WHATS HAPPENING ---IM BACK

2007 in a Nutshell.

January started us out using up the massage certificates I bought us as a present to ourselves. Was that ever enjoyable.We both sort of got hooked on them and became really attatched to our massage therapist but they were students and about the time that we were all theirs they graduated and moved on , oh well good thing we weren’t more attached than we were lol The girl that did mine was so good I really wish I knew where she went to. And Joe was just as attached to his therapist. Lol we use to have these, mine is better than yours , fights. Lol.

About the middle of January we went to see Jeannie in Fayvetteville and went to the diamond minds. It had been raining and was so muddy that we couldn’t do much except knock the mud off of our feet so we could walk. But it was still fun.

On the 12^th of January last year came the big ice age storm . We were really lucky down here where I live and had none of it but so many of my friends and family were without power for so long an there were so many trees damaged beyond saving. There is still piles of limbs and downed trees down , almost a year later.

My right shoulder continued to hurt me a lot so finally went for an MRI which showed that I had arthritis in it with bone spurs, went to the Ortho doctor and he put a shot of cortisone in it which made it feel so much better. Lot better than surgery , sure am glad that it was nothing to do with my rotator cuff. 

Oh and on the 30^th was my birthday.

Feburary 2006

This was a month of new babies,,,,lots of babies. On the 16^th was a new great neice, Alexis, her mother Jessica is like our own daughter so she is more like our grandbaby than a neice.

On the 21^st a great granddaughter, Mikeala was born, Her mother Kimberly is our granddaughter,

On the 23^rd we had a great grandson , Josha, born and his mother Sarah is my oldest grandchild.

Was a great month.

March 2006

My sister Sugar had her WLS on the 7^th She had lots and lots of troubles and near death a couple of times. She has now been out far enough and gotten over all of that enough that she aggreas with the rest of us now that it was the best thing she ever did for herself.

We also had another great nephew born this month on March 10^th Kaiden Trevor, his mother is one of Joes nieces.

April 2007

Flowers, flower shows, flower starts, and digging in the dirt. Lol. This is the start of a really busy time for me and my flowers. Planting, digging and working all day in the garden without a worry one in the world. So much better than I could do last year. This year with 77 pounds less than last year at this time I’m able to work all day long once again, Life is beautiful.

Joe made a trip to Mississippi to pick up our granddaughter and her family to bring them up and let them stay in our trailer till they can get on their feet. This was on the  25^th and he was back with them on the 26^th. No time lost on that trip. Lol

                So April ends with 2 babies next door to us , of course I don’t enjoy that at all . No way . lol

 

May 2007

May was just a beautiful month of us planting flowers and staying in the garden for hours at a time. I thought last August when I had WLS that it was the greatest time in my life but now that I have lost some weight and can move around there is no comparison of what my life is like now. Of course the knees still hurt and I had really hoped that it was just all the weigh only but now I know better. Saw an Orthopedist and had x-rays done of both knees. Not good, No cartledge. Have been getting the Synvisk shots in them, the first 3 rounds seemed to help some but 6 months later when the second round was due and I got all three of them it was a waste of time and effort , no more help and just seemed to really aggravate more. Started thinking about surgery, wanted to do both of them at once. Uh Oh the doctors I have checked into say no on that process. Don’t know.

Had mammogram and bone density test done this year to get base line on the bones. Mamaogram they found what they thought wass something, turned out to be nothing after 3 more mammogram, and 2 ultra sounds . What they were looking at was one of several little fatty tumors I have all thru out my body, nothing to worry about.

 

JUNE, JULY, and AUGUST :

All just good working outside summer months. People stopping by all the time wanting to see parts and all of my gardens. Everything is growing so pretty and looks so good. Before things got too large this year I put down soaker hoses so wouldn’t have to be spraying and watering all the time. Sure does take care of a lot of problems that way.

 

SEPTEMBER

On the 8^th and 9^th of Sept. we had our first annual reunion of the Missouri Weight loss board. Had it in West Branson at a lovely resort. Not a multitude came but we certainly did have loads of fun. We had an unvited guest of  a rain storm but even that couldn’t dampen our spirts and good times.

Oh I forgot another addition to my life in Sept was that I went to work , Only 2 to 3 days a week but not bad. A lot more fun than it use to be when I had to work. Lol

 

OCTOBER:

Moved our daughter from Shell Knob down to Rogers . Beautiful apartment complex. I hope she will stay there for awhile. She had our pickup, her pickup and a large rider truck filled to the brim , lot of stuff.

On the 19^th when to my brother and his new wifes wedding reception in Eureka Springs at the Basin Hotel. Joe and I danced over and over. My knees held up and lasted the whole evening. But I certainly paid for it the next day.

17^th we both got our flu shots. I thought since I had gone back to work in and amoung the elderly then I should be getting it.

On the 29^th went for a consult with dr. Talley in Branson he does surgery out of Skaggs and I chose him because it is skaggs so Joe will go home at night .

 

November

Had a session at the heart clinic then stress test and all the other test that go along with that since I hadn’t had one done for WLS.

We had our Thanksgiving a week early as all the kids have other things they have decided to do on Thanksgiving or either have to work.

On the 29^th had pre ops done at the hospital for surgery next week.

 

DECEMBER:

Had rt knee surgery done on the 4^th. All went well until they were getting ready to release me to go home on the 7^th and they found I was anemic so they kept me long enough to run in 2 pints of blood and got my rbc up to 10.

Joe had his second shot for his back the day before I went into the hospital so I could drive him home. This series of them seem to really be helping him a whole lot more.

I am doing really well I think on my exercises.

We have our wls support meeting on Monday night and I intend to go , no matter what so I have to get my knee to working a little better than it is I think.

Then on the 18^th we will be celebrating Christmas with the our kids. That way they can all have their own Christmas with their own kids on the 25^th. As soon as all of this is over we are going to sit down and plan some tripping and cruising. Too.

 

Hope everyone else had as good as year as we have had and That the year 2008 will be a great one for us and for you too.

God has blessed us so very much this year and hope He has been the focal point in your life and your year too. Thank You Lord Jesus for everything you have done for us.

Jan And Joe Cook

 

 

The above was a yearly letter I sent out to several of my family and friends not on The Missouri Board didn’t know but what you all might want to read it too

WE have had so many people this past year receive a new life , Altho I have most of you listed on my calendar there are many that I never got down so I would hate to make a list and leave some out so if you want to come on here and let us know that your received your wls this past year and how good you are doing it would help out all the newbies and the ones trying to decide.

 

TAMMY: thank you so very much for doing the Whats Happening post, Bless you sweetie. I hope you are doing well as are all of your family. Have you had any more funny episodes at the prison with your camouflaged shirt? That was one of the funniest episodes I have heard all year. I think you win the goof award with that one.

 

 

BELLANA: congradultions on having your surgery. Have you  gotten moved into your new place yet? Remember no heavy lifting right now. IF one gas x strip doesn’t help on your gas pains, I have taken up to four at a time of them. We are looking for such good things from you on your weight loss. We hope you can make it to Spring field soon too. Would be so great to meet you face to face.

 

TRACI: So glad you had a great birthday. Continue on with your celebrating.

 

BARBARA: So sorry to hear about your hubby being dignosed with diabetis. Yes at least you know how to cook for him at least even if he doesn’t want to eat that way.We will all pray that he get it under control.

 

 

BOBBIE: sure hope you get to do your Christmas run up north , Hopefully the weather by then will be settled down some.

 

 

BEV: so glad that your electric came back on before you got home and had to deal with all of that I am keeping you in my prayers about your liquid diet. It wil go ok. Wait and see as I tell everyone.   KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE. . it will be fine.

Are you ok from your fall? I know you are probably bruised up but if that is all it could have been a lot more you know.

