Dear So and So

[Biciclista]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

((((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.

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]

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 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]

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]

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]

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 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.

((((Catrin)))). I'm so sorry things aren't going more smoothly. I'll redouble my effort to send healing vibes your mom's way. Hang in there and keep us posted.

[indysteel]

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*?

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.

[Blueberry]

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]

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

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

[Catrin]

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]

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.