mousecrazy

Just take it one little hour at a time, Patty! Sure, you're gonna have to miss something now, but just THINK about all the great stuff you're gonna get to do later, that you might be missing now, due to being tired/unhealthy/etc...I mean, it's true what they say... you can't get something for nothing. So, you're investing quite a bit now, and you'll get a great payoff! Keep your chin up, girlfriend! I sure appreciate your kind words regarding my friend's funeral...yes, it's difficult, but not nearly as much as it is for the kids over there...I know they are grateful for all prayers on their behalf. ((HUGS)) DD's recital went very well...we all had a good time going out afterwards. Tomorrow is relatively "slow"...I'm looking forward to catching up on some household "cleaning"...which might be called "crisis management"! Have a great evening! Cindy

Hi Pat, Hi Eileen, Hi Sherry! How nice to see you this Saturday morning! Everyone's getting ready for fills, that's exciting! I probably could use a tweak myself...since my body simply refuses to cross over to Onederland...but, with a Disney trip/cruise right around the corner, I've simply decided to pull a Scarlet on that one for now (I'll think about that tomorrow....) LOLOLOL! Today, I'm going to a friends' daughter's graduation "tea"...followed directly by a friends' son's wedding and dinner...the fun never stops around here! DD is going to hang out with my sister, and go to the tea also, followed by a barbeque. My sister has the baby cousin, her gbaby, so my DD is ALL about that! Hey, guess what? We got tickets to go to a concert in August (long wait!)...Don Henley, the Pretenders, and Stray Cats...is that gonna be fun or what??? Or, maybe it's not your cup of tea...but I love all three of them. We are taking our DD...none of these performers are particularly naughty (well, there's that one Pretender song, but I'll prepare her for that). She love performing, so we thought she should start seeing some good ones. Well, that's about it for today...glad your house was spared major damage, Eileen...thank GOD! Hugs, Cindy

Kat, you are truly blessed then. What a guy! When that many people care that much, it speaks quite clearly about the character of the man. His wife and I are really the friends...I met him, of course, through her. We became friends because she did my nails, and you know how you talk and talk...then we built our house two doors down from them, right after they finished building theirs. They were married one month after us(both had been married before). They would host the parties for all the kids in the neighborhood at Halloween...decorate the neighborhood float for the town Christmas parade...he would coach the Little League teams...exactly like you desribe, Kat. I hope Rick hangs tough and you don't need emergency surgery. More prayers coming your way.

Hey, have your day...and you always specificy "no gifts" if you don't want any confusion. I think people would totally understand; in fact, I just received an invite to a celebration for a couple who have been married a year...they didn't have a wedding at the time (different reasons) but now want a celebration. They put on the invitation, no gifts, just the gift of your presence. Have fun planning!

You'll definitely be battling some hungries, Patty, but you HAVE to win the battle! Remember popsicles!!!!! That helped me out a bunch. Some insist on SF, but if you can't stand that, I wouldn't worry too much. Courage! Went to the funeral today...at least 600 people...couldn't fit in the church. Very impressive, you know, he was just a regular guy who worked as a lineman for the electric company...not a big CEO or an elected official, but a real man, who made a big impact on so many people. I hope everyone has the chance to have a guy like that in their lives somewhere. Makes you want to try harder to be a better person. Very emotional and exhausting... Hugs, Cindy

Good going, Patty! Be sure to take it easy, and pay attention to healing. I know you will, but I have to say that! Kat, thanks for the update on Rick. It sure sounds like an intricate surgery...it's amazing what they can do these days. Keep us all posted; I'm still praying, of course! My nephew and I had a great day of shopping today...we got him all fixed up with slacks, dress shirts, ties, dress socks, dress shoes, etc...he even bought himself a suit! So, when he gets home from all his traveling this summer, he will be ready for interviews and his new life. Whatever that's going to be... Tomorrow DH and I are going to my friend and neighbor's funeral. The visitation was tonight, but we didn't go to that...the funeral home was totally beyond packed; all the streets for two blocks surrounding it were lined on both sides with cars, and there was a line of people three/four wide all the way around the block to get in. He was extremely well liked here in town. I did see his wife yesterday. We just hugged each other for a while. I didn't even say anything; couldn't think of anything. I guess that was okay, the hug seemed to be enough for that day. Hugs to all of you, Cindy

