Illinois ladies facing bc

wendyk13

Blackjack....will this do?  This is Kailua Beach on Oahu.  And yes, it really does look like this.  Oh...and I bought an at-home highlighting kit in caramel, the color you thought would look good.  I'll let you know!

What I wanted to ask Laura....what is the "shiny" stuff to spray on my hair?  Is that a John Friedman product?  And thanks so much for the hint about 27 chains...I kept ripping and redoing last night, trying to get to the right size.  This will help greatly.

Later.......

blackjack

Wendy, Oh thank you, thank you, thank you. I LOVE the ocean pic and I will be there soon in FEB. I found a beautiful palm tree necklace in Las Vegas of all places, it was made of all tiny pearls. Very different but very pretty.  I know your hair is going to to look awesome with highlights..if you  need help let me know.

Gotta run..take care

Blackjack

illinoislady

Yoo-Hoo, I'm back.  Sure enjoyed all that permission for those shakes.  Thanks, Rita, Laura, Wendy.  Guess who will probably not be able to stop her car from turning into the Micky-Dees drive-thru today.  DH is home til' 3 then off to work at Sears--Mt. Vernon.  Achy today ( what's new ) and hopefully my mouth will start to dry up later on today. 

Trip to Wally's World in a bit---then the feral cats, then I'm free for the day.  Don't sound too bad to me. 

Stay warm,

Jackie

ritajean

Wow, Wendy.  That's a beautiful picture of the beach.  I've never been to Hawaii. 

O.K. Laura, I'll try your suggestions when I made the turns this evening on the crochet project and see if it works any better.    For one thing, I think I'm a bit of a perfectionist to begin with and those uneven edges were driving me crazy.  LOL  Do you always recount every line to be sure that you have all the stitches?  I hadn't been doing that..........just kept crocheting until I ran out of spots on the line. 

Blackjack...glad you won in Vegas.  What type of machine were you playing?  Or did you win at blackjack?

Well I'm off to check out that hairstyle site.

Have a good afternoon and evening!

Rita

zap

Hi ladies,

I asked my husband, the chef, about Maid-Rite and of course, living here he knew not a thing about it.  I said that the "Normal" ladies rave about it and and that it was all about loose beef.  So we looked it up on our individual  laptops (this is now nine in the morning and he and I are both off as it it is Martin Luther King Day and schools (I am the teacher) and courts (he is the lawyer) are closed.

Well, guess what?  We found that Maid-Rite is coming to a new location.....Plymouth, Indiana.  My PE teacher calls  Indiana his home.   He returns home one weekend a month and we are asking him to bring us loose beef Maid-Rites!  Maybe Rita, I have found my retirment plan with a franchise in Maid-Rite !!!!!  Dh pays, cooks, serves and I just put money in the bank LOL!

Life is good.  Thanks, ladies.  

whoopsiedoodles

Hi Il. ladies, just peeking in.  I know I am not officially an Illinois member anymore, but I still consider myself a resident!  We plan on moving back to Illinois in the spring (provided we can sell our house! ick!).  

Love and prayers, Deb

Mich101

Wendy-That picture from this morning is questionable too- man or woman? LOL  Where do you find these!!!

I'm starting to have hair issues too. I love that I can hop in and out of the shower and little styling required. (Although that was a plus too when I had no hair!) I can get used to these curls and fullness! I have high forehead issues too Wendy. To the ladies going thru chemo and hairloss, we understand what you're going thru. It is difficult but hang in there.

Michele

(4 more days to Vegas-I hope I have luck like Blackjack!)

illinoislady

Good evening ladies,

Just checking in again.  What an afternoon !!!!!! Took Dh to Radio Shack, Wally's and the Dollar Store.......rushed home to get supplies and go out and feed the ferals....four spots from one end of town to the other.  Sure glad Centralia is not that big.  Then thru the Drive--Thru,,,you know where.  Can't beat those $1.00 Big & Tasty's.  Had one myself though it was hard to get down. 

I did make a discovery for anyone who has flavor issues.  I tried Orange Gatorade and I must say that flavor tasted akin to un-washed Gym socks.  No offense to anyone who likes it, but it was a huge turn-off to me.  My sis-in-law said her Dad was crazy about the Grape Gatorade.  Being adventurous I thought.......well, why not !!!!  Can't be any worse than Gym socks can it????  Pleasant surprise......I truly like the Grape and will stock up on some.  Will be good for getting through the nausea and yucky mouth days since it's full of electrolytes.  It might be my saving grape--did you get that Wendy. 

Due to snow tonight but I haven't seen any yet !!! Maybe we will get skipped.  You know I'll cry tons of tears. 

Mich--did you have the same idea I did about that picture.....I was thinking could that little ruffled behind be Wendy's???? Ok--just kiddin?? I'll stop. 

Anyway, I'm pooped now and am going to jump in the recliner and try to stay awake till Dh gets home from work.  Won't be easy.

Talk to ya'll later.

Jackie

kater

Laura: You might not have had time to read my oncologists' recommendations, but he says the studies do NOT show that estroven is bad, rather he recommends it. (I am strongly positive) HE ALSO recommended 1000 units vitamin d3...

I saw this on ovarian cancer group today:

about VITAMIN D3

 

JP writes:  " Is anyone out there on Vitamin D? I had a test

and--(diagnosed 15 years  ago) and was told to take 1000 units of Vitamin D a day."

Judy, a male friend of mine who is treated by a very well-respected medical

oncologist told me that she (i.e., the medical oncologist) has actually told

all of her female staff that she wants each and every one of them to take

1,000 IUs of Vitamin D3 (make sure the label says "cholecalciferol" rather than anything else) on a daily basis.  There has been more and more research suggesting that Vitamin D3 is instrumental in preventing the development of a variety of cancers.  I've been taking Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) ever

since he told me this.  He said that this med onc's staff has a lot of

respect for her wisdom.  You might want to do a google search on

cholecalciferol.

blackjack

Hi Michele...So you are on your way to Vegas. Were are you staying? I won big at the Bellagio and played the black and white 7 slot machines. It was a nickel slot..the weather is high 50's and sunny. I hope you have a good time...as they say what goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas lol lol

Win big and have fun !!!!

Blackjack 

wendyk13

Morning....I know I am repeating this picture, but as I sit here, looking at all the snow that I will be snowblowing in a bit (I don't start it up until at least 7...too many litle babies that I would be waking up around here)...well, I sure wish I was on that beach!  And the temp out here was 29, now 17...in about 40 minutes.

Jackie...oh you are just soooo cute!  Seriously, glad you found something that you like to drink.  I myseld loved crystal light lemonade.

All you LV people, winning big...I've always heard that sharing is nice (hint-hint).  Have fun Michele...oh...I use Garnier's super stiff gel (comes in a tube---you know, the products in the green containers).  It's the one in the tube.  Your hair won't move all day....just check for lint getting caught in your hair!  Very embarrassing.....

Well....I need to get dressed and blowing...check back later....

illinoislady

Good Morning all,

Woke up to light dusting of snow....I"m a piker now for sure.  Will have to find out if Maggie needs me to feed today.  Will be listening to weather reports soon to find out what "Chicago" got.  The cold/snow is starting to be tiresome.  Hope it goes soon.  My luck, rain will replace it and there has been so much of that lately.  The lake looks fairly good again though.  Well, the ice that is on it.

Hope you all have a good day...especially the gamblers.  My lucky # is 13 if you want to give it a try.

Jackie

[Deleted User]

Wendy - The shine stuff is in a clear plastic bottle by the hairspray and shampoo. I think it's called SHINE ON. You just spray it on after you're all done styling it, and the shine makes it look really healthy...not dull.

Mich - Wow...you are going to have a great time! This is the perfect month to LEAVE! LOL Win big...

kater - Thanks for the info! You're our medical advisor...and a very good one at that!

deb - Hi! Glad you popped in! Hope your body aches are better.

