Kat817

Count me in on the -5 challenge. I know I can do it. I want to do more!! LOL----------my issue is I am so slow at it right now, maybe with a challenge, I will push myself to behave, and lose the extra I want!!! Sucky day at work. I remembered why I liked being in the back, and avoiding the public. We had a patients wife from hell!! She told me what a horrible employee I was, and how my attitude was bad, and unchristian like----and, and, and.....she trash talked the entire business. Why? Because her DH's glasses took a day longer than we quoted (she said which is not true we said BUSINESS days----she just counted days). Then she come after them Friday, and we were closed. Then she showed up right as I got back from lunch today----watched me kiss Rick goodbye, and go in and relock the door. I was early enough back from lunch, to go in, hit the bathroom, freshen up, and then clock back in, and open up. She was literally BANGING on the door when I walked out of the restroom! Then the cherry on top of it all, the lab screwed up on the glasses, they were supposed to be a progressive lens, and the lab made them a flat top bifocal! She tossed them at me! Demanded her $$$ back. I cannot do that, any $$$ out must come from the Office manager, who was not going to be back for another hour! Then she spent another hour harrassing her and the Dr. before being ask to leave. I miss just hiding in the lab. Sorry to go on about it! Woman made me mad!!! Was nice to hear from the Cali girls!!! Can't wait to see you all. SIL is still in the hospital, she has staph infection in her blood, and the blood clots they are watching. Now her MIL is in, and not expected to make it---she is 94. But the party this weekend is on hold of course. My DD come in for an exam today, and left with an Rx, she needed glasses! She is nearsighted in one eye, and far sighted in the other! No wonder she has issues seeing!!! LOL Kinsey wanted glasses so bad! Rick got the bike painted. Ended up a bit more maroon than he wanted, he wanted a stronger black background, but I LOVE it!!! Gonna look good!!! Guess I better get busy, haven't got anything done since I come home. Made a run to the grocery store for my neighbor----been lazy other than that! Will see y'all tomorrow. Keep that -5 in mind!!! We CAN do it!!! thanks for the plan Tracy! Hugs!

Wonderful to hear that you are all having a good time in CA!! I had no doubt they would represent the Vi's properly! Terry, I along with the others am always here for you. I do not know a lot about the illness your son deals with, only in dealing with Rick's ex and doing my best to protect the kids when she would have problems. I honestly believe our son is experiencing similar issues, but they have not fully developed yet, or it is in a milder form or something than what his Mom deals with. We always tried to make sure they knew that the way she was acting was not a choice---it is an illness, and she did not choose to have it. It colors all her decisions. While she could be (and can be) a royal PITA, not all her actions are by choice. I know the fear for your child. When this same son got strung out on meth, it was the scariest thing ever! It was not a long stretch of his life (thank you God) but it was lifetimes as we lived it. I see him today and am so thankful, he managed to clean himself up, and has stayed that way for years now. Especially when I see people who are all drugged up, and twitching, and chewing their cud (well that is what it looks like) I send up a prayer of thanks that he is healthy again. Until you live it, loving a kid all the while wanting to choke the life out of them is a feeling hard to describe. My Mom dealt with my brothers alcoholism for so many years, she says she would sit and imagine how she would react when they come to tell her he was dead, or how she would tell people when he was sent to prison. It affected me, but nothing like it does when it is your child. My Mom is very meek, and kind hearted, how she dealt with it for all those years amazes me! She is much stronger than I give her credit for. Speaking of her....they just called and are about 80 miles away, they are almost home----I have been SOOOOO stressed with them on the road! My MIL said last night that they had found staph infection in my SIL's blood. Rick and I are headed up there as soon as my folks make it in safe and sound. He is going to try to get some paint on the chopper today!!! I intend on lounging on the patio with a book! Laura, glad you caught up on your sleep. Did your Mom say how Carson did overnight? Tracy----5 pounds yay you!!! Just keep at it! I am losing what I regained very slowly----but same as always....up a pound, down a pound, up a pound, down one and a half----just all over the place, but slowly dropping. So I am ok with it! I really thought once I started working and was away from food all day it would be faster, but it hasn't been! I try to take my lunch or eat a healthy lunch, but it is still slow....seems so unfair! Enjoy the show Jane!!! Wish I was going! I know you probably get tired of me saying this, but I seriously believe Jane that your brain may send different signals as far as metabolism goes than most, due to the trauma it has been through. I'm sorry your scale is not cooperating the way you want it to tho! (((hugs))) Well, going to go see how the sanding is going----will check in later. Hugs to you all!

