Dear So and So [Archive] - Page 17 - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

indysteel

10-31-2011, 11:27 AM

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.

I am truly sympathetic to anyone with weight issues. That includes thin people with a distorted body image or those who use calorie deprivation as a means to self-medicate. Trust me; it's no walk in the park either.

indysteel

10-31-2011, 11:29 AM

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

I don't always motivate to ride when it's cold, but there are other things (hiking and running) that I enjoy and that don't seem quite as brutal when it's cold. I'd love to x-country ski if we had the snow for it in Indiana. Is there any other outside activity that you might enjoy in the winter?

OakLeaf

10-31-2011, 11:29 AM

Exactly. If weight were self-determined, then Karen Carpenter was fat the day she died.

channlluv

10-31-2011, 01:51 PM

You guys are all so thoughtful. Thank you.

I realize body image is all relative. I've got a friend who is tall, uberfit, gorgeous, and when we come off a 12-mile ride, she complains about her pooch to the other thin women in our group (which is all of the other three -- I'm the only fat one riding here). This leads them all to complain about their own bellies or thighs or whatever...I just stand there thinking, "Are you kidding?" But it's all relative.

It's okay to make jokes about fat people in our society. On one of my favorite TV shows, the beautiful female police detective got all bent out of shape because a carnie weight guesser said she weighed 145 pounds, and it became a running bit through the show. "He was right about every one else. Why would he say I weigh 145? Do I look like I weigh 145?" Turns out the guy was part of the bad guy ring and was just calling her fat - 145 is fat - to rattle her and derail her investigation, and it worked.

People feel free to lecture me on nutrition, too. Like my cart's not full of organic veggies and lean meats and whole grain whatever. They had success with such-and-such diet and I should try it, too.

I know they mean well, so I just smile and nod. It's all relative.

Roxy

ladyicon

10-31-2011, 02:08 PM

A lot of weight has to do with DNA and hormones. I should know since I keep gaining weight during menopause.

PamNY

10-31-2011, 03:44 PM

I really hate conversations about people's physical appearance.

My SO has two friends who make derisive comments like that very often, and it's gotten to the point where I avoid them. Both are successful professional people; I can't think what they are getting out of such adolescent nonsense.

indysteel

10-31-2011, 03:58 PM

My point, Roxy, wasn't just that it's all relative. Rather, that body image and weight issues come in all shapes and sizes and that it's probably better in the long run not to judge or make assumptions. That skinny woman complaining about her thighs might go home and purge or she might skip meals to punish herself. You just don't know. Just like she may not understand everything about you just by looking at you.

NbyNW

10-31-2011, 06:19 PM

Indy, check out Brooks Brothers for coats.

I found a beautiful camelhair coat (http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=246&Product_Id=1480785&Parent_Id=1034&default_color=CAMEL&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=) there last year. Very classic cut and style, it's going to last me many years. It replaced a black wool coat that I bought in 1996. It might be worth a look for you, because I think they don't change their outerwear styles too much from year to year.

Brooks Bros. is not cheap. But we lucked out because we were there on Black Friday, to find DH a new suit. We were the only people in the store and boy were the salespeople glad to see us! I had been keeping my eyes out for a new coat and here was one my size (in a color and style that I've been dreaming about since I was a broke 20-something a million years ago), and my mom was with me and she wanted to buy it for me! She has a dismal record with remembering to send birthday and Christmas gifts (not that I care), so I let her.

channlluv

10-31-2011, 07:00 PM

Point taken, Indy. Thank you.

Bethany1

10-31-2011, 09:56 PM

Dear Microsoft Xbox,

Since you have now invaded my house via my husband, it would be great if you could put out a mountain bike game with really cool trails so I could at least pretend to be good at something. If you don't, I'll be stuck with games like "Battlefield 3" or whatever it's called being played all day long.

Catrin

11-01-2011, 04:34 AM

My mom's lung surgery is tomorrow, so am headed home. I may, or may not, have internet access until I get home - AT&T doesn't have good service there so I may not be back online until next week...please send good thoughts, wishes, and prayers her way.

OakLeaf

11-01-2011, 04:47 AM

Keeping her in my thoughts. Don't forget to take care of yourself, too.

Becky

11-01-2011, 05:01 AM

(((Catrin)))

Thinking of you and your mom. Safe travels!

spokewench

11-01-2011, 05:35 AM

Catrin your Mom is in my thoughts. You take care of yourself

indysteel

11-01-2011, 06:04 AM

Catrin,

Sending good thoughts and prayers your way. Have a safe trip and let us know how your mom and you are doing when you're able.

PamNY

11-01-2011, 06:13 AM

Catrin, keeping a good thought for you and your mom.

Sky King

11-01-2011, 07:08 AM

Dear Self,

Enough of the pity party, recognize why you are feeling this way and get over it. Little conversations in your head do not equate to communication

Dear foot, Please, please heal ten more days of the boot cast is more than enough

NbyNW

11-01-2011, 07:25 AM

Hope all goes well with your mother's surgery, Catrin.

Blueberry

11-01-2011, 07:40 AM

Dear idiot who threw a knife at a commuter on our bike trail last night:

You suck. I hope the cops catch you. I hope they can match the knife (stuck in his helmet) with the rest of the set in your kitchen. I hope they charge you appropriately.

Dear idiot who has been exposing himself on the same bike trail:

You also suck. I really hope the cops catch you.

Dear self:

Don't ride that trail for a while.

maillotpois

11-01-2011, 07:45 AM

Blueberry -

:eek:

indysteel

11-01-2011, 07:47 AM

Blueberry -

:eek:

I was thinking :eek: and :mad:

We have similar issues on our trail. It really ticks me off that people have to turn something good into something scary. Grrrrr.

Blueberry

11-01-2011, 07:54 AM

I'm hoping it's just because it was Halloween for the knife thing (not that that's an excuse at all, but people do stupid s--- all the time on Halloween). This trail is a major commuter route for cyclists, but goes through some rough-er neighborhoods (of course, the indecent exposure has been happening in the "better" areas....go figure).

We went through some of this a few years ago. It went away. I'm sad it's back.

lph

11-01-2011, 08:30 AM

I'm so sorry Blueberry! What a nasty couple of incidents to have to think about.

If there was any true karma in the world these two idiots would be there at the same time and go be nasty to each other instead of troubling the rest of us.

Owlie

11-01-2011, 08:30 AM

((Catrin))

OakLeaf

11-01-2011, 08:40 AM

That s*cks, Blueberry. I hope they're caught.

If there was any true karma in the world these two idiots would be there at the same time and go be nasty to each other instead of troubling the rest of us.

Shouldn't, but I can't help laughing at the possibilities of an encounter between a flasher and a knife-thrower...

Biciclista

11-01-2011, 09:48 AM

good grief!
knife throwers and perverts! I too am sorry that humans are so beastly to each other.

My husband is still very sick. Apparently they cut a Chyle duct which means all his triglicerides are getting dumped into his chest cavity. it is fixed with diet and surgery. This really stinks. it is breaking my heart to see him so miserable and frail. His friends are benadryl and oxycodone

Blueberry

11-01-2011, 09:51 AM

My husband is still very sick. Apparently they cut a Chyle duct which means all his triglicerides are getting dumped into his chest cavity. it is fixed with diet and surgery. This really stinks. it is breaking my heart to see him so miserable and frail. His friends are benadryl and oxycodone

Mimi-

I'm so sorry to hear this:( Continuing to send good and healing thoughts your way.

Don't forget to care for yourself too - it sounds like you have a marathon to run here - not a sprint.

indysteel

11-01-2011, 09:56 AM

NbyNW

11-01-2011, 10:01 AM

(((Mimi)))

OakLeaf

11-01-2011, 10:03 AM

(((((Mimi & Don)))))

lph

11-01-2011, 11:00 AM

I'm so sorry, Mimi! It sucks to see someone you love feeling low and fragile. He'll come through it and regain his energy, you know it. Hugs to both of you!

channlluv

11-01-2011, 11:30 AM

Catrin, I hope your mom's surgery is successful and that she has a quick recovery.

Mimi, Don is lucky to have you. Does he have any video from his own rides? Would showing him these videos help him feel better, remind him how strong he is? I hope he clears this hurdle and gets back on his bike soon.

Blueberry...where are you again? Sheesh. Do you ride by yourself? How many times has this pervert exposed himself? Any cops on bikes around there?

I just enjoyed a ride with MillieNZ around Lake Miramar - 14 miles. We're meeting again on Thursday to try and better our time. It's nice to have a riding buddy. My goal is to up my miles, better my speed, and drop another twenty pounds. The last time I was successful at losing weight, it was on this bike, around this lake, so here I go.

Roxy

maillotpois

11-01-2011, 11:47 AM

The last time I was successful at losing weight, it was on this bike, around this lake, so here I go.

Roxy

Go YOU!!!!

:D

maillotpois

11-01-2011, 11:49 AM

Big hugs to Mimi and Rd. And to Catrin.

