Great2BThin

Cheri & Apples, Delta and Frontier both come in on the D concourse so Cheri and I can text and hook up in the concourse and then wait and meet at your flight. I don't know the airport real well other than Delta's portion and I remember there being a foodcourt in the middle of the concourse there with Burger King and some other restaurants, maybe that would be a spot Cheri and I can meet at??? Southwest is in another terminal so will have to figure out where to meet Arlene at.

Arlene, if you have a 24 hour Fitness by you, check out the deal at Costco for a membership. I got 2 yrs for $299 and it works out to only $12.50/month, I couldn't find any other facility that even comes close. Most 24 Hour Sport locations have a pool, just thought I'd mention it if you hadn't considered that. Janet, I think my calves are like 17" or something the last I measured (which was after reaching goal). Will have to check out Macy's or QVC if I decide I need boots, thanks for the tip.

Hope you hear something positive on the job soon, Melissa. I hear you on the retail. I think that sounds fun at this point in my life and would love to work at oh say an Ann Taylor Loft store. But the nights and weekends I couldn't do. And as much as I like to pick up and go it's hard to find something that flexible so I told DH my job is to be his trophy wife. LOL I am so glad all your bloodwork is normal, I was concerned about early stages of appendicitis. I had a nice day, started out by going to a Bible Study at the church we started attending, figured it's a good way to meet other women who also weren't Mormon. And, no I don't have a problem with Mormon friends, it's just that my past history they've had a problem with me. When we lived here before one told me she couldn't be my friend any more as I wouldn't convert, and another neighbor told me if I was 'worth' meeting she'd have met me in church, so that makes me a little gun shy. Turns out there's lots of Mormons and former Mormons in this study so that is a good thing, one is even in a polygamist family. Very interesting. I didn't mean to mention this or start a religion debate, but just telling of my day and how interesting it was. From there I went to lunch. There's a gal in the study that I knew from before living here and she invited me with her and 2 other gals so I met some new friends as well. One of them is a pilates instructor with a sister who has a lapband. From there I had some coupons I had to use at Kohls and got all sorts of goodies. I even got myself a pair of ankle boots. DD keeps telling me I need boots, but wiht my fat calves I can never do boots so this only go ankle high and under jeans they will be perfect. I've been really having some up and down emotional days. DH has been out of town so I am home alone and have lots of time to 'think'. There's days I hate it here so bad and regret moving and wish I was in Denver and I cry a lot. Then there's days where I really am happy here and loving my new lifestyle, I have it so good and really do feel like a pampered princess at times. I think I just get down when I get to missing the kids, thinking of my new grandbaby coming and wanting to be there. Funny story about my DD today. This is my daughter who used to hate it when I checked up on her, or worried about her if she was late, or hadn't called, etc. Well she tried calling me this morning while I was at the Bible study. She called 3 times and texted once, and when I didn't answer she called my DH who is in Atlanta doing interviews all concerned about me. She said it was so unlike me not to answer. I told her she is becoming a mom already, and how does it make her feel to worry. LOL Maybe now she'll understand what it was like. LOL It was precious. I got a little panicky of course when I looked at my phone after Bible study to see so many missed calls, thinking immediately something was wrong.

Thanks for the Juile update, I hope the injections and therapy do the trick. Laura, you will get used to the routine. I also had to relax my standards just a tad, the house couldn't be perfect all the time, I couldn't play with my kids all the time, etc. Sometimes I had time to just do the surface stuff and sometimes, I hate to admit I had to put in a good video for the kids so I could get something done. No I didn't use the TV as a babysitter but hopefully you get my drift. I couldn't be all things at all time to all people. Sometimes I had to make do and I did have certain days I did certain things, like laundry on Thurs. etc. I don't know how I did it either especially after DS was born. Someone told me that one was like none and two was like 10 and there were days I didn't know which end was up. I admire all you are doing, volunteering, working, etc. LauraK, darn fiscal year! Wish you were going too!

