The Funny Pages - Tickle Me Elbow - The Original

[Jestgar]

_EART_HQUA_KE!

Holy Crap!!!! . . . My First Ever!!!

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I'm so jealous. We don't have any fun natural disasters.

[blueeyedmanda]

We just have ice storms and those are never any fun!

[elye]

Hi, Carla! Long time no read! Ptaum catches you now and then on the humaworm thread, and has said you are very busy, in a GOOD way....

Emily--have fun planting your new tree....sorry 'bout the ol' chestnut. We planned to plant 2 new trees on the side of our yard this weekend, but we have to wait till next weekend. There's a law, apparently, that we have to call to have all the utilities come out and mark anything running underground.

What kind are you planting, Patti? We need a fast-growing tree with a big canopy. Thinking of a willow, but were discouraged because they suck up so much water and can play hell with house foundations, pipes, etc. So, dunno yet. Perhaps I'll start a thread.....Mygawd, I dunno how to do that anymore.......

I'm so jealous. We don't have any fun natural disasters.

Oh! My husband could NEVER come and make a living in your part of the country....

[CarlaB]

I WAS very busy, but had to go back on meds a few weeks ago and have been very NOT busy since then. Grrr.

Yesterday just as I was pulling out of my wicked herx and starting to get things done, I got a sore throat. It's so sore I can hardly eat and can't really talk. I don't know whether I should go to the doctor or not because I'm already on meds strong enough to kill godzilla .... one is used for strep.

I would have come on this thread, but unfortunately, starting up these meds again has sucked the humor right out of me. I figured it would all be over my head (and it was the couple times I looked, LOL).

But, I should get back to where I was pretty quickly. The really hard part is I know I feel better off the meds ..... but I had symptoms coming back and eventually would get really sick again .... so I have to take them, it would only be worse if I waited.

[tom]

**bah "more than allowed blocks" again**

Part one

Susie, a dvr (if it's the dvr i am thinking of) is a digital video recorder.

Ya . ..that .. ..I've tried to avoid kleenexing the word 'Tivo'.

Figured I'd catch up on watching lots - incl Clint Eastwood's "Letters from Iwo Jima", but can't quite concentrate enough for subtitles.

Or a serious movie.

So .. ..

Wasn't there supposed to be an upside to all this? When's the energy come? Or SOMEthing else good?

Em's calling this day TWO!!???? I started on TUES-*****-day!! <kinda grouchy sometimes>

So right now like the end of day3? .. . .at 4pm it's 72hrs. (99.89% cig-free?)

***********

Now for old stuff I should've already posted.

Keep your hands busy, tom!!!! . . . Go polish practice your instrument or sumfin.

ohhhhhhhhhhhh I miss my beautiful girl.........her quizzical smile, head tilt, bright, inordinately intelligent eyes and anticipatory, gentle (or spiral/helicopter) tail wag for just about anything......even in her most weakened state. *sniff* What a girl she was.

I miss you talking about her, Susie. I know she was such a beautiful girl.

Well said, Em. All I can say is "Ditto"

[tom]

2)

<wow this IS old!!!! >

OMG - yes, IS Tom absinthed, with all his giggling? and NO massive desire to smoke!!!!!!! OMG! that is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wish the non-desirous giggler hadn't vamoosed .. . .

and speaking of Absinthe - I finished off the last of our bottle last night. Never once saw the phaerie.

That's just not phair at all!!!!!

Yep, the 'habit' part I found was the hardest to break rather than the cravings

I can't declare a winner yet for this, but I can barely do ANYthing w/out thinking of how/where/etc a cig fit in.

Every time I'm almost done eating anything, my brain "knows" a cig is coming. Those are tough ones . ..maybe more than morning coffee.

Update on Son of Silly

. ..

Tomorrow Disney!!

Woohoo!! Yippee!! "em eye see .. ..kay ee why . .

Oh yeah - the headaches ......I sort of forgot about them.....they DO go though.....PROMISE!!!!!!!!

You KNEW!!!!!!!

Maybe some Nicoteen gum will help you through these tough days (and may help your head too)

I'm figuring the gum would just prolong the addiction.

Since it really does appear I'm REALLY doing this, may as well get it over with.

(I still barely believe I'm really quitting - after so many yrs, it's like part of my identity )

Well.....I'll be having to change my av right quick......The end of my season.....

Okay! Now, I can get on with my life.

Go, Habs, GO!

I've heard before I think, but tell me again how the word "Habs" came about to mean . .. .Montreal Canadiens right?

[blueeyedmanda]

I WAS very busy, but had to go back on meds a few weeks ago and have been very NOT busy since then. Grrr.

Yesterday just as I was pulling out of my wicked herx and starting to get things done, I got a sore throat. It's so sore I can hardly eat and can't really talk. I don't know whether I should go to the doctor or not because I'm already on meds strong enough to kill godzilla .... one is used for strep.

I would have come on this thread, but unfortunately, starting up these meds again has sucked the humor right out of me. I figured it would all be over my head (and it was the couple times I looked, LOL).

But, I should get back to where I was pretty quickly. The really hard part is I know I feel better off the meds ..... but I had symptoms coming back and eventually would get really sick again .... so I have to take them, it would only be worse if I waited.

Carla- sorry to hear about the new meds, you had been away for a bit, hopefully you will be active once again. Maybe our silliness will be contagious and your humor will return, sounds hopeful doesn't it?

[CarlaB]

Thanks Amanda. The meds hit me hard ... no energy. This sore throat is finally revealing itself ... I know it's bronchitis ... I've had it a million times. Two of the meds I'm on are for bronchitis, so no point in seeing the doctor. Now that I'm coughing, it HURTS though.

I'm leaving for Marco Island, FL tomorrow. Not looking forward to flying with this ..... but looking forward to FL!

[elye]

Yesterday just as I was pulling out of my wicked herx and starting to get things done, I got a sore throat. It's so sore I can hardly eat and can't really talk. I don't know whether I should go to the doctor or not because I'm already on meds strong enough to kill godzilla .... one is used for strep.

Oh, this sucks, Carla. You and Sarah both......wait--a sore throat may be the only thing Sarah hasn't had to deal with.....

And it sucks right now for you, too, Ptaoughmn. If the weather's appropriate, head out for a long, meandering, cigarette-less walk. Take really big, slow, deep breaths. Start to count them as you go, making sure the numbers are coming slowly. It's good to really think about our breathing every now and then (frequently is ideal) and is apparently essential in helping individuals get through post-traumatic stress disorder, addictions, probably depression....Just a little thing, it would seem, but maybe it'll help just a little bit.

I've heard before I think, but tell me again how the word "Habs" came about to mean . .. .Montreal Canadiens right?

Habs is an abbreviation of "les habitants," the informal name given to the original settlers of New France, dating back to the 17th Century. So it's a natural fit for the The Montreal Canadiens, established in 1909 and marketed as a French-Canadian hockey team. Having said that, the nickname might have been the result of an error. According to NHL.com, the first man to refer to the team as "the Habs" was Tex Rickard, owner of Madison Square Garden, in 1924. Rickard apparently told a reporter that the "H" on the Canadiens' sweaters was for "Habitants." Not true. The distinctive C-wrapped-around-H logo stands for "Club de Hockey Canadien."

More than you ever wanted to know...but there you are. Givin' you lots to read to occupy your nicotine-starved brain....

[Green12]

Ya . ..that .. ..I've tried to avoid kleenexing the word 'Tivo'.

When I first got a DVR I didn't know how to say that I recorded something, should I say I tivo'd it It isn't exactly a tivo though, but most people would understand that.

I just go with I DVR'd it

Janet, Earthquake? YIKES!!!

I would be skeird waking up to that. Tornadoes, I know what to do. But where do you go what do you do with an earthquake??

I got this great email a while ago that gave a huge long list of what to do....I of course deleted it

Amanda, you are so cute announcing your attire for the day, sundress and sandals it is

Do you not have to wear scrubs at your facility??

Sarah, I hope you are having a better day today

[~alex~]

Em's calling this day TWO!!???? I started on TUES-*****-day!! <kinda grouchy sometimes>

So right now like the end of day3? .. . .at 4pm it's 72hrs. (99.89% cig-free?)

Good job! Keep up the good work. You're allowed to be kinda grouchy sometimes when you're doing such a huge thing.

There's lots of sickness and difficult times going through Sillyville right now . I really hope Sarah's doctor's appointment goes well. And sorry about the sore throat + cough Carla -- a very painful combination.

But on a happier note, I hope Alan had a magical time a the Magic Kingdom. I don't see how he couldn't; it's such a fun place!

I've been busy spending lots of time with Colin the last couple of days. He's been doing a lot a grieving about our mom. I know this doesn't really seem like a good thing but I think it kind of is. He had suppressed most of his grief for the past 6 or so years and I think now he's strong enough to deal with it all. He'd pretty much numbed himself to any intense emotions for awhile so starting to feel is a good thing. I know it's good for him but it's just a little hard to witness. Our wonderful grandpa has been keeping Colin company too and our dad will be back in town soon which will be good.

[Ridgewalker]

Well there've been more than a few BAD WORDS and tears over here this afternoon. My auto insurance was late, so I called today to pay it, and they said I had to pay March AND April to avoid cancellation... Even though April's payment isn't DUE until the end of the month. I had to go ahead and pay it. Which took my doctor money.

