My dear friends............
You just don't know what you both mean to me! I checked the posts & emails, and found your words of encouragement and it helped me through. Thank you.
Once again......postponed! Our attorney is in a jury trial, so the preliminary hearing is September 1st. Don't know when the cusody hearing is, yet. They say they're trying to set up a supervised visit for our son and the girls, which he doesn't believe will happen. I don't really blame him.
Also, we paid $500 extra to have the girls court-ordered to talk with a very good psychiatrist about the invironment they are living in. Well, they've had the girls over two months now, and that's sufficient time to teach them what to say. (we should have known....it happened during the divorce, also.) Anyway, the psychiatrist said they are well taken care of by their mother, and they are very afraid of their dad and all of us! It probably will always be supervised visits. For now, though, even THAT would be nice! We miss them sooo much.

Sheila....I'm so happy for you losing that 5 lbs! Good for you! All that hard work is paying off. I didn't realize the total would soon be 100 lbs!! WOW! You can be really proud of yourself! When you reach your goal, please put a picture of yourself in here, so we can see you. I've lost 18 lbs now. I can't take credit for it, though. Just can't eat...probably my nerves. I stay nauseated a lot. If I don't get better soon, I'm going to see my GP about it.

Bluet...I don't like fall either....because of winter. But, it looks like it's coming very fast, so might as well prepare. We sure have had a hot summer! No one has good gardens this year. The cotton, corn, etc., all look burned up. I feel bad for the farmers. There's been very little rain. You know, dh and I were talking about it today. We couldn't get the roof finished, because of the rain. Then, as soon as the roof was finished, the rain stopped!

Well...need to go and prepare for another week, and see what it will bring. Again, thank you both for being such good friends.

Love ya,
Charlotte

Sheesh--postponed again! That must be so frustrating, Charlotte. I can't even begin to imagine what it's been like. How is your son doing? I so hope that you can visit the girls soon. It certainly does seem like they were coached if, after happily living with you and your DH for quite a while, they now say they are afraid of you. That just doesn't make sense at all. Are you still feeling nauseated? I hope you've been able to eat something. Hope you're having a better week, Charlotte.

Bluet, have you been feeling a nip in the air at night? We have. I even had to put on pajamas instead of a light nightshirt because I've been cold at night. Over the weekend it was in the mid-90s, and wouldn't you know that was the weekend we chose to start moving dirt around in our yard.

Well, ladies, I made my Weight Watchers goal weight today. It was exciting. I still want to lose another 7 lbs. at least to make it 100 lbs. lost, but I also wanted to quit paying the WW fee so I chose a higher goal. According to the BMI charts, I'm officially a "healthy weight." Yippee!

Take care, ladies.

I'm soooo proud of you for making your goal!! I'm sorry I didn't see your post until today...you've probably lost even more! We want a pic.

Bluet...you've been pretty quiet. Hope you're not in one of your "isolation" moods. I don't like you getting depressed. I stay depressed enough for all of us. Hope all is well at work. The weather is beginning to cool off just a little, here. How is your farm doing?

Well, my little Daschund dog (Little Bit) got bit by a rattlesnake this morning. Her jaws and head have really been swollen up today. She's better tonight, but not sure she'll make it, yet. DH believes in doctoring dogs at home, instead of at a vet. I just don't think he wants to spend the money on her. I know we're out a lot of money on other things, lately, but I would have already taken her, if it were up to me.

Friday is the next appointed Preliminary Hearing, so be praying for us. As I said...appointed. We never know. We still haven't seen the girls. I hope our son can hang on...seems they all are trying his patience as well as ours. I know it would help him mentally, as well as other ways to see them.

Hope you both have a good week.
Love you,
Charlotte

Good Morning,

Sorry, I missed your post Charlotte, I am usually notified through Yahoo, when you girls post, but I wasn't this time. Isn't that the little dog that you lost one time and then found at a gas station? I don't remember the details. That is really serious to be bitten by a rattlesnake. That is one thing we don't have too much of around here are snakes. I am really afraid of snakes, even the non dangerous type that we have, which are grass snakes or garter snakes. I had not seen one for years, and just this summer I had one slither across my path while walk along the road near our farm. Yuck. Well, I guess sub-zero weather is good for some things.

