Annette

I am praying and hoping for the best. Annette

I love the new team idea - how many people would like to join? I think we should elect Bud as the president. The only thing that worries me is if we become a team and Bud (as president) decides to drive the truck to work one day - does that mean that one of us has to ride a bike. Hmm, there may have to be by-laws about counting some days as double just for record keeping purposes. But as a Team we would certainly cheer Bud on as he rode - we better wait to decide on uniforms until we see if Eric wants to join our team .... well he does wear a kilt now and then, wonder how a cheerleading outfit would look. What do you think KW Judy, Eric, Ann, Stephanie, Katie, everyone. And - wait I just remembered isn't there a bus - maybe we could follow Bud in the bus and really cheer him on - that way we can carry whatever necessities we need to celebrate. We need to hurry so we can start this exercise program for a new years resolution - Annette

Another chilly morning - about 29 as I drove my mom and nephew to court this morning. The judge very quickly appointed an attorney and set a court date. We spoke briefly to the court appointed attorney who seems very nice - and understands that we are hoping this will be a "good" turning point for a child that lost his mother to drugs when he was only 6. We go back to court in January for a "driving with no license ticket" and then this mess really starts if the labs are back February 14th on the drug and stealing my moms car charges. Fun city. I will say he got about 8 inches of his hair cut off and cleaned up very nicely for court today. Now I must hit the working trail - I have more to do this week than hours but I have to check on everyone here. I saw that Bud had driven more miles on the bike that car this year - wow what an accomplishment. Those of us that exercise vicariously through him should be feeling pretty darn good. I believe I'll raise a toast to him - congratulations. Judy in KW - I believe that today the dog ate the office. He is finished with the glasses - I see no reason why you can't borrow him to help you be a tiny bit lazy! I am going to be lazy since we are closing the office on Friday - just hoping I can get my work done early Thursday. Oh wait - maybe I should be working on it to do that. (Fun spoiling work.....someone needs to relax for me and I appoint ... Judy). Annette

Another cold day here - just going to get a bit above freezing. But the main roads are pretty clear so it wasn't bad driving this morning. I have a huge project that has to be done by Thursday - as you can tell I have other priorities - I must check on everyone here first! I want to leave a little early Thursday so I won't be goofing off that much. I sure am glad Bud rode to work today - I am much in need of the exercise. I was pretty sure I didn't take that turkey - so I'm glad that mystery was solved. I am looking forward to Judy (both) feeling better stomachwise and headache wise. (I'm hoping that new glasses will help with the headache issue). I hope everyone is staying warm during these storms. I know I went to the grocery store Thursday evening and didn't leave the house until this morning. I think I shall repeat that routine this weekend too - how many people will be eating (at least a taste) black eyed peas on new years day? My significant other will probably insist on cooking the real things - I think it makes things too salty - but he thinks they are yummy. I cooked a most delicious roast for Christmas dinner. In fact I think I will see if it still tastes good as a left over this evening. Where has Eric been of late? Annette

Snow Shovel - what is that? I'm thinking that would be like exercise and I let Bud do that for me. So shoveling, yep my neighbor just dropped by to pick up the cookies we gave him for shoveling us out. The only thing is - I have a heavy duty work week so I know I will have to travel in to work tomorrow. And if the courts are open Tuesday - well I will have to accompany my mom and the nephew for his first court appearance. Heavy sigh. Just looking at him I can see a change in his demeanor - I just hope he is truly trying. I hope that it doesn't snow too much more now that it is dark - it should be slick fun city in the morning. One week left of this year - where has it gone - good and bad days for all of us I think. Some days the news on here was so happy I cried - - - some days the news was so sad I cried - - - as I'm sure all of us did. When I first started reading the posts on this site I rarely answered. Now I look forward to the conversation with everyone. I hope we can keep the "air" as lively as it has been lately - with all our quirky sayings. I guess I'll go piddle around with the playstation for a bit . . . Annette

Where has the day gone - I have been watching the snow all morning and be this evening we may get 6 more inches - I am not looking forward to the work week! Judy - of course I will send up my prayers for your sister. At least they have been aware of it for several years - and early diagnosis is the best way to beat it if it is the beast. Quiet morning hear - watching dvd's curled up with the winter wonderland outside the window. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Annette

