Well we've had rain, sleet, snow and more rain in just the last hour! Schools did an emergency dismissal at 11am. DS14 bus is still not here. :rolleyes:

There is definitely a "smell" of snow when the air is crisp and cold. I usually feel it long before it gets here though.

Not doing much...kids bus just drove by!

....We're all tucked in safely here for the day. Praying the electricity doesn't go out because of ice on the lines. Our neighborhood has underground utilities, but the lines leading into the neighborhood are on poles!

:grouphug:

Tricia, I also think you can smell snow coming. I like snow in December, if it is light and fluffy. After that, you can have it. Plus, we tend to get more ice than snow.

I am home from school and I may stay inside until Monday:).

hi everybody!!
Man, I'm having lots of trouble with typos, spelling backwards..oh well:rolleyes:

T, I think you're right...it smells unique when it's about to snow...I also love it when it snows (but I'm with you, Barb...it's better early in the season!).
When you look outside in the evening, and the snow seems to quiet the air around you...it's the realization that Nature has control...and it can be beautiful...

Wiz, you are not old, and you certainly don't look it!!

I hope and pray that everyone is safe and the power stays on for you...:hug:

DH and I are going up to Wausau, WI to visit DD and her DH...haven't seen her for over a month, and I miss her so much!!
She keeps calling me, worrying about what they're going to do with us:rolleyes: I told her don't worry, you don't need to entertain us...I bought a couple of new games to take up, since we all love to play games. She wondered if I would be able to snowshoe...I told her we'll see how I am in the morning. Frankly I'm kind of afraid to do that much activity...since the surgery in Nov., I haven't overextended myself. Scaaarry!!

Well, hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!:D Yay, finally the end of January!!:D:D

Well, two blowouts later I have told mom that she needs to find a place to live. I wont go into details, let's just say she has disrespected me and my family and went over the line. I wish I could tell you everything but it's so emotionally draining I can't. Maybe someday. I have talked this over with family and friends of mine and hers, and they all agree she cannot live with anyone. It's so sad to see someone so miserable that all they want to do is make those around them miserable.

Thanks for always supporting me and standing by me. I'll check back in later when I have gathered myself better. :hug:

:hug: Sandy :hug:

You're a good daughter and a good person. Sometimes we can only help others if they allow us to. You've done your best and given things more than a fair chance to work out.....which is alot more than some would have done. You & Jim deserve to be comfortable and happy in your own home. You and your family (including Mom) are in my thoughts and prayers. :hug:

Sandy - :hug::hug:

Thanks you guys for confirming that there is a certain smell to snow. I feel armed and ready. LOL Just pretty unmotivated to actually head over there. I may just stay home tonight and work on home work. Where is my after nap, 2nd wind when I need it. LOL

Sandy,

I agree with Kitty. You're a very good daughter and you gave it your best. If your mom isn't happy there you can't do anything about that. You've done a lot to try to make it work. You and Jim are super awesome people and you went above and beyond what most people do. I'll keep you all in my prayers. :hug:

BTW: I'm home and have my jammies on and it's 6pm. I'm going to eat and go to bed, lol.

Thanks you guys, I really appreciate it. I am worried she'll get sick again but I cannot force her to stay here and be miserable or make us miserable. I called her friend and she'll be staying near their house in a rented trailor of one of their friends. He's a sweet older man who owns the place so it will be good and there are people around. We already got her a living room set her friend's daughter was selling.

Jim just joked and said remind him to not pi$s me off. :p I told him to be quiet, I just work fast. :rolleyes: It was really by chance that her friend would have that trailor open and so close to mom's close friends. I have a ton of dishes and stuff she can have.

I asked her if she was sure and she said yes she wants to go home. I cannot force her to stay. All of her friends know the truth why this is happening and they all agreed mom needs to live alone because she's too independant and set in her ways. No one is blaming us so that's good.

