Conference misery::abc_soaps

    Hi All. 
    
    It sure took me long enough to get caught up!! I've been so busy.
    
    I really HATE to post this note, but I just want to get it over with.
    I have been informed by my agency that one week from this Friday will
    be my last day here @ DEC. Due to the downsizing & consolidating, I'll
    be replaced by a DEC employee on Mon. Feb. 4th. I'm really bummed about
    leaving, and will miss each and every one of you!
    
    If you'd like to stay in touch (I have a computer @ home & will be
    getting on the net (not dec computer)) by computer or US Mail, please
    send me e-mail w/ your name & address (& phone # if you want) and I
    will keep in touch!! PROMISE! AND I also want to be made aware of any
    get-togethers that may happen in the future!!
    
    I have really been needing to look for more perm work, w/ bennies for a
    long time now, but have been reluctant because I LOVE the notesfiles,
    and my hours are an absoulte DREAM! So this could really turn out to be
    a blessing in disguise! If I get any news (on a job) before next
    Friday, I'll let you know!!
    
    BYE & HUGGGGGGS!
    
    Bonnie

    Bonnie, we sure are going to miss you in here!!  You've really
    contributed some great notes and always make everyone feel so welcome. 
    Every time a closet noter comes out, you always make them feel at home. 
    We will miss your thoughtfulness!
    
    Good luck with the job hunt.  I'm sure it will be a "blessing in
    disguise" and everything will work out for the best.  (Of course, the
    best would be if you could be a full-time DEC employee and still
    contribute to notes!!)
    
    Good Luck with everything,
    
    Linda

    I hope you all will join me in wishing Bonnie the very best.  I can not
    believe that this is her last day.  Thanks to this notesfile I met one
    of my very best friends!!!!
    
    /red

    Bonnie.....we are certainly going to miss you a great deal!!!!!

    
    
    Bonnie:
    
    It just won't be the same without you.  We keep losing integral parts
    of our AMC society and every time we do there always remains a space
    that will NEVER be filled!
    
    You have been a lot more than just a noter to me and to a lot of other
    people....I will missly you greatly.
    
    I know we will keep in touch!
    
    sniff......
    
    
    jackie

Goodbye Bonnie and Best of Luck in your After DEC life!  
Keep in touch.   We really will miss you a great deal in this
notesfile.

See ya Tuesday night!

    
    Bonnie --> like we have been noting pals from way back in the old file,
    for maybe the last 2-3 years!  Like I will really miss you --> DUDETTE!
    Good luck with your new job and thanks for being a totally awesome, 
    great friend! (^%  I've had a lot of good laughs over the years from 
    reading your funny notes!  (^%  Like you have to stop at the Hotel 
    Californ I A when you come to the coast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (^%
    
    --dc/Valmont!

    Thank you ALL! I'm so sad to be leaving. 
    
    Just want to let you know that I had an EXCELLENT interview yesterday &
    I feel very confident that I'll get the job!!
    
    I'll have ROberta keep you all posted, OK!?
    
    I haven't been in the file for 3 days, and will try to get caught up
    before I go today!  
    
    THANKS AND GOODBYE!!
    
    Love,
    Bonnie
    PS: I'll see a lot of you on Tuesday night! And DC, YOU BETTER SHOW
    UP!;*)

    Bonnie:
    
    I HATE goodbyes and have been putting off writing this note.  I will
    miss you so much, especially seeing that smiling face in the lobby of
    MRO4 every Tuesday.  You are a good friend and will be missed in this
    file.  Keep in touch.  You know my numbers.
    
    Plus, I'll see you Tuesday anyway!!!!
    
    Love,
    Cheryl

    I got the job, you guys!! I start on Tuesday Morning at 8:30!!
    
    I'm so happy, I can't STAND it!! :*)
    
    Just *HAD* to tell ya's!!
    
    See most of you on Tuesday!
    
    Love,
    Bonnie

    Hey you guys, I just talked to Cherie, who lives in Ventura and she is
    fine.  No, her house hasn't slid away with the mud yet.  For those of 
    you that haven't heard yet, CalifornIA is being deluged with
    rainstorms.  Two people died in Ventura this morning when their home
    was consumed in mud.  Also, Cherie tells me that a mobile home park
    washed away into the ocean this morning!!  That took out part of the
    freeway too.  Geez.  I know we need the rain, but this is ridiculous.
    
    I lost my back fence and part of my backyard on Monday night. 
    Hopefully my insurance will cover it.  My poor dog, she was so confused
    when I let her out Tuesday morning.  :')  We don't usually have such a
    panoramic view of the field behind our house!
    
    Jo
    

    Isn't there a song "It Never Rains in California"?????  Boy, did they
    lie!!!!  I'm glad everything is OK.  Take care and keep us posted.
    
    Cheryl

Jo --> I heard about the freeway flooding but not about homes and stuff being
	washed away.   It must be DC's fault somehow.  ;-)  ;-)  ;-)
	First we get a snowstorm during our first scheduled dinner.
	Then on Friday, Steph and I get caught in  the snow on the 	
	way home.
	And now you guys are getting poured on.

PS (I hope everyone out there is playing it safe and taking care though
    all this ugly weather)

    I think it was actually DC who suggested to the county water officials
    to seed the clouds in Morgan Hill.  I am sure I overheard him
    whispering about his "SEED" over in his cube.  ;') ;')
    
    A news report just said that 40 mobile homes where washed away by the
    Ventura river and are now floating in the Pacific Ocean!!!  Dramatic
    rescues are going on now.  Things are really horrible in southern
    California.  Flash floods everywhere.  I told Cherie to head for high
    ground and batten down the hatches.
    
    Jo

    Jo:
    
    I have my fingers crossed and my prayers already going for all of you!
    
    We heard this morning that they had to close 76 miles of beach also
    because they had to let 23 Million tons of raw sewage into the ocean. 
    So don't go swimming and boil your water!
    
    Hope all is okay with you all!  
    
    Keep us posted and my prayers are with you!
    
    Jackie
    

    I don't think that they let that 23 million gallons of raw sewage go, I
    think it just happened and they couldn't stop it.  I am in northern
    California and I think that our beaches haven't been closed yet, but
    they say they closed the beaches from Baja to San Luis Obispo.  Yikes!!
    
    BTW, they are talking about maybe needing a structural engineer to come
    fix my backyard (what's left of it, it gets smaller by the hour!).
    
    I guess I must be a true Californian now, I have NO PATIENCE for this
    kind of weather.  Let's get back to the sun guys!  I can't handle any
    more rain!
    
    Jo

    
    Yeah they put flash flood warnings up in effect where i live last
    night.   3+" of rain in 36 hour periodin San Jose... and in the hill
    above me 7+" in 24 hours....  memories of `82-83 winter.. when I was
    trapped in the mountians for 3 days with no power or gas or phone, lots
    of water though...... And the mountains sliding everywhere...    And
    then slide warnings in the Oakland hills too... 
    
                                                      
    hehehhehe, `it never rains in Ca' ... my dad told my mother that to get
    her to move here from Canada.... I used to sing irt when i was a kid
    and we would have thunder/lighting storms... and dad used to tell me If
    I could find you.... (as the lights would go out)..... 
    ahahaha
    
    Robb
     

    Guess what?  I just found out that if my fence blew over in the wind it
    would be covered, but if it slid with mud it would not!  They are
    sending an insurance adjustor out ASAP (which translates to "next
    week") to *determine* if it was wind or mud that caused the thing to go
    down.  Can you believe it?  You pay insurance for years and years so
    that when you have a problem, they can come out to tell you it isn't
    covered!!!!  8'P
    
    Jo

    
    We had tv helicopters flying over our house all day...we're
    just a few miles from where the motor homes were washed
    out of the campground into the Pacific Ocean.  It's not
    raining now, but is supposed to start up yet again during
    the night.
    