Welcome home Apples. I miss your green when you are gone. LOL Glad you got a good report from the lap band doc. You will get those 5 lbs back, you are so good about managing your calories etc. for what your body needs. Well after being kindda rude and rushed on the phone when he called to tell me New Orleans was cancelled, DH called back and feels really bad. I just have to learn to go with the flow and appreciate the trips I do get to take and the paycheck he brings home! LOL All the talk of a/c bills, I just got mine today only $79 for the month of August and I ran the a/c every day. Not bad! I know I have some certificate from Energy Star saying how efficient my house is, it must really be.

First off, Cheri, I am so saddened and sorry to read of your students accidental shooting. and, Laura, about your dad not doing well. Hope he improves soon. Well my New Orleans trip just got cancelled. So frustrated, I was packed and everything. DH has been so hard to make plans with everything changes. Our last trip to Hawaii took forever to pin down. I know I shouldn't complain and it's his job and sometimes out of his control (but not always), I am lucky to get to do what I do. Now I gotta call the boarding place for the dogs and cancel that, call the book club to tell them never mind I really can be there after all etc. Oh well. JOdi, is that a Jewish belief as well about the soul coming back to finish it's work? I never realized that, I am learning a lot from you. Also about the prayer shawl, I am sure Dassi would've cherished something like that of her fathers, but am sure there are other things. Did the prayer shawl have the blue cords on it? I remember reading about those some where. Apples, where are you today? Usually you are home on Tuesdays, hope all is well. Julie, hope you are getting some answers! Hope the car starter virus isn't contagious like the dead battery one was several months ago. Oh forgot to mention, guess what I finally bought (at least I think I forgot to mention LOL), I got a full length mirror at Ikea when DD was here. I've been standing in front of it at least once a day, not naked yet but am trying to really study my body shape so I can hopefully get rid of this distorted body image I have.

Just spent the afternoon on the phone scheduling appts. When I had my 'well woman' exam 2 weeks ago he suggested I get a colonoscopy, bone density scan and of course mammogram. So have all those scheduled in about 2 weeks, should feel real poked and prodded after that's all done, especially the colonoscopy. I am dreading that. Anyone have one done since banding? Is drinking the liquid the night before an issue? Then more phone work in getting DH's hotel frequent guest accounts all squared away. Might as well get some benefits from all his stays but he always forgets his numbers and had duplicate accounts etc. so got them all fixed and written down on a little card to put in his wallet. Hopefully that will fix the problem. I just hate phone calling stuff and put it off. My butt hurts from too much sitting. LOL

Janet, yes I have a/c, I run it most days in the summer just during the day, try to open windows at night if it's not too hot. My electric bills get to right at $100 and then in the winter it got to about 16 below zero a couple times in Denver, does that count as cold? For heat we had (and have here) natural gas and I try to keep that bill from going over $100 too. Though this house here in UT has gas appliances as well so imagine that will account for a little higher as well. I love this time of year because I need neither heat nor air and it's perfect! Spiders: To me there's no 'good' spider, they all freak me out and if I dare get close enough they are dead spiders. LOL Well got my house all clean and am the only one home to enjoy it. LOL atleast it won't get dirty again. LOL Gathered all DH's stuff up he had lying around and put it in a pile in the basement. Then I sat and messed with my DVR to set it up to record all the new fall shows. I hadn't touched the thing since moving so even the old shows I recorded regularly like Biggest Loser, NCIS etc. had to be changed as they were set for Denver channels. Hopefully I didn't forget any. Not sure if I will watch everything I have set but figured I'd rather have it and not like the show and delete it than be mad that I missed a good one. LOL

