For all the Grandmas out there!!

[scamptx]

Here's the good news--No root canal this morning.

Here's the bad news--Because it's a different tooth, and needs a specialist, and will cost more...

So I'll see the specialist tomorrow morning...now I need to change clothes and go to work.

[Caro]

Originally Posted by kaybutler@mweb.

OMG Inky !! What a perfect son (even if he is a bit slow in producing little fat grandbabies !!!!) Cafe Leon sounds like a divine place to hangout ..what a beautiful spoil When WAS Aussie Mothers Day ??

Hi Kay can I say first how beautiful I think you look and Mothers day was first sunday in may so Inky having a belated gift.

[kaybutler@mweb.]

Originally Posted by LisasMom

Caro and Dixie: Hope you both feel better pronto!!

Baffie, Is this just a little bit of a *blue* period for you or is it lasting and overwhelming to where you should see a doctor and get proper medication? Clinical depression is very devastating and can be quite debilitating. Please get help, dear friend, if this is anything more than a day or two of feeling down. There are new medications that work wonders for this. They are not addicting, and they don't leave you all *zoned out* like tranquilizers can do sometimes. All they do is to level out all the hormones so that your thinking is not distorted. They don't take away any problems or solve them, but they do allow you to clearly see things as they truly are and deal with them in an appropriate way. Things are kept in perspective and do not feel so overwhelming and impossible. Sometimes you still have a little bit of a downer day or feel sad about something but it is a healthy sadness not a distorted feeling you cannot cope with. They really do help if that is what is needed.

Vicki..you are so wise and wonderful ..what sensible loving advise !! WVS !!!!

[kaybutler@mweb.]

Originally Posted by omio

Some of us just have faulty little synapses that don't always like to napse.

Fabulous advice too Omi..but this part is the BEST !! I am printing this out and will use it OFTEN !!!

[kaybutler@mweb.]

Originally Posted by Vallie

Look at this cute pink Katydid! Anyone up north get these cute things (or are they pests?)

WOW !! Now this is one cute bug !! I would LOVE these in my garden instead of pink flamingos !! I've never ever heard of them or seen anything so sweet in the bug world !!

[kaybutler@mweb.]

Originally Posted by sands_healy

A pencil maker told the pencil 5 important lessons :

1.) everything you do will always leave a mark.

2.) you can always correct the mistakes you make.

3.) what is important is what is inside of you.

4.) in life , you will undergo painful sharpenings,

which will make you a better person.

5.) to be the best pencil, you must allow yourself

to be held and guided by the hand that holds you.

This is just so awesome !! Thanks for sharing it Sands of the Desert !!

[DixieMama]

Originally Posted by SuzanneCWalker

okay, i have no clue what i'm doing, but i'm trying to show you guys all these posts i am ROLLING AROUND ON THE FLOOR laughing about... bogans, s'mores, entering my password on the microwave,

and then the AWESOME miracles (and yes, grannies participate in miracles every stinkin' day, man)... that bless this chick site rawks!!!

i went back about 6 pages, and think i am now caught up. the problem is that you guys don't shut up... so by tomorrow i will be totally clueless again!

now - somebody tell me what i did wrong when i clicked the "+" thing and all the tidbits i wanted to gush on didn't show up?

SUUUUUUUZZZZZZ!!!! *squishy hugs!*

Originally Posted by kaybutler@mweb.

I had to join in too !!!

This just took my breath away!!! My goodness, but you look FANTASTIC!!! you!!!

Originally Posted by Leslie

I am in a better mood this morning as I played just track #12 over and over LOUDLY from Alessandro's MF rap (I call most rap music that, don't worry) and it is SO cool!

Do you know, one drives faster when one plays loud rock type music in one's car? And it may have a whacking great big dent, but I got it put through the car wash and it is all shiny around the dent.

Vallie - do you know Kevin Rudolph's Let it Rock??

"I see your dirty face
High behind your collar
What is done in vain
Truth is hard to swallow
So you pray to God
To justify the way you live a lie, live a lie, live a lie
And you take your time
And you do your crime
Well you made your bed
I'm in mine..."

I have this song on my mp3....

Originally Posted by Ineke

My DS cooked us the most perfect meal at his house last night - He had the living room all set up with an open fire and candlelight and served us a magnificent feast accompanied with different wines for each course. First we had home baked bread and a olive oil and Balsamic dipping sauce. Then a home made Gnochi with Gorgonzola cheese sauce served with sparkling white wine. Next home made tortelini filled with basil, pesto and cheese and served with sundried tomatoes and a cream sauce and this he served with a Chardonay.
For the main course he cooked to perfection eye fillet steak with tiny roasted onions served on a bed pototoes and baby spinach, served with a Shiraz and for desert we had cherry pie with cream - How is that for yummm!!!
He must have got his love of cooking from my father who was a gourmet chef - cause it skipped a generation with me!!
He had made up a special invitation for Mothers day for me inviting me and a guest to enjoy fine dining at 'Cafe Leon' which was very sweet

I haven't had much of an appetite lately but DANG this made me hungry!!!!

Originally Posted by jennilynn10

Well, that did it! I have been having a weepy day. That just happens sometimes. It started when I read Kay's post & I was happy & sad & touched at the same time. And then I looked at Caro's layout and couldn't stop the leaking. I couldn't even stop long enough to comment. Now, I have seen Wuvie's beautiful layout. I cannot stop the tears that have been building for weeks. I can't halp feeling that my beautiful girl Lindsay has already slipped through my fingers and is gone. I'm so afraid I won't ever get her back. And it's all my fault. The last 3 years were just so difficult and I wasn't a good mother. I wasn't there for her. And now I've lost her. I'm sorry, I don't even know why I'm typing all this. Please don't feel you have to respond.

Originally Posted by BethHardy

I do have to respond, JenniLynn. Your pain with Lindsay is so close to my heart. Please remember that Lindsay is entering her teens, a time when daughters often reject their mothers - regardless of the situation. No doubt, Omio would remind you that even daughters of perfect mothers reject their mothers - but there are NO perfect mothers.

I also thought I lost my daughter after I divorced her dad when she was seven. She had become closer to her dad and I let her stay with him. I cried for years and the next few years were rocky at best. My suggestion is to do whatever you can to maintain whatever communicaton you can with her. Call her. Send her cute notes. Let her know that you love her. I tried to defend myself, to convince her of my side of the divorce, but it drove her further away. When I just listened to her, it drew her closer but it took YEARS. Still it was worth it. We are very close now and have been since she started college. She will be 42 this Christmas, so we've been close for a long time now. And she has forgiven me. And sometimes, I have forgiven myself.

Best thing I can do for you now is to keep praying for you and Lindsay.


Beth

Beth said it better than I could. I YA, SIS!!!

Originally Posted by MarsOlson

David started kindergarten.. how time flies! I started scrapping to put together a baby album for him when he was born and now he is in school. So he called me this afternoon, I could tell he was excited so I first asked how he like school. He said, "grandma no I can't talk about that right now Something much more exciting happened today! I lost my tooth!" we had quite the chat about the whole losing tooth thing, he is very impressed with himself over this whole big event. lol. I asked him when the toothfairy was coming and he said "right now... I'm going to go to bed now" (it was afternoon) I asked him what he was going to do with the money she left. He said 'I think I'll buy a Camaro"

Originally Posted by jennilynn10

Thank you all for your outpouring of support! It means so much to me Of course, it has made me leak non-stop again.
I know mothers and daughters go through this, and I know it is more difficult for Lindsay because of the divorce. But there is so much more to the story. She is a good, good girl. She is nothing like the he11-raiser I was at her age who broke my parents' hearts on a daily basis. No, our problems are more complex because of my poor health issues and my battles with depression. So, yes, I do blame myself.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I have decided to stay offline for a bit. At least until I start to feel a little better. I have battled depression since childhood, so I can tell when I am starting to slip under. Unfortunately, I just cry more when I come on line. And please don't worry, I am under a doctor's care. I have been under a doctor's care (many, many doctors in fact) for over 20 years. I have tried every drug out there. Many that are not even covered by insurance because of their off label use in the treatment of depression. My mother is a retired marriage and family therapist, so you better believe I've seen lots of therapists in my time as well. I've even tried the most extreme medical treatments. I have what is generally known as treatment resistant depression. Unfortunately, the depression's been resisting a lot more strongly lately, especially since my hysterectomy.

Please do not think I am writing this to get attention or gain sympathy. In fact, I'd rather not have either. It's just that I know how caring you have all been, and I want to respect that with honesty in return. I would, of course, appreciate any prayers. Just as I will continue to pray for those of you who are on my prayer list and who I know are in need.

Like I tell my kids, sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug. When I feel a LOT less bug-like I'll check in. I hold so many of you dear to my heart. TG4TGT! I you! JL

You know where you can find me if you need anything!!

[GrandmaCrys]

I'm only popping in here, because I wanted to see what the *last* page looks like! Gawwwwwwwww........am I behind, or what? I'm clear back <----------------------on page 1739. I got back online yesterday, for a bit, but I actually had work to do and then last night, I had another visitation at the funueral home to attend, followed by dinner, grocery shopping and Wal*Marting, home to do a little laundry and lunch fixing and then to bed. I'm battling a little cold trying to get ready for another weekend out of town, so.....................please think of me WHEN YOU'RE CHATTING UP ALL THESE PAGES!!!!!!!!!!!

[omio]

Originally Posted by scamptx

Here's the good news--No root canal this morning.

Here's the bad news--Because it's a different tooth, and needs a specialist, and will cost more...

So I'll see the specialist tomorrow morning...now I need to change clothes and go to work.

Awww, scamp. But there's always a bright side -- if the tooth fairy visits you can buy a Camaro.

[omio]

Originally Posted by sands_healy

A pencil maker told the pencil 5 important lessons :

1.) everything you do will always leave a mark.

2.) you can always correct the mistakes you make.

3.) what is important is what is inside of you.

4.) in life , you will undergo painful sharpenings,

which will make you a better person.

5.) to be the best pencil, you must allow yourself

to be held and guided by the hand that holds you.

Dang--something else that I need to tattoo to my forehead. (Actually, looking at my avatar, though, it would appear that I have quite a bit of room up there. )

[omio]

Originally Posted by kaybutler@mweb.

OMI !!!! You BEAUTY !!!! Sheesh Sis...you are starting to look more and more like dear old Ma every day !!!! You are just gorgeous and I YOU !!!!!

Thank-you so so much for this little story..I had forgotten it and it is so perfect for me right now !!! ..am forwarding it with my baldy pic to all the kids and to my Aussie GKs so that I don't scare the %$#@ out of them when they come to visit in November !!!

Actually, I think I'm starting to look more like Pa. Glad that story was a "new" one for you -- it's definitely perfect to send your picture to the kids. Let's face it, though. If one has to go bald, a perfectly shaped head and gorgeous blue eyes don't hurt. Have never seen my head shaved but I think it's shape might be REALLLLLY scary.

[Fulltime RVer]

Originally Posted by kaybutler@mweb.

I had to join in too !!!

You look marvelous!

[Fulltime RVer]

Originally Posted by GrandmaCrys

I'm only popping in here, because I wanted to see what the *last* page looks like! Gawwwwwwwww........am I behind, or what? I'm clear back <----------------------on page 1739. I got back online yesterday, for a bit, but I actually had work to do and then last night, I had another visitation at the funueral home to attend, followed by dinner, grocery shopping and Wal*Marting, home to do a little laundry and lunch fixing and then to bed. I'm battling a little cold trying to get ready for another weekend out of town, so.....................please think of me WHEN YOU'RE CHATTING UP ALL THESE PAGES!!!!!!!!!!!

We always think of you! It isn't the same around here without you.

[Fulltime RVer]

Originally Posted by Vallie

Look at this cute pink Katydid! Anyone up north get these cute things (or are they pests?)

I've never seen a pink katydid. They are pretty in pink!

Just read this morning about crazy ants. Once they move into an area, all other insects and wildlife disappear leaving only an eerie silence behind. These ants have moved into San Antonio - our next stop after we leave Arkansas.

[omio]

Originally Posted by jennilynn10

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I have decided to stay offline for a bit. At least until I start to feel a little better. I have battled depression since childhood, so I can tell when I am starting to slip under. Unfortunately, I just cry more when I come on line. And please don't worry, I am under a doctor's care. I have been under a doctor's care (many, many doctors in fact) for over 20 years. I have tried every drug out there...I have what is generally known as treatment resistant depression. Unfortunately, the depression's been resisting a lot more strongly lately, especially since my hysterectomy.

Jenny, don't back off the GT completely--even during the bad times I check in occasionally and skim even if I don't post. My history is much like yours and, unfortunately, as our hormones dwindle or are withdrawn, it apparently gets worse. (Now how unfair is THAT?!!! )

I do know how you feel--guilty about everything--responsible for every negative thing in the family--but I know (and so do you) that it will pass. It is beyond frustrating to know intellectually that your current view of things is completely skewed when that gut is saying the opposite. Unfortunately, that danged gut ALWAYS wins when those synapses t'aint' napsing.

And I know you're not asking for sympathy. If you're like me, that makes it worse because I bawl when someone I care about tries to comfort--usually because the gut is saying, "If she knew how bad I really am...." Guess that's why the humor on the GT is so appealing to me. May also have something to do with the reason I enjoy sarcasm so much.

So, don't withdraw completely--just stay in the shadows for awhile if you want.