    Anyway, I wanted to let you guys know that my last day
    with Digital is 2/28.  I've been working from home in 
    Jan and Feb, but was supposed to go back to the office
    March 1st.  No daycare = can't go back to the office,
    so I'm forced to resign.  After 8+ years with DEC I'm
    really bummed, but I'm looking into starting my own
    home-based business.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.
    I haven't noted much since coming back from maternity
    leave, but I've been reading alot and I'm really gonna
    miss you guys! :^(  I'll still be in touch w/Jo so I'll
    get all the good gossip from her, but it won't be
    the same!
    
    You all take care!
    Cherie

    Oh no, not another one.  Cherie, I will really miss you.  Good luck
    with your business.  
    
    I'm at least glad we got to meet.  Can you believe it's been over a
    year already since the First Annual ABC_Soaps Dinner.
    
    Best of everything to you.
    
    Cheryl

    Cherie:
    
    No day care anywhere? 
    
    Don't quit....take a personal leave.....you never know, you might find
    a daycare and want to come back.......or, god forbid, maybe your
    business won't be what you want and you'll want to come back.......or
    
    	you may miss us so much that you'll come back to us!
    
    There is a gal here in our office that started her maternity leave the
    second week of May last year and still isn't back!
    
    Take a leave, don't quit!
    
    Jackie
    
    	we WILL miss you!

I just can't stand anymore goodbyes!


Cherie --> Take care of yourself!  And Good Luck with whatever you get into.
	Don't forget to have Jo put in an update on how you are doing every
	now and then too.

    Bye Cherie!!  I saw your note in "PARENTING" also.  Enjoy your time at
    home with your beautiful baby.
    
    I hope everyone out there in California is O.K.!!  We've (east coast)
    seen pictures of what's been happening.  Stay safe everyone.
    
    Marie

    
    I can't remember which topic this was in, so I'm putting it in here, if
    this is in the wrong place, please move it and tell me!
    
    
    Jo:
    
    How is everything going with you?  Are you and your family still okay? 
    With more rain coming will you still be alright?
    
    
    
    Jackie

    
    Cherie --> I'll sure miss you!!!  There must be some way to find
    suitable daycare, but then again, I'm like totally sure, that you 
    have been looking everywhere!  BTW, I had nothing to do with any
    of this rain.....  My Hotel Californ I A HOTTUB popped-up right
    out of the ground!  )&=^%  It'll cost $3,500 to re-excavate the 
    hole.......  Maybe I should just put in a full-size swimming pool?
    
    --dc/Valmont!

    Jackie,
    
    I moved your note here to answer it. :')  
    
    We are doing okay.  Our backyard is smaller than it used to be, but we
    are surviving.  They are predicting more storms for this week, let's
    hope they aren't too bad.
    
    Our neighbors fence is starting to crumble too, and he says that we
    should have to cover it on our insurance since his is going because it
    is connected to his.  He may have a point, but our insurance company
    says no way.  So, we are still caught up in red tape. It has been over
    a week since the fence blew down, and they have yet to send an adjustor
    over to see it.  In the meantime, the whole situation is worsening
    daily.  The estimate we got to fix it was $1100 at the end of last
    week, before the weekend of rain.  The cost will probably be up from
    that by the time the insurance company finally gives the go ahead. 
    (which they better do!).
    
    My dog has converted to an indoor only dog. :')  She isn't too thrilled
    with the panoramic view from the backyard, or with the crumbling soil. 
    She would just as soon sit inside by the fireplace and watch Kids with
    me. :')  She's the original coach potato dog.
    
    Jo

    Jo:
    
    I sure hope you don't get much more rain!  I have been watching the
    news and it looks awful!
    
    Keep me (us) posted!  
    
    
    Jackie
    

    Cherie-->>  I am sorry to see you leave!!!!!!!!  Good luck
    with whatever you do.  That is a shame you can't find any
    daycare, have fun with the baby. *^)  Keep us posted on
    how you are doing. *^)
    
    I hope Jo and the rest (including --dc with his hot tub)
    don't get anymore rain damage out there.  How terrible
    that must be to go through something like that.
    
    Jo-->>  I hope your insurance company pays for the damage
    done to your backyear/fence.  That would be awful if they
    said they wouldn't.
    
    
    Tracey
    

    Jo,
    	Usually if you have a common fence with a neighbor, each
    homeowner submits a claim for the fence damage and each
    insurance company will pay half, (in the case of TWO homeowners/
    fence share'ers), minus your deductable.
    
    Nancy

    Yep, tell that one to my neighbors though Nancy! :')  They aren't in
    any hurry to contact their insurance to make a claim, they just want to
    hop onto our claim.  But, my insurance company says no way.  I hope
    that the outcome of this isn't a livelong feud with the neighbors!
    
    When they rebuild the fence, we are going to have it be just on our
    property so that we don't have to worry about this anymore.  We will
    still have one common fence wall (the one between our two properties),
    but the back fence will attach to that, and not just run behind our
    house and then on behind their house like it is now.
    
    
    now:                      ^ = missing parts of yard
                              ~^ = weakened fence
        ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 
    ____^  ^  ^  ^  ^  ^ ^ ^ ___~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~_______
        ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^   |
        ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 	|
    	    Our yard		|   their yard
    				|
    				|
    				|
    				|
    
    
    After reconstruction:
    
    
    ____________________________|~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^_________________
                           	|
    				|
    				|
    	      ours		|      their's
    				|
    				|        	
    
    
    I heard on the news that we will be having another big storm starting
    tonight.  Great. :'(  And I am so tired of hearing folks say "well, we
    really *do* need the rain."  We *don't* need this kind of rain folks!! 
    In fact, San Jose is at 123% of normal rainfall already! :'P
    
    
    Jo

    FYI:
    
    
    I'm in class all week!  See you next week Wednesday!
    
    
    RFFI
    (Jackie)
    

    I'm back!!   I delivered a 7lb 14 oz baby boy on Dec 10, and am finally
    back from maternity leave and LOA.  He's 3 months old now and weighs
    16 lbs!!!  His name is David Nicholas Geiger, we're calling him
    Nicholas.  Since I've been out for 4 months, I'll be in training
    for a while and won't get to get in here very much.  I just wanted
    to say HI!!  I enjoyed watching all my soaps while I was gone.  But
    it took some adjustment to have to watch the commercials instead of
    fast forwarding thru them!!
    
    Angie Geiger

    
    
    WAY TO GO ANGIE!
    
    It sounds like you have a happy healthy baby!  What a lucky person you
    are!  
    
    Didn't you hate to come back?
    
    Glad you're here!
    
    Note when you can!
    
    And..........give Nicholas a hug for me!
    
    Jackie

    Congratulations Angie!! That's so wonderful.  I will be leaving in
    8 weeks for my maternity leave. This will be my second, and last
    one. I can't wait. We have a boy, Chris, who is 18 months old.
    They are so much fun. Definitely enjoy all the stages he goes
    through. It all happens very fast.
    
    -Sheila
    

    
    Well alas, the time has come to say the one word I hate most in the
    english language... So I won't say it... I will just say `Til we meet
    again' !!  It has been such fun noting here.  I have laughed myself to
    tears many mnay a time.
    
    Take care all....
    
    Hugs 
    Robb
    
    PS..... The following is cross posted.
    


Goodbye, my friend--
  goodbye `til then.
Farewell until
   we meet again.
It may be soon,   
    it may be late.
For us it's always
   worth the wait. 






I'll miss our private
      conversations.
Quiet thoughts and
   inspirations.
All the times
    we laughed and cried,
All the warmth
    we felt inside.