Back from getting my new cheap toes. LOL It was just what I consider a regular pedicure. For $10 more I could've gotten the deluxe but didn't care to pay for that. LOL Forgot to mention here, though I put it on FAcebook today. 36 yrs ago today DH & I had our first date it was a Friday the 13th and a HS football game against Columbine HS. How time flies. And it was freezing cold, I got a new winter coat that I wore that night. Wow you gals have some high a/c bills. I am glad I don't have a/c or heating bills that high. I complain when it approaches $100. LOL Though I am already warning DH, I refuse to freeze this winter, this is a brand new construction home so insulation etc. is good and I plan on turning the heat past 70! LOL

OH Joyce that would be fun to get pedicures and lunch together. I am curious to see exactly what the grand opening sign means by spa pedicure for that price. LOL

Good morning! It's another beautiful day out. I am loving this weather. No plans really for the day other than some vaccuuming and cleaning and a pedicure. A new place opened up near by and is advertising a spa pedicure for $15.99 so will check it out. Laura, I have big, fat feet too, I like Merrills and Born shoes. I got some good deals at them at DSW if you have those stores. Good luck in your quest. It's always so hard to find something when you need to find something specific it seems. Melissa, good luck at the dr. hope you get some answers and it's nothing serious. Julie, hoping you get answers at Mayo today. Phyl, so glad you got to see your grandson after 4 yrs. that's a long time. I can understand why it was hard for him to say good bye to you. He's a cute kid! Janet, sounds like a nice recharging kind of day. We need those once in a while. Apples, are you home yet? We miss ya. LauraK, sorry it didn't work out with the guy but glad you realized it now. As someone else said, we can't fix someone else, need to take care of ourselves.

Arlene, I am leaving on Wed to meet DH in New Orleans to go to a dinner with him and then driving with him to Jackson Mississippi the next day. Looking forward to it, I've never been to either state. And, if you remember from my posts over a year ago, I have this quest to get to all 50 states, I have 4 left and these are 2 of them! WOOHOO!!

There sure is a rash of Grandbabies here! Congrats Julie, and bummer it didn't work out to meet up with Karen. Best of luck at Mayo is it tomorrow or Tuesday?? Well DH is in his Tebow jersey watching his Broncos play, he's in heaven. He's very happy they play early today as he has to leave for airport at 3 actually we have to leave. I am taking him today so when I go on Wed. I can park the car in the parking garage and use his card and when we get home on Friday we just have one car at the airport. Am enjoying the cooler fall weather. Hope it lasts a long time, I love this time of year, spring and fall are my favorites.

Good afternoon, just got home from the $1.25 movies today. Discovered the 'brand new' movie theater from when DH and I lived here years before is not a cheap movie theater. Went and saw grownups. I thought that theater was so nice and state of the art when it opened, and it hasn't changed a bit but looks so dated and worn. LOL And it's been a long time since I sat in a movie that didn't have stadium seating. I felt sorry for this man behind me. In the middle of the movie was this loud pop and bang. He was a very large man and the chair broke, he got up and walked out and all the kids were snickering (these were his kids). I remember a day being so afraid of seats of fitting in them and them holding me. I wrote down the name of all that skin care stuff but as a rule don't use much of it. I do put a moisturizer on every morning, but my attitude it is what it is. I just have a hard time spending $20 and most cases much higher on an itty bitty bottle of miracle cream. But, Arlene, was curious about your skin cancer comments. If we use that stuff to fade age spots does that prevent them from becoming skin cancer? Eva, good job on that walking, you are really increasing your stamina and when Argentina comes along you are going to be in great shape. Linda, so glad Katie seems serious about getting her act together. Let's hope it sticks when she is out of the hospital. Joyce, I love the sun too. Think I'd have a hard time in a dreary climate. They used to claim in Denver that they have more sun than most US cities per year. Here in SLC in the winter we get these inversions where air gets trapped in the bowl surrounded by mountains and it gets depressing. I have to drive up the hills to get some sun once in awhile, or did when we lived here before, will find out this winter. Julie, hang in there, I have faith Mayo is going to get to the bottom of this.

