What's Happening in Your Life?

[Molly]

Ugh, Molly, no wonder you were frustrated with a co-worker like that. Really does make working from home appealing!

If I could un-plug my phone and turn my Outlook off, it would be perfect!

I applied for 2 different positions today and checked the box that said it wsa OK to contact my immediate supervisor. Hope that wasn't a mistake. I like my immediate boss a lot. She's not the reason I'm thinking of bailing.

Talk about being isolated working from home! Today I needed my purse for something and couldn't find it anywhere. After searching the house 1000 times, I did the backwards thing, "when's the last time I had my purse" and realize that it was Monday night when hubby and I ran an errand in his truck. 2 entire days ago and I haven't needed my purse!

I remember, I drove to the store, and he drove home. Since I wasn't driving on the way home, I tossed my purse behind the seat in the truck cab. At least that's what I hoped.

Hubby has been out of town since yesterday morning and his truck has been parked in his company parking lot in S. Milwaukee. I called him when he and his co-workers had just arrived at the airport in Milwaukee, so as soon as he got back to work, he checked and thank goodness, my purse is behind the seat!

I used to be so much more with it when I was younger. :headscratch:

[MikeA]

"Working From Home"

Pros and Cons to it. I've been doing it since 1996.

I really miss some of the social atmosphere.

I don't miss being constantly interrupted while trying to trace down some illusive bug in a COBOL program!

I don't miss driving in heavy traffic every morning and afternoon. And I don't miss getting calls at 2am requiring a dash into work (and usually a speeding ticket!)

I don't miss The Boss looking over my shoulder while trying to catch up on a project that is behind schedule.

I don't miss having to dude up in a 3-piece suit nor the cleaning bills.

I don't miss having to get up 2 hours before starting work to get ready and make the drive in.

Honestly, working 8 hours from home is the equivalent of at least 16 hours work in the office when it comes to productive output. I was working at least 10 hours a day counting the drive in to the office and to that 2 hours of non-productive time, you would have to add at least 3 hours of BS that cost potentially productive hours.

When I started remote work, no one else in the company was doing it and all the Bosses were "suspicious" and very reluctant to accept employees who worked from home. Afraid they were not going to be giving a days work for a days pay. Today, there are about 1/2 of our staff working remotely including Supervisors who do not go in to the office.

Think of it from an employer's perspective. I don't know what they charge departments for a work station but it is considerable. They have to factor in the depreciation of the building plus all the security people's salaries, the janitors, pick-up and delivery, enormous communications expenses and that doesn't include the cost of the network and computers that are part of the work station along with the office furniture.

For remote employees, It's pretty much just a matter of supplying them with a computer and paying around $100 a month for a contract with AT&T that provides unliminted Long Distance in U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, UK and Germany. That same $100 also includes high speed Broadband.

That's pretty much it. Oh, they still have the benefits but those are the same whether you are working in an office or at home.

But you DO miss face to face encounters with fellow employees and management....sometimes.

[Troubadour]

Aw, Molly. Sorry you've been through the grinder lately. Hope things start getting easier for you - whatever you decide to do.

I've been a bit down/stressed lately due to work, too. We've had a few incidents in quick succession, which have left me feeling drained and exhausted. It's amazing how it catches up with you when you go home that evening. Another service user has moved in, and so we've basically been learning as we go along... trying to get to know him, to know his behaviours, his triggers, whilst dealing with the other guys and the (mostly negative) impact his arrival has had upon them. It's just been hectic lately.

I went to the doctors today because I have been suffering with back problems for a long time now. She is doing a test to check that there is no infection or anything, but she's pretty convinced it's muscular. She's given me some exercises to do and told me to take Ibuprofen regularly when it's bad, over a three-day period, to help with any inflammation. It's a pain (literally!) but I'm relieved it doesn't appear to be anything more sinister... I think it was worrying me more than I acknowledged. Also, I mentioned that I'd had a few palpitations over the past couple of weeks. She was quite concerned about this, especially when I told her that my Dad died of a heart attack when he was 44. My blood pressure and pulse were OK, but she told me to keep a note of any further palpitations and to go back immediately if they become more frequent or get worse. I wouldn't be surprised if it's just because I've been more het up lately, but I'm going to keep an eye on it, just incase.

On a positive note, I have been asked to be a Key Worker for one of the guys, which I was pleased about. It means I am responsible for liaising with his family, organising holidays, birthday presents, daycare, and ensuring that his room and clothing are in good condition, etc. I work well with this guy, so it's a nice bit of added responsibility. I won't be at this job forever, but it's nice to feel that I'm doing OK while I'm there!

[Brooke]

Troub, keep your chin up and take care. :fingerwag:

And take some Eagles/Don time. A sure remedy!

[MikeA]

Lou,

I'm certainly no Doctor, but do be careful with Ibuprofen. It can be horribly rough on your stomach. I had an Uncle whom we almost lost because of his intake of Ibuprofen. Literally ate a hole in his stomach and he almost bled to death.

If you are on a heavy regime of it, you might take an antacid (ROLAIDS or something like that) a half hour or so before you eat the Ibuprofen. Or, at least ask your Dr about it if you are taking a lot of it.

Lortab is safer and a lot more fun for backaches <LOL>

[EagleLady]

I take Ibuprofen for my toothache, and I am fine. I suppose it varies.

[ticky]

Lou,
Hehehehe Mike and his Lortab.. true tho.. it is a lot more fun and effective. I was taking 800mlg of Ibuprofen right before I had a pulmonary embolism and they said it *might* have been a contributing factor, but then there were a lot of contributing factors back then, but still be careful. I take vicodin for my aches and pains and, much like the lortab, its a LOT more fun *G* The doc's told me that it's relatively harmless other then it's addictive tendencies. It doesnt make the pain go away, but it makes you not care about the pain hehehe it's happy pills *G*
I hope you're back isnt too bad and the palpitations are probably stress related.
Be sure and take a LOT of me time when things get stressful at work. Your job has such a crazy high burn out rate and you can so quickly and easily become jaded and cynical. Hehehe you might try Yoga :wink: I actually DO use it a lot for RLS and arthritis . Mostly, take care of you! :hug:

[MikeA]

I take Ibuprofen for my toothache, and I am fine. I suppose it varies.

Yeah, infrequent "as needed" doses wouldn't be a problem EL. It's when you are taking Ibuprofen on a "maintenance" basis....800mg or more a day for instance....that's when you have to start worrying about your stomach not being able to process it. My Uncle's couldn't and they didn't realize it until he went critical.

Antacid is a cheap insurance.

[Prettymaid]

Molly and Troub, I'm sorry to hear about your stress at work. Mine seems to be cyclical. I'm stressed (or burnt out) for awhile. and then I'm fine. Stress is a funny thing, the harm it can do to you physically. I hope you find a way to de-stress. Take care of yourselves!

[TimothyBFan]

Lou--a great big hug from me to you! Hang in there and don't let it get you down to much. Stress can really add to any health problems also. Back problems are a horrible thing. I've never had them but my husband, my Mom and one of our best friends are chronic. Good luck Lou, I hope they get everything under control for you.

[Koala]

Troub,I hope your back gets better soon!


Molly and Troub, I'm sorry to hear about your stress at work, too!

For me it's also a bit stressful at the moment, I work at present on 3 schools.
In the morning I am in one school to help in the instruction ,
then I drive to the other school to supervise the children after school
and to help them with their homework!
Afterwards I drive to the next school and give there a table tennis - or a art course!

[sodascouts]

Glad you found that purse, Molly! I've done things like that many times - especially with my phone.

Koala, with so much to do, no wonder you're stressed!

Troub, I'm sorry to hear about your stress and health problems. Not fun. Let's hope they don't recur, but that means you're going to have to try and take it easy! Easier said than done, I know all too well. I'm glad to hear about your promotion at work, though.

[MikeA]

Ah, Table Tennis, Koala! Fond memories of that sport. Many nights in the basement of the Dormitory at the College I attended. I thought I was pretty good. I financed my poker games with winnings from Table Tennis and Snooker <LOL> I learned Table Tennis while working at the State Mental Hospital in Arkansas when I got out of High School. There were some very good players there believe it or not.

Then when I moved back to Arkansas from Texas in the early 70's, I joined a Table Tennis club in Little Rock. I only paid one month's dues though. I discovered that I could only play on the tables with the children of the Club Members. Those guys were GOOD! I couldn't even return one of their serves unless they "let" me!

[Brooke]

Mike, you will relate to my story here.

I am my own worst enemy, it seems. Last night I was finishing up the mowing and managed to back in to the water hydrant out by the garden. Now see, it has a huge rock, a big bush, and a 6 x 6 post by it to protect it on the driveway side. Well, I got it from the garden side! One more pass and I was done mowing! Grrrrr. So I put the mower away and checked out the hydrant. The handle is up by just an inch, so I shut it down. I can hear a slight hiss. I thought, oh noooooo. I went up the lane to check the water meter. At first it's not turning. Then......did that little triange thingy move? I watched a bit longer and yes, there it goes! Dang! I've managed to cause a water leak. Bummer! I checked the reading an hour later and it had only used 10 gallons, so it's not bad, but water leaks only get worse! Hubby is out of town all week, but called him for advice on what to do. Of course he wanted to know why I wasn't paying attention! I work for our local water company, so I know a bit about this stuff. I called my nephew in law and he will be here this afternoon! :yay: Ruined my evening for sure. :-x This morning on my way out, I checked the meter and it has only used 90 gallons, which includes 2 loads of laundry and a shower, so it's still not too bad. I managed to get the meter turned off with my handy crescent wrench, so it won't leak any more while I'm gone, at least. :rolleyes:

[MikeA]

Good luck on the Plumbing. As you know, I do NOT do plumbing! <smile>



Mike, you will relate to my story here.

I am my own worst enemy, it seems. Last night I was finishing up the mowing and managed to back in to the water hydrant out by the garden. Now see, it has a huge rock, a big bush, and a 6 x 6 post by it to protect it on the driveway side. Well, I got it from the garden side! One more pass and I was done mowing! Grrrrr. So I put the mower away and checked out the hydrant. The handle is up by just an inch, so I shut it down. I can hear a slight hiss. I thought, oh noooooo. I went up the lane to check the water meter. At first it's not turning. Then......did that little triange thingy move? I watched a bit longer and yes, there it goes! Dang! I've managed to cause a water leak. Bummer! I checked the reading an hour later and it had only used 10 gallons, so it's not bad, but water leaks only get worse! Hubby is out of town all week, but called him for advice on what to do. Of course he wanted to know why I wasn't paying attention! I work for our local water company, so I know a bit about this stuff. I called my nephew in law and he will be here this afternoon! :yay: Ruined my evening for sure. :-x This morning on my way out, I checked the meter and it has only used 90 gallons, which includes 2 loads of laundry and a shower, so it's still not too bad. I managed to get the meter turned off with my handy crescent wrench, so it won't leak any more while I'm gone, at least. :rolleyes:

[Prettymaid]

Oh no Brooke! At least you knew what to look for. And it sounds like our husbands got the same grade in sympathy class. :rolleyes:

[Molly]

Good grief, Brooke! Thank goodness you have some inside knowledge and are handy besides. A lot of women wouldn't have had a clue!

Your husband sounds like mine. The other night, I flushed a toilet in the house and it started running like crazy. Then it stopped. Then it started. First words out of his mouth..."What did you do to it???"

Well, see dear, I tried my super duper secret behind the back flush just for shtz and giggles. Sorry the toilet didn't appreciate my astounding feat.

After a lot of staring inside the tank and a random jiggle or two, my handyman managed to fix the stupid thing.

Thanks again everyone for the good work wishes. I was fed up enough this week to update the ole resume and I already have a job interview at a local clinic on Wednesday. Don't know if it's really what I want (it's a superviory position), but it never hurts to see what's out there.

[Brooke]

Good luck Molly! It doesn't hurt to look, that's for sure!

[sodascouts]

Ah, plumbing trauma! At least I can get my apartment complex to take care of mine... in about a month or so.

Molly, maybe when your supervisor gets contacted by the other place it will be a wake-up call to them that if they don't treat you better, they'll lose you.

[Brooke]

Ah, plumbing trauma! At least I can get my apartment complex to take care of mine... in about a month or so.


Yeah. The bad thing is, this fix takes heavy equipment like a backhoe. Jiggling parts doesn't work! Still mad at myself. :-x

[ticky]

I have had some really wonderful news, but it's kind of hard to explain. I dont remember if I've told all the older members (long time.. not old) about my brother. He was arrested and incarcerated for 8 years for a crime he was innocent of. (Of which he was innocent?.. whatever) He didnt do it. BUT he was convicted and sent to prison on the other side of the state, about a 7 or 8 hour drive from Portland. I cant really get into the crime itself as it's a LONG and ugly story. HOWEVER, he will be coming home in the spring and TODAY we found out he's been moved to a MINIMAL SECURITY place on the other side of town!!! Because of the distance and the requirements to visit the Maximum Security prison, I havent seen him for 7 years. I get to see him next week and he gets to meet Sarah for the first time. I cant even begin to tell you all how much this means to me and my family. It's the first step in his home coming.

[Peekaboo]

It's been somewhat of a odd, draining, and sad week for me. First, one of my Aunt's went into the hospital monday morning. She was diagnosed with Lupus about 4 years ago and it has really taken it's toll on her over the last year and a half. Lupus can attack any major organ and her lupus is settled in her brain. It causes her to have seizures and almost constant migrains. She went in for more tests on her brain and was finally released this morning. It's been difficult finding the right doctor to care for her illness and we're hoping this doctor will be the one to give her more help.

