You guys are super! David, you are too kind! I promise I will let you know if I need some help, but I am hoping that with the new techniques available, I won't be TOO restricted in what I can do. Barb, I'm seeing the doctor again on the 16th to see how my nerve damage is responding to the cortisone treatments, and I will get all the info at that time on what the other surgery will entail. We didn't go into it on my last visit, as the priority at that time was getting some immediate relief from the extreme pain in the top of my right foot. But never fear. I will have all the particulars down pat before I consent to the procedures. The only thing I know she mentioned was a "3-month recovery time" for each foot. But that could be anything from a full cast to a walking cast to just restricted use after the first week or something like that. It might not be anywhere near as bad as last time (I hope, I hope). But you guys are so nice to offer to come help me out! I can't believe it! And now that Kate and David have made it sound like so much fun...well. I may have to have you all come over, even if I'm in no need whatsoever! Who could resist? The company would be superb! In the meantime, I've noticed that my nerve pain (as opposed to the arthritis) is not bothering me nearly as often, though I still can't put a shoe on that even touches the top of my foot. I CAN walk better than before the shot, but when it does hurt, it hurts MORE. Don't know what any of that means. Maybe another shot or two would make it go away. Will let y'all know after the 16th. Don't worry. You can't keep a gal like me down for long! Thanks for all your well wishes. Hugs to ALL! Marcia

Hi Candy, just had to try to post again . I have tried a couple of times, but then when I hit review message, I lost it. I can relate to how you were feeling so well. Like you, and I believe several of us, I am in my second marriage and can tell you from both experiences that men and women are totally different in what is important. My pet peave is my DH getting hungary about an hour before mealtime and making a sandwich )or 2 or3 lol) and then not being hungary when I get the meal ready, or going to tell him dinner is on the table only to find his truck or my car gone when he has just thought of something he needed from town or some other fool erand. We have had more words over this than just about anything else in our 19 years together. He knows when mealtime is and I feel like if I cook, he should respect my effort enough to be here when it is ready.Right know, with this dementia going on, sometimes I think he forgets that he has eaten. He is always hungery. he can get up from the table and walk outside and come back in and ask what we have to eat, he is starved. Hang in there, friend,it probably won't change, but knowing that most of us deal with the same issues should give you, and the rest of us a little feeling of not being alone. Love your springy table with the frogs and cattails. I have always loved cattails. Have then growing in a damp area of our yard up on the mountain. My SIL brought some jeans to me the other night to cut off and called me when she got home to tell me she heard Peap frogs at a pound down the road from my house on her way home.. maybe spring is on the way. I saw 2 robins in my yard this morn. We have had a mild winter, but I am still so ready for spring.TFS and although I haven't been posting lately, I still read every post. This is my go to spot when life gets to hard/ Thanks Candy and everybody else for being a bright spot in my days. Janet

I sure know how you feel. Stoney, look at that time as a gift. We don't always get that special extra time with our grown "kids." I know you'll miss him, but be proud of him because he has pulled himself up with love and support from the family, and that is really special. 3-1/2 hours is not so much, and you can see him often. You could even both drive and meet mid-way for an afternoon or whatever. Our sons visit often, but I always feel a tiny bit of sadness in a corner of my heart when they go. But here's a HUG for you because you are feeling sad. Glad things are turning out ok for your DS. Susan

How are you feeling JNM? I'm getting a bit of a sore throat myself, hope it will blow over.. I've taken your advice!! Funny that I already told SD13 a few hometruths earlier that day, and then I read your post JNM, which kinda confirmed I wasn't out of line. Not that I doubted that actually, I'm just very careful saying anything about their BM. But this time I did point out that we ALWAYS plan our events in our weekend so the skids can be there, and that I don't understand why BM can't do the same. I also said that we are still going to do what we were supposed to do (after dinner go for coffee and cake to our favorite place) and we are NOT rescheduling anything in OUR weekend. BM wanted the skids home after dinner, to get ready for the party, but she will have to wait until we've had cake. And FDH did suggest they might want to come over on his birthday then, if they are going to this other party. So the skids are now coming over on the Monday for dinner. I'm amazed BM has allowed it, but I guess she still feels like she 'won' this one..sigh.. FD you are right that sometimes skids just don't want to hurt other parents' feelings and come up with excuses. I've been known to do this myself :-) With my skids it's easy to tell the difference. If they just want to change something themselves they are not so worried about asking (we always let them go so nothing to feel worried about) but when BM puts the pressure on the skids become anxious and very persistent straight away. That is where we can tell the difference. And this time I'm putting my money on pressure unfortunately, as it is mostly. But not always.