Pax

11-01-2011, 11:51 AM

Wishing everyone who's hurting peace.

snapdragen

11-01-2011, 12:43 PM

Prayers and blessings Catrin.

snapdragen

11-01-2011, 12:49 PM

My husband is still very sick. Apparently they cut a Chyle duct which means all his triglicerides are getting dumped into his chest cavity. it is fixed with diet and surgery. This really stinks. it is breaking my heart to see him so miserable and frail. His friends are benadryl and oxycodone

Well shoot, I'm sorry to hear this mimi. You and RD are in my thoughts.

emily_in_nc

11-01-2011, 01:21 PM

Catrin ~ Sending healing wishes to your mom.

Mimi ~ More healing wishes for Don. Can't believe they screwed something up in his surgery. Wait...yes, I can. :mad:

Blueberry ~ Did this happen on the American Tobacco Trail? How awful. Hope they catch the sickos.

Dear Self ~ Get over your silly blue mood. You have SO much to be thankful for and very little to complain about.

solobiker

11-01-2011, 02:09 PM

Mimi, sorry Don is having a rough time. He is very strong ( I know this from reading a lot of your previous posts from your rides) and will pull through this. Also please try to take care of yourself too!! Positive vibes for both you and Don.

Catrin , Sending healing wishes to your mom. Hope she gets better quickly

Blueberry, Hope you can find a nice area to ride without the jerks around.

Biciclista

11-01-2011, 03:09 PM

I didn't even get to have my nice dinner with NbyNW because I have to stay at the hospital so much (and eat crappy food)

The good news is that i am home right now doing laundry and cooking that chicken.
and I (blush) learned how to pay the house payment.

once again, thanks for all your support.

PamNY

11-01-2011, 03:18 PM

My husband is still very sick. Apparently they cut a Chyle duct which means all his triglicerides are getting dumped into his chest cavity. it is fixed with diet and surgery. This really stinks. it is breaking my heart to see him so miserable and frail. His friends are benadryl and oxycodone

Bummer! Keeping massive good vibes for both of you. Glad he's getting good drugs, and I hope you are taking care of yourself as much as possible.

Crankin

11-01-2011, 04:38 PM

Mimi, I am sorry to hear that you are having more challenges with DH's recovery. But, it will pass. Can you bring your own food into the hospital (even if you have to sneak it)?
Catrin, hope your mom appreciates your visit and her surgery goes well.

Thank you Concord Power and Light for keeping our electricity on. My poor friends in the next town are on day #3 without power. Two of them are staying here tonight, on their anniversary. Their house is now at 48 degrees. Since I drive through 3 neighboring towns on my way to my office, I got to see the devastation from the storm today. Even negotiating some minor intersections without traffic lights was not fun.
Please let me feel OK tomorrow and no coughing. I want to ride my new bike, even for 10 miles.

Biciclista

11-01-2011, 04:47 PM

Mimi, Don is lucky to have you. Does he have any video from his own rides? Would showing him these videos help him feel better, remind him how strong he is? I hope he clears this hurdle and gets back on his bike soon.

Roxy
this is no hurdle, it's more like a super marathon.
no videos he can't watch tv even. too much effort. maybe later.

salsabike

11-01-2011, 05:07 PM

this is no hurdle, it's more like a super marathon.
no videos he can't watch tv even. too much effort. maybe later.

Dang it dang it dang it. Tell him the women of TE love him. You too.

azfiddle

11-01-2011, 05:34 PM

Sending hugs to all who need them! Catrin, Roxy, Mimi & RD- and anyone else who needs a little extra support right now.

Roadtrip

11-01-2011, 05:39 PM

Thanks for the thoughts gals!! I love this place!!

Roxy, sorry you've had experiences with others about your weight. Sad as it might be, I think society has gotten desensitized to weight issues and the asumptions that "fat" people just can't push themselves away from the table, and ridicule is OK because they are to blame for their own condition.

From one big beautiful lady to another... keep riding and passing all those "skinny" gals.

Mimi... I have no words. Wishing you and hubby both better days ahead.

Indy... I'm taking you up on the hug next time I come over to the Indanapolis or brown co area :)

Catrin... Thinking of you and your mom. Hope all goes well there and your feeling better.

Shannon

Biciclista

11-01-2011, 05:47 PM

so you guys don't worry, he's perking up a tiny bit. truly some of the issues are related to the fact that he is an athlete. super efficient at getting rid of excess water!

Trek420

11-01-2011, 06:45 PM

Bici & Bici DH, glad he's perking up.

I was worried about tomorrows general strike in Oakland (I work there).

Would I get stuck on the way to or from? Would I remember all the lyrics to Union Maid, Which Side Are You On? and what's the last chorus to Solidarity Forever?

What if I get stuck there and if so what happens to my mutt?

I'm taking the day off, watching the news from home. :)

Owlie

11-01-2011, 07:57 PM

Oof, Mimi. I'm glad to hear he's perking up a little, even if it is a little. ((Hugs))

Shouldn't, but I can't help laughing at the possibilities of an encounter between a flasher and a knife-thrower...

LOL!

Dear self:
You rocked that last exam. And they didn't. I know you have a bit of "survivor's guilt" over it, but you need to get over that. Sympathize (because you've been there), don't mention your grade unless pressed, and study for the final.

NbyNW

11-01-2011, 09:09 PM

Mimi,

Glad things are turning around. Hope they keep going in the right direction.

Rest up, we can do dinner another time!

SheFly

11-02-2011, 04:04 AM

Mimi - as others have said, be sure that during this difficult time you are taking care of YOU. As caregivers (and worriers), we often neglect ourselves and that doesn't help anyone in the long run. Sneak in your own food (don't eat that hospital cr*p) and take a break once in awhile - it's ok, really.

As much as I worry for Don, I worry for you, too.

Catrin - that advice goes for you as well as you tend to your mom! I hope all went well.

And Roxy - you are beautiful - don't forget it!

SheFly

Biciclista

11-02-2011, 08:23 AM

Dear Shefly
Yesterday for the first time all week I cooked. I LOVE cooking !!! no burnt liver style tofu, no undercooked collards with too much red hot peppers in them.
No mushy rice.

My sweetie is texting and posted on facebook today for the first time since his surgery!

SheFly

11-02-2011, 08:37 AM

maillotpois

11-02-2011, 08:55 AM

Such good news Mimi!

Blueberry

11-02-2011, 08:56 AM

Yay Mimi!!!

PamNY

11-02-2011, 09:35 AM

indysteel

11-02-2011, 10:42 AM

That's awesome, Mimi!!!!

Dear Self:

Stop buying "control top" tights and retire the ones you currently own. They do nothing but cut into your gut and render you uncomfortable for the entire work day. You'd be better off controling your appetite for ice cream. Okay?

solobiker

11-02-2011, 11:20 AM

Mimi..:) Happy to hear that he is starting to feel a little better and that you had some time to do some cooking. My thoughts continue to be with you and Don.

Crankin

11-02-2011, 01:02 PM

Glad to hear that Don is texting and on Facebook, Mimi. Hey, I guess that's the new normal!
Weather was perfect today and I am still coughing. Grrr. I have been reduced to looking at my new bike. Didn't sleep too well either, as one of my 7 year old clients was expressing suicidal thoughts yesterday afternoon, so I had to go into crisis mode, although it was not really a crisis. I called my boss, so someone else knew, and even though I did all of the right things, it kept me up all night.
Tomorrow I am going to the core/weights class in the early AM and will put off any aerobic stuff until Friday. I feel like a tired, sick, and unfit slug.

channlluv

11-02-2011, 01:20 PM

Dear Lady at the Y:

I hope I didn't offend you too much when I stopped your nutrition lecture mid-sentence, but I was talking to the aerobics teacher, not you, and I was asking her about increasing my caloric burn during class, so when you started in about my having to change my eating habits in order to lose weight, and you don't know jack about me or my eating habits, I just had to stop you. And, god, that felt good.

Dear Self:

Way to go on doing the hour of step aerobics this morning and following it up with 23 miles on the bike around the lake.

Roxy

Blueberry

11-02-2011, 01:34 PM

Yay Roxy!!!!

Good job on the workout, and good job on stopping the meddling person. I get so flipping tired of lectures about my *very good* eating habits.

channlluv

11-02-2011, 01:46 PM

Me too. I felt so empowered. Two weeks ago I might have stood there and nodded and gone along and even thanked her, but after the last few days here, the support...I felt empowered to stand up for myself, so thanks, TE!

Roxy

VeganBikeChick

11-02-2011, 01:55 PM

WTG, Roxy! Thanks for empowering all of us!

indysteel

11-02-2011, 02:08 PM

That's awesome, Roxy. On both counts. So out of curiosity, what did you say to the woman? It might be instructive for the rest of us in dealing with unwanted advice.

solobiker

11-02-2011, 02:35 PM

Way to go Roxy!! I always hate it when people assume I want their input/opinion. You Rock!!:D

OakLeaf

11-02-2011, 03:22 PM

woot Roxy! Good for you. :D

Mimi, that's good news on your front too. My dad is so isolated by his own paranoid refusal to have a computer or a cell phone at the nursing facility. It's not like they're destitute or without homeowners' insurance, but he'd rather isolate himself than risk theft. :( So glad Don is feeling well enough to re-join the virtual world.

channlluv

11-02-2011, 04:06 PM

Well, she said, "You HAVE to change your eating habits..." and I held my hand up and said, "I need to stop you right there and let you know that I eat pretty close to a South Beach Phase II diet - clean and all that, organic veggies, lean meats, Greek yogurt, no cheese, no sugar, when I eat bread it's sprouted grain. I mean, I'm not super strict about it, but a lot of people look at me and make assumptions -- even the personal trainer here was telling me I should stop eating white potatoes and stuff, and while I do eat them on occasion, it's rare, like, two or three times a year I'll have potato salad at a picnic or something...I'm just saying, diet's not the problem."

