Happy birthday, Dee Marie! Hope it's a wonderful birthday. It's finally cold here after weeks of being in the 70's and 80's. The temp is actually dropping this morning. It's now 25 degrees and very windy here in north Texas. But, it's also about time. QOD: I've got lots of picking up, then cleaning, to do, and laundry as always. My last day of work is Monday. I have such mixed feelings about things right now. The parents have been so sweet, but the children are being awful which will actually make it a little easier to go. LOL I have a dr.'s appt. on Tuesday for my pre-op workup, dentist appt. Wed., and helping son move into his first home on Thursday. NHSuzanne, I think it's great that your dh is bonding with the new donkey. Raeanne, I hope the PT works out as you hope. Sounds so ambitious to me. Marci, we had our Valentine party on the Friday before the actual day, sugared them up, then sent them home for the weekend. Tuesday, I brought heart cookies and they each had one. It was a very nice day. Donna, we're going to try to see "Last Holiday" this weekend, too. Hope we all like it. Joanne, sending good thought and ((((hugs))) for you and your dear mom. Zig, being without power is the pits, isn't it? Once we were w/o it during a January ice storm, and I had to finally break down and take a shower and shampoo my dirty hair. It was pure misery, but I had to keep a dentist appt. since the ice had melted, so had no choice. Tikanas, how is your knee now? My knee-replacement surgery may be delayed so that they can attempt some in-office procedure on my other knee so that it's in good shape to see me through. Hi, Maddie, BJ, and Happyto! I miss reading y'all's interesting posts. Happyto, please start posting here. It's such good therapy, and you are such a neat person to read. Take care and stay warm, everyone!

WARNING - Heavy Answer Below: QOD - that is tough to just pick one thing. I have had a lifetime filled with challenges, from growing up with an alcoholic mother to losing a sister from developing panic attacks to losing both parents close together. I think the biggest challenge has been to overcome low self-esteem, yes, you heard right. No one believes me that know's me now, that I had the worse self-esteem and was so painfully shy, I would rather die than be in most public situations. Contrary to that I did have a very independent nature, brought on by the fact that as a child I had to fend for myself a lot of the time. I don't really know how I overcame it, but it had a lot to do with my children and wanting them to grow up with a much stronger role model. Groomingal - you have a plateful. I admire your ambition and doing what is important to you. I am sure your family will benefit from this change (even though at times you may wonder). Good luck with the house purchase. I love how the internet can help people connect. Look at us here. Milkdud - I will keep little Aubrie in my thoughts and prayers. You have some nerve mentioning 78 degrees. It is a whopping 26 right now LOL. Marci - Enjoy your Easter dinner. It is just DH and me this year. Not sure what we are going to do. Suzanne - I replied to your email yesterday, but noticed afterwards that the reply email was very different than the one's I know. Let me know if you didn't get it. Thanks for the walrus link - how adorable. Patti - I still have a Bok Tower postcard you sent me. Give Dave a hug from me for being so good to you. McPeg - thanks for the pep talk - it is much needed and appreciated LOL. I have been fighting a cold for a couple of days. Yesterday it won, today I am ahead. Speaking of Easter - Hey BJ if you are out there - I can't walk by a peep these days without thinking of you. Have a wonderful Easter everyone. I miss dying eggs, shopping for cute little dresses, hiding eggs, and sneaking a piece of chocolate before breakfast.

Joanne~ Thanks for checking in. We are all sending warm rays of well thoughts to you. Please stay in touch. Raeanne & DeeMarie~ Yes, our ears were on fire. Can't wait to see the pics, of course. And Deemarie, congrats on the 8 pounds---my heavens, nothing tastes as good as getting thin feels! My eating kind of went out the window today. Three stressful situations finally made me cave! Luckily, I got out of the house and went to the elementary school where I cracked open a few geodes for the kids in 2nd grade---man, were they surprised when they saw the insides! I went to see "Miracle" (starring Kurt Russell). My kids loved it and so did I! What a great movie! That American team worked their tails off to get that medal. Catch it if you get a chance, but would be great for a rental too. Is anyone planning on seeing "The Passion"? Sounds like it makes quite an impression on people. I can't believe how quickly this month leapt by---yowsers! It's almost over!

We just got back to Dallas yesterday afternoon so now we are playing again with DGD. We had alot of fun playing with DGSs too. We really enjoyed our trip in NM. The only bad thing has been our time with my parents & that is just something to be expected now. DDIL said that she has seen a side of Dave & I that she would never have seen if she hadn't had had Aubrey. DeeMarie~Sorry that I didn't get to get here to wish you a Happy Birthday. We were playing parents to my parents. I am praying for everyone that needs prayers. Of course, being on the road for a month, we probably have gained weight. But, when we get home, we are going to get serious. I fell again in NM. We had about 2 1/2' of snow & couldn't get up the hill in our SUV so had to park downhill & walk up. My DFIL told Dave to take me back to FL & put me in the bedroom & lock the door. LOL He doesn't want me falling anymore. My foot is still swollen. I saw my sister yesterday & everyone has asked about her. Her throat is still very swollen. She was supposed to go back to work but I wouldn't go back to work & have to drive in the Dallas traffic. She cannot hold her head up 8 hours yet or even turn it that far, I don't think. She has to have another x-ray before she can return to work. She is planning on at least starting 1/2 days, I think. I've been after her not to rush things. They had to take out 2 vertabrae & 3 discs. They had only planned on taking out 1 vertabra. So now she has a plate & a rod. The vertabra under the one they originally planned to take out was so full of cracks that it was about to crumble & it wouldn't hold the screws or whatever they were going to put in the back. We have to go back on Monday & it will be one of the saddest days for me. I love it here & love playing Grandma with the Grandkids. They are such a joy! My oldest DGS said that he loves my laugh! LOL Patti :)