Kat817

Thanks Tracy. Will be trying to figure it out today. My Mom says GO, Manda says she will take the day off no problem, GO-----but she is my Mom.

Well we are headed to Phoenix later this week to look at a couple of trucks, then turn around, and drive to TX on Sat. Think my butt will make it? I have no padding there dammit! LOL We went and shopped here, and the cost is just so different! The laws regarding repo is different, so the lots charge more, so in response individuals do as well. We do not want new, we want used, and would prefer to go 2 WD. Found a couple of F150's we are interested in , both loaded, so comfortable for travelling. I over ate too. Not anything bad, in fact Rick wanted breakfast for dinner---so it was ham and eggs, but it was too much for me not having eaten in a couple of days....it is bouncing like I have a trampoline in there. ick! Angela, I know where you are at with your son, and appreciating the slow approach. My DD, was very methodical in her life, she has a very linear approach to things still to this day. She sets a path for herself and usually follows it. That was no different. She and Jason dated for 2 years. She come to me wanting birth control. I flipped! She insisted she was not planning to do anything, but wanted to regulate her cycle, blah, blah, blah. So we went to the Dr. who put her on low dose BC, and warned her she would want to change her when she chose to be sexually active. Another year goes by and she comes to me again, and says she and Jason went to Family Planning together to see about having her BC changed! And since he had been in an accident as a child requiring a blood transfusion they suggested a blood test for HIV. But they needed a parents signature, and she wanted me to hear from her what they did, not one of Jasons parents! I give them the "This is my house, not a motel" speech, but was so torn, I was glad she took me at my word to 'come to me' but YIKES!!! That's my baby!!! LOL She married Jason, they went away with the Army, she graduated college, got her nursing degree, had a baby (Kinsey) and have since divorced. I think of them all the only thing she didn't plan was the divorce!!! Well I doubt she planned on his being with other women!!! I bought this stupid stuffed duck dog toy today---this dog is making me crazy with it! It quacks/squeeks. She LOVES it. Maybe too much so! Well, I have a dilemma. Just got off the phone with my Mom, who tells me just now, she is having surgery on her para-thyroid on the 17th. Wonderful. We were to be gone the week of the 15th- 21-22. They were back up care for Kinsey. So now not only do I need to be here for Moms surgery, but to take care of Kinsey. I agreed to do it, Manda's job is of utmost importance, she is sole support of the 2 of them. I guess Rick will go to TX alone. I won't get to see my grandsons. There went my good mood. I want my Mom to get better, and I hope this does it, I just wish the timing were different. I was really looking forward to watching them open the Christmas gifts I bought today. Gonna go pout now......

Excellent advice for Ashley IMHO Plain. I know with my past I am uber paranoid, but ya know, it is better safe than sorry. And Plain, I bet more people miss you than you would ever begin to realize. I'd bet ya anything! I am that sure of it. I put the dog out while waiting for my ride to breakfast to see my Uncle off, and she is barking her damn head off, she knows I am still here. I am ready to pop her one! Speaking of ride....bbl

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Thinking I might live afterall. My chin is sore as hell, I hit it on the coffee table as I went out. Stood up too fast for as dehydrated as I was, and went back down, considerably faster than I went back up. chin and elbow connected with the coffee table. I have been drinking all day. Water, tea, 7-up. Just decided to try something (LOL, I have to confess, I typed someone, and had to backspace to make it something!!) more substantial, so what did I try? A mini Twix. Even it did not taste great. Rick said he would cook when he gets home. I don't think I am interested. Watching these people drive on the worlds worst roads---they average a death every 4 minutes on these roads??? IRT Deadliest Roads. They are crazy, I couldn't do it! I can drive big rigs.....across a parking lot anyway! I can drive tractors, and combines, and things such as that, have pulled several trailers, even BIG ones, but no way, no how for no amount of money would I attempt those roads---no way. Took a shower, got some ibuprofin down, feel better. Got all but one clock changed, and it is a large pendulem type on the wall. Rick has to take it down for me, and put it back up, I don't have enough arm strength for it! LOL Poor Izzy, she keeps going to get her leash. She is put out about not walking for 2 days now! She likes to go walking too! She lay in the back yard and chewed her bone for awhile, I had the house too hot for her I think. It was boring for her, but nice for me to have the company! LOL selfish I know! BBL......

Hey y'all. Ended up sick yesterday, finally made it to my bed, and stayed there til a short time ago. Not sure what the problem was, my stomach was not upset, but the other end was! I have managed to drink a glass of 7-Up through the night, and am up walking without falling over which is an improvement! Y'all can have my KMart. We put a layaway in last summer, to hold the tent we wanted for Sturgis. They lost it. Then had a massive arguement with us about what they had that was comparable and what price to sell it to us for. THEN....they wanted to keep the $10.00 ---which is the non refundable layaway fees. I did not cancel, I did not pay late. I went to pick it up 6 days before my 2nd payment was even due! It was a horrid experience. Now they do this with the item I want. I hate this store. Good Job Debbie, stick to your guns! If he retired, he RETIRED! Let him go in and play through the week, or Saturday---but leave you in peace. What a jerk in my opinion. Well I am going back to bed. Check in later.

