Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[Sha]

GAGWTA

Smiley you look fabulous!!! I love the hair... very chic! Thanks for sharing the pictures. I had a trip to Disneyland (my only trip) and it was Christmas time. You make me miss it. Its different there and yet the same. A friend told me once that its like coming into your house and someone moved the furniture around. I want to go back and of course, take R and his son. Especially since CarsLand is opening soon.

I was looking at other affiliated to walk for in FL because I knew there was another (am kind of overlapped in areas) and saw there have one in Germany and one in Italy. How cool would that be to walk there?!!! The Germany one I would want... Hamburg. Italy... Rome I think. Disappointed there wasnt one in England though.

Had a skype call from R yesterday morning as he was waking up. Was nice hearing him in the dark (hour behind). All was missing was being there. Eventually I could make out the window on my side of the bed.

 

[Sha]

Have to share this... LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFZHtSmIQuk

 

[snappy]

Loved the pictures, Smilie. So glad you posted them. I agree with Sha, you look lovely with short hair. You look spunky and just plain adorable! Can't wait to see the other pictures. I hope the other camera card shows up soon.

You look more like the mom than the grand mom to those two blond princesses.

Sha, A trip to Englad or Germany for a race? Sounds amazing but pricey!!!

MaryAnn, did it snow by you today? It is even cold here, but sunny. What are cooking for the church dinner?

DS23 got laid off unfortunately from his job this week since the BIG hospital job is so delayed. He is reviewing his options. Today he is going to try and get a part time job so that he can enroll in courses while working part time to try and finish his degree. He has been saying for awhile that he wants to obtain a degree in social work and be a counselor.

DH left after a workshop we attended at the Apple store to go down to New Orleans and replace a part on the battery connection on DD21's car. I hope he does not get caught up in the Mardi Gras madness. This is a beautiful weekend for parades.

I bought some large shrimp to do a good little recipe called Shrimp and goat cheese Cappellini with Roma tomatoes, goat cheese fresh basil, garlic, chives, and parsley. It looks like it will be just DH and I tonight as DD16 has a party to go to tonight.

Thanks for the encouragement on the crisis with my brother. He finally called to do an intake interview by phone with the treatment center in north Louisiana. The counselor let us know that although he should be in treatment, all he really is angling for is a ticket out of Costa Rica so he can get to the US and find a way to earn money gambling. He was lying to my mom about wanting her help to get here for treatment. At least now we know, and I think mom is resigned to it. He has been gambling so long, not sure he will ever leave it behind. He thinks playing poker is his job. He no longer is emailing for help to get to Boston, it is if that request was never made. We think he still wants to get there somehow and work in one of the new casinos we read about online on some island?

Mom is on record of offering to pay for tuition for his kids, but only directly to the school. That offer sort of removes her need to help my brother with any other funds., as he repeats that he has to work to give his ex the tuition money. Does not mean he won't ask for money for himself though. Mom no longer will answer calls, only emails. There is a point where you have to let go, I am not sure if she is there yet, but at least she is not sitting on the edge of her chair waiting for the other shoe to drop any longer.

Linda, do you know anything about new casinos being built along the coast in Massachusetts?

GAGWTA!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Laurie, I haven't been following the casino issue too closely but I know it's been talked about for years and a law was finally passed last fall allowing them here. Most people take the two hour trip to CT to go to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun and MA loses all that revenue. Here is one article about it, I think you could find lots more by Googling. I don't know if they're sure yet where they're going, but I believe they're talking about western MA (Brimfield/Springfield), southeastern MA (Middleboro/New Bedford) and I'm not sure where else. DH and I haven't heard anything about an island. Perhaps they're saying it's near Rhode Island (which southeastern MA is)?

 

[Sha]

yes, sadly, it is too expensive for just a walk... but I would just make it a good full trip for a couple weeks if I ever did that. I like to dream! LOL

sorry about your DS23 and the job, but sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders with what he is considering. Continue prayers for your mom and family re: your brother.

Did you take a pic of the shrimp, goat cheese and tomato thing?? sounds good. R is allergic to shrimp though.

 

[snappy]

OK here is a WDW theme park question for you ladies.

DD16 is getting ready to leave Friday for her Mardi Gras youth group trip. There are about 50 teens going and 10 chaperones, so the total group is 60.

I helped the youth minister put names on the tickets, made multiple copies of them etc, and picked up affordable lanyards and sleeves to help everyone keep up with their tickets.

