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Molly
09-25-2008, 05:43 PM
A move to California would be pretty exciting, though! After my visits to Monterey, I think the place would be a great area to live in... of course, it's pretty expensive to live there, too. Still, I wouldn't be adverse to it! ;)



OMG! You're right about the expense! Steve brought real estate books home from his trip last week, and I looked through them with my jaw hanging wide open! The cost of living difference from Wisconsn to California is incredible.

Lissa, I see on the map you're just a short jaunt away! I'd better not remind Steve of that. :shh:

Steve got the job offer from San Jose on Tuesday and another job offer closer to home yesterday. I had no idea he was in such high demand. He has a 3rd interested company in Indiana -but no offer from that one...yet.

Peter is moving back home from Milwaukee tonight. After being robbed in June, the boys had another incident last Saturday. Peter went to bed early (he'd had his 1st football game of the season and got a mild concussion). Apparently, there was a mob of young people (strangers) fighting right outside the boy's rented house, and guns were fired. No one was hurt, but the boys that were home were really shook up. (Except for Peter who slept thru the entire commotion.)

He's had enough of the urban experience. It's time to come back home to the corn fields and cows.

Brooke
09-26-2008, 09:19 AM
OMG, Molly! I'm glad Peter is all right. I think he's making a wise move back to the corn fields and cows. I'll take my chances with them over guns any day. And too bad he got hurt in his first football game. I'm glad it wasn't serious.

Good luck on your decision with your move.

glenneaglesfan
09-26-2008, 10:01 AM
Wow, Molly, that's awful about the gang outside Peter's house. I'm glad he's comimg home for a while. Once again our sons lead parallel lives as Phil is staying home for his final year.

Good luck with the decision making.

DonFan
09-26-2008, 10:22 AM
Molly, I am so glad Peter was all right. I worry about my daughter off at college all the time. Our children may be grown but that doesn't mean we stop worrying about them.

DonFan
09-26-2008, 04:38 PM
My friend Lisa & I are singing backup with our friend's band again tonight at the patio at the local pizza place. In a few weeks it will be too cold to do this, so we are having fun with it until then.
We have an expanded set list to sing on tonight: HL and AG, plus Walk Away, Rocky Mountain Way & Victim of Love (Bill, the lead singer, is a huge Eagles fan :)) Walk This Way, Born to be Wild, Summertime Blues, Sharp Dressed Man, Waiting on the World to Change, Gimme Three Steps, Come Together, Under the Boardwalk, You Really Got Me and a Neil Young song I wasn't familiar with until now—Rockin’ in the Free World.

Brooke
09-26-2008, 04:44 PM
Sounds fun, DF!

So, can you video it and put it up on YouTube for us? Great song choices btw, too!

ticky
09-26-2008, 05:02 PM
My friend Lisa & I are singing backup with our friend's band again tonight at the patio at the local pizza place. In a few weeks it will be too cold to do this, so we are having fun with it until then.
We have an expanded set list to sing on tonight: HL and AG, plus Walk Away, Rocky Mountain Way & Victim of Love (Bill, the lead singer, is a huge Eagles fan :)) Walk This Way, Born to be Wild, Summertime Blues, Sharp Dressed Man, Waiting on the World to Change, Gimme Three Steps, Come Together, Under the Boardwalk, You Really Got Me and a Neil Young song I wasn't familiar with until now—Rockin’ in the Free World.

DF! what fun!! I would love to see that *G* and you guys have a great repertoire! I wish I could find a place around here with local talent like that.

DonFan
09-26-2008, 05:14 PM
Sounds fun, DF!
So, can you video it and put it up on YouTube for us?

Uh...thanks for asking, but no. :blush: It took all kinds of coaxing to get me to do this the first time, and all we sang were Already Gone & How Long. Bill knew he could get me with Eagles songs. :wink: I would really be nervous if there was youtube "evidence" of this!

sodascouts
09-26-2008, 07:29 PM
WOW Molly! I bet you're glad to have your sons closer to home... at least, until (if) you decide to move!

DF - sounds like now you know how the guys feel about YouTube. ;) I sure wish I could see you up there doin' all those Eagles songs!

Troubadour
09-27-2008, 09:36 AM
I'll get the crappy stuff over with first... I've got the full works today - stomach cramps, back pain, sickness, dizzy spells :nausea: The only thing that is making me feel better is reading the funny threads on here and attempting to make a new Eagles desktop wallpaper. I'm still in the "deciding which pictures to use" phase, which is quite fun in itself.

I'm also searching for Eagles memorabilia online. I really want a t-shirt (preferably a plain-ish one with just EAGLES and a tourdate on it - preferably a '70s one too!) but I'm an Ebay novice and I haven't a clue where to look elsewhere...

In general, life's good. The weather is beautiful and I'm really, really happy in my new job. I've been there just over a month now and every day I come back with stories and funny incidents that far outweigh the challenging parts. (I'm working at a home for adults with learning disabilities.) It's given me such good experience already, and I love having a job where I'm active. Sitting at a desk all day would drive me mad at the moment!

I've got Tuesday and Wednesday off next week so I'm going for a haircut and then having my cousin and her partner over for a few drinks Tuesday night. I haven't seen them for quite a while, so I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait to do some pampering beforehand and generally have a nice, chilled evening catching up :cheers:
Hope everyone else is doing well!

ticky
09-27-2008, 11:25 AM
I'll get the crappy stuff over with first... I've got the full works today - stomach cramps, back pain, sickness, dizzy spells :nausea: The only thing that is making me feel better is reading the funny threads on here and attempting to make a new Eagles desktop wallpaper. I'm still in the "deciding which pictures to use" phase, which is quite fun in itself.

Well Trou.. THAT sucks!! I hope you feel better soon. Good luck with nthe wallpaper thingy. I love playing on photoshop all day *G* If I can get away with it.



I'm also searching for Eagles memorabilia online. I really want a t-shirt (preferably a plain-ish one with just EAGLES and a tourdate on it - preferably a '70s one too!) but I'm an Ebay novice and I haven't a clue where to look elsewhere...


BE sure to check out the Stuff To Use forum. THere's a free service there you might want to look into if you're going to use Ebay. Glennsallnighter and I have used it and won our auctions! it's called auctionsnipe and it will wait till the last 10 seconds of the auction and place your bid for you. It keep you from getting into a bidding war and insures you pay the least amount possible. The link is in Stuff To Use and its really simple.



In general, life's good. The weather is beautiful and I'm really, really happy in my new job. I've been there just over a month now and every day I come back with stories and funny incidents that far outweigh the challenging parts. (I'm working at a home for adults with learning disabilities.) It's given me such good experience already, and I love having a job where I'm active. Sitting at a desk all day would drive me mad at the moment!


Hey! Thats kind of what I used to do! I was a care giver for developmentaly disabled adults in NY for about 3 years then I moved back to Oregon and worked as a Job Skills trainer for Developmentaly Disabled Adults! I imagine its a lot different working with the learning disabled then developmentaly disabled but its all rewarding. I know my field has a huge burnout rate (what happened to me!) and turns over pretty fast. Im actually looking forward to working behind a desk *G* I was a NYC social worker briefly but talk about high burn out rates!!



I've got Tuesday and Wednesday off next week so I'm going for a haircut and then having my cousin and her partner over for a few drinks Tuesday night. I haven't seen them for quite a while, so I'm really looking forward to it. I'm can't wait to do some pampering beforehand and generally have a nice, chilled evening catching up :cheers:
Hope everyone else is doing well!

It sounds like you have some great plans for the weekend
We're supposed to go to a birthday party but I REALLY do not want to! I just got my records I bought off ebay and I want to spend the day hooking up my stereo to my computer and digitizing all of em!! well, maybe I can sneak out of it *G*

Troubadour
09-27-2008, 12:08 PM
Aww, thanks ticky! Picture-ogling never fails to make me feel a little better :wink: Thanks for the Ebay tips too, I'll check out Stuff to Use in a moment. Once I've started bidding for stuff, I know I'll be completely addicted!

Very interesting about your old job. I just graduated in July (on Don's birthday, funnily enough!) and I just wanted a job that was active, where I'd be working with people and hopefully helping them, and one that would give me some valuable experience for the future. It's a really nice little home, with seven service users, all male, and it's a very friendly, democratic kind of environment. I've heard some horror stories about other homes, but I'm thrilled with my job at the moment - as I said, I feel like I've gained so much experience already. I can understand the high burn out rate though - it can be challenging, and I can only imagine what it's like with less support from colleagues. Life as a NYC social worker must be VERY tough!

I hope you manage to find a way to stay in with your records :grooving:

sodascouts
09-27-2008, 12:38 PM
Interesting to hear about your jobs, Troub and ticky! It's great when you can do something so rewarding.

Troub - I'd love to see that wallpaper, when you finish it. Don't be shy to post it here!

Prettymaid
09-27-2008, 01:15 PM
I'll get the crappy stuff over with first... I've got the full works today - stomach cramps, back pain, sickness, dizzy spells :nausea:

I woke up feeling sick today, also. I had such a terrible stomach ache that hubby had to run out and get some upset stomach reliever for me :inlove:.

Feeling better now. Just a little puny.

Troubadour
09-27-2008, 02:05 PM
Glad you're feeling a bit better now, Prettymaid. It's no fun being sick!

Soda, I've just posted a couple of wallpapers in the Celebration of Eagle Hotness thread. They're pretty simple, but I hope you like them :)

TimothyBFan
09-29-2008, 08:48 AM
PM-sounded like you had a little case of PEW to me :hilarious: Glad you are feeling better now!

My son has been nominated for Homecoming King! Homecoming parade is Wednesday night and the king of course, is crowned Friday night at the game, so guess we are going to a football game on Friday! Dillon, who is always a jokester, came home Friday and said he almost withdrew his nomination because he felt there were more pressing "economic" issues that should be dealt with and hoped his opponents would also suspend their campaigns.:hilarious: He has been watching to much politics on tv apparently.

sodascouts
09-29-2008, 12:18 PM
LOL! That's great. Here's hoping Dillon wins the crown!

Glennsallnighter
09-29-2008, 06:19 PM
I only had a few minutes to trip in over the weekend. My what a lot one misses when they are even a day or two off the Border!!

Troub, I hope you are feeling a lot better by now and that you enjoy your time off. I'll check out your wallpapers, I'm sure they are great.

Willie, that is brilliant that Dillon has been nominated as HomeComing King. I hope he wins!!

Ticky and Troub, well done on how you both manage a challenging but I'm sure very rewarding job.

My highlight of the weekend was a trip to see the musical/ light opera 'The Pirates of Penzance' We all had a great night and Laura in particular was mesmerised.
On Sunday we heard that the mother of my godmother has passed away so I will be attending her funeral tomorrow. Her family had been hoping she would have made her 100th birthday in January but sadly it is not to be.

I'm not feeling great at the moment. My sinuses are blocked, I've a headache, my ears are funny and I feel dizzy. I hope I'm not in for a dose!! On a more positive note, my guitar group started back again tonight!

Mrs Frey is off work sick at the moment as well. Something similar!! (I didn't think you could catch things via the internet bit there you go!!) She says to say 'Hi' and that she missed her Border friends.

glenneaglesfan
09-29-2008, 06:45 PM
Oh, I hope you all feel better soon.

Willie, good luck for your son!

Ticky and Troub, it's interesting to read about your jobs. I deal with older people, sometimes astonishingly clear, sometimes away with the fairies, bt they are all lovely.

GA, glad you enjoyed Pirates of Penzance.( I once played a role in The Mikado).

sodascouts
09-29-2008, 09:49 PM
Hope you feel better soon GA - and communicate my sympathies to MF as well. I'd been wondering where she was!

DonFan
09-30-2008, 08:03 AM
Hope you feel better soon GA - and communicate my sympathies to MF as well. I'd been wondering where she was!
Me too.
Willie, I hope your son wins!

Prettymaid
09-30-2008, 09:42 AM
Go Dillon!

ticky
09-30-2008, 01:20 PM
Ok, I have an unusually UNbuzy day happening today so I'll take a few to catch up *G*
Willie, WOOHOO!! Hope Dillon wins! what fun!
I just bought Jenni a homecoming dress and she's RETURNING it today! Gak! Suddenly its "ugly and looks awful on!" .. whatever..

GA and MF ~ Feel better soon!
Got Sarah a flu shot last week and Im getting mine asap! No more icky sickies for us this winter!

Troub ~ I hope you find social services rewarding and fun. I dont think I could do it anymore.

Now I will expound on my experiences with Social Work.
I started out in college working with Teens in placement by the state. They were there for various reasons. Some were horribly abused, some were just spoiled brats, some had been molested and shut out by their families and some were seriously mentally ill. Our house was a stopping off place for teens needing shelter for a few months till they could find more permanent placement. I would help the girls do just normal stuff. Cleaning, cooking, running errands. Many of them had never had anyone even show them how to do this stuff, some of them had never been asked to do it and some of them, it's all they knew. I also went to court with them and held their hands during trials where they'd face their own families and make the accusations that put them in placement. It was a very hard and frustrating job mostly because all I saw was the bad stuff. The good stuff came later when they had more permanent placement.
The second job I had in this area was working with Developmentally Disabled adults in a group home in NY. It was actually kind of fun till we got some abusive clients. I had a paint can thrown at my head (it hit) and was nearly raped. Somehow, this abusive client decided I was his favorite and the agency saw it best to make ME his advocate (thats someone who "takes care" of the client and makes sure all his "needs" are met.. BLEH) Most of my clients were wonderful and I nearly adopted two of them! I still miss them terribly.
My Third job in this area was as a full fledged Social Worker. I worked out of an agency upstate NY but I also had an office at the Foundling Hospital in the city just 4 blocks from the World Trade Center. I dont know if it was because I was from Oregon and much friendlier then most of the people there or just my sparkling personality *G* but the big bosses there liked me a lot and used to come visit me in my home office (back at the agency) if they were in town. If Cliff had not been transfered back to Oregon, I would have had a good place in the Foundling. HOWEVER, I wouldnt have stayed too long. I delt with children who had been placed because they were born in crack houses or beaten till they were mentally retarded or just set in a corner and ignored for 15 or 16 years. I visited these families in their homes and went to court with the kids. Either way, both sides resented me and saw me as the enemy. This is why there is such a HUGE burn out rate in this job. I only stayed in it for 6 months and had to leave, but I probably wouldnt have done it too long. I would work 12 hour days and come home hating people. I had to tell children their parents had abandon them, had parents scream at me about not letting their mentally retarded child go to COLLEGE and found parents stealing rubber bands from my office so they could go home and shoot up.
I DID have a company car, an office and an expense account, but it was ugly, hard, discouraging work. It takes a very special person to do this stuff and there just aren't many of them around. That is why they had such a HUGE turn over rate in a job where stability is an absolute necessity.
MY last job in social services was as a Job Skills trainer (In NY social workers are rare and much needed for the reasons I stated above, In Oregon social workers are a dime a dozen and its pretty simple work so its hard to find a job unless you have a masters degree, I have a bachelors degree.. oh well *G*)As a Job Skills Trainer I was teaching Developmentally Disabled Adults to do piece work or specific jobs they found in the community. Most of the time they did NOT want to do this work and resented being there and being told what and how to do it. I changed adult diapers, mopped floors, sorted nuts and bolts and put up with 6, yes, 6 bosses!! It was my LEAST favorite job and when Jenni was born, I jumped on the opportunity to be a stay at home Mommy! (where I changed diapers, mopped floors and sorted .. uhh.. stuff.. but at least it was MY stuff..)
SO... there you have it. My job history *G* its not pretty and maybe Im a little resentful, but I think next time, I'll get a nice, simple office job, sitting behind a desk with a cup-o-joe *G* sounds pretty darn good to me!
Sorry if I went over board on this stuff *G* I just like to let people know *I* didnt find it exciting or rewarding *G*

glenneaglesfan
09-30-2008, 05:36 PM
ticky, I admire you immensely for what you have done,and I completely understand why you quit. What you have been through is extraordinarily tough, but you have helped the most vulnerable people in society. My work looks like a walk in the park in comparison. I trained as a general practitioner (equivalent of a family physician), but with a young baby I couldn't stick the late hours, the on call, and most of all, the whingers who would take up hours of your time bleating about imaginary illnesses and cadging sick notes. The free NHS encourages a lot of this. I never actually got threatened, although there were some uncomfortable moments - now you wouldn't allow a young female doctor on an unattended visit late at night, but things were different then. I got my let out when a part time post in a rehab hospital for older people came up, and since then I have developed a specialist interest in Parkinson's disease. I find older people, many of whom have been through rationing and war, are much more interesting and I value the challenge of helping them to manage their lives despite their health problems.