We are going truck shopping. That is our big adventure, and it will be done around Rick having to work. The week we will be in Texas would have been his week in the field, so he traded it, and has worked this week out again. He is so tired. He is too old for this kind of working, all the hours, and it is physically demanding. I am tired just keeping the same hours he does, and I am not being physical during that time. I have a seriously sore throat. It is sore up high, in the glands. I refluxed my mexican food all night, but it is not sore in that area. It was not a restful night. For Rick either, at 3 AM, we had the TV on talking, because we were both chewing Tums! The chiles were super hot last night, and it got us both. I am going to have to go to KMart again. They were supposed to call about the other item we had coming, and I have never heard from them. I am shocked beyond belief this store made the cuts, it is the lamest store in the country. dirty and disorganized. Well I need to get dressed so I can get the checks to the bank, and be ready whenever Rick gets a break to go look at trucks.

Tracy, I am assuming they did. Rick talked to them when they stopped last night. I would guess we would have heard from the siblings if they had not. We tried to call, but no one here has service there.....stupid place! My MIL, love her to pieces, and yet she drives me totally batty at the same time. She is a martyr. She will not call us to tell us they got there. She will not call the family there to let them know they arrived. Then she will feel sorry for herself and do a lot of deep sighing and depressed acting for days because no one bothered to check on them. She does this with everything. And lately she does it when I call, she doesn't answer, then tells Rick, she just never hears from me. Gotta love a phone log. Rick believes me, he knows his Mom---he knows her well. Like I say, we tried to call, no answer. I told him to call his sister, I have no idea if he tried, I did not hear him talking to her. If his Mom checks in with anyone at all, it will he his sister that lives here near us. Thanks for asking. I hope they are alright, we have no way to know. Taking it like "no news is good news" at this point. Just got Izzy out of the bath. She is so funny afterwards. Shake....run....shake....roll.....shake.... scratch.....shake...... See the pattern here? LOL She got her rabies shot, Dr. said she was in good health, could stand another 5 pounds. By her teeth, she seems to be aged right, near a year he said. They checked her chip to make sure all the info was right, and it was. They checked her much more thoroughly than they did me for my flu shot!!! LOL My arm is a little sore, but I didn't hardly feel the needle, no burn....was all but pain free! Well, I am going to bed.....will watch TV from there with Rick. We went to dinner with my parents. Not sure who all went with my Uncle, besides my cousin. She feels bad about it, and she knows it was her Moms drama!! What is up with Moms??? LOL yeah......I'm a MOM!!!

Yay Tracy!!! Ever have one of those days, where no matter what you do, you're gonna be wrong?? I am there. It is all my Aunt I don't like, it is her fault. She butted in to something we had planned (again) so then my folks decided to go, then she backed out, but my folks still want to go. why I don't know, they won't like the place, it is a restaurant/bar---more bar than restaurant on the weekends, loud and busy as hell. But when I tried to get them to back out rather than tell them they shouldn't go, Mom decided none of US should go, let THEM, and we will all go to dinner together ourselves. Which would be fine, except it is my cousin and I who were planning the dinner with my Uncle. So I can't really cancel without being rude....but, wth. Someone is going to be unhappy regardless. Think I will stay home and eat a turkey sandwich. GRRRRRRRRRRRR Tracy I am happy for you, I needed to hear your happy news!!!!

