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Thanks, Laura...your wish will be granted. I always know how to have fun. Love my friends but what would be great is to look forward to all of you girls around my kitchen table playing cards. Wow, now that would be fun!:smile2:

Janet...we play some Texas Hold'm, Rummy...simple stuff. Not real big gamblers. I think the most I ever lost was $7 and the most I walked away with was $40. We also play dice and we have a horse racing game we bet on. Yep, we are all sinners and have succomb to being gamblers.

LauraK...I don't kick butt...I kick a$$!

Eva...have a great trip. Sounds like fun. I LOVE traveling....as if I have never told you girls that b/4!.. Safe travels and will miss your posts if you cannot get service. Thanks for the internet tip...I will check it out. Janet...No big surprise on AI...Big Mike going home. I really like his personality. So sweet when he had his baby and wife on stage. Crystal has been my favorite since day one. My favorites are Louie Armstrong, Janet Joplin, Melissa Ethridge, etc. and she has a voice like that. I did not think anyone else was really that great this year. Janet...put out a challenge to your Lucky 7's girls. Most lost by your date wins a special prize or each put in $10 or something and that's the prize. But, has to have proof of healthy eating...documentation (journal) etc. Maybe it will help kick it in the butt for some of them. I know I like a good challenge. Hey Jodi..good going on the weight loss. Sorry you have had some issues. Get better. Great...Good luck. Hope you find the house of your dreams. I am so excited to think that I FINALLY get to meet Phyll and take a peak at her driver. Better hit the books, get the rest of my housework donw, grab the dog and head for the lake. Have some friends meeting me there tonight. I imagine a little card playing and a foo-foo drink or two. Got my money bowl full of quarters and ready to roll! You all have a great weekend. Sending the love...

You are sounding a lot like DH...LOL. Writing it all has always been in the back of my mind. A lot has never been told except for behind the doors of my doc. Would be a bit of a shocker for the now mayor to have it "out there". Oh well....:smile2:

The photo I was trying to attach that showed a close up of the teeth (Chicklet looking caps and dark) was saved in a file and for some reason won't attach

Can't attach for some reason

Hey Phyll! I am only 70 miles away from I94 (Alexandria) which is a great stop off place for lunch or whatever. Also, if I am at the lake I am only 8 miles from Ashby exit. We'll have to plan as the time gets closer. Heck...I would have driven the 4 hours to the MPLS to get to meet you. I plan on looking into that book. I really do appreciate you telling me about it. Sounds like one of those that has a successful ending. DH is always bugging me about putting things into print. I don't have it in me. Too busy trying to leave it all in the past. Janet....yep, you could do it. When you meet your lovlies this summer, just suprise 'em with a boot camp. :smile2: You say you cannot remember what my teeth looked like? I tried to attach a photo. I really dislike close-ups because of my dark teeth. But...here goes:ohmy:

Meredith graduated already. Where did that year go. I miss her busy/young posts. If you can hear this, Meredith...congrats and hope you are doing well. Missing Julie also...looking forward to her popping on and saying she is headed to the Mayo. Someone has to figure this out...she's been having a miserable time of it...especially lately.

Jessica...cute haircut. Also, congrats on the grades, exercise and just plain doing so great. Phyll...I'll check out that book...thanks. It depends on the story...some I cannot read. Leaves me frozen in time. Well...when you decide you route and the time gets closer, we will talk about maybe meeting. I wouldn't make you go off your route even...I would come to you. Laura...so happy to hear you had a special weekend with your folks. I pray that your father's chemo does the trick. Hey...and good going on being able to spend some time with DH. I know with his busy schedule it's not always easy. Thanks for sharing the photos. Nels really does look older with his hair cut and gap. So cute. Tell him I am bummed...I am going to lose 6 teeth and tooth fairies don't do any favors for 54yr old ladies. Hi Cheri...sounds like you are busy and a little hairied. Hope things calm down soon. OK..."Hi" to everyone else. I feel so bad that I have not "talked" to each of you lately. Working on trying to get internet service at the lake. Will see. Would be great. Later.

Hey Arlene...congrats on your loss. And, look at that extra 1lb as something that will probably show up as an extra loss at your next weigh in. Drinking that water is a good thing...if your body was craving it, you needed it. I push the water all day long and always have. Everything works better. I used to notice that the weeks I really got my water in, my weight loss was better when I checked in at the clinic with my LP doc. Flushes out all the impurities. Good luck with getting lots of extra steps in each day. Kind of fun to use the pedometer. Makes you realize just how many steps you are getting in a day and makes you push for the extra. The more active a person is...the more energy they have. Take care!

