SNAIL MAIL FUN Group aka SMF (2012)

Originally Posted by tinamarina71 **Update on me.... I am doing okay. Had a bad day yesterday but I am learning how to eat to minimize gall bladder attacks until my surgery. I meet with my surgeon next week on the 15th so hopefully it won't be much past the first week of April. I can't have surgery the last week of the month because I can't miss any work that week - it is our most critical time in my business. I'm shooting for the first Friday of April. Thanks for checking in on me. Sadly, the family members I thought I was closest to have not. Oh well - live and learn huh? More goodies going out this week as soon as I am able to manage getting to the Post Office. Much love to you all.

Tina
I empathize with your pain. I had mine removed in I think Dec 2003.
That pain would drop me to my knees.
I found that removing as much fat as possible while I waited for my surgery was the best thing to keep that gallbladder "calm".
My dad found in his researching that apple juice is a good thing to drink for it. I did follow that advice and it seemed to help a bit. The other thing I ate a lot of was steamed rice.
Those were my staples during that time.
I think it took me about 2 weeks to feel 100% (with a little help from some pain pills)

Will be thinking of you as you go through the process of getting back to feeling fantastic

Hugs
Kath

Deb-CONGRATS! on not smoking.

Veronica-Balance is the key! It's not easy in the beginning.

Valeen-We will miss you.

Tina and Leigh-

Gayle-Glad that you weren't affected by those big storms that went through KY.
My heart goes out to all those people that that were.

GOOD-LUCK!

Originally Posted by bucbratt Dawn, you never said if you thought that camera was good or not...

I thought I did, maybe I forgot? I SWEAR I replied, but I just checked and couldn't find it, my reply must have gone into cyberspace?

That's the Lumix, correct? I don't think you'd ever need the RAW feature, I can't imagine you'd need it unless you were a professional? Deb, do you know anything about RAW? I think I posted the link to the wrong one initially, both came up when I googled Panasonic Lumix last week.

I know that my current Lumix doesn't have the RAW capability, and I like it just fine! It's my favorite camera out of the three I've owned since I switched over to digital. So long as you spend the extra money on a good Optical lens you'll be fine. I'd go with at least a 15x optical lens, but be aware that it probably won't be a camera you can simply throw in your purse, it's larger than the simpler point and shoot digitals. I'd recommend finding someplace to go and see the difference in size if you're not sure. Walmart, Target, or any of the warehouse clubs will have a limited selection, but you can at least get an idea.

Was this the one?

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-...995828&sr=8-15

Hi all, woke up this morning to another inch of snow on the ground and by noon it was gone...so crazy..last friday w/all those storms it was 68 degrees this morning it was 18 degrees and only warmed up to 44 with blue skies and lots of sun.

Rich, did you get to use your snow blower? Thank-you for the fyi on coriander, I didn't realize it was from cilantro plant..also for the coupon tips on Penzeys website and you are welcome for the scone recipe..let me know how you like them..I ate the last one this morning and I think it tasted better than when I first made them.

D'andra, than-you for the info on the Penseys website..I ordered the catalog and with what vickie said about it, I can't wait to get it.

Tara, thanks for your offer..I ordered a catalog from Penzeys so I'll just wait for that..what side dishes do you serve with the carnitas.. last time I did black beans and rice and a salad

Valeen, I'm so sorry to see that you are leaving us..we will be here waiting for you to come back!

Dawn, i'm so sorry you didn't win the Ipad..that really sucks..your two pictures were the best by far!! Congrats though on scoring the Lady Antebellum tickets, i have my fingers crossed you get the premium package upgrade!!

Deb, woohoo on being smoke free for 5 weeks! Everyday will be easier for you!!
I'm glad you like the pillow..it has one of my favorite sayings on it!!

Tina, sending soothing vibes to your tummy till you can have the surgery..

Hello everyone- sorry I've been scarce- I've been crazy busy lately. Hope all is well with mah peeps!

Valeen, I'm sorry you're leaving- and I'll miss you! But I totally understand- sometimes we can get so overwhelmed. Hope you come back to us soon.

Deb, so good to see you posting! Congrats on the quitting smoking! I do hope you are starting to feel better. I've been thinking about you lately.

Have a good week, everybody- I'm lurking - always! lol

Originally Posted by djr58 Well, I know I've been quite the stranger around here lately but I've made it a point to at least read the thread every 2 pr 3 days to try to keep up with what's going on. This past month has been a bit of a struggle for me while dealing with my heart attack "after care" -- a zillion new medications, a new diet (cardio/diabetic), dealing with blood pressure so low that all I want to do is sleep, getting tired super easy, etc., etc. Too big of a list to name everything. Someone recently told me to just take one day at a time and worry about the "later" things when they come up. Good advice....I've just got to be better about following that advice! I am very happy to announce that tomorrow will be 5 weeks of NO SMOKING!! I am very proud of myself The first 2 weeks were the worst with lots of cravings, but I'm using a 4-step nicotine patch that helps tremendously and I've also changed my habits....anything that used to trigger me wanting to smoke. Even had my car detailed to get the smell of smoke out of it. I can't wait to finish the program and do it on my own without the patches because I know I CAN and I WILL never smoke again. That's my update for now. Hope everyone is doing well and having a good day. My next post is going to be a rather long thank you list, so please bear with me because I truly want to make sure it is known how much I appreciate the cards and things I got while in the hospital and after I got home. to all

So proud of you for not smoking!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by bucbratt Homemade vanilla extracts? Wow...just wow. I thought I was cool when I used to make my own jerky!