Molly
09-30-2008, 06:59 PM
ticky and Kate, I admire you both for the work you do. Social work and psychology is something I've always been interested in, but have never had the drive to go back to school and start all over again. Ah well, maybe it's not too late.

Hope everyone who's been under the weather is feeling better. GA, that computer virus you and MF are passing back and forth sounds nasty. ;)

Willie, good luck to your son! That's a big deal.

We're all getting used to living under the same roof here again. I announced this week that I will NOT be cooking huge meals for everyone on a nightly basis. With 4 adults living here, I think meal duties can be shared. Everyone here knows how to cook. Mom's kitchen is officially closed.

We'll see how my plan works out.

Hubby is still pondering his job offers, but with the recent developments with the US economy, I'm more worried now than ever about selling our current house and picking up and starting all over.

Wish I had a crystal ball.

TimothyBFan
10-01-2008, 09:39 AM
First and foremost-thank you everyone for your well wishes to Dillon. Tonight is the homecoming parade thru town. He seems to care less, he is more worried about his SATs on Saturday (can you believe they scheduled them for the day after homecoming?) which I'm glad. He is not exactly the homecoming king typical looking young man but he is so popular because he has such a wonderful disposition and attitude about everything and everyone and is well liked because of it. Maybe the "average joe" will win out this year-we'll see.

Molly--good luck to you, your husband and your family. It sounds as if you have many rough decisions to make regarding your future. Wish I had that crystal ball to lend you.

Ticky and Kate-I can't express to you how much admiration I have for people that can do the jobs that you do. I can't imagine how difficult and sometimes discouraging a job like that can be. Especially working with disabled or some of the more difficult cases it sounds like you have both had to deal with. Your stories were interesting to read.

Anyone that talks to MF-please tell her we hope she gets to feeling better as is back with us real soon!!

Brooke
10-01-2008, 11:36 AM
Good luck to Dillon! Sounds like it's not all going to his head! I hope he wins! 8)

And ticky and gef, it takes special people to do those jobs and I'm very proud of you for doing it. Very admirable. :thumbsup:

And same here to MF. Where are you girlfriend? Both you and Ga-get well soon!

Mrs Henley
10-01-2008, 02:14 PM
Good Luck to Dillon! :mrgreen:

Ticky and GEF - you are great people! :thumbsup:


MF & GA - Get well soon!!!! We miss you! :(

Troubadour
10-01-2008, 02:52 PM
Wow, ticky. Thanks so much for expanding on your experiences - it was fascinating (and horrifying) to read. I'm sorry you went through some awful things, but I too admire you so much for doing it. Honestly, the job I've just started seems so safe compared to what you've described.

I did have an incident in my second week when one of the service users attacked me. I was quite shaken up (and I'm still nervous around him) but luckily there wasn't too much physical damage, apart from a few nasty bruises. Still, it taught me that I've always got to be on my guard, no matter how comfortable I get. I think working with learning disabilities is generally easier than mental health because it's more predictable - the guys have set routines and their behaviours are understood quite well now by the staff. It definitely helps having a house with the same seven service users - some have been there for five years, since the house opened, so they're pretty much settled by now and the senior staff are very experienced and know exactly how to deal with them. So, as I said, it's not too bad compared to the work you did, ticky - that must have been very scary, and I can completely understand you looking forward to a nice, quiet office job! Not many people would put their safety on the line every single day. Thanks again for sharing - very interesting! The same to you, GEF - I can totally appreciate the appeal of working with the elderly. They have so much life experience; we could learn a lot from them if we listened more.

Onto other subjects... I've had a great couple of days. I had a much-needed hair cut yesterday, and I absolutely love it. It's amazing how much better a hair cut makes a girl feel :wink: I also went to see my baby cousins, which was fab - I can't believe how fast they're growing up. I'm back to work tomorrow but I'm going shopping soon to get some stuff for my holiday - I'm going to Spain on the 18th October and I can't wait. Bring on the suntan! :cool:

ticky
10-01-2008, 10:06 PM
Trou, Im assuming by learning disabled you're referring to what we used to call Developmentally disabled. *G* Being of the old school (about 100 years ago *G*) and considering the PC terms change so much so fast, the learning disabled I knew of 20somthingerother years ago were kids or adults with minor disabilities like dyslexia (ME!) or ADD or something simply treated with retraining or drugs. They definitely were not in need of separate housing or assisted living.
In the group home I delt with Developmentally Disabled adults but as a social worker I delt with dually diagnosed individuals. (both developmental and mental diagnosis')
It's hard work no matter which you do but if you find your niche it can be a great job! It sounds like you've found a great niche! In the beginning at the group home I had a lot of fun. Terrific people to work with and great kids. I went on vacation with them and taught classes. We had bake sales and craft fairs. It wasn't till one client who turned out to be a dual diagnosis joined us, that it got dangerous and VERY unpleasant and he was just placed in the wrong house.
More power to you, girl!!! Its hard work!
Oh, and you're going to SPAIN???? (jealous much????? yessssss...) Have a great time and get TAN!! (to hell with sun block *G*)

Wildthyme
10-02-2008, 04:12 AM
Its very interesting to read about all the things going on in everyone's lives with all their challenges, changes, and experiences.

Molly, I can really appreciate your struggle and concern about the future and making the right choices in these times of uncertainty. I find myself in a similar position and vacillating between seeing it as a curse or a blessing in disguise.

About six weeks ago I was informed that my department at the university I have worked at for almost 25 years was being reorganized and that my job would be eliminated when my contract ends next summer (I am a non-represented employee and we work on year to year contracts which makes it really easy to get rid of us). I didn't see it coming and here I sit with the clocking ticking down and only a little over ten months to find another job at a time when the economy is in horrible shape and the place where I live suffers from a lack of living wage jobs and a high cost of living.

In some ways I am lucky because at least I still have a job which gives me some time to consider my options. I do know that I no longer want to do the work I have been doing since 1984. But what do I want to do? And how do I start over at 45 years old? Do I leave this area where I have lived for 35 years? And what about my house? Can I even sell it? Sometimes I lay in bed and start to panic because I don't have much time to figure this all out snd it all overwhelms me. And sometimes I am kind of excited about changing my life and the adventure of it all.

Mrs Henley
10-02-2008, 04:13 AM
Oh dear WT!
I hope you will soon find an other job!!!!

Glennsallnighter
10-02-2008, 05:28 AM
Ticky and GEF, they are both wonderful jobs that you are and have been doing. It is down to people like you that society manages to function at all. I had experience with some of the issues you both raised while teaching for 11 years in a 'designated disadvantaged' area of Dublin. While of course many parents wanted as good an opportunity as possible for their kids again there were those students whose ability to learn was challenged in some way, and some who led horrendous home lives. And some parents had obstacles such as illness, poverty, unemployment and social exclusion to battle as well. Some unfortunately were drug addicts and alcoholics as well. Our aim was to try and provide as stable and structured an enviroment as possible for these kids while at the same time try to educate them and prepare them for their life ahead. The worst thing about most of them was that they were unable to take responsibility for anything because from cradle to grave they had been brought up in a 'blame someone else' culture.
However many of them were great kids who really managed to triumph over adversity and made something good of their lives. For some this is simply that they have managed to create for themselves a happy stable family unit against the odds. When I meet them now it is great to hear how well they are doing, even if trying to teach them was an uphill battle.
There are very few 'older' teachers in that school and in the surrounding schools. I guess 'burnout' hits everyone eventually.

WT, I hope everything turns out well for you and that you are able to make something positive of the situation you are in. Hopefully all your ideas will fall together.

Troub, have a great time in Spain!!

MF's virus is worse! She has laryngitis now as well, and by the look of things wont be able to play her gig on Saturday. :headshake: She is asking for everyone and hopes to be back soon. I'll pass on all you wishes.

Mine is a bit better! But I'm still exhausted. Which is why I havent been on as much!

Brooke
10-02-2008, 09:41 AM
Oh my, Wt! It sounds like you have quite a challenge ahead. Best of luck to you on all your decisions.

MF, poor girl. Get well soon. Ya hear?

Ga, I'm glad you are at least a bit better.

ticky
10-02-2008, 11:08 AM
MF, poor kid! Feel better soon!

GA *G* get LOTS of sleep and sweet sugary dreams *G*

WT *G* We're gettin away this weekend girl!! WOO HOO!! We'll find something for you somewhere. No worries. You are not alone *G* Worse comes to worse *G* you could live at the cabin and be a hermit like Ol Herb Mineer *G* Of course you'll have to make room for me, and M&D and Lisa and Elle and Susie and RayRay and oh heck.. ferget the hermit thing, you can run a B&B out of there! hehehe

Molly
10-02-2008, 06:16 PM
In some ways I am lucky because at least I still have a job which gives me some time to consider my options. I do know that I no longer want to do the work I have been doing since 1984. But what do I want to do? And how do I start over at 45 years old? Do I leave this area where I have lived for 35 years? And what about my house? Can I even sell it? Sometimes I lay in bed and start to panic because I don't have much time to figure this all out snd it all overwhelms me. And sometimes I am kind of excited about changing my life and the adventure of it all.

WT, I could have written this paragraph, it sounds an awful lot like my life. I can appreciate those feelings of panic coupled with the excitement of an adventure. Good luck to you. I hope everything falls into place for you.

(((((((((Hugs MF!)))))))) Feel better soon!

GA -I have nothing but admiration for teachers. I don't know that I have the stamina to face all the baggage kids bring with them to the classroom every day. You must feel like a therapist some days more than a teacher.

I've been a mentor to teenagers thru my church over the years. The youth program director is a friend of mine forever and she would tend to give me the "troubled kids". One year, my son was the only kid who came from a 2 parent home. Some of the kids confided things to me that left me speechless. I guess it was more important to listen to them than to try to offer any sage advice. Some evenings I went home emotionally exhausted and told my husband there was no way I was going back. But I always did and in the end it was incredibly rewarding.

TimothyBFan
10-03-2008, 08:56 AM
WT--Hang in there girl!!! Things do seem to work out if we give them time, but that is never easy when everything feels so unsure. Let Rhonda take you away this weekend and get your mind off of things for a couple of days before going back to reality!! :hug: to you.

DonFan
10-03-2008, 04:24 PM
WT, I could have written this paragraph, it sounds an awful lot like my life. I can appreciate those feelings of panic coupled with the excitement of an adventure. Good luck to you. I hope everything falls into place for you.


WT, I also could have written that paragraph. Several people on the board know that I have been actively looking for full-time employment for a couple of years now, without much success. I quit a good-paying job at our area phone company 14 years ago to start a freelance writing career when when our two daughters were little. I have published hundreds of articles and taken some great trips for travel stories, and I loved every minute of it. However, now one daughter is in her second year at college and the second one will be a senior in high school next year, so we really need me to earn a regular salary plus benefits again. My timing could not be worse--right when I want to affiliate with a big company, all the big companies are laying off and hiring even more freelancers. And some of the publications that I have written for for years have gone out of business due to the economy. Being 50 and vying for some of the same jobs with all the fresh-faced college graduates doesn't help either. I lay awake at night wondering the same thing--what is next? I have some possibilities, but I may need a complete career change. Who knows?

It has been very interesting reading everyone's job stories, however. We really have quite a diverse board.

TimothyBFan
10-04-2008, 05:33 PM
Guess what everyone-We now have royalty in the family. Dillon was crowned Homecoming King last night!:applause::applause::applause: We had a great time (despite our school losing!) and for a kid that acted as if it was no big deal being nominated and more of an inconvience than anything, he sure seemed pretty proud of himself last night. Even wore his crown and sash to Taco Bell late last night with all his friends!! He is a big goof!!! My camera died, but one of our friends that were with us took a bunch of pictures and I will post one later when he gets them to me.

Glennsallnighter
10-04-2008, 06:13 PM
GA -I have nothing but admiration for teachers. I don't know that I have the stamina to face all the baggage kids bring with them to the classroom every day. You must feel like a therapist some days more than a teacher.

I've been a mentor to teenagers thru my church over the years. The youth program director is a friend of mine forever and she would tend to give me the "troubled kids". One year, my son was the only kid who came from a 2 parent home. Some of the kids confided things to me that left me speechless. I guess it was more important to listen to them than to try to offer any sage advice. Some evenings I went home emotionally exhausted and told my husband there was no way I was going back. But I always did and in the end it was incredibly rewarding.

You are so right Molly. That is exactly what it is like. The saddest situation I ever had to deal with was when I was tutor to a group of final year students (age 17). One girl lost her baby to a cot death, which was very traumatic for all concerned. Needless to say there was little work done for a number of days after that.

As you say too, some of these kids didn't necessarily want us to sort out their lives, just that we listened. School was a 'pressure release' from home.

It was indeed so rewarding to meet these young people who made it to Graduation night, and seeing them do well in their own context. The school would never feature on those league tables which show how many pupils made it to University, but I hope we allowed some at least to reach for their dreams.

TBF, Congratulations to Dillon!! I'm sure you are so proud of him. I hope his SAT went well too!

DF, I hope someone sees the sense in hiring someone with the wealth of experience that you have. You deserve to get a good job, and I hope you can stay in your chosen field.

(Do the Eagles have a formal Press Correspondent?)

DonFan
10-04-2008, 06:26 PM
TBF, congrats to Dillon! I know you are proud of him!:thumbsup:


DF, do the Eagles have a formal Press Correspondent?

GA, you have NO idea how many times I have wished I could get that job! :wink: Thanks for the words of support.

Glennsallnighter
10-04-2008, 07:09 PM
You are so welcome DF! :hug:

glenneaglesfan
10-05-2008, 06:44 AM
Congratulations to Dillon, TBF, you must be very proud. Look forward to a picture soon!

Molly, WT and DF, I wish you all luck in finding new jobs and/or making life-changing moves. My other half took a huge decision six years ago to leave a successful partnership and go it alone. He is now as happy as ever, part-time in two contrasting practices and doing a bit of free-lancing, but for a while it was hand to mouth.

GA and Molly, it's been moving to read about the traumatised kids that you have helped, just by being there and listening. You are both wonderful.

DonFan
10-05-2008, 03:10 PM
My hubby did the same thing about the same time, GEF--he left the firm to open his own practice. It went pretty well for a good while, but the last couple of years he has lost clients through death or attrition, and the downturn in our economy has caused some not to pay him as much or as quickly. Those factors coupled with the price of insurance and the rising expenses for our daughters has really taken its toll on our finances. My hubby is an accountant--what kind of work does your husband do?

glenneaglesfan
10-05-2008, 04:30 PM
DF, hubby shares my profession. He is a medical practitioner, and a very good one. We are lucky in that work in this profession is easier to find.

DonFan
10-05-2008, 05:01 PM
Glad to hear you both are doing well. I continue to be optimistic that things will turn around for us.

Glennsallnighter
10-05-2008, 05:16 PM
I hope they will too DF! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Everyone is finding these times tough. I hope all these economies stabilise soon. GEF, I'm sure you and your hubby make a formidable team.

Brooke
10-07-2008, 07:12 PM
I have some good news to report! I had a pretty busy weekend preparing for my parents 60th wedding anniversary party. When I first suggested having an open house at the local community center, they didn't really like the idea. I thought that 60 years deserved a little attention, as did my brother and sister. We had a family party for their 50th, but wanted to have more people this time. Mom and Dad finally relented and it turned out so good.

Lots of distant family members and friends came (although the folks said that "all their friends were dead!"). Not! My Mom's 1st grade teacher even showed up! I think he was about 95! It turned out that over 130 people came by to congratulate them and it was lots of fun seeing everyone. We served cake and punch and even ran out. They were touched by all the attention. Here is a pic (for a short time) of hubby, me, and Mom and Dad. Mom is 76 and Dad is 82 and both are still going strong. The small cake on the cake stand is a replica of their wedding cake. It was a really fun day.

sodascouts
10-07-2008, 07:21 PM
How lovely! Congrats to the folks!

ticky
10-07-2008, 07:38 PM
Brooke, What fun! and your M&D look great! (as do you n Hubs *G*)

TimothyBFan
10-07-2008, 07:49 PM
Very nice Brooke-I can't think of a better thing to celebrate-how wonderful! You all look very happy!

