Good Morning Chicks! Got up to go to the bathroom at 4:30 and could not go back to sleep. It's funny that my body still wakes me up at that time sometimes. That's the time I used to get up to go to work downtown. I'm having some discomfort today after eating at the restaurant last night. I ate this great minestrone soup and avoided the pasta. They said there isn't any fat in it so I thought it was safe. Maybe even cooked veggies in restaurants are a problem for me. I'm feeling some discomfort. Something else to add to my food journal. Sheesh. Anywho......

Melissa, what a disappointment. Must be a small company you are dealing with. It's too bad there wasn't someone else who could process your paperwork for you since you made the trip. It's a great idea to go ahead and get the pre-approval done. Once a great house gets listed, you'll want to be in a position to make an immediate offer. Then you and Aaron can do the ever important numbers crunching to find out what your minimum and maximum bids are. It's a good idea to do this anyway before you are in the middle of emotional house negotiations. Jim and I do this with lots of life decisions to keep ourselves from making emotional purchases that are too expensive for us. We just did it most recently with our TV and Entertainment unit. The really emotional one was the bidding for the world series tickets on Ebay. We won the bid for $25 under our maximum. Had it gone above that, we would have moved on. We won that bid and you too shall find your house. I love to look at and find houses. I will continue to hold you two in my good luck prayers. How's your eating with all of this going on?

Speaking of prayers, Kath, what's up? I thought things were finally settling down for you. Shaun is still on for the Navy and Kate is getting ready to move out and give you some room. Judd is currently the DSH.....you're exercising and losing weight again....you seem to feel ok. So what am I missing. Are you starting to have some pre-empty nest syndrome?

Angela, I hope you aren't seriously sick. I was happy to hear from you. I have to hear from you periodically to know that maintenance on Core is a real life possibility! I've seen robins too so I'm thinking the worst of winter is over. We never got real snow yesterday either. I heard there is one more big one coming next week through the midwest so stay tuned. Maybe you are having sinus allergy problems? How's the eating going? I've noticed that you aren't posting your menus.

Saundra, I smiled that you had fun with your Sister yesterday. My Sister and I also would have enjoyed the drama at the store!

Frouf, I'm glad you elevated your concens to managment. Sometimes, it's the only way to get things done. Shame on them. They should NEVER deprive anyone of an entired pay check.....even if you DID owe the money. You still have to live and pay your bills. I'll keep my fingers crossed that your next pay check arrives on time. Sounds like you might have some money towards your next trip some day? Hey...how are you feeling? I'm expecting some improvement news this morning.

I haven't given you all a Cassie update. Her bloodwork came back great all except for her liver enzymes. Scotties often have elevated liver enzymes for no reason. Ultrasound was clear so no dreaded bladder cancer. No sign of infection in the "dip" of urine but it's been sent for culture so we won't know for sure until Friday. The biggest problem is that her urine is dilute which could mean that her kidneys are functioning properly. This could be really bad news. We are all hoping that the culture shows an infection that we can treat with antibiotics instead of having it be a kidney problem. The Vet has us measuring how much water she is drinking for a week. Then we'll probably test again. Goodness.....it's like having a little person to take care of. But, it's ok because I'm retired so I have time to figure out what's wrong with her AND me! I love her like a child. Did I tell you all that her Vet bill was almost $700. Glad I was saving for the day.

Ok....that's way long enough for now. I'm going to go start a new menu thread for fabulous Friday!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I can't believe we don't have any little avatars for this. Hmmmmm. Maybe it's too religious? I have a tendency to think about some of these holidays as their more commericial rather than a religious connotation.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Vickie, it is a small office. In fact, I'm not sure who else works in her office. She is an old friend of my dad, so that's why we're working with her. I'm so glad to hear that you have had good results from Cassie's tests. Thanks for your encouragement. Oh and my eating has been the pits, but it is moreso because of Aaron's bday than the house stuff. There's cake everywhere we go.

I don't have time to catch up right now but I hope that you all have great core days. Thank goodness it's Friday!

TGIF is right! And Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all too!

Vickie, no really, I'm a mess. I can't sleep either but it's due to waking up worried about things, and then of course I have the never-ending arm and hand numbness that's about to drive me insane. It'll go away soon though, I hope.

I got home from work yesterday and there was no Shaun. I went up to the bar where he hangs out and yep, there he was. I just about lost it. I know in my heart that he's going to mess it up and not get to go. Five months is too long to just sit and stare at the wall. He can't run and exercise 24 hours a day. He still has friends and wants to socialize. BUT ... he doesn't need to be smoking and drinking and staying out late. I've said it until I'm blue and now I'm just too weary to continue. If I don't get these kids up and out, I probably won't live to tell about it.

Melissa, I'm disappointed about last night's meeting being cancelled but glad you were able to visit with the inlaws anyway. It'll all come together soon. Real estate movement will pick up shortly so I'm confident you'll find something that's perfect.

Melissa, TGIF to you too! I'm so happy that you still sound positive. It's not easy during times of stress....even good stress. Hang in there!

Kath, speaking of hanging in there. Is there any way Shaun can go sooner? Does he have a little job for the meantime? I guess you could make him move out but then he really probably won't go into the Navy. I'll keep praying that the next five months goes quickly for you and that you wake up an empty nester in August.

