A little risky….what I have to talk about today, that is. I do not want to offend, but I think some of you may suffer from this problem, too. So, let’s discuss and then I’ll share with you my solution. I’m talking about IBS, better known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Have you ever been here and looked like this? Well I have. ..many times. I have suffered from IBS since I was a teenager. It would flare up for a while and then disappear for a while…but it always came back with a vengence! And, it’s no fun! Actually, it takes over your life…you choose when to eat and where to eat by finding out how close a bathroom is to where you are. Sometimes you are just hoping you’ll find ‘the facilities’ quick enough…if you know what I mean.

I think it can better be explained by a professional: From the Mayo Clinic:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine (colon). Irritable bowel syndrome commonly causes cramping, abdominal pain, bloating gas, diarrhea and constipation. Despite these uncomfortable signs and symptoms, IBS doesn’t cause permanent damage to your colon.

Most people with IBS find that symptoms improve as they learn to control their condition. Only a small number of people with irritable bowel syndrome have severe signs and symptoms.

Fortunately, unlike more-serious intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome doesn’t cause inflammation or changes in bowel tissue or increase your risk of colorectal cancer. In many cases, you can control irritable bowel syndrome by managing your diet, lifestyle and stress.

********WARNING********** the following information from Women’s Health is sort of gross…sorry…but, we are all adults here…

The most common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are:

* abdominal or stomach pain
* relief by defecation, opening the bowels, and passing stool
* change in frequency or consistency of stool
* bloating or feeling of abdominal distension

If you have some of these symptoms, then you probably have IBS. Similar symptoms include loose or watery stools, rushing to the toilet, needing to go to the toilet just after going, and needing to loosen clothes after eating. ***********There is scads of info on the Internet. Look under ‘IBS Symptoms’.*************

My sister, Joy, has suffered far more than I have. She would only eat if she was at home…never away. If we went to Birmingham, she would not eat anything until we went to the motel at night.On Sunday, she would, get up, go to church, play for the services, and then come home to eat. She would never go out for lunch, or even go to someone’s house, unless they were very good friends. Her whole life was controlled by this. When she and Mom and I went to Atlanta or B’ham shopping, we felt guilty eating lunch because Joy wouldn’t. When evening came, if we went to eat out…she would go and not eat, but take something back to the motel. Or else, all 3 of us would get something to go. Then we would have a picnic in the bed. She suffered so long and so much.

One day, Joy went to see her yougest daughter. She noticed that LL was eating Fr*sted Mini Wheats…dry…for breakfast. She (LL) had discovered that eating these would help her IBS symptoms. So, Joy tried it. For breakfast each morning she would eat 20-25 pieces. After a few days, she noticed her stomach did not go ballistic after she ate. After a few days, she tried it away from home…and it worked! She began eating out with us and having no trouble. This was about a year ago. She was fine in Maui…and still eating well today.

My own symptoms had been flaring up quite a bit for over 2 years. IBS is also a symptom of fibromyalgia, which is also something I deal with. The IBS will flare up, and then go into a remission. Well. I tried it! I ate 25 fr*sted mini wheats for breakfast. I did it for 2 weeks… and it worked. Now, I eat them every day, and it is amazing! I no longer have to find a bathroom in every store I shop in! I am sure that little tidbit of information has totally made your day! It’s OK…you don’t have to clap…no, really!

It has been a big help to Alex, as well. Because of the large anounts of pain meds he takes, he suffers from this also.

When we went to Birmingham last weekend, it was quite humorous. We both packed a box of Fr*sted Mini Wheats! She, plain…me, Blueberry. But, I like the Apple Cinnamon the best.

In the grand scheme of things, this is a very small problem. But, if you suffer from it…it is huge! I am so thankful that, for now, this painful and embarrassing problem in my life is under control.

I am, however, eating less chocolate than usual, trying to diet some!

ATTENTION: I am telling you something that worked for me. I am not suggesting that you try it or don’t try it. Your best advice comes from your doctor. Even though this has been like a miracle for Joy and I, it may not work for you. Every body is different and what works for one may not work for all. Check with your own doctor. Even though I am a former nurse, I am not qualified to give you medical advice. I pass along this information as just that…information. Tonja

OK…was this too painful to read? Or too gross. Well I pass it along to you as I would to my friends IRL. I hope none of you were offended. But, if something can help you rid yourself of unnecessary pain and inconvenience……I wanted to share. Plus…it really helps with bloating. My clothes that are bursting at the seams are thanking me! My pregnant-looking belly is thanking me! The people who wish to use the restroom at TJM are thanking me!

