It's Sunday July 18th

Hi Jan,

 I went back to work part time for a couple of reasons. I need to be around people who are more social than Mike is. Give him a tv and a puzzle book and he's a happy boy for hours and hours and hours. I need to talk and have someone talk back!

So working as an aide in the schools part time seemed like a good idea. No stress like regular subbing or teaching. Pay isn't great but thought what the heck I'll save towards vacations and my upper thigh lift. Right. . . slow going, at this rate I'll be 95 before I have the down payment!

So I started a separate savings account and each month I transfer over from my personal checking account which I also started and it is gradually growing. I start SS next March and have decided that I'll take my first 6 months and get the plastics done! Figure I deserve it and it's money we aren't used to having yet!

I know what you mean about being in a social environment ... I love being back in an office, although with so many of this group being young and have their iPods in, there's not a lot of socializing going on, except by IM (instant messaging) ... lot of that going on, and sometimes I feel left out; I'd rather talk than type.

I work to pay bills, to have some fun money, to meet people, because I enjoy what I do, to learn new things ... so many reasons. The work is enjoyable, sometimes a little hard on my body (my neck, back and knee hurt like hell, and I'm pooped by the end of the week, but it's a good tired). How long I can keep this up, don't know, but I'll work as long as I'm able.

Good Morning Pat, Hearing you talk about your trip to Germany makes me smile! Would you have even considered it prior to WLS? My trip to Italy last fall was one of those wonderful experiences also. I didn't have to worry about "fitting" anywhere and I could do anything and more than most people on the tour. September in Germany should be lovely. I'd like to go there some day. I have German ancestry on my mom's side.

On another note little things make me happy. Yesterday I went to Home Depot bought some PVC pipe and connections and when I was finished I had two adorable "dolly changing tables" for Hannah and Clara. They are continually taking their slightly used doll diapers and putting them in Briley's diaper holder. Thought if they had their own they might use it. I made little cloth covered panels to "sling" inside the PVC, put another board under the top and hung a little cloth diaper holder off the side. Turned out really cute!

Also in the "go figure" column, while at the thrift store the other day I picked up a microwave egg poacher. Asked around for directions and wow! Those things work slick! I like poached eggs but they are such a mess. Not with this little thing. I had tried other kinds of eggs in the microwave and didn't like them but after playing around with the time for my microwave I found just the right combo. I loved it! No mess, no fuss, very little time. . .

Nothing much else going on. Had a bit of a bug the last two days, but feel much better today. Plan to get to the gym today. Avatar is showing in the cardio theatre. I've seen it once but will enjoy it again.

Hope you all are having a nice weekend.

 

 

Good morning Pat & all,

Melanie's party was fun. My sister didn't make it so I felt relaxed. Matthew was glued to me. He put me through the paces with our usual race through the house, leg lifts on the floor and just plain antics. The other grandparents smiled and shook their heads at his energy. - and mine too.

When Dave was setting up the new Slip and Slide, the M&M's grabbed my hand to join them. HELP!!!! I really didn't feel comfortable trying that sport with a crowd of people. It would have looked like a wet t-shirt contest with me as the loser. Sometime when it is just the 3 of us, I'll take dry clothes and try the slide.

Kisses
Annette

Hi Pat and my OFF family:

Well, I did five sports pages last night and made deadline ... drum roll please! Actually, only four pages ... the one page was a preprint USA Today baseball page, just had to download it and slap it on the page. Made deadline by two minutes. I even had a late story and still made it. But I worked like hell to get there. Didn't take a break (haven't taken one since I got here ... just don't feel comfortable enough yet) ... I've always just eaten at my desk anyway. Even forgot to take my calcium/magnesium in the evening that I brought to work, so I had to down them before I left. Anyway, I felt pretty good last night ... tired, my neck was incredibly sore ... ice pack on the back of the neck seems to help, though.

So tonight I go back for my last night of the week and some more sports pages ... I seem to be doing better at this because I have six hours to accomplish my tasks, whereas with Opelousas, I only have four, and in many cases, only an hour because they can't get the stories in early.

Anyway, not much else going on ... just talking now to my mom and my brother. Have a good day.

You'll probably laugh at this but I swear it works.  I would get neck pain all the time sitting in front of a computer screen all day.  I read about sitting on a balance ball helping alleviate back and neck pain.  I got one and took it to work and it was great.  I got immediate relief from the neck pain.  It worked so well that for mothers day I got my husband to order me a balance ball chair.  It sits on a frame with wheels so it is easier for me to roll around in my cubby space when I need to grab something.  It also works on your core strength just sitting there.  It's great.

I'm not laughing because I know someone else who used one and loved it ... but I tried sitting on a balance ball and I'm such a klutz, I fell off. I think most of my problem is the monitor is too low. I need to get a few more phone books to boost it up. And I'm so stressed out right now trying to get back into the swing of things, trying to be sure I make deadline and do things right, so those muscles in the back of my neck really are hurting.

to Pat and everyone on OFF!

I got a lot of restful sleep last night and woke up much later than usual this morning so I'm even behinder in everything than I usually am, lol.  I don't really have anything to report, just wanted to stop in and say hi!

Cassie

Hi everyone.  I slept in this morning until 9:30.  I can't remember when I've ever slept that late.  It put me off on my pill schedule though.  Val and I went to see some old friends that we haven't seen in years this afternoon.  They seemed just the same.  I got really nervous though and wanted to get back home so we only stayed about an hour.  Got home and was all tense again and feeling really tired.  Took a long nap (something else I never do).  I'll probably be up all night now, lol.  I get to see the therapist for the first time on Tuesday and I'm nervous about that.  Also, the closer it gets to time to be going back to work, I'm having horrible work related nightmares every night.  Not too sure what that means...  Just found out that the ADON has given her notice and the powers that be decided not to hire one to replace her.  I guess that means I'll just have more added to my already unmanagable plate.  The job market around here is tight right now for RN's.  I don't know what I'm going to do.  Maybe the therapist will be able to help me figure out what my next step should be.  I'm usually not this indecisive.  Oh well, I know everything works out in the end one way or the other.