Effexor withdrawl and symptoms, please help _{Page 24 of 140}

Lori, can we discuss some recipes offline? I am so into learning how to make yummy, nutritious batches of food that will last me all week, for now and for after the baby comes. I have some secret family recipes that I will gladly share with you in response! I'm looking for a really good chicken salad recipe, too. :^)

Sara

Isn't there a recipe forum somewhere?

Morning everyone.
It is a hot hazy day today and I am feeling tired and
irritable. I nearly caused a fiasco in the womans washroom here at my work because some lady looked at me funny. Also I am so annoyed with my boyfriend. I just feel angry at him. And he went out last night and didn't bring his cell phone, and I called only to find out he went to bar. Then I find out I can't try him on his cell because it's on the counter infront of his friend and not in his pocket. He didn't call to tell me he went out and that just set me off. I was so angry. I thought, how could he be so selfish? He knows I would worry. But I know there is the slightest chance that I am over reacting... maybe....
He has been loving and supportive and I do realize I am at a very emotional point in my life right now. I am just so ....blah. Unexcited about the weekend, and irritable and crusty. Oh that's terrible! I don't even feel like going out I just feel like staying in bed and curling up to a movie or something. But I can't because there are people that will be at his house and he wants me to be there. I really just wanted to be either alone with him, or by myself.
Wow talk about a sob story! Sorry to subject you all to that. I know my life isn't really that bad at all. It could be so much worse. And I shouldn't be feeling sorry for myself.But people just can't help what they feel sometimes. I guess this is the really bad part of my withdrawl. What would you guys do tonight if you were me? How can I get out of this funk?
Hugs
xoElena

good morning all

YEA, its Friday & a hot/steamy one at that...quickly read through all posts this morning (i can't bring myself to even look at the computer screen at home after spending so much time on it at work...how strange, we have all come to rely so heavily on the computer...it really has its pros & cons.

sara...your joy is in your "voice", glad you are feeling good!!!...my father-in-law lives in naples, he was fortunately spared the rath of the hurricane season last year, let's hope this season will not see the destruction again...

lori...Steph & her boyfriend both go to Iowa State, his sister lives in marion, ia, so they are meeting there(sis & her husband have a new 1 month old they are wanting to see & its a bit closer drive than all the way to ames)

sheila...what wonderful places your travels have take you to! enjoy

naria...i have been buying avacados frequently in the last couple of months...they are sooooo good! i too make gaucamole or just slice them in salads or add to a sandwich...i only by haas, don't care for the Fl grown ones.

here's to a great weekend...
~dawn

elena...

the day is young...you will most likely feel better as the day goes, but if not...after work, take a nice long shower or "bath" (if your time allows)...plan an outfit you feel good in...once you see your boyfriend & get out among the others you WILL have a good time...no need to stay home ALONE...sometimes just "pushing" ourselves a bit turns out to be just what we needed in the long run! It's a girl thing!!

~dawn

hello everyone, its been a while. i quit my job and now am in the process of finding one (awful)

i think i was decieved when i said my tummy was shrinking. some days it bloats up horribly, and then the next, it may not be as bad. Regeant, I completely agree with you about the weight gain issue making you feel awful. Somedays I dont want to go anywhere because of how horrible I feel I look.

i read through everyones posts but forgive me for not replying to all individually. I am glad that you (or your daughter in wonderings case) are all doing somewhat better.I do hope that someday soon we will be able to have our bodies and minds back the way they were before effexor came into our lives.

take care

elena...don't forget to put on some music to get ready to...probably should be something loud & motivating that will "pump" you up for going out...ha, ha!

LOL Thanks Dawn. You may just be right about that. Maybe I will just go out anyway. A work out and bath might just do wonders! Thanks for the suggestions.

Love and Hugs
xoElena

I’ve reached the point where I cannot space my 37.5 any more until after my son leaves next week. I woke up this morning bitchy, achy, dizzy, zappy—you know the drill. I also felt like I was having an episode of reflux which I suffer from. Not heartburn but just general stomach pain. I got to 36 hrs which is a day and a half. I actually bit my husband’s head off over something stupid on the phone. I must call and apologize. Is that an emotion?

I was reading an article in old Maxim magazine about personal massage. That magazine is so tongue in cheek I hope this works. The suggestion was if you feel anxiety coming on to press on the middle of your chest right above your breasts and massage in small circles there. I tried it this morning. I have had a pain there for a long time and wondered what it was, maybe it is stress built up. Does any of this make sense?