Was the court appearance this last Friday? Sorry, I missed knowing about it. I hope it went ok, well as ok as possible. I feel so sad for you, your family and you son. I could have been "isolating" along with workng on the buildings and yard yet from last year. DH and I painted the building, barn red with white trim. And did some more landscaping this weekend. I am really tired this morning, I feel more like having a nap than being at work. Shhhh, don't tell anyone.

Sheila, how is your landscaping going, what did you have in mind? Taking down more trees and shrubs? Congratulations, and a big hug for meeting your goal weight. How did you celebrate? How is your Dad doing? We are cooling down weather wise considerably, everything is starting to look tired and fall like. Do either of you get the magazine "Cottage Living"? There is a very nice write up on Door County in Wisconsin. Sometimes I mention going to Door County, which is not too far from us for mini-vacations. I just thought if you get a chance to see the magazine, that you might like to see pictures and read the write up of Door County.

Well, I hope this message finds you both doing well, may your week be happy and productive. Take care......love ya!!!

Bluet

Charlotte, how is your dog? I'm hoping that she's made a complete recovery. So what happened with the hearing? I've been praying for you guys.

Hope you got a little nap in at work, Bluet. I enjoyed it when I had an office, and I could close my door. Didn't happen often, but sometimes you just need that five minutes of closing your eyes. In fact, I've heard that power napping is really good for people at work--makes them more productive.

You'll have to show us photos of all your hard work this summer. I'm going to have to check and see if Cottage Living is in the library. I've heard of Country Living, but not Cottage Living.

So we spent one day of the long weekend kayaking with my sister and friend. I really enjoy kayaking so we went and bought a kayak--for my DH! And a paddle for me. So now we have one kayak that fits DH and one paddle that fits me. DH ordered a paddle online for himself (he's tall), and I'm going to buy my sister's friend's kayak once she gets another one. I like hers a lot, and hopefully it will be a good deal.

The rest of the weekend we spent digging trenches in the front yard so that the rock guy can build a rock wall and stone paths. It took us four hours to dig less than 1/2 of what we needed to dig. Then I got the bright idea of putting the soaker hose on the remaining stuff--duh! The next day it took us two hours to dig the rest of the way. All this in mid-90s temps, no less! Had my Dad over for dinner on Labor Day. He's got a cold, which I'm hoping doesn't turn to pneumonia.

Leaving tomorrow for our "tri-state tour." I have my treatment in Portland, then we'll stay overnight and leave for Boise the next morning. We'll spend a week in Boise with my son and granddaughter, then fly back to Portland where we'll pick up our car and head to Seattle for a symposium related to the neuro disorder I have. The literature said that they dress up on Saturday night. Dress up--what's that?? I have no dress so I went to the thrift store run by the Humane Society and bought a dress for $2. I may have to buy shoes, which might cost more than the dress.

See you in a couple of weeks. I hope to hear good news, Charlotte. You deserve some.

Hello friends,
Sorry I've been so long. I had to work a lot last week, & came home too tired for anything. My little dog "Little Bit" is well from the snake bite. The dog that was lost was "Red", her partner...we wanted them to give us puppies. He was the one the little boy found, and we let him keep. His new name is "Scooby Doo". I'm so glad "Little Bit" is ok again. Thanks to both of you for your concern.
The preliminary hearing went as well as expected. At least, we didn't have to see anyone from the "other" side. The DA asked the detective about the shooting & what the witnesses said. Our son still hasn't seen his daughters. He's not doing too well. We've got to get him some mental help, soon. My dh is going to talk to our attorney tomorrow, and see what is going on.

Bluet...I love buildings that are barn red! I bet your farm is beautiful! I would love to spend some time there. In fact, I would like to be anywhere but here these days...
I understand about you "isolating", Bluet. Just don't get too "isolated". I miss you. I've had people on my back about being that way, but, I handle things the best way I can. I haven't song, or done my program since the day this all happened. My pastor tries to get me to sing at church, but, he says he understands that I have "lost my song", but wants me to get it back. My joy & song has left me, for the the moment, and I'm not going to pretend.

Sheila...I'll miss you this next few days. Hope you have a good time. Hope your dad is doing well. My dh loves to kayak! When we went on vacation in Tennessee, he went kayaking, and loved it. I couldn't stand to watch, so I just rode the train most of the day.

