I'm here to help...

[IndioGirl55 32]

Phyl

Hugs Hugs Hugs - you need to send a before & after pic and then give me her address so I can go and kick her ASS stupid b..

I looked for it on fb - cuz I was going to coment !!! and not very nicely towards her..

[Great2BThin 5]

Love the cruises Janet. Thanks for posting the links, I didn't know how to do all that. Personally I like Norwegian's Freestyle cruising, but I don't dislike Carnival just love to cruise.

Arlene, did you check out the 24hour Fitness deal? or are there none of those near you or do they not have pools by you? Good luck in your decision! And good luck with Dr Davis today.

Julie, did you get the first injection or PT yet? Hoping you get instant relief!

Laura, so how's it going? Still trying to find your 'routine'? Any decision on the HRT? For me, the night sweats and sleep issues lasted for 6 mos to a year really bad and then got better, still have occassional issues. I never took HRT so I am not sure if it got better as my body adjusted or how all that works. I also had the heart palipitations and that freaked me out. I can't imagine dealing with all that, a new job, volunteering and with a 6 yr old very active boy. My heart goes out to you.

[phyllser 3]

As to Vegas - it's about 4 - 5 hr drive for me - I was planing on picking up Phyl by 8 and hopefully be in Vegas around 12 - 1 - and I have room for 3.. oh just thought luggage may be an issue - as I will have Phyl scooter - I don't think we can ck it til 3.. Guess maybe we should call Desert Rose and see if we can ck in early.. and get rooms that are close to each other

As to going to a show - well we really only have 2 nites together - and figured we would want to visit as much as we can.. And show tickets are expensive $100 a piece to see a good one..

there are what 11 of us or is it 10 ;0) to early for me to count as I need to head to the shower

Who want's to go to a show??? Did Jodi say she could get us discount tickets???

Well I gotta get moving - cbl

We can probably unload bags and have them hold them. Wish I didn't need the stupid scooter, but don't want to be in pain or not be able to go places cuz I can't walk!

As far as the shows in Vegas go...I would rather sit and visit with my friends. Have done many shows out there (most wonderful) but with such a short time to fit in 11 of us getting to know each other, I would vote against at this time. Choosing a nice restaurant for Sat evening would be great if we can get reservations. So many to choose from out there. Something for everyone. We can decide that when we get there if a dinner is something we would choose to do.

I agree... show.. I can take it or leave it but visit time is important!

another fly by. Seems to be what I do best (and will do until my schedule gets better). I am feeling discombobulated today. This damn menopause induced insomnia is the part that is REALLY kicking my butt. It's making me not have energy during the day. I wake up suddenly from a deep sleep FREEZING, then I feel my face get flushed and then I sweat like a pig/prostitute in church/Mike Tyson in a spelling bee.

By the way, My dad is having his repeat PET scan today to see if cancer returned. I wish I could be there and feeling REALLY guilty that I am not. SIGH.:smile:

Hearing all this talk of LV is making me sad. So wish I could go. I just can't with DH leaving the 8th. Will you guys promise we will do another one sooner rather than later? I'm so bummed. I could use a pow wow with my girls- the best hugs in the world- the best healthy snacks- the best LAUGHS- sharing scars and life. I am truly going to miss being there. Can I call one night or do Skype? Eva, will you bring your computer? At least so I can see your beautiful smiles for a few minutes? I promise not to cry when I say goodbye. (Janet knows I am lying about that):thumbup:

I can bring laptop, too. We had so much fun doing the "Skype Baby Shower" while I was in Buffalo! So... wish you could be there, but we need to try to conference with you on Skype!

Morning...... I'm home.....got here last evening, but was too tired and hurting to post...... Thanks for all your prayers and concerns..... I know that Apples posted my results earlier after we talked on the phone so you know I'm headed to Bismarck shortly to hopefully get "trigger point" injections in my shoulder and neck.... And will try to schedule the start of my intensive therapy for as soon as possible here in my little town... I've been hurting quite bad all night....very little sleep... Can hardly wait for shots or something to make this better........ Cross your fingers for me.....Bye now...... I'll be back when I can.... Hugs.... Julie

Hope this new treatment gives you some relief. Sounds like you have the right team working for you now.

