Yogi, if you get your lady parts checked, you must do the whole thing. I say it's better to be safe than sorry - hopefully your insurance covers it. My mom goes yearly.

Yogi. Make that appointment RIGHT NOW. I have too many friends fighting breast cancer to ignore mammograms. I've found it helpful to make back to back appointments with a friend, and we go together and then go have dinner or some such afterwards.
Seriously, now--Don't make come over there, young lady!

That said, your night out sounded lovely. What did you guys eat, besides delicious food?

ETA: all good wishes to Sierra!

I'd love to go to Ireland as well! My ancestors are from County Meath. When I tell people from Ireland that, they're always like, "Oh, I'm sorry!" I'm still a little fuzzy as to why, but I've somewhat gathered that it's not the most exciting place on earth, although supposedly it's pretty.

I'll also be hoping for the best, TraceyBee.


Oh, I had dinner at a place there with some friends back in January and it was EXCELLENT! It was just a lot of long tables where you sat and they brought things out family style. Drawing a blank on the name though. Apparently my Italian grandmother had some cousins in that area, but this was years ago and my mother isn't even sure of their names, let alone if they're alive or how to contact them. I also discovered another excellent Italian restaurant in Carroll Gardens, which is another highly Italian area in Brooklyn; my mom and I had lunch there when she was here. Speaking of restaurants, I finally got around to going to this one place in the West Village that specializes in nothing but peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. For example, the one I got was a spicy Thai-style peanut butter, chicken, and pineapple jelly--and I got a peanut butter and jelly shake to go with it. DELICIOUS. There's a place on the Lower East Side that specializes in nothing but grilled cheese that I want to try at some point as well.


I did that once with an HIV test awhile back...I was scared to get tested because my luck was so bad in every other area of my life at the time I was sure I had it. But when I finally did, it was negative, and now I make sure I get tested regularly.

I totally understand it because it's as if if you don't hear bad news, it doesn't exist--at least that's how I thought about it. But should something be wrong, it's not like it just instantly activates when the doctor says it...it's in your body unbeknownst to you and untreated, and the longer it is that way, the more damage it can do. And if nothing's wrong, it's a huge relief. I hope that doesn't sound too preachy or condescending! But I do think regular testing of whatever you'd be at risk for is important, even though I totally understand being scared to hear bad news!

So I've gotten back into acting in a big way this week, as I have my first actual audition in years on Friday (for that Fringe Fest musical I mentioned.) I've been spoiled--honestly, since about 1997 or so, I've either been offered parts directly or just had to read from the script. But it's good though...I've been away from it too long because I had so many fires to put out in my day-to-day life. The audition calls for 16 bars of a rock song, and be prepared to sing more and dance. (I feel like telling them prepare to laugh--dancing is SO not my forte. But I'll give it my best!) So I've gone out and bought new sheet music, and a fellow TWoPer is going to rehearse it with me tonight so I can what the piano part sounds like (it's between "I Want Love" by Elton John and "Wonderwall" by Oasis). I've also updated my acting resume, discovered to my delight that now that I've lost weight and cut my hair, I look like my headshots once again, and even though it's not called for, I've broken out some old monologues as well--the cool thing is by doing that I can tell that I've definitely grown over the years; I used to concentrate too much on, "I'm going to say this line this way, and this line this way," and now I'm a lot more natural and in the moment.

Although--sometimes I swear, the most basic things are the hardest. I figured I should wear something loose to move in for dancing, so I just wanted to buy a pair of basic black sweatpants, since believe it or not, I don't own any. Simple, right? WRONG. I looked all over--department stores, sporting good stores, GAP and similar stores, and those discount clothing stores along 14th and 34th--nada. The few stores that did have sweatpants, they were all way too big for me. Two days and several hours later, I finally found a pair at a dollar store by me, of all places! They were navy, but at that point I didn't give a damn.

And speaking of performing, our very own iMissEthan did a great job doing standup at the Improv Tuesday night!

OK, I read your posts, I got so nervous, I made the frikkin apointment for a week from today. Good Gravy Marie, I don't think I can do this yearly. I'm a wreck. But now I'm more afraid of Hildy with those capital letters than I am of getting a mamogram. Heh. I wish they could get me in sooner. I'm very good a canceling these things at the last minute. Priorities?! Ugh.

So our dinner was a feast, Hildy. We never order - Roberto creates a dining experience from his freshest ingredients in the kitchen split among the four of us, so we get small tastes of many different dishes, which my Italian friends seem to just love. We started with a bit of salad caprese, some lovely roasted pepper and some tasty shrimp in a succulent spicy basil sauce over a small raddicio leaf. We had this with a nice Gavi, a white wine from the Barolo region. Very reasonably priced, very fresh, very green, great for summer, I highly recommend everyone try a Gavi. Then, we had small portions of two homemade pastas: the first was a beet orrechetti with a spicy pepper sauce with sausage and pancetta, and the second was a fabulous thick noddle that had almost a spaetzle (sp?) quality cooked in foil (Roberto is a master at this type of pasta cooking) with fresh young ricotta, cherry tomatoes, and basil. Then, for the second course, we had a phenominal lamb chop with some baby roasted potatoes and a medallion of veal with white truffle oil. For the pasta and meat courses, we switched to the Amarone, which is a very, very intense red wine made with dried grapes. It has almost a port like intensity. Fabulous. What an event!

