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Ok...that totally locked up and posted without me doing anything....whine. As I was saying...we decided that maybe Atlantis for our 35th anniverysary (Nov 10, 2015). But, always said we would go back to San Diego to stay at the Del Coronodo. We spent a couple of weeks there in 1983. As others have said...great memories for your family. Your dad would rather see you do your trip than to sit around and worry about him. Hugs. Linda...Happy Bandiversary....boy...you can sure eek it out. LOL. Just set your bandiversary 4 days earlier than it is and just keep getting those congrats! Love ya. So cool how you were explaining about being not winded during Zumba. Now, I have this DH that is on a dead run 24/7. You know what the biggest challenge of this trip is? The big ole' Tanker and the little ole' DH keeping up with me when we walk. We try to take two walks a day and poor DH is behind me panting and trying to keep up. The poor little guy pulled a muscle in his calf last week and was house-bound for a day trying to recover. Point is....I have more energy than I ever though I would have again. I could hardly walk 3 yrs ago. I am on a dead run and tired is not in my vocabulary. Great...wish we all could go to your DD's baby shower. I feel like I have known you forever and feel like I wanna be there. I promise I wouldn't pat her tummy (that drives me nuts when ppl do that). I'd even make some muffins for the shower. You just enjoy. Wear your Ann Taylor and outshine the MIL. Have fun. Arlene...you're the best daughter. But, I bet it helps that your mom is an angel to deal with. She sounds so sweet. It makes me miss my Lucille. I miss her so much but every day I remember so many things that she taught me and how she treated me. Totally unconditional love. I had never known that until I met her. I never mind taking care of anyone. What has always bothered me is the resistance . Your mom sounds like she just lets you do what you need to do for her. Lucille was that way. She would just except what I did for her and be happy about it. Hugs for all the time this has taken away from your life. Nothing you will every be sorry you did though. Janet...can't remember if I said "Woohoo on balancing whatever you balanced". Damn...that's a good feeling isn't it? Happy you had a good time with Jodi, Dassi, Phyll and her DH. Dassi looks just like I imagined. She is such a beautiful girl. Julie...sorry your pain ruled during the shower. I sure hope this new doc will take a look at the whole picture and be able to start anew with you. Jodi...hope you had a great trip. Also hope that family things went OK. Dassi is such a pretty little thing. LauraK...Hi...love ya and looking forward to meeting you. It's been a long time a comin'. OK...this is coming from a girl that cannot sleep past 5:30am...I slept till 8:30 today. OMG. Had a leisurely Breakfast. Showered. Took a 2 mile walk. Made lunch and then went shopping with DH. Came back home and made a sugar free pumpkin pie for sweet FIL. Tomorrow we are heading out early to "shop" for a humble abode somewhere in AZ and then play Bingo with FIL. It will be a late night as Bingo does not conclude until 10:30 and we have a drive to get home after. Friday we are doing a museum with Eva. We were going to do it last week but my long gate put DH in pain and he needed the day to recoup. We are looking forward to it. I think Thursday will be a "me" day. Love to all...will check in soon. Sleep tight...

Hey All...you guys are the best. So encouraging. Cheri...the beast? I thought you were the "Bomb"! Guess it's just the terminology with the age difference. Bet you looked great in those skinnies. You are a very beautiful woman and you carry yourself well. So cute what the little guy said about you just being irritated. They know you love them. We know you love them. Laura....Atlantis...what a wonderful trip. DH and I have this table topic game and one of the questions on his card that he asked me was "What would be the ideal trip for you?". My answer...Atlantis. We "

Evening All...another great day in AZ...We've been here two weeks as off today and it only seems like a short while. We are just concentrating on a NO stress lifestyle and are just flying by the seat of our pants. No planning too far ahead of time (we always vacation this way), no meals that are planned, no alarms set (which happens each and every day at home..weather it be a weekend or not). We are hanging out with the dog and finding lots to do but take every other day just to stay at home and hang. Much needed way of life. Happy Anniversary Eva and DH! You guys are sooooo cute. Thanks for posting the recipe. Just wanted to be sure you shared with all. It is the best. I tried to eek it out and put it on everything I could think of. Now I can make a stash for us and keep it in the frig. It is soooooooooo good. We are having such a great time. Spending as much time as we can with FIL. He's so cute. Think I told you all that many times. He's just such an interesting person. He lost his wife in August and has made a decision to stay busy and has accomplished that. They had spent 17 yrs in a resort in AZ until MIL had an anerysm that caused her kidneys to shut down during surgery to repair it. He has taken care of her for the last 8-10 yrs and now is able to go back to his resort and reconnect with old friends. He is out later than us! So cute. 87 yrs old and drives all over the place. Spent the day making bars for FIL to take to his "social club". He had made the statement last weekend that he feels so bad that he cannot take his turn contributing to his club. MIL used to do it and he does not bake. Made him what he needs to last him the winter so he can take his turn. Also going to go up on Wed night (per his request) to play Bingo at his club. He was so happy to be able to reserve two more seats. We spent the day yesterday "shopping" for next year and many years to come. Now all we have to agree on is where we want to be. Of course, I want to be in this area...loved it many years ago when we were here. But, DH is a farm boy and wants to be more rural. We think we have come to an agreement on where to be. Sorry.......just have to let you guys know that I am going to be self-centered for the next couple of weeks. I might not respond to posts but just know I read them all. Just concentrating on us and what it takes to relax. It's my way of taking care of me, DH, Tanker and our relationships. Much needed and taking advantage of it. Love to all...take care.

Good Evening to All...MIA lots lately but in the vacation mode and even when we are not busy, we are just enjoying hanging out on the porch and sucking up the nice weather. Had a great time meeting Eva's friends last night. Nice ppl and just plain fun. FIL called about noon today and stated he was on the way. Made for a nice day. Was able to get some cooking done for him while him and DH were out and about. He had lunch with us and then stayed for coffee and Cookies and took off b/4 dark. (he's 87 and had to drive about 45 minutes). He's so cute and is a walking encyclopedia. Janet, Phyll, Jodi and Dazzi...hope you all had a great time together. Time for bed. Going to be out and about with DH tomorrow. Going to take in some sights. You all have a great weekend.

Kelly...I think the last thing you would call me is a "Lady" if you would have spent the day with me and my stone. I have a lingo that would embarrass Eddie Murphy as I am trying to pass these things. Made the dogs ears go down.

Cheri...we watch A.I. tonight and last night also. I am not the biggest fan of JaLo, but, I really do like her on the show. She comes across as very caring. She is absolutely a beautiful woman and has done a lot to promote herself. One of the reasons I have never gotten into her is because she (to me) seemed so egotistical. But, I have to say, she comes off differently on this show. I have always loved Steven Tyler (off the wall and crazy) and Randy Jackson. I think they have good vibes going on as a threesome. Happy your event at school was a hit. Get a good night's sleep. You deserve it. Sandy...I am still considering a panni. My LB doc does his own TT's and pannis and I trust him. Very talented. I decided to take this time while on vacation and weigh the risks and to contemplate whether or not I want to put up with rashes and waking up at night because I am laying on it. I am pretty sure I already have my answer. It's very bothersome. Cannot tell I have a panni with my clothes on and I am not self conscious of it....just bugs the crap out of me in the way it feels. LB doc and GP thinks it should come off. Will see. I decided to take until April 1 and then make my decision and then visit with doc on what steps to take. I have had many surgeries and have gone home the same day without pain meds, so, not worried about that part of it. And, I can recoup at the lake. I'm like an old dog....I like to go off by myself when I am healing or in pain. Hoping to get some sleep tonight. Still having some ureter spasms and know I most likely am passing some gravel. My energy is back and I just cannot wait to get out and at 'em again. I am not a whiney patient....just get ticked off when I miss things cuz of these stones. (Sorry, Eva...wish I could have met you for dinner). Yes, Jessica, waiting to hear the results of your xray. Also, wondering about what you found out on your kidney test results, Linda? You have so much going on in your life right now. Thinking of you. Hugs. Janet...missing you. Julie...hope your new meds kick in soon. Sorry about your fall down the stairs. Not a good thing. Sandy...I'm not expert but really think you would be happier with TT results if you would get down to the 20lbs lost. If you have no plans to take off the 20lbs, then TT wouldn't be an issue at this point. The only reason I say this is that if you have the TT and take the rest of the weight off, you might not be satisfied with the results. IMHO. Looking forward to Eva's FNSC that she so gracefully invited us to. We have met some of her and her DH's friends and they are so genuine and interesting. Soooooooo, I thought and thought on what to make for this "social". I ended up making dreadfully fattening brownies with fudge frosting. What a better way to get to know ppl than when they are salivating over your brownies???? My taste-tester (DH) said they passed the tast test and now I have to walk him an extra couple of miles tomorrow morning. He's been held up in the house with me today (hovering...it's love) and all he does is eat when he is locked up. His belly is distended and I can hear him out in the kitchen scrounging for more. LOL.