The second thing, my brother had to go back to see an eye specialist on tuesday. He's 30 years old now but when he was 14 he had to have surgery because he had a hole in his left eye. I think it was called a detached retina. He was really good at sports (football, basketball, baseball) but he had to quit all of them because the doctor said that if he was to take a hit to the head he could possibly go blind. I know he was really crushed about that, especially since he was such a great all-around athlete. Over this past weekend, he was seeing some sort of film on his eye and it was making his vision blurry. He went back to the same eye specialists and, thankfully, they said there wasn't a tear and that he would not need surgery. They did say that there is some minor bleeding which was the film that he was seeing and they are going to be checking up on him again soon. Hopefully all of that will be helped by the medicine they gave him and that he won't need to have surgery again. Although I was only 9 when that happened, I still remember all of the pain and heartache he went through.

The third, I just arrived home a few hours ago and recieved a message from a friend that a former teammate of ours was killed in Afghanistan on Monday. I can't beleive it. He was such a wonderful guy. I'll never forget how his smile could light up a room. I was on the track team with him in college. He was such a hard worker and was always pushing all of his teammates to do the best they could. He was the guy that kept everyone laughing during our long road trips to the many track meets we went to. I'm so blessed to have known him and am so proud that he went on after college to serve our country the way that he did. He will be forever missed.

The first link features a video from a local tv station

http://www.ksbitv.com/news/59533822.html

http://www.newsok.com/article/3401182

[sodascouts]

ticky, I'm so glad your brother is finally coming home. I can only imagine the ordeal that was.

Peek - I'm so sorry to hear that more health problems are occurring in your family, and I too hope the medicine helps. The story of your teammate is both tragic and moving. I feel so honored to have people like him fighting for our country, but it's such a terrible shame when they lose their lives. I'll be praying for his family as well as yours.

[Brooke]

Ticky, that is wonderful for you and your family.

Peek, sad news all around. I hope everything works out. What a tragedy for your friend.

I'll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

[Molly]

Ticky, I'm happy for your family.
Jess, what a week! Good thoughts being sent for your family and friends.

[ticky]

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. We're heading south for the weekend. We wont be able to see Jon till next weekend, but Im looking forward to a lot of visits.

Jess, :hug: Im so sorry for all your tough times. Love to you and your family. Your friend/Teammate sounds like a truly brave and honorable man. Im sorry for his loss. Take care of you. It sounds like your family needs you.

I'll be spending time with Wild/Cami and MIL and my cousin Kathy this weekend so we should have a great time!
I'll be checking in from down there, Have a great weekend!!

[Troubadour]

So sorry to hear your bad news, Jess. It sounds like your friend was a wonderful guy. It's always so hard to wrap your head around these things.

I hope everything goes well for your brother and your aunt. I'll keep them in my thoughts. Make sure you take a bit of time out when you can - I hope things start to look up over the next few days.

Big hugs.

[Troubadour]

I meant to say... Rhonda, I don't know the story, but I can feel the excitement emanating from your posts. I'm so pleased for you and your brother. I imagine it's been one hell of an ordeal for your family. Your first meeting in seven years is bound to be incredibly emotional! Let us know how it goes. We'll be thinking of you.

Also, thank you all for your kind words and virtual hugs. It really does mean a lot.

[Koala]

Peek - I'm so sorry to hear about the health problems in your family and about the tragedy of your teammate.
Ticky, I don´t know the story too, but this must be wonderful for you and your family.
Mike, like your Table Tennis story!

[MikeA]

Jess....LOVE to y'uns! They'll be makin up songs about those guys in Iraq. At least I hope they do! They deserve it.

Can't wait to meet Jon Rhonda! We'll be jammin' virtually in no time now!!!!!!!

Finished with the Family Reunion yesterday. It was eventful <LOL> When Clair sat down after getting everyone's attention, the cord that plugged in his violin popped out of the amp and he played the first song unplugged...I'm afraid I drowned him out. I knew something didn't "sound right" but it wasn't until the end of the song that it dawned on me that he was "unplugged".

I admit to missing a chord in one of the progressions. These are "simple" songs to play and there is no excuse for it other than I just can't seem to get the feel of a violin in my ear and have to count the measures between chord changes. I got off and had to catch up <LOL> I don't know if anyone noticed or not, if they did they were too polite to mention it.

And we did get a request to play San Antonio Rose as an encore <LOL>. Actually, a family whose Father died earlier in the year requested it because it was his favorite song.

So after getting my first taste of Bluegrass and Old-School Country, I think I'll stick with Rock and Blues.

I did get to kick it up a couple of notches though. During our "sound check" while people were setting up the tables and chairs in the community building where we were having the reunion, we played a Waltz that Clair (my Father-In-Law) had written. After we tweaked the mix a little to balance the audio to the huge room, Clair was putting his fiddle up and one of my nieces asked me to play some Eagles! Oh they know I love Eagles but don't think she though I knew any of their songs. Especially on my acoustic.

So I gave it to them! It actually sounded pretty good coming off the acoustic with a lot of reverb and chorus. I didn't want to mess with the amp after the check. I played it a couple of keys lower than I normally play it because I didn't want to pull my capo out of the case and mess up my tunning on the guitar. But it was all "relative" to the real key so they couldn't tell any difference.

It was all a lot of fun except for having to lug that 50 pound amplifier around! Acoustasonic Jrs are HEAVY! Thank God for VOX and Marshall <LOL>

https://eaglesonlinecentral.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=558

[glenneaglesfan]

Great picture, Mike, and glad the reunion went well, despite technical hitches!

Jess, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend in Afghanistan. It's so sad that so many brave young men and women are losing their lives in what sometimes seems an unwinnable war. I hope your brother and aunt have some positive news about their health problems soon.

Ticky, that's terrific news. Best of luck to you and your brother. Hopefully, both of you can move on now.

Molly, best of luck with your new job application, and sympathies about that "manager". It seems the least personable people get put into these jobs.

Troub, best of luck with your new client. I admire you for working with people that many others could not cope with.

[Molly]

Well, I had another meeting today with the same people that gave me such fits last week. This one had a totally different outcome.

I went in with detailed notes about the project I've been working on. Funny how it seems like the managers and directors have all these fantastic ideas about how something should be done, but it's really the little "worker bees" that have to make it become a reality.

Anyway, when my boss read thru my notes she got excited and asked me to type them up quicky and give them to her. She distrubuted them at the meeting and they really gave her the leverage she needed to "combat" the pushy manager who walked all over us last week.

Funny, I only kept the notes for myself so I could keep track of my thoughts. Had no idea they would help me win a battle my boss and I have been waging for months!

Plus-I had my first interview today and they would like me to come back on Monday. And, I heard from another company that I applied to, and I'll be talking to them on Friday.

I'm certainly have a better outlook than I did this time last week!

Thanks again to all my Border friends for your support! :thumbsup:

[MikeA]

It's all in the Karma Molly! Good on ya!

[sodascouts]

I'm not surprised, Molly. You got it goin' on!

[TimothyBFan]

Wow Molly--what a difference a week makes!!! Extremely happy for you. Things are looking up. Good luck!!

[Brooke]

Great news Molly! Lots of luck to ya! :thumbsup:

[MikeA]

The good news is that she wasn't hurt and she made it home in one piece...sort of. Really shook up!

She was coming home at dusk an was just outside of town. A deer jumped into the road and from the looks of the car, just barely missed a head on! From the dents, it hit just behind the front bumper on the driver's side of the car with the car going 55.

It busted the windshield and left a deer-head indention right in front of the steering wheel. With a shattered but semi intact windshield and no wiper, she made it home...some 50 miles, IN THE RAIN! As far as we know, she just has a sore knee where it probably hit the steering column.

A State Trooper got to the scene just as the 911 call came in on his radio. He must have been patrolling the highway and couldn't have been more than a half mile behind her. He did the accident report and told her that there was nothing rubbing the tires and nothing was leaking from the engine except rain water. The side mirror was hanging by a wire that he cut off laying the mirror (covered in deer hair) in the back floorboard. All the lights were working and the car seemed drivable in normal conditions...he said it was okay to drive it home if she though she could see around that crushed windshield.

After she got home (she refused to wait on me to go pick her up!) we looked at the damage and it was surprisingly little compared to what most vehicles and occupants suffer after a collision with a deer. The front quarter panel and both doors on the driver's side will have to be replaced and the windshield and drivers side mirror will have to be replaced. And the driver's windshield wiper assembly.

But Verna is OKAY! I'm a nervous wreck! We talked via cell phone the entire trip with me watching radar on Weather-Underground warning her of weather conditions. She was driving home on county roads...narrow and dark and prone to deer crossing the roads, but she didn't want to take the much higher speed highway so if anything did happen, it would be basically on a road with no traffic. I had my keys in hand and the garage door opened to make a mad dash to get her!

But she made it home okay. And her car is NOT totaled. And most importantly, she is not hurt other than needing a bottle of Valium to try to get to sleep with!

[ticky]

Awe Mike!! Thank God!!! How frightening!! Verna is a rock! I would have been a blubbering mass. Best to her. Im so glad she's okay! You too *G*

went to see my big brother tonight. He looks great, well great as someone can look in that case.. HE got some really great news about his case and there could be some amazing miracles happening for us.. time to buy another lottery ticket!!!
we had a really good visit and it was wonderful to see him. I plan on going again as often as I can. BTW, Jon say Hi everybody LOL

[GlennLover]

Mike, thank God Verna is OK! That is all that matters.

Ticky, I'm praying for good things for your brother.:pray: So glad that you had a nice visit.

[Glennsallnighter]

Molly! I'm glad things are taking a turn for the better at work. Hopefully it'll stay that way.

Mike! Thank God Verna is ok! Thats the beat outcome from any accident. Cars can be repaired or replaced far easier than people. Hope she enjoyed the valium.:)

Jess I too am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend in Afghanistan. I'll keep him in my prayers.

Ticky, Great news about your brother and I'm delighted you have gotten tp see him. I'll light a candle for him (being Irish and all that) and keep the good vibes going.

Well I haven't had more than a few rushed visits to the Border over the last few weeks as I'm now well back to work. Im up early in the morning and really need my wits about me, so my late weeknights here are gone. Its also very challenging teaching in 'disadvantaged' schoool. You have a lot of fun with the students, but its a tiring day. However I am thinking about you all and send good wishes to everybody, particularly those who are going through health, work or other difficulties these days.

Oh I've had a new mug made for my coffee breaks. I've to pick it up today!

[MikeA]

Rhonda:

I'll switch to my "lucky" BlackJack hat for you and Jon and will wear it until the "news" is revealed!


http://www.mvabercrombie.net/Emoticons/thumbs/thumb_x_j0428117.jpg

[Brooke]

Mike! I'm so glad you are all Ok! Those deer accidents can be very upsetting.

Ticky, glad to hear your visit with your brother went well and good luck with all that's happening.

Ga, best of luck at work!

[Molly]

Mike, thank goodness everything turned out as well as it did. I agree, your wife is one tough lady!

It's coming up on deer season around here as well. The does are easy to see and they have their babies in tow. Your post reminded me that it's time to start being vigilant again.

ticky-here's hoping for continued good news for your brother!

GA-I admire you. I don't think I have the patience anymore to work with kids all day. Teachers have my greatest admiration.

Well, not such good news on the "job hunting" front. My Monday interview was cancelled as they chose someone with not nearly the practical experience that I have, but with managerial experience, which I don't have. I'm pretty OK with not getting any further with this particular job-I was never sure it was right for me, anyway.

But, I think my boss may be on to the fact that I'm hunting in the first place. Issues I've had for months have been suddenly resolved and she's touching base with me more frequently instead of leaving me hanging in limbo. We'll see how long all this new found attention lasts. :)

[sodascouts]

Mike - so glad to hear Verna is OK! I would have freaked out but it sounds like she kept her cool, even if she did get shaken up.

ticky - I'm glad to hear things are going well with your brother, considering. I hope those miracles happen for your brother and you family. (Hi Jon! lol)

GA - thinking of you, too! I know it's tiring. Hope things go well, despite the difficult circumstances.

Molly - I'm glad they've realized you are an asset they can ill-afford to lose. I hope they continue to remember that!

[cynd1231]

Spent the day at Balloon Fiesta Park today helping with the final push to get ready for the big event which kicks off next Saturday. Will be out there every day this week from 7 a.m. until ????? at night. Last year we didn't get off the field until after midnight on Friday night and had to be back at 5 a.m. on Saturday morning. Hopefully this year we've got things under control.......

Will post a few pictures once Fiesta starts!

[Koala]

GA, best of luck and hopefully a lot of fun at work!
I know it's not always easy to work with children!

Ticky, glad to hear the good news!

Mike, glad to hear all Ok!

[Glennsallnighter]

Oh things are going fine thanks Koala although I skipped Freyday as I have a rotten cold/chesty thing. Its improved so I headed back today. I've had some weekend. On Saturday evening my F-I-L fell why trying to answer the phone. Hubby went straight down to him and he was in a lot of pain. So they went to the hospital and waited 6 hours (until 4:30am) for him to be told (without an x-ray) that nothing was wrong and to take solpadeine. He is still in pain but its not serious.
Then this morning when I got into the car to go to work I realised that my Sat Nav had been stolen from the car overnight. The thief had also gone through my glove box but as far as I can see didn't take anything.
Obviously his taste in music doesn't run to Eagles, Don henley or Glenn :heart: Frey because all my cds were still in the car (Thank YOU GOD!!)

Oh I suppose, it could be worse...... a SatNav can be replaced.

[Prettymaid]

My best to everyone who has been posting here for the past week. I've kept up with this thread and my thoughts are with you all.

[TimothyBFan]

Mike--so glad Verna came away unscathed considering. Deer are really stupid creatures--Larry & I have both been hit (yes the deer hit the sides of our cars-while I was at a dead stop!). They can do a lot of damage. They are thick around here also and with hunting season coming up, it's only going to get worse.

Ticky, that is really great news about Jon. Glad to here things are going well.

GA--hope your cold his subsiding. Sorry to hear about the break in also. No accounting for some people's bad taste in music tho. :eyebrow: Glad they left behind your cds.

[lynnzop]

Wow, catching up on everything...so much going on!