The youth minister although he has been to WDW multiple times with his parents and siblings has never been in charge of a group like this.

He recognized that I was a bit of a WDW veteran. Here is what he asked me about. They are going to AK, MK, and the Studios, not EPCOT. He asked if I knew where in each of the parks they will go to is a good place to designate as a meeting place for the group of 60, not for meals, I don't think, but at other times as needed. They are separating in groups of about 5 and are required to check in with their specified chaperone (DD16's chaperone both she and I already know well, and use has already contacted me).

DD16 suggested the area just within the gates at MK since it is pretty open, the area in the Studios with the tables under the umbrellas in the Studios on the way to TOT.

I am not sure if the MK area she was thinking of is good, since that is at the entrance and small kids are drawn there when the characters are out. I guess if he just wants this for a meeting site at the end of the day it would be good, as people don't linger there on the way out, they just leave. And if it is for the end of the day everyone has to end up there anyway in order to exit the park. I was originally thinking about the area between space mountain and Buzz lightyear where there used to be a stage. It is kind of open space as I recall and there is a bathroom there anyways (big thing for me, lol).

I guess in the studios I was thinking of the area to the right as you enter the park close to the lagoon with the big dinosaur as it is not too far into the park and there are some tables with umbrellas there. I prefer this site to DD16's suggestion since it would not take up tables specifically designated for people eating meals by the food court.

AK, I am at a loss, the pathways are narrow in the front of the park, and everything meanders around so.

Any ideas, ladies?

 

[Sha]

I agree that the entrance area of MK is good for end of day. I think that since the hub is the center, I would go for the tables either by the ice cream parlor or down one level by the water. OH! The low are by the water near the castle, where the swan boats use to launch. Just by the bridge to tomorrowland. Its mostly empty there and a couple benches.

The place at DHS is good. I know where you are talking about.

And at AK, I would do something near the tree of life... or off to the back of the park. More stuff is back there anyways. The blue truck that is near EE is easy to see.

 

[snappy]

Thanks Sha. I need to bring the lanyards to the church office, I am going to print your input out and talk to the youth minister.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

smiley - I loved your pictures. I love your short hair too. It looks marvelous on you. I am glad you are making new memories with your grand daughters. I smiled when I saw your dh. Mine has a beard like yours too. I hope everythig goes well with getting the port out.

Lisa - how are you feeling?

Sha - havent looked at the video yet.

Laurie - Sorry about your ds and the job. I know the economy is so bad alot of places. That is good about the social work. Around here they are really picky at both the comm. and the state univ. You have to have recommendation letters just to get into the program and I think a personal written statement and also volunteer experience etc. Ds had looked at that at one time as an option too. I hope it works out for your ds.

Sounds like your dd's trip is quite the under taking. Sounds like our ds when their school went on the class trip too. Are they eating any meals together. Ours could only do 2 and then they were broken up into about 3 groups with less than a 30 minute staggered seating time. Only 2 places that they called the restaurant directly for too. Are they allowed to go off on their own and meet the chaperone later? Ours kids were never allowed to do that. I hope your dd has a great time. Where are they staying?

Its been beyond busy around here. Took ds to college. Repair guy called and told dh he is not coming as he doesnt have the part on the truck. Ordered it and said it will ship to us ia bout a week, call them when we get it and they will come and fix it. I feel like this is the run around. Dh called and said he took time off from work etc. Great as it will probably be when he is in New Zealand. I am not going to be here alone with some guy. So

Then the sneakers I ordered for dh came. Except they were not the right size as I ordered. Sent an e mail to the co. Said - return them as we dont stock that size, hmm, it was on their website. So now we have to waste time sending it back and dh has no sneakers.

I made 3 dishes for the church dinner. No leftovers. All was devoured. Lots of hungry people. The memorial service was small and quiet. The only people that spoke were dh and 2 others from our church and a recorded video from a son. This is the Charlottesville people, Sha.

I have been getting alot of leg cramps. I hope this is not related to the med decrease. We shall see.

GAGWTA.

 

[snappy]

MaryAnn, they are going off on their own, with chaperones to check in with throughout the day at the same park. They also have to always be in at least groups of 3 but I suspect will be in larger groups.

They will definitely be meeting up with their chaperones too as the chaperones have the meal money! I thought that was a genius touch!

