WHATS HAPPENING WEDNESDAY

Today started off looking like rain but it never did show up. We got to 78 today. Seems pretty warm for this time of year. But it usually does this sometime in the spring. Makes you want to plant stuff and you know you shouldn't, then for some people it gets the best of them, they plant and bammmm FROST!! I have done it before. Back a few years ago I planted a lot of stuff early, every one kept telling me its to early , its to early but I didn't listen then when the stuff was up about 3 inches they said tonight we will have frost . You should have seen be out with all sorts of things trying to cover my little plants. I lost most of them. Since then am pretty good about waiting. This year it is really ok cause of the green house and I can grow things to my hearts content and they are safe. They say here in this area. S.Mo. the last frost date is April 30 th that really seems a little late but it isn't. Well I had a surprise today. I had a phone call from a former boss wanting me to come back to work for them. I right before I retired was working as the manager of a residential home for the elderly. Worked for them for 8 years. Today the called with a good offer but I turned it down. I told Joe that I like our life like it is. We could use the money but I don't want to go somewhere else and have to close my house up and not be here but maybe once a month. Im just not into that really. I had thought that I might want to go back to work when I lost some weight but I don't think so. I worked since I was 15 full time. And while I was raising my 3 kids I worked 2 full time jobs plus be a mom. When I retired I was so relieved that I didn't have to go to work but I felt so out of place and now that I have all of what I ever wanted in life. Why go back to work and have all that stress and stuff ever again. No I think I am supposed to be right where I am. Someone has been stealing dogs in our neighborhood. They have stolen 2 Dalmatians, a boxer, a roteweiler and they stole our dog a full blooded chow. We have another dog but he isn't full blooded anything except sweetie. I don't know how they stole some of these dogs unless they have maybe a tranquilizer gun or something. Because these are all big dogs. But like our dog they just disappeared overnight. We have looked all over the place for her and she just isn't in the area. This isn't an area that dogs get hit by cars either because there isn't much traffic. Hardly any at all. She was here Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning she wasn't. One of the neighbors said they saw a car about 11pm Sat night that made the block about 3 times. So I don't know if that was it or not. No good rotten dog thief. That is just low. Talked to Sugar this afternoon and she still isn't feeling very good at all. She says the pain is so bad that she has trouble breathing. It will be a week tomorrow since she had surgery. I didn't have any pain with mine so I don't know what to tell her. I know some people do have but I was a little stiff feeling when I went home but in no pain. Just keep her in your prayers. She gets the drain taken out Thursday and I hope that is part of the pain she is feeling and that makes her feel a lot better. Well the area that we had bulldozed is beginning to look good. We have most of it cleaned up and burned. Man you talk about hard work. That is hard work. But I guess my body is getting used to it. I worked probably harder today than I did yesterday but wasn't nearly as tired or wore out. And the good thing about it was that all this work I did out in the sun and around the fire I didn't get so hot that I thought I would die. At times I got pretty warm and even sweated but wasn't that horrible hot feeling I use to get. Lol I never knew how people could work and sweat like that and not get sick but now I know. Wow. Janet: that is one of the things they said about my back too was the same diagnosis but, with the scoliosis and arthritis , and spinal stenosis. Which that is the opening in the spine where the nerves go is smaller than it should be and that causes the pain to be more severe. So basically what you have is lots of arthritis. It is painful and there is some more test that can be done for it to be sure. The only problem is how to treat it now that we have had this surgery. They can do injections. And if the arthritis is really severe enough they can do surgery and fuse parts of the back by taking out the facet joints. So if your doctor comes up with something that works for the pain for you let me know as long as It isn't a narcotic I would be asleep all the time and I sure don't want that . Wow amazing that you went down that much in shoe size. I have gone from an 11 to a 10 I use to wear a 9 years and years ago but as you get older your feet grow some more I think or if they don't grow they spread or something lol Lilacs can be planted about anytime except in the hot hot summer I would imagine , I wouldn't know why not. They like sun so I wouldn't plant them in the shade. They don't bloom too well when in deep shade. I know you and Melissa are still gone but think you will read the back logs of whats happening when you get back lol. Hope you all are having a good trip and gets lots of good reports. Sherr: do you find that if you do stretching and mild exercise that your back feels better. Mine does so everyday I do a lot of stretching . and any time it starts hurting really bad I take about 15 minutes and do them all again. I do take Flexerill daily , my doctor says to take it 3 times a day but all I can do is ½ 2 times a day. Other wise I sleep too much. Also take Ultram and Tylenol. Both of them together seems to help it enough to take the edge off . The only thing wrong with the ultram , it is like most pain pills that it make me constipated. How