DonFan
10-07-2008, 10:23 PM
Brooke, what a lovely celebration! You all look wonderful.

glenneaglesfan
10-08-2008, 04:06 AM
What a lovely photo, Brooke, and how nice to hear it all went well! If my parents hang in there, it will be their 60th next year. Your mother must have been sweet sixteen when they married!

Mrs Henley
10-08-2008, 05:52 AM
Wow Brooke, what a lovely photo! I'm so glad that it went well! Congrats!!!!

Glennsallnighter
10-08-2008, 06:04 AM
That is a lovely family pic Brooke. And what a wonderful occasion to celebrate. Congratulate your parents from me. It is a true testament to them that they have stayed together so long, and I'm sure the road wasn't always smooth. Yourself and your hubby look great too. I'm glad everyone enjoyed themselves and made the time to congratulate your parents.

Brooke
10-08-2008, 09:33 AM
Thanks everyone.

Yes, Mom was very young! And indeed, it wasn't always easy, but they endured and honored their commitment. Something I think many marriages today have forgotten about.

Molly
10-08-2008, 03:42 PM
Awwww, Brooke, what a wonderful picture. Your parents are adorable!

Well, hubby was offered the job in California today. Now his agonizing over what to do begins . And still, I know him so well, I'm almost positive he won't take the job and make this move, I also know he'll drive himself (and me) crazy until he figures this out.

I'm planning on staying neutral but supportive. Though the thought of being able to quit my job here...:partytime:

Ironically, an envelope with information for ordering Pebble Beach tickets also arrived in the mail today. Could that be an omen?

Speaking of hubby, I think I may have created a monster by taking him to 2 Eagles shows.

Saturday night, after watching our son's football team get trounced and half freezing to death in the process...we stopped on the way home for a late supper. I was sitting at the table in the restaurant tired (fighting a cold) and still trying to thaw out. At one point, I put my elbow on the table and leaned on my wrist and SIGHED...hubby sympathetically looked at me and said, "Awww, do you have PEW?"

How the heck does he know what PEW is??? Is he lurking here??? Ditka, if you're reading this...go away!!

Then today, he e-mailed me at work saying he had to do business with a gentleman from Detroit. He told him, "Detroit, isn't that where mother is only half a word?"

Aggghhhh!! He needs to get his own interests!!

Glennsallnighter
10-08-2008, 04:51 PM
Ironically, an envelope with information for ordering Pebble Beach tickets also arrived in the mail today. Could that be an omen?

Definitely!



Speaking of hubby, I think I may have created a monster by taking him to 2 Eagles shows.

Saturday night, after watching our son's football team get trounced and half freezing to death in the process...we stopped on the way home for a late supper. I was sitting at the table in the restaurant tired (fighting a cold) and still trying to thaw out. At one point, I put my elbow on the table and leaned on my wrist and SIGHED...hubby sympathetically looked at me and said, "Awww, do you have PEW?"

How the heck does he know what PEW is??? Is he lurking here??? Ditka, if you're reading this...go away!!

I've had that feeling before as well. Kinda spooky!!




Aggghhhh!! He needs to get his own interests!!

Absolutely!!

Mrs Frey
10-09-2008, 11:07 AM
I know it's been a while since I've surfed The Border or posted anything, and I'm sorry :-(. I'm not even going to attempt to try and catch up with everything I've missed now, because that would be about two months' worth of news :shock:. Since we moved offices here at work, the Internet has become frustratingly slow, and is one of the reasons why I haven't been around. Sometimes I can't even get into GFO or The Border :brickwall:.

Apart from a slow Internet server, my life has been an emotional rollercoaster since the beginning of August. Well, to be truthful, it's been going like that most of the year, but these last two months have been the straw that broke the camel's back.

I'm slowly trying to piece my life back together, but I'm an emotional wreck. The alarm bells start ringing when one asks oneself why one is alive, and if the world would really miss one if one wasn't around.

I'm trying to build positive energy within myself, but it's going to take time. I've been ill for the past two weeks to boot, and have spent a lot of time in bed, just trying to rest. One cannot run away from one's mind, though, and the goings on therein.

I hope you have all been doing well, and hopefully I will have some positive news to report soon. I'm at a crossroads in my life right now, and need to make some important decisions. I just need the strength to do so, and all I can do is pray for it.

ticky
10-09-2008, 11:14 AM
The alarm bells start ringing when one asks oneself why one is alive, and if the world would really miss one if one wasn't around.


Mrs.F, I've been there and you have my thoughts and prayers.
This, too, shall pass :)

DonFan
10-09-2008, 11:15 AM
Mrs F, you have been sorely missed. I hope your life will become easier in the upcoming days. Know that we are all here for you! :hug:

sodascouts
10-09-2008, 11:27 AM
I've definitely been missing you, MF. We care about you here and I'm sure others do as well. You're an intelligent and witty person.

I've had those kind of thoughts too, but you have to remember how it affects those you love; they will be hurt the most. You've just got to take it day by day... get through this day, get through the next one, and one day you're past it.

I will pray for you, too.

Mrs Frey
10-09-2008, 11:28 AM
Thanks, Ticky! I'm sorry that you were in a similar position, but I hope that my feelings, like yours, will pass.

DF, I've missed you too. :hug: Thanks for your support!

Mrs Frey
10-09-2008, 11:32 AM
I've definitely been missing you, MF. We care about you here and I'm sure others do as well. You're an intelligent and witty person.

I've had those kind of thoughts too, but you have to remember how it affects those you love; they will be hurt the most. You've just got to take it day by day... get through this day, get through the next one, and one day you're past it.

I will pray for you, too.

Gosh, Soda - thank you. :hug: I'm crying now. I'm trying my best to take it one day at a time, but it's really hard right now. It's the pain in my heart that I'm struggling to come to terms with.

I just wish this darn Internet server had worked better sooner - I'd have felt better sooner!:)

Ive always been a dreamer
10-09-2008, 12:31 PM
I love this thread to see what is going on in everyone's lives, but it seems that I can never keep up with it. I just want you all to know that even though I don't post that often here, it is not from lack of interest, but rather lack of time. But I have a few minutes now, so ...

Brooke, that is a wonderful pic of you and hubby with your folks. Congrats to them, and may they have many more years of good health.

Molly, I was LMAO at your post. I say if Ditka is lurking here, that may be a good thing. It will show him how 'normal' you are. Good luck to him in making the right job decision. You know we all wish you both the best no matter what he decides to do.

And MF - it is so good to hear from you. We have really missed your uplifting posts here, and I'm sorry to hear that you are going through such a rough time. It can be very difficult to deal with everything that life throws at you sometimes, but I promise the adversity will make you a wiser person. I wish you the courage and strength to make it through these challenging times. Please stop by here and visit more often. :grouphug:

TimothyBFan
10-09-2008, 12:48 PM
MF--My heart goes out to you! I know exactly how you feel and have recently been there myself, when every time you turn around there seems to be another crisis to come to terms with, when you get to the point where you don't want to answer the phone, get the mail or see another individual for fear there will be bad news. Please hold on to all the positive in your life, your loved ones and friends that are near and far, including all the ones here at the Border that you may have not met yet but consider you a friend. Things always get better and more positive. :hug: :grouphug: :hug:

Brooke
10-09-2008, 02:23 PM
Oh, MF, it's so good to hear from you. When I saw you had posted, I was so excited that you were back! We have all missed you terribly. Even though we have never met, I feel that I almost know everyone here and that they are my friends. I'm so sorry you are going through such a rough time and will be praying that everything gets sorted out quickly. Time heals all wounds. I also have had feelings like you mentioned and somehow, someway I got through it, so I know you can too. Just know we are all here for you. Please take care and keep us posted if at all possible. :grouphug:

glenneaglesfan
10-09-2008, 04:25 PM
Mf, it's so good to hear from you again, we've missed you and we're all so sorry to hear that you've had such bad times recently. I wish I could send you internet access. I'm sending something in the post.


Seriously, you should consider coming to to England.

Molly, I have to laugh at your posts! Ditka is more in tune than we realised. Hi Ditka, from England!!! Just ignore your wife's posts - we don't really mean it!

Glennsallnighter
10-09-2008, 05:20 PM
I'm slowly trying to piece my life back together, but I'm an emotional wreck. The alarm bells start ringing when one asks oneself why one is alive, and if the world would really miss one if one wasn't around.

MF I know how you have been feeling recently and believe me you have all the support I can generate from here. Of course the world would miss you, and so would all of us. :hug:



I'm trying to build positive energy within myself, but it's going to take time. I've been ill for the past two weeks to boot, and have spent a lot of time in bed, just trying to rest. One cannot run away from one's mind, though, and the goings on therein.


I know that you have been quite ill over the last few weeks, I really hope that you make a full recovery ASAP!!



I hope you have all been doing well, and hopefully I will have some positive news to report soon. I'm at a crossroads in my life right now, and need to make some important decisions. I just need the strength to do so, and all I can do is pray for it.

We are all fine MF and it is great to see you back on the board.

'Somehow you will find the strength to stand up on your own. And live in this Brave New World'

Molly
10-09-2008, 05:21 PM
MF, it's good to hear from you again.

I echo everyone else's sentiments about missing you and hoping you know that you have friends here who care about you.

It's tough when it seems there's no light at the end of the tunnel and things won't every get better...but please take it from someone who's been there...eventually it does gets better. Time, time, time. Give it time.

I've always found that it's nearly impossible to get thru the emotional stuff alone...don't close people off...you need to talk things thru and lean on people around you. And, you know, you can always lean on us!!

Remember, we're here to help remind you, as often as you need to hear it, that everything will be OK.

Freypower
10-09-2008, 05:50 PM
MF, I endorse everyone else's sentiments because I'm not good at saying these things myself. We miss you and we hope you are OK.

Mrs Frey
10-10-2008, 02:30 AM
Dreamer, TBF, Brooke, GEF, GA, Molly and FP - ladies, I am overwhelmed by your support, and I was very nearly in tears again. Thank you, thank you, thank you - you don't realise how much it means to me. :grouphug:

It seems the Internet works a bit faster in the morning and in the late afternoon, when fewer people are using it here at work. I've just been so busy at work that I haven't had time to log on in the mornings, and during lunch times the server is so slow that I can't get anything to load. :roll:

Fortunately, I'm not busy at the moment, so I'm taking advantage! :wink: I'm going to try to visit more often - when I logged in yesterday afternoon, I realised how much I've missed everyone here as well as all the information, reviews and photos.

Yes, life has been throwing a lot at me this year. I thought I'd met the man of my dreams two and a half months ago, but it seems that we are not meant to be. I am so much in love with him that it hurts, but only time will tell what will happen with us.

I have also had many doubts about the friends in my life. It seems that I'm always making the effort to spend time with them, but that is not reciprocated. I have leaned on some friends with my troubles, but I end up spending most of my time alone, which hurts.

I'm making an effort to try and meet new people, and I've just joined the Elvis Presley Fan Club of Africa, which I'm sure I will enjoy. It's a pity there isn't an Eagles fan club locally, but I'll do my best to promote them among the Elvis fans! :wink:

Yep, only time will tell now. However, as the lyrics in "Unchained Melody" go, "And time goes by so slowly..."

I'd better get back to work - I'll be in touch again!

Brooke
10-10-2008, 10:03 AM
It's great to hear from you Mrs F. It sounds like you are feeling some better. Sometimes we just have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and go on. That's all we can do. :hug:

I hope things work out with your boyfriend if you feel he's the one. My question, is he worth you? Food for thought.

Are you doing any gigs these days?

glenneaglesfan
10-10-2008, 12:02 PM
MF, I really hope you can rise above these really bad times. I'm really saddened to hear about your friends and your relationship, but things do have a way of working out for the best in the long run. Try and come here when you can. We miss you very much and although we can't physically give you a hug, know that you are a much loved member of our community.:hug:

I had an emotional day yesterday. Many of you will know that my mother has Alzheimer's and my father has been more forgetful recently, although he is doing his best to look after her. I've been worried about finding gone bad food in the fridge and have noticed that their clothes and bedcolthes are none too clean. Dad says he takes laundry to the launderette, but I don't believe he has done for months. They steadfastly refused my offer to do some washing for them a couple of weeks ago. Well, on Wednesday afternoon we had a phone call from their neighbour, who is a saint, to say that Dad hadn't been feeling well all day, and when she had popped round he'd seem really vague and she wondered if he'd had a stroke. She arranged for the duty doctor to come out, but I think my Mum may have got a strop on, and anyway Dad phoned and cancelled the visit. I phoned him, and he seemed his usual self, so I didn't rush over.

Next morning I phoned to check that he had made an appointment to see his doctor, and he was a bit vague again, so I phoned the surgery and made one for him. I had arranged to visit John, our friend who is dying of cancer, that morning as well. John is comfortable and at home at the moment. I took him a collage I'd made of our cats Jethro and the late Gemma. John has always fed them when we are away and loved Gemma particularly, so he was touched and we had a nice time chatting about our cats. He has a lot of support from family and friends, but we are going to miss him very much.

I then drove over to my parents, and took Dad down to his doctor. First of all, he hadn't been for a check up in 18 months, even though he's on blood pressure and angina meds. That may be partly the surgery's fault for not calling him in at least annually. His physical check up was not too bad but his doctor noticed that his clothes were a bit grubby and did a few simple checks of his memory showed that he is having problems too. Dad is so sweet, and grateful for help, that he agreed to have someone visit to test his memory formally, and a health visitor to come to the house and make sure it is safe, and see if they need any more help. The problem is Mum. I tried to say that it was to make sure that Dad could go on looking after her, but she got so angry with me, accusing me of snooping and blaming her for not cleaning properly, and she nearly threw something at me. That's not my mum. Half an hour later, she had forgotten that she had been so angry, thank goodness, and I left with hugs and kisses. I'm dreading to see what happens when these visitors come to their house. Dad will just say yes to everything, but I'm worried that Mum will throw a wobbly. It's heartbreaking, but I really think it's the right time to put in more support for them.

Driving home was when I nearly broke down listening to Glenn singing It's Your Life.

TimothyBFan
10-10-2008, 12:51 PM
Oh gef-:hug: That is such an awful disease. My sister-in-law is going thru that with her father right now and she says the worst part is the anger they express. She says she can handle the "forgetfulness" and such but the anger is so sad and depressing and sometimes embarrassing. I feel for you -it just isn't easy trying to take care of your own life and family and your parents! They call us the sandwich generation for a reason-getting pulled from all sides. I hope everything works out with your parents and you are able to get a little help with it also.

Brooke
10-10-2008, 01:30 PM
Gef, I'm so sorry to hear about your parents problems. I hope all turns out well for them. How old are they? I'm so lucky that everything is going well with mine for the time being. I realize that at their age, it can all change in an instant and my Mom does have heart problems and diabetes. Dad seems to be healthy as a horse.

TBF, I read about your flowers from hubby in another thread. What a sweetie! I got surprise flowers from my hubby yesterday. Well, actually, they were from our dogs, with his help. He had put their names on the card since I take such good care of them while he is away at work during the week. I was shocked when they came! I guess I'll keep him a few more years!

TimothyBFan
10-10-2008, 02:12 PM
Brooke--isn't nice after that many years of marriage to still get those kind of surprises? I'll be keeping mine another 20-30 year also I guess!;)

Troubadour
10-10-2008, 03:57 PM
I know it doesn't mean much, but MF and GEF - my thoughts are with you. I hope you both have brighter days soon. Hang in there :heart:

Glennsallnighter
10-10-2008, 06:25 PM
GEF I'm sorry to hear that things are not going well with your parents. I think you are right in saying that they probably need some extra support. It is not easy when people who have been strong and capable all their (and our) lives start to deteriorate and lose control. And I can imagine that it must be frustrating for them as well. They are lucky to have a daughter as good and kind as you and also to have a wonderful neighbour to keep an eye on them. I will pray that things work out ok for both of them.

We have had a similar problem over here. My bachelor Uncle who will be 80 collapsed in his home last weekend. He was transported to hospital and was very confused on waking but seems better now. He lives alone in Cork, about 160 miles away. He has always been independent up to now. However after being admitted to hospital and some tests being run, it appears that his heartbeat is irregular and they are worried about a 'patch' on the brain from a scan. In short he is to have a pacemaker fitted, and an additional brain scan. But he has been advised not to live on his own again and not to drive again which will be a big blow for his independence. At the moment the idea of a place in a retirement village is being looked at. That way he can have a relatively independent life while having backup services and a panic button with 24 hour care available if he needs it. My dad and mom are heading down tomorrow to see him and seek advice, as my dad would be his next-of-kin.

