princess_n_thep

http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/magic_bullet.html (or go to the mall to the As Seen on TV stores?)AND free shipping! OR http://www.infomercialcentral.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=77 OR Walgreens online!!! http://www.walgreens.com/search/search_results.jhtml?term=magic+bullet&section=A They have free shipping! ((THIS IS WHERE I JUST BOUGHT MINE ABOUT A MINUTE AGO)) $59.99 plus tax of $3.36 and I got free shipping. It is the complete 17 piece set and the total was $63.35.

I have 9.

I thought sticky's were supposed to stay at the top of the postings???

Resurrected this thread.... I am in there now... waiting... i am kind of lonely. Jenna

nah, that's it for now... you are a good servant of the all mighty princess and her p! By the way, are you ever NOT on this board? I see you here ALL the time ha ha ha.

is vvvvvvvonderful, thanks! I hope people see it! can we make it a sticky?

Best of luck to ya Darlin!!! I hope things go well for you and you are approved without delay! I am sending warm wishes and hope your way. Jenna

Big T, I hope you get better and better and better!!! Here's to a speedy healing!

There are many classifications within paganism. Think of paganism as a tree from which many practices branch off. Just as there are many denominations of Christianity. Neo Paganism is the branch from which druidry, wiccan, asatru, etc. Many people (because of Hollywood crap) confuse paganism with satanism. And from each of those sprouts even more branches of practices from those. For example: a wiccan branch would also branch off to eclectic wicca, feminine wicca, etc. Actually, satanism is within the realm of a mono-theistic(one higher being) religion rather than the poly-theistic (many gods/goddesses). Many pagans do not even recognize or have little recognition of any type of "satan" other than the gods/goddesses that deal with the more darker sides. Neo paganism is derived as a form of "new" pagan from the culture and beliefs from ancient paganism. Paganism is also referred to as the "old religion" in which it was in place as the majority belief system before Christianity became the majority belief. Pagans are extremely tolerant to other faiths (even though they are often not tolerant of ours) and are completely accepting of all that wish to practice without denial. Think of "casting spells" more in terms of how others "pray". Same basic principle idea. The only thing is that the term "witch" has had such negative press or hollywood glam that is does not give the real true meaning. (case in point: "the Craft" movie... very hoaky but only with some underlying truths into the religion itself) The best site that I can think of that explains paganism to inquiring minds is http://www.religioustolerance.org/neo_paga.htm hope this answers some of your questions. Jenna

Okay, so am I under the understanding I am going to try and coordinate this thingymabob? I can get on the horn with Lisa and start organinzing for her if she wishes. Plus, if anyone says I am a babe I am all for it. Hey, were you looking in my window last week during my "flashdancing" for my hubby? I tell ya, when I did that running move I almost ended up in the kitchen from the bedroom! oh, tmi. Sooooooo Lisa, PM me with your tele # so I can bug ya. Let's get this ball rolling! Don't feel bad about the group pricing at the hotels Penni, it is a fine art of dealing with the hotels and finagaling a great price. You guys aren't very good with counts huh? Is there a way to set up a poll thread or something? If anyone needs me to check for airfares, PM me. I can at least tell you what I see and how to go and get it, I can't actually book it anymore. But I can tell you where to go. So, let's get this rolling... I reallyyyyyy need to get a count. Can we start a running thread or something? Ballpark room count? Jenna

Dog and smoking update: Well, the tests have been run and cost us a small fortune. But worth every penny, just makes me sigh at the costs. Without further and more extensive and even more expensive tests, all else has been ruled other than the cancer as our cause. The tests did show that it is probably a liver cancer rather than the lymphatic that we once thought it was. His Proteins are extremely low. His urinalyisis shows that he is retaining the waste and basically peeing almost Water. He does drink a lot and the liver is not doing its job at all. Soooo, the mass has been ulcerated and is bandaged with compression. I could either buy expensive Protein tablets, fix him an egg or force Protein drinks down him so I opted for the cooked egg in each meal. We have him on a series of antibiotics as well but the doctor was nice enough to give me a short supply and write me a prescription to get them online for cheaper at petmeds. Time is unknown now. The best we can do is keep the mass and drainage manageable for now and keep him on some antibiotics. Without further tests and such we have no real prognosis for how long he will be in the quality of life stage. Could be a week, could be months, could be a year. The doctor is pleased with how well he is doing with the TLC I have been showering him though so he is hoping for at least 3 months at the shortest he says. But at this point it is a guessing game. At least the initial shock and turmoil is over. Now we just deal with things and move on as best we can. And at least we have him with us for now. I, personally, am still hoping for a miracle. I am just glad that it won't be this week that I lose him. As for smoking, I am trying still. I haven't given up on it. I have cheated some but nothing ever more than 2-3 a day and I don't smoke more than 1/2 of it. So it is still better than a pack a day. I am going to try and quit completely as things here in the house calm. I thank you all for your wishes, blessing and PM's of encouragement and support. Thanks so much! I love you all! Jenna

