Ann

(((((((((Nick & Keri)))))))))))) I am so happy and excited for both of you. Being a parent is the most fulfilling thing that will ever happen to you....until you become a grandparent. I can so relate to the joy you wanted your Mom to experience, since I now have my first grandchild and can remember the jumping up and down. When Ella was born,it was a happy time for me but I kept thinking how much Dennis would have loved her. I had a dream a couple of days after she was born. In the dream, I was telling Dennis all about his beautiful grandaughter. He looked over at me with a beautiful smile as he said.....Ella and I met long before you ever laid eyes on her. I have to believe that and I believe your Mom already knows that precious baby!!!

I thought these might be helpful..... http://karla.angeltowns.net/printables/ ... eekly.html

As always, thanks for your support, Katie. I know you've been through some tough times lately and my heart breaks for you. I really think that it's just the quiet that bothers me. Normally, this was Dennis' favorite time of year. He was all busy planning every aspect of his annual hunting trip to Colorado, which he took at the first of November. Dennis was always a planner and a stickler for details and a hunting trip was no exception. He even wrote out all of his meal plans, as he usually did the cooking for the entire gang. He so desperately wanted to make that one last trip to Colorado in 2002, but his doctor and I felt it was impossible and both of us came up with plenty of reasons not to go. Dennis was like a little kid, having a comeback answer for every reason we had for him not being able to go. For instance, the doctor told him he worried about him firing a rifle, with all the mets to his spine and the fear of compression. Then, Dennis would compromise by saying he wouldn't shoot...he's just go for the fun of it. Then, the doctor would mention the horesback ride up the mountains and the chance that the horses could have ticks and Dennis couldn't handle the possibility of infection. At this, Dennis finally compromised, looking at me with those big brown eyes, that I could just drive him to Colorado and he'd be happy visiting. Of course, the thought of driving him that far, with him so very sick, scared me to death. Now, I so wish I could go back and help him make his final journey to Colorado, the place he loved so much. You know, I will do that someday...when I spread his ashes.

Just type in the song name or artist and then listen. http://www.projectplaylist.com/

I'm not sure if it's just me but I have really come to find that I get very depressed and miss Dennis very much as the fall is approaching each year. Does anyone else find that certain seasons affect them more? I lost Dennis on December 15th and always felt the holiday season would be the roughest time for me but the past few years, it's been this time that's been rough.

New daily thread in Inspirational section

I'm grateful that even in the face of illness and death, God has given us the opportunity to become friends and support each other during difficult times.

I thought it would be nice to begin a new daily thread where we could post something we're grateful for each day. I know, from experience, there are days we feel as if we really need to dig deep inside to find something that we are grateful for. I thought this would be uplifting for all of us.

So very sorry that your Dad is not doing well. I know how strong you and your Mom are to respect your Dad's wishes. After seeing my husband struggle with extensive small cell lung cancer, I would make the same decision that your Dad has made, if I was diagnosed. The actual struggle with lung cancer was much worse for my Dennis than was his actual death. It was a very peaceful experience, one that I will never forget. Seeing him pass helped relieve me of all my fears I had of death and dying. Hospice has some wonderful material that would be very good for your Mom to read. I'll be keeping your family in my prayers.

Ditto on all of the above comments!!! Rich, I have missed your posts and am so glad you're back. Geri...I really need you back here...to help me be feisty!!!

About 30 miles south of me, just north of Vero Beach, is a long dirt road, Jungle Trail. This road runs along the Indian River and truly represents the way life in "Old Florida" must have been. Driving along and seeing some of the remaining little "cracker" houses really takes your mind back in time. There are lots of endangered birds along the trail, as well as manatees. Unfortunately, there are now homes being built all along this area, so its future may not be too secure. The property is close the ocean and the river, making it very desirable for folks with lots of $$$ to spend.

((((((((Kelly))))))) Baby steps....remember to just take baby steps and everything will be fine.

I always liked Merv's show. Sympathies to his family and friends.

A butcher is working, and really busy. He notices a dog in his shop and shoos him away. Later, he notices the dog is back again. He walks over to the dog, and notices the dog has a note in his mouth. The butcher takes the note, and it reads, "Can I have 12 sausages and a leg of lamb, please." The butcher looks, and lo and behold, in the dog's mouth, there is a ten dollar bill. So the butcher takes the money, puts the sausages and lamb in a bag, and places it in the dog's mouth. The butcher is very impressed, and since it's closing time, he decides to close up shop and follow the dog. So, off he goes. The dog is walking down the street and comes to a crossing. The dog puts down the bag, jumps up and presses the crossing button. Then he waits patiently, bag in mouth, for the lights to change. They do, and he walks across the road, with the butcher following. The dog then comes to a bus stop, and starts looking at the timetable. The butcher is in awe at this stage. The dog checks out the times, and sits on one of the seats to wait for the bus. Along comes a bus. The dog walks to the front of the bus, looks at the number, and goes back to his seat. Another bus comes. Again the dog goes and looks at the number, notices it's the right bus, and climbs on. The butcher, by now open-mouthed, follows him onto the bus. The bus travels thru town and out to the suburbs. Eventually the dog gets up, moves to the front of the bus, and standing on his hind legs, pushes the button to stop the bus. The dog gets off, groceries still in his mouth, and the butcher still following. They walk down the road, and the dog approaches a house. He walks up the path, and drops the groceries on the step. Then he walks back down the path, takes a big run, and throws himself -whap!- against the door. He goes back down the path, takes another run, and throws himself -whap!- against the door again! There's no answer at the door, so the dog goes back down the path, jumps up on a narrow wall, and walks along the perimeter of the yard. He gets to a window, and bangs his head against it several times. He walks back, jumps off the wall, and waits at the door. The butcher watches as a big guy opens the door, and starts laying into the dog, really yelling at him. The butcher runs up and stops the guy. "What the heck are you doing? This dog is a genius. He could be on TV, for God's sake!" To which the guy responds, "Clever, my *ss. This is the second time this week he's forgotten his key!"

