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

Well, I had a friend who sold Pampered Chef and she talked me into hosting a party after my first kitchen remodel about five years ago -- I think I was vulnerable because I did want to show off the new kitchen. She is someone who has had a lot of bad luck and never seems to have money for the unexpected or sometimes even the necessities, so I was an easy mark and a softy and agreed to do it. BIG MISTAKE!!! She did a fine job with the presentation, and a good number of my friends came and bought stuff. But the processing of the orders was a nightmare, and she messed things up so badly that it took months and months to straighten them out, and was an embarrassment for me with those who had come and made purchases. It definitely affected our friendship, and I was relieved when she moved away because I was always afraid she was going to ask me to do it again. And while I did get some free stuff (which, other than the toast tongs, I don't use very often) I spent a fortune on the ingredients for the food that was prepared. So, be warned, while attending them can be painful and anxiety-producing for some, hosting the party can take you to a whole other level of torture.

Clearly some people don't understand the difference between doing the "right" thing and being self indulgent. There are many times when my behavior reflects the "right" thing as society defines it and not the REAL way I feel. It's certainly quelled my desire to engage in road rage or tell my coworker she dresses like a slut, and I'm probably a better person for it. I'll be the first to admit that societal politeness has saved me from myself many times. And sometimes, much to my inevitable regret, I've lost control over my immediate knee-jerk response. In my opinion it's better to do the thing that will ultimately reflect upon your own character, even if the short term desire is to hurt someone. Letting someone else's bad behavior result in yours might be momentarily gratifying but in the long run, it's weakness. But, that's just my opinion. However, if petulant and bitter behavior is what you're really all about, then I guess some would say that is doing the right thing by being true to yourself. If that's the self you truly are. Only you know who you are or who you would hope to be.