On a slightly better note, my dad himself had an appointment with a consultant today as his mobility has decreased of late and his hip has been paining him. He thought they would advise a hip replacement but the doctor is confident that this is not yet necessary. As it is apparently a major surgical procedure Dad is very pleased and I could see he looked less stressed this evening after the consultation.

sodascouts
10-10-2008, 06:31 PM
GEF, it breaks my heart to read about your parent's difficulties (and yours by extension). I can only imagine how it feels to watch the deterioration of your parents and in the case of your mom, seeing her become a different person. I wish I could say something to help... just know that you and your family are in my prayers.

Molly
10-10-2008, 06:31 PM
Oh, Kate, I feel for you and what you are going thru with your folks. I know you already know that you have an awful long road ahead of you. My Mom has Alzheimer's which was diagnosed a few years ago, and she's been in a skilled nursing facility for 2 years now.

The time leading up to the decision to put her in the nursing home, especially the last few months were exhausting and heartbreaking. I'll never forget how she begged not to go.

And, I admit, at first I was one of the siblings who got pretty angry about her being placed in the facility, but I realize now that it was the best thing for her. Being in a structured environment with 24/7 supervision is exactly what she needed. She's actually doing somewhat better because of the day to day routine.

Hang in there. Be firm. You're doing the right thing by staying on top of this.

glenneaglesfan
10-11-2008, 09:41 AM
Thanks to all of you for your kind words of support. It really is a great help to be able talk about our problems here.

Molly, I know exactly how you must have felt with your own mother. These are decisions I have to help people in my care face every day, whether they or their loved ones can be supported at home or need the 24 hour care that only nursing homes can provide. It's rarely an easy decision to make.

GA, I hope your parents can find somewhere suitable for your uncle. It's even worse when they are so far away. Sheltered housing sounds like a good option. I'm pleased to hear about your dad.

Brooke, my Dad is 84 and my Mum 83. Really, until the last two or three years they have had a wonderful life.


I know it doesn't mean much, but MF and GEF - my thoughts are with you. I hope you both have brighter days soon. Hang in there :heart:It means a lot. Thanks, Troub.

Molly
10-11-2008, 09:48 AM
To add to our confusion, hubby was offered a job in LA yesterday! I can't imagine myself becoming a resident of Los Angeles. Talk about a fish out of water!

glenneaglesfan
10-11-2008, 10:07 AM
Just think how close you'd be to Glenn though, Molly!! Your husband is something special to be getting all these offers, particularly in the current economic climate, but I expect you knew that already!

Molly
10-11-2008, 04:16 PM
Just think how close you'd be to Glenn though, Molly!! Your husband is something special to be getting all these offers, particularly in the current economic climate, but I expect you knew that already!

So close and yet so are away!

It's more than a little astonishing at the way these offers are coming in. Word is out that he's dissatisfied with his current position, I guess.

He has managed to create a niche for himself. If you need a gear designed, he's your guy!

His job involves so much math, algebra, calculus, etc. and yet, the man cannot figure out how much to tip the server when we go out to dinner!

Ive always been a dreamer
10-12-2008, 07:37 PM
First of all, Molly - California seems to be calling you and Ditka. Hmmm - wonder what that's all about! :wink: It's great that you all have some options though, and I'm sure you will both make the right choice for your family. Best of luck.

GEF - I am so sorry about everything you are dealing with concerning your parents. Believe me, I can totally relate. As many of you know, like Molly and GEF, my mother also has Alzheimer's. Then, in August, my father was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Right now, my siblings and I are trying our best to keep them together during my father's final days. It is very challenging because they both require 24/7 care. We have placed mom in an adult day care center for 7 hours a day M-F, and that is working fairly well although she may soon require more care than they are equipped to give her. We have home care for my father while mom is in day care, and then my siblings and I are covering nights and weekends. Mom has become increasingly violent as well, which makes it even more difficult to care for her. The job I was working ended on the last day of August, which in many ways, has been a blessing. That has given me time to get their finances in order, as well as getting their home organized to care for them, and taking them both to all of their doctor's appointments. The good news is most of the family lives fairly close together. I know it must be even a bigger problem when you are a longer distance away, GEF. My thoughts are with you and any of you others that have to face the many challenges of caring for elderly and/or ill parents.

Brooke
10-12-2008, 08:53 PM
Oh my, dreamer. I didn't know about your parents struggles. It sounds like you have a great family and are working it out as best as you can. It must be quite a challenge. I'll keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers as well.

DonFan
10-12-2008, 09:53 PM
GEF and Dreamer, I am so sorry to hear about the difficulties you are having with your parents. I can't imagine how hard it must be on the entire family. I pray for strength and wisdom for both of you.

Molly, I know it is a huge decision for your family, but California would be such an exciting place to live! Keep us posted.

tbs fanatic
10-13-2008, 10:33 AM
So sorry to hear about your family difficulties gef and dreamer. My father-in-law had Alzheimer's and it was an extremely difficult time with a lot of difficult decisions having to be made. Stay strong and remember we are all thinking of you.

Molly - remember to invite us over when you get to LA ;-) :lol:

Molly
10-13-2008, 04:37 PM
Hang in there, Kay. I know you'll get thru this coz I know you! You're tiny, but you're tough!

I'm thinking about you and your folks every day. I'm here if you need me.

Glennsallnighter
10-14-2008, 09:53 AM
Dreamer, I had noticed you weren't posting as much as you had been and I had missed you. I know that you and your siblings can keep your parents as happy and comfortable as possible. I know this must be a very difficult time for you all and as with GEF's family I will pray for yours as well. In the words of somebody 'You Are Not Alone'

Ive always been a dreamer
10-14-2008, 11:37 AM
Thanks to all of you for your kind words and thoughts. Even though it has been very tough for me lately, I know all of us have to pull ourselves together and muster up the strength to get through whatever life chooses to throw our way. Even though we can't always control these things, it helps sustain me to know that there are friends around to lean on when I need them. GA, that guy is right when he sangs "You Are Not Alone". I gotta admit I've listened to that song quite a lot lately - and I've also been repeating the Serenity Prayer to myself a lot lately. :wink: Thanks again everyone.

glenneaglesfan
10-15-2008, 04:27 AM
Oh, dreamer, I'm so sorry to hear about your parents as well. Very tough times for you and your family. It sounds wonderful the amount of support your are giving your parents. I am considering reducing my working hours to help mine more. My sister lives three hours away and can't do as much as she'd like, but it's good to have her on the end of the phone.

Mrs Henley
10-15-2008, 04:53 AM
Dreamer, I'm so sorry to hear that! Hang in there girl! I'm thinking of you!

DonFan
10-15-2008, 09:11 AM
My job hunt continues. I woke up to an email this morning telling me that another publication that I used to write for has gone bankrupt due to the economy. *sigh*

On the bright side--Oct 25 my church is having a neighborhood party called a Monster Mash, and my friend Lisa & I are going to be backup singers with our little band again. She & I are wearing witch costumes and the set list this time is Halloween songs—Love Potion No 9, Ghostbusters, Addams Family, Purple People Eater, Werewolves of London, etc. and of course Witchy Woman. The band isn't familiar with Somebody but I told them we really need to sing it too, especially with the line about the "Jack-o-lantern moon..."
I may not be earning any money doing this--but it certainly is fun!

TimothyBFan
10-15-2008, 09:28 AM
DF-That sounds like a lot of fun and a diversion to keep your mind off of the job hunt for awhile.

Brooke
10-15-2008, 10:40 AM
On the bright side--Oct 25 my church is having a neighborhood party called a Monster Mash, and my friend Lisa & I are going to be backup singers with our little band again. She & I are wearing witch costumes and the set list this time is Halloween songs—Love Potion No 9, Ghostbusters, Addams Family, Purple People Eater, Werewolves of London, etc. and of course Witchy Woman. The band isn't familiar with Somebody but I told them we really need to sing it too, especially with the line about the "Jack-o-lantern moon..."
I may not be earning any money doing this--but it certainly is fun!

Sounds fun, DF, but I find it funny that your church is sponsoring this! Oh, my, heavens! My church would run from such an evil activity! Now, don't get me wrong, I think it is fine, and I think you don't have to be so serious about such things. But my church also was against all the Harry Potter hoopla and the kids were advised to not read the books or go to the movies. :rolleyes:

ticky
10-15-2008, 10:48 AM
DF, it sounds like a blast!! Have a great time and post a pic or two if anyone takes any!! We'd love to see you in your Witch costume!

Cliffy's outta town for a few days so the girls and I are baching it. We had Pizza for dinner last night (something we dont do too often so it was special to the girls) and I get to practice my git as much as I like! (yea!!) Otherwise, Im just getting the house back to normal after all our company this last weekend. It's really nice to have a little downtime. Sarah is off school for a few days (parent teacher conferences- mine is thrusday afternoon) so it's not ALL down time but she keeps busy with the neighbor kids. Jenni has Cliffs car while he's out of town :fear: so she's feeling the freedom and mom's feeling the fear! She's a pretty good driver though and she comes straight home after school. So that's my weeks schedule! *G*

Mrs Henley
10-15-2008, 11:06 AM
DF, that sounds awesome, enjoy! :D

Ticky, have a great week with your girls! :)



I'm walking to the freedom this week! Tomorrow we toke a day off, because we're done with the first project! Yeeh! (I've got 25 of the 30 points for my presentation! :)) and Friday, just a conversation with our coach and than Autumn Break! Woohoo! :hilarious::mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen::mr green::spin:, just the whole day Eagles and (of course) Don! :inlove:

Troubadour
10-15-2008, 11:15 AM
DF, the Monster Mash thing sounds so much fun. I hope you have a blast!

Ticky, sounds like you've got a pretty chilled week planned :)

Congrats on the presentation marks, MH! A little celebration, Eagle-style, is in order, I think.

I'm doing well in general. I had one of those days yesterday, where everything that could have possibly gone wrong, went wrong. Firstly, the zip on my bag broke and burst open as I rushed out of the door, so I spent the whole day holding it together, trying not to spill CRB forms and Tampax all over the place. Then the bus broke down and I ended up being twenty minutes late to work. I also (excuse my French) went arse over tit as I tried to get off the bus. I slipped and was left swinging off one of the poles, one leg splayed out on the floor, yelping... Completely mortifying! :oops:

To top it all off, one of the guys kicked off at work, smashing the place up and attempting to assault the four female staff on shift - myself included. Not a day I'd wish to repeat.

Anyway... Work was OK today, thankfully. I'm on an early shift tomorrow and then I'm off to Spain for a week on Saturday. I'm really looking forward to having a week of sunshine and relaxation with my family, although - as sad as it is - I'm totally going to miss my daily Eagles fix!

ticky
10-15-2008, 11:20 AM
.

I'm doing well in general. I had one of those days yesterday, where everything that could have possibly gone wrong, went wrong. Firstly, the zip on my bag broke and burst open as I rushed out of the door, so I spent the whole day holding it together, trying not to spill CRB forms and Tampax all over the place. Then the bus broke down and I ended up being twenty minutes late to work. I also (excuse my French) went arse over tit as I tried to get off the bus. I slipped and was left swinging off one of the poles, one leg splayed out on the floor, yelping... Completely mortifying! :oops:

To top it all off, one of the guys kicked off at work, smashing the place up and attempting to assault the four female staff on shift - myself included. Not a day I'd wish to repeat.



Trou! SHEESH!! what a day!!! well Im glad it's done and you will soon be on your way to Spain!! (jealous jealous!) Have a great time, work that Tan and meet some hotties!!

(Love your sigpic btw!!!)

Mrs Henley
10-15-2008, 11:22 AM
Thanks Troub!

Outch, sad that it didn't work out perfect :(
What a day girl!
Glad it went today well! :)

Enjoy Spain!!!!! :D

Troubadour
10-15-2008, 11:28 AM
Thanks guys. Don't you worry, I'm going to get a decent tan if it kills me! The weather here is so miserable - the thought of sunshine is wonderful.

Thanks for the sig compliment, ticky. I've always loved that pic, so I decided to do a bit of cropping & resizing last night. The "takin' it easy" thing pretty much describes what I aspire to in everyday life! LOL :pimp:

Mrs Henley
10-15-2008, 12:10 PM
Yes, isn't the weather bad... gosh.. I never saw so much rain and cloudy days. :| Enjoy Spain with a little Don on your side ;)

Yeh, takin' it easy! love it Troub! :D

DonFan
10-15-2008, 04:16 PM
Brooke, your church really wouldn't do this? I go to a United Methodist Church--what denomination is your church? Most churches don't have a problem with Fall Festivals, which is basically what this is. We encourage kids & parents to dress up in tame, non-scary costumes and come out for food, face painting, games, music & fun. Sometimes we do this in conjunction with Trunk-or-Treat on Halloween night where we park our cars in the church parking lot, decorate the trunks & fill them with candy, and let the kids trick-or-treat here instead of walking the streets.

Molly
10-15-2008, 04:32 PM
DF, sounds like your church has some wonderful ideas! I love Fall and Halloween. I envy all of your activities.

Years ago, when my kids were pre-school age, the hospital I work at decided to do a "Tunnel of Terror" for kids from the community. The old building that housed our hospital was built in the 1920's and had a tunnel running underground connecting the two annexes.

We decorated the entire length of the tunnel, and parts of it were really frightening. I was surprised our usually straight laced hospital administrator at the time was the most Stephan Kingish of anyone participating. He did a Jeffrey Dahmer area with body parts (fake -not parts from our morgue!) and scared the daylights out of the kids. He knew my son, Peter, by name (he was about 4 at the time) and when I brought him thru the tunnel (now in retrospect, not a very good parenting decision), the administrator called him out by name and pretended to go after him. Peter let out a scream like I never heard before or since. I can't believe he didn't need therapy after that!

Afterwards, we had a lot of complaints from the community, and we also had apparently broken every fire code violation known to man, so our "Tunnel of Terror" was once and done!

I don't know what we were thinking! Seemed like a good idea on paper!

DonFan
10-15-2008, 04:43 PM
Thanks, Molly, TBF, Ticky, Mrs H and Troub!
And Molly-love the Tunnel of Terror story--my teenagers would've loved that.

Glennsallnighter
10-15-2008, 05:35 PM
DF, sounds like your Church Monster Mash will be a great night. And I hope yourself and Lisa do a great job. You are right. You NEED to do 'Somebody'. Its a perfect Hallowe'en song!

GEF its very admirable of you to be thinking of reducing your shifts to help your parents. But I know you want the best for them. I hope things work out well for you all.

Troub, I hope you are none the worse for your accident yesterday. And I thought my handbag was the only one which was a mini reservoir for tampax!! Enjoy Spain, and remember there are always internet cafes.:)

Molly, that tunnel of terror sounds fantastic.

glenneaglesfan
10-15-2008, 05:55 PM
Molly, I had to laugh at your Tunnel of terror story! Over here, we used to tell scary stories and bob for apples on Halloween, all very tame, but lately there have been scare stories about older people being frightened, and we adopted a no trick and treats policy (grumpy old parents). Our boys never wanted to take part anyway. We celebrate the politically incorrect Guy Fawkes night instead - an excuse to let some fireworks off on a cold November evening.

DF, I hope you have a blast with the monster mash! Could you slip Flip City into the playlist?;) (Actually, They're not here, they're not coming would also be quite appropriate!)

Troub, have a great week away and think of us as you're lying in the sun! You deserve it afer the nasty experiences you've had recently.

Brooke
10-15-2008, 08:07 PM
Brooke, your church really wouldn't do this? I go to a United Methodist Church--what denomination is your church? Most churches don't have a problem with Fall Festivals, which is basically what this is. We encourage kids & parents to dress up in tame, non-scary costumes and come out for food, face painting, games, music & fun. Sometimes we do this in conjunction with Trunk-or-Treat on Halloween night where we park our cars in the church parking lot, decorate the trunks & fill them with candy, and let the kids trick-or-treat here instead of walking the streets.

Well, to me a Fall Festival isn't a Monster Mash. We go to a small, country Assembly of God church (pentecostal) (it was founded by my husbands grandfather) and years ago when our kids were small we had a couple Halloween parties, but the past few years they have become very straight-laced and anything to do with Halloween is frowned upon. It's all of the devil, they say. I think they are being too picky and it's all in fun and no one means any harm by it, but I just keep my opinion to myself. I mean, we trick or treated and dressed up in scary costumes when I was a kid (and so did my kids) and none of us are worshiping the devil around here. It was just a make believe thing and the next day it was forgotten!

