thing to do. I feel worse for hurting them. I know that the world is going to hurt their feelings but I shouldn't be the one to do it. Given the choice to do it again, I wouldn't. At least my feelings aren't stuffed anymore. There's the only good point in it.

I didn't exercise yesterday. I should have since I was so volitile emotion wise. Probably would have been better than curling up in a ball in the middle of my bed (at least I got some sleep that way though). Today will be better, I swear it will.

Blizzie, my Alaskan Husky gave my hugs and kisses this morning and it's amazing how she calmed me down. Then I think of all the abandoned puppies in NO and I want to cry again. This whole hurricane thing is so upsetting and I think that's why I'm so easily upset. Yesterday I did give my can food to the boy scouts for a drive for the survivors. I should have given my puppies canned food too.

Sorry this is a disjointed post. I'm really struggling emotionally and can't keep a straight thought. Is it the hurricane stuff? Is it the onslaught of irritants thrown my way? Or is it because I'm off meds? I don't know which way is up. But I do know I'm not going back on meds so I've got to tough it out and hopefully not blow up at anyone at work - or then I'll have a bigger problem. So thanks friends for letting me think/vent here.

Take care and I'll be more chipper and less self involved later.

Good Evening Chickies!!!!

Goodness Marie, yes I do believe is appears to be a down swing that your having. As long as you can see it it shouldn't last to long!!!! Whats bad is when you don't realize your having down time, that's rough. DH is having a down swing this week too, he has missed 2 days of work and he didn't do anything over the weekend. I know he is not sleeping and this makes it harder to push through it. He's at least smiling today and not ripping everybody's heads off! So maybe we're on our way back up!!!! You hang in there Marie, Rome wasn't built in a day and just getting off you meds will take some time to adjust. Just promise me if you start having visions about were to burry the bodies you'll talk to the Dr. !!!!!!

I'm doing a new work out routine this week and it's tough to push through it, it takes so much longer than my old one, I just hate it. I may alternate between workouts instead of trying to do the same one all week. Thank goodness the weekend is just around the corner, I really need some sleep myself!

Hi Paige, looks like you guys are getting back into your working/winter routine! Let us know how the WW meetings go this time around. I'm curious, how many stayed with the program over the summer? Personally I think you did exceptional being away from home for 3 whole weeks!

Well I'm going to get our lunches packed and hit the sack, I've got to get some sleep soon or my eyes my just fall right out !!!!!

Lori, no visions of where to bury the bodies. I'm doing better emotionally than I was on Tuesday. It was just a bad day all around. Yesterday and today were much better. Tomorrow is Friday and that's always good. I love Fridays.

I lost the battle fighting the asthma on my own. I spent the afternoon at the dr. and got the nebulizer treatment and a full pack of prednisone. My pulse-ox was really low so I was told not to exercise - by a dr. no less. How cool. So here I type not getting short winded. I'm not losing any weight either, but that's life. I'm going to put my scale in the closet for two weeks since I'll be on steroids for the next week and I know I won't lose weight then. No reason to weigh and get irritated.

DS1 is still a slug. DS2 seems to realize that he was being self-centered. At least half my children get that DH and I aren't their slaves. DS1's GF called last night and apologized on her behalf. She said DS1 said that I'd get over my resentment of him. Yeah, like that's going to happen until he gets his head out of his you know what.

I guess that's all that's happening. We're closing on the home equity loan on Saturday so that irritant of Ditech.com being so slow is almost over. I complained to a higher up on Tuesday when I was in such a bad mood and suddenly they're ready to close the loan. How surprising.

Take care everybody.

Hi Ladies!

I've tried to be better this week. Bella and I have been walking, but not with a lot of vigor. We've been strolling really and enjoying the weather. It's been beautiful here. As for eating, I do great during the day (except today when I'm taking an ice cream break with my bud) but in the evening I think I'm blowing it. DH made peach daquaris one night and that was bad. I thought I'd dropped another pound, but the scale this morning said no. That's probably due to my salty meal last night of lo mein and eggrolls. Anyway, I'm not to upset about it really. I'm still maintaining and that's better than gaining I guess.

We're grilling out tonight and drinking beer. Tomorrow we're going to go see Batman Begins at the $1.50 theater. I also have a good book going that I hope to read more of. DH has some homework as well. The weather is just great and we're going to take advantage of it. I promised Bella a trip to the park or lake so we'll fit that in too.

Have a great weekend ladies! I hope you feel better Marie! I hope the workout gets easier for you Lori - You're such a good girl with your workouts!!

Just a quick check in......
Lori-Congrats on reaching your goal weight.....You're an inspiration to us all!