I read all the posts in the morning and then spend all day writing when I find the time. By the time I post you guys have gone way by me. I find half a dozen from where I left off. This morning (I am at work) I had some free time and went back to the beginning of this site and noted everyone’s names and when they started and where they were in withdrawal. I have gotten up to where I joined you. My blurred vision is much better and I am able to read a lot more. All I can say is Regent – you have come a long way! You expressed that yourself in your post on 5/11. And several other people went back and looked at their posts and saw changes in themselves. Good for all of you! Now next week when I take the next step, I will probably be ranting incoherently. Bear with me.

I’ve always wanted to tell Dirk my one and only experience with weed. I used to work for a promotions company in Washington, DC and I was able to get free tickets to the Capital Center. I took my adolescent children and some of their friends to the Styx Mr. Roboto concert. I fell asleep during the concert. Why? It was before smoking was banned in the arena and there was pot being smoked everywhere. Who ever heard of falling asleep during a rock concert—I was fine after getting to the car and waiting to get out of the parking lot.

Someone told me that cinnamon is good for the brain. There is a study going on in Europe to see if adding it to the diets of the elderly suffering dementia helps. Sort of puts the loose wires back together. Sound interesting? Anyway, I am putting ¼ tsp. in my Slimfast in the morning. Yummy! Can’t hurt. With all the natural stuff I am adding to my diet I am going to be the healthiest nut in the old ladies home when I grow up!

Now Lori and Sara, how can we start our own chat room to exchange recipes? I am a gourmet cook (or at least that’s what my husband tells everyone—he is so good, eats anything I put in front of him but I do love to experiment with food). However, I know nothing about the internet. But my email address is mamanoochathotmaildotcom.

My words of wisdom for today: A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape—but a woman of strength builds relationships to keep her soul in shape.

I saw my therapist today, first time since I joined this forum. She was really thrilled to see how well I was doing.

I told her all about this wonderful group here, how one person was working so hard on her daughter's behalf and being such a good cheerleader for the rest of us. My therapist said it sounded like we had a "wonderful mother" to care for all of us. So true. It's great having Dawn be there for us, isn't it? I hope Steph isn't too jealous of all her new "siblings." :-)

Humid here again, too. Rain forecast off and on all day today and tomorrow. I have a birthday picnic to attend, which I'm looking forward to regardless of the weather. It won't be cold, even if it's wet.

Regent, I'd love your guac recipe. My e-mail address is on my profile. That is, if you're willing to share. Otherwise, I guess I need directions to your deli. LOL
I will make the pie for the next work birthday.

Endless, hang in there. Elena, too. You're courageous, strong fighters.I hope Steph has a good weekend with her boyfriend.

That was another thing my therapist commented on: how hard I've worked to figure out what was wrong and attend to it and then fight the E-Beast, when many around me were just telling me to "let go and live with it." I think we're all really brave and strong and tough for doing what we're doing.

Love and blessings,
Laurel

Laurel, you are so right about Dawn being a cheerleader for us. She is an oasis of calm in the middle of all our chaos, sees things we who are working through this do not because we are wrapped up in our suffering. I'm sure Stephanie doesn't mind having all the new "sisters and brothers", because we are helping her through her own hell.

So Dawn, thank you for being our "mother" (even though I am older than you"!).

You all are so right about Dawn. I know that you really don't have to come here anymore, but it is really great of you to cheer us on.
We really need all the help we can get. So glad you daughter is doing so much better. She is so brave.
Oh yeah, I am older than you too.
Cat I have been having pains in my chest area also. I was just telling my husband yesterday as we were walking, that when I go to my GP next week I am going to tell him about it. I think it is a little scary, since the number killer for women is heart disease. Most doctors take that too lightly I am afraid. He is one of them.
Also the acid reflux thing too, which I don't normally have. Do you think this is Effexor realted?
Elena, hope you have a good evening. Maybe you will be feeling better as the day goes on? Did you find out why your boyfriend didn't let you know where he was going to be.
How would he feel?
Everyone have a great weekend.
Talk with you all later
Love,
Bonnie