are your fur babies? And also how is your mom and dad? Is your moms knees better now since the meds injected have gotten in there and had time to work? It is about time for me to go again to get mine injected again. You can have it done every 6 months. So April 6th I think is 6 months for me. They are really beginning to hurt much worse again like they did before surgery We miss seeing you on here like you use to be. Have your headaches eased off some? Didn't mean to steal your answers to Janet but I had already typed it when I read what you had written. sorry. Sounds like you know first hand of which you speak. Craig: so good to see you on this post again. So glad that who ever it was didn't run you off. Next time if anything like that happens again just laugh at them, and throw the email in the trash. Lol I have total faith that if God keeps bringing you back to being able to play and sing again that he will take care of a little thing like that trach, that is nothing in his eyes or his realm of being able to get rid of you know.? I would love to hear you play the piano. Talking about the will of God. Have you ever heard the southern gospel group called Chosen Few? The piano player on there was run over by a lawn mower when he was young and had to have his leg amputated and he learned to play the piano and keyboards due to not being able to play sports and he is so so good at playing , composes also. About 10 years ago in the winter he was driving on I-44 out of Springfield when he hit a patch of ice and went across the median and slamed into a semi. His right arm was crushed and he cant use it at all , but you should still hear him play that keyboard. He can do more with his left hand than most people can do with two good hands. He just makes the glory of God be amplified when you hear him. He says that when God tells you to do something he will make the way. And when he thought it was all over God told him we can still do this so do it. And he said he did and He did. So your trach is just a little thing that is in the way. Doesn't mean anything to God. If it is meant for you to play and sing go for it. Craig I think the back pains sort of come along with the losing weight. Almost everyone that I have talked to say they have had more back pain after surgery. But that most of it goes away later. So must be something to do with the body re arranging itself . Maybe bones going back into place that they haven't been in a long time lol. Weighting different you carry yourself different so maybe all of that is part of it. I don't know. This is a theory that the P.T. I have seen a few times said anyway. Sounds good. I will buy it. Lol Oh wow I love Enya too. Her songs are so hauntingly beautiful. They just seem to echo inside don't they? Im not welsh that I know of but I really like her music. Cant wait to see you in June too. Hopefully we are going to try and have a reunion of all Missouri board people some time this year too may be later in the year don't really know .will find out later . Janet is doing all of that so watch for the announcements she makes about it. Tami: Is Jean the same Jean that comes to the Circle of Friends meeting? Or another Jean? Your dad ran into the back of a police car? Is he ok? Oh my gosh. I hope he wasn't hurt to bad. Brenda: im so sorry that your meetings haven't gotten any one to them. I know there are people in the area surely. I guess if it is just going to be your and Andrew tho you could probably meet closer . That is such a shame I know you all really wanted to do that. I know with the exercises and the stretching and walking and everything I have quit being so clumsy as I was. I still have a little off balance (ok maybe a lot in the brain areas ) but it is getting better. Melissa: Hope you and Janet are having fun. I sure would like to be a fly on the dashboard with you too in the car and around each other that long. Lol. Take care and drive carefully. Debbie D: So glad that you are feeling well and it has only been a week too. I bet the boys are glad that you are feeling so well now and can start cooking for them again. I know a lot of people say that it really bothered them that they had to cook for their hubbies or kids after surgery but it didn't bother me at all. Just did it and ate my little bits of what ever. Now that I am able to eat the stuff he eats just tiny portions. You said you had already ordered your hydrangea tree? Hope the advice I gave you was what you needed. And I hope the tree is in good shape when you get it. Let me know when you get it . Hope your trip to Dr. H. was a good one. How much weight did you lose? I t is hard the first week to lose much due to the air and fluids you have at surgery. Andrew: Yeah you can plant all cool weather plants in the veggie garden right now. Onions, potatoes, spinach, radishes, lettuce, these things come up early and are over with by the time othere things are just getting up good Although my brother grows lettuce in a rolling tubs all summer long. He keeps i****ered and in the shade and has fresh lettuce all summer. Lol. Andrew as far as the brother in law is concerned don't know the answer there. You have started this schooling and it cant be ignored now. Is he not in a wheel chair or anything? Life always thowing us curves isn't it? Will pray for you and him and see if something cant be worked out, that is best is to let God take care of it. Debbie M: well you just got in under the wire lol. After I said that about planting the flowers I though of the daffodils that you talked about earlier. Are they all blooming up there? Mine are so pretty. Right now. My tulips are up about 3 or 4 inches too and wont be long before they decide to bloom. Joe and I are still talking about a Goldwing Trike. We want one so badly but don't know if we will be able