Good evening, just checking it to see if anyone heard from Julie today. Arlene, that new Grandbaby is gorgeous, can't wait to meet mine. Gwen, welcome back. What cruise were you on? We were on Norwegian out of Barcelona in May. DH came home and said he had bad news today. I thought oh-oh but then he grinned. He has to go back to Hawaii next month! Poor guy, can't let him go alone. LOL

Good morning. Well the smoke detectors are all taken down. LOL Yes, Janet, they are too high to even reach with a broom handle. DH had to get our tallest step ladder and stand on that very top step, you know the one it says not to stand on? And then stretch to reach and he's 6'6. He'd reset it and it would go off again and again so finally he took it down, then another one would go off in a bedroom, then another bedroom, so every one upstairs is now down. Then they went off on the battery power. LOL So he stuck them in an open window, it didn't even look smokey in here. So while they were all down, I ran the oven cleaner as well to get rid of all that was in there. It really wasn't much, DH had lined the oven when he was doing his jerky but we discovered that lots dripped onto the racks. He's in big trouble for that one. now today it's HIS job to wipe out all the black ash, etc. in the oven. And, of course, reassemble the smoke alarms and see if the sensitivity can't be turned down. Then this morning one of them starts chirping, probably because the battery is low after all that buzzing. Well when DD was here we did some shopping at NY and Company and they gave us coupons for $15 off every $30 purchase. She gave me the coupons as she won't be shopping there much for 9 mos. so gotta go see what I can find! We were going to go camping this weekend, but the weather said the mountains were going to be 29 degrees at night, no way! not me in a tent in that! Balletgirl, sorry I missed your post last night, but you've gotten lots of good advice. I think it's easy to let old habits back in and it's something we really gotta guard against (talking to myself here too).

Julie just called after her day at Mayo. When she saw the first dr. her pain was minimal this morning, he gave her a full exam and agreed with the Bismark dr that he thought it wasn't from her back but from her shoulder. She then had some more testing done and saw a neurosurgeon this afternoon and by this time her pain was unbearable. The dr came in and she had been crying and he was surprised as the first dr had noted that the pain was minimal. He was also not happy that she's been on hydrocone (not sure the exact name or spelling) for over a year. He wants her to have more testing done, some of it is scheduled for tomorrow but the rest not til the 14th. She's hoping to be able to make some headway and get it all done while she's there tomorrow. He's not sure it's nerve damage however. She does have stenosis but it shouldn't be causing this much pain. If I got any of this wrong, Julie, forgive me and correct me when you get back. So in a nutshell she hasn't found out much yet but is getting a thorough exam, so hopefully will have some answers soon. On a positive note, her friend that went with that had the brain surgery a month ago, got full clearance to go back to work. It was so good to hear her voice, I've not talked to her before.

Janet, glad to hear Phyls back isn't that bad. From her post on FAcebook I thought it had gotten bad. That's a relief. Dang smoke alarm, I preheated the oven to bake chicken for dinner. Well seems DH made a mess in there with his deer meat and jerky. It's not smoking any more but the dang things been going off for 20 min. I have super high ceilings and can't reach it, DH is on his way home to disconnect it but it won't stop. GRRRRR I could just scream!!

So sad, our community pool was all covered up today and ready for the winter. I went and got younger this morning (haircut and color) and got some McNuggets for lunch afterwards today. Today was a 4 nugget day. LOL Am sitting here wondering how Julie is making out at Mayo, thinking of Laura at the beach, Apples at the lake, Janet, Eva, Cheri and Linda hard at work, Melissa looking for work, Phyl driving cross country with a hurt back, Arlene holding that new baby, Joyce cringing as she signs up for her health insurance increase, Jodi celebrating the Jewish new year, and LauraK's daughter wondering how she's doing? Hope I didn't miss anyone, I think of you all often and soon will be able to put a real life face to most of your names! So anxious for Vegas baby! What happened to Gwen? Is she back from her cruise yet??

