Illinois ladies facing bc
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I am trying to attach a picture for the first time. It was from the Vatican Museum in Rome. For some reason, it made be think of breastcancer.org
Can you imagine how long it took this poor woman to do breast self exams? How painful were multiple mammograms? Or can they do a mammogram all at once like a bunch of grapes? I thought this would be funny for all of us, especially if you need a laugh today.Sharon
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Running a bit behind this am...but have to say
Congrats Susan on Lila Grace!
Too funny Sharon!
Julie...still hugging you!
Carol/berrypatch...thanks so much for offering to go with me! I was only kidding...or maybe I wasn't???? I only schedule tests now on Mon or Tues...that way I can get people on the phone to schedule whatever testing they want me to have...no more tests on Friday afternoons for me!
Bundle up...and I will chat later...looking forward to tonight! Seems like when I checked directions to Pompei, it was right W of Wildfire, off the same street so I should be able to find it, that and my trusty GPS, which would still have me driving in cirlces trying to find Blackjack's house!
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Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist, but in the
ability to start over.
-- F. Scott FitzgeraldMore tonight....running late....welcome to Lila Grace....the took her sweet time baby.
Stay well.
Having flurries....the pretty snow that does not accumulate...but you do have to have the cold air as a go with. Yuk. Catch you all after work.
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Sharon - ROFLMBO!! Thanks for sharing, I know it made me laugh, big time.
Wendy - I agree, we should all make sure we have each other phone numbers handy... although I know how I am personally, I would worry I am bothering someone, ya know ? Does anyone else feel that way, or am I just paranoid ? PS - yes, Pompeii is exactly where you think, but on the other side of the street. It kind of sticks out on its own & it's hard to miss (at least for me.)
Susan - **Congrats**
Laura - those cookies look scrumptous. I'm trying to stick to my diet, so my mouth was watering when I saw them.
*Waving hi to everyone else*
I stopped taking the Zoloft a few days ago - couldn't stand the se's. I think I'm gonna just roll on my own at this point. The meds just don't agree with me. Still having some insomnia though - so I hope I don't fall asleep in my soup tonight
Maybe that's the Tamox causing the insomnia ? Hope you all have a great day. Sun is shining, but brrrrrr - it's cold. Cheers - Juliet
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Hi all - sorry I couldn't make it tonight. I know you will all have a wonderful time. I would have loved to see everyone again, maybe next get together. Hope someone brought their camera!
Susan-congrats on baby Lila. What a beautiful name!
Julie-I am so sorry for what you had to go through and so glad everything was ok.
Juliet-I'm on tamox. I have insomonia every once in a while, but really not very often, but everyone is different. That is the worst when you can't sleep, and everyone else is.
Sharon - LOL
Rene-I need some help for my back too. Is pilates good for sore back muscles? I have slight scoliosis and also had the lat flap recon, and I wonder if that is why my back is hurting more and more.
Rita-welcome back from Florida. How's MaryJane? She hasn't posted in a while.
Hugs to you all........
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Hi all:
A great way to forget about all your worries is to take care of a 16 month old while your daughter is caring for a newborn. I think I read "A Wocket in you Pocket" by Dr. Seuss 20 times today. Anyway, Lila Grace is a doll. So far she is quiet, so we are hoping she will not have colic as her sister did. Her sister is kinda rough so we have to watch her and keep lovng her as she is still a baby herself.
Now Jackie, I really hope I can post some pictures! I have your directions and I do have a son-in-law who gets it, so I should be able to show you my grandbabies, wrapped in Wendy's wonderful blanket. I think of all of you when I see that blanket in the crib waiting for a baby. God love Wendy!
Love to all!
Susan
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Good Morning Girls,
Well the Lunch Bunch was a very chatty group last night. Good food and lots of laughs was in order to take away the winter blahs. Yes, Illinois gals just wanna have fun. It was fun to see everyone old and new.
Welcome Rene and Lisa. Glad you were able to make it. We are a fun group. lol
Carol... you looked amazing for just having chemo and your hair was just too cute.
JulieB... glad you came for your hugs as we all know to well how scary news can be.
JulieR... your new girls look good on you as do those little cherries. lol Thank you for the sweethearts...they are yummy.
Laura... thank you sooo much for the cute flip flops..They will have a special place on my beach tree....thanks for thinking of me. Wendy you can't have them. lol Remember I am the beach girl..lol So my avatar is staying put.
Smerf....as always great talking with you and sorry to hear about dh fx arm. Now nurse Pat will be on call...lol have fun in LV next week. I will tell you were all the good machines are. lol
Wendy..as always you are too funny and cute. You need to find those really cute cabana boys for us. lol Still hoping you join me on the beach.
Janclare...looking cute as always even if you have been down with your CV.
Susan..congrat to you and your family on the arrival of baby Lila. Can't wait to see her pic.
Rita..welcome home..Don't you wish you were back in Fl. lol We do need spring.
Jackie...hope you don't get to much snow by you. Thank you for you quotes last week. I really needed to read them as I was dealing with sick family. They were a comfort for me. As always I look forward to your quotes. Hugs to you. You are the best quote girl.
To all in tx hope you are doing well and sending you big hugs.
As for me I hope to be leave for LV tomorrow but I am hoping the snow will not be to bad. Those machines and cosmo's are calling me. lol. So wish me luck....
Have a great day everyone. Remember to be healthy.....be happy.
Blackjack
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Morning! Still cold out there...and all I am hearing is the dreaded "S" word....blech.Last night was sooooo much fun! Thanks once again Blackjack for the planning....I loved Pompei and have every intention of going back there. Yum.
Rene (Irene....or just call her Shannon Doherty!),,,so nice to finally meet you. Sorry that I didn't remember that we already spoke re: Bartlett. I swear...this chemobrain....hopefully you had a good time. We're a fun bunch. Strange at times true...but fun!
Lisamed....so glad to see you again and nice that I got a chance to chat with you for a long time. Girls...Lisa's hair is amazing! She hasn't yet gotten it cut after growing it back and it is perfect! Just enough wave/curl....looks like she has spent hundreds to get it looking like that and it grew back that way!
Carol....you look amazing as well! I did remember that you were wearing a wig...however...looks exactly like your old hair! But you will need to do highlights when it comes back...it is sooooo flattering. Remember...just 2 more...it's a little number.
Janice (Carol's driver)....thanks so much for driving Carol last night. It was a pleasure to meet you! You are now an honorary member of the Ill Tough Broads Club!
Little Lady from Hawthorn Woods....you behave yourself! And your hair looks darling...
JanClare....was great sitting close to you last night so we could chat more than we usually get a chance to. Hope your CVS (did you catch that at the drugstore???) leaves you alone!
Pat....gentle hugs out to your DH. Ouch! Mucho Ouch!
JulieB....glad to see that you have kept your sunny disposition after your scare. Still love that pic of yours tho...hey...did you guys know she sings OPERA????? I didn't think so....I told her she will have to sing at the next get-together (silly girl...she thought I was kidding)
Juliette....you look FAB!!!!!! And I will never again in this lifetime look at maraschino cherries the same way! (you had to be there...and yes, there are pictures!)
I remember taking a look around at our circle last night, and thinking how lucky I am to have found you all! Truly lucky. You guys mean the world to me.
Have a wonderful Friday and may the snow not hit you too hard tomorrow. Blackjack....you WILL get out to LV! Hugs everyone!
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Good Friday morning to everyone!
Dinner at Pompei was such fun
Everyone looked so great, and seemed to have a good time. I love a bunch of women who aren't afraid to order dessert It is always so nice to see you guys, and I'm so thankful that I was lucky enough to find you guys.
Great to meet Irene and Lisa for the first time. And Janice too, our honorary member
Wendy - I wanna steal your cute boots! (OK my bigfoot feet wouldn't fit.. but....)
Carol - you looked so pretty, even though you've been having a rough time. So glad you made it out. Yet more proof of how tough IL ladies are.
JulieB - our resident supermodel!! What a pic - whooohooo.
Blackjack - thanks for the Verbena! Can't wait to use it later today. Mmmmmmmm......
Laura "Bad Girl" GTO - thank you for the cookie. It's already gone, haha.