Wow...great walk down memory lane!

Oh...how I love Billy Joel Just the Way You Are was truly the song Dennis and I called "ours." Thanks so much for this post! It got my morning off to a wonderful start!!!

Is there a good place, close to where you live, to just go for a nice drive? If so, tell us about it and make us feel we're there.

For those who love the philosophy of ambiguity... 1. Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things. 2. One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.... 3. Atheism is a non-prophet organization. 4. If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes? 5. The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live. 6. I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. 7. What if there were no hypothetical questions? 8. If a deaf person swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap? 9. If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation? 10. Is there another word for synonym? 11. Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all?" 12. What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant? 13. If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages? 14. Would a fly without wings be called a walk? 15 Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them? 16. If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked? 17. Can vegetarians eat animal crackers? 18. If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent? 19. Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines? 20. How do they get deer to cross the road only at those yellow road signs? 21. What was the best thing before sliced bread? 22. One nice thing about egotists: They don`t talk about other people. 23. Does the Little Mermaid wear an algebra? 24. Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery? 25. How is it possible to have a civil war? 26. If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown too? 27. If you ate both pasta and antipasto, would you still be hungry? 28. If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done? 29. Whose cruel idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have "S" in it? 30. Why are hemorrhoids called "hemorrhoids" instead of "assteroids"? 31. Why is it called tourist season if we can't shoot at them? 32. Why is there an expiration date on sour cream? 33. If you spin an oriental man in a circle three times does he become disoriented? 34. Can an atheist get insurance against acts of God

I just read this post on a craft forum and now it all makes sense. I used to have a terrible allergy problem. I would have stuffy nose, watery eyes and all of the allergy symptoms..really bad. But, I haven't had any problems in over a year now and take no meds for allergies. But...after reading this...I may know what helped me. I have been drinking Green Tea every single day. What do ya think???? The weather is warm, the days are long, and the sun is out- but you can barely enjoy it. You sneeze at the smell of fresh cut grass and your eyes tear up while you are working in your garden. Not many people realize this, but allergy relief lies no further away than your kitchen pantry. These natural remedies don’t work as quickly as over the counter antihistamines, so it is best to start taking them at least a month before allergy season begins. If you start trying these in the middle of allergy season, give them a few weeks before you decide they aren’t working. Green tea: This common table tea has a natural antihistamine. Drink one or two cups a day and sweeten with honey. You can also use black tea, since it is from the same plant as green tea, but it isn’t as effective. Honey: Make sure you purchase local honey. Use it to sweeten teas, or a small amount of it plain. Local honey can help you became resistant to certain pollens. The beneficial qualities of honey are lost, however, when it is cooked. Chamomile Tea: This popular tea is also a natural antihistamine. Drink one or two cups a day and sweeten with honey. Don’t use if you are allergic to ragweed because it can make your symptoms worst. Ginger: Peel and crush a one-inch piece of fresh ginger root. Place in a mug and pour boiling water over. Steep for 5-10 minutes. Sweeten with honey, if desired. Ginger is both a natural antihistamine and a mild decongestant. Garlic: Garlic helps stimulate the immune system and is also a decongestant and used for coughs. Cook with it as much you can. If you enjoy the taste, add it raw to salads and salad dressings because fresh is more effective. Peppermint Tea: This tea is used to help relieve congestion. In the warmer weather, it tastes refreshing iced and can help relieve sinus problems and coughs. Thyme: This is also a wonderful tea for congestion. It can be used for coughs, sinus problems, and stuffy noses. Prepare a tea using one teaspoon of the dried herb for every cup of water. Never take more than one cup per day. You can also use it in cooking. Oatmeal: If your allergies give you hives, oatmeal can be really useful. Pour one cup of boiling water over one tablespoon oatmeal. Let it steep for thirty minutes. Strain it, and then apply the liquid on your hives with a cotton ball. This also works to relive bug bites. Refrigerate the solution and use it in a few days. You can also make this in larger amounts and put it in your bathwater (about four cups of water and four tablespoons of oatmeal). Apple cider vinegar: My grandmother used to have me put apple cider vinegar on any bug bites or hives to cut down on the itching. Just dilute the vinegar down with a little water and apply it with a cotton ball. You can also put a little vinegar in your bath.

How much do you weigh? Have you lost weight? (When I obviously haven't) Did Dennis smoke? It must have been hard to lose your husband? (Have honestly been asked this)

It's amazing how much easier it is to "connect" with someone that's grieving after you've been through it personally. I used to feel so out of place when I was trying to comfort someone that had lost someone. I never seemed to know what to say, as everything always sounded so fake and repetitive. Now, I know that simply saying "I'm sorry" can mean so much and people understand that you know how they feel. Having someone to share your feelings with, that truly understand where you're coming from, is the best therapy in the world. So happy you made the connection!!!

What are some questions that you just hate to be asked by people???

Nova...I got such a kick out of your post! That all sounds so familar to me, since I was a Tennessee girl and Dennis was 200% Yankee. You know, the first 6 months of our relationship was spent trying to figure out what the other one was saying...LOL. It wasn't just the way the words were pronounced. The slangs and terms were really hard to figure out. But, we finally got it all figured out and communicated just fine.