EVERYONE - Have a great day! I have an appt today with a skin care Dr. to talk about some...clearing my throat...aging/cosmetic procedures! LOL Should be interesting!

illinoislady

Good morning again,

Laura, you may feel you need some cosmetic adjustments but I just went back and looked at that last picture that was posted and I sure can't see what needs fixin'.  I'm not a real good person to ask though I will admit.  I just see my lines and little marks and flaws as evidence that I have lived.

BIG sigh here !!!!!!  I think I have often seen life a little to the left or right and often wonder what is wrong with me that I can't march to the beat of the drummer......ever it seems.

Well, just know ya'll look good to me, but I know some people like to stay on top of the game.......me, I'm just glad to be in it I guess.

Sun is shinning and melting down our white dust.  Good for us I guess.  I think I am like Julie....may as well have some snow to show for this cold weather. 

My mouth liquid seems to be hanging around a little longer this time.  Anyone have any ideas on that.  Is it just cumulative or something.  I was not able to drink like I usually do....maybe that has something to do with it.  Sure will be glad to see it pass.

Tonight is dinner at DTL.  Something to look forward too....and someone else cooking for a change. 

Well, stay in and stay warm if you can. 

I'll be checking in later.

Jackie

wendyk13

OK.....Laura....I sat with you for almost 4 hours last week!  What exactly do you need done?!?  You are so pretty.  I don't think I will be heading for any procedures any time soon.

Well, on second thought....if it weren't so dang expensive I would love a little botox, right between my eyebrows.  Well, and maybe a little eyelift.  And there are those lines around my mouth.  Oh...and those 2 little areas by my nose.

And maybe some lipo of my thighs and butt.  And maybe a little butt-lift would be nice.

Laura....HELP!!!!!!!

Jackie...yep, se's are cumulative so they tend to hang around a  bit longer each time.  Are you still using the Biotene?

Deb...you are always welcome!  Whereabouts in IL will you be moving?  House next door to me is still for sale!

Susan...I like your idea.  DH does all the work, we put the money in the bank...we get to spend it.  Works for me!!!!

  This is a picture of me at Turtle Bay, North Shore of Oahu, Summer of 2005.  I remember hair!!!  Blackjack....when do you leave for Maui?  And will I fit in your suitcase?  I want to go "home"!!!!  Having been to the islands twenty or so times, I feel like a native.

Stay warm everybody....this afternoon I need to do all the stuff I couldn't get done with DH home.  And I really need to start getting all the stuff together for the taxes.  I hate having that hanging over my head.

tdbear

                                       

             Spring is coming Just not soon enough!!

Talked to my bro in Elgin last nite...it was snowing then. I don't miss the snow at all!!

Hope all u IL gals are keeping warm! Oregon is cold but at least no snow in r area!

You gals make me wish I had vacation time!! I hear Vegas is nice this time of year! I do plan a trip to Elgin in March for my Dad's birthday, just don't know for sure when ect.

Speaking of birthdays....are we all about the same age group? 50 to 60+?? I'm just kinds guessing from chat.

I'm 62. Still working,was lucky I worked all during chemo. Friends gave me a day at the spa whenI finished chemo. ahhhhhhh

cud use a spa day right now!!

enough of my rambling      Stay warm!!

zap

Dear bandlady:

Thanks so much for coming on.  Where in Illinois are you planning to move to?  I live in a suburb near the city of Chicago along with a few other people on this thread.  Most are a little west of the lake.  As you have probably picked up, we are very fun people.  Tell us about yourself.

Susan 

snowyday

Hey ladies I lived in Brookfield Illinois for almost a year and volunteered at helping hand, I miss it there it was a wonderful town and the people were so very nice. My neighbour Mary had to pet turkeys and when I first went for my walks I thought I was going crazy because I kept hearing those turkeys'. Then I finally saw them and then I met Mary at Helping Hands.  I loved volunteering there and was always so amazed at the generosity of people from Illinios. If I ever get the chance to go back for another time period I really will.Pearl49

ritajean

Hi gals!  We got snow!  When I left for bowling this morning, the roads were pretty slick.  Now they've been out with the salt and they've got them pretty clear. 