This kind of post will not become a habit for me…I’ll try to keep my other bodily functions to my self. Promise.

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UH! OH! Just heard this on the View and wanted to pass it along since we are in the same area of discussion:

In PUBLIC RESTROOMS: never sit purse on floor…….do not us the toilet tissue in the stall unless it is covered! When the toilet is flushed, tiny particals of matter fly into the air…and land on the floor, the seat, the toilet paper. YUCK TO THE MAX!!!!!!!

Hi Mom,

If the people who comment on your blog want to have a little photo by their comments, just like yours, just send them to http://en.gravatar.com/ andhave them click the “Get your Gravatar Today” button on the left site. They can then upload an image and it will show up on any WordPress site they comment on.
Note that the image is tied to the email address they use when they sign up so be sure they use that same email address when leaving you a comment. It’s a free service.

Love, Ian

Received this email from Ian today. That Boy! Always looking out for me! I think this is a good idea…cause right now when you comment on a post of mine…a little ghost comes up. It really doesn’t look like you at all! You are WAY better looking! And, I really do not like ghosts very much…flying around…sight unseen…hiding in the corners of your room…making weird “woo-ooo-ooooo” noises…like they think we know what they are saying…we don’t know ghost language…at least I don’t and I hope you don’t. Then they show up at those seance things and tell you something about someone who’s gone somewhere because they died of something and didn’t finish their talking while on this earth. I think that’s a bunch of hooey! I don’t know if that is even a real word. But it is a good word…and I think you get it. Do you remember ‘Ghostbusters’?…”Who ya gonna call?….GHOSTBUSTERS!” Remember they sucked those ghostly things up into a box. Wonder how many they could get in one box? Anyway…I liked the movie, even if I don’t believe in ghosts! “I ain’t ‘fraid a no ghosts!” I really liked that Patrick Swayze movie…but those were scary ghosts. Except for Pat. Do you think he could really jump into Wh**pi G*ldberg like that? That was one funny woman…when she was ‘ghost filled’. I think if there is any body on the planet who is open to being taken over by a ghost jumping inside of them it would be her! Now, I really don’t think ghosts are real…except when Pat sat down behind Dem at the potter’s wheel and helped her make that pot…that part looked very real to me….I’m just saying. Gee….I do tend to ramble on, don’t I…..

What I mean is…if you wish to remain a ghost on my blog, that is fine by me. Or if you wish to be seen in all your beauty…read and do!

EDITED : Yea for Kat! She’s the first to send her ghost packing! Come on, now…you can be next!

Yesterdy was a fun day at the pool. Tara brought JT……Lori brought Jezebelle……..Joy brought Pop……..And, Alex felt well enough to sit outside for a little and play with JT. We all had a ball! I made a cake…I MADE A CAKE!!! Strawberry with cream cheese icing. Yummy! Pop said he could not remember the last time he was in a pool.

When Mom and Pop built their second house…..they built 4!!!…..they put a huge pool in the backyard. Pop had one of the screen houses built over it. Which helps to keep the leaves out…but also much of the sun. So, it was always chilly. They built a nice pool house with a big covered deck.

We loved that pool. The boys and Joy’s girls wanted to stay there all the time. And, they all learned to swim there…..Alex being the last. Joy and I would pack food and drinks and come and stay for the day! The kids would swim and eat and swim and eat. Joy, Mom and I would sit and talk , or work on some project or idea. Those were wonderful times. We would have church parties out there. And, for mny years, we had a day camp for the girls in our church, called Camp Sunshine. (I’ll write about that one day) And, birthday parties…oh my! It was used every day! It used to be a wonderful incentive…or punishment! ********I don’t know why the picture below is crooked, probably the photographer! (ME)

I had to include the picture of Pop swimming. This is how I have seen him so many times swimming with the children. And then today he and JT played in the pool together. Sweet memories made today! Look at him…sure doesn’t look 84, does he?

But, the upkeep on all the grounds and pool got to be too much…and so the sold it, and built another one on the left side of that one. But, alas, no pool. But, they didn’t like that house very much…said it was too big. And, so they sold it and built another one on the right side of the first one. And, that is where Pop lives now.

I am leaving tomorrow to go to Birmingham. I have a very dear friend, Pamela, whose son is getting married on Saturday. I am going to decorate for the rehearsal dinner, and then direct the wedding. Joy is going to help me. We have built in a little time to do some shopping, too. The wedding is going to be outside on the grounds of a winery in a nearby town. I’ll make lots of pictures.

