Ann

I am so very sorry for the pain you are going through. I know, all too well, what you are going through as I, too, lost my husband. My children were older but the loss of their dad was extremely hard for them to handle. As others have said, six months is not a very long time. Everything that you have known for the past years has changed. The pain will get easier but it will take time. Just remember that Jeff will always live in the hearts of you and your children. Dennis once told me that "everytime you think of me, I'll be alive." Now, my memories and thoughts of the 26 years we shared together keep him alive...in my heart and mind. I notice that you mentioned having trouble sleeping. This is definitley something you need to talk with your doctor about and get some help with. You have a demanding job, in addition to being both a mom and dad now. don't get so overwhelmed caring for others that you forget to care for yourself. You'll find that a good night's sleep will make the day easier to deal with. My heart aches for you, as I can fell what you are going through. I really do get it!!! Please PM me if you would like to talk...any time.

(((((((((Shirley))))))) Thank you so very much for this post. I don't think I've ever red anything that I can relate to so well. I had to stop and think about it and then read it over again. I so remember thinkig how bad all of the "firsts" were after I lost Dennis. Then, it seemed that some of the "seconds" got a little easier but some, like wedding anniversaries, got worse. I think they got worse because I would think of Dennis and then "measure" the time and distance between us. The longer he had been away from me, the harder some things were to handle. Now, the little things are the things that can bring me to tears...a special song on the radio, a movie we watched together, running into his friends. So, yes, some things do become easier to handle but some "holes" are never mended.

The first person asks the question 'What ever happened to ----? (Can be actor, TV show, grocery item etc.) The next person, posts what happened and then posts their own what happened to question. I'll begin.... What ever happened to Linda Carter, aka Wonder Woman ?

TO: GOD: FROM: THE DOG Dear God: Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another? Dear God: When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it still the same old story? Dear God: If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog? Dear God: More meatballs, less spaghetti, please. Dear God: Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize? Dear God: Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must remember to be a good dog. 1 . I will not eat the cats' food before they eat it or after they throw it up. 2. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just because I like the way they smell. 3. The Litter Box is not a cookie jar. 4. The sofa is not a 'face towel'. 5. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff. 6. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet 7. Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is an unacceptable way of saying "hello". 8. I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the coffee table. 9. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house - not after. 10. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt. 11. I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch. 12. The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes that noise, it's usually not a good thing. P.S. Dear God: When I get to Heaven may I have my testicles back?

I think I would probably read. It seems I always run out of time to do many of the things I like and reading is one of the things I'm always trying to squeeze in.

If you're stressed, here are some catchy comments you can use to help articulate your mood to others...(you may have seen some of these before). 1. Well, this day was a total waste of makeup. 2. Make yourself at home! Clean my kitchen. 3. Not the brightest crayon in the box now, are we? 4. Don't bother me. I'm living happily ever after. 5. Do I look like a people person? 6. This isn't an office. It's Hell with fluorescent lighting. 7. I started out with nothing & still have most of it left. 8. I pretend to work. They pretend to pay me. 9. You! Off my planet! 10. Therapy is expensive, poppin' bubble wrap is cheap! You choose. 11. Practice random acts of intelligence & senseless acts of self-control. 12. If I want to hear the pitter-patter of little feet, I'll put shoes on my cat. 13. Did the aliens forget to remove your anal probe? 14. Errors have been made. Others will be blamed. 15. And your cry baby whiny-assed opinion would be...? 16. I'm not crazy, I've just been in a very bad mood for 30 years. 17. See no evil, hear no evil and date no evil. 18. Allow me to introduce my selves. 19. Sarcasm is just one more service we offer. 20. Whisper my favorite words: "I'll buy it for you." 21. Better living through denial. 22. Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed. 23. Suburbia: where they tear out the trees & then name streets after them. 24. Do they ever shut up on your planet? 25. I'm just working here till a good fast-food job opens up. 26. Are those your eyeballs? I found them in my cleavage. 27. I'm not your type. I'm not inflatable. 28. I'm trying to imagine you with a personality. 29. A cubicle is just a padded cell without a door. 30. Stress is when you wake up screaming & you realize you haven't fallen asleep yet. 31. Back off! You're standing in my aura. 32. I can't remember if I'm the good twin or the evil one. 33. Don't worry. I forgot your name, too! 34. How many times do I have to flush before you go away? 35. I just want revenge. Is that so wrong? 36. I work 40 hours a week to be this poor. 37. You say I'm a witch like it's a bad thing. 38. Can I trade this job for what's behind door #1? 39. Nice perfume. Must you marinate in it? 40. Too many freaks, not enough circuses. 41. Just smile and say "Yes, Mistress." 42. Chaos, panic, & disorder - my work here is done. 43. A woman's favorite position is CEO. 44. Ambivalent? Well, yes and no. 45. Everyone thinks I'm psychotic, except for my friends deep inside the earth. 46. Earth is full. Go home. 47. Is it time for your medication or mine? 48. Aw, did I step on your poor little bitty ego? 49. Did I mention the kick in the groin you'll be receiving if you touch me? 50. I plead contemporary insanity. 51. I refuse to star in your psychodrama. 52. I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted pay checks. 53. How do I set a laser printer to stun? 54. I'm not tense, just terribly, terribly alert. 55. I majored in liberal arts. Will that be for here or to go?