to afford one. We want to be back in the wind but due to his bad back and hip we figure the trike will be safer for him to drive. Are you doing well on your diet? You have had one fill already haven't you? I bet you can tell a difference cant you? I am still waiting for my Jasmine to arrive I wrote them yesterday asking why I hadn't received them . they have now shipped them out or so they say. Will see. Lol. Pray for an Aunt of mine. She is just about my age and has the last stages of Diabetes . she can only eat one meal a day or she is in terrible pain. uncle is taking her on one last big vacation. To Hawaii starting on March 16th. He doesn't know if she will really be able to make it all the way thru the vacation but she wants to go and he is taking her. They will be gone for 3 weeks. So pray that she will be able to enjoy this last vacation for them. And that if my uncle loses her that he will be able to handle it they have been together for a long time. LOVE AND JOY AND PEACE ABOUNDS JAN

Yea buddy I just made it but look whos first today!...lol JAN...I knew you would figure out the flower thing....lol I don't know much about gardening but the frost thing I have down pat! I wish spring would get here faster, I'm running out of space in my house from all the little growies! I bet your loving that green house...I have always wanted one but that is something I don't think I will ever see! At lease for myself! David seems to be getting into the gardening thing too! He told me he never would so I should never ask and I don't but he was out there with me, drilling holes so all I had to do is drop the daffs. in and cover. The garden auger is a little miracle tool! Speeds up the planting time like crazy...I love it! Yes, the daffs are ready to bloom and my tulips are coming up all over the place even though I have not tended to them in a couple years....Thank you Lord!! You guys be careful with a trike! Maybe go out and test drive one first! I have heard that they are harder to steer than a regular bike! Years and years ago my cousin and her boyfriend wrecked one, she was in a cast from her hip all the way down to her toes! I'm sure they have improved A LOT since then but PLEASE be careful!! Back when I drove a bus I would see groups of people with trikes going along together. I don't know their group name but I know they got together EVER weekend during the warmer months for trike runs and it looked like fun! Our Church has a group of motorcycle riders. They go out on runs together! We go sometimes but usually they are on Saturdays and David has to work but whenever David gets a Saturday off and they had a run set up, we go! I'm sorry about your Auntie! I have had my dealings with diabetes, my Dad died from the complications of diabetes and years back I had a friend that had type 1 diabetes but lost her battle long ago. It's a very ugly disease! You know that Sugar is in my prayers! Man, she is really having a rough time with that pain, poor thing! As for the dogs going missing, they better be watching themselves around here. I'll be getting my 12 gauge back out! I'm sorry you lost your Chow...that has got to hurt! That is low to steal someone elses dog! Some people just don't realize how close some people get with their pets! Mine are like my kids, except they mind better!...lol What are rolling tubs? You were talking about your brother and him having lettuce all year long but I didn't understand about the rolling tubs...please translate...lol As for my diet, I'm doing pretty good except when David is home for his days off! We are usually running all day and I don't have a traveling plan for my eating yet and he's been cheating on his food intake. I asked him today if he is ever gonna stick to the plan we have, he just kinda smiled and looked away like a little boy who just got caught with his fingers in the cookie jar! I told him that he is making it very hard on me with his cheating, he said he will try harder! I told him that if he couldn't go along with our plan that we would have to start eating separately because I am dead serious about losing this weight...it isn't a game to me and I'm not going to allow someone to mess it up for me! I know if I don't lose it I'm dead and that if he doesn't drop some weight he will be too! I think he understands where I coming from now! He does compliment me all the time on how good I'm looking! I don't feel that I have lost much weight but he and others have said that I have. My daughter hasn't seen me much since my surgery but on the phone the other day (sweet little thing that she is) asked "do you have a jaw line yet?" Geez, girl...a little easier next time, that was just a little too harsh! I just though in the back of my mind, she better be careful because after baby 2, the women in our family really start putting on the weight and she has gained a lot since the birth of her daughter back in May of 06. I pray that she loses her weight and doesn't have to go through what we are or will be going through! She is FINALLY getting her car legal and getting her driver's license again! She also has plans to go back to work, that will help alot!! Thank you Lord for prayers answered! Yes, I have had my first fill which consisted of 2 CCs of saline and I think I may need another one and you asked how much weight I've lost...I started at 291lbs and now I'm weighing in at 265lbs so what is that....ummmm 26lbs. since the last of January..not to bad if you ask me!...lol TO EVERYONE ON THE BOARD... I just want you all to know that I see that there is A LOT going on in everyone's lives and I will be spending the next couple of days reading to catch up on everyone and those that need prayer will definitely be getting prayer! For those that are new, WELCOME!! For those that are losing the weight fast, CONGRATS!! For