I just don't know where I could find a more supportive group of friends, and, I so appreciate you all. Thanks. I will be just fine and am like a rubber ball. I bounce right back. That good night of sleep I got last night made all the difference in the world. My family of origin are sh_ts...plain and simple. I have done my work from the time I was a little one and resolved myself to the fact that I would break the pattern and have. I am a survior and not a victim and there's no turning back from that. But, I do appreciate having this outlet to blow once in awhile. As far as the dental work. It will all go well and I am ready for whatever it takes to FINALLY have nice white teeth that I don't have to continually fix. I will have about three month's worth of work and have already made friends with the office staff. I will just look at it as my chance to socialize. I have always taken good care of my teeth and got kudos for good brushing, flossing, etc. But, since childhood they have been a dark grey color and now it's time to change that up. Since I don't feel the need for plastic surgery (as I have stated b/4) this will come out of my PS fund. The extractions for six teeth are the lower front and will now be a bridge down there. I have a defect where my lower lip has extra tissue that has pulled on the gums each time I talk or smile and as damaged that tissue over time. I have had a couple of surgeries in the past to repair and replace that tissue and not willing to go through it again. They took the tissue from the roof of my mouth and sewed it to the gums twice. Not worth it and would cost about 3x more to try and save that area. I am happy with my decision to do the bridge. When all the work is done, I will post some b/4 and afters. I saw photos of my smile from the wedding we were at a couple of weeks ago and it just verified the fact that it is time for me to do something. Phyll...let me know when you will be traveling through our state and if it works for me (and you guys) I will drive and meet you for lunch. Even if it's only an hour or so...would just love to meet you. OK girls...gotta take care of some housework so I can get myself to the lake tomorrow. Will check back later. Again, I do so appreciate all of you. Sending the love

Morning Gang....Well......I am a new girl this morning. Got some sleep. Janet........yes, same DS that was going to follow GF out to California. She is going to law school out there. The relationship hit the toilet. He broke up with her. He was going to sell his business and everything for that move. Now this Iraq/Afghanistan thing. I asked him to give it till the next training session to make his decision (Sept) and so far he is waiting. He already has security clearance so if he wanted to jump on the next training session, I know he would do it. I think he is stressed and tired of working 24/7 (almost) in his own business and wants the excitement of travel again. Anyway...not the reason I have lost sleep. I am resigned to the fact he needs to do what he needs to do and I would never try to talk him out of it...just to be sure of his decision and not just jump in. We will just need to have faith that things will be fine. DH and I have had a lot come our way during our lives and have always handled. Not going to go into detail on why the sleep loss this last week but all I can say is it involves my family of origin. I am not hateful towards them but I know in my heart that ice cold blood runs through their veins. I think I will be having every procedure know in the dentistry business. LOL. Gum sculpting, new caps, extraction of five, new bridge, old bridge replaces, root canal, etc. New dentist is going to try and come up with some kind of plan to make it easier on me since I have had a few reactions to novacaine (ambulance ride to hospital kind of reactions). Any work I have had done in the last 20 yrs has been without anything and that included root canals. But, all this is worth it to finally smile and not feel like covering my mouth. I am going to have to start practicing how to smile. Phyll...not sure why but had a dream about you (mostly) and all the other girls last night. You and Earl came to MN to pick me up in the motorhome and we went to MOA to meet the other girls. MOA actually ended up being a hospital. You and I kept sneaking into ER to use the restroom cuz we didn't want to walk to other one. Got caught a number of times and finally kicked out. Weird dream. OK...gotta run...hit the shower and hit the road. Sorry cannot address each of you...just not time. Will try to visit when I get home this afternoon.

Arlene...haven't even started the work yet...just all the prelim stuff so it hasn't been tough on the body really. I am just spent. Have had so much come up around here the last week and I've lost sleep time. I just need to catch up to feel better. I am usually so good at making sure that I get adequate sleep but not lately. Hope everyone is doing well. Back for the start of all the procedures I need to have done at 9am tomorrow. I have to drive at least an hour for each visit. Am anxious to get this all behind me. Heading for bed. Night all

Hi all....just cannot catch up with everyone. Last couple of days at the dentist's office. Going to have a new smile when I am done but going to go through a lot to get there. Just thought I had better check in. Not feeling well today. Think I am just shot and need to catch up on some sleep. Take care. Will talk later.