Wish you were all there with us! It's really fun with 10 people - then you get even more little things to taste, believe it or not! Heh.

Thanks for all your good wishes, guys. MrBee just called to let me know that Sierra's set up for an appointment for Monday morning. If it turns out she needs surgery, that would probably happen on Tuesday.

I was very happy when our vet recommended the U hospital, because I work at the U and know about the excellent work they do.

yogi, yes, you must get that mammogram. And that dinner sounds fabulous!

That's excellent news, Tracey Bee! Having a good hospital is the most important thing.

Wow, isn't there one person out there who will support me in my avoidance?

I love the peanut butter restaurant, Last Dodo. When you find out the name of the grilled cheese place, please let me know. A grilled cheese sandwich with a cup of tomato soup is a very, very happy thing.

Oh, and for great sweatpants and such, try the NIKE store on 57th. Athletic apparel heaven - they've got it all. And all the clerks are obsessive young men who know everything you ever wanted to know about shoes and clothes for any and all sports. They are actually quite helpful.

I've been there several times and strangely enough, it's called Grilled Cheese. I agree with the member review, not the editorial rating. It's a good place, and it's changed a bit since it opened. I'm guessing the editor went before it was renovated. It's still a hole in the wall place, and the sandwiches are still pressed, but it's a slightly nicer place now.

While I can't support your avoidance, I heartily agree with your sandwich statement above, yogi bear. There is nothing better to eat on a snowy afternoon.

Thanks! That's good to keep in mind for the future. And I'm glad you made your appointment!

Ok, Ok, I am going to jump to the defense of my dear friend yogi. I, too, am an avoider of the first order when it comes to my gyno "event" *hee*, and I have never had a mammogram, either. My family has no history of cancer, so Miss Doctorlady has not deemed it necessary. But I believe, now that I have hit the magical 30-ten, I will be advised to have one. I know it is not a big deal, and takes a short amount of time, and can be a life-saver, but stuff like that just squigs. me. out. Sorry. I will do it, of course, like sweet yogi is, but I won't like it! I reserve the right to bitch and dread and obsess and all that.

I'm afraid you'll have to count me in with the avoiders Yogi, I had a mammogram a few years ago and it HURT!!! I'm kind of high risk too, so I guess I really should just bite the bullet and get it over with, along with the PAP smear and the whole nine. I haven't been near a gynecologist since I had a tubal pregnancy about 10 or 12 years ago. I totally understand how the very last thing you want to do is go see the gynecologist, it's absolutely never pleasant!!

Tracey please keep us posted about your Sierra. It's so hard when something's wrong with your pet. How old did you say Sierra is? My parents had a cat that lived to be about 21 or 22. They're not sure exactly how old he was when he died, he came to them as a stray (their neighbors had moved and neglected to take him with them) but he had to be at least a year old and they had him for 20 years.

And Dodo, I just love it when I get to say "I told you so!" and it's something good! Congratulations!! I wish I lived close enough to see you perform. And I can't wait to hear how your new job is going.

Ireland? Count me in!! I've always wanted to go, I just love traveling! Irish pubs, flamingo houses, whatever...bring 'em on!!

OK, Yogi and all other women, and all humans who love them, here's the deal:

The American Cancer Society recommends having a baseline mammogram between ages 35 and 40, and then a screening mammogram every year after age 40.

Screening mammograms are recommended annually for all women starting at age 40, even if they are asymptomatic, meaning that they have no signs or symptoms of breast disease.

Your risk of breast cancer increases as you age, so a yearly mammogram is especially important if you are over age 40.

Why get a mammogram every year if you're over 40?

Well, here's one reason. My sister in law (late 50's) was just diagnosed with breast cancer. How was it diagnosed? Through her regular mammogram. The tumor was so small, there was no other way it could have been detected.

Because the tumor was so small, her surgery was limited to a lumpectomy; she was only in the hospital three days; she does not need chemotherapy, just six weeks of radiation therapy, and her prognosis for a long and healthy life is excellent.

Need any more encouragement?

So, if you're 35 or over, make an appointment for a baseline mammogram. If you're 40 or older, make your yearly appointment for a mammogram. Right now.

Also, check with your local community. You may have a program like we have where woman without health insurance can get mammograms for free.

And, remember that not all breast cancers can be detected on a mammogram, especially in younger women who have denser breast tissue. So, it is also essential that you perform a breast self-examination every month, beginning at age 20. You should also have breast examinations by your health-care provider (physician or nurse) every three years starting at age 20 and every year starting at age 40.

This information is excerpted from webmd.com, which is an excellent site, BTW.

End of public service announcement. :-)

Hi all.

I'm afraid I have to own up to being an avoider too, Yogi, even though my mother had breast cancer and a mastectomy. I've never had a mammogram. I was feeding my son till just a few weeks ago, and my doctor has said that once I stopped, I would need to have a mammogram. BTW, my son is 3, and I know that feeding a child of that age is not as accepted over there (I got some strange looks from the in-laws in the US), but here it's quite accepted. So anyway, it's time to make the appointment. Also, you may remember I told you about my friend who was recently diagnosed and had a mastectomy and is now having chemo - well, that's another wake up call for me.

Today is Mr Aussie's birthday. I had remembered it all the during the week, buying his present and cards etc, and making plans for the big day. And this morning I woke up and set about getting the oldest child off to school, making lunch for him etc, and I cannot believe that I totally forgot that it was Mr Aussie's birthday! Totally forgot. It was a full hour before I suddenly remembered! The kids forgot too (mainly because mum didn't remind them). I really felt bad, but he was pretty good about it. Anyway, we gave him his presents and I made him a nice birthday breakfast. He's not going to work today, so it will be a nice easy day for him. We're going out for dinner tonight.

Love and purrs to Sierra.

Had the strangest dream about Survivor last night. All of them were there, it seems, even those whose seasons I didn't watch (Marquesas) and we were in a big group therapy session. (Go figure!). Suddenly, everything and everyone appeared in bright, vivid colours. And Peachy too was there, asking us all what our on-line names were, and then he was asking "Who's Princess?" I finally owned up it was me, and then I woke up. Interpretations, anyone?

Edited because 3 year old pressed the enter button.

This is so true. I have a friend who found hers this very way, having already had four sets of mammograms that did not find the lump. Yogi and other avoiders, I didn't mean to sound strident. I just want you all to be safe!

You didn't sound strident at all, Hildy. It's just that when you speak in capital letters, it's time to listen. I know you're a Leo and all that, but your not exactly a pushy person - far from it. So seeing that kind of made me take notice. And to tell you the truth, this is probably a subject that requires capital letters. Like Heidihug, I have no history of breast cancer in my family, so I keep thinking, what are the chances? Maybe I can let this go one more year? And like birdlady I think, it's so horrible. I hate going; it feel like I've been abused somehow. But as cycladic points out in her very excellent and informative post, it's probably a chance I shouldn't be taking. Especially as in my case the big thirty plus ten (heh, HH) is less recent than I would like. Ugh. Maybe we avoiders should make a pact to get this damn thing done. Sort of like Hildy's idea of going in pairs, but in this case over the internet. Feel free to shame me into keeping my appointment next Thursday. Ugh.

Happy Birthday to Aussie Man! I'm sure you made it a wonderful day for him, Aussie Girl. Sometimes things go out of my brain too. I just have a lot to remember and so many responsibilities. I'm sure your sweet husband understands you momentary lapse. Also, I think it's great that you nursed for so long. It's the best gift you can give your child. For medical reasons, Little Yogi could only nurse for the first six weeks of his life, but that time with him is one of the sweetest and happiest memories of my life.

So Hildy recommended Maupin's Tales of the City, gang, and Oh! I am enjoying it, but I feel like my whole teenage years and young adulthood are passing before my eyes. I cringe - Who wore Charlie perfume? me. Who had a mood ring? earth shoes? check. Macrame flower pot holders, belts, and purses? Oh my heck, you better believe it. It's a great book, great story. But I cringe, I cringe.

The Ireland trip wouldn't be the same without you, birdlady. As skagirl would say, throw some underoos in the bag and were off and running!

A family history of breast cancer is a risk factor. However, older age is the most important risk factor for breast cancer.

When I have a mammogram, I focus on making sure that my wonderful technician gets the very best images possible and I remind myself how grateful I am that I have such an amazing diagnostic tool available to me.

So, just do it. No excuses!

End of nagging.

I didn't think you sounded strident either, Hildy, and I'm glad that Yogi and all of us avoiders have support on this thread. It's really made me think more about it today, and it's time to get it done.

Yeah, I nursed for 3 and a half years, and really enjoyed the closeness and bonding we shared. The only real problem was that he wouldn't go to sleep without me nursing him, so that meant if I wanted to go out at night, I had to come home early. Now I don't have to do that, so I'm enjoying my freedom.

Well, the birthday cake is nearly baked. And we're going to an Italian restaurant for dinner tonight, so I'd better get going!

birdlady, Sierra will turn 12 next month. We plan to do everything we can for her, because she should have lots of years left with us.

Thanks again for all your good wishes, dear friends. Sierra seemed a bit livelier yesterday (the fact that the weather has been a bit cooler has probably helped), and she continues to eat, albeit not as much as she does normally. She nibbles throughout the day, and she yum-yums kitty treats right down when we give them to her. She had a coughing spell this morning, but it was no worse than what she's had the last couple of weeks. She seems to be holding her own, and we're very hopeful the doctors will be able to figure out what's wrong when we take her in on Monday.

I'm joining in the soap box stuff - probably because my mom is a nurse, we don't know my father's family medical history, and my mother's side is not good, we're pretty adament about quality care. And when I turned 18, I went to the gyno b/c we're pretty certain that my great-aunt who died in her mid-twenties of "something womanly, not spoken of" probably died of ovarian cancer. I had TWO classmates in highschool who developed cervical cancer, and another acquantance who didn't get screened for STDs end up in pretty bad shape.

For whatever reason, I'm willing to just kick my heels in the air, get it over with and find out everything is okey-dokey, and I understand not everyone is for various reasons. My friends who weren't into the whole gyno thing actually found a practice which has nurse practioners work with women to get more comfortable---one went back a few times until they were able to do her pap smear correctly. And even though our healthcare system is designed against it, I say that even in the crappiest of health plans or HMOs, you can find someone who is willing to work with you. I also remember a few news reports stating they've tried to work with technicians to make the mammography process less humiliating and more comfy.

Now, descending soap box, I've got a REALLY humiliating event this morning - going to go get fitted for suck-it-in underroos for the wedding so I can be 428 lbs lighters, gain some awesome cleavage & have something which works with my dress - the back is way lower than expected b/c it's yoooge. It's 947 degrees and I don't want to go, but I need all the help I can get.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Aussie!

TracyBee

I was in Uptown last night having a couple cocktails hoping to get to see the Prince afterhour party and didn't know about the Lake of Isles flamingo house until this morning. so it seems that we have a little contingent of TCers here. Maybe we should do a get together for the Amazing race ? (sooner then Survivor Vannawatu)



(sending good thoughts to the kitty docs.)

Well, I realize that I'm being childish. I have no idea why this is so terribly difficult for me, but it is. I do like the idea of a nurse practitioner. I used to have a nurse practitioner when I was at university, skagirl, and I loved her. She really did help me feel more comfortable. But every time I talk about going back to a nurse practitioner, my internist get very mad. I don't know why considering the nurse on duty pretty much delivered my son, and she did a great job. I was in labor for 12 hours, but I didn't see a doctor until 15 minutes before he was born. (And this at the famous Prentis Woman's Hospital for Northwestern University in Chicago.) No matter. The nurse was fabulous. She went off duty 45 minutes before Alec was born, but she stayed right next to me through the whole thing. Gosh, I wish I knew her name, I would send her a gift right now!

I am so happy to hear that Sierra is doing better and will be comfortable until her appointment, Tracey Bee. That's very good news. Give her a treat for me!

Can I just say that I have total flamingo envy? I do, Ketut.

Poor skagirl. The foundation garments are the most heinous aspect of bridesmaiding. Why, oh why, can't people choose dresses that don't require double sticky tape and undergarments that will not pass through security at the airport?! Bad brides, bad. I would suggest a nice glass of white wine as a reward after your shopping excursion. It's no shopping for penis gum, but it is one of those things we must do for our brides when they get married.

Please, I'm begging you to go. I don't think anyone enjoys it, but maybe try a new doctor and it will be more pleasant.

I don't believe anyone needs to go until they're sexually active, unless you get to say, 30 without having sex. But once you are, annual checkups are a must. I have to go twice a year since I'm on the pill, and yes it's hundreds of dollars. Insurance covers some of it, but I refuse to see a doctor I'm not comfortable with and the cost is worth it to me.

Posting from beyootiful downtown Duluth, MN. waiting for my friend to get off work so we can crash at her place. It's been a pretty good week. More later.

AussieGirl, Snoopy is the charismatic little dog in the cartoon Peanuts. He does a dance of joy when he's happy. The Pistons defeated the lackadaisal Lakers in the National Basketball Association finals after predictions said they wouldn't. They're from my home state. I"m happy. Snoopy-dance happy.

Alright, Hildy, I'll make a gyn appt., too.

The U's vet hospital and program is most excellent. I had a friend who got her degree there. Kitty's in good, uh, hands.

ketut and traceybee, can you make TWopCon tomorrow? Hope so!!!!

The foundations lady was mean & I'm so just going elsewhere. Worse than any ob-gyn experience. Eeww. Yuck. And whooa, what a rip off - for that much money, I want to look like Cindy Crawford.

I treated myself to sashimi for lunch & am doing laundry after work b/c I need a) clean clothes and b) to not go out tonight because tomorrow I have dinner & a party in Brooklyn, and Sunday night, to celebrate father's day, it's Madonna! Whoot! Whoot! Whoot! I mean, Esther. Hee.

Worst foundation buying experience (just to make you feel better skagirl 'cause misery loves company):
I'm in France. Back in the old days when I was a tiny thing with no chest to speak of, I went to buy a pretty French bra. Why? I don't know. I never willingly wore a bra until I was in my late 20's but there you have it. I'm in the shop trying on said garment, when pushy French sales lady bursts behind curtain, reaches into my bra, and .... manually adjusts me in that area. Oh my heck! I couldn't speak. I think I bought the ugly navy blue bra just to make her go away. I finally threw it away in disgust 10 years later.

Let me know if you need a buddy on the foundation front, skagirl. I'm very, very good at getting what I want in stores now. It's a skill I acquired with age and a bust.

Oh, and suctionprints, because misery loves company, I'm glad to hear you are making an appointment too.

I'm glad to hear your cat seems to be doing better, TraceyBee...and that sucks about the foundation hag, skagirl! Yeah, absolutely...take your business elsewhere and good luck!

I also agree that it's good to do things like exams, quitting smoking, diet, exercise, etc., that are easy to put off, with friends, whether in person or long distance via phone/online.

Last day at work...I'm both excited and scared. (And after everything I've been through, I checked in with my new job just to confirm!!! It's still a go.) It's going to be weird not having a job where I sit at a desk all day. I wonder how well I'll be able to keep up with TWoP? Is it pathetic that I wonder about that?

Also starting to get nervous about the audition (but that's normal; it's when you stop being a little nervous that you have to worry!)...it's at 5:45. I rehearsed a lot last night and ultimately I thought I sounded a little better with "Wonderwall" so I'm going to go with that. I'm so glad I live alone because if I had a roommate, after awhile they'd probably snap, "Look, no one's going to be the one to save you, OK? Can we move on already?"

So I could use some advice about something that happened today. I've been trying to get a hold of my dad because I was hoping he could help me out with a little bit of a cushion for starting costs and to tide me over until I make my first commission. Today he finally answered his cell (it had been turned off), and it turns out he's recovering from a triple bypass on Wednesday! He said that probably no one had my number handy to call me, but that does bother me because I did send everyone a card with my updated contact info at Christmas, and I had just always assumed that if something like this ever happened that I'd know about it, you know?

He says he came through it fine and that he just has to quit smoking and start eating healthier, which is a relief--and I reminded him that in the past year I've had success in that regard with the patch and South Beach. Then the phone started breaking up and so he gave me the number of the place where he's recuperating--only the calls aren't going through to his room, and his cell is turned off again, so I just left a message.

So here's where I could use your advice. Obviously, the most important thing is that thankfully, he's OK. But I still could use his help if possible because I want to make sure I don't wind up on the street while I'm starting out! Am I being completely selfish for worrying about that, as part of me feels? Is there a tactful way to broach the subject that won't make me seem completely insensitive and uncaring--again, as part of me feels I am for even thinking about it? Or should I just forget it entirely and pray I get by somehow?

Hurray for Snoopy dance happy sunctionprints!

TraceyBee so glad to hear that Sierra is holding her own. Lots of purrs to you both!

Yogi a nurse delivered my youngest son too, a lovely woman who was very good about asisting me through the whole labour. She was great. I didn't even see the doctor until after that when the placenta wouldn't come out, and what he did hurt even more than the labour. All up though, that delivery was far easier than my first one, which was so bad that, well, you don't want to know. And on that birth I had a midwife who was like a Nazi, totally unsympathetic etc. And what made it worse was that I knew her, and had asked her to be present, but she, never having had a baby in her life, seemed totally uncaring. With my second child, I was far more relaxed, walking around and watching the cricket right up until half an hour before. (Australia won, by the way!)

Dodo it's hard to say - it would depend on what your relationship is like with your dad. Sorry to hear about his troubles too, but I'm glad that he will be okay. Do you start the new job on Monday? All the very best with it, and no, it's not pathetic to wonder if you'll be able to keep up with TWoP. But we all hope that you can! It's not the same around here without you.

Well we went out for dinner last night to celebrate Mr Aussie's birthday, and it was a real disappointment. We picked the restaurant, an Italian one, from the yellow pages. The food was very expensive, not really good, and they didn't have much that the kids could eat. Not even spaghetti bolognaise. In an Italian restaurant. $75 dollars later, we left, and we won't be going back there. But we did come home and had some birthday cake, and that was yummy, if I do say so myself!

Where'd everybody go?

I went to see my god-daughter yesterday (her parents have been dear friends of mine for almost 30 years). She's 19 and just had her second baby, a boy, born almost 9 weeks premature. He's soooooo tiny, weighs just a little over 3 pounds, and is in a humidicrib and connected to all sorts of machines etc. He's doing well though, and should be released from hospital in a little over a month. His name is Jacob, and being the son of my god-daughter, I guess that makes him my grand god-son? Lol. I'm too young for that!

Also, just wanted to say a big "hope everything goes really well" to Dodo on his first day at the new job. Keep us posted, mate.

TWoPcon was a stone blast, and I guess I'm drafted to arrange the next one. Kewl. October. Mark your calendars.

Princess, I was wondering that - at least about downtown Minneapolis. The place where we had the party is a lively Irish bar that's packed to the rafters with partiers, especially on Saturday. We had a smallish group for TWoPcon, but for most of the night, we outnumbered the folks in the main bar! I think it's because people are arranging vacations around Father's Day. Or something. I was quite surprised.

Duluth, 150 miles to the north, on the other hand, was hopping. They have a marathon that we completely forgot about when we were trying to book a room, and we couldn't figure out why even the cash-only motels in Superior, Wi. were booked. Now we know.

dodo, I had something similar happen to my dad 20 years ago. Except it was more "I just had a quintiple bypass." I'd play it by ear, but I suspect that Dad may feel closer to and more appreciative of his family. And if you broached the subject earlier, and he's not in financial straits, you may be seeing a check pretty soon.