Ashley, I agree with Angela, 100%. Lee is sounding somewhat stalkerish, and extremely controlling. It also sounds like while YOUR Mom has YOUR back, HIS Moms has HIS. Possibly skipping Thanksgiving with your Mom will send the message how serious you are about him being a problem, whether the marriage works out or not. I don't say that doubting it will, I say it, meaning they need to know that. That you do not want him waiting in the wings to rescue you, that even in the worst case scenario, you want Lee GONE. It sounds as though your Dad has no love lost for them either if he realizes that they think they control him as well. Tonight when your inlaws come over, try to make Thanksgiving plans with them. It would #1 show your Mom you will NOT be there, and only hope he behaves, you will simply NOT be there is Lee is. Period. #2, it would show a solid effort to establish your marriage to ALL involved. Jealous, controlling men are scary. From a young a immature viewpoint, it sometimes feels good that someone cares that much about you.....but it smothers you, and they don't care. It is not you they want. It is that they want no one else to have you. They want control. If he gets that control by working your entire family, that will be fine with him. I agree with Angela---cut ALL ties. Accept no phone calls, and report any you get, let the local police know you feel harrassed by him if it comes to it. With the neighbor upstairs and everyone else in your life as well as your Moms, it may seem harsh, but so is death, and MANY stalkers take it that far. I spent years speaking with a Victim Impact Panel, and the stories ALL start this way Ashley! They like to involve other people, make you question yourself---it is mind manipulation. Get him out of your life, out of your husbands life---he sounds (DH) like he is seriously trying to make changes to correct problems within your marriage, and this guy is making it twice as hard on him. And be honest----would you put up with another woman doing the same with you? Being at the same gatherings, knowing some of his family preferred her, her watching your comings and goings? I wouldn't and give him kudos for putting up with it for this long! Be careful around Lee, AND his family----he has had a lifetime to make them his followers. Well I went and got my flu shot this morning. Izzy goes and gets her rabies this afternoon. Us girls should be good!! LOL Tracy--- I don't know how to say this without soundsing like a heathen or a bible thumper!! I wish I had the morning prayer thing down. Seems like the alarm goes off, and I begin my stretches, which would be an ideal time to pray, but all my groaning interferes......I am old and extra achy in the AM!!! Then I get up and get busy---lunch packed, Kinsey comes. I send little Thank You Gods up off and on all day--for good things, beautiful things. I ask for guidance when I face the unknown. But to settle down and give proper thanks....and to reflect on my own belief, I tend to do that at night, and end up falling asleep. I feel ungrateful.....that I fall asleep! I guess I need to set my alarm, and give myself time to prepare for the day rather than reflect upon it......hmmm Suzie, how is the foor this morning, cast feeling tight? Mine always tighten up the first 24 hours, then the swelling eases. Let me tell you what you will need!!! An old fashioned fly swatter! They have the round wire handle. They are sturdier than a hanger---yet flexible. Will slide in and get that itch! If you were here you would need an old wool sock to cover your toes! It is cold out! It freezes every night, then gets up to 70 in the day, and we all wonder why we have colds. I know they are germ based, but the incubation in those temps has to be involved somehow! Everywhere you go people are sick! Cold medicine on the shelves is wiped (pun intended) out! The County Clerk called me to tell me she put my check in the mail, along with a letter left for her commending my polling place, and the way in which I handled potential voters coming in. Ends up my watcher was not a political party watcher, he was from the Attorney Generals office, which is why when the other AG guys come in, they did not stay---gave me a card and left. Not that the letter does me any good, but it boosts my self esteem!! LOL Michelle, how much more wood do you expect to need? I am so glad to be done! We cheated this year and had the youth group at church bring in a cord! BUT it was affordable, and a tax write off too! Which we will need, because we sold out our Halliburton stock (with the cement news on the spill), before they dropped too bad. Rick wants to take some of the cash and buy a truck. New to us, but not new. 4-5 years old, and low mileage. Tracy, having been in the step parent business, I can imagine your situation. We have one of our own brewing. Ever just wanna run away from it all? I would if I could take Rick with me!!! LOL

Oh No Suzie!!! But at least it is a walker cast/boot. Crutches suck sooooo bad!!! Hope it heals quickly and quits hurting even sooner! Izzy and I just got back from our walk, I increased our distance, and made myself weak by the time I got home. We walk FAST! I am trying to wear her out and work me out! She is pretty good on the leash, better when Rick is with us. But she is learning our ways of what we want her to do. I am waiting for Kinsey to get home, then have to run into town, to get new meds for Rick, the new GERD meds are not working, and he is having problems swallowing. So off to buy his usual OTC kind. And he wants new socks! LOL, he actually, finally ask for them, he has some that are antiques I think! LOL My in laws left this morning for Texas. After telling us for the last few years they couldn't drive it, and dictating when Rick's vacation had to be taken, they suddenly left. Called me from the road. I called them several times yesterday to say happy anniversary, and no one would answer. They did not want us to know until they had already left. I hope they will be ok. It scares me so bad. She drives sooooo slow, not over 55 EVER. Not on the interstate, or anywhere. And he can't move well enough to look around and be reactive. Scary. But they are both well into their 80's now. They celebrated 65 years of marriage yesterday! Can you believe that!! The issue is that my DIL's parents are driving their motor home to TX to meet up with the kids when they come in, and my MIL is concerned about the farm house needing cleaned for them. They are not the kind who would care....but she does. I am finished working, I could have taken them and helped, but guess they preferred not. My dog is snoring....wore her out. Speaking of I need to go call the vet. She has an appointment tomorrow I need to reschedule.

I agree, no such thing as Peanut Butter Christmas Trees. If there are.....I will treat them just like I did the Peanut Butter Pumpkins. I am PROUD to say I did not eat a single one! Did not buy a single one! I have a basket with dozens of regular Reeses Peanut Butter Cups left over from Trick or Treat, and I have not touched the candy! Now if I could say the same about the homemade cookies, I could have possibly lost a pound or 2!!! The candy has not been a draw, but the cookies and the chex mix....oh my..... My Dad has me on the phone, watching a program on TV where they are sinking a retired air craft carrier, off the Florida Keys, to encourage reef growth. Well it is the air craft carrier he served on, so he is totally engrossed, won't carry a conversation, but wants me on the phone! Cracks me up. So I am going to go "watch/talk/breath" with my Dad.....lol

Angela, I am not a good loser in things like that---things that matter. I can lose Candy Land and be fine, but something like that just infuriates me! Locally--well on the Navajo reservation a few miles away they had a race on for the Navajo president (another issue I need not get started on), I believe it was---we are not allowed to vote in it of course. There was a woman running, the first ever---a well educated, well spoken woman who wanted to help her people, she was running against the incumbent, who is on paid admin leave, with multiple federal charges against him. But they simply could NOT allow a woman in office. The news report showed men standing in line overnight to vote---and pushing---physically barring women in! Although they tell a different story----of course. After they voted in the reservation election, they come to town to vote off the reservation too.....and voted in another man with charges against him for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the TRIBE! Because he was being challenged by a man who had a multi racial background, he only had one people.......IDIOCY!!! LOL I am so sorry your Dad didn't get things as he wanted, but like the song says ---- some of God's greatest gifts, are unanswered prayers. Maybe this new opportunity is best for him. To be honest, it would be hell to move to a new small town and try to make it fit. I went to dinner with Manda and Kinsey tonight, Rick is still working, and we did not want to stay at my folks---Mom was already stressing not having enough!!! Anyway, Kinsey wanted to go to Golden Corral! We try to go as a family once a month or so for breakfast....so she wanted to go tonight. We figured WTH, we'll go. That child ate her weight in shrimp. I ate my share as well. They were so good! We each fixed us a baked potato and salad, and we are chowing down, and she looks at us and says "OK what's not to like about this???" Damned if she wasn't right!!! Was yummy, who would have thought? Cindy, I hear you on the hair! Mine used to be straight---and lighter blonde. When it fell out with the chemo, and then grew back in, I got someone elses hair! It is now a wavy frizzy mess----and darker, and courser. I have sections that are straight, then the under side is frizz city----if I gell it out of the shower, it is in curls---more like a perm---but I must not touch it, or it goes straight....in spots! LOL I would jump on the treatment! Rick gives me grief that he no longer looks at the clock to see how much further when we go to Texas, he looks to see how big my hair is getting! There was a woman who come to vote---she heard on the news it was election, and was adament she come to vote. She had alzheimers. Her DD ask me about it, so we ask her name, she gave it, her address, she gave it (she has since moved in with DD, but she knew her old address of 30 years!) and she knew her birth year. So we had no choice but to let her vote. She tells her DD whose name is Diane, "see Thelma, I told you I vote here". Then all of a sudden she looks at one of my workers and says "Frances is that you?" Frances smiles and says to her "Yes Dorothy it is, I wasn't sure if you knew me" She come and gave her a hug, and I looked up and her DD is crying---she said she has not known me for weeks. She hadn't seen Frances in 20 years! They worked together in the school cafeteria back then!!! So sad. Yet a happy memory for her.... Gonna go finish a book I am reading, the guy has a wry sense of humor that appeals to me!

Angela, do they do an auto recount? Have all the absentee's been counted? That is way close to just say ok whatever! WOW! None of our races were near that close. Took my Mom to town. She has waited for a month, I was expecting it....not today, but it was ok! My Uncle is coming in from Mississippi today, so she had things she wanted to get. I took some ribs out and put on to slow cook, then will grill them the last while. I did this to take out to my parents for them and my Uncle. I was not even planning to stay, I am unsure when Rick will be in. My Aunt (the one I don't get along well with) invited her and my other Uncle to come to dinner at Moms. I am furious over it! I have no issue supplying dinner for Mom, Dad and Uncle Bob! But I have no desire to supply hers! I only did it, because my Mom is having such a hard time moving. So the plan was I would get the ribs ready for Dad to grill, and all she had to do was to toss some potatoes in to bake, and throw on a salad. My Aunt says Oh I will bring some potatoes, they are mashed, but we had them a couple of nights ago, they are still good. My Mom is too kind hearted, she let it go, and is worrying if she will have enough food. Grrrrrrrrr. My Mom has enough to worry about with her health right now. sorry, needed to vent. Won't say anything around my Dad, his sister, he feels responsible. She is NOTHING like him. Too bad. So....almonds are a good snack for ya. Are they good enough to counteract a Creme Brulee coating?? LOL Found them at Walmart, Planters hates me!!!! How amazing would they be???? Good thing I walked away. You notice I am still thinking of them tho.

If the election results would get done and over, it would be a glorious morning!!! No more explaining the ballot, and holding my tongue!!!! LMAO I got to put Kinsey on the bus. Not too sure I won't have to go get her at school, she has a cold, was feeling pretty rotten, but I gave her some cold medicine, hope it helps her. When I say "poor little snot" I mean it literally....her nose is running, but she had no fever and was put out at the thought of staying home.....hope for the best! Gotta get my house cleaned back up---I brought halloween stuff in, and it is still sitting on the couch! I don't have much in the way of Thanksgiving decoration. I have lots of scarecrows---so they stay out further into the fall than Halloween. But the pumpkins....the jack o lantern ones are either in the bellies of the deer or going back in the shed! We tossed the carved ones out for the deer, and they made short work of them. I come home yesterday and my DaVinci syrups had come in....so having some excellent flavored capuccino this morning. Nice fire going. I thought seriously about going back to bed....but now with not working, I can keep Rick's hours again. So if he has to go to bed early, this way I will be back on his schedule. I am taking suggestions for dinner.....gimme some new ideas....I feel like we have the same things over and over!!!

