[What Made You Happy today?]

An all girls day out! Spent the day with my sister, daughter and nieces at the lake. We all went into the water (up to our knees) had a picnic and did some hiking. Then we had dinner out together and went to the mall. First day off i didn't spend at the swim club, but tomorrows another day

[What Made You Un-Happy Today ?]

Thank you all for the kind thoughts.

We will be in court on the 20th and I'm going to ask for Saturdays every other weekend until I'm finished with my treatments.

I'm not going to pressure my son so I figure just a day together every other week won't be to much for him.

You're welcome. Sounds like a great idea. Your son is very smart, so he will soon see the truth (plus in the next couple of years he will mature and make his own decisions). Her actions will come back to haunt her.... but for now, take care of you first, but don't give up on your son, either!

[FOR WOMEN ONLY]

Thanks for the PM, ~tangerine~. I sent you a reply. As far as the endocrinologist, I'll wait and see what the results of my blood test are and see what my doc says.

You're welcome! I hope all goes well

[What Made You Un-Happy Today ?]

She's done her deed!

Recieved a call from my 11yo son and he told me to forget visitation and that he would run away and wanted nothing to do with me ever again!

I am totally stunned

Sorry to hear this terrible news, Charlie. So sad when a parent brainwashs their child against the other. I hope you won't let her get away with this. Once you get finished with your treatments you will be ready to fight. In the meantime, i hope you keep up your strong, positive attitude. One day your son will see what she has done.

[FOR WOMEN ONLY]

Yep. In my family, breast cancer runs on my mom's side of the family. My aunt died from it when she was 39, and my other aunt was diagnosed when she was 42 (thankfully she's still here). My grandma also had it about ten years ago (and thankfully she's still here too). But I'm afraid for my mom and myself. If we don't get it, it will be a miracle! I'm still pretty young (23) but I worry for my mom, my aunt, and my grandma.

As far as myself, I've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. And I've struggled with anemia also. Does anyone have any tips for dealing with hypothyroidism? Any info would be greatly appreciated! I've researched it a little already. It makes you really fatigued. (No wonder I've been sleeping so much lately!! )

Great thread, by the way!

Good advice from slave to zep on Hypothyroidism. Very common, especially in women. If you haven't had a visit to an Endocrinologist (as opposed to a General Practicioner) i would suggest you find a good one.

As for the family history of cancer, have you had Genetic testing done? Very important in your situation.

Here's a link:

http://www.cancer.net/patient/Learning+Abo...ith+Your+Family

[What Made You Happy today?]

Slave to Zep, glad your condition isn't serious

Dzldoc, glad you are in good spirits, hoping your next treatment will be easier to tolerate

Happy i have gotten over the miserable cold/sinus infection i dealt with last week. Happy to have the week off (day 2). Enjoying the swim club, my daughter's theatre trip tomorrow should be fun for us, and more relaxing by the pool all week long. Purchased fresh fruit today, berries and melons and citrus! Can't wait to eat it. I will be sad to see summer end.

[Song Name Game]

Wild Horses... The Rolling Stones

[Song Name Game]

Face the Face.... Pete Townsend

[What Made You Happy today?]

My son turned 2 days old today.

Chocolate cigars for everyone!!!!

Thanks my friends

Ally we will have to have a drink soon....

Great news Babs! Happy fatherhood to you! Just as a sidenote, you will need that drink very soon, lol. Babs, one day (when you have endured much exhaustion and the terrible twos, which don't end until around age 4 or 5).... you will see watching your child grow is incredible. Best to you and the mommy!

Same old thing made me happy today, spending all day at the swim club. Today had the pleasure of my two nieces and one of my nephews joining us. Best of all, my daughter can now swim underwater! I first witnessed her doing this yesterday, and today she practiced. One of her swim instructors walked by and i asked him to watch. She jumped in the pool and then swam to me! He smiled so big and said awesome, great job! I could see he felt proud, too (since he has a soft spot for her, the adorable lifeguard she likes)

[What Made You Happy today?]

Well it wasn't exactly today but yesterday my catscan came back normal and I get a two week break in my treatments because my blood platelets were low.

God it feels good to feel good!

Hi Charlie! Sorry to hear about the thrombocytopenia. Be careful you don't hurt yourself (you could bleed alot if you do). On the other hand, glad you are feeling good for a change! Great news about the CT Scan results! Keep up your strength, your fight is almost over! I will message you back soon!

[What Made You Un-Happy Today ?]

My 2nd cousin was murdered over the week end, the boy friend confessed.

Such a horrible story. I'm so sorry to hear this Dzldoc. My thoughts are with you and your family. Such a senseless occurence.

[What Made You Un-Happy Today ?]

Hi Tangerine,

"Gracie" has moved on to the next level of her life and existance, whatever that conjures up in your mind remember that you will be reunited again sometime in the future, as will we all with all that have gone before us, i truely believe this and its what helps me get through the toughest of times, hope this helps to relieve some of the pain of your behrevements.

Kind Regards, Danny

Hi Danny, thank you for the kind thoughts! I watched her suffer when she walked over the past year. I know her owners loved Gracie very much and they did what was best for her. I know she had a great life because her parents are really great people! Gracie touched my heart with her extreme gentle demeanor and friendliness.... but the fact that she touched my daughter's heart made me love her double!

edit: thanks Virginia for your sentiments, too!

[What Made You Un-Happy Today ?]

thanks Fan_S and Slave to zep. I remember the first time i met Gracie (about five years ago). I pulled up to my house (had recently moved in) and as i opened the car door, there she was standing there. I didn't know who she belonged to until her owner finally came over and introduced himself. Gracie has been having chronic health problems for the past couple of years. She could barely walk when i saw her a couple days ago. I knew she would be leaving us soon. I'm so glad i knew a dog like her I have some great pics of Gracie and of my daughter and Gracie's mom walking her together.