Thanks for worrying about me , I am doing well , the exercises are a pain in the u know what , but they have to be donw.

I will be fine. Wanting to hurry up and get well enough so I can start walking and get this extra water weight gain off ….

What to take with you and to have at home,,,,,EDY no sugar added popcicles, for home and take the gas x strips with you. , You can take more than one at a time too.

 

 

I hope everyone that was in the ice storm have now at least gotten their electric back on I know that is really hard to stay warm when you are out of that. If some of you in the Joplin, Carthage ’s area will let me know how you all are doing would appreciate it. We are really concerned for you . Love

 

HUGS AND BLESSINGS

JAN

 

Welcome back!!

Jan; Glad your feeling better. Everyone did such a wonderful job in your absence but, nothing like the real thing. Thanks for the prayers for my hubby. He is fussing about going to class next week, he says I know everything to do because of the way I eat but, it's not the same completely. I am ready to learn. It is funny ...all along he has resisted any of my sugarless food and now he is really interested and trying it all. Even taking sugar free snacks in his lunches. I fixed myself a shake like yours tonight and he finally tasted it and said he would have me make him one sometime. I am proud of him for doing a 360 on his sugar eating. He is really trying to get his sugar under control. I have faith he will. Take care and don't over do. We love having you back. My prayers are with everyone to heal and stay safe.

Hey Girly...Welcome back!!! Goof award??? Well somethings better than nothing lmbo! My nephew should have another visit by mid January. He was suppose to already be moved but hasn't been yet. But his mom may be back here by then and may be the one going to see him. So I might not have a cute lil story next month lol lol...I do admit that it's funny now but at the time I sure was freaking out!!! I hope you all keep the prayers going for all those dealing with this nasty weather. We may get a few flurries down here in the bootheel saturday. I am thankful it's not going to be any of the ice stuff!  Had a busy day today so I didn't get to text with Janet much. She usually buzzes me between 8-9 am, so hopefully I will hear from her in the morn and they are all doing ok. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACI!!!! The girls mother will be traveling from Texas saturday to come stay with us for 3 weeks and spend Christmas with both the girls. Please pray they have a safe trip. And my son is in Indiana working now and is determined to come home this weekend and he has to come thru from mid way of Illinois and they are going to be getting snow to snow and ice. So please pray if he don't change his mind that he too will have a safe trip! My prayers are with you all... Hope you all have a great Friday God Bless each of you.. Luv & Hugs...Tammy~ammy

First off welcome back JAN!!!!!  We have an extremely busy week set out in front of us ...... today DH and I are off to pay bills and do a little christmas shopping.... in Chicago all the adult do a chinese christmas we draw a number then you pick a gift and if you like what someone else got then you can take it and they have to take another gift and so on and so on... and this year we put a theme to it we are all big time board and card game players so its game night and all the gifts will be games and then after we all open them we will play them for hours and hours... ( and I will win and they wont play with me anymore then I will pout hahahah not really) anyway I am excited about that games are a huge thing for us here we have one  pantry that is dedicated to the Board games and nothing else is allowed to be in that pantry!!!  So then we will be getting ready for the trip and on Wednesday night we will have Christmas here at the house wih the kids so they have couple days before we leave to play with the things they are getting ...of course Santa has to be left a note so that he knows we will not be here please reroute Santa things to Chicago.....sometime in between today and wednesday we have to attepmt the clean up of the trees and branches...tonight they are calling for snow here which beats the heck out of the ice but I sure wish the ice would of been gone already....my 17 year old graduates high school in May and its like looking in a mirror and seeing myself she looks exactly like me but unfortuantly she is a size 24 already and she will not listen to me or anyone else when we try to talk to her about her weight.... she told my mom I will just have the surgery momma had and that will be that and I fiannly asked her yesterday why she thought the surgery was THE "answer" for her and she said it seems easy enough I said EASY????? I said you know all those times that dad comes running up to see whats wrong with me... those times when I tell you all to go downstairs I need to be alone ......all those times that you ask me why I am crying and I say I am not its allergies and you believe me ????? I said those are the hard times that I try to hide from you guys so you dont think that I am weak or that mom's sick again or what ever.... so I sat her down and I explained that even when you have this surgery you are saying NOTHING else worked and you honestly tried... and medically here are other things that are wrong also...and being 17 and not trying doesnt mean you can just go have the surgery we talked for a long time and when we finished she said she wanted to try weigh****chers Guys please just pray for her... her name is Jordan and right now it is killing me mentally and emotionally that I have gotten smaller then she is and I can not get her to truly see that she is slowly killing herself with all this.... she started outting the weight on when my dad died and she is the type that hides to eat alot or does it when noone is with her like when she runs to town she has to stop at taco beuno and get lord only knows what ( I only figured all this out thanks to my mom who has witnessed some of the self destruction Jordan is doing with food.) A year ago in June she was driving and she over corrected and it killed her best friend injured her cousin and she was in Trauma ICU for weeks and they were not sure she would be okay she goes to counseling for that but I also know that food is a comfort thing for her hiding from her feelings from the wreck as well and I am really scared that my baby girl is not going to reach out and help herself at all

