please help

Funny that's what it was Cathi as I posted that on someone else's thread and they took exception to it. I had just gone through that a month ago and got some yucky orange stuff to drink. Didn't work if you can believe it!!!! Had to get enemas....sigh. Took weeks to clear out. For me it's caused by narcotics. In fact, it's called Narcotic Gut.

Here's to a "Better than last year" New Year!! Woo hoo!!!!

Barbe I didn't even think about that being the problem as when it happened 3 years ago, the PAIN was located much lower and I felt BACK UP, I don't at this point,  it feels more like I am about 8 months pregnant and the baby has it's head right in my ribs,  I have an MRI friday anyway, per onco - way-way-way over do.

Nettie I was starting to worrry about you.  XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

way better to be over cautious than not!

Cathi

Got to take care of your wee self - I know everyone says that, but cliches can be truisms. You are running on fumes, and trying to maintain a "normal" life and do the best for too, too many folk when THEY should be doing the best thing for you. That's my stall and I can see nothing to alter it. I don't know what to say or how to advise, except honesty, about your health, feelings and (cliche) hopes and fears. And if Amanda and her baggage cannot cope with a few hours with their children - when they are in a supportive environment with lots of family around, well that just screams volumnes. I would like to have five minutes in a closed room with SIL. You just chill and enjoy HOGMANY with Ed and the wee yins. No baking, no cooking, no work, no trying to please everybody, no stress .. the only way you will be of any use to yourself, Ed, your daughters and your grandkids is to not pressurise youself. I am insisting on you're being selfish over New Year. Please don't let me down.

On this side of the pond, you might know that we have been ice gripped for about 5/6 weeks. Cars left in the snow, guttering falling down, no public transport to speak of .. they had a bone fide wee avalanche in the poshest shopping centre in Edinburgh when the snow just cascaded down from the roof in a - brief, but dramatic thaw!- Swept people off their feet. My toilet froze on Christmas morning (overflowing, don't ask) Family due to arrive at 3pm, turkey still to cook. No plumbers willing to come out. All self rectified by next evening, but Thank God my next door neightbour and I are friends in the interim!

Oh a wee Christmas 'miracle'!

You might know that we are aminal daft in my family. And that my big Whisper had a wee MIA in the last big freeze in Febuary, wandered in with his wee sister in the middle of the night - I couldn't sleep, but his leg was badly broken? Anyway poor leg had to be removed - he WILL NOT GO OUT IN THIS WEATHER NOW - ugg, litter trays, but thank god is happy and healthy and a bit stir crazy - wants to go out, frightened to do so, much like me at times!

So, my sister's young cat was let out at 8am by my wee niece Claire at 8o'clock on the Sunday preceeding Chritmas day (they are awfully pedantic) He was gone, the kids (and Sis and BIL) were printing posters, asking neighbours to look in sheds, cellers - in temps colder than the North pole!! - no sign. Wee Rock strolled though the back door on Christmas day at - 7.15pm (told you they are precise). No injury, bone damage, totally as he walked from the house; but stinking of incence!!! Not the nice smelly stuff joshstick stuff, but the 'incence' They think he might have followed them to The White Friars (though he has never been in the car). Anyway, he was missing in Artic conditions for 6 days, came back unscathed, uninjured, no sign of being unfed and bloody noncholant about what he put his family through. Miracle? For me The Jury's Out? But I had a happy family on Boxing Day,

Well, I must steel myself to go shopping for New Year, fresh things, salad and bread - thing I have got most things in. NO COOKING. A bit of chopping and assembing (clumsyilly artisticically -ha)

Happy 2011 to every one of you.

Nettie xxx

Nettie Nettie Nettie, I think I would love to turn you and Barbe loose on SIL,  he would either shape up or be half dead - LOL.  Ed started with a miserable cold last night,  didn't even go into the office today -  but it is slow this week, but of coarse his half brain dead salesmen have called all day to ask stupid questions. 

Ella got 5 shots today she is not in the best of moods, Landen went to Jaclyns for the day to play with Brandt and Alexcis (no daycare today or Friday) We have NO big New Years Eve Plans,  maybe out to eat,  but nothing else,  it is usually Christmas decoration removal weekend, but not sure thats getting done either. Ed's brother is coming down Saturday afternoon, we have not done Christmas or his Birthday gifts (11/24) yet,  but that will be a breeze,  they will sit and chat and watch football.

Amazing story about the kitties Nettie,  someone left my backdoor open a crack Christmas Eve, my Roxie got out,  she will go in a second given the chance,  we keep her in.  Well she didn't return home until 3AM  and was whinning at the bedroom window. Thank goodness she can't have kittens.  Not sure if she even left the yard as the fence is quite high,  one day while I was gone she pushed the screen out and was out for hours.  Darn cats.

HAPPY THURSDAY TO ALL - XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

What happened to your wrist!? What did I miss???

Dam Judie - thats awful.  As you have told me, let others help with Commer right now, you need to ease up on yourself for awhile.  Ouch it all sounds so painful.  XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

ACK! The New year just isn't startting right for some of you! I've been reading all along...Cathi I wish I could send reinforcements to help with childcare/adult children discipline.

Nettie, good to hear from you. You've been as quiet as I have.

Barbe, you have been active all around the boards. No stopping you!

Jude...Not another fall! You have GOT to be more careful.

Well, here's my news. I have a signed contract for a condo townhouse. I didn't want to say anything and jinx it like the last one, but this has gone to signed and exchanged contracts, deposit paid, so if they back out now there will be consequences. I have a mortgage specialist at a bank trying to get me a mortgage at a great rate. I hope to close by the end of January, but that might be optomistic. However, early February would be OK with me...I just need to convince my brother/executor of father's estate that charging me an exhorbitant rent for that month is counterproductive (not needed, really). I have heard, though, that if I push, I can get a mortgage quicker, so I am going to be the squeaky wheel.

Holidays were fine but a little trying...the first one with my brother's dog. The dog thought the tree was his indoor toilet, and we had to stop him from peeing on it the first few hours after we put it up. He got the message. Then he pulled down all the ornaments he could reach so we could only decorate the top third of the tree until Christmas Eve. He was finally used to it by then and left it alone.

It was also the last Christmas in our family home. Over 50 years, although I clearly remember the day we moved in here. But it's more than anyone of us wants or needs, and living here with my brothers has been very trying, to say the least.

Today is also the 14th anniversary of my divorce. Wow, I've been divorced longer than I was married.

Feeling pretty good for all that has happened. I see my onc in February and hope the reports from him are good.  He still does blood work, but relies on me to report any special aches and pains.

Love to you all...see you around here and on fb.

Barbe, I wish I had more gypsy in me. I tend to find a place to nest and stay there until something boots me out. And BUYING my first place at almost 60 yo is a little intimidating. I've always been a renter but longed to buy, so this is my dream, at last! Ex-H would always spend what he didn't have, never save, so we could never accrue the money needed for a down payment.

However, the upside is I love to decorate, so getting into my new home and hopefully having some leftover $$ to put towards paint/furniture/modifications is all I hope for right now. I already have stages planned for alterations. Stage 1 is the least expensive stuff like paint and hardware. Stage 2 would be replacing some older windows. Stage 3 would be other modifications like half-walls, built-in bookcases, and refinished floors. Stage 4 would be addressing the 70s basement.

Now I have to start taking measurements to see just how my exisiting furniture will work. I've got at least three "variations" depending on the fit. This is the part I love.

Just a quick hello This New Years Eve, sending good wishes and love to all.

Nancy congrats on the new home -  you go girl. 

The kiddies are at mom and dads,  almost thought they were going to try and get out of it, Amanda has a cold, and Bill worked late last evening - OH WELL. 

Anyway I cleaned up the house a bit, showered, Ed went up the street and got some take out,  both in our Jammie's now going to watch To Kill A Mocking Bird ( LOVE IT)  and I bet one or both of us are asleep by 9:30PM.

For those who are out and about this evening have a BIG DRINK for me.  Be safe and have fun.

LOVE YOU ALL -  Good riddance 2010   -  And 2011 BRING IT ON.

Nancy it's gorgeous!!!! Not nearly as bad as you made it seem. A colour change, some life and you in the picture will make a world of difference. Show us as each room gets painted!!!

Thanks!

Well, I do want to take the carpeting off the bannister under the iron filigree. I don't know why that was done except the wood underneath must be in bad shape. In other homes in the development, the wood has been left natural and varnished, or painted. The carpeting is a unique feature, lol. And it kind of bothere me that it's the same carpeting throughout the house (except for the basement). And ALL the walls are a chauky white. I realize it was done to neutralize the house for potential buyers, but one thing I hate is flat-finish white walls. It always reminds me of cheap whitewash.

Nancy the pics are great,  haven't seen base board heat in years sense I left NY.  Love your new Digs - XOXOXOXOXOXOX 

Well Ed went to bed about an hour ago,  cold is kicking his butt.  I am not sleepy yet,  sitting on front porch watching all the fire works and  some of the boats are out from the Christmas Parade syill with all their lights, lots og noise and party's all around. 

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX 2 HOURS UNTIL 2011

Barbe, there's a hint of what the previous owner had on the walls in the linen closet photo. It's a really yucky green...maybe white isn't so bad.

Cathi, my sister and her hubby were over at their beach house for NYE, too. Trying out their new king-sized bed with ultra-foam topper and the HD TV on the wall. She didn't think they would make it to midnight. However, I made it, but just barely. I watched the ball drop then turned off the TV and went to sleep. My daughter was spending the night at a friend's even though they are only about 1/2 a mile away as the crow files...by the roads it's much longer and even a couple of miles on icy roads when you're tired can be deadly. 

I had invited one of my brothers and his wife over for champagne and hors d'oevres. They got here a little before nine and we went into the living room to find the dog had gobbled down about two dozen cooked shrimp (skin and tails included) and a couple dozen crackers I had laid out for us to snack on. The cheese was in a crock, otherwise I'm sure he would have eaten that, too. Fortunately, I had more shrimp to cook up and enough crackers to make it look nice again, but I am so-o-o glad I am not going to be living with that dog much longer. That wasn't the end of his eating...as we were saying goodnight about 11 pm he snuck into the living room again and ate whatever was left on the cocktail table. All I can say is that saved putting food away....just dumped the dishes in the washer and went up to bed to watch the ball drop.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.  It's 1/1/11

Sheila, I'm pretty handy with things around the house. I've done my share of light-fixture changing/replacement, woodwork, furniture refinishing, plumbing, and the usual caulking/painting. It would be a challenge, but one I'm up to, to refinish the floors if there's hardwood under the carpet. But it would definitely have to wait until warmer/nicer weather. I know the polyurethane fumes can be toxic, so I'd need to have all the windows open. Now I'm getting excited about the things I want to do...can't wait get into this place and start the work!

My plan for moving this along quickly is to call the bank's mortgage specialist on Monday and make sure he has a copy of my contract, then ask if there's anything else he needs from me. Also get a time frame for whatever step he is taking...and if he says "two weeks" I plan to ask if he can step it up to 1-1/2 weeks...really be the squeaky wheel. I've never been this agressive before, but something tells me I can do this in a much quicker timeframe than I've been led to believe is possible.

Cathi: Ah, baseboard heating.  Not what I'm used to. We have forced hot air right now, but I did have the old standing radiators when I lived in the city. I'm just not sure how I should handle these things when it comes to placing furniture. Can I place a sofa in front of it? Or does it have to be "clear" of everything?