Let's keep in touch
    in our own way.
Let's share our dreams
    another day.
Let's NEVER lose
    the things we've shared.
Let's part as friends
    who love and care.
    
    
       

    Gawd Robb, you made me want to cry!!!!  
    
    I think that all of us noters stay together everytime we watch the show.  
    I know that when I watch, I always think---what til DC sees that cleavage,
    or get a load of that outfit the FP is going to have a field day and when 
    something is totally unreal I think of Kathryn, and of course when Erica's 
    on the first person I think of is Jackie 8*).  So never fear we are all 
    bonded for life!!!!!
    
    Good luck in your future pursuits....
    
    /red

    Where are you going?
    
    
    
    Jackie

    
    
    Jackie,
    
    They are laying off 75% of my facility.....
    
    Robb
    

    Robb:
    
    I am so sorry to hear that!  Good Luck to you and remember......
    
    
    
    		There IS life after DEC!
    
    
    
    
    Good Luck!
    
    
    Jackie
    

    I will be going out on short term disability at the end of May to have
    some surgery.  I am scheduled to have a revision on my left hip.  This
    will be my third total hip, and I am hoping that this one will last
    longer than the last.  I expect to be gone for 4-6 months, and I plan
    to spend the days recuperating and watching my soaps "live". :')  I
    will miss you guys.  Jan and DC will keep me up to date on the latest
    ABC_Soaps happenings, I am sure.  Also, I may be working from home so I
    could try to check in every now and then.
    
    Jo

    Jo
    
    Yuck...what a way to get time off!  I hope everything goes well!!  I
    know what it's like (I had a one time back surgery that turned into 4)
    but the upside is you DO get to watch the soaps live.
    
    We'll be thinking of you
    
    Marie

    JO:
    
    GOOD LUCK!
    
    WE WILL MISS YOU.  MAKE SURE YOU KEEP US POSTED ON YOUR PROGRESS!
    
    
    Jackie

    Jo,
    	I hope this will be that last one for you.  I'm sure they
    are no fun.  But enjoy the soaps and all those kitties.  We
    all wish you well.
    
    Nancy

    In case all you noters outside Massachusetts haven't guessed, most of
    the sites here will be closed on Monday for Patriot's Day, our Local
    Choice Holiday. 

    
    I, however, will be here 2nd shift on Monday.  Looks like it's gonna be
    a slow one.
    
    Hope everyone has a nice holiday.
    
    
    -raq
    
    

    Hi everyone.  I am still here, just have been really swamped.  What
    else would I be on the last day of work before my vacation!!???
    
    Just in case you don't know (like I haven't been talking about it for 6
    months!!), I am going to Bermuda tomorrow and will be back here to
    work on May 18.  Jo and Jan will hold down the moderator duties while
    I'm gone and dc is at DECWorld.    I just hope it stops showering
    there!!  But, it has been consistently in the 70s.  So, hopefully it
    the gods will be kind to me and MAKE IT STOP!!!!
    
    Thanks to everyone who's taping for me!!!
    
    Cheryl

    Cheryl,
    
    Have alot of fun! and have a few good drinks for me!!!
    
    Today is my last day of work! I plan on still logging in inbetween
    to give sneak updates, but we'll see what the little one has planned
    for me. 
    
    I will be out on maternity leave until the middle of July. Have fun,
    and I'll note with you all soon.
    
    -Sheila
    

    Sheila,
    
    Best of everything to you and your family.  Make sure you give us the
    details!!!
    
    Cheryl

    Cheryl:
    
    I sure hope you are having a GREAT TIME!  What a nice vacation!
    
    
    Sheila:
    
    I hope you have a fat and happy and healthy baby!  Make sure someone
    fills us in on all the details!
    
    
    
    Jackie

    AWESOME NEWS NOTERS.....Bonnie is going to be starting back here,
    part-time, as of tonight!!!!!  I'm not sure yet, if she'll have access
    to the system, but I'm sure we'll work something out.  For those of you
    in/around Marlboro, Ma.  she will be covering any one of the lobbies
    from 3pm - 7pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, in MRO1,2,3 or 4 and 
    NRO2,3,4,or 5.  If you see her be sure to say HI.
    
    /red

    H O O R A Y !!!
    
    Bonnie is coming back!
    
    Welcome back Bon!
    
    
    Jackie

    Welcome back Bonnie!!!
    
    Now for my great news!!!
    
    I had the baby two weeks early. So much for maternity leave before
    he was born, but it's worth it!
    
    I had Kevin Matthew Huston on Wednesday, May 13th at 2:00 am. He
    weighed in at 6 lbs. 12 ozs. He is a very happy and healthy baby.
    And fortunately for mom, sleeps very well so far!!!
    
    I got home Thursday, and have been shopping and hanging around with
    him.
    
    -Sheila
    
    

    Oops, I forgot to change my personal name before I entered that note.
    
    -Sheila
    

    Wow Sheila... you don't waste any time.  You have your new baby, go
    shopping and still have time to enter it into notes!
    That's the best news!!  Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Marie

    Congrat  Sheila!!!!!
    
    Welcome back Cheryl!!!
    
    /red

    
    
    Way to go Sheila! 
    
    
    Jackie

    Sheila,
    
    	Congrats!!!!!!  enjoy this time with your little one.  How fast
    they grow!!
    
    kathi

    Thanks everyone for the well wishes. Both of us are doing fine, and big
    brother Chris loves his little brother alot. Kevin looks exactly like
    Chris when he was this little. I am lucky, I get three Bobs. They all
    look like him!!!!
    
    Thanks again,
    
    -Sheila
    

    Well guys....it's been fun. Today is my last day before I go on my 
    medical leave.  I will be in touch as soon as I am out of the hospital 
    and feeling better.
    
    Ken and I bought a new TV for the bedroom the other night.  It has this
    nifty remote control and a wonderful picture.  I will be hanging out in
    the bedroom, watching my soaps, and recuperating for the next 4-6 months.  
    
    Bye for now,
    
    Jo
                                                   

    Hope you feel better real soon Jo!!!
    
    Marie

    Bye Jo.  We'll miss you.  I'll be thinking of you.
    
    Cheryl

    For those who wish to have the address for Stanford Medical Center
    where Jo is having her surgery, here it is.  She is expected to be in
    the hospital for 10-14 days beginning today.
    
    			Stanford Medical Center
    			30 Pasteur Drive
    			Palo Alto, CA  94305
    
    Patient:  Jo Ann Cordes Brown
    
    
    Jo doesn't have a room number yet (she's probably still in surgery
    right now) so the woman I spoke to suggested putting the patient 
    information in the bottom left corner of the envelope.  As soon as
    I have her room number I'll modify this note.
    
    Stanford's general information phone number is:  415-723-4000
    
    Jan
                                                

    I just talked to Ken.  Jo is out of surgery (ended at 1:00pm, a little
    later than expected).  Apparently the old joint was pretty loose when
    they took it out.  The doctor was surprised at how loose it actually was.
    Now we know why she was in so much pain.  She is still in recovery and 
    the doctor says she can move her feet which indicates there is no nerve
    damage (per Ken this is always a consideration in this surgery).  Ken
    and my mom are at the hospital but neither of them have actually been
    allowed to see Jo yet.  I guess they want to give her some time to 
    sleep off the anesthetic and to be sure everything is really okay.  
    
    The modified address is:
        
    			Stanford Medical Center
    			300 Pasteur Drive
    			Palo Alto, CA  94305
    
    Patient:  Jo Ann Cordes Brown, C303A
    
    
    
    Stanford's general information phone number is:  415-723-4000
    
    Jan
                                                                        

    Jan:
    
    I sent a card yesterday, but it will probably take 3 days to get there! 
    Please tell Jo I am thinking about her when you see her!
    