Whew....passed that nasty thing about ten minutes ago. Was a bugger and now ready to get back to life. Missed our walk this morning and ready to go after it tomorrow morning and then hit a museum with DH and Eva (if she is up for it). Kelly...good to see you check in. Hope you thouroughly enjoy school. Also, hope your scale is down in numbers next Tuesday! Alrene...happy you found a temporary fix for that thumb. I would be cumbersum to type with it. Joyce...good going on the gym. Laura...thanks for the TT and panni info. Gonna go hit the shower. I had so many cold sweats, hot sweats, etc. the last few hours that a shower will revive me. Later.

No such luck yet on the passing. Long night and needed help getting up this morning. Wanted to keep hydrated so sat and drank liquids for an hour and now thinking of the bed again. Arlene....I am so used to these things....just a part of my life. I have had them crushed, grabbed with a basket numerous times and had to have them surgically removed. I will keep an eye on what is happening and if I think it is not moving (which I think it is moving) I would go in. They have been in my life since 1994 and the worst part is that I passed these onto my boys. I just call it "Life Interruptus" and happy and relieved when they pass and then get back at life. Linda...sounds like DSD is not quite ready to admit to her problems and is trying to put on a false front with her docs. Maybe being in the psych ward with push her to come clean with it. Hugs. I know this is tough for you. Just give Aylah some extra hugs and focus on her to keep your mind off of what Katie is doing to herself. Really tough stuff for parents. Laura...happy you are somewaht better today. LauraK..sorry about the munching issues. Back to bed for a few hours or until I see some action with this thing. Feel like my body is being turned inside out. Whine.

A bit of a hijack here...sorry OP...will get back to subject in a bit. HOLY HELL, Diva....you look amazing. Good for you. I know of your struggles and am so happy for you to have turned the corner. That said....and back to the topic at hand....RESPECT...that's what it boils down to. Plain and simple. Do unto others...Golden Rule and all that stuff. We all make mistakes. We come on here for support. Don't need bashing...just wanting someone to talk to and ask a few silly questions. Respect goes a long way.

Hey All. Nice to hear from you, Phyll...beading...sounds relaxing. We got just a bit of wind today but felt good. You talking about your Water arobics brings up a funny thing that has gone through my mind the last couple of mornings. DH and I and Tanker go on a pretty good walk every morning. Well, in order to get out of our little village, we have to pass by the community center and the pool is off in the distance. I told DH this morning that I'd be yelling back at the "B" that is heading up that water arobics...she SCREAMS. It just wouldn't bring the peace to my life that I need. Happy I am not enrolled in her class. I am dying with this stone. Have not had such a tough one since we were in FL a year ago. DH wanted to head to ER but I think it is moving...at least I hope it is. Cold sweats, hot sweats, laying on the cold tile floor. Just wanting to die a couple of times today. Just my life with stones. Have been fortunate the last few months without them, but my specialist warned me I had a big one that might "fall off the tree". Guess it's just what I have been "gifted" with. Poor DH...he doesn't know what to do and he has been hovering all day. I am not the type of person that does well with a hoverer....good intentions...trying to pass so I can sleep. This really sucks. My gripe for today. Eva delivered a "greeen sauce" the other day. I have been putting it on everything and trying to eke it out until she delivers another batch. It is soooooooooo good. I have put it on aspargas, boiled egges, baked potato, scrambled eggs, etc. Eva....will you share the recipe with the group? (and me)...so good. Oh, really good on rice crackers and brie. And, rice crackers and smoked gouda. Jessica...maybe you just popped that weird peice of cartiledge out that is located in the groin. Do you get tendenidis? Sounds more like that? Did you post a few months ago that you had a groin injury? Maybe putting too much pressure on one are when you work out or run? Just a thought. Repitition just doesn't work for some ppl. OK...going to go get in a hot bath and see if it helps this along. My goal is to sleep tonight and be able to take my two on their walk tomorrow. DH has such a tough time (very active guy but short legs). He has a tough time keeping up with me (34-36 inch inseam). He's on a dead run most of the time. Good workout for him and I am thinking most of the time that he could speed up a little. Poor DH. Tanker likes my pace better. Never pulls the leash with me but is continuously pulling with DH. Good night to all. Sleep tight. Love to all. Prayers I pass this awful sharp thing and that it does not end up in the "V" of my double ureter.

Cheri....sounds like a good way to get parents, students and teachers involved all at once. Wishing you a fun night and, hopefully, your school will find a principal that is willing to give it what your school needs. Sounds like a continuous struggle. Way to go on the planning! Laura...hugs on the tummy issues. Take it easy the next couple of days. Keep an eye on the reflux issues...baby your band and hopefully things will turn around. I know I notice a number of factors that will make me tight. Lifting, stress, sinus issues or head cold and travelling. Weird. I think it was Linda that stated lifting also makes her tight. Meredith....your desert sounds good. I make something similar to that with SF cheesecake pudding. DH eats it by the bowl full when I make it. I love it with a little coconut and pitted fresh cherries also.

Hey All....short post. Another perfect day her in Tucson. Just so much appreciate the weather and the low stress days. Linda...hope DSD "gets it" this time. You are there for her and have been and just keep on doing what you can with taking care of DGD. Time will tell and no one can do this for her but HER. Hugs, hugs, hugs. I know how much you care. Julie. Could this doc be the one that gets you the help you need? I certainly hope so. Hugs to you also. Started out on a drive today to do some fun things...got a few miles from home and a kidney stone hit me hard. It's kicking my butt. I'm pretty rubbery and week. Always better once it passes. Pushing fluids. Just ate the BEST sausage in the world. Ave had taken me to her favorite little sausage shop last week. OMG...I might just have to fine a way to take some home. I ate till my tummy hurt. OK...talk to you all later. Eva...glad to hear you are liking your classes. I would love the writing class.

Lost a long post...I am going to PM Alex again. I have noticed such a change in posting on threads and not many new threads. I think he is losing ppl left and right because of the fact that this site is sucky.

Good Morning All....another beautiful day here in Tucson. I am pretty sure I will not be going back to MN. Screaming and kicking is the only way (DH is standing over my shoulder reading this and choking on his coffee). Pretty sure I could put up with whatever summer weather brings. But, alas, it's just a dream. Still not sure of my plans for the day. Walk with DH and Tanker first and then decide. DH went out and bought a bike so he could get some added exercise with the dog. That's their plan for today. I want to get a color e-reader so going to look into that. FIL's friend showed me hers the other day and it would be ideal for me. I am forever carrying a book or two in my purse. Just wanted to say "Good Morning". Hope you all have a good day. Eva....have fun at school today. Admire you for enriching your mind. Not sure how you ever fit work into your life but know you are enjoying retirement. Call the realtor....want to take a look at the house down the street from you. (Yes, DH is still behind me....) Poor guy.

OK...something is sucky with our LBT site...will not let me edit. Not a good thing when I post cuz I usually screw something up. Anyway...Melissa....disregard...I am not lecturing you about "bad food" that paragraph was for Meredith. Meredith...hope you got the lecture! LOL

Good Evening All.... Happy Birthday, Melissa...hope it was a good one and wishing you many, many more happy years in your life. Laura....wow...what a difference your weight loss has made. You look wonderful. Glad to hear DH made it back all safe and sound and you are a family unit again. I know how important that is to you. LauraK...love your new avatar photo. You are so cute. Cute as a bug in a rug. Good comeback lines for the ones you toss aside...LOL. Happy you are having fun. Jodi...safe travels to you and Dassi. Have a great time with family and give Phyll and Janet a hug from me. And then, turn around and have them give you a hug from me. Cheri....saw the photos of your little ones on FB. I have to tell you...that one little girl is her GM all over again. She has your jawline. Cute kids...good GM. Phyll...funny story about the hotdog. Heck, when we were kids, we used to eat those nasty things cold. Surprising what we would eat back then. I'd have to be tied up and forced to eat a number of things now....hotdogs, bologna, liver, lamb, liverwurst, etc. I'm not a terribly picky person but some things just don't fly with me anymore. Great...safe travels to you also. I love it that you have the opportunity to visit GM. You will never regret the time you give her. Have a good time and sorry you are somewhat blue. I am sure I do not have any inklings of SAD. DH's mother was one that it affected. Do what it takes to resolve those feelings. Last thing I want is a friend that acts anything like my MIL acted like during the winter. It was AWFUL... Thank goodness they spent many years in AZ. Janet...you were quite this weekend. I must have missed something....hope you had a good one. Melissa....try to get around those feelings of beating yourself up over "bad food". Allow yourself some once in awhile and get back to business. That's what this life change is all about. The biggest challenge in all of this is not beating yourself up. You cannot treat this as a strict "diet". It's life. You are doing so great to get back after things and come back here to share your daily life and feelings over food. We have all been there and have had issues with food. We are here for you....I guess you know that...you came back to us. Well...Eva has done it again. Another great day of driving around and just enjoying the scenery. Tanker, DH and Eva and I. Was a great day. Thanks, Eva. The day started with us missing Eva and Glimmer coming over for a play date with Tanker. We got a late start on our daily walk and I forgot my phone at home. She came and left by the time we got back. That girl never seems to get ticked off by anything. Anyway, picked her up, went to a great Mexican restaurant and then hit the road. Met some of her friends and saw some of the property they own. Was a great way to spend the day. Not sure what tomorrow will bring. DH wants to hang with Tanker. He feels the need to get in some biking and wants to take Tanker to the dog park. I think he is feeling the affects of sitting and eating and wants to keep a check on not gaining any weight. I am thinking of going to Barnes and Noble and then hitting some consignment shops. Will see what hits me after the morning walk. I know I did not respond to all that has been posted or to all that are on the thread. But, remember? No guilt...I'll go with that....no guilt. Too busy being totally unstressed and that's the way I'm going to keep it. Love to all and safe travels to all and Happy Birthday to Melissa again and might check in later. DH's time for laptop and I am going to go shower and get relaxed.

Good Morning...about ready to hit the shower (should have done it hours ago but lolled around eating bf). Heading up to see FIL today. Taking Tanker as FIL is tolerent of him. He is not a dog person but likes Tanker and we do not want to leave him....even though he handles being here alone just fine. He adjusted to his new digs quickly. I had my first public PB last night at dinner. I never really knew what ppl were talking about when they explain having to quickly find a RR. Eva took us to a steakhouse (best steak I've ever had) and I order a filet. No problems whatsoever eating it. (I always drink when I eat) Had one bit of my steak to go and took a drink and KNEW I'd better run. TMI....the only thing that came up was Water and little bit of lettuce. It must of rearranged things down there cuz after that happened I was perfectly fine. I guess after almost 3 yrs of being banded, I could expect at least one episode like that. Sandy....I bet you are soooooooo excited about Cancun. You've been pretty booked lately and deserve some time to relax. Happy to hear your dad is doing better. OK...I have to hit the shower so we can head out. Excited to see the little man (FIL). Have a great Sunday...I know we will.

Life is good....weather is warm...love you all...good night...sleep tight.

Good Evening Friends.....another great day spent with Eva. Thanks. Just fun. Did our kind of thing. DH and I are the type that NEVER make plans when we travel...well, maybe 2-3 hours ahead of time. Eva is as easy going as we are and we have kind of just gone by the seat of our pants. DH and I and Eva just did a drive around today. Went through a mountain pass (beautiful) and stopped at one of their properties and visited with one of their friends. Headed somewhere and hit a little corner bar. Eva's DH joined us. Nice visit. My DH is somewhat shy...no....he is reserved especially when it comes to ppl who put on airs....WELL...he fits right in with Eva and DH and I have a feeling there will be tears on our way out of town. Anyway... Linda...sorry about the kidney troubles. Sunporch prayer has been said. Woohoo on the work schedule. Freedom. Arlene...you ARE a sweet daughter. It makes me miss my Lucille so much when you talk of your mom. Great...I know how I would have handled the extra guest list if I were the hostess putting on the shower. I would have provided her with a number of invitations and asked her to kindly address, stamp and mail. There's all kind in this world. But, give and take gets a person a lot farther in life than being a b_tch. But...I can say this from experience....if DD can stand her ground and respectfully still include her MIL (not saying she is disrespectful but it respect goes a long way when building relationships) the tables might turn. But, as I've said b/4, she sounds pretty self-centered. OK...dinner is ready for the table....will be back later.

Hey Janet....pats on the back to you to for being a single mother. I've always thought that would be the toughest job in the world....well, that and teaching. Hugs. Hope you make the Chicgo trip. If not, whine.

Another beautiful day here in Tucson. Had a wonderful time with Eva. Nice to spend time with her and also appreciate her williness to show us the sights. Love our house and love the fact we have so much at our fingertips. Tucson offers so much and looking forward to the weeks ahead. Great...sorry to hear your trip was canceled. Bummer. And, as others have said, keep posting about your trips flitting around the country. Let us live vicariously through you. And, when we give you crap, smile and know it's just that. Your new WLS group sounds great. Hope it is something you will enjoy. I know you were quite involved with the one in Denver when you went. And, you can be an inspiration to ppl just starting out on their journey. Arlene...your mother sounds like such a sweetheart. She sounds like my "Mom" Lucille. You are so lucky to say that you grew up with such love from her. Love I got from "Mom" was unconditional and it made up for what I missed out on prior to meeting her. No question how much she loved me and everyone in her life. I miss her every day and will till I leave this earth. My birth mother was a hateful and selfish person. I pains me even to write these words about her. But, the truth. I know you are thankful. Joyce...I've been so hit and miss here the last week. I missed the post of your travels. Have a great trip. LauraK...good to hear of your plan to do the choosing this time when it comes to a man. If there's none that fit into what you expect and need from a man, best not to have one. This is going to sound awful....but the way I feel...DH throws the question at me sometimes on what would I do if I ever lost my dog. I have told him that I compare it to if I ever lost him (God forbid). No dog or no other husband would ever compare. My dog is not perfect and neither is my DH but a new one could never measure up. Pretty bad to compare DH to dog. No new dog...no new DH. Just me roaming the countryside with my blue-haired friends. Hey Laura....how's it going? DH make it back from the icebox yet? Hope he still has most of his body parts and did freeze them off. DH's favorite saying when it's bitter cold is "It's so cold it could freeze the balls off a brass monkey". Sandy, hope you can get some of the services others have mentioned lined up for your dad. I, too, am surprised your dad's doc did not prescribe some help. But, as you mentioned, maybe thought you were handling things for him. There are so many services available through so many agencies. And, if medicare covers it, his supplemental policy should pick it up. I know a person can get home health and even have minimal housekeeping done. Bathing, weekly health checks, etc. Worth looking into. Hugs on everything you have been through lately. Linda....hope your boss is smart enough to give you the hours you are requesting. Is there a possiblity of doing a rotating schedule for the couple of hours with all of the staff? And, pat yourself on the back for being a single mom and raising a son that is so responsible. Question....does Katie say she is sick, leave you with DGD and go out and party? All wrong if she is doing this to your guys. As I've said b/4, it's so good Alyah has you and DH in her life. Arlene...fajitas are my "go to" food when we eat at Mexican restaurants. Youngest DS and I went out to one a couple of weeks ago. He ordered the fajitas for two and had plenty to take home for dinner that evening. Cheri...road trip? Let's plan one! You get to be Thelma. Also...nice to hear you had a loving environment growing up. Mine sucked big time....just had it in me to know that I could not carry on that tradition of abuse. It worked. TX...good going on the 5lbs. Hope your dad does not have to have the surgery and they can fix without cutting. Take care. Well, got cable and internet hooked up today. Was actually nice to not have tv for a few days. DH and Tanker are on the couch reading a book. I think I am ready for a shower and bed. Or, as soon as I stand up I might get my second wind.