Deer season here too...the "bad" thing is that they are on the move all day long, not just at dusk/dawn. Since we live in the country, I have to be extra careful when driving to work or coming home. Glad your wife is okay, Mike!

Ticky, read your story about your brother...sounds like he has gone through hell along with your family. I'm glad he's closer and you are able to see him. Good thoughts go out to you guys.

Molly, sorry to hear about the interview cancelling, but maybe your boss realized just how important your contribution is and got a wake up call! Hopefully things will start going more smoothly for you.

Around here, I did a craft show over the weekend, made applesauce all day yesterday. Son has a bad cold and I'm keeping him home today - hoping it's nothing more than a cold. Dr. appt later this morning.

[sodascouts]

GA - that stinks about your nav system! Did they break your window or anything like that? I always stick mine in the little compartment between the seats in the front seat whenever I park for just this reason. We shouldn't have to worry about crap like that. What a shame. :(


lynnzop - hope your husband gets well soon!

[MikeA]

I've had some "close encounters" with deer myself. Possibly the closest was while riding a motorcycle. A friend and I had undertaken a challenge to ride to the 4 corners of the State of Kansas in 48 hours, start to finish. We made two corners the first 24 hours on the road and 750 miles. The second "day" we had completed hitting the last corner and just had the 200+ miles ride to get home to beat the clock.

It was full on dark and we were coming out of Greensberg (the place that was wipped out by a tornado a couple of years ago) and accelerating to highway speeds when my riding companion pulled up beside me and waved me over to the side of the road. He told me that a deer had jumped from the side of the road straight at me! He didn't see how it could have missed me because he had to nail his brakes to avoid hitting him, and we were riding close together with me in the lead.

Problem was that with a scratched up windscreen on the bike and a full helmet with the visor down, my vision wasn't that good and I never saw it!

Getting hit by a deer in a car or truck is bad enough. Almost always totals the vehicle or at least does thousands of dollars in damage. But getting hit by one on a motorcycle at highway speeds is usually death regardless of whether you are wearing a helmet or not.

I quit riding not too long after that happened.

[Glennsallnighter]

No! There was no forced entry into the car because :blush: I think I forgot to lock the car overnight :blush:. I had a lot to carry in yeaterday evening and must've been distracted. Anyway it would have given me more grief if the window HAD been smashed. It could have been a LOT worse. My ipod is often in the glove box but luckily was in my handbag, Even the HANDBAG has been known to reside in the car overnight!

No More!! :lol:

[TimothyBFan]

No! There was no forced entry into the car because :blush: I think I forgot to lock the car overnight :blush:. I had a lot to carry in yeaterday evening and must've been distracted. Anyway it would have given me more grief if the window HAD been smashed. It could have been a LOT worse. My ipod is often in the glove box but luckily was in my handbag, Even the HANDBAG has been known to reside in the car overnight!

No More!! :lol:

:fingerwag::fingerwag::fingerwag: Live and learn missy!!! :wink:

[MikeA]

I can remember never locking a car. Leaving car keys in it too. We had angle parking in the Arkansas town I was raised in and it had parking meters. It was common practice to leave several nickels on the dashboard with the window rolled down so the metermaid could reach in and plug the meter for us instead of writing a parking ticket too.

Most houses didn't even have locks on the doors. When we went on vacation, we had neighbors pick up the mail and gather tomatoes and other produce from the garden and bring it in and leave it in the "icebox" (Fridge I guess they are called now).

Kids would ride bicycles for miles in the suburbs and no one thought anything about it other than to worry a little that they might have wrecked and skinned a knee. Same thing with Halloween...we would walk through neighborhoods covering a 10 mile square and we NEVER threw away candy or apples or anything else unless we just didn't want it...and if that was the case, we usually politely refused it when it was offered.

Things have sure changed since the 1950's!

[Molly]

I can remember never locking a car. Leaving car keys in it too. We had angle parking in the Arkansas town I was raised in and it had parking meters. It was common practice to leave several nickels on the dashboard with the window rolled down so the metermaid could reach in and plug the meter for us instead of writing a parking ticket too.

Most houses didn't even have locks on the doors. When we went on vacation, we had neighbors pick up the mail and gather tomatoes and other produce from the garden and bring it in and leave it in the "icebox" (Fridge I guess they are called now).

Kids would ride bicycles for miles in the suburbs and no one thought anything about it other than to worry a little that they might have wrecked and skinned a knee. Same thing with Halloween...we would walk through neighborhoods covering a 10 mile square and we NEVER threw away candy or apples or anything else unless we just didn't want it...and if that was the case, we usually politely refused it when it was offered.

Things have sure changed since the 1950's!

1950's! I grew up in a town like that in the 1970's!

My kids can't believe it when I tell them how we went trick or treating my ourselves at night. No adults. Didn't think twice about going up to a strange house where a strange man was waiting to answer the door. And we wore masks that obscured our vision and costumes that were flammable! Now that was fun! :thumbsup:

[Glennsallnighter]

I'll bet it was. One wet day in about 1973 my mum asked the man next door to look after my baby brother so she could pick up myself and my sister. Instead he volunteered to pick us up. As soon as we saw him we knew that as a neighbour we cold trust him and he took about 15 kids home in his Morris Minor! Imagine that happening today!

Incidentally thats the only thing that has ever been stolen from my car in 12 years living here (and NUMEROUS times leaving it open). However we only heard last week that with the recession biting deep here there have been a lot of opportunistic crimes in the city over the past few months. Oh well. As I said before. It could have been worse.

[lynnzop]

Oy Mike...I've hit a deer in a car (twice unfortunately) and can't even imagine hitting one on a bike. Shudder just to think of it.

Nancy, thanks for the well wishes...actually my son, not hubby. He's got bronchitis and flu. Poor little bugger, it's Homecoming week too, so we're hoping he's better by Friday - he's the school mascot at the football games and of course the Big Dance is on Saturday!!!

Choir tonite. Among other things, we're doing Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. As a 1st soprano, it's a challenge, let me tell ya. Screeeeeeee

Just curious...I know Mike plays (guitar AND drums?)...how many other Borderers are musicians?

[Koala]

GA, that they have stolen your navigation is annoying, but luckily they had no taste in music, otherwise your CDs would be also away now!
That would be doubly annoying !

Normally, I close my car but now and then I forget it, and unfortunately, every time when I leave my bag in the car! As yet, nothing has been stolen, fortunately!


A deer I have fortunately not yet over-drive but 1 or 2 years ago ran on the highway a fox in our car! With a bike I would not like to make this experience!

[MikeA]

Things have sure changed since the 50's and 60's, even in my home town. Do any of you remember that Burt Reynolds film "White Lightning?" It was filmed in Benton, Arkansas for the most part...a town of maybe 10,000 between Little Rock and Hot Springs.

In Arkansas back then, we didn't have Meth Labs...we had moonshine stills back in the Ozarks. SERIOUSLY! Well, I said "We" but I meant "Someone". As far as I know, none of my relatives had them...but in Arkansas, you never know! :hilarious:

[EasyFeeling]

OMG, I'm way behind this thread :sad: I really need some time to catch up a little bit.
I hope everyone is doing well.

An update what happened in my life... I had some tests this month and everything turned out well. Thank God, they found nothing. As a matter of fact they can not exactly say what it was... it might be possible it was a TIA (thanks Soda for explaining it to Brooke) just as something else.
I don't need to take the inhibitors anymore but I want the neurologist to check the carotid artery, so this happens in November.

I'm still struggling with the panic attacks which is really annoying :brickwall: But the doctor said it just takes some time to get rid of it. First I have to learn to deal with it in the right way.

Some of you know about my aunt in the USA... her husband is in the hospice :sad: you know what this means :sad: it's really sad, his new kidney worked for 2 years. His health situation got worse and worse the last months. I feel so sorry for him and for my aunt. I hope she's strong enough. It must be hard to take to see him dying. :sad:

[sodascouts]

Michaela, thanks for the update! I've been thinking of you. I hope your panic attacks stop soon.

It's too bad about your uncle. It must be very hard indeed for your aunt to see him this way. I can only imagine what that is like.

[EasyFeeling]

Hi Nancy, good to see you :grin: I've missed you all! I remember the last time I stopped by I've read you were not feeling well... I hope everything is ok?

[Brooke]

EF, great to hear from you and that things are going well. I'm so sorry about your uncle. I guess I haven't updated about my Dad for a while. He is also in hospice now, so I know what it's like. He still knows us while we are there, but is bedfast and doesn't remember much else. At least he doesn't have any pain. My Mom goes and stays almost all day, every day with him. It's very hard for her, but she is taking it all very well. We are just waiting and watching him slip away.

[EasyFeeling]

Oh Brooke, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad :sad: At least they can go without any pain.

[sodascouts]

Oh, I'm fine, Michaela. Nothing worse than the usual! The dizziness turned out to be nothing.

Brooke - I got a little choked up reading about your dad and how your mom is literally staying by his side until the end. How very hard for all of you.

[Glennsallnighter]

EF! I'm glad you are ok and that there is nothing serious wrong. I hope that the panic attacks subside too. I'm very sorry for your uncle. I hope he remains out of pain and in peace.

And Brooke too :hug: I know how hard it must be for you, your family and your mom. I know your parents have been together for decades and its a testament to them that they have had such a successful marriage. I hope your dad too remains out of pain and and peaceful to the end. Hospices are wonderful places.

[Molly]

Michaela, good to hear from you. I'm glad you're getting your medical mysteries solved. Hang in there as you work to control your panic attcks. It sounds like you're on the right path. We're all pulling for you. Just know that it takes time.

Sorry to hear about your uncle. I have a friend that's struggling to get back on her feet after a kidney transplant last Christmas. I worry about her-she's still a long way from feeling good.

Brooke, I'm so sorry you have to endure these slow sad days with your dad. I went thru it with my dad 11 years ago. My family all got a lot of strength from one another. I wish you and your family the same strength and peace of mind.

[Koala]

Michaela, nice to hear from you!:) I hope your panic attacks stop soon.
I´m sorry to hear about your uncle.

Brooke, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad, it must be a hard time for you and your family.

[AmarilloByMorning]

Hey Michaela, I experience regular panic attacks as well. Regrettably I cannot impart any semblance of wisdom regarding them, though for what it's worth I offer my empathy, and the assurance that you're not alone. I'm sorry about your uncle; those words seem so inconsequential compared to what your family is certainly experiencing.

[EasyFeeling]

Soda, I'm glad there's nothing :)

Thank you all for your kind words. ABM, sorry to hear that. Before I started to read in forums for this subject I didn't know how many people have these attacks. And I always thought this would never happen to me, NEVER. Oh well, I was wrong.
Molly, I hope your friend feels better soon.

My mom just called me... my uncle passed away peacefully. :-(

[Brooke]

I'm so sorry EF.

[EagleLady]

I am so sorry for your Loss EF.

[sodascouts]

So sorry to hear that.

[EasyFeeling]

Thank you. I feel so sorry for my aunt... she would like to have her sister at her side now to comfort her, but that's impossible temporarily.

[Molly]

Sorry for your loss, Michaela.

[Koala]

Michaela, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss!

[GlennLover]

You'll be in my prayers, EF.

[Troubadour]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, EF. Stay strong. I hope the panic attacks stop soon, too. Here's a big hug from all of us :grouphug:

[Maleah]

EF I'm SO sorry to hear about your uncle! :( Please know that we'll all keep you in our thoughts and prayers! I'm also sorry to hear that you've been struggling with panic attacks! I don't know that I've ever had one, but I had a moment where I THOUGHT I was having one and it was horrible!!


I don't check into this part of the board NEARLY enough, which is bad on my part. There is so much going on in each of our lives and it's such a great group of friends here that listen when we vent, pray for us in times of sadness, encourage during difficult times.....I need to be a part of that instead of just remembering to pop in here when I'M going through something. lol

However, that being said, let me fill you in on what's going on in my life right now. My nephew (who is more like my little brother) got married in July to an awesome girl who I love dearly. When I gained her, as what I call a niece-in-law, I also gained her family.....who are ALL absolutely amazing. Some of the dearest people you could EVER meet. Well, my niece-in-law's sister-in-law (who is only 25 years old) went in to have emergency appendectomy a couple of months ago and when they removed her appendix they discovered that the problem was actually a tumor and that it had ruptured and leaked mucin into her abdominal cavity. That mucus is now atttaching itself to her organs, causing a rare form of abdominal cancer called Mucinous Adenocarcinoma. The cancer has spread to her ENTIRE abdominal cavity and is not curable. On October 21st she will fly down to Texas to have surgery where they will remove all of her organs, scrape the disease off of them, rub chemo into each organ, and then put them back and sow her up. They will be removing any organ that she can live without. It's a 24 hour surgery and one that she will most likely have to have again several times in her life. Obviously she is terrified and her husband and 2 year old daughter are too. We're having a Breakfast Benefit/Silent Auction for her on Oct. 11 so I'm busy trying to find businesses to donate money or items for the auction. I wish that I had more time...maybe I could get Timothy to donate something (since he's pretty much the only one we can get ahold of. lol) This is obviously a very stressful time for everyone and I wish that there were more that I could do. Anyway, if you guys could pray for Amber and her family it would be much appreciated. Also if you could pray that this event would be a great success and would help them out immensely!!! Thanks for reading!

If you guys would like to read her story or stay updated with the situation, you can read it all at her caring page site:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/amberbain

[EagleLady]

Oh My prayers are with Amber during this difficult time.

[Wildthyme]

Wow Maleah... I will think good thoughts for this young woman. I read some of her blog that you linked to and she seems like a really strong, positive, and good person and I truly wish her the best in dealing with this.

[glenneaglesfan]

Oh, I've got so much catching up to do.

Maleah, my heartfelt thoughts go to Amber and you and all her freinds and relatives. I hope the surgery is successful and that the auction goes well.

Michaela, so sorry about your uncle. I'm glad to hear that your tests were ok. I have had a couple of panic attacks too, but they will pass. I know you are a strong person.

