Calling all Chicago DISers #2

[slo]

There's saddness in my family this holiday season. My mom has found out that her beloved dog may be dying of cancer The freaky thing about all this, is that her last 2 Beagles were diagnosed with their fatal illnesses at Thanksgiving time (this dog started acting ill last Friday) and then died at Christmas time. My mom is so upset!!!! Her and her dog have done so much together. They belong to a dog club where they have competed in tons of dog trials, and they have won a HUGE amount of ribbons. Daisy is also a "service dog" and up until last year, my mom and her would go to nursing homes and hospices to visit the sick and dying, so they've done alot together. My dad is going to take this worst of all. He has, what we think, mid-stages of Alzheimers (he refused to see a doctor, so he keeps getting worse and worse), and he's very confused about this whole thing. Daisy was all he had anymore to make him truly happy. They would nap together all day (Daisy on his lap), and she would keep him company when my mom would be gone. When Daisy does die, my dad is going to go from bad to worse, and my poor mom is going to have to deal with that (I feel so bad for her, she's 61 and my dad is 76, but acts like he's 86). This whole thing is just bad

My mom has already decided that she is going to take Daisy to The University of Illinois where they are going to do a biopsy of the tumor that is in her lung, but most likey it will be cancerous (the vet said that the majority of all tumors in the lung are cancerous). When she gets that news, she will have to decide what she wants to do, if there's anything that can be done. She's got a long road ahead of her, and I feel so bad that I can't go to this university with her, but there's no way with my store. My MIL, God bless her, called my mom yesterday, and told my mom that she would go with her - I thought that was so nice!!!!!! I'm so glad we have a close knit family

So, if you would all keep my mom and dad in your thoughts and prayers, I would really appreciate it. Please keep her dog in your thoughts and prayers too. Obviously, I want Daisy to get better, but I don't see that happening. Right now, my biggest thought and concern is for my parents, because they are going to be devostated when she is gone This whole thing is just so sad at Christmas time



paint - Good luck with finishing up your semester

DG - Have you tried Soy Milk? I have never tried white Soy Milk, but Katie used to drink chocolate soy milk, because she used to have a huge issue with ingesting to much dairy, and it wasn't bad. I would give that a try.

DMM - Thanks for posting those photos. The place you stayed at looks really German - pretty cool!!!!

ID - I"m sorry to hear about your cold I hope you feel better soon

Bunchkin - This is my answer to Kevin changing his diet He needs to, but he hasn't, so this is why I think he will be on them forever. I was hoping that with my working out, and losing some weight, that he would too, but he has no desire Maybe he will someday
**I"m embarrassed to say that I have never eatin at Panera bread I've always wanted to, and I've always heard how good it is, but I have still never been there. I think it's because I'm assuming there's nothing there for my girls to eat, so that's why I haven't been. Do they have a children's menu?




Well, I gotta get going and get to work early today - I have alot to do, because I need to leave a little early today (6pm). Stephanie has a Christmas program at 7pm, and my one highschool employee (the one that's been with me for over a year) is coming in special so I can go - I just love this girl!!!!!

Have a good day!!!

 

[paintnolish]

Slo- So sorry to her about the pup! I hope the U of I can help. My takes her dog (all the way from New Lenox) there twice weekly for aqua therapy. He has hip dysplasia which basically means he has no hip joints!
DGal- I don't know the last time I ate a cream soup. I also try to avoid high fat stuff, but I have a weakness for chocolate. I can pass up a burger but not pb cups!
ID- Feel better soon and thanks for the good luck on the finals wishes!

Okay, better get DS out of the shower. If I don't, he will stay in there until the hot water runs out!
Have a good day!

