Ashburn......

Good morning VA board! I wanted to post my own little blurbs on my own post for a couple of reasons.  I am trying to integrate myself within this community again, like I was 3 years ago, when I was really active here.  I saw some old friends and I think I may have made a few new ones along the way yesterday.  And in OH style let me mention a few...... First and foremost, my sister Julie This was the first day in months we had the chance to hang out and just BE.....and for that I am grateful.  We have been on the outs so to speak, but things have been laid aside and we were just SISTERS.....and believe me when I say that I was SO proud of her yesterday, standing in front of the conference as one of the top three WLS patients in the room, made it to number two, and in my head she should have won (OK, I may be a bit biased LOL) but she has done a wonderful job in her journey, and now SHE is the inspiration to many coming along the path she has chosen to embark on.  She is slowly becoming a leader in her life when at one time all she could be (in her mind) was a follower.  She is taking the lead on so many things, and I am happy to see that side of her!  Julie, the dinner you took the lead on came out JUST FINE, and dont you let anyone tell you otherwise!  I remember getting NOVA dinners together, and planning on getting lots of people to one place and having it go without a hitch, it is HARD TO DO.  But you saw the need to get everyone together, took the LEAD , and made it happen within everyones budget......I love you, I know I dont say it much, but I do.... Donna Mae.....if you read the board anymore.......I MISS YOU, and didnt realize till yesterday.  You are the only one I damned near cried on I was soooo happy to see you......well, you and Kat   You are just like Julie, you are now the inspiration......I was yours (Size 12 jeans, you will get there......KEEP THEM!!!) and now you are to so many others.......lets do lunch and just sit and talk....SOON!! Kat, my Kat......twins living apart, but that is how it is to be right??  You experience, I experience, and we have the rare chance to get together, but we are ALWAYS comparing notes!  Seeing you yesterday helped me more than you will ever know......I was on the edge of a major depression, and without you knowing it, just seeing you brought me back, and I enjoyed the day.  I miss you, but know you are in my heart always.....:) Momma Pat.....I am sitting here smoking   Come punish me, but give me another hug afterwards please!  You are like my second mom, giving me advice when I need it, even if I dont want it LOL.....but keep it up, I may listen one day!! Melinda......who knew there was someone else out there to take my bus husbands heart!   He is MINE, even if he did talk about you non stop!  You made an impression, on he and I both, you are a gem, you are working it, and I LOVE your personality.  In a time where I needed laughter, you provided that!!  All damned day, you marched to the beat of your own drum (Lipstick on a PIG *oink* I think NOT) and the world needs more people like that.  Am I invited to the wedding??? Jill.......ok, both Jills.....Beach Jill......how you have changed since I saw you last......and now you are my inspiration.  I have book marked mapmyrun.com, and I will USE it!  I cant wait!  And *Mountain* Jill, the only other mother clucker in the house......OMG.......I thought the same thing about you when I saw you as I did when I saw Donna Mae......damned SKINNY ASS! Cases of protein on the bike, impressive......I dont have a bike but I have a ride......wanna ride sometime?!!  LOL Dinner, and seeing Court and Christina even if they couldnt make the conference.....was great!  Between you two, Julie and I, and the rest of the NOVA's out there....lets plan on getting together sometime soon!  Whats a little gas right? (Oh, and if any of you know the date of the next support group meeting, let me know, I would like to go!!)  You girls made my day coming out!! And to (If I forget anyone, just shoot me, I am bad at names!!) Stephanie, Ann, Lauren...and to everyone I met yesterday.......Great to see new faces out there.....and I hope to get to know you on the board!! Last but not least, MC JACKIE.......you did a WONDERFUL job, and I am with Jill....I will be emailing OH to make my opinion known.....I want to see you in DC in October!  You did an EXCELLENT job yesterday hosting, keeping things going, amazing.......but I always have faith in you It was wonderful to see you yesterday, and I hope to see you soon!!  I would have liked a few more min just to talk during dinner, but you know how those things go.  You and the rest of the OH staff made this conference one of the best I have ever been to!  Thank you for that! Love ya! Now......if anyone has made it this far, I do need a prayer for a family in crisis.......here is THAT story (yeah, you need to keep reading if you have made all of this!!) From my myspace blog..... I get to go to a funeral (Or the veiwing, which is no less fun) today.

