hang in there renee the lawyer will know what to do,:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

Good morning all :) The sun is shining again and another cool day today. I'm surrounded by my two kitties as I sip my coffee.

Will probably try to get some stuff done outside since I took a few days off for other stuff and to rest up.

I saw a cool bike (if you could call it that) the other day. :cool: It's like a reverse trike, with two wheels in front and one in back. Actually kinda looks like a jet ski with wheels, LOL.

For those of you who know, banged up my left knee bad falling off a motorcycle last year trying to learn to operate one. Hit brake and throttle at same time, lol. This thing doesn't have handbrakes, so it takes care of that problem. :ROTFLMAO::ROTFLMAO::D

I just got caught up on the insights post and have to say to Renee that I am so very sorry that you are going through this.

It's not fair to you or the children.

I can't even imagine what you are going through. I'm angry for you!

I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say we're here for you!

I can't believe he was allowed to cancel accounts. Wasn't your name on any of them. Back when I got a divorce (27 years ago) he only had to pay child support so I'm not familiar with the family court system but I have to believe that you and the children should be cared for.

You can't just be thrown out into the street. I'm sure his abandonment would account for something.

Please take care of you and your children. You are in my prayers.:hug:

Good afternoon everyone! Hope you all are having a good day. It is sunny but chilly here in Illinois.

Well I made it through the colonoscopy, but did have some problems. The prep was nasty as usual. Most of last night I experienced really painful muscle cramps/spasms in both of my legs and one foot. I ocasionally will get them in my leg that is stiff, but I have never felt anything this bad. My toes started cramping under on my good foot and then things just got worse. I hope it was due to a loss of fluids/ potassium or something. Then during the procedure today I woke up a few times and it hurt like ****. The doctor blamed it on the meds I am on, but I have woke up before during both a colonscopy and an endoscopy. They can't just knock me out. No wonder I do not get enough sleep. Finally, I had three polyps and he said that one of them may possbilby be pre cancerous. So now I have to wait 2 weeks before they get the lab results back. All in all the last two days have sucked and on Friday I go for a MRI.

Ok, so obviously I am feeling sorry for myself, but I will get over it.

Oh, Barb, I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. :( Don't we have enough to deal with without adding more to the mix?? :confused: Feel better soon and treat yourself kindly.....you deserve some pampering.


http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...ettermouse.gif

Barb,

Sorry to hear about the test and having to wait for the results. Prayers heading your way too. :hug:

barb heres hoping the test is benign i am also waiting, try not to worry about it, not much u can do anyhow, so why work yourself up fretting about what might not be, hang in there barb:hug:

howdy yall

hows everyone else doing, fine I hope



peace

hey Barb ... that's okay ... you can feel sorry for yourself - >> *sending tons of :hug:*

nice to see you Beth ... hope all is well with you too!!

**UPDATE**
nothing much - got my quiz results back ... low B ... but overall - still doing okay.

just want to move and get out of here .... waiting to hear about a PT job down in Beaver Dam .. doesn't start until July - so that all sounds super!

finished another quilt top for my friend's son in college. working on cleaning out the boxes from storage ... made it thru 2 more today and washed the glass and jars (used to paint on!) ... so, when I paint ON them, I can SELL them ... going to paint birds on them .. hummers, cards, and chickadees ...

also sewn elastic in sleeves for a jacket for a friend ...

I'm just squeemish about submitting my business plan for the quilt corp to make quilts for kids ... with the $$ I could move and get the business really rolling ... branding prods appreciated ... :yikes:

NaeNae, still holding you and your kids in my thoughts and prayers.

Lor, that stinks about the seizure... I hope you can get that straightened out so you have less, or none... 'cause the aftermath spaciness is hard to handle.

Barb, sorry the colonoscopy didn't go well... and worse, that you have to wait on tenterhooks for test results... that just blows.

Frank, I hope you are recovering well from your bout with illness, and Chuckie stays where he belongs, off on a date in Tahiti with Sharon... geez, I hope they use birth control !!

Finny, glad you're sailing smoothly... I get jealous everytime I read about your cups of coffee... I'm trying to cut it to 3 cups a week... coffee seems to accelerate the hot flashes, gack !!

TK, yoohoo? where IS you ??

Beth, how have you been?

Vonny, good luck on your latest ambitious project, dear.