Brooke, I'm so sad to hear about your father. He is in the best place now, and your mother is giving him her best. I'll be thinking of you.

Mike, glad Verna is ok.

Lisa, glad the new job is going well, if quite tough. I admire you for handling kids - like Molly, I could never teach - trying to help at Cub Scouts showed me that! Sorry about your satnav, but glad your cds survived. Are you going to show us your new mug?!;)

Molly, congratulations on your positive contribution to your meeting, and hope that either your present job improves, or that you get something new that you apply for. Your deserve it!

Lynnzop, hope the Hallelujah chorus went well. I've sung that a few times, also 1st sop, although I think I'd be a bit squeaky these days!

We packed Mark (younger son) off to Reading last weekend to start university. His only contact so far has been to ask if we can order some books for him! Phil, my older son, has also started back to repeat his second year, but will be living at home this year, which I'm secretly pleased about.

[MikeA]

MALEAH

I'm totally speechless!

[Koala]

Maleah, Amber and her familiy are in my thoughts and prayers.

[TimothyBFan]

WOW--So much going on in everyone's lives.

Maleah--How very horrible for Amber and so young. I hope the fundraiser is a success and helps them out. My thoughts are with both your families.

EF--I am so sorry for the loss of your uncle. Thoughts are also with your family in this time.

gef-Good luck to your son. Hope everything goes well for all of you.

Brooke-I know how hard it is for all of you but especially your Mom. I went thru the same thing with my parents 2 years ago. It's not easy seeing your father like that but I also know how hard it is to see your mother coping with it also. Good luck to all of you.

[lynnzop]

EF, so sorry to hear about your uncle.

Maleah, oh my word...I've never heard of such a thing. Amber's in my thoughts and prayers, as well as the rest of the family.

Brooke - ditto for your dad and mom.

(((hugs))) all around!

Reading through all the difficulties y'all are going thru reminds me of how good I have it right now. We are all reasonably healthy, have jobs, and generally good things going on. I'm humbled by the strength and compassion of the folks in this group.

[Peekaboo]

Maleah, my goodness. I'm sending good thoughts and prayers to Amber and her family and to you too.

Brooke, thoughts and prayers are being sent your way as well. Times are tough but I know you are a strong person. My best to you and your family.

EF, I'm so very sorry to hear about your uncle. I also lost an uncle earlier this year so i can relate to what your going through. I sure hope that things get better with your panic attacks. You know that we are all here for you (same goes to everyone else).

Mike, that sucks that Verna had to go through that but i'm glad to know that she is okay. That's the most important thing, the car can always be repaired or replaced. Have you ever tried deer whistles for your vehicles? I've had them on every car i've had and they DO work. Just a few months ago, I was driving with some friends and we took the back roads to get where we were going and at the same time we all saw the deer come into view of the headlights. The deer stopped right at the side of the road and turned around. I believe that it was the deer whistles that kept it from running out in front of us. But you gotta have both deer whistles on for them to work properly. My brother hit a deer driving to work a few years ago and he tried to say that the whistles didn't work but only one of the whistles were on his car at the time. I recommend deer whistles to everyone. You can get them at walmart for about $10, maybe even cheaper than that.

Lisa, that's too bad that someone stole your nav system. Some people just have no respect. A few years ago, my car was broken into and my stereo was stolen. Thankfully, nothing else was stolen but I had one of my Eagles cds in it at the time. That was a real bummer.

As much as I hate to add to the sad news, I do have some not so good news to share. Things have been pretty rough. I don't want to say what it is just yet because I don't want to get too ahead of myself here. We're still waiting to hear from the doctor. It involves one of my cousins, Francene. We grew up together, graduated together, lived down the street from each other. She's only 6 months younger than me. We're very close, like sisters. She went to see the doctor yesterday for one thing and it turns out that it could be something we were not expecting at all. She's scared, i'm scared, my whole family is on pins and needles right now waiting on news from the doctor. On top of that, one of my Aunt's was diagnosed with H1N1 yesterday. That was a surprise. She said it came on so fast and she doesn't even know who she could've caught it from. I'm about to leave for the hospital to see Francene. They have to do a few more tests on her this morning. Hopefully everything will all turn out okay and not on the scary side like they've got us thinking.

[Molly]

Phil, my older son, has also started back to repeat his second year, but will be living at home this year, which I'm secretly pleased about.

Kate, this made me smile. I admit, I'm "secretly pleased" to have both boys home again for the time being. I know it won't last forever. And I'll try to remember that pleasant feeling as I'm paying the grocery bill later today!

Maleah and Jess -good luck to your loved ones. Stay positive.

[Brooke]

Maleah, my goodness. How terrible. I've never heard of anything like this either. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, Amber and all of her family.

Jess, best of luck to your cousin and she gets good news.

[Prettymaid]

So many sad things in this thread right now! I've read all of your posts and I'm keeping you all in my thoughts.

[Peekaboo]

Well, the news from the doctor wasn't good. My cousin, her hubby, and 4 year old daughter drove all night tuesday from New Mexico back here to Oklahoma and arrived early wednesday morning. For some crazy reasons that are much too long to discuss here, the doctors there would not treat her. She went in because she was having some pain in her stomach and back. Initially they thought she had gall stones and would need to have surgery to remove her gall bladder. What they found was what we were not expecting at all. She has cancer. This morning they were telling us that she probably doesn't have it and that they would get her surgery scheduled for her gall bladder. We were so relieved that it was only that but then we got word that another test came back positive for leukemia. It looks like we'll be going to Tulsa, probably tomorrow, to start her bone marrow tests. The whole situation just sucks. Francene has been through so much in her life already. I keep thinking "This can't be happening, not to her." Other than that, I really don't know what to think right now. It's so surreal. I just can't believe it.

[ticky]

Oh Jess, :hug: Im so sorry. Sending you and your family and esp you cousin all the strength I can. God Bless and stay strong! Much Love!!

[Glennsallnighter]

Michaela,, I'm so sorry about your uncle. Even when these things are expected they are still a shock and I know the sadness that your aunt and your family must be going through at this time. Needless to say I will pray for him.

Maleah I too will pray that Amber will do well with this new surgery. It sounds revolutionary, but Medical Science is always making great advances and I'm sure this procedure wouldn't be attempted if the Doctors weren't confident of its success. Please keep us updated on her progress and I hope the Auction raises some well needed funds to assist her.

Jess, I hope too that your cousin gets the test results that she wants and that she is not seriously ill. H1N1? Well its going around, and I hope your aunt makes a speedy recovery. Over here everybody is still calling it 'swine flu!'.

Kate I hope both boys do very well this year in University. I was talking to somebody today who said her son has just started in University. He is doing Social Science. As she put it 'Social Studies and Social life!!' It'll be nice to have Phil around the place for you. I'll get a pic of the mug. Its basically my av on a mug. It was done in a hurry. I'd love to have put a caption on it like 'Too hot to handle'

Molly I'm glad your sons are with you as well.


I've had a pretty strange week this week. On Saturday night last some of you are aware that Pauls father fell and hurt his side, though luckily after nearly 6 hours in A&E he was told nothing was broken and that he could take Solpadeine, That it was available in Tesco (Similar to wal-mart) which is open 24 hours. (Except Saturday night). As you all know, Monday started with the theft of the satnav. It finished by me seeing an ex boyfriend on a live TV show berating the fact that the recession has cut a big hole in his business. While I feel sympathetic for him at that level I was so NOT ready for this blast from the past. Wednesday Laura had a problem in school and we spent 2 hours at a meeting with her principal and Vice principal sorting it out today. Then as we were leaving the school Paul put on his phone to an urgent message to phone his father. turns out his father has had another fall. This time he has broken his arm and dislocated his shoulder. They are in the hospital now waiting for him to have surgery.

I DO appreciate that these are small worries compared to some however and I'll keep everybody experiencing difficulties in my thoughts and prayers.

[Glennsallnighter]

Well, the news from the doctor wasn't good. My cousin, her hubby, and 4 year old daughter drove all night tuesday from New Mexico back here to Oklahoma and arrived early wednesday morning. For some crazy reasons that are much too long to discuss here, the doctors there would not treat her. She went in because she was having some pain in her stomach and back. Initially they thought she had gall stones and would need to have surgery to remove her gall bladder. What they found was what we were not expecting at all. She has cancer. This morning they were telling us that she probably doesn't have it and that they would get her surgery scheduled for her gall bladder. We were so relieved that it was only that but then we got word that another test came back positive for leukemia. It looks like we'll be going to Tulsa, probably tomorrow, to start her bone marrow tests. The whole situation just sucks. Francene has been through so much in her life already. I keep thinking "This can't be happening, not to her." Other than that, I really don't know what to think right now. It's so surreal. I just can't believe it.


I'm so sorry as well Jess. I hope she manages to pull through all of this. I'll keep her in my prayers.

[ticky]

Awe cheeeezzz Lisa!! What a pile-on! Sounds as if you could use a good break!! I hope your FIL is all right and that Laura gets straightened out in school! I guess all I can do for you with the satnav is hope that who ever stole it broke it in the process and it gets them eternally lost!!
Let me know if you get some free time, maybe we can do a mini video chat again! *G* I know how much that would cheer you up! :hug: Chin up girl, it's going to get better soon *G*

[Glennsallnighter]

Now?:)

[sodascouts]

Wow, so many people going through such hard times.

Maleah - that's astounding. I read her blog and she seems so upbeat, but it must be terrifying. I certainly hope that drastic procedure does the trick.

Jess - what an emotional rollercoaster, only to find out that she's been struck by cancer, too. So young! Here's hoping she will pull through OK.

GA - sorry to hear about your father-in-law's continued problems - and then all that other stuff on top of it! Poor thing!


You are all in my prayers.

[Maleah]

Thanks for all the prayers! I can't tell you how much they're appreciated! Amber has a great attitude about things and generally thinks really positive, but sometimes i can't help but think she's trying to be brave for her husband and little girl. Every now and then she breaks down and has a rough day where she's completely (and understandably) terrified and I feel so bad.


There is SO much going on in everyone's lives here and I can't even keep up with writing replies to everyone but PLEASE know that you are all loved and in my prayers!!!!

[TimothyBFan]

My goodness--I just don't know what to say! Seems like a dark cloud is following everyone around right now!

Jess and Lisa---big hugs to both of you. I hope everything works out for the best. I'll keep both of your families in my prayers.

Finally a weekend without much planned here. Larry's birthday is tomorrow so we will probably do dinner. We will also make a trip with my mother to the cemetery since tomorrow also would of been my father's 74th birthday.

Heard from Dillon earlier that things are going very well after his first month away at college. Seems an associate professor for his African Literature course pulled him aside on Wednesday to tell him the rough draft he turned in for a paper they need to write was the best one he's read yet this year and possibly the last couple of years. Then when he returned to his dorm and checked his email there was one from the Deans office inviting him to lunch next Thursday. Apparently every year they invite 80 kids for lunch with the Dean in some banquet hall where they serve a big pasta buffet so the Dean can see how things are going and get their feedback. So pretty cool. The same day Katie came home and told us she was chosen to be the student director for the school musical this year and that she had made the twirl team. Life seems to be good for both our kids right now. We're very proud of how well they are both doing so far this year.

[MikeA]

As some of you may have heard, Amanda (my daughter) and Miles (Grandson as if you didn't know THAT!) both have H1N1. The good news is that both are apparently through the worst of it and are just "tired". Coughs and fever have gone away.

Amanda has made it through her first trimester. She goes to the OB today...or that's when her appointment is anyway.

Car is in the shop and being repaired (Deer Wreck <LOL>). Glad they didn't "total" it. Would have never been able to replace it.

I sure hope EVERYONE's problems take turns for "BETTER".

[lynnzop]

More hugs to all who are having health issues. I'm a firm believer in the power of positive thinking, and hope everything is resolved quickly for your loved ones.

This weekend is Homecoming at my son's high school. Since I didn't grow up here, it's not "my" Homecoming, but I haven't been back to my old school (hahaha too bad that didn't come up on my iPod when I typed it, wouldn't that have been a hoot?!) for Homecoming even once.

Anyway, Jer is the mascot for the football games. It's supposed to be in the 40's and windy tonite, and he's insisting that he dress up and go in spite of having bronchitis and the flu this week. He's better now, but still coughing. And too big for me to strap in a car seat and force to stay home.

Teenagers. :brickwall:

[Brooke]

I'm also sending out good thoughts and prayers to everyone that is going through difficult times.

It's good to hear good news, TBF. Let's all keep that coming.

[sodascouts]

Willie, glad to hear things are going so well for Dillon and Katie!

Mike - glad your family's recovering, too.

Lynn - hopefully Jer's mascot outfit will protect him from the worst of all that wind!

[Glennsallnighter]

Mike! Glad your folks are over the worst of the flu! I hope Amanda's appointment goes well.
Willie! I'm delighted for you that your children are doing so well and are happy. Looks like Larry's birthday will be a real cause for celebration this year. Its a great feeling that something of the effort you have put in over the last 20 or so years is paying off in happy well-balanced confident young adults.
Lynn, hope your homecoming goes well and that Jer has a lot of fun being Mascot. Since we don't have it here, I'm not really sure what it involves, but it sounds like a lot of fun.

Well F-I-L is out of hospital, and is spending much of his time here. I think he's over the worst though obviously the arm will take a few weeks to heal. Paul is TRYING to convince him that its not a good idea to run to the phone.

I'll continue to keep those of you who are going through illness and difficulty in my thoughts and prayers.

[Peekaboo]

Big hugs to everybody here :grouphug:. All of the prayers and good thoughts are much appreciated and I send out the same to all of you here that are going through tough times right now.

Well, so far Francene seems to be taking all of this pretty well. Yesterday when we found out about her having Leukemia she was really upset and mostly mad about the whole situation. At first she was almost denying the whole thing and said she didn't want to do anything about it and that she just wanted to have her gall bladder removed (which she will still need done at some point in the future) but my mom (she's been a nurse for over 20 yrs) explained to her that no doctor will do her surgery while she has cancer and that the cancer is the priority to be treated now. After my mom explained everything to her and calmed her down (mom's good at doing that) Francene seemed to be okay. The good thing about this is that, besides her gall bladder and the cancer of course, she's healthy and young (25) and the cancer was found at an early stage. So knowing that, her treatments will hopefully go well (as well as cancer treatments can be anyways). Francene and I had a chance to talk this afternoon and she said that she's okay with everything. She said she's not scared right now but also admits that it hasn't completely sunk in yet. She knows that she's got a tough road ahead of her but she also knows that we are all behind her and will be there with her every step of the way. Next week, she'll have to have a bone marrow biopsy done so i'll be traveling to Tulsa to be there with her.

[Glennsallnighter]

Well Jess, I'm delighted that it was caught in the early stages as this means she will probably be fine after the treatment. We'll all be thinking of her and please keep us posted on her progress. :hug:

[Brooke]

Yes, Jess, I'm so glad it was caught in the early stages and your Mom sounds like a rock for her. I'm wishing her all the best. :hug:

[Koala]

Peek, I am glad that it has been detected at an early stage!
My thoughts and prayers are with your family!
Maleah, Amber is in my prayers and thoughts,too.
Mike, I am glad that your daughter and your grandson is feeling better again.

[sodascouts]

Francene sounds like a strong lady, as does your Mom and of course you Jess! You all continue to be in my prayers.

[Prettymaid]

Yes, I continue to keep everybody and their loved ones in my thoughts.

Tonight is Hubby's 30th high school reunion. I graduated 3 years before him from good ole D.H.S. (Irving's alma mater) so I'll probably know some people too. Should be fun!

[Stars]

I also continue to keep everyone and their loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.
PM, have fun at hubby's reunion! My 40 year high school reunion is coming up next year-yikes!! Where does the time go? :shock:

[sodascouts]

Hope you guys have fun PM! I haven't attended any of my high school reunions. Maybe one day!

[Koala]

After all the sad news something funny, not for me but.......

I told you that I give a table tennis course. Today it was again as far.
When we built up the table tennis tables, one table overturned, and fell on me, on my back and head, it hurts pretty! I have no clue how it could happen.
After I came out under the table,the kids told me it looked funny, how I lay under the table. After this we have started then the normal training.

[MikeA]

So Koala, if I understood you correctly, the table was "folded up" for storage and you were pulling them out to set them up for Playing on them?

Those things are HEAVY! I'm glad you weren't seriously hurt!


After all the sad news something funny, not for me but.......

I told you that I give a table tennis course. Today it was again as far.
When we built up the table tennis tables, one table overturned, and fell on me, on my back and head, it hurts pretty! I have no clue how it could happen.
After I came out under the table,the kids told me it looked funny, how I lay under the table. After this we have started then the normal training.

[Brooke]

Ouch Koala! I'm glad you're ok!

[Koala]

So Koala, if I understood you correctly, the table was "folded up" for storage and you were pulling them out to set them up for Playing on them?

yes, you understood correctly, exactly thus it has happened!



Those things are HEAVY! I'm glad you weren't seriously hurt!
Ouch Koala! I'm glad you're ok!
Thanks!

[sodascouts]

Yikes Koala! Kids may laugh at that, but it's sure not funny! I am happy you are not hurt, too.

[ticky]

UGH.. Koala, glad you ween't hurt too badly! Ouch!

Okay, while Im doped up pretty much I'll tell ya'll about my latest happenings.
First of all, the good stuff, My Bday is next week (so is Wild's btw) and M&D are giving me some $$$ SO.... I am buying myself a new electric guitar!! TADAAA!!! (no worries on the concert front, I got it covered..) I've been shopping for a few weeks and tested out an Epiphone SG Special that is freakin awesome! I love it, it loves me, we will be united as one sometime next week! I'll name it Joe. The Tak is too girly, she's Josephine. I still love her, but I need to Tech-up.
Now the second part. I had a bum tooth, a temp cap that broke and was starting to cause me pain. SO I called my dentist office and spent 3 hours.. yes 3 hours (no exaggeration) trying to get through. I finally went on line, found an alternate number, called and PING got through. Made an appointment for today (that was monday) and went in after dropping Sarah off at school. The dentist explained that the tooth had been "packed" for a past infection and the "packing" had come out causing some new infection. She said she'd clean it and repack it, give me a prescription for pain pills and antibiotics and I'd see my regular dentist next week. Okay, no biggie, been there, done that. She did her thing.. I was fine, was waiting to check out when it hit... Pain.. searing hot nasty sharp pain all over the left side of my mouth. I grabbed my mouth and groaned. The receptionist asked if I was okay. I said "No, Im in a lot of pain. Can you get the doctor please?" he ran off to find her, by the time they got back, I was in tears and gasping. The assistant asked what was wrong, I told her, she went to talk to the doctor. She came back and told me to take my pain meds and go home. WHAT?????? I didnt have them yet.. she offered me tylanol. I had taken 2 vicodin before going in because of the pain. Tylanol wasnt going to work. She shrugged, said Sorry! and led me to the door!!!!!!! I drove home, luckily didnt smash into anyone on the way. Took two more vicodin that didnt help and eventually passed out on the sofa. Fortunately, M&D were able to get Sarah from school and they dropped off my prescription for me. Tonight Im feeling a lot better, but since when do doctors offices send a person in excruciating pain out to their car to drive themselves Home???? as far as that goes, since when do they refuse to HELP someone in that much pain??? Another shot of Novocaine would have worked. I plan on lodging a formal complaint as soon as Im off the drugs, in the mean time, I urge everyone to AVOID WILLAMETTE DENTAL!!!!!!

[MikeA]

I am buying myself a new electric guitar!! TADAAA!!! (no worries on the concert front, I got it covered..) I've been shopping for a few weeks and tested out an Epiphone SG Special that is freakin awesome!

I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours. Not made to look at, Made to be played...LOUD! <LOL>

http://www.sweetwater.com/images/guitars/LPSTWBCH/022490355/022490355-body-l.jpg http://www.sweetwater.com/images/guitars/LPSTWBCH/022490355/022490355-headstock-l.jpg

[ticky]

That's beautiful Mike! You're definitely going for the natural wood? I think that's wise. It looks like a serious instrument!!

Okay, you showed me yours *G* here's mine..

http://www.w4djg.com/SG.jpg

aint she purdy? Actually, I was never thrilled with the "horns" but its considerably thinner and lighter weight then the LPs, ESP the Gibson LPs. It's got a rich tone and it feels good. Cant wait to get my HANDS on it and get it home!!! AND.. btw.. for all ya'll paying attention.. a dear, kind, generous to a fault friend to whom I owe MUCH more then a batch of cookies (altho he's getting some of those too) is donating an amp to out of the sheer kindness and goodness of his heart! :heart: :hug:

[Koala]

Thanks guys!
My back and head still hurts but luckily not as bad as yesterday.


Yikes Koala! Kids may laugh at that, but it's sure not funny! I am happy you are not hurt, too.
This is right, kids like to laugh about such a thing, but I am sure that it must have looked really silly as I lay there!

[Glennsallnighter]

Koala! I'm glad you are ok and that you weren't seriously injured. IMHO I think while kids may laugh at a teacher or other adult caught up in a predicament like yours they are very sensitive and would be very concerned if you were badly injured. Once the initial fun dies down theyb are very considerate. I'm sure Soda has found the same.

Ticky!! Eeek! That tooth sounds very painful. You should have been looked after better than you were. I hope the drugs don't make you do strange things (Hell, you do strange things anyway) LOL!

Mike and Ticky I love the guitars. I hope yours arrives soon Ticky and that you have many hours of enjoyment out of it!

Mike you sure deserve those cookies! :wink: And thanks for your advice the other night on Myspace. - Mike gave me a few pointers on H1N1 as Chris was sick. Turned out it was a regular headcold, but Mike was very reassuring. :hug:

[TimothyBFan]

Sorry to hear about the mishap Koala-glad it came out ok.

Mike and Ticky--WOW!! Good for both of you! As I've said before, can't play them and know nothing about them but I sure do appreciate them! Just looking at the picture of the Gibson LP makes me melt a little!

I NEVER get sick!!! NEVER!!! But guess what--I'm sick! UGH!! I have a horrible head cold and can't seem to shake it the last couple of days. No luxury of calling in sick either since my work comes to me. It's going to be a looooong day since I've been up since 2 am because I can't breathe. I was on facebook at that time and next thing I knew, my phone was ringing and it was Dillon who had also been on there and saw that I was on at that hour so he thought he'd call me and keep me company for awhile. Sweet! My daughter swears I have swine flu (of course she claimed she had it last year also). She does have a flair for the dramatic!

I believe I've mentioned here before about our 90 year old neighbor Millie that we love and adore as if she was our own. She hasn't been doing very well at all and has had us all a bit scared lately. She's been hungry for cornbread, of all things, and since she isn't eating well, I made a batch and took it to her Friday. She started telling me she wouldn't be here much longer and didn't know if she would make it thru the night. Told her to quit talking nonsense. Anyways, this morning around 6:30 a friend of mine was on her way to work and saw an ambulance with no lights turn down our street so she called me to let me know to check on her. Sure enough, I ran over and she had fallen in the bathtub. Her granddaughter is staying with her this week and when she fell pushed her First Alert button for help. Just as I was running out of the house, my phone was ringing and it was First Alert (we are the first responders for her with them) to let me know an ambulance was on the way. Doesn't look like anything's broken but they are taking her in for observation. I hate seeing her this way. We've known her for over 20 years and she has always been one tough old lady. Has conquered lung cancer (and still smokes after 67 years of doing so), a heart attack and her husbands death 34 years ago all the while raising 4 kids and working full time in a factory. She is all of 5 foot nothing and as frail looking as a twig but one of the strongest people I've ever known. I always figured she'd out live all of us AND armegedon! Hate seeing her so vulnerable now.

[Brooke]

Mike and Ticky-lovely guitars! I wish I was so talented!

Ticky, I hope you and your tooth are feeling better. I hate all dentists, although, knock on wood, I rarely have a problem.

TBF, get well soon, too, ya hear?!

[sodascouts]

Dang ticky! That sounds horrific! I have a friend who is terrified of visiting the dentist because of things like that. Yikes!

TBF - get well soon! As for Millie, I'm so sorry to hear of her troubles. Sounds like she's had quite a life and I guess everyone's time has to come eventually, but that doesn't make it any easier when its a friend or loved one. I hope she recovers from her fall and doesn't have pain.

[Koala]

Koala! I'm glad you are ok and that you weren't seriously injured. IMHO I think while kids may laugh at a teacher or other adult caught up in a predicament like yours they are very sensitive and would be very concerned if you were badly injured. Once the initial fun dies down theyb are very considerate. I'm sure Soda has found the same.


Yeah, I know what you mean, after the first laugh, the kids anxiously immediately came to me and helped me and have asked whether I need a doctor.

TBF, get well soon!

Ticky, I hope you feel better soon!

[Maleah]

Ticky and TBF, hope you both feel better soon! And I hope Millie has a quick recovery and isn't in any pain!

Nice choices in guitars Ticky and Mike, I'm jealous. :)


Another prayer request from me.....my 30 year old brother has to go in for an angiogram (sp?) tomorrow. *sigh* It's never ending...it really is. I'm so tired of bad news all the time...it really wears a person down.

[Molly]

Willie, your neighbor is fortunate to have you next door and looking in on her like you do. Having good neighbors and family around has helped her keep her independence, I'm sure.

I hear ya about the head cold. I started with one a week ago today and it's still hanging on a bit. I wondered, too, how sick to I have to get before I can call in "sick" if I'm working from home? I was miserable for a couple of days, my head felt like a concrete block.

My voice got like an octave deeper than normal. Hubby thought it sounded sexy and wondered if I could always talk like that. I told him no, but if he came closer, I'd be happy to cough on him! :yuck:

Maleah, where is the angiogram? Heart? Legs? Hopefully, it's a quick and easy fix. Keep us posted.

Hang in there. Those black clouds do move away eventually!

[Maleah]

Maleah, where is the angiogram? Heart? Legs? Hopefully, it's a quick and easy fix. Keep us posted.

Hang in there. Those black clouds do move away eventually!

They basically insert a tube/catheter in through either the groin or a blood vessel in the leg and they check the blockage in the arteries and around the heart. When they checked my oldest brother they immediately decided he had to have triple bypass surgery. He was in his late 30's and is 45 now. My brother in law also had open heart surgery a year or two ago.

Thanks for the encouragement.....to be honest I just want to sit down and break down in tears. lol It's just one thing after another and it's always health concerns. Hopefully they'll find everything is fine.

[Brooke]

Maleah, keep your chin up. Things are bound to get better! Good luck to your brother. 30 seems awfully young to have to have an angiogram. My mother had one plus stents at about 70. I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

[Prettymaid]

Koala, I'm glad you weren't seriously injured and that you're feeling better.

Mike and Ticky - :rockguitar::headbang:

Willie, feel better soon.

Maleah, I hate reading bad news coming from you and others I have made friends with here. Stay strong and be positive and know that we have you and your brother in our thoughts.

[GlennLover]

I just want to send everyone my prayers & a GREAT BIG :hug:. I have been reading what has been going on with all of you & my heart goes out to each & every one of you who is experiencing hard or painful times. God is looking out for all of us. Don't despair. Look to him for strength. Even though I am experiencing my own health issues which may result in having to make unwanted changes in my life, at least my condition is not life threatening & I thank God for that. I know many of you or your loved ones are indeed facing very serious health issues. Love to all! :grouphug:

[sodascouts]

Let me echo Ann. I'm so sorry for all the hard times people are going through. It seems like the rain is really coming down on a lot of us lately. I've been saying a lot of prayers and everyone here is included.

Maleah, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother's health problems and pray that it turns out to be not as serious as perhaps it could be. Keep us updated.

Ann, while your condition isn't life threatening, I know you are going through a lot. Your attitude is terrific and I admire it.

[GlennLover]

Thanks, Nancy! :)

[Koala]

Maleah, good luck to your brother.

At my mom (56) some cahteter investigations were already made, at her heart several Stents were already set.
Last year she has gotten the last stent , since that everything is fine.

[TimothyBFan]

Maleah- a great big cyber hug from me! I feel for you. Sometimes you just have to sit down alone and let it out so that you can move on!! Keep us posted please.

So many health issues for everyone and bad news seems to be overly abundant in this thread lately. I'm happy to report some good news today. In case any of you haven't heard it already....

I'M SEEING TIMOTHY IN 10 DAYS!!!! :hilarious:

[Prettymaid]

Maleah- a great big cyber hug from me! I feel for you. Sometimes you just have to sit down alone and let it out so that you can move on!! Keep us posted please.

So many health issues for everyone and bad news seems to be overly abundant in this thread lately. I'm happy to report some good news today. In case any of you haven't heard it already....

I'M SEEING TIMOTHY IN 10 DAYS!!!! :hilarious:


Seeing ... stalking...you say potato... :hilarious:

[Troubadour]

Just wanted to add my warmest thoughts and most positive vibes for everyone who's going through a rough time at the moment. I'm always thinking of you guys, and hoping for the best. Hang in there!

[Peekaboo]

Koala, i'm glad that you weren't seriously injured.

Rhonda and Mike, those gits look beautiful. Rock On, my friends :headbang: :guitar:

And Rhonda, I hope your tooth is feeling better now. That sucks that you had to go through so much pain like that and shame on that doctor for not doing anything to help you in that condition.

Willie, I'm sure seeing Timothy has helped you with your recent illness. Hope you're feeling better now.

GL, i'm sorry that you are going through such difficulties with your health. I admire you for being so positive about everything. You say that you may have to make some unwanted changes but whatever that may be i know that you can get through it. We're all here for you and support you.

Maleah, I'm right there with you. I've had my break down moments over the last week but we must remember to keep our heads up. I know it's much easier said than done, especially when it envolves a loved one but our families need us and i know that (like me) you will do everything you can for your family. Best of luck to your brother and I continue to pray for Amber. Stay strong, Maleah. We are all here for you.

It's been nearly a week since i've had the chance to log on here and i'm doing my best to get caught up on everything. I'm so happy for those that get to see Timothy and Don. Wish I could join you all but with the holiday season fast approaching, i must get in all of the work that I can.
Business has been picking up and lately i've had to stay after my shift is over. I don't mind it most of the time because that means a little bit extra on the paycheck. I'm not one to usually take a day off work but I did this week to help my cousin, Francene, get moved back to Oklahoma. I'm glad that she's back home although I hate that the reasons for her moving back. The fact that she has Leukemia is slowly starting to sink in for her. She doesn't talk about it very much but I can see that she is worried. I'm doing my best to be there for her and just try to spend some time with her but it's been a little difficult to try to juggle that and work at the same time. She had a Bone Marrow Biopsy done yesterday. Francene has a thing about needles. She's extremely scared of needles. It took some persauding for them to get her iv started but she eventually let them do it. And since they had to stick a big needle in her back for the biopsy, they had to completely knock her out and give her some medicine that would give her amnesia during the whole procedure. The doctor said that she did really well. We won't know any results till monday but in the meantime Francene is resting at home. This is just the first step for her to get better. We'll know what is next to come when we see the doctor on monday.

[MikeA]

I got my Paul in yesterday. Ahhhhh. I changed my signature audio clip to "Turn To Stone" done on the new LP. What tone it has. I never thought anything would rival my Epiphone Sheraton, but I was wrong!

I'll probably touch it up some later, but this was the first shot at TTS. Check it out if you have the time.

I used a drop-D tuning to emphasize the bass part and just let the last chord sustain through the high part. Sustain is amazing on the LP.

[Brooke]

:applause: Sounds great Mike! Congrats on the new geetar!

[GlennLover]

Congrats Mike! Glad you're so pleased with it!

[GlennLover]

GL, i'm sorry that you are going through such difficulties with your health. I admire you for being so positive about everything. You say that you may have to make some unwanted changes but whatever that may be i know that you can get through it. We're all here for you and support you.



Thanks, Peek. That really means a lot to me!

[Koala]

Koala, i'm glad that you weren't seriously injured.

Thanks Peek!

I wish Francene, you and your family a lot of strength for the next time.

[tbs fanatic]

Good lord! Have not checked in here in a while - sounds as though everyone has a lot on their plate right now. Too many bits of news to comment on so I shall just give you all a big :hug:

[GlennLover]

Today is our Thanksgiving here in Canada. Had one turkey dinner yesterday at a friends' house & will be going for the second one at another friend's today.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!!!

[Brooke]

Have a great Thanksgiving, GL!

[Prettymaid]

Happy Thanksgiving to you Ann. Pace yourself! :hilarious:

[Prettymaid]

Mike, how ya doin' with your new Les Paul? Still likin' it? Great sound on TTS! :headbang:

[Maleah]

Wanted to stop in here real quick and thank you all for the prayers and encouragement! Turns out my brother is fine! They did the angiogram because they saw a spot on his artery and they wanted to make sure it wasn't blockage.....it wasn't thank God. They said everything looked good! Sure was scary though :fear:


Also we had Amber's Benefit Breakfast/Silent Auction yesterday. It was so amazing and such a blessing to be a part of. To see a community come together for something is such a powerful experience. I'll never forget it. It does the heart good to be a part of something like that. :) Good news is they raised almost 30k! She has her surgery a week from today I believe so continue to keep her in your prayers please!

[Maleah]

Oh and LOVE the guitar Mike! TTS sounds great! :thumbsup:

[Glennsallnighter]

Of course Maleah and Peek I'll keep your loved ones in mind this week. I really hope that the treatment works for both of them. Maleah, I'm so pleased your brother has nothing to worry about. :hug:

Ann! Enjoy your thanksgiving celebration, and Mike, enjoy your guitar.

All's quiet enough here for the moment, but I'm off to Spandau Ballet's opening show of their 'Reformation' tour tomorrow night. I had row 7 seats booked for myself and the hubby. On Thursday I was sent an email by MCD offering the chance to win 2 tickets to the gig. I answered the question and thought no more about it UNTIL Friday when I was informed I'd won 2 more. So we are going with our next door neighbours. Obviously we won't be sitting together, but we should still have some fun. If we are allowed take pics I'll try to post a few later in the week.

[MikeA]

Oh and LOVE the guitar Mike! TTS sounds great! :thumbsup:

Lovin' Paul. Not taking much to get used to. It plays easier than my EPI Sheraton and I thought that's something I'd never say. Even the "drab" finish is growing on me.

[sodascouts]

Happy Thanksgiving GL!

Maleah, thanks for the update. I'm so happy about your brother and the success of Amber's fundraiser. I hope more good is in store for her.

Have fun at the Spandau Ballet concert, GA!

[Molly]

Happy Thanksgiving, GL!

Good news Maleah! Keep thinking those positive thoughts for Amber, and we'll all keep doing the same! I remember the commercials that used to run for local cancer centers...cancer is a word not a sentence!

Kate, well done on the tickets! I never win anything. I watched everyone around me win prizes at a raffle drawing the other night. I think every number near my numbers that could possibly be called was called! Ah well, the money went to help a local animal shelter, and that cause is very close to my heart.

We had a nice family thing happen this week. Our local paper did an interview and printed a huge full page story about my Uncle Alvin and Aunt Angeline. Alvin is 91 and Angeline is 89. They just celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on October 2nd which is also Angeline's birthday.

My Uncle, like his sister (my mother) is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's. It was a wonderful article full of memories of their 68 years together. A lot of which I didn't know! The article didn't mention Alvin's illness, and maybe it never even came up with the interviewer, but how special that they could walk down memory lane together before it's too late.

[GlennLover]

Thanks for the Thanksgiving wishes everybody. I didn't overdo it on the turkey :).

That's good news about your brother, Maleah. Amber continues to be in my prayers, as does everyone else on The Border (and their loved ones)going through health problems or having difficult times.

Congrats on your ticket win, GA! enjoy the show.

[Peekaboo]

Kate, congrats on winning those tickets. Hope you had a great time at the show.

Mike, I wish I had half the talent that you have with playing the guitar. TTS sounds great.

GL, sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Reading about your holiday makes me anxious for our upcoming Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S. I just hope that I get to have that day off from work so that I can be with my family.

Maleah, I'm so relieved and happy that your brother is going to be okay. And i'm also glad that everything went well with the fundraiser. Amber continues to be in my prayers.

There was good and bad news during Francene's doctor visit on Monday. The good news: she won't have to do chemo or radiation because there are a few different pills that she can take instead. The pills can get her cancer to go into remition (?) but the bad news is that she will have this Leukemia for the rest of her life. The Leukemia is in her blood so there is no way to get rid of it. Francene took all of the information really well. The only thing she really got upset about is that she may have some hair loss from taking those pills. I think she's going to do just fine with all of this, even the hair loss. She's got a wonderful support system in our entire family.
This week has been somewhat rough for me and I let myself get really stressed out. There's been a lot going on besides Francene but I finally cleared my head and decided to not let things bother me so much. I stepped out of that being upset and stressed out mode and decided to make those situations be as positive as possible. It all hit me when a customer at work asked me if I was okay. I didn't realize that I was showing my stress at work. I'm usually all smiles and will chat with customers at my tables. From then on I put all of that stress behind me because it's stuff that is out of my hands and I made a decision to try to keep a positive vibe as much as possible. It's much easier said than done but I try to think of all of the things that make me laugh and/or smile when I start to feel down or stressed.
This right here is a good example of a happy thought to make me smile:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c95/Pekahchu/Eagles/eaglesblack.jpg
My niece, Natalie, saw this picture and immediatly said "Hey Auntie!! I know who that is. It's the Eagles!!!" She was telling me about how much she likes Hotel California. She knows all of the words to the song and she was telling me how much she loves it when we sing along to it together. She was really examining this picture and asked me their names. I started with Don (of course) and told her that he's my favorite and she just shrugged her shoulders at my excitement about Don. Next I told her that Glenn was her grandma's (my mom's) favorite. Again, not much reaction. I then told her about Joe and how he is an amazing guitar player. She got a little excited when i told her he plays the guitar solo during HC. I then pointed to Timothy and told her his name. She said "Geeze, he has a really long name but it's okay because he is cute." She said she really likes his long, curly hair. I then played LWKUA and ICTYW for her and she said "I like him. He sings really pretty and he sounds cute." This is all coming from a 5 year old. This story makes me smile every time i think of it. I guess it's safe to say that she well grow up to be an Eagles fan.

[TimothyBFan]

Oh Jess-:hug: from me! Keep the good thoughts!

BTW--your neice is a genius!!! :nod:

[Molly]

Continued positive thoughts heading Francene's way!

Take care of yourself, Jess. It'll be a long road, but the early news sounds encouraging.

There are so many kinds of leukemia, so many cell variations, some much more serious than others. But, for what it's worth, I work with a man who was diagnosed with a form of leukemia when he was about 20 years old. The first year or so was rough as he went thru treatments. That was aboput 17 years ago. Now he's married with a couple of kids and last time I saw him, I teased him about the gray that was starting to show in his hair!

[Prettymaid]

That's a great story, Molly. We just never know what's going to happen. It's how we deal with things that is important.

That brings me to you, Miss Jess. I'm following your cousin's story and keeping her in my thoughts, but I'm also thinking alot about you! Your last post concerned me because you need to let these things go that are out of your hands. It sounds like you had an epiphany and that you are finally figuring this out. I love the conversation you had with your niece. Sounds like you are showing her the way! Another Eagles' fan and only 5 years old!

Maleah, I was happy to read the good news about you brother.

[GlennLover]

Jess, I really am glad that you have decided not to let things bother you. I know that it is easier said than done, but it is a positive thing that you have adopted that outlook. It is so easy to let ourselves get down when we are faced with adversity. We have to take care of ourselves both mentally as well as physically. :-)

Now if I could just take my own advice! :nod:

[sodascouts]

I've been missing you Jess and wondering how Francene was doing. I'm glad to hear that she doesn't have to do chemo, but I know it's not fun to be faced with the prospect of taking pills for the rest of your life.

It sure is difficult to keep positive when so many bad things are happening and I admire your determination to do it. It's cool that the Eagles can help you smile. I wonder if they have any idea how many people they've made happier with their music? At any rate, remember, in addition to your supportive family, we are always here if you need to vent!

P.S. That niece of yours is a real prodigy! ;)

[Troubadour]

Jess, your last post made me a little teary - but it also made me happy. I'm glad to hear the news about Francene, although I know the prospect of taking pills is not an attractive one. She seems to be handling it as well as can be expected though. All my most positive thoughts are with her. She's lucky to have such a concerned & supportive friend in you.

Cathy is right. It's pointless worrying about things that are beyond your control. (Although God knows I do it enough!) It seems like you're feeling a little brighter, and that's great. Those Eagle blokes have an uncanny knack of cheering us girls up, don't they?

I'm always thinking of you, and I can't wait to see you again. You're a truly selfless person, and I wish nothing but the best for you and your friends and family. That conversation with Natalie was too cute. Looks like Glenn has some competition in the kiddie fanbase stakes!

Keep your chin up, lovely. :grouphug:

[Koala]

Peek, I'm glad to hear the news about Francene!
Maleah, I'm so glad to hear the news about your brother, too!
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. :hug:
　

[Brooke]

Peek, I'm glad to hear the news about Francene, too. I know it will be a long scary road, but with all of your help she will overcome. The best thing to do for you and her is stay positive. Good for you!

[Peekaboo]

Thanks for all of the encouraging words :grouphug:. I'm definitely doing much better now than I was a week ago. I've learned to look at the brighter side of things rather than focus on the bad and negative. There's too much bad and negative in this world already anyway. If I ever start to go back to that letting things bother too much crap, i know just where to go to get my head on straight again.