Or something close to that. It just irked me that this woman I don't know felt it was okay to jump into a private conversation with nutrition advice because of how I look. And she had that "I know better than you" tone. I think that's what bugged me enough to interrupt her.

I get lectured a lot. Usually be well-meaning friends. This woman I don't know. She just butted into a private conversation. Ticked me off.

Roxy

Trek420

11-02-2011, 04:16 PM

This woman I don't know. She just butted into a private conversation. Ticked me off.

Roxy

The nerve of her :mad: and good for you :D

Alternate answers:

"That's nice. How many triathlons have you done? 0? Would "none" be close to accurate?" or .....

"Interesting. And the longest ride you've done after an hour and a half class at the gym lately you'd typically ride exactly how far?" or ....

My personal favorite "Yeah I'm sturdy. My food plan is carefully crafted for training for my 3rd degree black belt. Been eating and training that way since oh, 1980. Do the math. You don't have a problem with that, right? :)"

channlluv

11-02-2011, 04:18 PM

I like your answers better than mine, Trek. :)

Trek420

11-02-2011, 04:19 PM

Well, I had all day to think of them. You did fine. :) Feel free to use them next time and any other snappy answers to stupid assumptions that TE gals come up with.

indysteel

11-02-2011, 04:35 PM

You were right to be ticked off. Good for you for asserting yourself. You were more polite than I would have been! I'm truly sorry you have to desk with this.

Blueberry

11-02-2011, 04:48 PM

I have used the answer: "My doctor doesn't have a problem with my [diet, riding my bike long distances despite being overweight, running, swimming - whatever someone is lecturing me on], why do you? Do you have an MD?"

marni

11-02-2011, 06:12 PM

Dear Lady at the Y:

I hope I didn't offend you too much when I stopped your nutrition lecture mid-sentence, but I was talking to the aerobics teacher, not you, and I was asking her about increasing my caloric burn during class, so when you started in about my having to change my eating habits in order to lose weight, and you don't know jack about me or my eating habits, I just had to stop you. And, god, that felt good.

Roxy

two favorite comebacks from my mother and my sister which are family traditions.

From my mother-"I am aware that I am less than some people prefer me to be, but most people are unaware that I am so much more than what they see."

and from my sister- sweet and succinct "I am aware that you have issues, I prefer not to subscribe to them. '

marni

Biciclista

11-02-2011, 06:49 PM

i just got told today that "a skinny little thing like me wouldn't understand"

i didn't swear at her. really..

Blueberry

11-02-2011, 06:53 PM

Ouch, Mimi!

I have to stop myself from making those judgments sometimes (but thankfully I would never say that out loud!). The women of TE have definitely helped me see different perspectives and to appreciate the differences among us.

Which is a long way of saying - I've always found you to be sensitive. The nerve of her!

NbyNW

11-02-2011, 07:34 PM

Roxy, I'm so proud of you for telling that arrogant so-and-so what for!

Biciclista

11-02-2011, 07:36 PM

Dear Blueberry
can I swear now? I'm really in the mood now. sitting in a hard chair in the Surgery waiting room.
arghhh.
His surgery went well... they think..

Blueberry

11-02-2011, 07:44 PM

I don't see why not!? After the last week/months. Why can't they make those chairs comfortable anyway?

Here's hoping the surgery did go well! (is this a second one to fix the issue that cropped up?). Thinking of you both!

jobob

11-02-2011, 08:21 PM

Roxy - way to go!!!

Mimi - Oh I think you're more than entitled to vent. The hard chair in the surgery waiting room won't mind, I bet it had a pretty tough skin. D'oh. :D

Best wishes to you and The Donald.

Owlie

11-03-2011, 06:29 AM

You go, Roxy!
Mimi, you are totally allowed to swear. Good vibes to you and RD.

Dear Starbucks employee:
I really hope that was a mistake, but "bacon and gouda" and "low fat turkey bacon" don't sound at all alike. Is it so hard to understand that someone might actually want the full-fat sandwich? I normally wouldn't care so much, but a) I hate egg whites and b) I use said sandwich as two meals. Egg whites are not nearly so filling.

Veronica

11-03-2011, 06:35 AM

Dear Parents;

Conference week is the week after next. I have already sent out the initial sign up slip and two reminder notices. Why haven't you signed up yet?

I will not be hunting you down and making you come to a conference. It's a shame if I care more about your child's success than you do. I'm sure you "care." But the message you send by neglecting to sign up for conferences is that you don't.

Veronica

lph

11-03-2011, 07:10 AM

Wow, Roxy. I'd be somewhere along "and what the flying f*** do you know about my eating habits anyway, you been stalking me??"

Well, no, I would never say it, but I sure would be thinking it, with smoke coming out of my nose. Kudos to you for a polysyllabic and sensible answer.

Dear station wagon driver that almost flattened me this morning in the roundabout:

I know I had to yield to the lorry in front of you in the roundabout, That's ok, his vehicle weighs about a million times more than mine, can't stop that fast, and we did hit the roundabout almost at the same time. Which parts of that makes it ok for you to do the same thing, accelerating in to try to clip my front wheel? Didja think I was just going to stand around in the roundabout all day since I had to stop anyway?

Dear cyclist who arrived right afterwards:

sorry about the armwaving and gibbering and foul language, I didn't mean you, honest.

alexis_the_tiny

11-03-2011, 07:35 AM

I don't know why people feel the need to look at someone on the outside and assume stuff about their diet or lifestyle or whatever. Recently, I just realized that I've hauled on 6kg in this year alone. Before that, I'd struggle for 2 years to gain one measly kg. Sudden weight gain like that cannot be healthy for anyone. Yet somehow, everyone thinks it's terrific because "you still weigh under 50kg!" and "you're so skinny! It must be healthy!!"

No, it's not healthy. Aside from that fact that suddenly gaining or losing weight is stressful on your body, thyroid disorders run in my family and for all I know, it could be a sign that something is wrong. J**** C******, people.

By the way, does anyone know anything about some snowstorm in Connecticut? My baby sister is apparently trapped there with no power or heat and that's...about all I've heard. Some days, I thank goodness I live on a tropical island with pretty predictable weather.

SheFly

11-03-2011, 08:12 AM

By the way, does anyone know anything about some snowstorm in Connecticut? My baby sister is apparently trapped there with no power or heat and that's...about all I've heard. Some days, I thank goodness I live on a tropical island with pretty predictable weather.

New England got a rare, early October snowfall last weekend. It would have been fine except that the snow was VERY wet and heavy, and all the trees still have leaves on them. That meant that the snow had something to stick to, and the trees couldn't handle the weight.

It looks like a disaster area here with downed trees and power lines. CT was hit pretty hard, but so were other New England states. I know some people here in MA just got power back this morning. I have read that CT may not have power restored in some places until this weekend.

Neighbors are looking out for each other, and friends are offering friends warm homes and showers if they have power. The roads should be primarily passable at this point, so not entirely sure about the trapped part, but can confirm the lack of power/heat.

I was lucky, and only lost power for 34 hours - this time. Hope she gets it back soon!

SheFly

Biciclista

11-03-2011, 09:58 AM

salsabike

11-03-2011, 10:03 AM

Dear TE Gals The Donald is doing MUCH better, thank you all. A few nights (in a row) of good sleep will help ME feel better too.

Yay! Thank God.

indysteel

11-03-2011, 10:08 AM

Dear Alexis I love that you weigh Kilograms. I weigh pounds. Kilograms sound better.

Dear TE Gals The Donald is doing MUCH better, thank you all. A few nights (in a row) of good sleep will help ME feel better too.

Forget kilograms AND pounds. I want to measure my weight in "stones." By that, I weigh less than 9!

I'm so glad "The Donald" (LOL!) continues to improve!

Biciclista

11-03-2011, 10:17 AM

hmm but stones sounds even heavier than pounds!

indysteel

11-03-2011, 10:34 AM

hmm but stones sounds even heavier than pounds!

That's true. I dated an Irishman in a prior life, and he always talked about his weight in stones. I found it so charming. Of course, anything he said in his Irish accent sounded charming. :p

Biciclista

11-03-2011, 10:51 AM

That's true. I dated an Irishman in a prior life, and he always talked about his weight in stones. I found it so charming. Of course, anything he said in his Irish accent sounded charming. :p

I tend to find accents (Irish, french, russian, Italian, spanish, (LOL), polish, vietnamese, canadian, british, australian, jamacan, etc) charming. Heck, even New Jersey accents... :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

NbyNW

11-03-2011, 11:34 AM

That's great news, Mimi. I hope you are both able to get some rest!

jobob

11-03-2011, 12:06 PM

Sweet dreams, Mimi! :)

indysteel

11-03-2011, 02:00 PM

salsabike

11-03-2011, 02:32 PM

Dear So and So,

Just because it's YOUR prejudice doesn't mean it isn't still a prejudice, and just because it's YOUR prejudice doesn't magically make a prejudice morally superior. It's still bigotry, and it makes things worse, not better.

snapdragen

11-03-2011, 04:18 PM

Dear hip. Bursitis? Really? WTF.

