2005 ROCK-TOBER CHEMO GIRLS

debbie444

P. S , got fed up and had my hair cut really short, when i get more time i am having some colour put in, until then i have a windproof style!!

TracySeattle

Debbie - YAY on the short hair!!! I have kept mine really short and I just love it! I never comb it, I just mess it up with my hands! It is that spikey, messed up, just got out of bed kinda look. I love it!

TracyNY

I've arrived and they lost my suitcase. The one I packed so diligently went awry! It finally arrived just now so I spent the day in an ativan haze, getting some sleep caught up.

Now while I am quite adept with the makeup, I am not good at putting it on other people, I can show you what to do though and would gladly update your looks. Graycie: I leave the weaving to the professionals!

Tomorrow I'll hit the streets now that I have clothes to wear!!

Graycie

I hope the girls are able to meet......I have been watching the weather in California and it doesn't look good. Car's are slipping off the roads everywhere. I think they got our weather...Isn't it strange, everyone is experiencing weird weather. Gosh Debbie, I hope your weather clears up too. Wow! You do have some tall people in your family. My family is pretty much all short.

Tracy, How awful losing your luggage. So glad they found it before you were ready to come home. That would have been a nightmare not having any clothes the whole time you were there.

Paula15089

Argggh, too many posts to read through!! Not enough time…

I am 162cm…. I think thats 5”4? Damn this weird metric system of yours!
So another shortie here! Although I have been wearing heels lots lately… since my esterogen has bottomed out, I am trying desperately to make myself more ‘feminine’…I am a lot more experimental with clothes, make up and accessories these days. I don’t know if its working though.. I still feel very androgynous. Would much rather shop for techno gadgets than clothes these days!!

Ravdeb, I think cholesterol levels are more related to exercise levels than diets in general… I know your are a beach-walker, but perhaps you should try to become a beach-runner? Ok ok I know this would be a sheer torture…

Victoria, I HATE Vegemite... I think you truly have to be born is Australia to like it.. I mean – yeast extract?? Who on earth came up with THAT idea??
On the other hand, chocolate, or french onion soup – now you talking!
However, having grown up in Russia, I like lots of weird things that I would never serve to my Aussie friends – stuff like livers, hearts, ox tongue, chicken giblets… uuummm yum! Sorry guys if anyone is eating at the moment, hope I havent spoilt your appetite!

Here is a pic of me and one of my friends 7-year old son: isnt he adorable?

ravdeb

Wish I was in Barbados (after finding luggage, of course!). I was really laughing at that one. Sorry, Tracy..but you described your packing in such particulars..it's like Murphy's Law or something. Glad you have clothes so you can get out! I hope you found your family to be well. Take care of yourself. You can be our make-up teacher.

Ladies..I was in such a bad mood when I got up but I read all these posts and just cracked up!

Victoria...cheetah jammies??? Now THAT is funny! Now I HAVE to get some. Am going out today to begin my search!

Paula..you are just lovely. I love, the picture. You are gorgeous and you have such a warm smile. Can't wait to meet you face to face! As for the Russian delicacies...with all of our Russian immigrants here in Israel, I do know what Russians like! Israelis actually go for this kind of food, too, but less and less because of all that talk about healthy foods vs non healthy foods. Jewish cuisine (probably because they came from Russia and Poland) eat this, too. I have never had a taste for it.

Vegemite...they eat that stuff in S. Africa, too. My dh has S. African cousins and one tried to get us to eat that. I put a tiny bit on bread just to be brave. I didn't get sick but... not for me!

I'm keeping my hair short. I like it short. I don't own a brush or comb. I let it dry and then I mess it up with hair cream...like Tracy! We are twins!

Maryanne..you ARE short. I'm going to guess that Paula is your height. I think 164 cm is 5'4" or at least that what we decided.

Debbie..your family is gigantic!

Did the girls meet?

Mary..feel better!!! How awful to be sick on your birthday! Hope it's happy anyways...

RoseMarie..good luck today as you enter Nippledom.

ravdeb

I just love seeing that cute little birtday cake next to somebody's name!!!

ravdeb

By the way, mary..my triglycerides were in the normal range. It's the LDL that keep going up. HDL went up too, and that's a good thing but doc says he isn't taking chances

victoria..forgot to mention that I'm very happy you went home to have onion soup with CHEESE! I took a bite out of the milk chocolate sitting in my pantry that is full of cholesterol that I have not eaten in I do not know HOW long. Next, I think I'll have some cholesterol ridden cheese. hmmmmmmmmm...some nice whipped cream cake? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mouth is watering already!!!

debbie444

Well its officially your birthday here Mary, so hope you have a good day.
And its RoseMaries extension day!! Good Luck Girl!!

Mmm food ! Toad in the Hole for tea tonight - yummy!!

Deb - as my wise sage on these matters, if i drink pomegranate juice ( yes back to that) whar percentage fruit should it have to be doing me any good?????

Debbie

Curlylocks

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE 'WORLDLY ONE'! Mary, couldnt resist. Have a great birthday, cease the day....

Michele

ravdeb

Debbie..What the heck is a Toad in the Hole????

As for pomegranate juice...if you were to drink a full glass of pure pomegranate juice you would get your iron input for the day, days, week??? Not sure. But, if you were to do this every day, you would also get constipated IMHO! They use a lot of pomegranates for a full glass. I had mine mixed with bananas and water and that was good and non-cloggable, if you know what I mean!

I wanna picture of your new short hairdo.

I found NO cheetah jammies/nighties today. I did find cheetah bras and panties. Did NOT buy!

So..I was in the grocery store and I still bought whole wheat bread, dry red wine, dark chocolate that has no cholesterol in it..I found myself checking labels. I did buy low fat cottage cheese. It's has become an obsession.

Oh and Paula...I can't run the beach instead of walk it because I can't do any high-impact exercises...bad back
I was an avid aeorobics freak for years. Not anymore. I was doing some light weight lifting...am afraid of doing that, too, because of my back and my affected arm.

I do power walking on the beach as opposed to a stroll. My doctor said 20 minutes 3 -4 times a week. I do more than that. Close to an hour 5 times a week..not this week..I was too upset. I skipped the beach. I'll return next week.

TracyNY

Happy birthday Mary. When I get to a bar I will have a Banks beer (local world-award winning brew)just for you!!

Graycie

Happy Birthday Mary, Enjoy!!!

I hope you are feeling better.

Maryanne, Best of Luck today!

No cheetah jammies for me but I did notice Target has a lot of cheetah stuff. I was going to get the scarf and gloves but didn't know if I would be too shy to wear them...

TracySeattle

MARY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Hope you are feeling better!

Tracy - glad you are enjoying some nice weather. Enjoy your family too.

Ravdeb - if I find Cheeta PJs should I get you a pair too? I haven't had time to go on a hunt yet.

Dave has been watching too many day time talk shows. He has put me on a vitamin regimen (which I should be on, but haven't been). I am taking a multi-vitamin, Fish Oil, Vitamin D3 and Calcium.

So now I am interested in what you all take vitamin wise and why you take it - maybe there are other things I should add to this concoction?

I didn't know that there was a D3 vitamin, but I guess it has more cancer fighting properties than just plain vitamin D? I need to read up on that. I also have learned that Cod Liver Oil has vitamin D in it. Fish Oil does not.

So let me know what kinds of things you are taking....

Have a good day everyone - MARY! HAVE FUN!

debbie444

Well, Deb, for Toad in the Hole, first go out in the garden , look under a stone and start collecting frogs. .... No seriously, its sausages in Yorkshire pudding. I like it with onion gravy. I think its my all time favourite 'winter' food.
TraceyNY , i am thankful that your bags turned up - wouldnt have wanted to be the baggage handler after you had honed your skills on the furniture guy!!
Vitamins - well i take fresh air pie and wind pudding. Nothing , i make sure i eat plenty of dried apricots and drink stupid amounts of fruit juice, but thats it.
As for the pomegranates , its not pure. Read the side of teh cartons that are costing me £1.75 a throw, and it says there are 8 fruit per litre carton - a long way from pure!!
Debbie

cathy987

Mary, hope your day is as special as you are. I continue to have very warm memories of our face to face meeting and am with you when you say that our meeting with Gail was the turning point of trusting those we have met here. Totally looking forward to August.

Much love,

marymelodi

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. I love the cyber cake! I also love REAL cake and hope to get some this weekend. It is my favorite "bad" food. A friend took me out to dinner last night and we had dee-licious crab cakes. I know there are places where crab cakes are a specialty (Baltimore, Virginia Beach, the Carolinas come to mind), but here in the frozen north country they are a wonderful treat for me.

Debbie: What is Yorkshire pudding? Sausage in gravy I would have on toast or biscuits. M-m-m-m!!

I went to sleep last night picturing us all roaming around Chicago in a bunch. Also, I could see us in a sitting room of some kind all in our cheeta wear. There was much laughter and talk and we got sillier and sillier. I believe wine and spirits were involved somewhere. I pictured myself in a cheeta print caftan with slippers that have the feathery fluff on the toes. That is something I've never worn but I might attempt it with you all.

My husband greeted me today with flowers and a very nice card. His sentiments were that "I hope my actions this year show you how much you mean to me." Aw-w-w-w. I think maybe his flirtations and my reactions have made him reconsider. We'll see if that is true. We have decided to devote one night a week to strengthening our marriage and we are going to find a way to get counseling. Our church has a Family Services program that may offer us this assistance.

He also "helped" our cats to get me a card. It shows a black and white cat (similar to our male cat) in a paper bag with the caption "I've tried hiding from birthdays but it just doesn't work." How he got them to sign their names I'll never know.

My cold has really settled in. I've become all congested and despite using cold tablets, still I'm running through tissue like water. I am, however, grateful to be alive and having a little "c" versus having the big "C". In this last eighteen months I've learned all is realtive. I am also grateful for a good upbringing and the freedom from mental illness. I work in child & adolescent psychiatry and sometimes we have patients who deliberately harm themselves. There is a particularly troubling case just now. I have such pity and sympathy for the difficulties these patients and families are going through. My own worries are not so bad compared to some of the others I observe around me.

Well, I need to return to work.
Happiness to all!!

Rosemarie, thinking of you and hoping all is going smoothly . . . er-r-r I mean, you are hoping not to be so smooth once this is completed, right? Well, then, hope things turn out well and you are happy and pain free as soon as possible.

love,
Mary

ravdeb

I also don't know what yorkshire pudding is.

You are right Victoria..Russians eat a lot of meat. We also have a lot more beef in the grocery stores since the influx of many Russians. Israelis were not big beef eaters because the beef here is not that great. But, they are beginning to learn...

Tracy..I will continue my search for cheetah wear. I'll let you know if I need assistance!

ake

Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday Dear Mary
Happy Birthday to You!!!!!!!

Love,
Amy

debbie444

Classic Yorkshire Pudding

Like Grandma used to make - the secrets of success are Hot Oven, Hot Fat and Hot Heavy Pans.

I find semi-skimmed milk is better than full cream. Some cooks use half and half milk and water. Originally the pudding was cooked below the joint to soak up the meat juices which dripped down from the shelf above. Nowadays the puddings are often cooked in the top of the oven while the meat is resting and the puddings can be served as a first course or as an accompaniment. We've got main course and dessert recipes later.

Ingredients

125g / 4oz sifted plain flour
a pinch of salt
1 large / 1 medium egg
300ml / half pint semi-skimmed milk
oil or melted dripping

Make sure the oven is hot - 220C / 475F / Gas Mk 8.

Using a wooden spoon, gradually beat the egg and milk into the flour and salt until you have a smooth batter. Beat well and leave to stand.
Pour a little oil or dripping into each cup of a heavy gauge bun tin (I use a cast iron American Popover Pan). Alternatively use a roasting tin for one large pudding. Place in the hot oven to preheat for 5 minutes. Beat the batter again and decant into a jug for speed. Without allowing the oil to cool, pour the batter into the hot pans, half filling the cups. Bake for 12 - 20 minutes - depending on size - until puffed and golden. Serve immediately.
Try not to open the oven door until they're done - glass doors are useful. If you have to, just open it enough to take a quick peek.





Hope you keep having a good birthday Mary - sounds like it is going to be a better year!!
Debbie

Anonymous

Happy Birthday Mary!!! Sounds like your hubby has come around a bit and that's so nice he went out of his way for you on your birthday!

--------------
Well, I met up with the girls!!!!! It was so exciting and I was a bit nervous while I was waiting for them. We had a bit of a fiasco since I looked the restaurant up on the internet, Laura googled it, it had great reviews! I get to the address and there was a different restaurant sitting in it's place!! Turns out the restaurant has been gone for 8 years! Next time I will call to verify that whatever I see on the internet is still there.

Then I didn't have the girls' cell numbers on me. Left it in my car and we were in David's truck. I thought David was going laugh at me, make fun or be upset (we were hungry). Instead he drove around to find another family appropriate restaurant with parking nearby, got his computer out so I could get into my pm's and get the cell numbers.

Whew!!!! We were about 4 blocks away and I called the girls and they found us.

I have to tell you, our Asian Woman is more beautiful than her pictures! Brenda is so elegant and her hair is so long!!! And she loves lemon drop martinis! Tried the face cream and wash today that she gave me, it is really good stuff! I called her Lucy Liu and now Teryn is calling her Brenda Lou! Ha, ha!! Teryn loved sitting next to someone who was impressed with her math skills.

Laura is Laura Lou in Teryn-speak. Laura wore cheetah print, she and Teryn were decked out with it and Laura brought Teryn an American Girl. You shoulda heard how happy Teryn was. I had no idea that Teryn had been wanting one, knew all about American Girls and her little friends have one. She was over the MOON. Laura-Lou made the doll's outfit to match Teryn's cheetah skirt and pink rocktober shirt. So, today, Teryn and Ariel went to school today dressed like twins and it is Teryn's share day ... Again, she was soooooooooo happy this morning and had me take her picture and I will post it later. Laura's husband, Roy, was very nice, too. So glad that he brought our Cheetah Beauty to see me and Brenda!

Of course, par for my course, I was low on batteries and my new camera was not working right!! I have to take it back and have them look at it!!!!!!! I will post some picks later.

TracySeattle

Ohhhhhh I can't wait for the Pics!!! HURRY!!!!!!

Sounds like you had a wonderful time! It is so fun that we are all gradually meeting each other, it must makes all of this so much more special!

marymelodi

Ah, wonderful news about the SoCal meet-up. How grand for you all!!!

I'm off to brave more snow . . .

Mary

Graycie

I can't wait for the pictures either. Kelly, I hope you get your camera working. That is so sweet of Laura I bet she made Teryn's day. I was so excited for you girls and it sounds like you had a wonderful time...So our Brenda is beautiful, I had a feeling she would be. I know I am rambling but company is due to arrive any minute so I have to make this short.

Have a Nice Evening ladies.....

Love ya, Gail

RoseMarie

Quick post...(Happy Birthday Mary!)

So glad to hear about the Mini-meet!

Feeling fine - just have a twinge of soreness but not enough to even complain about. There was a minor snaffoo this a.m. as my surgery was changed at the last min. to 8:00 instead of 11:00 but no one had called to tell me...until 8:05!! It all worked itself out, as always, and I was home by 3:00.
Ok...will write more later...gotta find some cheetah-print pj's too!!!

Anonymous

Happpy birthday, Mary! I hope you had a fun day!

Our mini-meet:

I drove alone on I-5 for 3 hours. 2/3 of the time I was driving no more than 20 MPH. There was a huge fatal crash by Legoland, and that did not help the commute. When I got there I was in twilight zone. I could not find the restaurant. I circled it 3 times then stopped to call the restaurant’s phone number, which kept ringing. Then my cell phone said I had a message, so I checked it. I heard Kelly’s voice for the first time!!

I did not have to look long. When I saw our movie star sitting with a spunky little redhead, I knew it was Kelly’s group. It was like a reunion, rather than a first meeting! All the fatigue from the driving just melted away. I only have a few pictures because I did not have the right lens. When Laura and Roy showed up I had already finished my first martini. My NY steak was very good. (Thanks for the dinner, guys!)

Dave seems like a really nice guy. He seems to care very deeply for Kelly and Teryn.

Teryn is one adorable 5 year old! Her social skills are great for her age. She did not feel left out with the grown-up conversation around her.

Laura’s Roy seems very nice as well. Actually, the men were quiet and pleasant.

Laura and Kelly: You felt like my long lost sisters! I had a delightful time.

I did not have to drive back home after dinner, but I felt like going to sleep in my own bed. The ride back was so smooth and fast.

Anonymous

I am going to bring my camera into the shop on Sunday. Only one picture turned out but it's a good one!!

ravdeb

What a gorgeous pic! Brenda..you ARE a movie star!! You are gorgeous. And you and Teryn look so smug together! I do NOT see a plain Asian woman..I see an elegant and beautiful Asian woman. You are very special!!!!

Sounds like a terrific get together. You ladies rock!

Laura..you outdid yourself with the American Doll.

RoseMarie..glad to hear you are okay with only a twinge of soreness. May you heal quickly and easily.

Victoria..I will pm you...

Now my left leg hurts. I was uncomfortable much of the night. I had a long day yesterday and my back was killing me by the end of the evening. I usually check my e-mail and stop over here before going to bed but I went right to bed. I couldn't get comfy. I turned on the TV. I did fall asleep but my left leg, as opposed to my right leg that has the sciatica, is achey now. Also the left side of my back is painful on and off. I was warned that this could happen with the second herniated disc. But I just sat on the sofa this morning crying..not because of the pain..but because of the worry. It is probably the herniated discs giving me trouble. Just seems like it is all coming at once.

And I am sick of complaining and hurting. My life is beginning to fill with more "normal" things and I really thought this would get me over the rough spots and help me forget..or at least put all the pains in storage and not in the front of my mind. But it hasn't.

Anyway..I'm so happy that more Rock-tober girls got together. Makes us real and not just cyber! This is very exciting!!!

And the strange thing about this is that we are all so beautiful!!!! How can that be???

Movie stars, world travelers, famous artists, supporters of this and that, radio and TV interviewees.... WOW! What a group!

Curlylocks

Laura you are an absolute sweetheart, kind, thoughtful and an angel. I received my pink Rockober Girls Tshirt yesterday in the mail. I will take a picture once I get my new haircut today and post it! Thank you very much!!!

My neck is sore from the car accident on Thursday but about the same as yesterday, no worse. I have been icing it to prevent further inflammation of the soft tissues and then today I will start with the heat. I made the Insurance Company aware from day 1 when we reported the accident that my neck was sore and have been assigned an accident adjustor so I need physio, etc. She is also sending me paperwork to open a file. There is a 2 year window of opportunity if something should happen later on as well to go after the other driver legally. Here in Ontario we have no fault insurance which takes away the ability to sue for injuries unless you go the legal route with the driver via what is called the "Torte Law". Hopefully it wont be necessary...

We are still waiting to find out if my husband's truck is going to be written off. They said yesterday they were looking for a cab (whole back end needs to be replaced) to replace it. They havent even examined the rear end damage to vehicle yet, frame, axle, transmission, etc. I dont think it is going to be worth it for them to replace it and not safe either. My mechanic seems to think it is going to be written off as he saw it. We will see...

My husband's coworkers didnt believe that I wasnt stopped when the driver hit me. They said what was he doing? How can someone hit someone driving on a straight road way at 70 km an hour and not see the vehicle ahead of time? I truely believe he was distracted and not paying attention to the road ahead of him.

Wow what a gorgeous picture of Brenda and Teryn! Brenda you are very pretty and how did your hair get so long! The doll is priceless and very cute with the cheetah on it. Cant wait to see more pictures.

Our sisterhood is a very close bound and here is proof despite not knowing each other before all of this we chat and can get together like long lost sisters. I have three sisters and its great but looking forward to having many more in August!

Ravdeb - hope your pain subsides, its frustrating when we have to deal with all the treatment and side effects of it and then to continue to deal with it after simply is not fair. Pamper yourself this weekend.

Hi to all my sisters!

Have a great Saturday.

Michele Wenz

ravdeb

Okay..here it is..ravdeb in cheetah attire! You will need to go to my feet for this!