Ecstasy

Hi,guys, it's so nice to see you again! Thanks for the warm greetings! I haven't heard much further other than his potassium levels are high so they're monitoring that to protect his kidneys and they're awaiting the results of the stress test. I see MissM already has a thread up so I'll let her take over from here on out. <smile>

For those who may not have heard, word was released on FB this morning by Pat's daughter, Terry, that he was rushed into the hospital last night and admitted. He had been having difficulty with his lungs and had been started on nebulizer treatments and other meds but apparently they didn't agree with his body. Additional testing is being done today. I'll try to keep everyone informed as soon as we hear more from Terry. You can't ask for a better friend than Pat! John and I had the opportunity to meet his lovely daughters at the 5k Diabetes Walk over the weekend and participate on the team dedicated to him --- Team Black Hawk Pat. Meeting these girls is a testimony to what a great father and role model he is! Please throw a prayer his way and keep him in your thoughts.

First, I'd like to thank each of you for your lovely birthday wishes. It was very kind of you and so wonderful to be remembered. I don't post terribly often but I do peek in and keep track of things going on. <smile> Second, I'd like to be greedy and ask for a birthday gift --- or maybe it's offer a gift to you! KEEP TRACK OF YOUR DOCTOR APPTS, PLEASE!!! While on vacation I received a call that my mammogram was 'abnormal'. (My first calls were to Diane (Dianed) and Beth (Bessieboo) to talk me through this and help me research. I spent my birthday getting a repeat mammogram, an ultrasound, a repeat ultrasound, and finally a meeting announcing that they were sending me for a biopsy because the radiologist feels theres a problem. I called Jay (Jay52) who talked to me while I was in the car and gave me the courage to walk in for the appt. I was sent to a breast specialist/surgeon who did her own ultrasound and states there is no problem and no need for a biopsy. I now have conflicting diagnoses. I called the hospital who refused to give me a second opinion so I sought out a different hospital and have an appt for a second opinion with another breast specialist/surgeon. I'm not out of the woods yet so we'll see what she recommends. I was one of the ones closely involved with Diane when she went through her nightmare last year and I know what it cost her. Now I wait to see if I join her ranks. MEN, NOT ONLY WOMEN, NEED TO STAY ON TOP OF ALL OF THEIR APPTS AND TESTS!!! Get what you need to stay safe and healthy! Check your blood pressure, your glucose levels, your cholesterol... All of my other annual tests panned out perfectly but it can be that one that you take for granted that can hurt you. Please, friends, do what you need to do and take care of yourselves!

Jay (Jay52) has just suffered the loss of his mother, Shirley, this evening. She had been suffering after a long battle with Alzheimer's and various complications. While I did not have the honor of having met her I can only be certain that she was a remarkable woman after knowing her son. Jay is one of the kindest, most caring, and compassionate people I've been blessed to call a beloved friend. <hugs> Mom did a great job with her son. Please hold him up in prayer at this painful time, along with his girlfriend Marci, and his entire family.

Do any of you know anything about online degrees, please? I'm considering going back to school but cannot see my health allowing me to lug supplies around and sit in a classroom all night. (You would not believe what you have to carry to each class for fashion merchandising/design! ) I know I can do most general ed classes through my local college online or off-campus (working from home) but you have to be present for the fashion classes. Soooo... then I got to thinking about online fashion degrees but wondered if online classes are more expensive, do credits transfer, etc. I'd really like to go back to doing something I love. Does anyone know how this works and whether it's cost effective?

And the sword is drawn by our conquering hero!!!

Tommy --- ROFLOL Have you ever SEEN Rio Bravo? Neither dies, honey. Rent it and watch it to the end when you can. Worth every penny. (John and I swear there's a scene that Walter Brennan ad libs because the look on Dean Martin's face and his laughter seems quite unexpected.)

MissM is right in that computer screens are very harsh on the eyes (especially in an unlit room!) Is there something less 'technical' you can do --- sort through family photos and put them in albums, rearrange your CDs in the changer (we always have to neaten ours up), alphabetize your DVDs...? These would be less stressful on the eyes.

Maybe you need a calmer, steadier influence --- like a John Wayne marathon? My favorite would be Big Jake or Quiet Man. (Although I was watching Rio Bravo last night. )

It's very difficult when they come back. They've already been out on their own. They're already used to doing things their way and we're certainly used to running our own homes our way. Then.... the clash... and the stress levels go up. On one hand you can say that you're glad that they know how to handle things the way they want to but one the other hand you want them to go run things somewhere else and leave you in peace to just keep on the way you have been!!! It's a tightrope and works better between some children and their parents. It would work with my girls because we're used to working as a team. I doesn't with my boys because they want things their way no matter what.

We did it twice, Shelley. Once with our oldest son and his family, once with our second son and his fiance'. Neither time worked BUT you have to remember that there was mental illness involved with the boys and abuse issues involved with the women. In my case I would not do it again because of the circumstances but in your case it's completely different and I think you all have a wonderful shot at making this work. You have a great attitude, obviously your son and daughter-in-law have a good attitude, the dog hasn't caught on yet, and the cats will NEVER have a better attitude! You need adjustment time and so do they so don't base anything on today or tomorrow --- give it some time and allow yourself to transition. You're a great mom, Shelley!!!

Hey, Steve, how're ya doin'?

Don't worry, Tony. He doesn't stand a chance. He doesn't know about her "scorpion tail."

I don't get this. Diane has been moderator for quite some time. This fighting garbage has gone on, and on, and on ad nauseum by one means or another for a long time as well. Now, when she finally says enough is enough, when she finally makes an attempt to have some decency on this board and HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE BEHAVIOR CODE THEY SIGNED she gets to hear this?!?! And you wonder why she's stressed!!! Maybe it's time for the people who said "Yay, Diane" to step forward and be heard again! This woman has more going on in her frantic life than most of us could handle and yet she still makes a commitment to this board and its members on a daily basis. To me that deserves a little respect and a BIG THANK YOU! And for the record, I'm one of those who "genuinely care about others" because she's one of my best friends and I thank God every day for that honor!

Wishing you a joyous birthday, OK!