We are waiting for weather here in Richmond - haven't even turned the TV on to check the news. Dinner is cooking and my mom will be arriving soon. I'm ready for the festivities to be over. I'm glad next weekend is long that will be a good one because my daughter will be bringing my two grandbabies over for Christmas here (they are visiting in Oklahoma). I hope the everyone fills up on the good stuff and forgets the bad even if just for a moment - be in or think of a good moment and take a second to let the smile go all the way to your eyes. Just one good smile and the day will be brighter. Hugs to all who need them, hugs to those that don't know they need one and thanks to all those that helped me thru the year. Annette

Wow Christmas Eve and everyone is checking in on everyone - I have a smile on my face - even though some of the posts were not the kind that make you smile. They make you think how odd it is that we have formed some kind of world-wide family here - and we care about each other. Eric - thank goodness you have the humor to carry you through some times that really may be tough. I know my ex-husband put me through some horrible times back in the day - I think it may be worse than being a caregiver to one of us when you never know what you will have to clean up next. Since my daughter, son-in-law and 2 grand children are in Oklahoma I am really doing very little. My mom and nephew will come over for dinner tomorrow so I will put a roast in the crock pot late this evening and make a couple of pies right quick (isn't Ms. Smith the greatest). So I am being a bum compared to many of you cooking for your families. Even going out sounds like the smart thing - no cooking or cleaning - well worth the price I'd say. Bruce - my mom had several cortisone shots in her neck - she was having terrible pain turning her neck for months - she has COPD and assorted breathing problems so they won't operate but the injections have helped tremendously. Bud - oh my - I have to tell you last night my nephew and I ran to WalMart and I was hunting for something and this older gentlemen was standing in the aisle - I looked down at his shoes and he had his bluejeans taped up. I thought - I bet he rides bikes. He noticed I was looking and actually came up to me (a little scary) - I do this because I ride bikes. I said do you I am familiar with someone who rides recumbent bikes. He said no I am a cyclist and I ride at least 30 miles every day of the year. I thought 30 miles - hmmm - okay that is nothing compared to But - but I let him prattle on and then wished him a good evening. It was an interesting conversation - and Bud won without even being there. I'm off to catch a nap I believe - since I will be up late getting the dinner started slow cooking. I hope everyone has a wonderful evening and great Christmas tomorrow. Annette

No matter who you are if you are a member of this board and you need to have a meltdown - just feel how cleansing it can be - how necessary it is to feel okay again - whether you are the one with cancer or one giving care - the mental anguish all of us go thru deserves a little break of its own. Once it has the break you can put it away for a moment - remember happy moments - look at anyone around you and be glad that you are with them - and that you have a huge family here that also thought of you. I hope that everyone can feel the {hugs} that each of us would like to feel and give - and that some where in these holidays you find a little piece of joy. Annette

Finally home for a brief moment before I go out to the grocery store - which will be about as fun as spending this afternoon at the hospital getting my first ever MRI. For those of you who have had them - I salute you - I do not like them at all and I believe that I will not be having any more strange headaches that any doctor will want to check out - nope not me I'm just fine - keep that machine and associated contraptions away from my head! I am feeling better although my mind just said - you do realize that the grocery store is gonna feel just like that machine - on the eve of the eve. Hmmm - I said to myself - self - you don't have to work tomorrow - why not wait a while and let the ones that are just getting off and stopping on their way home get out of the stores anyway. Which sounds like a reasonable plan to me - so I believe I will try and catch the weather right quick no sense in being totally surprised when it hits. I may run over to my moms and tell her about the experience and see if I can't get that rat nephew to go with me to the store - always nice to have someone to order down the aisles - got get this, go get that. I hope everyone is ready for Santa, Annette

I have heard piddle before - maybe it's a "southern" thing but I knew the other meaning as well. Eric as usual made me laugh out loud at his post and you have to love his priorities - who cares about laundry - he should have an executive board meeting on that one. LOL, Annette

While I came to this site after he was gone - I read almost all of the old posts and even then knew he was missed. A truly remarkable wish list thanks for reminding us of the important things, Annette

It is a nice day so far here in Richmond. Went with my significant other for his "50th" birthday present this morning (boy was last night fun). The doctor said everything looked great no polyps. So I left his woozie ness at home in bed and came to work so I can play hookie tomorrow. Even though technically it doesn't count as a weekend since I am having an MRI at 2:00 and have to get their for bloodwork at 12:30. I decided I would stay home and sleep in. Libby - I think that shoveling counts as 2 times the cycling - every muscle in my body just ran off mentioning that word - and we may get upwards of a foot this weekend. Judy (KW) - your sense of humor is coming back because your tummy is feeling better (I hope) Doesn't your authority give you a break when it's a leak - I would call and find out if it is bad especially if the leak is on their maintenance side. Shopping - what is that - with everything that went on with my "adorable" little 14 year old nephew we are not going to celebrate so much as make it thru the court dates - little monster stole and totaled my mom's car, then she got a new (used) one and he stole and wrecked that one - it is drivable but has a beautiful blue mark down the passenger side where had a discussion with a big blue dumpster. I guess I will try and do some food shopping on the way home tonight. I have to have something for Christmas anyway. Bud - What a cartoon that would make Libby with headphones out in the drive dancing with a shovel. Unless it's a beautiful swan lake waltz. Sounds pretty anyway. I hope everyone is ready for the holiday - does a little something for themselves and keeps the home fires burning. Annette

I lost a post the other day and I think I figured out how it happens. Days like today when the board is nice and busy - there is a slight chance that when you hit submit someone else did too - and if that happens only one shows up and the other is lost. I know notepad is a good idea but I never think of it. I do however highlight my whole post and hit {Ctrl + C} for copy and then if for some reason it is lost all you have to do is restart your "reply" and {Ctrl + V} for paste it in this box. Has saved me twice so far. Bud, you mean it doesn't count as exercise for me when you ride to work.....hmmm I may have to come up with an executive board memo on exercise in addition to the cleaning one. Is it really only Tuesday.... Annette

It is still hovering around freezing her in Richmond. I am looking forward to a long weekend followed by a long weekend. There just isn't enough time in the day to do everything you need to do since I was gonna do some heavy duty cleaning. But I had an executive board meeting with myself and we voted to hold off until next year for any cleaning. They we followed that up with a vote for not doing any heavy cleaning in years that are uneven. Ummm - well I'll have to wait til next December's meeting to see what they want to do then. Since I am the only one on the executive board - you can see where the vote will probably go. One less thing to worry about. (I amuse myself.) Hope everyone is getting their preparations / shopping / etc. finished up for Christmas. Annette

While I never had to do any chemo as I was staged 1A on both sides - even I lost hair in when I was shampooing. Not only does the chemo have a chance of doing it stress is a big factor believe it or not. So since the chemo may not be the issue - since you are showing good positive signs it may well mean that your hair issue will lesson as you get more in the fight than "flight" mode. I wish you continued success in the treatment and I hope you and your family have a great holiday. Annette

Eric - why cut down of students - if they are "paying" seems to me that you would want to recruit more of them. One of our universities here in Richmond raised tuition 24% this year because of cuts. I don't know how many staff went but they are still trying to get students in the door and really want the kind that live on campus. (Unlike me since I transferred in and took 2 classes at at time til I got a degree in 2008). Stephanie - I had forgotten about your "something" - any dates yet? And in case you missed it - I am very good at worrying - and even though Eric asked if I had any to spare I would gladly worry for you first - just offering - Annette

That is so great to hear at this time of year. I'll look forward to your post next year, etc. You have a great celebration and Rose should too. I'm sure both of you are aware how glad we are to hear of every milestone. Have a wonderful family holiday! Annette

I'm glad that the antibiotics are almost done Judy - and you and Stan will both be feeling better - seems to me after all of that the stuff that comes with Tarceva will now seem like a breeze. Here I am between Key West and up North (Minnesota and Canada) - I am with Judy though I think Bud should send us his temperatures (as long as they are warmer than here please). I think we are expecting snow again sometime this week - I know I should watch the news - but why did they create DVD's, XBoxes and Playstations if you really needed to watch the news. I figure if it is earth shattering - I'll see it on the quick AOL front page. If it's weather related - I'll see it when I step outside or some kind soul will warn me. I have important people here to worry about no time for television news. (I'm watching Season One of the Deadliest Catch - I love my season DVD's.) It is that bad word day . . . . Monday - - but hopefully everyone is like me and will be off on Friday - and maybe a little early Thursday. The timing of things is so horrible - I had my X-ray then results on the 17th - so who can think about putting up a happy tree. My daughter and grandbabies went to Oklahoma for the holidays so I'll go there later. I hope all are doing well in this weather - staying warm and having good times with family. Annette