Cool-----Alex is expanding!!! And it isn't weight wise....101 pounds!! Look forward to seeing the new sites!

Tracy--the camaros are schweeeet!!!! I drove a 69 Firebird for many, many years----and they were very similar of course. I miss it. Shoulda kept it, and ditched the ex back then....lesson learned the hard way!! I forgot all about the oil in the baby's cheek, we used light olive oil, with the same result!! Point being "result"!!!! Glad the Bobster had a nice birthday with the family. My folks are on their way home, should be in tomorrow night. They are cutting the trip short some, and going to wait to go to CO for a few days, maybe longer depending on how my cousin is doing. They are going there to see my Moms sister, and her DD is pregnant with twins. She is 40, and has MS, and is 8 months pregnant with fraternal, boy/girl twins!!! She is either really crazy or really brave, not sure which!!! Hope the girls are making Pamela feel special during her party----so glad Haydee and Michelle went! We had a great ride, and went for our usual mexican food. Gary and I are die hards, we would go there every time if Rick and Becky didn't whine!! Y'all have fun, will check in tomorrow!!!

Manda and I got our pedi's, she took me to lunch and now I am home relaxing waiting for Rick. He had to make an appearance at the API golf tourney---I opted not to go. The Dr. nailed both Kinsey and Connors weight within ounces, I was totally impressed. My DD was telling me that her Dad seems to be turning his life around finally. He was an old hippie drunk for many years, she said this diabetes, and high blood pressure, has scared him pretty good, and he is watching his diet, has lost 30 pounds, and cut his hair, shaved the beard.....hell I probably wouldn't recognize him. Til he opened his mouth, and I am betting he is still a moron underneath it all!!! LOL I did NOT say that to her, I have NEVER bad mouthed him to her, let her figure out how he was on her own. I hope for her sake as well as that of his other kids, he cleans up, and lives for awhile, they are young to lose their Dad. Rick's sister is still in the hospital, they found a blood clot ( or maybe several--I got different versions of the situation) in her arm, chest caused by the PIC line! I thought they were in almost a panic mode when they pulled that. I mean they had blood everywhere, and did it in a HURRY! When they pulled Manda's they were nothing like that. Made me go ...hmmmmmmm. So now she is still in the hospital, and getting lovenox shots to thin the blood and allow the clots to resolve themselves. She has lots of family coming next weekend for a 40th anniversary----and she is in the hospital! So guess who is getting to do a lot of the cooking???? But this is not something she has chosen, none of it would be. Even if she is bulemic like I believe her to be, that is not a choice one makes logically, it is a mental disorder, that needs treated. So I am cooking! Well, I need to clean up a few things, so nice getting all my work done at home early!!! XOXOX

Sounds like my DD Heather, her baby suffered from intrauterine growth restriction---she simply quit growing---she did NOT quit maturing tho! She was a 4 pounder, and did not grow for at least 2 weeks. Her lungs continued to develop etc, and she never needed a bit of oxygen or anything. She was perfect in every way, just a wee one! She remains in the lower percentile in height, and has never even made the charts in weight. For her first 2 years the only chart she EVER made was for head size!!! We laugh, it may be in the low range, but hey she made the chart!!! I would relax, enjoy the comfort of the extra care---she is a good weight---nothing extreme either way!! How exciting! My DIL carried my grandson with the placenta in a forward position, and she felt very little movement, and now the one she is pregnant with, the placenta is attached in a different area, and we can see his movements clearly, and she feels them much stronger she said!! Who would have even thought it mattered!!! So excited for you!!!

Watch out Lu---I know it is a weekend, but Plain might be lurking somewhere, and God knows what he might do with an invite to pinch you!!!!

I'm off for a day of pampering with my DD. Rick is going to end up working a good part of the day. They ok'd his guys for some OT---and the only way they can get it is if one of the supervisors/foremen stays with them. Rick knows some of them really need the $$$ and remembers being there himself, so guess who is staying. His olive branch to me, since this is my day off, was to tell me to take Manda and Abbey and go get pedi's etc. Well Abbey of course, her DH (and that D is not for dear or darling!) has plans for them....guilted her into changing her mind. But Manda and I are going anyway. Something needs to shock Abbey into standing up for herself! I agree, the CA pics were great, I am so glad they are having such fun! Next weekend our little town has a celebration, called Fiesta Days. They have a carnival in town, and parades, and pet shows, and cook offs, all kinds of things going on all weekend long. So in order to have Kinsey around for that, she let her go to her Dads this weekend, so this will be some rare Mom/Daughter alone time for Manda and I. Personally I think we need it, she has been kinda snippy a time or 2 lately, and I want it STOPPED!!! LOL When Rick does get off, we are going for a ride with Becky & Gary and going to dinner. Not sure where yet. Got my car title in the mail today! It is mine, all mine!!! Rick keeps teasing me about me saying I refuse to buy again for years to come---by asking me if I want this new car or that new car, or when we see the big tent sales----I always respond with an adament NO--so tonight when I see him, I am going to tell him Manda and I went and test drove a new Camaro and I want one!! LOL Wish my DD would get it in gear!!!!!! Will check in with you girls tonight.

Yay on the formula Laura, who woulda thought??? Glad Haydee and Michelle arrived safely and on time, hope they have a wonderful time! With Pamela for a hostess, it is a given!!! Got dinner almost done, just waiting for Rick to show up. I sucked it up and stopped in Walmart to get some things, only going there because I needed some non food things too, one of which was make up. Got all my stuff together, stopped to grab the make up, and they are out! Grrrrrrr that means some other shopping excursion this weekend! I always spend money when that happens!!! Gas here is $2.62 a gallon,for regular grade unleaded gas, and we are smack in the middle of oilfields and refineries too! There has been an ongoing investigation as to the why for a couple of years now......price gouging, plain and simple! SIL still in the hospital, not looking any better. Band Dr. has now told her he will NOT treat her any longer, that if she wants his input on her health she has to come there, he will not confer and treat over the phone. So now he is the bad guy, and I am an idiot for still using him......gimme a break!!! They were never honest with him anyway, what the hell good was he doing???? But yeah, this is all HIS fault, uh huh.......(insert me rolling my eyes here....) Better go toss some salad fixin's together----see y'all later. So glad this week is over!

I told my DD that the day she started Kindergarten that I cried, then I cried the 2nd day because they only kept her half a day. Then when she graduated I would cry one day because she was all grown up and graduating and leaving home, and cry the next because she was still there making me crazy!!! She grew up into a pretty amazing person---so as hard as it is, it is worth it! Tell him congrats from New Mexico! As for age, my Grandpa used to say Age is mind over matter if you don't mind, it don't matter!! Today I wore a pair of my pants I had outgrown while taking the steroids....and I breathed normally doing so!! The weight went on in wierd places, and is coming off so differently than the first hundred times..... Gotta go finish dinner!

Laura has the pediatrician checked Carson or just advised over the phone? Sorry he is going through a rough patch. It is so sad when they cry unconsolably. Does swaddling help him? How about tossing some receiving blankets in the dryer to warm them---sometimes that helps comfort them. Kinda sounds like he was heading for the colic anyway, I doubt the change kicked it in----hope it goes away quickly. Wish I was there to take a turn, let you both sleep for awhile. Terry, enjoy your relaxing weekend. We were going to go camping, but have decided instead to do some home jobs that need done. The fun never ends! I need to call around and price having a tree taken out---the fire last summer, killed off a HUGE cottonwood tree. See what the cost is compared to my homeowners deductable and go from there. Tracy I feel your "blah".......I have it too! I am glad it is Friday! I have most of my house clean, and hoping the weekend makes me feel more upbeat! Might help if we could stay away from the hospital. I hate that place! Sent off the payment this morning, to Rick's ex--which officially puts us at less than a year to go. That sounds SO callous, but the crap we have been through, with all this, and it continuing still, makes it less so to me! With each payment lessening our amount owed, and each month building her amount owed on the lien on her house, we feel better. Of course the retainer alone was enough to choke me! Oh well..........I cannot concentrate on that, she is evil, and evil rubs off!!! LOL Well time to leave for work--------hurry up 2 PM!!! Hugs!

I had a friend who took a whole fish from the meat dept. at the store, and raised the corner of her exes waterbed, dropped in the fish, cranked the heat, and let it go. He was supposedly at a work related event for 4 days, but she found out, he was taking another girl with him. They had to replace carpet, and everything in his place, it reeked so badly!! I hate sending food back, I will usually just ask for my $$$ back, I am always afraid they will spit in it! SIL is back in the hospital again, 3rd time now....since the surgery---4th if you count that. Now she is spiking fever-----and is showing no signs of the UTI they claimed it was before. I think maybe her PIC line is involved----they removed it rather suddenly. She looks terrible. She is laying in the bed, and her hair, is gray white, her skin is gray white, the bedding is white. She acts like it is work to even open her eyes all the way. My MIL called Rick at work crying that they were going to lose her----and she may not be wrong if they do not get a shrink in on things, and if need be remove the damn band so it is forced to light. Besides, if my MIL is right and it is the band causing the problems, then get rid of it! But she has never been honest with a Dr. yet about how she has been with the band, so I have no idea what might be wrong. Makes me wonder what kinds of bacteria might have been introduced while they filled and unfilled her all the time. Glad I stayed away from that! They are doing another sweep of layoffs here too Terry. Today they shut off phones (cell) to all non essential personel. We switched mine over a couple of weeks ago, knowing this was going to happen. No warning, either your phone worked this afternoon, or not. Rick's still works. We are taking that as a good sign, that he might make it past this next round too. Supposed to be another big lay off we understood this week, which would only leave tomorrow.....scary crap that is for sure! Glad tomorrow is Friday, I am tired. I am thinking they better find someone to run the front, or they are going to be looking to hire 2 people. I am not going to run back and forth and do 2 jobs with out the pay for 2 jobs! Simple as that! Guess I will take a shower and head to bed. Rick is not going to have a lunch tomorrow. He went to bed without making it! We have been either making ourselves lunch together, or meeting, but if he thinks I am taking over and doing it without his input---he is wrong! I only work til 2 tomorrow, so I am not taking a lunch break----so he is on his own in the morning. I hate being that way! I spoiled him bad when I was not working, but there has to be give and take.....he has to REMEMBER on his own, I hate nagging him to help me do things. He will do whatever, WHEN I ask, or he will ask if he can help, and I have to say yes---I want him to just get up and help! He gets started and does great, it is just up to me to rattle the chain, and I am not in a rattling mood!! LOL Gonna go shower and sleeeeeeeeeep! XOXOX

Crazy busy this morning--trying to catch up everything here at home that I blew off this weekend to go to the rally. Got the beds changed, 4 loads of laundry done, the DW unloaded, fridge cleaned out (anyone need a science fair project????) and then reloaded the DW, mopped the kitchen, cleared the DR table, and cleaned the LR, cleaned the bedroom, I had half my closet on the chest of drawers, from trying things on!!--------and now I have to go to work! Rick is helping less in the house.....which is not setting well, but he IS doing more outside. When I began working, the yard was a non issue, now he waters, and does all that all himself, he does all the mowing etc. Plus he is doing our yard AND the neighbors who is battling cancer, as well as tending their chickens. So I am letting it ride.....figuring we will eventually work out some sort of schedule---yeah right!! Laura, if Carson is used to the taste of the other formula and you think that is why he is refusing the new, start by slowly mixing it, and over the next few days, make it more and more soy, less and less milk base--until he is over to soy completely. If you begin adding it to his normal bottles, he will change much easier. There IS a difference in taste, so if he is picky, the slow switch might help. And just before you put the 2 together, dip the bottle nipple into the milk based formula he is used to. I agree that a part of it was just frustration---poor baby, nothing was right in his little world! I feel soooooo bad for them when they get that way! I had my DD call me and let me try to soothe Kinsey a couple of times, because they would both be crying!! Of course that was easy for us, because we were both in close proximity, and neither one working outside at the time. What I noticed most with Manda, was that she would not do any one thing long enough or consistantly enough to allow Kinsey to adjust or soothe. She would sway, and in a minute if that had not quieted her, she would shift her to the shoulder, or pat her instead-----just change, rather than give it a little time. Both times she called me, I put Kinsey up on my shoulder, with her knees bent up to help if her tummy was hurting, and patted her back kinda harder than a normal soothing type pat, and kept it up for awhile, just rythmically patting,and rocking, even if she was wailing, and eventually she settled, but if I moved----it was gonna start again! Find a position you know usually soothes him, and just maintain it for awhile, and let him settle down. And I agree, swings are wonderful, wonderful things!!!!! Haydee and Michelle, have a wonderful, safe trip, and hug Pamela for me, so she knows how proud we are of her!!! Tracy----you really question if we love you? If so, we have failed.....and I have to ask do you really love us??? LOL you big dummy of course we love you!!!!!! If I didn't could I call you a dummy??? I better go get dressed for work. I need to fuel my car.....a job I have not done in forever! Usually Rick does it, he just has no idea it is approaching empty, because we spent all our time on the bike and not in the car this weekend!! I think I can handle it tho! See y'all tonight!

Hey girls~ Our kids paid for their insurance---we did have them on a family policy, and our insurance had a program called YES (Youth Education.....something I think) that they took and lowered the cost, and if they kept their grades in the honor level they got better costs too. Both girls managed it, son, did without his car at times!!! LOL I would give them "fill up" coupons for doing special things above and beyond the required home jobs. Nowadays you can buy gas cards and add to them, but I had kids back in the olden days!!! Laura, if the formula is stil in its case you may be able to exchange it without it being opened----otherwise the food pantry is a great idea. Much better than toughing it out--------his tummy hurts is why he is fussy, and you can't make him just deal with it! And I KNOW you wouldn't-----I know that cuz I can talk tough too!!! LOL Busy day at work, but the day went by really fast! I am doing some of the billing, and while I thought I would not like that----I actually enjoyed it! Rick tossed burgers on the grill tonight, and while I did not have an issue anything like Pamela's, mine is sitting kinda heavy in the belly right now. Well the half or so I ate. I am thirsty, but feel like if I take a drink right now, it will be all over with!!! And I will react just like she did!!! yuck! We had this woman and her DD come in today, and prior to her coming in, the woman I work with told me she is a brat, she is so mean to her Mom.....just standard office gossip....you know what I mean. Then they come in, and OMG! This girl was HORRIBLE!!! She was 14 and cussing, and ordering her Mom about. Her Mom is older, and may in fact be a grandma to the girl technically, but refers to her as a DD----but the age could be either. The Mom is older than I am by 10 years or so I'd guess. Then again maybe she just looks it from living with that snot! I finally told her she could not use the F word in the office, there were people there who would be offended. So she got all pissy and told her Mom that they were leaving that she could buy her the Baby Phat glasses she wanted and not the Fing ugly ones we had----and stormed out. Mom followed,and returned a few minutes later to get the Rx. Good Riddance! Part of me felt sorry for Mom, the other part felt like someone, somewhere created that monster, and unless someone puts a foot in the middle of her now, she is never gonna change! Made me really appreciate the kids I have. Terry, I think the fact that there is someone famous there, may at least give your son hope that the place will work----know what I mean. A positive expectation is such a big deal in his case, I am glad he is sounding good. I feel for you Terry-----I had one DD who totalled a car 2 days after getting her license!! Not her fault, but it happen just the same! She would not drive to school, she was not comfortable with that yet, so she come home, got her car to drive across town (little town---but 3-4 miles) to track practice. A woman stopped in front of her to turn into a trailer park, Manda stopped, but the car behind her did not---hit her hard, and slammed her into the car in front of her--accordianed her Nissan......2 days into the license!!! LOL. She is a safe driver tho-----never a ticket even! Son has had his share (and more) of tickets, but has been pretty safe the last several years. Youngest DD--Abbey totalled 2 cars---both her fault!!! She too has improved with age!! And now as a Mom herself, she is super careful! Well off to go stand on a motorcycle tire!!! Rick is mounting new tires on an old bike, and my weight is needed!!! Although it IS down, I need to fix my ticker!!! See ya laters!!

