Can't be without my friends. You all are a big part of my success.

feel guilty having Ange wait on me.

Janet,

Turnabout is fair play...you will have your wonderful opportunity to wait on Ange in just a few short weeks! Awwwww, she looks so cute and so pregnant! I'm so happy for you to have daughters you are so close to!

I hope you got your situation in bed all figured out...I laughed about your plight, and at least you have a great sense of humor about it all!

I am thrilled to read of your progress! WTG!

Good Afternoon All...

Well, I overslept because the alarm never went off. I guess I'm going to have to look online for an owner's manual so that Jack can get the directions again...amazing what simple things we can forget in such a short amount of time!

Dee, so happy you did not freeze at the game...you have little insulation left to ward off feeling cold now! Your boys read like they are great players...I hope they never have injuries. That part would scare me the most...

Diane, would love to see a picture of your new hair style...it looked like you had a good time with your mother over the weekend. I hope the medication is helping you cope with feeling overwhelmed.

Dawn, so happy to read that you enjoyed your trip, and that you returned home safely. It must be difficult to,leave there to return to IL. How are your college girls? Have you been riding your bike lately?

Terri, I hope you are feeling better after your stuck episode. I hated those...and almost done with your medications. Life is good! I believe I have Nicole's address. Let me know if you want me to send it to you.

Michelle, good luck with your studies...you are on the glide path now and will do fine!

Physical therapy is going well, but I may have to have an additional surgery to correct some issues with scar tissue and the tendon. If it is optional, I will pass. I am able to walk for miles without pain, just one of my toes seems disconnected from the rest.

I could not resist, and purchased some bronze mums to Celebrate Fall...they come in so many colors. It was difficult to choose. Next year I will be more focused on the outside of the house.

Only 2 more days until countertops! It is so true...the small and basic things do mean to most to me!

I treasure each of you along this journey...at different places, but we all understand.

Group hugs!

Oh Janet...so good to hear from you...laughing you need to barrow some of Cjs diapers for bed time !!!

Your daughter looks beautifully pregnant...what a exciting time...and like Carol said...a few short weeks tables will be turned....so proud of you...

I went for my GI and the tech that took it said with out Fluid in my band he couldn't tell to good about how big or small the pouch was soposta be...he did think it looks a lil he wasn't sure how to word it...he said a slip usually is the bulk of the stomach comes above the band....he thought if anything.. mine looked like there wasn't much of a pouch....I see the surgeon tomarrow...so we will see....

Carole you are so positive all the time....its so refreshing...funny about the alarm clock....I only use my cell phones alarm....that vibrating on my night stand wakes me right up..

And yes like any good mom my boys are stars in my eyes and heart....

So sad watching the news today at the navy yard in DC...

Dee, sorry if you shared CJ's story before. I can barely remember my name sometimes (sad, but true). It's a running "joke" in my family that I can go see movies over without knowing I saw them, hear/tell stories over, etc. That is heartbreaking yet sweet how all of your boys came to be with you. You really have a heart of gold ~ PLATINUM actually. Keep us posted on your surgeon visit. Hope you can get your fill back. I know without mine, and being able to eat like it wasn't there most days, it's been a struggle. I do have some Fluid in it but not like I did when I felt I was in the "green zone".

Terri, I hope you are enjoying your day making me that quilt for my new place, etc. HAHA. Seriously, it's such a beautiful time of year and I hope you have been out enjoying it today.

Janet, Ange looks adorable. I am sure she is happy to help Mom out and so true that soon, the tables will be turned. When is her c-section scheduled again (sorry, memory thing again)? Sorry to hear this knee isn't quite as seamless as the first. I know you are a trooper though and will power through it. Remember, be nice to PT or your life will REALLY be miserable.

Carole, can't wait until you have your kitchen. Is that all you are waiting for so it is functional again? My trip went well and it is hard coming back to my "empty" house. I so enjoyed just being with Brad, even doing yard work and simple everyday things. It was so cute that I could really tell how much it meant to him that I surprised him. Sunday morning before I left, he had a box sitting by my Breakfast. It was a pair of earrings he got at a craft show a couple weeks earlier for me. He knows I love jewelry and esp unique items. He will tell me on the phone sometimes, that "he loves me more than the moon and the stars". The earrings he got me were hand painted ceramic ones of a moon and a star. I know, we're corny like that. I haven't been back to bikeriding but intend to do so this week. I have been working too late and it gets dark so early.

Michelle, I wish you all the best for your week of hitting the books and getting it done!! Your strength and determination is second to none! It's really inspiring from my "big sis". You are also a great example to your children of what is possible when you are determined and driven.

Di, great pics of you and Mama. It's so nice to see you making the most of the moments that you can with your mom and getting her out to enjoy things, as able.

Michelle, welcome back. Sorry to hear about your FIL and your inlaws. I am glad that hasn't kept you from taking care of you in the process.

Welcome back Nicole, we missed you and so sorry for all your family has gone through. Death of a parent is hard, no matter how we try to prepare ourselves we are really never prepared. So glad you have been doing well with your band and staying focused. Know we are always here for you. Cyber hugs!

Dawn glad the visit went well. I bet Brad was so excited to see you. I am glad you had a good weekend, you deserved the break. How are the girls doing with school?

Mini how exciting, to no longer be obese or morbidly obese. I remember that day, it was so exciting. Keep up your hard work, you are doing awsome and we are all so proud of you. Hope work is going well also.

Dee how is Charlie doing, and how are you hold up to all the added stress? The boys look great, and CJ always looks so happy.Keep us posted after the doctor visit, hope you haven;t slipped.

Janet, 2 knees and already up and walking you are my hero. I had this surgery because I was so afraid of the alternative which was a partial, knee. I just could not do it. But you did 2 back to back. Hope the PT is going well and remember," No pain. No gain" the more you move the bettwe it takes. Love you bunches my cyber friend.

Carole, you know when you retire you are suppose to toss the alarms and just let the world happen. Take some lessons from Terri, I think her and Franc have figured out this retirement thing and travel.

I want you to know I think of you and Seth often. Everytime I hear a war time discussion , I think of what your son and so many others are doing for our country. You and Jack must fell so much pride in your children.

I hear your voice of reason often, sometimes I am stubborn and have to learn the hard way but I so appreciate you not giving up on me.

Terri, I know you are struggling with this fill but you can do this. Stick to liquids a little longer and do some shakes to starve off the hunger. It is hard but you can do this. Try some cream soups and really thin mashed potatos, some yogurt or jello. Allow all the swelling to subside.But most of all drink the protein shakes. You need the additional protein.

Nite all exhausted and falling asleep while typing. 430 comes early. Cyber hugs to all.

Good Afternoon All...

Diane, you are correct, Jack and I have pretty much forgotten about alarm clocks...but every so often you have to get up earlier for appointments...this morning it was 70 degrees in the house, and we did not want to get up. So I believe we finally got the day going about 9:30.

Thank you for your thoughtful words about Seth and my family. It is difficult knowing he goes "out to the remote areas in the field" by helicopter. I know he risks his life to do this, and this war is an effort which I do not feel we belong in. I continue to pray for his safe and unharmed return.

He is now preparing his application for a second residency for hematology/oncology pharmacy. His focus on his future and the career path he prefers is amazing, and we are encouraged that if approved he will be able to leave Germany ahead of schedule.

I still have to take only one day at a time...