[What Made You Un-Happy Today ?]

My neighbor's ultra friendly, gorgeous 16 year old dog Gracie, had to be put to sleep. My neighbor just told me today and this made me cry. Gracie looked like a Golden Retriever (she was a mix). My daughter has known her since she was a baby. Gracie used to bump into her with affection when my daughter was very young and often knocked her over, lol. She was always gentle with everyone. So sad. My neighbor (Irv) said tell your daughter Gracie is now with Tasha

[What's the weather like where you are?]

First rainy day in a while. Cloudy, mostly drizzle all day, but chance of thunderstorms. Temps in the low 70's but humid. Unfortunately, my daughter's swim lesson was cancelled. Good day to catch up on chores i guess. Can't lay in the sun EVERY day,

[What Made You Un-Happy Today ?]

This is a terrible story, and sorry that Bongman lost a friend. But what a selfish thing that man did to his young child. Especially after getting custody of her.

So he lost his job and had some money troubles. What he did to his own child is far worse than the economy. What he did really makes me angry.

I agree with you Del, and thought about adding that, but decided to leave that element out of my post. Unfortunately for this little girl, she has two selfish parents. The mother should be ashamed of herself for not putting her daughter first. There is no excuse in my mind to choose drugs over your child. The father, he should have found help, too. Very sad again. I truly hope there is some family that can take care of this child with love.

[What Made You Un-Happy Today ?]

My next door neighbor took his own life on Friday morning. He was only 31 years old. He shot himself in the head with a revolver. He was a union painter and hadn't worked in over a year and a half. He was so desparate for work that he tried to join the Service, but they didn't want him until November. I had just shared a 6 pack with him on Wednesday night. We sat on the porch (same place as my profile pic...he lived to the right) and had a nice conversation for over an hour until the mosquitos started biting. He was divorced....his ex-wife had drug problems, and he got custody of his 6 year old daughter just a couple of months ago. She moved in with him at that time, and I had gotten to know both of them very fairly well. She didn't make a move without him. There was no funeral service....no news article...not even an obituary in the paper. We later found out he was months behind in his rent, credit cards maxed out, and his truck repossessed. When we talked Wednesday night, I could tell things could be better, but he didn't give me any hints that he was at his wit's end....or that he was about to cash it in. I'm really bummed about this, and both have been constantly on my mind since. I feel so sorry for this little girl. To think that she is going to have to deal with this her entire life makes me very very sad.

What a terrible story. As others have wondered, i too wonder what will happen to that young child. I hope there is a family member who is healthy that will be able to raise her and provide for her sufficiently. Sad that her mom doesn't seem like she is in any condition to do so. How sad that your friend didn't have anyone to turn to.

This story makes me think of how devastating the troubles are country is dealing with can be on human life. It also reminds me of how unfair life can be, in this case, to a very young person.

I imagine this tragedy will haunt you for some time. We can certainly empathize with you.

[Song Name Game]

Eyes Without a Face.... Billy Idol

[What Made You Happy today?]

Finally home from the hospital after a serious relapse

Glad you are home again Charlie! You are so strong to go through so much! Always sending you best wishes:)

[What Made You Happy today?]

I have my U2 tickets in hand now!!

Awesome! My sister has the tickets since she purchased them, and she says she needs to "find" where she put them. She better find them!!!

Nice morning with my family and friends at my nephews 5th birthday party! Great time at the swim club. My daughter and i made new friends with a couple and their daughter who live just a block away! Got to see adorable Lifeguard Brad, my daughter's crush, but seems to be rubbing off on me a bit 19 is a man, right? Going down the shore early tomorrow morning... Ocean City, NJ... can't wait to lay on the beach, swim in the ocean, walk on the boards, and eat fresh Lobster! This summer has been great!

[Song Name Game]

Welcome To The Machine... Pink Floyd

[What Made You Happy today?]

Thanks for the link; I just pm'ed you It looks great!

I was hoping for rain while I was running but no luck, lol. The swim club sounds wonderful, I would love to jump in the pool right now!

The swim club has chased away the winter blues, I wish i lived in a warmer climate where i could swim most of the year.

Glad you enjoyed the link!

[What Made You Happy today?]

The girls' dance recital dvd came today so we can watch tonight

And it's 90 outside and extremely humid (62%) but I still got my mileage in, even though I'm beet red and about to keel over I'm training for a race in September and started running from zero again in June.

I know how exciting watching that DVD will be! I cherish my daughter's recital DVD! I am hoping to see the recital i went to for my nieces (that was quite a production). My daughter will be attending their dance studio in September (the original owner has been in the business for 60 years)! Virginia, you might enjoy this link: http://www.kaysact2.com/

Good luck with the training. Just make sure you stay well hydrated in this heat.

I enjoyed another great day at the swim club. Then watching my daughter at gymnastics (seeing her learn new skills and just having a blast). Then the 20 minute rain storm a half hour ago, that dropped some hail on us, made me happy. It was just really neat and although we got caught out in it, it was great!

[What Made You Happy today?]

Aw, that must have been so cute! Congrats to her on passing her swim test!

Thanks, Virginia! One more session and then a final swim test in 4 weeks. Congrats to your children on their accomplishments on swim team! I'm glad your daugther is feeling better, too.

So today we plan on asking Brad how old he is

[What Made You Happy today?]

Tangerine, that is so cute.

My mom got me an open heart necklace for my birthday, it's beautiful. She also got me a beautiful card. I almost cried when I read it outloud to everyone.

Happy Birthday to you! Glad you had a great day!