Well, if our cycle doesn't start... my derned well did... after 20 days. Lovely, just lovely. The past 3 months were 32-34 days apart - thought I had a new trend. Drat it. I hate getting old(er). Hope the evening went better for you and that today went well. I hate to wish a cycle on someone but may you be flowing very soon. Kathy

Interesting concept. On paper it sounds good but I think picking one name out of a hat would be so very hard to all the others who deserve it equally, ya know? Kathy

Simmer down, hon! Don't skip dinner. Skipping meals isn't the answer. Just go for a little walk if you can or do what you can to distract yourself from the grazing. We've all been there. Hugs, Kathy

My fallback shows are Law & Order reruns on TNT, Bravo, etc. All forms of L&O. And now they are showing Without a Trace too. No complaints from me on that accord. I'm a L&O, Bones, Criminal Minds, CSI (original only - not NY or Miami), sometimes Numbers. I watch WWE wrestling (guilty pleasure) and some of the Survivor types shows. I have lots of time on my hands on evenings with Rich working late. I try to do laundry and chores while watching. Kathy

Hi Debra, Hugs, I know how hard this is. It is a huge difference when the baby leaves the nest. I remember once hearing Dr. James Dobson say on a radio program - "that when the last birdie leaves the nest the couple comes back into the house, pours a cup of coffee and says to one another WHO ARE YOU ! ??? " So we get to re-discover our spouses in many new ways. A challenging but worthy venture. It is a bigtime grief and loss and opportunity for self- discovery and soul searching in WHO you are as well as WHO your honey is without the kids home to make the usual noises that have suddenly gone silent. And to keep things stimulatingly stirred up creating tremendous distraction from the pressing questions. Take all the time you need to think and grieve and ponder and dig deep into the wonderful and creative woman you are ...even when not NEEDED daily in the same fashion as always present MOM. ( with ever present kiddos ) Surprisingly you may mine some things you always wanted to learn or do or paint or draw or knit etc. and now that you have time you may see those creative fires fan into flame. You may stand in awe at what gifts you un-earth. I hope your heart is comforted and heals in this aching longing time of transition. I pray also for your physical body which may very rightly be reacting to the quiet storm inside. Keep listening to your body ...just in case ya need to check in w/the good doc. Happy Anniversary! 30 years is HUGE these days Hoping by TT time you feel settled and refreshed and have a wonderfully successful , minimally painful recovery - which DOES happen sometimes !! Hugs, Mary * Mother of 5 and after the nest was empty for some time... the youngest birdie did a 'boomerang" and has now re-joined the household after Mama got used to the quiet and began to find out who I was when not being Mama. * Life is full of interesting surprises. p.s. one thing I did NOT miss in the 'strange new silence'...was the and the that dd are so famous for