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Very interesting Fred and please know we love you and you are our valentine every day of the year too sweet gentleman :mwah: Maria

Depression and Mood swings http://www.strokeboard.net/index.php?showtopic=12006 What didn't they tell me about psychological effects of stroke? http://www.strokeboard.net/index.php?showtopic=12297 Grieving Process and Depression... http://www.strokeboard.net/index.php?showtopic=10215 I feel sad all the time, I'm a burden http://www.strokeboard.net/index.php?showtopic=9921 Scared, depressed, confused........... http://www.strokeboard.net/index.php?showtopic=9405 Depression http://www.strokeboard.net/index.php?showtopic=8682 Stroke emotions & effects, behaviors & emotions of stroke http://www.strokeboard.net/index.php?showtopic=142 So Depressed and ugly http://www.strokeboard.net/index.php?showtopic=3399

Yolie, Made my day as always with Tooties's basketball pictures. Basketball takes a great deal of hand eye coordination. It's wonderful she's willing to take on the challenge. She's getting very tall, killer smile even without teeth, sporting NY Knicks colors, glowing beauty inherited from mommy and grandma....no doubt sounds like America's Next Top Model in the making to me! Maria :mwah:

Nancy, I'm glad to see you are blogging and seem to have some idea of what to expect when Leigh comes home. I've been thinking about you knowing he's due to come home next week. I will keep you in my prayers and please remember that we are always here whenever you need us. Love, Maria :mwah:

Thank you Fred for sharing and reminding us of the true meaning of the season. John and I were Christmas shopping and as she completed the sale the girl said Have a happy holiday. John politely said..No, it's merry Christmas See all these people on line? they're not holiday shopping they're Christmas shopping. He left it at that but I'm sure she got the point although quite likely told to say it. If we keep allowing Christ to be removed and Christmas to be turned in to just another holiday we will surely lose the spirit and message of its greatest gift. Have a blessed and merry Christmas Fred. Maria

Kimmie, I'm sorry you're having a rough go this Christmas. We're all really in the same boat this year, so next year it can only get better. Either that or we could always live together in a car looking for wifi hot spots and put a tree on the console. Enjoy your fur babies and have a very very merry Christmas. Love, Maria :mwah:

Thanks for sharing Jeannie. I'm not in to flavored though...just into strong coffee which is usually the likeness of what is scraped from the sides of my fireplace chimney. :coffee:

The exercises are a pain in the neck to do Bruce, but the more you do them the more you will get the full benefit of the Botox injections. Good luck Bruce and keep up the good work. Maria

Some good advice from our classic postings for coping with the holidays.

Wes. Great attitude. I believe it's all in how you look at it. I've always tried to think of it as....I was given 41 years to experience much of the wonderful things life has to offer in perfect health, many are born with afflictions and are not are not even given that luxury. Post stroke we can still experience life to the fullest ~maybe the parachute should stay in the attic but it's far from bingo time yet~ if we work hard and persevere there is still a whole world in between left to experience and enjoy. Maria

Doug, Good to see you're well and just have been too busy to blog. Some interesting stuff about your pre American Revolution family. Researching that must be very intriguing, I'm sure you are enjoying it. Hope Teddy is doing well. Please keep us updated with your fascinating findings. Maria

Katrina, Think of the numerous times you've hit dark rough spots like this. When all is said and done the shining, beautiful, intelligent, strong, young woman reemerges refreshed to forge ahead to accomplish far more than the peers she felt she might not measure up. Want to little glimpse of where you may be going in the future? All you need to do is take a look at the list of your awards and accomplishments over the past 4 years to which I'm sure June will bring many more. As you do bear in mind most were earned through the difficult pits of blog times such as this when you were sure you couldn't measure up and would surely fail. Not only do you not fail, but rise above the crowd to be acclaimed. Keep chugging along sweetheart the world is yours; it may just be hard to see the forest for the trees right now. Anytime you need to vent or want to talk you can always call me or email so you don't have to wait for comments. Love , Maria :mwah:

Marie, Keep in mind that may also be a bit symptomatic of a stage of life. When your kids are young much of the season's focus is energy generated by the great anticipation of the mysterious visitor who you must shop for to prepare gifts. In sprinkling the fairy dust to create the magic and wonder of Christmas, it very easily gets in your eyes. My sons were never even allowed to check the tree unless they woke me up first. At that point I almost believed we needed to check to see if he had come. There was nothing like the look in their eyes when they saw he had. As they got older I begged my older son not to ruin the magic for my younger and got him instead to buy into creating the magic. He really had just as much fun doing that. By the time my younger was 12 the older insisted we tell him before we caused him to get beat up. You're right you will get used to it we don't necessarily like to, but we all do. Enjoy the Christmas season and if you can catch a glimpse try to see its magic through the eyes of a child. Maria :mwah:

Sue, Glad you enjoyed your lovely day. You surely do have a multitude to be thankful for and are very wise to realize that includes the appreciation acquired through seeing from the other end of the spectrum. We are thankful to have such a warm caring friend as you part of our family here. Happy Thanksgiving. Love,Maria :mwah:

Sue, You are not selfish at all. I think what it comes down to is the same basic issue we all deal with. We lost control of our lives the day stroke took over and claimed control of it. It takes tremendous strength and fortitude you have to withstand the rippling effect of the storm that lightening bolt creates. You have been nothing but a pillar of strength in braving the storm. It is not at all selfish to simply want to able to breathe and come in out of the rain. For all of the inspiration and support you take the time to offer and provide to others here, I hope you will now allow us to provide you with the loving support you have from us to offer some shelter. Please don't forget we love you and are always here for you. Maria :mwah:

Kimmie, Glad you've found Mya to be a blessing in disguise. The clock thing always threw me, even prestroke. Think I was always brain damaged. Who knows maybe someday we'll come to find out this really straightened us out. :dunno: Nah just made it worse. Maria :friends:

Yolie, Thanks for always sharing pictures of Taylor. I look forward to them so much. They always make my day. That glowing little face would be adorable and a joy to see without any teeth at all! Love, Maria :mwah:

Fred, A little sunburn versus bedsores? that's a no brainer. Sounds like a plan. Bon Voyage

I'll work on putting a template together in my spare time :roflmao: and give it to Steve for approval. Maria

Jeannie, Thanks for the info. I always got a kick out of the petition ones...thought....Did who ever came up with this actually think people were dumb enough to buy into that signing this would constitute a real petition for anything? DELETE. Sometimes we all just need to use a little common sense too.

Doreen, That sounds like a wonderful project and one very worthwhile getting involved in. It's great you are giving of yourself to make such a nice difference to children. Maria :friends: