Giac (NOT) Hospitalized - Convalescing Update 2004

Subject: RE: Giac (NOT) Hospitalized - Convalescing Update
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 09:18 AM

lots of love & good wishes from me & a few postcards on their way, too.

sandra

Subject: RE: Giac (NOT) Hospitalized - Convalescing Update 2004
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 07:39 PM

Please remind her Greg and I love her dearly and that the prayer chain is praying for her, still. Thanks for letting us know.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Giac (NOT) Hospitalized - Convalescing Update
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 07:34 PM

Mary needs our candles, thoughts, good wishes, etc. Some things connected to the tumour are causing problems to the point she's sent her beloved little dog to visit friends because she just can't get up with her right now. She couldn't talk for long on the phone, but did say she really appreciates ALL of your help and prayers. I will be calling her in a few days or so to see how she is doing.

Thanks to all,

kat

Subject: RE: Giac (NOT) Hospitalized - Convalescing Update
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Aug 04 - 09:43 AM

thanks for the update, Susan, please pass on my hugs to them both.

Subject: RE: Giac (NOT) Hospitalized - Convalescing Update 2004
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Aug 04 - 03:08 PM

Had a nice phone visit with Giac just now. So wonderful to hear her voice!

First, before I forget-- she asks me to let all of you know, that if you have sent her anything via email or snail, and have not gotten a reply or a thank-you, she DOES get these, she enjoys them very much, and she deeply appreciates them. It's just too painful for her to sit long enough to reply.

So if you have been sending things, keep it up! A gift she might appreciate would be funny cards she could send out to people, especially if you could include postage to cover mailing them. This is my suggestion, not hers-- she never asks for a thing except to convey her love and appreciation to her friends.

She mentioned that someone had given her an old laptop recently with Windows 3.1 on it. She's hoping a friend will be able to cable from her desktop computer and upgrade Windows and get her online on the laptop.

When we last spoke several months ago, Emmy was staying with a friend while Giac recovered from a procedure. Emmy did come back home and Giac enjoys having her with her and caring for her. She says she'll email me some new pictures of Emmy, too, and I'll upload them as soon as I get them. I have saved all the ones she has sent me, of course, and I have my screensaver set to pull from "My Pictures," so most days I get to see Giac and Emmy filling my big screen. That girl can snap a shot with the best of them-- I can't wait to see more.

I know many of you must have questions.... I am not sure what to say here in the thread. We didn't talk about the future-- she was very focused on hearing all my news, as usual, and giving me hers. Please continue to keep our Mary in your thoughts and prayers.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Giac (NOT) Hospitalized - Convalescing Update 2004
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 10:56 AM

Oh, GOOD call on the thread title! FabuClone!

~S~

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized - Update 2004
From: Kim C
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 10:09 AM

Sampson the Giant Puppy sends a Giant Puppy Kiss on the Cheek. :-)

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized - Update 2004
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 07:07 AM

Since a number of Giac's friends have this thread traced, and since this one contains links to her photos, I'd be sorry to see a different thread start right now.

We had a nice long chat last night. Giac is now back out of hospital and resting up at home. Emmy is visiting friends because Giac thought she might not be able to care for her post-op-- meds make for a lot of sleeping. Emmy phones her every night and they share missing each other. She hopes to have Emmy back very soon. In the meantime Giac is keeping tabs on the very amusing spiders in the nearest window. She told me a very funny story about an attacking bee that had one spider totally buffaloed. "Just when you think it's safe to come back on your web....."

I wrote a LONG post last night incorporating some of her jokes, but it didn't "take." I'll get them posted later....

But one typically-Giac thing I can share briefly is that she says she has made a technological breakthrough. The TV is not in the bedroom. It's kind of around a corner. Giac figured out the other day that she could place a mirror to reflect the light-beam from the remote and run the TV sound from bed! She says she can see a good part of the picture, too, and has a regular little command center going for DVDs!

If you have her snail address I am sure cards would be appreciated. If not, PM me for my address and I will be happy to forward.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized - Update 2004
From: Morticia
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 05:58 AM

could we have a new thread or re-title this one? My heart stopped when I thought my friend was back in the hospital.And anyone who can ring her, send her my special love, won't you?

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized - Update 2004
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 12:05 AM

CLICK HERE for the new batch of Giac's photography and funnies. I'll share more from this evening's nice long chat, tomorrow.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized - Update 2004
From: Alba
Date: 24 Apr 04 - 07:05 PM

Your in my Thoughts Mary.
Heal well and a candle is burning for you.
Strength, Light, Love and Blessings
Jude

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized - Update 2004
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Apr 04 - 02:26 PM

Okay Mary.....I know you're feeling bad and all, but if you're at this computer, let me give you a dancing fool to make it all better..........hehehehehehe.........call it a partial repayment on all the great jokes you have sent me!!!!

The Dancing Fool

Spaw

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized - Update 2004
From: JenEllen
Date: 24 Apr 04 - 02:16 PM

Oh! My love too! Along with Angus and "FEZ the Duck" as well. He's not as well traveled as some ducks we know, but oh, the places he's been....*g*
(woof woof oreo to emmy)

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized - Update 2004
From: Mudlark
Date: 24 Apr 04 - 01:46 PM

Kat, please send her my love, and tell her Tyler, Mike and my Emmy send woofs to her Emmy. I'll write in a few days.
And thanks for the update...Nancy

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized - Update 2004
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Apr 04 - 09:04 AM

Susan - send her my love. Most of my screen saver pics at work are from her garden & several are also on colleagues's screen savers. My dog loving colleague appreciates the pictures of Emmy. I'm looking forward to getting more emails (including pic) when she is back on line again. Sometime soon I'm replacing this laptop with a real computer!! & I'll get a scanner so I can send her pictures of the folk club.

sandra

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized - Update 2004
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 09:56 PM

And I will have some of her recent photography up in a few days.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 09:27 PM

Hadn't heard from Mary in a couple of weeks, so I gave her a call, tonight. She is limited in how much time she can spend on the computer for awhile due a sore back with more treatments. I asked her permission to update you all. I am sure she would appreciate cards, etc. I'll be talking to her more, tomorrow, and will relay anything you care to post here.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 10:11 PM

Several new autumn pictures up.

What an eye!

~S~

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Cruiser
Date: 30 Oct 03 - 12:04 PM

Ah, those 'Bluebells Of Scotland'.

Good Fortunes to you Lass!

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Oct 03 - 11:40 AM

Everything of the best from Idaho!

Can she use potatoes? I can send potatoes as well as hopes and wishes.

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 30 Oct 03 - 08:07 AM

WYSIWYG - I have 18 pictures & it appears you don't have 5 of them. Unless they are on page 2 which was blank for me.

Mary & Emmy]
Iris
Jellybean
Pansy Faces (love 'em - the square at work is covered with pansies at the moment & they are beautiful)
Start of something big

If you want any of them, please PM your address

sandra

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 04:45 PM

Wow! Those flower photos are MARVELOUS! Once in awhile I get one that good, if I'm really lucky. ;-)

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 01:49 PM

Now you can see SOME OF GIAC'S PHOTOGRAPHY, with Giac's permission. Please contact me if you have some of her other photo's... I think her computer is still wonky, and I had a complete wipe/reinstall over the last summer, losing lots of stuff.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: wysiwyg
Date: 21 Oct 03 - 06:39 PM

Got a GREAT photo of Dog Emily today from Giac. I've asked her if I can start posting her photo's.

~S~

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 04:24 PM

WYSIWIG don't know where you guys are, but I suspect wrong side of the pond for me to print stuff off, I'm in Scotland. Anyway Mary, this one's for you, hope it cheers you up.
Much love
Giok


This is a poem for women, but men need to memorize it.




A poem for us....

I shave my legs,
I sit down to pee.
And I can justify
any shopping spree.



Don't go to a barber,
but a beauty salon.
I can get a massage
without a hard-on.

I can balance the checkbook,
I can pump my own gas.
Can talk to my friends,
about the size of my ass.

My beauty's a masterpiece,
and yes, it takes long.
At least I can admit,
to others when I'm wrong.

I don't drive in circles,
at any cost.
And I don't have a problem,
admitting I'm lost.

I never forget,
an important date.
You just gotta deal with it,
I'm usually late.

I don't watch movies,
with lots of gore.
Don't need instant replay,
to remember the score.

I won't lose my hair,
I don't get jock itch.
And just cause I'm assertive,
Don't call me a bitch.

Don't say to your friends,
Oh yeah, I can get her.
In your dreams, my dear,
I can do better!

Flowers are ok! ay,
But jewelry's best.
Look at me you idiot...
Not at my chest????

I don't have a problem,
With Expressing my feelings.
I know when you're lying,
You look at the ceiling.

DON'T call me a GIRL ,
a BABE or a CHICK .

I am a WOMAN.

Get it?, you DICK!?!

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 01:01 PM

I am reading all of this to Mary and as I type she is laughing her ass off at that joke! She's asked me to share how much the thoughts and prayers and PMs have meant to her, mentioning many of you by name as she recalled each of your kindnesses.

There a couple of threads she had been following, but now her computer problems prevent her from keeping up. And my printer is FUBAR. Anyone who can print and snail mail some threads, please PM me.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 11:58 AM

Hi Mary!

********************************************************Subject: Remember...men are from Mars

A man left work one Friday afternoon. But instead of going home, he
stayed out the entire weekend, hunting with the boys & spending his entire paycheck.

When he finally appeared at home Sunday night, he was confronted by his very angry wife and was barraged for nearly 2 hours with a tirade about his actions.

Finally his wife stopped the nagging and simply said to him, "How would you like it if you didn't see me for 2 or 3 days?"

To which he replied, "That would be fine with me."

Monday went by & he didn't see his wife.

Tuesday & Wednesday came & went and he didn't see her.

On Thursday, the swelling went down just enough where he could see her a little out of the corner of his left eye.

*********************************************************

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 10:49 AM

I love the spider stories. We've had a season of activity in my backyard; one that spun her web nightly, in the morning leaving just one long guy from the garage to the porch roof for the next night's work. She has disappeared--the first day it really felt like fall around here she was gone from her little corner where she looked tucked in like a gob of chewing gum during the day. Last week there were two nights when another smaller spider, no doubt the male, hung around, then vanished. A few weeks ago I accidentally knocked her down one night and she found her way back home by morning.

We lost a tarantula--accidentally killed when attempting to move her from the street in front of the house after she hiked across the house and the front yard. No good deed goes unpunished, they say. That's the case here--she might have made it out of the street by herself, even with her meandering path, but didn't survive the gentle toss from the end of a stick trying to get her onto the neighbor's grass. :(

Get better soon, Giac!

SRS

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 10:40 AM

Tell Giac that she will be in my thoughts and my prayers.

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: kendall
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 10:34 AM

Just to balance the books,

A woman got out of bed, looked into the mirror, and said "I'm wrinkled, my arms are flabby, my boobs hang to my navel, and my ass is too big." She turned to her husband and said, "Quick, tell me something positive about me." he replied,
"Well, there's nothing wrong with your eyes."

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: kendall
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 10:30 AM

A sense of humor is a great healer.

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 10:21 AM

rest, & exercise in moderation, Mary - backs are very important! Don't overdo it

Have you been reading about our spiders in "Oz foray from Gaum & Maine?" (or is that Maine & Gaum?? - whichever, there are some great spider stories there & lots of other entertaining stuff, too

sandra

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Sep 03 - 05:16 AM

I had a nice visit with her, yesterday. She sounded really good, though her back was still bothering her. (She's like the rest of us...it gets to feeling better, she gets all active, doing stuff, it lets her know it's not happy!) She and Emily were having a fun time by the sounds of it. She's got the most beautiful, soothing, kindly voice; I could listen to her talk all day...:-)

luvyaMary...

kat

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Sep 03 - 11:58 PM

Should also have mentioned, her back pain has been some better.

~S~

Subject: Jokes
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Sep 03 - 11:51 PM

I'm hoping to phone Giac tomorrow morning. Had a PM today indicating she's still not getting great 'pudering. I want to know what she knows about spiders-- she's been sending me the most beautiful closeup photos of spiders... and shared this in a recent message:

I leave the porch light on all night to draw prey for my spider friends. Besides these two [referring to photos sent], there are six other writing spiders on nearby shrubs. The one on the orange background has quite a temper. She violently bounces her web up and down when she sees the camera. They have company from a fat, red spider, but only at night. She builds her web around 10 p.m. and reclaims the silk around 3 a.m.

I'll check here for any additional thoughts to pass on to her before I call her.

Oh, and she's still joking-- here are a few of the latest.

~S~

=================================================================

WOMAN'S PERFECT BREAKFAST

She's sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee.
Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box.
Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week.
Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl.
And her husband is on the back of the milk carton.

=================================================================

WOMEN'S REVENGE

"Cash, check, or charge?" I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse.

"So, do you always carry your TV remote?" I asked.

"No," she replied, "but my husband refused to come shopping with me, so I figured this was the most legal evil thing I could do to him."

=================================================================

UNDERSTANDING WOMEN

I know I'm not going to understand women. I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax, pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root, and still be afraid of a spider.

=================================================================

And finally, this is too cute not to pass on...


A man walks into a pharmacy and wanders up and down the aisles. The sales girl notices him and asks him if she can help him. He answers that he is looking for a box of tampons for his wife.

She directs him down the correct aisle.

A few minutes later, he deposits a huge bag of cotton balls and ball of string on the counter. She says, confused, "Sir, I thought you were looking for some tampons for your wife?"

He answers, "You see, it's like this. Yesterday, I sent my wife to the store to get me a carton of cigarettes, and she came back with a tin of tobacco and some rolling papers; cause it's sooooooooooo much cheaper. So..... I figure if I have to roll my own ............ so does she."

=============================================================
=============================================================

###

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 05:01 PM

Susan, please give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek from me and Mister and our dogs. :-)

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 09:55 AM

I will, and I have gotten a number of PMs to share with her as well.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 09:03 AM

Susan, please pass on a hug from me

sandra

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 12:12 PM

I just saw this thread. Mary. Be well. Confound the damn doctors all you want, and keep 'em laughing. Remember the one about the urologist who sings the blues. Urethra Franklin. And then, one day, mention that those supositories are o.k. but they really taste terrible.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Giac Updates
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 11:56 AM

I have permission from Giac to share from some of the most recent updates. This time I'm giving them in her own words, minus the editing she often likes me to do to keep it less personal-- having just talked to her, I can say that Giac speaking for herself is about as clear as humans get, so I wanted you to hear her for yourselves.

Of course she continues to send out the funniest jokes I ever get in email. Here's a sample from June 18:
Martha and Edna, two widows, are talking. Martha says, "That nice George Johnson asked me out for a date. I know you went out with him last week, and I wanted to talk with you about him before I give him my answer."

Edna replied, "Well... I'll tell you. He shows up at my apartment punctually at 7 PM. And dressed like such a gentleman in a fine suit. And he brings me such beautiful flowers! Then he takes me downstairs, and what's there but a beautiful car... a limousine, uniformed chauffeur and all. Then he takes me out for dinner... marvelous dinner - lobster. Then we go see a show... let me tell you, Martha, I enjoyed it so much I could have just died from pleasure! So then we are coming back to my apartment and he turns into an ANIMAL. Completely crazy, he tears off my expensive new dress and has his way with me two times!"

Martha exclaimed, "Goodness gracious! ....so you are telling me I shouldn't go out with him?"

Edna answers "No... I'm just saying, wear an old dress."


Now, as to Giac herself-- well I won't share her encounter with the spider *G*G* at 2 AM in bed, but.....

June 22: A good friend of mine lost two dogs and two horses within the last year. They were all elderly and their demise was not unexpected, but quite traumatic in such a short time. Yesterday, she got a new horse, Scout, who is 3 1/2, half Morgan and half Mustang. He is wonderful! The woman from whom she got Scout, brought another horse along to keep him company for awhile, as he has never been alone. The companion, Trotter, is 18, a gorgeous sorrel and quite sedate. Hmmm, my friend thought. I'll bet Mary would want to ride him. (Gee, do ya think?) Some of you likely don't know that I spent most of my childhood and adolescence on horses. Sold my last one when I was around 33. I've ridden a few times in the interim, including on a couple of Brenda's horses, but the last time was around eight years ago just before her old mare went lame permanently (No, it wasn't my fault! Humpf!). When I was young I'd not have believed I'd could go that long without riding. We rode for about an hour and it was one of the best and happiest days I've had in maybe years!!! When I thanked her, my friend said the expression on my face and my four hours of constant chattering about it were worth it. She is a VERY GOOD friend.

July 12: Had [dog] Misty put to sleep this evening. She seemed to have had some sort of episode and began pacing the floor, then she was in obvious pain. She was 19, a Spitz, but most of all, a good friend. Emily [younger dog] and I will miss her. She is buried on a classic, steep, East Tennessee hillside, near a pond with lovely bog plants, and right by her friends Bear and Josie.