Home from a hectic day---as usual!! Dr.'s son is going to be ok, the man he was with is still in ICU, with internal injuries, and crushed hand, wrist etc. Actually had to reattach 3 fingers, they were so badly mangled. Apparantly the car had a blow out, and he hit the brakes hard, and the car rolled 5 times or so. So I figure the mans hand went out a broken window and the car rolled over it is how it was so injured. Not a single air bag deployed! It was a rental, and was supposedly equipped with front end as well as curtain air bags. But none worked, and this was a crash at over 60 mph, before he braked. It was a Chevy Impala rented from Enterprise. Got my work done, did some filing, and tried to authorize ahead as many appts. as I could. Then come on home, was going to mow the back yard, but it began raining. Got word that my neighbor is not going to make it through his cancer. It began in the throat, is now throughout his head, in his sinus, ears, down the esophagus, and invaded the intestinal tract. They are going to try a few rounds of chemo to see if he responds at all, but it is inoperable, and his odds are less than 5%. He is already down to 105 pounds! He cannot swallow anything, and the feeding tube is irritating the stomach, so they are unsure what the next step is right now. I feel so bad for them, just don't know what to do. Laura, that is interesting in relation to the cereal. And if he continues with distress, I agree, I would try a soy base. Manda was soy fed due to problems with her tummy. My Mom said she ended up feeding my brother cereal in his bottle from a month on----and he is 6'3" and 155 pounds!!! I would love his weight on my height!!! LOL I was older, but never had weight problems, til I messed with my own metabolism, recognizing the full signals was never an issue with me----if I pay attention it still isn't. I just tend to bully it like everything else, and push!! My SIL is back and forth to the hospital, she was in ER for being unable to breath, and they diagnosed her with plueresy (SP?) Worries me, as she does have a history of DVT--but supposedly they Xrayed and ruled out pulmonary embolism, no clots in the lungs. Sent her home.....told her this is all result of starvation. My MIL is telling EVERYONE that her problems are ALL because of the band, and that she has not ate in 3 years! Makes me want to scream!!! How has she gained weight, with not eating in 3 years????? And if you have to stick your finger down your throat, that is not a natural PB, it is being forced. I am so scared she is not going to be honest and get the help she needs. Rick and I had a talk about how involved to get, and he tried to talk to his mom but she just got REALLY pissy with him, so he backed off. Right now, my SIL is very excited about an upcoming party for their anniversary, so hoping that gives her incentive to do right by herself, and she can pull through this. Scary as hell tho! Well I have chicken out to cook, I better get on it. Got word today our retainer fee is going to be $7500.00 if it requires court appearances. Ay-yi-yi...........

We got wet, we got cold, but we had a blast anyway!! Was a good time with good friends. Come home to the bad news that the Dr.'s son was in a pretty bad car accident, and he is out of town, in AZ at the hospital. His son was ambulanced in, but the driver was air lifted, does not sound good. Will find out more tomorrow. We had the kids and my inlaws over for dinner. Youngest DD showed up with my baby grandson again, I am SOOOO glad they are changing their ways, I am sorry she is battling with his Mom but it is SO good to have her and the baby around. I took a chance, and tried to eat some watermelon--it was like my stomach was a trampoline, down it went, and up it come. The last several times, it has made me sick, I don't have any itching, or swelling, but it makes me vomit almost instantly. Wierdest thing ever, I thought maybe it was a fluke, but nope. I HATE that! I love watermelon, it just does not love me anymore. I mean I was on a run to the bathroom, it is quicker than any PB I ever had! Was a looooong trip home yesterday, weather was horrendous, we hit rain and hail both! Then one of the guys riding a little Sportster ran out of fuel on one of the longer stretches, coming through Taos. So we had to rig a siphon.....then our son lost power on his chopper, they determined today it was the Stator or something, but we were on the road, trying to figure it out, when along come a service truck from a local company, and they stopped to talk to the guys and agreed to trailer it on it for us--was a lucky break, and a couple of super nice guys. Our son tried to give them each $20---they refused it. It made our day much shorter, we were getting ready to leave, ride on home, and go back with a truck and trailer, but it was a good 75 miles out from home still---so after a day spent in the rain, it was welcome!!! Pamela, your pictures are great, I am SOOOO incredibly proud of you!!! Tracy, I am right there with Macy, no crawdads for me thanks, I have tried them, and someone can have my share!!! I'll have the shrimp please!! Looks like you had a great time, I am so glad! Jane, I hear ya on the car, I plan on driving these until they drive no more, I am not getting myself back in a car payment for as long as possible! Slowly but surely our debt is getting eliminated, and I would love to keep it that way!!! Laura, I watched a program on TV when I was flipping channels last night unable to sleep when we got it, and it was saying that pacifiers help with colic, as they increase the saliva a baby swallows. They say it decreases cavity production as teeth form, lessens the SIDS risk, and is only detrimental to the teeth of children over the age of 4. Not that I would ever reccomend a 4 year old have a pacifier!!! But if you are not against them, you might consider it. My grandson was fussy today, he is teething like nobodies business!!! Manda got in my cupboard, and found Kinseys old teething tablets, which happened to be good through 9/11---and Abbey give him that, and he was almost instantly soothed, he fell asleep on my shoulder----so I got to cuddle and snuggle him all I wanted!!! Terry---sending you love and prayers, hoping this is a turning point for Evan, maybe they will find new ways to help him. I am glad you got away for a bit. Jenn, sounds like you are busier when you are not working!! LOL. We have been really lazy about home improvements, we need to get with it! Well I am off to bed. I know I missed a bunch of you, but I am working tomorrow anyway----not sure what the rest of the week will bring, but I have labs in, and we have a BIG bunch of glasses coming in, after the long holiday weekend I am sure----so will work as usual, and the alarm seems to go off early! Everyone take care, will see ya tomorrow night!