I know of a nice Italian restaurant $20 buck I think it was and you get 3 course meal - that includes wine... I don't remember the name of it - but know where it is (by Bally's off the strip.. Nice dinner Friday & Saturday sounds good to me and a little slots :0) not much but a little - along w/hitting the outlets really fast &/or the mall...I can pick up a few too - I will empty my trunk...It will all work out..

well I gotta get to work - Hugs Apples on another one - Laura -lol ya we are a bunch of cry babies aren't we - hopefully someone will be able to skye you - Oh Phyl has a computer w/cam in it.. ok I gotta get to work.

Italian is my favorite, especially if wine is involved!! LOL

Just for the fun of it, I went to www.cheapcruises.com and looked at cruises from New Orleans in April. There's Carnival and Norwegian they both have 7 day cruises. Carnival is $509 for inside, $579 outside and $829 balcony. Norwegian is $529 inside, $579 outside and $799 balcony. I can get discounts on that for DH being an airline employee not sure if I can get more than one room. Just FYI I think the cheapest date was April 16 or something.

I'm always up for a cruise, and Norwegian is about my favorite. Like the dining room flexibility.. no assigned tables or times!

[LittleOleMeinFL 1]

Love the cruises Janet. Thanks for posting the links, I didn't know how to do all that. Personally I like Norwegian's Freestyle cruising, but I don't dislike Carnival just love to cruise.

Arlene, did you check out the 24hour Fitness deal? or are there none of those near you or do they not have pools by you? Good luck in your decision! And good luck with Dr Davis today.

Julie, did you get the first injection or PT yet? Hoping you get instant relief!

Laura, so how's it going? Still trying to find your 'routine'? Any decision on the HRT? For me, the night sweats and sleep issues lasted for 6 mos to a year really bad and then got better, still have occassional issues. I never took HRT so I am not sure if it got better as my body adjusted or how all that works. I also had the heart palipitations and that freaked me out. I can't imagine dealing with all that, a new job, volunteering and with a 6 yr old very active boy. My heart goes out to you.

Thanks Lori,

Yeah, I always say- I don't think God meant for women to have really young children and menopause at the same time! What a combo! The schedule will be ok. I know I need to lower my own personal expectation of all I get done. It's just a fact that the house work and all that jazz cannot get done on the days I am gone all day. Simple math. I'm just used to having things orderly and it makes me feel out of sorts when things aren't done. I literally cannot relax if there are things to be done or put up.

I started taking the OTC supplement, Remifemin - 70% reduction in menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.†

Many people swear by it. I wante to give it a try for a few weeks at least. If I am not having any improvement then I will have to do HRT. I cannot go days on end without sleep. It's just too much.

My Dad had his PET scan yesterday but won't get the results until Monday. It makes me so mad when you know a report is read on sitting on a physician's desk! But his oncologist doesn't work Fridays, so he can't get the results until his next appt on Monday. Just pure torture to make a patient and his family wait. Praying it will be ok. Not sure Dad will keep fighting if it is bad. My mom is a basket case with all this. Usually she is tough as nails. It's been a year now and she is losing her stamina. Dad still isn't eating/drinking much. So hard to watch him go downhill. SIGH.

Nelson is home from school. I better go. Just wanted to say hi and thanks everyone for thinking of me.

Julie, update us!!!!!!!!

I like the cruise idea too. There are even cheaper cruises out of Fort Lauderdale and Cape Canaveral (b/c the Bahamas is so close off short). But if more people will make it if it is central, then we should stick with N.O.. We will have to take a vote. I just have to decide what week before November (b/c we have to turn in DH's vacation requests for the upcoming year then. Yep- they have to plan their life a year in advance!)

Have a great weekend everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!! peasout..Laura

[Charlene K 1]

Well, I am back from Dr. Davis. I lost 2lb. He doesn't want me to count Protein and carbs......just focus on eating more fruit and veggies. He asked me what I ate on a typical day. I only ate fruit and veggies one meal a day. So I will try to eat more fruits and vegetables. He was very pleased with my progress. I even told him I made low carb muffins. When he started to fuss at me I just said "Hey, I gotta eat something sweet once in awhile". I didn't tell him about the 100 cal Snacks.

He was so excited about us meeting in Vegas. He asked how we met.......I told him Lap Band Talk. I didn't tell him about the thread........gotta keep some stuff private.lol He did say for me to keep up the walking to maintain my metabolism , but Water aerobics will help bring my weight down.

I gotta go again. We are meeting with a trainer at LA Fitness. We get a few free sessions.

Lori, we didn't go to 24 Hr because they don't have a pool. LA and the city are the only two in this town with pool.....oh, there is the YMCA, but they the pool is outdoors. We have smaller gyms in town with pools.....very expensive.