It is almost 1a.m. and I just got back from the emergency animal clinic. My greyhound, (Jeter) as I briefly mentioned earlier, had a mass growing on his chest wall. By the time I got home today it had tripled! And began turning black with small blisters. By 8 pm the blisters were filling and his breathing got heavier and labored. The black spots were spreading. We didn't think he could wait until the Wednesday appointment I made so we took him to the emergency clinic. I was expecting them to tell me he had been bitten by a brown recluse or black widow spider or a scorpion or something, but instead the doctor told us Jeter is VERY ill. She can't say for certain until after the biopsy tomorrow morning, and we wont get results until late afternoon, but by the xrays he has a malignant tumor that is lymphatic. In essence, his is the final stages of lymphoma. All of his nodes are swollen and the tumor has integrated into the chest cavity and is protruding from the rapid growth from where it started (inside the chest wall). The growing black spots is dead skin from where the tumor has drained the blood supply. The blisters have now filled, popped and are rubbing off exposing the raw flesh underneath. I am sorry to be so graphic but it is necessary in order to truly describe it. It humbles me to see my muscular, regal and all around athletic hound reduced to wheezing by my bedside tonight until I can get the "official" news tomorrow. The cancer is spreading quickly and multiplying rapidly so therefore once the "official" news is given they recommend two options: 1. K9 chemotherapy/surgery to remove the tumor as best they can/ hope for remission beyond the odds OR 2. Place him into rest as humanely as possible by lethal injection. I had no idea he was so sick. He did not "complain" and is just slow moving recently. We just noticed the mass on Sunday morning and it has tripled in size since then. He is, as we speak, wheezing on his bed pillow trying to sleep as we have gotten him a mild sedative tonight to make him more comfortable. Needless to say, my quit smoking efforts were dashed and stomped on tonight as I needed it to even sit up straight. Tomorrow, I will take him into the Vet for the "official" news. I plan on bringing him home tomorrow night for the family to spend our time together with him. Then, on Wednesday afternoon I will lay with him as I let him go and stop his pain and suffering. I refuse to let him be alone as he goes so I will be there with him. My DH disagrees but I won't stand for anything less. He is my best friend, my confidante, and the best dog I have ever had the pleasure of having as part of my family. Our other greyhound will miss him terribly and will go through his own seperation anxiety. My son will join me in my tears as will my DH. What makes this even more sad is the fact that tomorrow is our 3rd wedding anniversary. We got Jeter as an anniversary gift for each other 2 years ago to make our family larger. Jeter has given us unconditional love over the last 2 years, has been a very active member of the retired greyhound association for adoption and has worked as a volunteer for greyhound adoption awareness all over Phoenix. Jeter (formally racing as Maricopa Badger) was a good racer and spent 4 years as a professional athlete in Phoenix, Arizona with 110 races. His retiree picture and pedigree can be seen at http://www.greyhound-data.com/ by doing a "Dog Search" and putting the name Maricopa Badger. It is hard for me to imagine going through my upcoming band recovery without him laying vigile by my bed. My heart is aching and breaking from the upcoming duties I have this week. Having greyhounds in my life the last 2 years has been wonderful. Working with the adoption agency volunteering and having this WONDERFUL addition to our family. I will not get another hound as I think that the time we have spent together is much too short. His retired days were spent well laying in the grass, chasing mechanical balls and lounging on our couch and his many "beds" throughout the house. He was well treated as a retiree. Anyone intersted in having these wonderful dogs I HIGHLY recommend them as friends but I just can't deal with the short amount of time that I have gotten to love him. We have Arod still and he is still healthy. I think our efforts within the greyhound realm will end with Jeter though. There definitely is no replacing him. Please excuse me as I will not be here posting for awhile and I don't know how long. This is taking a lot out of me as I was already an emotional mess even before this happened. Thank you all for your love and support and I will see you when I can. Jenna

LMAO whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa nellie! I guess if no one else wants the job I will take it but you need to really get the info down for me on how many rooms. I will make the calls and create a group booking. The booking would allow each person to call for themselves and book their room. Although, I would need for everyone to get an accurate (approximate) room count. Those that are sharing, those that want their own, etc. In the sharing instance it will be MUCH better if ONE person pays the nights and the other person reimburses them. Okay, so here is what I need.... I need for you to start adding. Take the count and add to it, don't just post "i will be there". Penni, you want to take the reigns on getting a head count and then I will call and start buzzing in the group discount bugs ear! Jenna

Update: This morning was good! I kept busy and went to work in a good mood and made it without a cigarette. The actual day was fine because I can't smoke at work anyways. Howeverrrrrrrrr.... grrrrrrrr after work a group was in the parking lot and we were talking. One lit up, I bummed one. I felt SOOOOO guilty (even though it did help my headache and I did enjoy the numbing sensation). And yet again I had this gross taste in my mouth and could really "smell" it. Came right home, changed clothes, washed hands, brushed teeth, gargled, felt better. So all in all, I say today was a success even with that screw up. I made it all the way to work and all the way home in the car without one. And I will NOT have one tonight! So, tomorrow is yet another day..........

My thoughts are with you and your family during this time. I hope Nolan recovers quickly and is soon on his learning path. Another site that may help is the one I listed here. It is a comprehensive list of many sites dealing with Down Syndrome (international, US organizations, medical resources and online magazines/newsletters) and even has sites for the locations in which you live to get you in touch with a support group. I hope this helps you and your family. http://www.downsyndrome.com/

I posted it awhile back but I found that: Riviera: $92 a night (my second choice) Imperial Palace: $98 a night (third choice) Circus Circus: $85 a night (but this isn't one I recommend, I think it is old and in need of repairs) Sahara: (my personal favorite) $89 a night Stratosphere: $104 a night (fourth choice only because it is far at one end again) That is just what I had found. Sure beats $140 a night at Excalibur but some really like the "new" hotels on the strip. I just personally think Excalibur is at the end and not walk friendly. And if someone wants to get an approximate "room count" I can check into the group rates if you want. They could get even more inexpensive. Who is the official "coordinator"????? Jenna

for the "f" word : freak, fudge, fughedaboutit for the "s" word: shhhhhheeze, shitola, crapper for "gd" word: See above catch phrases... I stopped saying the real words when my son was 2 1/2 and was with me when I dropped some cake mix on the ground and said the real "s" word and he walked around the house for WEEKS throwing toys on the ground on purpose saying it. He thought it was funny as heck. I was embarrassed but my mother-in-law was peeved. So I got at least a little pleasure out of it.

As I live in Arizona where there are many "commuters" and "workers" that send the cards home to their families while they work. It is known to me that the phone cards that are US/Mexico compatible can be dialed by dialing a 800 number in the US. Which means, if you can dial the 800 # from the phone, you can use the card. Also, the cards are cheaper here in the grocery stores and convenient stores rather than the gas station. Also, my landscaper knows I am going to Tijuana and he is from Nogales. He suggested about a week ago that I get my phone card from www.callingcardplus.com but I haven't done it yet. He said you can just keep renewing the card. Hope this helps.

okay, here I am, wayyyyy past my bedtime and without a patch. aaaarrrgh. I take the patch off at night because I get wierd dreams when i wear it to bed (wierd I know but i swear its the patch). And, to top it all off, went out to put my stuff in the knap sack of the motorcycle and the DH (read as damn if you want) is changing my oil!! So, back to the car for me. I think I will hang my head out of the car window like a basset hound to try and simulate the ride. I am going to go try a nice hot bath. Thank you all for your words of encouragement! I knew you all would be here for me! P.S. So much for my "lurking" status. I guess I am in full posting mode now.

I am not banded yet, but my mom and sister had Gbypass and they have a great idea for their old clothes.... they go through once a year and collect all the large sizes. Then they advertise the "larger ladies garage sale". They come in drovessss! They take the money that they make from the clothing sale and donate it to a different children's charity. This year was the Missing and Exploited Childrens Foundation (my favorite charity). Last year they donated to the Humane Society. They don't raise A LOT of money but those that get it appreciate it, and those "larger ladies" appreciate all the brand name clothes like Lane Bryant that haven't been used very long and are a good sale deal!

Well, it is almost time for bed and even though I ate like a pig for dinner with 2 sloppy joes, had a big bowl of ice cream, then sucked on candies (god I cant wait for the band) the night was CIGARETTE FREE! woo hooo! I have been thinking about the whole ride to/from work and have decided on the perfect solution. I am going to take my motocycle to work (thanks for the suggestion of a motorcycle feel!)! It is nice enough here in Arizona and I NEVER do that to work because of hair/helmet issues. But, I am going to leave 30 min earlier than normal so I have time to fix it before work. Sooooooo, That will be my salvation! I am not coordinated enough to ride and smoke so I will be just fine! Thanks all.... I will update again tomorrow.... Gosh, I really hope others who are quitting/getting ready to quit can use this thread to help them!! I know I couldn't have even gotten this far without you all! Thinking I can and KNOWING I CAN, Jenna

Evening update on day 2: Today was a good afternoon. I didn't really crave much. (especially since that yucky tasting one). I think hope is right, and DH agrees, I am holding onto that pack and if I get an UNcontrollable urge I will light it and drag (and probably gag again). And it will also alleviate a headache pang. But I haven't needed to all day! The evening I am hoping goes well too. I find myself hoping for sleep time so I can sleep through some cravings. (nothing interupts a princess and her sleep!) The "smokers bracelet" has been SO wonderful for in the car. I twist it, turn it, and sometimes suck on the beads. It has really helped. My family aren't really talking much about this because I think they don't want to make me think of it, so we aren't saying anything about it. But I know my son wants me to quit, he hates it. I am a very "respectful" smoker, always have been, so they were never affected by second hand smoke. Tomorrow is going to be my first day back to work. I am used to going 8 hours without a cigarette since I can't smoke at work, but the drive to/from work is going to be tough because that is when I usually "stock" up. No cigarrettes since Friday night at 10pm!!! *except that gross 4 drag one* People tell me I have to get through 3 weeks and I will be fine. Is this true? Does it ever get easier? The lower dose patch seems to be working. Thank Penni, I needed that!

I have always been told, and it seems to work, that swimming is the best cure for cramps. Head off to the nearest indoor pool and swim a couple laps, I bet you will feel better! I swear it works for me!

Day TWO: This morning I was okay. I put on the patch again and it was okay this time. I think I was just stressed and emotional yesterday (when am I not). I was doing fine until my husband and I noticed a very large mass that has appeared on our dog's chest wall. He is breathing kind of heavy (not labored but differently). We will take him to the vet this week. Then our lawnmower decided to die. I decided to clean the garage. I found an old pack of cigarettes. I caved and lit one in secret. It was GROSS! I took 4 drags and put it out. My taste in my mouth was gross. I don't know if it was a really old pack or what but I put it out and went to brush my teeth and change clothes. I didn't tell anyone (but all of you of course). Little set back, but I am back on track I think. Today I am going to try and keep busy working on the computer. I am taking things very day by day I think. I NEEEEED to do this! I CANNNNNN do this darn it! You see, getting the band surgery is part of quitting smoking. Back when I decided to do this and self pay (which I really don't have the money for) my mom said she would give me $5,000 for the surgery. The rest I am financing. That is a HUGE chunk that she will not pay for if I don't do this!!! And she WILL keep her word about giving me or not giving me the money if I fail/succeed. More updates to follow... (hopefully with better news).

Oh and I forgot to tell you all! My son spent his Saturday morning in his room (not watching cartoons) and made me a "smoking bracelet". He said it was like a worry stone only made my him. It has beads on a stretchy elastic and he says that when I feel like I should have something in my hands, then play with that. It REALLY helps in the car. What a sweeeet boy!