Hello, all! Congrats, Patty! OH, how I remember those gas pains! They will get better. I also remember sleeping in 3 hour spurts! Stick with it...it sounds like you are doing great! Deb, thanks for the clothes offer...I am already under that size, but I bet there are some people here who do wear those sizes, and will be happy to take you up on the offer! Dianne, it's great to see you! Good luck to your DH! Tomorrow I'm taking my nephew "grown up clothes" shopping, so it should be a fun day! Hugs to all! Cindy

Absolutely thrilled for you! Congratulations on your dedication and hard work...you are a true inspiration! Cindy

Kat, that sounds like a great time! I love your descriptions of everything, and I bet it made Rick feel great! I'm with Mandy on Sci-Fi Dine-In...the concept is cool, but the food is sorta miss. I enjoyed Prime Time. I would add Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom as a great buffet...I loved Chef Mickey's also! No matter what...get a MICKEY BAR!!!!!!! Those should have no problem sliding right down! Patty, good luck, girl! Post when you can. Thanks for the Mother's Day wishes, Chrispy. Your day seemed really nice! Betty, glad your guy won the race, and you got some relaxation in! Well, girls, my friend died of his injuries last night, which we are going to consider a blessing. The doctors told his wife that if he lived, his brain (deprived of blood supply for many days) was so severely damaged that he would have no memory, and would never speak or walk again. These were not abilities he could ever regain, because those portions of the brain were essentially dead already. So, they pronounced him dead last night, and he is an organ donor, so they were keeping him on life support until that process was complete. She should be getting back to the house sometime this evening. All I could do for today was make some brownies, and leave them there for when they got home. Other friends had brought over food for tonight and breakfast, and lunch. The other neighbors and I are taking a meal tomorrow night. He was 41. It makes you think. Thanks for the prayers; I believe they were answered. I have been getting all my stuff ready for my first meeting as "pres" of the parent association tomorrow...I just have to pick up the lunch, and copy some paperwork when I get to school in the morning. Wish me luck on this one! Then, I get to go the Board meeting tomorrow night, and make a presentation to them...shudder. I can speak all day to kids, but to adults...!!!!! Well, like I said, wish me luck! Hugs to you all, and hug your loved ones, Cindy

HelllooOOOOoooo! Well, I'm back from Oklahoma, and my nephew is a proud OU grad!!! I tell you, I could barely keep from crying...just tears welling up in the old eyes, and choking back the throat lump, but it was a great weekend! We got home about 10:00 last night, then up at 6 to get ready for the chimes at church! Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful moms, grandmoms, sisters, aunts and special women! My DH and DD are cooking up something special on the grill (kabobs, it looks like!) for dinner tonight. Yummy! I am goofing off on the couch with my laptop...but I may have to do a little work on some newsletter layout, if I get around to it. Mandy, hope Abi is all better today! Our trip to WDW is June 15-24, with the last 3 days on The Wonder. I don't think we'll be there when any of you are there...ya'll are going in September, right? I appreciate all the prayers and my friend still needs them. As of this morning, he was in a "no change" situation, which is not good. His chances for living are slim, and frankly, would be miraculous. At this point, I am left wondering what would be best, even knowing this is all in God's hands. I am so concerned about his wife, and the four kids. All of here in the neighborhood are doing what we can, which just doesn't seem to be enough. Thanks again for the prayers. I am a true believer in those! Patty, many good wishes on the surgery, and I'll be pulling for you! Beanie, so good to see you! Your job sounds great, and very busy! Sherry, glad you have some positive things happening with your DS...that's great news! Betty, hope the storms have given you a breather lately! Might get some more in the next few days...hope they bring rain, but nothing severe. Eileen, you sound entirely too busy at work! Hope you are having a nice Mother's Day, but I bet you are cooking for everyone else! Huh? I'm right, huh? Darcy, stop and enjoy that cabin sometime, girl! Happy Mother's Day! Hugs to all! Cindy

Thank you all for the prayers and all angels! My friend's condition is unchanged, which means very little brain activity and lots of brain swelling. He has suffered a stroke. The bones in his legs are broken or crushed. They did a CT Scan today to check on his brain. He is so young, and such a good person. I've often thought of him as an angel himself. Thanks again. I'm still praying for all of you, and especially Kat and Rick...hope Sherry's son is recovering, and pray that Patty's blood pressure is able to be controlled. We need Mandy's gyno problems to be properly diagnosed and treated...what am I missing? Goodness, I'm sure we'll see some moves in positive directions soon! DH, DD, and I are going up to OU to my nephew's graduation tomorrow, and will return Saturday night...so I'll be back in touch Sunday. Until then, many hugs and prayers for all of you! Cindy

Hey, can ya'll see my ticker? I can't see it...just a little box with a red square. Wonder what that means?