Julie...haven't seen a post for a bit. Hope you are doing OK. Will talk to you all Monday!

Up eating my 1st breakfast...I am sure I will be up again at 3am for another. Just like a newborn. Forgot about Mother's Day when I posted. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to ALL..yes, Eva, that includes you. I know what a good mother you are to your babies!

Well Gang...heading out by 6:30am. Have a dental appt, coffee with a friend and then off to the lake until Monday afternoon. Should find out tomorrow what the plan is for the teeth. I know whatever I do will cost a bit more than a bundle of $$$ but I consider this cosmetic stint what I would have spent on plastic surgery had I felt I needed it. Heck, as Janet just said the other day...we look good with our clothes on. I just want a nice smile. DS's decision is strictly his and I will not try to influence him. Think this decision has to do with wanting this exciting job...more than for the $$$. It would be working for the mililtary as a civilian. If I were a young man (or woman) with his experience and had an opportunity to do what is offered, I would jump at it. His stint with the Air Guards is up in Oct and he has put 10 yrs in. I really am proud of him but the 2 yr contract thing seems like a mightly long comitment. Oh well, we have always been available if our sons needed or wanted our advice but they have always been left to make their own decisions. I live with a faith that it's out of my hands and out of his hands once he makes that decision. That higher power is the one in control. And, I can live with that and will. You all have a wonderful week. Ours will be cold and rainy again. The weatherman will have to earn his way back into my good graces. It's been in the 50s most of the week, wet and windy. Not supposed to be above 53 all weekend. Snuggle time! Bye-Bye!

Arlene...forgot to mention this...what a nice daughter to take your mother a nice bouquet. That was so sweet. Linda...Tanker just returned home with DS. Putting the brakes on is just how he described the trip in to the clinic. And, yes, he had to carry him in again...quivering the entire time. Vet says his toe is broken all the way around and just hanging on. He will most likely lose it but will be OK and can deal without a toe. Big, big day at our house. Would have put out a call for prayers but don't want to use them up. Have a kid (youngest DS) that is on the fence on going to Iraq or Afghanistan (he actually wants this) and might need those prayers through his 2 yr contract over there. Long story short...career wise...good move and exciting job. Mom wise...I think he's nuts but will support his decision. Janet...sorry for your sad news. When someone special like that passes, what comes across my mind is "Life will just never be what it was without them". Not really negative thinking just a true fact of life. I'm sorry you lost him.

Joyce...congrats on the 7lbs and your continued and steady loss. Brave girl showing your doc your undies:redface: Does your doc's office give treats if you show them?

Congrats! You have inspired many over the last 3 yrs. You look amazing and it's good to hear that you have come through all of this and love yourself and the life you are living....Now...sending you a the best in closing the chapter of your life that involved the cheating #$^%%@&&$***. You deserve the happiness you have today!

Woohoo, Arlene! Gold Star! I deem today "Arlene the Weight Loss Queen Day"!!!!!:bored:

Speaking of taking Tanker to the vet...I have not been able to do it for about 6 yrs. He has HATED that place since he had to leave his govenors there when he was 2 (testicles). He will get out of the truck but has to be carried to the door. And, when you get him to the door of the clinic, DS has to back in with him cuz he spreads his legs out and puts them on the door jam and there's no moving him. It was quite the show the last time I tried it alone. Had to hollar to have someone get the vet to carry him in. I was in tears because the poor 100lb baby was shaking like a leaf for an hour in the clinic. DS is a strapping young man and takes everything he has to get him in the door.

You know what, Phyll....so many things have gotten out of hand. DS is taking my baby (100lb lab) to the vet this afternoon. He is going for his annual check, shots, toe nail clipping, flee/tick treatment and the vet to look at his toe that he broke over the weekend. I am sure this will add up to more than I will pay for medical bills this year on myself. But, he's our baby and we do it. :bored:

Laura...my insurance covered everything and I just pay a $10.46 out of pocket for each LB doc visit forever. I do not have any out of pocket fees with my policy ($2000 deductible annually) but with LB doc I have the fee because he is a visiting doc. I can handle $10.46. There is only an office visit (about $90) billed to my ins. whether there is a fill or not. I have read so many threads and the fees for fills are all over the place. LB ppl sitting out there not being able to get there fills and maintain their band because of over-the-top fees. Kinda sad.