I'm here to help...

[Mrs. Bubba 0]

Hey there,

Unfortunately my shoulder pain has reared its' ugly head again... Woke me up last night about 3:00 and kept me up..... I went down for a treatment on it right away this morning and it seems better now... Will see how tonight goes... I have been holding my breath that it will stay good......

I'm baking a homemade angel food cake right now.. DH just finished a batch of homemade vanilla ice cream.. Tomorrow night after church we will have supper here ... just us and DD and Mimi and Mom....and pastor and his wife... 7.... I'm making lasagna (nobody cares here, Apples!), lettuce salad, garlic toast, carmel apple salad and birthday cake and ice cream for dessert... It is a baby's birthday, after all........... DH just loves angel food..........me, too, for that matter...

Mimi went to work with her mother today, so I have a day off... Is nice to sit here without worrying what she is up to.... We are getting hit with snow so DH is out trying to manage it.... The storm is to hit tonight... Apples, sounds like we are in about the same boat as you guys... Not sure my brother from SD will be making it home at all either...

Eva you are so ambitious... I'm gonna clean my bathroom and dust a little... I don't get excited about family coming for get-to-gethers... I clean after they leave!!!! Your meal sounds wonderful.... have a great day..

Apples, sorry your plans are delayed... Wish you were closer, you could come with us to a day of fun.....

Just got a call about a death in DH's family.... His cousin fell off a grain bin and was killed...... What a terrible time for something like this..... There's no good time, but at the holidays just always seems worse to me... So, gotta go find DH and we have to make a bunch of calls....

You all have a good evening and I'll hope to be back tomorrow........take care.............hugs to all........... Julie

[Apples2 19]

Julie...so sorry to hear about DH's family member. One of my fears here on the farm is DH falling off of a bin. Some of ours are 80' up and he climbs to the top often.

Thank you for the invitation to Christmas Eve dinner. I think it would take me till tomorrow night to get there in this weather. We got hit this afternoon while I was in town. Drove the 15 miles home while it was raining/snowing and icing up. Not a fun trip.

I do not feel bad at all about having Christmas with the family delayed. At least we can have it and that's what counts.

Well, gonna go get the jammies on, make some popcorn for me DH and the dog and watch a movie.

Sounds like we will be housebound until Sat sometime. Hmmmmmmm...what to do all alone with DH for three days???????

[Great2BThin 5]

Good late afternoon. Another busy busy day. First off was therapy which went well. I improved 13 degrees in my bend since Monday I am now at 83 degrees. Then stopped and got a bite of lunch and a few groceries. This afternoon I had my 1 week post op appt. and xray on my new knee. All went well but the coumadin has my blood levels too high, for your nurses my I/R or something like that is a 5 so the next 2 days I am to take no coumadin and then only 1/2 pill after that a day. I am also having Constipation issues from the pain pills so she said to get milk of magnesia instead of the Miralax I was taking so stopped and got some of that. Now tonight I am taking it totally easy as well as tomorrow so I can be rested up for Christmas eve and day. Looks like we will have our white Christmas, we got a couple inches today and supposed to be a few more inches tonight and stay cold.

Eva, no my family really didn't have many traditions so it was easy to add DH's family's traditions.

Arlene, not a lot of snow but enough. Roads were good today so that was good and I get my white Christmas.

Apples, hope you aren't one of the ones sick. I have some left over thraflu from another time but really don't keep much on hand as it seems every time someone gets sick it's something different.

Laura, I bet Nels had a fun day being an early Christmas.

[Apples2 19]

Great...nope, I don't have the stomach flu. Just have never had anything on had in case it would happen. A couple of the family members have it that we have been exposed to. Also, wanted to have the prescription for nausea to take south with us just in case.

This is for you nurses...doc gave me metoclopramde 10mg. Do you keep anything on hand just in case you get the stomach flu? Do you know if the above helps? It was not my band doc that gave the med script to me. Wondering if I should maybe let my band doc know also what I am taking. Maybe just paranoid? I'm just so careful when it comes to putting anything in my stomach.

[Charlene K 1]

We just got back from our Christmas Eve Eve service. It was candlelight service. We sang carols and the most awesome thing happened. The first of the service the pastor took up a collection, and said we would see later what the money was for. Then in the middle of the service a pizza guy was escorted into the church to deliver a pizza to the pastor. He asked how much he owed and then what a usual tip would be. Then instead of the usual two bucks he normally gets for a tip the pastor handed him the money he had collected. It was 485.00! The pizza guy thanked him and was very emotional. The purpose was to show the Grace of God by giving us His Son. Of course, I got all emotional. Anyway, just wanted to share.

I was proud of myself for eating one cookie......and believe me there were dozens of plates of all kind of sweets.

Making Taco soup.......then back to baking.

