DATING THREAD PART XXXV1 - HALFWAY THERE ALREADY!!

[tendai]

HI

Thought i'd start the new thread for once. Cant believe the year is halfway over already. I was taking a break from work coz my boss was away for a week and there was no point coming to work. I still havent caught up with all the posts my computer is so slow. Think i'll leave it for someone to post the other threads i dont know how..

Wendy - that must have been so maddening with the thief. I dont know what i'd have done. Given her hell for sure. Its horrible when someone steals from you.

Veritee - we're ok down here.  Seems we're hurtling towards some kind of climax when we vote on 27 June.  Everything has just shot up in prices its amazing. Imagine a 2kg packet of chicken pieces that i couldnt buy 2 weeks ago coz it cost $5,6billion now costs $20billion.  I dont know people are expected to survive until the elections.  And surprsisingly enough some people still think Mugabe is the right person to fix this problem. If it werent for him none of this would be happening. He doesnt want to take responsibility for his actions.  Once he sanctions the war vets and thugs to take over the farms everything just went to shit.  No matter how much he tries to blame the west its his all his fault coz his policies are so fucked up and he wont admit it.  its only a few people who benefit from his rule right now the rest of us are having a tough time of it.
We have a patient who cant have an operation coz theres a machine thats not working,. we were telling teh relative that we could transfer to another hospital where they do have the machine but it'll cost them over $2TRILLION. And yet he is a staunch Mugabe supporter. Felt like telling him to go and get money from Mugabe if he's so wonderful
Barry looked quite handsome in the picture. I hope his body starts to recover soon as it adjusts to the meds.

Betty - good luck with the volunteering, i hope u find somewhere soon.

Drag - congrats on the ring! yay!  Bet u're flashing it around for the world to see. Im happy for you girl. I hope your arm is better now.

Queen - hi, hope everythings ok..

Snow - SB is a real asshole. i hope they lock him up and throw away the key. What is wrong with him. how could he do such things   I hope your car gets fixed soon.

Wilted - hi and welcome to the forums.

Viv - hi, hows that funny autistic kid of yours?

Just an update on Shyguy - i went for tea in his office and he was like 'Im wearing a vest today" and im like "lets see!' and started unbuttoning his shirt til the whole thing was out. He's lucky i didnt take it off. Im such a tease....

[Veritee]

Hi tendai

Thank you for starting a new thread - do not know how to just yet - well do not know if I can lock the old one anyway, so thanks

How's things? I hope you really enjoy your few days off?
and it sounds like you are having a bit of fun with SG - hope that it continues well with him as what are men for but to have a bit of fun??  he does not sound too pushy or anything, he sound OK?


is the time there where you are near what my time is - it is 9.39 am here ?

[Dragonette]

hello ladies,

i havent dropped out i just have wrist problems again. i have too much work and saving it for that. the other night i was so stressed i woke up at 4.00 and couldnt fall back asleep, so i worked 0400-1800

but other than that cant complain, everything is coming together nicely (knock x3). except for the pain. the bf is going to be employed for a while. he is still on benefits so he didnt need the money but the job - he wouldnt stay here not working so thats a real relief. just a lot of work stress and work related travel coming up.

thanks for all the congratulations, i am starting to buzz with excitment. we have figured out how to get married (can't do it legally in any of our countries for residency and religious issue) - I'll update as soon as its definite.

Wendy, when I was a teenager I used to steal painkillers. My luck was they were quite hard to get back then and there was not a big market for illegal ones like today. Its a sad route to go and it cant mean anything good. Those are not like weed she really shouldnt mess with them. I can relate to you shaking with anger.

Betty sorry that you're bored. I am sure things will get more intersting soon as they were 1-2 days ago. so the patches didnt work? i think it sucks that the aso just took someone on, are they paid? why are they wasting money hiring when they can get a volunteer? I saw how painfully thin you were. I liked the pics of your daughter and mom, such different generations, and your granddaughter is so cute! but in the one with your husband, it looks like you have a bruise, maybe its just old.

Tendai thanks for the thread. Im glad you have some fun but still cautious when it comes to SG, not cos hes so dangerous just cos i worry that you need something he cant give.

Snow nice hearing from you and what a SB he is - there is a whole array of them out there when it comes to purposefully infecting women.
Hope you have a peaceful summer. yep the year is half gone and so much needs to be done but thats not a complaint cos i am truely grateful for my life.

Viv, enjoy the vacation when it starts already!

Cindy: hope your stomach feels better. glad things are better at work. i miss reading you.

Queen good luck with the rest of the tests - i am not sure when they come up. this camera up the ass thing, I have done that (forgot actual name; actually it's not a ""camera" lol but an optical fiber) its not as bad as it sounds, not fun but not painful either. but the one in the throat that sounds difficult.

Thanks everyone for the pics, I am still a wuss about that, just like Snow  . I dont expect that to change, not cos of you guys at all or even the men on this site, just cos of nonmembers.

I just saw Veritees and her husband, nice ones and you have such a huge garden, it must be great to live in nature like this. he is very handsome.

again sorry for not checking in much, I havent forgotten anyone though, its just the times...

Ciao Keeping, Wishful, Sunseeker [if your still reading], Camms [ditto], Cristy [where are you?], Pink, and I am sure i left someone out but warm regards [that sounds so official] to everybody...

[BT65]

Morning ladies,

Now, let's see if I can remember what was posted in the previous thread.

Snow, I hate not having a car.  Mine's about ready to take a shit I believe.   When I was a kid, we never got out of school either for it being too hot.  Of course, I don't remember how hot it actually got when I was a kid.  I think it's a bit worse today, with the greenhouse effect.   I hope SB's trial gets moved so he'll get some real time.

Wendy, I had an addiction to painkillers for a long time (among other scripts).  That's a hard one to kick, but if she's not held accountable, she'll never change.  It sounds like she needs some help; but if she isn't ready to get help, there's not much anyone can do.  I'm sure you already know all this.  I hope things can be worked out. It would piss me off terribly if someone were stealing my meds.  I think it's funny though that she took some Reyataz.  I wonder how they affected her.

Veritee, I wish I could smoke cigarettes only once in awhile.  I smoke way too much as it is and can feel it when I walk any distance (even a short way).  My heart pounds etc.  I just don't think I'm really ready yet, I guess.  I'll quit again though.  It's my pattern-quit for awhile, then smoke again etc.

Tendai, thanks for starting the new thread.  Don't worry, I don't know how to post the previous threads either.  So, the 27th of June will be the big day?  I have my fingers and legs crossed that Mugabe will finally be out of there.  Things seem so rough there; you're such a strong woman. I don't know how I'd fare in those conditions.  I don't know how $20billion transfers to U.S. dollars; probably outrageous. 

Drag, good to hear from you.  I'm sorry you're having problems with your wrists again.  Isn't there something the doctors can do about them?  At the ASO, they have someone who's hired from an outside organization come in.  Yeah, it sucks, because I really enjoyed it.   What are the religious issues that keep you from marrying your bf where you're at? 

I've been up for an hour.  And I didn't get to bed until late last night.  I have trouble with the left side of my face that goes into my left eye, around into the back of my neck.  That's the side where my sinus was crushed when I went down that flight of stairs.  I think in awhile I might put some heat on it.  I have the air on, as it's very muggy outside today and supposed to be 90 F.  I don't know how to translate into celcius. 

When the Native American fellow (John) was doing healing ceremonies on me years ago, he once had me dig up a root and make a tea out of it.  He informed me last week that it was hemlock (!).  I was like "wow."  He said he'd like to have me do it again in the future.  He asked me if that scared me and I said "well, it didn't kill me before."  Actually, I remember feeling better after I did that.  I don't think I drank that much of it though, and I'm not really sure how much of it is safe to use.  So, I'll probably be investigating that a bit today.  When I was at his place last Saturday, I could feel my sugar crashing.  I didn't say anything, as everyone was involved in a conversation.  Well, John leaned over to me and said "would you like a glass of orange juice?"  That was pretty cool. He said he could sense that I needed something.  John is a very spiritual person, and is extremely in tune to people's feelings etc.   We talked about some other stuff, and I'll post that sometime.  He had a wife that died years ago and he took care of her right up until she died.  He would feed her, change her, carry her outside so she could be in nature, things like that.  I don't meet too many men who are willing to do that.  He considers it an honor to take care of someone in their last days.  No romantic feelings here, don't take it as that.  He's a good friend, and good person to be around. 

Nothing going on today.  I'm going to take Alex to work in awhile and then I'll probably come home and go back to sleep.  Exciting, eh?  Tomorrow I'm going to a new food bank.  Well, it's new to me.  I'm interested to see what this one gives away.  My care coordinator at the ASO told me about it.  I hope you ladies have a good day.  I tried to get ahold of Cristy a couple times, but there's been no answer.  She and Robert live with her parents, so I'm thinking maybe they're all on vacation.  I'll try again today.  I don't remember her saying anything about that, but maybe that's the case.  I'll be back later.

[keepingfaith]

Good Morning Ladies,

How is everyone doing. There has nothing exciting been going on my life lately. Same ole Same ole. Me and DH took the children to Chuckie Cheese last week. I think I had more fun than the children. I am still in school through this summer. I really think I need a break because my mind is going blank. Has anyone been on Atripla and had these really vivid dreams. I had a dream the other night that my DH was putting a lil white rat up my nose.  Even though I was sleep I actually seem to feel the little claws scratching my nose. I woke up ( I guess) and I looked above at my ceiling and at that point it seemed as if I saw a patch of black spiders coming down on me. At that point I literally jumped out the bed over my husband. I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. My eyes finally focused and it was nothing there. That really scared me.

Betty- Nice pics hunny. Sorry you are bored out of your wits but I am in the same boat as you. All I do is go to work, go home do homework and go to bed. What a life. 

Wendy- Thats a same with the sons gf. My cousin is addicted to painkillers. She has almost went to jail for trying to change a doctors prescription. She likes things like Dorvect(sp?) and Loratabs. She will take them and rush them with an alchol drink.

Tendai- thanks for starting the thread. I would have done it but I am not good with these roman numerails.

Drag- Congrats on the wedding. Im still enjoying the married life. Everyone keeps asking me how does it feel. It feels the same. We have been living together for 4 years. Aint nothing change but the paper at the court house.

Snow- Your SB needs his ass kicked up and down a long street.

I have noticed that the Womens forums have been kinda quite. I guess everyone is out enjoying the summer. I get kind of nervous if I dont see our regular posters post on the board.

Well im off to finish some paper work. I'll check back in later.

To all my girlfriends I didn't mention above you know I love you guys. ~Peace~

[Snowangel]

Betty- Your friend sounds so nice, that must have made you feel good that he picked up on that.

Win- That is crazy, I would have wanted to kick some ass too.  Is the girl that just had the baby?  How is the baby?  I have only been on pain meds twice. Vicodin for pleurosy and morphine for my c-section for the trip  lets, they both made me loopy and useless, so I stopped the meds and took the pain.  The morphine made me think the fan in my room was the head of the babies father rotating back and forth I would have hated to see what the hospital charged me for the fan after I beat the crap out of it.

Ten- Thanks for starting the new thread!  I can't get my head wrapped around the prices you have to pay, it just makes no sense at all.  No word on the package yet, maybe if it gets lost they will send the money to you?  Do you have Western Union over there?  Shyguy doesn't sound too shy, if he is removing his clothing  

Drag- I can't remember if I congratulated you or not so I will say it again. Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you! I hope your wrist gets better soon.  Have you tried magnets?  My Mom had carpal tunnel and she wore these magnets until she got her surgery and she said that they helped.

Check out these website I found
http://www.switchboard.com/
It is kinda freaky, I put in my name and my address with a map came out.  Doesn't make me feel too safe especially since my sons father is such a nutjob.  I think I went to the second tab over.

I am not doing much today.  I am going to do some yard work at the 93 yr old ladys house.  Hopefully my car is going to start all day. My feet have been killing me lately.  Doesn't matter what shoes I wear, they hurt like a bitch at the end of the day.  I am wondering if it is from being on the meds for so long or whatever?

Hope all your beautiful ladies have a wonderful day!

Snow

Oh...has anyone wrote someone an email and signed thier aidsmed name?  I keep catching myself.  I can't just imagine my friends get an email from me and thinking who the hell is Snow?

Keeping- You snuck in while I was posting.  Those were some crazy ass dreams, mine haven't been that bad lately. How is the weather down there today?  It cooled down a little bit up here today.  Have a good day!

[Winiroo]

LOL Beat the hell out of a fan.

I've delt with drug addicts and alcoholics since I was around 8 years old. So its nothing new to me. If she had been less obvious we may have never known. But she was getting greedy and taking enough that we noticed the missing pills. Which made me pay more attention to her.

The baby is fine. I cant recall which one of you asked. She swears she has only been doing this since the birth of the baby. The bottle that she had our pills in was a prescription bottle with her name on it for hydrocodone she had gotten after the birth of the baby for some reason I donno. Maybe her doctor thought she needed something stronger than tylenol for the episiotomy. I dont know.

I've lost my train of thought now. I'll be back in a bit when I get it all back in place.

Billy says hi to you all.

[Dragonette]

aloha ladies,

Snow, the problem w/ my wrists isnt carpal, kinda wish it was cos the surgery's pretty effective. its RSI (repeated stress injury ) coming from the neck area due to decades on the computer (ok just 2, but from an evolutionary prespective, our bodies are just not designed for that, so yeah you can get seriously hurt from desk work not just from hauling things, over time. im not complaining, i'm no mine worker, but this thing is a bitch). what are your plans for the summer?

Keeping nice to hear from ya, i forgot what you study? good luck with everything. i wont have bridesmaids and all that. id like to have a nice dress though and flowers... i wish i could have a big classic wedding. not in this life but its amazing anyway.

Betty where im from you cant have a marriage btw a jew and non-jew and in spain when one is not longer resident (like BF) only a catholic church wedding which i cannot have, so we have to look for a place to make a civil wedding but not every place is easy on the paperwork. we wanted to do it here but then his family insisted on coming but his dad just cant fly so i am looking to do it somewhere closer to spain within driving distance. i will definately update, it wont be before late oct in any case.

Tendai, hope you werent offended by what i said about SG i know you can take care of yourself. you can find me always but i might send back one liners. am anxiously awaiting the 27th. so much tension, if things were not difficult enough for you guys, but they never stat static either.

Wendy, i hope she isnt breastfeeding, does Billy's son know?

everyone else sending you the biggest hug~will try not to be mia for too long but reality's catching up w/ me. love ya.

[BT65]

Morning ladies,

Keeping, I can relate to your mind going to mush because of school.  That's why I took the summer off.  Where I attend, classes change every eight weeks.  We still have a 16-week semester's worth of work, but it's crammed into eight weeks.  And I went straight through for a year and 1/2.  At the end of that, I didn't know if I'd ever be ever to logically think again (not really).  But, I did need a break.  What is it you're studying?  I forgot.

Snow, I checked out that website and they have my phone number and address listed.  Now, my phone number is supposed to be unlisted.  So, I found that a bit disturbing.   About your feet, what exactly do they feel like?  How long have you been on meds and which ones?  And how long since your diagnosis?  Usually with pn (peripheral neuropathy) it feels like pins, needles and like there's shocks going through the feet.  That's what it felt like when mine first started.  But mine started back in the early 90's from all the crazy meds they used to have and the overuse of AZT.  I remember banging my feet up against walls (and so did other people) trying to get some relief.  Luckily, they have meds that take care of that type of pain today. 

Wendy, if she's got a habit now, I wonder if she did previously.  I hope she's not breastfeeding.  Oh, tell Billy "hi" from me.

Drag, what a bunch of legal mumbo-jumbo.  I know here though, a non-Catholic can't get married in the Catholic church to a Catholic.  I think it's the same with Jews.  I know it is for Seventh-Day Adventists.  Which is really too bad.  I hope you can work things out!

Well, I'm going to clean today and my therapist comes over in a few hours.  Yesterday I put some heat on the back of my neck and my sinuses, and it started them draining.  Which is a big relief.  I'd rather have them draining than plugged.   I think sometimes about going to the doctor about it, but I'd rather use heat than to take yet another medication.  Later on I'm going to an NA meeting.  Other than that, nothing else going on.  I think I'm going to take Alex to work, as it looks like his ride isn't going to show up.  Oh, they just showed up.  Good.  My friend Joe came over last night and took Alex to Wal-Mart.  Alex got himself some jogging pants, white t-shirts, and bought me a couple shirts.  One of them is a Chicago Cubs t-shirt, as I am a true Cubs fan.  I grew up on the Cubs, and I've been to Wrigley Field a few times.  Last time I went, it was with my brother in '84.  That was the year they won their division.  I was still drinking a lot, and I got really blasted at the game.  I had to have my brother stop at almost every rest stop on the way home so I could pee. 