I told Francene about the good thoughts and prayers from all of you here. She's wanted me to tell you all thank you and that she really appreciates it. So far things seem to be going okay. She will have to get her blood drawn weekly for the next few months. That still sucks but it will hopefully help her get over her fear of needles. Francene also still needs to have her gall bladder removed but that won't be for at least 3 more months. The doctor has to be sure that the Leukemia is in remition before it can be done.

Molly, the story about your coworker is very encouraging. I know that Francene will be able to have the same normal life with her Leukemia as well. I can't remember the exact name but her's is Chronic (something) Leukemia. I'd have to ask my mom what the exact medical term is.

[Maleah]

awwww Jess I'll be praying!! :hug:

[Maleah]

You guys are never going to believe this......now my nephew (the one that got married in July) has SWINE FLU! Wow....what a crazy last couple of months. :brickwall:

[sodascouts]

Yikes! It's going around here with a vengeance, too. My ex-boyfriend got it, poor guy, but he got over it reasonably quickly. Hope the same is true for your nephew!

[MikeA]

I think my Daughter and Grandson are both pretty much over it now. Still, they have a lingering cough, but they are not "sick" and are not running fevers. Nasty stuff. Amanda's unborn child still seems to be fine.

[ticky]

:hug: God Bless, Jess, we're all with ya girl. Chin up and much love.

Maleah, UGH, hope he gets over it fast!!! It's not supposed to be any worse then the regular flu, just super contagious so stay healthy!

Mike, glad to hear Amanda is feeling better!

Here's a picture of my new babies.
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs265.snc1/9233_1258753746029_1145190649_797807_5394402_n.jpg
Im having a great time with them!!! (Thanks again Mike!!! :hug:)

Im off in a few minutes to visit my brother. The big exciting find his lawyer THOUGH she found, fell through, but the appeal is still in process and there is still an excellent chance so keep your fingers crossed.
Gotta run!!!

[MikeA]

Sweet Rhonda....all BLACK and shiney! Everone needs a BLACK gitter!

[Peekaboo]

Here's hoping that your nephew gets better, Maleah. Like Rhonda said, keep yourself healthy. That swine flu is a beast. It's gotten to some of my coworkers and their families already. Mike, I'm glad that your daughter and grandson are better and also that Amanda's pregnancy is all good.

Rhonda, your new guitar is BEEEEEEAUUUUUUUUTIFUL!!! When we have that Border Party, you be sure and bring that along and show us your skills. :guitar: :headbang:

[Glennsallnighter]

Jess, I'm delighted that Francene will not have to go through the rigours of IV chemotherapy. I hope the tablets do their job and keep this thing at Bay. I know too that these drugs are always improving, so I hope they will not be any problem to her. Keep your own spirits up too, wont you? and remember we are all here for you.

Maleah, I hope your brother recovers soon, and Mike I'm glad Miles and Amanda have recovered, and that Amandas pregnancy is going well for her. Nobody I know first hand has had the swine flu as yet, but I AM hearing second hand stories so I guess its a matter of time.

Maleah, I have been thinking about Amber all weekend, I hope that you will have good news for us soon.

I'm off work with a very nasty dose. I'm assuming its sinusitis as I cannot get a Doctors appointment until tomorrow morning at the earliest. I feel VERY clogged up, dizzy and sick, and I ended up leaving work early as a result. Still it'll pass and is NOTHING compared to what others are having to deal with.

Ticky, your new guitar looks gorgeous. I hope you have many happy hours playing it.

[Maleah]

Thank you GA! Amber is down in Houston and has been for several days. However, she has developed some sort of bacterial infection as well as a cold that she is getting over.....so they have pushed back the surgery indefinently. She still has her positive attitude but I think she's getting frustrated.

[Glennsallnighter]

I'm sure she is, after hyping herself up to a particular date for surgery. Still Bacterial infections can be nasty and can also compromise the immune system, so I'm sure, frustrating as it is it is the better option to make sure it is cleared first. They won't take any unnecessary risks. I'll continue to pray for her that all goes well.

Hope your brother is getting over his dose.

[Prettymaid]

Ticky, your guitar is so purty! I know you'll enjoy it endlessly!

[TimothyBFan]

So Ticky-where is Cliffy sleeping these days now that the new family member has moved into the house?

[ticky]

It's allll part of my master plan. Drive Cliffy out of the house, make room for Joe. hehehehee Nahh, the amp isnt that loud and I play it during the day when no one is home. Besides, he cant complain about my guitar and amp... we have chickens.. *G* (to all those who dont understand the correlation here. I never wanted chickens... )

[MikeA]

Rhonda, if you wanna keep Cliff happy with chickens and guitars, learn "Chicken Pickin'"

http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/LJ2/LJ2-videos/05a.mov

[ticky]

*G* Mike, think Im more likely to learn chicken pluckin *G*

[EasyFeeling]

Hi all :-)

Just wanted to let you know I feel much better lately. The panic attacks became less intense the last weeks which makes me very happy. :-) I hope they will go for good soon.

What I wanted to ask... do we have FOREIGNER fans here on the board? :-)

[Glennsallnighter]

Oh good EF. I'm glad you are feeling better. I was listening to Keith Urban the other day and was thinking of you. Hope you stay well. :hug:

[Koala]

Michaela, nice to hear you feel better now!:D
I hope that the panic attacks soon completely stop .

[vamp1227]

Hi all :-)

Just wanted to let you know I feel much better lately. The panic attacks became less intense the last weeks which makes me very happy. :-) I hope they will go for good soon.

What I wanted to ask... do we have FOREIGNER fans here on the board? :-)


I am glad you are feeling better..I have them too amongst other things...

I am a Foreigner fan...

[EasyFeeling]

Thanks guys :D

You like Foreigner? What do you think about Kelly Hansen? Isn't he just fantastic? :nod: :smitten:
I just noticed we have a member here, carol7lynn :stunned: There is a user with that name on their official website 8-)

Uh, I forgot to say I'm sorry to hear you have to deal with this too.

[GlennLover]

EF, I'm also glad to hear that your panic attacks have been subsiding somewhat. I meant to tell you before that I know what you are going through.:ack: Anxiety & panic attacks contribute to bringing on episodes of the inner ear disease that I suffer from.

Oh, and sorry, I'm not really a Foreigner fan.

[Brooke]

Hey EF! It's good to hear from you and that you are doing well. :thumbsup:

I like a lot of Foreigner's old songs, but can't say I'm a big, big fan.

[sodascouts]

Good to hear from you EF - so glad things are getting better! My heart goes out to anyone suffering from panic attacks - it must be very scary.

I'm not a huge Foreigner fan myself. Hmm, maybe you should start a thread for the group in "The Singer Not the Song" forum EF? That might get some more people to see it who don't visit this thread and maybe you will find some more fans.

[glenneaglesfan]

This is the first free time I've had at my computer for three weeks.

EF, it's great to hear from you and that you are starting to feel better.

All of you who have been going through tough times with friends and relatives will be in my thoughts. Although I can't post much, I still spend a lot of time thinking about my friends here.

[TimothyBFan]

A good day today--It is Larry and I's 21st wedding anniversary! Can you believe he's put up with me that long? :hilarious: Not much planned but dinner with friends tonight.

[Prettymaid]

Happy Anniversary Willie! 21 years is quite an accomplishment! Larry seems like a really good guy. You tell him I said he's a lucky guy to have you! :hilarious:

[vamp1227]

A good day today--It is Larry and I's 21st wedding anniversary! Can you believe he's put up with me that long? :hilarious: Not much planned but dinner with friends tonight.


Happy Anniversary!!!

[Koala]

Happy Anniversary TBF!:)

[EasyFeeling]

Happy Anniversary from me too, TBF. :)

Nancy, I think I will start a thread on weekend, when I have more time. First I wanted to catch up here a bit, I missed so many things :brickwall:

[sodascouts]

Happy Anniversay! May you see another 21 years and more!

[ticky]

Willie and Larry....
Happy Anniversary!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knp9-GY6fHE

[Brooke]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY WILLIE!

And may you have many, many more! :cheers:

[TimothyBFan]

Thanks everyone! Ticky-that's cute!

We were suppose to go out for a nice dinner with friends tonight but I'm beginning to wonder if that will happen. Katie just got sent home from school with flu like symptoms. She started the cough last night and didn't look real good this morning but didn't say much. I guess her homeroom teacher asked her if she was feeling well because she "looked paler than usual". My daughter is a red head with very light porcelain skin so if she indeed looked paler-then we have a problem. :hilarious: There were 14 kids in the nurses office when they sent her down and that was only an hour after school started. The absenteeism yesterday was at 28% and that doesn't include the kids that went home the rest of the day. I hear the magic # is 30% and they shutdown the school. Oh Boy!!!

[ticky]

Yikes! Willie, that's crazy! They sent a letter home with Sarah last week saying that there were 28 kids in the 6th grade who were out with the flu and when I called my dentist office to reschedule an appointment because of an upset tummy, that's all I had to say!! (they usually throw a fit over rescheduling) The flu panic has officially started here. I hope Katie is all right and you and Larry get to celebrate!

[Molly]

Happy Anniversary Willie!

My 27th wedding anniversary is tomorrow. Shouldn't have gotten married when I was 12. :lie:

I need to get my butt into the hospital where I work and get the regular flu shot and the intranasal H1N1 vaccine. They're free to hospital employees so I have no excuse other than procrastination.

Hope you're daughter feels better quickly and the rest of your family is spared.

[GlennLover]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Willie & Larry!!! Hope Katie is OK!

Molly, HAPPY 27th tomorrow!!!

[TimothyBFan]

Happy anniversary Molly! 27 years is quite the accomplishment!

Katie still down for the count. Running a fever but not as bad as some I've heard of. The highest she's gotten so far is 100.3. And of course, to add insult to injury, this has given her one of her migraines and she can't take the migraine medicine with the Tylenol and Motrin for the fever. Poor kid-when I peek in on her, she's got the room completely dark and has an eye mask on. I hate to turn the light on to take her temperature because it hurts her. Gonna be a looooong weekend!

[Koala]

Happy anniversary Molly!

TBF, I hope Katie feels better soon!

[sodascouts]

27 years - wow! Happy anniversary from me, too, Molly!

Willie - I feel so bad for poor Katie! I hope she gets well soon.

[vamp1227]

Happy 27th Anniversary!!!

[Brooke]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOLLY!

Well done!

And Get Well Soon Katie!

[EasyFeeling]

Happy Anniversary, Molly !

And I hope Katie feels better soon. :)

[Molly]

Thanks for all the well wishes! At this point, I think Ditka and I are in it for the "long run"!

I got up early (even tho it's my day off) to bake Steve his favorite cake (Black Forest). It turned out beautifully. I even went all out decorating it using decorator icing tips, chocolate sprinkles and cherries on top.

I was quite proud of it.

Was quite proud of it...I tipped it as I was heading downstairs to our basement refridgerator and it slid nearly off the platter. It totally smushed on one side. :censored:

Ah well. I don't think he married me for my baking skills. And obviously not for my coordination, either!

[sodascouts]

Hey, it tastes just as good smushed as it does when it looks perfect! I can only imagine how you felt when it happened, though!

[Prettymaid]

Yum Molly, sounds de-e-e-licious! :thumbsup: Happy anniversary!

[Z]

Happy Anniversary, Molly!! I'm sure Ditka was still able to 'force' himself to eat that cake. :thumbsup:

[Wildthyme]

I am still keeping Amber and Francene in my thoughts and prayers.

Happy anniversary to Willie and Molly. Congrats!

And may everyone's friends and family who are down with the flu be well soon. They declared a flu emergency here today. We have had some schools closed with high absentee rates and one of the local high schools had to forfeit their football game on Friday because over half the team was out sick. I know we have a full on flu panic going on around here because I see people disinfecting the handles of their grocery carts and wearing masks. I suppose I am a bit prone to it myself. On Sunday I left church in the middle of the service because the people on both sides of me were hacking and coughing and wiping their noses and there was no way I was going to hold their hands during the Lord's Prayer or shake their hands during the sign of peace. And communion? Yeah right.. communal germ sharing! So I left before that portion of the mass (just call me chicken little...LOL)

So poor Rhonda got an earful about something going on in my life today (you can stop reading now Rhonda.... ;)) but I thought I might share with all of you since I can't seem to decide what to do. Anyway, I have been out of work since mid-August. I have been offered a job at a call center for a large health insurance company. The benefits are very good but the pay isn't. If I go to work for them I will have to take a 40% cut in pay over I was earning before (about $15K a year less) and it isn't actually enough for me to pay my mortgage and bills and also buy "luxury" items like food and toilet paper. Its even less than I am getting on unemployment and I am barely scraping by on that. I called the Employment Department and after a 35 minute wait got this woman who was totally useless in helping me to determine what my choices are (she wouldn't answer any of my questions) so I hung up with no better idea of what to do. Do I refuse the job, have my benefits suspended for 3 to 6 weeks while they investigate and risk losing my unemployment benefits all together or do I take the job and not earn enough to live on while trying to make the time to find both a second part time job as well as a totally different job that I can live on, not to mention wasting this company's resources on training me for eight weeks when I have no intention of staying there. This is really a conundrum for me and I have no idea what to do but I have to decide in the next couple days. To say the least I am having more than a little stress over this right now... :(

[MikeA]

Wow Cami...that REALLY Sux! Damned if you do and Damned if you don't! It sounds like a complete slap in the face with the GOV holding a hammer over your head, telling you that you have to take a job that pays less than your entitlements.

I wish you NOTHING but good fortune....and good fortune FAST!

[sodascouts]

It amazes me that they'd force you to take a job that pays LESS than you currently get on the dole!

Maybe it would be better to go down to the Employment Office instead of trying to talk to someone on the phone. A lot of times the people answering the phone just want to get rid of you and go back to checking the internet or whatever.