Thanks again. :hug:

Sandy -- Sorry you have had to go through this. Hang in there.:hug:

:hug:Sandy:hug:

Sandy, I'm so sorry. You can know in your heart that you did the right thing and tried your hardest to make it work. You can move forward with no regrets.

:hug:Sandy :hug:
:hug:Vonn:hug:

Hi everyone hope your ok. I have just had a fab gift and am so happy although my cat has allready laid clame to it. :eek: :p :D Hope all your worries and pains dissapear. Love you all. Jackie. xxxxxxxxxx :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

sandy...I just popped in for a quick moment and saw your news. hugs
to you my friend...you've been a great daughter and deep down your
mom knows it!:hug::hug::hug:

Looks like we dodged a pretty big (and snowy) bullet here but just about 12 miles north of me they are covered up! It's amazing how things can be so different such a short distance away.

It's been raining here all night and it's very cold. The temps are supposed to drop all day into the 20's. Tomorrow will be interesting for drivers. Glad I don't have to get out in it.

Got my groceries and everything I need last week so I doubt I'll venture out till next week.

Sandy, Holly's right. You did everything (and more) to help. I know it's still hard, though. :hug:

Everyone stay warm and dry. It looks like the East Coast is wet and snowy everywhere except Florida. :grouphug:

Good morning everyone! Just chilling this morning with my coffee before heading over to my parents. I'm going to go for a walk with my mom and help them out a bit with whatever needs to be done. Oh, except the yard. DD19, her BF, and myself will be doing that tomorrow.

Have a great day everyone! :hug::grouphug:

yep, Sandy ... I'm on the band-wagon with the rest ... and you need to take care of YOU and Jim ...

got my first tax return in and done yesterday!! what an awesome feeling to help friends ...

kinda having a goof-off weekend ... road-trip up to the local quilt shop and chit-chat shortly ... and coffee! :p

been off of the copax now - 5 days .. .and yesterday was one of the best days I've ever had ... exercised, took an exam, prepared a return, done some hand-quilting, folded laundry ... up at 730a - down at 10p .. and NO nap .. not even a bit of fatigue ...

started today at 730a already ... and feel great!! (hmmm, do I really have MS or not!!) very weird disease!! (but, I have MRIs to prove that I do!!) LOL

Morning all. I was up all night sick to my stomach over all this. It's a constant dreaded feeling. Everyone is saying we did our best but the guilt says different. On one hand I know medically she may get worse. But on the other, emotionally she'll be happier. Ugh, why does this have to be so hard?

But I am going to try and stay strong and try to understand that even if she gets sick, she would be where she is happiest. We'll see, I am putting into God's hands if he'll let me.

Hope everyone is having a good day. :hug:

Sandy - :hug::hug: No chit you were up late. LOL j/k Heck, I think I beat you to bed. Anyhow, it really is in God's hands and things will work out as they are supposed to work out. She may even do better physically if emotionally she is happy. Her friends will be close by to keep an eye on things. Again, don't beat yourself up over things. I know easier said than done. The guilt is going to happen and just accept it and go with it when it does happen. It will make it so much easier on you emotionally.

Parents moving in with us and/or children moving in with us can be so hard. It is stressful. As much as I love my girls and enjoy them, when DD18 came home over winter break it was a little stressful. I couldn't finish a thought anymore without being interrupted. It is similar to what you are going through and I did feel guilty for being relieved when she moved back to the dorm. Of course, all the worries of her being on her own returned after she left and with that more guilt. :p And so, the cycle began. It took me a week to work through it.

You too will be able to work through and you will be fine. I'm keeping you, Jim, and your mom in my prayers.:hug:

Sandy,

My dad insisted on staying in his house up to the end. He was miserable there at times but it was what he demanded. He needed to be in control and that was one of the things he still could control. We got him a helper who was a gift from God; Keith, who took the verbal abuse and was fired regularly by him. :rolleyes:

Our dad was a curmudgeon to beat all curmudgeons but we loved him and honored his wishes. His doctors got angry with us but we knew what would happen if they tried to force him out of his home.