Laurel and Dawn.
So nice to read your posts. I had a smile on my face while reading them. Dawn is deffinatly a wonderful Cheerleader! Thank you so much for all your support. You didn't have to keep on checking on us after you found out what you needed to know, but you did. And we appreciate it. I am so happy for your daughter Steph, she has done so well.
Laurel thank you for the support. I know all of us are trying our best to be strong. But truly we all are courageous to embark on such a difficult task. But it is for our own mental and physical well being that we continue on.
Cat, I can see that you are having a bit of a rough time, (perhaps that is an understatment.) I can understand that. I am having a rough go at it as well. But we will get through this. You are strong and healthy, (very healthy from what I have heard you are eating and the vitamins your taking! LOL)
You are doing great, and the occational biting off the head of a loved one is to be expected. I seem to have mastered that skill.
Hang in there Cat, you can and will do this.
Hey Bonnie, sorry to hear about the discomfort you are having along with Cat, we all deal with enough already! We don't need more on top of it! Geeze! But be sure to explain the seriousness of this situation to your GP next week, and if he doesnt take you seriously call him on it. Inform him you don't want this situation be taken lightly and will seek help elsewhere if he does not believe you. OH that would make me soooo mad. I would just have to hop on a plane and go over there and tell him off myself! Grrrrr! Yes I am protective, can you tell? LOL
Oh and I did speak to him about why he didnt let me know, and apparently it was just carelessness. He forgot his phone but figured he would be back early enough. But, 2 am rolled around and it was too late to call me back when he got in. I informed him that I did not like finding out about his where abouts from his friends and he should know better. I asked him how he would feel if I went out drinking and didn't tell him where I was. He agreed and apologized, especially since I am going through a VERY tough time right now. He has offered to give me a massage tonight to make it up to me, so I guess he's forgiven. I do love the fact that he didnt tell me I was overreacting, he just understood it upset me and didn't try to undermine my feelings. I am feeling a bit better now though, just really sore! Wow I can't get over how sore I feel! Maybe a bath when I get home before I go out will do the trick!
Thank you for your concern Bonnie.
Saraaaaaaa, how you feeling today? If you want to set up a recipe forum I am all for that! I love to cook! And I have some old recipes that I would be willing to share too! I do agree that you should look into some of that pregnancy meditation stuff. That may be a great release for you. Your emotions must be going a little haywire. But that's normal, just like you said. Try treating yourself to some pampering as much as possible too. I used to work in a Spa and the amount of new mommies (starting their pregnancies and near the end of them) coming in was just crazy. They loved it! It really relaxed them. And if funds are tight, you can get something as simple as a manicure or pedicure for not too large of a cost. Or even buy a pre made mask from a pharmacy and give yourself a facial! Just a thought: ) Everyone I hope you all have a great weekend!
Hugs and prayers
Love
Elena

Howdy, all! I'm going to see about finding a way to set up a little recipe message board that we can all post to -- might take a couple of days as my work has been slower than usual (fuzzy brain) and I'm a little behind (with a big behind!). I can't say I "LOVE" to cook yet, but I also just started learning how when I moved here last year. I LOVE when my cooking gets good reviews but my husband has very spartan, simple tastes and I do not, so I might have to start bringing people in off the street to taste-test. Actually, I do really like to cook, I just hate doing dishes and since my husband doesn't always like what I cook, he doesn't always feel like he has to wash the dishes. Hmmph.

Still no morning sickness -- like I think I said, my mom didn't have any plus she gained weight immediately with all 4 pregnancies just as I am. And I've had everything else that she has, from the fibrocystic breasts to the gallstones to the migraines, etc, so maybe I'll be lucky although "lucky" and "sara" don't usually go together.

Just went to Wal-Mart to get some supplies in case the power goes out -- Arlene might become a hurricane by the time it gets here. That means snuggling and playing Texas Hold 'Em with real actual cards by candle light. I mention Wal-Mart because even though it was PACKED, I wasn't screaming beeotch Sara this time and was actually relatively calm. So it's getting better.

Sheila -- good choice on waiting till your son leaves to move to the next step. My email address is on my profile and feel to email me and we can talk on the phone when you actually get to the NO MORE EFFEXOR days. I would be happy to. I hope since some of you are correctly weaning yourselves off of this crap that it won't be as bad once you're finally done, but I have a feeling it affects us all pretty much the same regardless of how we do it. If you can, I'd schedule it to take your final last dose on a tues or wed, then make sure you don't have to work friday or monday and tuesday so you can give yourself some hiding-in-your-room time. And let your husband know what's coming.

The spa/massage stuff is a definite -- I'm just waiting for magical week 12 before going to get my nails and toes done because I have a feeling the acrylic and fumes in their won't be healthy and I'll feel like a bad mommy. Luckily we both work and I can spoil myself in order to be more relaxed and comfortable. I just bought some face-tanner by neutrogena because by now I'm usually native but the weather's been crappy and I'm too bloated. It'll make me feel better about myself. :^)

Ciao for niao -- I'll be working on the recipe dealie.

