Thanks, Mary. That just goes to show you what a little bit of lip stick and make up can do . Wanda

Hi Paula! I am so happy for you! I could tell you were so scared of maintenance. You have truly accomplished so much....especially in this last month! Your last month has been a tough one to live through and I am so proud that you have stuck to your guns. You deserve a standing ovation!!!! Wanda

Sorry guys. This post was supposed to go on the main board not here because of the way it was written (you know my mom died and I'm terrified of maintenance). Now I have to figure out how to get it to the main board too. Paula

It's so great when.... I fit in a chair that I would never had tried when MO I get weighed at the doctor's office My daughter has 3 paychecks in a month (3 Tues) and we have a little extra My SSI arrives and I feel like I am contributing My friends continue to include me in nursing conferences My daughter comes home from work b/c all the animals are excited, the dogs jump around, the birds yell Sheri, or Guess who's here - Sheri, or give a long, loud wolf whistle I uncover the birds in the am and they all say Hi in their sleepy voices on their night time perches I have to buy new jeans in the next smaller size as an incentive to keep on losing They finally finished putting 1 1/2" lifts on a pair of Birkenstock's and a pair of walking SAS - now I am somwhat level and able to walk with just a small limp I get to see Tyler Jaden my 10 month old grandson (they live 250 miles from me) I am able to sit in the car for a long car ride without pain thanks to my wonderful pain clinic doc, Dr. Work I think how Dr. Work in the pain clinic is so knowledgeable about fibromyalgia and is supportive in dealing with pain on an individual basis. My pain on a scale of 0-10 (low-high) had been 8-10 for 24/7 for about 6 years. He changed my meds and I had relief within 48 hours. Pain now is 2-6 and my quality of life has changed dramatically. They take my blood pressure and it is 110/70 I think how wonderful that I had a daughter who stepped up to the plate when I became disabled and had to quit my job as a Family Nurse Practitioner. We bought a home together and take care of each other and blend her paychecks and my SSI check I think of the OH message board and especially this Feb group who have become my extended family. So many responded to my post when my mom died and comforted me and Sheri. Thanks guys. I think how God has led me through difficult situations and is always there to help with problems as they arise and is a faithful Father to me always. Paula

I'm tired of... rain, rain, and more rain dogs out in the rain & then tracking mud on my floors Willy (Old English Sheepdog) continuously barking if he doesn't get his way living in unending CLUTTER (my daughter was diagnosed with bipolar disorder five years ago, and when her brain is cluttered my house and car are cluttered) cement floors in my room, hallway, and birdroom (during a manic phase all the carpeting was removed - FIVE YEARS AGO) anything that has to do with FOOD my PCP knowing nothing about care of a bariatric pt my bariatric surgeon for handing off care to the PCP after surgery (not emergency stuff or surgery complications, of course) being ever fearful for my daughter's safety and health (she's 30 and we live together) my family of birth (namely my brother) for having emotionally abandoned me even in times of extreme need for support, ie breast cancer, passing of our father and now mother no emotional support PAIN, PAIN, never ending horrible PAIN. Well that was good to get off my chest, very therapeutic. Thanks for the idea. Paula -174