I'd go visit him regularly on the weekends (he was 60 miles from me) and when I took him out he'd fall down sometimes and refuse to use his cane or walker. (And God forbid we mention a wheelchair!) :icon_eek: :Noooo: It was pure he!! on me and my sister but he lived his life the way he wanted.

He had his kitty to keep him company, and Keith spent at least half a day with him each day. I took him out on the weekend and my sister handled his money as much as he would let her. He died in hospice at the hospital after he developed leukemia in the end but we were by his side and I feel fortunate for that. It was hard, so hard, but he did it his own way. The nurses let us sneak his kitty in to see him one last time. :)

When you speak of your mom it makes me think of my dad. God bless you for all you've done. PLEASE don't feel guilty. You have a very independent mom and I know she loves you but you have to let her handle things as much as possible and know you can't control it all even for wanting to keep her safe. God bless you for being such an awesome person. :hug:

Vonn,

I missed why you're off the Copaxone but I hope it's nothing serious. I missed seeing you here sweetie.

Jackie,

I hope your TN is a bit better. My good friend has that and it's so painful. :hug::hug::hug:

The sun is out today! It is still quite cold, but the sun makes it seem warmer.

Went to the grocery store and now I plan on curling up with a book.

Sandy -- I really can't add to what has already been said. Just sending lots of :hug::hug::hug:!

worked, walked now beat.. and back spasms heading to rest on couch and bed early i bet... although sitting or laying still makes it harder to get up and moving lol.. hugssss

sandy sorry but yes you did a great job... hugsss

hugss,sarah

It has calmed down a little last couple of days thank you. Just never really know when its going to get you. Jackie xxxx:hug::grouphug:

Good Morning!! Brrrrr...it's so cold here today. There's icy patches all over the place because the rain we got yesterday has now frozen. My bird bath is now a skating rink! :eek:

Nothing much planned for today. I was thinking about going to visit a friend today.....actually a former co-worker who was dx with ALS about the same time I was dx with MS. Another former co-worker and I were going to go see him together but his wife informed me over the weekend that he is going to have to have a feeding tube put in so we should wait till he's recovered from that. I feel so bad for this man. They adopted a little boy about 10 years ago and he just loves him so much. It's hard to understand why things happen. :(

I just threw some birdseed out for the birds and the blue jays are announcing it to every bird within earshot! How can such a small creature make so much noise?! Guess I asked the same thing when my children were babies, too! :p

I need to get a few items from Rite Aid but I'm afraid to go......they have so much Valentine candy and I get so weak when I see all that chocolate in one place! :o It's not safe anywhere.....grocery stores have just as much and it's right there as soon as you walk in the door. I tell you what.....no man has any excuse to forget Valentine's Day. There are reminders everywhere. DDH and I got to where we didn't do alot on that day. We did things all throughout the year. It sort of meant more to me when he did something and it wasn't "expected" or he felt obligated because of some Hallmark holiday. I miss those little expressions of love.

Okay, I've either got to close my blinds or dust the floor underneath the media cabinet. :o The sun is shining on that area and there is a big area of dust visible to me. **Closing blinds now.**

Ya'll have a good Sunday! :grouphug:

Morning all! Nothing much planned today. I have mom going through her old papers to get rid of what she doesn't need. She has been happier in the last two days than she has the two months she's been here! Why couldn't she be that way all this time? She's laughing, smiling. It makes me happy that she's happy but on the other hand it makes me frustrated that we took all this time and energy to get her here and she hates it. Oh well, her happiness is what's important right?

Hope everyone is having a good day! Kitty, Jim and I don't celebrate those holidays. Like you, we show it all year. :hug:

Taking a break from straightening up the house. Today, after I vacuum, doing homework and then going to my parents to install a program on their computer and do some yard work.