Sarah, how's the new job going?

Kitty, good to see you, drop by more often, we don't see nearly enough of you.

Sandy, thanks for keeping us updated on NaeNae, and for all your REALTIME support for her... wish I could help but I'm so far away... so... when does your mom arrive again? (sorry, I'm so forgetful these days, lol!)

my update: does anyone here remember the California (fake) energy crisis of 2001 ?

the rolling blackouts, brownouts, and massive increases in our electric bills was part of what convinced me to move abroad, to a place where the utilities were still run in the PUBLIC's interest, rather than for greedy profits by thugs like ENRON and Dynergy... that was a real cluster-mess...

well, guess what, kiddies? it's deja-vu all OVER again for poor little ol' Kay !!

Greedy BEL Earns Record Profits, but Threatens Blackouts

Posted: 23/05/2008 - 10:16 AM - Author: Adele Ramos

BEL’s pockets getting fatter!

Take a look at how much profit BEL has made since 2005…

2007 – $29.9 million
2006 - $26.1 million
2005 - $18.9 million

http://www.amandala.com.bz/index.php?id=6994

the power here has been on and off and on and off and on and off for the last two days (which is why ya haven't seen much of me!)

oh well, at least my house is designed to be cool, and I have lots of books to read, and a comfortable bed, lol !!

all my critters are doing well, and I'll do pix, maybe tomorrow, if the power is reliable.

wish me luck !!

:grouphug::hug::grouphug:

HI, Anne !!! (waves from afar)

what's FUNNY is... mere SECONDS after I entered the above post, the power FAILED again... this time for ten minutes.

this is gettin' kinda old.

since I spent the entire ten minutes hunting for candles, matches, kerosene, and lanterns in the pitch-black jungle-dark-night.

the outages aren't of long enough duration to turn on the generator, but just short enough to seriously annoy... what with frantically trying to save open documents, shutting down the computer, and trying to get things situated before the screen-light fades...

60... 59... 58... 57... 56... 55... LOL !!

now, the question is, do I keep the candles burning, just in case it goes OFF again?

:D:p:D

If you have enough candles Kay, then keep one burning.

If you don't have enough.......have you tried making your own? :confused:

Just joking! :D

smartypants missy!

we just got done making homemade sausage, lard bricks, bollos, chicharones, and smoked hams from 'Kevin Bacon' and now ya want me to do candles too ??

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/1328/dscn5491qx8.jpg
lard block made in bread loaf pan - wrapped in wax paper

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9267/dscn5492ff8.jpg
lard bricks in freezer

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/4331/dscn5418zx7.jpg
chicharones are what they call cracklins here

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/5376/dscn5419gh4.jpg
drying strips of pork over open fire, before smoking 'em

sheesh, I'm just too darn plum-tuckered OUT to make candles, dear !!

Hmmmm. Lard bricks? :confused: The mind boggles!

Couldn't just stick a wick up the middle of them and call them candles? :Scratch-Head:


And that pork crackle thingy! Is that like beef jerky, only pork? :Hum:

It looks like pig skin to me........:stirthepot:

OMG! I just realised what you said! Has Kevin Bacon gone to the great freezer in the sky then?

Hey guys! I have to admit that I never looked at this thread before because it was too many pages so it overwhelmed me. I started reading it because of Renee's divorce thread.

I just love this thread now. Can I join, too? Pretty please??

jump right in Hollym .. the door is always open! welcome! ... :Wave-Hello:

Me too Me too:yahoo::Dancing-Chilli: Can I join???

Hi Vonn. Hope all is well. Haven't talk to you in awhile but I think of you often:hug:

homemade lard is very useful in cooking and baking...

we dry-rendered it, so it's totally pure, as safe as butter... and makes GREAT pie crusts !!

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-lard.htm

yummy yum... pastries comin' up next !!

:D

pork rinds, yes...

the Brits call them scratchings... Latin Americans call 'em chicharones, and USians call them cracklings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork_rind

the deep-fried pieces are highly caloric, and VERY high in sodium, so I tasted only a few, and let our helpers have the rest...

mmmmmmm... muy delicioso y sabroso !!

si, si, senora... Mr. Bacon was getting upwards of 300 lbs, so... it was time.

this was our first pig... we did it right here in our yard... the whole thing !!

thankfully, we had help from a village family, because there was a LOT of work involved.