those that are having trouble losing the weight, KEEP THE FAITH!! It will happen but EVERYTHING happens in GOD'S TIME! CRAIG...again I am so happy to see your back and full of the Spirit, that alone brightens my day!! Keep your eyes on Him and everything will come together! I told you awhile back that just because that doc that you have or had said you had to have that trach forever doesn't mean squat! God is The Mighty Physician and if He wants that trach out and for you to sing like an angel, it WILL happen!! I BELIEVE!! KATE...sweety, I hope we didn't scare you off! Sometimes the things said to help us can be very overwhelming! If you want to have a more subdue conversation about everything going on, just email one of us! I'm sure that anyone on here would be more than happy to take you under their wing to listen to your needs and fears, for support about anything and to be there for you if all you need is a sounding board! Please don't just sit and let the darkness of depression overtake you! We're here and we love to listen!! So SPEAK UP!! Well thats it for me until later...Love you guys!! Prayers for all, Deb M

Momma J & Company: Hi Honey!!! I was born with terrible back issues. I spent from my early years until I was about 16 going to LeBonner Children's Hospital in Memphis. If you looked at my xrays, my head sits in a way that your kneck area should have a little "bow" in the spinal column, but mine is perfectly straight...but since my head sits mostly forward of my spine, it's like my kneck is breaking....does that make any sense? And since I was a premy baby, my bones didn't grow properly, and are very degenerative and brittle. All this happened when I was thin, but I will admit, it greatly accelerated when I became obese a few years ago..... I have been prescribed EVERY type of drug imaginable, none of the narcotics ever interested me, as the do not subside the pain any, but make me feel "loopy" so I refuse those. I was on 10-12 Ultram a day at one time, and tried flexeril several times. My dad is actually on Ultram now, and mom is on a combination of Flexeril and percoset. I NEVER would think that you were "cutting in on answers" we all need to give our account of how things affect us, so there are more "stories & choices out there" My poor parents are both using those wheeled walkers w/ the seats in the middle....I just ordered Daddy his own last night on the Sam's website. The injections are not helping mom at all. And her left knee is 4 weeks out from the 1st injection, shouldn't it have some relief by now? I have bought a ton of bulbs to plant and can not for the life of me decide where to put them. I am in love with Lilies. Mom says the squirrels here will eat most of them, once I plant them...Is there anything I can do to curb this? The puppies are both asleep under the covers still. Bailey seems to be tired, but not in pain and Lucais's growth was deemed a cyst, and the Vet said to jus****ch it too..... I am a strange dog lady, I can sit and hold Bailey like a little baby cradled in my arms and wrap him up in covers and he just looks at me so sweet, and happy. Funny how little animals will let you contort them all around, and not be mad LOL I am having an "invitation only" sale this weekend to try to sell some of my better designer clothing, I have been doing very well with listing it, but thought a sale here would be even better. So That, along w/ the parents, son and pups have been keeping me super busy. Taking care of two houses and two parents that are "broken" is exhausting, but it could be worse, and it could be me. This humid weather is just killing me. I too feel broken. If I wasn't a strong person, I'd be laying in the bed crying for myself. My bones all just scream out. Spine and upper leg bones are the worst I've ever felt. Debbie M....I hope you find your little note way down here...LOL I am with you on the 12 guage (if I had one) my Dogs are truly family, and I'd not hesitate to pul the trigger if a human tried to hurt them or take them...but mine are inside lap dogs. I am having a invitation only sale on Saturday, and I've made it crystal clear, no one is allowed in my home.... My furnishings are of no concern, but my dogs are my babies.....and if some dumb @ss let one out on accident, I'd flip out on them. Not that 8.5 year old poodles run all crazy and try to escape, but I don't want the gates open and them out in the yard anyway...they are little old men, like I feel like a little old lady I wonder what type of trouble Mel & Janet C. are getting into? Columbia is such a great city to shop in, take in and look at... Love you guys.....all of you! S Sherr: do you find that if you do stretching and mild exercise that your back feels better. Mine does so everyday I do a lot of stretching . and any time it starts hurting really bad I take about 15 minutes and do them all again. I do take Flexerill daily , my doctor says to take it 3 times a day but all I can do is ½ 2 times a day. Other wise I sleep too much. Also take Ultram and Tylenol. Both of them together seems to help it enough to take the edge off . The only thing wrong with the ultram , it is like most pain pills that it make me constipated. How are your fur babies? And also how is your mom and dad? Is your moms knees better now since the meds injected have gotten in there and had time to work? It is about time for me to go again to get mine injected again. You can have it done every 6 months. So April 6th I think is 6 months for me. They are really beginning to hurt much worse again like they did before surgery We miss seeing you on here like you use to be. Have your headaches eased off some? Didn't mean to steal your answers to Janet but I had already typed it when I read what you had written. sorry. Sounds like you know first hand of which you speak.