It sounds like loads of fun, to me!

ticky
10-15-2008, 11:09 PM
Cliff just called me from Seattle. They had a drawing for a door prize at the conference and he won two $50 gift certs to McCormick and Schmecks! YUMMY!! (thats a very good Steak House near here) *G*
His buddy won an Ipod Nano! and they're having another drawing tomorrow! *G* He's having a good time and will be home Friday evening.

Mrs Frey
10-16-2008, 02:51 AM
Gosh, I've missed so much once again. I just wish I had more time to post here. Work is just too busy these days, my thoughts are all over the place and the Internet is so darn slow. At least I've managed to catch up with this thread.

Firstly, GEF, Brooke and Troubadour (welcome to The Border, albeit very belatedly!), thank you for your support - it is so much appreciated. Brooke, you ask a very flattering question, i.e. whether the man I love is worth me, but I guess I'm too modest to think of the situation in that way. I can't help but love him, and all I can do is hope that things will work out for us.

GEF, I am SO SO sorry about the situation with your parents. It must have been heartbreaking for you to have had an argument with your mother, and at the same time knowing that it's really her illness that is causing her to act in that way. I'm sorry for your father too - it can't be easy seeing his wife that way, especially since he himself is getting old and frail. As GA says, it is admirable of you to be considering shortening your working hours to help them, and I really hope that they will consider accepting your help. I'm sure that under all their pride, they realise what a wonderful daughter they have. :hug:

Dreamer, I remember your mentioning your mother's Alzheimer's, but I had no idea about your father's terminal cancer. Oh, I am SO SO sorry! :hug: I know what you're going through, and all I can do is pray that God will give you the strength to cope with watching him deteriorate, and finally losing him. I wish I could say something to make it better for you.

Molly, I'm sorry for your mother too. A friend of mine (a former bandmate who I now unfortunately don't see anymore since he left the band at the beginning of the year) lost his mother to Alzheimer's about 5 years ago. I remember that he always talked about taking turns with his siblings to care for her. She passed away at the age of 86. He lost his father last year, and he lived to be 93. He was philosophical about his losses, saying that they had had good innings. He is a very family orientated man, though, and despite having been strong, I know how much it must have hurt him.

On a lighter note: DF, I'm glad you're getting another opportunity to sing with your band. I hope it goes really well for you!

Brooke, you asked if I'm still doing any gigs. Well, my last gig was on 25 July, and I was supposed to have played on 4 October, but I had to sit out of the gig because I came down with laryngitis a few days before, and the band had to arrange for two stand-ins - a vocalist and guitarist. Our lead guitarist decided to sit out, since the duo came as a package. I attended the gig, despite still being somewhat ill at the time (and coughing like mad), and managed to dance in support of them and even film them with a video camera with which the drummer provided me. He wanted a record of the evening, and since it was the first time I'd filmed everything, I hoped it would come out well. As it turned out, my friend was extremely pleased with the result, saying that I'd done better than a lot of people he knew who had been filming for years. Needless to say, I was very pleased!

We don't have any gigs lined up at the moment, but we're working towards securing some dates. It's tough being in the music business, though.

Troubadour, I'm sorry to hear about your awful day. It sounds like a nightmare. I hope you have a fantastic time in Spain, though, with your family. How special it is to have a close-knit family. That's something I wish I had.

Ticky, it's great that you've had quality time to spend with your daughters. I'm sure you miss your hubby, though.

I hope I haven't forgotten anybody. I working against the clock and have only had time to read through what I've missed in this thread once and post. I have to start working soon.

I'm still battling with my voice, but hope that things will improve by the end of the month. I'm still coughing, but not as much, and my body is starting to feel stronger again. Perhaps I can start cycling again on the weekend. I purchased a spanking new racing bike last month, and was riding a lot until I took ill.

I attended our annual air show last month too, and unfortunately for me, it turned out to be the one hot day of the month (unusual for Cape Town in September - we don't usually have as much rain as we've had), and I wasn't wearing any sunscreen. My face burnt badly, and I developed a nasty fever blister a few days later. My skin has healed, though, as has the fever blister, although I'm treating the scar, as well as my facial skin, with tissue oil at the moment.

The air show was spectacular, though. It's the first time I've attended one, and I was blown away by the flying skills displayed. Breathtaking.

Oh boy, I'd better do some work! I've got a good night waiting for me, as I'm visiting a very kind lady who has invited me to her home for an Elvis night. She is a member of the Elvis fan club I've recently joined, and she lives near me. I'm really looking forward to it! Yes, I'm picking up the pieces of my life, one step at a time. I have a lot to be thankful for. Hopefully I'll have time in the coming days to visit all the wonderful looking new threads that have been posted - I'm only sorry it will take me so long to catch up with everything!

Mrs Henley
10-16-2008, 05:31 AM
MF, good to see you again! :)
I missed you girl!
Take care and get well soon! :hug:
*sorry I don't have much time to reply on everything :(*

glenneaglesfan
10-16-2008, 07:22 AM
MF, it's lovely to hear from you, and thanks for your kind words about my parents.

Sorry to hear about your recent health problems, but hope you are on the mend. Hope you can get some gigs soon, and have a nice evening of Elvis fun! It sounds a great way to meet some new friends.

TimothyBFan
10-16-2008, 07:36 AM
MF--hope you have fun at your Elvis night--Sounds great!!!

Brooke
10-16-2008, 10:24 AM
Great to hear from you again, MF. Sounds like you are on the mend.

I hope the Elvis night is fun for you. :thumbsup:

Glennsallnighter
10-16-2008, 06:06 PM
Yes, I'm glad you are feeling better as well MF! I hope you have a great Elvis evening. I know how much you love him too! :)

Mrs Frey
10-17-2008, 02:14 AM
Mrs Henley, GEF, TBF, Brooke and GA: thank you, girls! It's great to be back, even though I can't spend as much time here as I used to.

I had a fantastic time with my new friend, and Elvis fan, last night. I arrived at her house at 19:30, and I only left at 01:40! :shock: The time flew as we talked about Elvis, sharing our knowledge with each other, and watching the man in action. Our diets went out of the window as we snacked, but hang, I don't do that everyday! :wink:

I can't wait for my first official Elvis get-together with the fan club on 1 November, although I won't be able to attend the whole event, as I will be returning from a work team building effort which extends over a day and a half.

Mrs Henley
10-17-2008, 03:56 AM
Good to hear that Mrs Frey!
I'm glad you enjoyed!
Have a lot of fun then! :)


And an update about my life now:
Today is the last day before the Autumn Break, I'm at college, and we have to give the teachers everything they belong to! All the projects and the drawings and texts.. and I even don't have everything. I'm still sick, my stomach hurts and my ear is starting to hurt again..so I'm going after these 2 hours to home and stay home today, I'm done! I will give them the stuff after the break. Aaaaahhh I'm going to be crazy! Too much stuff and too silly things! :depressed::help::stunned::thumbsdown:

Saturday was our plan to go to Germany, but since we have a new car and the insurance isn't alright yet, we're not allowed to go outside the Netherlands.
So we have to wait till next week :sigh:

Well, the relation with my parents isn't going good at all, my dad forbid me to call anymore, and if I do (I'm usually calling 20 min.) he's pulling the telephone cable of it!, my mom doesn't give me my monthly money anymore.. although she's giving a little part of it. Aaaahhrrr! :enraged:

ticky
10-17-2008, 04:40 AM
Danielle, Im sorry you're having a rough time right now. College can be a real pain especially when you're swamped with work and you're not feeling well. I hope all your professors understand and you can get full credit for your work.
Parents can be a pain too. I remember battling my parents monthly for my allowance too. Now Im on the other side of things and my oldest daughter will be going to college next year! I already get hit up for money tho *G* We went through it tonight regarding Homecoming! I'll cave and give her some cash Im sure. But I know where you're coming from. Chin up girl, you'll be fine *G*

Mrs Frey
10-17-2008, 11:11 AM
Mrs Henley, thanks for your good wishes :hug:. I'm sorry that you're not well, and also about your woes with your parents. I hope that you will get well soon and that you'll be able to work through the problems with your parents.

rickmullen
10-17-2008, 11:32 AM
What's happening in my life?

I'm watching my 401K vanish before my very eyes.:jawdrop:

Oh well, I wanted to work until I was 90 years old anyway. LOL

I'm sure I'm not the only one singing the blues right now.

Rick

TimothyBFan
10-17-2008, 11:36 AM
Rick--- WE ALL FEEL YOU PAIN!!!!

ticky
10-17-2008, 11:56 AM
RHONDA'S RANT - ignore if you'd like.
information below is over simplified. Dont take it as law *G*

Rick, we're in a similar boat. Cliffy works for the state and our retirement is called PERS which is basically a retirement plan we feed into and the state matches our funds then it's all invested in the market (IF you want it to be.. otherwise it's in a high interest savings account). A few years ago a jack-*** named Bill Sizemore decided that the money that was going into our retirement was HIS TAXES!!! anyway, he wrote a half-a**ed bill that cut our PERS by about 2/3rds and since everybody believed this idiot, we now have 1/3rd of our retirement! AND since the market is down, We have even LESS!! so Cliffy and I will both be working well into our ninties!! Can anyone say DOUBLE DIPPING??
This economy has got to change. Lets just hope that the next administraition (no matter WHO that may be) does a better job, and if anyone wants to do me a favor... castraiting Bill Sizemore would be a start.

also, excuse my spelling here, it really sucks.

glenneaglesfan
10-17-2008, 12:41 PM
Oh Ticky and Rick, sorry to hear about your pension funds. Sounds like that idiot should have been called Sizeless. Our banks are in crisis over here, and a lot of people have invested in Icelandic banks that have gone to the wall. D had opened an Icelandic account a few months ago attracted by the high interest rate, but luckily he withdrew the funds when the website didn't seem to be working properly. He is doing more and more work to keep up - we are fortunate in that there will always be a demand for his work.

Mrs H, hope you feel better soon. As a parent I am on the other side, constantly wondering why the phone bills are so high and which of our sons owes us for the extra Sky movies that appear on our monthly bill. Keep up with the studies though. It's a whole lot worse if you get behind.

MF, I'm so pleased last night was fun, and that you will have the fun of meeting some people with fellow fandom soon. Be prepared for a few Elvis lookalikes!

Brooke
10-17-2008, 02:01 PM
What's happening in my life?

I'm watching my 401K vanish before my very eyes.:jawdrop:

Oh well, I wanted to work until I was 90 years old anyway. LOL

I'm sure I'm not the only one singing the blues right now.

Rick

I know what you mean, too, Rick. I've quit opening my quarterly statements. Makes me too sick!



As a parent I am on the other side, constantly wondering why the phone bills are so high and which of our sons owes us for the extra Sky movies that appear on our monthly bill. Keep up with the studies though.

I know only too well this feeling, too, gef! Happily, (somewhat!) son has moved out!

DonFan
10-17-2008, 03:15 PM
Rick & Ticky, I also feel your money woes. I was job-hunting with very little success long before the recent downturn in the economy, and now it is MUCH worse.

I'm glad you are doing better, Mrs. F. Nothing like a little evening with The King "Hunka-hunka-burnin'-love" Elvis to improve a girl's outlook. I hope you get some more gigs soon. The Monster Mash will be the last gig with my little band until spring. We had a really bad practice Wednesday, with the two lead singers barking at each other :fight: and both of them being critical of Lisa & me. (Remind you of any other bands? :roll: ) The guys weren't happy with our song selection, but we had to keep reminding them that this was a CHURCH function so some of the regular songs just weren't appropriate. Oh well, I have sung in choirs all my life, and bad rehearsals usually mean good performances, so I'm crossing my fingers.

Glennsallnighter
10-17-2008, 05:27 PM
MF I'm delighted you had such a good night last night with your new friend and Elvis Drool partner. Your next step is to introduce her to Glenn :heart:!

Danielle, you have a rest this week while you are off. You are doing better than you think and you know that. It is a hassle when 'The Heat is On' in college, but many of us have been there and we have made it to the other end! You have the time to commit to it now. Make the best of it.

My kids are still young and they get bought the things they need. They get a book and a Starbucks treat on a Freyday but don't get pocket money. I suppose I should start it soon. I dread when my hand will be permanently in my pocket for them. Not because I am mean but because I want them to have a sense of financial perspective and an appreciation of saving for the things they would really like (even if they are helped to reach their goals). But I know too that peer pressure is much greater now than what it was and I guess I'll succumb to the phone credit and the social lives anyway!! LOL!! Its all in the future.

Rick and Ticky, I feel your money woes too. Hubby will get a reasonable pension from work and I should get something particularly if I go back to work at some stage. We have also invested in several properties, tho at the moment they are still only worth what we paid for them. Hopefully in 20 years they will have 'matured'.
Our National budget was on Tuesday and the worst of it was

a 1% levy on everyones ENTIRE income, ie even the lowest paid will have to forgo 1% of it.

8c per Litre on petrol (gas) bringing it up to about $1.70 per L. I don't know how it compares to other places

50c/bottle of wine excise and 30c per pack of 20 cigarettes. Well I don't smoke and rarely drink so the revenue will be a long time waiting for me.

VAT (The equivalent of State Tax) up to 21.5%. Over here though it is added on prior to purchase, and the standard income tax up by 1%.

But the REAL killer:
Over here for the last 7 or so years all elderly patients were entitled to totally free medical care regardless of their circumstances, that is now gone and they will be means tested.

Now while obviously the government needed to generate income from some source, these measures will take a lot of money out of general circulation making life even harder for the shops and businesses. Where will it all end?

DF, I wish you continued success in your job hunt. Remember you only have to be the right person once.

I'm on career break and had hoped never to have to go back where I was working again for a number of reasons but it looks like I might have to next year. Or find something nearer to home.

Molly
10-18-2008, 09:42 AM
MF, I'm happy to hear about your positive experience with your new acquaintance! Still sending positive thoughts your way-I've been thinking about you these past few days. It's good to hear you sounding more like your old self.

MH-feel better soon. I have a son in college right now and I know it can all get overwhelming at times. As for the parents thing, well, I guess I have to confess I'm having money issues with my son right now, so I'm afraid I can't offer you much suppor there. Just know, even when we're pains in the rear, as parents, we really do love you!

GA, it's a tough balancing act with teaching your kids fiscal responsibility. Our kids were treated very generously on Christmas and their birthdays, but in between that, anything they "wanted" was earned. Even when they were little boys, they did chores to help "pay" for things they wanted to buy. They were given allowances based on chores completed and both learned quickly the value of money and how to save for things they wanted to buy. Of course, if it was something they "needed" they got it. I suppose that's the thing, you have to figure out the difference between what they want and what they need.

We helped both boys buy their first cars, but then they were expected to pay for gas and upkeep and help pay for their insurance. Both boys were probably the last of all their friends to get cell phones because until they were driving, we didn't see the need. Both boys have had part time jobs since they were 14 or 15 years old to pay for the things they want. Neither boy had a credit card until they were adults and we never ever pay their bills for them. They both keep their credit card balances at manageable levels because it's their responsibility.

Even now, Peter has a full college load and is working as an intern in his chosen career nearly 40 hours/week. We pay part of his tuition an the rest he'll deal with in student loans. Because he's managed to dig himself into a financial hole because of his renting a house with his friends fiasco, he's living at home right now to off-set his expenses and looking for a second job for the weekends.

While he's home, he's not paying any "rent" to us but he's pretty much at our mercy when there are chores that need to be done. Our 22 year old son Tom is living at home right now and working a good paying job. He pays us rent every month since in "the real world" adults don't get to live someplace for free. But, what he doesn't know is, we're putting his rent money away and someday when he needs it, we'll give it all back to him.

At the time, I think both kids thought we were hard nosed and mean with our money lessons, but as adults, both have thanked us for helping them learn good work ethics and spending habits.

DonFan
10-18-2008, 10:42 AM
DF, I wish you continued success in your job hunt. Remember you only have to be the right person once.

I'm on career break and had hoped never to have to go back where I was working again for a number of reasons but it looks like I might have to next year. Or find something nearer to home.

Thanks for the words of support about my job hunt, GA. I never thought of it exactly that way, and I appreciate it. Best of luck to you when you decide to end your career break next year.
And your info about the economy where you live was fascinating, especially the quote about elderly patients. Totally free medical care here would have been such a blessing for my 82-year-old mother, who spends the majority of her money on medications. I am sorry for all the elderly who will be affected by that change.