A farmer stopped by the local mechanic shop to have his truck fixed.They couldn't do it while he waited, so he said he didn't live far and would just walk home. On the way home he stopped at the hardware store and bought a bucket and a gallon of paint. He then stopped by the feed store and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose. However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem - how to carry his entire purchases home. While he was scratching his head he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, "Can you tell me how to get to 1603 Mockingbird Lane?" The farmer said, "Well, as a matter of fact, my farm is very close to that house. I would walk you there but I can't carry this lot." The old lady suggested, "Why don't you put the can of paint in the bucket. Carry the bucket in one hand; put a chicken under each arm and carry the goose in your other hand?" "Why thank you very much," he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home. On the way he says "Let's take my short cut and go down this alley. We'll be there in no time." The little old lady looked him over cautiously then said, "I am a lonely widow without a husband to defend me. How do I know that when we get in the alley you won't hold me up against the wall, pull up my skirt, and have your way with me?" The farmer said, "Holy smokes lady! I'm carrying a bucket, an, a gallon of paint, two chickens, and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?" The old lady replied, "Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the paint on top of the bucket, and I'll hold the chickens."

Diary of a Snow Shoveler... December 8: 6:00 pm . It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow! December 9: We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalk. This afternoon the snow plow came along and covered up the sidewalk and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life! December 12: The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry, we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man. I'm glad he's our neighbor. December 14: Snow, lovely snow! 8" last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so. December 15: 20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all. December 16: Ice storm this morning. Fell on my butt on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell! The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel. December 17: Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. God, I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room. December 20: Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of the dang stuff last night. More shoveling. Took all day. Ssnowplow came by twice! Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying. December 22: Bob was right about a white Christmas, because 13 more inches of the white crap fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt till August. Took me 30 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to pee. By the time I got undressed, peed, and dressed again, I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob, who has a plow on his truck, for the rest of the winter, but he says he's too busy. I think the jerk is lying. December 23: Only 2" of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she...nuts??? Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's damn well lying. December 24: 6". Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the guy who drives that snowplow, I'll drag him through the snow by his you know what! I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling, and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been. Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the snowplow. December 25; Merry Christmas. 20 more inches of the !=3D@x@!x!x1 slop tonight. Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's an idiot. If I have to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to kill her. December 26: Still snowed in. Why the hell did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves. December 27: Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze! December 28: Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. THE WIFE is driving me crazy!!! December 29: 10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I've ever heard. How dumb does he think I am? December 30: Roof caved in. The snow plow driver is suing me for a million dollars for the bump on his head. The wife went home to her mother. 9" predicted. December 31: Set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling. January 8: I feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me, but I don't like being tied to the bed.