Laura......so sorry your dad is feeling bad again. I will put him back on my prayer list. Good luck with the natural stuff. I spent many, many nights hot and cold. I stuck my feet out of the covers and that did help a little. Now I just have insomnia.

Janet, some awesome cruises. I wonder if I could talk DH into going on a cruise to Belize. hmmmm Nah, he wants to stay for several days.....whatever......I would rather go on a cruise with Y'all.

[ladykcusa 1]

Phyll grrrrrr......ugly comments like the one posted on FB are envy and are made by insecure ppl. I'm sorry that you were hurt - I would have been too. Hugs, hugs

Lori - love the idea of Gd'ma condo in Denver. That will work perfectly.

[ladykcusa 1]

Laura - sorry your Dad is having issues again. And I can understand how difficult this has all been for your Mom. There is a limit to how much the care giver can stand. I've been thru it with my husband. Hugs and prayers.

Julie - how are you???

[IndioGirl55 32]

Phyl no problem w/the scooter - My trunk is pretty big - we can drop off our luggage and go back and p/u pple at airport.

Laura - Ya my DIL has to do the same w/vacation too...

OK We need to vote girls - the prices shown don't include air - but most of us get the 55+ discount :0)..

I don't think we want to go Easter week which in 2011 is 4/24

I'm cool with any date really - so who's in - hell we could go to belize w/charlene ;0) are you crusing..

Will have to wait for apples to come back on Tuesday..

[IndioGirl55 32]

Laura - Hugs on waiting

I just did a quick price ck on the one our of NO and included air for me total cost $1675 (approx and this is a balcony -ship is $950 air $722) that's just cruise and air - I would want to have 1 extra day in NO - I think before the cruise - cuz after you are pooped and just want to get home

For me it makes more sense to do a 7 day cruise as I have to pay air and it's the same if its 4 days vs 7 - so might as well get more bang for my buck..

Charlene - WTG Girl on your 2 lbs !!!! So you told your doc about us - he should have us on his t.v. show ;0)..

I sent a show suggestion to Oprah today - On 1/29 her audience should be made up of pple who share her bday (that would include ME) and they should invite ME ;0)

[kfields 0]

Thanks for welcoming me to the group. I should get my date soon. I am so excited and nervous if that makes since.

[sndycnrd 1]

Cheri – You put so much of yourself into your kids, whether they are your biological or school kids. You have so much heart.

Thank you Great and Eva, I still struggle but I think I’ve got it. Now the trick is to hold on to it. LOL

Janet, sorry you were without your Mom for so long. I lost mine 8 years ago and that feels like forever. Glad to hear you had a relationship with your Step-mon.

Phyl, what an awful thing for her to say. I am sorry she hurt you but be strong. Don’t let her get you down.

Charlene – LA fitness sounds great. The Water aerobic classes are a lot of fun; I am sure you would enjoy that! Congrats on the 2 lbs loss.

Janet – Those cruise prices look really good.

Laura, hugs on the menopause stuff. It was really rough for me but I am through it now. Just remember, it doesn’t last forever. I did hormone replacement at one point because it got so bad. I remember telling my doctor, when she didn’t want to renew my prescription, that I would sell myself on the street corner to get more. Whew! Thank goodness she renewed my prescription. I don’t think I would have had any takers considering I was always wet with perspiration.

I worked out for an hour today with my trainer. Going to the race track tonight with my husband for a "Night at the Races". It is a fund raiser for the fire department. Should be fun.

Edited September 17, 2010 by sndycnrd

[Charlene K 1]

Phyl no problem w/the scooter - My trunk is pretty big - we can drop off our luggage and go back and p/u pple at airport.

Laura - Ya my DIL has to do the same w/vacation too...

OK We need to vote girls - the prices shown don't include air - but most of us get the 55+ discount :0)..

I don't think we want to go Easter week which in 2011 is 4/24

I'm cool with any date really - so who's in - hell we could go to belize w/charlene ;0) are you crusing..

Will have to wait for apples to come back on Tuesday..

Yep, I will tell him. One of the nurses said he is still negotiating with Discovery Health. I haven't talk to him about it.

We are looking at Amber Gris Caye.......Ramon's Village Resort. One of my friends stayed there and said Ramon himself helped with the food. She said it is real laid back place right on the beach.

Well, we are going to share a trainer two nights a week. I will do Water aerobics during the day. We go tuesday night for our first training session.

Syndy.......you have done so good without the band.....keep it up!

