Barbb

Bob, welcome to the "family". You will be in my prayers. God be with you. Barb

I have met one or two of them! That's very funny. Barb

{{{{{Julia}}}}} I am so terribly sad for you and your families. I pray you will find some peace knowing he will never suffer again. Please stay with the friends we have here, they are so much help as we go through our pain. I am so sorry. Barb

Your jokes are the best, I never miss them!!! Thank you for the laughs. Barb

I get the best jokes from one of my daughter's friends. I don't post them because of fear they may be offensive. This one had me LMAO, too. I scared the dog I laughed so hard. Boy, did that ever feel good... Barb

Carrie, My heart hurts for you. When Rod was out of options we called Hospice and what a blessing they were. They were able to totally control his pain. That is what we all wanted, for him to just stop hurting after a year of pain. I hope you will be able to do this for your mom. Barb

I'm so sorry for what you have to go through. The week my family left was the worst. The house felt cold and empty. I would have excuses to go to town and called my family alot. Each week it was a bit easier. Now home is a comfortable refuge. My heart goes out to you. Barb

If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better. For those of you who have lived in Texas, you know how true this is. Judge 3 was an inexperienced Chili Taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield, IL. Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. ..... I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted." Here are the scorecard notes from the event: ***************************************************** CHILI 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI... Judge 1: A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick. Judge 2: Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild. Judge 3 (Frank): Holy crap, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one.... These Texans are crazy. ***************************************************** CHILI 2 AUSTIN'S AFTERBURNER CHILI... Judge 1: Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang. Judge 2: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously. Judge 3: Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face. ***************************************************** CHILI 3 - FRED'S BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI... Judge 1: Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Judge 2: A bit salty, good use of peppers. Judge 3: Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now; Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting drunk from all of the beer. ***************************************************** CHILI 4 - BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC... Judge 1: Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing. Judge 2: Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili. Judge 3: I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beermaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-LB woman is starting to look HOT. just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac? ***************************************************** CHILI 5 LISA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER... Judge 1: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive. Judge 2: Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement. Judge 3: My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really ticks me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. ***************************************************** CHILI 6 - VERA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY... Judge 1: Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers. Judge 2: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb. Judge 3: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I pooped on myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except for Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my rearend with a snow cone. ***************************************************** CHILI 7 -SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI... Judge 1: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers. Judge 2: Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should make note that I am worried about Judge 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably**. Judge 3: You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing it's too painful. I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach. ***************************************************** CHILI 8 - BIG TOM'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI... Judge 1: The perfect ending, this is a nice blend of chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence. Judge 2: This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge 3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. poor feller, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili? Judge 3: - No Report!!!

{{{{{Treeby, Don, Teri, JB, Debi, Colleen, Michele, Leslie, Maryanne}}}}} you touched my heart and my soul and your kindness you express and the sorrows you are living brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for caring, sharing and lifting each other up. We are so blessed to have this place to come where SO MANY of us know exactly how another feels. If I had to do this walk alone....I just wouldn't make it. Teri, I called the hospice we used and they have a grief group starting in April. I knew from your other posts that I need this but didn't have the energy to find one somewhere else. I will be the first one waiting by the door when it starts. Thank you everyone. My prayers are with each of you. Barb

I've worked 2 1/2 weeks full time now. In fact, I can't believe I went back to work part-time, 2 days after his funeral. I have had quite a few good days, keeping my mind busy, then something I am learning gets me very frustrated and I just want to crawl in a hole. I get so depressed and think "I hate my life, I wish I just wouldn't wake up one day". Am I the only one? I try to hide how I feel so my co-workers don't know how awful I feel, that is so exhausting. I hate this. Barb

Ohhhhhh, GOOD ONE Barb

That is an excellent story!!! Barb

LOVE IT, some of those sound like our part of the country!!!! Barb

Nick, CONGRATULATIONS on the arrival of your precious bundle of Love:) Barb

Always-I have a rather "squishy" pillow so I can mash the suitcase shut on it. No other pillow can be squished into the correct position! Barb

I love "Here We Are" by Dallas Holme and "The Dance" by Garth Brooks. They say it all... Barb

I missed you guys. So I turn in my Hall Pass. Two weeks ago I started full time at my job at the Dental Office. Four days a week seems just perfect. There were just to many hours of unstructured time so this will be very helpful in keeping "things" out of my head for a few more hours. Monday, one of the guys who worked in the shop Rod supervised was killed in a traffic accident. His Memorial Service last night was standing room only. He was a good guy. My first thought upon reading about it in the paper was, "Rod has a friend to talk about hunting, cars etc. with". Somehow that was a comfort. Life is strange...again. Barb

Teri, I'm so glad you asked this question. I've wondered what the rest of you think about this, too. Debi, "They'll be prying my rings off my cold dead hand. Period." that was my exact thought when I read this, I plan to keep mine on forever, my daughter had asked me if I would still wear my rings right after Rod died and I said yes. It just wouldn't feel right any other way. Barb

Thank you, may we all have peace. Barb

It would have been fun to see the Colts at least get to play the Pats, just because I work with Adam Vinatieri's sister-in-law and since he used to be their kicker... but oh well, don't care who plays, I will watch a bit of it. Barb

{{{Nick}}} Your mom is so proud of you for doing these things you dread. I can see her smiling at the room right now, you did good. Barb

Kasey, You do so much for us, too. Thank you for your encouragement, you will be in my prayers. Barb

Ghita, I am so sorry to read this. Everything Teri said is exactly right. In the beginning people will want to help, I had no idea what to have them do. So later, call those people if something comes up and they will surely be very willing to help you. Be sure to come back here and if you need to vent, do it. We all do and we will all be here for you. Barb

That is sooooo funny!!! Barb

Lillian, I've missed your posts! Glad you are having fun, there is nothing like being with family Barb