 

[macraven]

good thursday morning chicagoland homies.

i have a lot to catch up with in this thread.

so much i have not commented on........

but for right now
paint, good luck on your finals.
once you are done with them, it will be relax time.

slo, don't give up the faith.
remember my cat that was diagnosed with bone and lung cancer early may?
she was given 2 weeks to live.
she is still alive.
answer to prayer.
just believe.

my cat has lost weight. from 18 lbs 13 oz to 7.5 lbs at this point but she still eats.
her tumors stick out and we can't hold her but can pet her, but she does not have pain. and that is with no meds. we stopped the opiate type of drugs for her in july.
it's what you call a miracle.

when she was diagnosed, the vet wanted to put her down then. i said no.
again in july, the vet said the same thing, again i said no. my cat is still very loving. she purrs and "talks" to us all the time.

as long as the dog is not in visible pain, can eat and keep it down, drinks water, it's not over yet.....
i will include your family members and your mom's cat in my prayers.

i know some readers might snicker about my belief, but that is okay.
i am comforted with prayer.

off to PT soon. the best thing that has happened to me from going through the surgery is i am OFF shoveling duty this year....

you all try to keep warm this year.

 

[Bunchkin]

slo Panera does have a kids menu. You can look it up online. They have sandwiches that kids like with sides and drinks. My kids like going there! We don't go there often, it's a treat.

Sorry to hear about your mom's dog. I hope there is something that can be done.

 

[piglet too]

Slo ~ Sorry to hear about the dog.
** My kids all like the soup at Panera, so we do take them there once in awhile.

Happy Thursday to everyone else!!

 

[momto1]

Hi gang! Thought I better check in and say "hi". Burrr....is it cold outside! Who wants to go to Florida? I sure do!

Slo - awwww about your parent's dog. The little friend will be in my prayers as well as your mom and dad. Stephanie's game sounded fun. I did a mother/son baselball game once on a Mother's Day. Not sure what dad thought that was a good idea but it was fun, too.

DS loves to eat the bagels with some flavored cream cheese when we go to Panera. I don't care - he is eating something!

DS was 8th in the run he did on Thanksgiving Day. I am so impressed with his running! I could never do it. He might do another run on Saturday. I don't get running, snow and cold. Oh well...

I need to start thinking about Christmas baking and what I am making for gifts from the kitchen. Anybody prepared for this yet?

Take care.
Lori

 

[HERSEY]

Hello all.

Mac you will have to try no shovel again next year too. It will still be a newish surgery. Limping and doing a lot of ooohing might help make it believable.

Slo I hope there is something they can do for your mom's dog. and Panera does have a kids menu. Alex likes the Grilled cheese. It's just like mine but for some reason he thinks it tastes different

 

[geffric]

hi..


Did anyone read the Trib today.. there is a chocolate buffet on sat's til Xmas at Lowery's near north for $16 per person tip and tax included.. anyone wanna meet me there??

 

[slo]

Stephanie's Christmas program last night was really really nice!!!!! I'm going to buy the DVD ($2) so I can watch it again, because most of it was hard to see because of where we sat. The kids did a great job, and they sounded awesome!!!!


Thanks for all your kind thoughts about my mom's dog, and for my parents. My mom said that Daisy was breathing even harder yesterday, and her underbody keeps getting larger (she has fluid in her lungs, and it must be getting more). The whole thing is so sad!!!!


paint - I had to chuckle about what you said about your son and the shower, because my girls are the same way. When we were on vacation, and they had their own bathroom, they were in heaven because I told them they could stand in the shower as long as they wanted - they were so happy and they did stand in there for a LONG time!!!!!!

Mac - I think I many copy your post and email it to my mom, she would really like to see this. Thank you for that, and I'm glad your cat is still with you, that's very good news!!!!!!

Bunchkin - I didn't know they have a kids menu - that's good to know!!!!! Do they use normal bread, or fancy bread (I don't know how else to say it ). If they have fancy bread, than I know they won't eat it - they are so picky!!!!!

piglet - Stephanie loves soup - I bet she would like that!!!!

momto1 - I love Christmas baking, but ever since I opened the store, I don't have any time If I start feeling like I need to stay up to midnight, or busting my butt to get it done, I won't enjoy it anymore, so I choose to not do it. I have a couple great new receipes I would like to try, but I'm just not finding the time - maybe next year. What are you baking???