Off to do more laundry. Jim's doing the outside errands.

The recruiter has filed paperwork to see what sort of jobs are available for earlier shipping. Hopefully they'll come up with something and he can go soon. He has no job and has applied at all the places in walking distance, but those are sparse. He has no place to move to and no money to support himself anyway. It's a very bad situation but I know people have it much worse.

It sounds bad enough to me that I'm happy it isn't me. I wish there was something I could do. Maybe you need a vacation.

For instance ... here's an example of real pain.

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/14122269.htm

My heart just breaks for these parents.

Horrible!

I forgot that I meant to address this. I let him read that post after I wrote it last night -- he is forever saying "yeah, I know you call me a DH to your friends." No matter how much I tell him that EVERYONE says it, and it doesn't mean anything bad, he doesn't believe me. (Apparently they don't talk that way on his motorcycle boards.)

You can't believe how nice he has been lately, and I know it's due to all the Shaun stress. He sees that it's just about to do me in and I think it has scared him. He's also happy that I got the motorcycle, but mainly I think he just feels really, really sorry for me and knows how much I hate these current circumstances.

Well at least Judd is being nice to you!

I got an email from the realtor. A house I was interested in (that I emailed him about yesterday) went under contract yesterday as well. The same house, across the street, is also for sale though, so we are going to look at it tomorrow morning. Of course we still aren't pre-approved, so I'm not feeling very excited or in much of a hurry.

I'm glad he's being good to you. I've never met you but I can tell you that you are one great woman who deserves back from the universe what she puts out there. You can only control just so much stuff. I can say this because I AM a control freak!

I once asked what DH meant a long time ago on my Scottie list. The woman who used the term said it means whatever she wants for that moment in time. So I took that to mean that not everyone means Dear Husband. That's why I always use Jim's name because then there can be no doubt. Maybe you and Judd should go out and have a hoot and holler.

Melissa, keep at it GF. Something good will happen. Do you HAVE to be approved to put in a contract? You don't have to in Illinois. It's better but not necessary here.

We don't have to be pre-approved, but it just makes the process go faster and of course makes you more attractive to sellers.

I didn't know there were any other meanings for DH!!

Kathy - I am so happy that Judd can be supportive when required - I'm sure he realizes how much stress you're under and at least has the good sense not to add to it. I hope something shows up for Shaun real soon!

Vickie - sounds like Cassie is doing great - hopefully kidneys check out okay and nothing that some meds won't fix! Sorry you were up so early and hope you got to nap today.

Angela - treat it now - trust me you don't want to end up like a sick frouf!

Melissa - good luck with the new house and the paperwork!

I had major trouble falling asleep due to 19 yr old who was not home - I will speak to him about checking in - left for school at 11 am yesterday and was not home when I went to bed around midnight - even if he was at work he is generally home around 10 pm (and his cell phone was off) - so I was tossing and turning and of course imagining the worst scenarios possible - until I hear him come in at 1:47 pm (notice how exact that is?) so I fell asleep after 2 am and was up around 8 - I did get a couple hours of snoozing on the family room couch this morning and dh was home to get calls and FIX MY COMPUTER - yes I am writing to you live from the froufie desk in the master bedroom alcove - seems so strange to actually not be in the den anymore!

THE VERY BAD NEWS: got a call from my ex that his stepmom - my (ex) mil (I was not allowed to call her ex - she hated the term ) passed away! I am so so so sad and can't stop crying - if ever there was a saint this woman was it! The worse is no one CALLED US TO LET US KNOW - my ex's sister in Montreal found the obit in the paper this morning and called us! (she passed away on wednesday, funeral on sunday in Montreal). And the obit says 'after a lengthy illness" which of course no one told us of either.

Ex is very angry that our kids are not mentioned in the obit at all even tho they are her 'grandchildren' - nor is he I guess? Very weird - I know it was his stepmom but she raised him from the age of 10. Her daughter even lives in Ottawa and I'm sure she has my number but alas no phone call.

I am not going to be bitter tho and plan to go to the funeral w/kids - this woman was so kind and helpful to others and had so many friends that I know the funeral chapel will be packed! I have known her (as has my family) since I was 17 years old when my ex and I were dating (and my family knew them as well). She was so helpful when my mother was ill - they lived a few blocks away from each other in Montreal and if my mom did not feel well - she would go over in a taxi and bring her home with her! And when my mom passed away she was over every day bringing us food and home made soups and goodies and making sure we were okay! I loved her so much - the worse is I have not spoken to her in a few months and of course I now feel so guilty.

The funniest thing is I was mentioning to dh that I wanted to go to Montreal - for the weekend - to have some of my favorite ribs - and visit Marie - well now I'm visiting - but not in the same way! How sad!

Told the 19 year old - and I could barely speak - stood there crying before the words even came out - he has booked day off now to go to funeral. DD at sleepover on her way home - so will tell her when she gets home - and lay down the law on appropriate funeral attire! And even little ds knew her and she adored him - I know he will be sad as well - esp when he sees me crying.

so that's how I feel right now!

Frouf