SHERR...I read your post and I say, AMEN!! ...and I will pray that you don't have to flip out on anyone on Saturday...sure would hate to have to come down there just to bail you outta jail! ...lol Love you sister, keep loving those babies!! Deb M

Good morning Jan and board...Jan I finely ordered the bars..lol I sure hope Sugar gets better fast, tell her hang in there it gets better. everyone is getting the planting fever, I have my house windows full of seeds mostly on the south side....Jan I repotted the tomato plants they are beautiful, may have to put them in an even bigger pot before time to put them outside. everyone have a nice day and God bless.....vesta

Good Morning, Jan & the rest of the Missouri Peeps! (How did we get that name?) I just posted a new post about the new protein shake I tried today. It's delicious and it has 4 dietary fibers per serving!! Plus it's on sale at Vitamin world for 19.99 for a 2lb jar. You can read more about it on my previous post. Please pray for my hubby. He woke up with a 101 temp. He has the stomach flu my youngest son, Jake, had last Friday. I am still praying I do not get it! My dear hubby immediately got out of our bed and went to sleep on the daybed in my office. I immediately sprayed everything down with lysol. I am trusting the Lord to either keep me from getting this flu, or help me get thru it, one way or the other I trust Him that I will be okay. Would appreicate your prayers for our family for this flu. I guess it's going around again. A lady who works for the school in a town about 5 miles south said they sent about 8 kids home Friday with it. I am soooooo ready for Spring! Jan, Sorry to hear about one of your dogs being stolen and all those other dogs. Must be a rackett of some sort. Hope they catch those thieves sooon! Yes I ordered the tree and yes your advice is greatly appreciated! May have to ask again when I actually get it...won't be until April 19th because that is when we can plant it. QVC guarantees it for 30 days and Cottage Farm does for 1 year. So hopefully, it wll be okay. I'm picking out a spot in my front yard for it. I'm so excited! Sherri, I have by little girl toy poodle, Precious, 5.5 lbs, is like my youngest child. She is 6 years old. I would defend her life as well! I love her so much and you can just wrap her up like a baby and she doesn't mind it at all. Right now her and my hubby are snuggled up together on the couch. He loves her just as much as I do. Funny but it's true! I'm going to try and get some walking into day. A couple ladies from my new church have offered to be my walking partners. I really do need some accountability. My son, Jake, wants to start riding bikes together. Dr. H said I could next Monday. Jake is soooo excited! We all bought bikes about 6 years ago. I have a really cool Giant Bike. It's old fashioned with the wide handle bars and it's teal and silver and has a nice cushy seat. I put a basket on the front where I put a nice blanket and strap my little poodle, Precious, into it. She loves to go on family bike rides as well! My neighbor once told me I reminded her of that lady (who turns into the Witch) on the Wizard of Oz who is riding her bike with Toto in it! LOL! I probably do look funny but I don't care!! Hope everyone has a great day! Debbie D.

Last but not least, it is me. Just wanted to say hello and praise God for the beautiful day today. We are heading out to Houston in the morning so I may not be on for a while. coming back on the 25th in time for KCmetro area support group on the 26th. Hope our group gets bigger this month. Everyone enjoy the weather and I am going where it already is in the 80's and I will be swimming each day in the pool. Keep the faith and thank Jesus daily for your blessings. Colette