Dear So and So

[badgercat]

Badgercat, I hope all went well for your friend. Insurance problems stink...

Thanks... they pushed the procedure back again, to Saturday or maybe even Monday, still pending insurance. But he's stable and in relatively good spirits, so all we can do is hope that things go smoothly whenever they do happen...

Warm thoughts for everyone on TE who are or have loved ones going through health issues!

[OakLeaf]

Oh, ugh badgercat, that kind of stuff makes me so angry. :mad: Sending calm and healing thoughts to your friend.

[indysteel]

Dear thyroid. Thank you for responding to the meds. Arguably, you've responded a little too well, so we're cutting the dose in half to a miniscule 2 1/2 grams per day. Please find a happy medium between being over- and underactive. While I feel much better now, I didn't like the number on the doctor's scale this morning. I can blame the wool sweater and boots, but it still appears you've made me pack on a few pounds. On a more positive note, I like that my BP was 106/60 and that my sitting-in-a-chair-not-quite-resting heartrate was down 18 beats to 62. I can only assume that my truly resting HR is in the 50s (although I plan to measure it this weekend). That's more like it. Now I can start running again and hit some harder MTB trails! Woot!

[Catrin]

.... That's more like it. Now I can start running again and hit some harder MTB trails! Woot!

Yayyyy! BTW, are you considering trying out the trails at Versailles? What little I saw of it when I met Sally there was quite nice.

[indysteel]

Yayyyy! BTW, are you considering trying out the trails at Versailles? What little I saw of it when I met Sally there was quite nice.

DH and I haven't looked into Versailles. We have talked about going down to French Lick, however. Our fall is relatively busy though (what else is new?), so I'll be content to stick to BCSP until next year if we just can't find the time.

[Catrin]

DH and I haven't looked into Versailles. We have talked about going down to French Lick, however. Our fall is relatively busy though (what else is new?), so I'll be content to stick to BCSP until next year if we just can't find the time.

BCSP is certainly closer, and it certainly isn't lacking :) My next visit later these week is going to see me start to broaden my trail horizons. Will ride LK, then hike the connector and a portion of the NT Loop and then start to ride it.

One of these days I want to try Southwestway Park in Indpls, but probably not this year.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Mimi - that's terrific news! So wonderful!!

[tulip]

Dear Tulip,
Why all of a sudden do you have this overwhelming sense that you've squandered your life? Would you feel this way anyways, even if you had made different choices? Or are your choices that you've made over the decades really the problem? More importantly, how can you get past this to a happier place? Or is this it and happiness is always fleeting and this is the house you built, now live in it?

I suppose it's time to find another therapist; that's a daunting thought.

argh.

[Crankin]

I think we all, periodically feel like this. If we just went through life without reassessing stuff, no one would move forward.
I know that I always seem to be focusing on some future goal. Then when I get there, it feels good for awhile and then I need another goal. It's always been this way. I try to practice what I preach, but it's hard for me to live in the moment. While, I am happy with my life, I wonder how old I have to be to just "live."

[Biciclista]

hi guys. We have had long interviews with 2 out of the 3 doctors. Now I understand. the one doctor is suggesting that surgery might not be advisable because he thinks it won't help. That's actually NOT good news. OTH, the second doctor is very enthusiastic (both are thrilled with D's strength) and thinks that he will benefit from that surgery. and he's the surgeon.
(well, duh) so yet another test to determine whether the surgeon is correct in his assumptions that there is nothing hiding in the shadows that they haven't already seen.
Doctor #1 says he's never seen anyone come through his chemo like D has. ! ! !

[channlluv]

Doctor #1 says he's never seen anyone come through his chemo like D has. ! ! !

Not a lot of husbands have wives as supportive and loving as you, and not just in the last few weeks, but all through your time together.

Roxy

[emily_in_nc]

Mimi,

Hoping for the best for your DH. You are a great partner to him, and that can only help. Stay strong!

[snapdragen]

Mimi - is it possible the first doctor is letting RD's age color his opinion? Meaning, he does not realize that RD is probably in better shape the half of the nation's teenagers, and instead is thinking "feeble older man".

I'm so glad to hear he is doing so well, I know this is a difficult time for you. Take care of yourself.

[Biciclista]

the first Doctor came into d's hospital room while D was pedaling his bike on the trainer and said "I like to see you on your bike". He also knows about the 100k and all the other bike rides that D has done recently. No, they all know how fit he is. He is the one who said "I have never seen anyone come through this chemo as well as you have."
but if you go by the staging rules... that's what he's doing.

[NbyNW]

I love that Don has bike & trainer in his hospital room!

[Biciclista]

I love that Don has bike & trainer in his hospital room!

that's past tense. he's home now, done with chemo ... hopefully forever but who knows.

[Owlie]

Dearest Body:
The faster you adjust to the relative cold and work out this "sleep" thing, the better. I don't think we can set mileage records this month, but I'd like to ride. Next weekend, 'kay?

[badgercat]

Dear buddy,
Way to go! I knew you'd sail through your surgery when it finally happened. There's a long, long road ahead, but that's one major step in the right direction. Next stop: transplant list!

PS--the RN implied that the drugs will make you forget most of your recent time in the ICU, but I hope the dumb jokes, bad movies, and silly card games with your many visitors brought you some comfort and distraction in the moment. :)

also:
Dear universe,
It'd be awful and selfish of me to hope for someone else to die so that my friend can live, but would it be ok of me to hope that if someone is going to meet a tragic end anyway, they're an organ donor and a match? :(

[Biciclista]

also:
Dear universe,
It'd be awful and selfish of me to hope for someone else to die so that my friend can live, but would it be ok of me to hope that if someone is going to meet a tragic end anyway, they're an organ donor and a match? :(

nah, we're ALL going to die. Me, I'd like to be useful after i die, so don't worry, your wishing isn't going to make any more people leave the earth plane, we're all going to anyway. Just wish for more people to become organ donors!

[alexis_the_tiny]

Dear buddy,
Way to go! I knew you'd sail through your surgery when it finally happened. There's a long, long road ahead, but that's one major step in the right direction. Next stop: transplant list!

PS--the RN implied that the drugs will make you forget most of your recent time in the ICU, but I hope the dumb jokes, bad movies, and silly card games with your many visitors brought you some comfort and distraction in the moment. :)

also:
Dear universe,
It'd be awful and selfish of me to hope for someone else to die so that my friend can live, but would it be ok of me to hope that if someone is going to meet a tragic end anyway, they're an organ donor and a match? :(

yay for your friend! And no, it's not selfish. I always believe that when the universe says your time is up, its up and no matter what you do to dodge it, it'll come get you anyway. So if someone has to die, at least let something good come out of it. :)

[badgercat]

Thanks, ladies. I was proud to check off the "organ donor" box when I applied for my first driver's license at age 16. If "my number comes up" suddenly, I want them to send my parts to as many others as possible! Recent experiences have only solidified that belief for me--this is my first direct experience with someone needing a transplant. In the mean time, I donated blood last week... I'm going to try to start doing that more regularly.

[PamNY]

Dear Occupy Wall Street,

Please stop stealing from our farmer's market vendors.

Railing against corporate greed is fine, but in reality the only businesses you are hurting are small farms and falafel street vendors.

[indysteel]

Dear Vet: You know that I generally love all the vets and techs at your practice, but I'm disappointed this time around. The two drugs you prescribed are contraindicated for one another, as they both increase serotonin uptake, leading to serotonin syndrome. Thankfully, Henry didn't react as badly as he might have, but he was still really not himself yesterday, making a bad situation seem even worse. I just wish I'd done a bit of research on my own before giving him the second drug. But isn't that what I rely on you for?

And what's with not calling to check up on us? I used to get a call after nearly every sick-kitty visit to check on our progress, but all you have been mum this time around. I know with with of the vets going on maternity leave, you're all probably having to take up some slack, but it's a noticeable drop in service. In any event, please call with his test results soon.

Thank you.

[indysteel]

Boy, I'm on a roll in this thread....

Dear In-laws:

For the love of God, please try something new for a change. I was hoping with your upcoming visit that we could perhaps do something outside your norm, i.e., outside the cheap kitsch that is Nashville, Indiana or the (God help me) packed outlet mall. I thought by suggesting an antiques mall in Indy that I wouldn't be straying too far outside your comfort zone, but I guessed wrong apparently. Yes, their website has a few pictures of Victorian pieces, but that doesn't mean that the entire mall is "too fancy." But what does it matter anyway? None of us are in the market to buy anything more than a tricket; it's just someplace to go and something to do that's slightly more interesting than mindless shopping with the masses. Live a little for Pete's sake.

Signed,

Your increasingly annoyed DIL

[azfiddle]

Badgercat- very happy for your friend and if there is anything we can do, let me know.

Mimi- hope that Don is definitely done with chemo and the future course of treatment is clear (and successful).

[PamNY]

Dear Self,

Trying out Trader Joe's prepared pizza crust dough was a good idea. You did indeed have artichokes, olives, and other good things to put on it.

Forgetting that the instructions said "lightly oil the pan" was not a good idea. Perhaps it's time for new pizza pan.

[Bethany1]

Dear Self,

For the first time since cycling you are getting somewhere! You aren't getting sicker than a dog after a ride, dying of oxygen half-way up a tiny hill, falling off a bike (well, Friday I fell over doing a wheelie in the grass w/mountain bike) going through 2 full bottles off water and you've only done a mile, and you aren't sleeping off a 2 mile ride for 3 days straight.

It's taken all summer to get this far and the past couple of days of have been wonderful.


Dear Allergies,

You showed up this summer since I've been outside and I hate you. Now that the tractors are out harvesting, you've really made my life miserable. Go away.

[Owlie]

Dear body/brain:
Please, please, please stop magically waking up at 10PM after being tired all day. I won't be able to sleep, and I was going to start an exercise regimen this week. And I wonder WHY we spend all day being tired...maybe because I have to get up at 7am? The fact that you're suddenly awake and want to do things is not helping this!

Not-dear program coordinator:
On Friday, you told us that we could turn in the papers at the end of the quarter in one batch. Today, you told us that we had to turn one in at the end of each rotation, but would give us until Friday. There's a big difference. How are we supposed to turn in our paper on the last day of the rotation if we haven't actually finished the rotation until the day we're supposed to turn it in, since we're supposed to write about what we did/saw/were shown?
While we're on the topic, please stop acting like all of this should be obvious, because it isn't. NOWHERE is this written down--I checked the handbooks and the calendar you gave us. Stop being a jerk.