And Molly, it sounds like you and your husband are doing a great job raising your two sons. Although it is tempting to give in to your children bec you love them so, it is our job as parents to prepare them for the real world, and that is tough. I have really noticed a change in our two daughters since they both got jobs and now realize exactly how far their little paychecks DON'T go.

eaglesvet
10-18-2008, 10:21 PM
RHONDA'S RANT - ignore if you'd like.
information below is over simplified. Dont take it as law *G*

Rick, we're in a similar boat. Cliffy works for the state and our retirement is called PERS which is basically a retirement plan we feed into and the state matches our funds then it's all invested in the market (IF you want it to be.. otherwise it's in a high interest savings account). A few years ago a jack-*** named Bill Sizemore decided that the money that was going into our retirement was HIS TAXES!!! anyway, he wrote a half-a**ed bill that cut our PERS by about 2/3rds and since everybody believed this idiot, we now have 1/3rd of our retirement! AND since the market is down, We have even LESS!! so Cliffy and I will both be working well into our ninties!! Can anyone say DOUBLE DIPPING??
This economy has got to change. Lets just hope that the next administraition (no matter WHO that may be) does a better job, and if anyone wants to do me a favor... castraiting Bill Sizemore would be a start.

also, excuse my spelling here, it really sucks.
I do surgeries every Thursday...he may be a bit larger than my average patient, but a castration is considered a "routine" surgery nonetheless. (Rick and MikeA, cover your eyes, no harm intended...)

ticky
10-18-2008, 10:49 PM
LOL He's bound and Gaged and on his way!! Thanks!! I feel MUCH better!

eaglesvet
10-18-2008, 10:56 PM
LOL He's bound and Gaged and on his way!! Thanks!! I feel MUCH better!
No problem.

TimothyBFan
10-21-2008, 06:37 PM
I've finally gotten around to getting my son's homecoming pictures downloaded and now I am making you all endure hearing and seeing more about my family (sorry!). We were told by a teacher that helped with the counting of the votes that he won by the biggest margin they've ever had. We are really proud of him. He is such a great kid and so well liked because of his personality. He is a real nut and gets along with a likes everyone he meets.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e136/williehoo/P1050318_edited-1.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e136/williehoo/P1050325_edited-1.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e136/williehoo/P1050331_edited.jpg

Brooke
10-21-2008, 09:20 PM
Awwwww, congrats to him Willie! Great pictures and thanks for sharing! :)

Mrs Frey
10-22-2008, 06:44 AM
Those are beautiful photos, TBF! Thanks for sharing them with us. Your son certainly radiates a great personality!

Prettymaid
10-22-2008, 07:56 AM
Great pics, Willie!

Glennsallnighter
10-22-2008, 09:06 AM
Lovely Pics Willie and congrats to your son again. I'm sure you are so proud of him!!:thumbsup:

ticky
10-22-2008, 10:14 AM
Willie *G* I love your pics *G* he looks like he deserves that crown and his date is beautiful! He must have had a wonderful time!! Congrats to both of you (and I know you are very proud of him!!)

DonFan
10-22-2008, 10:35 AM
Great pics of your son, Willie! Thanks for posting!

glenneaglesfan
10-22-2008, 06:41 PM
I've finally gotten around to getting my son's homecoming pictures downloaded and now I am making you all endure hearing and seeing more about my family (sorry!). We were told by a teacher that helped with the counting of the votes that he won by the biggest margin they've ever had. We are really proud of him. He is such a great kid and so well liked because of his personality. He is a real nut and gets along with a likes everyone he meets.

TBF, these are great pictures of Dillon. He looks like a lovely young man, and you must be very proud of him.

Mrs Henley
10-22-2008, 08:13 PM
Great pics Willie! Congrats to him! :)

TimothyBFan
10-27-2008, 10:22 AM
Boy--big news in my small podunk town Friday. My daughter had texted my in the morning because they had just locked down the school. Then the neighbor called and said someone had just told her the bank just around the corner had an armed robbery and the guy escaped on foot and hasn't been caught yet. Our "Barney Fife"* police department didn't know what to do. Did manage to go door to door to all the shops and neighbors and tell them to lock up for awhile.

It's just horrible--you hear about these kind of things in the big cities but when it hits a little community like ours, it really gets scary. People are so desperate right now that you don't know what they might be capable of.

*for those of you who don't know who Barney Fife may be--from the old tv series Andy Griffith set in a small town about a small town sherriff and his deputy Barney, who was only allowed to carry one bullet and not in his gun, because he was such a screw up.

ticky
10-27-2008, 11:14 AM
Wow Willie! was it someone Local? do they even know? I understand what you mean. We live in a good sized town now, but when my parents moved to this area 40+ years ago, it was all rural. It was a small town and we knew everyone. Something like that, well everyone knew all the details including who did it and where they were. It was all just a matter of the Police figuring it out and small towns arent the only one to have a Barney Fife *G* Our entire police department, in this county anyway, are Barney Fifes! I hope this is not a tell-tale sign of things to come for your town!

sodascouts
10-27-2008, 11:22 AM
Wow, how scary! It seemed like such a peaceful, small town with a close-knit community!

DonFan
10-27-2008, 12:46 PM
That was scary, Willie! Whether you live in a big city or a small town, you just never know when a crime might happen.

MikeA
10-27-2008, 01:17 PM
I do surgeries every Thursday...he may be a bit larger than my average patient, but a castration is considered a "routine" surgery nonetheless. (Rick and MikeA, cover your eyes, no harm intended...)

Yesh!!! Now I have two to stay away from! You and Ticky! You women are gonna have to reorient! How about a nice elbow or maybe even breaking fingers!

ticky
10-27-2008, 02:43 PM
Awe Now Mike, You know I only save those acts for self preservation and entertainment *G* The first, I dont think I need to worry about and the second, well, I'll try and control myself *G*

I cant speak for EV tho *G* she might be a wild woman with those elbow length rubber cloves!

eaglesvet
10-27-2008, 05:16 PM
Yesh!!! Now I have two to stay away from! You and Ticky! You women are gonna have to reorient! How about a nice elbow or maybe even breaking fingers!
Hey, I was only trying to help my friend Ticky! You were supposed to cover your eyes and not see that, remember? Keep in mind that I would never harm a fellow Border member...at least not first...:wink:

eaglesvet
10-27-2008, 05:17 PM
Awe Now Mike, You know I only save those acts for self preservation and entertainment *G* The first, I dont think I need to worry about and the second, well, I'll try and control myself *G*

I cant speak for EV tho *G* she might be a wild woman with those elbow length rubber cloves!
Ya never know...:partytime:

AzEaglesFan
10-27-2008, 05:19 PM
A couple of local idiots tried to rob the Circle K here. With total town population of 3,038 it didn't take long to round them up.

glenneaglesfan
10-27-2008, 05:39 PM
AzEF and Willie, sorry to hear that your towns are becoming targets for crime. It seems nowhere is safe now. We live in a small village where more than once we've left the back door open or the keys in the front door, but so far no intrusions.

It was my mum's birthday yesterday. My sister and her SO came down and we all met up for lunch. It was exhausting but fun. We can cope with the forgetfulness and the repetition, and Mum was genuinely pleased with her present, a book about Dartmoor, which used to be her life. She used to give evening classes about the moor, and has a vast library of photographic slides. It was good to hear her reminiscing as she recognised some of the photos.

Older son has announced he's having a year out of uni. We'd suspected he wasn't very happy, and he finally confessed to failing one of the exams. He has a chance to go back next year to continue with the geography. He has an evening job and is doing his best to contribute to daily life at home until he can find something more lucrative.

Brooke
10-27-2008, 06:54 PM
gef, it sounds like your Mum had a very nice birthday. Good for her. And good luck to you son finding more work.

We went to visit our son over the weekend in SW Missouri. It was good to see where he and his girlfriend live and he took us to his new work place and showed us around. He seemed to be quite proud of their apartment and his work and they seem very happy.

We had quite a scary drive home. At one point on a two lane highway we came upon a truck driving very slowly. I started to pass and the truck veered over the center line. I held back and followed for a bit to see what was going on and he started weaving back and forth all over the road. We decided to stay back a good ways for fear that if he hit a car we would also get hit. Finally, hubby called the state highway patrol and reported him. We got close enough to read his license plate so they would know who he was. We must have followed for 10 to 15 miles with our hearts in our hands. He even ran off the highway and down in to a deep ditch at one time and we thought , good he's stuck and will have to stay there, but he put it in 4 wheel drive and drove it up out of there. We met a motor home and they nearly wrecked as they fishtailed trying to stay out of his way. We really didn't know what to do. We were too scared to try to pass or try to stop him. After the second call to the state patrol, he pulled into a driveway and stopped. Hubby wanted to get out and go punch him out for being such an idiot, but I stopped him and told him he didn't know what the guy might do. He might have had a gun, or who knows, so we went on and met a patrolman in a few minutes. Hopefully, he found the guy and took him in to custody. It was really one of the most terrifying things I've seen, watching him weave around when cars were coming ahead. We assumed he was drunk or on drugs. We were so glad to finally get home after that.

Glennsallnighter
10-27-2008, 07:06 PM
Willie, I hope they managed to catch that guy safely and that nobody was injured in his pursuit. All of this is very scary.

GEF, I'm glad your mom enjoyed her birthday and present and that you all had a great time. I hope your son uses his year off well and returns refreshed next year to finish his course.

Brooke, I'm glad you enjoyed your weekend and also that you got home safely after your rather scary drive.

ticky
10-27-2008, 07:24 PM
GEF ~ Happy Birthday to your mom! Im glad she was happy and had a good time. Im sure your son will find his Niche. Some people dont necessarily need college. Joe went to Kent State for 5 years and never graduated! *G* (well until they gave him the honorary degree*G*) You never know, he might be a genuis in an area he hasn't even thought of yet!

Brooke ~ How scary! Im glad he got off the road before he did some serious damage! And mostly I think you and the Hubs were very smart to stay clear and report him.

As for us, we're having a good time right now! Jenni got her midterm grades and has straight As! YEA!! which is especially good news as we're investigating scholarships for college next year. She wants to go to Willamette and thats an outrageous amount of $$$$ a year!!
Cliff called our internet provider yesterday about our service. His computer (not mine thank goodness) keeps having internet issues. They had him hold, rebooted the system and our connection went from a 2kps to an 8kps!!! it tripled in speed!! WOOHOO!! We're flying! *G* It makes for really fast uploads and down loads and when I reload a web page, its almost instantaneous! No more waiting for those beautiful pictures to load. I get to see their smiling faces right away!

Peekaboo
10-27-2008, 08:42 PM
AzEF and Willie, you just never know when crime is going to occur. I live in a big college town and encountered crime in what i always thought of as a peaceful community that i live in. I had been borrowing my dad's new truck because i've been having to drive over an hour away for work this month and I have been having car trouble on my vehicle. I was about to leave for work last wednesday morning and someone had busted the windshield out. I couldn't believe it. This truck is the nicest vehicle my dad has ever owned...he had always drove old junkers till he got this one a few months ago. I felt so horrible about it. I was so upset that i didn't know if i wanted to cry or scream. The cops found an eight ball that someone threw at the windshield. While some punk had fun breaking stuff, it cost me nearly $200 and a missed day of work. Some people can be so careless.

glenneaglesfan
10-29-2008, 04:59 AM
Oh, PB, sorry about your windshield. Mindless vandalism that puts you out of pocket.

Brooke, that drive home sounded very scary. I hope the highway cops caught up with him. Sounds as if he was drunk or stoned. Thank goodness he hadn't hit anyone by the time he pulled over. There was a similar incident here a few months ago. The goalkeeper from our local team, Plymouth Argyle, hit a car on the motorway, killing two young brothers and leaving their dad paralysed. He had been to a wedding and was over the limit, and at his trial they showed cctv footage of his car driving at 97mph, swerving across lanes and into the central reservation. He has been sentenced to 8 years, some say not enough.

Brooke
10-29-2008, 10:35 AM
gef, what a terrible tragedy. I agree that he didn't get a harsh enough sentence. At least our guy was not driving too fast.

And pg, I'm sorry about your windshield, too. Senseless.

Peekaboo
10-29-2008, 10:33 PM
I've been in training to be a blackjack dealer for the last four weeks...I should be finished by the end of the week. My instructors are really great guys and they've got great taste in music. They like to play a lot of classic rock and especially a lot of Eagles. Because we're in training, they have to simulate the atmosphere as though we are in a real casino. They know by now that i love the Eagles so just to try to mess me up and make me lose my concentration, they always turn the stereo up really loud when the Eagles are playing. As much as i hate to do it, i always have to block out the music. I don't think i've had to focus this hard in a while. It's hard not to listen to the Eagles when they're songs are playing on the stereo.

DonFan
10-29-2008, 11:00 PM
Good luck with your blackjack training, peekaboo. It IS hard to concentrate any time the Eagles are playing in the background!

TimothyBFan
10-30-2008, 08:46 AM
Good luck Peekaboo--This doesn't sound like it will be just a job but a lot of fun also!!!

Prettymaid
10-30-2008, 09:06 AM
Very interesting story PaB. And I'm sure you'll have all kinds of stories to tell once you start officially!

Peekaboo
10-31-2008, 12:15 AM
Thanks ladies. I've got my final audtion tomorrow. Assuming that i pass, i'll be starting in the casino next week. I'm a little nervous about it but i'm also really excited at the same time. It's such a fun job!!

ticky
10-31-2008, 12:49 AM
You'll do awesome PB *G* shake yer money maker and get big tits.. err. I mean tips! :wink:

Prettymaid
10-31-2008, 07:23 AM
Today at work we are dressing in the theme of a slumber party, so I get to go to work in my p.j.s
Fun fun fun!!!

DonFan
10-31-2008, 08:16 AM
PM, sounds like you are in for a fun work day. I love it when workplaces really get into the Halloween spirit.

What's everyone doing for Halloween this year? I feel like I have been celebrating all week already. Last Saturday night, our church held their Monster Mash fall festival and our band played and I sang backup. We had a good turnout and a great time, and raised over $700 for the youth group. It was so much fun singing Somebody and Witchy Woman on stage! My daughter took some pictures, so I will try to post them later.

Tonight my neighborhood has a hot dog cookout down in the cul-de-sac while the children Trick-or-Treat, and tomorrow night I am having a combination Halloween/birthday party for all the adults, giving US a chance to dress up too. I have a Greek Goddess costume and hubby is going to wear scrubs, a lab coat and goofy glasses to be a mad scientist.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYONE!

Brooke
10-31-2008, 10:48 AM
Sounds fun, DF! And we need to see pics of you and hubby dressed up, too!

I'll just be greeting a few trick or treaters. I have special bags of candy for the relatives, which will be all I get where I live in the boonies! Maybe 5 or 6! That's one thing I miss after living in our little town years ago. We would have 60 or 70 kids dressed up.

sodascouts
10-31-2008, 10:52 AM
I'm afraid my Halloween will be pretty dull. I'm finishing up job applications which I have to be sent out by Nov. 1. Boo! And I don't mean the scary Boo! I mean the really bummed Boo!

EagleLady
10-31-2008, 05:59 PM
Well, There was a fight on my brother's bus this afternoon, Apparently this one boy was tiffed enough to repeatedly punch this girl in the face.

Troubadour
10-31-2008, 06:52 PM
How horrible, EL.

Glennsallnighter
10-31-2008, 07:20 PM
Soda, good luck with those applications. They can be such a pain. I hope you get somthing you really like out of them in end.


PaB, good luck with your assessment. I'm sure you will ROCK with the Eagles in the background.

I started a training course for a new job today. The course is 4 days long but thank GOD Its not on the glorious 6th!! When I told hubby that I get a new laptop from the institute I'll be working with his comment was

'Thats for work, not looking up Eagles websites'.
:headscratch::headscratch::headscratch:How much does he know? :headscratch::headscratch::headscratch:

The kids went 'Trick or Treating' tonight. Laura dressed up as a princess and Chris as a skeleton! They had fun! And I suppose will have sugar rush for the next week as they go through their goodies!

DF sounds like you had a great night last night. I can't wait to see the pics.

EL, that sounds like a horrible fight for anyone to witness, I hopr your brother feels ok.

EagleLady
10-31-2008, 07:27 PM
Soda, good luck with those applications. They can be such a pain. I hope you get somthing you really like out of them in end.


PaB, good luck with your assessment. I'm sure you will ROCK with the Eagles in the background.