They are staying at the Wingate. Not too close but they have a full breakfast. They were able to keep the costs down that way.

Sorry things are so hectic, seems the same here. Had to take out younger dog to see the vet yesterday. She was able to get the leash off the collar when DS23 was walking her yesterday and she attacked a small dog. DS was able to get her off but it was scary for the girl who was walking the dog, and DS.

Naj is now on a daily med and we will be starting with a dog behavior specialist soon. She had a few classes of training back in 2008 but we seemed to not have enough time to continue.

I hope we can make a change here.

Is there another repair group you can try and get for the washer. That is too long to wait.

Happy Valentine's day everyone.

I am going to another Apple session today. Not much time actually working lately. Oh well.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Happy Valentines Day Ladies

Laurie - Hope the dog issues get resolved. Training sounds good as well as the med. I like that they are holding the food money as hostage. I think that will be a good incentive to get back on time if they want to eat. We cant get another repair co. as this is through the warranty so they specify who comes etc. from Whirlpool.

Linda - I watched the dog show too last night. I was on the phone with my aunt but saw a dog I thought was beautiful. Brown with a pointed tail, Looking forward to watching it tonight too.

I have to go to a school meeting today. We get by on prayer for sure because I am sure they have no $ to spare. God is good as the school is still open.

Ds20 heard that the regular comm. college for the RN program had 1200 applicants. I dont know if that is the included number for the other campus also. With that many I think he will be right on the boarder of getting accepted. They only look at 4 grades. I think his were AAA and Bpus maybe. I am not sure. So if you get 4 straight As you are in, they dont care who you are etc. Seems a little unfair but that is their way of doing things. He is also working with the college in Virginia on paperwork just so they look at his nursing application. He has been accepted into that college as a transfer student but not into the nursing program yet. If he doesn not get into the nursing program he will not go there as a regular student etc.

GAGWTA. Have a great day everyone.

 

[Sha]

Happy Valentine's Ladies!!!

 

[snappy]

I enjoyed watching the Westminster show too, although I only caught the tail end, lol.

We noticed a difference in Naj's behavior after the first pill. I am confused as the vet told me that it might take up to two weeks. She also is on the smallest dose.

It has been eternally raining here so no walks. It will be interesting when we take her on the first post rain walk.

I noticed she seemed to be confused about following the sit and down commands, and that is kind of worrying me.

I have been playing phone mail tag with the dog trainer. Hopefully we can start the classes soon.

DS 23 got a job for a few days as an extra in the Tom Cruise movie filming in New Orleans this weekend. Should be interesting.

With DD16 in WDW, I am hoping DH and I will get to spend some time and just chill for awhile, guess it will only happen if he does not work all weekend. i don't see any parades in my future, but maybe he will surprise me.

Sunday-Tuesday look cool and dry-good for Mardi Gras, good for NOLA.

Happy Mardi Gras, ladies!

 

[wdw4us2]

Sorry I have been MIA lately. Haven't been getting the email notifications when there is a new post.

I have still been dealing with the stomach virus, but am finally starting to feel better. I can finally keep some food down now. Been dealing with this for almost a month and have lost over 10 lbs from it. I am also dealing with shortness of breath after very little exertion. If I walk 10 yards, I'm out of breath. Oncologist has ordered a chest x-ray and a VQ scan which I have later today. I see her and I chemo tomorrow. Needless to say, I haven't been doing much of anything lately.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Lisa - sorry to hear that you are feeling under the weather. I am sure its frustrating trying to shake the virus and then having to deal with this new testing and the chemo tomm. Its good they are testing to rule out things. But I am sure the tests alone are time consuming and tiring themselves. Wishing you all the best. Hope you can get out and sit and enjoy some sunshine.

Laurie - hope you get to enjoy the Mardi Gras festivities. That is cool about your ds being in the movie.

Linda - did you get the chocolate for v. day? Remember that thread. Well as I predicted, I wanted the chocolate covered cherries and got nothing.

My meeting was good yest. Wrote up the minutes, so that is done. Now I have to review 16 pages of something. Have until next month, so that is o.k. Need to drive ds22 to school in an hour.

Dh and I went out to dinner to celebrate his b day yest. Ds19 picked up 2 cakes and we had them for dessert. Ds24 it taking dh out to lunch for his b day on Friday. Guess we got to celebrate when we can. Its always too busy with everyones schedule here.