Ladies.....I hope you have a great weekend!!!!

[Great2BThin 5]

Janet I am with you on the 7 day cruise and I don't even have to pay for my airfare. I did a shorter one once and heck as soon as you got settled and found your way around the ship it was time to go home. I would want to do a day before in New Orleans as well. And I like NCL over Carnival because of the freestyle cruising, but could go either way. A cruise is such a great vacation for a group of people because everyone can do their thing but we can always have dinner together at night and just hang out on the ship if we don't want to fill it with activities as well. To each her own. And food is so easy on a cruise as you can order whatever you want and they always have their 'spa' Entrees available. And they have a gym too, cause I am sure if you are along you are going to make us workout! LOL Trainer Janet!

Arlene, bummer on 24 hour not having a pool. One location near me does and the other doesn't but I can go to either one. In the winter I may go to the one with the pool, I usually go to the one w/o right now. Congrats on making the step to join!

[JeweI 2]

Well gang, sorry I can't keep up right now. Just a 15 months to go and I will be a nurse. I am getting so tired. I am so busy canstantly on the go. I do still wanna let yall know I am thinking of you and let yall know how things are going.

I had 2 exams last week. I passed them both. I have another one monday and I am feeling confident. I learned how to give shots this week and I think that is pretty cool.

Book fair is going well. I gotta have a meeting with the volunteers to get schedules aligned. Which means public speaking, scary.

My son was diagnosed with adhd this morning. I am trying to deal with it when really I just wanna cry. I have tried to work with adhd kids before and I know how difficult they can be. I am scared. We are going to try a combo of meds and therapy. I am already feeling a bit frustrated. My husband worked night shift last week. It was just me and jake all last week. I had to check myself a few times after snapping at him. I did some research and contacted his teacher about getting some assistance with the IDEA IEP or 504 plan. They give a student extra assistance in school. All the lingo about these plans are in legal jargon so I am struggling to decifer it. I emailed his teacher asking for contact info for the ese specialist. I told her 3 weeks ago I wanted him evaluated but have yet to hear anything.

My fill is really tight. I can only tolerate liquids in the morning and very little soft foods in the evening. I have lost 6 pounds the past 7 days. Last time I asked for a slight unfill things got out of hand and I ended up having no restriction for 3 months. Gained 15 pounds too. I am getting frustrated in that area. I can barely get in 4 ounces of food a day. Besides the 6 ounces of Protein shake I get in for Breakfast. This may be contributing to why I feel so run down. I also get a sharp stabbing pain in my throat when I eat solids. I am trying to stick to soft foods just because of that. I keep thinking I am doing something wrong like not chewing well enough. I feel like I am wearing a shock coller.

I am so tired I can't even determine if I spelled coller right. I am gonna go to bed. Got lots of studying to do this weekend.

Jewel - This is kinda long but I wanted to let you know you are not the only one that has dealt with this.

That happen to me as well with Alex when he was in elementary school. His Dr explained it to me that with ADHD a child has no deductive reasoning ( knowing what is right and wrong sometimes get mixed up in there brain) meaning that this part of his brain was not fully developed. Also where some kids get hyper when drinking soda it actually calms kids with ADHD down. ( We actually trid the 8oz of soda in the am and other methods before going to med route.) Example of what happened to make us decide to put him on Concerta was he threw a stone from the playground at a window at school when asked why he did not know why he did it. Thank goodness the window did not break and no one got hurt.

Now with some parents this is a touchy subject. i researched and researched before putting him on meds but with Concerta. He takes it before school when he gets up in the morning and when he gets home it is out of his system. Also the Dr said he only has to take it on days of school and not the weekend or the summer. He is 15 and some days he takes it and sometimes he doesn't. We were also told he should grow out of it and eventuley will not need it anymore and alot of times the child decides he does not want it.

Hope this helps in some way

Jessica,

Good for you on following through with Jake. chewable Vitamin D for kids is available. It is good for the brain but it is not a cure-all. Consider investigating Interactive Metronome. It's a form of occupational therapy done to a metronome that increases attention and processing skills. Not cheap but changes the brain, kind of rewires it.

Meds aren't always necessary, but I've seen children make almost miraculous gains once they're on them--both behaviourally and academically. But there's a lot of testing to go through first. Sensory issues, mild autism, and auditory processing issues can all present as ADHD or be present along with ADHD. The school will provide most of that testing if you insist on it. Check out his proprioceptive and vestibular senses as well. Had a kid this summer who appeared ADHD, but who couldn't sit still because he couldn't keep his balance or center his body.