Hope you all have a great Sunday!:hug::grouphug:

The sun is out for the second day in a row:D. It is only 28 degrees here, but it feels much warmer. I ordered two pairs of washable linen shorts, a pair of cropped pants, and a t shirt today from J. Jill. Can you tell I am thinking Spring?

I also went to Wal Mart (have not been there in several months) and out to lunch at our local Thai restaurant. Now I need to throw a load of clothes in the laundry. Hope you all are having a good day!:hug:

Yoga, cooked bacon and choco chip pancakes, then fell asleep I guess I needed a nap... then took the dog for a chilly walk outside... now resting and head to work soon.. Inventory counting night. hugsss,sarah

Sarah, I forgot to tell you my sis got her old job back managing at her local McDonald's. She said after a day or so it felt like she never left. LOL

Hi everyone...
Sandy,:hug::hug::hug: :hug:you tried...now you can let go, knowing that you made a supreme effort...she'll always be your mom, but doesn't sound as if she is comfortable living with anyone. Hope the move goes well...just make sure all of her paperwork is in order, including power of attorney, etc.

DH and I got home from DD's about 7:30 tonight...she had a bit of a surprise for us.
When I walked into her kitchen, I saw a pet crate, and inside was the cutest little kitten in the world. It took me several seconds to get it...duh!
His name is Kenny, and he's a brown striped kitty. I took pics, and if I can figure out how to post one, I will. Needless to say, I'm a convert...I've always been a dog person, but he was so much fun!! and a cuddler, too!

DD took us to see her classroom...she is a jr. high math teacher of lower-level students. She has what is called a Smart Board in class, and zipped through it so quickly...she impressed the heck out of her dad and me...our little girl, all confident and grown up...makes me smile and tear up at the same time!:)

Now, it's back to reality:( I love getting away for a few days. But then you have to come back...

Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday!!

:grouphug: to everyone!

It's been a long day for me. DH and I taught 1st grade Sunday School today. 4 kids...they were a hoot, but tired me out!

We had spaghetti for lunch and by 2pm I was passed out in the recliner. :D After the nap, we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening, catching up on recorded TV shows and doing laundry.

Sandy, I had to laugh about your sis and McDonalds... I have no idea where one is here. It's been so long since we went out for fast food. :)

I'm on a mission this week. I have to find DS14 a suit. He is being Confirmed in the Catholic Church in 2 weeks. My baby is growing up!! :eek: :cool: SO if you don't see me on much this week, you'll know I'm shopping or crashed for a nap!;)

hello everyone ...

the returns have started to come in ... YIPPEE!! :Dancing-Chilli: and in my 5th week of classes .. 2 more weeks, then final! and then the capstone to finish my MBA by the end of April!!

been off of the copax for a week now - been putting in good productive days ... no meltdowns .. and not stress about anything ... and feel like I don't have a disease at all!!

going for another blood draw today ... and will probably get a call later then about the results of the liver enzymes!!

have a great day ...

happy monday everyone!

Im sick...blech...no voice etc.etc.:(

just wanted to leave hugs for the crew!!!:grouphug:

Have a great week everyone!:grouphug:

Good Morning! It's pretty and sunny here but supposed to rain overnight into tomorrow.

Feel better soon, Sox! :hug:

I don't have much planned for today. I'm just doing a couple of loads of laundry and organizing some pictures into an album. It's a project I keep putting off so I now have it all over the dining room table....sort of reminds me to get it done!

Vonn, I did my taxes over the weekend through Turbo Tax. They offer to e-file the simple 1040 form for free. I got a little bit back. I still have to do my state return. I'll probably owe them as much as I got back from federal. :rolleyes: Murphy's law.

DS26 just called and said he is in the area and is going to stop by for a visit. Ya'll have a good Monday! :grouphug:

Morning all. Nothing big planned today except making calls for mom.

