Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

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  • gemmafromlondon
    gemmafromlondon Member Posts: 138
    edited January 2015

    So difficult for you both but glad you are making progress. Fingers crossed! All good wishes.

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  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited January 2015

    The value of all service lies in the spirit in which you serve and not in the importance or magnitude of the service.  Even the lowliest task or deed is made holy, joyous, and prosperous when it is filled with love.
     
    Charles Fillmore

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  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited January 2015

    Sandra, as you say, who knew!!!!  What a list of CANNOTS tied to this procedure as well as  long periods of time.  Still, have to do whatever it takes to ensure life.  So much knowledge to take in to get this accomplished.  Why your Dr.'s seem in a bit of a rush, who knows???  Perhaps they will share their viewpoint on this with you.  I would certainly ask.  They seem to have been fairly candid all this time.

    It is cold here but is due to warm up.  Thank goodness for that since our furnace is once again not behaving.  A part should arrive on Friday and Dh will put it in.  Seems minor and though the house is not as toasty as we might like -- we do have a couple of I-heaters that can keep us fairly much ok -- 68 to 71 which is not bad at all. Seems so minor to complain about after reading Sandra's post. 

    Doing some early things today -- so will be back later in the afternoon. 

    Blessings

    Jackie

    p.s.   thinking about you Blondie with hugs.

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  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,223
    edited January 2015

    Oh Sandra, it appears you are moving ahead quickly and will be very busy in the days to come. At least when you are doing something, it makes you feel as you have a little more control of the situation. It sounds as if Mike is going to have excellent care and I wish him the very best. In the meantime, take care of yourself, too, as we certainly don't need you getting down also. Hugs and prayers are being sent your way.

    Lovemaui, we rent a three-bedroom house on Cape Coral. We have two cats that travel with us for the three months. The house is pet friendly and VERY nice. It has a gorgeous lanai and and nice pool and is very nicely decorated. We always think about buying something every year when we come down but I am not ready to give up my Illiinois friends and my home for a "year-round" home in Florida and I don't want the headaches of having two places to maintain so this works well for us. We love to golf so we joined a golf club on the Cape. They had a three-month rate that suited our budget and the time that we will be in the Cape. We figured that would be a good way to meet more people here. Eventually we may relocate to the area, but for now, the renting works well.

    Glad to hear that Blondie is doing better! YAY! Thank you Teka for keeping us updated about her.

    I hope everyone has a good day.


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  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited January 2015

    Sandra, I know a woman in St. Louis who had the transplant twice.  So I have some 2nd hand knowledge.  After the procedure, she was in isolation because her immune system was down and she was completely vulnerable. 

    Robin Roberts' donor was her sister, Sally Ann, who is an anchor on the CBS morning news show in New Orleans.

    Rita, the house sounds ideal.  I had hoped it would be warm enough for golf today, but it isn't.  The women's golf at our club was cancelled but the luncheon afterwards wasn't cancelled. 

    Happy Wed.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2015

    Sandra - i was thinking about you just this morning & so glad to see an update on Mike. Sounds like you will have your hands full but I agree w/Rita - having something to do may give you a feeling of control over the situation. How are Mike's spirits? Maybe some of the timing depends on the docs & hospital? Will he be at Brooke? I'm keeping you in my thoughts.

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  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 2,913
    edited January 2015

    Yes, Mike's will be in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit on Ft. Sam Houston at Brooke Army Medical Center. They are the only U.S. military facility in the world. We met the transplant coordinator yesterday - very knowledgeable RN who has been with the program since it's inception in the mid-80's. We are so fortunate to have a world class facility 15 minutes away. How do people handle this when they don't live even remotely close to a transplant center? He is in good spirits and positive he will "win." I can't allow myself to think any other way.

    image


     

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  • blondiex46
    blondiex46 Member Posts: 5,712
    edited January 2015

    Hey there, am here still in the hospital. There is a rehab upstairs that thet want me to go to 4 7 to 14 days n then home, they called my son tommy (oldest)  and talked to him n he said that they can't  (my kids) take care of me when i get home from rehab so i have to go go an outside rehab. I broke my ankle in 3 places n dislocated my heel. Had surgery am ok, taking the pain meds. So now i have to find a place to go 4 about 20 days cause i am not weight baring n i have steps at home n nobody (according to my kids) to take care me, make sure i eat, etc. I am so sad, what happens when i really get sick...anyway took a pix 4 u..oh i fell down the steps at my sons houe, outside as i was leaving. I will check in, thanks 4 your concern. I just love u guys thanks 4 u r kind words

    Sandra so sorry bout mike but sounds positive  now. How r u.