Hi everyone! Good for you, Mandy. I say it's much better to be under-filled than over-filled...if you are looking at the long term. I'm proud of you for taking care of yourself! The reading program sure sounds great! It is fun to work with the kids...sometimes even when you don't want to, after you leave you are glad you did it! Deb, for sure Mandy knows what she is talking about when it comes to Disney...so be sure to make use of her know-how! If you want to go to 4 parks, I'd definitely go for the Magic Your Way or Park Hopper...the link is www.allearsnet.com. (Mandy left out the "r"). This is a great site for planning Disney trips. You can get some tips for saving some $$, but don't ruin your trip by buying iffy tickets. Looks like a lot of us are heading to Orlando this year! While ya'll are praying for Kat, could I request prayers for my friend and neighbor, Ramon, who was in an accident last night? He was working for the electric co, driving a big work truck, when a drunk driver crossed into his lane and hit him head on. That drunk driver was killed, and Ramon has a serious head injury, and they've had to remove part of his skull to relieve pressure from the swelling. I've been told he is not responding, and has no brain activity as of now. Also, many crushed bones in his legs...and he is intubated, of course. It is hard to get a lot of information at this point, since it happened at midnight last night, and his wife Penny has not been home since she was awakened in the middle of the night with this horrible news. Life is precious; we should never take our loved ones for granted. Please pray for this family; there are 4 children, all middle and high schoolers. Hugs to you all, Cindy

Yeah! Darcy's here!

I didn't read everything in the thread, but I gather some suggestions for clothes shopping was in order...I have ordered from Lands End catalogue or online. Very nice clothes that wear well...nothing really trendy, though... I second the suggestion for Coldwater Creek...try the Outlet section online...great deals! I've bought plenty of clothes at Walmart, also...and Foleys, Macys, Dillards, Target...also Marshalls, Burlington, etc. After losing so much weight, I've found it doesn't hurt to have an open mind, and try on some things you think won't fit...I've been surprised sometimes! I quit shopping at LB a long time ago, well before I shrunk out of their sizes. They are just too expensive, and I didn't like their attitude.

Hi, What are you allowed to eat 8 days after surgery? Please remember to follow your doctor's recommendations...it is very important to put healing at the top of your concern list right now. This part will soon be a distant memory...for now, take care!

Kat, you and Rick are in my prayers, and the doctors, of course, are too. I think doctors/nurses would do what is right, if the insurance companies would get out of the way. Still, can you imagine how it would be if the government were in control of the medical field? Shudder. Take care, Kat, and don't even worry one pretty little hair about your weight. That's not the thing to think about now, even though I know you do. Just get some good nutrition and rest. We're all worried, and you check in when you can. Hugs. Mandy, I don't subscribe to email notices, because they clog up my inbox, so I don't know how that's going... maybe others do? I'm just trying to resisit the Rants and Raves section...never again. LOL! Right now the weather is nice, but there may be more storms this afternoon...hope everyone is doing good today, or as good as they can! Hugs, Cindy

Hi, Patty! You know, prayers are our specialty...so you got it! Your big day is coming up quick, isn't it? Can hardly believe it! We'll be here for you, no worries. Betty, we did not get the big storms this time around...but I sure feel bad for the Greensburg KS townspeople...that little town is about an hour northwest of my grandma's town (Kiowa). Greensburg is in Kiowa county, but my grandma lived in Kiowa...in Barber County. They are actually having more severe weather and hail today, even. Where's Darcy?????? Seems like it's been a while...but she has that new cabin, so maybe that's it. Hi, Eileen! Yeah, you work so hard all week, and we're goofing off around here, then you have some time, and we're off doing other junk...we keep missing each other, which is a bummer. I don't think I am EVER gonna make below 200...I keep going up and down the same 2 pounds...which is typical for me. How was the new pastor? We have a new one, too, and we really like him. Where's Beanie? How's the new job, or have you started it yet? I'm doing laundry, too...and trying to get some down time in. We've been running around like crazy people all week, with another week just like it ahead of us! Thanks for being the fantastic ladies you are! Cindy