HERSEY - Grilled Cheese is Katie's favorite!!!!!! I may finally get to try Panera

geffric - I won't be able to go and it sounds yummy!!!!!






Well, I'm off to workout - have a great day today!!!

 

[Belle0101]

Thanks for the warm welcome and the tips for visiting Chicago! Looks like my sister has changed her mind on going with us so it'll just be DH, me and our 2 kids. Unless I check the weather and find that it's going to be too cold, then maybe we won't be going either. As much as I'd like to see all the Christmas lights and the German Festival, I really don't look forward to freezing!

Again, thanks!!!

 

[irish dancer]

Morning guys!! Yeah, it's Friday!!! My cold is still hanging around but better, my nose has turned into a faucet!

DD11s Girl Scout troop is going downtown tonight to the Christkindl Market, I'm going along too. It's going to be freezing but I think it will be fun for the girls. Gotta dig out my long johns!

slo - I'm so sorry to hear about your parents' dog, that is so sad. I'll keep them in my prayers.

paint - my DS is the same in the shower! I know for him it is a sensory thing but I always have to remember to put him in last or none of the rest of us will have hot water .

mac - that's great news on your cat, she's one lucky cat!

momto1 - great job by your DS on the Thanksgiving run, hope he stays warm this weekend!
*We're going to SILs next Sat to do our baking, my DDs will come along and they are so exicted. We had so much fun last year. We make lots of different kinds of cookies, fudge and peanut brittle - yumm!

geffric - that chocolate buffet sounds divine! I've never met a chocolate I didn't like .

Well, the dryer just buzzed so I've got to run. Have a great day everyone and stay warm!!

 

[momto1]

Hi Gang! TGIF! I have to head out of my nice warm office to a meeting at noon. I don't want to go out in the cold.

ID - There is a nice warm wine that you can buy in this cute little collectible boot that will keep you nice and warm tonight! I love the Market. Have fun!

Slo and ID - I am making chex mix or puppy chow for some gifts. Also, I am thinking of making fudge in Christmas cookie cutters. I saw the idea on the Betty Crocker site and thought it might make a cute add on gift. I also do breads and cookie platters for the departments at work. As far as cookies - I haven't gotten that far yet.

Geffric - I have never done a chocolate buffet before but it sure does sound yummy!

As anyone here doing the dis meet on Sunday? I thought about it but just can't swing it. Have fun if you do and give us all the fun details.

Lori

 

[Bunchkin]

Hi all!


YAY for Friday!!



slo The kid sandwiches at Panera are not on normal white bread. They are on a soft French bread. The crust is not really hard either. When you go there you can ask them what bread the sandwiches come on and also what is the softest bread, closest to white bread, they have. I do this for my kids.

That's great the Christmas program went so well!!


momto1 All your holiday baking sounds great!


irish dancer Have fun at the Market tonight! I love going there!
MULTIPLE LAYERS!!!....that's all I'm sayin'.

 

[Bunchkin]

Slo I hope there is something they can do for your mom's dog. and Panera does have a kids menu. Alex likes the Grilled cheese. It's just like mine but for some reason he thinks it tastes different

Don't you know food always tastes different when eaten out instead of at home? .............no matter how exactly the same it is!!

 

[macraven]

i'll add to what bunchkin said.

any food i don't have to make or clean up after, is the best tasting food in the world.