    Joan, ur gds love u wish u could move with them. They would love 2 have u there, thanks teka 4 reporting, glad ducky called me. 

    • image


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  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited March 2015

    Blondie,

    Thank You, I was pleased to pass along the updates from *duckyb1* to other concerned thread members.

    Please rest up and try not to worry!

    You're going to receive excellent care!

    *Hugs*


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  • MomMom
    MomMom Member Posts: 523
    edited January 2015


    Blondie,  So very sorry to hear about your fall.  You are in my prayers for healing of body and spirit.  Take care.

    Sandra, so good to hear that Mike has a "can do" spirit about this.  It will serve him well!  Prayers for both of you.

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  • ohiofan
    ohiofan Member Posts: 206
    edited January 2015


    Sandra, you and Mike are in my thoughts and prayers.  At least some things are moving along which is better than waiting and fretting.  Thanks for keeping us posted and sharing your experience with us.

    Blondie, so sorry about the fall and broken ankle.  Such a pain...literally and figuratively.  Ah, kids......they forget what has been done for them and  that they will need help some day, too. 

    Jackie, I think you get these weather fronts and then send them to Ohio in a day or two!  13 here today, but supposed to be 40 on Saturday!  Heat wave!  We have an EdenPure heater that is great in our familyroom.  It certainly comes in handy!

    Ohio

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  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited January 2015

    Sandra, wish I were there to help you -- but you and Dh will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers and hopes. 

    Blondie -- that cast looks so big.  That just sounds involved and almost everyone I think needs some rehab.  Maybe your kids are 'nervous' about the stairs in your house -- and thinking maybe until you can bear wt. that it isn't safe for you.  Just thinking out loud.  You too will remain a part of my nightly prayers. 

    Ohio -- it started out this a.m. here at 13  ( maybe I said that, can't remember ) but that is a not so nice temp. when you are outside waiting for the dogs to finish their food.  I put a hooded sweat shirt -- zipped up under my coat and did ok -- but even with all that by the time I was ready to come in, even the house felt quite warm to me for a bit.  I've done all the outside chores the last few days -- actually works good for me as I end up with more time to get ready to go to work. 

    Thinking of all of you -- hoping for better times or good outcomes  or whatever would suit each of us to a tee.

    Jackie

     

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  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited January 2015

    Blondie, it was good to hear from you even though the news wasn't all that good.  That's a big cast!  Not what you needed considering that life is enough of a struggle with the bc issues.  I will be thinking about you and hoping that you recover as fast as possible.

    Thinking about Mike and Sandra every day.  And about others we're hoping are doing well, like Cammie and Chevy and Mommarch.

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  • Miminiemi
    Miminiemi Member Posts: 340
    edited January 2015

    Learning about how much easier it is to give peripheral blood stem cell transplant now makes me feel a little excited. For about five years DH and I contributed to the research institute opened and directed by my husband's pulmonologist. It is called the JPII institute I think. Our amazing pulmonologist was also researching ways to make harvesting adult stem cells more easily than in the past. He has been the guest lecturer at multiple national and international conventions and is considered a leader in that subject. When my DH passed away we set up a memorial fund to go towards that institute's research because we were so grateful to the pulmonologist for the 5 extra years he gave Bill and I together due to his awesome medical care. I have continued to contribute but have not been reading about progress. I hope in some way Dr Moy's research has helped make Mike's life easier. I'm going to check into it and see what I find. At the time it did seem like a very small niche for research, but we trusted him entirely and he was early in building huge lab for study.

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  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited January 2015

    All ages have said and repeated that one should try to know one’s self.  This is a strange demand which no one up to now has measured up to and, strictly considered, no one should.  With all our study and effort, we are directed to what is outside, to the world about us, and we are kept busy coming to know this and to master it to the extent that our purposes require.  How can you come to know yourself?  Never by thinking, always by doing.  Try to do your duty, and you’ll know right away what you amount to.  And what is your duty?  Whatever the day calls for.
     
    Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited January 2015

    Morning all,

    Sometimes it is almost eerie, but in a very nice way if I wait to read entries until after I have put the quote in.  Our duty is whatever the day calls for and your husband's Pulmonologist certainly seems to have had a fine sense of what was being called for and behaved in like.  It is so fantastic to KNOW what you know  -- what is needed and good ways to work on fulfilling that need.  Sometimes in spite of the many hardships life and people can just amaze you and lift you up when you may even have wondered if you could be anymore. 