    
    Jackie

    Jo is expected to be in the hospital 10-14 days.  This is day 2.
    
    I saw her last night for about 1 hour.  She was doing pretty well
    considering she had tubing and things connected to her all over the
    place.  In fact, when I left the nurse was trying to get all that
    tubing organized.  She had some fluid in her lungs after surgery
    so they are monitoring her respiration and keeping her on oxygen 
    until that clears.  She told me it only hurt when she coughed and
    unfortunately, because of the fluid, she was doing some coughing.  
    She may be a little more sore today as the anesthetic and epidural 
    clear her system.
    
    She's supposed to be sitting up and dangling her legs over the bed
    or actually standing today, depending on the pain level.
    
    I'll probably be over there again tonight so if you have a message
    you want delivered, let me know.
    
    Jan

I saw Jo Ann today and things have changed a bit since yesterday.
I have her permission to give all the "gory" details.

She had a fever of 102 today which was down to 100 by the time I
arrived at 7:00pm.  I don't want to gross anyone out here but 
she was coughing up blood instead of just the fluid and her blood
pressure was down to 100 over 56.  They're concerned about this
change but apparently they feel they can take care of it.  She 
is on antibiotics.  

The pain medication is making her itch so they're adding something
to her IV to control the itching.  The self-dosing pain medication
is part of a study.  The pain management person has people that 
come in and have her show them on this slide rule type of thing
how much pain she is in.  I guess the guy today was rather
insensitive and acted like he thought she was a wimp.  Worst thing
about this thing is that when she presses the button for a dose
of pain stuff she may get the pain stuff or she may get a placebo.
The machine decides.  She also has 2 IV's one in her arm and one 
(epidural) in her shoulder.  The nurses do not know which of the 
2 IV's the pain medication flows through (apparently they're not 
supposed to know).

She's still getting oxygen and still has the respiration/oxygen
saturation monitor attached to her finger.  With all the machines
and things around the bed it is sometimes hard to hear her as 
she is speaking pretty softly and tends to fade at the end of a
sentence.

She actually stood today.  She was going to just sit on the bed
and dangle her legs but she decided at the last minute to stand.
Apparently this had something to do with her wanting them to 
straighten out the sheets that had bunched up where she had been
laying.  She said it did hurt a lot.

I took in some print outs of the good wishes you sent and she 
was happy to see them.  I promised to bring more stuff when I
go over there again on Thursday.  She has a hard time staying
awake long enough to read anything lengthy though.  Sometimes 
it is hard to tell if she is awake or not because she keeps her 
eyes closed a lot.  She says she never realized she had such 
heavy eyelids.

Well, that's all for today.  I'll be calling her tomorrow since
I can't be there in person.  If you're still interested in 
reports I'll post another update when I have more information.

Jan

    Jan,
    
    I read the update on Jo's condition to Bonnie, please tell Jo that we
    are thinking about her and praying for a speedy recovery.
    
    Roberta

    Yes Jan, please keep us posted. 
    
    And please give Jo my best and tell her that I am thinking about her.
    
    Cheryl

    Thanks for the updates on Jo's condition.  Give her our love when you
    see her and tell her we have her in our prays.
    

    Jan:
    
    
    YES, please us posted!  I am saying some BIG extra prays for her!  Tell
    her I said speedy recovery!
    
    WE MISS HER!
    
    
    Jackie
    

    My dad called a while ago with Jo Ann's new phone number.  I and
    a few other people had been trying to call her all day and I was
    beginning to think the worst when no one could reach her.  She 
    changed beds in her room so her room number now is C303B instead
    of C303A.
    
    The latest gory details are:
    
    Her fever was 103 most of today.  She originally gave the temp
    to me in centigrade; I had to have her translate it.  They are 
    removing most of the tubing she had attached to her as it can be
    considered a possible source of infection.  They left the catheter
    and the blood drain for her leg.  They stopped the blood recycling
    process.  She still has fluid in her lungs.
    
    The pain management study is gone.  She's stuck waiting for a nurse
    to bring pain medication now.  Of course if it is between waiting for
    a nurse and getting a placebo, I'd wait.  She's on something that 
    starts with a V.  She doesn't remember what it is.  She's had two 
    today and was beginning to feel the need for a 3rd while we were on 
    the phone.
    
    Both of her IV's failed today.  This means the poor little veins just
    gave up and collapsed.  She does have problems with keeping those
    veins going.  Apparently she's quite bruised from the attempts to
    restart the IV's.  They've removed the epidural IV from her back.
    I'm not clear on what the status is of the one in her arm.
    
    She is allergic to the paper tape they used to tape everything to her.
    We knew she had a problem with the normal tape they use but I don't
    recall her having a problem with the paper tape before.  She now has
    patches of rash everywhere the tape was.
    
    And the good news is...while I was talking to her on the phone she was
    sitting in a chair across from the bed instead of laying in bed.  This
    is good.  It means they're getting her up and moving her around and 
    she is able to handle it.  When she changed beds she opted for the
    window side of the room so she has a small view now.  The window side
    didn't seem as cramped as the side she was on originally.
    
    I won't be seeing her tonight as I have a meeting after work.  I'll
    take her some more of your well-wishes and maybe a mail message or 
    note or two tomorrow.  She really seemed to reading them yesterday.
    
    Thanks for all the good wishes and prayers.
    
    Jan
    
    

    WOW....poor Jo!!!!!!  Please tell her we're thinking of her.
    
    Marie

    Jan:
    
    Thanks for keeping us posted on Jo.  Sorry to hear that things aren't
    going to well for her.  Let her know she's in our prayers.
    
    Robyn

    
    Jan:
    
    In case you get a chance to take some messages to Jo:
    
    
    Hi Jo:
    
    Sorry to hear that you're having a bad time!  One good thing will come
    out of this!  You can now be our "Medical Expert Patrol"!  What with
    Opal being preggers, there will be lots of "stuff" happening to her and
    you can keep the writers in check!
    
    I DO HOPE you're felling a little better!
    
    Special Prayers and HUGS to you!
    
    
    Jackie
                                                  

    Jan:
    
    How's Jo today?  Tell her I'm thinking about her and I hope she gets to
    go home this weekend!
    
    
    Jackie
    

    I went to see Jo Ann last night.  I snuck in there at 9pm and stayed
    till 11pm.  A friend had decided I needed some attitude adjustment 
    before going so he took me out to Bennigan's.  It was great just to 
    be able to laugh again, and, did he ever make me laugh!
    
    Anyway, when I arrived at Jo Ann's she was being attended by her 
    male nurse, Andre.  Andre is Australian and his accent is a joy to
    listen to.  He's really funny too.  Those two were bantering back
    and forth all night.
    
    Jo Ann looks soooo much better.  She sounds better too.  It was
    such a relief to catch a glimpse of the "normal" Jo.  All her IVs
    and machines are gone.  She still has bruises and needle marks all 
    over her arms from where they mistook her for a pin cushion trying 
    to restart her IVs.  She uses a warm compress on her left arm to
    try and soothe it.
    
    She's getting up and hopping to the bathroom herself now, with a 
    walker to steady.  She's not allowed to put weight on her leg for 
    quite a while yet.  They're talking like she is doing so well that
    they'll probably send her home the beginning of next week.  I believe
    she said she still has a fever though so we'll see what happens.
    
    She told me a story about one of the first nights she was in the 
    hospital.  Apparently her fever was really bad that night (103) and
    she was moaning and groaning and vocalizing in her sleep.  Her 
    roommate (Marilyn) was very concerned for her and call the nurse to 
    check on her.  The next day a very nice, kind looking gentleman came 
    into Jo Ann's room and called her by name and introduced himself as the 
    hospital chaplain.  Jo Ann said she freaked out thinking she must be 
    much sicker than she thought if the hospital had sent the chaplain 
    to see her.  She was thinking it must be last rites time or something.  
    She says the chaplain was very kind.  He sat with her and stroked her 
    arm and comforted her, etc.  It wasn't until much later that she 
    discovered her roommate had asked the chaplain to come.
    
    To top it all off, her 2nd roommate (Hariet) turned out to be one card 
    short of a full deck and is now recovering nicely in another ward.
    When they cleaned out this womans closet after her move they found that
    she had brought a sequined evening gown and some other equally
    inappropriate clothing as well as several pairs of shows with matching
    handbags for her hospital stay.
    
    I'll be seeing her again tonight.  I'm taking her some things to put
    in her hair.  She's not able to wash it yet and she's fustrated with
    it.  I tried to find some dry shampoo or something we could use but
    ended up with some bobby pins and a hair clip thing that works sort of
    like a banana clip but lays flatter on the hair that the banana clip
    so that it won't be uncomfortable for her.
    
    I'll let you all know when she is released from the hospital.
    
    Jan

    Jan, thanks for the "Jo" update.  Please tell her I'm glad she's
    feeling better and to come back to us soon.
    
    So, is Andre good looking, single and 30ish???!!!  I know, I'm bad!!!
    Have a good weekend.
    
    Cheryl

    Cheryl,
    
    Andre is an attractive man.  I believe he is single, age I'm not
    sure of but he certainly isn't old.  His visa is expiring soon and
    he is getting it renewed.  He jokingly mentioned that he would 
    love to marry and American woman and stay in the country.  (Shades
    of An Li and Brian)
    
    Andre won't be there tonight.  He has 3 days off to go sailing.  
    Poor man. ;-)
    
    Jan

    Jan,  Take Jo some Johnson & johnson baby poweer.  Sprinkle it
    thoroughly on her hair, then massage it in, then brush it out.  The
    baby power will remove the oils and at least she'll feel it is clean.
    

    
    Jan:  PUHHHHHHHHHLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEE
    wish Jo a speedy recovery from the FP!!!  This is the first time
    I've been in this note to read of her aventures in medicine!!!
    
    The FP would like to hear more details about Harriet the roommate
    with the sequined gowns when Jo feels better!  My mother had
    the same operation about 7 years ago and it was a success.  
    We miss you!
    
    FP
    

    Jan:
    
    How is everything going with Jo?  Did she make it home this weekend? 
    How is she feeling?  How long will she be off work?  Does she have a
    terminal at home?
    
    There...........that should keep you busy for a minute!  tee hee   %^)
    
    
    Jackie

    Jackie,
    
    Jo did make it home this weekend.  The hospital released her on 
    Sunday (about a week earlier than expected).
    
    I saw her last night.  The bruises from the IVs are beginning to
    go away.  She seems to be in great spirits.  Ken is home with her
    this week and my mom spent her day off there yesterday.  Next week
    we start alternating home care.  Mom has Monday and Tuesday off
    so she will take those days.  Jaci can do Wednesdays and I'm doing
    Thursdays and/or Fridays.  Jaci and I are alternating weeks.  She
    takes 2 days one week to my 1 day and the next week we swap.
    
    First thing I did last night after arriving at Jo Ann's was to make
    sure the terminal was in working order.  She can't sit up in a chair
    for long periods of time so we're working out a way to move the 
    terminal close to the bed so she can keep the keyboard in her lap.
    Then if she needs to get up we have to rearrange 1/2 the furniture
    to get it out of her way.  We're still searching for the best
    arrangement.
    
    Got to go now, my minute is up. ;-)
    
    Jan

    Just wanted to let you know that Jo is at home and is doing great.
    My mom, sister and I are alternating days at home with her so that
    there is someone around to help out at all times.  My first day is
    this Friday so you must all promise to be nice to the other moderators
    while I'm away.
    
    Jo got all her staples removed last week.  It was painful for her.
    There were at least 70 staples to take out.  She's healing up nicely
    but will still be non-weight bearing on that leg for approx. 3 months.
    She's getting around with a walker (hopping on her good leg) and has
    lots of gadgets for hooking and grabbing things near her.  She still
    can't set in a regular chair comfortably for any length of time.  She's
    supposed to not sit at more than an 80 degree angle (this is really
    had to explain properly) and most chairs (including the wheelchair)
    cause her to sit at an improper angle.
    
    We've got an old DECmate hooked up near the bed and she can keep up
    with correspondence, etc. using it.
    
    Well, that's about it, not much more to tell at this time.
    
    Jan

    Jan;
    
    Good Luck tomorrow!  Tell Jo I Said HI!
    
    
    
    Jackie

    Just to let you know that I won't be in the office this afternoon or
    Friday......I will be taking a new position with Digital Services,
    working for a really swell manager...........so I'm taking off and
    starting "fresh" on Monday.
    
    Have a good weekend..!!!!!!   %^)
    
    
    Jackie

    Congratulations Jackie.....hope you enjoy the new job, you sound
    excited!

    I'm on vacation the rest of the week.  Off to Virginia for an extra
    long week-end.  I'll be looking forward to reading the updates and
    notes when I get back.
    
    Jo
    

    Pardon me Jo, What part of Virginia will you be in...
    
    Dennis

    I am really behind in getting in this file and I wanted to wish
    Jo a very speedy recovery and tell her that I hope she is feeling
    better.
    
    It sounds like she went through some rough and not so fun times,
    but is now doing better which is great to hear.  You are missed
    in the file and hope you are back soon.  Glad to hear you got
    to go home early and are recovering well.
    
    It is nice you got your terminal hooked up, so you can stay
    with us in the file. *^)
    
    Jan -->>  Please keep us posted on her recovery.  
    
    Sheila -->>  Congrats on your new baby boy.  Sounds like you
    had no complications and are doing well.  Have fun at home 
    with the kids. *^)
    
    
    Tracey
    
    

    I will be on vacation all next week and Monday of the following week, I
    dread getting behind in here, but look forward to noting with you all
    again soon......Jan tell Jo I hope she's doing well....
    
    /red

    Tracey,
    
    Thanks for the well wishes. I am enjoying my time at home. This
    is my last week, and then I'll be back at work on Monday.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Sheila
    

    Dennis, I went to Arlington,VA, right outside of Washington DC.
    
    Angie, I have a son, he was born 12/24/85, and his name is Nicholas
    David.  We call him Nicholas :.). ..
    
    Jo
    

    
    OHHHH just 5 minutes from the office Jo! Wish I would have caught you
    before you left. 
    
    Oh well, Next time I guess.
    
    Dennis

    Jo - great minds think alike!!  We call ours Nicholas also.  David
    is his Daddy's name.
    
    Angief

    Angie - David is my husband's name too!!
    
    Dennis - I have cousins out there and we loved it there, so I'm sure
    we'll be back sometime!
    
    Jo
    

    
    Great Jo... look me up... let me know ahaead of time before you
    come down.
    
    Dennis

    Today must be one of those "it is such a beautiful day, I think I'll
    take a vacation day!" days.  Goodness this note is quiet! 
    Unfortunately, I'm here.....first full week I've put in in a couple of
    months.  
    
    I will be out next Friday though.  No long vaction plans for this
    short (in New England) Summer.  I'd rather go somewhere warm come
    Winter.  :-)
    
    Anyone around N.E. planning on attending the Sail Boston festivities?
    Bob and I are doing a Harbor Cruise Sunday, with friends.  The Tall
    Ships are a sight to see!
    
    Steph --- Aren't you glad you now live in the "big city"?
    
    

    You're right Thel, it must be one of those days.  Out of 9 people in
    my group, only me and one other guy are here....and it IS a beautiful
    day here in Mass.
    