I started a training course for a new job today. The course is 4 days long but thank GOD Its not on the glorious 6th!! When I told hubby that I get a new laptop from the institute I'll be working with his comment was

'Thats for work, not looking up Eagles websites'.
:headscratch::headscratch::headscratch:How much does he know? :headscratch::headscratch::headscratch:

The kids went 'Trick or Treating' tonight. Laura dressed up as a princess and Chris as a skeleton! They had fun! And I suppose will have sugar rush for the next week as they go through their goodies!

DF sounds like you had a great night last night. I can't wait to see the pics.

EL, that sounds like a horrible fight for anyone to witness, I hopr your brother feels ok.

He's ok, just had to answer some questions for the officer. I just wish violence would stop.

glenneaglesfan
11-01-2008, 06:48 AM
EL, sorry to hear about that fight. It seems people cannot control their aggression these days.

PB, good luck with your training. Sounds like an interesting job!

PM and DF, your parties sound a lot of fun. Hope we can see some pictures! We don't have such a deal about Halloween over here, although we had a couple of groups of kids trick or treating and had a few sweets for them.

Soda, best of luck with your job applications.

GA, too funny about hubby's comment. I think they know more than they let on! Will that be work you can do from home?

My other half is taking on a lot of extra work at the moment and wants to put some of his hard earned cash into the car of his dreams. I think spending money on cars is like chucking it down the drain, and have said so, so last night Hubby and elder son were negotiating, and laughingly said "What Mum wants is a ticket to America to see the Eagles!" Yea, yea, I do, but seriously I don't think that'll happen. I did try for a new laptop though.

EagleLady
11-01-2008, 09:20 AM
You are right GlennEaglesfan, Also, the bus driver did not use proper instruction either. She should've pulled over and called the police, instead she kept going.

ticky
11-01-2008, 04:51 PM
This is Sarah's Halloween Costume. She was a cheerleader for OU (Oregon University- doesnt exist) Mom made the costume and being an U of O grad (University of Oregon - Colors= Green and Yellow) and the colors being that of OSU (Oregon State University Colors=Orange and Black), Mom couldnt bring herself to make it a OSU costume so we invented a new school *G* (OSU and U of O being rivals.. in case you didnt guess)



http://www.tickypages.com/picturebin/sarah1.jpghttp://www.tickypages.com/picturebin/sarah2.jpg


Sorry*G* I tried to link then right off the email server *G* (DOH) here they are...

glenneaglesfan
11-01-2008, 05:03 PM
Aw ticky, I can't see them right now, but it's good to know you had fun!

Glennsallnighter
11-02-2008, 08:36 AM
Well GEF, if your hubby gets his new wheels I don't think that an odd Eagles ticket would be outside the realm of reasonable possibility. Though I agree that buying a new car isn't the most economical way of getting a car. We tend to go for ones that are a year or 2 old with low mileage. Then its like new but far cheaper!

The new job involves administering a fairly detailed survey to parents of 9 month old babies as part of an overall National Study. For the most part I'll be based at home for admin and paperwork but will have to travel to visit these families that are selected. But the big advantage is that once I get my quota done in the week I can be reasonably flexible time wise. Ie I can work around hubby and the kids schedules.

Ticky, Sarah looks adorable along with her friend. I hope they had a great night!

Brooke
11-02-2008, 08:29 PM
ticky, what a cute cheerleader! Good job!

Ga, good luck with your new job. Sounds interesting.

Gef, I think an Eagles concert ticket and airfare would be more than fair for you if hubby gets that new car! :thumbsup:

Peekaboo
11-02-2008, 08:35 PM
I'm starting my first night as a blackjack dealer tonight. I'm super nervous right now. My fingers are crossed in hopes that i don't make any major mistakes.

Brooke
11-02-2008, 09:04 PM
Good luck, pb! I'm sure you'll be fine! :)

ticky
11-02-2008, 09:54 PM
PB!! you'll do great!! Have fun! make big tips!

DonFan
11-03-2008, 12:06 AM
Ticky, Sarah is so cute!
PB--congrats & good luck on the new job!

TimothyBFan
11-03-2008, 09:33 AM
PB-I hope that new job is going well.

Ga-Good luck with that job-more time at home is always a good thing.

Ticky-you are one very multi-talented lady! Sarah is a cutie!

Soda-good luck with all those apps.

Troubadour
11-03-2008, 11:19 AM
Ticky, Sarah looked adorable! Love her outfit (and the story about the universities!) Hope she had a great time.

Ga, congratulations on the new job. Flexible, and a free laptop? It sounds fab! Hope you enjoy it.

Peekaboo, let us know how your first night went. I'm sure you did just fine. It sounds very cool, I'm almost a bit jealous! ;)

GEF, I'm pretty sure the people around us know far more than we give them credit for :blush:

Not much to report over here. I developed a bad throat and ear ache over the weekend, so I'm just dosing up and hoping it doesn't come to anything... I could do without yet another bout of tonsillitus. Apart from that, things are good. Work is going well in general. I've taken most of the service users out by myself now, which is a bit nerve-wracking, but it's been fine so far. My confidence with the guys has grown huge amounts in the past couple of weeks, although I still have those moments where I consider the potential for aggression/violence and get a little freaked out. (The manager left me in the house ALONE with five of the male service users the other day... I'm sure nobody's meant to be left, let alone a new girl who has only just got her CRB through!)

I'm going to visit my cousin this afternoon, because I agreed to be a guinea pig for her chiropractic training. It should only take us a couple of hours, so I'm looking forward to a chilled evening at home afterwards. Hope everyone else is doing well!

ticky
11-03-2008, 11:41 AM
Trou- Before you know it, you'll be completely at home with the guys at work and being alone with them will be old hat *G* Keep up the great work! Enjoy the Chiropractic session. You should be plenty chill after that! *G*

Cliff is in Seattle for the night tonight so the girls and I are batching it again tonight. We'll have fun.
I emailed a local blues guitarist I saw on Oregon Art Beat the other night asking when and where he'd be preforming again. He emailed me back said he wasnt doing any preforming lately but if I was in Eugene sometime, let him know and he'd give me a lesson!! AHH! hehehe Im afraid that'd be like Einstein teaching remedial math, but hey! I'll take what I can get!! *G*

Peekaboo
11-05-2008, 08:29 AM
Troub, i hope your feeling better.

Ticky, i'm jealous. Being musically inclined is one talent i wish i had. I only dream that i know how to play the guitar.

Well, I've just finished my first 3 nights as a dealer, but first i just want to say a big thanks for the support. You have no idea how nervous i was. My first night went better than i thought it would. I was really nervous on my first few tables but i got better as the night went on. Only once on that first night i had the thought of "can i really do this" but after a while i felt better about it and realized that i can do it. I'm really starting to settle in and get the hang of things.

Brooke
11-05-2008, 10:56 AM
Great pb! The first time at a new job is always nerve wracking. I'm sure each day will go better, too.

ticky
11-05-2008, 11:03 AM
YEA PB!! I knew you'd be good at that!

glenneaglesfan
11-07-2008, 02:35 PM
PB, glad to know that your first few evenings have gone successfully!

Troub, hope your cold doesn't develop into anything worse. The men in my household have had colds (well, man 'flu!) but so far I've escaped. You seem to be having a baptism by fire at work, but coping. Best of luck, you're doing fine!

I've got a really crummy internet access at the moment. Sometimes it's ok, other times it's slower than dial-up or giving 'page unavailable' messages. I was banging my head last night - Glenn's birthday and hubby away should have been a perfect evening of Border bliss. I did just get my birthday message to The Man posted, but little else.

I visited my parents yesterday and managed to take them out for lunch. Dad is very low in energy, but he has seen another partner in their medical practice today, and is going to have some blood tests (not before time).

A funny thing happened on the way home from work today. Just before our village, there was a van with its warning lights on, and then I saw a dog running right down the middle of the road. The van got past, but I was really worried that the dog could get hit or escape into one of the fields of sheep we have around here, so I stopped and tried to get him to come to me. I'm not a dog owner, but I love all animals, and I was chuffed when he came up to me, then I opened the tailgate, patted the floor and he jumped in! I was a bit nervous, as he was a big dog, a handsome looking Weimeraner (?spelling). He had a tag on his collar, but there was no reply from the owner, so I turned round and took him back to our local vet. As soon as she saw him she said "Hello Sidney, you naughty boy!", so he's obviously a well-known escapee! Happy ending!

Brooke
11-07-2008, 03:06 PM
Awwww, what a sweet thing you did for Sidney, gef!

I know how you feel. Whenever I see a stray animal about, I always feel sorry for them. You can always tell they are lost. Evidently Sidney is a very bad doggie!

EagleLady
11-07-2008, 03:20 PM
Me and mom fed some milk to this little calico kitten. it is so cute

TimothyBFan
11-07-2008, 03:42 PM
gef--your a real softy!!! Good for you. I do the same things -only I usually end up bringing them home--that's why I pretty much live in a zoo. My husband says every stray in a 5 mile radius has heard of me and that's why they all end up on his front porch eventually! :hilarious:

Troubadour
11-07-2008, 05:59 PM
Glad there was a happy ending for Sidney, GEF. Annoying about your internet - it's infuriating when you're all ready to settle down for an evening online and it keeps playing up! We've pretty much sorted that problem with mobile broadband... It's great for a laptop. Plug it in and you're all set. We haven't had one problem with it so far (touch wood).

I'll keep your parents in my thoughts.

My Mum's just got home from work and we're celebrating because she's been given the permanent post that she wanted. It means a significant pay rise, but most of all, she absolutely loves the job and can see herself being there for a long time. She's thrilled, so I am too :thumbsup:

Glennsallnighter
11-07-2008, 07:02 PM
:)I've been concentrating so much on Glenn:heart:'s birthday this past week that I haven't been into this thread as much as I should have been. So quickly to catch up,

Peekaboo! Congratulations that the new job seems to be going well for you. I'm sure the nervousness will be gone completely as yiu build up more experience.

Troub, I'm delighted for your mom. I hope she has a great time with her job.

GEF, pity about your internet connection. Its so frustrating when you make a post and it won't submit, or you can't get into the thread that you want!! But well done with Sidney. He is one lucky fella that you found him:). I'm glad you are able to see your parents and that they are well enough to enjoy a lunch out. I hope your dad manages to recover his energy.

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes re the job. I've one more training day to go before they offer the contracts. Allegedly they can 'fail' you on the training but we are all being paid a fair bit to attend as well as our expenses so I'd say its more a back covering comment. I'll find out later in the week, but looking good so far.

On the downside my uncle has taken a turn for the worse. Again my parents are going to see him tomorrow He lives about 250Km from Dublin, in Cork), but his GP is not optimistic. Please say a prayer for him.

TimothyBFan
11-08-2008, 02:48 PM
Best of luck to your uncle GA! I hope everything will be fine. He will be in my prayers.

sodascouts
11-08-2008, 03:54 PM
I'll say a prayer for your uncle too, GA, and hope for the best.

GEF, that was very sweet of you to help a stray dog. I'd probably be scared he'd have rabies!

The_Girl_Of_Summer
11-09-2008, 11:08 PM
So even though i don't post very often i do read around and check up on you guys from time to time. I hope all is well with everyone. Things here are prteey good i got into 3 colleges and am trying to figure out which one to go to. Other than that senior year is going to great. I'm sorry that i missed the last chat i ment to be here but we had a game that night. I just wanted to stop by say hi and wish everyone the best.

Also GA I hope for the best with your uncle.

ticky
11-10-2008, 04:03 AM
GA~ I hope your Uncle is doing better and strength to you and yours.

Well, here I am once again having shot myself in the proverbial foot by waiting till almost midnight to take my night time pills. My issue isnt with the pills but with the fact that once I've taken them, I need to wait a half hour or so till they take effect and I can sleep (restless leg syndrom, its a dumb thing, but keeps ya up all night)
First off, Cami aka WildThyme is here visiting and lucky her! she's hit during out own personal plague! She and I and Jenni went shopping for a while today and out to lunch. It was a lot of fun. However, poor Cliffy and Sarah stayed behind. Sarah is pretty sick. She has Asthma and now has an upper respiratory infection that has settled in her lungs. She's miserable and woke up coughing at about 4:30am this morning and didnt stop coughing till she went to bed about 9pm. Her inhaler ran out about 4pm and we had an exciting time calling on call doctors and faxing perscriptions all over town to get a replacement. Finally we got one and Sarah seems to be doing better. She's sleeping quietly and her fever is down.
Tomorrow is Monday and Cliff will be back at work and Jenni back to school. Sarah will stay home of course. Cami will be leaving us tomorrow evening. We'll find something to entertain ourselves I am sure.
Im starting to sniffle myself, but Im a Mommy and we dont get sick *G*

TimothyBFan
11-10-2008, 09:11 AM
Glad to hear Sarah is feeling better. Hard when the little ones that young get that sick.

DonFan
11-10-2008, 10:43 AM
Troub, great news about your mom's job.
Ticky, glad Sarah is better. Hope you are too, because you are right--Moms are never allowed to get sick.
GA-hope your uncle is doing better.

glenneaglesfan
11-10-2008, 07:39 PM
GA I'll be thinking about your uncle. Hard times ahead for your family.

Ticky, glad to hear your daughter is getting better after a nasty exacerbation of her asthma. Which pills are you taking for night time? I may be able to send you a leaflet.

TGOS, good luck with choosing the right college.

We've been struggling with a reduced internet service for the last few days, but it's back to normal after an engineer called today and found a wiring fault. I've been so frustrated, not being able to keep up here.

I asked my boss if he could see my dad. I can accept the memory problems, but the rapid loss of energy is raising warning signs, and the GP practice seem to be on hold. Tomorrow, we have an appointment, and hopefully some investigations.

TimothyBFan
11-11-2008, 09:09 AM
My son just handed me the order form and catalog for his cap and gown and announcements! Holy crap-he really is graduating this year, I was hoping it was all a figment of my imagination and he really wasn't an 18 year old senior. I don't know if I am ready for that, or my checking account either! Yikes!!

ticky
11-11-2008, 12:17 PM
Here too Willie.
Jenni's cap and gown and all her stuff for grad. We just ordered it. AND She doesnt want a senior portrait! I keep telling her its important! Oh well.. I'll wrangle her into if I have to hog tie her! She'll be going away to College next year :cry: It's gonna be hard for Mommy.

TimothyBFan
11-11-2008, 12:24 PM
Rhonda-we just had the senior picture final discussion this weekend and we reached a compromise (after several months of negotiations) No big studio with a hundred different poses etc, we are going to an instore (like walmart, sears penneys) studio, getting a head shot that we can also use for yearbook. In and out, if he smiles pretty, and Mom still gets the senior picture that she covets so much for. Of course daughters are a little different--so good luck to you. But honestly, I have never even made my kids take yearly school pictures since they got into high school and they fought them so much-so I am DEMANDING this!!!

The_Girl_Of_Summer
11-11-2008, 12:43 PM
We ordered mine about a two months ago, cap and gown, announcements, all kinds of other senior stuff, and my class ring. We also got my senior pictures taken about a month ago. I let my mom do the big studio thing (now if she would only pick the ones she wants lol). I can't wait seven more months and high school is over.

sodascouts
11-11-2008, 12:45 PM
Getting "senioritis" already, GOS? ;)

It's an exciting time when graduation comes - and mommies, I know it's hard, but it sure is a proud moment in the end, eh?

The_Girl_Of_Summer
11-11-2008, 02:07 PM
Getting "senioritis" already, GOS? ;)

It's an exciting time when graduation comes - and mommies, I know it's hard, but it sure is a proud moment in the end, eh?


I've had it since 11th grade

tbs fanatic
11-11-2008, 02:21 PM
It sounds like a bunch of us have seniors this year. My son is being completely unhelpful in keeping up with all the 'senior hoopla' and cannot understand what I'm fussing about :roll: - Oh to have a daughter:sigh:

TimothyBFan
11-11-2008, 02:41 PM
Wow--you too tbsf? There are a lot of us with seniors this year.