//mimi - glad to hear The Donald :) is doing well. I will chime in with "get some sleep yourself" too.

Pax

11-04-2011, 04:52 AM

Dear contractor, Please stop asking us to review you on Angie's List. Quite honestly, the main reason we haven't is because you've been so pushy about it. Those reviews should be freely given and not the product of arm twisting. We paid a handsome sum for those windows and are paying you another tidy sum for some additional work. Stop acting like there's more to our contract than that.

Just a heads up about Angie's List, according to a contractor (roofing) buddy of mine, a contractor can pay to be on it... and pay more for a higher rating. He pays a couple of thousand a year to be a top rated contractor. :rolleyes:

Biciclista

11-04-2011, 05:20 AM

indysteel

11-04-2011, 05:22 AM

That's interesting, Pax. We originally used this contractor because they are one of only two in the area certified to install the Marvin windows we wanted. But from the moment the windows went in, the sales guy started hounding us about a review. This was last winter. Well, we were not planning to review them until we'd had the windows for awhile as problems with the installation or product aren't always immediately apparent. In the meantime, he called both of us repeatedly about writing a review. I was SO close to telling him off. Much to my regret, we decided to use them again for a door repair and to replace our basement windows. The sales guy was here last night to signthe contract and he asked us for a review three times in the space of an hour. The irony is that we'd be fine with giving them one if he'd just stop asking us to. I'd get into it with him, but until the work is completed, I'd rather not get on guavas side.

I work on a board with AL's CFO. I might mention to him just how obnoxious contractor's can be in using the "service.". Maybe they don't care, but it seems to me that they should discourage businesses from hitting people over the head in an effort to get a review.

Catrin

11-04-2011, 05:24 AM

Mom does have lung cancer, and they removed as much of her lung as the emphysema allowed. They THINK they got it all, but they would have liked to have taken more to be safe. She will have to have radation once she recovers from this surgery. As a 72 year old who is quite unfit, she is doing great! It helps being the stubborn old cuss that she is ;) :D

indysteel

11-04-2011, 05:26 AM

I thought Angie's list was a great idea until i found out i had to pay for it. Yelp works much better for me. You can see many comments from other people who have used their service. It's not perfect, but it's free.
I'm not sure we're going to renew. Our town is small enough that a lot of contractors aren't even on it. Word of mouth seems to work just as well.

OakLeaf

11-04-2011, 05:28 AM

Oh Catrin, so sorry to hear that. Continued healing thoughts to your mom, Don, you and Mimi.

Snap, heal up quick you too.

indysteel

11-04-2011, 05:28 AM

spokewench

11-04-2011, 05:43 AM

Catrin - sorry about your Mom - hope she gets to feeling better soon.

Sky King

11-04-2011, 05:55 AM

Catrin, sending good thoughts your way, Hope they are watching for blood clots, etc. Will they send her to rehab facility for a bit? They took part of my mother's lung out from cancer and she healed wonderfully but her cancer was also in other areas of her body. They took my FIL entire lung but unfortunately we lost him to an undiagnosed blood clot when he was released from the hospital. I often wonder if the outcome would have been different if they had put him in rehab instead of sending him home.

Veronica

11-04-2011, 06:36 AM

Dear Coworker,

I know you are very frustrated by your class. But I am getting tired of you saying that you are always getting dumped on. As I recall, you asked to have that particularly tough group of students last year. And this year you volunteered to do an equally tough group. Given all the personal issues you have, I don't understand why you do this to yourself. And your group three years ago was not that bad.

Seriously, I think it's time to do some soul searching and maybe it's time to get out of the profession. I know you think I get all the "good" kids. You know they didn't start out that way. And you have told me you could not put up with half a dozen of them.

Veronica

Veronica

11-04-2011, 06:39 AM

Dear Awesome 5th Graders,

You made me so proud and laugh so hard yesterday as you worked to untangle the human knots. Your maturity about holding hands and your caring and teamwork were outstanding.

I am thrilled (at the moment) to be your teacher. :D

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-04-2011, 07:52 AM

Mimi, so glad to hear Donald is doing better after his new surgery. Now take yourself 24 hours off from your hospital vigil and get some REST! It's vital so that you can continue to do a good job running things at home and helping D too.

Crankin

11-04-2011, 07:55 AM

Catrin, I hope your mom is doing well today, and it's good you are there.
Mimi, go get some sleep and eat some good food!

Veronica, ah, the human knot. I miss those things sometimes...

snapdragen

11-04-2011, 08:24 AM

I've had nothing but great results using Angie's List - it's made it possible for me to find the local family run businesses, instead of the big corporate ones. So far I've found a plumber, heating and air conditioning guy, concrete/fence/gate repair. None of them have hounded me to review them, although the guy that did our concrete asked politely if I wouldn't mind reviewing them on Yelp.

Now, my brother had an issue with a plumber from A.L in New Jersey. He was great, until my brother left the house and plumber guy was alone with my SIL. Guess he made a few inappropriate comments/suggestions :eek:. SIL tossed him out, my brother went ballistic.

NbyNW

11-04-2011, 08:35 AM

Wow, Snap. Let us know if your brother is successful getting that guy kicked off the list.

I've always wondered about A.L. Is there still a fee to have access to the list? I have mostly relied on personal referrals for things like this, so haven't really tried it.

indysteel

11-04-2011, 08:57 AM

Yes, you still pay for access. I have nothing bad to say about AL. It's not foolproof though. Depending on the nature of the work and cost, I would use one of several methods to vet contractors. They can help resolve problems if they do arise. We get a monthly magazine with helpful homeowner tips. My problem is that we live outside metro Indy and a lot of contractors with reviews simply don't serve our area. If we lived in Indy, we'd use it more. I'd add that AL is a very progressive employer that really emphasizes health and wellness. I like that a lot!

I want to emphasize that my beef is with the contractor not AL FWIW.

Biciclista

11-04-2011, 09:27 AM

not able to sleep well and i sure can't get away from the hospital. i don't even have a doctor, mine is retired and i dind't see the new one yet (she cancelled my appt because SHE was sick)

7rider

11-04-2011, 10:16 AM

Glad to hear Don did well with his surgery.
Take care of yourself. Sounds like you both have a pretty long road ahead, so the caregiver needs to take care, too!

Biciclista

11-04-2011, 12:09 PM

I think i will sleep well tonight. Donald was officially called CANCER FREE today as the pathology tests showed that all of the cancer was DEAD DEAD DEAD

withm

11-04-2011, 12:15 PM

Oh Mimi, that is wonderful news. I am so happy for you both.

Now go home and get some rest. There is still the recovery from the surgeries to deal with and you need some sleep!

Martha

Blueberry

11-04-2011, 12:22 PM

Mimi- That's fabulous news!!! Here's hoping you can get a good night's sleep.

Possegal

11-04-2011, 12:25 PM

That is the best news!! So happy to hear it. Now yes, sleep!!!

PamNY

11-04-2011, 12:41 PM

Mimi that's great. Yes, enjoy that good sleep!

solobiker

11-04-2011, 12:58 PM

Catrin..Sorry about your Mom. Positive vibes heading her way.

Mimi, So happy to hear the news about Don...now take care of yourself:) I hope all the news from here on is nothing but good and reporting that you both are doing great at HOME.

Biciclista

11-04-2011, 01:00 PM

I hope he gets to come home some day... GAHHHH

Crankin

11-04-2011, 01:10 PM

Mimi, your sleep issues are definitely stress related. Anxiety is a huge part of sleep issues.
PM me for some suggestions, if it doesn't get better.

lph

11-04-2011, 01:22 PM

Mimi, that is fantastic news to hear :) :)

azfiddle

11-04-2011, 01:27 PM

Mimi- hurray, hurray, hurray. Go take a warm bath and drink some chamomile tea and let yourself breathe a big sigh of relief. It's going to just get better from here!!!

Biciclista

11-04-2011, 01:30 PM

I'm at work for 30 more minutes -- but I'm drinking camomile tea and (blush) almost fell asleep.

indysteel

11-04-2011, 02:02 PM

Mimi, OMG that's fantastic news. I'm dancing a happy dance right now!!!!! Give Don a big hug and kiss from all of us at TE and then tell him to give you a hug and a kiss, too!

Owlie

11-04-2011, 03:13 PM

Woohoo, Mimi! (now, go get some sleep!)

Catrin--vibes for your mom.

Dear self:
You've been eating crap this week, and see what's happened? Clean up your diet a little--cut back on the Dr. Pepper at the very least. There won't be nearly as much baklava, or as much of whatever-that-awesome-stuff-was. (Yeah, we know, your Libyan classmates are fantastic cooks.) Just ease up on the sweet stuff, 'kay? (Also, get some sleep.)

NbyNW

11-04-2011, 03:22 PM

Yay, Mimi what wonderful news! I hope you can take a little time out this weekend to pamper yourself. Hope that Don is feeling better every day!