The weather is changing a lot, now. Very warm during the day, but, quite cool in the mornings. It won't be long til we'll need heat. I dread that.

Well, I'm going to go....it's getting late. Hope both of you have a great week.
Love you,
Charlotte

Hello, ladies--

Charlotte, so glad to hear that your little dog survived the snake bite. It's been almost 2 weeks since you last posted--I hope that you've heard some good news about the case in that time. And I especially hope that you've been able to see the girls. Please let us know!

Bluet, thanks for the PM. I can't believe that little boy is two already! Time really does fly, doesn't it? I think the older we get, the more that happens. I mean, shoot, it's fall already!

So I did my usual tour of Boise restaurants. Haven't been on the scale yet. Don't know what it is about going to Boise that makes me eat more. Maybe because it's the place I gained most of the weight?? I could get into some food porn here (bread pudding--oh, my!), but I'll try to restrain myself. Glad to be home and back in my eating and exercise routine. I'll think about weighing tomorrow. . .or next week. . .or ???

After being in Boise for a week, we spent the next weekend in Seattle where we attended a symposium called Dystonia Daze. (I have dystonia in my neck.) It was incredibly freeing to be in a place where everyone has the same disorder or is married to someone with the disorder so we all have the same problems, etc. Met some great people, and I even made my DH dance with me on Saturday evening.

Hope you're both enjoying good weather (sun and in the 70s here)!

Edited on 9/24 to say that I ran an entire 5K race today! Isn't that cool? Now my goal is to better my time.

And editing on 9/25 to ask Bluet a question. Okay, so I watched a few minutes of Survivor, and I was wondering this--are the women given razors so they can shave their underarms to look better for TV? I swear I didn't see any pit hair, but then I wasn't looking that closely. I might have to tune in just to see!

Hello,

I am so sick. Monday I started with a very sore throat that lasted two days and today I feel like complete crap and my throat is still raw and croupy. I stayed home Monday because daughter from SP was home with grandson for the family reunion and stayed home on Tuesday which was the day I felt the worst. I went to work today, even though I still was dragging, but payroll and payables had to get done and a few other things like state taxes, etc. I am so mad about feeling this sick, I am a complete grouch.

The reunion was nice, it was DH's turn to host and we had it at a very nice cabin in a local park. Hardly any of the first generation of grandchildren were there, because they all had other social events they had to be at, including two of my children, therefore there were'nt too many great grandchildren there either, but stuff like that happens and we had a very nice time with the ones that could make it. Goodness knows we had plenty of room in the cabin to move around.

Sad to say Sheila, but and this is most unfortunate, I have noticed on other Survivor shows that there has not been any arm pit hair or hair growing down around their ankles either. I don't know who they think they are kidding, like we would'nt notice something as important as that. Well, I guess we have them figured out. I am finding the splitting of the tribes a very interesting senario though. How wonderful for you to have run a 5K, that is just too cool Sheila. We are really cooling down and by the time I get home from work there is only an hour of daylight left.

Charlotte, how are things going? How is your Son holding up? I hope you have found your song by now. I should try to get some pictures of what we accomplished this summer on here for you girls to see. We will see how I am feeling next week, right now I don't have any energy for anything. Well, I guess I had better get off to bed, last night I hardly slept with the coughing all night long.

Take care....Hugs to you both....Love Bluet

Here is a little update...I am feeling better this evening, I am starting to sound like a normal person talking again. I stop at the local Walgreen's last night and asked the pharmacist what I could take and not feel like a walking zombie, she recommended Claritin. Little did I know you had to have three identifications and your passport to buy the stuff. Naw, just kidding just your drivers License. :-). It does make me feel abnormal though, my teeth felt numb and I couldn't be responsible for the things that came out of my mouth this morning. Other than those "small" stumbling blocks, I feel less congested and can breathe tonight.

I know this will thrill you Charlotte, "more on pit hair" I saw some on one of the ladies tonight, sorry to have judge too soon. I thought the tribes would stay divided for awhile longer, I was finding it very interesting. Also Sheila, I think CSI is truly trying to lose me.

Well good night again on another day. Take care please.