I know what you mean about son being uncooperative!! Mine also. He doesn't want any of this stuff. When he handed me the packet this morning he said "remember all I NEED is a cap and gown!" I'm glad to an extent because it isn't costing me nearly as much as some parents put out but he just isn't cooperating when it comes to pics, announcements, he tells me he doesn't even want a party!! GGGGRRRRR!!!! I get to do this all over again in 2 years with my daughter, which I KNOW no way will be any easier!!! She will probably be a bigger problem!

ticky
11-11-2008, 03:53 PM
LOL Oh I don't have any problems with the stuff and Jenni. She wasn't going to get the announcements till I told her about the grad gifts. She wanted a class ring but it was a crazy expensive one. Grandpa told her no way! I told her I'd get her one within reason but she wasn't interested. The party hasn't been mentioned yet, but she has big plans for after graduation. *SIGH* When did they get so independent??

tbs fanatic
11-11-2008, 04:24 PM
My son, also is much more interested in the 'after graduation' time. I think he's hoping for a 'wild and crazy summer' - :headbang: I told him, when the police come knocking on my door I'm going to pretend you are some crazy distant relative:headscratch:

The_Girl_Of_Summer
11-11-2008, 07:20 PM
My ring wasn't crazy, i think $200, As for all the other stuff thats another story i think right now we're up to about $900 in stuff. I'm also looking forward to the after graduation stuff.

EagleLady
11-11-2008, 07:29 PM
Graduation time is so crazy. My ring wasn't as expensive, because I got it from Wal Mart. I was so excited when I finally graduated in May.

glenneaglesfan
11-12-2008, 05:03 AM
Good luck to all of you who are graduating or have kids graduating.

Ticky, hope you and your family have recovered from the lurgy.

I took my dad to see my boss (a specialist in care of the elderly)yesterday. Despite me reminding him, Dad turned up in the same grimy shirt and trousers he's been wearing for the last few times I've been over. He doesn't remember to change, and neither he nor Mum can see a problem in that. My boss was so kind and sweet with him. He has diagnosed heart failure and early dementia. I fear the heart failure is quite severe, and the prognosis isn't very good. Dad has also had the blood tests he needs, and I will be discussing his care with his own doctor today. They need carers going in to prompt them with washing and dressing and we will arrange frozen meals to be delivered that they can microwave. I'm going to visit every week and gradually start to clean up the house and take them shopping. Mum will be very resistant to all of this, but the situation cannot continue. To cap it all, while I was away with Dad yesterday, Mum had a phone call to say that her sister had died. We had assumed Mum was still phoning her sister regularly, but realise now that they had lost touch. I am going to the funeral in Gloucestershire on Friday, then on Sunday, my sister and I will meet with my parents and we will formally register the enduring power of attorney they signed last year, when they still had capacity. It's all very heartbreaking.

As you can understand, my time here will be very limited. I wish those of you who are going to concerts the best of times and just all of you keep enjoying the greatest band in the world.

Troubadour
11-12-2008, 07:23 AM
Oh, I am so sorry, Kate. How sad. And what a lot for you to deal with at once. At least your parents will be getting the everyday help they need from now on - however understandably resistant your mum is at the moment. I hope there are brighter days very soon. I'll keep all of you in my thoughts.

Make sure you give yourself a little bit of time out now and then to enjoy "the greatest band in the world" too! We're all here whenever you need to talk or just vent.

TimothyBFan
11-12-2008, 08:33 AM
gef--so sorry to hear that your parents are doing worse. Hopefully things will get a little more on track now that you are getting help with their care. It is not easy seeing our parents become ill and unable to care for themselves. I will be thinking of you and will say a prayer. :hug:

Prettymaid
11-12-2008, 08:51 AM
GEF, so sorry to hear what you are going through with your parents. Although my parents are in good health right now, it seems to loom over my head that soon the day will come when I will be going through what you are. Just know that we are here and that we care about you.

I know I don't respond to this thread very often. Seems like I'm always reading this in the morning when I should be getting ready for work, and then I feel rushed to try and touch on everybody's posts in reply. I just want you all to know that I do keep up with this thread and even though I don't respond, I am thinking of you all and always wish you all the best.

sodascouts
11-12-2008, 09:24 AM
Oh Kate, how terrible. I'll pray for you and your family as well. I know there is nothing I can say to make this easier. However, remember to take time for yourself every now and then, or you'll burn out and cause yourself even more suffering.

DonFan
11-12-2008, 10:03 AM
GEF, my heart goes out to you and your family in this difficult time. Remember you have friends here who care about you, and try to pop in whenever you can!

ticky
11-12-2008, 10:58 AM
GEF~ Im so sorry to hear about your Mom and Dad. Im thoughts are with you. It has to be a very hard road you're traveling right now. I always like hearing from you in any posts *G* and I will look forward to any time you can spend here. My Best to you and yours.


OH and btw, we're all much better here and thanks for all your well wishes*G*

Brooke
11-12-2008, 11:03 AM
Kate, I'm so sorry to hear about your parents. I am glad they will be getting the care they need and am sure that will be a relief to you. I know this is hard for you and will take lots of time. All of us with aging parents know what could be just around the corner for us. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. We're here for you.

tbs fanatic
11-12-2008, 11:37 AM
gef - so sorry to hear your news. Thinking of you as you deal with this. It sounds as though you have a good 'plan of action' for right now - hoping for the best.

Molly
11-12-2008, 06:11 PM
Kate, I wish for you all the strength and peace of mind and heart I know you and your family are going to need right now.

Glennsallnighter
11-12-2008, 07:12 PM
Kate, that is terrible to hear that your parents are not doing so well. I know you will always do the best you can for them. I hope the additional care arrangements you have put in place will help them in their everyday life. I will keep them and you and your family in my prayers.

Try to keep even a little 'me time' everyday, whether its to go on here, or just relax with a cup of tea and a paper or book, you need to keep your own strength up too. And our boys will keep you company on your drives I'm sure! :hug:

Freypower
11-12-2008, 11:09 PM
Kate, ditto to all the above. I'm not good at expressing these sentiments but I share them.

glenneaglesfan
11-17-2008, 03:39 PM
Aw, thanks for all the kind thoughts everyone. This is the first hour I have had to myself since last Wednesday. Things are gradually moving. Dad's family doctor called on Thursday while I was there and has started new meds for the heart failure. While I was there I managed to whip some clean linen onto Dad's bed, and persuade him out of the grimy vest and shirt that he has been wearing week in, week out. We have packed up a week's supply of his pills in a dispenser, and I took Mum shopping for groceries. On Friday I had the morning off work and drove the three hours to my aunt's funeral. My sister also came, and it was really good to see our cousin and her partner of six years (about whom we knew nothing) and reestablish some family ties that had broken. My cousin is in her late thirties, being the youngest of all twelve of us, and her partner, now fiance, is a really sweet chap, like a big bear with long scruffy hair which reminded us of Ozzy Osbourne! We threw a rose into the grave on behalf of my mum.

On Saturday, D & I drove an hour and a half to see Dad's sister, who is 80 and also very frail. She married late, to a younger man (73!), and he is in good health and was delighted to have some company to talk about going to the gym, computers, ebay etc. They have no children so we are their nearest relatives. I've been trying to get dad up to see his sister for the last year, but sadly I think I've missed my opportunity.

On Sunday, me and my sister visited my parents, and while Deb distracted Mum by taking her to the shop, I managed to change her sheets as well and to hoover up the unspeakable dust that emerged. We did all the paperwork for registering the power of attorney and also gently suggested to dad that he shouldn't be driving, and he agreed and signed consent for me to inform the licencing authority. Their neighbours have observed him coming back in the car, parking and falling asleep. He'll probably forget and still go up to the shops until we remove the car.

I went to work today for a rest! Tomorrow, I go over again to take Dad for an echocardiogram to see how bad the heart failure is. Anyway, I think we are gradually getting on top of things. One thing I am going to do is get wireless broadband in my parents house - that way I can do shopping and prescriptions for them online, and if I stay the night I can come here and visit my friends after I've tucked them up!

TimothyBFan
11-17-2008, 03:48 PM
gef-it is good to hear from you again. I'm glad to hear that your parents seem to be cooperating with everything right now. It isn't always easy to convince them to give up their driving priveledges. They feel that they are giving up their freedom when doing that, and I fully understand that. You are a real angel :angel: to be doing all that you are right now. Just remember to not let yourself get to worn down or it will do nobody any good. Keep us up to date and know we are all with you in spirit. :grouphug:

sodascouts
11-17-2008, 10:18 PM
Sounds like you're handling things well, GEF, despite the difficulties. I'm impressed. Here's hoping things continue to run relatively smoothly. We're all pulling for you!

Peekaboo
11-18-2008, 04:40 AM
I'm not always good with words, GEF, but i second Willie's and Soda's sentiments. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Stay strong and don't forget to make sure that you get some rest too.

Glennsallnighter
11-18-2008, 06:21 AM
I'm glad too that things seem to be moving ok for your parents and that you are able to put those extra structures in place for them GEF. I hope that your dads ECG goes well. I'll say a special prayer for him and your mom and indeed you too. They are lucky to have such an angel of a daughter to look out for them.

Remember to keep your own energy levels up too and don't wear yourself out. That idea to get the broadband is an excellent one!!

Take care of yourself and remember we are all here for you :hug: Including Glenn :heart:

Prettymaid
11-18-2008, 09:05 AM
Aw, thanks for all the kind thoughts everyone. This is the first hour I have had to myself since last Wednesday.


The first hour you've had and you came here - I'm sure I would do the same!

Brooke
11-19-2008, 03:55 PM
Gef, I'm so glad things with your parents are going well. It makes it so much easier to handle it all when they are cooperative.

I've had some difficulties myself the past few days. My husband's Mom passed away early yesterday morning. She hasn't been well all fall and just kept failing the past couple weeks. She is 81 and has had heart problems. She got quite sick a couple weeks ago and got dehydrated plus her congestive heart failure worsened. All the sons and daughters (10 of 'em!) had been staying with her and checking on her. Luckily most of them live close. She just lives 2 miles from us. She went to bed Monday night and just didn't wake up Tuesday morning. She is a devout Christian and was ready to go whenever God called her, so what a blessing that she didn't suffer long. She had said she wouldn't have any more of the hospital either, so even though we will all miss her, she's definitely in a better place.

I also learned last week that my own Dad hasn't been himself lately. Mom confessed that he had been stumbling about and was slow moving and got confused about some things. For some reason they like to keep these things to themselves and don't tell us about them till they have worsened. My Dad has always been very active and jovial and his quietness was not right either. My sister and I finally convinced them to take him to the doctor, which they finally did on Monday. They diagnosed that he has had a stroke and put him on meds and he will have to go to therapy to try to regain his strength. He will have to go back to have an MRI for a more thorough investigation of the problem. They just didn't have time to do it on such short notice that day. But at least we know what the problem is somewhat.

This is the reason I didn't pursue going to the Springfield concert last week. I was afraid to leave town in case something would have happened to him. Otherwise, you can bet I would have been down there searching for a last minute ticket as Soda has done!

So, I'm way behind here and won't be around much in the coming days what with the kids and relatives coming by, visitation Friday evening and the funeral on Saturday, and getting Dad to his next appointments.

DonFan
11-19-2008, 04:27 PM
Brooke, I am so sorry about the loss of your mother-in-law.
I am also very sad to hear about your father's stroke.

My thoughts are prayers are with you and your family during this terrible time of sadness.

sodascouts
11-19-2008, 05:08 PM
Same here, Brooke. I'm sure your mother-in-law is in a better place, but I know it will be difficult. I hope your father is able to get his strength back. It's a good sign that he is still up and around, even if he is not his usual self. My grandfather had a stroke but, other than dragging his foot and not being as dexterous with his left hand, he functioned just fine. Hopefully your dad will do even better.

Molly
11-19-2008, 05:10 PM
Brooke, my sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your MIL. Sounds like she had a peaceful passing which, I'm sure, is a source of comfort for all of you.

Best of luck to your Dad as he works on feeling better. Hopefully, he'll have a 100% recovery. It's so good that he got the medical attention he needed timely so he has a good chance of getting back to his old self again.

Freypower
11-19-2008, 06:26 PM
I wish you sympathy on the loss of your mother-in-law, Brooke.

Glennsallnighter
11-19-2008, 06:44 PM
Brooke, let me too add to the sympathy expressed by the other board members on the passing of your Mother in Law. She must have been a great person to have reared a family of 10. I'm sure she is reaping a just reward now.

I too hope that your dad recovers fully from his stroke. I know what you mean about the older generation not wanting to share their health problems. My dad is the same. I think its like they feel they are 'giving in' to old age and they don't like it.

My own uncle seems physically doing ok, but I was talking to a cousin today who told me he is still very confused. For example, years ago he owned a shop, and he still asks a cousin to 'do a few hours for me on Saturday!' Lol Its not really funny, but I can't help smiling!

TimothyBFan
11-19-2008, 07:40 PM
Brooke-as are everyone else's, my thoughts and prayers are with you!

On my way home today, about an 1 1/2 hours away from home, my phone rang and it was my Mom with more bad news. My Aunt Carol, who has been in a nursing home because of several strokes, passed away this morning. She was only 57. The last 2 years my Mother has now lost, a brother, a sister, 2 sister in laws, a nephew and my father!! Give her a break-why do things go that way for some? She has really been getting back on her feet and feeling better since her 3 month stay in the hospital this summer and this to bring her down, exactly 1 year and 2 days since my father died. So close to the holidays once again.

Freypower
11-19-2008, 07:54 PM
Good grief, I'm sorry, TBF.:headshake:

Glennsallnighter
11-19-2008, 08:07 PM
Oh Willie I am so sorry for all of your family and of course particularly your mom. To have lost so many near and dear in such a short space of time must be soul destroying. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

tbs fanatic
11-20-2008, 04:05 PM
Just catching up with this thread. So sorry to hear of your losses and worries Brooke and TBF. Thinking of you.

Brooke
11-20-2008, 07:40 PM
Thanks everyone. It means a lot.

TBF, I'm so sorry for you and your Mom's family. It's like Don sings in The Sad Cafe; "I don't know why fortune smiles on some and lets the rest go free."

I'll keep you in my thoughts too.

ticky
11-21-2008, 09:49 PM
Today on the way home from picking Sarah up from school, Help Me Thru The Night came on the radio! I was so excited I went around the block and extra time so I could hear it all!
Jenni went for her college interview at Willamette today. I can hardly believe she will be going away next year. Even with a 5 year old bopping around, it's going to feel like a very empty nest around here. It may be harder on Sarah then on me! We're both going to miss her a lot but I couldn't be prouder!
http://www.tickypages.com/2008_Oct/tn_Oct_03.JPG

glenneaglesfan
11-22-2008, 09:05 AM
Brooke, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, and your father's stroke. I remember you saying he has always been so strong. He should do well with therapy, and the right meds, but you have a busy time ahead. I'll be thinking of you, and you too, TBF. So sad to hear about your aunt as well. My thoughts go to you and your mother. I hope she can find the strength to get over this awful series of losses she has had. It seems many of us are reaching that time when our roles are changing with regard to our parents.

GA, I hope your uncle is holding his own. I like the little story about asking your cousin to work in the shop!

Ticky, good luck to Jenni at her interview. That's a lovely picture! I smiled when I read that bit about driving round the block to hear HMTTN! I've done just the same sort of thing, especially if the DJ announces "coming up - the Eagles" or something similar. I've been known to sit in the carpark instead of doing the shopping, or pretending to miss the turning somewhere so that I can hear a song.

I've got a bit of me time today as dear hubby is seeing my parents to look at plumbing for a washing machine and to check some water leak in the cellar.

sodascouts
11-24-2008, 03:53 PM
I'm afraid I've had some bad news. My uncle died suddenly - he was only 60 - and we'll be attending his funeral Thanksgiving weekend. He leaves behind a wife (my father's sister) and three daughters of 26, 28, and 30.

DonFan
11-24-2008, 04:06 PM
I'm so sorry, Nancy! He and his wife were exactly the same age as my hubby and me. How sad to lose someone so young. My condolences to your entire family.

TimothyBFan
11-24-2008, 04:11 PM
Nancy-I am so very sorry. My thoughts are with you and your family. It is never easy but especially at the holidays. Is this the uncle we were just speaking about last week? Best of luck to all of you.

sodascouts
11-24-2008, 04:12 PM
Yes, that's the one, Willie. Hard to believe he could just be gone like that, with no warning! He just laid down on the couch, went to sleep, and didn't wake up.

And thanks for the condolences, guys.

Molly
11-24-2008, 06:30 PM
Nancy, I so sorry to hear about your uncle's passing.

Willie, GA, Kate, Brooke, Kay and everyone else who are dealing with tough family issues right now -my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

tbs fanatic
11-24-2008, 06:36 PM
I'm so sorry to hear about your Uncle, Nancy. My gosh what is it with people passing so early. It really makes you think.