:cool::):cool:

welcome, welcome, Holly !!

I know how you feel... the Insights thread at the prior board... it was so big, I said... "I'm NEVAH gonna be able to catch up, and keep everyone straight!"

so, I just went back and read a handful of pages at a time, working backwards... I never did manage to read the entire gazillion pages.

but when we all came over to NeuroTalk, I got in on the bottom floor, and it's the one thread I check every day, that is, IF the power's on, lol !!

so, welcome, Holly... just pull up a chair, and join the conversation... no need to try and read the whole thang.

:grouphug:

Hi Beth! :welcome_sign: That is all I wanted say:D

Barb

OK. I'm in!

Here's my first official post on here.

Many of you know from a previous thread on The Stumble Inn that my grandmother has been having health / demential problems. I flew out to Oregon at the end of April and got brought her here for a trial period of her living with my family.

She has settled in well and we are all so happy with her being here. She has completely adopted my 11 year old Boston Terrier. I can't believe how "right" this all feels. We have to make one more trip out there to clean up loose ends and pack up the rest of her stuff, but she is pretty settled here now.

As for me and my health. I do not have an official MS dx, but the neuro goes so far as to call it atypical MS or CNS demyelinating disease. I felt emboldened by Quixotic1's posts to get my act together and push a little harder this fall to either get a dx based on past findings or at least get some updated testing and try to get on some form of DMD.

I had felt OK with just the pulsed IVSM the last couple of years but since I can't do that anymore due to bone thinning, I really would like to be on something because I'm having more issues lately (increased spasticity, more fatigue, bladder problems).

My boys are both doing great with baseball this spring and it is bringing me a lot of joy to watch them doing well and having fun. They are also both enjoying scouts.

Oh and DH got transferred to a restaurant 10 minutes from home instead of nearly an hour away. That has really improved quality of life (and living with him). He is a restaurant manager, so he works lots of hours and decreasing the amount of hours he spends in the car is huge!

Overall, I just feel like there is so much good going on with my Grandma, the boys, DH's work situation, my attitude toward taking charge of my health again, etc.

So there it is in a nutshell. You are all kind of updated on my life situation. I am excited about keeping up with all of you, too!

Holly and Beth, Just jump right in. :) I have cog-fog days where I read the posts, but don't have the brain power to reply to everyone's. Just give a little update on those days.

Kay, Power outages like that annoy more than anything else. Ugh! Hope you got enough candles and such to keep up with it.

Oh - wanted to tell you, I saw belieze on a history channel program. :) They were talking about how the Mayan civilization was really big there. LOL, another excuse to get our passports and visit ya. ;)

Vonn, Hope all the plans work out. Sounds cool so far. :cool:

~~~~~~~~~~

Hoping to get the last bit of landscaping done today. Waiting for my allergy med to take effect before wandering out there.

My kitty just did something funny. :D Our older black cat has begun to catch pieces of paper. for example, a receipt or clothing tag that didn't quite make it into the trash can. She brings it to me with this loud meow, kinda like "look what I got! Did I do a good job?" LOL.

Holly, you posted when I did, LOL.

Glad to hear things are working out for ya! That's always great to hear.

good morning ladies:Wave-Hello:

holly welcome to the nuthouse:trampoline:, glad grams is taking to the pet, they have been using pet theraphy for older individuals for some time now, by the way howdy holly my name is frank, most tolerate me ,a few loath me:mf_swordfight:, and then some here actually like me:Dunno:, still working out that last part :Head-Spin:

Kay what in gods name is that in the kettle, pork rinds, snacking material or bait? for bigfoot

howdy anne fin sandy vonnie sarah sharon Jim:Wave-Hello:

barb I hope you are feeling better:hug:

welcome also to beth, read what you posted in that other thread about your oldest:hug: dont beat yourself up over it, its in the pass, war changes everyone:hug: and yes it took me this long to come up with a reply, kind of did the same with one here he joined the air force for 6 yrs he is at least out of direct fire in Intel, but Deb and I know your dilemma, again welcome to the nuthouse all:thud:

The landscapers are here! The landscapers are here! The landscapers are here!

LOL, you sound excited. :) Don't blame you. Had to cut short my work 'cuz it's warming up. Crossing fingers I get mine done by the weekend.

The heat is on and so is the air conditioner. Temperatures will start hitting triple digits in the upcoming week or so.

But last night was DD's high school graduation and by sunset, it turned into a nice night to listen to 600 names of kids of the graduating class of 2008.

I took my electric chair because the walk from the handicapped parking to the football field is just too difficult.

The woman at the entrance made me upset. She ignored me, just talked to DH about getting me onto the field as if I am mentally challenged rather than physically handicapped.

But the evening hours were beautiful and DD has finished this chapter of life.

People used to do that to my Grandmother Mimi. She had arthritis in her knees and although she could walk (slowly) it was just easier for her to use her wheelchair.

I will never forget the time my Mom and I took her to the mall (over 20 years ago). We were in Rich's and she was looking at coats and trying to decide which ones to try on. The sales clerk came up to us and asked my mother what kind of coat my grandmother was looking for. Before either one of us could answer Mimi piped up and said "what do I look like - a mannequin?" The sales clerk turned eight shades of red and my Mom just laughed!! Mimi took the sales clerks hand and told her that it was OK - but she had more money than any of the three of us and she could make up her own mind about what kind of coat she wanted. It was too funny!!

I'm not sure if the pork post made my hungry or sick, but either way, that's awesome.. :D

I've never seen that done before. Ty for the pictures.

ahhh, another smartypants !!

bigfoot, lol... Franky, you need a spanky !

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/3...ifemalexq7.jpg
Bigfoot's mate would probably enjoy some too...

they're called chicharones, pork rinds, cracklins, or scratchins, depending on where ya hail from.

oh, sorry... didn't mean to confuzzle your tummy...

I should've posted one from later in the smoking process... the pork strips came out incredibly delicious... and the sausage (our first try) was delectable.

we just started farming two years ago, and are still learning, but feeling really good about knowing EXACTLY where all our food comes from.

it's a lot of work, but I feel ever so much safer now.

yep, we're totally set.

the fridge runs on butane, the lamps on kerosene, and we have a generator and LOTS of candles, food, water, and supplies, in case we have to house evacuees from the coast, due to hurricanes.

we are now breaking ground for an emergency hurricane shelter (bunker of solid-filled concrete blocks with a slab roof, 16' x 16') for all our animal babies - we have goat kids on the way, and piglets due, and baby bunnies, plus all the guinea pigs, and ducklings, and chickie-babies, and mamas on nests to protect.

oh, and wanted to let you all know, it's just started POURING rain now, and soon the pond will be full again, and the geese and ducks will be thrilled !!

:grouphug::hug::grouphug:

Hi Everybody! :)

Can I join too? I know I can't keep up with the conversation, but I like to read about your days. I also started reading because of Renee's divorce. :( (Hang in there Renee! Get what is rightfully yours and your kids'!) :hug:

Anyway, I'm usually a bit of a veg so bear with me. :grouphug:

Holly, I'm so glad to hear your Grandma is doing well at your house! :hug:

I might join this thread today, too, since you're all in a welcoming mood.

Hi all. Recovering from a flare. Was hospitalized 04/27-05/16. Mostly back to normal -- some walking difficulties still, with stamina, and, when tired, with gait. Went on a 40 min. walk today, but I pooped out before it was done.

DD18 graduated from HS last week. Cried everytime they played "Pomp and Circumstance".

~ Faith

Hi Everyone and welcome to all the new "posters."

I thought I'd pop in and say hi. I've been in Fatigueland for the past several days.:(:mad:

Been working on the big painting and am about 80% done with it. Just need to embellish it with the old Harley pics that DBF loves so much. Then it will be complete and DD18 will photograph it so I can post it in the Creative Corner.