Saraaaaaa

Bonnie - I've had the acid reflux for years, keep it under control by low fat diet. Spicy food doesn't bother me, just fatty stuff. Also the pain I have in my chest is actual a spot on my breast bone, not in the chest. My doctor is big on checking for heart disease. This is South Carolina which I believe is #1 in the nation. So he watches all the signs and this is why lowering my cholesterol is so important. My cholesterol usually is below 200 but every now and then goes up to 250 and he starts yelling at me. All diet related, I believe. Did you know that the cholesterol is in the meat, not the fat. 3 oz of chicken has the same amount as 3 oz of beef. But beef has the saturated fat.

Anyway, I misquoted the article in Maxim. It was about accupressure. You take long, deep breaths and apply firm pressure to the areas designated. Anxiety: In the center of the breastbone, two to three inches above the base of the bone. Nausea: In the middle of the inner side of the forearm, two inches from the wrist crease. Headaches: On top of the foot, in between the big toe and the second toe. Hangover: In the webbing between the thumb and index finger, at the muscle. Quick, no-cost, easy things to do when a symptom hits and you don't have anything else nearby.

Well, it't the weekend and I have lots to do. Sheila

I'm in the same boat as everyone else here-- brain zaps, dizziness, nauseous, but hungry at the same time, night sweats, terrible nightmares, sleeping all of the time, bloating... I'm down to none (yes none) of the evil pills right now (day 3).

I had been prescribed Effexor at 150 mg/day for anorexia back in 2001. Now, I'm trying to get off of them because they 1) Caused me to lose weight (which is obviously not good for an anorexic) 2) We're thinking about getting pregnant soon. The drug definitely took away the anorexic thoughts and behaviors though, so that's one plus I had from it.

Anyway, so I'm down to 0 after years (yes YEARS) of trying to get off this crap.

Here's something that I'm dealing with right now-- what in the world can you tell your boss when you can't come in because you can't drive (too dizzy)? I've come up with the "I'm switching "heart" medication." This is believable since I did have a ablation 1.5 years ago, but I feel terrible that I'm lying, ya know? It really is too bad that you can't be truthful about the mind, but I believe that if he knew, maybe he's the type to judge me. That's the last thing I want while I'm trying to climb the corporate ladder!

Anyway, so I took the day off today to try to sleep this thing off (day 2 from 37.5 to nothing). I've got no pills left and no prescription and I want to just be able to endure it, but it's so hard when you have to go to work and live life like this.

Tomorrow, I have to go to an army function for my husband who came back from Iraq (in one piece!). It's a parade and I worry that I won't be able to stand on my own two feet. Terrible.

Sorry for venting...

Well, I too am trying to wean off of the drug which saved me and now feels as if it is destroying me. I started taking Effexor XR 2 years ago this August. I was at 150mg and have been weaning off for 3 longs months. I am now down to 37.5mg every other day and feel like crap. I feel electric shocks in my body as well as nasuea, headaches, dizziness, weepy, short tempered and heavy in my eyes. I have no energy. My husband and I are attempting to play tennis together...but I am exhausted. Not to mention that I have gained 25 pounds on this medication. I guess what I want to know is: Is is safe to open the capsules and wean off slower that way? My doctor never said I could do that. Please someone tell me that this weight does come off. My 41st birthday is in 2 weeks and age is now going to be a factor. I can't believe how many people are on this site!!! I am so thankful to have found it. Anyone who can encourage me with helpful and painless ways to get off of this drug completely? By the way I am an office manager and I have already missed work twice this month. It just looks bad and people really don't understand how bad you feel. It gets so overwhelming.

Rosa

Rosagirl and Frustrated78, I recommend you both start from PAGE 1 of this specific message thread (you'll see you posted on page 24) and if you'll read from the beginning, you will learn various ways to treat your symptoms. It will also greatly reduce your anxiety that you might be going through this alone. What you're experiencing is "normal" as far as Effexor withdrawal. It's been 20 days for me with absolutely no Effexor when I've been on it for 8 years daily on XR 150. My doctor told me to just take one every other day, then every third day, then "just quit." That's what I did. I mention this because it seems most doctors have no idea what they're talking about. You'll read that the withdrawal is truly horrendous but it does get better. I thought I would never get out of this hell just 2 weeks ago, and I'm feeling great today. Take the "less drowsy" Dramamine for dizziness and brain zaps, and read through as I mentioned because there are other remedies that have helped all of us. Epsom salts baths with hydrogen peroxide helps pull the toxins out. Some people took "Chaser", made for hangovers, which helped them. It really just takes time and patience and this message board. Again, I urge you both to read through all of the posts on this one thread to get some ideas on what to do and how to get through it.