Dear self:
Learn to play politics and stop being so shy. Getting through grad school in a manner favorable to your future requires it.

Not-dear professor:
ARGH.

Dear classmates:
Seriously, grow up.

[Pax]

Boy, I'm on a roll in this thread....

Dear In-laws:

For the love of God, please try something new for a change. I was hoping with your upcoming visit that we could perhaps do something outside your norm, i.e., outside the cheap kitsch that is Nashville, Indiana or the (God help me) packed outlet mall. I thought by suggesting an antiques mall in Indy that I wouldn't be straying too far outside your comfort zone, but I guessed wrong apparently. Yes, their website has a few pictures of Victorian pieces, but that doesn't mean that the entire mall is "too fancy." But what does it matter anyway? None of us are in the market to buy anything more than a tricket; it's just someplace to go and something to do that's slightly more interesting than mindless shopping with the masses. Live a little for Pete's sake.

Signed,

Your increasingly annoyed DIL

Right there with you Indy, I take my mom shopping on Sundays... Aldi and Wal Mart (with an occasional side trip to Kohls) every frigging week! I suggest doing something a bit different and get looked at like I'm suggesting she shave her head and get a tattoo. *sigh*

[Eden]

Dear Self,

Trying out Trader Joe's prepared pizza crust dough was a good idea. You did indeed have artichokes, olives, and other good things to put on it.

Forgetting that the instructions said "lightly oil the pan" was not a good idea. Perhaps it's time for new pizza pan.

forget oil - coarse corn meal works great - and it's even better if you forget the pan and use a pizza stone too.... just be prepared to set off your smoke alarm if you don't have a good exhaust fan....

[indysteel]

Right there with you Indy, I take my mom shopping on Sundays... Aldi and Wal Mart (with an occasional side trip to Kohls) every frigging week! I suggest doing something a bit different and get looked at like I'm suggesting she shave her head and get a tattoo. *sigh*

Apparently, my in-laws have now "relented" and have agreed to go to the antique mall. I look forward to being held responsible if they don't enjoy it. I'm going to try not to take it personally. What I've learned over the last couple of years is that there is no pleasing them. Even when they do exaclty what they want to do, they don't appear to enjoy themselves. For our last visit, we met them in Nashville, Indiana on a weekend when we were camping/mtbing at a nearby park. They drove 2 1/2 hours and spent 2 hours with us before heading back. After they left, I said to DH: "I feel bad; they didn't seem to be having any fun." To which he replied: "When do they ever seem to have fun?" Good point.

I get all worked up when I have to spend time with them, in part because their attitude about life just thoroughly depresses me. While they do have some health issues, they act like they're a good 10-15 years older than they are (MIL is in her late 60s; FIL is in his early 70s). They don't do much with their time and certainly little out of the ordinary. They have no outside living area at their home, so they mostly just sit in a dimly lit room all day. For fun, they might go to Subway for lunch and then to Walmart. My FIL, in particular, worries about everything and never relaxes. He has to be in control of every little thing. Every. Little. Thing. It's maddening.

In that regard, he and I have butted heads a few times already. His only son--my husband--is a pretty laid back guy. I think he mostly just tunes him out and does what he wants. His wife is mostly passive. I, however, am not. I like boundaries. I like to be treated like the 42 year-old adult that I am. His son is younger than me by more than a few years, and I don't know that either of his parents were quite prepared for him to marry an older woman with an established home and successful career. I've tried to cut them slack, but when push comes to shove, I'm not afraid to assert myself or ask that he back off. I'd like to think that we're past the worst of that, but it's taken a toll on our relationship all the same.

Anyway, I struggle with all of this. My own parents are very challenging, too. I have to admit that I had hoped to marry into a more functional family than my own. While I wouldn't go so far as to say that my in-laws are bad people or bad parents, they aren't exactly enjoyable or wholly emotionally healthy either. Admittedly, I have my own flaws, too, and I need to be more forgiving of them and kinder. I can be inflexible in my own way. So, lots of important stuff to work on......

[bmccasland]

Dear Press,
She's home. Stop repeating the story. I suppose it's asking too much to leave the chickie alone so she can wrap her head around breathing PNW air instead of Italian prison air.

Dear A,
I'm certain the press is falling all over itself about wanting to tell your story, making appointments to be on all the talk shows and all that, but remember, you made some dumb decisions that landed you in that mess.

[jessmarimba]

Dear Ohio historical project review lady:

Ok, we've established that I'm a moron, so can we get past that and you just explain to me how to (essentially) do your job for you? I hope making me cry made your day, because it pretty much ruined mine.

Signed,
the idiot in Colorado


Dear Starbucks,
The irony that I went to get coffee to cheer myself up, and your cup is slowly leaking all over my desk from the seam in the bottom...I don't even know what to say. I'm going to go curl up in bed and wait for this week to be over.

[emily_in_nc]

Awww Jess,

Sorry for your crappy week. Hope things improve, and soon. :(

[alexis_the_tiny]

Dear whatever bug is going around this time...seriously. STOP. I'm down (again), my co-teacher is down (again as well) and all the kids in class are going down one by one (YET AGAIN). We're all sick of being sick. GO AWAY.

On the bright side, we survived a month without anyone falling ill by paranoidly wiping everything down with alcohol every day, making the kids wash their hands every time we catch their fingers near their mouths and noses and using large amounts of that hospital grade hand sanitizer ourselves. So I guess that's one step in the right direction somewhere.

[indysteel]

(((Jess))). I hate when something makes me cry at work, especially when it's about work. I feel lousy for days. Hang in there.

(((Alexis))). I hope you and everyone else at school starts feeling better soon and that you stay that way.

[maillotpois]

Dear Seattle -

Please come take your weather back.

Love,

The SF Bay Area

[Eden]

Dear Seattle -

Please come take your weather back.

Love,

The SF Bay Area


Pffft.... you think it's actually nice up here right now or something... we don't need to take it back.... we've already got it...

[spokewench]

Torn back mucle please quit waking me up at 3:00 to 4:00 a.m. every morning! I'm getting tired. I would like my sleep.

[Catrin]

Dear right palm,

I know you've a bit of arthritis, and because of you I can't have road bars on my bikes. I've been really good dealing with you and have indeed pampered you. What do you think was behind part of those weight exercises and flexibility work at the gym?

I've the biggest weekend of the year coming up. I AM going to ride my mountain bike tomorrow. Twice, before and after lunch. I AM going to ride it again on Saturday. AND hike. I AM going to have a great time volunteering for 12 hours on Sunday at a great mountain bike event.

So. Cease. And. Desist. I suppose I can't complain since you don't flare often, and Uncle Art has settled in my palm rather than my fingers...but still. We will both be much happier if you will settle down just a little more, and thank you for subsiding so much in the past few days. Thank you, just a little more please?

Besides, whoever heard of having arthritis in the PALM anyway? Guess I am just strange all-around :rolleyes:

[crazycanuck]

Dear Self,

You can make it through this week without going crazy....end of assignments til next year :)...One exam at the end of the month...We can handle it.

Dear Upper body,

I've treated you so well over the past few months & we've made such good progress. Please don't flare up even more when i'm doing assignments this weekend...:(.

Dear part of a kg..

Could you please go away....9 1/2kg's is nice but i'd like 10 to be gone..

Thanks

[indysteel]

Dear right palm,

I know you've a bit of arthritis, and because of you I can't have road bars on my bikes. I've been really good dealing with you and have indeed pampered you. What do you think was behind part of those weight exercises and flexibility work at the gym?

I've the biggest weekend of the year coming up. I AM going to ride my mountain bike tomorrow. Twice, before and after lunch. I AM going to ride it again on Saturday. AND hike. I AM going to have a great time volunteering for 12 hours on Sunday at a great mountain bike event.

So. Cease. And. Desist. I suppose I can't complain since you don't flare often, and Uncle Art has settled in my palm rather than my fingers...but still. We will both be much happier if you will settle down just a little more, and thank you for subsiding so much in the past few days. Thank you, just a little more please?

Besides, whoever heard of having arthritis in the PALM anyway? Guess I am just strange all-around :rolleyes:

I'm sorry you're hurting. Do you think it could be a nerve issue, e.g., carpal tunnel? My palms still hurt from my days on the Moots, and I'm pretty sure it's all nerve related. There are some stretches you can do that can help a bit. For instance, hold your arm out in front with your palm face out and your fingers pointed up. With your other hand, gently stretch your fingers back toward you and hold. You should feel the stretch at the base of your hand/top of your wrist.

[OakLeaf]

Dear car,

I was really looking forward to a bike ride in this beautiful weather today. Instead I got to deal with wreckers, mechanics and rental car people. You're getting traded in, you worthless piece of s***.

[redrhodie]

Dear car,

I was really looking forward to a bike ride in this beautiful weather today. Instead I got to deal with wreckers, mechanics and rental car people. You're getting traded in, you worthless piece of s***.

Dear Oakleaf,

I feel your pain. Both my and my brother's cars died last week. So tired of dealing with cars.

Back to bikes. :)

[malkin]

Dear People of the World:

I know there are big problems out there, but never mind. One of you is going to buy my condo eventually, so why not just get on with it? Then you will have a fine place to live and you'll be able to do other stuff. (and so will I).

[Owlie]

Dear self:
We're riding next weekend, okay? Unless it rains heavily or something.

[bmccasland]

Dear Knee and opposite hip,
Obviously standing around for 3 hours today while helping set up and cheer-on a 5K race was not a good idea. You've had some ibuprophen and the feet are now propped up, you can stop hurting anytime now.

[Trek420]

Dear People of the World:

I know there are big problems out there, but never mind. One of you is going to buy my condo eventually, so why not just get on with it? Then you will have a fine place to live and you'll be able to do other stuff. (and so will I).

In my neck of the woods I don't see that happening for a looooong time. I found a property manager so I can go do other stuff. This downturn is hurting everyone but hurts the "entry level" market most. The "entry level" in real estate is a single family home.

I don't want to be a downer but until we have jobs to create demand for housing and reduce inventory I don't see that changing.

And even if someone wants to buy my newly remodeled by a designer (me) energy efficient bike commuters dream condo I'm constantly and drastically undercut by repos, short sales and foreclosures.