I'm home, and I survived!!! Been home about an hour. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half to finalize everything, even when you have your numbers come out PERFECT!!!! I could not have ask for it to have balanced any better! I had a good group of women working with me, and it could have been a disaster! One of the older women, is actually the mother in law now, to Rick's ex!!! And her great grandson is the nephew of another worker, where the couple is divorced----but it was not an issue. I think she thinks Rick's ex is a flake too!!! LOL The day passed pretty quickly, I had no problems from my watcher, the challenger never showed, the exit poll people stayed for maybe 20 minutes, and maintained the distance I ask for. We had a huge amount of provisional ballots, and oddball stuff, but I handled it ok, and we balanced!!! I wanted to do a Happy Dance!!! Shar, I agree, liquids----try some pineapple juice. As well as the liquid Motrin. If you have something stuck, that is inhibiting things passing, the juice sometimes helps, and it encourages your body to secrete other things that help in digestion. the Motrin will aid in the swelling. Cindy, I feel so bad for your son. When my DD was born she had 6 Grandma's and 4 Grandpa's all within a 14 mile radius! She was well loved. But the down side to that is that she lived through a lot of loss at a young age. She was very close to most of them, and truly mourned. My maternal Grandpa lived 3 houses down from us, and he took her to and from school each day---they would go get ice cream, or run to the store, they were very close. We lost him when she was 12---she was heartbroke. One day about 2 weeks after, I come home from the store, she had stayed here, and she was laying in bed crying. I ask what was wrong, and she sobs "Grandpa died" I thought she was having a delayed reaction, then she finally tells me, her Dad called and tells her over the phone, without knowing she was all alone, that her other Grandpa had died, we had been there that very morning to see him! He had been in an assisted living facility, and we saw him twice a week. She learned to bake so she could take him goodies! So in 2 weeks, she lost 2 Grandpa's. She now has my folks left is all---she has lost all the others. I know how it is watching them hurt, I send you big hugs, and hope your son copes well. Tracy----sorry for the bloat and all that jazz! But forking over the tiramisu----way to go!!! He can have mine too......since I am not a coffee fan, it is not my thing!!! Michelle, I am so glad all our wood is in.....now that this job is behind me, I feel like I can sit back and enjoy the holidays to come, and just get past winter again!!! LOL. If it is going to come, then come on and get it over with!!! So Suzie , you think someone is trying to get someone else in trouble over the schedule thing? That is wierd. glad you didn't have to work tho. Think the 5K did your foot in? Get it checked!!! Debbie, I worked for an answering service back in the day, before cell phones etc. A full switchboard, it was a challenge, and I was always amazed by people!!! Angela....was going to say something.....got up to close the damper on the stove, and lost my thoughts completely!!!! Well.....that tells me it is time to call it. Not only are the polls closed, my eyes are fixing to be too!!! Thanks for the good thoughts today! Hugs to all of you, see you tomorrow!

Suzie, I will be glad when you get it over and done with, get on with being well! This should be simpler than the last one, I would think....but I don't have an MD anywhere before or after my name!!! Angela I love the kids that have personality. Our cutest was a little boy about the same age, dressed as Woody, and he stood there after I give him his candy, and his Dad said to him "Aiden come on", the little boy tells him "wait" then he looks at me, sweet as can be and asks me "can I pet your dog" I told him sure if his Daddy didn't mind. He come up, and I let Izzy to the door, and she nuzzled him, and he giggled and she licked him (worst habit the dog has). Dad was telling us his wife's sister was brutally mauled by some malamutes when she was young and she is deathly afraid of dogs and refuses to have one, and the boy loves them. I am standing there talking to his Dad with the door open and his Dad kind of snickers, and when I look down he has sat on the step into the house and is just thrilled with Izzy's head in his lap! We let them enjoy one another for a few minutes, and talked about how nice the weather was, and the haunted house down the road, whether he went to school with any of my kids----odds and ends while Aiden enjoyed Izzy! Finally Dad convinced him there was more candy to be had! Was hard not to invite him back for dog time! Mom would not approve I am sure! Got my shopping done, my keys to the polling place, my election bag, should be good to go.....pray for good results for me, no craziness, no problems with watchers, and such. Kinsey is having problems is school, she writes her last name first, and entirely backwards---every last bit of it. and we get it circled with a big question mark like "what is this" from her teacher, I don't think she has even realized the letters Kinsey keeps attempting to put in front of her name is her last name backwards. Manda is going in tomorrow to ask about it, and find out if testing her is in order. It makes me sad to see her struggle so. Other things, she is soaring with. Sight words---she nails, over and over and over. Phonics words, not so much...... Well I am making a meatloaf, so Rick can have sandwiches this week, so I better get a move on!

Sitting here waiting for the bus.....a day of normal! Then tomorrow....I am dreading it more than I can tell you! We had at least 162 trick or treaters.....I give to that many, but Rick caught a few, and the kids here gave some out---but between Megan and I (we were the only ones counting!) we had 162. Was a fun night. I almost let things get to me, and then thought twice about it, and had a good time anyway. My best friend Becky is having issues with menopause (she is 48), and all she really cares about is sleeping. Gary come and borrowed our woodsplitter, and said that yes they would be here, so I cooked accordingly---the 2 of them and the kids....then she decided to stay home in her jammies, and watch the game in bed. I almost let it piss me off! She has flaked on me a lot lately---well on everyone really. I told her I think she is depressed, her only response is that she knows, so I told her she needs to talk to her Dr., she agrees then doesn't go. Well last week she finally went to the Dr. who suggested a diet change, and several natural hormones, as well as a book to her.....which are all good ideas, but hello.....she is not even interested in reading it, and has no desire to change how she eats. She needs her attitude changed, then perhaps she could do it naturally, but not the way she is now. So.....I am just going to keep bugging her, but I am also sadly going to have to quit depending on her too. For friendship I mean, it is becoming very one sided. I know friendship, like marriage takes both parties wanting it to continue, and she kind of acts like she really doesn't care---she acts that way about EVERYTHING. But she also has times where the old Becky shows through. Very mixed feelings over it. Sorry to unload. Manda, and her friends showed up with all the kids, and Megan and her buddies showed up---she and a friend stayed, the others just popped in and out. A guy down the road, makes a haunted house each year. Nothing real serious, the kids were all fine with it, until a guy sit up from where he was "dead" from a woodcutting accident, and come at Manda's legs with a chainsaw (no chain obviously)----at which point Kinsey got MAD! Turned and yelled at him to leave her Mommy alone! He wants Manda to bring her back today in the light and let him show her what it is like in the light, and show her he was only playing haunted house, he would never hurt her Mommy! LOL I have fresh homemade cookies, and chex mix calling my name. Think I will take them to the polling place tomorrow, maybe the workers and all will eat it up. Rick is back in the field, so will be gone a lot. he swapped weeks with another guy so we can get to TX in a few weeks, and not put any of them out. I think he should quit worrying about it, none of the others worry about puttin him out. He was off Friday----did my Dad's timing belt, and other belts, all kinds of work on his truck. Saturday he actually got to go riding for awhile. Sunday, we run in to the grocery store, and when we come home, the neighbor who has been fighting the throat cancer---was out trying to get under his car to change the starter. He still has a feeding tube in his stomach---so of course Rick went and changed the starter----which I know was the right thing to do, but I wish he really had some time off. He was shrugging it off, telling me as long as the political ads were on, I wasn't getting time off either!!! Tomorrow, I have been told I have both poll watchers ( usually candidate or party reps---making phone calls to get voters out), a poll challenger ( will be challenging any issues with registration, those who hesitate with physical address etc.) and an exit poll taker, who I have to make sure stays 50 feet from the building. The challenger should be easy for me, because my precinct is in the city. It is county roads, and reservation physical addresses that get messy! It isn't like we don't have enough to do or enough responsibility....we have to deal with that crap! Going to go get my keys to the fire station today, and try to get the ok to set tables up tonight, it is too rushed in the morning, and I want to be up and ready for a line. We had a full 20% turnout in person early voting! Probably another 5% in absentee. They figure in person usually matches the early....so it could be busy! Took some pics of my ladybug, will try to get them posted either here or on FB---FB is just so much easier!!!! LOL Keep strong everyone, get rid of the candy!!!! LOL

I'm with Tracy----totally exhausted, and will be up again in 4 hours......see ya tomorrow!

I have a pot of Penne Pollo cooking---Penne pasta with chicken ----a sauce with chicken & veggies. It makes a HUGE pot, inexpensively. I began making it probably 25 years ago, every Halloween, and everyone who come by would have a bowl, no one had to worry about dinner. Well, in the intervening years, the numbers have dwindled, and one would think with a vegetarian DD it would have been a memory only----but NO! The ones still around, still expect it! Becky and Gary hang out here on Halloween, their boys and their families make this home base, several people come by with kids, that come in for cookies, or a bathroom break. And Kinsey now thinks it is her special Halloween meal!! LOL She should be here in about 30 minutes. She trick or treats the places Manda takes her. They have done a couple of carnivals, and did Safe Treats down town---but she sold her candy last year. Local dentists do a Treats for Troops thing, they buy it for a buck a pound, and send it to the troops overseas. She is not a huge candy eater, it has always been readily available, so she doesn't see it as a treat....doesn't gorge herself. Our son, on the other hand seriously keeps the candy away from the boys, and when Connor gets it, he shovels it in---it is cute, but I try not to laugh and encourage it! I talked to him a little while ago, he was going to eat chicken, and then go Trick or Treat, he was very excited! We went and did some Christmans shopping this morning. We have 2 weeks to get it done to take to Texas for the Louisiana kids. Bought Garrick a little Step2 motorcycle!!! He loved the little 4 wheeler thing, just a push with your feet one, same as this is. We still have to figure Connor out. Got Lenny a new buckle, it is such a chore....the figuring out! Sizes for DIL are impossible for me to figure, so no clothes......she is not a jewelry wearer. Although I am thinking maybe one of the Mom necklaces, with the boy charms on it. She wears a cross on occasion. Well, better get things going----kids will be knocking soon! Need to put batteries in the witch and the skeleton outside, they are motion activated. Wondering how Izzy will do with all the craziness. Took her into Beck & Garys and they had their 2 dogs---a rotty cross, and a Rhodesian Ridgeback, and they are dog sitting for their sons boxer----and the dogs accosted her, scared the crap out of her (not literally thankfully!) she jumped on the couch with me! She never gets on furniture, she was shaking. Rick took her back to the van---poor thing was scared! Would have scared me too! Kids here----see ya!! have a SAFE and FUN night all!!!