Well our tenant has not paid the rent on time again. I think this is the 3rd month in a row. I hate being a landlord. Will be so glad when the property gets sold one day.

Well in exactly 3 months and 1 day is our trip to Disney and the Beach Club. I have not made any plane reservations or adrs. That was due to the family situation. I guess I will just make them and will cancel things if need be. I was so looking forward to this trip. Now I feel even if we go, I wont be able to enjoy myself etc.

Dh is suppose to be invited to a conference in Greece during the summer. I am not happy about this as I see all the violence on tv etc. I think he should rethink this and I hope the guy in charge forgets about inviting dh etc.

GAGWTA.

 

[snappy]

Glad your meeting went well, MaryAnn. The school is lucky to have you involved.

Your DH sure travels to faraway places. Does sound dicey over there in Greece especially with the economy so bad. I imagine there are a lot of desparate people. Maybe when it gets closer to the conference they will have a change of heart about attending.

After we get DD16 to the bus, DH and I are going to a parade party here, a couple of blocks from our church. Hope the rain holds off. Today through tomorrow morning are forecast to be the heaviest rain, then clear through Tuesday. I hope it works out that way. We have been to this party many times but have missed it last year.

DS23 headed off for New Orleans last night so he could be on site for the sliming with probably hundreds of his new best friends. He had a lot of fun when he did this for a film in Baton Rouge a while back. I hope he has a good experience this time too.

DD21 called me very upset yesterday morning when she discovered her car was booted by the campus police. It happened when she was parked on campus in a legal spot for less than an hour. I guess their focus is on parking (she had no sticker-usually walks to school but was running late). They charged her over $200. She is trying to save up money for an upcoming trip to Miami with her roommates and her BF and there it goes. She finally calmed down. I think part of her over the top reaction stems from working too much while being sick with a cold. They even have her working Mardi Gras day. A lot of students flee the city so maybe she was the only one they could schedule. Hopefully she will start feeling better soon and put this minor bump into perspective.

She had some choice words about the appearance of said campus cops. It was almost laughable but I had to contain my mirth and try to calm her down. Love those kind of calls at 9 am.

Raising kids is not for cowards.

On the positive front her car is starting up since DH went down to fix it last weekend.

Looking for that silver lining. . . or maybe the pixie dust. . . ?

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Lisa - hope the testing worked out for you yest and that you are able to have the chemo today.

Laurie - $200 bucks, wowsa! Our ds usually get the $30 tickets. Alot easier to handle. Hope you are able to have a wonderful time at the party.

Candy and Cheryl - miss your posts

Well just found out dh is leaving sun. afternoon for Michigan. He is going with 4 other guys. He said the one guy said his wife is so, so mad too like me as mon. is when they have a holiday off and now they will be away and working etc. So not fair. This is due to the schedule of the company they are visiting.

Dont really have any plans for the week end. Dh wants to try and find some new sneakers. He really needs them to hike the volcanoes in NZ.

GAGWTA. Have a great week end everyone.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon sistas

Hope everyone is enjoying the week end.

Lisa - hope you are resting up

I am so sick with a cold. Tearing eyes, which is a pain on top of my normal tearing eyes etc., sneezing, stuffy nose etc. Dh and ds24 also have this in various forms.

Dh has left. He left his carry on home so ds20 is running it to him at a meeting place on the way to the airport. Yes my dh is definitly the absent minded professor. Well he is technically is not a professor, but people call him dr. (the phd type). He tells everyone he is not etc. But oh well. Sometimes there is stuff lost in translations of the various languages etc.

So busy running around. Skipped church today and went to the grocery store to stock up the place. Didnt go to a baby shower yest. Sorry spent time with dh instead but gave the gift today via ds22.

I feel miserable and I have to drive ds22 to college tomm. At least ds20 is picking him up the next 2 days.

Read Averys caring bridge page. He is such a trooper and has such an amazing attitude. He is dealing with some heavy duty chemo and mouth sores. My prayers are with him for sure.

GAGWTA.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hi Guys. I've been a little quiet here - my best friend lost her DS in an accident. I don't know how to help her. She's in seclusion.

 

[snappy]

So sad, Linda. My heart goes out to her family.

I bet she has been there for you previously and you want to do the same.

You will be there when she is ready.

Is she under a doctor's care? I imagine seclusion is a tough way to deal with grief. Have you been able to talk to her at all?