OakLeaf

11-04-2011, 05:21 PM

Yay Mimi & Don! Now get some rest.

salsabike

11-04-2011, 08:20 PM

Mimi, I'm gonna open my living room windows now (they face south) and I better hear you SNORING! :p

Hugs, girl.

jobob

11-04-2011, 08:29 PM

Mimi, I hope I don't wake you up, but YAAA-HOOOO! :D

Bethany1

11-04-2011, 10:31 PM

Dear Lady,

Thank you for talking with me about mountain biking while I was at the park. Today was the first time ever doing a trail and you boosted my confidence. I know I probably annoyed you with all the questions, but you patiently answered all of them. I feel bad that I don't remember your name though.

Thank You,

The lady that wouldn't shut up

Bethany1

11-04-2011, 10:45 PM

Dear Self,

You did your very first mountain bike trail today. You didn't fall off, hit a tree, or wipe out during tight turns. I know I wasn't fast but there wasn't anyone else on the trail but DH and my son making it less stressful.

It's too bad by the time we got there it was nearly dark and only had a about a 1/2 hour or so to ride. Next time I'll do the entire trail unless I get ran over by far more experienced riders.

It sucks not being able to take someone else so I can ride during the day. DH doesn't get off from work until 4:30pm and it's an hour up to the trail.

If anyone happens to live in/near Omaha and needs someone to ride with, I'm around.

alexis_the_tiny

11-05-2011, 04:39 AM

Shefly, thanks for telling me about that. Its much better knowing she's not going to be completely cut off. She's a tough kid, all this will do is maybe convince her she might want to spend Christmas back here with us where it's nice and warm. ;)

Mimi, I'm so happy for you guys!!! Now go rest up!! :D

Mom does have lung cancer, and they removed as much of her lung as the emphysema allowed. They THINK they got it all, but they would have liked to have taken more to be safe. She will have to have radation once she recovers from this surgery. As a 72 year old who is quite unfit, she is doing great! It helps being the stubborn old cuss that she is ;) :D

Catrin, I'm so sorry. Hope the doctors got it all and that your mom will heal quickly and easily.

Dear screaming dreams, please go away tonight. Thanks.

redrhodie

11-05-2011, 01:42 PM

Dear LBS Men,

You are my lion, scarecrow, and tin man, and I mean that in the best possible way.

Crankin

11-05-2011, 02:24 PM

Dear self,
Please get better. By tomorrow morning.
I am riding my new bike no matter what.
I feel like a sloth, with lots of eating and very little exercise.

Owlie

11-05-2011, 06:09 PM

Dear K:
This month has been rough on you. Please don't feel guilty about Kitty #2. You tried very hard to find a home for her before taking her to the shelter. You didn't know she'd be considered "unadoptable". :(

NbyNW

11-05-2011, 07:17 PM

Dear Chair of that other Committee,

I realize that we have to work together, but you are not in charge of running my committee. Please stop telling us how to do our job. You may disagree with our process and our decisions, but that in no way empowers you to overstep your boundaries.

Sincerely,
Chair of my Committee

Biciclista

11-05-2011, 07:33 PM

Dear LBS Men,

You are my lion, scarecrow, and tin man, and I mean that in the best possible way.

I love this.

Good day with the Donald. They took out the nose hose and the foley and one drain. He walked 24 laps and I walked close to 4 miles (including some of those laps) Tonight i ought to get just a little more caught up on my sleep since tomorrow is 25 hours long.

On my way home in the dark and cold, a young woman cyclist was keeping up with me, catching up at the red lights and stop lights. At the final light I had hopes of her sitting parallel with my car But there was this huge camper who decided to stop at the light on the right side of me, in the sharrow.
So I sped up so he could not pass me on the right. I was afraid he was playing games with the cyclist, so I figured if i distracted him, he'd leave the bike alone. Sure enough he tailgated with his high beams on all the next mile on our quiet residential street with a 30mph speed limit. But he left the bicycle alone. :D

NbyNW

11-05-2011, 08:05 PM

Good for you, Mimi, keeping the lane clear for the cyclist!

Glad to hear Don is on his feet and moving around well. Is there anything we can do for you tomorrow?

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-06-2011, 11:08 AM

Mimi things are sounding really good for the D! Boy it'll be great when he gets released home, huh? :)

Biciclista

11-06-2011, 02:45 PM

To whom it may concern
thanks for the sunny day; i was getting a bit worried as we were socked in this morning, but i finally rode my bike (for the first time since the surgery) to and from the hospital.
I rode mostly along Beacon Hill, which has a huge median greenbelt full of the most glorious trees, each one more dazzling than the last.
thanks.
the only thing that could have made it better would have been my honey beside me.

solobiker

11-06-2011, 04:21 PM

Mimi, I am happy to hear you were able to get out and ride. It brought a smile to my face with how you described it. I hope it will not be too long for Don to make that trip home with you where he belongs. Continue to keep you and him in my thoughts.

Catrin

11-06-2011, 04:44 PM

Mimi - I am so glad to hear Don is improving, yayyyy!

I returned home today to Indiana, but Mom is still in the hospital, her chest tubes are still in. Her progress is slower than expected, but she has improved. I am afraid that combined with the emphysema, they removed just enough of her lung to have a permanent impact on her pulmonary function - and it wasn't great before. Time will tell, and they didn't have much choice. We just hope they got everything.

Catrin

11-06-2011, 04:48 PM

Dear Right Thumb,

You have been infected for 3 weeks and I've taken good care of you. I appreciate that you aren't causing me much pain, I really do. However, when the Keflex didn't cure you, I figured the Sulfa they prescribed would work better than it has, AND I've even been soaking you regularly to draw stuff out of you. I even kept you all bandaged and protected when living at the hospital this week, given the dangerous nature of those places.

I would prefer to spend my last day off before returning to the office on the mountain bike, not spending my gas money for a visit to the doctor.

Please be much better in the morning so I can go play in the dirt with my mountain goat.

Thank you

Catrin

Biciclista

11-06-2011, 07:19 PM

Catrin

11-07-2011, 04:47 AM

Good grief, Catrin, get thee to a doctor. 3 weeks is a LONG time. yikes..

Tonight Donald walked me to the outside of the hospital to breathe the sweet air. but he had to go back in and we still don't know for how long. he keeps doing his laps. That is the best thing.. walked a mile yesterday and more than a mile today. I sure hope those surgeons can figure this thing out.

(((Donald and Mimi)))

I've been seeing the nurse practicioner at my work clinic, but do have an appt. with my dr. this afternoon since I am still off work. It isn't a MRSA infection (my RN sister who has seen it says it would be far worse and much more painful) but it is just being stubborn. Like me.

Pax

11-07-2011, 06:20 AM

(((Donald and Mimi)))

I've been seeing the nurse practicioner at my work clinic, but do have an appt. with my dr. this afternoon since I am still off work. It isn't a MRSA infection (my RN sister who has seen it says it would be far worse and much more painful) but it is just being stubborn. Like me.

I'm glad to hear it's not MRSA, I've had three of those, they are INSANELY painful and take forever to go away. I've also got significant scarring. *shudder*

snapdragen

11-07-2011, 07:22 AM

Catrin

11-07-2011, 10:39 AM

I'm glad to hear it's not MRSA, I've had three of those, they are INSANELY painful and take forever to go away. I've also got significant scarring. *shudder*

That is what I've heard, so was glad to hear my sister pronounce it something else. She is an RN in a pediatrician's office and sees pretty much everything. I am seeing my doc this afternoon, who knows, perhaps I just got a splinter in there somewhere and that is why the antibiotics really aren't doing much.

No dirt today though, rainy outside and my apartment was trashed - so clean all day today...

Dear Rain:

Please stop tonight so I can get in a GOOD ride tomorrow. Thank you.

Catrin

11-07-2011, 10:41 AM

Biciclista

11-07-2011, 12:05 PM

OakLeaf

11-07-2011, 01:27 PM

perhaps I just got a splinter in there somewhere

I had to see a frickin' surgeon this summer to get a thorn out of my finger. :rolleyes: It was too small and too deep for my regular doctor to do in her office.

Hoping yours heals up soon!

Owlie

11-07-2011, 02:15 PM

To Those in Charge:

No, this is not right. You've made the sun come up earlier, but now it's going *down* earlier as well. You're not listening to what I want! Can I speak to a manager?

------------------
(shamelessly lifted from a friend's FB page)

I totally agree.

Dear professor:
This is insane. I never said I'd do that project, just that it was interesting. Now you want me to put together a decision tree, complete with references, stating how I'd purify, analyze and test this stuff. In a week. Right before finals. When I have 3 papers to write, a project and presentation, and a final to study for. While it's a useful exercise for the future, now is the worst possible time. Ugh. Hopefully I can get the project done tomorrow...
BTW: references for commonplace procedures? BS.

Catrin

11-07-2011, 03:39 PM

I had to see a frickin' surgeon this summer to get a thorn out of my finger. :rolleyes: It was too small and too deep for my regular doctor to do in her office.

Hoping yours heals up soon!

He is talking about slicing my finger open and draining it :eek: :eek: :eek: but is giving my finger 3 more days for the new antibiotic to work - send lots of good healing thoughts so my poor thumb won't get abused!

Owlie

11-07-2011, 04:50 PM

Meep!

Dear program:
I realize that you have to check boxes, but this is completely pointless. And I really hope you meant double-spaced. I'm having difficulties getting this to a page...

Bethany1

11-07-2011, 06:16 PM

Dear Doc Office and Insurance Companies,

I hate bills and I hate you both. Get it together and quit gouging people. We all know it doesn't really cost that much for a simple procedure or a doc visit that only took 5 minutes.