Pam, she works at the Hazel Green location on 431. LOL

Kitty, I tried to file mom's taxes and now I need to call Alabama. Her disability is through Alabama and I am pretty sure she has to file state taxes. If that's the case half of her federal will go to the state. At least she's getting enough back to cover it.

Sox, hope you get to feeling better soon. :hug:

Vonn, hope your levels are fine. :hug:

Debbie, thanks. :hug: She's starting to get nervous about it all but I think once she is down there she'll be fine. She's worried no one will find her. I showed her last night she will be near her church and that made her feel better.

Everyone else have a great day. :grouphug:

Sandy, lol .. that's the last place I'd expect to even see a McDs, but then I don't roam to far from home!

Gorgeous day here. My room is already warm from the sunshine. Nothing big on the agenda except laundry. DH has another trip coming up and I haven't washed his work clothing from the last one!

Ya'll would mention taxes! We took a first cut at ours... Remember they reduced the payroll tax last spring? Let's just say I'm betting a lot of folks get a big shock when preparing taxes this year if they were use to getting a refund! :eek::rolleyes::mad:

Have a great Monday everyone! :grouphug:

UPDATE:

I flunked the liver enzyme test again ... so it's not the copaxone - I'm back to shooting myself!! :Dancing-Chilli:

Kelly - hopefully you'll get moocho-grande' back from the Great state of Georgia!!

Pam - yes - they did adjust the payroll taxes back in April ... but, by having a W2 when filing .. if married - you get $800 additional refund, and $400 for singles (unless you got a $250 check last year for being on SS, Veteran's Benefit's or Railroad Retirement) .. so, hopefully this will make up for the adjustment ..

WHEW! I am so tired! Mom and I went through all her old papers and mercy she had stuff in there from 1994! I smacked her with some papers and told her she needs to walk the hall of shame for holding on to so much junk. She just laughed at me. We also finished her taxes and whoops! She owes the state $423. She didn't have state taxes taken out. I called her disability peeps and they are sending the form to start taking them out. But she's getting back $950 from federal so it balances out.

Here she is going through the papers. This was at the end. She kept sighing over and over. Hahaha Look at those legs! She can sit that way at 65. :eek:

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...0201001555.jpg

This is a 32 gallon garbage bag filled! :p

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...201001555a.jpg

Hi everyone. Hope your ok. Just dropping in to say high while my meds kick in as its 1.26 am here. I'm trying to get more active and loose some weight :p never easy :eek: Tried the Atkins diet once cold never do it again to restrictive. Love you all. Jackie xxxxxxxxxxxx :grouphug::hug::hug::grouphug:

Hi Everybody!

I worked today in the store and I was very nervous but I made two sales. :) I kept apologizing for being slow but both customers were very patient with me. Then I found that I gave both customers the signed credit card receipt and kept the other one. :o

But there was a lot to remember and I won't forget and do that again. I have people coming back in to see me in a day or two so hopefully I'll have more sales.

I'm the mom type in a store of 20-somethings and I think people just feel confident with a mom helping them sometimes. :rolleyes: I keep letting them know how new, slow and nervous I am though, lol.

I love people though and it's a lot of fun. :)

I have jaw pain though, somehow I developed TMJ. I think it's from the facial exercises I was doing in trying to look younger for the new job. :rolleyes: They work, but you can through your jaw out of alignment (I now know.) :o

I'm glad to be home with DH, DS and the kitties. I work the next two days then have Thursday off. Then I work the weekend and have two weekdays off next week.

Sox,

I hope you'll feel better soon.

Vonn,

Mind your liver levels girlie. :hug: ;) But I'm glad you can get back on the Copaxone. Do you take acetaminophen? Drink alcohol now and then? Just thinking of the things I know that can raise those numbers. :confused: I hope it's nothing serious.

Way to go on the tax returns and the MBA progress! :)

Everybody,

Have a good Tuesday and I'll check in again when I can... Hugs all around... :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: