Ann

Oh Sue...we're all praying for you and Mike. I'm so sorry things haven't been improving. Please know that you're in my thoughts. Keep us posted as you can. I know you're very busy right now with more important things!

((((((((((Pam & Joel)))))))))) So sorry to hear that Joel is going through a rough time right now. Pam, this is such a hard call to make. If Joel does not want any more treatment, then I definitely would call Hospice. This doesn't mean that he can't go back on treatment if he begins to feel better and he and his oncologist want to resume chemo. I know that the word Hospice can be very frightening for us , as we usually associate it with the end and nothing more that can be done. That way of thinking has changed. The Hospice group I used for Dennis was absolutely wonderful! They were as much help to me as they were for Dennis. It meant so much to have someone there that could explain to me what was happening and control Dennis's pain. If you don't want to wait until Wednesday, call your doctor and fill him in. My doctor even made the call to Hospice for me. As for time off work, I would say "take it." This will make you feel better, knowing you are close by Joel's side. I'm keeping you both in my prayers.

Linda, it sounds to me like you are handling everything just as you should. Your mom is very lucky to have you on her side. Just keep reassuring mom and keep her spirits up. It's truly amazing what a large part of recovery depends on the attitude of the patient.

I so agree with Peggy's post. I definitely think honesty is the best policy when dealing with children of any age. Some children can handle bad things much better than others...just like adults. I know giving your children this information will be very hard...for all of you. You have my thoughts and prayers.

Oh Shirley....I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your BIL. I know how many memories of losing Randy this must bring back to you. I will remember his family in my prayers.

Geri...this is just the perfect news to get my weekend off to a great start! Way to go!!!! This is one "C" word we can all love! I am so happy for you! I hope you're going to do lots of celebrating. Hey..Cindi...I'm buying the first round...in Geri's honor!

Thanks for posting this one. My best friends husband is always full of bra jokes. I'll have to share this one with him!

Becky...could those 42" long legs have any bearing on why your son wants her to win...lol?

Kelly...this must be IAW week (Injuries at Work). I slipped on the floor at the office and hit my head on a metal shelving unit. Immediately, I had a knot about the size of a hen egg on my forehead. It has just started to turn blue. I am just imagining the klaidescope of colors that are yet to come. To add insult to injury, my boss had to remind me that this knid of hit on the head can be very serious to a 50 year old! I'd rather take the lick on the head than to be reminded I'm 50....lol! I have two soon-to-be daughter in laws that are teachers. From the stories they tell, I think you should show the kids your wounded finger!!! Hope your ouchie feels better soon!

AMERICAN MEDICAL INSURANCE EXPLAINED Q. What does HMO stand for? A. This is actually a variation of the phrase, "HEY MOE." Its roots go back to a concept pioneered by Moe of the Three Stooges, who discovered that a patient could be made to forget the pain in his foot if he was poked hard enough in the eye. Q. I just joined an HMO. How difficult will it be to choose the doctor I want? A. Just slightly more difficult than choosing your parents. Your insurer will provide you with a book listing all the doctors in the plan. The doctors basically fall into two categories: those who are no longer accepting new patients, and those who will see you but are no longer participating in the plan. But don't worry, the remaining doctor who is still in the plan and accepting new patients has an office just a half-day's drive away and a diploma from a third world country. Q. Do all diagnostic procedures require pre-certification? A. No. Only those you need. Q. Can I get coverage for my preexisting conditions? A. Certainly, as long as they don't require any treatment. Q. What happens if I want to try alternative forms of medicine? A. You'll need to find alternative forms of payment. Q. My pharmacy plan only covers generic drugs, but I need the name brand. I tried the generic medication, but it gave me a stomach ache. What should I do? A. Poke yourself in the eye. Q. What if I'm away from home and I get sick? A. You really shouldn't do that. Q. I think I need to see a specialist, but my doctor insists he can handle my problem. Can a general practitioner really perform a heart transplant right in his/her office? A. Hard to say, but considering that all you're risking is the $20 co-payment, there's no harm in giving it a shot. Q. Will health care be different in the next century? A. No, but if you call right now, you might get an appointment by then.

Have you ever wondered where the phrase, "You gotta be sh*ttin' me!" came from? Well, it just so happens to have originated through the Father of our Country way back when, George Washington was crossing the Delaware River with his troops. There were 33 [remember this number] in Washington's boat. It was extremely dark and storming furiously and the water was tossing them about. Finally, Washington grabbed Corporal Peters [remember this name] and stationed him at the front of the boat with a lantern. He ordered him to keep swinging it, so they could see where they were heading. Corporal Peters, through driving rain and cold, continued swinging the lantern back and forth, back and forth. Then a big gust of wind and a wave hit and threw Corporal Peters and his lantern into the Delaware. Washington and his troops searched for nearly an hour trying to find Corporal Peters, but to no avail. All of them felt terrible, for the Corporal had been one of their favorites. Sometime later, Washington and his troops landed on the other side, wet and totally exhausted. He rallied the troops and told them that they must go on. Another hour later, one of his men said, "General, I see lights ahead." They trudged toward the lights and came upon a huge house. What they didn't know, was that this was a house of ill repute hidden in the forest to serve all who came. General Washington pounded on the door, his men crowding around him. The door swung open, and much to his surprise stood a beautiful woman. A huge smile came across her face, to see so many men standing there. Washington was the first to speak, "Madam, I am General George Washington and these are my men. We are tired, wet, exhausted, and desperately need warmth and comfort." Again, the Madam looked at all the men standing there, and with a broad smile on her face, said, "Well, General, you have come to the right place. We can surely give you warmth and comfort. How many men do you have?" Washington replied, "Well, madam, there are 32 of us without Peters." And the Madam said, "You gotta be sh*ttin' me.” __________________

WINTER CLASSES FOR MEN AT THE LEARNING CENTER FOR ADULTS REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY Monday, Feb. 19,2006 NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM. Class 1 How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays --- Step by Step, with Slide Presentation. Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM. Class 2 The Toilet Paper Roll --- Does It Change Itself? Round Table Discussion. Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours. Class 3 Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoid ing The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub? --- Group Practice. Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours. Class 4 Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor --- Pictures and Explanatory Graphics. Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks. Class 5 After Dinner Dishes --- Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink? Examples on Video. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM Class 6 Loss Of Identity --- Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other. Help Line Support and Support Groups. Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM Class 7 Learning How To Find Things --- Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming. Open Forum . Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours. Class 8 Health Watch --- Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health. Graphics and Audio Tapes. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours. Class 9 Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost --- Real Life Testimonials. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined. Class 10 Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks? Driving Simulations. 4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours. Class 11 Learning to Live --- Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife. Online Classes and role-playing . Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined Class 12 How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM. Class 13 How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy --- Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late. Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Ful l Lobotomies Offered. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours. Class 14 The Stove/Oven --- What It Is and How It Is Used. Live Demonstration. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined. Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors

I'll be glad to say prayers for your dad. I know how lost he feels without your mom by his side. It's really important that he keeps busy right now. It's also important the he's getting the right amount of sleep. I would try to encourage him to get a check up, if possible. It's very possible that he may need to take some anti-depressants for a while. I can understand him not wanting to leave home right now. For a long time after Dennis's death, I had a problem being away from home. When I went out, I would have this urgent need (almost panic) to ghet back home. I think I had been programmed to think Dennis would be there waiting for me and also worried that he needed me, after months of caregiving. Try and think about what your dad liked to do for hobbies. Maybe you can get him interested in some new ones. Does he like gardening? If so, maybe you could suggest planting a new garden in memory of your mom. I hope you find something that will help. I know he is lost without your mom.

I'm right there with you in not being able to pick a favorite. I just love watching the charm of George Hamilton. Stacy is very good and I am completely envious of her 42" legs. Jerry Rice was always one of my favorite football players, so it's hard to rule him out. I also like Tia. I just feel really bad for Master P's partner, Ashley. She seems to give it 200%. I guess she has to in order to pull him through this.

Has anyone else been watching this show? I am really caught up in it. I love watching ballroom dancing and always wanted to learn. I think most of the couples are great and the show is very entertaining. I am just so fed up with this Master P guy.

Maxine on "Driver Safety" "I can't use the cell phone in the car. I have to keep my hands free for making gestures."....... Maxine on "Housework" "I do my housework in the nude. It gives me an incentive to clean the mirrors as quickly as possible." Maxine on "Lawn Care" "The key to a nice-looking lawn is a good mower. I recommend one who is muscular and shirtless." Maxine on "The Perfect Man" "All I'm looking for is a guy who'll do what I want, when I want, for as long as I want, and then go away. Or wait nearby, like a Dust Buster, charged up and ready when needed." Maxine on "Technology Revolution" "My idea of rebooting is kicking somebody in the butt twice." Maxine on "Aging" "Take every birthday with a grain of salt. This works much better if the salt accompanies a Margarita." ~~~~~ Never read the fine print. There ain't no way you're going to like it. If you let a smile be your umbrella,then most likely your butt will get soaking wet. The only two things we do with greater frequency in middle age are urinate and attend funerals. The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket. To err is human, to forgive - highly unlikely. Do you realize that in about 40 years, we'll have millions of old ladies running around with tattoos? Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia. Drinking makes some husbands see double and feel single. After a certain age, if you don't wake up aching somewhere, you may be dead.

Ginny....I am so impressed...and envious. I'm always one of those last minute gals. I make lists...but then forget to take them with me to the store...lol Is that old age or unorganized????

This doctor needs to keep his "wondering" mind and his "rambling" mouth both closed...at the same time. If I were you, I would seriously consider finding another cardiologist that is more sensitive to the needs of his patients. Yummmmmm...chocolate AND roses.....lucky girl!!!!

Too cute!!!!

(((((((Lisa))))))) So very sorry for the loss of your dad. Please let us know if we can be of any help.

At work, I'm a definite planner. I have everything ultra organized and am always on time with everything. At home, I tend to be a procrastinator. I think this is because I am so burned out from being a planner 8 hours a day at work. I have really great intentions of getting so many things done but then, I end up saying..."What the heck, I'll do it tommorrow." My best friend is a definite planner and I have to tell you she sometimes drives me crazy. Everything is always planned and done really far in advance. Although being a planner is a good thing, I don't like to see people take it to the extreme. So...guess I'll just be happy to be a planner when I'm paid for it....lol!

I'm sure Johnny remembers those words and is never very far from you! What a beautiful verse!

Lillian...so glad to hear you took these beginning steps. Until you've lost someone, you can't eeven begin to understand how just a little piece of paper could be such a sentimental object and how hard it is to part with it. Throwing away Dennis's medical paperwork was the hardest for me. I had been so organized with all of it. I even had notes I had made about every appointment. When I threw all that away, I felt as if I was giving up...all over again. I want to remind you once again how strong you are! You have come such a very long way since your first post on this board. I'm so proud of you!!!

Happy news! Just what we need around here. Welcome to this big, wonderful world little Chloe. You have a great mom!!!

Lots of prayers for Uncle Doug. Hang tough and keep fighting!