The wedding was wonderful. Skies cleared up enough to let them do their vows outdoors, and it was beautiful. The groom (my boy) could not control his emotions, he cried when he saw her, and later during his toast to his bride, he told her he was just overcome with emotion to realize he would have her as his wife forever. Was not a dry eye in the house I don't think. Kinsey was in awe over "our bride"--she thought she was "the most beautiful girl ever!" She and Ray --Becky's grandson, complete in black tux with tails---danced, and held hands all over the place! They were adorable! But the highlight of her night was the bride dancing with her!! I would have loved to have gotten her picture tho during the garter ceremony! They had Cory remove the garter with his teeth---and on the other side of the dance floor, Manda was standing behind a chair with Kinsey standing in the chair in front of her watching the bouquet be tossed, and then the garter. Well Cory is down on one knee, and he is searching for the garter---and he dives under her dress---actually rather modestly, but the look on Kinsey's face was PRICELESS!!! She did the big "O" with her mouth and jerked around to look at her Mommy like 'what in the hell is he doing?' kind of look, it was hilarious!!! The event center they had the wedding at was gorgeous!!! Not fancy, but classy in a rustic kind of way. Colorado mountains....hard to beat. The website does not do it justice, it is www.bluelakeranch.com I believe. Gives you an idea, but the enormity of the actual place is not even close in the pictures. The rain had everything green. It was so nice. We just got home, and I am leaving before 6 in the morning, so I better get to bed, and try to sleep. I think I have enough warm clothes and rain gear packed.....if not, that is what the vendors are for I guess!!! Y'all have a great weekend, and I'll see ya after the rally. hugs

Getting myself ready to go to the wedding--my best friend's son is getting married tonight. In a big fancy schmancy, 2 years in the making, bridezilla beware, wedding! Actually, she has been remarkably good through the planning, and she has proven herself, and in fact refers to herself as a "princess". They have been engaged and planning it for a couple of years almost, waiting til she got her degree, and she graduates this year. Right after they began planning, her sister got engaged as well, there are 3 girls, all highly jealous and competitive! Then the day they went to look at dresses, the sister announces in the bridal shop, that she is pregnant. Every chance she has had she has stolen the thunder from her. And the baby is due any time. So she told her she was NOT in the wedding, and her family got so mad, they refused to finish paying anything. Was a circus! But the kids paid themselves, and she said if her sister goes in to labor, the family can leave, she will just stay behind and have a wedding with her new family!!! LOL She is gorgeous, he is handsome, and it should be beautiful! The original plan was to have it outdoors, but it is raining, has been off and on all day, and right now it is pouring. So it will be inside the event center. Tomorrow is supposed to rain as is Sunday--------both here and where we will be for the rally! So I am going to be soaked and freezing! Doncha feel bad for me??? We are leaving at 6 AM---------so I will try to post tonight after getting home from the wedding. Hugs!!

....the answer my friend is blowin' in the wind.....

All went ok at the hospital. Only her husband was there. We took our son with us, and the guys talked and she and I talked. Ends up that apparantly she has caused some serious kidney damage by allowing herself to be so dehydrated for such long stretches, and now she has a roaring kidney infection, but it has not affected the rest of the urinary tract so it was not recognized quickly. She is out of ICU and in a regular room. We are getting packed, so will check in later.