Sincerely,

Broke after paying this bill

Biciclista

11-07-2011, 06:36 PM

i remember once my son had a swelling under his nail after a blunt force trauma. the doctor bent a paperclip, heated it and punctured his nail to release the pressure. He charged 200 dollars for that in 1990.

marni

11-07-2011, 07:18 PM

A wise old Indians reaction to the explanation of daylight saving time.

"Only a white man would believe that you can cut a strip off of the top of a blanket, sew it onto the bottom of the blanket and end up with a bigger blanket."

alexis_the_tiny

11-08-2011, 04:09 AM

Dear Self,

See what I meant when I said to stop Google stalking people? Now you've gone and found out that your ex-nemesis has the very life you wished so hard you had for years. How does that make you feel? Like crap? You deserve it. And do we even need to point out that this is the girl that your rat b*****d ex used to constantly make you feel inferior? So she's now a tech writer for an international website and she's still doing better than you are. Universe only knows why you feel the need to torture yourself this way.

You have a wonderful guy in your life now. You have the job you've wanted to do since you were 9 years old and 6 kids who are thrilled to see you every morning so you can go exploring to learn stuff. The communications industry is not your place. You were miserable, underweight, anorexic, smoking 2 packs a week and never had time to ride your bike or see your friends while in it. Don't even consider the idea of going back to it just to compete with her because that is just stupid. Jeez. Like you can afford another 5 years of therapy while paying for your second bachelor's degree. Quit Google stalking already. Sheesh.

Very Annoyed,
Your saner self.

Biciclista

11-08-2011, 04:49 AM

Dear Enza
I love you on my lap but I need to get up and finish the stuff I need to do before I leave here this morning.
xx
warm lap.

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-08-2011, 05:07 AM

Dear DH, please succumb already to my repeated clever hints and pleas for us to adopt a third kitty from the shelter. YES there is room on the bed and on our desks here at home for just one more! :o

indysteel

11-08-2011, 05:13 AM

Dear DH, please succumb already to my repeated clever hints and pleas for us to adopt a third kitty from the shelter. YES there is room on the bed and on our desks here at home for just one more! :o

When you get done with your husband, will you start working on mine?

SheFly

11-08-2011, 07:59 AM

Dear Software Gods --

I try not to ask for much, but can you PLEASE make this test in front of 90 MBA students and 3 faculty members run smoothly this afternoon? the deve team has been killing themselves to make this happen.

Many thanks.
Your grateful project manager (SheFly)

limewave

11-08-2011, 10:16 AM

Dear Mom and Dad,

Yes, we are all very proud of my brother. And I wouldn't mind reading through all the newspaper articles and even watching a news clip or two, but I don't really care to have them shoved in my face. I just got back from racing in the country's largest xc race . . . and I didn't do too shabby. It would have been nice if you feigned interest. Ask me how the race went, the weekend, etc. before bombarding us with all the spectacular! details of my brother's life.

I spent most of my childhood years being dragged to my brother's events. I'm not angry at you, it was alright. Sometimes it does make me sad. I can't help but wonder what I would have done had I been given the opportunities that he had. But I'm happy now. I had to move to a new town, but it worked. I managed to become someone other than "the little sister . . . he has a sister?" Did you even notice???

Dear SIL--Yay for you! You're married to my brother! It's like being Prom Queen for the rest of the life. You have achieved status! Woooooo!

Dear Self--wow, you're more bitter than I thought. Let it go. Let it go . . . this too shall pass. You're not 14 anymore. You've achieved many awesome things on your own and made a wonderful life for yourself :) Take deep breaths, count to 10.

Dear DH's friends--stop calling me "the little sister" or I will beat your @ss. Oh wait, I already did. I smoked you at Iceman! Hah! Hahahahahahahaha!

indysteel

11-08-2011, 10:22 AM

((((Limewave)))). Out of curiosity, have you ever expressed any of that to your parents? Do you think you could? Sometimes I have to remind myself with my own parents that I do have a voice now and can express my needs in ways that I couldn't as a child. I'm often surprised at how well they respond to it. Of course, I try to be civil about it and use a lot of "I" statements.

SheFly

11-08-2011, 11:03 AM

Dear Software Gods -

Thanks for nothing. I'm going off to cry now.

Dear Limewave -

Getting parents to ask about bike races is difficult - I've done over 500, and they only just this year started to ask how they went. BUT - YAY you! And I might put that race on the bucket list...

SheFly

Pax

11-08-2011, 11:46 AM

Limewave - I feel for you, it was the same way in my house. The family went to every pee wee basketball and later football game my brother played, even though he sat the bench... I lettered for four years in softball and tennis and my folks never came, not once.

indysteel

11-08-2011, 11:57 AM

My parents ignored all three of their children equally. :rolleyes:

limewave

11-08-2011, 12:24 PM

My parents ignored all three of their children equally. :rolleyes:

lol.

Now that I'm a parent I realize things just aren't that easy. And there are far worse things in life than having to follow my brother around ;) Going to take a bubble bath and enjoy a glass of wine then be done with it. Too many other things to be thinking about!

OakLeaf

11-08-2011, 12:40 PM

(((((limewave)))))

Although I've known for years how lucky I was not to have any brothers (achievements done by mere females would just have to be enough :rolleyes:), it's been more recently that I've understood that I was also super lucky that my parents didn't care what I did in sports. It's the only thing I have that's never been anything but mine in my own head. It's possible they're not doing your brother any favors, either ... just a thought.

Biciclista

11-08-2011, 02:22 PM

Brothers aren't always the favored children. My brother (who is gay) was constantly put down and sometimes even compared to me, his 8 years younger sister. Even as a small child i knew that wasn't fair.

channlluv

11-08-2011, 02:46 PM

Alexis, I wish I could take you out to lunch and let you vent away. I think you're pretty awesome.

Lime, you rock. I wish I had half the gumption you do. I'm all happy when I finish 23 paved miles around a scenic lake. I can't imagine finishing something like the Iceman. Did you meet Horner? I read on a tweet he was there.

Today I'm wondering what to wear to an afternoon wedding at a marina on Friday.

Roxy

Blueberry

11-08-2011, 02:52 PM

Dear Ankle:

Please heal. Soon. We can not run for a while if you want. But stop hurting. I want to resume exercising and you're stopping me from pretty much everything.

HillSlugger

11-09-2011, 05:09 AM

Limewave,

My brother and I were always into different things and growing up I was the one most likely to be out doing something. As adults, I found biking and triathlon and he found dance. My mom likes to talk about my brother's dance, but my biking and triathlon stuff is "crazy". I finally had to speak up and tell her to quit it. It felt good to get it out, and it has helped. (hugs)

lph

11-09-2011, 05:25 AM

Dear self,

get a grip. Not everybody has to like you. You can take it, you're a big girl now. Honest.

And while you're at it, stop being embarrassed for feeling this way. It's natural. But you can still let it go. It's not a big deal. Life is just like that.

alexis_the_tiny

11-09-2011, 06:17 AM

((((Limewave)))), family...can be like that. On the other hand

"It's like being Prom Queen for the rest of the life. You have achieved status! Woooooo!"

I just love that statement. :D

Roxy, awww, thanks.

lph, it's alright to feel the way you do. It's what you choose to do with it that really matters in the end anyway. :)

Catrin

11-09-2011, 07:41 AM

My mom is still in the hospital, her oxygen levels are poor and there is a concern that she might be developing something in her lungs :eek: She is in good hands, this is just a very rough time for her. Lung surgery isn't a cake walk but with emphysema at the same time...

I didn't have enough time off work to stay until she was released so now I am on the "text" chain from my sister.

Blueberry

11-09-2011, 07:45 AM

Dear Mom:

I gave you a car. You transferred the title before that little thing that I asked you to wait for happened. OK - you're a brat who can't be an adult and wait. I expected that. Would it have been too hard to turn in the tags while you were at it so I could take the car off my insurance? I know you didn't have the tools and there wasn't someone handy to do it for you - but really? Are you really telling me that you don't have time to accomplish that *this year*?

Biciclista

11-09-2011, 08:00 AM

oh Blueberry
you can't just take her off your insurance??? what a nightmare!

Catrin,
having been on the "inside" of the hospital for the last 2 weeks, i have a clue. ((((Catrin)))) it's hard enough for someone as healthy as my husband was.

indysteel

11-09-2011, 08:00 AM

indysteel

11-09-2011, 08:02 AM

Blueberry

11-09-2011, 09:20 AM

Admittedly, I don't know much about your situation with your mom, but why are you helping her again? I mean, I know she's your mom, but she doesn't sound particularly grateful or gracious.

This is the final part of the prior situation - I had just thought we would be done by now. We agreed to give her the car, Grandma wanted it fixed (which took a couple of weeks of them wanting us to find the cheapest place/trying to figure out what they wanted done - new/used compressor, etc.), it took her a month to come get it, another 2 weeks to transfer the title.....I do think (hope!) we've learned our lesson!

The really fun part is that had a loan not come through, she would have been headed for financial collapse (why my uncle co-signed for that one, I'll never know). She was not comprehending my advice about exemptions in NC (and that you can't exempt 2 cars).

Blueberry

11-09-2011, 09:24 AM

((((((Catrin and Mom))))))

Feeling for all TE'ers and TE family who are in the hospital:(

Catrin

11-09-2011, 09:41 AM

Thank you for the kind words for my mom and me. It doesn't help that I am up here by myself (single/no partner or local family). I AM my mother's daughter in that I can get pretty wrapped up in anxiety if I allow it but am trying very hard to not go there.

My mom is a negative woman at the very best of times, she just plain gets dominated by thoughts of what dire things can happen. It is just a short leap from what CAN happen to what she thinks WILL happen. She just plain tortures herself with anxiety at the best of times.

Personally I would like to have a good talk with a few nurses who have added fodder to her anxiety flames by mentioning similar situations. It isn't their fault of course, they were trying to help her see a more positive side (at least you aren't like this person...sort of thing).

Hopefully things will start looking up a bit before the day is over...

Biciclista

11-09-2011, 09:57 AM

DO talk to the nurses, Catrin. I have been doing that daily. And now that D has been diagnosed with a temporary vocal chord paralysis, i will be bothering them even more.

indysteel

11-09-2011, 10:12 AM

Catrin

11-09-2011, 10:12 AM

DO talk to the nurses, Catrin. I have been doing that daily. And now that D has been diagnosed with a temporary vocal chord paralysis, i will be bothering them even more.

I will talk about this with my sister as I am no longer in Tennessee :( I didn't think about this until today but Mom said a few things to me on the phone yesterday that had me concerned.

Catrin

11-09-2011, 10:15 AM

Catrin,

It doesn't sound like an easy situation. I imagine it's very difficult to walk that delicate line with someone facing a serious illness between being postive/optimistic while not dismissing their very real and legitimate fears. I feel for the spot you're in.

It is a hard line to walk at the best of times, but this is a situation where her worse nightmares seem to be coming to life and it is just heart breaking to watch. My sister is better at talking to her in such times because she has been around her entire life. I am the eldest daughter who won't live close by (for good reasons) and comes for visits.

Time to get back to work...

OakLeaf

11-09-2011, 10:53 AM

Oh boy, Catrin, this sounds so much like my dad's situation right now, except that my mom's around. Hugs all around. :(

Pax

11-09-2011, 10:58 AM

(((Catrin))) Well wishes and positive vibes going out to you, your mom, and family. A very difficult situation made harder by distance.

Owlie

11-09-2011, 11:14 AM

((Catrin))

Crankin

11-09-2011, 04:13 PM

Catrin, I am really sorry about your mom.
Call the nurses. I am sure they are used to speaking to family members.

Crankin

11-09-2011, 04:13 PM

Catrin, I am really sorry about your mom.
Call the nurses. I am sure they are used to speaking to family members.

Catrin

11-09-2011, 04:16 PM

I just heard, she finally gets to come home tomorrow! I think she will still be on oxygen if I understood correctly but she gets to finally leave the hospital. There were some scares last night with a chest x-ray but they re-did it this afternoon and are happier with the results.

indysteel

11-09-2011, 05:02 PM

That's great to hear, Catrin. I hope she continues to improve.

solobiker

11-09-2011, 05:10 PM

That is great news Catrin! Is she going to be having any home health?
If so they can help he with some of the things you mentioned above.

Catrin

11-10-2011, 03:04 AM

That is great news Catrin! Is she going to be having any home health?
If so they can help he with some of the things you mentioned above.

I don't know what my sister is working out with the hospital, at least not yet. She is the one on the ground, so to speak, our mother lives with her. She is talking with the care coordinator at the hospital to figure out how to get her into the house - there are stairs...

OakLeaf

11-10-2011, 03:20 AM

Both my parents, one of the criteria for their being released to home from prior surgeries was when they could climb stairs. They typically work on that in OT, and they also worked with all the caregivers to learn how to assist the patient up and down stairs.

Part of my dad's frustration now is that they haven't told him what the criteria are when they can release him home. He wants to be 50 years old and 100% and he wants it to happen yesterday and he's decided that now is a good time to have the end-of-life conversation with my mom. :rolleyes: :mad: I told them both to ask about the criteria for discharge, but my dad's still pretty doped up and depressed, and it's all my mom can do to just go to the nursing home and to work. I'm going to have to go out there and maybe I can get some information.

Catrin

11-10-2011, 05:39 AM

Oy, now she has a fever, not going home today...

Biciclista

11-10-2011, 05:55 AM

isn't this hospital stuff fun? I can hardly bear the ups and downs of Donald's stay. He is losing his spunk and that is killing me to watch.

indysteel

11-10-2011, 05:58 AM

isn't this hospital stuff fun? I can hardly bear the ups and downs of Donald's stay. He is losing his spunk and that is killing me to watch.

Oh, no. Has there been a new change in his condition?

Catrin, I'm sorry for this rollercoaster your mom--and, hence, you--are on. I hope she stabilizes soon and is able to go home.

Biciclista

11-10-2011, 06:11 AM

no, no change except for more nausea.

indysteel

11-10-2011, 06:47 AM

no, no change except for more nausea.

Ugh; constant nausea would take the wind out of anybody's sails. I pray that he starts to feel better soon. Big hugs to both of you.

P.S. Taco is doing really well in her new home. I think Paddy is, too, but he's gone on one of his walkabouts today. He did that at our house, too, and would disappear for days at a time. He's been out of confinement since Saturday, so I tend to think that it's just temporary. If he was going to go AWOL, I think he would have done so the minute he could.

Biciclista

11-10-2011, 06:55 AM

I hate when cats disappear. they have infinitely more patience than we do. And we sit there fussing , wanting to call for help... and they are just comfortably sleeping somewhere oblivious!

indysteel

11-10-2011, 07:19 AM

I hate when cats disappear. they have infinitely more patience than we do. And we sit there fussing , wanting to call for help... and they are just comfortably sleeping somewhere oblivious!

Ain't that the truth. I never stopped sweating his disappearances. Each time he showed back up, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. As sad as this sounds, I suspect that's he's going to eventually meet the average fate of outdoor kitties one way or another. But I take some comfort that he had some good kitty adventures along the way. Taco, on the other hand, will do just fine if she stays close to home and will hopefully go on to live a long life. However, if I had my choice, both of them would be safely living in somebody's home. I'm still struggling with the kitten's death. I don't go very long without thinking about him. :(

solobiker

11-10-2011, 02:28 PM

I don't know what my sister is working out with the hospital, at least not yet. She is the one on the ground, so to speak, our mother lives with her. She is talking with the care coordinator at the hospital to figure out how to get her into the house - there are stairs...

I hope all goes well. I was just asking becuase I am an OT and used to work in home health. My main focus has been with the older population. I have worked as an OT for 18 years. Is she able to walk far or does she need a w/c? How about the bathroom setup at home? With lung issues her endurance is not going to be good at all especially in a shower. She may need a shower seat and some grab bars. Also some people like a detachable shower head to help out. (the steam from the shower can make it harder to breath) Hasn't she been getting therapy in the hospital? They should be doing stairs with her if she is physically able prior to her d/c. Sorry for all the info. I can't help myself when it comes to these situations.

Eden

11-10-2011, 02:55 PM

Dear Voter.....

You seriously didn't vote for a roads tax because 5% of the money would have gone to bike infrastructure projects....and that's just too much.... So you are saying you would throw out $160 million for road and transit projects because you object to $23 million being spent on pedestrians and cyclists? And you are willing to actually then say that I'm selfish and I want people to support my lifestyle.... seriously get your head on straight. I voted for it and 90% would have benefited you..... really pretty much none of it would have a direct and very personal impact on me... (well except the actual paying for it part, which I would have had to do...) I voted for it because having good transit and fixing the roads benefits society as a whole and when civil society is better I believe I benefit - I must ask who's the selfish one?

Catrin

11-10-2011, 03:24 PM

I hope all goes well... Hasn't she been getting therapy in the hospital? They should be doing stairs with her if she is physically able prior to her d/c. Sorry for all the info. I can't help myself when it comes to these situations.

No therapy at all other than walking, right now they are trying to get her lungs working right again and to lose the fever :( My sister is looking into some home health care for awhile, and she will likely have to be on O2 for some time. She CAN walk, she just gets tired very quickly.

Sky King

11-11-2011, 07:40 AM

no, no change except for more nausea.

Can they change some drugs??, Is the feeding tube gone? that was a nausea issue for my Mom

Owlie

11-11-2011, 07:57 AM

Dear self:
It's 35 degrees. Maybe you should turn the heating on...

Catrin

11-11-2011, 08:49 AM

Dear self:
It's 35 degrees. Maybe you should turn the heating on...

Heat is a GOOD thing :cool:

Mom remains in the hospital, they are going to do a bronchscopy (spelling) today...her fever keeps returning :(

Biciclista

11-11-2011, 12:42 PM

To whom it may concern
I'd really really like a working crystal ball right now. A third surgery?? are they kidding?

Dear TE ladies.
thanks again for all your support and kind words. Thanks for letting me bellly ache.
The Raleighdon is on day 17 of his hospital stay and we have no idea when they will let him leave!!

Dear Weather gods
hahaha now I KNOW i'm not doing any big bike rides this weekend. YOu made my decision VERY easy. 45mph wind gusts and rain... INDEED!