August 24: I just finished two weeks of oral chemo. My first blood work was good. They have delayed starting the infusions for a bit, hoping my back will get some better. The MRI revealed an excessive amount of de[ge]nerating bone stuff in my spine. It is greatly inflamed. I am, frankly, miserable. Can't sit for more than 20-30 minutes, can't stand that long. Spend most of my time on my back. Can't lie on either side (and certainly not on my stomach) due to previous surgeries. Good friends are helping me, and I get weekday Meals on Wheels now, too. That is a great thing because I can't stand long enough to do more than scramble eggs. I LIKE eggs, but after awhile, one does like a variety. This, being the South, means the meals are good home-cooked food; there's usually enough to have some left for supper, too.

Do not be alarmed if I don't answer [or post] promptly. I can't stand to sit at the computer very long and don't check email some days. As I needled the doctor: I'd be all right if I didn't have a broken back! She did not see the humor in it. Damn! Doctors take themselves so seriously. *Snerk, snerk*

A great by-product of this whole thing is that I have lost a lot(!) of weight. The medicos are concerned by such things, but I keep telling them to not dampen my extreme delight. Celebrate the little happinesses as they come, I say!

Keep chugging along, my friends.

-------------------------------------------------------------------


Giac is having some computer trouble now too, and will not be using her puder for a bit. I know of at least one email she sent that never arrived, so it's not the best way to message her for now. PMs are more reliable, but again, she's not booting up for now and when she resumes pudering, it will be brief stints and not too often. I have her phone number if anyone would like to pass some time with her (PM me and tell me how well you know her), and we're sending her some audio books and old radio shows. She deeply appreciates all your prayers, good thoughts, candles, etc.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Escamillo
Date: 21 Mar 03 - 12:57 AM

Excellent news, Mary. Your joy will be our joy.

Un abrazo,
Andrés

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 20 Mar 03 - 06:27 PM

Mary, I hope you'll continue to get better and rebuild your strength, if only (for a start) to play the guitar for longer, go for walks with the dog, and keep in touch with the Mudcat. All the best!

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Mar 03 - 05:22 PM

One day at a time, Mary. One treatment at a time. Wishing you snowdrops and daffodils on the Equinox.
Mary, too

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Mudlark
Date: 20 Mar 03 - 02:11 PM

Hi Mary...Very good to hear from you and know that you are improving, and able to enjoy Spring. It is a time of rebirth and renewal and so it can be for you. Luckily, it doesn't take a lot of energy to enjoy the swelling birdsong, or see the new leaves beginning to turn the diciduous trees green again. Take care, you are in my thoughts... nancy

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Kim C
Date: 20 Mar 03 - 09:41 AM

Go Mary! Go Mary! Go Mary! :-)

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: gnu
Date: 20 Mar 03 - 08:17 AM

It's a joy to hear you are enjoying spring.

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Giac
Date: 20 Mar 03 - 07:30 AM

Andrés and Sandra --

Thanks for your recent inquiry. I'm feeling quite a bit better, that is, getting some strength back. The surgery and subsequent radiation worked wonders in relieving the pain. The worst consequence was dibilitating weakness, but it has been a couple of weeks since the last radiation treatment and I get stronger daily.

I'm more able to sit at my computer for longer periods now, so I'm getting back in touch with the world (at least the Mudcat part).

At the end of the month I have an appointment with the chemotherapy doctor, so we'll see from there.

Thanks to all of you for your continued support and healing thoughts. I'm certain I would not have made it to this point without you!

It's a beautiful Spring here, and I thank the powers that be, and all of you that I'm able to enjoy it.

Mary

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Mar 03 - 07:09 AM

Andres - Mary has been posting a bit recently - click on her name in one of her posts on this thread to see her recent contributions - or maybe send her a pm (which I'm gunna do)

sandra

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Escamillo
Date: 20 Mar 03 - 02:03 AM

How is Mary doing now ? We all hope she's better

Un abrazo,
Andrés

Subject: RE: Giac Hospitalized
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 10:41 PM

Mary, I do hope that things reverse and are better for you soon. And please know you raised my consciousness to the place where I now can see my humor at the expense of your territory was in bad taste and hurtful. I just thought I was being funny. Please--be well !!!!

Art Thieme