Sara

Thanks Sara. I read through all of the posts earlier this morning AND I went out to the store to buy a few boxes of Dramamine (along with some more Sprite, since that seems to be helping me too). The dramamine taken the nausea away, but now I feel kinda drunk. Weird! I'll have to stop by the drug store tomorrow during my lunch break and get some of the hangover stuff. Thanks for the advice. I'm very glad I found all of you!

Folks that are on anti-depressants or have recently stopped taking them. Do a google search under Chronic Stress. You will be very very surprised at the symptoms that are listed. These are the same symptoms that I was prescribed Effexor.

My point, I am doing everything possible now that I am off the evil little pill in order not to get back on another one.

I got rid/minimized alot of the stressors in my personal situation, ex-wife, financial problems, etc. I've changed my diet to get as many anti-oxidents as I can and I am taking supplements too. Next step, since stopping the Effexor I actually feel like getting on the tread mill.

Good luck all, there is life after these medications.

Dirk

Rosagirl and Frustrated78.
I am sorry that you both are yet another two that have to deal with this. But you will get through it. As Sara recommended, go through from page 1 up. There are many helpful tips we all have shared, and it will also give you an idea of what we all are going through.You are most likely feeling what we are all feeling! Just remember you are not alone and you CAN get through this. It will be tough, but you are tougher! As for the weight issue Rosagirl, I believe that it will come off eventually, because there are no more toxins in your body from the effexor that make you bloat or eat more.(At some point the toxins will be completely out of your system-I would hope!!)Trust me, I know how you feel,I too have gained from this, and I want it OFF NOW! LOL! These people here on this site have made me realize that it is possible to be my old self again, and I can do this.
This is a very helpful and caring forum, and we all are lucky to have found it.
Dirk, very nice to hear from you. Good for you that you have taken the initiative to minimize the stress in your life. I plan on doing the same thing.
I should probably get some work done now: )
Hope you all are doing well.
Hugs
xoElena

Day 21 for me (and Beemarie)!!! I did the 1-day juice fast part of the detox program yesterday. It went well, and I'm feeling pretty good this morning.

I wanted to recommend another book (duh!) that some of you might find helpful. It's _Working in the Dark: Keeping Your Job While Dealing With Depression_ -- by Fawn Fitter, Beth Gulas. This book addresses issues about related to work and making accommodations during treatment for/recovery from depression. Good stuff about the Americans with Disabilities Act, which does require workplaces to make reasonable accommodations for people suffering disease or disability. I bring this up because of one of our new posters (welcome, new friends) mentioned work and finding "new excuses" to give one's boss for Effexor-induced ickiness.

Good morning, all!

L.

Hey Laurel! Could you tell me what this juice fast is all about? I would love to try it sometime! What is it you have to take? I'm sure you mentioned it in a past post, but I can't find it!
Hope everyone's doing well!

Yes, what is the juice thing all about?

Okay, well it's day 6 off of the evil pills. I took dramamine off and on today at work. Made me sleepy and very uncoordinated, but not nauseous, which was nice.

However, as the day went on, it got worse. I had a dentists appointment at 2 today and I think just having them messing around in my mouth sparked some serious nausea. I had to go to the ladies room and just hang out there for a while-- spinning, nausea, weakness, even on the dramamine.

As soon as I came home, I thought I would throw up, but instead, I went to sleep, woke up like 3 hours later feeling great. 30 minutes pass and it's back to nausea again. UGH.

TERRIBLE! Make it stop!!! I think tomorrow I will go to the store to get some of that Hangover Remedy people here have been talking about. I just want to make this whole thing a little more comfortable!!

Hi everyone. My goodness a lot has been posted since my last one. My daughter is getting married in July, she had her first shower here at my place (40 people), we're finishing our basement to prepare to put our house on the market, and plan on building a new house. My stepdaughter is spending the summer with us and had a friend spend a week here and then for her birthday invited 15 people without telling me. And then Friday I did a presentation at work before a group of about 35 people.

Talk about stress and questioning if going off E when I did was the right thing to do.