I forgot to try to get ahold of Cristy again yesterday.  I'll try today.  I wonder what's going on with Netta?  And Wishful?  Others also (Camms, Cin etc.).  I know Queen's checking in when she can.  Anyway, I miss you guys and hope everyone's alright.  I hope you ladies have a good day.

[keepingfaith]

Good Morning,

Nothing happening for me today. Just another boring day work and school work. I had a very intense headache yesterday. All I could do was go home get in the tub and turn off all the lights in the house. I seem to have them twice a month. Do you  girls think I need to tell my doctor when I go back for my labs?

I hopefully will be receiving my Bachelors in Healthcare Administration next May.(Yah!!!) I hope I can make it.

Well im off to fix these kiddies some breakfast.

I'll check back in later.

[Snowangel]

Keeping- I hope your headache has gone away!

Drag- No plans for the summer.  2 of my kids are likely going to have summer school so we will have to plan around that, not that we have any money to do anything anyway   How about you?  I used to climb trees and do very demanding physical labor every day and then I had a desk job and I think the desk job was harder on my body, especially if you are doing repetive motions with no break in between.  I hope you can get some relief soon.

Betty-  I have been taking meds since 93 or 94.  I have been thinking of contacting my old doc because I honestly can't remember when I got diagnosed and what meds I took, things were way too hectic back then.  Some of the recent ones I have been on are reyataz, norvir, truvada, I remember some really awful horse pills I used to have to chew, epivir, I am on Atripla now.  By the end of the day, my feet hurt so much that it is painful to stand.  If when you say pins and needles you mean like when something falls asleep, it is nothing like that.  It is almost like they are on fire and it goes up a little past my ankles.  They are very tender.
That was nice of Alex to get you a cubs shirt.

Hi Billy 

My day sucked yesterday.  I sometimes wonder if I did something wrong in a previous life.  Everything went well until it was time to pick the trip  lets up from school.  I went and signed them out, got back in the car and it wouldn't start for 2 hours.  Which in itself wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have 4 kids with me and it wasn't so hot.  Then after it finally started, I got a call from the alarm company that they had dispatched the police because they had they had a burgarly alarm which I had them cancel, then one of the smaller boys got stung by a bee and was screaming for a good 20 minutes and then fell asleep, so that I started to worry about him because he is the one with allergies.  He is fine, I think he was just tired because they had a field day at school, then waiting around for 2 hours and screaming for awhile just tired him out  but my nerves were toast last night.

Hope everyone has a great day. I dropped my car off to get fixed so the trip  lets and I are hanging out in the house...hopefully I will get some cleaning done but most likely I will just pick up after them, it never ends 

[Queen Tokelove]

Afternoon Ladies---

Ah, well, nothing much to really report. I went to see my therapist yesterday and he agreed that I didn't need to be on any psych meds so no more Celexa for me. Woooo Hooo. I am over my friend's house using his wifi again which is how I will have to communicate with you all til I get my internet back up. Funny thing is they cut off everything but my basic cable, not complaining but I know it will be shut off sooner or later.

I went to get some labs done for the specialist in Pittsburgh yesterday, I had to give up 13 vials of blood, I was like damn, hope I don't pass out. But I didn't. My landlord pissed me off some more earlier this week. He called himself coming over and doing something about the bug problems I am having but it pissed me off because he laid the stuff so thick and all over that we have had to block off areas of the house to keep the cats from getting into the poison. Also, he bought the same stuff he told me to buy that didn't do anything which really pissed me off. I got to screaming at the top of my lungs while he was there. The only reason he came over was because I called code enforcement on him but the guy from code enforcement was an ass too. He actually tried to blame me for the bug problem and asked why I waited so long to call him. I tried to explain that I waited so long because I was trying to work things out with my landlord. I think he did it on purpose hoping it would kill my cats, the bastard and it has still done nothing in regards to the bugs. I will be so glad when I can move.

My gay friend's ex bf is still being an ass so much so that I went and pressed harrassment charges against him. The police doesn't really want to do anything because the domestic dispute involves two gay men. But if he shows up at my house again, I am going to bust him upside the head and ask questions later. I did all I could do legally and the police are not trying to do anything so what the hell am I suppose to do? I know the ex has some warrants so I am going to be dropping a bug in the DJ's ear and let him know where he is living, hopefully they will go and lock him up. That will show him how much of n**** I can be.

I also talked to the IRS again, I am suppose to get my stimulus check tomorrow which is more than what they told me the last time I called them. So I am hoping it will be there. Keeping, the Atripla does cause funky dreams, I had them for about a week after I first started it. I really don't have time to answer everyone but just wanted to do a drive by and let you all know how I am doing. I miss you all like crazy.

[Veritee]

Our posts crossed Queen - so adding this

Great you can post now and then - I hope you are OK and glad you do not need the psych meds anymore - one less tablet to take must be good??

If your blood test was for liver, I also had to give as many vials for this and while I am usually OK with blood tests I ddi feel a little faint after wards so I know what you mean

Sorry about your headache keepingfaith

I do not know if it is the same - but for years I got really bad migraine headaches at least about twice a month from puberty which got worse after pregnancy.

For me it turned out to be hormones - as they stopped altogether when I reached menopause - but in the meantime progesterone cream really helped me: http://www.progesterone.co.uk/?gclid=CPj9lO-475MCFQJ-xgodpnhkXw

I know that this might seem like rubbish to suggest progesterone but in the UK some doctors prescribe it in pessary form and are happy to tell you to buy the cream - this and the cream really did stop my headaches most months once I found it and then it helped me with the menopause - but I guess being HIV you have to check any meds like this with your consultant.

Drag - I have carpel tunnel and that is bad enough - but you are right if I opted for the operation it would probably cure it .
I am sorry your difficulties are PSI and not as easy to cure - is there anything they can do?

Sorry Snow - that your day sucked

I am sure it does not help but I know you did nothing wrong in a previous life - you are a mum, and busy that's all

and I think you are superwoman - you and all of you that cope with busy lives, more than one child, with HIV too and in the heat are superwomen to me.

I only had one birth child and did not cope well at all yet..................

 ........... it is never too hot really in the UK ............ and I have always lived in a nice home and have had enough money to get by .........................and I have a husband/partner who I know loves me ( despite him getting me HIV now I have always known I was loved) ..................and I did NOT have HIV when my child was growing up ...........and then I had lots of support from friends .......................and then I was VERY physically healthy................

but I still found it hell most of the time my one birth child was small, especially the school run there and back -  and as you know I still do find being a mum hard sometimes - even when she is now 19!!!!  

So I think that you and all others, coping with busy lives, plus HIV are wonderful, my heroes, and if you have youngish children even more so

Love to you all
And I hope your day get better
Veritee

[Winiroo]

I looked myself up on that switchboard link. Apparently there are 4 Wendy's with my last name in Texas none of which are me. LOL
I looked up my brother John's name. There was 63 John's with our last name in Texas. I wasn't even going to look to see if one of them was him or not LOL. Billy's name pulled up our address but not our phone number.

The gf is not breast feeding. She did that a few times and figured out that it was work and pretended that her boobs dried up. I dont believe they did in other words. I think she is just lazy.
Billy's son? I'm fairly certain he knew what was going on. He likely shared the pills with her. We will never know. He is a secretive kid. One of those sly manipulator types. I care about the kid but he is definately shifty.
Boy I tell you he was scared shitless when I was over there. LOL as soon as I started raising my voice he picked up the baby and ran out of the room pretending to take care of the baby.
They like to put her in front of the tv because she likes the pretty colors. I say bullshit. Its lazy parenting....
Meanwhile I'm sure I look like a jerk to them because I take the pacifier out of the babys mouth and incourage her to talk and interact with me. and I face her away from the tv and pick her up and hold her instead of letting her lay on her back in a bouncer or pad on the floor.

Can you tell I'm slightly opinionated when it comes to how to raise babies properly? LOL

Keeping - I would tell your doctor anything that causes you concern or distress. Even if it is only a couple of times a month. That way it can be on record if it ever turns into a real issue.  Congrats on your schooling. I'm sure you will do well.
I've been getting real bad migranes behind my eyes here lately. I think its allergies maybe. Seasonal stuff.

Drag - Good luck with the wedding plans. I never had the big wedding either. I didnt truely want to get married when I did but the reason why we didnt have a big wedding had nothing to do with that and everything to do with money. I did have a lace dress but a wedding ceremony at the justice of the peace certainly wasnt my idea of what my wedding would be like when I was a girl.
I doubt I'll ever have a real wedding. I'm not sure if I even want one.
I consider myself married anyway so the wedding would just be a party.

Snow - Most people who would get an email from me would know me as Wendy or Wini. LOL guess it works for me.

Queen - Get um! LOL Just protect your ass. Get him all the legal ways you can. 

[Veritee]

P.S re forum names

My real name is actually Veritee

As I run a forum and a web based charity under my own name I just see no point in my using a different forum name - but totally understand those who do

[wishful]

Just droppin in to say im still breathing...the kids are goin for the summer next weekend im out of my mind with nervousness....but im still hear...not really posting...been kinda lurkin some times..I hope all is well with everyone.....
i love the pics girls...Betty we have come along way sista..Damn your strong!!!...(((Betty))))..your daughter is so exotic looking..is she of spanish descent? Your mom was really beautiful as well...Your expressions kinda remind me of the guy that plays for the celtics...that never has any emotion in his face..i dont know his name tho..i call him noemotion...loved the big hair...Veritee you have quite the handsome family as well...and wini your mom is a beauty too...We some fine ladies that came from some fine ladies...i gotta get some pics of my momma...lol she was dark chocolate n thick on th bottom in her days....and always had a lightskinned man..lolo
Love you ladies!!
Ciao

[tendai]

Snow - sorry about your legs. could it be neuropathy whatnot? im not sure what the term is. one of the side effects of the meds. when i was seeing my doctor the early days of my diagnosis she told me about side effects like that where she had patients who had to sit with their feet in cold water because they felt lke they were burning.  No package yet. Maybe it'll arrive after elections if all goes well. Doubt if they'll do anything until then maybe theyre holding it somehwere. Yes we do have Western Union though.

Wishful - u spending that so-and-so's money yet? i also have a thing for ightskinned men though not too light as to be like orange

Keeping - i think u should tell the doctor about your headaches. what harm can it do? if theres anything wrong at least they can catch it early.  Good luck with school. I've played around with the idea of doing another course but that will have to be after elections if things get better

Drag -dont worry u didnt offend me.  U're right though, i dont think SG can give me what i need. him being so young and staying at home with him mom and siblings. He gives himself a 6pm curfew for crying out loud so he doesnt go for movies. I guess its just one of those things that'll never really go anywhere, but i'll try to have whatever fun  can be had while we can.  He's kind oflike a breath of fresh air.
Have u guys set a date yet? I'd be excited just by the thought of geting married even if its in court. You can still wear a dress and have a party afterwards, and have photos taken etc
i hope your wrists are better today

Queen - i hope your cheque comes through. spoil yourself some. 13 vials of blood?  I feel all funny after only 1 vial im sure i'd slip into a coma if they had to draw 13 vials.  Sorry about the mess with the landlord and the bugs and all.  I hope u find another place soon.

Remember the guy i talked about earlier who has a sister who cant get an operation done bcoz of teh machine thats not working?  Well i told my little who i live with about him and we were agreeing that he should go and get money from old Bob for the operation.  Well yesterday when i was going home the fares went up to $1billion and i was short. so i used the money i had and phoned my sister that she keep some money for me to borrow to use for the next day today. So she gives me the money adn calls her "boyfriend" to come and pick her up from home. So i go and leave her at home and im on my way to the bus-stop when a car stops by me and theres my sister in the car and says lets go. so i get in and the car and guess whos the driver. Yes. our patient. He recognised me and asked about his sister. So my sister looks at me and says softly "Coincidence?". I just laughed.  I was a little disturbed by the fact that if he really is a ZANU zealot then if things should go bad he knows where i live. Just hope it wont.

Things are getting worse and worse here.  I dont know how Bob sleeps at night.  He's sworn he'll never let the oppposition rule the country. Why call Zimbabwe a democratic state when he does all this shit unabated. Veritte was saying noone said a peep when he made his speech at the food conference. I wasnt surprised. Its just amazing that that the whole world seems to be intimidated by this man. He must have some kind of voodoo that makes people just quail when he's around them. Well it  doesnt work on Tsvangirai thank you very much or the MDC or me. I swear if it comes to war or anything, i'll be among the first to sign up.  Same difference. Bob's going to have to kill us all..

I gotta go. im so tired of doing invoices 100 times over because of prices changing everyday.  we're just charging in US$ then people convert at whatever rate is there that day.  The money is just confusing now. Trillions and billions. Its too ridiculous. We're going to grind to a standstill pretty soon. Hopefully its soon. The situation is just unsustainable. EVERYTHING is going up. We're a country of poor billionaires. Soon to be trillionaires. If it werent for a certain angel i dont know where i'd be right now, God bless her..

Have a good one ladies..

[BT65]

Morning ladies,

Keeping, of course you should let your doctor know if those headaches are becoming a problem.  Migraines suck; I used to get them a lot.  Good luck with your course study.  I'm supposed to graduate next May as well.  I'll be so glad when it's over.

Snow, the pain you're describing sounds like it might be the beginnings of neuropathy.  Now, I'm not trying to diagnose you.  I don't believe in trying to do that.  I would definitely mention it to your doctor. I didn't realize you had been on meds so long.   I hope you don't have another day like the one you mentioned.  That probably would have landed me in a straight-jacket.

Queen, I'm sorry for all you're going through.  I hope you get your check today.  I called the IRS a few days ago, as it still says that I'm not eligible, even though I refiled.  They keep disconnecting me.  I'm about ready to give up.  I really could use the money, but I just get aggravated when I keep losing the call.  Your landlord sounds lazy.  I've had problems with bugs before, and I hated it.  I hope you can move soon.

Wendy, I didn't know anything about Billy's son.  Did you mention him before and I missed it?  Are you still having problems with missing pills or is your son?  I would say to report it, but that's a hard one to prove.  I just hope it stops happening.  Especially for that baby's sake.

Wish, good to hear from you.  I was wondering what happened to ya.  My daughter's father was 1/2 Native American and 1/2 Mexican.  That's where she gets her dark skin at.  I'd love to see some pics of you and your mum sometime. 

Tendai, I'm not sure why everyone puts up with Mugabe.  I don't understand our president's lack of response quite frankly.  It seems he's always ready to send troops out to everyone else.  I do hope the opposition wins when the next election time rolls around. 

Well, it seems like Alex's job has ground to a halt.  I try not to involve myself in those kinds of things unless I'm asked to.  Nevertheless, I'll probably try to hit a couple extra food banks this month.  I wish it was next month already.  I have a problem with being impulsive.  I can make out a good budget; but then I always end up spending much more than what I've budgeted for.  And then I run out of money by the middle of the month.  Gas just hit $4.19 a gallon here and I've got an 8-cylinder.  Last time I almost filled up the tank (which was, I believe back in March) I stopped the pump when it reached $50.55.  That didn't even fill it up.  Last week I put $30 in the gas tank and it's lower now than when it was when I put that money in.  I'm just going to have to limit my goings-around for the rest of the month.  I mean, it's not like I run all over anyway.  I remember when $10 or $15 would fill up a tank.  When Clinton was president, gas was like $1.67/gallon.  Bush has certainly messed this country up good.  I'm supposed to go Monday night to a volunteer orientation at a homeless shelter in the next city over and I'm considering seeing about it at a later date.  I really can't afford to go back and forth 5 days a week.  Maybe I'll go and tell the lady that I can only volunteer two days a week and if they need more than that, I just can't do it. 

Anyway ladies, after hearing about the sad shape the economy's in last night on the news, I was going to come on and rant for awhile.  But, I know everyone has it hard.  I just keep telling myself that as long as the basics are covered, I'll be alright.  That being food and a place to live.  I know that sounds simple, but sometimes I have to keep it simple.  (You know, KISS-Keep It Simple Stupid).   You ladies have a good day. 

[wishful]

Tendai:..im not even spending my own money yet...My stimlulus info is finally on the website tho..to be mailed on the 20th...his ss ends in 80 so his wont be issued until july then it will intercepted..then sent to me..sooo..ill be waiting on his money for a while..but child support is in the makings...but dealing with them is gettin on my damn nerves too...it seems noone knows shit and im like if the people that are supposed to be helping me dont know shit then where does that leave me...im not paying for no lawyer..so ill just wait on my fellow state working or non working collegues..its crazy im gonna be spending his money while he has the kids...i aint sending shit..and with him in arrears he cant file for me to send shit...i know he gonna try something..he has been too nice on the phone..its a shame i never thought i would have baby daddy drama....at least not like this...
His taxes were already intercepted..but where did they go???..who the fuck knows..i aint got em is all i know..but im just waiting cus its gonna be so good when i get it all...i have to get their clothes washed up n stuff (the little im sending)..he already knows he has to buy them things..im just gonna get them some jordans just to show that (or pretend that) i wasnt struggling without his petty cash...

[netta]

Hello my dear sisters,
 I have been gone for a while do to some stressful situations. (Besides the 100 degree weather we were having,)
 I didn't feel like sharing, but now I think I should. I was molested by a neighbor in my apartment complex !.  I was taking my trash to the dumpster one evening and this man who is always flirting and talking shit to me started following me back to my apartment, saying" u need to let me hit that from behind" in other words" let me fuck you from behind" I told him to fuck off cause I don't mess with any of the men around here. They know I live by myself and the men are always watching me. Any way he asked for a glass of water, which I said no and when I went to close my door he pushed it open , bum rushed me and grabbed me around the waist and started gyrating and humpin on my behind ! I pushed him out the door and cursed him and threatend him , that he don't know who he's  messing with!!! Well i should have called the cops, but I was so shocked and angry that I didn't until the next morning. I felt so violated and my ex husband who I called in Philly told me to call the cops and he was furious and wanted to come down and take care of it, but I told him to stay put. cause he would only get arrested himself. The cops came out and took a report, a women and man cop. they were very nice and told me I could press charges and they would arrest him !!, well I told them I would, so they went to his house, he was at work and His WIFE came to talk to me and begged me not to press charges and that she was going to put him out, so I did not press charges,( I feel guilty about that) but made a report and the cops said if he comes back they would arrest him for sure. The cops also told me they have been called out to the couple A lot  for fighting! So I told the apartment management what had happen, and that I  had no money to pick up police report.  They were furious also, and assured me they would handle it, I told them I will move when my lease is up in November, they said I was a good tenant and they did not want to lose me.I believe they are going to evict the couple. Anyway I have been feeling really stressed over what has happened and can u believe the " low Life",men and women around hear are gossiping and blaming "me" like he was the victim "who did you here what bullshit she pulled on "him", she should have not had on that short dress to take out the trash" WTF !!! My neighbor was standing in his doorway  laughing when it all happen ! and did nothing!!!!They are all friends and this man is grown and going with a 16 year old and nobody cares not even the mother, not only that he (my next door neighbor) has been rumored to have been to prison for RAPE!!!!
Aside from all this I have been back and forth to the doctors about my heart, shortness of breath and tightness in my chest. I Had some test done  and they all turned out normal,one of the test I had the other day left me so stressed It took days to calm down! I had a stresstest with I.V. contrast with nuclear medicine. they shot the meds in my arm and it stresses your heart so much you feel like you are having a heart attack !
But it only last a few minutes 6 to be exact.anyway that is the worst thingyou every want to have done.
My test came out normal, no blockage in my heart. SO now what? ...either I am having angina or panic attacks or acid reflux but something is wrong or I am going crazy!!! I take zoloff  for years for depression and I though it would help also with panick attacks, if I have any. I don't go back  to the doctor till next month, I am trying to relax until then and take good care of myself, with the support of my daughter and grandbabies , well I hope I haven't bored you all and sorry for the long post. I hope you all missed me, like I you, lol. I pray you all are well... luv.

[BT65]

Dear, dear Netta,

It infuriates me when shit like this happens.  You did the exact right thing by calling the cops.  That asshole had absolutely no right to put his hands on you, let alone spew that sickening venom about wanting to get you "from behind."  I am so, so sorry this has happened.  I was gang-raped when I was 15 (which lasted a few days) and I know how hard it is to face what happened.  About your neighbors...... I would report them to the management of the apartment complex you live in.  What they're doing is harrasment, which is also against the law. 

About your physical symptoms, they seem to all be in relation to what has happened to you.  Which is understandable.  Did you tell your doctor what happened?  Are you seeing a good therapist?  If not, I would urge you to find one through your ASO or through your doctor.  You need professional help getting through all this and finding ways to work through and resolve all the feelings that go along with something like this.  You need to talk it out.  You know it was so not your fault.  No one asks for something like this; I don't care if one walks around naked.  It's up to people to control themselves.  What that man did is not only illegal, it's also immoral.  You did absolutely nothing wrong-nothing.  People like that need to be locked up where they can't hurt someone else. 

You just keep talking, sweetheart.  We're here for you for whatever support we can give.  I am so, so sorry.       {{NETTA}} 
  Luv,
Betty

[netta]

Thanks you Betty, Yes I told management. I don't a have a therapist but I need one. I don't know how to get one, short of going to the health center, but Idon't like going there, I have been in therapy years ago .The thing with my heart all happened before this  incident for about a month. Betty I was also raped when I was a litttle girl in foster care , and molested by my mothers boyfriend,I am sorry you had to go that yourself, I guess what happen does bring up memories.I know I didn't do anything and this was not my fault.But I feel funny every time I go take my trash to the dumbster. there is a new apartment complex that is gated and I will try to get on the waiting list,there are many gated apartments that are safe but only for seniors, you must be 6o and I'm only 50. It is so hard to get good housing on section eight when there is just one person.

[Dragonette]

hi everyone

Im so sorry Netta, i had tears in my eyes reading about your childhood. But I am glad too - glad you could stand up to this creepo (this SEX OFFENDER), glad you are a strong woman with a loving family and you got over that horrible past, and you will never let any MANIAC even THINK of messing with you again - cos that's what he is, and let them talk, what goes around comes around, I promise you that. He stepped into your own home - and you didn't let him. I can understand how horribly uncomfortable it was with his wife and all, you were too kind, more than kind, and if the neighbors dont appreciate that, NOT YOUR FUCKING PROBLEM. You're a hero. Really.

I'm also glad your heart is OK. That test sounds awful.

Tendai, I watched the news on Zim today about Tzveringai being released. About that guy, he's probabaly just an opportunist not a zealot. I am so angry at that too. What to say... hope you have a good weekend, peaceful.

My hands are still painful, I'd like to write more but am typing slowly.
Stay strong everybody... lots of love & good weekend to all

[Winiroo]

That animal is nothing but trash Netta. If he even looks at you funny again I'd have his nasty butt in jail.
Those kind of vermin should be castrated.

[minismom]

Hello my sweeties!  Did you miss me?  We are finally home and I'm just about dead on my feet.  We had an awesome and very relaxing time (but I'm still exhausted?!?).  I tried to catch up on everyone in this thread, but the letters are starting to cross and go blurry.  I'll try again in the morning after a decent night's sleep.  Just wanted to let you lovelies know that I'm back.

Love to you all!
Mum

[BT65]

Morning ladies,

Drag, is there anything that can be done about your wrists?  If you wear splints does it help?  I hope you have a good weekend as well.

Mum, welcome back.  I'm waiting to hear all about your vacation. It went by pretty fast, didn't it? 

Well, my sinuses are clogged.  I feel how you felt, mum.  My chest hurts and it feels like I need to cough, but every time I do, I can't stop.  Of course it hurts around the top of my head to the back of my neck and my ears keep popping.  I e-mailed my doctor about it, and he told me he didn't want to call in an antibiotic right away.  He told me to take Mucinex D to see if that works and give it a week.  I'm not going to overreact.  I did e-mail him back though and tell him I can't afford Mucinex D and would he please call in a mild decongestant if he thinks that's what I need.  I haven't heard back from him.  Also, my period started yesterday (after not having one for a couple months), so there's all the aches that go along with that.  That could have been what triggered my sinuses, because I used to always get sinus infections when I'd hvae my period.  Anyway, I thought I was done with periods, as I'm on Depo and I haven't had one for awhile.  Oh well.

The NA picnic is today and my friend Liz is speaking.  Right now it kinda looks like it's going to rain.  Of course, the weather can change in an instant.  I hope it holds off until afterwards.  My friend Kathy is supposed to pick me up around 11:45.  Other than that, I really have no other plans today.  I'm sure at some point I'll be putting some heat on my face, that always really helps.  I'll probably be back later.  I hope you ladies have a good day. 

[Dragonette]

hehe. Im also going to a bbq now and its raining on & off, its a 40 min cycle there and i hope to stay dry, but being realistic about it... enjoy the picnic!

Betty, I cant do nothing about my wrists except rest, the porblem is that work is sometimes veryd demanding. i got special equipment and all that. when i have pain, i try to take it easy and also i still get a massage twice a week b/c the pain generates from the neck. lucky me - i doubt insurance anywhere else would cover it, and im on really good terms with my massaeur, and he knows my BF and that i am poz, so it's very comfortable. he has huge hands, gotta love that.

splints wont help, theyll actually aggrevate it more i have been told b/c they force the wrist into exactly the same position that got me here in the first place 

hope your congestion clears soon. i understood the depo is a period every 3 months, maybe im wrong.

Mum, welcome back.

Hi everyone, everywhere and have a nice weekend!

[Snowangel]

Netta- Sorry to hear about that creep and you having to deal with idiots around you.  I hope you can find a new place to live.

Betty-  I hope the heat helps your sinuses.  Don't you just love when the docs say just go get so and so, like it is that easy, all the stuff these days is over 10 bucks ,at least.  Yesterday I tried to go to group and everyone was sitting in the room and one of the guys that works at the ASO comes over and says"There is no group today, the people that could run it had a class and because there was no one there to officially sign in with they were not going to give out bus tokens?  They knew ahead of time the people had the class, what if people didn't have money to get on the bus?  I hate that kind of shit with a passion, all it takes is a little thinking of how things affect people, it is not rocket science.  I hope you had fun at the NA outing.

Mum- Welcome Back!

Drag- Maybe you should see about getting one of those voice recognition things for your computer, so that you can give your wrists a rest from typing.  I hope they are feeling better today.

I hope everyone had a better Friday the 13th than me.  I usually take that kind of stuff with a grain of salt but yesterday was a doozy. The episode at the ASO pissed me off, I get home from there and the house alarm is going off yet again (after my SO and I had discussed that we were not going to set it anymore)I get home with the kids after school and was trying to get the grill started and I told my son to shut the doors to the car and he shut the door to our house and locked us out, I was able to break open a window on my porch and lift one of the littles ones through the window so he could go and open the door.  Friday nights I let the kids sleep in the living room and watch tv and about 8:30 my youngest son comes downstairs screaming his head off and spurting blood everywhere.  Somehow he got cut with scissors, he said his big brother did it and his big brother swears he was no where near him?  So I got the bleeding stopped and took him to the hospital, he got 2 or 3 stitches and his hand wrapped up for a day or two. WTF?  I was exhausted at 8:30 and my feet where killing me and I come home and pass out around midnight, to get woken up with the ankle biter yaping her head off.  I told my SO the other day the next time you see a cute litte puppy don't SEE it as a cute little puppy but see it as a living things that is going to need to be feed, taken outside and taken care of.  I feel like I am doing this all my own anyway so he mights as well leave, he only creates more work.  Then to boot, today I have blood everywhere, on all the walls in the bathroom , the hallway, going downstairs and I am exhausted and my feet are killing me, the kids want to go outside and play and he is gone and when he comes back(which is the  part that makes me insane) he just goes on his computer and does nothing at all around here.

Thanks for letting me vent  

Snow

[Ann]

Gosh Snow, what a day! It's rather fitting that you told us about it and it was post #666 on your post-counter thingy!

It sounds like you should greet SO at the door with some cleaning supplies and point him at the blood-smears! I know I would! Make him do the bathroom first so you can have a relaxing bubble-bath while he takes the youngins outside. (well, it's a relaxing fantasy, anyway)

I don't think I could ever live with a man again. They either don't do cleaning, or they're neat-freaks who don't like anything to be out-of-place. If there's a happy medium out there somewhere, I haven't found him.

xxx

[MOONLIGHT1114]

Hi GFS~

Netta, so sorry to read about that creep doing what he did.  I'm glad you reported him and that you're OK, for the most part.

Sorry its been awhile, this has really been the worst week I've had in a long time.  I have been experiencing gastric probs with pain, none of the symptoms ever seem to happen in any certain order.  I went last Monday to have blood drawn (10 vials, I feel your pain, Queen!) and by Wednesday I felt so awful that I called my doc for a tummy scan.  He saw me Thursday, prescribed Prilosec and the scans are set up for next week, thats the soonest they could get me in for a morning appointment since I have to fast.  All of my labs came back good, a little hard to compare to my last readings cause I went to a different lab, but I think all-around I am doing better.  So, I get the tummy scans Tues and go to a GI doc on Thurs.  Can't wait.  LOL   

Work is costing me $20/day in gas to commute, pretty soon it'll be $25.  I can't afford to buy groceries or anything, and I am desperately looking for a job closer to home to save on gas.  Just applied to 6 or 7 this morning.  I am beat, need to rest before the ratrace starts again Monday.

~ Cindy

[Snowangel]

Gosh Snow, what a day! It's rather fitting that you told us about it and it was post #666 on your post-counter thingy!

LOL! That is kind of funny, must be a sign 

I totally agree with you, Ann, if I ever get out of this relationship, I am done.  I obviously suck at picking out the right men.....friends with benefits that go home sounds so much better.

How are things going over on the Rock?

Moon- I hope you can find out what is going on and can get some rest.  Take care of yourself.

[BT65]

Evening ladies,

Drag, didn't you have a voice recognition thingy for your computer? 

Snow, wow.  I would get on your SO's ass about helping you out definitely.  And hey, don't feel bad, I don't have a very good picker either.  I can't imagine having blood all over the place to clean up.  I would probably scream and pull my hair out.  I hope this evening goes better for you.

Cin, wow.  I didn't realize your problem with your tummy was getting so bad.  I hope the scans turn up what's wrong.  I hope the Prilosec helps.  I feel your pain on the gas.  People everywhere are fed up.  The economy is in horrible, horrible shape.  It's going to take more than four years to clean up the god-awful mess we have.

It didn't rain, so the picnic was on.  Liz spoke and did a terrific job.  She talked about her experience with different drugs, finally with crack, and then how she got clean (she's got four years clean right now).  I won't go into everything she talked about, but a few things brought tears to my eyes.  She was one hell of a speaker. 

My sinuses are still going crazy, and my chest is still tight.  In about 1/2 an hour I'm going to put heat on my sinuses.  I had 4 Mucinex D tabs from the last time my sinuses decided to go crazy.  I took one last night and one a few minutes ago.  I don't like to take them very often because they make my heart pound.  Kathy told me when she picked me up today that people who take thyroid are more suseptible to the drug's side effects.  It says right on the box to tell the doctor if you take thyroid medication, which I do.   Oh well.  It'll go away.  I'm not going to run out and buy more Mucinex D, however.  What a box of those cost is almost what I pay in groceries for a week. 

One of my gf's called when I was typing this, so I'll end it for now.  I hope you ladies have a good rest of the evening. 

[Winiroo]

Its been one busy day here for me. We watched the baby today until 6 and I had to go pick up her Daddy and take them home. Billy also volunteered us to watch his adoptive mothers son. He came at 5:30. He is still here. His mother should be picking him up in the next hour. He is somewhere around 50 years old and mentally retarded. He is a good guy but I am so ready to have the house back to just me and Billy. Billy has been keeping him busy so its not so bad.

With the cost of gas I'm tempted to sell my car and buy a moped. Filling up is killing my pocketbook.

Sorry about your tummy problems Cindy. Boy can I relate. I have an appointment in July with the gastro clinic. Its been three years and I still have no clue whats wrong with my intestines. They hurt 24/7 sometimes worse than others.
It hurts my lower intestines when I digest food. I'm accustomed to a certain amount of pain.

A year ago or so I had chronic constipation. It was so bad I couldn't have a BM without taking something or having an enema. Then i got the flu and the constipation went away. Now I'm back to your average positive persons on and off diarrhea problems.


Snow - Does SO stand for significant other?

LOL Ann - Mine is somewhat of a neat freak but I've trained him to deal with what I consider normal living messes. Shoes in the middle of the floor. Base boards not spic n span. a few dishes in the sink ect.
He isnt perfect but he is the closest I've found to it.

Hope your BBQ was fun Drag.

Have you tried hanging your head over a bowl of steaming water Betty. Sorry to hear your feeling cruddy. But I'm glad your still able to get out and enjoy yourself.

Welcome back home Mum.

[minismom]

I was hoping to come home to a couple days of rest and relaxation, but NOOOOOO! that wouldn't be my life at all.  Hubby and I snuck home on Thursday afternoon.  We had some coupons for free dinner at Garfields, so we went there and then saw the new Indiana Jones movie.  Save your money, it wasn't that good.   We got up early on Friday morning so i could do our laundry and go to the grocery store.  We were barely in the door of Walmart when we saw one of our son's baseball mates.  Come to find out that #2 had a championship game that night at 6!

I hurried and called my mom so she could have the kids ready to go early - we weren't supposed to pick them up until 8pm.  We rushed home, put away the groceries, I made the kids sandwiches for a picnic dinner, and we turned around and left.  Got to mom's house at 4:30 and left at 5.  The game was awesome!!  Son's team wound up being in 2nd place in the league and had to play the #1 team for the championship.  Son's team lost, but only by 1 point: 12 to 11.  Son got a double.  The little guy after him hit a nice grounder to outfield.  Son slid into home plate and just laid there!  I guess he was basking in his glory, but there were 2 more runners trying to score.  The next guy to get to home plate, grabbed Son's arms, flipped him around so he was off home plate, then scored.  When the play was over, the umpire patted Son on the helmet and told him it was time to get up - he was in the way.  I was laughing so hard I almost peed.   It was DQ sandwiches all around.

Today, we had to put together our littlest man's new dresser, clean the house, get the downstairs picked up, unpack the kids, I made a dress to wear to church tomorrow, then we hit the road again.  This time, it was to our little town pool where the entire Little League had a swimming party.  The coaches bought all the pizza and then everyone brought drinks, chips, cookies, etc.  There was enough junk food to kill a herd of elephants, but the kids all had fun.  We got home after 9pm, got teeth brushed, everyone changed into p.j's, and they were all asleep in 10 minutes.  Now Hubby and I just finished watching, "The Outlaw, Josie Wales".

Tomorrow is Father's Day and I was racking my brain about what to get Hubby.  I made him a certificate declaring him the world's greatest Pop.  Then, we filled a gift bag with POPcorn, POPcycles, POPtarts, baby bottle POPs, ring POPs, a twirly POP (sucker).  He'll get a kick out of it.  Our church is having a big breakfast tomorrow for everyone to honor fathers, so I don't have to cook.  For supper, I'm making him homemade rolls, BBQ ribs, sausage, hamburgers (for the kids), some veggies, and apple dump cake for dessert.

I'm still trying to catch up with everyone from the old thread and this one.  Betty, my darling, I'm SO sorry about your sinus problems.  I'm on my 8th month and no one knows what to do with me.  It gets worse with the rain and heat.  The mucus gets so thick that I choke on it.  I can't sleep on my back because i choke, so my right shoulder and hip hurt from sleeping on them all night.  The OTC med that i found worked the best for me was Wal-marts brand called "mucous and cough" relief.  You take 1 pill every 4hrs.  It helps to break up all the junk in my chest and dry up my head.  The 2nd best is Tussin (wal-mart brand Robitussin) head and chest congestion.  It's liquid and tastes like crap, but it works REALLY good and fast.  It also makes me sleepy so I take it at night.

OK, ladies, this is getting long.  If you've managed to keep up this far, then extra moochies to you!   If not, i still love you!

Mum

[Winiroo]

Tomorrow is Father's Day and I was racking my brain about what to get Hubby.  I made him a certificate declaring him the world's greatest Pop.  Then, we filled a gift bag with POPcorn, POPcycles, POPtarts, baby bottle POPs, ring POPs, a twirly POP (sucker).  He'll get a kick out of it. 

LOL what a cute idea. I wish I had read this earlier I would have stole your idea.

Billy bought me some fancy high thread count sheets for mothers day. I bought him a bed skirt that matches the color of the sheets. Its not fancy it from Walmart, but hey its a dust ruffle. LOL At least we wont have to look at the box spring anymore.
I'll show him extra special attention and tell him all sorts of sweet stuff. He will be happy with that.

[Dragonette]

hi ladies,

the bbq was great but i hate being on the down low about being poz and having to think what people to trust and which not. somehow its always the ones i distrust who talk to me the most. and i always meet people who work at the hospital, i've had it with making aquiaintances from there. its the biggest employer here so that makes sense. since our ID dep has put us on display in a little aquiarium corner so that the hearing imparied secretaries can work better, i dread going to my appointments. i heard from my social worker that many others have complained too. and they put up a big sign above the desk, that says "infectious diseases". you just sit there like an idiot and everyone who passes stares at you.

Snow, what a horrible day you had. Poor thing. hopefully its behind you now, and the real weekend was better. You should speak to SO about doing his bit, he's living there too isnt he.

Betty, sounds like a great meeting. so is Liz off the painkillers now? hope your sinuses clear. could it have something to do with smoking? i know Mum doesnt smoke though.

Wow, lots of vials being drawn lately. My record was 14 - they had to do it in 2 times, I had to come the next week, and they left me looking like a junky. I'm never doing that again, my blood flows too slowly and clots for that. I always ask to lie down. And sometimes I ask for someone experienced. Whenever they don't give someone like that to me, they end up calling her after some failed attempts. Its so frustrating knowing your own veins and what you need, but not always being listened too. For example I know where is the best point, and whenever they don't listen they just poke around and don't get enough blood. Sometimes its absolutely ok but i never know how its going to be in advance.

I have voice recognition at work, but its installed on the network so i cant take it home. i use it, but most of my work now is with graphs, numbers and spreadsheets, so its not good for that (makes too many errors in numbers, and cant do graphics). i have used it sometimes for emails. but you have to speak really loud and clear - that's why i dont feel comfortable to dictate my posts here, cos i know i can here my collegues in the other rooms and they dont speak as clearly.

when im working the situation is really bad esp now with the work load increasing. this weekend i didnt work so i can post, but whenever i do i just have pain pretty bad.

Cindy, the commute sounds unbearable. i think gas is still cheaper in the US. whenever I go home or rent a car here I am appaled by the prices. Good luck with the job hunt, it's time I think, they dont leave you choice if they dont reimburse you for gas. And with the belly. maybe you have an ulcer?

Wini, hope Billy had a nice father's day.

hope everyone's ok. here's to a better week for all of us

[minismom]

Happy Father's Day to all the great men in our lives.

 Winni, I'm even cheaper than that.  I bought a King sized fitted sheet (we have a queen-sized bed) and put it on the box springs.  Our room is teeny tiny so we had to buy one of those things that we put the bed on that has dressers in it, so I couldn't use our dust ruffle - it covered the drawers. 

Nothing has really happened so far this morning - everyone is still asleep.

Have a great Sunday everyone!
Mum

[BT65]

Morning ladies,

Wendy, I hope the gastro clinic can find out what's wrong with your belly.  Some pain is tolerable; but not so much stomach pain.  If I'm having stomach pain, there's not much I can do.  Thanks for suggesting hanging my head over a pan.  I used to do that and it really helped; I don't know why I didn't think of it this time.  I'm going to do that in a little bit. Tell Billy happy father's day from me.

Mum, what a cute idea for father's day.  You're so inventive.  And it sounds like you're right back into the thick of things.  How's Mini doing?  Please give her my love.

Drag, I would hate to go see the doctor the way they have things set up there.  I'm sure people stare.  That would drive me crazy.  Yes, Liz has been off the painkillers for awhile now.  She really has a strong message.  

It's a nice day today.  It's sunny and I don't think it's supposed to be higher than about 80.  Last week it was in the 90's, so 80 is a nice change.  I think later on Alex is going to go over to his parents' house so he can see his dad for father's day and pick up some of his art supplies (yes, he's an artist).  I've got a picture he did in my living area.  He used to have a studio, but a local gang vandalized it and destroyed it.  He's actually quite good.  

My brother will be coming over tonight. He called yesterday and said he would bring over supper, which is supposed to be pepper steak and something else.  He writes poetry and has been invited to read at a poetry club in New York in August.  He's published all over in the small press and runs a magazine with a couple other poets called "Fight the Bastards." (hee)  

Well ladies, I'm going to go eat breakfast.  I haven't been eating much since being sick.  The only reason I do is because of the diabetes.  I'm a very brittle diabetic, so my sugar can rise and crash fast.  And it feels like it might be crashing.  I'm also getting extremely hot and little woozy, so it's probably the ol' sugar.  I'll be back.  I usually check out the rest of the boards when I come on in the morning, but I just don't feel like it right now.  I'm missing my dad a bit.  This is the first father's day without him.  Have a good morning ladies.

[Winiroo]

a big sign above the desk, that says "infectious diseases". you just sit there like an idiot and everyone who passes stares at you.

I would want to wear a tshirt that says contagious. 

Seriously though. They should remove the sign if they are getting complaints.


Gotta run and give Billy special attention.

[BT65]

Afternoon ladies,

Just another boring Sunday.  I haven't done a damn thing today except take a shower.  I haven't ventured out anywhere.  We had a little storm earlier, but it only lasted about 15 minutes.  Someone around here has been shooting off fireworks the past couple days and they're so frickin' loud.  Everytime one goes off I almost jump out of my seat.  I don't know why in the world they're starting it so early. 

My coughing is better.  I have no idea how the body manufactures so much snot though.  Where the hell does it all come from?  This is the question I'm off to ponder for awhile.  I'll probably be back later. 

[Veritee]

Sorry I have not been around

But Netta about what happened to you
Remember it is not your fault - this kind of thing is never your fault
I was abused as a child for many years  and have been raped as a young adult and only a few years back had a guy in our village who tried to sexually assault me - a bit like you describe - this mans wife also talked to me - said it could not have happened  - that I must have made it up or asked for it!! and then he tried to tell everyone that I asked for it!!!!!
 when I told the community what he had done .....................luckily he was not believed as people know me better here

bloody men - well some men anyway- and awlful that their wives beleve and support them
Do what you can to get him pay for this.......................

I have not been around because I went public here in the UK about my HIV story - I know my story is not unique at all

but I just wanted it heard - I needed to SHOUT and I shouted to the media and to my surprise - it got published!!

So it was published in a national newspaper today:
http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=my-husband-caught-aids-then-infected-me%26method=full%26objectid=20607784%26siteid=93463-name_page.html

It does not give the story as it appears in full in the paper - or maybe it
is because it does not have the pictures or quotes that it seems less
extensive?
Also I DID NOT say Barry was not on antiretrovivals

I said he was but his health and his PCP and other infections meant we were told they could only guarantee him 6 months to 2 years - but that who knows he looks a lot healthier than me so he could out live me yet!! they reported it wrong

But it is fathers day today and we were going out - but now Barry will not go
out now!! He is in hiding!!

He was, of course, fully part of it going into the papers, and was happy to
contribute all along but he did just not expect it to go on the front page -
neither did I

So he refuses to go out with me today as planned - Oh well!!! There is
always another day!

As he hates being photographed so it was this that has got to him, not the
story itself as he was happy to do it as he wanted to warn other men that it
really is not worth that 'one night, or 2 minute' stand however tempting it
may seem at the time.
He learnt a really hard lesson at an age that he really thought he had no
other lessons to learn - well that's the point as he sees it- if he can do
it at his age and after so many years of what is a happy marriage, others
can too!!!

I could have also have been unfaithful, but did not. Sometimes, given what
has happened,  I now wish I had

I life has so many twists and turns doesn't it?

[Veritee]

PS For fathers day I gave my man a meal and a bit of sex

We do not have this much now we are HIV ironic that we got it through sex but it- but it sort of killed it for us to an extent - he feels guilty and unwanted ( and mostly too tired and ill to bother)  - I feel totally unattractive as he went elsewhere

But I made an effort
and it was fine
So it was an OK fathers day

He has always been a great father and a great husband
I just forget this sometimes with this horrible thing that has come into our lives

[BT65]

Hey Veritee, don't feel unattractive at all.  You are a very beautiful woman.  What Barry did has nothing to do with how you look or who you are as a person.  You two are still together, and that's what counts. 

Good for you for doing the interview!  That takes a lot of courage, and speaks volumes about the type of person you are.  Congratulations.
  Luv,
Betty

[MOONLIGHT1114]

I just looked back at the old threads and "The Dating Thread" is due a Happy Anniversary!  Little did she know what a great thing she had started, back on May 21st, 2007, when Cristy (aka "cjc") started a thread simply entitled "dating."

Way to go GFs!

The very beginning........................

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=12526.0

~ Cindy

[minismom]

Betty, honey, thanks for asking about Mini.  She's actually doing pretty good.  I sware under all those black curls lies a blonde .  Some days she's sharp as a tack and other days the fog just rolls in...LOL.  I guess I shouldn't laugh, but the things she comes up with are really funny.  She is so clueless.

She has decided not to play football this fall and has instead asked if she can play fall baseball.  WHEW!  She'll be in the coaches pitch league.  We're not expecting her to be the next Babe Ruth - she's afraid of the ball, can't catch, runs the bases backwards (remember she's dyslexic), and tends to twirl when she misses at bat.  At least she'll look cute in her pink glove and purple cleats. .  Our youngest son, Mini and I will also start back dancing in September.

Her birthday is coming up and she's excited.  Every other word out of her mouth is what she wants for her birthday, can she have it for her birthday, can so and so come to her birthday, and this is what KIND of birthday she wants to have.  Now, mind you, her birthday isn't for another 2mths. *sigh*  She'll be 8 - hard to believe.  I look at her and it's just amazing to look back and remember what she's been through.  And, in many ways, what she's still going through.  She's a fighter.  She's a champion.  She's my champion; my little black-headed, clueless, chatty, blonde champion who has no idea what she's done for other people by just being her. 

I'm going to stop now before I start crying and all of you put me on "ignore" to spare yourself the agony of reading another of my posts.  My lungs still feel like steel, I'm a constantly flowing mucous factory, and the danged elephant still likes to take afternoon naps sitting on my chest.  But I'll not complain - at least not today.

Mum (who still has Poppy's picture on her refrigerator)

[BT65]

Morning ladies,

Cin, wow.  I didn't realize it's been a year since the first dating thread.  I tried to get ahold of Cristy again yesterday, but to no avail.  I sure hope everything's alright with her.

Mum, I still have Mini's valentine on my frig.  Mini is one of my biggest examples of how to live with dignity with HIV.  And she's decided to play baseball, aye?  Whatever she does, I know she'll enjoy.  I'd sure love to see one of her games.  I'd be her biggest fan.  Give her a hug for me.

Another morning.  My chest feel like mum's does-like there's a big elephant on it.  I'm not coughing like I was.  Actually I hate to even start coughing, for fear I won't stop (that's what's been happening).  My cough isn't very productive though, so it must just be irritation.  I've been smoking these roll-your-own cigarettes latey, and they're way more harsh than regular ones.  I've been on Welbutrin to stop for almost 3 weeks.  I thought one was supposed to stop after a couple weeks?  I have cut down quite a bit.  My sinuses are still flowing though.  I still wonder where and how the body manufactures so much snot.

Tonight is the volunteer orientation at one of the local homeless shelters (Hope).  Hopefully I'll feel well enough to go.  Oh hell, I'll go.  God knows I used to trudge to the dope house choking and puking, so I suppose when it comes to giving back, I can manage this.  Nothing else planned today.  I hope you ladies have a good morning. 

[tendai]

Hi mum - your love for Mini just glows in your posts.  she's just as blessed to have a mum like you.  Still feeling a bit off, huh? Hope u feel better soon. That was a sweet gift u made for your hubby..

Netta - im so sorry aobut what happened. If it were me i wouldve gotten his ass arrested no matter how much the wife apologised for him. And whats wrong with her tolerating such bullshit from him. where do men get off thinking all women are hot in the pants for them. A good kick in the balls would have been too good for him.That'll teach him to keep his hands to himself the asshole.

Cindy - good luck finding a job closer to home.  U're kind of like us in that respect where most of the salary goes towards transport which goes up every other day. Sorry u're not feeling well, i hope the tests come out good. Hows Iceman?

Wendy - LOL on the t-shirt. And wear it and sit right close to the sign..

Betty - i hear u about the firecrackers.  i feel like screaming and giving people who make all that noise a good wallop.  Honestly theres people who have high blood pressure and bad hearts who could collapse at the sound of those things. I really dont see the fun in them.
Congrats on Liz being clean for 4 years. And sorry about the sinuses.  I just remembered the movie Jungle Book where Kaa the snake goes "Oh my sinuses!" Watched it when i was about 12 years old. I hope the volunteering people can work something out for u so u dont spend all your money on gas going to and fro.

Snow - what a day u had! I hope u manage to talk to your SO about helping around the house a little. I hope he doesnt expect to "get some" at night when u're all exhausted..

Drag - i do hope they can do something about your wrists.

My weekend was ok. Very quiet. All alone with the tv. Some ex tried to tempt me in inviting him over to my place on sunday but i wasnt having any of that. those days are so over. better to be alone than be with someone who's plainly just using you.  SG well apart from one or 2 fliratious SMS nothing much.
Bob was on TV saying, "This country was won by the gun and u think it will be lost by a pencil writing an X? Theres nothing like that. We might as well go back to war." Well if its war he wants its war he'll get. I'm all for it.

We going to sleep here today. My boss gone off for a meeting and says we'll do the clinic at 4pm. And dont even think we'll be getting overtime for that.  Our messenger came here today screaming about our transport allowances that the money was short and yet it wasnt.  and he was screaming "im going to send ZANU thugs to beat u up!" and im like "Send them". What, he thought i'd cower and beg for forgiveness? i dont think so..Everyones broke and got stress but dont take it out on me..

Theres a cartoon on TV right now "Inspector Gadget". Takes me back to the days when we were young and nothing mattered but food and cartoons.

[netta]

Thanks ladies for all the support,I am trying to put this behind me, how about I'm having bad dreams. I hope they will go away, I pray before I go to sleep.My weekend was good, went to church and had dinner with my daughter and family.Very broke now but content all bills are paid! I get enough joy at home by myself doing crafts or reading a good book or watching t.v.. gas too high to go anywhere unless necessary, I have a friend who is in the hospital that called me today, he has cancer and hiv and was doing well untill yesterday he started bleeding, so i will go visit him  today. he really like me but we are just friends and have been for years. He is very respectful and I have never slept with him. He is still active in his addiction but works every day, he is honest and I respect him for that. At the moment I am glad I don't have a man,I don't have much sexual desire at all, Is this from the hysterectomy in 2002, or the zoloff making me numb? I don't know but I'm not complaining lol, I guess when the right man comes along....Anyway he must be a turn on or I won't waist my time! It is too valuable!
i HOPE YOU LADIES ARE ALL DOING FINE. Queen you are missed!

[Winiroo]

Is this from the hysterectomy in 2002, or the zoloff making me numb? I don't know but I'm not complaining lol,

If they took your ovaries that is most likely the culprit. Not to mention you just went through a sexual trauma.

I just got home from work, again.

The old man I take care of, we will call him ding dong #1. His older evil brother who is in a nursing home and paralysed, we will call ding dong #2.

I took the dog from ding dong #1's house this morning and brought him home so Billy could take him to ding dong #2's.
The dog is a boston terrier. He is technically owned by ding dong #2 but he has not been able until recently to keep the dog.
He can have the dog over to his nursing home a couple of days a week now. I've been the dogs primary care giver for the last 2 years.
Anywho. Billy got a call from the nurse at ding dong #2's home saying come get the dog, he has fleas.
So I went over and got him. Took him back to ding dong # 1's and washed him and put on a flea treatment (Atvantage)
He didn't have any fleas. He had dandruff.
Called Billy and told him that. Billy called the owner of the nursing home and made it ok for the dog to go back to ding dong # 2's

I took the dog back and one of the nurses was talking to me with her arms all folded over her chest, chicken necking while she talked.
Geez her body language was so obvious. She did not want the dog there. LOL

Long story short. I was hot, sweaty and tired of people screwing with me. When I went to pick up the dog, evil ding dong # 2 mouthed off at me and I of course having a short fuse yelled back. I didn't cuss like he did though and I apologised to the ladies present for yelling in front of them. Unlike him.
I swear I have never met anyone in my life that was as nasty mean as this man. From what I have been told he was a horrible person even before he was paralysed. I'm fairly certain he was born rotten. He was nice when I brought the dog back. The dog is one of his only passions.

If he wasnt a millionare who provided us with easy money I would have told him to shove it up his ass a long time ago. LOL

So, that is pretty much how my day has gone. Its fairly normal actually. There is never a shortage of drama with ding dong #1, ding dong #2 and their sister who Billy and I also work for.

[BT65]

Afternoon ladies,

Tendai, every time I read one of your posts about the situation in your country, I'm dumbfounded.  I hope Mugabe doesn't win, lord how I hope.   Oh, I remember Inspector Gadget.   When my daughter was little, she used to love that one. 

Netta, of course you feel numb.  Look at what you just experienced.  That's enough to leave any woman numb.  I'm so sorry about the bad dreams.  I'm sorry, I can't remember if you said you see a therapist or not.  It would be a good idea to talk to a professional who can help you work through all this stuff.  I have a couple friends who are still into addiction.  Sometimes I don't think the line people draw can be so rigid.  There are still people who need our love.  I don't tend to shut people off so quickly because of addiction issues.  Of course, if they're scammin, then I draw the line. 

Well, my sinuses and chest are driving me absolutely crazy.  I'm coughing up stuff, blowing my nose every 2 minutes and I hardly have any appetite.  For dinner, there was spicey fried chicken, mashed potatoes w/ gravy, and coleslaw.  I only ate 1/2 a piece of chicken and a few bites of coleslaw.  I couldn't eat anything else.  If I'm still feeling like this tomorrow, I'm going to make an appointment with my doctor. 

I did my roots today (I do my own, can't afford a salon ya know).  I don't know whether or not I'm going to go to the volunteer orientation tonight. I would just hate to have to blow my nose every other minute.  I might just get ahold of the lady in charge and ask her to let me know when the next one is.  I am listening to some good music, though.  Robert Cray.  I just love him.  Does anyone else know who he is?  Kinda bluesy.  I hope you ladies have a good evening.

[Winiroo]

I am listening to some good music, though.  Robert Cray.  I just love him.  Does anyone else know who he is?  Kinda bluesy. 

I'll have to check him out. I've been looking for new things to listen to.

[minismom]

Betty, my sweet, you just need to come over here and we can tag team the tissue box.  I'll even give up my glider rocker for you.   I've not had a great appetite, but I've been cooking none the less.  See, you can come over, recover (I've been "recovering" from this stupid cootie for 8mths), and eat.  Oh, and be entertained by 6 of the funniest kids you'll ever meet.  #6 will even rub lotion all over your legs..lol.

Netta, I have to say how very sorry I am for all of your pain.  It seems that you are moving forward - kudoes to you for that.  I understand the nightmares and I hope that they subside soon.  I'll remember you, and your friend in the hospital, in our prayers.  I've not had a hysterectomy and I still have no sex-drive. Honestly, I haven't had one in years...LOL. I also enjoy reading and crafting.  I tease that it's cheaper than paying a therapist.

Winni, you gotta love those care providers who seem to not care.  I've always admired people who could take care of the elderly. I honestly would never have the patience.  You are doing a great and admirable thing. Just be careful and don't call the man "ding dong" by accident

Tendai, thank you for your kind response.  I try not to get too "mommified" in my posts...LOL..and I'm failing terribly.  

Have a wonderful night, my sweeties.  Last week was in the 90's and this week we're back down to the low 70's - much more seasonable.  We had some pretty nasty storms all day and NOW the sun comes out just in time to set again.  I think I'll make a quick run through of the other threads and then head outside to read my book. 

Love to you all!
Mum

[Winiroo]

Just be careful and don't call the man "ding dong" by accident

LOL I've called them worse to their face.

Those two are characters. I love ding dong #1 to death but I could choke him sometimes. LOL
Ding dong #2 I'm nice to as long as he is not ugly to me. Even though I think he is a turd. I try to be nice to everyone.

[Winiroo]

One more thing. I wanted ya'll to see the photo I posted in the narcisism thread. It is a photo of my sweet Billy from 1982. Soooo cute.

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=14186.msg275064#msg275064

[tendai]

ooh wendy. tooooo cute...

[tendai]

verittee - i read the article, i hope it helps in making people aware that AIDS is real and can come into their homes becoz of one mistake..But i dont understnd why they wont give him ARVs. Are they just going to give up on him?

Wishful - we have a saying her that roughly means "money tastes good everyday". So even if u get it tomorrow or july u still gon have a gas spending it

gotta keep our humour up.  this isnt a real note of course. its the 500mill note that someone played around with...

[attachment deleted by admin]

[BT65]

Morning ladies,

Just a quick note. 

Mum, I'd really like to take you up on your offer.  Maybe someday if I ever get a car I can travel somewhere with (other than just around the city), I'll do that.  Have you yet gotten your rejection letter?  I would be calling those people daily and harrassing them.  Dealing with government agencies is so aggravating, isn't it.

Wendy, I love that picture.  How adorable.  How old was he there?  My very first job I had when I was 16 was a nurse's aid in a nursing home.  I didn't last long and thought the people there would drive me insane.  Some nasty work also.  And sad when a patient I would get attached to died.  It truly does take patience to work with the elderly. 

Tendai, I agree about keeping up the humor.  How else is someone to make it through?  I can't say I totally understand what the picture was all about, but I'm assuming it was a parody of a real note.  Cute.

Well, this morning I spent an hour on the phone with the IRS.  Of course, most of it was holding.  OK, my primary income is social security disability.  Last year I worked for a month and a half.  When I filed a 1040 in January, I forgot to include my social security income, which meant I wasn't eligible for the stimulus payment, as it wouldn't have shown that I made enough money.  So, at the beginning of May, I filed another 1040.  Then, when I was reading the IRS website, it mentioned filing a 1040X, or an ammended return.  I downloaded one, printed it out, but didn't understand it.  So, I headed for the local IRS office.  The lady there told me not to file it, that the other 1040 I filed would do.  But, while checking the stimulus payment status every day, it still says I'm ineligible for the payment.  So, during my conversation with the IRS today, they informed me that I in fact do need to file an ammended return, that the other 1040 would do nothing to get me the stimulus payment.  Ugh.  This has been one big nightmare for me.  But, I downloaded the 1040X and will fill it out in a little while and mail it. 

Also (a little more bitching), I'm passing huge clots.  I'm assuming this is something normal and if I don't have debilitating pain, the period will eventually cease and desist.    I hope I can eventually get like a few ladies I know who are on Depo and not have periods anymore. 

I didn't go to the volunteer orientation last night, because I felt like I had an elephant on my chest.  I did e-mail the lady in charge of it though, and apologized and asked her to keep me informed of when the next orientation is.  This morning, sinuses still plugged, chest still tight.  I suppose in a little while I'll call the doc's and make an appointment.  I just don't like to let things in the chest go too long. 

Other than that, I'm going to do laundry today.  And probably buy some more tampons.  I'll be back later.  I hope you ladies have a good morning. 

[tendai]

I hope u feel better soon Betty.  Try and get as much rest as possible and all that, maybe some good old fashioned chicken soup.  I've also got my period but u wouldnt want to know how we substitute for tampons 

[Winiroo]

Wendy, I love that picture.  How adorable.  How old was he there? 

He was 23 years old. Pictures of him in uniform. He was a Marine. He looks like he is like 12 years old.
I'll have to scan one later today.
Billy and I are about to leave to take the mentally retarded man I told you all about out to watch a movie and to the aquarium. He is visiting his parents from a home and the family doesnt really do anything with him like this.

u wouldnt want to know how we substitute for tampons 

Now you got me curious.

[Blessed1974]

Hello Ladies 

I just wanted to stick my head in and let everyone know I'm still alive and kicking.  It looks like I have a lot of catching up to do so I will work on it and hopefully have some time to post more later  .  .  .

[wishful]

Hey everyone, hope all is well or as well as can be expected with you girfriends...Betty i hope u feel better hun..i hate when aunty comes...(she is here now as well and i cant wait till she leaves!)..the stimulus shit is real pain in the ass isnt it?...im still waiting but i did get my letter yesterday tellin me the amount n stuff so hopefully ill get it monday......

I think the peeps at child support have their heads up their asses...they havent even processed my shit and florida has had it since early april...they just now telling me they needed me to write a statement of what he and i agreed to when i stopped the support before and how he breached it....im like it took yall all that time to say that bull?...but i did the damn letter and faxed it to my rep in nj (cus now florida wont even talk to me)...i swear he has his Law hands in this shit somewhere.......

I hear you Tendai:..but when u broke you want that money Today!!!!


Netta : Wow hun im sorry that happened to you..some men are fucking slime...(as we all know)...and prolly didnt see anything wrong wit what he did..fuckin nympho...yes girls i have a fucking potty mouth today and i was gonna say im sorry but im not....i just feel like fucking cussing..so please excuse me...

My kids are leaving and the closer it gets the meaner I am. I m very sensitive right now and I even entertained breaking up with yungin cus i feel he is unavailble to me emotionally....but everytime i turn around he has some kinda crisis i have to hear about for fucking days...at least i say my shit and be on with it ..u know?..but maybe im being a bitch....So what if I am.??.I think I have earned the right to after all the bullshit I have been thru!

Mum: im considering learning a new hobby or focusing on one more..bcus i am in my head all the time...i am tired of going to bed at night alone..i want my bf to move in but i dont think he is ready but i really dont know cus he keeps his feelings bottled up...I am just feeling really lonely lately...My friend is acting funny with me with the girl across the street and i feel some kinda way about that....the other girl is doin things for her and kinda teasing me about it...saying things like..Jamie..me n t went on a date today..etc..like sh eknows it will get me mad...she isnt even  my friend, so im like wtf..leave me the fuck alone already, cus i do alot for t too but you see how she acting towards me..thats why i dont fuck with bitches now...DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!


i know i know i know..but i cant help ..ive been wanting to scream for days now.......


ok im gonna post some more when i go wash my mouth out....
Love you guys!

[BT65]

Evening ladies,

Tendai, I'm also curious.  What do you use for tampons?

Wendy, wow.  I thought he was a teen.  It sounds like you're having a busy time.  It's really nice that you're doing that for that guy. 

Wish, rant away, sister.  I say fuck the punks.  I don't know what to tell you about your relationship though.  I'm not good at relationships.  That's why I try to avoid them at all costs.  Truly.  I have a tight circle of good friends, not a lot, just a few trustworthy ones.  We tell each other everything, troubles etc. and that helps. 

This place helps me tremendously.  I just got done watching the movie "And the Band Played On" (I own it).  Every time I watch it, it gets me very emotional.  I remember the very late 80's, very early 90's living with this virus.  Sitting next to friends who passed from various things (Kaposi's, toxoplasmosis etc.).  I well remember the prejudice, the stigma that used to exist in those days, the lack of funding etc.  I'm sorry if I'm rattling on.  If more attention would have been paid to AIDS back then, they might have gotten it under control.  But the government didn't pay any attention when it first broke out because of prejudice against gay men.  That's my take.  If any of you haven't seen this movie, I highly recommend it.  There's just been too many lost lives; way too many. 

Well, I do have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow.  I'm having a lot of chest congestion.  So I broke down and made an appointment since it doesn't seem to be clearing on its own.  I did get the laundry done.  Other than that, that's been about it for today.  I hope you ladies are having a good evening. 

Queen, you're missed.

[tendai]

Good morning all

Good luck at the doctors Betty. I havent watched that movie.  i get very weepy watching sad movies.  Its a good thing that governments have changed their attitudes towards AIDS or we'd all be talking different stories now. Its just a shame that so many people had to die and may yet still die of this thing.

Wish - rant all you want girl.  I can understand your frustration. Reminds me of the movie Sleeping with the Devil.  Maybe its your period making you all emotional girl dont go breaking up with yungin just yet    Your friend is being a bit childish i think

About the tampons, we just use plain old cotton wool, just roll it up into a tube and push it in like a tampon.  Works fine like a tampon, its the extraction part that sucks. You have to be careful not to push it in too far of course or u'll really be screwed.

[minismom]

Good morning my sweeties from wild, wonderful, "where the heck is my flannel robe", WV.  The thermometer outside is showing a crisp 50 degrees.  We're slated to get up to a nice comfy 69.

Wish, my darling, you rant all you want.  If you don't let the pressure out of the pot, it's gonna blow.  That's what we're here for.  Don't ever feel bad about it.

Wendy: that's really sweet of you and Billy.  Are you as patient with kids, because I've got a couple I'll mail to you.

Betty: let me know what your doctor says.  I went through 2 rounds of different anti-biotics and several rounds of steroids.  So far, nothing has worked.  I bought a Primatene inhaler and keep it close at hand.  When the elephant refuses to move, it helps relieve the pressure so I can breathe.  I've coughed so much that i start to sweat and get light headed.  My poor chest muscles are so sore that I don't think they'll ever recover.  I didn't get a rejection letter, but when we talked to the secretary, she told me that I filled out the wrong form.  I filled out EXACTLY what the website told me to fill out.  So, I filled out the other form, printed off the signature sheet, made copies of my "proof of citizenship" (because you just KNOW they've "lost" the other copies), and mailed it all off yesterday.  We haven't gotten our stimulus check, but we got back our State tax refund.  It went to pay off the car repairs from the spring.  The stimulus check, if it ever comes, should finish paying off the debt - unless something else decides to break.

I started yesterday, too.  It wasn't a happy day for mama or anyone else in the family.  We spent from 9am - 4:30pm outside building the kids' trampoline that my parents got them for Christmas.  It was a beautiful, cool, day to be outside.  What we didn't realize was how big it is - 13x13 and nearly as tall as our house.  The yard is uneven, so Hubby had to dig 2 1/2ft X 4ft trenches on one side for the legs to go in to even it out.  It worked out because now that side is low enough for the kids to climb onto the trampoline without needing a stool.  The directions sucked, nothing was marked, and the parts where mixed up in the boxes.  So, we ditches the directions, and life got much easier from there

Today our oldest turns 11.  It's just so hard to believe. I remember when his little bald head made its debut in this world.  *sigh*  We're having his party on Saturday.  He invited 4 friends over for lunch, then we're taking them to see "Kung Fu Panda" and bringing them all home.  We told him that they didn't have to sit with us as long as they sat in front of us and somewhere that we could see them.  AND, if they couldn't behave themselves, then Hubby would go sit with them - so save him a seat as a reminder.

No big plans for today.  I have laundry to do - what's new? - and am really contemplating letting the rest of the housework wait and sitting outside with my book enjoying the day.  The kids will live on the trampoline.  You all have a wonderful Wednesday.  Much love to each of you.

Mum

[BT65]

Morning ladies,

Tendai, oh. I was expecting something really bizarre, like tying a bunch of twigs together or something.   But, it still doesn't sound too pleasant. 

Mum, well happy birthday to the oldest!  And tell him I said so.  It's probably in the 50's here right now and is supposed to get up to 70.  I just love this weather so much better than the intense heat.  I wish it would stay like this all summer.   I will let you know what the doctor says.  This could all have been avoided if he would have listened to me last week when I e-mailed him about some antibiotics because of my sinuses.  I know my body best.  But, of course, some doctors think they know better. 
I'm sure your kids will enjoy that trampoline.  I hope they're careful.  Trampolines always made me nervous.  And ditch the housework I say.  It'll be there tomorrow (which is the day I clean).

Other than going to the doctor, all else I have to do is go to the ASO beforehand to get some food from their food pantry.  A lot of the food pantries around here are running short on food because of so many more people and families having to use them (due to lack of work, layoffs etc).  Most of them have to shut down early and trim what they give to people.  I went to one earlier in the month and only got one bag of food.  I'm grateful for that, don't get me wrong.  But I usually get 3-4 bags.  Times are tight, all over.  I put $20 of gas in my car a couple days ago, and it only gave me 1/4 tank.   I do have an 8-cylinder, but $20 used to give me 1/2 tank.   I did fill out the ammended tax return yesterday, and I'll mail it off today.

I talked to a friend of mine a couple days ago who has 74 days clean (now add a couple more days).  He was strung out on Oxycontin for years, as well as tranquilizers.  Of course, he would always run out early and would try to kill himself.  Not just in simple ways; he actually stabbed himself in the chest several times once, and the last time he poured gasoline on himself and tried to set himself on fire.  His mother diverted that one.  So, now he's finally clean for the 1st time in years.  He's staying by Indianapolis right now and they're going to help him get his own apartment.  Oh, he also is HIV+.   Anyway, I'm so happy for him and his mother.  He was living with his mother on her farm; she's elderly and this has really taken a toll on her.  But she's thrilled beyond words and so am I.  He told me he's going to talk to IU's (Indiana University) medical students about being HIV+ and being strung out on prescription medication.

I know there really is some goodness in life.  I think sometimes I sound like all I do is complain and I don't mean to.  There are people all over who have it much, much worse than I do.  Life is hard in its own way for everyone.  I hope you ladies have a good morning.

[wishful]

Thanks ladies...

Tendai: i knew somoene would say that (it being my period)...but im only crazy BEFORE my period..once its here im good...So these emotions are pure.....but im  a little better today...My friend tho..im not feeling her..last night she asked to borrow my car to go to pizza hut....granted she took my kids...her n the girl across to street went..(the other girl drove too)..but neither of them asked me to go...but the other girl gonna make a statement ..whats wrong Jamie u look lonely....i stuck my middle finger up at her n screamed dont fuck with me girl...then she was like whats wrong with u giiirl..i went in the house n slammed the door....

But ill be all good..when the kids go with their dad..I'll be doin my own thing...

Yungin doesnt get my emotions....all he can say when i say " i feel ...." is i feel that way too........im like OH MY GOD...that isnt going to solve anything....i need a little break away from some folks for a while...i think ima go stay a weekend somewhere next weekend..with my little bit of stimulus money ..fuck them bills...

[keepingfaith]

Wish - Girl I hear you. Sometimes we have to sau fuck them bills. Im going out ot day to get my toes and nails done. Hell I got my stimulus check and seem to be spending it one everyone except me. So I stand with you and say fuck. I sorry Pooh you feel so down. I get like that sometimes. Hubby thinks i'm going crazy at times. He made me kinda angry with him last night so we when to sleep without talking to each other. Men have to realize we have feeling to. The can do shit and say shit to us and think it is good but as soon as we say or do something we done hurt their feelings.
How is your oldest acting now?

Mum, Tell the baby I said Happy Happy Birthday day. Doesn't it just get to you to see your babies growing up. I wanted to get my kids a trampoline but im kinda scared they will end up on top of the house. P.S. Mum Im a director at a childcare center. I run a center of 7 employees and 47 children.

Betty- I hope everything comes out fine at the doctor. I have an 8 cylinder truck. Boy gas can kick my ass. I was on 3/4 of a tank and it took 35 to fill it back up. I try not to let the hand get to low because its a mother to fill that bitch back up. lol

Tendai- Living in Africa sounds amazing to me. Have you been there your whole life?

Well nothing exciting today. Going to work on a little homework for the week and try to get my paper done before Monday. I have an appointment tomorrow to get labs done again. I so hope im u/d. my last VL was 100. Well im off to do nothing.

[keepingfaith]

Please forgive my spelling this morning. I just woke up. I know next time to let my eyes open all the way up before I get on the net.

[Veritee]

I do not have much time at present - hope to get on later

But tendai  -

I have to confess I too was curious about the tampons?

If it helps I  am in my 50s and believe me in the UK when I first started my periods at 10 years, we lived in the country with no transport and no shops to sell anything for periods and even if you did it was unusual to have  tampons or even what we call 'sanitary towels' here

 So most of the time we used what we called 'rags'  - cotton material from old clothes torn into strips, pinned to our pants and burnt in the fire after use.

Later if we wanted to go out without this awful 'rag' we would stuff cotton waste, cotton rag or cotton wool up there i.e roll it into a tube as you describe, I did this for many years actually as I could not really afford tampons until the 1980s


I also wanted you to know that of course this is wrong...................

..But i don't understand why they wont give him ARVs. Are they just going to give up on him?

As of course he is on ARVs and also stuff/medication every day  for PCP pneumonia, also antihistamines for a continuous rash and many other meds

What I actually said was:

Barry, when he found he was HIV positive, had reached the point where he was considered by our consultant to have AIDs and not just HIV. Therefore the effectiveness of anti-retroviral drugs for him is not so certain. But with the improvements made in the last few years in medications for people even with AIDs, we hope that he has many years to live.

But unfortunately they cut it down - and a lot of other things I said - and what they printed was:

'Barry, whose illness is too advanced for anti-retroviral drugs and is now back home'

The media print what you like whatever you say - you can only try to make it accurate and hope they report it as you said it.

But maybe having decided to tell our story it will help to raise awareness, reduce stigma, raise the question of 'should routine testing be available' and many other issues

Or perhaps I wasted my time?  I do not know but I thought I had to try as beleve me the general public in the UK know less about HIV than I believe most public in most countries of the world

In the UK, well certainly in the rural area we live, they think it just 'not their problem'

i.e if you are not gay or a drug users why should you concern yourself with HIV???

I now know different - So I have to try 

Veritiee

[minismom]

Keeping, I am very impressed.  I barely have the patience for my own kids, let alone 47 "other" kids.  Although compared to adults, I say give me kids anytime .  You're daycare is open on Saturday or are you taking a special trip out?  This trampoline is cool.  The netting comes pre-attatched to the jumping mat and has a netted roof, too.  It's big enough for all 6 kids to jump at the same time.  Well, the oldest 5 jump, our poor wee #6 ends up on her back or honkus and gets bounced around.  I can't watch them go up and down or I get motion sick.  They've been jumping for 2hrs already. 

I went out and trimmed our bushes.  They were getting pretty unruly.  Good intentions, but bad idea.  The mucous in my chest got thick and I ended up hacking.  I came in and took some meds, washed my hands and face and changed clothes so i wouldn't have any residual "stuff" all over me.  Anyway, I was getting ready to cut the last bush and I accidently cut the extention cord.  Now we have 7 pretty bushes and 1 crazy looking one.  I told Hubby that the crazy looking one was me..lol.  Our youngest son, he's 5, helped me bag up all the clippings and sweep the steps and walkways.  Now he's out helping Hubby fix (again) the lawn mower.  I've never seen a kid love to get his hands into stuff.  He's got his own real hoover vacuum and we just found a rotary mower that he's getting when we get paid on the 1st.  Want to guess what he NEVER gets punished from..lol!

Oh, speaking of which, you all probably know about this, but Hubby found a solar dryer on-line.  Before he ordered it, he googled the company name + coupons, discounts, and special offers.  He found a code for free shipping. The offer wasn't on the website.  He plugged it in and it worked - saved us $17.  So, if you order anything on line, try it and see if they are offering any specials. 

Time to feed the boogletts.
Mum

[Winiroo]

Wendy, wow.  I thought he was a teen. 

February 1980. Billy was 21 in this picture. He looks 12.


6 months later he has a mustache. Guess he was trying to look older.

Wendy: that's really sweet of you and Billy.  Are you as patient with kids, because I've got a couple I'll mail to you.

LOL I can handle most kids in small doses. Depending on how rotten they are of course. I usually keep my cool fairly well.
Its the people that I think should know better that I blow my top with.

About the tampons, we just use plain old cotton wool, just roll it up into a tube and push it in like a tampon.  Works fine like a tampon, its the extraction part that sucks. You have to be careful not to push it in too far of course or u'll really be screwed.

I've had to stuff toilet paper in my underwear and between the lips before. Not very comfortable...




I'm starving BBL gals.

[wishful]

Hey Keeping...Girl i forgot to tell yall that....
THAT FOOL STAYED BACK!!!... I am sooo disappointed but so not surprised..her guidance counselor was trying to help her so much ..im like...you cant have her keep believing that if she Does nothing she can still get something..thats bull....she did shit so she gets shit and thats the way i teach her. They like her soo much ..they think she soo cute...but i dont want them filling her head up with nonsense...why in the hell try to pass her if she had d's n f's all year??fucking public schools..i wish i could afford to send her someplace else.. she didnt learn shit.....on the bright side she said that next year she is goint ot really work hard and that she cant get mad cus she knows she didnt do any work...and she rather take the classes over anyway so that she can learn something this time.....and that was all her ..no co-ersion from me...i was surprised she said that but that just lets me know that she really does know better...she just has a very poor attitude.....We will see next year though....9th grade again.....

[minismom]

Wish, been there sweetie.  For the whole 3mths that Mini was in public school (before I pulled her to homeschool), she knew SQUAT!  We'd work with her and work with her and she just wasn't getting it.  I called the school to have her tested and they wouldn't do it.  We pulled her, did our research, and truly believed that she was dyslexic / dysgraphic.  We took her out of state and paid out of pocket (nearly $600) to have her tested.  Low and behold, she was diagnosed dyslexic, dysgraphic, with short-term and long-term memory issues.  TA-DAH!

Anyway, when we mailed off our letter of intent to pull her, her teacher called us in tears.  She wanted us to know that if we sent Mini back, she would NEVER "fail" her and would graciously promote her to 1st grade.  I laughed at her and hung up.  Mini couldn't identify her alphabet, count past 5, count objects, or tell us which number was bigger.  I was horrified! Promoting her was not helping her. Then, they tried to put it off on us like we weren't working with her.  Whatever!

I'm glad that at least your daughter understands her mistakes and is willing to redo 9th grade.  She may not understand or appreciate it now, but she will.

Hang in there, hun!
 :-*Mum

[Veritee]

Yes hang in there
Mine did not try at all in her last years of school nor in what we call here - 6th form college- and I gave up hope.

But she realised  and then tried hard, succeeded and is now off to university in September
A year late and a year later than her friends but she still got there
I guess it is neve too late
I can not talk either - as I wasted school too and ended up at university even older- at aged 24, I still qualified and have been qualified for more years now than I care to remember

[Winiroo]

I was looking at my HIVAidsTribe page and decided to start a blog. I dont know how good I will be at keeping it up to date but here is what I wrote today.

http://www.hivaidstribe.com/blog/view/?ID=3691

[BT65]

Good late evening ladies:

Wish, some guys (people) are really self-centered.  I find that a lot of younger people are like that.  I think time wises people up and makes some people more open-minded. 

Keeping, good to hear from you.  Sorry to hear about that fight with your hubby.  That happens in marriage.  My parents were married 58 years and fought quite often.

Veritee, I never had "rags."  My mom told me when I started having periods that I shouldn't wear tampons.  She said that would lead to infection.  Just really old-school thinking I believe.  I wear tampons and pads at the same time now, as I usually bleed through the tampons. 

Wendy, I love those pictures of Billy.  He does look like he's about 12 in the first picture.  Good going on the blog.  I read it and it was interesting.

I went to the doctor.  I had a fever, but not too high (100.2 or some such).  He said "Betty, you take 3 600mg Ibuprofen a day, so it's not good that you have a fever."  (whatever).  He examined me and told me I have a bad sinus infection, bronchitis and a little pneumonia.   He asked me how much I smoke and I told him I didn't really know, as I smoke roll-your-owns.  When I said that, he made the most hideous face.   I said "well, times are tough."  So anyway, he prescribed an antibiotic, an inhaler and gave me samples he had in his office of Mucinex DM, and told me if I didn't feel better in a week's time to come back (or, of course, if I felt worse).  I'm drinking a lot of water to try to keep the shit I'm spitting out thin (gross, I know).  I got home about 5:30, took my meds, ate some chicken noodle soup and laid down for a couple hours.  Hence the reason I'm up now (because of the 2 hour nap). 

Other than that, I went to the ASO here and got some food.  Nothing else happened.  I hope you ladies have a good night and I'll be back tomorrow.

[tendai]

Tendai, oh. I was expecting something really bizarre, like tying a bunch of twigs together or something.  

LOL Betty, fortunately we're not reduced to that just yet.  Some still use the rags but they dont burn them. Wash them and reuse. It makes me wonder what women used before panties were invented. They lock themselves in the house till they finished? Especially during the times when cloth hadnt been invented or hadnt reached certain civilisations, especially in Africa with our animal skins and stuff.  Anyway i hope the medicne you got is going to help.

Keeping -  Yes i'm born and bred in Zimbabwe. By the looks of things, probably going to die here too. Believe me its far from amazing.  U know sometimes i wish we had never been colonised at all.Maybe life would be simple for us. Its a beautiful continent to live in but our leaders are such (fill in appropriate word).  Sorry about the fight with the hubby. U know what they say -  "Dont go to bed angry" and whatnot. Hope u guys have worked it out.

Veritee - i believe you will touch some lives, its not a waste of time. People will realise that this disease can happen to them as well. Do they think everyone who's infected went out looking to get infected? As long as you're having sex with someone theres always a risk. But that magazine might actually do more harm than good if they misquote you like that.

Wishful - im hoping she's learned her lesson when it comes to school. Sounds like u do need a get away from the negativity around you. 

Wendy - Billy does look so young.  I read your blog too. u're off to a great start.. We used to use toilet paper on light days at boarding school  to save on sanitary pads then some woman came and scared us saying that it can cause cancer.  And yes, it was extremely uncomfortable!

Mum - its great u're being so proactive with your daughters education.  My little brothers not so lucky. He doesnt have learning disabilities but his mother would rather concentrate on her stupid useless husband. She wont find a decent school for him coz she's too stingy and would rather spend her money on her stupid husband. I dont know whats to become of him. He should be repeating his O'levels this year but the way i see it he's just going to fail again. Why wont she see that her sons education is a great investment for his and her future? Its so maddening.  I try and scare him showing him examples of people who didnt finish school and how badly their doing now, but i dont think its working..besides its out of his hands..

i got caught ogling our kombi (mini-bus) driver in the rear view mirror on the way to work.  Man was i embarrassed. i quickly averted my eyes though i couldnt help fidgeting in embarrassment. I was busy having impure thoughts about him. he is quite cute though his kombi is almost a death trap, seats moving and shaking at every turn.

[BT65]

Morning ladies,

Tendai, sometimes I 'ogle' men also (and some women too).  How old is your little brother?  That's sad about him not getting the proper education.  That's a common occurence everywhere it seems.  Kids being passed through without really learning anything.  My state ranks about the lowest in this common test they give kids in certain grades every year (it's called the I-step).  And kids are dropping out of school at alarming rates. 

Well, today I'm not going to do much of anything.  I have to go out and get some rolling papers, oil and milk.  Other than that, I have nothing planned.  I'm going to try soon to only smoke outside.  Especially when things start getting hot and the air conditioning comes back on.  I hate being in a closed up space with smoke. 

Alex has a bad stuffy nose.  So, I gave him the last Mucinex D I had from the last time I had problems with my sinuses.  Hopefully his won't turn into what mine did.  I might give him one of the Mucinex DM's the doc gave me yesterday if he still sounds bad.  No sense in passing this back and forth.  I've only had to use the inhaler once, yesterday evening.   I might use it again in a little while.  I've been taking Welbutrin for the smoking, but the doctor said it might take up to a month before it works. 

Other than that, nothing to report right now.  I hope you ladies have a good morning.

[minismom]

Betty, hun, I really pray that you feel better soon.  I bought some Musinex DM but so far, it's not working 100%.  I just keep telling myself that one day I'll feel better.  4:30 this morning I woke up to the wonderful symphony of my chest.  When I breathe, it squeaks and sounds like whales.  It's wild, but doesn't help in the sleep department. 

We had another beautiful day today.  My poor head is predicting rain, but so far the only clouds are white and fluffy.  The kids have been outside all day.  They discovered that they can use the snow discs to "grass sled" down our hill.  It's funny and they end up full of grass, but who cares.  They're kids, it's summer.  They bathe when they come in sometime around supper.  My solar dryer came in but the mailman couldn't fit it in his car so Hubby just went into town to pick it up.  The only things that will go in the inside dryer will be #6's clothes because of her skin problems. 

Last night we took the kids to McDonald's for sundaes to celebrate #1's birthday.  I know his party is on Saturday, but I hated not to do something to celebrate it.  Then, we came home and watched the original 1969 "The Love Bug".  The kids loved it.  They just don't make movies like they used to.  Hubby and I rented "The Bucket List" and "The Other Bolin Girl".  We'll watch 1 tonight and the other tomorrow night. (us, not the kids).  The kids'll watch "Mary Poppins" again - another of their favorites.

Nothing much planned for the rest of the day.  I caught up on my sewing before lunch and finished the laundry.  I'm stuck on what to take out for supper.  I'm hoping something will just jump out of the freezer and yell "cook me!".  Don't worry, I'm not holding my breath.  Usually tonight would be left-over night, but we don't have a lot of left-overs.  I need to get the house straightened up, vacuumed and dusted, but I'll do it tomorrow night after the kids come in.  If I do it now, it'll have to be done tomorrow night anyway because of the party on Saturday. 

I hope all of you are having a great day.  Any special plans for the weekend?

Much love to you all 
Mum

[vivyt]

Hello Ladies! I have been trying to keep up...there is just too much to comment on! Well the last day of school was the 12th and all went well. I started summer school Monday...Kindergarten! What a serious jump! All I can say is that I will NEVER teach kinder. I am just fine in fifth grade. It is amazing what they cannot do! Anyways...I only have to work M-Th for 3 hours so not too bad. Other than that not much help is happening. My sister graduated from high school and the party is tomorrow. I have just been staying busy. It seems like all is well with everyone.

Oh...on the "period"...I was put on the pill to regulate mine because my doctor told me that I was having too many. I was hesitant but I did like the lighter periods and the regularity of them. When I was diagnosed w/HIV and started taking all kinds of meds I stopped the pill. My periods are now lasting 7 days and happening every 3 weeks...I am considering going back on the pill...Now all I have to do is actually make an appointment...LOL!

Have a good weekend everyone! 

[Winiroo]

Thanks Betty and Tendai.

Viv - I am on birth control to help with my periods too. I actually skipped my period this month. It just never came. Which is fine by me. 

I had a rough night. Well the part before going to sleep was awesome. <wink wink>
I woke up at maybe 3 am and puked my guts up. Then went back to bed and proceeded to wake up 8 more times to puke.
Billy went to work for me this morning. Such a sweet heart.

I'm feeling much better. I still havent gotten dressed. LOL
I was laying on the couch and started looking at the wall where Billy had splotched different colors of paint to see which one we would like better because he wants to paint the living room.
Well we have three sample sized cans and the splotches where bugging me so I took out the painting tape and taped off a rectangle on the wall and painted it all one color. LOL
I havent told him. I wanted to see if he would notice.

[minismom]

I feel like crap.  Nothing else.  Just wanted you know that I feel like crap and Hubby said he'd "take care of dinner."  I assumed that meant he was going to cook.  WRONG!  He ordered pizza and just left to go pick it up.  I dispise pizza.  So, what he should've said was "I'm sorry you're feeling poorly and I appreciate that you were still perfectly willing to cook supper for all of us - like you always do.  You just sit right here with a nice glass of cold water and I'll go spend money that we don't have to go pick up pizza which you hate.  You just rest up for tomorrow when you can cook for us again."

Mum - who feels like crap, has PMS, and is now pissed (and hungry)

[BT65]

Good evening ladies,

Mum, you're right, they don't make kid's movies like they used to.  I remember "The Love Bug," but it's been years since I've seen it.  I always used to love "The Sound of Music," but it's been years since I've seen that also.  And my favorite has to be "The Wizard of Oz."  They'll never make another movie like that.   I'm sorry about the pizza thing.  I love pizza myself, as long as it's not Pizza Hut, Pappa John's or Little Caesar's.  I don't like those places.  They have a really good stuffed pizza place not too far from me, but I rarely go there (they're a little expensive).   I hope the rest of your night goes well.  I made a tuna casserole for supper.

Wendy, I wonder what started your puking in the middle of the night.  Have you been around anyone who's been sick?  I do hope you don't go through that again.  I hate puking, I absolutely loathe it.  I really hope you're feeling better. 

Viv, congratulations on school being out.  I couldn't teach any grades, let alone kindergarten.  I hope the time goes by fast.

Well, I'm still plugged and coughing, but not as bad as right before I went to the doctor's.  When I cough, it's not as hard.   My chest sounds like paper being crumbled when I breathe, but not as bad.  It's always better right after I take the meds, and gets a little messy a couple hours before the next meds are due.  I know it takes a little while to clear, so I'm just going with the flow.  I must say I'm a little jealous of you ladies who have partners who help you out when you're not feeling well.  Happy for you all though.

Alex has really been sneezing and his sinuses sound terrible.  He doesn't want to take anymore decongestants, as he said those make him too drowsy.  I gave him some vitamin C.  I'm trying not to take care of him too much.  I don't want him to think he has a permanent residence here.  He's at an NA meeting right now.  I love it when he goes somewhere, because then I have the place to myself.  He went to his father's on Sunday and brought his sleeping bag with him, so he's sleeping on that right now.  I'm glad because that means I don't have to get the air mattress out every night and set it up.  He's frustrated, I know, looking for a job.  Places around here don't really hire felons.  He was doing some work for a contractor, but that ended.  Of course, I haven't made it hard for him to where he absolutely has to get a job, and I need to do that and quit supplying all his needs.  This is typical of me though-trying to be a caretaker and make everything alright for people who have had it rough.   That's something I need to work on.  I just have a hard time telling people "you have to support yourself."  Does anyone know what I mean?  It's not that Alex asks me for anything.  But then again, he wouldn't have to, because I'm always supplying the things he needs without him having to ask.  Ugh.

The only thing I did today was to go to the store to get some milk and oil.  Other than that, nothing else going on here.  You ladies have a good evening and if anyone has any suggestions on how to get someone to be responsible for themselves (in a nice way), I'm all ears.  Have a good evening ladies.

[netta]

oh god i hate when i post a reply and it gets deleted somehow before i get to post it !!! anyhow i just posted and i don't want ot do it all over again. Just want to say hi ladies and i will post tomorrow. hope all is well.

[minismom]

Vyv, they make kindergarteners go to summer school?

Betty, I'm glad you're feeling a little bit better.  Hopefully this is a good trend up for you.  Hubby and I watched "The Bucket List".  I LOVED it!  Now we're watching "Troy" on AMC - another of my favorites.  Slated for tomorrow night: "The Other Bowlin Sister".  I'm a real sucker for epic movies.  We have "The Sound of Music" and "Wizzard of Oz".  The kids also like "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang" and, since it runs over 2hrs, I like it, too..LOL. (kids only get to watch TV during "quiet time" after lunch and just before bed).

Netta, if I haven't said it before, I'll say it now: your avitar is absolutely BEAUTIFUL.

On an episode of "George Lopez" they're showing a homeschooling episode.  It's convoluted, but funny.

Mum (who is properly doped on Benedryl, Primatene mist, Musinex DM, and cinnamon tea )

[tendai]

hie ladies

Betty my litle brother is 18.  At his age he should be writing his A levels but he repeated a year and now he's repeating again for his O levels coz he only passed 2 subjects.

Theres this guy an ex-patient.  busy bringing me food and buying me airtime for my phone and all. wants to 'settle down' with me.  i told him im not interested in a relationship but he seems to think he can convince me.  trying to prove he can take care of me. he doesnt buy snacks or such. he buys things to go home and cook, things like vegetables, meat, onions etc. i thought guys who're trying to make an impression buy things like pizza.  oh well.

we got 7 days to go before we vote.  next friday we be queueing and hoping to vote. im so going to be there no matter how much they try to  intimidate us.  if there is a God we wont turn into another Kenya.  My boss will be going away for three whole weeks from the 1st of July so we going to have one long holiday. That is if all goes well.

[BT65]

Morning ladies,

I really don't have anything else to say since I posted last night.  I just usually post in the morning, so.......

Tendai, I'll be keeping my fingers and legs crossed for the upcoming election.  And when you go on vacation for 3 weeks, does that mean you won't be posting?  I hope you can still post.  I'd sure miss your contributions here.

Still coughing and blowing.  Not much has changed there.  I hope you ladies have a good morning, and mum and Wendy, I hope you guys are feeling better soon.

[minismom]

Good morning ladies!  It's a might bit chilly here - mercury isn't hitting 50F.  Going to get up to near 80, so another beautiful day.  Today is clean the house day. The kids need to clean thier bedrooms and the downstairs playroom.  I've got to get the livingroom and bathroom done.  I won't mop and vacuum until tomorrow.  The kids are going to be in and out so I dont' see the point in doing it twice.  I'm going to bake #1's cake and the stuff for tomorrow's lunch tonight, too.

Betty, what antibiotic did the doc put you on?  My 1st round was Zithromax with prednisone.  It was a 5-day regiment that never did work.  I forget what my 2nd round was but it was a 10 day regiment that worked for a couple of days.  I really hope that you get this knocked out soon.

I just saw on the news where a group of 15yr olds vowed to all get pregnant and raise their babies together - 17 of them are already pregnant.  The shocking thing to me is that some got pregnant by a 24yr old homeless man that they "sought out".  I hope these girls are being tested for STD's.

Kiddies are still sleeping so I'm going to grab my book and see if I can't get a couple of chapters read.

Mum

[Winiroo]

Wendy, I wonder what started your puking in the middle of the night.  Have you been around anyone who's been sick?  I do hope you don't go through that again.  I hate puking, I absolutely loathe it.  I really hope you're feeling better. 

No, Its nothing like that. Its something that occasionally happens to me since I started taking meds again. It might be when I take it or what I have or have not eaten when I take my meds or if I have taken anything else around the time I take my meds. Who knows. Could be that these pills have reached their maximum toxicity level and my body is trying to reject the poison. LOL

I still think its funny how a 100 lb woman. Not that I am that small. And a 200 lb man are supposed to take the same dosage.

I still feel like shit but I'm not puking. I've been eating things like soup, toast, oatmeal and scrambled eggs. I might try chicken and rice tonight.

I just saw on the news where a group of 15yr olds vowed to all get pregnant and raise their babies together - 17 of them are already pregnant.  The shocking thing to me is that some got pregnant by a 24yr old homeless man that they "sought out".  I hope these girls are being tested for STD's.

Thats just absolutely ridiculous. <shakes head>

[BT65]

Afternoon ladies,

Mum, the doctor put me on Amoxicillin, 3 x a day for 10 days, and Albuterol inhaler every 4 hours as needed, and Mucinex DM, which he gave me samples of.  I cleaned my apartment today also.  I only have an effiiciency, so it doesn't take me too long to clean it. 

Wendy, one morning after taking my meds, I puked.  But with me, there are some meds that are really meant to be taken with food.  Well, I didn't used to have to (take them with food), but apparently since I'm getting older, I guess I do now.  I'm glad you're able to eat some.  And I hope you're able to keep fluids down.  Don't get all dehydrated on me.

Well, this morning around 9:00, I put some meat, carrots, potatoes and an onion in the crockpot.  In about an hour I'm going to see how everything turned out.  I haven't used my crockpot in a very long time, so I thought it was about time (actually, I think it's been since that thread was going about crockpot recipes).  I have some ground beef, tomatoes, and black beans.  I wonder if I could turn that into anything using the crock?  If you ladies have any ideas, please let me know.  I also have some chicken and bbq sauce and would love to make bbq chicken in the crock, but I just don't know how.  If anyone knows how to accomplish this, please let me know.  Thanks ahead of time.  I'm very crockpot illilterate.

Nothing else going on.  Like I said, I cleaned, then took a shower.  I still feel like shit, but I smell good.  Have a good afternoon ladies.

[Queen Tokelove]

HEY LADIES, I MISS YOU ALL
Just breezing through like I have been doing lately. I hope that will soon come to an end because our cable and internet will be back on Monday. But my damn laptop screen died on me. Isn't that some shit!!! A friend of mine has a computer for sale so I may buy his from him in a few weeks or the first week of July, it's when I get my rent rebate back. I plan on trying to get this car up and running too, still. I finally did get my stimulus check on Friday the 13th, of all days. So, I immediately went down and put some money on my son's books, it was overdue, I was suppose to have done it this month but with the trip to Pittsburgh, I wasn't able to.

My gay friend is back living with me again but he is doing good this time. His ex is just being a major ass. My son finally had his hearing and they dropped all the charges but one. The remaining charge carries up to seven years and his lawyer is concerned he may get the max because my son doesn't seem to show any remorse. And my sister who raised him that i don't get along with decided to show up at my house yesterday. I'm not stupid, I knew it was strictly a fishing expedition for info on my son, and I was only too happy to let her know. Why? Because she always tries to rub my nose in stuff and for me to be able to tell her what was going on told me that my son has not written her. And I knew it burned her up to know that I am in the loop on things with him and she is not. I know it sounds childish but I couldn't help myself.

I am still going through crap with my landlord about the bugs. I had to call code enforcement on him to get him to come back out. But when he came with the same stuff I had used which didn't do any good, I totally flipped. I was screaming at the top of lungs and so upset that I broke out into tears. I went to the DJ to file a complaint against him but after talking to the code enforcement guy, I know they will blow it off because by law he is only required to exterminate before a tenant moves in which sucks. And he put the boric acid down so freaking thick all over the place, you would've thought it was cocaine. I know he did it on purpose hoping it would kill my cats because I was raising so much hell. We left the stuff down for almost 2 weeks before we worried about inhaling it in ourselfs, that's how much of that stuff he has laid out. It took us two days to clean the kitchen alone. Some of the bugs are dying but there are still plenty running around. I am hoping since my ASO helps with my rent that they will talk to the landlord and let me break my lease, it's up in September anyways.

I had to give up 13 vials of blood for the liver specialist in Pittsburgh, I thought I was going to faint. My ID doc finally took me off the Dapsone and the therapist took me off the Celexa. So, I am down to just four pills now and happy. I am sorry to hear about the problems some of you ladies have been having, I wish I could comment more but I'll wait til I get this computer in a few weeks. Til then, you ladies stay strong and keep your head up.

[BT65]

OMG!  Queen, you are so missed here.  It's hard sometimes trying to keep this thread going.  Can't wait until you get your new computer!  And sorry to hear you're still having problems with the bugs.

[minismom]

Betty, black beans in the crockpot is really easy.  Just put them in the crock pot and cover them with water.  Add a bit of salt, some pepper, and chopped up onion, and a bit of ham (optional)  Turn that puppy on, put on the lid, and let it go.  Stir it every once in a while and add more water if you need it - but you shouldn't.  Make hamburger patties with the ground meat and bake them at 350 for about 20 minutes.  VOILA!  Dinner is served.  (You can do this with ANY raw bean: kidney, navy, black eyed peas, white beans, etc)

BBQ chicken is EXACTLY what we had for supper.  Again, really easy in the oven or the crockpot.  First, are you dealing with boneless / skinless or bone-in?  The way you cook it doesn't change, just the amount of time.  For b/s in the crockpot, just put some BBQ sauce in the bottom, put in the chicken, and cover with more sauce.  Turn it on and let it go till it's done.  For bone in, do the same, but you may need to add a bit of water since you'll be cooking it for longer.  In the oven (the way I cooked it tonight): pre-heat the oven to 350F.  Put a bit of BBQ in the bottom of a baking dish - I use a 9X13 cake pan.  Cover with BBQ sauce and pop it in the oven.  For b/s, about 30minutes.  For bone-in, about an hour. 

For #1's party tomorrow, I'm making taco meat.  I bought hard and soft shells, tortilla chips, salsa, cheese, olives, refried beans, and sour cream.  I'll put it all on the table and the kids can make tacos, burritoes, nachos, whatever-o's.  It's easy, quick, a cinch to clean, and it ISN'T pizza.  I'm still debating what kind of cake.  I may just make a giant chocolate chip cookie and ice it with chocolate icing - all sugar-free, of course.  

We watched "The Other Boelyn Girl" and i must say that it was fabulous.  The special features were helpful and very enjoyable also.  I highly recommend it.  The impact that Anne Boelyn had on the history of England is quite phenominal and something that I never realized.  The movie was based on a book that I'm now going to go get and read.  I'll let you know how it is when I'm finished with it.

Big hugs, kisses, and sweet dreams to you all!
 :-*Mum

[cjc]

Hello Ladies.    Betty, Thank you and everyone else for being concerned about me.I apologize for making ya'll worry.                                                                               We have mostly been staying in Greensboro but are back at the regular house now. I had a fuck up and managed to fuck quite a few things up in a space of a couple weeks. However Robert is okay and I am okay now. He stayed with the folks while I was fucking up.  I straightened up in time to go to his pre-K graduation.   I start back to work this Sunday and will be on a shorter schedule, only 3 shifts per week, which is good.   Not very talkative but felt like I should let ya'll know we are okay.      Love ya'll.    Cristy

[BT65]

Morning ladies,

Mum, I should have been more specific, though I appreciate your recipes.  The black beans I have are canned (already cooked).  I was wondering if maybe someone had made chili with black beans and ground beef before.  Those tacos sound wonderful.  It's been eons since I made tacos.  How are you feeling by the way?  

I really miss our regular posters-Cristy, whom I haven't been able to get ahold of ; Snow, Wish, Cin, Drag, Camms (haven't heard from her in an age), Viv, I know I'm forgetting someone, but I sure miss you all.  It was good to hear from Queen last night.  I know she'll be back regularly when she can.

I'm still blowing and coughing.  I think this one's going to take awhile to get rid of.  I suppose I should have gone to the doctor sooner, but I was thinking it was just some virus that would go away on its own.  Anyway, my best gay friend came over yesterday afternoon and brought me a box of Mucinex DM and a chicken sandwich from Chick-Fil-A.  He's such a sweetie.

Alex sounds horrible also.  He's not coughing, but blowing, sneezing and his eyes are all puffy.  I gave him a Mucinex DM last night. He probably needs an antibiotic, but I'm not sure how he'll get one.  He has no insurance and no money.  I wish I could just get some more from the doctor, but that ain't happening.  I just hope we don't pass this back and forth.  I suppose if worse comes to worse with him, there's always the ER and I think Wal-Mart fills scripts pretty cheap.  

Anyway, I really don't have anything planned today.  I think Alex is supposed to go somewhere with Joe and if he does, I'm laying back down.  I feel a little weak.  I hope you ladies have a good morning.

Cristy-you posted when I hit the "post" button.  I'm sorry for whatever it was you went through, but sometimes we all have to go through things to come out on the other side.  If you ever feel the need to talk, give me a call.  You know I'll talk to you anytime.

[minismom]

Oh, well, sorry Betty but i have NO idea how to make blackbean chili.  But, i do suppose you can make it the same as regular chili.  The Musinex DM seems to be working, but that's the problem.  Getting stuff to work isn't the problem, it's getting stuff to KEEP working.  #1's party went ok.  Hubby's job was to order and pick up the icecream cake from DQ.  And, in his defense, the cake was ordered and picked up.  It had lovely red roses all over it and the name was written in pink.  It would've been perfect, except #1 is a BOY!!  To avoid words, i sliced the cake, gave the roses to the girls and my mom, and put the candles in #1's slice.  No one was the wiser and the girls loved that their pieces had flowers.

We haven't had tacos in probably a year.  I wasn't sure anyone would eat them, but I have just enough left for some nacho snacks tomorrow.  The movie was really cute and the kids were very well behaved.  But, now we are all tired, no one got a nap, and it looks like we'll be turning in early before we strangle each other.

Cristy, hun, it's wonderful to hear from you again.  I'm glad that you and Robert are doing well.  Congrats on his graduation...they grow up way to fast.

Ok, I'm tired and need to wind down.  Love to you all!
 :-*Mum

[BT65]

Good evening ladies,

Well, nothing exciting happened today.  I had some chicken soup and cheese for lunch.  Alex went to an art show with our friend Joe, so I had like an hour nap.

Mum, it sounds like the party went well.   Dairy Queen screwed up the cake, but you handled it really well.  Tacos do sound good.  I might have to make them soon.

I'm probably going to watch one of my movies tonight.  I'd like to watch "Amadeus."  It's been a long time since I've seen that one.  Nothing else going on.  I hope you ladies have a good evening.  Wendy, I hope you're feeling alright.

[BT65]

Well, nothing going on here, eh?  I can't believe no one's posted since yesterday, so I'm gonna kick it off and see if this thread gets any more action.

Today I'm really feeling crappy, so all I really did was to brush my teeth, wash my face and change my clothes.  I was going to take a shower, but I really don't have the energy.  I'm also not cooking today (mum, I don't know how you do it).  I'm probably going to have some soup in a bit and hopefully watch "Amadeus" since I didn't last night.  I might try to read also.  I'm reading a book called "Going Home-Jesus and Buddah as Brothers."  It's actually a very good book.  I've read it before, but it's worth another read.  It was recommended by a friend of mine.  Tonight I'll be watching the Chicago Cubs/Chicago White Sox game.  I've been following that series ('cause I'm a true Cubs fan) and the Cubs have been kicking ass (yay).  Seriously, yesterday in the 4th inning, the Cubs got 9 (yep, nine) runs scored.  I was hollering, I was so excited.  And my brother called me, 'cause he's a true Cubs fan too, and was watching the game at his place. 

Other than that, nothing has been going on.  I'm not blowing as much as I was; but now I'm coughing all the time again.  Yeah, I know, if I would quit smoking roll-your-own cigarettes (or quit smoking altogether), I would clear up.  Well, that ain't happening, so I'll just suck it up and wait it out.  I hope you ladies have a good day.  Cristy, I'm thinking of you.  And I was serious about the offer to talk-you have my number.  Call anytime.

Edited to add:  Tendai, I just read a report about Mugabe's competitor dropping out of the election.  I am so, so sincerely sorry.  Please let us know how you're doing.

[Dragonette]

hey Ladies,

how you all doing? it's been so busy here, i had so much work to catch up on and needing to save my arm i have minnimized my internet activities...


Cristy, I am so sorry to hear youve been thru such a rough period but glad youre back on safe shores. i hope you enjoyed Robert's graduation.

Betty, glad you feel a little better. I'm watching spain-italy play in the football (soccer) eurocup right now, it's halftime. i have to watch on my laptop cos the tv is broken (but we still use it for dvds)

Viv I hope you enjoy summer school, sounds like 3 hours is plenty

Wishful how is it going? how are the kiddies?

Queen that sucks so much about the bugs, I didnt get what kind they are, like cockroaches? eugh. hope the cats are ok.

Mom hope it goes better with all those meds. did you have a good vacation?

Netta, what crafts do you do? that's the spirit leave that stench behind...

i have been sad and emtional lately, i am also reading a brilliant book which makes me think a lot, about what women are, and what men are. its called "the crimson petal and the white". on the back cover of the book there's a review "this book is better than sex". well i dunno about that but its pretty amazingly good, although there're so many good books out there.
This is going to be another super-busy week for me, and also my BF is leaving midweek for spain, and i wont see him for about 6 weeks (i'll fly home also next month). so i guess i'll try to spend some quality time with him in the next days even with work piling up (right now though hes watching the game on a big screen at a bar with other spanish people).

I have missed so many posts.. so sorry for ignoring some of you cos writing off the top of my head.

Finally, I have been very disheartened to read this piece of news about the elections in Zimbabwe. I guess we'll here from Tendai about that. My heart just dropped... 

Thinking of you all, not so much here in person, but in spirit - hugs to all of you

sorry forgot link
http://fe4.news.sp1.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080622/ap_on_re_af/zimbabwe;_ylt=ArWOuCC0SkmUaCQx1weGP05vaA8F

[minismom]

I just read the article, Drag, thank you for the link.  I'm totally speachless.  Tendai, our prayers go out to you and your countrymen in this really rough time.

Betty, I haven't smoked anything in over 15yrs and I'm STILL dealing with the coughing - 8mths and counting.  I was doing really well today, and then about 6 i couldn't catch my breath.  By 7:15, I was sucking the peace pipe (breathing machine) and wolfing down Musinex.  I'm feeling somewhat better, but my nose is still running.  This just sucks. 

I didn't cook today.  I took out the leftovers, heated them up and asked what the kids wanted for lunch.  For supper, I made everyone sandwiches and I heated up a bowl of chili.  I have to get up early tomorrow morning and go grocery shopping.  I make a menu then draw my list from it.  I shop for 2wks at a time except for incidentals (like milk which we go through 8 gallons / wk).  I'm hoping to get out by myself, but I won't hold my breath.

Hubby got my solar dryer up today.  I'll get to finally use it tomorrow.  Going to try and clean out the garage and the barn this week and get the boys' room ready to paint. (yippy)  That's about all i've got for today.  The rain is coming and my head is pounding.

Much love to all of you!
Mum

[tendai]

Hie all

Im hoping its a strategy to have the violence stop and then he'l go on and contest the elections anyway. There is a lot of violence.  People are being forced to attend ZANU meetings and they have formed "bases' where ZANU youths go spend the night chanting and doing whatever.  They can just come and take you from your house and keep you there singing along with them.  These are the unemployed broke school-drops or failures who will do anything for a beer.  A walk around Harare u'd be forgiven for thinking Mugabe is the only one campaigning.  There are posters of Tsvangirai but not as much as Mugabes.  Those are splattered  everywhere, on buses, cars, kombis etc.  People wearing Mugabe t-shirts, hats etc. TV and radio and the press is like theres only one candidate running for president.
I dont believe he'll pull out. There's no official letter sent to the Elections council saying that he's withdrawn.  He is still contesting as far as ZANU is concerned.  The ZEC said theres no withdrawal from anyone.  I admit i was so disheartened when i heard that Tsvangirai was jumping ship at the last minute. What about all the people who have died so far? Those permanently disabled and disfigured? They need vindication and thats going to happen on 27 June. This election is going to happen. ZANU is so going down. Hard.

And guess what im wearing around my neck?  Snow's necklace!  Finally got it on Saturday!

[BT65]

Morning ladies,

Drag, I've never heard of that book, but I'll have to check it out.  It sounds good.  I'm sure you'll miss your honey.  When you say you're flying home, do you mean you're going to Spain also?

Mum, 8 gallons of milk in one week?   Wow.  I don't know how you do it, with the price of milk being what it is.  We had a storm here yesterday.  Today it's only supposed to be 71 out, but then the temp's supposed to climb.  I sure wish the docs could give you something that would clear you out.  Have you ever been to an allergist and been checked for allergies & asthma? 

Tendai, so, the elections are still going to happen?  I was sooooo upset to read about Tsvangirai dropping out.  I sure hope things change there.  I honestly don't know how you do it without going completely insane.   I'm glad you got Snow's necklace finally.  They're pretty cool, aren't they?  Forgive me, but what exactly is Zanu?

Well, I read this morning that George Carlin died.  Heart failure they're saying.  That saddens me a little.  I know he was irreverant, but I thought he was hilarious.  His comedy will be missed, that's for sure.  He was in my town not all that long ago, but I didn't get to go.  A friend of mine did, and she said he was hilarious as usual.

Today I have to go to the grocery store and get just a few things.  I wish the 3rd would hurry up and get here already.  I was hoping my cat's litter that she has in her box now would hold out until then, but alas, it won't.  I also need fruit.  I really need to do what you do, mum and make out a menu for a couple weeks, but I'm just no good about stuff like that.  Also, I try to go by what I get at the food banks.  And with them, sometimes you get meat, sometimes you don't. 

Other than that, nothing else going on.  I'll be back later.  Have a good one ladies.

[minismom]

It's only 10am and I've already been to the grocery store, cleaned the house, and have a load of laundry almost finished.  Whew! Now I'm ready for a nap.  I cut way back on my grocery shopping and only got what I deemed essential - no poptarts, only 2 kinds of cereal, ect, and the bill was still over $180 - for 1 week of groceries!!  I just about fainted!  I was hoping this would be a "little" shopping and the "big" one would come after the 1st.  Holy crap!

Betty, I know 8 gallons sounds like a lot, but that includes not only what they drink, but also what I cook with.  I make all of our cookies, most of our bread, etc.  If prices keep going up, we're going to have to buy a cow for milk and a chicen for eggs.  $2.79 for 18 eggs is outrageous!  For our friut and veggies (when we run out of what we can), we go to the farmer's market.  The prices are way cheaper.  They have baskets of veggies that are a flat $1.50.  Sometimes the veggies are about at the end of their life, but when bellpeppers are over $1.00 each and I can get a basket of 4 or 5 for $1.50 - even if only 2 are good, i'm still ahead.  I chop up bellpeppers and onions and freeze them.  They aren't good to eat raw, but you can't tell the difference when you cook with them.

I am feeling better this morning.  The rain pushed through last night and the high today is only 74.  We've opened all the doors and windows and the breeze through the house is nice.  Not sure how hot it's supposed to get later in the week.  I love this kind of weather - not too hot and not too cold.

Well, ladies, I need to get another load in the washer, hang the washed load, and hop on my sewing machine.  Eveyone stay safe and have the best of Mondays.

 :-*Mum

[Queen Tokelove]

As the fellas say in the other part of the forums, "clutch your pearls, girls, I will be back on later today on my computer. At the moment, I am at my friend's house. I am not a morning person but I had to be up early to help my gay friend who is trying to get away from the ex. The ex has been calling his job, threatening to  reveal his status to his job and his mother. And he is still calling me the N word, just not to my face. So, we got up this morning for my friend to file or hope to get a PFA against the asshole.

I have also found another place but am hoping that my current landlord will let me break the lease. There is a lot of loose strings still to try to wrap up. Yep, I still have the bugs which I am not happy about at all.The kittens are doing fine, getting bigger and very playful.

I was saddened by the death of George Carlin too, I loved him. I thought he was funny as hell and there is a guy who lives here that could've been his twin. And I saw the news about Africa on tv llast night and I instantly thought about Tendai. I hope you are safe. I will back later on today.

[Queen Tokelove]

Wow..Nary a comment since I posted this morning? What a way to welcome back your Queen...*LOL*...Well since I am back and this thread is over 100 posts, consider it closed and I will start another.