Angela, I know just what you mean about watching DH work. I just come home, and found my DH armpit deep under the hood of my Dads truck. He is replacing the timing chain for him, because my Dad called and got a price from Nissan of almost a thousand bucks to do it. I see him out there, helping my Dad, and joking with him, so my Dad doesn't feel useless in the process, and it just makes me happy to know he is who he is, and he is MINE! How lucky can a "woman" be? I put it in quotes, because from the age of say 24 he has called me "woman". Lovingly. His driller picked him up for work one day and ask him as I stood in the door, if that was his woman? We laughed so hard, I was a girl, I was not a woman---they were old!!! LOL So it has always been a joke to be "his woman". We get looks, and he means no denigration by it at all! Even my granddaughter when she was learning people had names besides Mommy, or Papa, thought my real name was Woman!!!! Suzie, glad whatever you had worked it's way out and you are better! I like it better that way! Peanut M&M's have been the downfall of many of us......among many other things!!! LOL I have so many it is pathetic. But we are NOT failures, we are NOT bad for doing it. The habit or snack may be bad----but that's all, we just work harder next time to avoid them. Acknowledge, and move on, come freak out with us next time, and we will talk you away from the ledge of the candy bowl!!! We are off to Walmart---oh the joys! Then going to let Chili's or Olive Garden cook for me! Rick too got an amazing check---lots of hours you remember!!! LOL Gonna do some retail stimulus of my own!! BBL

Well Suzanne is one good stomach virus closer to goal it sounds like if she is gorging on her crackers!! Poor you Suz---feel better! Ashley, I would discuss it with the friend having the party---let her know why I was skipping out so she knows the combo is not good. Does the guy have a thing for you? Know too much about your difficulties? It is a hard place for everyone to be in. I know we spoke up at one time in regards to our son in law's Mom wanting to have our DD followed when we went to Denver to her Uncles funeral. Speaking out against him worked against us----he is her husband, but we are not fans......it has definitely caused tension. And that is with NO alcohol. What does your husband say about it? Is he aware he is so disliked? I would skip it all together. A sleeve Tat is what it is referred to when the arm, or the majority of it is tattood. In Trey's case it would be upper arm. And Trey, I meant no offense if you choose to cover the arm---it is just something that triggers me. If that arm moving, and I smell chorizo at the same time, watch out buddy!!! Yeah Cindy---I spoke with the Victim Impact Panel locally for several years trying to get our Domestic Violence Laws made more severe. It helped for awhile, then out of the blue one day I realized a part of me relived the worst times in my life everytime I saw the pictures, and the story was told. It was told in a way to arouse sympathies, and anger to try to get the laws revamped---not sensationalized, but a guts and glory---in your face---kind of thing. But I suddenly wanted to finish the story----the I WON part of the story. I quit reliving it monthly, and focused on the I WON part of it. It was a whole new feeling---I WON. He went to prison, and I went on to have a happy, full life---I WON! Well off to bed, I will probably be up at 3 again!!! I am freezing! I have on a sweatshirt, and long jammie pants---Rick is roasting in a tshirt and shorts, and poor Izzy is laying on the tile kitchen floor, panting. I guess I fed the fire too well.....oops!

Awwww, how awesome was that??!! Thank YOU Debbie~ the others are right, we feel you a blessing to our group. Many here have been in other groups, other tight knit groups that have imploded, exploded or just fizzled.....and at the time it might have seemed horrid, but it must have been meant to be, for here we are! Today was a busy ass long day! I am tired, not even wanting to think of what to cook for dinner, or build a fire or anything. Would like it to just be done! However, Rick has yet to make it home, and as good of a dog as Izzy is......cooking and fire building are talents she has not exposed to us. So guess I am IT....ugh Looking forward to Tuesday being over and life being normal again. Rick says he is not concerned over his hernia, and it has been there so he just let it go. Me, if we don't hear something as far as the plan for a surgeon to see him within the week, I will be calling back. Thus far the Dr.'s there have been awesome, so hope it continues. Woke up at 3 again this morning....I went to bed early---I think the newspaper being delivered is what is waking me. Between the thud of it being thrown (tho usually barely a whisper it is a little paper) the delivery person turns around in the neighbors drive, and her lights flash across our wall then---which makes Izzy sit up and take notice and her tags jingle which wakes me.......so either I will get used to it and begin to sleep through it, or learn to live on less sleep!!! 3 AM, I have had enough sleep that I am not easily falling back to sleep, but yet I lay there for long enough and I get tired, then it is time to really get up at 5. It is only 2 hours, but it is messing with me. This time of day---5 ish, I am ready for a nap.....which doesn't work!!! Maybe when work ends I can get back to feeling normal! Suzie, hope you feel better really soon. How is Darrell feeling? It cracks me up how this being a weight loss board, EVERYTHING should pertain to that .... including Trey's tattoos-----his sleeve!!!! LOL I have issues with tattoos to a point. My ex husband had both arms sleeved, and his entire back done. His arms were very macabre. Lots of skulls and a grim reaper, dark things.....his back was incredible! His back was shoulder blade to shoulder blade, nape of neck to waist, was one giant lions head. detail in the eyes, was almost freaky. In the lions mane the hair was made into sections....and each section was an individual womans face, or torso, or part of her hair. So hard to describe, and the detail was amazing. But he was a horribly mean man. And he hit me, a lot, and worse, and something about an arm full of tattoos as it moves, makes my heart jump to this day.........stupid I know company bbl

