Apples2

Hey Girls...Have missed you all and sending love to each and every one of you. Typing with one hand so making this short and sweet. Thanks for all the kind words and well-wishes...it means so much. Phyll....wishing you some relief with that back of yours. I didn't read but a couple of posts and caught that you have been ailing. Same status on the arm. I go in early tomorrow morning so am taking off for the lake again in a few minutes. Things will be fine...they just need to figure out why the hand is the way it is. MRI should tell all. I feel as if part of me is missing without talking to you all. Take care. I will text Lori with an update. Love ya!

Julie...if I don't talk to you b/4 your appt at Mayo...good luck. Hope they can get to the root of your problem. It's on the 9th, right? Love ya and safe travels.

Cheri...way to go on throwing away your favorite candies. Lots of tricks we have learned from that Janet! I'm proud of you. Joyce...would love to see Lady Gaga. Have fun. Change in plans. I am now just taking off and will not be back till next Tuesday. Just a few troubles with getting that motor loaded and a number of ppl stopping by to food, cards, etc. for DH. Decided since I come back through where lake place is, I would plop my butt there. Also, the wake and funeral for my friend is closer to there. You guys all have a great week till I talk to you next. What an afternoon! I'm glad Janet says sweating is a good thing. Think I lost 1/2 my body weight in sweat working outside. But think mostly from hearing DH swear. I didn't know he had that many in him. When he finally got the motor ready to load into my truck, he dropped in on our new concrete patios (loading it with a skidloader) and make a huge crater. Not a happy man at the time. Need to go wash his mouth out with soap and send him back out to the field. Talk to you all Tuesday. Sending the love!

Linda...just take it easy with soft or liquids until you feel the swelling has gone down. I think that has only happened twice with me. One of the episodes took 2 weeks to totally calm down. Way to go on the exercise. I know that feeling of dying you talk about. B/4 taking off the dreaded weight, I was so limited on what I could do and out of breath. Thought a 1/4 mile walk would kill me. And now there is no stopping me. I feel I could climb a mountain or take on the high school wrestling team (good clean fun). And, Janet is right on. Sweating is a good thing. DFIL, SIL, BIL, his partner and their 2 children spent the morning here. The kids had a great time running, playing with Tanker, taking him swimming and picking field corn to take home. Everyone just left and I am going to take off for my little trip. I don't think the windows will be down, Great. It's already 91 degrees and humid. Hope you like this hair stylist, Great, and is the one you can continue to go to. I think we all know the feeling. Later.

I'll be right over:wub:

Arlene..next dental appt is on the 11th and another set for the 18th. It's all moving along nicely. Looking forward to having the permanent caps on the uppers which will happen on the 18th. Have quite a bit of it behind me. Way to go getting out there even though it's humid. MN has extreme humidity from mid-July thru Sept. Soupy fog in the mornings. Was worried about DS driving out here the 15 miles this morning. But, I see he just drove into the yard so I can relax. Tiling and spraying crops is what is in the works for today. DS hires all these nice highscool boys to help with the tiling. They are so cute...all lined up with lunch coolers in hand just waiting to dig some holes and work some muscle. And to think, DH did all that work for years (until 4 yrs ago) all on his own. Most of the tile lines are dug in with a huge tiling machine but digging is done where the lines connect. Shovel and a lot of grunt work. Peaches...your new avatar is really nice. Such a pretty lady. Laundry and cleaning floors is on the schedule for me this morning. Plan to get done b/4 the heat sets in. We have been in the 90's some days in the last couple of weeks. Also have to travel about 100 miles to deliver a defective motor from our new spayer. Gonna grab my dog and enjoy the peace and quite of just driving. Hope there is a DQ between here and there. My food has been really off the last week. Not sure if I got necessary cals and bloated and funky from eating so many different kinds of food. DH's bro is bringing his 2 little guys out to ride on the big sprayer with uncle. They are from Seattle area and are so enthralled by DH's machinery and the wide open fields. They plan to go out and pick some corn ears to take back with them. So cute

Gosh...it feels like forever that I could just sit down and my desk and THINK b/4 posting a message to you girls. Had a great night sleep and up early. DH conked out as soon as he hit the recliner last night. Slept in the chair for hours. Think he was just plain worn out. Right back at the farming today though. Gwen...too funny with the made up language. Just try to be patient with this whole lapband thing right now. Work hard at it, do everything your doc suggests and in a couple of months you will fit right into it and become part of your daily life. Janet...wish I could have just plopped down on a chair on you patio and visited as you BBQ'd those steaks. Just a little girl time in person. Ahhhhhhhhhh..that would be so nice. Eva...research in Argentina for the company you work for now?? I, too, missed your post about it. I have been feeling like Cheri the last couple of weeks. I think I caught her ADHD. (Not poking fun, Cheri...have three of my own with the same). Laura....how fun..date night 2 days in a row. DH and I need one of those SOON. We've had so much get in the way of life lately. There always seems to be some sort of fire to put out when it comes to the farm or the business. There are times I just feel like jumping ship with all the stress. But, what's nice is that I only feel that stress for a little while and then try to put it away. I am on of those "reacters". I go from zero to bit_h and then I'm done. Great photo of your little family. Gotta say it.....looks like you top is way too lose (yeah). Time to shop for a new red tank! You look great, Laura. Julie....looking forward to the post where you let us know Mayo found what should have been found month and months ago. We hurt when you hurt. How did your friend turn out that had surgery yesterday???? Joyce...missed you on here. Happy to hear you had a nice time on your vacation. Saw photos on FB. Looks like a lovely resort. DH and I have been there a few times and love the beaches there. Melissa...I feel your frustration but you just GOTTA get yourself weened from the sweets if they are your downfall. If sweets are something that is a trigger for you when stressed, bored, hungry, etc. then just don't allow them AT ALL. Make a promise to yourself and stick to it. Take that promise and live it and you will find that once you have been without sweets for awhile, you will no longer have intense cravings for them. Take fruit to work with you. Take a bag of popcorn. Have alternatives to candy at your finger tips. So many options. Also, it's time to recognize and get to the bottom of why you are not allowing yourself to get beyond this point with your weightloss. You have made a big dent in your losing the first weight you did. Just think how great you would feel if you could just get over this hurdle and get on the road to losing the last of the weight you want to lose. Sending hugs. Judy...Happy you are back and posting. Good going on the smaller slacks. Good feeling, huh? LauraK...what a great way to reconnect with someone...walking. Good for you, good for him and not so fussy as a date. Wishing you the best when it comes to it all. You will know if anything more than a friendship is meant to be. How are your flower babies. Mine are beautiful this year...with the exception of one little flower bed. Just didn't take off at first and don't have a clue why....much better now. Great...the exercise queen. Way to go on all the activity, signing up for classes, etc. Great way to meet new ppl. Hey Phyll...got the RV packed yet. Come hell or high water and no matter where you are on the interstate while coming through MN, I will be on the side of the road. Hope it works even if it's just a short little visit. Heck, I'm so stressed with everything lately that maybe I will just jump on board. I would just have you and DH drop me far, far from here. Arlene...you are really stirring up dust with all that walking. Way to go. I love reading that all of you are really working at getting on and moving the body. I swear that mine just moves all by itself without any prodding. OK...DH finally is up and ready for breakfast. So happy he slept in. 6:30 is late for him. Will catch up with you all later. Start you day with a smile on your face...

Oh yeah...way to go on all the exercise. It's nice to see you guys document it on this thread.

Another fly by....just got home. Everyone off in different directions for home. A couple staying with DFIL. He already has plans to NOT stay home and be lonesome. He has lots of friends and plans to travel again. We are so happy about that. DH and I are just going to chill this evening...need to and then off to bed early. It's been a VERY long week and we are spent. Wake and funeral for my friend Thursday and Friday. Want to go to both so will need to travel a bit as services are in his home town. It's just so sad. He was such a sweet guy. Everyone have a great night.