Crap....missed a lot of posts. Not sure what happened. Lesson...never rely on email notification. Joyce....yes, calm is important to get through the tough times. Have learned that lesson over the last few months. When you are so upset that your inner organs are shaking night after night while trying to get to sleep, you know you just gotta start breathing deep and taking care of yourself (speaking from experience). Sh_t....I was 17, on my own, paying for college, working over 8 hours a day, studying till 3am and looking for a job on the side. Entitilement...the new generation. Take care of you.

Good Evening...short post...have some work to do. Need to email this big family (DH's) to send photos and prove that Dad is alive and well. They worry so and shouldn't. 87 yrs young and riding his bike 20 minutes up the McDonalds to have coffee every day. Heck, with my vertigo, I'd be road kill. OK...I knew I loved Eva and DH...cool dudes...but what a nice visit. I am still in awe over Eva's talents. (Be quite Eva, I'm busy bragging you up). Cool desert home...just as her photos showed when she posted a few months ago. Her tiled floors and bath/shower walls are amazing...and...she did the work herself. On the ride home from her place I was telling DH that I need to pick up on a few of the things I let go from getting to busy on the farm. Now that I have the time, I need to get into that inner-feeling again. Since I quit work (11 yrs ago) and made the farm my job, I've lost myself a bit. I knew it but have not been happy with losing myself a bit in the farm stuff. Tanker, DH and I took a drive to her home this afternoon...so interesting what they have done with their place. She does not brag so I guess I will need to do it for her. All I can say is OMG. You will all just have to make the trip (they are very welcoming and gracious and have so many stories on what they have done with their beautiful home...history). I turned down an invitation to go out for dinner. Me? I never turn down an invitation. Still on MN time and need one more night to recoup. We have plans for tomorrow. Looking forward to it. You know...we might all have something in common when it comes to comparing parents and how we were raised. Some on this thread (and I am so happy for) I am sure can say they got the love and learned how to love from their parents. Some of us have jaw-dropping stories but if you can go through life and still choose your own life over someone elses, then you did feel some love even though it was not said or demonstrated. Not a lecture, just something to ponder. Point is...by not feeling the love, you learned survivor skills and fight to not repeat the pattern with your offspring. Not discounting or judging the depth of someone else's hurt, just saying...a person is equiped to "one-up" break the mold. Gotta get those photos out and get the rest of my book finished b/4 DH finishes his and grabs the one I am reading. Night all.