But if anyone here wants to rent in the East Bay, ask me. :rolleyes:

[Biciclista]

To whom it may concern
THANK YOU
The weather today was phenomenal for our 10th 100 kilometer permanent of the year.
We got just enough rain to remind ourselves that it IS the rainy season, and enough sun to put smiles on everyone's faces. Thanks for good company nice roads and generally tolerant motorists and dogs too lazy to run far. (and cute horses, llamas, cows, goats, sheep, and a few hawks)

[Pax]

Dear Me,

Whatever in this world made you think you could exist on this planet without a motorcycle? Yes the scooter is fun, but it's not a BIKE. So, time to dive into the search for a replacement... lets just hope honey gets a good job. :p

Now, don't be stupid like this again, you need a motorcycle like other people need air. Live with it.

Signed,

Disappointed in me

[Catrin]

I'm sorry you're hurting. Do you think it could be a nerve issue, e.g., carpal tunnel? My palms still hurt from my days on the Moots, and I'm pretty sure it's all nerve related. There are some stretches you can do that can help a bit. For instance, hold your arm out in front with your palm face out and your fingers pointed up. With your other hand, gently stretch your fingers back toward you and hold. You should feel the stretch at the base of your hand/top of your wrist.

I will try this, and for now the pain is gone. We do know that I have arthritis in my palms, it has been there for years and is part of the reason why I've such a poor hand grip. All of the mechanical tests for carpal tunnel I seem to pass with flying colors, which is amazing considering how much time I spend at a keyboard...I do strive for good ergonomics though which has to help.

Thankfully it doesn't flare too often, once a year or so as far as pain is concerned. Thankfully it had decreased enough by the weekend that I could ride, and I think I will be able to do my normal workout with my trainer this evening. I am thankful and it makes my heart go out to those who deal with something like this 24/7. Typically I don't have more than twinges...

[Sky King]

Dear Sock Monster,
come on, cough it up. This house isn't very big and we have no pets or kids to blame. I know both of my favorite wool socks went into the wash, how is it possible that only one came out. grrrrr

[OakLeaf]

Dear car,

I'm sorry for blaming you for what I suspected was mice all along.



Dear mice,

I could literally buy half a new car for what you've cost me over the years. There's a whole outdoors out there. Not only that, there are plenty of nooks and crannies in the garage where I'd never find you and you'd never bother my stuff. Stay out of my freakin' car.



Dear wiring harness manufacturers,

Seriously, do you really make enough profit off replacement wires that you continue to make housing that tastes good to mice, even though it's been a known problem for decades???

[Crankin]

Oak, we have spent about $2,000 on fixing the damage that mice have done to both of our cars. My car is in the garage, so once it was fixed, we then had to fix the garage. For like 2 years, I kept smelling a burning smell when I started my car... they ate through the fuel pump :eek:.

[Biciclista]

to whom it may concern
so it really is true that some people actually fight cancer and win somewhat... on a cellular level! My DH has stage 4 cancer, but only 1 node is affected. all the other ones that should have been affected are clean clean clean. ON with the (reallyscary) surgery!

[snapdragen]

Please give my best wishes and blessings to RD Mimi, and to you too.

[Blueberry]

(((((((Mimi and RD)))))))

[NbyNW]

Wow, Mimi! Sounds like mixed news, if I understand you right?

Let us know if there's anything you need ...

[Crankin]

Thinking of you and DH, Mimi.

[VeganBikeChick]

Best healing thoughts for your husband, Mimi.

Kris Carr is somewhat infamous for having nontreatable cancer that she manages with a raw diet. She did a documentary about it called Crazy Sexy Cancer that I found interesting.

[OakLeaf]

Sounds like good news, as that kind of news goes. When is his surgery?

Keeping you both in my thoughts.

[indysteel]

Sending you and Don good vibes, Mimi.

[bmccasland]

More healing juju to RD, and big hugs to both Mimi and RD!

[emily_in_nc]

Don't understand the stage 4 diagnosis, but I am wishing you and Raleigh Don the very best outcome, Mimi. I know this must be scary. Positive thoughts!

[Owlie]

Good thoughts to both of you! ((Mimi and RD))

[salsabike]

I THINK it is better news than if they had said, no surgery. And then it presents yet another scary treatment. But I am still thrilled to hear ths.

[jobob]

Cheers to you and RD.

[Biciclista]

I THINK it is better news than if they had said, no surgery. And then it presents yet another scary treatment. But I am still thrilled to hear ths.

exactly. they're saying he has bad $hit but that they believe he can beat it. If they didn't believe he could beat it, they wouldn't do the surgery. Meeting with another of the doctors today so we ought to get the full results then.

Poor RD had a stiff neck from the 1 hour procedure what's he going to be like after an 8 hour procedure??? UGH :(:(

We have nothing to compare it to, we don't know anyone who had an 8 hour surgery to ask!

[spokewench]

I will try this, and for now the pain is gone. We do know that I have arthritis in my palms, it has been there for years and is part of the reason why I've such a poor hand grip. All of the mechanical tests for carpal tunnel I seem to pass with flying colors, which is amazing considering how much time I spend at a keyboard...I do strive for good ergonomics though which has to help.

Thankfully it doesn't flare too often, once a year or so as far as pain is concerned. Thankfully it had decreased enough by the weekend that I could ride, and I think I will be able to do my normal workout with my trainer this evening. I am thankful and it makes my heart go out to those who deal with something like this 24/7. Typically I don't have more than twinges...

Catrin - do you have CMC joint issues? That pain is at the base of your thumb joint as it enters your wrist. Have they only checked you for carpal tunnel? They just need to take an xray to see if it is CMC. The things that will cause you pain the most when you have this is any kind of pinching action.

[OakLeaf]

I've read that it's common for pain originating in the CMC joints to be referred to the MCP joints, and vice versa, too. It's most common in the thumb joint, but I don't see why any of the CMC joints couldn't be arthritic.

[spokewench]

Mimi: Always thinking of you and your hubby! Hang in there.

[azfiddle]

Mimi- more hugs from me and Chuck. I hope the surgery goes well. RD is one tough guy and you two are staying focused where you need to be.
Sharon

[Catrin]

Catrin - do you have CMC joint issues? That pain is at the base of your thumb joint as it enters your wrist. Have they only checked you for carpal tunnel? They just need to take an xray to see if it is CMC. The things that will cause you pain the most when you have this is any kind of pinching action.


I've read that it's common for pain originating in the CMC joints to be referred to the MCP joints, and vice versa, too. It's most common in the thumb joint, but I don't see why any of the CMC joints couldn't be arthritic.

CMC joints? Will look that up and see where those are

Spokewrench, while sometimes I do have pain there, a pinching action doesn't bother me. Really, 99% of it is right in the middle of my palms, just last week it was really bad...but THIS week there isn't a bit of pain at all, for which I am thankful. My fingers are always a bit cranky, but am so used to that I am hardly aware of it... Of course it doesn't mean the pain isn't referred to my palms from elsewhere.

I am considering asking my doctor about it the next time, I need to see him about my dog bite anyway which still isn't quite healed... I just hate to say something and get a bunch of co-pays for tests to only find out that I need to take ibuprofen for it...

[sgtiger]

Mimi, well wishes for you and Don. May he recover quickly after his surgery and beat the cancer.

Catrin, well wishes to you, too. Hopefully, your doctor can get some answers for you and a treatment that works.


Dear Time Keepers,

Would it be possible for me to have an hour a day to myself that is outside of normal time?

Thanks,

Not enough hours in a day

[redrhodie]

Dear Saddle,

Thank you for hurting right then, because that's why I decided to pull over and adjust your tension. Had I been on the road, rather than on the side, I suspect that SUV with the idiot, driving so erratically, probably going 80 in a 25 mph zone, driving so stupidly fast he almost lost complete control as he passed me, well, you know where I'm going with this. Thanks.

Thanks also for feeling better after I made the adjustment.

[spokewench]

CMC joints? Will look that up and see where those are

Spokewrench, while sometimes I do have pain there, a pinching action doesn't bother me. Really, 99% of it is right in the middle of my palms, just last week it was really bad...but THIS week there isn't a bit of pain at all, for which I am thankful. My fingers are always a bit cranky, but am so used to that I am hardly aware of it... Of course it doesn't mean the pain isn't referred to my palms from elsewhere.

I am considering asking my doctor about it the next time, I need to see him about my dog bite anyway which still isn't quite healed... I just hate to say something and get a bunch of co-pays for tests to only find out that I need to take ibuprofen for it...

Catrin, your problem may be totally different than mine, but since I've had CMC joint issues for a long, long time, I'll give you some advice on arthritis in your hands and riding mountain bikes, etc. I road and raced mountain bikes and road bikes and I know you have started riding mountain bikes. The abuse your hands take on a mountain bike is actually quite a lot. I'm not telling you to quit, because I never quit doing stuff i like to do; but you might try (even if it sounds a bit counterintuitive), wearing just a neoprene wrist band for support. I found that early in my development of cmc joint pain and arthritis that this actually helped me keep from hurting so much. If you do have cmc pain and joint arthritis, there are splints just for that as well; they are just neoprene soft supports. I'm actually wearing one right now on my right hand. (That's my worst hand because I'm right handed.) I have it in my other one too!

Wrist supports, etc. are really cheap ways to help you mitigate the pain; so maybe it would be worth a try. If it does not work, you are not out much.

[Catrin]

I will check it out Spokewrench, doesn't sound like an expensive test. I've not noted that things have gotten worse since I started mountain biking, I think last week I did something wrong when tossing weights around. My Endura full-finger gloves aren't too tight around my wrist to prevent a thin support...

[OakLeaf]

Wow Red. Spooky. Glad you weren't in that person's path!

[redrhodie]

Wow Red. Spooky. Glad you weren't in that person's path!

Thanks! So am I! He came so fast that I didn't even hear him until it was too late to get his plate. I really thought he was going to flip from overcompensating while passing me (and I was standing on the side of the road, not in the road). He was driving like someone who just got fired, or was dumped by his girlfriend, or some other great enraging trauma.

The funny thing was, I didn't have my multi tool with me, and had to wait until I got home to fix my saddle, and I was 99% sure it was on my other bike at the time, so yeah, spooky indeed.

[Owlie]

Dear potential advisor:
Please get rid of the reed diffuser. If not, change scents to something that is not patchouli or open the door. I was in your office for an hour yesterday and nearly suffocated.