I am back from Denver. Had a good time with Grandma also my MIL and DS and DD met us for lunch. A very tiring day though. By they time I get up, do the drive to the airport, get there the minimum one hour before, the little over and hour flight, then drive to Grandma's it takes about 3 to 4 hours each way for a 3 hour visit then it's time to come home. Exhausting especially since I was still awake at 2am and got up at 4am. Early to bed for me. I hate cemetaries. Growing up in Wisconsin my Grandma always took us there to visit all these people I never knew. All the while my sisters and I would want to run around and play and Grandma would get after us for walking on people's heads, etc. I was just so creeped out by it all. Apples, glad the dental work is getting close to done, can't wait to see that smile.

So here I sit almost midnight and can't sleep and have to get up at 4am. GRRRR I am going to Denver for the day to see Grandma and have a 630 flight. I wasn't getting email updates on the thread today and thought it was quiet. NOT! LOL Glad I checked. Arlene, congrats on the new grandbaby! Thanks for sharing with us. Julie, if you see this before you go, good luck at Mayo. Apples, fortunately I've not had to deal with many funerals, just 2 grandparents of people I was super close with. I do think cremation makes it easier and it is what I want. DH has had to go to lots of funerals for folks at his job as a representative of the company. One was a Sikh funeral in CA and he said that was really different. The men were on one side and the women on the other. Then after the service the women did this wailing while the men went to the furnace and the casket and body were put into the fire right there. I don't think I could handle that. I love your comment about DH marrying and the picture and urn. And agree life should be celebrated. Well gonna go try and get some shut eye.

Apples, I think they were the 7 for all Mankind, DD was with me and knows the jeans well, they were close to $100 but not quite, they had 2 styles of them one was in the $80 range. I didn't mean to belittle your stress this summer. You've had to deal with more this summer than some folks do in years. I am glad your immediate family unit is so strong to hold you up. Mine is the same, I think from my extended being such 'crapola' I really invested in my kids and DH, I wanted to break that cycle. ONe nice thing about having moved away is I hear less of the extended family stuff. Lets see I will guess 6:08 pm for the baby.

Janet, are you saying the boys get their eyebrows waxed? Here I was picturing their whole chests or something. LOL I gotta check out those jeans, I have such trouble getting them long enough. I saw some at Costco not long ago and DD said they were a great price but there's just no place to try them on so I passed. Doubt they still have them. I am so looking forward to Vegas! That's coming up fast. Are you gals packing dressy, casual?? No heels for me, gave them up long time ago with my knees. Apples, sorry your summer was so stressful. You are right, about the kids not intending to hurt my feelings. I just took it all too personal. I just felt they can see the family in Denver all the time, no need to leave early when they see us much less often, but it is what it is and I don't want it to dampen the great time we did have and have let it go.