I have to admit I'm not too fond of drama queens myself. So many of the kids I teach are addicted to drama. When there isn't any they create it. Dutch people from my background don't do drama. They could give the British lessons in being stoic. I have no patience for it. I love to act, but only on the stage or in front of a class when I'm trying to catch the kids attention and keep their interest. But anywhere else? I like a peaceful life. I refuse to fight with such people.

Gwen, have you tried the synvisc injections in your knees? They do help for a while. I bought myself some time before my double knee replacements by getting those injections.

Water exercise will help you strengthen your knees which makes you rebound from replacements much better. Losing the weight will also help reduce the pain prior to knee surgery, and you'll bounce back much faster after knee surgery.

Gotta go to bed now. Gotta sing in church tomorrow.

Cheri

OK... Continuing on.

Bus was LATE again. I wouldn't care if we had a covered shelter or if the bus came in front of our house- but it stops at the stop sign 1/3 mile away next to two vacant lots near the river. Think HOT, HUMID and BUGS. So 4 minutes late and the kids are all begging to be driven to school. BTW, not sure if you have these in other parts of the country(* No-see-ums are tiny biting flies that often live near Water. You often see many of themswarming together in a cloud. Keep your mouth shut or you might breathe some in or swallow them! (It won’t hurt you, but it will probably make you cough.) Biting midges are called no-see-ums because they’re so tiny that it is hard to see ‘um. No-see-ums are less than ¼ of an inch long.)

So, That was the bus drama.

Today I have to go to occupational health and finish up my pre-employment screening. PPD reading, lab results, etc. All my other stuff is in. (ACLS card, FL ARNP license, etc...), Now they are ordering my Rx stamp, monogrammed labcoat, etc. I guess next week I will be official! Tomorrow is orientation. They make us go to the hospital wide orientation and then the clinic one. I have one new dilemma- CLOTHES! I can't wear scrubs (which I have ALWAYS done for work). They require dressy casual. I always wore clogs (some comfy-good for your feet) made in Sweden or Germany kind. Also a no no. They want your foot front and back completely covered and no sports shoes. SIGH. I have big/wide feet and that's why I live in Florida b/c you don't have to own shoes that cover every part of your foot! So, shoe shopping is on the itinerary today. Wish me luck.

Let me try to remember what's going on with everyone:

Julie~ Oh hon, I am sorry the mayo consults didn't reveal an answer to your pain. As Eva and others have said- if it was an easy answer, your local drs would have figured it out. Hang in there. HUGS. Oh.... congrats on the new DGD!! wonderful news. : )

Janet~Glad you had a day to recharge the batteries. If anyone needs it/deserves it...YOU DO! : ) Nels wanted to check our farm and was upset that everything had died. Then after we planted he wanted to fly the biplane- I would die before I use really money for a game and shut FB off..LOL. I lost my ummmppphhh for FV.

Jessica~I am sorry you are having trouble with Jake at school. I agree with the others, that MUCH more evaluation needs to take place. I never think it's a good idea to just place a kid on medicine without a definitive diagnosis. He needs a thorough psycho-educational evaluation by a licensed pediatric neuro-psychologist. When Nelson was having some challenges in Kindergarten we had him tested. It put a lot of our fears to rest. His IQ was actually gifted. He did not have ADHD like one of his teachers thought. He was in the wrong environment for him. He needed a more structured environment. Montessori was NOT for him. He is not a self motivated kid- he likes someone to let him know what is expected of him and WHEN. He is thriving in the 1st grade in public school. Hugs with all that. It is time consuming and scary and you have a lot on your plate with your school too.

Great~Have fun in NO. LOVE that part of the country. food and people are yummy. Southern hospitality. Enjoy.

Eva~ You go girl! WTG on the walking! Glad you and DH are doing it together. It makes it so much better an enjoyable! I am waiting for the weather to get cooler here so I can finally get DH out of the AC!

Karen~Hope you are enjoying the lake and healing well.

LauraK~ hugs on the heartbreak city. We would never tell you I told you so- just unconditional love here. : ) Hang in there.

I know there is more... but I need to go get dressed. Will CBL peeps.

peasout...Laura

[Mrs. Bubba 0]

Sorry, gang, for being absent....... Things aren't going so well.... Will have to explain later.... Had 4 trigger point shots yesterday and therapy is scheduled for Monday........ Hope to have the where-with-all to post more tomorrow..... Hugs and love to all.......... Julie