Susan...you are so funny!  I am still laughing about your latest retirement idea.  MaidRites!  You just can't beat them!  I think you have the partnership worked out perfectly!  LOL

Michele, I'm so glad you're heading for Vegas.  Good luck, gal!  You go get 'em!  Win big like Blackjack did!  Let's just get a winning trend going for the Illinois gals!  Also like your avatar.

Now girls, I thought that we decided a while back that any day with hair was a good hair day!  LOL  No more bad hair days, some are just better than others.  I'm sure you will all discover your new style and like JanClare, most of you will probably like it better than the one you had before.  Wendy..I love your hair coloring in that latest picture.  Those caramel highlights will really look good!

Deb, so glad to hear from you again.  So are things going pretty well for you now?  Are you planning on returning to the Peoria area if you get back to Illinois?

tdbear...Several of us are over 50.  I just turned 60 this past August.  We do have several gals who are younger than 50, though.  Connie and Julie are probably our youngest, followed by Michele, Laura, Ginny, and Kater for a few more weeks.  Who else am I missing?????

Pearl...so nice that you posted.  Where are you located now?

Jackie, so many things will taste like unwashed gym shoes (or worse)!  That's why I say, just eat and drink anything that tastes good for now!  I've given you permission to do so without guilt!

Laura, like the others, I'm not sure you need any aging touch-ups but I'm interested in knowing what you find out at your appointment today.  I am PAST the anti-aging procedures and need to know what to do to AGED faces.  I've really considered getting some help.  I have one DEEP wrinkle between my eyebrows up the middle of my forehead that would probably even challenge Botox and the area around my mouth has headed south. 

I'm so anxious to get a picture taken with my hair slicked back so I can use that online styling site.  You gals should check it out if you haven't already done so.  It is pretty interesting.

Kats...haven't heard from you for a few days!  Hope you're just busy.   Nicki....read on one of the other threads that you are having some tests done today and hope that they are just precautionary and that all comes out well.

Hi Blackjack, Kater, Connie, Mary Jane (I did send you an email), Ginny, Jan from Clinton (I sent you a PM), Julie, Calypso, and anybody else that I didn't mean to miss.

Catch you later.

Rita

snowyday

Hi ritajean, I live in London Ontario now and it's nice but doesn't have the old charm and character that Brookfield has.  I lived up in Red Lake for 26 years as well that way up North at the end of the road in Northwestern Ontario.  I really miss it there as well the fishing and camping and blueberry picking.  Once this cancer is taken care of as best as it can be I'm moving back to Red Lake and then I'll visit all my friends in Brookfield.Pearl49  (hopefully every summer) 

tdbear

Wendy

do you do your own animations? Or d'load them from a site?

                 "

      Wishing I was on a  nice warm beach

[Deleted User]

Oh Jackie...Thanks! That's nice of you, but photos are...shall we say "forgiving". LOL  What's DTL?  I never had a watery mouth problem, so I don't know what to suggest. Although, maybe something with citrus, like Wendy mentioned. 

Wendy...wow! Nice photo...you look like a movie star!  

bear & pearl...Hi! Anytime you girls are back in the chi-town area...let us know!  

Okay Girls...just to get the record straight! LOL...  

There's a new salon by my house. It's owned by an MD and she does skin procedures. I've always hated my blotchy skin and large pours and fine lines. I would love to be able to get away with a light dusting of powder sometimes, instead of always feeling like I must wear foundation. And then...since I was already there... LOL...clearing the throat again...I mentioned the frown lines between my eyes and sure enough...it's nothing a quick injection of Botox can't fix! LOL Oh and then...I mentioned the (   ) parentheses north and south of my mouth...and sure enough...there's a quick fix for that too (Juvaderm injectable gel)! LOL

So - here's the plan: tomorrow I'm scheduled for a "peel" ($120) - they just smooth off some of the dead icky top skin layers. And then when I get back from MX at the end of Feb., I'm going to have 5 laser treatments (Laser Genesis to remove wrinkles, pores, age spots and redness, total $1500) and maybe the Botox ($300) and maybe the Juvaderm ($500). They accept payments so you don't have to pay for it all at once. I'm going to wait a few years and then I'll have the gobble-gobble neck fixed. LOL

illinoislady

Afternoon,

I am having trouble staying away today---guess ya'll all know that means that I'm not doing much but hanging around my computer room.  The sun is coming in bright and it feels warm and cozy in here.  That's really a euphemism for very small room. 