Dear Catrin
I wish your mom was in the same city as us, I could walk over to her room and visit her!

Blueberry

11-11-2011, 12:52 PM

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

Wish there were more I could do than "listen" and send good vibes.

OakLeaf

11-11-2011, 12:56 PM

Oh ((((((((Mimi & Don & Catrin & mom))))))) - keeping the vibes flowing.

Owlie

11-11-2011, 01:01 PM

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

(Yes, Catrin, I finally caved and turned the heating on. I can type now!)

emily_in_nc

11-11-2011, 01:31 PM

To whom it may concern
I'd really really like a working crystal ball right now. A third surgery?? are they kidding?

So sorry to hear this Mimi! You must be going stark, raving mad! :mad: Why do they want to do a third surgery, if that's not being too nosy?

Lots of healing thoughts going RD's way....

Biciclista

11-11-2011, 01:34 PM

because the second surgery was not a success. He has a serious leak of lymphatic fluid, called chylothorax if anyone really wants to know, that must be stopped. the second surgery (on day 8) was supposed to do that and it did not.

indysteel

11-11-2011, 01:44 PM

((((Mimi and RD)))). I just read up on his condition. How awful for both of you that you have to go through this again. You're in my prayers.

azfiddle

11-11-2011, 01:57 PM

Oh, Mimi - hugs, hugs and more hugs.

Please let us know if we can do anything concrete. Can you pm or email an address so we can send a note/card?

bmccasland

11-11-2011, 01:58 PM

{{{{{ Catrin }}}}}
(((((( Mimi and RD ))))))

Hang in there. Healing juju as best as I can muster.

I'm staying inside too, currently making brownies.

Biciclista

11-11-2011, 01:59 PM

you can send anything to my address
8018 36th ave south, 98118

I make daily deliveries to the hospital and he does like getting cards.

solobiker

11-11-2011, 02:30 PM

Mimi, I am so sorry to hear about surgery number 3. I sincerely hope it is his last. I will continue to keep you and Don in my thoughts. I wish there was something I could do for the both of you.

Catrin, sorry you Mom is still having those fevers. I hope this next procedure helps and she can return home.

NbyNW

11-11-2011, 03:21 PM

(((Catrin & Mom)))
(((Mimi & Don))) <--- let's hope 3rd time is a charm!

Crankin

11-11-2011, 04:14 PM

Catrin, it must be hard to be far away when trying to deal with your mom's situation.
Mimi, I am sorry to hear about another impending surgery. It must be wearing you down. Keep the faith!

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-11-2011, 05:58 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about RD's new challenge and surgery, Mimi- truly frustrating and awful. {{{hugs to you}}}

And Catrin, I'm so sorry your mother is not doing well either. I know that scene well.

Wish I could be there to make tea and soup for all of you. :(

Biciclista

11-11-2011, 07:09 PM

Wish I could be there to make tea and soup for all of you. :(

ummmm soup!!! :cool:

spokewench

11-12-2011, 05:41 AM

Oh Dear, (((Mimi))) and (((Catrin))). Hang in there. It will get better!

Owlie

11-12-2011, 02:07 PM

Dear UPS:
Hurry up! I'm out of my study tea!

USPS:
Likewise. Except that I'm looking forward to trying some tasty new tea.
Also, I hope you delivered that return that I sent...two weeks ago!

Blueberry

11-12-2011, 03:26 PM

Dear Owlie:

Please report back on the new teas:)

Catrin

11-12-2011, 06:48 PM

From all reports Mom seems to be on the upswing...hopefully that will continue!

Dear Wind: go away. Or at least don't be as bad tomorrow as they are forecasting. I WANT TO RIDE on the nice, flat, and protected canal tow path. Thank you for listening.

Dear Neck: Get over it already. I am taking care of you and even following medical advice (for a change). You see, we COULD have gone down to my favorite mountain bike trail tomorrow and played in the woods...doesn't that sound like a lot more fun than riding on flat and wind-protected hard-packed crushed limestone? Hmmmm? Winter is coming and I really would like to mountain bike before it is too late to do so. Thank you for listening.

Dear Self: Be patient. You won't forget how to mountain bike if you can't do it right now. Better patience now and allow your neck to heal. Otherwise you take a chance of having a hard fall again before your body is healed and winding up with permanent damage and not be able to cycle again. Ever. Think of THAT when you get impatient :rolleyes: Hiking is good. Perhaps not as exciting but it is good. Go hike mountain bike trails you've not ridden yet to see what they look like :)

Biciclista

11-13-2011, 05:00 AM

the most amazing thing happened yesterday, our younger son (who teaches and studies for his PhD in Canada) appeared and said he'd stay the week! It's just what older son and I needed, someone to help out. And Donald is so happy.. ah, so am I!!!

indysteel

11-13-2011, 05:47 AM

Dear power company, I'm not sure why we're without power, but could you get it restored quickly please? I have laundry to do. Thank you!

@ Catrin, so glad your mom is doing better!

@ Mimi, how nice that your other som is there!

OakLeaf

11-13-2011, 06:18 AM

Dear power company, I'm not sure why we're without power, but could you get it restored quickly please? I have laundry to do.

See Knott's post in Thread Drift. ;)

Catrin

11-13-2011, 06:30 AM

Dear power company, I'm not sure why we're without power, but could you get it restored quickly please? I have laundry to do. Thank you!

hmmm, they said on the news this morning that the wind gusts were quite high last night, I wonder if that is what happened? Hopefully they will fix things soon. As windy as it is supposed to be in Indy this today, I seem to remember hearing them say that the wind gusts will be even higher south of us - and they are calling for wind gusts >40 in Indy today...

Owlie

11-13-2011, 06:33 AM

hmmm, they said on the news this morning that the wind gusts were quite high last night, I wonder if that is what happened? Hopefully they will fix things soon. As windy as it is supposed to be in Indy this today, I seem to remember hearing them say that the wind gusts will be even higher south of us - and they are calling for wind gusts >40 in Indy today...

Ugh. Whatever you got last night has made its way over here. I want to ride, but this particular trail doesn't have the tree windbreaks that the Little Miami trail does...

Are you braving the wind?

Catrin

11-13-2011, 07:03 AM

Ugh. Whatever you got last night has made its way over here. I want to ride, but this particular trail doesn't have the tree windbreaks that the Little Miami trail does...

Are you braving the wind?

Not with my neck injury, I am not allowed to "hunker down" on the bike. With this wind there is no way that I could maintain the body position on the bike I am supposed to...so it is hiking and, perhaps, the indoor trainer later today.

There is more wind coming your way...

Catrin

11-13-2011, 08:03 AM

Ummm, no hiking today either...just saw some pretty big limbs getting blown down by wind gusts. :eek: Mother Nature pruning time, not the time to be in the woods.

After lunch will get on the trainer and stream Battlestar Galactica to my tv - finally getting around to watching the new version of that, I refused to watch the remake when it was on the air. Watched the pilot on Netflix last night and got hooked, much to my surprise!

snapdragen

11-13-2011, 08:11 AM

indysteel

11-13-2011, 08:17 AM

See Knott's post in Thread Drift. ;)

I saw that earlier and had to laugh. Laundry today includes our king size sheets. I'm pretty sure our bucket isn't big enough!

tangentgirl

11-13-2011, 08:34 AM

After lunch will get on the trainer and stream Battlestar Galactica to my tv - finally getting around to watching the new version of that, I refused to watch the remake when it was on the air. Watched the pilot on Netflix last night and got hooked, much to my surprise!

The new BSG rules. I love, love, love that show and wish there was more of it.

After you've watched a few episodes, check YouTube for some of the fan videos. There is some great stuff out there.

***
Dear Entire Medical Profession: Why do I get the feeling that, quite often, you are doing little more than waving a chicken over our heads and hoping for the best? Just sayin'.

Owlie

11-13-2011, 12:56 PM

Not with my neck injury, I am not allowed to "hunker down" on the bike. With this wind there is no way that I could maintain the body position on the bike I am supposed to...so it is hiking and, perhaps, the indoor trainer later today.

There is more wind coming your way...

I did get out earlier today. 25 miles. It wasn't too bad most of the time, but I did find myself needed a higher gear than normal to feel stable. Now my knee is mad at me. :rolleyes: There were a couple of times when I felt my bike shimmy under me, and then I was really glad that it's not a high-end feather-light bike. :D

Dear self: Put the computer away and go do some work.

BleeckerSt_Girl

11-13-2011, 03:04 PM

The new BSG rules....

For a second I thought you were referring to me. lol!

Mimi- how wonderful that your other son has come for a while! What a morale lifter for everyone. :D

Owlie

11-14-2011, 08:50 AM

For a second I thought you were referring to me. lol!

Mimi- how wonderful that your other son has come for a while! What a morale lifter for everyone. :D

You are pretty awesome. :)

Biciclista

11-14-2011, 11:21 AM

more surgery today. and it's a doozy.
to whom it may concern:
I know you have enjoyed teaching these tough lessons to my DH. Enough is enough. Do you think you could turn on that little light at the end of the tunnel so my DH can be repaired today and walk out of that hospital soon? I really don't think his time on earth is up yet.. We were figuring on at LEAST a few more years. is this a cosmic joke? fix the cancer but ruin the man?
I hope you're done messing with him this time.
Sincerely THE WIFE