[jessmarimba]

Dear hardwood floors:

I know you need refinished, but that 3/4 inch splinter you shoved into my foot (when you knew I'd been missing the tweezers for a week!) was a rude reminder. For that, I may just cover you in carpet again. Hmph. :mad:

[Catrin]

Dear Catrin,

How did you do this again? You make too much money to have THIS tight a budget. You swore you would never get in this position again and, here you are. There again. You are old enough to know better!

[Owlie]

Dear self:
This is what we are going to do:
1)We are going to put the dishes in the drying rack away.
2) We are going to wash the dishes from yesterday, with the possible exception of the glass baking dish.
3) We are going to get packed up and head over to Starbucks for some quality time with our notes, no computers allowed.
4)Once we are at a good place with our homework, we are going to come back and spend some quality time with the trainer, possibly with Young Frankenstein at the same time. :D
Then there will be dinner and bedtime at a reasonable hour. Please note that 1am is not a reasonable hour!

[Biciclista]

to all my good TE Buddies.
DH and I are going to the ocean for an overnight wednesday :D:D:D Who knows the next time he's going to feel like traveling? Then, this weekend with our sons we are going to have a ceremony for his esophagus that he will be losing next week in surgery. sounds odd, but my kids are um.. well, they're our kids and they're into it. D-I-Law is going to make a flammable esophagus to burn in effigy.
And for the surgery day, two biker ladies i know have volunteered to hang out with me for part of the day. How cool is that?
and the rest?? O OOOO scary.

x

[indysteel]

A flammable esophagus in effigy sounds pretty darn cathartic. Have a wonderful time at the coast. We'll be here pulling for you for what lies ahead. Sending you good thoughts.

[NbyNW]

Mimi, if you're willing to share, please let us know when the big day is so we can send extra super healing thoughts to RD and major karmic support to all the doctors and nurses who will be taking care of him that day!

[Biciclista]

8 hours of surgery on the 26th of October! (new moon!)

[PamNY]

8 hours of surgery on the 26th of October! (new moon!)

We will start the good vibes the night before and keep them coming all that day!

[azfiddle]

Mimi- we will be thinking of you and your husband as you get ready for this.

[Sky King]

Mimi, give a hug to Raleigh Don and what super kids you have. Glad you have a support team/sag wagon to be there for all of you

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Dear car,
I'm sorry for blaming you for what I suspected was mice all along.
Dear mice,
I could literally buy half a new car for what you've cost me over the years. There's a whole outdoors out there. Not only that, there are plenty of nooks and crannies in the garage where I'd never find you and you'd never bother my stuff. Stay out of my freakin' car.
Dear wiring harness manufacturers,
Seriously, do you really make enough profit off replacement wires that you continue to make housing that tastes good to mice, even though it's been a known problem for decades???

I hear you. My car only has 11,000 miles on it. It sits on a pristine asphalt driveway, with neat lawn all around. Last month, a chipmunk had my engine wiring harness for a little snack, and it just cost me $1200 to replace a stupid bunch of wires wrapped in chipmunk jerky- oops, I mean wrapped in rubber. My insurance coughed up $450 which helped ...a little.
The next day the chipmunk was back inside the engine and left his little tufts of red fur and poop on the sticky trap I put there.
I started placing RAT TRAPS baited with p.butter right under the car engine, on the driveway. In one month the traps have killed 5 chipmunks under my car. The chipm population in my backyard seems to be almost gone now, and no signs of them in my engine now. I'll keep putting the traps out till thanksgiving i think.
I dont like killing things but this was simply too expensive to let happen again.
I'm just glad nothing else gets caught in the traps by mistake.

[Biciclista]

wow! never heard of such a thing. Must have been an ad in chipmonk.craigslist.com advertising what a cozy set up was in your engine compartment.

that would have been traumatic at the least for me!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

to all my good TE Buddies.
DH and I are going to the ocean for an overnight wednesday :D:D:D Who knows the next time he's going to feel like traveling? Then, this weekend with our sons we are going to have a ceremony for his esophagus that he will be losing next week in surgery. sounds odd, but my kids are um.. well, they're our kids and they're into it. D-I-Law is going to make a flammable esophagus to burn in effigy.
And for the surgery day, two biker ladies i know have volunteered to hang out with me for part of the day. How cool is that?
and the rest?? O OOOO scary.

Mimi, I am thinking of you and your sweetiepie. What a wonderful idea, going to the ocean! They say salt water is healing, and the surf rhythms should be comforting too.
I think the effigy ceremony is a great idea. Time to say goodbye to that body part that is not behaving itself. I will be sending positive energy and love your way. Keep us all posted here if you can. oxo

[Crankin]

Lisa, your story is worse than mine! We had to put out traps too. I didn't feel bad at all, after spending $2,000 on 2 cars because of those d*** things.

[OakLeaf]

I live in the country. There's no trapping them all. I'd be happy if I could keep them out of the house! I'm just thankful it's only mice - (so far :eek:) the chipmunks leave my car alone, and the rabbits that like to hide underneath it don't seem interested in taking up residence. Maybe we should just start propping the hood up every time we park the car, the same way we have to take the seats off the motorcycles whenever we park them. :rolleyes:

The worst part of it is we only have the one four-wheeler, we need to have one available because of where we live, and invariably the only rental vehicles available at the last minute are huge frickin' boats that get 20 mpg and barely make it up the lane. :mad:



Mimi, sounds like a good plan. Enjoy your weekend as much as you can. I'll be sending extra thoughts your way on the 26th.

[Catrin]

((((Mimi & RD))))

[laura*]

Dear idiots in the expensive SUV who were going to park right on the bike lane / MUP:

Did you not see the car sized rectangles aka parking spaces outlined in white paint alongside the traffic lane? Didn't you suspect something when you had to drive over a huge car stranding berm? Didn't you see me heading straight towards you?

At least you figured out your error when I stopped and started gesticulating at the parking spaces.

[Crankin]

Oak, I live in the woods, too, but the chipmunks had to go! DH has to park outside (his car does not fit in the 80's style garage), so obviously that doesn't work, but after we filled up the holes in garage walls, set the traps, and kept the acorns swept up more religiously, they have stayed away from my car. Oh yea, they made a nice igloo out of acorns in my engine.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Mimi, many many good vibes to you and RD! Hope the surgery goes well...

Dear knees and hips, I know its beginning to rain a lot and my ballet years have not been kind to you. But will you please not choose the time when I need to run after a hyperactive child to stiffen up and shoot pain barbs everywhere? Thanks...

[bmccasland]

Dear Chloe,
I know in your short life that humans haven't always been nice to you, and you're still not sure you trust me. I'm sorry that the antibiotics are bubblegum flavored and not tuna. But baby, you really need to take your meds. So when I get home this afternoon, let me hold you, cuddle you, and then take your meds like the good girl that I know you are. You'll feel better, really.
Your adoptive Mom

[Bethany1]

Dear State of NE,

THANK YOU for opening the Steamboat Trace trail the other day. It's only 15 miles from my house and I can ride in peace. I even got to see a beautiful hawk next to the trail. I did 8 miles today with ease and except for acccidentally scaring a jogger, it was wonderful.

Now to buy something to cover my cold ears and some gloves later today so I can go farther. Cycling at 50 degrees at 14 mph is colder than I thought it would be.

[indysteel]

Good luck, Beth. Dosing a cat is such fun. I hope Chloe starts feeling better soon.

[Grits]

I have been able to get my dog to take any pill as long as it is coated in a glob of crunchy peanut butter. Maybe that will work for your cat - if not a liquid, obviously. Good luck!

[Owlie]

Dear headache--
Please go away. I have a study guide to finish.

[bmccasland]

Good luck, Beth. Dosing a cat is such fun. I hope Chloe starts feeling better soon.

the Power of Tuna.... :D

[snapdragen]

the Power of Tuna.... :D

Fixed it. :D

[maillotpois]

Fixed it. :D

Like.

[Owlie]

Love it!

Not-dear neighbors:
It's 1:30 in the morning. SHUT UP.

[redrhodie]

Love it!

Not-dear neighbors:
It's 1:30 in the morning. SHUT UP.

I'll trade you your 1:30s for my 4:15s. :rolleyes:

Edit, I take that back. At least mine is noisy on her way out to run. It could be worse.

[Blueberry]

Dear Mother:

I'm giving you a frigging car. A car that I could have used the money from since, well, we're broke. Getting p!ssed at me because my DH can't take time off of work for us to deliver said car to you is really not productive. Neither is screaming at me because air fares are high. I really wish I had just sold the car (or kept it since the parking lot at my gym is ridiculous and I won't drive the other car there - which means I will miss going to the gym). You should not be proud of the fact that you're a high mileage driver and have never bought a car. It just makes you a mooch.

Dear Grandma:

Telling me to love my mother and be nice to her is not productive right now. Neither is telling her it's all OK or trying to convince me that she has it harder than the rest of the world. The fact that the money from the sale of my grandfather's desk (which he left to me) was used to fix said car for my mom kinda burns me. Perhaps your appropriating things for her is why she has never learned to stand on her own 2 feet. Just a thought.

Dear Father:

I appreciate that you took extra stuff to ebay and said you'd give me the money - really I do. I'm happy that you've made over 1k. I'm happy for you to get your costs back plus something for your time. But when, exactly, were you going to fess up about how much you sold? Or were you just planning on taking money from me again - like you have my whole life. I'm not inclined to clear my schedule to I can go to all of the myriad of doctor's appointments with you. Despite the fact that you're telling everyone the situation is dire - I've talked to your doctors (at your insistence) and it's not. So - stop emailing everyone in the family that you're dying, stop emailing them that I don't care and don't do anything for you, and give me my fricking money. You've cried wolf way, way too many times, and I really don't need the lodestone around my neck right now.

[maillotpois]

Big hug to you Blueberry.

[channlluv]

{{{Blueberry.}}}

[indysteel]

I'll join in those hugs. Blueberry, your family sounds a little toxic. Do what you have to do to take care of you.

[azfiddle]

Wow Blueberry! Maybe you need a vacation from your family.... sorry you have all that stuff.

[emily_in_nc]

Jeez Blueberry. What a mess! So sorry you are going through such parent/money issues simultaneously and intertwined. Not a good mix. :(

[OakLeaf]

Ugh. ((((((Blueberry))))))

[Blueberry]

Thank you all - the venting really does help. Most days I can keep it all in perspective, but some days are harder than others.

We're making changes in our lives that mean we will be OK financially. We're planning to sell our house in the spring (and believe we will be able to), which is a good thing - we're in a different place than we were when we bought it. We have contingency plans on top of contingency plans. But - when things are tight - having those who should be offering support (emotional if not financial) taking advantage of you just gets tough. Particularly when those people refuse to consider making hard decisions that they should be making. I'm an only child with divorced parents, and my parents are crashing and burning at the same time.

[PamNY]

Hugs to you Blueberry. I have to say you sound very level-headed.

[Biciclista]

wow, Blueberry, you sound like the only adult in your family. Please remember to take care of you first. Your parents need to grow up. My mother is getting to the point that she will need help and it's obvious that she's going to fight it off by tooth and nail....

[redrhodie]

Dear Me,

When will you learn to stop worrying? If the thing was as bad as you expected, you would have fixed it and been done. Problem solved. As it turned out, it wasn't even your problem to deal with. So in the end, you wasted all that energy worrying about someone else's problem.


Dear Maillotpois,

"When it's easy, ride hard; when it's hard, ride easy" is the best thing I've ever read. Thank you. I thought about this on my ride, and I think it can be applied to every aspect of life.

[laura*]

Dear squeaky bike:
Ok then, we're not going for a ride today. I feel like a total klutz today - I'll probably break something fixing you. I'm going back to bed with a book.

Dear microclimates:
The forecast was for hot 80's, sunny, an offshore wind, and an extreme forest fire danger. Here in the forest it is cold 60's, 99.9% humidity, and I probably wouldn't be able to set the forest on fire with even a flame thrower. Bah!

[bmccasland]

Dear Knee and opposite Hip,
Yes I stood up for 6 hours at a job site this morning, but do you have to hurt quite so much? Knee, you've been fixed, we did months of PT, still do our exercises, what's up with this??? And why are you getting hip in on the party? A construction site is not exactly the place to sit around. Not my fault there's no place to sit in a truck and monitor the near-water activities. You did get the report from the eyes about the construction equipment barely having room to manouver. WE didn't want to get stuck in the mud.

I want to have a good time at the party this evening, so behave.

[maillotpois]

Dear Maillotpois,

"When it's easy, ride hard; when it's hard, ride easy" is the best thing I've ever read. Thank you. I thought about this on my ride, and I think it can be applied to every aspect of life.

Thanks. It gets me through my double centuries and brevets. Hadn't thought about its broader application, so thank you for that. ;)

[ultraviolet]

Dear neighbor,

I've already interrupted your party once to ask you to turn down your music. If it wakes me up again, I'm calling the police. And since your entire apartment reeks of the pot smoke hanging in the air, I'm guessing that's not going to make for happy times for you or your guests.

Also, you're 41 years old. Maybe it's time to stop hanging out with college aged kids. Just something to think about.

Love,
Your neighbor who has way more connections in your field of work than you realize...another thing to think about, since you'll be out of grad school and on the job hunt in the next year or so.

[Owlie]

Dear self--
This is not an easy choice to make, and there are pros and cons for both options. You've got a choice. Take it one step at a time. This first step isn't binding. Let Dr. C know what concerns him, ask questions and then bring up the other stuff later. Then talk to Drs. A and L...

Dear Chat Noir poster--
I've carted you around between...six different residences now, not counting the trips home over the summer. Now you no longer want to stick to the walls...by any means. I think this may be it for you.

[Owlie]

Dear neighbors and their idiot redneck friends:
You lot may be the single biggest argument for home ownership ever. Stop acting like morons and grow up. (Oh, and be quiet while you're at it.)

[tangentgirl]

Dear Self: GET. TO. WORK. Enough procrastinating, lady.

[azfiddle]

Dear DH

I am both mystified by your fixation on "run my age plus one" goal, and amazed by your accomplishment yesterday: not content to run a marathon up a mountain, you parked 17 miles above the start, got up at 2:30 am, ran downhill to the official start, completed the marathon, and ran back to the car. After 2 months of lots of cycling but no running at all, except that 35 mile day last week. Over 57 miles.

I'm afraid to ask how many toenails you lost (and no, I won't peek!).

[indysteel]

Dear DH

I am both mystified by your fixation on "run my age plus one" goal, and amazed by your accomplishment yesterday: not content to run a marathon up a mountain, you parked 17 miles above the start, got up at 2:30 am, ran downhill to the official start, completed the marathon, and ran back to the car. After 2 months of lots of cycling but no running at all, except that 35 mile day last week. Over 57 miles.

I'm afraid to ask how many toenails you lost (and no, I won't peek!).

He did what? What a feat!!!!

[azfiddle]

Yes, once he had done a couple of marathons, about 5 years ago he made it his goal to run his age plus one, but last year he started doing it on Mt. Lemmon, so he had about 7000+ feet of climbing.

I don't run, but he can ride circles around me - (in fact, he does, to get in extra intervals.

[Owlie]

Dear DH

I am both mystified by your fixation on "run my age plus one" goal, and amazed by your accomplishment yesterday: not content to run a marathon up a mountain, you parked 17 miles above the start, got up at 2:30 am, ran downhill to the official start, completed the marathon, and ran back to the car. After 2 months of lots of cycling but no running at all, except that 35 mile day last week. Over 57 miles.

I'm afraid to ask how many toenails you lost (and no, I won't peek!).

:eek:

Dear self:
The responsible thing would be to, having paid the CC bill, (which was ridiculous, thanks to your inability to remember to pack lunch for much of the month) and rent and the electric bill on the way, to put the balance of your birthday money toward paying the student loan. However, we do realize that that is slightly unrealistic. SO. There's about $50 worth of stuff you want. Buy it. Put balance of "spending money" half in savings. Put the other half toward paying off the loan.

[marni]

:eek:

Dear self:
The responsible thing would be to, having paid the CC bill, (which was ridiculous, thanks to your inability to remember to pack lunch for much of the month) and rent and the electric bill on the way, to put the balance of your birthday money toward paying the student loan. However, we do realize that that is slightly unrealistic. SO. There's about $50 worth of stuff you want. Buy it. Put balance of "spending money" half in savings. Put the other half toward paying off the loan.

mymother always made us wait two months before we made what she called in impulse buy. If we still wanted it in two months, and had managed to save the money, then we could have it. Otherwise forget it. I still tend to hold off a year or so unless it is critical to my survival. Just a thought.

[tangentgirl]

Owlie, it is birthday money, use some of it for something nice for yourself. You deserve it. And happy birthday!

***
Dear Self: honest to goodness, enough with the procrastinating. You have responsibilities, deal with it. You even like what you are supposed to be doing, what's the problem? If you don't do this, you are going to have to go back to corporateland, and you know you hate that place.

[Biciclista]

Owlie, it is birthday money, use some of it for something nice for yourself. You deserve it. And happy birthday!

***
Dear Self: honest to goodness, enough with the procrastinating. You have responsibilities, deal with it. You even like what you are supposed to be doing, what's the problem? If you don't do this, you are going to have to go back to corporateland, and you know you hate that place.

good grief, I agree!! don't pay off loans with birthday money! buy some smart wool.. or something else nice for yourself.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Dear Self: GET. TO. WORK. Enough procrastinating, lady.



Dear Self: honest to goodness, enough with the procrastinating. You have responsibilities, deal with it. You even like what you are supposed to be doing, what's the problem? If you don't do this, you are going to have to go back to corporateland, and you know you hate that place.


....as she types on women's biking forum.... lol!

[tangentgirl]

....as she types on women's biking forum.... lol!

Yeah. Sigh.

[indysteel]

good grief, I agree!! don't pay off loans with birthday money! buy some smart wool.. or something else nice for yourself.

I must be WAY too uptight after working at the bankruptcy court for eleven years because I think Owlie's original plan sounded like it struck a good balance between treating herself and being responsible. To me, paying down/off debt IS a gift to one's self, plus she was going to spend a modest sum on some things she wanted.

Happy belated birthday btw, Owlie.

[indysteel]

Dear self:

Really? After almost four years of this you're still surprised/angry/resentful when these people don't live up to your more-than-reasonable expectations? You told him you were resigning by the end of the year. Perhaps it's just time to walk away entirely. Nothing is going to change betwen now and then. Go volunteer on behalf of some animals. You know they'll appreciate your time and effort.

Signed, Resigned

Dear Taco and Paddy:

I'm going to miss you. You're really special kitties, and I feel blessed to have been your mom, even if only temporarily. Your new mom and dad really love animals, so give them a change to prove that to you. They've got a cool place for you to live, and you'll be well cared for. Be nice to your new brothers and sisters and please don't run off, okay? I love you lots and will never forget you,

Your Surrogate Mom

[Biciclista]

Dear Indysteel
thanks again for helping two feral cats not only survive, but find forever homes too!!

another crazy cat lady

[indysteel]

Dear Indysteel
thanks again for helping two feral cats not only survive, but find forever homes too!!

another crazy cat lady

Thanks, dear! And here's hoping re: their new home! I'm set to send them to a friend's farm later this week, but I finally heard back from our local Humane Society today. I had sent them an email last week asking if I could at least post a courtesy listing on their website (they foster animals and, last I knew, didn't have room for them). The new executive director was touched by our story and the care that we took with them and was going to talk to her Volunteer Coordinator about it. So, maybe they might find room in their foster program. I sure hope so.

While I tend to think Paddy might do better at the farm, Taco would do very well in an indoor environment. I've spent a lot of time with her over the last week. When she had her boy with her, they kind of did their own thing, but now that she's alone, she's been in our yard almost 24/7. She is SO sweet. Someone would be incredibly lucky to have her as a pet. If my situation was even slightly different, I'd adopt her in a heartbeat.

[spokewench]

I'm sending my good thoughts out to RD, Biciclista's hubby! Tomorrow is the big S day, I think.

((((Mimi)))) and ((((RD)))).

[OakLeaf]

I'm sending my good thoughts out to RD, Biciclista's hubby! Tomorrow is the big S day, I think.

((((Mimi)))) and ((((RD)))).

Spinning my wheels for both of you.

[indysteel]

I'm sending my good thoughts out to RD, Biciclista's hubby! Tomorrow is the big S day, I think.

((((Mimi)))) and ((((RD)))).

+1. Sending you guys good vibes. I got the kitties on it as well!

[Crankin]

Thinking of you and your hubby, Mimi.
Keep us posted.
I admire the way you have handled this situation. I don't think I would be so graceful.

[Biciclista]

Dear Crankin
You only get to see my good side. I whine, cry and resent. I have bad dreams. I am not being very productive. I really appreciate you and all the other gals on here to talk to, to banter, and to talk about things that are not upsetting because i have enough of the upsetting stuff happening here. My DH wants my son and I to be with him for the first 48 hours after the surgery!!! and not leave him alone. THAT is not going to be easy. So he talks big but really he's scared too or why would he want us there constantly when he's in ICU (when lots of people will be there to take care of him?) anyway, yes yes, I will keep you guys posted. I am taking my notebook computer to the hospital, where I will be staying in the waiting room for much of the day..

thanks you guys.

[Blueberry]

Sending positive vibes your way, Mimi. For the surgery, and for you and your son. Don't forget to take care of yourself too:)

[azfiddle]

Mimi- best of luck to you and Don tomorrow. Bring some healthy snacks and things to do- it sounds like a long day ahead. All the best, we are thinking of you.

Sharon

[SheFly]

Dear Mimi,

Despite what you say, you are handling this with grace. The crying, despair, etc are normal reactions given what's going on. You have a long day (and more) ahead. Know that all of us are here rooting for you and RD and sending as many good vibes as we can in your direction.

I'll stomp the pedals extra hard for both of you later today.

Keeping you in my thoughts.

SheFly

[jobob]

Mimi, Lee and I have you and RD in our thoughts today. Please take care of yourself. ((hugs)) from the Bobs.

[Biciclista]

aw, you guys are making me cry.. thanks.
some good news: dr doesn't want to take out his gallbladder after all! one less insult to his body.
especially since his gallbladder never bothered him, we both thought it was stinky that they considered it a "throw away" organ.
he's in surgery now. he maintained an incredibly good attitude even as they doped him up. hes an amazing man.

[Sky King]

At the risk of stating the obvious, as he is coming out of all of this in the next few days, remember to massage his feet, legs, hands and arms. As we all know, touch is an amazing thing - for both of you. Hugs

[redrhodie]

Sending positive thoughts your way, Mimi. I hope you find something to do to keep busy today. I can imagine how hard it is to sit there, waiting. At least you have us. :)

[Catrin]

Mimi, I hope all goes well today, it is harder to watch someone we love go through things like this than to go through them ourselves....

My mom is having lung surgery next Wed...I will be headed to Tennessee on Tuesday and will return that weekend. I likely won't have much in the way of internet access while I am gone.

[indysteel]

Mimi, I hope all goes well today, it is harder to watch someone we love go through things like this than to go through them ourselves....

My mom is having lung surgery next Wed...I will be headed to Tennessee on Tuesday and will return that weekend. I likely won't have much in the way of internet access while I am gone.

Sending positive and healing vibes to you and your mom, Catrin. Safe travels.

[maillotpois]

Dear Mimi,

Despite what you say, you are handling this with grace. ...

Yes. What she(fly) said. We're all pulling for both of you.

[tangentgirl]

Dear Self: whatever whiny thing you were going to post here really doesn't matter. You have your health, and at the moment, so do the people you love. Keep that in mind and have a good day.

**
Mimi and (next week) Catrin, +1 on the good vibes for you both.

[NbyNW]

Mimi, I hope everything goes smoothly today. Thinking of you and RD!

[Crankin]

I've been thinking about you and RD all day, Mimi. It makes my silly health issues feel small.
Catrin, wishing your mom good luck next week.

[Biciclista]

dear Crankin
your silly health issues aren't small. But yes, be glad you aren't on a table with the doctor doing the "abdominal part" of your surgery.
Dear TE gals

I have received two very positive updates so far from the team. They are in the last leg.. some good news, at least before they went in, they decided to let him keep his gallbladder since it wasn't bothering him. and Catrin, let us know how your mom does too.
I have a private waiting room at the hospital, with a phone, sofa (big enough to sleep on) table, wifi, and tv. three different bike friends have come down here to hold my hand and visit. will let you know when it's done.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Mimi, my thoughts are with you and Don right now.
I'm glad you at least have a comfortable room to wait it through those hours of waiting. Ugh, i remember my days of sitting on the hallway floors at St.Vincent's hosp in NYC, waiting for word from the doctors or nurses about my mother.... it's no fun.
Don is so strong and positive a force...and so are you! xox

[OakLeaf]

I've been thinking about the two of you all day - hope the news continues to be positive.

[Owlie]

I've been thinking of you today.

[Biciclista]

going crazy here waiting for a phone call. argh.. but i'd rather the doctor didn't rush at this point.
as i sit here typing i think this is sort of nutty that i am sitting here typing to you guys news about surgery but hey, that's the way the world works these days. My son is here now and we are waiting together.

[salsabike]

A long damn day all around. But if good vibes and love help at all, you guys have those in HUGE volume.

[salsabike]

Dear Whoever's in Charge of This Stuff,

Could you please fix it so that today's results are really, really good? We would SO appreciate it. Thank you.

[Biciclista]

no kidding. D never knew he was so loved and popular. how awesome. it has done so much for his self esteem :o:rolleyes:

[salsabike]

There are a lot of things I love about him, but I think that most of all, it is that he is so BIG-hearted---such a mentor and supporter and cheerleader, and for so many people. He's just basically...a REALLY GOOD GUY.

[Biciclista]

surgeon just came in and said all is well, his associates are stitching him up. he said the next step is pain management

[salsabike]

surgeon just came in and said all is well, his associates are stitching him up. He said the next step is pain management

thank you.

[bmccasland]

surgeon just came in and said all is well, his associates are stitching him up. he said the next step is pain management

Here's hoping for a speedy and comfortable recovery. :)

[Catrin]

surgeon just came in and said all is well, his associates are stitching him up. he said the next step is pain management

Now it is time for a safe and comfortable recovery, hang in there!

[indysteel]

There are a lot of things I love about him, but I think that most of all, it is that he is so BIG-hearted---such a mentor and supporter and cheerleader, and for so many people. He's just basically...a REALLY GOOD GUY.

What a touching post. Thanks so much for sharing.

Mimi, I'm so glad surgery is over. Let the healing begin. I hope they're able to manage his pain. Big hugs to you and your family.

[Crankin]

Keep us posted, Mimi.
Pain management is good...

[OakLeaf]

So glad it's going well so far. Healing thoughts to both of you as he enters this next phase.

[Blueberry]

Thank you, Mimi, for taking the time to share with us.

We're all pulling for both of you. The only advice I have is stay ahead of the pain. 'Tis not the time to be drug free.

Hang in there - sending healing thoughts.

[azfiddle]

Mimi- Chuck and I are breathing a big sigh of relief- and sending you hugs- as you move in to the next phase of recovery. Keep us posted, and don't forget to rest and take care of yourself now.

Sharon

[Trek420]

stay ahead of the pain. 'Tis not the time to be drug free.

Yep, the key to happiness is good drugs :) Glad the surgery went well. Tell D we're all pulling for him and all of you.

[NbyNW]

surgeon just came in and said all is well, his associates are stitching him up. he said the next step is pain management

Great news! What a relief. I hope you're able to rest easy tonight.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

SO GLAD the surgery was successful. That's truly great news.
For now, the only job you and your wonderful guy have is to try to rest and get some sleep. You all must be incredibly exhausted.

[Trek420]

Dear Bank,

It's time to call it quits. It's not you, it's me. Ok it is you. :rolleyes:

I'm not naming you or anything but you're the bank that has initials W F.

It used to be real good. You are the bank that took me in when I needed a home and a home loan, a single woman alone but with a good union job.

But when I tried to get my mortgage to record low rates you advertise to new home owners you've refused. You always had some lame excuse. I know, I know the market's tanked here but I showed you that if I sold my newly remodeled home you'd get back what I owe. You would not budge. "It's not available to condos, it's not available in your county, we can't do this, we can't ...." and so on.

It's not that November 5th is Bank Transfer Day, it's just that I ♥ my credit union. I've found someone new. In time you will too. Don't be sad. And if I have to go into your office please don't arrest me. :p

I'll have to fax tons and tons of stuff. But from the time I called my credit union I'd been approved in less than 12 hours where you would not even return my calls, help me when I came in etc.

This will save us hundreds each month, puts more money in my local community and mainly more money in our pockets :)

[Blueberry]

This will save us hundreds each month, puts more money in my local community and mainly more money in our pockets :)

Yay!! Congratulations!!!

FWIW the same charming entity purchased one of our more local banks. It's been a rude awakening for some folks....they have not been easy or fun to deal with thus far.

[VeganBikeChick]

Dear Self,

You've been busting your asparagus for the last 6 weeks, running, to make yourself feel better about your image and to improve self-confidence. Don't let one toad ruin your mojo. Surely some normal, non-loser guy would be thrilled to date you. :(

[alexis_the_tiny]

surgeon just came in and said all is well, his associates are stitching him up. he said the next step is pain management

Whoo hoo, Mimi, that's awesome!!

Dear girls-who-are-so-nasty-I-have-no-names-for-you,

Depression is hard, horrible and its a lot of suffering. Saying publicly that someone with a depressive disorder has an attention seeking disorder because they're depressed is just nasty. I hope that one day, you or someone near to you suffers from really severe depression and you'll finally understand how much suffering it can put you through.

[limewave]

Dear girls-who-are-so-nasty-I-have-no-names-for-you,

Depression is hard, horrible and its a lot of suffering. Saying publicly that someone with a depressive disorder has an attention seeking disorder because they're depressed is just nasty. I hope that one day, you or someone near to you suffers from really severe depression and you'll finally understand how much suffering it can put you through.

That is awful!!! I used to suffer from severe depression and I lost ALL of my friends. It's a very difficult disease because it manifests in behavior that does alienate the sufferer from other people. :(

Dear friend's DH,
Somehow you have always managed to make me feel uncomfortable and subpar. Back in the day when I threw your wife, my BFF, a bridal shower and you DESTROYED all of the pictures b/c a few of us got her lingerie and you could see the garments in the background of the pictures is just bizarre and controlling (this was before digital cameras . . . its not like we posted them on FB!). And for the last few years you wouldn't ALLOW your wife a FB page or have her own email or phone. The only way I could connect with her was writing old fashioned letters, which was kind of fun, but still . . . . Anyways . . . the thing you did recently just put me back in college to those days when you made me feel amoral and awkward. But, you know what, I'm snapping out of it. I know that your behavior has to do with YOUR insecurities, not mine.
Suck it.
~Limewave

[lph]

(...)you DESTROYED all of the pictures (...) you wouldn't ALLOW your wife a FB page or have her own email or phone.

Oh wow. :eek: This man sounds scary. I hope your friend is ok. She could have had pictures of her cavorting around butt naked, and they would still be her pictures to do with as she pleases.

[Sky King]

Dear Self,

You've been busting your asparagus for the last 6 weeks, running, to make yourself feel better about your image and to improve self-confidence. Don't let one toad ruin your mojo. Surely some normal, non-loser guy would be thrilled to date you. :(

Totally manifest that vision of a wonderful guy, even go so far as to write down the values of said guy! Sounds like you are well into "loving your own skin" I connected with my DH shortly after I learned to love myself for just being myself and low and behold I met a man who loved me just for me, warts and all :)

[VeganBikeChick]

Thanks, Sky. Your words are really helpful :).

[redrhodie]

Dear Self,

Surely some normal, non-loser guy would be thrilled to date you. :(

If he exists! :rolleyes: ;) :D I recommend going for the non-loser weirdo.

[Owlie]

Not-dear professor:

In what country is saying something like that a good idea? Seriously, if the self-described "dirty old man" in the department thinks it's inappropriate, it's inappropriate. Unfortunately, we still have another two weeks in the quarter, and then we have to take another class with you.

[tangentgirl]

Seriously, if the self-described "dirty old man" in the department thinks it's inappropriate, it's inappropriate.

LOL, and really true. If you are making the DOM uncomfortable, damn.

**

Dear Me: You should go on a bike ride tomorrow morning. Just a quick one, nothing epic, get out there and spin. The weather is nice and you should enjoy it.

**
Dear Work Partner: Enough with the multi-tasking. You are not being efficient by trying to review things with me on a call and order from starbucks/talktoyourassistant/getdirections/parkyourcar/changeyourflight at the same time. Have a little respect and do one thing at a time, at least when you are working with me. Luckily, you are also my friend and I can tell you this IRL...but it's nice to write it out first.

[KnottedYet]

Mimi -
Sigh of relief for the good news! Give Don a hug for us!

[alexis_the_tiny]

Dear Self,

You've been busting your asparagus for the last 6 weeks, running, to make yourself feel better about your image and to improve self-confidence. Don't let one toad ruin your mojo. Surely some normal, non-loser guy would be thrilled to date you. :(

Toads (the metaphorical kind) are for squashing. Non-loser guys are way better.

Limewave,

I find it a bit icky on those girls' part because, to begin with, they don't even know the person they're bashing. And to make it even ickier, they're are local 'celebrity bloggers' who have a following. It's just irresponsible.

And your friend's husband sounds gross. Hope she's ok.

[Roadtrip]

Dear "Cousin",

I know he may mean more to you, as you were and remain related to the man who was once my step father... but I will not shed a tear at learning this man has passed on. I do wish you personally all the best in your grief, I just wish you knew what this man did, and why I cannot shed a single tear knowing he's gone.

This is the same man who beat both my mother and I, for no other reason but my failure To do housework less then a week after coming home from major surgery. Fact is, that very night, I saved your life as mother loaded the gun and you lay passed out in a stuppor. Purely for selfish reasons, I must admit as I didn't want to loose her to a prison cell, but none the less it bought you another twenty some odd years on this earth.

Time has healed many wounds and I guess knowing you can now never treat anyone else like you treated our family is something I didn't know I'd feel so strongly about.

[OakLeaf]

(((((((Roadtrip)))))))

[indysteel]

((((Roadtrip)))). Everytime you talk about your childhood, I'm tempted to drive to Cincy to give you a huge hug. I hope you have found a way to heal from the abuse you suffered at the hands of your stepfather. Peace to you.

[Biciclista]

{{{{Roadtrip}}}} sorry, family can be the worst thing.

dear TE ladies
DH is getting out of ICU today. they just took 3 drains out of his body. HURRAY!!

[bmccasland]

dear TE ladies
DH is getting out of ICU today. they just took 3 drains out of his body. HURRAY!!

Yay!!!!! :D:D

[jobob]

Excellent !!!

[jobob]

((Roadtrip))

[OakLeaf]

Woot Mimi! That's quick healing. Thanks for keeping us updated on Don's progress.

[Blueberry]

Yay Mimi! We're all still pulling for him!!

((((((Roadtrip))))))) I'm sorry that I don't have sufficient words:(

[Catrin]

Great news Mimi!!!


{{{{Shannon}}}}

[Crankin]

Great news, Mimi.

Dear Body,

For all these weeks you thought there was something really wrong with you. Turns out you were coming down with bronchitis and ignored it. That little inkling in your brain that you should take a rest week instead of a rest day might have been a good idea. No, you're not getting slow and old, just sick.
May not have been a great idea to go to a step class this morning, but I think it was a better choice than riding in 32 degree cloudy, pre snow temperatures.

Taking 5 days off from any exercise was wise, maybe should have been more.

[Biciclista]

Dear Crankin
see? I told ya!!
now take care of yourself and don't minimize what your bod is telling you.
love
mom

[Biciclista]

Dear Self
you cannot eat pomegranate and type at the same time. It makes for a very sticky keyboard.

[NbyNW]

Fantastic news, Mimi! Please let Don know that we are rooting him to get out of the hospital and home ahead of schedule!

[Owlie]

That's awesome news, Mimi!

((Roadtrip))

Dear certain retailer:
Uh, two billing cycles to get return credit is slightly ridiculous.

Dear pot of onions:
Caramelize faster! I'm hungry!

[Trek420]

Dear onion carmelizer,

Did you add a little sugar? It helps :)

[solobiker]

{{{{Roadtrip}}}} sorry, family can be the worst thing.

dear TE ladies
DH is getting out of ICU today. they just took 3 drains out of his body. HURRAY!!

:D Great news!! Thanks for keeping us posted.

[Owlie]

Dear onion carmelizer,

Did you add a little sugar? It helps :)

I did! I discovered, however, that the problem wasn't sugar (or lack thereof), but the fact that the large burner on my stove has crapped out! :mad:

The soup is now happily bubbling away on the back burner.

[channlluv]

Dear Petite, Skinny Mom,

It's really not okay to laugh along with your four-year-old when he laughs at the lady with the "great big butt." Granted, maybe you were embarrassed, but by the smirk on your face, I kinda think not.

Me.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Owlie, try sprinkling some salt into the onions next time. It sucks out the residual water and helps the sugars inside brown faster.

[Biciclista]

Dear Channlluv
I am sorry the mom was such a jerk. When my own tot (only 2 years old) kept telling me in his loud clear voice "Mommy look at that ugly ugly man" I was so astonished that all I could do was rush him away from the poor guy (who wasn't particularly ugly) he was too young to understand that he might hurt someone's feelings. On the other hand, I was proud that he was speaking in sentences. I don't think I smirked though, I was horrified!

[solobiker]

:(
Dear Petite, Skinny Mom,

It's really not okay to laugh along with your four-year-old when he laughs at the lady with the "great big butt." Granted, maybe you were embarrassed, but by the smirk on your face, I kinda think not.

Me.

I am sorry that happened. People can be pretty pretty oblivious to others around them. Sorry I can't think of a better word then that..but I think you know what I mean. I tend to be very aware, almost to a fault. Hope you have a great day!! You rock:D

[Owlie]

Dear Petite, Skinny Mom,

It's really not okay to laugh along with your four-year-old when he laughs at the lady with the "great big butt." Granted, maybe you were embarrassed, but by the smirk on your face, I kinda think not.

Me.

:(

Dear bike:
Please stop giving me that look. I want to go out too, but I'm too poor to afford clothing to take you out. We'll try for later this afternoon, after I've had some tea and it's warmer than 35 degrees. Brr!
-Your owner/ice cube
Dear BF:
What are you whining about? I'd give an arm to have riding-friendly weather right now!
-Your girlfriend, who is rapidly turning into a popsicle.

[channlluv]

Dear Channlluv
I am sorry the mom was such a jerk. When my own tot (only 2 years old) kept telling me in his loud clear voice "Mommy look at that ugly ugly man" I was so astonished that all I could do was rush him away from the poor guy (who wasn't particularly ugly) he was too young to understand that he might hurt someone's feelings. On the other hand, I was proud that he was speaking in sentences. I don't think I smirked though, I was horrified!

What was really disheartening is the setting -- we were at a place where my daughter spends a lot of time, probably with this woman's older kid, although I didn't recognize either the little one or the mom.

I've had people laugh at me before - a couple of times when I've been riding around the lake. One man even laughed as I rode past him (he was walking) and shouted ahead to his wife in a language that sounded like Russian to me -- she was about twenty yards ahead of him. She looked up just as I was riding past, at me, and then she laughed, too. Another time it was two younger college-age women on beach cruisers, also at the lake.

I've had strangers ask me when my baby is due, one saying that I look like I'm about to pop. One even said, incredulously, "You're kidding!" when I told him I wasn't pregnant, and he kept staring at my stomach like I was lying to him. I wanted to dump a vase of water over his head.

Another time, in Home Depot, I was browsing in the garden section and a little boy in a cart next to me said, "Look, Mommy, that lady has a baby in her tummy." The mom glancing up with a smile to congratulate me, then realizing I did not, sort of looked embarrassed and shushed him and moved to a different aisle.

I've heard more than once, when I was younger, "You'd be so pretty if you'd just lose some weight."

I don't know. Even my therapist has been telling me that maybe I just need to be one of those big women who just live their lives and don't give a damn.

Being fat is hard, though.

Roxy

[Biciclista]

What was really disheartening is the setting -- we were at a place where my daughter spends a lot of time, probably with this woman's older kid, although I didn't recognize either the little one or the mom.

I've had people laugh at me before - a couple of times when I've been riding around the lake. One man even laughed as I rode past him (he was walking) and shouted ahead to his wife in a language that sounded like Russian to me -- she was about twenty yards ahead of him. She looked up just as I was riding past, at me, and then she laughed, too. Another time it was two younger college-age women on beach cruisers, also at the lake.

I've had strangers ask me when my baby is due, one saying that I look like I'm about to pop. One even said, incredulously, "You're kidding!" when I told him I wasn't pregnant, and he kept staring at my stomach like I was lying to him. I wanted to dump a vase of water over his head.

Another time, in Home Depot, I was browsing in the garden section and a little boy in a cart next to me said, "Look, Mommy, that lady has a baby in her tummy." The mom glancing up with a smile to congratulate me, then realizing I did not, sort of looked embarrassed and shushed him and moved to a different aisle.