Last weekend I helped DBF a little (fatigue and weak legs didn't allow me to do much). But when the paint gun messed up and he spewed out a PARAGRAPH full of all cuss words :eek: and threw the paint gun in the trash, I stopped working on the painting to help. I made him sit down on the couch, brought him a nice cold Coor's Light, and then I fixed the mess the paint gun made in the pantry and painted it. All was good after that. LOL.

Hope you all are having a good week and the weather is being good to you.

Love ya all!

Just popping in to say hi!
 

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...testfriend.png

and to say thanks! :grouphug:

We love you too. But you already knew that.

Still keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

lol thats great kay that made me laugh big time, debs coment about spank was so debie ish she said i would enjoy, me personally i dont think i would be as excited like someone else is when landscapers arrive:rolleyes:

everyone else hope you all had a great day,

Hiya TK missed ya hope you are well

renee T was right we all luv you

faith amd suzy howdy and welcome to the thread that has no theme or is it the theme that has no thread

speaking of thread the female big foot hottie had some serious threads. lol thanks again Kay you always make me smile

hope every one has a wonderful evening



peace

Good morning all :) The sun is trying to shine and have my usual cup of java.

Last evening was a bit of an adventure. We went to look at a Can Am Spyder last night. LOL, it looks like a snowmobile with three wheels. :)

Had to have hubby test drive it since he's the only one with the motorcycle endorsement on his license at this point. He said he'll keep his bike, but it is a fun thing to ride. Plus they have an option for an electronic shifter, so it would answer a lot of problems for us.

Of course now I'm trying to hunt down what would be needed to get an endorsement for my license that would be for three wheeled motorcycles only. ;) Told hubby that if it's possible, we just found a big incentive for me to finally quit smoking.

Then on the way home, my car ran over someone's pocket knife. :mad: Tire is slashed big time from it. Luckily it happened as we were pulling into our development, but good grief what a popping noise it made!

Hi all!!

Sandy - Why are you so excited about the landscapers?? What do they look like?? Actually, I would probably be just thrilled with someone doing landscaping anyway, but I like to think they are a bunch of hunks.:D:p

Kay - Your farming exploits just amaze me. You are my hero. I really admire anyone who has the guts to just pick up and move out of the country to be self reliant. We can all learn about living our dreams from you.

Kelly - I loved the story about your grandmother. She sounds a lot like mine!

Faith - I'm so sorry you were in such a bad relapse. I'm also sorry I was too busy with Grandma and the kids to notice you were MIA.:(

Tkrik - Sorry you are in fatigueland. I'm there with you!!

Frank - I just wanted to state for the record that I find you quite likeable and amusing. I'm glad you are recovering from your pneumonia.

Wiz - Glad to see you pop in.

FinLady - I'm assuming this spyder thing you looked at was some form of a motorcycle and not an arachnid. Sorry about the tire. I hope you have road hazzard protection on it!!


OK now, I've officially lost track of who all posted! I'm just going to say sorry to anyone I missed.

Last night my 8 year old had a baseball game and he did so well. Last year he couldn't hit the ball at all. This year, he is getting hits in every game and has even hit a home run. Last night, he had two singles and a triple!!! I don't even know how many runs he batted in, but it was several. I'm so darn proud!!:D:cool:

Between the 2 boys, I have 6 baseball games in 5 days and I'm tired thinking of it, but it makes me happy to go watch.

One of the mom's on my 11 year old's team has MS, too, so we kind of support each other (and laugh with each other). We even have the same neuro. Our sons also end up on the same football team each year.

We had a good laugh the other night when I was cheering for the wrong kid!! I thought my son was at bat and was cheering for him when he stood up and turned around and said "Mom, I'm not at bat yet, that was Nick". I still don't know why I thought it was Michael, they don't look alike and it was the wrong jersey number.:confused::confused: The other mother just blamed it on the holes in my brain and we had a good laugh.

OK, time to get back to work.

Hello All~ Want you to know that I read this thread from time to time and hope you are all doing ok today.

Renee~ I have held off posting to you, as I just don't have any great advice on this matter and quite frankly, the whole mess puts me to tears.r I'm not going to send you a PM, as know your box of 1000 is probably full~ Please know that you and your sweet kids are in my prayers. I am heartbroken for all that has and is happening to you. It's just not right.

I will continue to keep you in my prayers. :hug:

Having a little vertigo right now, so just know that I have kept up w/everyone's posts here and am sending hugs to all. :hug::grouphug::hug:

:hug: Morning,
Sorry...no time to chat, no time to catch up, no time for anything. Working 12hour days 6 days a week...barely time for school...which I've not touched in over a week. Exhausted. Its summer and beautiful here, and try to get outside once in a while at work. DH cooks and cleans in my absence. He's a good man. DD on summer break and working nights, so never see her. The animals really miss me and all come running when I get home. It's all about me :) LOL!!

Anyway, hugs out to my friends and know I'm lurking when I can....:grouphug:

Take care of yourselves... :hug: