This is what I am up to......

[melody]

I am thrilled the board is up and running and we are all finding it. Things have been really crazy for us lately.

My feet are worse and I decided to have the surgery which will be Dec. 13, out patient but 4-6 months recovery with the first 8 weeks of NO WEIGHT BEARING.

I decided to stop teaching. The way TRS is going right now, I won't have much retirment anyway. I want to be fair with my students. The pain has been great these last months and I find myself extremely emotionally drained at the end of the day for trying so hard not to take the frustration the pain causes out on my students. And some add to it, believe me.

My last day will be Dec. 9 which will be after the UIL contest on the 8th so I am haning in there for that. For you Texas folks we are MOCK TAKS Testing today and that's no fun. I will be glad to have that out of my way.

Our son will be going to court on Nov.22 to have his name removed from our granddaughter's birth certificte since he is not the Dad. He has wanted to marry the mother since conception but she didn't. She did let us be a part of our Angelbear's life and she brought a lot of life back to me. We love our angelbear deeply but don't want to see our son burdened with child support for 15 more years for a child that is not his. So many mixed emotions going on. In many ways, it like a death, too. IN that, the mother has denied her to us since April of last year. I am so thankful I have her little voice on a talking clock. At 9 and 12 my clock says "HI GRAM, I MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!" So very precious.

Anyway between now and my surgery, I may not be on the board much but am looking forward to getting to spend time here after the 9th.

Love to you all and you are always in my prayers.

[megeliza]

Melody,

Thanks for sharing... and I wanted to encourage you to visit my son's website... go to the music link and listen to the song by Natalie Grant... more reassurance that God would carry us through the trials, not necessarily protect us FROM them.

God Bless...

[Corinne]

Melody, I am sorry you have to go through this surgery OUCH! is all I can say. You are having both feet operated on at the same time?? or did I read that wrong?

I had surgery on my shoulder 5 weeks ago, 4 - 5 month recovery. It is sooo painful. I have to say though, I would rather be without use of my arm for a bit, than my feet.

Good luck to you. Keep us updated

[judiann]

((((((Melody)))))

I've missed a lot lately but.....What is going on with your feet?? I'm confused too.....are you having surgery on Both feet at the same time?? I hope not!

That "No Weight Bearing" thing is very, very hard!! I broke my ankle 5yrs ago, was in a cast for 3 months & had to sit & sleep with it propped up all the time or my toes & knee would swell up over the cast....ugh!

Thoughts are with you,

judiann

[Clara Hinton]

Dear Melody,

It's so very good to hear from you, but my heart feels a heaviness when I hear of so much going on in your life right now.

I'm so very sorry about all that is going on with your son, and with your precious angelbear. I remember so well her arrival, the joy she brought to your heart, and the wonderful way she brought your family together.

Melody, I'm so sorry about all of this. Life can be so hard. Please share more of your feelings so that we can offer you love and support during this time of sadness.

I'm concerned about your surgery, too. That's a lot of time to be laid up. Will you have help? Maybe this can actually turn into some much-deserved time for you to rest, catch up on some reading, and even do some writing. (you have quite a talent!)

Please keep us posted. And, please remember that my prayers remain with youl.

Love,
Clara