Finally made it to work - the main roads are clear but the back roads people could get some free ice from and many have seen trees up close and personal - not too good for the car but not too many bodily injuries. I should feel very good today - since Bud rode to work every day - somehow his exercise is not working for me today - I'm just a little tired even though I got to sleep in (because I went to doctor first - then work). The weatherman (who needs to move north!) is indicating that we have another chance of snow tomorrow. I'm beginning to think that whoever read that "global warming" memo did not know how to read and it really said "global chilling" - Chilling, chili - hmmm - maybe that's what I need to make tomorrow. Although I stopped at the grocery store on the way home yesterday and the parking log bout gave me a heart attack before traction happended and I got rolling. I was born in El Paso, Texas and lived near San Antonio most of my life - so me and driving on snow really are not on speaking terms. It is of course the most wonderful day of the "work" week. I hope that everyone has a safe, warm weekend. Annette

With everything else going on around you thank goodness you are blessed with this good news. Congratulations, Annette

It just started snowing here - it was 23 when I came to work this morning. We are supposed to get about 2 inches up to a possible 5 depending on when / how it moves. Since it has been so cold it is sticking already and you can no longer see the parking lot. I would much prefer to be at home right now - I think that we will close early so we can beat the traffic. They were smart enough to close most of the schools around here last night. Seems to me if the schools close I shouldn't be on the street. Judy - so sorry you are "under the weather" - I actually carry a small pill bottle in my purse with stopping and starting pills in there. Never fails you go too far the other way...I hope you can rest comfortably and get everything under control. I am going to get busy scanning documents today - very boring and a job that I put off til the end of the year every year - I have 3 five foot piles of documents I need to scan and file. I'd much rather tend my farm, cafe, mafia, etc. Procrastination - getting back at me now I guess. Stay warm everyone - One more day til the best day of the week (Friday) - except for the doctor's appointment in the morning of course. Annette

Another downright cold morning here in Virginia - and we are to expect some more white stuff later today or tomorrow morning. (I'm not much for watching the news - no matter what I figure I have to go to work so I'll just see the weather in person.) Judy - not feeling well is probably a combination of everything - then the stress that we are not even aware rips us up on top of the "normal" wear on our bodies. I know my tummy is not that happy with me right now either. Thankfully I don't have one of those horse antibiotics but I know exactly what you mean - those uncoated pills are hard to swallow! This week is moving very slowly for me - not that I am getting much done - just pretty much sitting staring into space. The cold seems to make my ribs hurt - This is the first week in a long time that the temperature is going to hover around freezing all week. Well like Judy - I better go tend the farm, cafe, frontier, mice, mafia, etc. I'm not a FB junkie, no not gonna admit it, no way, no how. Stay warm, Annette

No real issues coming to work this morning - except for the cold cold cold. I've decided I'm much of a winter person and want summer back, now would be good. Judy, wow, I almost think that diverticulitus or irritable bowel would be great news. I was a bad girl and lived with a horrible stomach ache for a year after my second surgery. Finally told the oncologist that my stomach hurt and she sent me to a gastro doc. We did an upper GI and some kind of radiation stomach processing test....(thank goodness no lower GI). He said he thought it might be irritable bowel and gave me a prescription for Dicyclomine. I really didn't believe it would work but over the last 2 or 3 months my stomach has been much much better. And I remember one of my first CT scans said there was evidence of Diverticuli or something in the bowel. So now I have figured out that I can take that and stay pretty painfree. Except the last couple of days so I'm thinking stress adds to it - and Judy - even though I'm doing your worrying for you I'd bet you are feeling stress and that if this is the problem - things will be much better soon. Yep - probably too much information. Bud hasn't checked into the Air today - maybe he drove to work and he doesn't want to disappoint those of us who count on him to exercise for us. I really wanted a Root Beer Float tonight but if he drove his truck to work I may have to rethink the calories. Stay bundled up - Annette

It is amazing how thoughtless people can be. Even though I cannot begin to understand what you are going through it tears at my heart to think of someone being so downright mean to another person much less someone who so recently lost a piece of their soul. Just know that now you will never be the one to be so careless - and realize that though you understand what you are going through it is obvious they do not. I hope you find comfort in the simple loving things that remind you of the good times as time goes by. Force yourself to smile and think a good thought and some day it may not have to be forced. Know that my thoughts are with you and I am sending a gentle virtual hug your way. Annette