Mel...smile for the camera!!! LOL!!

Coolness George and Nettie!! Keep up the good work!

I get to get a colonoscopy and a esophagogastroduodenoscopy on Nov 3rd. Yippee!! Hopefully they can figure this crap out. (No pun intended.)

YAYYYYY

Yay Aunt Sharon ... I mean, Yay Mom! :-)

The local news just aired a special report on Aunt Sharons MammySlammy parties. You go girl!

Yay, George & Nettie! Keep up the great progress with it.

We have made it a week :) George is doing great so very happy that we have each other to help us through this :)

Had a great weekend :)

keep it up George and Nettie. The hypnotist worked great for me 6 years without a craving.

Sparkle power works....I still have the rings my ex gave me.
One of these days I'm going to have all the diamonds removed
and put them into a "divorce" ring...one with a big smiley face! LOL!!

I had an ultrasound of my abdomen yesterday. Trying to find
out what's in there that always causes me pain. The doc
put down "cholecystitis" (gallstones) and they were checking out
my other internal organs as well.

I also got my referral to a nutritionist. That should be interesting.

I hope that my bp comes down and stays down. I just heard that Robert Palmer
("Addicted to Love") died of a heart attack. He was 54...same age as John Ritter.
I think I'll just skip age 54...go straight to 55!




Leisl....I can only imagine how bad that was. And, I'm a firm believer of seat belts too.
My older sister died in a car accident; she was in the back seat and flew through the windshield
and landed on the ground. This was in 1957 before seat belts were put in cars (I think).
I was in the same car and I was in my mother's arms. They had no car seats for babies either.
I guess the rest of us were lucky to survive.

I agree with Melissa. sparkle power beats ex-karma

Heck no! Diamonds never have bad energy! They have sparkle power.

George, Nettie ... congrats on making it this far & keep up the good work. The patch helped me quite a bit, as did peppermint candy canes. :-) Drink tons of water, and yes ... Tension Tamer tea is a life saver!

Melissa ... send 'em back! Too much bad energy connected with them.

Cathy ... hurray on the cholesterol & good luck with the new bp meds.





We spent the past 2 days in Manti at Brian's best friend's funeral. Oh my God. We had to drive past the crash site going & coming. We made a special trip out there after the family viewing & before the funeral yesterday morning so Brian could sign the memorial her kids made & put up there. It was awful. The spray paint was still on the grass from the police report and the mule's remains were left splattered all over. Blood was everywhere. It was horrible. My God. I can't get that smell out of my nose.

Please ... wear your seltbelts. I can't ask that enough. Please.

WTG George & Jeannette! keep it up! deep breaths! count backwards from 10! dring lots of water! occupy your hands! & stay away from other smokers.

Wow Mel, sparklies :) and it is weird that your ex gives you jewelry, but I agree, Hey!

Way to go George and Nettie. Stay tough!

Hang in there George and Nettie. You guys can do it.
Oxygen is getting into your body. Give each other massages with
lotion. Celestial seasonings makes some great calming teas you could try. :)

Good luck on the quitting George. You can do it!!

In addition to the gifts I already got from Dale for my bday, I got diamond earrings today. They are 1/2 carat hoops. Very pretty. It is a little strange having my ex send me jewelry but hey! they are gorgeous.

36 hours without a smoke, and lemme tell ya boys and girls....it ain't pretty. My skin is all itchy, I'm a bit confused and I snapped at everything that came into range today. I now know what a Blonde on her period feels like. Nettie is quitting also, but she's handling it better than I am. I slapped on a patch this morning. This really really sucks.

Good Luck, Geo. :D Is Nettie quitting too?

Oh , btw, I got the results back on my blood work.
My total cholesterol is DOWN to 192!! It has not been that low in twenty years!
But, my bp was 170/140. That is not good, so they took me off Altace and
put me on Lotrel; another kind of ACE inhibitor.

Alana was sick today--vomiting and diarrhea (sp).
We took her to the doctor and she has a virus...the doctor
said it would probably make the rounds within the family.
Aren't kids good at doing that!

Congratulations! First day....cooool! Take it one day at a time
and stay busy :)

First day without a cig went fairly smooth. Got the jitters this evening. Trying not to eat too much.

I was hungry after all the drinking the night before. The toad was for dessert. Yum!!


Le - give Brian a huge hug for me. Marnie was such a wonderful person.

so mel... to recap,
first you "went" on the date then you ate the date. ewww! then you ate a toad? I'm just confused.

My B-day was good sat around a lot did a little yard work went out for dinner and a show (did not eat my date).

Say an extra prayer for Brian ... his best friend was killed in a car accident Friday night.







And wear your seatbelts.

How was your birthday, Ron? And yours, Mel?

Ya'll??? I didn't know Toad was from the south.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RONNIE! Have a great time, and let somebody else drive.

Yeah...Happy Bday bro. Mel, you ate a toad with dates and you call us rude?

Happy Birthday, Ronnie!!

Ya'll are just rude. haha

Toad You are not supposed to eat them on the First date.

You ate dates for lunch? How'd ya fix 'em? Crepes? Or with a side of smoked turkey? Or how?

UH OH!!! MISSY"S dating again.....lock up the chillins and critters!!!




just kidding Missy. hope you had fun.

good start, Mel :D

Richard's dad is on his way back home now. He had a great time climbing Killamanjaro and Mt. Kenya. got a bad altitude headache though on Killamanjaro and only got to spend about 10 minutes at the peak and one of the guides took him down ahead of the rest of the group. Kind of a bummer after all that to only get 10 minutes at the top. Can't wait to see the pictures, though.

Went on a date today. Just lunch. He was very nice.

Way to go Le!!

YAY Leisl. Way to go :D

Yay me! I'm past the 1/2-way point! I've lost 22 pounds & only have 15 more to reach my ultimate goal!

Hooray for you, Tam.

But I am worried about some friends of mine in NC. Haven't heard a peep from them in a week. I'm hoping that means they loaded up the kids & headed west or something.

Told ya. I prepared so nothing much happened. Not even that much rain. No trees down and still have power this morning :D I feel for North Carolina though!

18!?! Holy shit!

Passed your driver's test? Good for you. And it only took you 20 years. *ducking*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELVIN & SEPTEMBER!!!

September and I share one and I am twice her age. Ceeerap!!
I passed my license test this time and took a good photo. Whoo hoo!!

I don't feel old...I AM old!! HaHa!

Good luck Tami. Maybe Isabel will be nice to you'all.

Apropos of birthdays, September is 18 tomarrow. today I feel old

LOL! Good luck!

I'm never online at home... hardly. The kids have taken over our home pc. They actually have a contract between them, drafted by Ed, divvying up the time between after school and bedtime which they have all signed. Funny, Rich and I actually own the computer and there is no timeslot for either of us. Speaking of. Ed will be SIXTEEN (ohmygod) in a couple weeks and we got him a computer so he'll have his own, with internet, so then maybe Richard and I can buyout his timeslot and use, you know, OUR computer?

Keeping you in our prayers, too. Be safe! And stay online as long as you power so I don't worry. K? (Actually, I'll probably worry anyway. I'm good at it.)

I've got bottled water, flashlight batteries (and flashlights, duh), candles, plenty of canned food (and a manual can opener), big dead tree that hung over the house was removed this summer, first aid kit is somewhere accessible, gutters are cleaned out, patio furniture etc will be in the garage tonight, filling up the gas tanks after work. Hey, wonder if you could use pool water for cooking if you had to. Could certainly use it for washing up at any rate. Last hurricane around here (Floyd) and our neighborhood was under water and even the houses that weren't flooded had no power or drinking water for awhile.

Think I'm ready enough for Isabel to miss us completely because that's how it always works. If you prepare, nothing happens ;)

Frank, give me a call when you get a minute.

hmmmm.... there may be some obvious conclusions to be drawn from this story. weenies = bald guys

kidding... I'm kidding!!! sheesh.

*Snort!*

There were three babies in a woman's womb, and they were discussing what
they would like to be when birthed and grown up.

The first one said "I wanna be a plumber." The others laughed at this,
and asked "why a plumber?" He replied, "so I can fix the pipes in here,
its kinda leaky."

The second one said "I wanna be an electrician." The others laughed at
this and asked "why an electrician?" He replied, "so I can get some
lights in here, its dark!"

The third one said "I wanna be a boxer." The others thought this was
hilarious, and laughed for a full 5 minutes, before asking, "why in
the world do you want to be a boxer?"

He replied, "so I can beat the hell out of that bald guy who keeps
coming in here and spitting on us!"

I appreciate that Leisl...even this morning J.T. said he needs to lose some weight too.
He's not going to fall into the same trap and just buy bigger clothes.
Of course, I don't think guys are bothered too much with the "weight" stigma.

They haven't set a date yet, but, if everything goes like what I've read about other people's experiences
at www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity -- it could be before Christmas or after the New Year.
(Then, in my dreams Ray and I get picked for a "Couples' Extreme Makeover" and we
get to reveal the new "US" at the family re-union. LOL! )

OK ... here's just a few with good info & great recipes:

www.diabetes.org
www.aicr.org
www.slimfast.com

Cathy - Good luck with the surgery. Have they set a date for you, yet? If you're looking for some yummy, healthy recipes I can post the links to some health sites that I frequent that have some good ones. I'm kinda paranoid about weight issues (duh, like ya'll didn't already know that about me) and all the health issues that arise from it. I'm so proud of you for taking control of yourself like this. It's a HUGE decision to make. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

Tam - weird thing is, it's back up ... at least for now. Somebody musta renewed it, but I have no idea who. Whoever did it - thank you. I'm still saving everything as fast as I can, & as soon as I can figure out what I want & how to do it, I'll just build a site (or have Brian do it, more like) for everything without having to pay myFamily for it. There just isn't being the family involvement that I had hoped for with that site, so I'm not gonna maintain it much longer. *sigh* Oh, well.

Tami,
I am going to have gastric bypass surgery.
With high blood pressure, high cholesterol, GERD and other
health problems arising, my doctor feels that it would
be best in order to lose weight and keep it off.
I've tried all kinds of diets...
With the new weight charts, I've moved from
obese to morbidly obese. (Even though everyone
is kind enough to say "You don't look fat", I know
I am.)
And, after reading about John Ritter's death and how high
blood pressure can attribute to it and that high blood pressure is a silent killer--
something has to be done. There's just so many pills I can take everyday!

Cath, I missed something. why are you having surgery? and Le, why has the geneaology site expired?

I just read in the newspaper that Macks Inn is for sale. Anyone have the money to buy It? They are
looking for someone to rebuild the main lodge and restore some of the cabins. I think you only need a couple million! yikes...Jet

here's a funny game I found on the net.
give it a try

funny game

Bummer!! Leisl!
I hate that when that happens.
btw, my appointment with the Bariatrics Centre is
on November 24th. My insurance company says that I need
to be referred to a nutritionist or a dietician and be on
a medically supervised weight loss program for 3 months before they will
okay the surgery, even if the surgery IS medically necessary. The Fen-Phen
diet that I was on in 95-96 doesn't count because it was too long ago.
They only count within the last 5 years. Sheesh!

GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!
So ... I am working along, saving & archiving files as fast as I can tonite so as not to lose any information when the MyFamily genealogy site expires tomorrow, when all of a sudden ... with only 15 pages of pictures left to save ... the entire site shuts down on me a full day early. SUCKO! I am so pissed!

Sorry everybody. At least I got most of it saved. I DO have the photos saved elsewhere, but I am going to have to start all over from scratch on the information that goes with them. :-(

I've shed a few tears today for John Ritter. I absolutely adored him.

Odd as it may be, tho, I am happy that Johnny Cash is once again with his beloved June. He will be missed, nonetheless. :-(

I was so surprised to hear about the death of John Ritter.
I still can't believe it. In all the stuff I've read--no one has mentioned
that he was the voice of Clifford, the Big Red Dog--on PBS.
That's one of Alana's favourite shows.

I did the 12 hour fasting for the blood test and
had that done. They bruised me again...where they
inserted the needle and from a too tight band-aid!
Hopefully, my doctor will have all the results for my
next appointment with him on the 22nd.

I never seem to get picked for a jury. I don't think they
like my attitude either, George.
They pay $6 a day here for county court.
Federal court pays a lot more plus they pay mileage too.

I got jury duty once. I was in 4 pools and was rejected from every one. I wanted to convict somebody.

I was on a jury ...we convicted a drunk driver FYI if you ever get pulled over for DUI and you think you are drunk. refuse to take any feild tests and refuse the blood test. they get yiour license for a year but your gonna loose it anyway.

I always wanted to get jury duty.

Schedule it for the 15th ... get out of jury duty!

I can't take aspirin because I have a platelet dysfunction.
It takes a lot of time for my blood to clot. Before any major
surgery, I always have to have a bleeding test and then they
always give me blood platelets to help thicken my blood before surgery.

I picked up my referral for a doctor that does gastroplasty
and then I have the orders for a 12 hour fasting lipid profile.
They are checking my liver and kidneys also. Whoopee!

I have to work this into my schedule...Monday, the 15th--I have
jury duty and on the 19th, I have the Medicaid hearing for my dad.
Such fun!

lipitor and two blood pressure meds and glucophage and aspirin

Geo - Ever tried Beano? That might make them a little more friendly toward you.

Cardiologists fear me.....Endoscopy clinicians cower in my presence, Lab analysers refuse to function at the sight of my body fluids.

Butt work ups? Heart issues? Blood pressure? Geez, you guys! Knock it off!

(passing around tofu disguised at chocolate ... sssshhhhhh, they'll never know)

I'm sorry Cathy you have to take more medicine! And Frank isn't that nitro cool? It works so fast. I am glad I don't have to take it
just the one time but, it works so fast. It was amazing. Good luck on your blockages. It sounds scary. Are you also on high cloresteral
medicine like Cathy and I? Jet

Just got back from the doctor and I was afraid
it was going to end up being like my last appt. in January.
My blood pressure was 176/140. The last time it was that high
I had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

My doctor gave me a pill to lower my BP and 30 minutes later
it was 140/100. So, now, in addition to 200mg of Toprol XL
every morning....I'll be adding 5mg. of Altace (an ACE inhibitor.)

I'm also being referred to a Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery clinic too.
My doctor told me that the blood pressure HAS to be lowered
before any kind of surgery. (I know, I know.....we went thru this
in February 2002 when I had a hysterectomy.)

I did go with Ray on a geocache yesterday and walked for 1 1/4 mile
nature walk! I had to sit out the 2nd search. It was fun tho.

I am NOT old dammit!!!

I REFUSE to grow up and get old!!

Did I miss something? Who else has to get a butt workup? I'm still waiting on my referral. Geez! We all sound old. When the hell did that happen??

gooey clams is that like the Geoducks (GooeyDucks) clams they have in the northwest?

2 blockages one at 60% and one at 50%. They wouldn't do anything with them though. They wait for a 75% blockage before they will do anything. so I am eating nitro like candy.

Bwahahahahahaha!

Gooey clams? If you quit putting them up there, you wouldn't need the butt workup. OMG!




(And thanks for the compliments on my headshot.)

Frank, what did they ever find out why you had heart problems?
Yeah Ray, I agree...what are gooey clams???

gooey clams??? EEEEeeeeewwwwwwww.

Curt does now know about the reunion. Sandy is checking to see when in August we can get another place to borrow so we can
all stay close by. :) Jet

uuummmmmm....excuse me? A butt workup?
Appt for my anal? Is that like a "Presidential Procedure"?
A colonoscopy?

Hey Leisl,
I liked your headshots too. :)
Also, my Dad's nursing home tab came to about $3 thousand a month!(My Dad wasn't
even in a fancy place, either!) You can stay at a Vegas hotel cheaper than that!
I have a hearing with the State Department of Human Resources about getting
my Dad on Medicaid while he was there. Things move so slowly, we have to
do this posthumously. Anything to bring that balance down...will help.
I wish he'd had long term insurance.

Tami,
I've got a doctor's appointment on Monday and we'll see how
this blood pressure medicine is working. And, then they'll do a blood
work-up, including lipids and liver enzymes...to see if the Lipitor
is working on lowering my cholesterol and tri-glycerides.
I'll let you know how things work out

I have my 30 year high school re-union coming up in June, too.
That should be interesting.

Le, on your headshots... I liked your final choice #2 best. Any chance I can have a print?

yeah I did.... it was a joke :p Guess I'll keep my day job :D

Tami. Evidently you did not get Dad's email.

Click on Wind in the Willows to see pics of my play

*snort!*

wow, deja vu'

you got it, Le

spooky isn't it. Dad, you takin notes? Oh wait, dad doesn't come in here. What was I thinking of.

With the average cost for a Nursing Home per day reaching $188.00, there is a better way when we get old & feeble.

I have ascertained that I can get a nice room at the Holiday Inn for around $65.00 ... that leaves $123.00 a day for beer, food (room service), laundry, gratuities and special TV movies. They have a swimming pool, a workout room, a lounge, washer, dryer, etc. Most have free toothpaste and razors, and all have free shampoo and soap.

Super 8 is somewhat more economical and they have a free breakfast, though you usually have to walk next door for lunch and dinner.

There may be a bit of a wait to get that first floor room, but that's OK, it takes months to get into decent nursing homes. There is the Senior Bus, the Handicap bus (if you fake a decent limp), a Church bus or van, cabs, and even a regular bus. For a change of lunch take the Airport Bus and eat at one of the fast food cafe's there.

The Inn has security, and if someone sees you drop over, they will call an ambulance. And should you break a hip, the American Way is to Sue. What more can you ask for?

As a bonus, they all have AARP and other Senior discounts.

So: When I reach the Golden age, help me keep my grin, just check my old rickety body into the nearest Holiday Inn.

*making note: no heart scares*

and please, you guys... no more heart scares this year, ok? Dad, Frank, Jeannette... did I miss anyone? my prayer card is getting all worn out!

Does Curt ever check this blog? Is he in the loop for the reunion??? I'm gettin so dang excited and its nearly a year away. Everybody better stay healthy. We ALL have to be there!!!

thanks

Oh.... www.xtremecaching.com

Any weekend works for us as long as we have it nailed down by Christmas......Pick a weekend.

I spent the last 4 days humping up and down the valleys north of Island Park. Saw a ton of Elk...couldn't get any close enough to jab with my sharp sticks. View was pretty darn good tho.

geocacheing.....
a quaint little hobby?
Or a vast right wing conspiricy to kill off us soft old men.

Dang I'm outa shape.

Hey George or Curt,
Awhile back I got an email from Curt saying you and he were building a website and that we should check it out. The email did not include an url. I emailed him back but haven't heard anything. I wanna seeeeeee. what's the url?

Hey... its noon on Tuesday . sounds like a song.

all i wanna do is have some fun

Everybody have a fun weekend? I was supremely lazy. idle. slacker. unbusy. lacking in mobility. It was heaven :)

Richard's dad leaves for Tanzania the end of this week. He's climbing Killamanjaro. cool, huh? Hope he manages it. We're a little concerned how he'll react to the whole not much oxygen thing... and the rough camping. Geez, I can hardly climb the stairs!

Cathy and I are keeping Aug. open, so just let us know. we should be able to make it.

It does not matter when to me! DeeAnna and I have no plans for august.

Anytime is good for me. Early August is better than late August I guess.