If you have 50 or so pounds to lose, jump on in and join us! You'll be sure to get a warm welcome!

Thanks Carol, for the new thread....getting close to the big #100!!!
I'm so glad that you feel like you will like your new job. I know how your heart must have ached when little sweetie was wanting to see you. That was hard on everybody.

texaslady, take it easy going back to full time! Don't over-do!

I started a new series of glass class today, cut my first project for the leaded process. Then I went and spent the rest of afternoon with an old friend who had a bowl and pitcher set that my mom made in ceramics, which I had given her several years ago. She no longer has a place for it, and I do, so I got it back

dh is at a soccer tournament with dgd and won't be home til late, so guess I will do some de-cluttering. This room, (my hide-away) gets pretty bad! Can barely find a path to the other end, and I need to get started on some doll clothes for Raggedy Ann and Andy that I just finishedin doll class.

It's been a good OP day.
Hoping it was for you too.

Linda, sorry to hear you are still feeling kinda blah; hope you are all better very soon! Way to go re: program, though!

JOYce, I didn't know your mother was also artistically talented; so that's where you get it! You amaze me with all of your talents and skills.

Carol, so glad to hear that you enjoy your new job! It's good that you were able to calm your sweetie over the phone; how hard that must have been for you. But I can just imagine how excited he will be when they move to Florida and he sees you again!

Texaslady, I'll add to the chorus, don't go back to full time too soon! Glad to hear you are recovering so nicely.

We are having a quiet weekend. We walked our 2 miles yesteday and today; lovely mornings lately. Then Dh and I went to SA yesterday and did a little shopping after the WW mtg (I'm down a pound, thank goodness.) I finally found some clothes for the trip. We are trying to go with just carry-ons (backpack style luggage) so I'll have to plan ahead. Any tips on that would be appreciated! It's been 30 years or so since my little sister and I did the backpacking thing in Europe, so I've forgotten how to pack light!

Am finishing up my contract work, finally, so my "real" vacation time will start later this week. Poor Dh is still working at school, though, getting student records in order for the next year. (His least favorite job.)

Janet, hope you get your computer fixed soon! We miss hearing from you!

Hope our new member stops in again!
Everyone have a great Monday tomorrow ...
Jan

I'm excited and nervous about a new venture!
A friend from church, who I met 2 years ago, because she was going to get custody of her 5 grandkids, and wanted my advice on issues, who last year found that she had breast cancer!...has decided to start a Cancer support group thru church, and is looking for a few people to be committed to stand by her in getting this started....I am so excited that she asked me! It will take a few weeks to figure out the logistics, but she is really determined. She is a true survivor, and anxious to help others get thru the pain, as well as educating those of us who need to know a lot more.
(I know! I really needed another project! but this one is really worthwhile! and I will make room for it!)

I missed water fitness last week because of some problems, but will be back in there tomorrow!

JAN, when do you leave on your big trip?

Stennie, where are you? How are you doing?
Hi to all!

Jan, great job being another pound down -- good for you! And I think you are really wise to be planning to take only carry-on luggage. That's the way to do it, I think!

JOYce, I am so glad that you are going to be helping your friend get the breast cancer support group going. She made a wise decision in asking for your help, you are a good organizer with lots of good ideas. Blessings on your new venture!

I am feeling so much better tonight, I think tomorrow I will be feeling better even than I did today. I think this cold is on the run; I've been taking lots of echinacea, and I think it is making a difference.

One of our local grocery stores has seedless watermelons on sale for 19 cents a pound, think I'll stock up.

Linda, so glad you're starting to feel better! Summer colds are no fun. That watermelon sure sounds good; I just love summer fruit, esp. cantaloupe and strawberries. Yum.

JOYce, what a worthwhile project! Your friend is lucky to have your help; I agree with Linda, you are a real "doer" and organizer! Have fun at your water aerobics this week!

Stennie, hope all is going well for you! Say hi when you have a chance.

Having a quiet Monday, finishing up my writing project. The rest of the week is solid doctors' appts, for Dad, dh, and a checkup for me. Whew. Will finally have a day at home on Friday! And then Friday night, we begin the cancer walk at the high school; I'll be walking from 4:30 to 5:30 a.m., and will be helping set up and take down, etc. So it's going to be a busy week!

Hope everyone has a great OP day,
Regards,
Jan

Jan, good for you for doing a cancer walk, and so early in the morning, no less. You certainly do have a good heart. Blessings to all of you on your upcoming doctor's appointments this week, hope all comes out fine.

Texaslady, how are you feeling today?

Stennie, check in and let us know how you are doing!

Have a happy and OP Monday, everyone.

Hi girls! What's up???

It's back to work full time for me since Monday! Monday was a really stressful day and when I got home, all I did was crawl into a hot shower, took a pain pill (for my back ache, not the surgery) and went to bed. Tues was better but Wednesday wasn't. Guess it will be this way for a while. Did go for my final follow-up surgical visit yesterday. Dr. told me it wasn't necessary to come back unless I started having some problems. So that's that, I guess.

Glad you are feeling better Linda. Fish tacos and brew! Now that sounds like something I could get into pretty quickly!

Your friend sounds like someone very special, Joyce. I, too, have a dear friend who is a breast cancer survivor. She is an amazing person, too! Hope you two can get this group up and going strong real soon. Everytime I read about your projects, it sort of makes me wish I was back doing some of those things - ie, the stained glass and/or ceramics. But, honestly, I just don't have the strength left over to get myself involved again. Maybe when I retire - ONE of these days!

Carol - I am go glad that you are loving your new job already. Sorry about the pay but sounds like you have some other really nice benefits going for you - especially the health insurance issue. I have been getting Explanation of Benefits letters from my insurance company from my recent hospital stay - my insurance only pays 80%. Guess who has to pay the rest??????? That was such a sweet story about your grandson - I know he finds it difficult to understand that you are gone. Hope they will be able to move closer real soon & you will be back together again. And I have my fingers crossed that you will start getting pay raises real soon to help with the finances. Sometimes we have to make hard choices, but you sound like you are willing to put up with the consequences. At least bread and ice cubes don't have too many points! Sorry, bad joke.

Jan, it's a good thing I don't have to back pack anywhwere - much less through France - I don't think I could pack light enough!! I know that you are getting excited about the trip, but sounds like you have a "full plate" until you leave. Will you take your Dad to Florida or will your sister come to pick him up? We actually got a little rain today - not much, but every drop helps. Your week-end plans sound like fun - didn't you do this last year also?

Gotta go, girls. Today wasn't too bad for me and I have a little energy left so perhaps I will go sit outside for a little while. It's getting pretty warm here now - was 95 today. I will check in again later.

Good morning ladies! I have to lave in a few minutes, but just wanted to pop in and say hi and wish you all a good weekend. My work hours are much different here- I leave the house about 8 and get home about 6:30. That's okay- it's hot enough during the day that I wouldn't want to be outside much anyhow, so if I'm inside, it might as well be working!
Texaslady, please take care- it takes the body about 6 months to get ovet the effects of anesthesia, so you are going to wear out easily. It's nature's way of telling you to slow down, so please listen to your body and get some rest!
Jan, congrats on the weight loss. I can't imagine being able to pack verything for a trip to Paris in a backpack!! You should teach one of those packing courses! I too was wondering where your dad will be staying during the trip.
Linda, I'm glad you are feeling better!
Joyce, your breast cancer support group sounds like a wonderful, worthwhile endeavor! just don't forget to think about Joyce's health and make sure you delegate!! My mother died of breast cancer, and I have a friend whose 33 year old daughter is a 1 year breast cancer survivor.
Janet, where the heck are you, girl???
Gotta run Take care, everyone!
Carol

Sorry to be AWOL so long. I've been sick in bed since Monday ...fever...chills...etc..BUT HEY!! I lost 12 pounds!! Now to keep part of it off!.

This is my first day up, so won't stay long..
see you later.

Joyce, I'm sorry to hear that you've been so sick! That's a terrible way to lose 12 pounds! Please make sure you take care and get lots of rest this weekend. Let everyone wait on you for a change!
Carol

DH and dgd are taking good care of me. I got up today and wash my sheets, but am taking it slow. I'm sure that dgd will take a turn at cooking tonight..... {Most likely hamburger helper, from what I see in the fridge that dh has purchased.} He got a wonderful watermelon that has been my mainstay, along with jello and crackers.
She will help me make the bed as well, those king size sheets are too much for a sick old lady!
I just called the doc to give him an update, I'll go see him on Monday.
Jan, I'm with Carol, I need packing lessons!
Carol, it is amazing how many are touched by breast cancer! When my friend spoke in church, she was amazed at how many survivors came up and spoke to her afterwards! I'm certain that her group will be a successful thing!

must scoot...

JOYce, so sorry to hear you are sick! And hey, 12 pounds off is terrific, but what a way to do it! You get better quick, now, y'hear?

Carol, that's a long workday, but it does seem shorter than those hours you were putting in up north! And like you said, the drive is easier too.

Texaslady, so glad your doctor released you! That must mean you're doing great. But like Carol said, be sure to take it easy! Re: Dad, he's flying out, and we're picking him up in July. It's a direct, 2-hour flight, and he's done it before, so we're keeping our fingers crossed. And yes, did this walkathon last year too, just before my surgery. It was quite a bit hotter this year, though! I did 4.5 miles, at 4:30 a.m.; whew. It was hot even then!

Linda, thanks, all the checkups went well. Won't know DH's results for a while, but he seems to be on the right track with this specialist.

Gotta run! Am keeping the museum open this afternoon. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Jan

Museum?? What is that about Jan?
You talk about ME being busy! You are always doing something interesting!

My friend e-mailed me this morning that she has recruited 3 more ladies, 2 are survivors, to join in the forming of the Cancer support group, it is going to be ready for kick off on July 7!

I've been thinking(that is scary) that I have been nothing but sick since I started going to the Y. I may cancel that and take up walking again....although, it would be nice to go to the Y during the summer months. but not if I continue to get sick. I'm thinking....

ttys

JOYce, that's great news about your cancer support group! I know it will have a very successful "launching" in July. What a wonderful thing to do.

re: the Y maybe causing these illnesses, that sounds like something to look into! You may be allergic to some chemical or mold there. Sure hope it isn't so, but you have been so ill lately ...

re: the museum, I'm out there now. It's our own little ghost town, just 3 miles down the road from our house. (My students wrote about it six years ago; their site is http://www.karnes-city.isd.tenet.edu/cfair/helena.html )

We just had a nice couple from Chicago visit, and before them, a fun couple who arrived on a motorcycle. The regular docent is putting in extra hours here tomorrow because of a local church picnic, so I'm taking care of things for her this afternoon. But it sure is HOT! (No a/c in this ghost town!)

Hope everyone's having a great Saturday!

Jan