    Our warm up has begun ( oh, there is a God and a beautiful one ) even though this a.m. I could still see my breath as I waited for the dogs to finish eating.  You know, you can feed 'good' when it is on the way.  Everything looks and feels slightly different -- the ground, the air around you, and even the amt. of light present.  The sun, while not strong is outside waiting to do its part -- so it will be a good day.  The downer -- sure there is a small one --- I've started to get really used to a much less warmer interior in the house or maybe I should say -- way less uniform.  When Dh ordered the part it seemed like it would be such a long time in coming ( only three days ) and now by the time it does come tomorrow --- it will barely register to me.  I do know though with the arthritis Dh has that he will NEED the house warmed up --- so leaving the thermostat to the point it has been 68 to 71 at the max, won't suit him.  He needs it to be about 73 -- though since an I-heater is going all the time --- even when the thermostat says 73 it is cooler in the rooms away from the room where the heater stays. 

    Will go to work but be back later on.  See you all then.

    Blessings

    Jackie 

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  • mommarch
    mommarch Member Posts: 584
    edited January 2015

    Sandra my heart goes out to both of you. I know how hard it is. After we lost Ron's oldest son in a car accident in 1980 my DH a few years later suffered with mental illness, it took 6 years before he truly came out of it and we finally found the right treatment center. Then with our DD hodgkins.

    Blonde, glad you are doing ok and on the mend. I took a tumble the other evening. We went to pick up

    DGD after band practice, I had on my slippers and when we got back to the house, I tripped on a rock and fell. My left arm took a good blow, it hurts but is getting better. The weather here has been awful until today, we have had hoar frost all week, today we finally get to see the sun. DH is out working on

    a vehicle. I am puttering around trying to acomplish what I can.

    Hugs to all

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  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited January 2015

    Hi to everyone.  A gloomy day here but the sun is supposed to shine tomorrow.

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  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited January 2015

    I had heard from Cammi, and posted this on the Insomnia thread, but thought I should post it here too! She is having trouble with her computer...

    Jan 14, 2015 05:16AM Chevyboy wrote:

    Cammi talked about her two Brothers.... not doing so well, and they are all worried about them.... Also her Sister, with her knees! That whole family is falling apart.....

    And SHE got a cane! Damn kid! You would think she is pretending to be ME or something! I told her I have a couple with a light on them! Like we need "light" when getting up to go to the B-room in the middle of the night! Because we might forget where it IS, and need to light our way. And her arms are weak she says, so I think she is in a mell of a hess. She needs a .... what are those things called with 2 wheels, and the "cops" ride them around the malls? She needs one of those... A Segway or something?

    Her BIGGEST problem, and she has many, is her COMPUTER! She is trying to explain how all the stores in the world are on to her, and sending her ads or something? I can't figure out what she said.... and neither can she.... but she was adamant about that problem! So Joey is trying to help her.... An ARMY would not help. She needs someone like George Clooney to come help her out.

    But other than her family having a lot of health issues and her computer, she just hasn't been posting much!

    I don't know how you guys can type on a cell-phone! It is hard enough on a big-screen computer, but at least it's a lot easier....

    I canNOT get my Tablet to connect to an Internet! I have wi-fi, on my modem, and I've been working on this for about 3 days now, but after talking to Century Link for an hour, I am about ready to throw in the towel! DD gave me one, since she got them dirt-cheap.... but I don't NEED one.... it's just another toy, so I think I'll give it back.... or wait for her to come by and try and figure it out.... Don't you just go nuts when you try to "fix" something?

    It was nice here today too.... just hope it holds out for awhile.... Still a lot of ice in the shady spots.... but the temperature has been a lot warmer!

    Okay gals.... take good care! xoxoxo

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  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 961
    edited January 2015

    Lew and I have Segways, love them, but with our weather they have to sit in corner of living room all winter as the batteries freeze at 40 degrees

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  • Miminiemi
    Miminiemi Member Posts: 340
    edited January 2015

    For gals over 60 we seem to be pretty up to date: computers, travel, golf, sewing, pets, photography and now a Segway. It just goes to show bc has not kept us down. It warmed up here today enough for me to go clear the tiny porch outside my back door. It's had about five inches of snow on it for some time now. Peggy pup has beaten down several paths around the yard but is happy to lay in the sun on the nicely cleaned spot.

    I have a whole new wardrobe of cuddleduds now that winter stuff is all on sale. But it makes me laugh to think of how goofy I thought my grandma was wearing an undershirt in the winter. That's exactly what cuddle duds are, just with a fancy name and now colors and prints. And those shoes she wore! I think I now have some that are pretty close to those "sturdy oxfords". And socks. She wore black wool socks! And now so do I. Her name was Thelma and she was from Iowa. My name is Thelma and I find myself living in Iowa. I look more and more like her every day. As they say, "You just can't make this stuff up". She would be 127 years old if she were here with us.

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  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited January 2015

    I LOVE "cuddlle-duds"! What a cute name! And I wear fleece lined Crocs around the house, and the dressier ones, when we go shopping... And you just can't beat warm sweat-shirts, and pants inthe winter! My Grandma wore undershirts also.... Ha! Just can't beat slip-on shoes...

    I dress-up with my nice tops and slacks when we go shopping though...

    It's warming up a little here also! But snow piles still in my gardens, and on the shadier spots. Just nice to be able to walk around without all that ICE!

    I would think Segway's are GREAT! I would think if you live like in Florida, where it is always nice, and in a gated community, a segway would be perfect. DD fly's around in their golf-cart all the time...! But they live on a golf-course....

    Puffin! You live in ND??? Hasn't it been a long hard Winter so far? I DID buy some herb seed packets the other day though...But I won't start them in the house.... Too much work. I'll just wait, until I can start them outdoors... Just be CAREful.... I don't even need ice to fall..... I can do a good job when it's just DRY out!

    Blondie, Sandra..... You guys okay? Tell us you are getting stronger every day.... and have a place to stay? And how is Mike Sandra....? Thinking of you all...

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  • MagicalBean
    MagicalBean Member Posts: 362
    edited January 2015

    My flannel sheets are CuddleDuds, and I love them.

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  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 961
    edited January 2015

    Chevy: November was a nasty month. We've had some really cold weather in Dec and Jan but Fargo has missed the worst of the snow storms and we haven't even had an inch of snow at one time yet. And now we're having our "January thaw", it got to 38 degrees yesterday and is supposed to stay in the 20's and 30's for a few days. It's great to take off some clothes - went out last night without my long scarf and gloves. Might even go do some birding this weekend.

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  • ritajean
    ritajean Member Posts: 4,223
    edited January 2015

    Hi to everyone!

    Chevy,, thanks for the update on Cammi. I miss her posts.

    I wore Cuddle Duds when I did the radiation. They were so soft against my radiated skin.

    Blondie...so glad to see a post from you. Wow! You have a big cast there, gal and we are all too far away to sign it! :-) I have been sending good vibes for healing your way. I bet you'll be surprised how a couple of weeks in a rehab situation will help you. They are trained to get you back on your feet ASAP. Hugs to you, dear!

    Well I'm off to make some soup in the crockpot so we have something to eat when we get done fishing tonight. Everyone enjoy your Friday.

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  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 16,882
    edited January 2015

    Oh I've missed u gals, well Chevy not so much.

    Sandra I can't even explain how I feel for u and Mike, but I will say they have come a long way with this horrid disease in the past few yrs. nd as bad as it is it seems Mike has a good caring staff of Drs. that really know how to deal with this. His chances for a donor give promise to have a more positive attitude, but I do know the fear u both have and I pray for u both--u'r strength is amazing and reading all u can is a way for u to understand more and know what u can do. But please don't read to much, u'r drs. sound good and the convenience for u is a big help. And being a donor  is much easier than I thought so I'm sure Mike has a much better chance of having one. This horrid disease zaps u'r strength so quickly sometimes but at least for now he has the blood needed to help him. (((HUGS)))

    And Blondie Oh what can I say, u poor thing another thing u don't need, but I'm glad u'll get good care for all o this.

    Chevy TY for explaiing my situation, my puter is about 80% clean now--since I really don't know what I'm doing.

    OK all u ladies living in OK weather, yes Rita u'r certainly one. We are in a heat wave right now--upper 20's during the day, but snow should be coming soon.

    As I've always said Jackie finds more positive weather listings than I do or she just lives in OZ--u'r attitude is always so bright.

    Carole I love to hear how u and u'r DH take care of u'r mom, u take it for granted, but so many people just don' do it as easily as u make it seem. She's very lucky to have you and u are lucky to still have her.

    Anne u'r pics are adorable, what a cutie and u all know how lucky I am to be so close to my GS, I'm always either bragging or telling u how happy he makes me. I know everyone gets tired o that but I do know that without him being so close to me I wouldn't feel as happy Especially when he practices the clarnet and the dog still howls and the cat still runs and hide and I have to smile, like I even have a clue what the song is, but he still tests me and my answer is usually of course I know, do you? Then he stupidly tells me the name.   falls for it every time.

    Well I still have my job,even tho my spelling and understanding of what I'm doing has not improved, being pathetic does help tho.

    Oh if anyone is new Welcome, no one wants to be here, but thankful that we can be.

