Janet, so glad to have you back safe and sound. Coffee sure brings you back to life, doesn't it, lol?

TT: better answer it now while I am thinking about it. I, too cannot stand Lima beans since childhood. Never liked Brussels sprouts as a child but that was because mom only fixed the frozen kind and they were mushy and tasteless. I love them now. We were not allowed to refuse to eat anything. Always had to at least try anything that was put in front of us. If we didn't care for it after one bite we didn't have to eat more, except the Lima beans (it was an incident I will not bore you all about, lol). Mom kept things pretty basic though because my Dad hated veggies. I love most veggies except asparagus, cooked spinach, peppers and the aforementioned Lima beans.

TT from today: my salads are boring. Always start with lettuce and spinach, then just add whatever veggies and fruit are in season. Not big on salads made with beans, I like my beans hot. I use to have a recipe for fresh corn salad with tomatoes, red onion and somethings else that was depressed with olive oil and some other seasoning. It was served room temp and was awesome, but I can't find it or replicate it. One of our Drs used to make it for us every summer, hmmmmmmm, I can almost taste it but can't seem to make it like she did,

Patti

Was under yesterday -- am willing myself into getting my head back into the game consistently and so far it's working. Will be eating out tomorrow night though and will try to make wise choices but it's not always easy, as you know (and with dinner before a concert, no way to take half with me).

Am supposed to be at the vet with Theo right now. At this moment, you dog lovers out there can rejoice -- getting a dog into the car is easy -- grabbing a cat and putting it into a carrier is hard! Already called vet to let them know we'll be late. Cats re too smart!

OK -- will make another try at it now. Later!

Good morning ladies. I apologize for allowing my insecurities to get the best of me.

Between my husband and I, I feel like I am generally the more generous one. I am usually the first one to lend something out or will give more than he would etc. (not saying anything bad about hubby, just giving you some background). We have been borrowing a van from Brian's parents because we only have one car right now. His brother, who is usually in California, has been up here and using it a couple days a week; no big deal. Now he wants to take it to California for a few weeks which means I will have to take hubby to work, come home, go to work, come home, pick hubby up, not to mention I will not have a car to do errands or pick up or drop off Alanna. I am NOT looking forward to it and want to tell him "no" he can't use it. But I won't, but only because it isn't our car in the first place. I am learning to share til it hurts, which isn't bad, but I need an attitude adjustment about it that's for sure!

MaryLynn - I am thankful you feel comfortable discussing a hard topic with us here. I also agree with Patti; that you are talking about it is a huge first step. Other than that I don't have anything to add, sounds like she gave you excellent advise. I'll be praying for the two of you as you work through this rough patch.

Patti - Will is acting as we would expect him to; we just always hope he will grow up a bit and put the girls first but I don't know if he can due to issues from his childhood that he refuses to get help with. Glad things are going smoothly with your friend and that the hospital was a hospitable environment umm....are you just wearing t-shirts and undies to Florida? Edd must really be looking forward to this trip!!!

Cindy - glad to hear you continue to improve, it's hard when it hangs on that long. It sounds like the photo shoot was lots of fun and slipping your credentials in there never hurts, you never know when someone will know someone who can give you a boost.

Janet - glad you are back safely and that it went well. Andrea didn't really stand up for herself while with Will, but she is learning to do so now; interesting how kids change things like that.

Karla - thinking of you today and your eye appointment, I am anxious to hear your news both about that and the neuralgia appointment. I am praying for good news for you on both accounts.

TT salads: the one salad we make only in the summer is Greek salad which we both love (that's saying a lot as hubby doesn't like vegetables). Other than that it is same old stuff, just maybe more often.

TT vegetables: I didn't like broccoli, spinach or green peppers as a kid. I eat all of them now. For the green peppers the turning point was when I was pregnant the second time; I had bad morning (all day) sickness and couldn't eat much of anything. I worked at a restaurant at the time and green peppers smelled really good, and tasted good too! Since then I eat them all the time. I don't know if I like lima beans or not; I've not had much opportunity to eat them in my life.

I got Alanna's Easter dress cut out yesterday and will cut Avery's out today. Next week I go to my parents' house and sew them together under my mom's watchful eye. I can sew a straight line ok for quilts but when it comes to clothing I am not the best so wanted her help to do a good job.

Hope you all are having a nice start to your weekend
Grace and peace to you
Jeanette

Janet, thank you so much for the Eagle cam link, I am now obsessed with it and hate to turn it off. Have always been eagle obsessed. We have a pair that returns every year to the hills above our cabin, have watched the juveniles grow and learn to fish. I think we have been through 3 sets so far. But you have to be in the right place at the right time. Usually dawn and dusk. I watched the cam just now and saw the chick. Then saw Dad come in with food that he and Mom ate together. I think it was a snake. I watched a YouTube video so I could tell mom and dad apart. I also read the article you shared, I can see where the fasting thing might work for you, in some form. I was really interested int the one related to genetics and personalized diet but alas that is still in the research phase and mostly in Europe. I really think my issues with not losing weight have to do with not eating the right combo or types of food for me, based on my genetics, family history and medications I am taking. I totally agree that one size fits all diets really aren't. Thanks for getting my thinking cap buzzing.

Jeanette, is Brian's brother aware of the hardship it will put on you if he takes the car? Speak up, all he can say is he is taking it anyway. What fun sewing for the girls. I love to make clothes and wish I had a little girl to sew for.

Bert, I just cannot deal with cold beans. I don't mind them too much in soups and casseroles but cold, no way, lol. And chickpeas, no matter what you call them, hummus to garbanzo, are right up there with Lima beans in my book. Seems like everything these days has chickpeas in some form and cilantro in it. I will be glad when a new craze comes along!

Cindy, I am starting to get concerned that you are still not well. I think it may be time to revisit the Dr. You may not have had antibiotics long enough or may need a different inhaler. Please do not let this go much longer without consulting with your doc. Nurse lecture concluded.

Edd is off riding with the son of our friend who passed away last year. Today would have been his birthday. Spoke with Mom this morning and evidently she fainted this morning and broke a little end table. She was not injured but we had a discussion again about skipping meals. She says she doesn't have much of an appetite but knows that her blood sugar plummets and this is the result. She refuses to use a life alert or any other device that would call for help should she need it. But if she is going to skip meals I am going to insist.....for all the good that will do with this headstrong woman.

Patt

Good Morning, Ladies......I've been watching the eagle cam this morning! It's fun to watch. Today is rainy, so I might have to go to the mall to walk.....darn! Our daughter is on her way home and will be traveling most of the day. Have a great day everyone.

Bert

Hello ladies! It's been a while...and a rough couple weeks for me. I've been battling daily headaches and migraines and it's gotten so bad that I've sent my neurologist a message to see if we can't either move my appointment that I have scheduled for May 3rd up, or at least try to adjust my meds in advance of that. The next couple weeks at work are going to be very stressful. Our accreditation site visit is March 30 through April 1. After that, I might need a day or two off to decompress! I'm sure the stress isn't helping.

Anyway I'll try to go back through and catch up on how everyone is doing!

Beth

Beth, sorry to hear about he headaches and migraines. Hope you get in with your neuro soon. The inspection cannot come soon enough for you I am sure.

Back from cards and quick trip to Mom's to drop off some stuff. We laughed, we stamped and we had a great time. Very labor intensive cards this time, so class was 3 hours instead of 2. New car is here and now Edd wants to take it on the trip. He is more adventurous than I am but says it will be cheaper to drive than the diesel truck. Just means he has 2 days to get a hitch and muffler put on. With low miles I am praying nothing goes wrong. The car was filthy and he has been detailing it for about 2 hours now. College student was not a neatnik, lol. Now getting ready for dinner at Mom's. Have most of my stuff ready to pack, luckily car has a big trunk and we have the whole back seat too. If it wasn't for the camping gear it would all fit in the trunk.

Where is everyone today? Miss hearing from you gals.

Patti

Hi ladies,
Thank you all so much for your encouragement and wise advice. I appreciate it so much and we are enjoying some wonderful conversations and together times. It's given us an opportunity to show one another the depth of our love and yes, we enjoyed renewed intimacy as well! Just relaxing and having some lunch after a long hike together. Will check back in for personals in a bit. Wanted to express how helpful this is to talk to you all. Have an appt. at the Dr. April 4th, but also trying out some of the ideas you've mentioned in your comments.
Thanks for the hugs and reminders... we are laughing and enjoying our times once again. Prayer has been answered in ways I could never have imagined possible and I'm grateful!
Hugs back at you all,
MaryLynn

Jeanette, I sent a message to who I hope is you on FB, lol. Since we aren't friends it may be in your "other" message box from a desktop. If I had the right person I'll send you a friend request!

MaryLynn, catching up on posts and I'm glad you have an upcoming appt but also that you were able to open the lines of communication with your hubby about intimacy. I struggle being open in that area with my husband and I know it's hurt him in the past, so I have really been trying the past couple years to be more open.

Karla, I'm praying for you and for your son. What a tremendous amount of stress.

Everyone else, I'll catch up more soon

Karla, sending you strength and prayers. So sorry to hear that Jason is going through this and also pray that it works out well for all concerned.
He is blessed in having you for his Mom and that will see him through whatever he has to face.

Mary Lynn, so happy that you seem to be working your way thru this issue with good conversations with your husband. I bet you find a level of intimacy you never dreamed of.

Had a wonderful,time with Mom, sis and her hubby. Mom made the traditional St Patrick's meal and banana pudding because it is Edd's favorite. We girls sat in one room and gabbed while the boys talked cars and other guy stuff. Mostly we reminisced about all kinds of things. I know Mom really enjoyed the company and conversation. Left her exhausted but very happy.

Patti