DeLarla

We just drove from Jill's house to her son's, which was only 10 miles away. Holy icicles, Batpeople! You can't stop at a red light too long or the car freezes over! It's friggen cold & icy out here and only 32 degrees with cars a-slidin' and accidents on the news. No plans for traveling at this point

My husband was a major ASS over the 4 day holiday. I think he won Ass of the Year this time. But he made up for it I was raised by my best friend's enormous traditional hispanic family that included me in their gift exchange and reprimanded me when their own daughter got made me do bad stuff. Jill and her hubby come to Vegas quite often, but I've missed my annual Tamale-Making-Christmas party. Chris and Danny are tight, too, plus all Jill's kid are like my own, and her 5 siblings are like my own, and the offspring of all these kids thing I rock. Nobody knows we're coming - it's a huge suprise. Chris surprised me with tickets to San Antonio next week. We even got a rental car for the full five days, and I'm actually choked up crying right now because I needed this so, sooo bad. Another dear friend of 20 years lives in Ft. Worth - Jamie and I were friends since high school, and I was in his wedding but then lost touch. After 13 years, he found me on the internet and we've been talking for a year. We may even take a day trip and spend a night at his place. I'll also be in Dallas for my annual Slumber Parties Convention in March along with about 500 other women. We arrive in San Antonio 12/7 and return the Sunday 12/11 in the morning. Ya'll better lock up your doors and board up your windows, Hurricane DeLarla is brewing.

Men are invited, but they don't like coming because too many naked women running around. Hey, DeLarla loves to play with guns! The scary thing is that I'm a damn good aim, even though I can't get laundry in the basket. I'll be serving Dona Maquesa's Sangria at our next bash, so the theme will be authentic traditional dishes from whatever part of the world everyone's family is from (big hint, you'll all be cooking.) Men are totally invited expect for the Slumber Party segment.

I spoke with the floor nurse, who said Penni wasn't up to taking calls I've left messages for both her and John, plus I sent all our love through the nurse directly to her room.

Thanks for understanding, Betty! We're here in San Antonio where it's 32 degrees and dropping by the minute. We went to lunch, and by the time we finished the wind kicked in and dropped pretty darn cold. I called my friend in Dallas, who said the sleet started this morning. For now, our trip doesn't look good. But if we get bored, ya never know! Either way, we'll see ya'll in August, and we'll plan on staying an extra day past Convention just to have a beer or 5.

Still waiting for that pic, A.

Peepee, I promise to give everything I've got to sticking to some eating program when you get out. Time to get serious.

Yes, photo 10 is a lovely shot of erosion. Looks like mold. There go my Spagettios.

Chris said the weather calls for rain and/or snow in Dallas. For now, we plan on driving to Dallas on Wednesday, but only if there's no rain. I'm afraid I won't be able to convince Chris to drive in bad weather. Even if I can't make it, I'll be in Dallas for Slumber Convention in the summer for 4 days. I'm all hyped and ready to go though! We won't have time for much since it's a fast trip and I have 50 loved ones to visit. Just a quickie.

P.S. Your guts are really gross. Please try to laugh during all this, k? If it was meant to be, etc. xo

Penni, can you put those pointer arrows for those of us non-medical people that only see blobs? Thanks for calling me... I'll call you before I leave. Sucks.

Buenos suerte, Seniorita. Hola to Willy from me, si?

Oh, sorry Paul for forgetting to laugh, but it took me a couple times before I got it!

Trust me, Betty, I'm gonna give that steak 100% effort! Yes, I do see Texas steaks in my future, oh yes I do.

Thank you, Betty! Should I even bother packing shorts? It's been too cold here for shorts - was below 40 this morning. We probably won't rent bikes if it's cold because Chris hates the cold. So far, I still plan on leaving early Wednesday morning from San Antonio in our rental car. So, what should we do for an afternoon in the Dallas area other than eat?

If you think really hard about it, we all took a gamble at suicide by getting banded. We all knew there's a small mortality rate during surgery (as with any anesthesia.) We all put our lives on the line, so isn't that just a little suicidal?

Yep, I'm happy for a PB considering I had no restriction for a week. Fickle, fickle, fickle.

Yes, Officer. I voted.

He left the same week as my Kitty. I'm glad he has such a great dad to carry on his name and love.

Life is all about chances. It's all a gamble, no matter what way you slice it. I took a chance and had tons of complications. I currently don't have a port, and I'm not sure if I can ever get one. I lost 70 pounds then gained 10, and now I'm struggling to lose again. Some days really sucked, other days really sucked a lot worse. But it saved my life. I'd do it all over again. For me, it was worth the gamble.

I have a bi-polar band! We think we both do. Hey, who said that? You did. No, you did.

Okay, I'll switch the mood to funny. The most obnoxious b**ch on Earth worked at my last law firm who was determined to ruin the party for the whole bunch. She was nasty, mean and rude to everyone. So I rigged the gift exchange. We did it "White Elephant" style, so I told everyone not to pick the really big box. It was the prettiest, largest package under the tree, so when it was her turn to either steal a gift that had been opened, or pick one from the tree, she naturally picked the most elegantly expensive looking box. It was a box of fart bombs. Yep, I actually found a whole case of them because I lived close to an Ice Cream Man supply store. Apparently some ice cream trucks carry these little gag fart bomb pouches that you stomp to emit a very foul smell as a prank. She got an entire case of them. The snotty witch was horrified when she opened the gift and actually got nasty with people who wouldn't trade with her, and then that's when I gave the entire law firm the most beauiful gift one can give - PEACE. The woman actually shut her mouth for a good hour and sat in angry silence. Amen.

Kare, don't mess with me when it comes to throwing an OC Slumber Party! If you & Michelle can get 15 confirmed guests, color me there! Talk to Michelle then let me know. I'll bring Santa's Sled packed, so nobody will have to wait for orders! Either the 2nd or 3rd week in January are okay for now till my phone starts ringing this morning. The ONE thing I forgot is to buy a 2006 calendar insert for my date book, so last night several girls wanted to book parties so I'm running to Office Max in a bit. I can make a weekend out of it. Me, you & Michelle can hang out!

It might be acid reflux. I have the same problem, and I'm always choking on a flem stuck in my throat and coughing. It's a pretty common symptom with acid reflux. Are you eating too soon before bed? Because that's what my problem still is. I eat too late, then the acids wash back up to my throat when I lay down. Prevacid or other antacids might help.

Alex, tears are burning through my eyes. That one really choked me up. I've got a thing for Danes and Grammas. I got one of each. Thanks for making me bawl because I'm still grieving for my kitty and the tears soothe my allergy eyes. I wish you could find the pic of Gramma with that big bow around Baby's neck for us???