[tbs fanatic]

That really sucks. Soda makes a good point there - maybe it would help to go and speak with them in person. That is a crazy position to be put in though. Let us know what happens.

[Molly]

Cami, sorry to hear what you're going thru on the job front. That sounds frustrating and scary at the same time.

Good luck and hang in there.

[Wildthyme]

It amazes me that they'd force you to take a job that pays LESS than you currently get on the dole!

Maybe it would be better to go down to the Employment Office instead of trying to talk to someone on the phone. A lot of times the people answering the phone just want to get rid of you and go back to checking the internet or whatever.

Unfortunately I have to address my questions to a field office 200 miles away. The people in the local office can't help me with this question. All they can do is help me search for a job. Sooooo convenient. Gotta love state bureaucracy...

[TimothyBFan]

Wow Cami-I don't what to say! What a rough decision to have to make! Best of luck to you on whatever way you decide to go. Thoughts are with you.

[Prettymaid]

Cami, I can hear your frustration and wish I had some advice for you. The only thing I can say is that I believe that everything happens for a reason. I know that doesn't hold much comfort now, but you will eventually end up where you belong. :hug:

[Brooke]

Wow, Cami. This is really terrible. I wish I could help you, but I don't have a clue. Surely they can't make you take a job that doesn't pay you enough to cover your expenses? Maybe if you could talk to both sides, someone would try to work something out with you. Good luck to you.

[glenneaglesfan]

I really hope things work out for you, Cami.

Congrats, Willie and Molly, on your anniversaries!

Sorry to hear about those of you with the flu. Over here we are starting to offer the vaccine to vulnerable people and health care workers. I don't normally bother with seasonal flu vaccine, but I think I'll go for this one.

Busy weekend for us. Last night we had friends round for dinner. Today we had to call one of them back (a farmer) because his Holstein Friesian bull had broken over a barbed wire fence protecting the wall into our back garden, and we were expecting him to crash through at any minute! Luckily the bull managed to jump back over the wire, and our friend has now moved him and his harem to another field.

D is out tonight at a leaving do. He was working part time in two practices, but has been offered more sessions in the one nearest to us, so is giving up the other.

Tomorrow, we are going to host a lunch party for my mum, who will be 84 on Tuesday. My sister is coming down as well. It will be the first family get together at my home since my father died.

[Koala]

Wildthyme, sorry to hear that, that must be really frustrating.

[Glennsallnighter]

Sounds like a 'Ticky-like pie accident'. Still I hope you managed to salvage it and that you had a great day. Congrats on 27 years. Its some achievement. (You must have been a child bride Molly!!)

Willie, Congrats on your Anniversary as well. I hope you and Larry manage to celebrate at some stage soon. And I hope Katie is feeling much better. It looks like this H1N1 is starting to hit a bit closeer to home for a lot of us. Keep that resistance up!!

Cami! I hope you can make things work out for you. Its a tough call. Is there any possibility you could negotiate a better wage or perhaps a rise after say 3 or 6 months if you prove to be hardworking (Which I'm sure you are)? We have taken a 7.5% pay cut this year and have are also paying a new 2% income levy on top of tax increases. All in all we are down about 10% on take home pay (And that is BOTH of us). Another pay cut of up to 10% is due in the new year. All I can say is 'YIKES'

Kate, great to hear from you again. I too have missed you posting. I hope you have a great celebration with your mum.

I've a week off this week for the Hallowe'en break. :partytime::partytime::partytime:

[sodascouts]

Kate, good to hear from you. I hope your family gathering goes well. You are quite a good hostess. ;)

[GlennLover]

Hi Kate! Hope your mother & all have a great day!

[Prettymaid]

Hope you had a good time with your family GEF!

[Brooke]

Great to hear from you, Kate, and hope your birthday party was a success!

[sodascouts]

Well, last night was no fun for me. A pipe burst above my bathroom and water gushed down, flooding my bathroom, my vanity area, and getting under the carpet in my bedroom along the wall. It took a full ten minutes before they were able to shut the water off!

Once it was off they got a guy with a water extractor to remove all the water and put a fan to finish drying it. The smell is awful and I have quite a mess to clean up - my cat's litterbox was in that area - but at least nothing was ruined.

[Prettymaid]

Oh no Soda that's horrible! I hope everything dries up quickly!

[TimothyBFan]

Well I for one am just glad that Milton was "doing his business" in his cat box when the leak started! What a shocker that would of been for him! Good luck with the clean up. I'm glad it didn't destroy anything tho.

[Brooke]

Yikes! What a mess! I hate it when these kinds of things happen. Good luck with the clean up and glad nothing of value was ruined.

[Glennsallnighter]

Yes Soda! Thank goodness no serious damage was done. I hope the cleanup operation goes ok.

[sodascouts]

Well, I cleaned up what I could, but I think the water coming down through the florescent panels permanently stained my toilet seat cover. It may have started out clean, but once it went through the wall and the panels, it was gross and dirty.

At any rate, the worst part now is the STENCH. I have a freaking two-room apartment. There is no escaping it and it just seems to be getting worse!!! The second worst part is the mammoth dehumidifying machinery blocking my entire vanity area so that I can't even get in front of my own sink - I can't move it, because it's hooked up to all this tubing - nor easily sleep with all the noise it makes.

Ah well. Enough of the pity party - nothing was ruined except an expendable toilet seat cover, so I came out OK. I just wish this smell would go away!!!

[glenneaglesfan]

Soda, sorry to hear about your leak. Water in the house is my worst nightmare, ever since sharing a basement flat when the occupants above let the bath overflow.

Yesterday's birthday party went well. Mum was on good form and appreciated our efforts, and we had a lovely time.

Tomorrow is going to be a difficult time for me as I have to make some big decisions about my career.

[MikeA]

Nancy....I think you know what I think about plumbing! I think the art of plumbing went out with the Greeks back around the 2nd century!

Welp, here we all are...Fitzgerald's in Las Vegas. And, here we are with dialup internet connections for the week <LOL>

We did get a break on rental cars. We'd pre-paid for a compact and when asked what we had rented, we told him compact...or whatever looks good. He gave us a Mustang! And, he wouldn't accept a toke! We're not going to be out here as long this trip as we usually stay when we come out. But I think tomorrow,we'll most likely try some new "locals" casinos in Henderson. Gotta get out and drive that Stang!

[TimothyBFan]

Have fun Mike and take that Mustang on a little spin for me. I really miss my 2005 Stang that we sold this past March. Hope you win big!

[Peekaboo]

A big CONGRATULATIONS to both Willie and Molly on their anniversaries!!

Cami, I hope for the best for you on the job front.

Kate, I'm glad you and your family had a good time at the birthday party. Whatever the decision is on your career, I wish you the best of luck.

Mike, hope you're having a blast with that mustang. Good luck at the tables too.

Nancy, that sucks about the burst pipe at your place. Like you said, at least nothing was seriously damaged. Hopefully all will be resolved soon but i definitely understand how it is to try to get things fixed in an apartment. Last summer, my air conditioning kept freezing over and it kept leaking really bad. The floor in my closet, the intrance to my bedroom and in the hallway was completely soaked. It took the maintainence guys forever to come in and get it fixed. They still have yet to fix the carpet they ripped through.

I feel like i've been going and going and going for the last month or so and i'm finally just going to stay home at my place this week on my days off. Lately, I've been staying at my place during my work week and have had to leave to go here and there as soon as I get off work at 4am and only returning in time to go back to work and do it all over again. It may actually be tuesday morning right now but i'm still on monday since i worked last night and haven't been to sleep yet. This week on my days off I plan on sleeping in, cleaning my apartment, getting in some internet time, and just kick back and relax. These are my plans but who knows, something will probably come up and i'll have to leave town again for something. If that happens, oh well. I'll try again for a relaxing days off next week.

I decided to make a photo album in my profile. There's a few people in my life that i've mentioned quite a bit here and I just thought i'd post a few pics to put a face with a name.

[sodascouts]

GEF - I hope that whatever decision about your career that you make works out for you and is for the best.

Mike - nice deal!

Peek - so glad to see you around again. I know you've been having a lot going on. I'm off to take a look at that photo album!

ETA: Just saw all the photos and you have a lovely family!

[Molly]

OK, once again distracted by Nancy's avatar and had to sit here for a minute until I remembered what I was about to post....:eyebrow:...

Oh, yeah...

Nancy, nothing worse than water where it shouldn't be. The only time I've ever heard hubby scream like a girl was when my washing machine overflowed and water came thru the ceiling into the basement.

If that smell doesn't go away soon, I think I'd be on my landlord's butt to do something about it. You shouldn't have to live like that, and some smells are harmful and/or can emit harmful spors into the air.

Kate, I hope whatever decision you are facing regarding your career turns out to be a positive and fulfilling one. Good luck to you!

[eaglesvet]

Oh, Soda, we have had our share of water leakages over the years, so I know exactly where you are coming from. Rest assured, however, that all stenches eventually do go away!

Cami, it sure sounds like one huge dilemma you are in. I hope whatever choice you make will eventually show itself to be the correct one!

I just had some very good news. I never mentioned anything about this when I was getting my Tim pix ready for viewing here, but on Sunday my son and I were at the library downloading them onto a computer to then send them to my email. He downloaded the entire memory card, which included a few concerts and about 500 pix from our summer vacation out West to the National Parks (Yellowstone and Grand Teton). Without realizing the wire was still connecting the camera and computer, I asked him to delete the trip pix, so I could focus on the concert pix and select the ones I wanted to upload to my email. But... you guessed it...not only did he delete them from the computer screen, but inadvertently from the memory card as well!:-(:-( He realized it in a few seconds, but by then it was too late! We were both in tears as we asked the library staff if there was any way to retrieve the pix. Unfortunately, they were set to close in about 45 minutes, and their computer expert lived too far away to come assist us. One of their employees did his best to search the Recycle Bin, but to no avail, since Graham had not actually stored the pix before he deleted them. We left very dejected.

The next morning (yesterday), the librarian gave me the suggestion to go to our local independent computer store with my camera. The geek there (and I mean that in the most reverent way possible) said that as long as I had not added any info to the card (ie, taken any more pix), there was better than 50% chance he could retrieve the pix from the card with a special software. And, he just called me now, and he has found my vacation pix :thumbsup:...from a vacation I probably may not have the luxury of duplicating at another time in the future (although I would love to!) I want to kiss this geek! (Sounds like a Keith Urban tune!)

Once I have the vacation pix safely stored onto a CD, I will post some of the highlights, which I have been meaning to do. It might inspire one of you to take a trip to one of the same sites in the future.

[Brooke]

Gef, best of luck in your decision. It can be hard sometimes.

Ev, I'm so glad you retrieved your vacation pics. That would have been very sad to have lost them. Can't wait to see some of them!

[sodascouts]

Great to hear you got those photos back, evet! That would have been so awful. Thank goodness for geeks - and for the suggestion to go to one!

[Glennsallnighter]

Oh Evie, I too am glad you managed to retrieve your pics. looking forward to seeing it. I stopped at our local Party shop to get some Hallow'een stuff on Freyday last. The girl who runs it started telling me she had been to the Dublin gig but had taken her pics on her phone and her son had deleted them all. I showed her mine as I had the ipod with me. She loved them so I have promised to give her a memory stick of them next time I'm passing.

Soda, hope that smell subsides soon. It sounds pretty yuck and can't be healthy.

Kate, I'm glad that the party for your mum went well and I hope that you make the right decision as regards your work.

[MikeA]

Dang Eva! CLOSE CALL!

I imagine everyone here has had their experiences with the DTs (Digital Technology!) You just haven't experienced life in full until you come that close to losing that which can't be replaced!

I've WON with the 'Stang...except for the gas gauge. I can't keep my foot out of the carb! Wish I'd done that well with the gambling. I NEED to win to fill that gas tank up <LOL>

It is miserable weather out here in Vegas. Relatively speaking. Tomorrow it is supposed to be around 57* or 58* with 40mph winds. I think I may just stick around on Fremont Street tomorrow! We drove quite a ways south of Vegas to Boulder to a "locals" casino and stopped at three others on the way back. I'm really impressed with the 'Stang. Wouldn't want to own one...no room. It would be torture in the rear seat, but man is it fun to drive!

[Wildthyme]

I want to say thanks to everyone for their encouragement with my little dilemma. Looks like I will be taking this job for now. The employment department basically told me that while normally they might not expect me to take a job that was such a huge pay cut, in a time of high unemployment their standards are different. So looks like I am stuck. So off to work I go on Monday. For the time being I will have to live off credit cards in order to cover what my paycheck doesn't and keep my fingers crossed that I can find a second part-time job in the next few weeks. I suppose I should be grateful I am working when so many others aren't and that this job is a pretty good one even if it is not an especially well paid one. And who knows, I may have that winning lottery ticket in my purse right now so none of this will matter... :D

[TimothyBFan]

Wow EV-close call! You gotta love the geeks!:)

[Brooke]

WT, sounds like you've got things straightened out and have a good attitude about it. Good for you! Hopefully it will lead you to better things in the future.

Mike, sounds like you better stick to the gambling in the casinos and not the Stang! I had a 2002 Stang a few years ago and loved it, but the roads I drive on in winter made me want a front-wheel drive vehicle back rather quickly! And not much room to haul anything other than the people in the front seat!

[MikeA]

Yep Brooke, I know what you mean. Stang's are NOT practical vehicles <LOL>. The doors must weigh a ton each. The seatbelt is hard to reach to fasten when you get in. There is no room in the back seats...a tiny trunk (boot) too. The little convenience pockets in the doors are more for decoration than anything else.

On the positive side, the visibility with the large side mirrors and center rear view mirror are Excellent. And there is a LOT of room in the front buckets! And, of course it "goes" like a bat out of hell! And it looks "retro". I like that! Almost impossible to even find let alone afford one of the classic BOSS 302's or a MACH I. This is as close as most people will ever get to owning one of the Muscle Cars of the 60's.