BUT it's ok. After I got off the phone, I did what I had to do, even though I feel horrible about it. I sucked it up and called my mommy. Sigh. She's giving me doctor money. I feel like such a loser.

But thank God for her, when I told her what happened, she offered right away.

And my MIL is going to babysit for me this afternoon, so I don't have to take the kids to the doctor with me.

So I'm feeling very lucky that I have my moms!!!

[Jestgar]

BUT it's ok. After I got off the phone, I did what I had to do, even though I feel horrible about it. I sucked it up and called my mommy. Sigh. She's giving me doctor money.

That's what family is for. Don't spend one second feeling bad about it. Your mom's are happy that they're able to help you, just as you would be happy if the positions were reversed. My family sends money back and forth all the time. It takes the pressure off of life if you know you have a safety net.

(crap, i just remembered that I owe my brother some money)

[CarlaB]

So I'm feeling very lucky that I have my moms!!!

You are lucky!!! Very lucky! Neither my mom nor my MIL either one care about me being sick ... neither has ever asked anyone how I'm doing. It constantly amazes me. There are others who care, but most of you here care more than my "moms".

My dad told me in the beginning though that I should never base my treatment for this on money .... that he would fill in the gaps to get me the best treatment possible. So far, we haven't had to ask.

That's what family is for.

Exactly.

[elye]

So I'm feeling very lucky that I have my moms!!!

Oh, that's great that your moms have helped, Sarah! It's so true. That's what families are for.

But I am SO struck by this notion of HAVING TO PAY for a doctor's visit. So it really does work that way? If you don't have the money, you cannot get medical help? Mygawd....this is so very wrong. Must you pay when you go to emergency, as well?

My kids have had a number of various doctor's appointments in the past few months, and I cannot imagine paying to get in the door. My mom had her knee replaced in the fall, and it cost nothing, but I hear joint replacements cost an American patient thousands upon thousands of dollars. And my dad's last month-long stay in the hospital recently--how can \Americans without large insurance policies manage this?

Sorry, very un-silly of me, but I hear the building panic in your words, Sarah, at the thought of not being able to see your doc because you don't have the money......incredible.

[Darn210]

Hey, Janet, it woke me up, too! I was checking in here to see how it was in IN!

Hey Carla!!! Good to see ya'!!! Hope you're feelin' better soon.

So, when did you and Bev meet?

Bev and I met during spring break . . . first week of April.

Where?

Panera's . . . I had the asian chicken salad and she had a strawberry smoothie.

My best buddy that used to live by you now lives by Bev. We took our spring break trip to Massachusetts . . . after vowing last year to never go to Florida for spring break again!!

OK . . . am already tired of all the earthquake hubbub . . . gads . . . it's all they talk about on the news (TV&Radio). . . interupting/preempting shows for coverage. What coverage??!!!?? There's nothing to show!!!! And now they are reporting the aftershocks . . . can't even feel them.

[CarlaB]

OK . . . am already tired of all the earthquake hubbub . . . gads . . . it's all they talk about on the news (TV&Radio). . . interupting/preempting shows for coverage. What coverage??!!!?? There's nothing to show!!!! And now they are reporting the aftershocks . . . can't even feel them.

My kids said they were talking about it at school all day. I've been sick, so haven't gotten out of bed much so I haven't had to hear anything about it at all .... I know now it's bronchitis ... started with a sore throat, but I've had bronchitis a million times .... fever and all .... I'm already on abx, so hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow ... we leave for FL. If not, I can be sick there on the beach a lot easier than being sick at home!

Anyway, if the aftershocks were significant AT ALL, I would have heard my music stand jiggling ... I mean, it makes noise when you walk across the room ... that was what woke me up.

I'm always kicking Adam out of bed for keeping me awake ... this Lyme gives me terrible insomnia ... I would have been in HUGE trouble if the earthquake hadn't awakened me, LOL.

[Jestgar]

From my parents:

Subject: The older you get, the better you get

*If you are not over 60, this is what you have to look forward to.

1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

2. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

3. No one expects you to run--anywhere.

4. People call at 9 pm and ask, " Did I wake you ???? "

5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

6. There is nothing left to learn t he hard way.

7. Things you buy now won't wear out.

8. You can eat dinner at 4 pm.

9. You can live without sex but not your glasses.

10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.

11. You no longer think of speed limits as challenge.

12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.

13. You sing along with elevator music.

14. Your eyes won't get much worse.

15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.

16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.

17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.

19. You can't remember who sent you this list

[Ridgewalker]

Oh, that's great that your moms have helped, Sarah! It's so true. That's what families are for.

But I am SO struck by this notion of HAVING TO PAY for a doctor's visit. So it really does work that way? If you don't have the money, you cannot get medical help? Mygawd....this is so very wrong. Must you pay when you go to emergency, as well?

My kids have had a number of various doctor's appointments in the past few months, and I cannot imagine paying to get in the door. My mom had her knee replaced in the fall, and it cost nothing, but I hear joint replacements cost an American patient thousands upon thousands of dollars. And my dad's last month-long stay in the hospital recently--how can \Americans without large insurance policies manage this?

Straight up-- They can't. People in this country die every day because they can't afford medical care.

Sorry, very un-silly of me, but I hear the building panic in your words, Sarah, at the thought of not being able to see your doc because you don't have the money......incredible.

This is absolutely, horrifyingly true. Hell, I should have had back surgery after Ezra was born, but couldn't afford it. 20,000 dollars? Out of the question.

My friend has a one year old, and is still making payments to the hospital on the deductible from the birth of her three year old... Yep, even with insurance (and hers is pretty great, she's an RN) it still cost her 1,500 dollars out-of-pocket to go the hospital and deliver her child. So now she's paying on two births.

For emergencies, they GENERALLY treat first, and work out payment later. However, that can bite you in the butt, because if your insurance company decides that they won't cover part of the treatment, then you have to cough it up. And again of course, there's a deductible.

Every year, more and more treatments have to be pre-approved by your insurance company... if you're lucky enough to have insurance.

I have been so thankful every day, since my boys were qualified for state-assisted insurance. They've had it less than a month and it's already saved me about 200 dollars.

Panic? Oh yeah-- been there, and as Nikki would say, got the t-shirt!

[nikki-uk]

Evening sillies!!!!!

Carla pooped in!! ....sorry you're not well......

Alex - I am always touched by how close you are to 'the men' in your life ....neat little family you got there

Janet!!! Darn it!! AN EARTHQUAKE!!! Gawd!!!

(I did read it as FARTquake at first )

Sarah - thank GOD for Mums .....mine has bailed me out many a sticky situation

But I am SO struck by this notion of HAVING TO PAY for a doctor's visit. So it really does work that way? If you don't have the money, you cannot get medical help? Mygawd....this is so very wrong. Must you pay when you go to emergency, as well?

My kids have had a number of various doctor's appointments in the past few months, and I cannot imagine paying to get in the door. My mom had her knee replaced in the fall, and it cost nothing, but I hear joint replacements cost an American patient thousands upon thousands of dollars. And my dad's last month-long stay in the hospital recently--how can \Americans without large insurance policies manage this?

Sorry, very un-silly of me, but I hear the building panic in your words, Sarah, at the thought of not being able to see your doc because you don't have the money......incredible.

The same here Em

I also can't grasp the idea....having always had the NHS available to us.

Although our system is crap in many ways at least I don't have to worry about money

When I think hubby was in hosp for one month before they dx celiac disease ...and had just about every test known to man I can't even concieve what that would cost much less middle son's 2X open heart surgery

Jess - Great list

[Ridgewalker]

The same here Em

I also can't grasp the idea....having always had the NHS available to us.

Although our system is crap in many ways at least I don't have to worry about money

When I think hubby was in hosp for one month before they dx celiac disease ...and had just about every test known to man I can't even concieve what that would cost much less middle son's 2X open heart surgery

A whole month in the hospital, plus 2 heart surgeries? You're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars. When something devastating like that happens to someone here with no insurance... They're going to lose their house and probably have to declare bankruptcy. With a bankruptcy on your credit report, you can't get a loan, can't get a car, many landlords won't rent a house to you, and you are disqualified from many good jobs where you handle money... For about seven years.

[CarlaB]

With a bankruptcy on your credit report, you can't get a loan, can't get a car, many landlords won't rent a house to you, and you are disqualified from many good jobs where you handle money... For about seven years.

We own a couple rentals .... we totally disregard any outstanding medical bills when screening an applicant ... it's just ridiculous how expensive things are.

[Ridgewalker]

We own a couple rentals .... we totally disregard any outstanding medical bills when screening an applicant ... it's just ridiculous how expensive things are.

YOU are good people!!!

[CarlaB]

YOU are good people!!!

Not really, I turn down more people than I approve.

It's amazing how many people LIE! MOST people lie about who their current landlord is .... but I always find out.

[nikki-uk]

We own a couple rentals .... we totally disregard any outstanding medical bills when screening an applicant ... it's just ridiculous how expensive things are.

SO...Sarah....if it all goes belly up you can always move to Indy and rent a house off of Carla!!!!

PTaughmumn!!! Hows it going today???