My best friend had a bridal shower for her daughter this morning. It was beautiful. My friends sisters were telling me that MA was in bad shape. They had a nurse at home with her so they could all be at the shower for an hour or two. The sis she lived with was pretty much a nervous wreck, and left early around 1:00 to get back home to her.

My friend just called me - her mom just passed on. I'm crying my eyes out.

R.I.P. MA!!

Sorry to hear that Michelle, condolences.

faimie, shut the fuck up.

Peas Lily & Skippy, thanks! My friend called back at 10:00 to talk some more. So glad she did. Her mum is 76, a year older than my mum. We've been friends since we're 11 years old, so her mum has been my mum, and mine hers for 34 years. I've been hearing her voice and seeing her face all day. She was one of a kind man, one of a kind. I called my mum and gave her the news. She was sad to hear it. For the past 6 years when we would have our 4th of July picnics, both our mums would sit out on our deck and enjoy each others company - after all these years. Her health had been declining, but she'd be happy if you'd just plop her down in a chair and bring her coffee. lol! She'd enjoy listening to everyone's conversations and just being part of the crowd. The night always ended with awesome fireworks, and lots of kisses and hugs. I'm so glad we had that time together. Damn, we're gonna miss that ol' bird.

I know - guitar forum...I'll get back to that shortly. Thanks for the support peeps. Yer the best.

michelle - "I know - guitar forum...I'll get back to that shortly."

We're friends first...it's OK.

Has anyone heard an update from Tracie today? Maybe I'll call or text her tomorrow, if no one's heard anything.

Michelle: I am so sorry for your loss of MA. Prayers to you & the family. You go girl (on what you said to faimie).

faimie: WIth all respect, If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all. What you say can stir the pot here in this forum.

As Alicia Keys would say in her song, "Karma": "What goes around, comes around; what goes up, must come down." Also, you reap what you sew.

Tracie: How are you & Chris doing? I'm continuing to pray for John Selby.

Skippygirl: Glad you're doing well. London might have to be put on hold for a long while, but I would like to run the London Marathon sometime in my life. Since I'm taking a break from running, I've been busy with my jobs at the guitar store, and the hotel. Actually, I ended up working all day & all night for today. I'm glad I'm off Sunday. I have family to be with that day and we're getting our pictures taken for the upcoming Christmas Holiday. Speaking of the Holidays, it's coming up soon and I've started my shopping (for my family) already.

GoldenGirl2: I have heard of Garbage's music. I have the song, "Special" on one of my Now CDs. How are you and Steve doing these days? Hope you both are doing well.

Do The Stu & Burly: How's it going you guys? Been a while since we heard from ya.

Hi Mr.Joe, Can you tell me, how you get so much sustain with your guitar? You are not even near the amp. how the sustain can last forever? Thank you

Just what my heart needed this morning.

Thanks Roy :-)

I'll holla to T for an update.

Hi gang...some great vids being posted, thanks for all of those, nice little bright spot to get away from stuff for a few minutes :) Loved the MTV Headbangers Ball vids skippy :)

But....chelle honey, soooo sorry for your loss. You know I love ya and my shoulder is there any time u need it babbie. Big hugs.

Thanks also for the continued support from everyone, I know I haven't listed you all but I have read every one of them and feel a lot of love and support coming from you. I'm so greatful for that, and for the prayers and good thoughts.

So an update...dad is still on the ventilator but today they are going to start weaning trials and see how he does breathing on his own. He's so strong-willed...I tease him and just call him stubborn, which is also true, lol....that they predict he will do fine on his own. His blood pressure is excellent, kidney function continues to improve and the rest of the plumbing is working. They finally got bowel sounds yesterday so have started him on nutrition with tube feeding...FINALLY!! First nutrition in a week. He still can't talk with the tube down his throat but if he gets off the vent as planned that will be gone and he'll be able to communicate better.

Yesterday morning he kind of reponded to us, but by the afternoon he had a very strong response. He was shaking his head in answer to questions, opening his eyes to see us, and gave my hand the biggest squeeze ever. He knew we were there.

The nurse said he's such a sweetheart, that she can do anything at all to him she needs to do and he never fights her, never complains, just takes it all and waves at her when she's done. Yesterday I left his room and cried, just hate seeing him like this so had to let go a bit, and she came over to give me a big hug. He has had the BEST nurses taking care of him. I'm so thankful.

He's very swollen all over, lots of fluids being pumped into him...thank god we got his wedding ring off before surgery!

He has a long road of recovery ahead, but we're getting improvements little by little, and we'll take anything we can get.

Today I take Chris back home, so it's up to the hospital before we leave, and then right back there once we get back to town. My mum is coming along for the ride. They are both doing as well as they can with all the stress and worry,

Tomorrow it's back to work, I'll run up to the hospital before and after work each day and be there as much as I can. I hope to see improvements with every visit.