Awww Suzie, I was afraid something was up with you---hate that it is your tummy!!! Terri, glad your appt was over so quickly, believe me 2 pokes.....that's nothing! When I lost my weight, I still had a lipoma that held lots of fluid, and it displaced my port---my 2nd fill I was poked 17 times! Seriously! We could see it, but the way it was unattatched, it kept rotating. When they unfilled me which was the first poke I was aware of since the repositioning during the TT---it was quick and easy! I have a low profile port, so the part they can stick with the needle is about the size around of a pencil eraser! Well we got mixed news at the Dr., Rick's heart is fine. Under the vertical incision opening the chest, they also had 3 small about 1" each incisions holding drain tubes. Well one of them has opened the muscle wall back up---and he has a hernia, but it is in the aortic area so bears CLOSE watch right now while the consult in regards to it. We had a good laugh about it. Ever since the surgery, he has joked, and considered tattooing his scars.....looks like it might be a good thing that was not done yet, there might be a new one, or a re-opening of an old one! It is pain free, although noticable, so....no exertion (yeah with his job) while they discuss it. He has been working with it, for months now. Shar don't hide out because you mess up, that is when we do our best work---helping you through it! Have to tell you guys a story. We went to Safeway to fill the new Rx for Rick, and a guy we know was ahead of us. He is a "Big Me" kinda guy.....anyway, he was filling an Rx for Viagra---10 pills, $200.00----seriously!!!! actually was like $197.00 OMG----sometimes I am happier than ever things still work like they should!!! Wow, they make people pay for some happy time! Tracy----today was the first day I did not walk --really walk---with the dog. We DID take her with us to Albq. tho. We wanted an idea of how she was going to do going to TX. She was so good, she laid down, or watched out the window. Waited for us, never being a problem. We stopped and walked her a couple of times, then I wanted to go in a couple of stores, and there was a Petco near, so we walked her in there. Amazing how well she did. Old Navy has Tshirts on sale, long sleeve, V neck or Henley style---girls, not the guys, the ones I LOVE---for $6.50. I bought 4!!! Maroon, black, gray, and one called Oatmeal. LOVE them! I bought one of those see through halloween masks, that look like a woman full of make up-----put it on, brushed myhair out around it, and walked out the back door, freaked my husband the heck out!!! LOL Yeah the "every 15 minutes" is VERY emotional, very powerful----hopefully a strong message to the kids. I am off to the shower, maybe I can warm up-----it is cold again. Back to work in the morning, just a few more days......wish me luck!

SUZANNE!!!!!! Where are you??? Are you recovering from your walk? I hope you did not over do and hurt something, I am missing your posts! Loved the pics! Will post tomorrow night when we get home. Everyone be good! LOL....ok fine, have fun then!!! Oh yeah, I did one of the hardest things ever tonight. Our high school did a program today called every 15 minutes. When the kids got to school there were cops everywhere and a faked car accident in front of the school and 4 "fatalities" all classmates. A helicopter flying overhead... Then every 15 minutes through the day an officer and the Grim Reaper went to a random class and pulled a student....and they were a "victim" of a drunk driving fatality. The parents had to write their childs obituary, and loved ones wrote letters to the "lost" child. Megan was involved. I cried a river of tears writing her letter about how it would devastate me to lose her, how she would take a part of my heart with her. And that I prayed she would remember that if ever she think about drinking and driving or riding with a drunk driver. Reminding her I would have picked her up anytime anywhere..... Each person read their letter if they could. The "lost kids" watched via closed circuit---they are gone for the next 24 hours roughly. They are at the Civic Center, they are driving golf carts with drunk goggles on, and learning about that, and writing letters back to each of us. Megan wanted to get involved, now I wonder how she is handling it. No cell phones, no contact. Her Mom had to go to meetings, and agree to the guidelines. they have councelors with the kids---they lost a classmate last year, when he was hit by a drunk driver, so it is close to home. I hope she learns from it. Anyway....sorry I have rambled on again----see ya tomorrow night!