Tikanis here reporting from So. Cal where it is slightly overcast and cool this morning : ) This has been a great week. My DS has found a way to computerize ALL of my paperwork and if accepted by the agencies I contract with, will save me HOURS and HOURS each and every week! I am so excited that I can hardly stand it! Today was my check in and I am now just under 16 lbs from my goal! I have added biking to my work out, something that I really enjoy, so it won't be long now... I am preparing a few meals today for a church member who just had surgery. This afternoon DS and I are doing a bit of shopping and getting our nails done. Tonight I have my first "Date" since the wheel was invented ha ha! That's right, I am going to see if there is life out there after 5 years of widowhood. I am scared to death. Please send good thought. I need them. : ) Tikanis

Poppin, dont get over worked with kkny. She's made it very clear to all on this forum she does have issues with SM's . She has made it out on numberous occasions to take one line and twist it and stir up the pot on this forum. There was even on blog completely dedicated to shooting her down. Yes she is a human entirely entitled to her opinion but for the most part the tends to put down many sm on this forum and that they 'have their place in life' Hate to break ti to you. Reality. Dad has remarried and we all have our places . Evne stepkids. And they are not special. They are like any other kids with their own sets of problems. Sm are not evil. We are not out to get skids in any way. You can blow off yoru horn till you are blue... There are many sm onthis forum who care love and cherish their skids. Just like poppin here. I even do care for my skids...even though i get very angry at them at times. I get pist off at my own child as well. 2 weeks has made her feelign quite clear. SHE AND HER HUSBAND ARE FED UP but have left the door open for her. She is clearly making her own decision here. So stop accusing sm here of not caring. We are here to vent our frustrations. Not to chain up our skids. We are here to vent as parents in all shapes and sizes. Look at the facts. 1. SD is 18 2.SHE DECIDED TO LEAVE. 3. She has a druggie boy friend who is not welcome in the house...hope mom locks him out as well 4. She has typical teenage attitude...not because she is a stepchild but because she is 18 and knows it all...lol.. You obvious have something personal going on right now....cause for a few months you were pretty fair and nice....and in the last 2 weeks your nasty side has come out? Are you ok? Are you frustrated with somethign you are not talking about ? Are you pist off at SM in yoru situation???? i kow your hubby cheated on you...completly understand that situ.....but why are you so negative at times.? I get emotional too...but lok at poppin facts here. How would you handle a druggie who doesn't want help. Is leaving your house, disrespects you.You've spoken toyour husband and he does nothing or can' t do anything? So are you going to be looked at as a monster?????? Why do youtreat others like this? p.s poppins..i really hope your sd does get some help. My niece went from pot to cocaine. She was put in rehab by her dad and mom. Both divorced but same situ as you exactly. turned 18...had a druggie boyfriend from 16...and things just accelerated...1000$ car ticket. Caught driving drunk.....10,000$ ina rehab for 3 months...you think dad is proud???

The sale was overall good, not great, but good. I've documented it all on my blog (see below). Sorry I haven't been around but my Grandmother died on Monday and I've been busy making arrangements etc. On the blog, you'll want to go down to last weeks entries. Here is a link that might be useful: blog

Aww thanks for the wishes! This is really a special group of people who became friends. My DD asked my today if she thought we would ever all meet and I told her that I thought we all probably would. We seem to be that type of group. What fun we would have! The town would not be same! NOW...DeeMarie's gifts were WONDERFUL and perfect! The first gift I opened was a BEAUTIFUL scarf that looks great with my black jacket. I wore it today. The next gift was a small red purse. I LOVE IT! Once again, DeeMarie you were right on. I would have picked out something like this for myself. The last gift I opened was two books about ITALY! Now I really need to go and visit. The photographs were gorgeous. Thank you DeeMaire...your gifts were great. I had a great birthday as I am entering my last year of the 40's. I was able to have all my children with me today. My DS came in from CA and my other DS came home from school and ofcourse DD was here too. I have not had all of my kids with me since I moved to Chicago. It was truely a memorable birthday. The SO is planning on buying me a brithday gift that will cover this birthday and next. We have been looking at very sparkley things...Has anyone ever been a Movado store?? They are well known for their watches but OH MY GOSH they have the most beautiful jewelry too. I really like jewelry that you don't see in every jewelry store. I like white gold or platinum and they have 18kt white gold. I was drooling..so we shall see what happens. So thank you again for your birthday wishes and words...BJ you have a way with words...thank you! Catch you all later and thank you! Gretchen