And everyone else - it was just so great to see you guys.
And the maraschino cherries - oh boy. I don't know if I'll ever live that down, lol. I'm a goofball.
Big nasty snow is on the way - every time I check the forecast, it sounds worse, haha. Hopefully we'll get a quick melt.
Hope you all have a great Friday - take care!! Juliet
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Hi Ladies, So sorry to have missed the dinner. I went to the wrong Pompei. I went to Pompei, Italy! We took a day trip from Rome. It was a fascinating city. Attached is a picture. I still am not very proficient at attaching pictures.
Seriously, wish I could have been with you for the fun, laughter, and to meet and encourage the newbies.
Sharon
(The picture is of the volcano Mt. Vesuvius from Pompei. It totally destroyed Pompei in 79 A.D. covering it in, I believe, 24 feet or meters (I am not sure) of ashes, not lava.
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Hi everyone! Gosh I'm so jealous! It sounds like all of you had so much fun last night. That's really great! I do so wish I could have joined you but am so glad that there are so many in your area that can get together for fun and support. We are still waiting for pictures!
Sharon, I'm so glad you learned to post pictures! LOL I am really enjoying them!
Michele101.... Mary Jane is fine. We are meeting on Monday in Springfield. She reads the posts most of the time, but I can't convince her to post. She thinks that she has little to offer since her treatments were so long ago. I'll keep trying to urge her to post a little more......... I think she has LOTS to offer. LOL Thanks for asking about her!
O.K. Juliet, it sounds like the vote is in and that you look fabulous! I can't wait to check ya out! :-)
Rene and Lisamed..........so glad you could join the group last night. Can't wait to meet you both!
Has the snow arrived in the north yet? It looks very dreary and threatening here but so far there's no precipitation.
And Jackie....did you ever get your fill of snow?
Blackjack...have lots of fun in Vegas. We are heading that way the last week in May. You will have to clue me in on all the hot spots. WIN! WIN! WIN!
Today has been a lazy day. I've spent most of the day at the computer, just writing questions. In fact, I've sat for so long that my back aches when I get up. Ever had that happen or am I just getting old?
We're going to friends for dinner and cards tonight so I need to get moving. I'm so glad the lunch bunch was such fun!
Rita
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LOL, Sharon - you are hilarious!! And thanks for sharing the pics, it's really enjoyable. Enjoy your travels.
Blackjack - you too! Have fun in Viva Las Vegas.
Rita - we missed you last night! The sun is still shining brightly here in Chi-town. I think the snow is coming late tonight.
I just started filling out an application to be a dog trainer. Wayyyyy different than being an Audit Specialist, lol. Can't submit it yet though, because I'm still on a lot of restrictions from the PS. I love animals so much, I'd love to work with them & get paid for it. We'll see what happens.. know my fickle self, I'll change my mind next week
Kiss Kiss Hug Hug - Juliet
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Hi all,
I was able to get back to the discussion board. I have had a busy week trying to tie up loose ends before my surgery. I hope and pray I am doing the right thing. I have analyzed this - well probably over-analyzed it. I am not ready for it but I guess I never will be.
zap - no I will not have to have chemo unless they find something else after this surgery. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can totally avoid it.
ritajean- so far I have avoided treatments - that is my goal. I have had a lumpectomy on 10/7 which was not pleasant but I got through it OK. My next step was either radiation and tamoxifen or mx. I weighed all my options pros and cons and I kept coming back to the bilateral MX with reconstruction. It is hard to know exactly what to do. We don't know what the future holds. Doctors said either option was the "right" option - it is whatever I feel most comfortable.
Laura GTO - Your cow pic was hilarious. I had a good laugh. My daughter liked it too.
Thank you all for your warm welcome!
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HI everyone. Sounds like you all had a great time last night. Sorry I couldn't make it.
Juliet - I have insomnia and I am convinced it is from the Tamoxifen. I never used to have trouble sleeping, but I do now. I think some of it is from the hot flashes and some from the Tamox. I take a sleeping pill every night. It's a low dose so my onc says he is ok with me taking it. Even with it, I still feel like I don't get a good nights sleep.
Hope everyone is doing well!
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Hi everyone.....I too am glad ( a little jealous ) that you all had such an enjoyable time last night. The next best thing to being there is getting to hear the stories and see the pics --- so somebody please-pretty please.
It's has been cool here but no snow....does not mean it won't happen though....we often get a little late in the year too --- but our first and only so far was such a doozy....I just may not NEED anymore to make me happy.
Well, I left work tonight ---- went out to Glenridge and picked up my cousin Mary and we proceeded on to her daughter-in-laws house, Nicki who does hair,and she gave me a perm. I had such trouble deciding what to do.....cut it and keep spiking it or --- or sort of won out. I felt like with some body an curl......my not so great hair days would be just a little better. I had gotten to the bad stage.....it was too long in some places making it hard to handle some time and almost too short for a perm. But hey.....I'm not truly knocking my bad hair days --- actually in comparison it's almost thrilling.
I'm wearing a little on the thin side so am going to go. Will try and find a nice quote for tomorrow in the morning. People coming out to give me a window quote.....my kitchen window needs replaced. Lots of other things too.....but one at a time.
I'll be with ya'll in the morning.....and a big happy hug to everyone.
Jackie
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Hey...REMEMBER me! lol
Last night was so much fun... you girls are awesome... you are the ONLY good thing about bc!
And those of you who couldn't join us... you WERE MISSED!
Just got home from the Memorial Service for Kelly... my friend Kurt's wife... although I was very good friends w/Kelly too. It was so sad... she's the one who died in her sleep while she and Kurt were vacationing in Naples, FL over the Christmas holiday - she was 47 yrs. old.. brain aneurysm. The service was beautiful... she was a stock broker and it was held at the Board of Trade in downtown CHI-town... my eyes are swollen from crying... her husband Kurt was dx'd w/cancer the same month as me... how ironic... we had chemo at the same time. Unfortunately Kurt got mets last summer... he's now going through more chemo, rads, etc. Gawd... he's been through hell. And Kelly was always there to help him. Now he's on his own... no family here in IL. Can you please keep him in your prayers?
Sorry - I'm so tired, and emotionally exhausted...that I'm rambling... sweet dreams... more tomorrow.
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Hi everyone! Big Waves!
Dinner was so much fun. I promise that I'll get up some photos- but not until later this afternoon. I've been running around and will be gone most of this morning. Love you all!
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Good white morning.
Rita I am getting the snow that I love. Big fat wet flakes...and hard to see clear to the neighbor's house. It is beautiful ( picture postcard type ) when it snows like this and when the cold weather comes ---- if it snows this is always the kind I'm hoping for. I know the Chicago area already got their snow....this may not even reach that far, so sorry if you are all digging out again --- while Bj flies off to LV and leaves it all behind. Is that a big sigh I hear.Laura, you have a heart the size of Illinois and maybe a couple of other surrounding states -- if I didn't hear love, care, admiration, grave concern and a fair amt. of despair when you are talking ' about my friend Kurt' I wouldn't recognize you.
Hope-4-cure.....good to see you again. Perhaps you did over-analyze a little but it's about your life and the strongest thing about humans is the will to survive --- and keep life going for themselves and all those they care deeply for. I guess though sometimes when it's all said and done we just have to jump in and hope the water is not hotter than we thought.
I'll be checking in later on everyone.
Prayers and hugs,
Jackie
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Morning. OK....we got snow but not nearly as much as they were predicting. Blower started after about a gazillion pulls but it did start and I was done in about 15 minutes.LauraGTO....you bad girl. Now....behave yourself. I as so sorry re: Kurt. What an awful, horrible thing to go thru. Please tell him that he has lots of gals in his corner, thinking of him.
Anybody else on facebook? First of all I see JulieB's stunning photo and now Irene (Rene) adds me as a friend...and you should see her picture! These two ladies' photographs...wow. And I do mean....wow. Hollywood or the runway is calling, girls. Seriously.
Hope4Cure.....you know, I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. Just the answer that you come to after a lot of research and soul-searching. So rest assurred....you have made the rightr decision for you. Best of luck next week....we are all in your corner. Post when you can....
Blackjack....snow not so bad so you are probably winging your way to LV as I "speak". I hope you have a fantastic time! Watch out for the cabana boys!
Jacks....I bet your hair looks wonderful! It is sooooo exciting to have hair to play with again, isn't it?
Sharon....thanks for the pics! They are wonderful...and you are a hoot! The wrong Pompei indeed!
JanClare...looking forward to seeing the pics from Thursday. Hope your CVS continues to improve.
Nothing much else going on around here....another quiet weekend. I hope you all have a great Saturday!
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Believe it is possible to solve your problem. Tremendous things happen to the believer. So believe the answer will come. It will. Norman Vincent Peale,0
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Well, finally got the time- so here are the photos!
Janice (Carol's friend and sewing buddy) and Carol with her wonderful "special" project
This will be the Illinois Gals' Comfort Quilt! Isn't it wonderful?
Pat (Smerf) and Julie (Princess Juliet)
Laura. Wendy and Irene
Julie tried out her new "cherries" LOL!
Back row: Julie, Pat, Wendy, Leeza, Laura, JanClare, Carol, Julie (JulieChicago)
Front row: Michele (Blackjack) and Irene
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Thanks for sharing the photos - you all look wonderful!
Stay warm everyone
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OhMy....what a gorgeous bunch of ladies having a good time. Glad I got to see the cherries too....I had questions!!!! --- Just Fabulous though Juliet.
Carol --- what a beautiful, beautiful quilt. And you have quite a beautiful smile to match. As always when viewing these pictures I am nearly speechless. Just to see so many smiles and so many healthy looking people just having a good time being triumphant. Jan Clare thanks so much for allowing all the rest of us to share such a happy time through the pics. Very, very appreciated.
I'll be back in the morning. Stay warm.
Prayers and Hugs,
Jackie
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Photos and vitamix
"finally", dont' write finally, we are just HAPPY that you took the time to share the photos from the other night.
Just sat down to strawberry ice, the first time i've made anything but a green smoothie from my vitamix machine, i'm so excited, it's fun!...I dont use ice so i had not tried anything cold yet...(except in the smoothies frozen pineapple and so forth)...I'm so happy with my vitamix...they are coming to costco again, i need to find out when! It's a really good way to eat all that fruit and veggie combos we are told our intestines are made for!! smile.
THANKS AGAIN FOR PHOTOS! Julie chicago thanks for great accounting of your day, glad it came out all right and thanks for sharing...
Kater
strawberry ice, it's like the sorbet i used to like to buy...next i'll make the lemon ice, i LOVEd that when there was a Fajola's around batavia.
Vitamix, i mean, for me....i've been making all kinds of raw meat food for the dogs...that's mainly why i bought the vitamix.
I got to a whole foods (2nd time) friday and i was able to find swiss chard, that's the next green smoothie i make... Have found kale everywhere but not swiss chard. cant wait to start the garden.
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Love the quilt. I am quilt person. I have a blue and white one on my bed now. It is trimmed in battenburg lace with a white dust ruffle trimmed in battenburg lace. I love it. I have had it for awhile now and I think I will wear it out before I get tired of it. The colors are beautiful in your quilt. They compliment each other well. (Very easy on the eyes.) You all look like a fun, caring bunch. I am definitely one who likes a fun, happy time - just having a crappy time right now with this but hope to get it behind me soon.
Man, I have been running around the house doing some major cleaning/organizing today!!! I don't know if it is nervous energy or just trying to keep my mind from getting worked up over my surgery - countdown like 32 hours from now. ~Sigh~ It is like the last burst of energy you get before you have a baby or something. I think I also know I won't feel like doing any housework for awhile afterwards too.
Anyway, I rocked my baby (7 year old) tonight and gave her lots of kisses and hugs. Going to leave her with my sister-in-law tomorrow after church and head to St Louis. (Tears in my eyes.) We decided to get a room since I have to be there at 7AM Monday. That would be an extra early, extra stressful morning if we drove it. I am hating this but I guess if other ladies can do this - so can I.
Thanks for listening me tonight. Strength in numbers right?
~ Hugs ~
Jennifer
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jennifer, good luck! that is a good idea, i did that before my surgery, the hospital had places close by that gave a medical discount.
Kater
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Morning!Hope4cure.....Hugs going out to you. Like Jackie says, the only way to get past the bad stuff is to plow right thru. You CAN do this and you WILL come out the other side. A beautiful, happy stress-free, cancer-free life is waiting for you! Don't worry...Ill Ladies are TOUGH! We have your back....
Kater.....your drinks sound yummy! I look at the juicers, then walk away. I'm afraid it would just be another appliance that I use once and then put in the basement.
JanClare....pictures are great! Thanks for posting them
Carol/berrypatch....the quilt is soooo beautiful in the pictures but in person....I am in awe of you and Janice....it is so beautiful.
Princess Cherry (oops...I meant Juliette)....one picture is worth a thousand words! too funny!
Cold out there this am...I am so ready for spring but I see that it won't be coming this week at least. Not much going on today and truthfully...not much I want to do outside anyway. DH FINALLY got his iPhone so I've been busy, setting it up. Now....I have to give him lessons. This should be very interesting...he doesn't get techy stuff very quickly and I have NO patience!!!!! none!!!!!!!
Wonder if we will be speaking by tonight........
Have a great Sunday everyone!
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Hi Girls - Remember me! lol Good morning!
The photos are great. It's always great to get together with you girls!
That quilt is gorgeous!
Hope you're all having a nice weekend. Haven't left the house since Friday...and if I could, I wouldn't leave it until Spring! lol Daylight savings time isn't that far away... let the sun shine, let the sun shine!
Not much new here in the forest... stay warm... can't help but think of blackjack... SO N-VIOUS!
'JulieB- OMG - that was so scary! You poor thing... thank goodness there was a happy ending.
Susan - Congrats! How wonderful!
Have a great Sunday!
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Good morning sunshine. Though cold it is so pretty looking out the window at the sun....and IT looks so warm anyway. Our snowfall ( big fat scrumptious flakes ) is all gone save for some tiny crevices here and there. That's ok.....I saw the post-card I always get to see when we have a snow like that. I must have used post-cards extensively ( in another life-time ) as it is always what I think of during our snows.
Hope-4cure/Jennifer -- For myself ( probably for many here ) the waiting, the dreading, the sense of powerlessness, little bits and pieces of despair stuck here and there --- and it's all at war with your need to NOT have this going on......the truth is it is difficult to feel brave and confident with this enemy Who knows how many crisis points we all braved through our life-time so far but this one is different -- we are never going to be the same and we know it and we are afraid.
It's ok---we are all with you. We have all done this and there is great strength in numbers. Any time you feel anxious just think of all of us....can this many people be wrong? You can do this and we want you to feel all the hope and care that was extended to us when we did it.
It Couldn't Be Done, published 1914, by Edgar A Guest (1881 - 1959)
Somebody said it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing and he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.This is an excerpt from this poem --- it's really about graduating from school, but you need to graduate from this experience and we will help you every step of the way. We are holding tight to you.
Wendy....several of my things ( included is a juicer ) going on the auction block are appliances. I'll never quite understand the mechanism inside that makes you feel the need to own this thing almost desperately and then when it is sitting in your kitchen it is like it came out of an alien's space ship, terribly out of place and you know your never going to do anything with it....MAJOR SIGH as I realize how many times I did this. It's embarrassing actually. Am I a grown-up now...I sure hope so.
Nothing much planned for the day Dh. has the day off as he did yesterday --- I think it's almost only maybe the 2nd. time we have had a week-end off since he started at Sears ---hmmm, how many years ago.
I think we may watch Delores Clairborne again. I had to replace my copy of " Trip To Bountiful " and "Delores" a little while ago. There are a number of movies that I can happily watch over and over -- with some once is always enough no matter how much they like it.....but to me, each re-play shows me some little nuance I missed. It's almost like seeing it for the first time as I await the parts with anticipation that I KNOW I enjoy while looking for those little missed items. I guess I am a little weird that way.
I hope you all have a stunning day whatever you do.
Prayers and hugs,
Jackie
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Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding; and that there is always tomorrow.
-- Dorothy Thompson0
