TGIF

Hi again Connie!

The girls 'normally' enjoy the beach, but it WAS super hot & the sun was glaring! It just cracks me up that at their ages they could not tolerate the heat & sun. My daughter will say 'Mom, I am 33 now...I can handle'....whatever I may be trying to advise her on, but at 33 she can't 'handle' some hot weather & sun! You know I had to tell her about herself when we left...it was too funny! Jazz is just at that moody stage...1 day she enjoys something...the next she doesn't want to be bothered. I just happened to have both of them to deal w/at the same time!

I don't know how far your family lives from you now, but if they are north of you I guess it would make visits more difficult. However, if they are south of you maybe you could move further south, but not too far?

It is one of those dilemmas where you are between a rock & a hard place. Stay, continue to suffer, but get to see the family often OR move further away, hopefully recover some & have visits less often. Hard choice! I will pray for you...it sounds like your health is costing you all the way around, and I think the cold winters are hard for most of us in colder climates. We are hoping we can get a trailer to stay in during the winter months...maybe in southern Colorado. I'd go further west, but need to see green grass!  And Florida & the panhandle states are way too humid.

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for the compliment about being a fun Grandma.  I had a great role model in my mother-in-law.  My mom did absolutely nothing with my kids when they were kids.  Their other Grammy did all sorts of crazy fun stuff with them.  She took one of them to eat on the Moshulu in Philly, that ship that is docked along Penns Landing.  She took them with her to help rehab rental properties. She once bought free government cheese from a guy on the street in Philly, with my kids with her.  They have lots of fun and funny memories with her.  That has been my goal, especially once I moved here.  Every birthday involves lunch out, and shopping for a gift.  I've taken the two older kids to see Beauty and the Beast, the Broadway version.  During the summer, we do free bowling, with Kidsbowlfree.com.  I have a Grandparents membership to the zoo in Lansing, which gives us year round entrance, and discounts at the snack place and gift shop.  The best fun today was when Lincoln asked me to play my Taylor Swift CD, and we sang to "Shake It Off."

Check out the bowling website.  The only thing I have to pay for is shoe rental.

Hugs

Trish,

My mother-in-law was the same way. My sister-in-law, her daughter & I were best friends. Our girls were all within 5 years of each other. The 3 of us took those kids all over the place...Penn's landing events were always a favorite place to go. I miss these 2 women who were such great role-models for me as well as my girls.

My mom was equally involved, but she was more about spoiling them w/material things...shopping trips for clothes, hair styles, buying tickets for concerts, and did a lot of grandparenting from home.

I guess I really miss being in the grandparent role when I read many of your posts. We have had to become her parents while her mom gets to be the fun one. When she was little & living w/her mom we were able to do a lot of spoiling, playing, hanging out, etc., but now that is limited. I miss being just her 'Meme!'

I am going to look into the bowling..thanks!

And you know the video that went viral of the cop singing along to Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' is from our town of Dover! (Our small claim to fame.) 

Hi Girls! 

Exciting news for me this morning:  I made it to ONE-DERLAND!  70 Pounds gone!  

Sing it, Satchmo:  What a Wonderful World

My surgeon is thrilled with my health and my results thus far. Still waiting for the bloodwork but at a little less than 4 months, I'm already at a BMI of 33 and 57% Excess Weight Lost.  I am going to keep going until I am at a normal BMI, or at least, that's my target right now.  Let's see how I feel next winter as that gets closer.  But today is all about seeing a "1" as the first digit on the scale.  That's been many many years.  I am only 2 pounds more than my first date with my husband - the lowest weight he's ever seen me.  It's a whole new ballgame now folks!!

Miss you all.  Connie, I pray you find some relief from the pain - you deserve that.  Thinking of you every day, Vickie - my heart is with you, friend.  

Back later to visit with everyone properly - I am working form home but have to run to another meeting.  *Sigh* Back in a bit. xoxo

Congrats on getting to One-Derland. I wish I could get back there. 

A HUGE congratulations, Christine! That is such a major accomplishment! Especially given how stressful your work schedule is!

I have not seen One-DERLAND since the early 1980's. I have arrived at around 1995, though, and am pleased with that! So I just can't imagine how excited you must be!

I am SO happy for you. Sounds like the year 2015 is moving in the right direction for you.

Enjoy & have a great weekend!

You have me beaten i terms of turning the clock back, Kathy - thats awesome!! I've arrived in 2003 now. :-) 

I have 27 pounds to go until I turn the clock way back to the 1980's.  That will be both cool and weird all at the same time!!

ETA: Kathy, this year is a huge year for BOTH of us.  I am so very proud of you.  You've lost more weight before surgery than I have after surgery.  That is QUITE an accomplishment if you ask me.  

Hello Christine.......CONGRATUALTIONS...you are now in Onederland!!!!!!

That is so awesome. Like I always say...I am so proud of you!!! You are working it girl!!!

Now you go out and buy something sexy just for you and your hubby. He must be so happy for you!!

My sweet little Gracie , my daughter, Jamie and my grandson, Nic just left about an hour ago. I love that little girl so much!! We had as good a time as we could with my pain. Gracie said... it is always the best at Nana's!!

Have a good rest of the weekend!!

I love you...HUGS....connie d

Hi Trish and my OFF family:

I had planned to go to the Y today, but my body had other plans. I got up later than I planned and went to the lab for fasting blood work (for my cholesterol). Then I went to Starbucks to have some iced coffee and a snack ... while I was there, I had to dash to the bathroom as my IBS kicked in. So I sat there for awhile and decided not to go to the Y. Instead, I went to Target for a few things ... and then I had to dash to the bathroom again. Fortunately, I found one in time. Sorry, TMI. I was able to get my stuff and get out of there and home before I had any more incidents. Don't know what's causing this. At least I don't have to worry about constipation now. 

Today is my brother Gary's last day at work. He is retiring. He is coming down here tomorrow to bring down some stuff. I have to work so we won't have much time to do anything. And he has to bring his air mattress because mine is dead. 

Anyway, not much else happening. Back to work tonight. Have a good day.

Hello Eileen....Sorry your IBS is really flaring up now!!! I hope you can manage to get that straightened out soon. I remember those times. It was awful!!!!! Maybe you need to go on liquids for a couple days and see if it will fix itself. 

I am glad today is Gary's last day of work. He will love retiring!! I hope he manages to get a good load there tomorrow. The sooner he can get there the better!! I am glad he is bringing his air mattress!! 

I hope your night goes well for you tonight!

I love you...hugs...connie d