Good morning! I feel I have rejoined the land of the living today, felt like I got hit by a Mack truck yesterday. I got up, took a shower and in the middle of the shower had to get out and lie down I got so dizzy and then felt like crap all day and ran a fever and an upset tummy. Feel much better today, not 100% but much improved. Welcome home Apples. How exciting to have DS moving back near home. But you mentioned the weather, is he already looking elsewhere? Hopefully it will be closer. I take it you'll be going to the lake place for several more weekends yet??? Joyce, on the font color, I change it every time but if there's a way to permanently change it, I'd be all for finding out how! Good choice on the gym over the movie. DH and I were going to go to the movies yesterday and to dinner I took a raincheck. Linda, so glad Katie is getting better. I pray this was the wake up she needs. Arlene, thinking of you and DD and the baby being born today. Eva, I don't know how you could install phones after seeing roaches, I'd be too freaked out. LOL I've only seen Hoarders once. DD's MIL could be one, I don't know that she's got the filth but DD talks about how you can't move in her basement. She has so much scrapbooking and stamping stuff and just keeps buying more and throwing it down there, most never gets opened. They are now looking at bigger homes for her stuff. Julie, when are you leaving for Mayo? I didn't realize it was far enough for a road trip. I hope they discover some answers quickly. Laura, glad you had a visit with your folks and your parents came down there. It sounds like your dad is also depressed. I think my mom suffers from that too with her constant pain, she always has been a negative person and this is just making her more so, it's so hard to be around but she's so defensive if you try and talk to her about it. My youngest sister is down there in FL now and was going to try and broach the subject with her again. Cheri, it's nice when our kids grow and mature enough to appreciate us more as they get older. Glad you had a good weekend with DS. Jewel, Hope you get some answers with Jake. Keep an open mind, as Cheri said sometimes kids are different in class than home. Also, I was shocked to find out once that my son was the instigator of some trouble in the classroom. I was like, 'not my son', but yep it was. You are his best advocate, maybe you need some one on one time with the teacher, spend some time observing in the class remembering he may be different with you in the room though. If the one on one with the teacher doesn't work, go to the principal. Melissa, are you over the bronchitis yet? How's the job search? Janet, sounds like Andrews move is permanent. Did he get the dog back that he had to give up? He will come to appreciate how good he had it with you, he's probably missing you like crazy which is why he keeps calling to see if you miss him. You look hot in your photo, definitely the hottest of the group! Glad you had a good time.

Good afternoon. I am having some what of a difficult if not weepy day and not really sure why other than DD and DSIL left this morning. But I am going to see her again on Wed. so it's not really that. I think I was hurt because they left a few hours earlier than planned. They were going to go to breakfast and church with us, then they got a phonecall from DBIL inviting them to a BBQ this afternoon so DSIL wanted to hit the road earlier to get there in time. This is the same DBIL that told him that he could do better than my daughter for a wife (complicated family story but this DBIL is an uncle to both of them he is married to DH's sister) and there were a lot of hurtful things said. I took it personal when they left earlier and felt like he was choosing them over us and after all, they all live in Denver and can see one another any time. So that's my family drama for the day. Plus other drama on my side of the family and I am just sick of it. Then I feel guilty when I read of the horrible drama of hosipitals, ventilators, at risk pregancys and deliveries etc. We did have a great weekend and bought lots of baby furniture at Ikea. WE also went to dinner last night at a BBQ place that was on Food Networks DINERS DIVES AND DRIVEINS. It was very yummy! DD and I split a half rack of ribs and still had left overs. Linda, so sorry to hear of DSD's hospitalization, I pray she recovers completely soon, from that and the drugs. As well as your DSS too. Janet, too funny about Andrew checking up on you. Sounds like your nest is empty now since he got the dog. Enjoy, even in the lonely times. BTW, this is probably a stupid question, but just what do guys get waxed??? LOL Cheri, your post about our kids feeling so entitled etc. hit the nail on the head so to speak. Very insightful. When my kids were in HS we were the paupers in a very pricey neighborhood (got a great deal on a major fixxer upper house) and it was so difficult combating all the designer jeans, etc. if we said no we were 'the meanest parents in the world' and they were angry for being 'the only kids' without, and if we gave in to it then I felt like we were only feeding this entitlement attitude. Both kids are in their late 20's and just now do I feel like they are finally showing signs of growing up. LOL Arlene, best wishes for a complication free delivery for DD on Tues. or sooner if it comes. Let us know asap how it goes. Joyce & Julie, I saw Eat Pray Love too. Iwanted to see it for the Italy scenes, I was disappointed too and it was so long. Jodi, enjoy your final week at Fire Island. Glad Earl didn't hit as hard as predicted. Eva, how many days left?? Julie, growing up in wisconsin we had breakfast, dinner and supper. After I moved west I was forever confused or confusing people when I'd call lunch dinner. I've since conformed. Lunch meant like a light snack. I know I am missing so much, I just read 5 pages and didn't take notes, my bad. I will catch up now things should be settling down for me. I am going to try and go to Denver on Wed for the day to see Grandma but that's about it this week.