Hello Missouri,
Jan, so good to see you back where you belong. Tammy did a great job filling in but we missed you.

Stacy and Adam arrived at our house about 9pm last night. They had been without electricity since Monday night and were doing OK with the wood stove but she found out yesterday that the water is being turned off because the sewer is backing up from no pumps running so they packed up the dog and cat and came to Nixa. I think they just got tired of each other and ran out of things to do - how many times can you play Charades???

Her M-I-L had surgery on Monday in Detroit and is having a hard time. She is hurting too much, I think, and I don't think she's walking or drinking properly. I'm going to call her later today and give sympathy and advice. She usually is a good patient so I don't think it has been made clear to her about what she's supposed to do. Prayers would be appreciated. Her name is Gail.

Love you all and will see you Monday night at the COF meeting. I hope Stacy will come with me so you can all meet her.

Hugs and love,

Lana

Dear Jan and MO Peeps~

First of all-WELCOME BACK JAN...You have been MISSED!!! I had text Tammy to let her know I didnt have a phone and asked her to post-and she was already starting the post-Smart girl-said she figured because of the ice storm, I couldnt get on. She kept me up to date on you, Janet L, Bel, Jane and Connie. I was praying and still am, for all of you and speedy and uneventful recoveries. So glad to have 3 more on our bench with us!!!

Hello.....Its a LONG time since I have been on here-havent had a phone. Our phone line went down in the ice storm. We lost electricity a couple of times. This go-around, we suffered property damage-along with Mikes parents and grandma. The one big, beautiful tree, that sits outside the fenced area-and was very full and gigantic-every limb busted on it-and this time, it hit the mans lodge (building that holds pool table and some arcade games) it did damage to the lodge-and it crushed the swingset and the boys' go-kart. Mom and Dads garage wa**** (they just built it) and then grandmas house-her white picket fence was damaged. None of us got hurt-so we are thankful-but it sure is a mess out here-and in Joplin, it truly looks like a war zone! We still have some friends in Joplin without power-and the motel my parents run has been a zoo. My dad said he could have had 1,000 rooms and it wouldnt have been enough for all the calls they got. They finally turned the phones off because they were ringing non-stop and it was only 2 hrs into the power outage and every room was rented. The motels on Rangeline-which is our main road (4 lanes AND a middle lane) they all lost their power!!! We only had 2 gas stations at one point that still had power-and they were out of the city limits. Believe me-you have only seen things like that in the movies-40 cars or more-and people trying to fill their gas cans for their generators. No one had generators left-it was a complete mess. Walmart was running out of milk and bread-things like that. We offered our home to Mikes friend-but he has pets-and he wanted to stay with them-I had no problems with him bringing the dogs out here with him, because they are indoor dogs-but he also has a 6 ft long Ball Python snake....I even went as far as to tell him that he could bring it out here BUT it had to stay IN HIS CAGE and in a room where I couldnt see it-but he didnt want to have to move that big tank and he also knew when he was at work (he works with Mike) that it would be in the house with me all day and I would ******vous wreck...At least I offered-LOL...Thank God he didnt take us up on it. He may not get his power back before Christmas they were telling him. All of his neighbors already have their power back on. He is running an extension cord from the neighboring business to keep the snake tank warm-and uses the generator for his heat. We let him use our generator since we didnt need it right now. We had ordered propane before the storm hit-and they couldnt get out here-so we were keeping our heater on a lower setting and praying to God we didnt run out before they come out. Mike got a call from them last night and they said they will be here today or tomorrow. We had all exits from here blocked with big trees across the roads, so had to wait for them (and the buses) to come out until all of that was removed. Its been the pits!!!!

My dentist office was closed for 3 days due to them having no power either. I just got a call from them yesterday. Not sure when I will go now-they said I could come in today-but I have to go help my parents and since I am the only one they have anymore to help clerk-I told them I would call them back and let them know when I can come in. We are expecting up to 6 inches of snow tomorrow. I can tell you one thing-I have NEVER been in this much pain in my life. These storms are kicking my butt in a huge way. The ortho doc told me that the pain from my Osteoarthritis and DDD and DJD will be there forever-this is no cure-and the ONLY thing that is really going to help me out-is to move to a better climate. So-Mike and I may not be buying this house after all, we may be moving to Arizona or somewhere the climate is better for our bones and joints.

Well, I am going to cut this short and get ready to go to town. I did find my box of ornaments and such that was lost!! YAY...they had sentimental meaning as a lot of them belonged to my grandma and great grandma. I was so happy to find that box. We got the rest of the house decorated, with the kids help-since they were home until yesterday-now we just have to finish the outside-which I told Mike to leave it the way it is-the big stuff is up-the icicle lights in the front-our big snowglobe with the carousel in it-and the big Santa and Rudolph. Jon and I wrapped a lot of presents yesterday-and that one hour job became 3 hours with his help-LOL... I am going to start a load of laundry and get ready to head to town.

If I could-I was wondering if I could ask for some prayers for the pain. Its really been so intense and excruiating that I cant hardly catch my breath at times. Mel took a nasty fall the day after the ice storm and landed right on her tail bone-so she has been in pain too-so if you could squeeze some out for her too-Im sure she would appreciate that. Thank you so much. I dont like to even ask for prayer for myself anymore-because it seems like it doesnt matter-but I know it does. Thanks so much. As always-your all in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you are ALL safe and warm!!! Love, Janet

well i thought it high time i post.... last nite i was awakened by the cops shining a flash light in my face at 130 and a gun on me...2 drunk guys had broken into house while i was sleeping and the next door neighbor had called cops, cops busted my door open and arrested em then awoke me...im deaf so i didnt hear it but im very shook up.......they got caught in house and get this they was stealing my grandsons old bottle of amoxocillin that his mom had forgotten and it had been in frig for prob 2 or 3 months... im ok pysically but emotionally is another thing

Glad to see you back and glad you are feeling better.  We had just some snow here and a small amount of ice but no big problems with heat or electirc.  I also had surgery this past monday - had a catarac removed from my right eye.  Oh what a glorious sight to see again.  It is wonderful what the surgeons can do and praise God for his guidance of the surgeons hands.  Hope everyone stays warm this weekend.  Colette

Jan,  glad you are back!!   I noticed that you went to the diamond mines last Jan.  That is my husbands and mine home town.  Not much there is there?  Murfreesboro is the classic small town, it just happens to have the only noncommercial diamond mine in the country.   Any way, I  just thought that was really neat, and what a small world.   Hope all is doing well for everyone and I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!!   Layla