Love...Bluet

Hello friends,

Sorry for not posting for awhile. I've had a lot going on. (just the usual)
Also, this site is driving me crazy, lately! I don't know if it's just doing it with me, or everyone, but I have to log in before I reply, then, again after I reply. Also, it's very slow going from place to place. There was a couple of times I just gave up. I don't think it's my computer, because this is the only place it happens. Oh well....I've done my venting....

Sheila, that was great about your 5k run!!! You're really doing well, lately....made your weight goal & your 5k run. Congrats!!!! Still no change in the case with our son. Haven't seen the girls yet, either. Thanks for asking. We go back November 1st for Custody Hearing, if it's not postponed again. Our son is seeing a Psychiatrist, though. He got to talking really strange, and our attorney suggested it. I don't think it's helping. The only thing that will really help is his girls.

Bluet, I do hope you are feeling better. Glad the reunion went well. We're planning on going to South Alabama this weekend to watch our grandson play football. It's his Senior year. It's suppose to be a pretty weekend. Our Senior granddaughter got engaged!!!! There was an engagement ring in her "Fortune Cookie" when they went to eat! I thought that was kind of neat.

About "pit hair"....if they would take the Remicade treatments I take, they wouldn't have to worry about shaving. I'm hairless!!!! Got a little scared about the hair on my head, but I have a very good beautician that uses Herbal Shampoo from my/&my sister's herb store, & she knows how to make my hair look thicker. I have to admit....I don't mind not shaving the armpits, or legs!

Haven't found my song, yet, Bluet. Maybe soon....I'm trying to find a life in all of this mess. Love you both,
Charlotte

Hello~

Just have to laugh about Survivor and the pit hair. I'm really going to have to start watching just to check out underarms. I have to wonder if they have a whole crew of people on those islands in addition to the camera people, who are standing just out of camera range. Kind of like Oprah and her friend on their road trip--they're in one car, and then the entourage is packed into five cars following them. Maybe there are Survivor make-up artists who artfully smudge dirt on the contestants' faces!

Are you totally back to normal, Bluet? Hope so. Glad you had a good time at the reunion. So is it always held near you, or only this time because your DH was hosting? It must be nice (most of the time!) having family relatively nearby. While I understand all the cold medicine hoopla, it's pretty easy to get off the internet. Would be nice to read some statistics that indicate the regulations are reducing the amount of meth produced. The meth addicts are going around to farms and stealing irrigation equipment and other metal farm objects to sell to scrapyards. Have you heard anything about that? The farmers are all pretty miffed when they go out and discover all their new piping has been stolen.

Charlotte, I've seldom had any problems getting onto this site--wonder what's going on? I'd be annoyed, too. Glad your son is getting some help, although it's kind of discouraging that it's not working. Maybe more sessions will turn it around for him, but seeing the girls again probably would make the most difference as you say. No talk about even supervised visitation?

Sounds like a fun weekend to take your mind off things, Charlotte. I love high school football games. Is your GD's fiance still in H.S.? Have they been going out a long time? What a sweet way of giving her a ring! Remicade sounds kind of like chemo. Do you have eyebrows? My mother's hair thinned a touch after chemo, but she never had to wear the wig she had made. Glad that herbal shampoo works so well.

So I guess I'm going to VA to visit my daughter. She's having rather a rough time. I'm not thrilled to be going (I'll be traveling alone and it's an 8 hour trip), but I want to be supportive, and I haven't seen her in almost three years. October was supposed to be a good at-home month, but now it appears we'll be going to Boise again the end of October. Only an hour by plane, though, and I get to see my little sweetheart. She'll be in her new "body jacket" that she has to wear for her scoliosis.

Oops! Look at the time--gotta go, ladies!

I just found this thread. I am 57 and take prednisone for saroidosis. I have about 50lb to lose.

Hi Carol! Drop in any time...glad to have you visit with us. I'm 57 also. I have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. My meds really fight my weight, although I've lost quite a bit, lately. Hang in there. You can do it! Keep us posted.

I was saved at age 21 and my hubby and I have been married 37yr and have 10 children and soon to be 8 grandchildren. I just love kids! My mom just went to be with the Lord on Aug 18th from our home where she lived with us. She was 90. Thanks for replying.