 

[paintnolish]

I don't know if anyone remembers, but weeks ago I had to take a test allowing me entrance into the teaching program (Illinois Basic Skills). The test had a math section, which worried me! I didn't do well in it in HS and that was years ago! Anyway, I got the results today and I passed! Now, I can't tell you the same will happen in Spanish this semester, but we will see! I also got one of my papers finished today and a good chunk of another one done.
On a more serious note, my GMa was admitted to the hospital. She is 90 and hasn't been well for months, since she had some small strokes. Anyway, my dad said he'd be suprised if she made it to Xmas. Any positive thoughts or prayers would be appreciated.
Slo-I love Panera, but the kids prefer Cosi. Do you have one near you? IMO, they do have a better kid's menu, but they are similar to Panera.
momto- I can't wait to start my baking. I made tons last year...and ate tons!
Bunchkin and Mac- Food absolutely tastes better when prepared by, and cleaned up by, somebody else!
ID and Geffric- I am a chocolate fiend! When I meet someone who says they don't care for it, I always wonder how?!? I think I'd be able to keep off that last 10 lbs. if I didn't!
ID and Slo- We had timer for ds's shower- 8 minutes. Somehow, though, he never hears it, although I can! I just to tell him to get out. I used to say, "Finish up!", but that just meant he went about 10 more minutes!
DIS meet- I said I would go, but it depends on how much I get done this weekend. I could use a dose of Disney, but I really need o be set, school wise.

 

[macraven]

hi..


Did anyone read the Trib today.. there is a chocolate buffet on sat's til Xmas at Lowery's near north for $16 per person tip and tax included.. anyone wanna meet me there??

where?
when you say near north, in the city or up near skokie area?
i could swing it if the time is right. but i would only go if i could meet you there. someone has to take pictures of me falling into the chocolate fountain.....

i'll google lowery in the meantime

Thanks for all your kind thoughts about my mom's dog, and for my parents. My mom said that Daisy was breathing even harder yesterday, and her underbody keeps getting larger (she has fluid in her lungs, and it must be getting more). The whole thing is so sad!!!!



Mac - I think I many copy your post and email it to my mom, she would really like to see this. Thank you for that, and I'm glad your cat is still with you, that's very good news!!!!!!

thank you slo. to tell you the truth, i wasthisclose of deleting my post about it. sometimes others get uncomfortable when i talk from the heart.
i hope what i posted gives your mom hope.
as long as there is breath, there is hope.

I don't know if anyone remembers, but weeks ago I had to take a test allowing me entrance into the teaching program (Illinois Basic Skills). The test had a math section, which worried me! I didn't do well in it in HS and that was years ago! Anyway, I got the results today and I passed! Now, I can't tell you the same will happen in Spanish this semester, but we will see! I also got one of my papers finished today and a good chunk of another one done.
On a more serious note, my GMa was admitted to the hospital. She is 90 and hasn't been well for months, since she had some small strokes. Anyway, my dad said he'd be suprised if she made it to Xmas. Any positive thoughts or prayers would be appreciated.

Bunchkin and Mac- Food absolutely tastes better when prepared by, and cleaned up by, somebody else!

many prayers for your Gma.
if Gma does not make it through this last bout of hospitalization, just remember that your reward in this life, has been to know her.

i remember the basic skills test.
wait until you take the next test after that one.

buy the help guide book for that test.
it will pay off in the long run.

you get sample test questions and a brief overall view of what is on the test.
congrats on passing the basics one!

 

[DonnaW]

Hi, everyone. It's finally the weekend! This has seemed like a reallllllyyyyy loooonnnnggg week, I guess since last week was a "short" one, it just seemed like this one went by super slow.

Mac...please don't ever feel you can't talk from the heart! I truly believe in the power of prayer. How is your therapy going??

Paint...I'm sorry about your grandmother. Your family and she are in my thoughts & prayers. On a better note, congratulations on passing your test!

Bunchkin...I'm with ya on the multiple layers!! You guys know that Christmas song...Baby It's Cold Outside...well, it's one of my favorite Christmas songs, but...it doesn't *have* to be *this* cold outside...I'm just sayin'!!!

Irish Dancer...Have a great time at the Market. We went to the much smaller one at the Oakbrook Mall a few weeks ago..it was fun! Don't spend too much $!

Slo..it just breaks my heart to hear about when animals are in pain...I know they totally become members of the family...thoughts & prayers for your family. Once again, on a better note, I'm glad the Christmas program turned out so well!!

Geffric...chocolate? what/where/when??

Dis Meet...decided not to do this one...kind of early on a Sunday..but if anyone goes, would love to hear all about it!

Shout out to ALL, have a good Friday night and an even better weekend!!!

 

[slo]

Yawn...............I would love to still be in bed!!!!!

I"m up because I need to take Stephanie to Santa's Workshop by 9:30am, and then I need to go to work for awhile, and then I need to come home and get ready for Kevin's works Christmas party (we are leaving by 3:30pm because it's past Oak Brook somewhere, and that's far for us). So, it's a busy day for us.


Last night I went to a Pampered Chef party - I love those!!!!! I wasn't invited, but when my friend, Jennifer, said she was going to one, I asked her if I could go, and she said I could, because she could bring a friend (she was so happy to have me go, we never get to do to much together with our work schedules). The party was fun, and I met some nice people Jennifer goes to church with. At the party we made some fun receipes (Cranberry bark, and pretzel wreaths) that will be great for the kids and I make for Christmas. For those familiar with PC, I bought the food chopper, ice cream scooper, garlic press, and a nice paring knife for Kevin's stocking (he told me to get this before I left for the party). I had a great time!!!!!


Thanks for all your continued kind thoughts about my family's dog and my family - I appreciate it!!!!


Belle - If you go downtown today, have fun, and bundle up!!!

ID - How are you feeling? I hope you are doing better
**Did you freeze last night? I thought of you when I was going to the PC Party.

momto1 - Congrats to your son on his great run on Thanksgiving I forgot to mention that yesterday
**Can you post the puppy chow mix? I had that for the first time a couple of months ago, at a Chamber of Commerce event, and I loved it!!!! I would love to make this for New Years Eve

Bunchkin - I have a really old gift card to Panera bread that I am now inspired to go use (I hope it's still good ). Thanks for letting me know about the bread, because my kids would not eat hard bread

paint - I am so sorry to hear about your Grandma I will definitly keep her in my thoughts and prayers
**Congrats on passing your test!!!!!
**I've never heard of Cosi. Isn't it funny how we live so close, but have such different places by us.

Mac - We will never get uncomfortable with you talking from the heart. Please never stop doing that, because that's what makes you, you Plus, I would much rather read what you feel, and not what you think we would want to read

Donna - This seemed like a really long week for me too I'm also glad it's the weekend, but I think I may still go into work tomorrow, I have a lot to do, and very little time to do it in. We'll see how I feel tomorrow




Well, I gotta get into the shower, and get ready for this day.
Take care all, and have a good Saturday!!!
.

 

[Bunchkin]

Why can't your 'body clock' ackknowledge the weekend??
I've been up since my normal wake-up time of 6am.


I think in a little while I'll go make a Cinna Bon coffee cake mix I got from Sam's Club. It's really good!!!!!!

And make a cup of tea. I love tea. Hot tea, iced tea. I love tea!!




slo Hope you have a great time at the Christmas party today!
Is Stephanie's Santa Workshop at her school? And is it a place for them to buy presents or is it some type of event? Lauren's old school had a Santa's Workshop were the kids could buy inexpensive gifts for their family.

I have an old friend who always was trying to get me to book a Pamered Chef party with her, but I never did.
I do own several of their pieces though.


paint Congrats on passing your test!! And you should get that study guide help book mac mentioned for your next test!
We used to have a timer in the kid's bathroom, then one day it just went 'missing'. So I bought a new one at IKEA one day and DD was playing around with it and broke it within 2 hours of purchasing it!! Obviously, she's plotting against me!!
My kids love Cosi too! I always forget about that place. We went there for lunch this past summer and brought the neighbor kids, got the smores!! YUM!!


Donna I love the song 'Baby It's Cold Outside', but it has to be the Dean Martin version for me!!