I have had some new friends stopping by to say hello on the blog! I am so happy to hear from you! Comments make us bloggers feel good!

Today I went to the gas station to get some gas. (I tend to start freaking when the gas needle get to a quarter of a tank.) Since the gas station is right across from the drugstore, I took care of two errands in one trip. *********** Just a quick rant before I continue. Why do people stop at the first gas pump, instead of pulling all the way to the second? So annoying. And, then, when a person finishes pumping their gas, and goes inside to pay…they will see a long line behind them waiting for the pump…will they move their car first? Why, no! You can just sit there and wait till they amble in, peruse the chip and candy aisle, search out the Big Gulp…and then go and pay. Then amble slowly out to their car. But, wait! There’s more! They will stand at the garbage container in between the pumps and s.l.o.w.l.y. open their chips and/or candy and drink…and only then get in to their car, AND MOVE OUT OF THE WAY !!! Rant over.***********

As, I got out of my car, I noticed an ‘older than me’ lady who was standing in front of the pump behind mine. I first noticed her because she was dressed in a way my Mom would have been. Khaki slacks, and knit top and a light coral jacket. She had on sensible shoes…..and they matched her pants. Her hair was ‘right from the beauty parlor’ neat, and she had a gold herringbone chain around her neck. Neat as a pin, she was.

However she was staring at the pump as if she had never seen one in her life…..and holding her credit card in her hand. Sensing distress, I walked around the pump.

Me: Excuse me, ma’am. Do you need some help?

Lady: Well, I reckon I do, Shug. Do you know where the directions are on this gas machine?

Me: Let’s see. There they are, right up there on top.

Lady: Well, that’s not going to help me a bit. I don’t have my glasses.

Me: I can help you. I’ve done this a few thousand times.

Lady: Well, how many cars do you have, shug?

Me: Only one.

Lady: So, maybe more like a hundred…

Me: (Feeling like a naughty school girl in front of the teacher) Yes, Ma’am. I’ll say a few hundred.

Lady: Be specific, dear.

Me: I bet you were a school teacher.

Lady: Taught in the County for 40 years.

I could tell.

Me: OK. Let’s see if we can get you some gas. Let me see your card. Look, you slide it right in here.

Lady: WAIT! Do you know where it is going? You can’t let just anybody see your card, you know. Don’t you know that?

Me: Yes, ma’am. But, it doesn’t go anywhere. See, you just slide it in here, so the machine can read it and it comes right back out.

Lady: You’re sure?

I nodded.

I put the card in and pulled it right back out. While I was at it, I showed her how to match up the strip on the back with the strip shown on the machine. Then I asked her what kind of gas she wanted. She didn’t know. I told her my husband told me to always use the first one. And, that’s what I did. And, that’s what I chose for her.

Lady: You always do what your husband says, hon?

Me: Well, I always try to do what he wants me to. Especially if he knows more about it than I do. OK, do you know how to put this into the car?

Lady: Well, I’m not stupid, Shug.

Me: Oh, it has nothing to do with stupidity. It’s just whether you’ve done it before. Neither my mother nor my sister know how.

Lady: Do you pump their’s?

Me: No. No, I don’t. But, I would if I needed to. OK. See, you just twist this cap off and then you put the nozzle into the tank and squeeze the handle. Just keep squeezing until it stops by itself. (I didn’t think I would confuse her with the doo-dah that holds the gas on for you).

Me: OK, you got it? Why don’t you try it?

Lady: No, that’s OK, you just go ahead and finish it up for me this time. I don’t want to get that gas smell on my hands.

Me: Well, allrighty, then.

I finished pumping HER gas and I showed her how it would cut off. Then I walked her through putting the nozzle back and tightening the cap.

Lady: I need my receipt, now. I have to have my receipt!.

So, I showed her how it would ask her and where to push. Sure enough, it came right out.

Me: Well, I think that’s got you fixed up.

Lady: Well, Hon, I couldn’t have done it without you. You just saved this old woman today.

Me: Well, I was glad to help you. If you don’t mind me asking, who usually gets your gas for you.

Lady: (she put her hand over her mouth and giggled) I’ve got a good plan. When I go to church on Sunday, I stop by the young men’s class and say, ‘what handsome fella wants to get me some gas today?’ And, then I tell them that if someone doesn’t get it for me….I’ll go home with one of them for the afternoon. I always have someone who will hop up and go get it for me. I hate for them to miss Sunday School, but what’s an old widow woman to do?

Me: (laughing) I think that sounds like a pretty good plan to me. But, what do you do if you need gas during the week?

