It's Wednesday, what's new?

A quick note - busy day today.  I took Michael to dialysis and came into work a couple of hours early.  So I'll get done at 3:00 instead of 4:30.

I am facilitating a strategic planning session for managers and supervisors of a work division.  I've never done that before, so I'm excited.  I'm about ready and it starts in less than an hour!  I love new work opportunities.  And, yes, I know I am lucky to have a job.  Even if my hours have been cut back.

Tomorrow is my 3-month follow up for the RNY, but it is actually closer to 4 months, because they couldn't get me in sooner.  I'll be anxious to hear what they say.  I'm down about 73 pounds and feeling so much better!

Mary,

Isn't it amazing how much better we feel even to we haven't lost all of our weight? I lost 100 lbs in 3months being a heavyweight to start with. At that point I was off of most meds and my sleep apnea was gone. I could get around so much better as my breathing wasn't labored. Truly miraculous isn't it? I can tell such a difference in your face. Have you posted any new pictures of the "whole" you? You're doing great. I'm sure the doctor will think so too! Best wishes.

Hi Eileen and everyone who follows,
Well, this is more like what I'm used to, LOL!  Here I am like #20 and it's only 9:15.  :D

Eileen, my brain is like swiss cheese sometimes.  You wanted to sell your condo to move?  It sure is a hard time to try and sell, with this economy.  Our house fell in value so that now we have little equity.  If we were forced to a short sale, we wouldn't even be able to pay what we owe and that is very scary!!!!

Speaking of mortgages and being forced to sell, I was on the phone with that stupid mortgage company for two hours before I finally got someone to tell me that our restructure application was denied because ... get this ... we aren't 3 months behind in our payments!  The assistance to homeowners that Pres. Obama got passed helps those with FHA loans only IF they are three months behind.  Further, our bank KNEW we didn't qualify for those reasons when they tried to submit us for that program!  I could hardly contain myself but ...

it's a good thing I managed to hold my temper.  After speaking to 10 people (no exaggeration, I ticked them off on paper) I was finally put through to a man who deals with HUD and with homeowners at risk of default.  He qualified me for the program over the phone and now they just have to "verify" information before I'll find out whether or not we're accepted in the program.  How long will this process take?  Who thinks at least 2 months?  Ding ding ding, you're right!  So we have to try and hang in another two months.  We are holding by our finger nails.  Oh well.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!
Cassie

Hi Cassie:

I was thinking of selling my condo anyway, because it costs me $906 for the mortgage and $226 for the condo fees, much more than it would cost me to rent. That was before I lost my job. Now it's more urgent. The good news is my mortgage is paid through Oct. 1, so I have some time.

But most likely, I'm not going to get a job in Grand Rapids ... there's only one newspaper here and not too much other editing around. It's a very depressed job market. Any jobs I could do would have to be sitting at a desk because of my disbilities. I have no ties to this area. So the best thing I can do is to sell the condo and free myself of that tie. Then, if by some miracle I do get a job, I can move easier.

That said, I don't anticipate getting a job. I plan to file for disability. I'm in pain most of the time when I sit at work. I can't sit for eight hours at work without needing to elevate my legs, and then my back starts to hurt, and then I need a painkiller, ice packs, etc. And then I get crabby (and lately, really bitter, like last night, and then start crying on the way home from work ... sometimes the fear of no job and no insurance overwhelms me). Between the fibro and the arthritis, I am not a happy camper.

Good Morning Eileen and All,

I'm still in Chehalis. The kids got sick, their dad has the flu, daughter is 4 months pregnant and not feeling great so. . . Papa Mike and I are still here. This morning Erin and I take the twins to get their hearts checked out. They have slight murmers that the doctor wants to keep track of. They'll have an EKG and an ultrasound. Keeping those two little fleas still should be interesting. They are going to put them in separate rooms for the proceedures with one of us in each room. Josh planned to go but he is really sick. He came home from school yesterday and went straight to bed. He took both flu shots but there are other strains. Sure hope Erin and babies don't get it. My throat is sore but don't feel bad other than that. We're worn out of course. Always are even when they feel good! They don't feel real bad but can't go to daycare with a fever.

Not much else going on in my world. Just a few weeks til Mike and go to Texas to visit friends. Hope the Texas sun shines on us as I am so ready to feel some warm on these old bones.

George, I too have a shoulder problem that has been going on for some time. Nothing has seemed to help. Thought at first it was my arthritic neck but pt, massage, exercise don't help. I get a bit of a  painful "hitch" when I lift my arm up part way. Know something is wrong and it is keeping me awake at night. I'm a light sleeper anyway and this just adds to the problem.

After we get back from Beaumont I'll make an appointment with the doctor *****placed my knees to see what is wrong and then make a decision of what to do with it. Not a big fan of surgery especially since it's my left arm and shoulder and I'm totally left handed. With a new grandbaby on the horizen and twin two year olds that seem to need to be lifted up and down and in and out a lot don't know when the time would be "right."

Eileen, I'm so glad that you are taking an active role in your future. Do what you can, Make the most of something that is not your doing and then you will feel like you have done everything you can and not let others make all of those decisions for you.

My husband's disability went through without an attorney also. We sought advice of one and he said to try it on our own first. He recommended that Mike be finished with work first. He was still struggling to go every day and in so much pain. So he had his spinal fusion and then applied. About 4 months to the day after applying he got a "back pay" check and then started receiving monthlies. You have some good advisors who have been through the process and you can get an attorney if you are  turned down. Sounds like you have a good case to me. I don't think you can be too thorough.

It's just 6:30 am and it sounds like Hannah stirring. We gave them Tylenol last night and Hannah seems sensitive to it. She's been having dreams all night and kind of crying out in her sleep. Too much Tylenol PM does the same thing to me.

I'll close sending you all peaceful thoughts and positive vibes.

Hi, Everyone.

So many of us are going through tough challenges. I am thinking good thoughts for all of you and trying to remain positive myself. It is so hard to let go of things. I guess I'd like to control everything.

My hubby and I have both gained weight and are feeling down about that. We are going to join one of three organizations: Weigh****chers or O.A. or T.O.P.S.
Any suggestions? We need to have a weekly weigh in and get support for making better choices when it comes to eating. At least that's what we hope to get out of joining. Have any of you had personal experiences with any of these organizations? I'd be interested in hearing your feedback -- particularly how they have helped you after wls.

We have so much to do for Ron's (hubby) mom. She has a house in CA that we've been renting to supplement the cost of her care at an assisted living facility. The house is 60 years old and we've had to put a lot into repairs. So, our tax person has suggested she'd be better off if we sell it and invest the proceeds. The property is rented (on a lease****il the end of May. We'll be putting it up for sale at that time. Our goal is to sell it within six months. Wish us luck.

My mother has had many UTI's in the last few months. Her behavior gets really weird when she has one. (She suffers from dementia.) A couple of weeks ago, the staff at the assisted living facility reported that she was poised at the top of the staircase with her wheelchair ready to go down. When the staff person rushed up the stairs to stop her, she had a dazed look on her face. Not good. I'm not sure what we are going to do about it. We see the doctor Thursday and I plan to talk to him about everything that has been going on with her these last couple of months.

I know a lot of us are dealing with aging parents. It is so hard.

I guess that's it for now. I could go on and on but I don't want to drag you down with all the details.

Know that my thoughts are with everyone. Even though I don't post regularly, I do read OFF daily.

Cindy P.

Morning All,

Just a speed by, as I have lots to do today here at work. . . hoping that the many challenges you all are facing are overcome and have positive outcomes!

Hugs, Laureen

morning eileen and OFF...

well i had my second block done in my back yesterday. OMG the pressure about killed me this time!! i asked the dr why he didn't give me something so i didn't feel that pressure so bad...he said he gave me 2 shots for that...OMG can you imagine what it would have been without that???? but i am feeling better and only one more to go through next week. dr said if we caught this early enough this should last me a VERY LONG TIME. so hope he is right!!!

not much else happening here with me today. just relaxing around the house and working on the afghan again. ready to hook another row of flowers on. i am now just over half way done. WOOHOOOO!!!! need to go to grocery store for a few things. thinking aldi's because they had a good deal on veggies this week. i am soooo hungry for a salad...;-) . i also need more fruit and some meat of some kind. rick wants a steak so if they have one cheap enough we will have steak and salad for supper tonight.

thinking of you all and prayers for all that need them...:-)

 

Good morning OFF family,
Had a busy day yesterday, had to go to court to testify on my stepdaughter's divorce case. She had an ex that stalked her and was trying to get full custody of our 3 yr. old grandson.
Let me tell you, he didn't win on anything. My SD said "finally you seen the other side of him" everyone thought he was basically a good guy. You never know what goes on behind closed doors do we?

Anyway my SD lives with us and is pregnant by her boyfriend. He's a wonderful man who is a school teacher and is great with the 2 grandchildren. My SD will be getting married on Feb. 12th so we are keeping it to immediate family and close friends and she wants to be married in our church. Gotta contact the pastor today. We are excited about a new grand baby but sure wished it would have been a little later so she could adjust to being single for awhile. This divorce took almost 2 yrs. because her ex was playing games and had money...well his grandpa is paying for everything and he was a sore loser in all of this. Our SD was so stressed out about this court thing and now we have her back to her normal behavior.

Going to the gym today after work, it's water aerobics. Gotta do it, ate homemade cookies yesterday and did a lot of "mindless eating".

Hugs and prayers to all those in need. May we all see "a light at the end of the tunnel" soon!

Hi my OFF family,
First I want to send up prayers to all in need. This is the hardest time I can remember in my history on earth, My Husband like so many has been out of work for over a year. They went to work. Worked half a day and then at lunch were told the company was folding. So hard on us all.

Hi HO Hi HO off to work I go. Today is my first day back. I am happy yet a little scared. I still get so tired in the afternoon. I work from 10am to 630pm so that is most of the afternoon. Oh well wish me luck...
I took for lunch and dinner. 1/4 cottage cheese. 1/4 cup of spinach bake, and an oz of chicken just so what ever hits my taste bud I have... Oh and my big water.lol
Have a great day all.

Terri