    OK TGIF and I'll be going to my other DD's with Joey tomorrow til Sunday---She's of course out of the hospital and feeling so much better--my other 2 cousins will also be there and they are so fun

    XXXOOOXXX to anyone I missed and I know I missed a lot I'm sorry, but I can't double screen my puter--Chit even single screen is a challenge for me.

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  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited January 2015

    When we’re helping other people, we’re nourishing our souls.  Depression or unhappiness means we’ve got the wrong goal.  We have forgotten that peace of mind is our only goal.  By concentrating on helping another person, we renew contact with our soul and with God.  We can feel peaceful again. . . . Peace of mind has nothing to do with the external world; it has only to do with our connection with God.  Love really is the answer.  We’re here only to teach love.  When we’re doing that, our souls are singing and dancing.
     
    Gerald Jampolsky

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  • IllinoisLady
    IllinoisLady Member Posts: 29,082
    edited January 2015

    Good Morning everyone,

    I am home for all day till I go to work.  Dh is feeding the cats for me today on his way to work.  The furnace part will arrive today ????? and I chose to make sure one of us was home at all times.  The FedEx people won't leave anything unless I guess you make some sort of prior arrangement.  As it has warmed so well ( 40's ) I would let it go, but the late evenings and mornings are still pretty chilly --- and I don't actually trust the weather man.  Better to have the new part -- get it while it's warm enough outside not to make it toooo un-pleasant to install, and be done with it and ready for anything that might come.

    It will also help me to get a few more things done around here.  You'd think a half hour or so would not make a dent in your work-day but somehow ( maybe its an age thing ) it really seems to throw me off for getting things done.  I don't organize so well anymore ( sigh ) and so stopping and then trying to re-start is sort of messy and choppy for me.  Anybody else have that take place????

    Anyway, though likely not today -- I do have a second small pantry right at the end of my cabinets ( its a part of them ) and when I get ready to do it I think I will first get Murphy's and empty out all the other cabinets and wash them all down with the Murphy's and then polish them.  Time goes by so fast and I think it is at least 3 years since they were done.   Hopefully, by the time Spring cleaning time gets here most of the HARD part will be done and I'll have less of it and a little more straighten up, touch up.  So many things I'd like to do.  Guess I'll have to keep buying those lottery tickets. 

    Cammie, what a fantastic note to all.  I so enjoyed reading it and thinking about you as I did.  Sometimes computers can be just awful things.  Mine sometimes behaves poorly.  I've about decided ( and I trust them a bit more too ) to just keep on buying the service from Microsoft for $149.00 a yr. and when your computer goes psycho/wacko they will take control of it, clean up the issues and you are back on the road again.  I could disconnect it and take it to someone, then wait till they get around to it, but that is a bit of a hassle.  Also, for one price --- I can call Microsoft every week if I need too.  Thank goodness that isn't necessary but I could.  I think for what has gone wrong ( nothing so serious that it couldn't be managed long distance by remote control ) with this thing --- I've always gotten my money's worth by buying the Fix-It contract so for now I'm doing ok.  Just hope the thing never goes full-tilt and can always be managed by Microsoft. 

    Anyway, off to tend to the wash machine that just quit.  See you all later.

    Blessings,

    Jackie


     

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  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited January 2015

    Cammi, everytime I see your name on these blogs, I just crack up....! But I know you miss me.... We have to have each other in our lives.... Me not so much, but you really need ME! I have to get you caught up on those pole-dancin' classes....

    And now with your cane, it makes it even more suspensful! You make such a THUD when falling from the top! I really do need to video all these attempts. I could even borrow the chickens, and they could be your audience!

    But what I mean is.... I really miss your posts! You need to find us more often.... I spend day and night searching for you.... out in the alley mostly.... and you are no-where to be found! So please connect once in awhile! Love you little chit! xoxoxo

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  • carolehalston
    carolehalston Member Posts: 6,887
    edited January 2015

    Cammi, what a treat to find a long post from you today!  You always make me smile.  And then Chevy comes on and I smile some more!  You two are a good comedy act. 

    It's funny to read about the warm-ups to the 40's!  That's pretty darn cold down here in the south.  We're supposed to have a nice week next week with temps in the 60's.  Then, I think, another cold system will arrive.  Now that the sun is shining, I'm ok with some cold.  I do hate dreary weather when it drags on several days. 

    Going fishing sounds like a nice thing to do, Rita.  I hope you and your dh catch some fish to clean and eat.  Give us a report.

    I worked around in the house today, mostly in the kitchen.  Doing some rearranging.  DH will probably be searching for stuff! 

    Hugs to Blondie and Sandra and Mike and hi to everyone.

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