Even though the past week was H... it was worth getting off the little evil pill. I was only on it since last Fall (prior to that was Prozac, Wellbutrin and a couple I can't remember the names of) and the withdrawal was awful. I can't imagine how those of you that have been on it for years must be feeling. My heart goes out to you!

It's been about 16 days since my last dose of E. Only symptom remaining is that I'm CRABBY! And I mean CRABBY! My poor husband doesn’t't know what hits him at times. Ha Ha! Getting some issues worked out though!! Catgranny you were right when you mentioned my husband was controlling - but guess what?? There's a new girl in town for a while!
I'm tired of being what someone mentioned in a past entry a "Stepford Wife". What a perfect word picture for me. Not this week! Mmwahahaha

I need to get to bed but wanted to check in to see how everyone is doing. Naria, I live in Omaha. I don't know how long ago you lived here - it is growing like crazy!!!!!!! The city is in the process of annexing Elkhorn. About 20 years ago I spent a summer in Pensacola. It was wonderful. Sorry, I don't know anyone who does plaster. But I could check with a friend who is originally from there and still has family living there. Let me know.

Jamie thank you for the website.

Speaking of websites I found one that I found interesting it is under RELEASINGFAT dot com.
It is an article called "Death by Prescription". This doctor is a firm believer in nutrition. There ARE doctors out there that are aware of what is going on!

Take care everyone!

Oh! Catgranny - if you ever come to Omaha I would LOVE to take you to the zoo. I haven't been there in years.

It is pouring outside my window this morning, cooling the city somewhat. The humidity is still all over us, but the rain has finally come to relieve the parched grass and plant life.
I have this urge to run out into the street in the rain and play in the puddles. But I won't. What would my boss think? LOL
Mamamia, so nice to hear from you! Congratulations on being 16 days free of Effexor! I am so happy that you have been doing well, especially with all of the stressful activity going on in your home! And boy I hear ya about being irratible. Wow, that's me, Capitan Irratible. But no worries, your husband will get over it. I'm sure he's quite bewildered regarding your somewhat..."agressive" nature. But too bad! LOL He'll understand.
Awww Frustrated I am sorry to hear you're feeling badly. I know it is so terrible. But what you're doing is good, reading up on it as much as you can and trying remedies to help you get through this. Have you been drinking lot's of water? Because I find that it helps. And try the episom salt baths with the peroxide. It will help remove the toxins through your pores as Sara has mentioned earlier.
It will be okay, you can do this! Just stay as positive as you can. We are all here for one another!
Bonnie, Sheila, Laurel, Sara and Dawn, not very many posts from you all yesterday, how are you all doing?
And Lori, Jami, Page 626, Melissa and Bee! How are you guys?? Jami are you finally settled in?
Thinking of you all,
xoElena

I'll post more later and tell you about the juice fast. Right now I'm just checking in to say I'm feeling crabby, too, on Day 22. Prickly Bitch is my nickname for this aspect of my personality.

I suspect my detoxing diet and juice fast has dumped some E toxins out of my fat and into my bloodstream. I'm having some little symptoms -- tingles and little sparks -- but I'm not dizzy or nauseous or brain blotto. Just edgy.

I'll go to the zoo with Mamamia and Catgranny, too. I haven't lived in Omaha for a long time, but until two years ago when he died, my dad still lived in the house I grew up in. My brother-in-law lives there, too; my sister died in 1996. I guess having family buried in Omaha cemeteries (and mom in Pensacola) makes for a strong tie to a place. Silly, huh? I have a number of friends in Omaha as well. I know what you mean about growth. Except I think it's sprawl: not pretty and not well-planned. Did you grow up in Omaha, Mamamia? I went to Westside High School.

More later. I need to go growl for awhile and get some of this frustration out of my system. You'd think I'd be mellow today after running 4 miles last time with my trainer. We started in a light rain, which turned into a heavier rain -- still felt nice, as it was quite warm. Then the civil defense sirens went off (tornado warning), the rain got harder, and it began to hail. Ouch!!! Fortunately, I was wearing a baseball cap. But let me tell you, hail strikes on bare skin are painful. I have a bizarre wound on my left index finger knuckle from the bounce of one hail stone. It's bruised and swollen. It's not that we didn't have sense to come in from the rain; we were running along the Mississippi in a downtown park, and there was no shelter until we got back to where we could stand in a dry spot under the bridge. I think I'm getting tired of all this rain. Tomorrow we begin, if the forecast holds, a four day stretch of sunny and dry days.

OK, must please the boss now. LOL Send me calming energy, please, and I'll sent it to all of you, too.

Laurel