Ann

Looking back on this entire ordeal, I can now laugh but at the time, I was terrified. For most of my life, I have had a terrible fear of being in tight places. I think this all originated when I was a little girl and my mom insisted that I wear a little tee shirt as a second layer of clothing when it was cold. I can still remember her pulling those shirts over my head and me screaming my head off. Two years ago, I fell and my knee landed directly on concrete. My doctor needed to do an MRI to determine exactly what had been done. My problem with tight places didn't even cross my mind when he set up the appointment. Dick had gone to the appointment with me and naturally, I wanted to appear big and brave. While waiting, I kept telling myself that this was no big deal and that I could handle it. I kept reminding myself of how brave Dennis was through all of the MRI's he had and kept convincing myself I could do this. I got on the table and everything started out much better than anticipated. BUT...after about two minutes in, the power went out. The machine started this loud beeping and the technician wasn't in the room. She came rushing in, flashlight in hand, attempting to move the table. But, nothing was happening. I was screaming, as she left the room to get someone who knew how to operate the table in "manual" mode. Well, after I finally got out, I ran to the dressing room, got dressed and ran out of that office. Next, the doctor scheduled me for an "open" MRI. I was convinced this would be much better. Dick went into the room with me for the test. Well, after a couple of minutes, I came crawling out of the machine...lol! Then, my doctor re-scheduled me for another "open" MRI with sedation. Now..this sounded like something I could do. After arrival for the MRI, the technician explained that all he would be administering was a mild sedative, much like valium. He said I would be completely alert, but relaxed. Well, I didn't want to know what was happening and relaxed was just not enough, so I left before even trying. Next, the doctor ordered me to have the test done at the hospital. I was completely asleep when the MRI was done and knew nothing about it!!! I was a bit embarrassed, as I was in the room with little kids that were being sedated before tests. So...you can see that I have a fear of tight places and never plan on falling again!!!

OK..... so if the Jacksonville Jaguars are known as the "Jags" and theTampaBay Buccaneers are known as the "Bucs," what does that make the Tennessee Titans? There are three religious truths: a. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. b. Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader of the Christian faith. c. Baptists do not recognize each other in the liquor store or at Hooters. If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed? If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it "FED UP" It was mealtime during a flight on Hooters Airline. "Would you like dinner?" the flight attendant asked John, seated in front. "What are my choices?" John asked. "Yes or no," she replied.

A Catholic priest was about to finish his tour of duty, and was leavingthe Catholic Priesthood. He was leaving his Mission in the jungle where he had spent years teaching the natives when he realizes that the one thing he never taught them was how to speak English. So he takes the chief for a walk in the forest. He points to a tree and says to the chief, "This is a tree." The chief looks at the tree and grunts, "Tree." The Priest is pleased with the response. They walk a little farther and he points to a rock and says, "This is a rock."Hearing this, the chief looks and grunts, "Rock." The Priest was really getting enthusiastic about the results when he hears a rustling in the bushes. As they peek over the top, he sees a couple of natives in the midst of heavy sexual activity. The Priest is really flustered and quickly tells the chief, "Man riding a bike." The chief looks at the couple briefly, pulls out his blowgun and kills them both. The Priest goes ballistic and yells at the chief that he has spent years teaching the tribe how to be civilized and kind to each other, so how could he kill these people in cold blood that way? The chief replied, "My bike."

Poor Ole Dave Dave works hard at the plant and spends two nights each week bowling and plays golf every Saturday. His wife thinks he's pushing himself too hard, so for his birthday she takes him to a local strip club. The doorman at the club greets them and says, "Hey, Dave! How ya doin?" His wife is puzzled and asks if he's been to this club before. "Oh no," says Dave. "He's on my bowling team." When they are seated, a waitress asks Dave if he'd like his usual and brings over a Budweiser. His wife is becoming increasingly uncomfortable and says, "How did she know that you drink Budweiser?" "I recognize her, she's the waitress from the golf club. I always have a Bud at the end of the first nine, honey. A stripper then comes over to their table, throws her arms around Dave, starts to rub herself all over him and says, "Hi Davey. Want your usual table dance, big boy?" Dave's wife, now furious, grabs her purse and storms out of the club. Dave follows and spots her getting into a cab. Before she can slam the door, he jumps in beside her. Dave tries desperately to explain how the stripper must have mistaken him for someone else, but his wife is having none of it. She is screaming at him at the top of her lungs, calling him every 4 letter word in the book. The cabby turns around and says, "Geez Dave, you picked up a real witch this time."

Just leave it to our Becky Snowflake to come up with an ending like this!!!

I'm with you, Geri. Laughing out loud!!

Very cute, Geri. I got a big laugh out of this one.

Tight spaces...without a doubt. The only thing worse than being in a tight space is being in a tight space WITH a snake...lol! I'm not sure if I ever told you guys about my MRI experience but if not, it's a story that's good for a really big laugh!

Good luck with the tests, Andrea. Hey, just remember the old saying about "an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure." It's a good thing be tested and stay healthy, as I'm sure you are!!! Hey...being a mom to twins is not a job for just anyone!

Wow!!! So happy to hear such great news from such a great person!!! Reading this just makes my day!

I have a really funny cookbook story to share with you. I gave both Volume 1 and Volume 2 to my best friend, Sue, for Christmas. Although I thought I had read every single recipe in both books, I was wrong. We were at her house for dinner last week and she made an absolutely wonderful dish called Potato Lasagna. Everyone there marveled about how wonderful this dish was and many wanted the recipe, including me. Well, she called me over the weekend to tell me that the recipe was from the cookbook that I gave her. So...whoever submitted that recipe should be proud!!! I need to order some books to sell to those folks asking for the recipe.

I don't have any real advice for you but I did want to jump in to say that I hope the doctor finds something to help your dad sleep. I know how terrible you can feel when you don't have a good night's sleep.

I have had shingles and like Kasey said, it is probably the most painful experience that i have ever had. So, I'm sure this is very difficult for your dad right now. I'm keeping you and your dad in my prayers.

I am so very sorry for the pain you are feeling right now. I was 30 when I lost my mom, so I can relate to the feelings you are dealing with. I know that it's hard to remember the good memories right now but those days will come with time. You're a part of your mother and she will always live in your heart. I know that she is watching over you and sending you her love. Just remember that you have a lot of friends here that really care and want to help.

Kelly, now I can see where your get your fortitude and spunk!!! Yes, your mom is an amazing woman and truly an inspiration for all that are fighting this disease. Although it's hard to do, try to make some time to take care of yourself. I'll be saying prayers for both you and your mom.

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Which of these things scare you the most??? Heights Insects Tight Spaces Elevators Dark Rooms Snakes

Love this one, Geri!!!!

I am so very happy to hear that your Dad was gven a good report. It's news like this that truly makes me happy!!!

Banana Pudding Can you tell I'm from the south????

A young Irishman sat at a pub in the New World drinking beer and conversin' with the barkeep. Another comes in and sits besides him. He says how you do and hears the lilt and says you be Irish? Yes I am. The first man yells barkeep give us another round and one for my friend here he's from the mother country as well. The second man asks-so where in the old country ye from. Dublin responds the first. Dublin you say - so am I and the second man hollers barkeep bring us another round and a shot of your best Irish Whiskey for me and my friend here. Afterwards the first man asks from where in Dublin and the second man responds with the street and the first man says well I'll be - so am I and yells barkeep another pair of beers and Irish Whiskey for the pair of us. The phone behind the bar rings and the barkeep answers it. The owner of the pub asks - how is business. The barkeep responds - not too bad - The O'Malley twins are here getting drunk again.

An elderly man walks into a confessional. The following conversation ensues: "I am 92 years old, have a wonderful wife of 70 years, many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Yesterday, I picked up two college girls, hitchhiking. We went to a motel, where I had sex with each of them three times." Priest: "Are you sorry for your sins?" Man: "What sins?" Priest: "What kind of a Catholic are you?" Man: "I'm Jewish." Priest: "Why are you telling me all this?" Man: "I'm telling everybody."

Three sisters, ages 92, 94 and 96, live in a house together. One night the 96-year-old draws a bath. She puts her foot in and pauses. She yells to the other sisters, "Was I getting in or out of the bath?" The 94-year-old yells back, "I don't know. I'll come up and see." She starts up the stairs and pauses "Was I going up the stairs or down?" The 92-year-old is sitting at the kitchen table having tea listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, "I sure hope I never get that forgetful, knock on wood." She then yells, "I'll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door."

Ellie, I'm so sorry that this is a hard time for you right now. I do know how hard family gatherings can be after losing a family member. And yes, we all do take those "nose dives" from time to time and usually a good cry and someone to talk to about what I'm feeling will help bring me out. I do know that the worst thing you can do is to hold everything inside and "pretend" everything is alright. My advice would be to find a friend of your sister's and just sit down and talk. It's amazing how bringing back good memories with someone who really cares can do for you. I truly hope that you find a way to release some of the pain so you can better enjoy this time with your family.

((((((((((((((((Grace)))))))))))))))) Like you, I learned so many things after losing Dennis and I wish I had have been able to know about them before hand. I guess I had "tunnel vision" during the last half of his illness. I knew that death was at the end of the tunnel and I was so terrified of that day happening that I missed out on some of the things that were going on around me. Grace, I'm keeping you and the girls in my prayers. Don't ever think, not for one minute, that we have forgotten you.