Happy Hump day chat

Good morning group!

Glenmar glad to hear you lost a couple pounds and are doing well, I've been on a health kick or should say life changing mission, I started exercising and eating better and over the last couple months I lost 25 pounds and only a few more to go. Good luck with the house hunting, that's fun and annoying at the same time, hope everything works out.

Have a good day everyone, suppose to be 60 today I plan on getting out to walk the dog afterwork can't wait.

Sort of a drizzly day here.  Matches my mood which is sleepy combined with a bit of worry.

Awseome weight loss!  I actually wasn't trying and I've gotten almost no exercise over the winter since it's just been too cold and/or miserable to be out much.  I feed a diabetic and have kept the DH off insulin for almost 15 years, so our diet is pretty darned healthy, but I sure could use more moving about.  Hopefully once we get moved Theo and I can start walking again.

Jackie, sorry you're feeling gloomy.

(((Jackie)))

Nice day today here, winter weather advisory for tomorrow. Still looking for this:

Just popping in because I needed to be with friends, even if it is in a cyber way.

I didn't see it mentioned but Gina's Cleo passed away from bloat. When I saw it on FB I honestly thought, hoped I was misunderstanding what I was seeing. My heart hurts for Gina and I can't imagine how the kids will take the news. Anyway, I know many of you aren't on FB but would want to know.

I also got an email from my former SIL (ex's sister) who has always been a friend and more so after the divorce. She ended up in the ER with breathing problems and they discovered a 4"mass on her chest wall and possible tumors in other areas. She lives on Maui but the flew her to Oahu and she's been on a breathing tube since Saturday. They don't think they can operate because the tumor is too close to her heart, so the prognosis is very grim. Her email was almost like a last good-bye and left me a weepy mess. She's only 59 but she did smoke for many years :(. I'm so glad I got to visit with her when we went to Maui in October.

I hope everyone is hanging in. I miss you all and when the new person starts on April 14th, I plan to get back to some of my favorite activities, such as spending time with you all again.

Very sad about Cleo.

I'm sorry to hear about your former SIL, Cathy. Just because someone smoked doesn't mean they deserve cancer. (I have never smoked, btw).

The mail came and month-end paperwork is piling up. I'd best get back to it.

I'm in shock about Cleo.  I feel like I lost I member of my family. I guess all of us who knew her through Gina's pictures and stories feels the same way I do.  Run Free Hairy Godmother.   Hug your dog.  Even if they don't like hugs.

Cathy, I'm so sorry about your friend.  (((hugs)))  We miss you around here so I'm looking forward to you being around more once the new person gets settled in.  

It's always good to see you Cathy, but gosh!  What news.

Fun free sweet Cleo!

(Hugs) for your grief over your former SIL

Oh no --- when I started reading today's chat, I was enjoying the happy references to weight loss and sunshine for some of you, then I read Cathy's news about Cleo, and my heart just sank.  I was just telling someone about her the other day -- they were wondering what that breed was like, and I told them about the incredibly sweet photos Gina used to post of Cleo with the tiny kittens.  Since I'm not on FB, I've missed hearing news and seeing photos of her, and now I'm so sad to learn of her passing.  Bloat is something I live in fear of, especially since both our dogs have been very deep chested.  Please pass along my condolences to Gina and her family.

I'm also sorry to hear about your former SIL's grim prognosis, Cathy.  I'm glad you were able to visit with her not too long ago.  Smoker or non-smoker, that is much too young to be facing what appears to be an untreatable diagnosis.  

I really don't have anything to post that will lighten the mood - just dealing with a project to finish at work today after a late arrival due to getting houseguests squared away this morning.  We've got some sunshine, so I'll enjoy that through my office window.

I'm super sorry to have been such a downer but I knew  you'd all want to know about Cleo. I too feel like she was a part of my family. More than anything though, I feel Gina's pain and she still has to tell the kids. I felt Sassy's physical absence everywhere I looked for a long time. Can you imagine what their home will feel like with out the big, beautiful girl around?

Judi's husband emailed me this morning and said he will keep me informed. I was very thankful to hear from him. They are hoping that they can remove the breathing tube but it's pretty iffy. She'd also like to be flown back to Maui but they can't do it until she's stable. That means her husband is having to live in a hotel for now. He's devastated by all of it.  My ex and Judi haven't been close since we split but I hope he's gotten the news and flies over to see her. I think she would' appreciate it and he'll regret it if he doesn't. It's probably best that I don't know how to reach him.

Regarding the comment about Judi smoking, I only mentioned it because whenever I hear of someone dx of lung cancer, I always wonder if they smoke or had smoked. I was a smoker and still live in fear of ever facing that. You're right Tina - no one deserves cancer.

Tracy - I can't get over the # of houseguests you have. You should call yourself a bed and breakfast and start charging people to stay ;)

@cakana

You should call yourself a bed and breakfast and start charging people to stay

Cathy, you're one of many people who have suggested this very thing!  I enjoy guests when it's my Mom or one of my friends, but DH's family is different (for various reasons).  And because my MIL lives here and is not willing or able to travel to see her kids and grandkids, they all come here to see her and stay with us several times a year.  

So did Cleo die today (this morning)?  I just now realized that after reading again what you said about her not telling the kids yet . . . they must be at school?  Sadly, I can imagine pretty well how their house will feel with her gone.  Something about giant breeds and/or dogs with really unique personalities or qualities.  Part of it is because they're so huge, it's like another grown person in the house, and suddenly they're gone.  But we definitely feel our beloved dog's presence all around the house after they're gone, no matter their size.  It took me a long time to stop standing to the side of the cutting board in the kitchen because I was used to Tonka's head being right at my hip, waiting for his share of veggies.  

I am sitting here with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, I cant believe Cleo is gone.  ((Gina)) and ((family)) .  Cleo was a very special pooch, she will be missed by all.   RIP Hairy God Mother give sloppy smooches to our furr babies waiting at the bridge.  

I got the impression that they woke up to find Cleo in distress. Gina's husband took her to the vet and Gina got the kids off to school.  Gina actually posted a picture of Cleo being prepped for surgery but then posted shortly after that she had passed.. We all know that Gina will handle it with great care and tact with Lily and Eli. I'm guessing she'd like to crawl under the covers  and grieve but will be strong for them. Knowing what I do of her husband, he will be Gina's rock.

Tracy, yes Cleo passed this morning.  Gina found her in what they thought was the early stages of bloat when they woke up and rushed her to the Vet.

Gina posted a pic of her being prepped for surgery, although I don't know if she died before or during surgery.  Bloat is a frightening thing which I hope never to see...and Bassets can be subject to it.