WHATS HAPPENING FRIDAY

TGIF: I remember saying that many many times when I worked lol or when we went to school. Seems like forever since either one of those went on with me. Lol Yesterday finally turned out to be really pretty and I got some things done that I have been wanting to get done outside. Someone ask me and I cant for the life of me remember who it was that wanted to know so I will just answer it on here. Their question was how do I get electric to the pumps for the ponds. And how we do it is buy a heavy duty extension cord and put it inside of the white plumbing pipe and bury it about 3 inches under the ground. That way it isn't seen and is protected too. That is the simple part of getting the ponds and fountains in lol. I hope we can really get started on digging out for the ponds soon. I would like to have them up and running . I found at a flea market the other day an old handled pump that they use to use to pump water out of wells with. I am going to use that some way on the ponds. Not sure exactly how but will see. Will take lots of pictures as we work on it and when it is finished. I am going to use the little girl fountain that came with all of this on another little pond I want to put in my quite place where I go to read or rest or pray . I am getting anxious for our next support meeting again. Just 10 days away. Lol I sure hope Sugar feels like coming to this one. As far as I know Andrew and Susan are coming up to come to the support meeting too. Brenda: Yea! It seems like it has been forever since I heard from you. Sounds like you have been keeping busy. Lol seems like everyone wants you to do things now that you can don't they. Before when we were so fat that we could barely walk no one ask us to do a lot because they knew we couldn't lol. Oh well I will take busy and used over fat and alone. Wont you ? So sorry to hear about you having to use a cane again. That has to be the pits. My knees are starting to hurt me again so I guess it is about time for me to call and set up an appointment with the ortho guy to have shots put in them again and hope it works as well this time as it did the last. Melissa: so sorry to hear about your fil falling and having accidents. All of that can be so many different things and seems like when a person gets older that they can no more tell you things than when they are a baby. Especially if there is some dementia going on with it, and sounds like there is. Just because a person gets old doesn't mean that they ALL get dementia, have accidents, fall or anything else. These are all things that shouldn't be going on so if they are there is something wrong. Im glad you called his doctor again. . Thank God you took the cigarettes in a safe place. Things like that can be quite a danger. It isn't being mean as long as you sit with him when he smokes he should be ok. You are such a good daughter in law. I hope I have someone that cares about me like that when I get old. Very smart to think about getting power of attorney too. You are such a good friend of Janets to go with her to the doctor . Joe had those epidurals in his back and for most people they work really well. They didn't for him because he has spinal stenosis and they just didn't work. I sure hope they do for Janet since it is hurting her so badly. Debbie M: Hope you went to the doctor again today? It just sounds like more than bronchitis you know. Your blood sugar has gone back up because of the illness probably , maybe some medicine you are taking too. I know you don't want to but please, please keep your fluid intake up or you will get dehydrated too on top of everything else and then you will be more sick. Know we are all praying for you sweetie. If you are starting to cough up a lot of phlegm and stuff you may be on the way to healing. Just the sores in your mouth sounds sort of like strep. I think we all just encourage everyone to get going and see your doctor anymore. When we have someone get so sick that it isn't normal like Sugar got before she ever went to the doctor. We don't want to see anyone else get that sick. We all will continue to pray and keep your self hydrated . drink drink drink. Janet: good morning girl. I keep thinking about your little boy and his flowers. I am really anxious for you to bring him to see me this summer. I will save back a couple of things so he can help me plant them when he is here and also give him something to take home and plant. Would he like that? Yes the lilac will come with directions about where and how to plant it so you will be all set . I am ordering one to go up front so we can see it close to the ponds where we are going to put them in. How exciting for someone to be making me something . That is so very sweet of you. Tell Jon I am excited about it too. Did you show him the pictures on my website of my flowers. Not the profile but under my name there is a www site listed. That takes you to my website where I have hundreds of pictures. I am so sorry that you're your pain was so intense when you had the injection yesterday. I know it had to be bad. Joe had those and they never helped him at all but that was because of what he has too. I guess. They seemed like they might help but didn't. They say that if they do you will be free of pain for up to a year or longer. Wouldn't that be great. We will pray that these things