Oh it is so freakishly easy! You just get your favorite fresh vanilla beans, open 'em up a bit with a sharp knife and put them in a little jar. Then your pour good Kentucky Bourbon over them, seal the jar and shake the $&*# outta the jar. You shake it every day for about two weeks and then stick it in a cool dark place for a few months...and then use it for a few years.

Some folks make it with vodka and know it is ready when the vodka turns amber from the vanilla, but we are Bourbon folks here!

Originally Posted by FreakDuJour Hello everyone- sorry I've been scarce- I've been crazy busy lately. Hope all is well with mah peeps! Valeen, I'm sorry you're leaving- and I'll miss you! But I totally understand- sometimes we can get so overwhelmed. Hope you come back to us soon. Deb, so good to see you posting! Congrats on the quitting smoking! I do hope you are starting to feel better. I've been thinking about you lately. Have a good week, everybody- I'm lurking - always! lol

I thought Rich was our official Lurker? Miss You!

Originally Posted by tangee43 Oh it is so freakishly easy! You just get your favorite fresh vanilla beans, open 'em up a bit with a sharp knife and put them in a little jar. Then your pour good Kentucky Bourbon over them, seal the jar and shake the $&*# outta the jar. You shake it every day for about two weeks and then stick it in a cool dark place for a few months...and then use it for a few years. Some folks make it with vodka and know it is ready when the vodka turns amber from the vanilla, but we are Bourbon folks here!

This is awesome. I love vanilla and it's usually so expensive for the real stuff.

I am going to have to try this and get a batch going to use for some holiday baking.

Richard and I are not drinkers but we have a bunch of liquor in the cabinet. Does it ever go bad? Seriously I think it's been in there like 15+ years.

Okay I am now laughing at myself.

I am doing a few sweeps, going through emails, watching tv, checking the thread.

So I keep hearing this weird noise, I wonder did the alarm go off and not on a statoin(I have it set for the radio)
Some commercials are playing, I'm looking around - Did Richard get up in the other room?

What all is turned on in the house that is making this noise?

And then

It hits me

I opened a link for a contest that involves the ocean

It's playing the sound of the waves crashing in the background.

LOL I feel like a dog that chased it's tail going in a circle

Now crawling back into to my little crazy head

Originally Posted by KathBrat This is awesome. I love vanilla and it's usually so expensive for the real stuff. I am going to have to try this and get a batch going to use for some holiday baking. Richard and I are not drinkers but we have a bunch of liquor in the cabinet. Does it ever go bad? Seriously I think it's been in there like 15+ years.

I don't think it goes bad. I think it just evaporates some. Wine can turn funky, but spirits seem to hold.

Rich and I aren't big drinkers either but we keep it on hand for company, cooking and sore throats (bourbon in hot tea with honey at the first sign of a sore throat works like a charm!)

Originally Posted by KathBrat Okay I am now laughing at myself. I am doing a few sweeps, going through emails, watching tv, checking the thread. So I keep hearing this weird noise, I wonder did the alarm go off and not on a statoin(I have it set for the radio) Some commercials are playing, I'm looking around - Did Richard get up in the other room? What all is turned on in the house that is making this noise? And then It hits me I opened a link for a contest that involves the ocean It's playing the sound of the waves crashing in the background. LOL I feel like a dog that chased it's tail going in a circle Now crawling back into to my little crazy head

Oh that IS funny!!! I picture you running around like a dog who heard a doorbell!

Originally Posted by KathBrat This is awesome. I love vanilla and it's usually so expensive for the real stuff. I am going to have to try this and get a batch going to use for some holiday baking. Richard and I are not drinkers but we have a bunch of liquor in the cabinet. Does it ever go bad? Seriously I think it's been in there like 15+ years.

I thought we were the only ones who did that. We actually finally dumped the few bottles we had about ten years ago, they were taking up valuable kitchen cabinet space!

Originally Posted by KathBrat Okay I am now laughing at myself. I am doing a few sweeps, going through emails, watching tv, checking the thread. So I keep hearing this weird noise, I wonder did the alarm go off and not on a statoin(I have it set for the radio) Some commercials are playing, I'm looking around - Did Richard get up in the other room? What all is turned on in the house that is making this noise? And then It hits me I opened a link for a contest that involves the ocean It's playing the sound of the waves crashing in the background. LOL I feel like a dog that chased it's tail going in a circle Now crawling back into to my little crazy head

Hun, you just made me laugh. I did something like that the other day and it was a game that Caleb had been playing on line that had a beeping noise.LOL

Well I signed up for that American Express card thing yesterday and they have denied me , most likely because I put in a bogus SS number.

Anyone else have that issue?