Take care all!

[IndioGirl55 32]

OMG Charlene - That was WONDERFUL !!! It got me crying too (I am very emotional too - I cry at a pepsi commercial ;0)

Apples - Sorry for the delay in Xmas - but you still will be having it - so that's what counts and you have your DH all to yourself for 3 days - and yes we know what you should be doing - but you would have to keep the house at 80 degrees - By the time everyone does arrive you will be full of energy for it all ..

I too have worried about throwing up - but I can say I haven't had the stomach flu in 20 yrs (knock wood)- have had the other end but no throwing up - I have my lapband doc's cell phone # so if I did get sick to my stomach - I would call him and he could call in a script for me..

Julie - Here's and ugly Xmas tradition that I had when I was with my DS Dad - he would come home Xmas Eve and pick a fight - say he was leaving and I had to pack his crap and take him to his Mom's -- Christmas with him wasn't every very good..

Hugs on your loss - like someone said - we are never ready for death but at the holiday's it's just a little harder - I know my sis's dad died the day after xmas..

I think we all most likely have some bad crap that happens to us all - Sounds like both Deb & Cheri had dh's who drank - they went to alanon - to help them deal with the crap that we have w/pple in our lives who abuse drugs &/or alcohol

I know that's why I went - I needed to talk w/others who have walked in my shoes - It's easy for us to give advice - but when you are smack in the middle of it - it's totally diff - you can't see the forest for the trees - and we think love will concur all -

Cheri

Hugs on the tooth issue - I love my dentist - but still hate the dentist ;0)

Not fitting in - I always found that black pple accept white pple more than the other way around - My DS Dad was black - so as you said I have lived on the black side to - and I would say they were more accepting of me than the white side.. In fact I had a neighbor once and she was the older sister of a guy I went to school with - She use to watch DS when he was a toddler - We became Bff's - My DS calls her Auntie and I am Auntie to her kids - Her Mom & Dad have told me I am an adopted member of their family - When my bro died last yr and they came to the funeral - my DIL thought that Auntie Linda was DS Aunt on his Fathers side cuz she's black - I said nope - she's his Aunt on my side :0)

The only real new freinds that I have are you guys and my #7's - But that's cuz I live in the same town where I was born - I have made good friends w/the pple I have worked with too - But I think some pple just click - My gf candy who I met when I 1st started my job 30 yrs ago - heck we are like sisters.

I think we all need pple like that in our lives - No Man is an Island -

Great - I am glad you had a good day and are resting that knee ;0)

LauraK - Did you get unfilled some??

Laura - Glad Nelson had a great early Xmas - they are so special at that age - to bad they have to grow up ;0)..

Heck your weather is better than ours - it was 66 today with a little wind..

I don't remember my Stepmom being cold during Chemo but again - it's not as cold here as NC

Eva - I hear you girl on the rain - heck 1/2 is almost flood conditions :0) Glad the soap & lotion fit in with your decor ;0)

Well - I am off for the next 4 days - kids s/b here tomorrow around 10 p.m.ish - will hit the gym for carido in the a.m. - had gym tonite weights arms - think I will be sore in the next few days.. Gotta finish up my food shopping tomorrow and watch It's a Wonderful Life tomorrow night -

Well the dogs need to be fed - who know who has posted since I started this 1 hr ago :0)

Cbl

[Apples2 19]

Arlene...what a wonderful story. The front of my sweater would have been wet and tears running down my face. What a way to make the congregation take notice.

Janet...I think you so right on the acceptence thing. We don't have enough acceptence in this world.

Yup...we all have stories of things that have happened or had to endure in our past. I don't share mine much because it is so dark, deep and depressing. I am full-on open about it...I just think that no one else has to take it on and I have dealt with it. But, there's is no greater feeling of accomplishment than dealing, learning how to handle what has happened and turning that corner to the other side of life.

Janet...admire you for hitting the gym the way you do..even when you have things going on during this busy time.

Couldn't find a Christmas movie on tv and DH is watching Kellys Heros (1970 Clint Eastwood), so I think I will pick up my book and crawl between the quilts (4)...cold here.

Hey Phyll...the book I am reading tonight is based in Everett, Washington. It's an Ann Rule book (true crime) about a guy named Chuck Leonard that was murdered by his wife. Rule is my favorite author and when I know I have a book coming from Amazon, I run to meet the UPS truck. I order her new books as soon as I can. I'm almost behind the game...only one more of her books sitting by the bed to be read.