Hi Dianne...long time, no see...hope you are doing well! Mandy, good news on the band, and actually, good news on the gyno stuff. At least they are taking action...I do think it could possibly be endometriosis of some type, from your description. Be sure your surgeon knows of your lapband! All that equipment is in there, ya know. Haven hasn't had much to say about their loss, but keeps re-enacting my stunning performance (falling three steps off home, running-ha- to first base...it provides endless enjoyment!). Today is another several hours of supervising the snow cone machine! Oh yeah...yesterday I was elected president of the parent association at the school...and it was the national day of prayer. Coincidence? LOL! Keep laughing...! Better get outta here...gotta clean up so I go get sticky red stuff all over me! Snow cone syrup, that is... Hugs, Cindy

Sorry Sherry about all the yucky stuff going on for you. YOu knolw how these things go...after a down spell, things start looking up, and you're certainly due for an upswing! Betty, we got off lucky, again. I hope our luck holds out! Did you have any damage to your house? I've seen some pretty bad pictures on tv, and I hope yours isn't too bad. Good luck with all the clean up...thank goodness you have electricity! What's up with the (again!) new website look??? Are they just testing out different services or what? Hugs, Cindy

Welcome, Brianne! Some of us (okay, most of us!) don't even live in NJ, but we love our Jersey gal friends! Looks like you are doing great on your recovery so far! We are happy to meet you...tell us about yourself! I live in North Texas...have a 9 year old daughter...and love hanging our here with the best gals on the LBT site! So, hey...it didn't rain soon enough and I had to play softball. We won! It was a miracle, and due to no contribution on part! When I first was at bat, I got a hit...took off running, and three steps into it, just fell flat on my face. Yep. I have grass stains and dirt stains to prove it. What happened was that my "trick" right ankle just flaked out on me, and down I went! I'm okay, just a little bruised and sore, but nothing big. Luckily my DD thought it was more funny than embarrassing! The second time I batted, I struck out, which was good because I didn't have to run! LOL! Everyone have a good night...where's our Rick report, Kat? Hugs, Cindy

Patty, all I can offer is that I told everyone. I figured they were already watching me eat myself to death, so they might as well watch me eat myself healthy! LOL! I realize though that not everyone feels like that. I've seen other people post that they tell others they are practicing portion control...and seriously, your portion sizes won't be noticeably different right away, anyway. It happens gradually, as you get fills. I don't think hardly anyone notices, anyway. Let me think. The last time someone actually noticed, it was the headmaster at my DD's school. We were all eating salads, and I only ate about half of mine. He commented that I didn't eat enough! First of all, that is entirely too funny, if you are me! It actually made me feel good, not bad. So, I just told him why...very matter of fact. And that was that...no defensiveness, and with a little humor. I normally eat whatever they have, just a little of it. I don't know if that helps you or not, but with everyone else's responses, that ought to give you something to get you started. Hugs, Cindy

Kat, I'm glad to hear that Rick is home, which is reason enough to party! How is he doing? And you? Yesterday (just for the entertainment of those who like to laugh at my activities) I was about to roll up my sleeves and get into cleaning, when the phone rang. My lovely DD, in her sweet little voice, was asking if I could supervise the student council "store" so they could sell snow cones. Oh yeah, did I say yes??? Yes. So, off to school...learn how to operate a snow cone machine...then supervise some 4th and 5th graders as they sell snow cones during lunch. Okay, it was a little bit fun, if not completely sticky, and very RED! This afternoon is her athletic awards party...and the parents to get play the kids in softball...pray for rain, pray for rain.... Congrats to Deb on getting to Onederland!!!!!! Me, I'm still sitting on the edge, refusing to teeter over into the promised land...my body has a mind of its own, I swear. Hope everyone is having a great day! Hugs! Cindy

I started a May Chat for NJ thread...you can go there and join the party! Hugs!

ahhhhhhh....... thanks for the mental vacation!