REMEMBER ME???? Long time no talk....
Good morning my dear sistahs and bros, 
Yep...it is really me. I can't remember the last time I was here, but I have missed you all. Hopefully, your lives have been less dramatic, stressful, and crazy like mine has been.
I believe the last time I was around or you were updated by Mary, my FIL had just passed away, and my MIL was hospitalized. She was so ill, and in ICU until 2 weeks ago. She was given last rites several times and my DH and BIL had to make the decision to turn off the ventilator. A date was chosen, I prepared my DS (and me) for the tragic events of the next hour or so. But......she wasn't ready and still isn't. Miraculously, and I mean that literally...she didn't pass and was sent to a rehab unit. (Thank you all for your prayers...I do believe in the power of prayer and especially now!!) The MDs have no idea how she is surviving because she has no lungs!!! They were destroyed by infection and the tubes. The medical staff at the hospital are in shock as are we. She is being helped with her walking, eating, etc. and was sent home 2 days ago. My DH has been living there (50 miles from our home) since March (comes home 1 day every 2-3 weeks to cut the grass), and now will be there 24/7 for her. It is unbelievable and such a rollercoaster. Sadly, nobody has begun to mourn the death of my FIL because of all of this. Life works in strange ways though.
Along with the in-laws health issues and death, my DS had his annual endoscopy where they found stomach polyps. YIKES! I was on pins and needles for over a week waiting for the results of the biopsies, which thank the lord were benign. However, we have to redo the endoscopies every 6 months now. Plus on top of everything, he needs braces, and we have been fighting a fungus rash around his eyes. Not to mention, at 13, he is totally bummed that his "girlfriend" just broke up with him after 10 months...my heart was aching for him...I know...it is a learning thing, but he has suffered so much emotional stuff in the past few months..ugh. And even if it is just a 13 year old's "romance," it is still meaningful to him. (Awww..)
We have also been running back and forth to the eye doctor trying to get a fit for his contacts. It is 20 miles each way,2-3 trips a week and since school has started back, I have retaken my residency in the car.
Then...during the week of my FIL's surgery and subsequent death (end of June/beginning of July), I had emergency surgery........a strangulated bowel obstruction. Yep...blew me away!! The doctor said that I could have died from this. And to think I just figured I had a stomach ache, cramps and indigestion!! So, I was in the hospital for 5 days and unfortunately couldn't recover too well due to the death of my FIL. I am feeling better now, but what a way to celebrate my anniversary and birthday, too (same week in July as my surgery).
And finally, school started...yikes I have an 8th grader...feels like I just took him to pre-school. I am NOT getting older!!! NO way will I give into this aging process...although, when we went to the local amusement park this summer, I went to the "Guess your weight/age" booth. Of course I skipped the weight thing, but went for the age. He guessed 33...I am 52!!! I gave him a big kiss, embarrassed the heck out of him, received a visor and gloated all day...okay, I still gloat...ask Mary. Well, why not!!! I feel 72 sometimes, at least the Park guy thinks I look 33! So I think that was the highlight of my summer. As for my weight...don't know...cause I haven't been weighed for a while. Will be in 2 weeks at my 18 month post op check-up. I think I am stuck at this weight right now...can't complain. I am comfortable in size 8-10 and shirts are now S and M. I am working on the body image thing in my head and Mary and I have continued our morning walks plus we started to go to Bally for a more diversified workout.
So there you have it. I am officially updated.
I am sending mushy hugs to my old friends here and gentle hugs to the newbies. Looking forward to hearing all about the past few months of your lives. And anxious to get to know the new OFFers.
I hope to hear from all of you, and I am happy to be back on the OFF as a regular again.
Have a fantabulous Friday!
Hugs,
Lora 
My most important news is that I am going to be a first time Tutu. I was told that my step son and his wife is are having their first baby in April. It was a roller coaster ride there for a few days. It was really a tragic happening but I got it straightened out that I am the grandmother. Not the step grandma either. Shawn told me that he never thought of me as anything but the baby's grandma. I decided on Tutu (from Maui Karen) and so that is what I am. That way I am not stepping on anyones toes.
I got my century card and that was a MAJOR accomplishment in my new and wonderfully improved life.
I am so sorry about your father in law but happiness abounds with the progress of you mother in law. God does work in mysterious ways and His miracles are there every day. It is just sometimes they are not as in front of us to see as the one with you MIL. I shall continue to keep her and you and your family in my prayers. He is definitely watching over all of you.
Again, I am so glad that you are back with us. Life is good isn't it? Maybe sometimes a bit hectic but good all the same.
It's not what you gather, but what you scatter
that tells what kind of life you have lived.
Oh, my dear one.....you have been through the grinder. I am sorry about the valleys, and happy that you have love around you during this difficult chapter in your life.
I'm glad you came back to us.....this IS another place where you can feel valued, and heard, and loved.
Aloha nui loa,
Maui Karen
My dear girl, got your PM and just a quick response, as with all the good in my life I lurk here more often than post these days, and what isn't good, well I can't complain after reading all of what you've been through! Thankfully, you are here with us to share the frenetic stuff that has been happening with you! I look forward to seeing you and Mary in Philadelphia come early October, at least I am hoping to be able to make it then. Much love coming your way from me!
Hugs, prayers and positive thoughts coming to you, Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