Fly By...huge wake yesterday. We did not pull into the driveway until 2am. Butt is dragging this morning. Headed out the door for the funeral. Got a call this morning that a very good friend of mine dropped dead yesterday. Became a Grandpa the day b/4. His only children, 2 daughters were due on the same date. So sad. Talk to you all later.

Duh....court trial.

Eva...I got the love you sent. I will match that and send it right back at you.....along with all the rest of you. OK....what did I miss with Lori that Eva talked about??? I'll have to go back and look.

Ok...I said I have no hate...but this last week I have had a lot of anger. We need to say our goodbyes and let some of it go. My job the next couple of days is to make sure DH and youngest DS know it's OK to feel anger and grief at the same time and to work on letting it be buried with her. If they cannot, I have 2 counselling sessions set up for this coming Friday. Tricky Momma!

Janet...trying to answer your question without sounding like I am being disrespectful...MIL was a cold and bitter woman. Put FIL through hell and DH and a few of her daughters also. Only had enough love for 3 of her 7 children. No wonder the riff in the family. I can feel good within my heart because I ALWAYS treated her with respect even when she was at her nastiest. I would just turn on my heel and walk and a few years figured out it was best to stay out of certain situations. One of my DS's she adored and the others she was hateful towards. So, needless to say, I did not subject them to any more situations with her than they HAD to. She treated my DH like a non-person. He also handled everything as I did and was respectful but did not make himself available to her tongue lashing. He was a good son and took care of her as much as she needed. I don't feel for me in this cuz I was an in-law and she did not need to love me. But, it's always been difficult when it came to the hurt she put upon DH and youngest DS. We explained to our boys at an early age that they are two grandmas. The one that said hurtful things and the one that really did have a good heart but just didn't know how to show it. Pretty sure we did the right thing though. My boys would run down the road to see GM and GP every time they came home from collage, etc. We tried to have them see the good and the bad and accept who she was. All I know is that each of us treated her with kindness and showed her love and that's what counts at the end of a day (and the end of a life). DH and I have had soooooooooooooo many discussions at the breakfast table about our familly dynamics. We often asked each other how we both could have come from such disfuntion and how we were able to form and maintain a loving and caring relationship with our sons. I always knew the answer. We both broke the mold because we had lived it and didn't want that in our little family. We had to try harder than most and I think that was the key to it all. When each of my parents passed away, I still greived as much as any other person would have even though they had not been in my life since 1995. I have no hate in me. I just have a real wonder of how a person can go to their grave without truly showing love for their child...not matter what the age that child is.

OMG, Laura..thank you for sharing all you have on your feelings and how you have handled easing Nels into sharing his adoption with him. I can feel all your emotions and just know that you are feeling better to today after the special day you have with Nels and DH. You are a great Mommy and there is a reason Nels is with you and DH. Way to go Mommy! I know I have a lot of crying to do the next couple of days and you sharing this opened up the flood gates. I have a confession to make. I have not cried yet and MIL died Wed night. Kept telling DH that this it NOT like me not to be able to cry. I just think I was so concerend about DH and both DS's feelings that I did not allow concern for my own. Well, damn it, you started the process (thanks...I needed to). Love ya