Anyway.....thank you Rita.  I will dive into anything I get my hands on with abandon now.  Actually, I seem to have lost a lot of my appetite.  Hope that homemade sauce for the DTL's honey chicken wings appeals tonight as much as it always seems too. 

Tdbear......I am 62 as of this past September 13th.  Now ya'll see why I say my lucky number is 13.  Some days my txs made me feel every bit of my age but most of the time I have to convince myself I'm 50.

Wendy, I have been using the biotene, but not as much.  The flavor is so bad.  I have a somewhat coated tongue, but it's not the dreaded thrush.  So, I just use a tsp. and don't swish as long.  I'll manage, but sure glad I only have the one a/c to go.  I have had to resort to thick paper towels to get rid of some of the liquid in my mouth and it's not too feminine.  In earlier times I might have done well in a spitting contest with my latest addition here.  Sure glad Dh is a brave soul.  Says he doesn't mind.  I don't either, but I'm forever washing my face too......just a thing I got I guess.  I found something at Wally's called Cetaphil....comes in a pump container.  Just makes me feel cleaner after all the spitting.  Says it keeps your skin smooth and soft...sure hope so.  Those paper towels are a little raspy. 

Such war stories we are going to all have----that is if I can remember mine. 

Julie, hope you are doing well for now.  I know you may feel a bit intimidated for Thursday, but I think you will do fine.  Just know every Ill. girl here will be sitting right there with you. 

Talk to ya'll later.

Jackie

smerf

Hi to everyone,

I was so sorry to miss the recent lunch, and you guys all looked great!

It's been a time of highs and lows for me, and I hope it's okay to share. A friend and neighbor of ours lost a five week old grandaughter the week before my NY trip. I attended the funeral, and I hope I never have to see that again. It just ripped my heart out to see that wonderful family going through such pain. In my mind I kept seeing the father of the child playing on the swing set in my backyard as we've been neighbors for over thirty years. Anyway, it sure got me down, and reminded me of how lucky I really am in spite of everything. Talk about perspective!

On a happier note, I know the weather is freezing, but I so love the bright sun the cold seems to bring with it. I love the pic of you in Hawaii, Wendy. I could use a pina colada about now!

My NY birthday party for my dh went off without a hitch. I can't believe that I was strolling through balmy Central Park with my hubby and our three kids on the 12th, and then returned to this! We all had a great time, and my sister in law was nice! That alone made it worthwhile, and I'm thinking about when we can go again.

It's always something, so one furnace wasn't working when we returned. Also, our internet was down, which turned out to be a line problem outside after dh spent some time trying to fix our computer. Thankfully all our house isn't on the same furnace, so all the heat wasn't out. One new part, and we are toasty again. This morning I saw two bucks walking through our backyard, still with antlers. A fox was scampering around being watchful for our neighbor's dog. Beautiful sight, with snow covering everything.

I'm going to try to catch up with all the posts, and that's a lot! You all are wonderful communicators!

Stay warm and well.

illinoislady

Laura...my big addition...........

DTL is short for downtown lounge.  We go there on Tues. nights to eat....big table of 8 or 10.  Anyway.....we put in a dollar ( anyone who wants to be in the drawing does ) and at 7p.m. VIOLA.....someone wins money.

Rules are....you can't get in the game until a new one begins.

You must register every week ( by paying your dollar ) and if you are registered but not there....you only get half.  If there, obviously you get it all.  The pot gets up there pretty good sometimes.

I have to win if I want to come to Chicago.....the price of gas you know.  Just teasin' bout that.

Jackie

p.s.  It's a bar with game machines and the food is really good and plentiful for the money.

conniehar

Hi girls -

Hope everyone is doing well.  I am back from Vegas and enjoying (NOT) this cold weather. 

Blackjack - so sorry we didn't get to meet.  My days were more filled than I anticipated.  Meetings all day and then dinners that extended into the wee hours. The only free time I had was about 6 hours on Saturday and I felt like I needed to give dh a little of my attention.  We had a good time.  I didn't win big but had fun - I didn't have too much time to gamble.  Played a few slots and a little blackjack, but lost it all!!  That's interesting that you won big on a nickel slot.  A co-worker just told me she won big on the penny slots.  I always pass those by thinking they don't payout anything significant.

Too many posts to catch up on, so I hope everyone is enjoying themselves!

[Deleted User]

Smerf - Sorry about your neighbors granddaughter...that is so sad. Glad your party in NY went well. 

Connie - Glad you were able to enjoy some warm weather!

blackjack...where are you? Are you out spending your winnings!

Jackie - Sounds like fun! Can I send you a dollar next time you go and if I win, I'll pay for your gas to Chicago! LOL Glad you're getting out...I was so sick from chemo... remained horizontal almost the whole time with muscle, joint and body aches.

ritajean

O.K. Laura, you have me thinking about my face now!  I'm anxious to see how pleased you are with the results.  My problem is that there are not a lot of highly recommended people around here who perform those procedures and those that are well established charge MUCH more than the prices you were quoted.  I say........go for whatever makes you feel good!  If you're well pleased with this, I wouldn't hesitate to drive up and check it out for myself.

So Pearl, where are you at in your treatment journey?  Are you doing chemo now?  Radiation? 

Smerf....good to hear from you, although it sounds like you've had an emotional return!  Wow!  That breaks my heart.  So glad that your trip went well, though and so sorry you had to come back to all this so soon! 

Connie... sorry you didn't win but isn't that city just a fantastic place to be?  It never stops there!  So glad you had a good time even if you had to work more than you'd anticipated.

Jackie, when you get ready to head for Chicago, stop in Bloomington and pick me up or I'll drive the rest of the way up!  LOL   Another idea for your mouth might be a homemade concoction that the cancer center gave me.  You mix hydrogen peroxide, salt and baking soda and use it as a mouthwash or gargle.  It's a pretty good rinse and got rid of some of the slimy feeling that I had.  I didn't mind the taste too bad either. 

A group of lady bowlers went to the movies tonight to see Mad Money.  It is so funny and just a good movie if you want to be entertained and not have to think to hard in the process. 

Neat pic tdbear!  I've never been in your part of the country.  My son was in LA for a year and I flew out to see him but didn't have time to explore any of the area north of that.  I'd love to be able to get to Oregon and Washington some time as it looks like it's simply beautiful country.  I can fully understand how you do not miss the Illinois winters!  LOL

Laura, I have about half a square finished and it looks pretty good.  Thanks for the tip on the edges.  I knew I'd eventually get the problem solved.  My grandmother had me crocheting when I was about your niece's age.  I really got into it at first and then was just too busy with more important things.  LOL  Anyway, I should easily finish the first one tonight.  How many do make before you send them to somebody?

Well, my recliner is once again calling me!

Stay warm ladies!  It's supposed to get even colder later in the week and then be in the 40's and 50's around here on the weekend.  Crazy weather!!!!

Rita

[Deleted User]

Rita - If you ever decide to...clearing my throat...have some "procedures" done, you can come here and stay at our house! We have spare bedrooms to choose from: the Pink Princess one...complete with a crystal chandelair and there's the Rustic Ldge one, complete with a log bed! And there's the 1500 sq foot finished basement, complete with a steam shower, bar, and large comfy reclining theater seating. LOL My first batch consisted of, I think, 9rectangles...but they are happy to get any amount. Post them a message, when you're ready, and ask which of the 3 girls needs/wants rectangles. You're doing good...keep up the good work. See...us Illinois girls are so thoughtful! LOL

kater

Okay Laura, let's make a business out of this.

Can you get a referral fee?

Let's have our next meeting at the "lines" place.

smile

Kater

What is it with deep line between eyebrows, did that cause cancer do you think?!! I have some at ends of eyebrows, too! 

i was very happy that you shared all that info, very interesting!! My sister would be interested more than me, but I will send it on to her, but I just might go for some of it...if we make it like a tupperware party!