I guess it's been too long to use my old journal pages, can't seem to find them. So, I've started a new one.

Thanks to prompting from Susie, I have come back to my old homestead. Thank you Susie for sending me an email and giving me the nudge I needed. {{{{HUGS}}}} I will paste here what I wrote to her.

A lot has been happening in my life. Here it is in a nutshell:

I know, I need to get back on the boards. I was soooooo busy during the school year last year and got so out of the habit of logging on. Now I'm working summerschool. I've been doing a bit of babysitting for my DD too and taking advantage of my insurance and getting everything checked out: Mammo, pap, ultrasounds, colonoscopy, bloodwork.......yanno, the fun stuff.

Another thing that was eating up all my time was dealing with a family tragedy. My sister (the one I had mentioned last year sometime, that suffered from depression) was diagnosed last spring with metastatic breast cancer-stage 4. I spent every weekend running out to her place to bring my mother and other sister food (who were taking care of her), help with repairs on her house, doing light yardwork and visiting with her. She passed away about 3 weeks ago. It's been difficult, especially on my mom, hence all my doctor's appts. So, with the family history (my other sister and maternal grandmother also had mastectomies) they are being thorough with me. My mammo showed a small suspicious spot. I've had 2 ultrasounds and today I am having an MRI. The second ultrasound showed nothing, thankfully, so no biopsy. But it weighs heavy on my mind.

On a brighter note........my DD #2 (the one that had the darling baby) has lost almost 100 lbs. low carbing. I am sooooooo proud of her. She's been exercising diligently at Curves........somethimes we go together. I, on the otherhand, have gained a few pounds back. My clothes still fit, but I can tell they are a tad tighter than they used to be. I'm still LCing diligently, but the weight monster still looms large over my shoulder. It's a constant battle, yanno? Stress does NOT help.

My DGD is as cute as ever. She will be 2 in August and speaks in full sentences already. She's AMAZING! With my speech and language background, I would say she's talking at a 3-4 yr. old level. She blows me away. Yesterday she spiked a 104 temp. My other daughter tried to wrap her in a blanket after the fever broke yesterday afternoon, and she said, "I'm hot, I'm pretty hot, Katie," to her. (TOO funny!) What almost 2 yr old talks like that? She cracks me up. So, that's my life in a nutshell as of recently.

I hope you all are doing well. It's good to be back!

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Barb, first, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you.

Second, I am so GLAD YOU ARE BACK! Thanks to Susie for pushing you.

And a great big hug to your daughter for losing 100 lbs! You have got to be so proud of her.

I guess we both have the most intelligent grandbabies in the world. My Sophie comes up with some of the most brilliant deductions. You can see the gears turning in that little head of hers. So crow all you want about how smart your baby is. All us other grandmas understand completely, and we'll be proud for you, too.

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Nita

Nita! It's so good to be back!! Yep, grammies have a special spot in their hearts for "their little ones". I KNOW, you can just see the gears turning in JoJo's head too! They are such precious little angels. I'm so glad my DD kept her, inspite of not having the daddy around. I can't imagine my life without her. After having gone through everything with my sister, it REALLY makes you appreciate family and friends. Everyday is a gift. And every family member is also a gift. And you guys here are gifts too!!!!

Thanks for stopping in!!!!

{{{{HUGS}}}}

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Barb - My deepest symapthy on the loss of yoru sister!

DGD is a big help in keeping your spirits up as is dd#2 weight loss!

Have a great weekend!

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my blog

Hi Barb,

Glad you are back and want to also say how sorry I feel for your loss. Sometimes we get some real bumps in life, don't we.

I started low carb for the third time in January and feel so much better when I eat this way. This support on this site is amazing. I can't wait to get on every day and sometimes several times a day just to see if anyone has stopped by my journal and to read other journals. It really helps.

I understand about the dgd. I have two, Rachel and Rowan, and a dgs named Timmy. They bring so much love and joy into our lives. It sounds like you have a very special one.

Wishing you good health

Carrole

Barb: Welcome back....good to see you on the boards again, you were missed.

I'm so sorry to hear of your sister passing. It's a hard thing to go through.

Looking forward to reading more posts for you. You've been an inspiration to a lot of us.

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Donna
238.5/168.2/150
I will see my goal weight again!

Carrole, Rob and Donna, thanks for stopping by. It has been rough. I am still waking up mornings thinking I had a nightmare. But with each passing day it gets a little easier. Holidays are going to difficult. I am SO grateful I have my DGD to lift my spirits. She brings so much joy to my life. And you can't help but be happy when you are around her. It helps to get support from anyplace you can. This is one place to get it. I appreciate everyone here!!!

Thanks again for stopping by.............now I gotta get ready to go to my MRI. Wish me luck!!!!

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Hi sweetie, stopping by to bring you a (((hug))) and praying the MRI goes well.

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Barb! My ole buddy!

I'm so glad to see you back here.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and I certainly understand the advancement of age thingy with all the new tests and worries. Going through my own gynecological stuff at the moment.

MISSED YOU!

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Barb! Welcome back! I missed seeing your posts around the board (although I have to admit I was absent for quite some time myself).

I am truly sorry to hear about your sister. I can only imagine how hard that must have been. My heart goes out to you.

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Mada
221.6/193.8 <--- ONEderland! /sz 8

Barb, I'm really glad you're back! We've missed you around here.

So sorry about the loss of your sister, I know this must be difficult. Sending you good wishes and hugs. Hope your tests go well, keep us posted.

Looking forward to seeing more of you.

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Ozzie's Place

Heather, Maggie, Mada and Susie,

Thanks for stopping by you guys. It REALLY means a LOT to me!

I don't know what I did on my calendar, but I wrote down the wrong time and missed my appt. I'm really bummed since I now have to wait another week to get this done.

(I had a much longer post written before, but my puter froze up and I lost it.)

Maggie, what's up with you? BTW, I love your quote, "Du beurre! Donnez-moi du beurre! Toujour du beurre!" I feel the same way..........a day without butter is like a day without sunshine in MY book!!! LOLOLOL

to you all

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I am GOING to Curves this morning. They've been doing something fun. It's Curves Camp. Each spot with empty wall space had a "camp" on it. You sign up for one and have a bunch of categories to earn points in. Some of them have gone nuts decorating. My DD and I signed up for the one that had the least stuff and really needed help. So I made a tape-measure border and put that up Thurs. Now I need to make little tags people can write their names on and zoom around the border as they earn points. It's all about motivation. This has certainly motivated me to get in there 3X/week. I'll be sad when it ends at the end of the month.

Gotta go and make tags.

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Barb, sounds like you are having a lot of fun at Curves. I'm such a home body, I need to motivate myself out of the house more. It has been so hot that it doesn't sound good, nice being in where it is cool.

Have a great weekend.

Carrole

Barb, I'm so sorry to learn of your loss. Bless you for doing everything you could--and for taking care of yourself now, too.

We've missed you, girl, so welcome back and welcome home

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108