Here's a pretty blue heron that I saw fishing on Thursday. They're shy and the afternoon light was getting a bit dim, but I think you can make it out ok.

ska, sashimi cures a world of ills. I hope you had fun at the wedding. Too bad you had a nasty foundation lady - I've found the ones at Daytons/Marshall Fields/whatever it is this week very helpful.

ketut, count me in for either TAR or Vanuatu. Yay!

Now off to the gym and then that work thing. Ugh.

Ohhhh....exhaustion. Weary. Bones. I'm 87. Dancing til' 3 on a school night is BAD.

Madonna/Madge/Esther was fantastic. Hands down one of the best shows ever.

Guess who I ran into on Saturday night? The Last Dodo! He was walking in my neighborhood, causing chaos & heartbreak.

Well, we just got back from the vet hospital. They think Sierra has a tumor in her lung, possibly cancer. They're going to do a CT scan and other diagnostics tomorrow; if surgery is indicated, they'll do that right away. If not, we'll bring Sierra home and make the rest of her time with us as good as we can.

Thanks for your good wishes, everyone.

TraceyBee you & Sierra are in my thoughts.

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a good weekend. Tracey my heart goes out to you! I sure hope everything works out ok for Sierra. I had a beautiful collie when I was a kid, the best, most good-natured, smartest, gentlest....well I'm sure you get the picture. He only lived 5 years, he was born with a congenital kidney defect. But I'll never, ever forget those 5 years, he enriched my life so much!! So even if things don't go well, you can at least be comforted with the memories of Sierra. I know it's not much comfort, but it does help a little.

Dodo I can't wait to hear how your first day at your new job went. And your audition. I hope this is an omen that everything is going to start going your way. It's definitely about time for your luck to change to good!

Thank you so much for that beautiful picture suctionprints! Every once in a while I get a rare glimpse of herons or cranes (not sure which) in the creeks around here. It's always a surprise and it always makes me smile to see them.

PrincessAussie I'm so sorry MrAussie's birthday dinner was a bust. Bummer!! But you're right, birthday cake always does the trick to make everything all better! And congratulations to you on being a grand god-mother! When I had Birdboy I met a girl who had a tiny preemie. It was heartbreaking to see how tiny it was, but also kind of inspirational. When I took Birdboy home from the hospital, her doctors' said that her baby should pull through with no problems. It's just amazing to see how something so small can be so determined and so alive!!!

Hey guys! Woo-hoo, just finished the last of my exams today! The final exam of school here is called the Leaving Certificate, and I sat my last subject, Physics, today! So I'm done with school forever! I'm a free woman! Hooray!

Unless I fail everything and have to repeat o_o

Oh, TraceyBee, I'll hope for the best for Sierra. My thoughts are with you and Mr. B. Keep us updated. Do you need any more crack seed?

I need to add my belated exhortations to get mammograms early and often! I had breast cancer when I was 40 (discovered the lump myself, not via a mammogram, but still...). Yes, they're unpleasant - inconvenient and painful and worrisome, but just think how you'd feel if you didn't get one now and then in a few years discovered you had to face difficult treatment that could have been avoided had it been detected earlier.

Great job on the TwinCitiesCon, suctionprints - all the comments in the TWoPCon thread sound wonderful (but "pornography???"). I meant to send you a small bit of $$ last week as a contribution and am so disorganized that I didn't get around to it. Did everything work out okay?

Yay for acing the leaving certificates, chikochamp! (I'm projecting.) and I hope that everything works out with Sierra, Traceybee. It's hard when beloved creatures fall ill.
So shall we run odds on whether skagirl surfaces online before noon today? Will her creaky bones still be protesting all that dancing? And as an added bonus, I want to know about the chaos Dodo was creating. Speaking of which, good luck with the new job and the audition!
Is that it? Am I all done? I think I might be. Off to the salt mines.

Bwah ha ha! I woke early (but stayed in bed) after a healthy dinner & some mindless tv last night. I'm ready to go out whooot! But as I have not $$$ this will not be happening. Now I am sad. More coffee whooot!

ska, it sounds like the last thing you need is more coffee! *hee*

Chikochamp, I am sure you passed your exams with flying colors. What do you plan to do now?

Beep had a kinda sorta date yesterday! His first! And I didn't even know about it until I got home. A girl came and picked him up, they went to her house, he met her family, and they watched a movie. She brought him back, too. Obviously, she has her driver's license; unfortunately, he does not. He likes her quite a bit, but I have not met her yet (though Mr HH has), I think because Beep thinks I will embarrass him. Isn't that what moms are for? Sheesh.

TraceyBee, I hope everything goes OK with Sierra...keep us posted!

So work is going OK so far....it's hard to tell because I'm only having 3 hours of training a day. But at least thank God there's more people my age who seem cool working there. I have today off and then 2 more training sessions Wednesday and Thursday and then I officially start, I guess...but my first couple transactions will be under the supervisor of a senior agent, which is just fine with me. I may also have my first client....met someone over the weekend who's looking to move August 1st and said they'd be interested!

Talked to my dad Sunday...he got discharged from the hospital Saturday afternoon, so now he just needs to stay in bed and get plenty of rest, which hopefully he'll follow! He offered to help me out in a couple of weeks if I still need it once he's able to get around without my having to ask, so that was probably the best way it could have worked out. He's also going to make sure everyone has my contact info so we won't have a repeat of me being out of the loop should anything like this ever happen again, God forbid. And thanks for all the advice.

So I'm trying a new strategy of keeping my mouth shut about guys until I have something to actually report, but I've had a couple dates now with this guy I met about a week ago. On paper, it's great. He's 41, a management consultant who moved here in December from Nashville, looks almost exactly like Boyfriend Bill from The Apprentice, very sweet, and definitely very interested in me. The problem? Honestly, I'm not sure if there's that much chemistry between us. We spent a good deal of time together on Sunday and sometimes, to be honest, I was bored. But I'm going to give it some more time because I think part of it, quite frankly, is that he probably doesn't know that many people here yet so he's overly excited with having someone around and trying too hard, which I can understand because when I was first starting to do things again after being unemployed I think I was kind of the same way. But if spending time with him becomes increasingly like pulling teeth, then no, no matter how cute he is. Life's too short.

What else...my audition went really well! They had me sing a second song a couple times through and read for a couple parts. Thankfully, I didn't have to dance because the parts they have me in mind for don't need it, although that meant I went nuts finding a pair of sweatpants for nothing. Ah well. I'll keep you posted!


Heh. Actually, I was just escorting Dougintx to make sure he followed his multiple restraining orders. [/ducks]

Finally, now that I no longer have a job where I'm sitting at a computer all day, should it bother me that I'm concerned with how I'm going to be able to keep up with TWoP?

Hey Meetmarketeers!
Best wishes to TraceyBee and Sweet Sierra. I'm hoping for a good outcome. I'm so glad that she is in such good hands. And congratulations to suctionprints for the excellent Con planning. And well done Chikochamp! Happy Leaving to You!

I thought of you this weekend at the Madge Show, skagirl, as I was at a Joao Gilberto concert for the Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall. Now, one would think that skagirl had a wilder concert-going experience than moi, but I beg to differ. Picture, if you dare, a packed house of jazz affectionados at Carnegie Hall rioting in their seats, stomping and clapping, and then rushing the stage. Oh, you might say it could not be so, but so it was at the Joao Gilberto concert. Why would this happpen? Joao Gilberto is a 72 year old man in a gray suit with an acustic guitar sitting alone in the center this famous stage - how could he get the audience at Carnegie Hall so riled up? Well, no doubt it has something to do with the fact that this man is a frikkin genius. The sound he got out of that one instrument - amazing - and his gentle voice somehow filled every knook and cranny of the entire hall. It was great. The problem? He was unhappy with the sound set up around him. He could not hear properly. So he kveched (complained) endlessly up on stage until the security gaurds had to lead the stage rushers away. Finally the whole audience erupted so noisily, the sound people came out and redid the whole set up. Good gravy marie, aren't they supposed to check these things before the concert? Even still, the concert was frikkin amazing - two hours and 15 full minutes of great, great music. So good, so good.

After making a great Father's Day dinner for Mr. Yogi on Saturday night, I flew out to Chicago for Father's Day with Papa Yogi and the gang. It was most nice. I had a Monday meeting, but was rained in Monday night, so my industrious younger sister called all over town until she could find a place that would accomodate herself, myself, and my other sister for a fabulouso massage. What a way to end the day after a four hour greulling meeting? Then, off to dinner and several bottles of yummy chardonnay. So good, so good. I'm so sleepy.

Brought my huge three-book omnibus of Tales of the City on the plane with me. Oh my heck, I'm totally obsessed with this book. I found out Mrs. Madrigal's "secret". Color me shocked. And what happens to Michael?!? Don't tell me!

Hey Guys!!
Oh, Traceybee, I'm hoping for the best for Sierra! I had a dog who was diagnosed with diabetes when she was 6, I think? They said it would only take a few years off of her life. She lived until she was 14. I know a lot of people told us when she was diagnosed that we should put her down, but I would not stand for it. She never suffered, and in the end, it wasn't the diabetes that killed her, it was a stroke.
Father's Day? What Father's Day? Oh. Last Sunday. Whoops.

Yeah, PiP, what Father's Day? lol. It's not celebrated here till September. But I hope that all the dads in America land had a great day!

Hi to you all!

Where is everybody? Traceybee, how is Sierra? Last Dodo, how's work going? And how's your dad doing? Aussie? Yogi? How are your little ones?

I've been wondering where everyone is too, PiP. Yogi, Babalu, Birdlady, Hildy, etc? Where are you all? Let's not let this thread die while we're between Survivors. It's about the only thing keeping me going during the long wait for S9!

My kids are okay, the youngest one is still a little sick, but is improving. My oldest has his last day of school today, then school hols for 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to having him home and not doing the school rush thing each day. Got a couple of kid things planned for them during the hols.

Mr Aussie has been home sick for the last week too. It's not been much fun, having sick people around all the time, but hopefully everyone will be back to good health really soon.

How's Sierra doing, Traceybee? And your dad, Dodo? Hope the job is going well too. And I totally understand your concern about not being able to keep up with TWoP stuff - absolutely. Just post when you can. And we'll miss you when you're not here.

As I'm missing everyone now! Come on back, guys!

Hey PiP and Aussie Girl. I'm still here, though limping through the MM door like the last man standing. I will report that I went to the mammogram and used my "I am focusing on giving the technician the best images possible" mantra that I learned here (thank you.) Many images and a thirty minute sonogram later, I'm supposed to go back for a barbaric proceedure too horrific sounding to even write about. The doctor doesn't think there is any problem, and the only explanation I got was that "it's standard." As a person who does little in their life because it's standard, I do not find that a compelling arguement for returning and having this proceedure done. Ugh.

Today was Little Yogi's last day too, Aussie Girl. I hope I can help him have a great summer holiday. This year was so hard. In the end, all the boys in his class left the school. What a state of affairs for a thirteen year old. All I can say to encourage him is that I hope that there are lots of nice new boys in his class next year.

I thought of Tracey Bee and Sierra today too. I'm sending lots of purring good thoughts your way. And I hope that training is going well for Last Dodo.

I sent Mr and Little Yogi to see Dodgeball tonight. They enjoyed it immensely. Reportedly, Little Yogi guffawed throughout.

Hi Yogi, you're up late, (or up early!). Re the procedure you have to go back for, it is standard, or so I've heard. Just continue to be positive and I'm sure everything will be fine. So does Little Yogi start a new school after the summer? Why did all the boys in his class leave?

Psst.... I heard that Peachy arrived in Vanuatu today. So close....

I would post but it's been a shitastic week. Nothing big, just little annoyances. And I'm still sore from the fershinlugger FreeMotion session my trainer put me through at the Y. So, will post when less grumpy.

I still have a few happy thoughts to send out to kitty cat, though. Let us know what's up, tracey.

I wanna see Dodgeball this weekend too. I'll just superimpose some folks' faces I know over the actor's heads. Hee.

baba, don't worry. I took a bit of a bath on this, but I figured it was my thanks for TWoP giving me so much pleasure. And it was such a good party. The next one, I'm going to make sure that I have a wider roster of venues and options available. I should explain the whole "I love pornography" joke (clicking on belsum's recent message in TWoPcon organization will give you a big hint), but I'm still giggling at it myself. Maybe a little later...

Hi, everyone. I haven't been posting much because we've been visiting the kitty in the hospital during lunchtime. She had her surgery on Tuesday, and we were able to bring her home last night. We'll get the biopsy results early next week, after which we'll see the oncologist and determine what next to do.

Sierra seems happy to be home, although she dislikes it when we have to give her her medicine, and she's still sore. She slept in our bedroom, on one of MrBee's old, cuddly shirts, last night. The vet said that the animals don't usually sleep well in the hospital - too many strange animals and activity - so she was probably just grateful for some peace and quiet. I know she was glad to have the IV tubes taken out.

I don't know how much time we're going to be granted with our dear sweet Sierra, but we intend to give her as much love as we can pour out during that time. I'm sure she feels all the kitty-love you guys have been sending, too. I know we do.

[PSA] If you have a cat who coughs without bringing up a hairball, get your cat to the vet. Non-hairball-related coughing is not normal in cats. (A cough sounds exactly like a hairball hork, but nothing comes up.) Coughing can be a sign of asthma (which can be treated, if not cured), or it could be something worse, like what Sierra is dealing with. If we had known this, maybe we could have caught Sierra's problem earlier. [/PSA]

Tracey, I am glad Sierra is home with mom and dad. I am sure she is so much happier now. I will keep thinking healthy thoughts for her. I wish we could have done as much for our Bear as you are able to do for Sierra. We still miss him terribly.

I have had an arduous week at work, and other misc. personal stuff to take care of, so have not been able to do much reading or posting. Hope to get back on track in the next week or so.

Aussie, hope your house is sickness-free soon so you all can enjoy the school holiday.

Yogi, do not be concerned, I am sure you will get through your tests fine. Think happy, flowery thoughts throughout.

To the cottage tomorrow morning for a quick 24-hr respite from reality. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Traceybee glad you guys got to bring Sierra home.

Yogi it probably is standard...and if you're like my mom, you'll tell me after the fact. Which she did. Thank goodness.

I too have had a very busy week - ugh. Really need this weekend, which will be busy getting hair purty, big gay Pride which I think I got roped into marching with, getting the dress altered.

Anyway, I had the opportunity to see the new Michael Moore film, "Fahrenheit 9/11," last night. It's probably the most important movie to come out in a long time, no matter your political affilitiations. I was terribly moved by it, getting quite angry, crying tears of frustration & saddness, and feeling absolutely disallusioned and yet empowered. I highly, highly, highly recommend it.