WHATS HAPPENING......SATURDAY.

My tulips are blooming, they never bloom before at least the middle or April. What is going on . I guess since we had such a horrible cold winter that we are having a really early spring. I wish I knew for sure that we wouldn't have any more cold weather. But here in the Ozarks the last frost date is April 30 and has been known to frost the first week in May. If there was someway to look down the road about 4 weeks I would go ahead and plant some things. But don't want to lose things. The next 7 days anyway is going to be 70sto 80 in the day time and 50s to 60s at night. I set my geraniums out to catch the misty rain that we had here today. We haven't been getting the rain that some of your all have been getting. Im glad for you but wish we could get some of it. I uncovered the 6 inches of straw off my elephant ears and letting the straw dry out and the bulbs too. They have already started to sprout. I left the straw off to the side so I can pu**** back over them in case. Lol Sugar: I am praying for you daily to get better. I feel so helpless and think you might ought to call your pcp and go see her and see what she thinks. Ok I hope you will be able to be there Monday night. I remember the first one I went to which was almost a month exactly after my surgery and I remember feeling really tired sitting there. I will be at your house Monday afternoon unless you are not going to be there ok? I will call you tomorrow again. Is your doctor in her office on Saturday? Tony: I sure do hate that you are going to have to give up your internet for the time being. Hope it isn't long before you are on again. Send us a message thru Julia or Collette at least ok? Am praying for you and your problems too. Tammy: well maybe you will have your surgery soon and the heat from this summer wont bother you as bad. I know these days that we have had so far I can be out in long pants and shirt and be hoeing and digging and not get hot at all. And last year at this time I would have had shorts and a tank top on trying to work and sweat pouring off me. Big difference in the way I feel all over. I have felt so much better today. We went to town and bought groceries and stopped at the hardware store and got some new air filters for the return air vents in the house. I wasn't near as tired or worn out as I was the last two days. So thanks for the prayers everyone. Tammy we would love for you and Sherr to come to another meeting. Would be lots of fun. Janet: I have had you on my mind a lot today. And every time I thought of you I said a prayer. I hope you are feeling a lot better tonight. There is just so much that one person can do and you have to know that you aren't responsible for taking care of everyone. I know how you feel but you cant take on caring for the world. I use to be like that and wound up a long time ago being in the hospital for all the stress I was causing myself. I practically had a nervous breakdown. Then you aren't any good to anyone. You cant make that baby well. You cant take the hurt from your daughters over their father, you cant make great grandma not have had a stroke and you cant fix Melissa and her problems. OK!!! The only people that you are responsible for is your self and your 4 year old since he is so young. Everyone else is old enough that they have to take care of themselves and learn to deal with things. You cant take the hurt away from the world and their pain. Believe me I know I tried and it will tear you apart. OK now im off my soap box. All of us will keep all of your family in our prayers and I hope everything works out for all of them. You know that all of us on here are praying for Melissa and Terry. Both of them facing such hard things to go thru and Terrys dad too. I don't think that is going to be an easy thing to take either. Lana: I bet you are looking really good now girl. So what size are those new jeans? I love the stretch denim and I am so short waisted the ones that are to set right below the waist line fit me so so much better , they sit right on my waist line instead of below. Most pants that I buy are so long in the rise that I wind up rolling the waist down to make them fit right. Or the straddle of the pants is down around my knees. Lol. Glad to hear that your grandson is doing so well. Isnt it amazing what kids can endure? You asked about Sweet potatoes , I had a piece of one tonight. Sure was good. They are a lot lower in carbs than a regular potato. Not exactly sure of what all is in them but in the grocery store the ones that have the nurtritional values above the fruit or veggies. You can check it out there. I like to put a little low fat cream cheese on mine. But a little bit of real butter is good too. Yes I wish we had a Trader Joes here too. I have never been in one but they say they are fantastic. My daughter said she used to shop in one all the time in Ca. when she lived there. Wow 64 pounds you are doing great for no longer than you have been out. I was about like that far and is when I went on a stall to be all of them. I lost more inches but didn't lose a pound for about 2 months. Still losing really really slow. I guess the rest of it is going to come off way slow. As long as I don't gain I will be ok lol Loved your rant. Lol I would this surgery again every year if I had to , to keep the weight off. I know that sounds drastic but it is the truth. I feel so much better that I just cant and wont go back to where I was. So rant away. This is a safe place to do that. lol Krissy: So good to see you post. And encourage others. I love the Bible Phrase you used :::: And Joy cometh in the Morning. What a wonderful and great thought. No matter what is going on today or tonight. JOY COMETH in the MORNING. Doesn't that just fill your heart with hope? IF it doesn't then you're a wet noddle in the middle of the pool of life. Lol Sherr: I will go back and look at your profile again sweetie. I know it is hard taking care of us old folks but one day when they are no longer with you at least you will be able to look back and say. I did all I could to help them and my sole is at peace over that. Of course it will be a long time before that happens with your parents. They really aent that old , it is just because you are young that you think so. Lol Im so so sorry about your fur babie and his tumors. That is sad and I know it is tearing your heart out . Remember he loves you and has given you lots of cheer and entertainment for quite a long time. We think of you all all the time. Seems like there are more and more that aren't posting here lately. WE miss all of them and there are getting more and more all the time and it is hard to put all of their names down but you know who you are. May put up a MIA post again Monday or so and see who all we can call out. Lol I miss so many of the ones that started out with me on here. Now im one of the only ones left on a regular basis. All of my August surgery buddies the only one that posts once in awhile is Brenda and she doesn't very much. LOVE AND JOY AND PEACE ABOUNDS. JAN

My tulips are up as well, but haven't bloomed yet. I guess I need to uncover some of my stuff soon too....I think I need to move my hostas. I think I have them in too much shade. I know what you mean about being hot natured!!! In the winter everyone else has to have the heat up and I have a fan by my recliner to blow on me and one in my bedroom to blow on me at night. In the summer I have to keep my hair up and don't even try to wear makeup at all cause I sweat so badly. Several people I have talk to say that changed for them when they started loosing weight. That is one part of loosing weight I will be looking forward too....I know all these people I freeze to death will be glad too lol lol lol..... And I'm really looking forward to enjoying a day at town without having to be wore out for 2 days. I love yard sales and this past summer I didn't get to do it near as much. If the heat didn't get to me then I got tired to fast. I am so glad both my children are silm built. I know I did not use good eating habbits as I was raising them....My sister and her daughter are both heavey set and I have really been talking to them lately about how things are going for me and how I been feeling since I have gotten so heavy....My sister says she knows it's had to of start to get to me becasue I don't go as much and I keep house different...I still keep a clean house but there are so many thing I let go now days that I would have never let go in the past. But I plan on changing all that real soon....I'm going to get to where I can clean my house like I like to, go yard saling, go shopping all day and the one thing I'm really looking forward too is taking my lil princess christa (my grand-daughter) to the zoo and walk every bit of it with her!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow now that I think of it there is alot of things I plan on starting to do again.....I better get some energy back lol lol lol...... Antonio.....I'm so sorry about your housing situation....I hope things get better really soon for you and your family!!!!!! Mel......I know how the female problems can be girl.........I hope there is something they can do to help you out with it......Will keep you and DH in my thoughts and prayers. Janet.....Girlfriend..........Do you think those shoulders are big enough to take the whole world on???? Please take care of your self!!!!! There is only so much you can do, even for those you love..... We will keep you and all your loved ones in our prayers and pray for you to have what you need to do what you would like to do for them....But please take care of your self!!!!!! I love ya sis and if I was closer I would try to do what I could to help you out! Sherr.......Seen the new pics!!!!! Wow wow wow!!!!!! You really look good! I hope I have that much of a change after my surgery!!!!! Keep up the good work!!!! Well guess I better wrap it up for now.....If I'm not careful my posts are going to get as long as janet's hahahahahahhahahahahahahahahaahaaa hope everyone has a great weekend and hope to see more posting soon. God bless each of you...........Hugs and love....Tammy h.

Hi board! I may be a newbie here, but let me intrude just long enough to say... I kinda picture you all are like the show "The Golden Girls"? You all are so special in your own unique, loving ways. I think it's time for a "Group Hug". Remember that? It always puts a smile on my face. Hugz to all of you! I LUV YA! Charlotte

good morning everyone, after reading the posts I cant wait to get home sunday nite and see what it is like our house. Here in Houston it is really nice weather, flowers are all blooming, grass is so very green and it has been a great week. Of course I have been off all week and away from the stress of work. LOL We have been going to the gym each day and swimming. Cant wait to get on the scale when I get home. Of course I also realize when you first start exercising there sometimes is no loss. I have been pretty good following the program but not perfect= he he he he. I did bring my protein balls and shake protein along. Sugar are you taking your B100? Believe me it helps tremendously. It has thamine in it and it does help. When I first had surgery, and went to support group there was a lady who was very sick. Dr. H started her on that and she snapped out of it. T hen he started recommending it to everyone. Have a great weekend everyone. Colette

Dear Jan and OH Peeps~ Come on guys-thats not fair-(Jan and Tammy....) I am not taking on the world, I know better than that!! Im not going to lie and say I am not deeply affected by whats going on around me-but am I taking on the world? NO....I know I cant fix their problems, but it is my job as a mom, daughter and best friend to be there when they need me-and thats part of my character I guess...I dont think I want to change that about myself either, because when you love someone you do all you can to help them out...Now, that being said-the prayers are working...moms housing issue is fixed for the moment, she starts back at her job Monday, the baby went home and is doing okay and grandma is home as well-her daughter came up from LA to stay with her until they get her home sold and get her in a nursing home...which is ok. My little guys head is healing nicely and hasnt opened back up-so thats a plus. I got back some of my lab results yesterday from Columbia and so far everything looks great. She said she didnt have all of them back yet-but will send another progress report when the rest come in... I am happy with what has come back tho, yayaa!!! Next week we have Mels appt on Monday and then mine on Thurs...and then we will know more and can go from there! My back has started to hurt again, even with taking the flexiril-and I havent been doing any activity differently-bummer...BUT, it is managable-so I am not complaining-just upsetting and a little irratating. My hubby came home last night and decided that he needed to get me out of the house and took me to play with the RC cars at the Hobby shop-they have a track and let you use their cars....he had sold a bunch of his slot cars (used to be #1 slot car racer in the US, and has been in several magazines!!) anyhow-he sold enough to buy me a RC truck and it goes over 30 mph....it was a late anniversary present. I told him to start selling the cars for cash instead of credit-and we can save for our 10 yr anniversary trip to Hawaii. Anyway-when we got done-went to see my kids (girls) at Pizza Inn and have a bite to eat...When I went to pay (we get 1/2 price cause the girls work there) I asked if I could get 75% off since 3 of my kids work there now-my SIL is a driver and one daughter a cook and the other a waitress-he said your killing me and then.....He said-I keep asking Megan if her mom will run away with me-cause you are looking HOT...I just stood there and didnt know what to say-OMG!! Told him my hubby wouldnt like that too much-but thanks for the compliment! As of today, I have lost 119# and thats only 2# this week, but suspect that the scale will start moving again soon! Well, we may be going to Muddy Gras today in Oklahoma, one of Mikes best friends is in the competition with his 4x4 monster Jeep....I want soooo bad to go for a ride with Terry in the Jeep-but with my back the way it is-have to pass. So, if it doesnt rain, may head off to that....gonna hang out with the gang today and play and relax, prob do some laundry and a little cleaning-but thats it. Talked to Mel last night and she got really really sick from the pain meds. I am hoping it was just the affects of having so many different things in her system and that the meds they gave her will wor****il Monday...she sounded so out of it-and didnt call back before I went to bed for fear I may wake her up! Will cll them later today and ck on them... Jan, I think Splenda should be seen too-something isnt right. I too got very sick a week after my surgery-and when I went in to the dr, I was dehydrated and had 3 infections-so they had to put me on antibiotics....It was another week before I felt like I was among the living-but then I felt so wonderful I just wanted to go, go, go!!! I am praying for her and hope she feels so much better soon!! Well, better go before my post gets as long as Janets-oops-too late-forgot who I was for a minute-LOL...haha....Love you all and send a shout out to everyone to come in and say hi-Love to all, Janet p.s. thanks for all the prayers....they are working and I appreciate you all who are praying.

Just wanted to check in and say hello! I enjoy reading your posts very much! I live in Kansas City and do not get to plant anything! So it's fun to hear everything you are doing! Have a great weekend! Janet in KC 368/268/199 post op lap band 2004

Heya Jan and Missouri Peeps, Sorry I havnt been posting lately, we've just had so much going on it's been hard to even find some time to do the things we really need to do. With helping take care of my BIL and my classes things have been going wacky. I told the BIL on thursday that I just cant keep going over every day cuz its really making me cut short on my own personal things, I thought I could do it and keep up but I cant. He has interent at his house so I was trying to do my class work there but he's on dial up and its so slow that I kept getting knocked off the net so i gave up and just do my classes when I get home. My courses are going well tho, its been tough keeping up but so far I've pretty much got top scores on all my progress reports. The BIL is gonna try doing things for himself, which is a good thing and if he needs sumthing he cant do without or needs help i'll go over. Medicare has allowed him to have a CNA come in 3 days a week to bath him so she'll be able to help him with what he needs, also physical therapy comes in 2 days a week now so he'll have some one coming and going most every day, I really dont need to be there all the time. Today I've spent outside since 7am digging up gardens for my flowers and all, I planted my onions and turnips in the veggie garden and have the rest ready to plant tomatoes and so forth when its time. I uncovered my mums again and cleaned that bed all out, its lookin so nice. Along my drive the landlord had planted yellow tulips and they are blooming so good, they are beautiful. Along the front of the property along the road I planted 6 Pompas Grass to kind of hide the road and give it a lil more privacy, the landlord paid for em so I dint mind planting them, they are spose to get like 8ft tall and 4ft wide when fully grown, that'll be so nice. For helping the BIL he's ordered us 4 christmas cherry bushes and 4 rose of sharon hedges, those will along the front of the house, then around my deck Im gonna try to find some kind of other pushes and plant flower seeds in between all the bushes, so hopefully this summer things will be looking pretty good. Susan is staying busy, she's loving her job and working on average of 45 hours aweek, they've hired extra help so now she doesnt have to work quite so much but loves it anyway. She's already up for a promotion, pray that it goes good and she gets it, it'll mean a lil more money, its for an assistant manager of the kitchen and hot bar. Her health insurance kicked in so now she's covered, its not much but its better then nothing. Well anyway, im gonna get back outside and finish some things that i started, I came in to cool off and have a protein shake. Glad to see alot of newbies on the board. I'll try to post more now that Im not going over to the BIL's. Have a great weekend. Andrew, P.S. Jan Im sending you and email.

Afternoon Everyone: I hope your weekend is turning out better then mine. Thats all I will say about that because I dont want so say something I might or might not regret later. Janet: Please let me appoligies!!!! I am sorry that were so close that when you or I go thro something that we feel that hurt for each other. Evedentally someone on this board can not possible undertand having a friend that your so close to that you DO HURT WHEN THEY HURT!!!!! I am sorry that I am having these female problems. Evedently this is something I have brought upon myself and have noone else to blame for this. I guess thats what happens when you let your body go to hell and sit around stuff your face and not make yourself get up off the couch and push yourself away from the table. I do however APPRICATE you being there for me at the hospital!!! I know Terry appricates it also not only was you a comfort to him but you help me deal with the news that I got. I wouldnt for 1,000,000,000. changed the way our relationship is. I am closer to you then I ever have been with any of my friends or family members. I dont look at your like your family and mine. I look at you like our FAMILY!!!!! Please dont ever change because that is one of the things that I love the most about you. And the fact that you are showing me how I can let the ***** inside me out and stand up for myself!!!! Please from now on dont post anything about what we do say or any problems that are going on in my life. I dont ever want you to be chewed out for that again. It killed me to know that you got the riot act read to you cause you have such a soft heart!!!! I Love you Gurl!!!! Tammy_ammy: Thank you so much for your prayers!!! I think and pray for you often. Hopefully we all 3 can get together for a gurls day away. No soap box needed. Just speaking my heart!!!!!! Mel

oh Melissa i wasnt giving Janet the riot act about caring we wouldnt want to change her for that in anyway. but that she takes so much on that she was hurting . Please forgive me if i said things that hurt your feelings. I know you have been going thur a really rough time and that Janet is like a sister to you that is always there and no one wants to fuss at her about that. I just meant that she should take care of her too . You cant or shoudnt want to change anyone from haveing a sweet careing heart. Im sorry if i made you upset after all that you have been going thru on top of it. Im really sorry. Love you and love that you and Janet have such a close relationship i think you both are such sweet and loving girls , I am praying for you and your problems and know that we all care about you. love and hugs to both of you. Jan

Well................................................is it safe in here? Some pretty harsh words flying around! I would like to add a few works that MIGHT help calm everyone down, at least I pray they will! I hope that will be okay with everyone! If not, please don't read because I don't want ANYONE offended!! I can see from all angles of this issue and I pray that as I type these words that the Lord lays them on your hearts as they need to be placed! First off...Janet and Melissa, you two are like to peas in a pod and NO ONE on here wants to change that, especially me! You two are a team and have been since I have been on here! I love it, please never change a thing! That's what my best friend, Lynette and I had for 18 years before her death! To this day I get teary eyed just thinking about her and some of the crazy things we did together! I can see Lynette and myself in you two! "The wild and crazy adventures of Jan and Mel!" I can't wait for the next adventure!...lol In a way, you two are living the dreams that Lynette and I had for many years but never got to fulfill! ...you go girls! Jan and Tammy...I don't think that either of you meant anything bad by what you wrote! I just believe that the words you typed didn't come across like you thought they would. I understood what you meant though...I have lived it! Our words don't always come across on the computer like they would over a phone or in person. On here you can't see the other person's expressions, you can't hear their tone, and you can't see their body language and sometimes that all can add up to confusion, making a very uncomfortable situation for all involved! At the time of my best friend's death, I had been at her bedside for 4 days, non-stop! I also had a VERY sick Mother on the west coast as well as my Father was dying too, also on the west coast but they were both in different areas. I had three children at home, one was pregnant, another was trying to become a freak in a side show and the third was trying to become a pastor! My husband needed me and my health wasn't the greatest! I was being pulled in many different directions and I had SEVERAL people telling me what they felt I should be doing! I knew where I needed to be and that was with my sick friend, it was her time and that was that! I didn't understand at the time but I do now! When you are having to take on several things like that, it is VERY important to take care of yourself, first! Therapists, nurses, doctors, family and friends all advised me on taking care of myself, first and they all told me how important that was! The main phrase I heard was "if you don't take care of yourself and make sure that you are okay, you won't be around to take care of everyone else! Unfortunately that can be very true.....to make a long story short. I spread myself too thin and I paid the price by getting VERY sick myself (physically and mentally) but still was not willing to leave my friend! She had always been there for me and I wasn't going to leave her now! Trust me, I understand and if I had it to do over I still would be there with her! That's a very strong bond and that is how I can see Melissa's reaction to Jan & Tammys posts! The thing about Jan and Tammy's posts is that they were not written to hurt anyone! I honestly believe that they just wanted to make sure that Janet didn't try to do too much and get ran down with all the things she was trying to take care of...in general, nothing specific! They just felt she had a lot on her plate and they care. I care too but Janet is a lot like me and she isn't gonna stop until she gets everything where she thinks it needs to be! ...it's called being "stubborn!!"...lol Janet...by the way...I love you for that sweetie and yes I'm teary eyed when I say it! I hope that I didn't intrude too much and I pray that you all have the strength and endurance that you need to get through WHATEVER it is your facing! For those that got offended by earlier posts or this one, I pray that wound gets healed and that you can forgive any and all that have hurt you. If not, it will be laid at the altar tomorrow! God will heal those hearts! I LOVE ALL OF YOU and wouldn't trade ya fur nothin! Deb M