    Marie

    Well I had to add that here in Chicago is rather "One of those days"
    too.  However, all of these people are at a FY93 Kickoff Meeting 
    at a resort.  How unlucky, could you get......NOT!!!!!!! *^)
    
    Here I sit holding down the fort. *^)  It is not quit beautiful
    here in Chicago though, it is warm, but overcast. *^)  
    
    Thel -->>  Your boat outting sounds fun next Sunday.  I have done
    the boat trip a few times here in Chicago.  They are really fun
    and is something different to do. *^)
    
    Marie -->>  Don't feel alone. *^)
    
    Thank goodness it's FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! *^)
    
    
    Tracey
    

    Well, Tracey...thank goodness YOU are here.  It would really be a bum
    Friday without your AMC update!!!
    They left you all alone to hold down the fort while they're off at a
    resort.....how rude!  ;^)
    
    Marie

    Marie & Tracy,  I'm back....we went to the local Chinese place for
    lunch, gawd it is absolutely perfect in Maynard today, warm, sunny and
    a terrific breeze to keep you from getting overly warm.  The woman who
    drove is taking half a vacation day to go home and enjoy her
    pool....I'm tempted but will stay and kick myself later  :-)
    
    I hope all those noters who deserted us for a day off are enjoying
    themselves.  I don't envy those people stuck at that Kick-off meeting
    though.....you are probably lucky to be stuck in the office, Tracy,
    given the choice.

    Marie -->>  I should have said I am here with about 10 other
    girls. *^)  I still felt like they left me to hold the fort. *^)
    
    Tracey
    

    I'm on vacation 7/16-19.  I'll be up in the Yosemite area and
    you can bet I'll be thinking of all of you the whole time...NOT! ;-)
    I'll be spending my time lazing around, reading books, rafting in
    the pool (a creek that has been dammed up to form a pool--ice cold),
    and having all my meals cooked for me...its a tough vacation but
    someone has got to take it.
    
    See ya here on Monday 7/20.  Same time, same channel!
    
    Jan
    
    P.S. Be gentle with Cheryl.  She's doin' this moderatin' thing almost
         all by herself lately.

    Jan,  Have a great time!!!!  Glad your meals will be cooked for you,
    but are you ready for the BIG question?  
    
    Who will make you bed and clean up after you?  My favorite part of
    vacationing is getting out of bed, making a mess of the bathroom, then
    leaving the room for breakfast and whatever else we want to do, then
    coming back later to find the bed made, the bathroom spotless.  I love
    to be waited on!!!

    Jan:
    
    Have a Great Time!  Sounds like my kinda vacation!
    
    
    Jackie

    
    
    Just "talked" to Steph.  She's doing well, loves her jobs and misses
    notes.  Said she'd note when she can.
    
    
    -raq
    
    
                                        

    I'm taking a vacation day tomorrow so no GH update from me.  I hope
    someone else can fill in.

    Jan -->>  Enjoy your vacation, sounds relaxing and fun.  I am sure
    you will be thinking of us.....NOT!!!!!!! *^)
    
    Thel -->>  Enjoy your day off too!!!!!!!!!!!! *^)
    
    Steph must be really busy she hasn't been in notes much, glad she
    is enjoying her job, thanks for letting us know Raq. *^)
    
    
    Tracey
    

    
    
    Thelma,
    
     A woman after my oun heart.........It was real hard reajusting after
    three weeks of Decworld , though I was real happy to be home, cooking
    and cleaning came real hard..Vacation starts the first two weeks of
    September Palm Springs and Las Vegas.
    
    ELLen 
    
    
    Ellen

    Ohhm I'm so jealous, I love Palm Springs!!!!! Or I should say Palm
    Dessert, which is where we use to go for a charity Golf tournement.
    

    Well, I told most everyone at the dinner last night but I wanted to
    fill the rest of you in.  After 19 years, my job was cut.  I'm not
    exactly sure how much time I have left, but will probably be gone next
    week.  I will miss you all VERY much and I'm almost in tears as I write
    this.  I do plan to keep in touch with a couple of people so you WILL
    see me again (those of you on the east coast anyway) because I don't
    want to miss future dinners.
    
    Goodbye wonderful friends!  I'll think of you often.
    
    Marie

    Marie -->>  I am so sorry to hear that, I am sad that you are
    leaving us.  I feel like we knew each other even though we had
    never met.  I hope everything goes well for you and remember
    that everything happens for a reason.  Keep smiling and enjoy!!!!!!
    
    I hope that you do keep in touch with someone, so we that are
    not on the east coast knows how you are. *^)  Take care.
    
    
    Tracey
    

    Marie:
    
    Oh No!  But.........please don't say goodbye......say "'til we meet
    again"........because once you are a member of this file, you ALWAYS
    are a member!
    
    Good Luck!
    
    Jackie
    

    Marie,
    
    So sorry to hear that you are leaving.  Do you have any future plans 
    yet?  Everything does happen for a reason so keep smiling.  I'm glad
    we got to meet each other and I look forward to joining you again at
    the next dinner.  Good Luck
    
    I'll be on vacation next week.  Going to Kennebunk!  I'll have alot 
    to catch up on when I get back.
    
    Jo
    

    Well, I'm back.  Vacation was nice.  We were a little overrun by
    spiders due to some heavy rainstorms a few days before I got there
    (I think they were trying to stay dry by climbing into the tent with
    use) but it was great anyway.  I shared (unwillingly, mind you) my
    bag of 8 Chesapeake cookies with a squirrely visitor one day.  He just
    walked and and made off with 4 of them.  I left 1/2 of 1 out in case he 
    came back so he wouldn't get into the rest of the food and a little mouse
    came and ran off with it that same night.  Mom said he was really cute
    and had 2 huge ears.
    
    I spent alot of time in my bathing suit and rafting in the pool, and
    eating.  Now I've got to get the 3 lbs I gained off by Weight Watchers
    on Wed.  I've also realized that I can spend 3 days in a row with my
    mom but by the 4th day, I need some space...can only do it in small
    doses ya know. ;-)
    
    Thel -->  In answer to your question, no one made my bed.  There wasn't
              much to make.  Just a sleeping bag on top of a cot.  I got 
              out and flipped the sleeping bag flap back into place and
              voila one completely made bed.  Since all my shower stuff
              came and went with me, no bathrooms to clean up.  Yea!!!
    
    Marie --> Good luck to you in the future in whatever you decide to do.
              We're all walking on eggshells around here too since we just
              got the number we have to reduce headcount by the day before
              I went on vacation.  I wish you all the best.
    
    Jan
                        

    Marie-->  I am so sorry to hear that you are having to leave.  My job
    is in danger of being cut also but my husband works for DEC and his
    job going away is almost a SURE thing.
    
    It sure is hard to be optimistic but I wanted to share this poem with
    you.  Just remember, there is a reason for everything that happens...
    we just don't know what it is yet!  Here is the poem.  Hope you enjoy. 
    All the best.
    

                             DON'T QUIT

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit --
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
and many a person turns about
When they might have won had they stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow --
You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far.
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worse, 
that you must not quit.


You may have to quit DEC but don't give up personally!
    
    Dee (in Dallas)

    Thank you guys....sniff..  I'm still here.  They gave me the choice to
    leave today or to stay until Friday....maybe I'm crazy...but I decided
    to stay until Friday.  After coming here for 19 years it's going to be
    hard to leave.  I really am going to miss this place!  I'm trying to stay
    optimistic.  Thanks for the poem Dee!
    
    I wish you all the best in the future!!!
    
    :^)
    
    Marie
    

    Dee, 
    
    That is my favorite poem. It really helps to keep you hanging on.
    I hope we can all be optimistic about what is happening.
    
    Marie,
    
    Good luck!! We will miss you in the GH notes and hope you
    will find something real fast!!! 
    
    Keep you chin up!
    
    -Sheila
    

    
    Marie --> I'll be missing you and your great notes, here in the file.
    I'm really glad I've had several chances to get to meet you!  (^%  
    
    We'll be sure to give you a call --> when there's another BIG dinner
    on the horizon!!!  (^%  Good luck and this is not just goodbye, it's
    until later!!!!  (^%
    
    Dee in Dallas --> good luck as you wait out the news.  That was a great 
    poem!  (^%
    
    --dc

    Well, I'm off to Dallas, TX for a few days.  Will be back in here on
    Thursday of next week.  Dee and I are going to tear up the town on 
    Saturday night so watch out West End, here we come (that is where 
    we're going isn't it Dee?).
    
    Jan

    Bye Jan!!! Have a good time, but BE GOOD!!!!  NOT!!!
    
    Cheryl

    Marie---
    
    Are you still here???  Is this it???  I'm going to miss you.  Keep in
    touch and come to the next dinner.  If we have any history questions
    we'll write them down.
    
    /red

    WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
    
    I'm still here and have been on the verge of tears all day.  I'm really
    going to miss you all the most!!!!  Digital has been more than just a 
    job to me.  In 19 years, I've grown up here.  This is really difficult.
    BUT, I have a good possibility at another job working with children (my
    true love) so all's not lost....AND (you easterners atleast and of
    course our "honorary easterner") haven't seen the last of me!!!!
    
    Lots of LOVE to you all! 
    
    Marie

    
    
    Marie:
    
    Please contact someone and have them post a note once in a while....we
    Mid-westerners want to hear from you too!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    Good luck on  your job.....let us know EVERYTHING!
    
    
    Jackie
    
    

    Marie -->>  I wanted to say GOOD LUCK again to you.  I will
    miss your notes in the file. Hope your new job goes well for you.
    I know it has to be hard for you after all these years.
    
    Keep smiling and let us know how you are doing. *^)
    
    Tracey
    

    Hello everyone...
    
    I'm talking to someone on the phone who wants to say HI!!!
                                                 
    Our good friend Marie !!!!!  
    
    And she says she misses Cheryl's upcoming news desperately!!!!
    and DC ...well you know!!!!
    
    If any one of you would like to communicate with Marie..please feel free to
    put it in here and I will convey your messages to her!!!

    Say Hi to Marie for me!!!!!!!!!!!  I hope she is doing well and
    we miss her here too!!!!!!!!!!!!! *^)
    
    I thought I would let everyone kow I will be off on vacation
    days Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Wisconsin Dells.  My
    husbands parents own a cabin there and it will be like a real
    relaxing trip, I hope.
    
    I hope the weather is nice because if it rains it will be no
    fun. *^)  See you all Thursday. *^)
    
    
    Tracey
    
                          

    So Tracey, you WILL be faxing me the updates, right????  NOT......
    
    Have a great time.  We will miss you and your updates.  Boy, you will
    be giving Dennis severe withdrawels.  He can't even go a day without
    them and you are going for three.
    
    Cheryl

    Hi,
    
    	My name is Betty Ferguson and have been a great fan of the soaps.
    I'm unable to watch them for working reasons, and I'm one of the ones,
    that are unlucky, for I don't even own a vcr.  The only time I get
    to see the show is when I'm off.  I was at home for 8 weeks (from
    May 11 - July 13/92) it was great watching all these great....soaps.
    Then I had to come back to work , the only good thing about coming
    back was I was still able to keep up with the shows, Thanks to all
    of you wonderful people.  
    	Dame I miss my shows so much the week I was back , I put in 
    my notice to leave Digital and stay home.  Yes ......I'm leaving
    after 16 years here in Kanata plant.  But I'm not leaving for the
    soaps, I going to stay home and be with my two boys, they are the
    ones I really miss...............They are 7 and 6 .
    
    	I'm really going to MISS alot of people , my last day is
    Aug.14/92 next Friday.  
    
    	Well have to get back to work... Take Care Everyone and keep 
    up the good work..
    
    
    	Bye.....I'll miss you all
    	Betty Ferguson
    

    Betty,
    
    Good luck!! That's sounds like a great time. I just returned from
    maternity a while ago, and really miss being home with the boys.
    Chris will be 2 years in Sept. and Kevin is almost 3 months. Boy,
    how time flies. They grow up so fast, so it will be great for
    you to stay home and enjoy them.
    
    Good luck!
    
    -Sheila
    

    Betty:
    
    Good Luck!  Those boys will REALLY enjoy you being home!
    
    
    
    jackie

    
    
    I will be on VACATION next week!  So I won't be in here, but I will
    have my spies watching so Dennis doesn't tell all..............ha ha
    
    
    Jackie

    Hey Steph, how are ya?  Where have you been?
    
    Did you see that they are saying that lizard neck is back
    today.....UGH!
    
    
    
    Jackie

    For those of you asking where DC has been...I thought he'd be back in
    the file by now or I would have posted this sooner.  DC has had some
    more surgery (laser) on his foot and is home recuperating.  Last note
    I had from him says he has some pain and is taking medication but the
    medication is making him feel kinda funky.  I'm sure he'll be back to
    noting again as soon as he gets to feeling better.
    
    Jan

    Jan,  Thanks for the info on dc.  Hope you can get the message that
    everyone misses him to him for all of us.

    Jan:
    
    Is he still home?  I thought he would only be out last week?  Ask him
    something for me......drugs are making him feel funky?...or funkier? 
    hee hee   %^)
    
    
    
    Jackie
    

    I am sorry to hear that --dc is not feeling well.  I hope he does
    recover soon and is back in the file.  If anyone talks to him tell
    him to hurry back and feel better!!!!!!!!!!! *^)
    
    
    Tracey
    

Well, fellow AMCer's, I'm writing this note to tell you all that I
will be leaving Digital VOLUNTARILY on 10 September 1992.  

I have been a secretary at DEC for 8.5 years, and have found an 
opportunity outside which is much too good to pass up.  I will be
joining the Reprodutive Endocrine Unit at Massachusetts General
Hospital (MGH) in late September.  It will feel very good to
work in an environment which is dedicated to helping people, and
I am looking forward to my new situation with great exhiliration.

The hard thing about leaving Digital....summed up, as so many others
already have, is moving away from the many friends I have made, even
through this notesfile.

It has been a pleasure noting with all of you, way back to the first
file.  I want to thank you all for the many, many hours of relief from
on the job stress!  Especially, Jan, Jo, dc, Cheryl A for moderating,
Tracey for the daily updates, Cheryl for upcoming news, Ann (FP) for
the HILARIOUS fashion reports, Kathryn our former RP (Reality Police),
and everyone else for the constant conversation in this file.

Lastly, through this file, what I hope will be a few lifelong friendships
have been established (Jackie, dc, Cheryl and Kathryn).  Thank you
all for being such good buddies to someone who needed it during some
rough times!

I should be on some kind of network at MGH, when I find out my new
email address I'll let you know.  Gosh, I didn't mean for this note to
sound sad, because believe me, I am not sad at all.  Au revoir!  See
ya'll around Pine Valley!

Heather

    
    
    Heather:
    
    I am SO EXCITED for you!  I know this is something that you have
    wanted....but I AM SO SAD that you won't be here in AMC anymore!!!
    
    But I know you and I will remain forever.  That is one great thing abut
    this file, the friends you make.
    
    I remember when I first started noting in this AMC file long long ago,
    you and Kathryn really helped a newcomer along.  Kathryn is gone, and
    now you are going! sniff
    
    Keep in touch!
    
    P.S. Tell Kathryn the wallpaer is crooked!  hee hee
    
    Jackie                      

    
    
    Just wanted to let y'all know that I am going on vacation.
    I'll be spending 7 days in the lovely, but very hot state of Texas.
    I"ll be back the 9th of September (I hope....%^}).  So, like don't
    leave me with 100's and 100's of notes....It's all I can do to catch up
    having 2 days off during the week.......At least, tho, I may actually
    get to watch AMC for a change.....Enjoy your weekend!!!!!!
    
    
    -raq
    
    

    Just wanted to let everyone know that the lower New England ABC TV
    stations will again carry the MDA Telethon instead of the soaps on
    Labor Day.  I know everyone would appriciate an update of their
    favorite shows from someone who gets to see the episodes.
    
    Also, I'll be at a Task Team 2-day meeting next Thursday and Friday 
    so will some kind soul update Wednesday and Thursday's shows for the
    GH noters?  Pretty please!!!!!

    I am hoping that by no one saying goodbye in here that we ABC Soapers
    are all safe....!!!!!!
    
    
    J'ster

    Just checking in to see if anyone has heard from dc?  This file isn't
    the same without him!  Is he home or in the hospital?  Seems strange he
    hasn't accessed his at home tube to comment on the latest Erica
    storyline or the new Nat.  
    

    I haven't heard from him since his mail message which talked about
    the trouble he was having with the medication.  I expected him to
    be in here by now.  He did say he was going to wait till he was
    feeling better.  I hope this doesn't mean he's still having trouble.
    
    I'll let you guys know if I hear anything.
    
    Jan

    I will be out of the office next week on Thurs and Friday.  Next week
    is my trip to Bowie MD to see the Baby Halmeister, Nik and my brother
    and sister-in-law.  I am hoping to get together with Carol Bauer and
    Dennis McKinnon too while I'm there.  I am bringing pictures with me,
    but not the ones of dc.  I wouldn't want to be blacklisted from his
    good graces!!! so in order not to be tempted to show them all over the
    southern part of the country, I'm leaving them home.
    
    I will be in on Tuesday and WEd though and will try to give you all the
    upcoming news.  But, I must warn you, I may be going away this weekend
    and may not be able to get a Middlesex News.  So, if someone else would
    be kind enough to be ready on Tuesday to give the news, I would
    appreciate it.
    
    Thanks.
    
    Cheryl

    Cheryl,  Have a great time visiting Maryland.  My brother lived 
    in Bowie years ago, it was a pretty place.  Enjoy your Godson!

    Well I will be taking Tuesday off to extend a already long
    weekend.  I hope the weather is nice.  
    
    Cheryl -->>  Have fun visiting Maryland and your godson. *^)
    
    
    Tracey
    

    Tracey,
    
    Maryland weather is expected to be in the mid 80's and kind of humid
    (of course!) Maybe a thunderstorm or two but otherwise not too bad.  I
    grew up in Bowie and loved it!  I do hope you have a wonderful time
    here in our fair city!

    Brice -->>  Thanks for the info. on Maryland, but it is Cheryl
    that will be taking the trip to Maryland. *^)  I am only going
    to be taking a extended weekend here in Chicago.
    
    I hope the weather in Chicago stays as nice as it is now. *^)
    
    Have a great holiday weekend. *^)
    
    
    Tracey
    

    CHERYL:
    
    If you get to see Dennis....tell him I said HI! and I'm still looking
    for the negatives!  Hope your lunch was as good as ours was!  Dennis is
    a riot!
    
    
    Jackie
    

    Tracey:
    
    Hope you have good weather in Chicago!  Did you get the pic's yet?
    
    
    Jackie

    Jackie -->>  I am still waiting for the pics to come.  Are you
    sure you sent them to me?!?!?!?! *^)
    
    
    Tracey
    

    Well, I leave for the airport this afternoon.  Could someone pinch hit
    for me again this weekend and put in the upcoming news.  I won't be
    back into Milford until 9:00 PM on Sunday and probably won't have a
    chance to pick up a paper.  Thanks.  I'll miss you all!!
    
    Cheryl

    
    
    	Just letting you all know that I have been TSFO'd.  My last
    official day here is Friday.  I will miss all of you incredibly,
    especially the updates.  I told /red to keep me in mind for any
    upcoming dinners out this way.  She have my number if anyone wants it
    or has a job they want to give me...%^}
    
    	Y'all take care now, ya hear???!!!
    
    
    -raq
    
    

    raq:
    
    Oh No!  I am so sorry to see you have to leave!  Looks like we are
    starting again......I am so sad by this!
    
    Good luck to you, have /red keep us informed of how you're doing!
    
    
    Jackie

    raq -->>  I am sorry to hear you are leaving too!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    It seems more and more are leaving us.  Please take care and
    best of luck to you.  Keep in touch, you will be missed. *^)
    
    
    Tracey
    

    Cheryl,
    
    So sorry about the Maryland weather.  It turned out to be one heck of a
    yucky weekend.  I hope you weren't too disappointed.  We're used to
    this kind of weather, especially on a holiday.  I should have known
    better than to listen to the weather man!  I guess at the time he
    looked out his window is was sunny!  Still hope you had a good visit to
    beautiful downtown Bowie!

    
    
    Just letting y'all know that I have been reusrrected!!!!!!  I found a
    permanent job at teh MSO facility in the Law/Patent department.
    It is a position that is going to keep me busy, so I will not have much
    time to note, but I will be in......I also paln on going to the dinner
    this Monday, if it is still a go......
    
    
    -raq
    

    
    -raq --> Good for you!  (^%  Be sure to let us hear from you!!  (^%
    
    --dc/Valmont!

    This is GREAT news!!!!  I am so happy for you!!!!  I interviewed for
    a job in that department....it seems like you'll be wicked busy, but
    I'm sure you can find time for us, during your breaks and lunch.
    
    /red

    raq -->>  Congratulations on finding a new position with Digital.
    I am sure you are happy!!!!!!!!!!  I am glad you will still be
    with us. *^)
    
    
    Tracey
    

    
    Thanks for all the well wishes, guys.....
    
    It has been only two days, and I am already swamped.  But I am a
    trooper, I'll pull thru!!!!
    
    
    
    -raq
    
    

    raq - Super news!!!!!  Add another person to the list of well-wishers

    raq-
    
    GREAT NEWS!
    
    
    JACKIE

    I will be on vacation during Christmas week.  Since I'm the only
    moderator available for this file right now, that means the file
    will be moderatorless for a few days unless I can figure out how
    to dial in from home and actually read notes.  Last time I tried
    with my new PC I couldn't edit anything.
    
    Anyway, have a wonderful holiday everyone.
    
    Jan

    Well guys, it is time for me to say goodbye.  I will be leaving DEC
    this Friday, June 25th.  I have really enjoyed this notesfile, and
    talking about my favorite soaps with people who also love them.  
    
    Don't let that Loving topic die!  Loving is my favorite soap and it
    could use a few more loyal fans.  For those of you that like Jeremy
    Hunter from AMC, he is a kick on Loving, paired up with Ava!  Check it
    out.
    
    Take care all,
    
    Jo

    Just a warning for those of you in the New England area....the
    snowstorm is getting worse as the day goes on, it is now 2:30 here and
    it is getting heavier.  I'm working at home today and the TV is full of
    warning about road conditions.  Please be extremely careful on your way
    home this evening.

    Where is everyone?  Surely there are people out there who still 
    read this file.  I certainly prefer the updates from AB_SOAPSers 
    to the ones I've been pulling from TV Guide's web page.  
                 
    Come on, let's liven this file up a bit!
    
    Jan

    I'll be on vacation Thursday 6/20 and Friday 6/21.  Since I don't
    really have web access from home, the updates may not get posted
    till next week unless I figure out some way to work this out.
    
    Jan

    What's going on? No one is writing in here
    anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Where are all the writers?