[ljv52 2]

Hello too all. I am behind on reading, so will post now and read later. Had a busy couple of days. Had my post surgical visit and had my staples removed -- 32 of them -- my incision is quite huge. That went well. He has me out of work until he sees me again on 1-18. I have some bad news. I may not be able to come in February. I will not know for sure for a few weeks yet. Here is my problem -- with our disability insurance you must use all existing vacation/sick time before it will kick in. This really sucks because while I'm out I also do not accrue any vacation/sick leave which means I will have zero when I go back to work. I only get 6 hours per month vacation and 2 hours sick. My neice got engaged recently and has now decided to get married July 24 of next year -- we were hoping they'd wait an extra year. They live in Florida and wedding will be in Florida and I of course will need to take time off work -- and will want at least a week since all my extended family will attend (son, brother, cousins I haven't seen in years, neices, nephews, etc.). Anyway, the problem is that I will only have 36 hours of accrued vacation time by July 24 -- so I cannot take the extra two days in February -- I'm very upset as I was so looking forward to coming and meeting everyone. IF my neice changes her mind and decides to hold off on the wedding I would still be able to come. She and her fiance are supposed to be making a final decision over the next several weeks -- they are looking at where to have wedding, etc. I will be happy to pay my portion of the room because I said I'd be coming - I'm just very bummed out about it -- I'll let you all know as soon as I can.

My doctor told me I can do whatever I want as long as I don't fall down. I don't have to use either cane or walker in the house -- DH was bugging me and telling me I HAD to use them -- I felt completely comfortable using nothing -- I have no balance issues, no fear of falling -- much less pain than before surgery. I will use the cane when I leave the house (on ice and snow of course) but other than that have been just walking around. I forgot to ask when I could return to Water aerobics so will call next week -- I 'm hoping I might be able to start going soon. My incision looks great.

I got the H1N1 shot yesterday -- there was a free clinic in town and everyone was eligible -- so I got one. No problem -- my arm never bothered me -- no problems so far.

I baked some Cookies yesterday with DGD for her to take with her to her doctor's appt in Iowa City today - she got her monthly infusion of steriods -- so we made peanut bloassoms with the kisses in the middle. I roll mine in colored sugar so she was in charge of that and taking foil off kisses -- she ate quite a few -- LOL - that's half the fun. Then I just made a few drop cookies and my DH's favorite, pecan tarts (some call them tassies). I also made one batch of chocolate fudge. I spent today getting ready for tomorrow night -- we do all appetizers on Christmas Eve -- so today I got a head start on making some of them -- here's tomorrow's menu: Shrimp cocktail, sausage balls, cheese stuffed mushrooms, deviled eggs, little smokies wrapped in bacon and baked with brown sugar, dill pickles slathered with cream cheese and then wrapped in dried beef and then sliced (this is a great Iowa appetizer -- I never had these before moving here and they are delish), Pella bologna and cheese ball with crackers, veggies and dip. This is what we "always" have. LOL. Not very low cal. Then on Friday we are having ham, pork tenderloin, corn casserole, cheesy potatoes, broccoli salad, apple salad, rolls and all the appetizer leftovers. I usually make prime rib, but DH requested ham instead -- need to save some $$ as my disability money is only 60% of my regular salary). I decided today that I truly missed cheese this year and I plan to eat it (without guilt) until Sat. and then be done with it. LOL.

I'm enjoying the holiday - DGD and kids will come and sleep over tomorrow night so we'll all be together to open presents Christmas morning. Supposed to have a terrible storm, so glad we'll all be safe under one roof with tons of food to eat.

I'll CBL. Merry Christmas to all. Oh, I got an early Christmas gift when I weighed in on Tues -- I lost that 2 lbs. which puts me at 100 lbs. lost since I started last January -- I AM THRILLED to say the least. I was starting to worry it would never happen. LOL. Patience is necessary in this lapband world. Linda

[Great2BThin 5]

Arlene, enjoyed the story about your church sermon tonight. What a blessing too for the delivery guy.

Linda, congrats on hitting 100 lbs lost! Sorry to hear about the vacation days and possibly not going to FL I know how forward you were looking to it.

Apples, am I correct in assuming that the 'dark, depressing' stuff in your past has to do with your side of the family? I don't think I've ever 'heard' you talk about your family. If you don't mind my asking, how did you decide that it was enough and move on? As you know I have a rough relationship with mine and am sitting here tonight once again hurt by them and wondering why the heck I do it at all? Right now I do it for Grandma, but after she is gone, not sure I have it in me to go on with my sisters and parents.

[IndioGirl55 32]

Apples - Since I am so some what obsessive about what I eat and gaining weight back - this is one thing I have learned during this journey - is that for me exercise is key in keeping the weight down - So if I am going to eat those Cookies I brought home from work and the cookies I will make either Xmas nite or the night after - I have to exercise - that's my salvation in this whole mess - I feel really good about me for doing it and not copping out on it - I am proud of myself - I have never ever ate this healthy or exercised this long - So that is a positive and something good - I just wish that I didn't crave my drug of choice - I wish that would go away...

Linda as I was reading Apples post - I was thinking were where you ;0) then I scroll down and you have posted ;0)

OMG CONGRATUATIONS 100 LBS GONE !!! WTG GIRL !!!

        

Oh dear I am so sorry to hear that you may not be able to come - I think we have to use so much vacation up like maybe a week on our disablity at work - not sure/don't remember - Cuz at my job I have 22.5 days pto a year (use to be 27) and if I chose to I can take it all at one time say in January - but if I got fired in March I would have to pay back $$ - since it truly wasn't earned.

I am praying that niece changes her date - tell them it's too hot and humid in July in FL - that a December 2010 or Jan 2011 would be better time of year - 72 degrees like Laura said..

That pickle thing sounds like it might just be tasty - I like to try new things...

Great - I am so sorry about your family issues... What have they done now.. Maybe they are jealous of you and that's why they always are hurting you.. What birth order are you in your family..

You are a wonderful person - you are giving, loving, supportive and know that you have us.. Hugs I wish I could shake them and make them realize what they are doing..

Do you think they do this on purpose or are they just insensitive pple and it's always just about them - Where as you aren't that way..

I have pple I know that it's always about them - When I had my surgery - a gf who I thought would come and see me in the hospital didn't - it was too much out of her way - where as when she was in the hospital - I made the time to go visit her.. And yes my feelings were hurt..

[IndioGirl55 32]

Melissa, Joanne, Jewel, Meredith

We haven't heard from you all in a while :0)

Melissa How is work going with those double shifts - do you have to work tomorrow

Joanne - Hows your quilting going - are you ready for Xmas

Jewel - How are you, how's thing going w/your family..

Meredith - How was NYC ... Got any pictures...

[Apples2 19]

Arlene, enjoyed the story about your church sermon tonight. What a blessing too for the delivery guy.

Linda, congrats on hitting 100 lbs lost! Sorry to hear about the vacation days and possibly not going to FL I know how forward you were looking to it.

Apples, am I correct in assuming that the 'dark, depressing' stuff in your past has to do with your side of the family? I don't think I've ever 'heard' you talk about your family. If you don't mind my asking, how did you decide that it was enough and move on? As you know I have a rough relationship with mine and am sitting here tonight once again hurt by them and wondering why the heck I do it at all? Right now I do it for Grandma, but after she is gone, not sure I have it in me to go on with my sisters and parents.

I know you struggle with your family, Great, and I am sorry for what you have to deal with. I would be the least likely person to ever tell you to cut ties. It's the most difficult thing I have ever had to do. It affects me daily. But, in order for me to live somewhat of a normal life, it had to be done. No guilt and I know it was the right decision for me and a way to protect my children.

I am one to tell people to work really hard to repair relationships, especially family. I never had the option. I am going to be brutally honest and I hope I don't offend you. As I see it, you need to take steps to correct this problem. I do not know your entire history with your sisters and mother. I take it that they somehow get a kick out of abasing you or whatever they do to get your goat...You need to approach each of them (separately) and tell them that this needs to stop. In order to have them respect you, you need to be firm with them and let them know you will no longer take what they are dishing out. (The holidays are maybe not the best time to approach them).

Give them some time after letting them know what you expect. Time will tell if they have it in them to change.

It's time that you stood up to them and let them know the "new you" is not going to take it anymore. It might make all the difference in the world in the dynamics of your relationship with them.

It is too devastating for me to explain in this post why I am without my birth family. It was extreme and I had my own family that I needed to keep from harm.

My point, Great, don't ever give up if you think there is something to salvage from a relationship with family and a chance to make them see how they are hurting you.

[Apples2 19]

No, No, No, Linda! You have to come to FL. I was so looking forward to meeting you! (Yep, it's all about me). I do understand and it will be very disappointing if you do not come but you just do what you need to do and it will all be OK.

A BIG CONGRATS on your 100lbs lost! What a great Christmas gift.

[Apples2 19]

Linda...if you are unable to come to FL, let's make a pact to meet some Sat at the half way point between us. I think you are about 8-9 hours from me. We won't be back from FL until mid-March so it would have to be sometime in April.

[IndioGirl55 32]

Linda...if you are unable to come to FL, let's make a pact to meet some Sat at the half way point between us. I think you are about 8-9 hours from me. We won't be back from FL until mid-March so it would have to be sometime in April.

No way jose - I want to meet her too (yes it's all about me too ;0) - why are the majority of my lbt friends all live so far away... WI - MI - IA - IL - NC - FL - TX- CO - heck Eva's like a 10 hr drive and I don't think there is any half way point for us lol - it's just desert - I have Phyl 5-6 months of the yr - but that's it - Heck My #7 all live far away too Canada - WI - MI - MT - LA..