really work for you well. So why did your daughter say why that the marriage is not going to happen this year? I know you had to really bite your tongue to keep from shouting Thank YOU JESUS lol If it has been put off for a year then maybe it will never happen. We will continue to pray . Tammy: About 10 years before my mother passed away I started calling her on my birthday and telling her thanks for having me. She always thought that was so cute lol She would then procede to tell me all about when I was born . Tammy I will keep Heather in my prayers that she will be ok with the exam and not be so tense and upset about it. Also that they not find anything so bad . She has been having bad monthlys? Maybe then it is something that will respond to medication. Lets hope so. Vesta: I am feeling much better today, the sun was shining here. I think that is all that is wrong with me. I want to be outside all the time but when it is cold I just cant go out I freeze to death. Sure glad I don't live up north. I would be in bad trouble lol Cant wait to see you at the meeting. I bet you are really looking good. Lana: you and me both ready for sunny weather. LOL yeah I think I will write Park seed and tell them I need a discount lol. Think they will give me one? You ask about others dirt they have . and Im sorry to tell you this but I really have excellent wonderful soil here at my place. I feel like God put me here to stay because of the soil. Now I cant tell you why but this block down here is all good soil but across the street and all around is nothing but rocks. Don't understand it at all. But we can dig as deep as we want and there are no rocks. Almost weird. I feel like God gave me this little slice of Heaven right here on earth. Bel: so sorry about your migrains. They are so very painful. I had them all my young adult life till I had my first child and they went away and I haven't had another one sence but I sure do remember them. You head hurting so bad that you want to pound it into the wall. Back then there was nothing to take but aspirin and it did nothing. Most doctors thought you were just being a crying woman and most said so to you. I forget who the girl was that called Sugar from De paul but they were really quick to respond to her. And they gave her an email address to get in touch with them and they would get back to her immediately. So I would say by next week sometime according to how they did with Sugar. Hope you hear from them soon sweetie. I know you are anxious to get started. Traci: good to meet you and wonderful to have a long time post op here with us. Have you managed to keep all your weight off? You said you need to get back to basics is that saying that your starting to gain some and want to get it off quick? Come back often thanks for any info you might be able to give us . Tami: wow so glad that you got the new job. That is always neat when you can get a new job with better pay isn't it. Lol Hope you still have the red in your hair when you come to the meeting. Never heard of it , does it wash out easy or what?wow 4 days a week with a big pay too . How much better could that get. That sure is great about the lower body fat. That is the goal I would like to have. Maybe one day. lol LOVE AND JOY AND PEACE ABOUNDS. JAN

Hello Everyone, I am really tired tonight, My sister and I went shopping this evening. Mostly for groceries but also finished getting everything for her wedding Saturday. She asked me to sing at her wedding so I had to come home and get out my guitar and practice on the song she wanted. It's called "I Believe that God Put Us Together" If you have never heard it I wish you could cause it's a very pretty song. I am like a lot of other WLS patients in that I still see the fat girl. But my sister said today when she saw me "YOU ARE REALLY SKINNY" I have always been bigger than my sister and now she's bigger than me!!!! I still don't see skinny but I know that I have lost 106 pounds in a little less than 8 months and that I will be at my goal of 150lbs when I lose 44 more pounds (and by the way I know that 150 still sounds heavy but for me at 150lbs I am pretty small) 150 is what I weighed when I got married and I was 18). Jan sometimes when you talk to certain people by name in your post, I'm not sure what your talking on? Like tonight when you answered Tami about the red hair and new job, I didn't see where she posted about the job, did I miss something or did she e-mail you? I was just wondering. I get lost on here sometimes. Yes Jan I will take busy and used over fat! My knee and hip on the right side does really give me a fit, does the combination of the Ultram and Flexaril that you take work on the fibromyalgia and arthritis pain? I'm going to ask my pcp for it when I see him. Also do you are someone have a list of blood tests that my pcp needs to do on me when I go back and how often should it be done? Every month, 6 months or what? Everybody have a great day. Everyone that is sick I do pray you feel better. All new post-ops hang in there it's gets better and better. All you folks waiting for surgery hang on cause it's a fast ride once it starts!. Everyone have a great day. Brenda

Hi Brenda, I posted my update on Thursday's "what's happening" post but it was later in the day. About your 150.......I KNOW that's not alot at all..I've been at that weight or close to it for many months and I get folks telling me I'm little and don't need to lose.....for me thoguh I do know I can lose about 15 more and still be good, I was at 136 before so I want to try to get there again. I just went under 150 finally....It's so weird how one woman can weigh one weight and another may be 40 pounds heavier and they look the same and evern wear the same size clothes. Whatever weight YOU feel good at is the right weight for YOU!!! AS for what you weighed when you were 18....I was 130-145 when I was 18 but i wore a size 12, now when I'm 136-151 I wear a size 6!!! I've said it on here before, but I NEVER wore I size 6 in my life, skipped right over it!!! lol Our bodies sure do change!!! And it feels GREAT!!!!!!! : ) Tami

Good morning oh and Jan Yep it's me another late night post. I am so tired. I will be glad when summer gets here and I can talk to everyone and put post to individulas but for now please forgive me I only have time to post on whats happening. My problem is that I took 20 hrs this semester and lately haven't had time to even stop and take a deep breath. I wish I could take time and talk to each one of u by name but I am thinking of all of u and praying for those who are having problems, those who aren't and reading the posts really quickly. I am still a little connected but I want to be able to talk to each of you. I hope eveyone who isn't feeling well gets better!! Summer is coming up and everyone needs to feel good when the weather is nice. I went to my gastrologist yesterday and guess what!!! He cleared me for surgery !!!!! I have one or 2 more appts with the psychologist in Columbia and then maybe surgery!!! My insurance already cleared it I can't wait!!! I feel bad because I just keep popping in and out and not seem to be connecting with anyone but it will change over the summer. You guys don't realze it but u are my strength when I am weak and my laughter when I am down and when one of you tells a joke. I love Melissas jokes that she posts. My goal for the summser is to get more than 3-4 hrs of sleep per night. My other goal is to lay in bed until at least 9 am over the summer!!! I'm sure my body will be thanking me for the much needed rest. Mel I seen u post about ur tummy tuck a few weeks back. Is Dr. Scott doing that?? Love and miss you guys immensely. Sorry if I seem uncaring right now but school is kicking my butt. Hope everyone has a great day and I'll pray everyone gets better and for those that aren't feeling bad I'll pray for the strength of u to help the ones who need it. Hugs and more hugs Michelle

Morning everyone, I am fighting a virus or something I do believe - not feeling so great this week. I'm soooo tired. It's time for my B12, so that may be part of it. Today is going to be busy for me, the weekend as well; so no time for being sick! LOL Jan: over the past year or so, I've gained 10 lbs from my lowest weight. My surgeon said this would happen and it's supposedly normal. Not sure I like that! LOL However, I am not continuing to gain, I'm maintaining here; but I also know that I am eating too many carbs and not enough protein, so that's the basics I was referring to. Have a blessed day! Traci

Good Morning Jan and OH Family~ TGIF TGIF TGIF.....Need I say more? Im so glad its FINALLY Friday~~~Although I was so looking forward to my stepsons womb getting him tonite for the weekend-and of course, because she has lied to Mike and I AGAIN, she is putting it off....as always and as usual. You would think after him living with us for over 7 years she would just stop lying, but....dont think thats ever gonna happen! Oh well, this weekend I am sure will be in an uproar because of it. Jan, I will sure bring him down and he would LOVE to help you AND bring back some thing to plant. He is a little gardner, thats for sure. He cried yesterday because his little gardening shovel broke-so I will have to replace that ASAP and he also asked for a wheelbarrow!! I will make it a field trip day and he loves those-he knows we always have so much fun! Yes, I showed him the flowers on your website-he wanted ALL of them! We have the rockiest land I have ever seen, tho-so its really not possible here right now-maybe in a couple of years when we buy this place we can get it all done. They did Dx me with DDD and Stenosis-so I dont feel any better reading that about Joe. I guess what hurt the most was the anesthesia shots (2), the actual epidural was not painful-just pressure. It may have not been so bad-but where she shot me is the place I have that cyst on my back that cripples me when its touched. Dont know-today is actually the most pain I have been in yet. I woke up several times during the night when I rolled over or whatever and hit that spot on my back. Its pretty swelled up where the cyst is and I have been trying to keep the heating pad on it and taking it easy. Not sure what else will work. I am trying to stay positive-but, man is it hard when you are in pain 24/7. She told me that it may take until the next shot before there was any relief IF I was going to get relief-so, will see.... I woke up and popped a pain pill with my coffee....My huuby is making sure that I dont have to cook or clean etc-so I am definitely not doing anything!! I did go out (and sat) last night and raced my RC car....and busted the whole front end mechanism that steers-so my racing time was over basically before it started-LOL...I ran FULL BLAST into Jonathans wooden chair Mike made him out of a big log-the party was over there-couldnt steer or turn....Hope it can be fixed without a lot of money! My daughter put off the wedding because Aaron has to file bankruptsy and IF they are married-she will have to file too-and she has (or had anyway) fairly decent credit for her age. She always made her car pmts and credit card pmts before she met him-AND on time. I helped her pay off all credit cards twice, once when I got a larger amt of money from her biological father-and then once when we didnt have to buy any books or help with school expenses one semester because she had the funding-and now she is back to where she was!! Worse I suppose-but I dont help with any of that anymore-because he makes sure they all stay charged etc...I am just glad its been delayed-and maybe that is Gods answer-so maybe she will see the light by next year. I can only pray about it and hand it over.....May not be able to talk at the support meeting-cause my tongue is barely there anymore-LOL LOL!!! Brenda-I am sorry I forgot to list you yesterday in my prayer request-I didnt intentionally leave you out-I knew I was forgetting someone, and just couldnt think!! I am praying for you-sorry to hear about the cane-I know its discouraging and painful and I am lifting you in prayer and hope you feel better soon or at least can find a combination of something to help out on those days its bad!!! Congrats on the weight loss-I dont think 150# sounds heavy at all!!! Good luck and Im very happy for you. Deb M-what did you find out at the dr? Did you go back? I hope so and I hope you are on something different that will help get you better. It seems like the devil is TRYING to test our faith here, huh? It seems like almost everyone on our board are having issues-we are just gonna kick him in the butt and send him back where he belongs-because its not here!!!! Tammy Ammy-did you have a good b-day girl? I hope that you did. I really really wanted to call you and sing, but thought you may fire me as your angel!! LOL...I hope your day was as special as you are!! How is your stepdaughter? I hope she is feeling better and I will keep her in prayer, along with the other issues going on there~ Tami-CONGRATS on the job, the hair and the car-what kind of sporty car did you get? You even sound like your smiling in your posts-Im so glad you got the job and that you are happy. It sure makes a difference to be happy at work. When I worked for the hospital here- I never felt like I had to W O R K...I loved what I did-and if I could have afforded it-most times would have done the job for free-so that was awesome for me, and also very hard for me to have to resign from....Would love to find another job like that one....I prayed and prayed you would get it-so CONGRATS...are you gonna drive the new wheels to the meeting so we can see it? Hope so! Hope Sugar and Julia are better. Has anyone heard about Julia? Is she home yet? If someone has new info-please post it. I asked for an address because I got her a card, but havent heard anything! IF anyone has her address-can you email that to me so I can get that card out? Thanks. Mel-darlin-I really am holding you and Terry and Bob up in my prayers. I KNOW, first hand what your going through and I know its hard. I am convinced that he has alzheimers, but until they do the correct testing, we wont know for sure. DO NOT LIFT him-we dont need another hernia or having Terry hurt that leg. I would offer to help, but I dont think the 3 of us together would be a complete person-LOL....I am worried about your health too-at this rate-you wont get a good nights sleep for a LONG time. We will get it figured out and it will be okay-Im convinced of that. Dont be afraid to call me-Its my back that hurts-not my ears or my head-also-I CAN sit there while you take a nap-we can turn OFF the phones and I will be there so you can nap-dont be afraid to ask me, girl-cause my back doesnt hurt any more or less when I do stuff. Love ya. For all my angelettes-dont you ever think I dont want to hear from you or have time for you-it actually keeps my mind off it to talk to you or help someone-I feel good and accomplished. I love hearing from you guys and your news or what have you. I look forward to it!! Thanks to everyone on the board-you guys are awesome and I love you. Also-for all reading this, I have had a really heavy heart over my stepson and his issues lately. I am really struggling with making the right decision for my family AND for him. We have had one issue after another with this child since he was little (like 3 or 4) and he has lived with us going on 8 yrs this November. The older he gets, the MORE he gets like his biological womb-and she is a good for nothing, lazy sleezeball. She is the biggest liar, she is deceitful, a user and lives off the system. She has 4 kids by 4 different dads and IF the state wouldnt have made her get fixed-Im sure she would have more! Anyhow...I dont have time to post all about it right now-but please pray for this situation, because IF we do whats BEST for our family, it will mean he wont have a good life-and I feel very guilty about that. I appreciate it. Thanks. Love and Prayers to all-Love, Janet

Slept most of the day yesterday and so far the migraine hasn't bounced back. Thank the Lord! I took everything I'm allowed to take and nothing touched it. I am ready for the weekend. I am painting my little guys room. He decided on the color pallet not me. I once read an article that said children must have control over something in their lifes so make it their room. Each wall is a different primary color, red, green, yellow and orange. He is 7 by the way. The trim is the color of the opposite wall. The throw rug is orange and the accessories are all Spiderman. He claims to be spiderman's number 1 fan. I have been painting for weeks cause I'm doing it myself and what would take a "normal" person a weekend takes me longer. Not good going up and down and bending but I continue on. I sew and I work part time for a women who makes her living at it, so Sunday I am headed to her house to iron fabric and learn to cut her patterns. In return she makes me "garb" cause I do midevil reenactment. Like Civil War but middle ages. So thats where I'll be most of the day. Sometime this weekend my birthday roses from my older son should be in the ground. I can't wait. Hope everyone has a great weekend. Hugs, Bel

Good Morning Everyone: Just a quick howdy do and checking in with everyone. Slept pretty decent last night. Was still up and down but not for long periods of time. Today I have to run tot he store for milk and a few items. Then back home to fold laundry and think of something for supper. Tummy isnt feeling good this morning but I havent taken my pill yet either. Just wanted to thank everyone for their prayers. I hope you all have a blessed weekend!!!! P.S. Please remember Rachale in your prayers. She has that benifit for her family member going on tonight. And that she has safe travlers mercy there and back. And that they raise more then enough $$. God Bless Mel ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 20 ways to maintain a healthy level of insanity 1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down. 2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice. 3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries with that. 4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It "In." 5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso. 6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write "For Smuggling Diamonds" 7. Finish All Your sentences with "In Accordance With The Prophecy." 8. Don t use any punctuation 9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk. 10. Order a Die****er whenever you go out to eat with a serious face. 11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is "To Go." 12. Sing Along At The Opera 13. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme 14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day. 15. Five Days In Advance , Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In The Mood. 16. Have Your Coworkers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom. 17. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream "I Won!, I Won!" 18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling "Run For Your Lives, They're Loose!!" 19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner. "Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go." 20. And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity.......Send This E-mail To Someone To Make Them Smile. It's Called! Therapy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good morning everyone. Well I think I am just about back to my normal self. Thank you all for your prayers. They lifted me up and helped me to try and get back on track!! My psy. is supposed to fax the psy evaluation to Dr. Scotts today. I am calling her to make sure. Keep your fingers crossed this happens. Jan I have never been able to keep even a house plant alive,I once had a cactus die because I didn****er it enough! I have been reading everything you write about gardening and just wanted to let you know I am learning more here than I have learned in my 40+yrs. I seen your website pictures that are beautiful, pretty soon you will have to add to your whats happening post, a daily gardening tip, Or maybe Janet can let me borrow Jon to help me,lol! Mel I am praying for you and all of your family. You are a wonderful Daughter in Law. Things will get better soon. I am glad the sun has finally come out too. I think just a sunny day helps us feel better! Tammy I sent you a private mess thru OH. You know I am here for you, I know we can help each other with our problems. Janet Right after I have my injections the site swells up really bad. Sometimes for as long as a week. I very rarely use heat. It just dosen't help anymore. I stick pretty much to the ice. I have 6 soft icepacks, so I always have some frozen. You can buy them at walmart. They are perfect size for your back, (8x12inches) They are kinda expensive but well work it, expecially for the arthritis pain. Sometime I use 2-3 of them thru the night. (Sometimes I fall asleep and wake up with my back frozen, lol, but at least it dont hurt as bad!!) Thanks to you and Tammy I am back to feeling like old self, (dont know if that is always good or not! By the way, hubby is glad to know about Vaa Vomm comeing back! To everyone else who has come here, I hope that all that are sick will feel good soon. I am praying for all. Love Susan