I hear ya Haydee, my eyes are swollen too. The lilacs are easing off, but the Russian Olive trees (damn noxious weed tree) are coming on full force, and they kill my allergies. Once they are fully leafed, I will ease up until the cotton wood trees start producing cotton! But every allergy med I try makes me sleepy----so trying to tough it out this year. We are normally only open for a couple of hours in the afternoon on Thursday if at all, so they called me and said she had rearranged a couple of appointments, so I could have the day off with my husband!! YAY But just as we hung up, my MIL called with the news that my SIL is in ICU. They did her corrective surgery on her band around a month ago, I guess she is still having issues----and is now suspected to be septic, and has a high fever, and is in intesive care. So our day off will be spent sitting at the hospital. I have no idea if they tried filling her since her surgery or not. The band surgeon did a swallow study before he released her, and the fluid flowed through the band with no resistance, but she says she has not been able to eat at all since, and has been on IV's and steroids since then. She says the Dr. thinks it is swelling. I don't. That long with no food, no vomiting, and steroids, the swelling would be eased. However I believe she is still throwing up according to what my MIL says, so who knows what is going on. I don't think any of the Dr.'s involved know that they filled and unfilled her on their own, so they likely do not know what kinds of infection could be lurking. VERY SCARY!! And as usual, my MIL is blaming it on me, for pushing her to get banded with me. I swear on everything I hold dear, I never in any way pushed her, she was as willing and as determined to do this as I ever was. The woman needs to watch it with me, I am trying to be nice because I know she is stressed with that being her DD. But if she does the blame thing to me in front of all those people at the hospital, I have a bit of an idea how to respond----but it will take control not to blast her away! Making myself keep in mind how I felt when Manda was so sick-----but even then I wasn't blaming someone else. I am not 81 years old, I am not 5 years old....I will be nice. Not walked on and blamed, but nice.....breath deep and repeat...... I need to go get a couple of things done so I can get to the hospital. Rick planted veggies this morning early. He will take care of them, I won't do anything with them til time to cook them! Everyone have a good day, travel safe and take care!!

Stopping by to say hi. Still kicking my ass at work. Come home yesterday, remember I was a littleout out that dinner was not completely done? Well, I stayed my butt in the house, making Rick do the grilling, and finally he ask me to come outside, where I kinda did the attitude thing. Only to get out there and find that while I was working, he had landscaped the North side of my back yard, that we had been wanting to do for years, he terraced it with railroad ties! It looks awesome! I felt SOOOOO petty about the whole dinner thing!!! Tonight we went and bought some things to go in the plots. Some will have veggies, and others flowers. It looks soooo good! We stopped in town and had some mexican food, I overate, and now have the hiccups.....so think I will go hit the elliptical for a few minutes, and see if I cannot help things along before I end up PB'ing! Late day tomorrow, so will check in with you in the morning, if any of you leave before then.....be careful and have lots of fun. 'Cept you Tracy---not toooooooo much fun!!! J/K XOXOX Kat

Terry----hope this swing down is over quickly and the upswing takes its place. I hate that you are so stressed, but totally understand how kids do that to you. Spouses cannot compare, parents cannot compare, and siblings do not even come close. Nothing can make you happier, more upset or more scared than your child, and I am so sorry you are dealing with such crap right now. Keep in mind while it seems he is doing things purposely, he does have a disease he did not choose. And somewhere underneath all the anger and chaos right now is your loving son. And wrapped around you right now is lots and lots of Violet love----one giant group hug---with you in the middle. Now if you want to scream and wail away, we gotcha covered! And lots of us understand a bit of where you are at...maybe not exactly, but enough so that you are free to say what you want, and none of it mean anything after the second you say it and release the tension. Hugs!!! See y'all tomorrow!

Another busy day.....no time off in sight. Well we are closed Monday, but my Friday off is history....this is not sitting well with Rick. Too bad, his job has had interferences before, and I coped, guess he will too!!! Will try to get back after dinner, I am doing the indoor part, he is doing the grilling.....not a happy camper, he should have had it ALL ready!!! Will catch you girls in awhile.

Sorry you have had problems, but "get used to daily nausea and vomiting" is just wrong. Look around, the vast majority have no such problems, especially on a daily basis. This surgery would never have received the OK in the USA if that were the case. Good Luck with your removal, and your new Dr.