I've heard more than once, when I was younger, "You'd be so pretty if you'd just lose some weight."

I don't know. Even my therapist has been telling me that maybe I just need to be one of those big women who just live their lives and don't give a damn.

Being fat is hard, though.

Roxy

ouch. Even i did that once to a friend. I said "omigosh, don't tell me, you're pregnant!" and she wasn't... :(:(

[redrhodie]

Roxy, as the daughter of a woman who was tortured by her size, I can understand your pain. I wish my mother had been able to not care. She really let her body hate ruin her life. She pretty much hid, when she would have liked to be doing. It prevented her from enjoying life.

We don't get to choose our body, so it's really not fair that having a "nice" one is so valued. It's not like it automatically makes you a nice person. I wish we cared more about that, but it's all superficial.

But, I think you're very pretty the way you are (not that that matters ;)).

[channlluv]

Well, the pregnancy comment has happened enough that I know whomever is making it is trying to be thoughtful, not hurtful, so it doesn't bother me as much, but that old guy staring at my stomach and challenging me. He actually followed that up with, "I would have guessed five or six months along." Yeah, really. Thanks.

Oof.

[Owlie]

((Roxy))

Dear self:
Harden the **** up. While I can understand not wanting to ride with back cramps, given that the last time we did so, we nearly crashed, if you're going to ride for the remainder of the year, you're going to need to learn to do so in the cold.

[jobob]

((Roxy))

I'm a firm believer in karma -- of the 'what goes around comes around' variety. I truly believe people who deliberately say or do unkind things will eventually get theirs.

It may not be immediate (oh, wouldn't it be great if such people could be vaporized on the spot?!?) but perhaps someday the petite skinny mom may wake up to find herself old and flabby and have someone remark on her less-than-perfect appearance, or, owing to her marvelous 'parenting' her son will grow up to be a callous self-centered jerk who does not give her the time of day.

I suppose it's a negative thought process to take; I don't really dwell on this kind of thing but it does help me get past injustices like that.

[OakLeaf]

(((((Roxy))))) People can be so rude. I wonder if there's a snappy response you could come up with?

[channlluv]

Thanks, jobob.

Oak, mostly I just ignore them. It's embarrassing to acknowledge public scorn.

Sorry to gripe here. I'm the one actually looking forward to winter riding season because the trails are less crowded. Fewer people to mock me. :)

Roxy

[lph]

channlluv, if it's any consolation, the only way I see you is that big, victorious smile in your avatar, and it's gorgeous.

[maillotpois]

channlluv, if it's any consolation, the only way I see you is that big, victorious smile in your avatar, and it's gorgeous.

+1!!!

And big yay to RD and Mimi.

[VeganBikeChick]

I've heard more than once, when I was younger, "You'd be so pretty if you'd just lose some weight."

Roxy

My Dad still says that to me all the time. Part of me wonders if I stay fat just to spite him. We don't exactly have a loving relationship.

Really doesn't do much for the self-confidence, especially when you think all the guys out there only want to date skinny girls.



BIG HUGS to you, Roxy. Your strength, determination, and compassion is unparalleled.

[Biciclista]

Dear TE ladies
This is the first time I left DH (in the hospital) where I felt bad for me instead of for him. He's doing really well. He's got his sense of humor back (for what it's worth) ;) :rolleyes: and he's able to get up and do laps in the hospital hallways. The only bad part is that he has to ask the nurses to do it, because he still has a few lines that have to be messed with before he can leave his bed and the immediate vicinity of it.
Why do i feel bad for me? oh, it's being alone. Funny, it didn't bother me so much when he was out of state on a bike ride!

owell progress. every day.

[solobiker]

Happy to hear he is on his feet:D And you are not alone...you have all of us;)

[Biciclista]

aw, thanks! come for dinner tomorrow?

[solobiker]

Would love to.. whatcha making??:) How long do you think it would take to get there from CO?

[Biciclista]

it depends on how fast you can ride. it's all downhill from Colorado, isn't it? ;)
(maybe Chicken , brown rice, and stirfried veggies)

[NbyNW]

channlluv, if it's any consolation, the only way I see you is that big, victorious smile in your avatar, and it's gorgeous.

^ What lph said. And hugs. I'm sure you've developed ways to deal with the comments, but we all have days when things get to us.

Mimi: seriously, would you like company for dinner? DH is out of town this week so I can bring something over!

[bmccasland]

^ What lph said. And hugs. I'm sure you've developed ways to deal with the comments, but we all have days when things get to us.

Mimi: seriously, would you like company for dinner? DH is out of town this week so I can bring something over!

TE dinner party to cheer Mimi up? Or to drive her crazy and wish for quiet! ;):D

[Biciclista]

Mimi: seriously, would you like company for dinner? DH is out of town this week so I can bring something over!

I would love that. it's so quiet here without the Donald. It really doesn't normally bother me, but it is bothering me with him in the hospital like this.

[solobiker]

it depends on how fast you can ride. it's all downhill from Colorado, isn't it? ;)
(maybe Chicken , brown rice, and stirfried veggies)

LOL...that is what I was planning too!! I will be there in spirit!! I am kind of shy just to warn you. If I was out there I would gladly join you for dinner.

[indysteel]

Mimi, I'm so glad to hear that Don is doing well, but I'm sorry you feel lonely. I sure hope your fellow NW TEers can join you for dinner. What a nice diversion that would be.

Roxy, you're beautiful!!! It makes me sad that you've had to endure such insensitivity. You deserve better.

[marni]

((Roxy))

Dear self:
Harden the **** up. While I can understand not wanting to ride with back cramps, given that the last time we did so, we nearly crashed, if you're going to ride for the remainder of the year, you're going to need to learn to do so in the cold.

two words- wool underlayers

marni

[Biciclista]

Dear Owlie
you don't have to spend a lot of $$$ for those wool underlayers. You'd be surprised what you can find in a thrift store..

[PamNY]

Dear Owlie
you don't have to spend a lot of $$$ for those wool underlayers. You'd be surprised what you can find in a thrift store..

That is so true. I just got out my winter clothes and, looking at the giant pile of wool, said to myself "What was I thinking?" But I know the answer -- I was thinking "$4.99 for a merino layer is too good to pass up."

Oh, and I was also thinking maybe the wool weenies can tell me where to put all this stuff...

[Selkie]

((Roxy))

I'm a firm believer in karma -- of the 'what goes around comes around' variety. I truly believe people who deliberately say or do unkind things will eventually get theirs.

It may not be immediate (oh, wouldn't it be great if such people could be vaporized on the spot?!?) but perhaps someday the petite skinny mom may wake up to find herself old and flabby and have someone remark on her less-than-perfect appearance, or, owing to her marvelous 'parenting' her son will grow up to be a callous self-centered jerk who does not give her the time of day.

I suppose it's a negative thought process to take; I don't really dwell on this kind of thing but it does help me get past injustices like that.

I agree 100% with Jo.

It's hard not to respond to an ugly, ignorant, mean, unsolicited comment, but keeping your dignity and ignoring it is always best.

When you roll in the dirt with pigs, you get dirty.

Weirdly enough, I've been a target of some heavy females. There's an extremely immature/loud/overweight woman at work who has: 1) made fun of my "chicken" neck (I'm almost 49); 2) accused me of having an eating disorder; and 3) called me "butter face." This is not said directly to me, but in loud conversations in the office that everyone overhears. Remarks like that don't impress anyone. I feel embarrassed for her, and just ignore her and her remarks.

[Crankin]

I have a problem with all of these "mean girls." Selkie, I've had people make comments about being petite, too. What ever happened to "you can think it, but don't say it?"
Some of this has been brought to light now that I am at a gym again. Sometimes, and I hate to say this, I don't like being in a class with all women! They see a new person and start checking me out... one woman came in and plunked her step down, 1 inch in front of where I was, so she could be near "her friend." I guess I was in her space? Cyclists aren't like this at all, thankfully.

[lph]

I remember that being one of the first things I taught my son about behaviour in public: "if you want to say something about someone else, whisper it to me, no matter what it is."

Later we went into discussing why, with my main point being that most grown people just don't like to be pointed at or commented on. It's a concept that kids take a little while to grow into. And I guess a few adults never grasp...

[Biciclista]

Honestly, I was glad the day my husband answered a question of mine, "no, you're not thin any more" because it was about that time that women quit treating me like I was subhuman for not having a weight problem. I cannot tell you how many times I have been between the crosshairs of some woman. "YOU don't understand. How COULD you understand?"


and about the wool. If you don't have a super cool cedar chest to keep it in, get ziplock bags..

[Veronica]

What ever happened to "you can think it, but don't say it?"



In this society "anything goes". Polite behavior has gone out the window.

Veronica

[Owlie]

Dear Owlie
you don't have to spend a lot of $$$ for those wool underlayers. You'd be surprised what you can find in a thrift store..

It's not that I don't have stuff (I do.) It'a matter of making myself go outside.

[NbyNW]

People can have a weird way of projecting their own insecurities onto you. I don't know if it makes them feel better to do so, but it really is their problem, not yours.

I've gotten comments about being too skinny my whole life. Even during a very stressful time of my life when I had trouble keeping weight on, in spite of a healthy appetite, I got dangerously thin.

We all have our burdens. I've never found it productive to compare who's got it more difficult.

[snapdragen]

channlluv, if it's any consolation, the only way I see you is that big, victorious smile in your avatar, and it's gorgeous.

+1,000,000,000

Maybe we can come up with some snappy comebacks...:rolleyes:

[indysteel]

Dear retail gods: Why is it so hard to find a wool winter coat that fits? I go through this every few years and it's always torture. Enough with the vanity sizing for one. I'm not skinny, so why are most coats huge on me? On the flip side of the coin, why does J. Crew think that the average woman has toothpicks for arms? As I tried your coats on, I heard several women experiencing the same problem that I was. The coat otherwise fit but was cut much too tightly under the arms. Argh. And enough with the weird designs, too. Why would I want a winter coat with three-quarter length sleeves or a lapel as big as my body? Just give me a classic, well proportioned cut. In a camel color preferably. Black is no good; I have cats.

Thank you.

[tangentgirl]

Classic but true: mean people suck.

[Bethany1]

I've had the "so when are you due?" question before. I just smile and say, "Thanks for asking, but I'm not expecting".

What gets me are the skinny girls that are always complaining about being fat. I figure I have a right to complain, but they just sound pathetic.