No Parent Left Behind These are supposidly real notes written by parents in a Tennessee school district. (Spellings have been left intact.) 1. My son is under a doctor's care and should not take PE today. Please execute him. 2. Please exkuce Lisa for being absent she was sick and I had her shot. 3. Dear School; Please ecsc's John being absent on Jan 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and also 33. 4. Please excuse Gloria from Jim today. She is administrating. 5. Please excuse Roland from P.E. for a few days. Yesterday he fell out of a tree and misplaced his hip. 6. John has been absent because he had two teeth taken out of his face. 7. Carlos was absent yesterday because he was playing football. He was hurt in the growing part. 8. Megan could not come to school today because she has been bothered by very close veins. 9. Chris will not be in school cus he has an acre in his side. 10. Please excuse Ray Friday from school he has loose vowels. -- 11. Please excuse Pedro from being absent yesterday. He had (diahre, dyrea, direathe), the sh**s. Note: words in () were crossed out. 12. Please excuse Tommy for being absent yesterday. He had diarrhea and his boots leak. 13. Irving was absent yesterday because he missed a bust. 14. Please excuse Jimmy for being. It was his father's fault. 15. I kept Billie home because she had to go Christmas shopping because don't know what size she wear. 16. Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday we forgot toget the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday. We thought it was Sunday. 17. My daughter was absent yesterday because she was tired. She spenta weekend with the Marines. 18. Please excuse Jason for being absent yesterday. He had a cold and could not breed well. 19. Please excuse Mary for being absent yesterday. She was in bed with gramps. 20. Gloria was absent yesterday as she was having a gangover. 21. Please excuse Brenda. She has been sick and under the doctor. 22. Maryann was absent December 11-16, because she had a fever, sorethroat, headache, and upset stomach. Her sister was also sick, fever and sore throat, her brother had a low grade fever and ached all over. I wasn't the best either sore throat and fever. There must be something going around, her father even got hot last night. Now we know why parents are screaming for better educations for our kids.

If there was an extra hour in the day, how would you spend it?

I was smarter...but only by 1 lousy point.

Why, thanks. We're glad you think we're nice. Are you new to our board?

http://upchucky.com/flash-farmer-donkey.html

So very sorry, Randy. I hope today is a better for you.

The Current Letter is "E" 01 - A Breed of Dog.............. "English Springer Spaniel" 02 - A Drink (alcoholic one) ............... "Egg nog " 03 - A TV Show .............. "Everybody Loves Raymond" 04 - A item of clothing................ "Ear Muffs " 05 - A Color ............... "Eggshell " 06 - A flower............ "Easter Lily " 07 - A song ............... "Endles Love " 08 - A Book or Magazine ............... "Entertainment Weekly " 09 - Actor/Actress ...................... "" 10 - A film............ " "

I am often too embarrased to admit this but...I have been "hooked" on Days of Our Lives for more years than I care to mention. This soap is completely ricidulous but I just can't seem to miss it. Thanks goodness for my DVR...lol. In addition, I never miss Deal or No Deal. Love that show!!! When Dancing with the Stars is on, I always watch that. I have never been an American Idol fan but am watching this season, so I can have something to talk about at work.

http://www.flashbynight.com/test/

http://www.flashbynight.com/strips/

Are you "hooked" on any particular television show or series that is continued day-to-day or week to week? Come on...fess up!!!

Grace and Girls....I am so very sorry for the loss of such a wonderful husband and father. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

GOod to hear from you. Praying that things continue to improve. Please keep in touch.

Oh yes, I find myself doing this all the time, then regretting I opened my mouth!!!

Love this one, Larry!!!!

An old man, Mr. Goldstein, was living the last of his life in a nursing home. One day he appeared to be very sad and depressed. Nurse Tracy asked if there was anything wrong. "Yes, Nurse Tracy," said Mr. Goldstein, "My Private Part died today, and I am very sad." Knowing her patients were forgetful and sometimes a little crazy, she replied, "Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Goldstein, please accept my condolences. The following day, Mr Goldstein was walking down the hall with his "Private Part" hanging out his pajamas, when he met Nurse Tracy. "Mr. Goldstein," she said, "You shouldn't be walking down the hall like that.. Please put your "Private Part" back inside your pajamas." But, Nurse Tracy," replied Mr. Goldstein, " I told you yesterday that my "Private Part" died." "Yes, you did tell me that, but why is it hanging out of your pajamas?" (You gotta love this!!!!!!!!!!!) "Well," he replied, "Today's the viewing."

I love you all so much and I know how hard it is to find something to smile about on days when life is tough. I always smile right along with you and hope that each little post brings light into someone's day! My Dennis loved to laugh, so I consider this something I'm doing in his memory...to keep that big laugh of his alive!!!