Lady: (smiling) I just drive up here to the Shell station. Park my car by one of the pumps, and get out of the car. Then I just hold my card in my hand and wait. Doesn’t take long for someone to come along and ask me if I need help.

Me: Like I just did today.

Lady: Yes, Ma’am. You were my angel today.

Me: Well, I am so glad I could help you out…but I don’t know about the angel part.

Lady: Well, Hon, it’s like this…Before I leave home to come to the gas station, I pray that God will send me an angel to help me with my gas. And, He always does. Sometimes, they are kids, sometimes working men, and sometimes young ladies like yourself….but one always comes. I never have to wait more than 5 or 6 minutes.

Me: So, you really do know how to pump your gas…you just don’t like to.

Lady: Oh, I think I could do it if I had to. But, it really does intimidate me. And, I have such little strength in my hands now.

Me: Well, I hope God keeps on blessing you with helpers.

Lady: Oh, He will. He will. Thank you again, Dearie. Bye, now.

And with that she got into her car and drove off. I watched her go to the light and pull back into the traffic. So, she prays for an angel every time she needs gas…I wonder how many folks notice her and just walk on by…not taking a few minutes to help. And…..I wondered if maybe it was really the other way around. Maybe she was the angel God put into my path at the gas station. Whew! I’m glad I had on my ‘Be Kind’ hat that day…I haven’t been called an angel in a long, long time. And, truth be told…the blessing was all mine!

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Q: WHY DID THE TURTLE CROSS THE ROAD ?

A: TO GET TO THE SHELL STATION !!

GUESS WHAT, FRIENDS? OREO IS HOME!!!!!

A man who lives about 2 miles from Tara and Will was off on a trip last week. He had someone coming in and feeding his dog for him while he was gone. He arrived home after dark, and noticed there was another dog in his yard. That did not surprise him because someone was supposed to bring him a new dog. He went on in and went to bed. The next morning, he noticed the dog again, and it was not the dog that was supposed to be coming to live with him. I’m not sure if he recognized the dog or checked his tags, but he called Will soon after and told him Oreo was there. Will went right over and got him. Tara said when Bullet saw his buddy in the back of Will’s truck, he went wild with excitement!

Now, I know that all of you are not dog lovers, and that’s OK. But, with all the bad news we keep hearing everywhere, isn’t it nice to just be happy that a lost dog was found and returned to those who love and care for him? You know, God cares about everything that we care about. If we are unhappy or sad, God cares. Isn’t it neat how Oreo found his way to a place where there was food and water outside? And, isn’t it wonderful how well the angels on duty protected him from the lions and tigers and bears in the woods? Just kidding, but, Joy said they were afraid a coyote would get him. I think she said coyote…bobcat?…wolves? I don’t know about all that, but I just thank you for your prayers for this sweet family who was hurting.

Sweet Suzanne is feeling better. She says when she went back to the doctor, the one she saw the previous day was not there, so she saw another one. He told her that he did not think it was a spider bite. He thought it was an allergic reaction to something. She came by here to let me see it and I do not think it is a spider bite either. I have had one, and this does not look like it. She put some ointment on it and she said it is feeling better today. But, it is spreading to her neck and chest. But, she’ll be fine. Thank you for taking that to the Father as well.

I do not have any other reports, yet, but will pass them along as soon as I do. One other thing. I have several good friends who are in Guatemala right now on a mission trip. Please remember them and their safety…both while there and while travelling.

Thank-you, friends, for the encouraging words and thoughts you have sent to me. Alex is about the same. And, I know it breaks God’s heart as much as it does mine. But, prayers not answered the way we want, are never prayers in vain. God hears them all, and does as He sees fit. And, I want you to know that I am OK with that. It does not change my faith. Because I have forgotten much of what happened in the past, today goes by so quickly, and I have no idea about the future. But, God remembers all that has happened before…He was there. This day is owned by Him. And, He is my future. And, because of this, I trust the decisions He makes…because I trust Him! That does not mean I don’t try to change His mind now and again…but He loves me and understands me. God bless you, my friends. And thank you for reaching out and praying for us. Please be so kind as to let me return the blessing at any time.

“How precious it is,Lord, to realize that You are thinking about me constantly.” Psalm 139:17

“I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord’.” Psalm 122:1

(Above) Cades Cove Tennessee…NC

(Above) Grand Wialea Resort Maui, Hawaii

(Above) Townsend Baptist Church…….Georgia

(Above) Southside Baptist Church Dothan AL