One of my ex-girl scouts Dad comitted suicide on Tuesday of last week.  Cookie Dad.  Troop Dad.  The Dad they all looked up to when their own wouldnt show for a meeting, field trip ect.  And I only say EX cause the girls were going into Senior Girl Scouts, but passed.  So I havent beent a troop leader for a year and they havent been in scouts.  But it is still bitter to me......bitter to the point I am pissed, and the email that has magically disappeared actually held a clue for me on WHY.  I wrote in that email *Michelle wishes to LIVE, he wished to DIE, why did he get his wish and not Michelle??*  Universe works in funny ways??  I am not happy with the Universe, GOD, Buddah.......pretty much anything at the moment.....

My daughter had to tell me......three times because I wouldnt and couldnt believe....he shot himself while his daughter was in the house.....and then Friday she came home with the *complete* story.  He went downstairs in the family home, turned on the shower and shot himself.  His wife tried to preform CPR to no avail........
So, to those of you that made me laugh yesterday, made me cry, and made me PROUD, I thank you.  My mind was somewhere else for the most part, but you made it OK.....That is why I love this board, the people on it, the friends I have, and those I know I will make........just need prayers for this family today.......... Thanks for reading.... Dianna.....aka.....Cappy (no editing involved too damned long!)

It was so good to meet you and Julie!  You are a happy gal!  I hope you beat the drizzles home.  :)  And that's just awful what happened to the family you wrote about.  How horrible that must have been for the wife and daughter to have been home and trying to help him unsuccessfully.  Suicide is very selfish, especially when you do it like that.  I'm so sorry and will keep them in my thoughts.

Lauren You need a new pic!!  I hope someone got one of you that caught your beauty yesterday.  You are stunning!  I wish I had time to compare war stories with you over dinner, and you are one that I no doubt will get to know through this forum..... We had a few sprinkles home, nothing to really mention which is good....being on a bike in the bad elements is not real fun, but it is on a bike, so I guess that may have canceled out the bad weather LOL! As for my request for prayers......uggh.....I am still dealing, I am getting dressed now to go....and it saddens me that if me as an outsider has these questions and feelings I can only imagine what the family is going through......thanks for keeping them in your thoughts..... And I just looked your city up on the map.....you are half way between my parents and Richmond!  Right off of 360!  I have passed by there several times!  I may have to stop by sometime this summer!!  How cool! Talk to ya soon girl! D

Love the new avatar!!

Kinda looks like me eh?

Whoooooooooooowhoooooooooooooo to you and Jim and pig and lipstick lmao was great to meet Jim and let him know I so hope his appointment goes well Wed. and to keep us updated. And it was great to see you and Julie again, last I saw you two @ the boogie and splash, Julie looks AWESOME you go girl!!!! And  THANK YOU Julie for helping us out w/ the getting us to the Location to eat and  getting us  reservations there to. Dianna so sorry to here about your friend and there family know that prayers are going up for everyone involved. Looking forward to the next event and hope to see ya all there!  

Alright girl put that cig out and stop please for your health. I am glad that you think of me as a 2nd mom and that is why I care so much. You will be getting advice as I see that you need it and everyone else as far as that goes. I love everyone on this board and even if I do not get the surgery I plan on being here for everyone.If you want hugs you know where to find them and I will be glad to do it.

Okay MZ MOTHER CLUCKER!!!  Yes - we can ride anytime...any place!!!  Want me to come get you and we will have a good old heart to heart!...and I'm going to be like Pat...PUT DOWN THAT CIGARETTE...God gave you a second chance on life...LIVE IT!!!  You are so beautiful inside and out!  I was so surprised to see you at the conference!  We have to get together.  If you do another NOVA Dinner or whatever - please let me know...go to my website and e-mail me!!!!! Give Julie HUGS too!  I was shocked.  Jon still did not believe it was the same Julie.  She looks amazing and I love the pixie hair cut!  She is adorable!!!...btw...how old is she...???  I have a 23 year old who is 6'3" and single.... Love ya Mother Clucker!!!  Stay focused and e-mail me or call me!  My number is on the website and in the literature you got at the conference!!! Hugs! Jill 

Although I missed the conference, so I could spend the day with my girlies.  I am soooo glad I was able to make it to dinner.  It was fabulous to see everyone.  It was great to be able to meet some of you face to face & see the new faces of those I met before.  Thanks to all for the compliments.  It was uplifting for sure.  I do wish I could have gotten a bit more chatting with everyone but such it is in a group event.  I do agree that we need some more of these local get togethers.  As for support group, this month's meeting is next Monday.  Let me know if you need location info.

Dianna- It was so great to see you too! I agree that we need to these kinds of get togethers more often...or just get together in smaller groups more often even.  So sorry to hear about the dad...so sad. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. And just know that God can handle your anger so just get it out at him....He'll love you still and help heal your heart. Prayers for your and the family.