Oh LauraK...sounds like you are beside yourself with what is going on with your friend. But, so good to hear that you are relieving your stress with walking. Maybe that ex GF did not intend to be mean....maybe she is just a bit stupid???? Just be a good friend to him as I am sure he must need one with what he is dealing with. And, you vent???? You are the least of the venters. I could teach you some tricks. Jessica...so good to see your post. Sorry you have been struggling. I'm just going to be blunt....STAY ON YOUR MEDS (please). Try to check in more often. Your mother hens miss you and miss hearing about what you are up to. I was re-reading some of the posts this morning and realized I must have missed a page cuz some things were just not making sense and I couldn't find the post to coincide. Oh well, no time available today to respond like I want to. I feel so out of touch with you guys the last few weeks. But, just know that I usually read every word when catching up. Everyone is sleeping in today. Did a simple Breakfast cuz I figured ppl would be getting up at diff times, showering, etc. and not sitting down all at once. Made up some cherry muffins last night and put batter in frig to pop in oven this morning. Then did the inners for breakfast burritos and all I have to do this morning is fill, add cheese and heat. Wake today 4-7 with family being at the funeral home at 3. This will be the first time in many, many, many years that all 7 siblings will be in the same place at the same time. Some silly little grudge that started the feud and no one can remember what the rift is between certain sibs. Silly to let it go this long. OK, have some ready for breakfast. Gotta go. Hey...nice to see everyone checking in with their exercise for the day. Later

Popping in for a quick one. Read the posts...can't respond and want to. Eva...I did the first couple of days of cooking, feeding, etc. cuz I figured the siblings needed time to talk and let MIL death sink in without worrying. I then backed off and let them each know all they had to do is call if they needed something. It's worked out well. Have had a few calls for things but not unreasonable requests. Heading into FIL for supper with the family. A neighbor of his brought it in. My poor FIL is spent and BIL is being so good to keep him rested and on his routine (kind of). Gotta go. So much to say (crying at Laura's post and photos....what a special little guy). Later

Good Morning...got a great night's sleep for both DH and myself (much needed). Mouth is healing nicely and going to try more solid food today. I have my temporary caps on all 10 top teeth. I am amazed by the difference every time I catch myself in the mirror and so satisfied by the work that this doc does. Three weeks till I get the permenant on the front uppers. After that just have right top and bottom caps to take care of. Going to be so worth it. Most likely will be not checking in today or tomorrow much. Just wanted to pop on and wish you all a great weekend. Take care.

Great news! My wish for him is to have to eat Kraft macaroni and cheese at least once a day for the rest of his life...AND...to never have access to toilet paper.

Thanks for those heartwarming words, Phyll. Cheri...ditto what I said to Phyll. What I have to say about control is this: If your partner is into letting you take over certain things and is OK with it...go with it. If not, gotta let it go.

Gold star day for Janet for her great idea!!!!!!!!! What's this game all about????? Being accountable, of course. What a great way to make us accountable, Janet.

Jesus loves me, this I know. Cuz the Bible tells me so........ Gosh...you all are just so full of Apples compliments today. I am just gonna have to fluff my pillow and have sweet dreams of all my LBT sisters. Will let you know in the morning of any weird dreams. Laura....gotta tell ya, Hon....gotta exercise even more during menopause. Those hot flashes (from what my doc told me) just heat up that bod and slow down the metabolism. Get your cute tush to the gym in the morning. Oh Gosh...I feel so much like Janet right now

Thanks, Julie...such kind words. Laura....welcome to Hot Flash Land! Only bit of advice I have is that ALWAYS blame those childish outbursts you might have on menopause. No one is going to argue with a menopausal women. (Speaking from experience here and so happy the emotional spikes and lows are behind me....now to figure out a way to ditch the flashes)

Wow, Great...that is such a sweet compliment....it comes at a good time as I spent the day thinking that I just can't keep all of it together anymore. I guess I will take what you said and run with it. All I know is after completing what I did today on not a lick of sleep last night, I get the gold star for today for being the best multi-tasker that I know:lol:

So true Linda, Arlene, Janet and Great. Times like this bring out the not so good in ppl. It's a time to celebrate that life that was lived and forget the CRAP. I guess some ppl do not have the ability to do that. I'm off to feed the family. I feel like the white tornado today with what I have had to accomplish, and, with no sleep. Will have to take a day to recoup. You all have a nice relaxing evening. Love ya!