Amy's New Start : Comments Welcome!

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Lisa and Tracy.

Lisa, the smoker smoked and Dan had a couple of cold beers while he guarded his meat!

Tracy, thanks for the hug, I needed that today. So here's one back to you (and all my Wish Sisters):

Woke up today feeling icky. Ds has been sick with a cold and I don't think its that, I think its a combo of a beer hangover (I cannot drink beer its so heavy) a food hangover (german chocolate cake and brisket, need I say more) and just a life hangover.

Dan woke up in a horrible mood. He is tired of people not calling back, he is tired of being given the run around at work (they are trying to withold his PTO which is illegal in Colorado so we'll see) and so ready for something to pan out. We both slept horrible last night and I think the stress just is always there, we just sometimes handle it better.

We did have a nice Father's Day. Our friends came over and I must say, my husband may not be from Texas, but I am and I know good smoked brisket when I taste it! It was also a beautiful day and just a nice way to spend an afternoon with friends. Then Monday came and here we are.

I really need to sit down today and figure out this Texas trip. Clearly some days are going to be lopped off which involves me having to tell some of our friends and family "we cannot make it your way after all". I hate it that we'll be there but not see everyone but Texas is a rather large state so just because we are in Texas does not mean its feasible to get to all the places we'd like to! I keep putting this off but its got to be done. Have I mentioned the timing of this whole thing is sort of not the best? But then again, to get away and be with family, my brother in particular is maybe the best timing to be had. And some Tex Mex thrown in won't hurt things either!

I didn't aquasize today, was just not in the mood. I need to walk later, I didn't walk all weekend. What is wrong with me and my exercise and food lately?

One thing about it, my house is so clean and orderly it amazes me. When I get stressed I tend to clean and organize so you can always tell by my house how the rest of my life is going! If its dirty, assume all is well.

I know any day now, that Dan will get a new job and we'll be rejoicing and using our savings to pay off our Disney trip and put the rest in the bank for that next rainy day. In the meantime, God takes care and also uses this to teach me some patience and thankfulness.

Now I am off to find my Ipod so I can charge it for that walk I am GOING to take!!!

 

[goldcupmom]

Sending lots of & prayers!

It's times like these that make me really wonder how people who don't have God in their lives survive tough times.

Praying that Dan gets out of Limbo soon. I hate the not knowing! And for DBs MIL. Perfect timing for the new puppy to be born for the girls.

Don't sweat being off track since WDW. YOu have kept weight off which is a real accompplishment!

Texas and Brisket! YUM!!!!!! I really miss SpringCreek Barbecue in the DFW metro area.

Hope today goes well & that you get your walk in. It has gotten super windy here in the last hour...glad I went early!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Sending lots of & prayers!

It's times like these that make me really wonder how people who don't have God in their lives survive tough times.

Praying that Dan gets out of Limbo soon. I hate the not knowing! And for DBs MIL. Perfect timing for the new puppy to be born for the girls.

Don't sweat being off track since WDW. YOu have kept weight off which is a real accompplishment!

Texas and Brisket! YUM!!!!!! I really miss SpringCreek Barbecue in the DFW metro area.
Hope today goes well & that you get your walk in. It has gotten super windy here in the last hour...glad I went early!

Julie,

My mom's memorial service luncheon will be at Spring Creek BBQ! It was her favorite, she had good taste!

 

[keenercam]

Amy -- It's a shame that that woman will never even know what an amazing opportunity she lost by not grabbing you before some other employer does. Shame on her for being so short-sighted. So, did you batch cook anything this weekend? I can't wait until I can stand on my own or long enough on the crutches to actually cook. You'll have to share some of your recipe finds with us!

I have to tell you -- I am stinkin' impressed that you kept off all the weight you lost. With all the stress you have had in your life, I give you so much credit for not eating constantly out of stress or unhappiness. I know you'll get back on track and just think of how you'll look even better on your next WDW trip!

 

[toystoryduo]

Sending another , prayers, and your way. Keep on keeping on, WISH sis. It will get better!

 

[eyor44]

Amy, I'm glad you all had a great Father's Day. I love me some brisket. Haven't had a good one in a while.

Deep breaths now...... hard I know, but you and Dan will be fine. Patience is very hard in times like this, I know and everyone has bad days (and nights). Something wonderful is out there for both of you.

I will be thinking of you as you head south; I hope the memorial for your mother is wonderful, and to celebrate at one of her favorite restaurants. That's an excellant idea.

I hope you got your walk in. as Cam said, you have done wonderful with your weight since your vacation.

Take care and I hope you had a nice evening.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Ladies, as always you humble me with your kindness. And make me feel good and lucky!

I did get my walk in tonight at long last. I was about to walk out the door today and then realized it was 94 degrees so I put it off. But finally went this evening with a friend of mine. We caught up and I got about 35 minutes in.

Here is what I ate today:
3 thin slices of brisket
1/2 piece of german choc. cake (which is thankfully gone).
1 white roll
1 cup of strawberries.

That's it. Sadly high in points thanks to that cake (omg I may never make that again because it was so darn good ) but lacking in every other way. I just didn't feel like eating much. I am sure this phenomenon will be short lived!

Tomorrow night is my night out with the girls. We have been trying to plan this for months and hopefully it will happen, it gets tough to find a night when four women with 9 kids between us can all meet! We are going to Chili's so as long as I get a salad without the dressing or something off the Guiltless Grill, I"ll be fine.

My plan is to get up early and walkl then aquasize. Its going to be even hotter tomorrow so if I don't get out there early it won't happen. However, its almost midnight and I am wide awake so we'll see how I feel in six hours when that alarm goes off!

I also need to get some surveys done.

Cam: Thanks so much, I like your take on the lady who let me get away! I haven't cooked yet, I plan to make the turkey thing maybe tomorrow for some lunches, I got all the stuff. I got so busy making all my stuff for Father's Day I ran out of time!

Lisa: Dan makes a mean brisket, come see me and I'll make him smoke us one up! He does pretty good for a yankee.

Tracy: I always think about your "keep on keeping on" when I think I am about at the end of my rope and it always makes me feel better!

 

[toystoryduo]

Way to go getting your walk in yesterday!

I hope you have a wonderful time at girls night out!

 

[keenercam]

Hi, Amy!! I hope all is great with you! I hope you had a wonderful outing with the girls to Chili's! Oh, wait! That's tonight, right? Have a great time! I think their nutrition information is on-line and maybe even on their menu, and I remember there were lots of delicious choices. Enjoy!

 

[eyor44]

Great job on getting the walk in the other day. How did yesterday go? Did you aquasize? Did you walk? How was Chili's?

Inquiring minds want to know.....

 

[goldcupmom]

great job getting your walk in! Check out Chili's guiltless grill. I did a 'test' of it & had 6 free coupons, so was able to try most of them & they were really good.

Hope you have a great day! still praying!

It's really hot here, too. hovering near 100 & way too dry even for the desert.

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi WISH sis,

How is your Wednesday going? I hope you're having a good day today!

Sending more prayers your way......

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Ladies for stopping by (even though I didn't lol)!

Girls night out was very fun. We sat outside and that was nice. I was amazed at how deserted Chilis was, it would appear maybe I am not the only one not eating out much these days. I didn't do the guiltless grill, but I did have a salad with the dressing on the side. I also had a light beer, some chips and salsa and a few bites of dessert! Not my best evening but it was nice to go out.

I have worked out three days in a row so that's good. Its been super hot which helps kill my appetite so that's also good. I took Maria and her friend to the pool today and got some color. It was packed so all the shade was gone.

Today would be my mom's 75th birthday. All day long I have been going down Memory Lane in my mind, remembering various birthday's. The one that really sticks out is five years ago when she turned 70. Dan and I treated her and my stepdad to a trip to Marco Island Florida for a beach vacation. It was so fun and my brother and his family joined us. I also can't help but remember and feel sad that her last birthday I didn't spend with her. We met Dan's family in Disneyland and I think that was the only birthday I didn't spend with her my whole life and it still bothers me. But I do remember how happy she was that night that I was in my happy place.

Still no news on the job front. Sometimes I wonder how long this will go on. We have two sets of friends who are really worried since their unemployment benefits are about to run out and it looks like they won't get extended. That could be us in the future, its just so scary.

I did pick up an application from Bed, Bath and Beyond today. I have been a bit hesitant to try retail since I don't want to work weekends but desparate times call for desparate measures! I'll just have to be very careful not to spend my paycheck shopping with any discount I might get!

I need to check in with all of you. But basically I am doing well with food and exercise and that's good because anything to feel positive about right now is a good thing!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Ahhhh big sigh. Dan went out with some friends tonight. One of the guys wanted to take him out since Dan helped this guy move some stuff out of his parents house. I was hoping he'd come home in a great mood from a fun night out but no such luck.

I know I am whining, but honest to God I am so sick of this I can't stand it.

Surely something will work out soon.

And I feel bad because I just yelled at Maria for messing up my computer. My poor kids must be about to give up their parents for adoption.

Forgot to add I haven't gotten any surveys done in several days. I have just got to get on that, its free money. But as Cam said over on Tracy's journal, its hard to spend the time for 80 cents if I can even get one. But I am determined to make some money for Disney!

 

[keenercam]

Amy -- I am so glad you enjoyed your Chili's dinner with friends. So sorry Dan's evening didn't put him in a great mood. Keep positive, my friend. I know that's easy for me to say from where I am sitting, but since you can't do anything about how the decisions that others are making on your behalf, you can only try to keep a positive, optimistic attitude. I wouldn't worry about the kids -- they are resilient. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that it brings you wonderful times.

 

[toystoryduo]

I'm so glad that you had a nice time @ Chili's!

I'm sorry that Dan's night out with his buddies didn't put him in a good mood. You guys have been under so much stress lately. I am sending lots of prayers your way!

I'm sorry to hear about the surveys. They definitely can be hit or miss. Sending some survey your way!

Sending a for your mom's birthday. I hope your day was filled with happy memories.

I hope you have a nice weekend.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Cam and Tracy.

Dan is in a much better mood today. Yesterday he and I talked and I we both realized that we were being a bit optimistic in the beginning! They don't call this worst economy in decades for nothing. I know he will find something, he is really working at it. He's also broadened his area to include Ft. Collins and Colorado Springs. Both of which are 60+ miles away but still doable thanks to our toll road system most people don't use! We both really prayed hard the last few days and spent more time talking about what we have in our lives not what we don't.

Its been weird to have him be so down. I am fortunate enough to be married to Mr. Positive and he's always so happy and upbeat. He also said he's been really tired. But hey, he's entitled to be down and if he wasn't, I'd think he was a big off kilter!

My stepdad came over today and we finalized the service for my mom. Since we had the funeral already we want this service to be far less formal and shorter. My son will read the 23rd Psalm, dd is reading a poem, stepdad will do the open and closing (its always good to have a minister in the family lol) and my dad's best friend will say a few words. I think its going to be really nice.

I wrote a letter to my mom and placed it in the urn. With an Alzheimers patient you don't get to say goodbye really and it was good to put my goodbye on paper. I also put in a picture of all five grandkids and her grandma's necklace. Its not valuable and it can't be given to any one person and I think it should go with her. I find myself really ready for this closure. Once and for all, she's at rest and at peace.

I am getting ready for Texas slow but sure. Dd and I got haircuts today and I got her some new shoes to go with her new dress. Now its time to pack and get ready for the long road trip.

My brother's mil has been moved to a rehab area of the hospital. She's doing pretty well but he said it breaks his heart that just two weeks ago she was a normal outgoing woman and now she's in a wheelchair. But they are very optimistic about her recovery. So good news that she's out of the ICU and on the road to recovery!

My food has been okay, I am staying right where I have been on the scale so that's good. I am fine and dandy with that, normally stress makes me go overboard with eating and I am not doing that. A few slips here and there but overall, I am doing fine on that.

Hope you ladies are having a super weekend! I'll go check on your journals and "talk" with you over there!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Oh I forgot to add, we are going to see Toy Story tomorrow! I am so excited I can barely stand it. My sister and nephew are coming up from Colo. Springs and it will be fun to see it with them.

My sister just started a new medicine for her MS. I really hope it works and gives her less side affects. She just started it so we'll have to wait and see.

And one last thing (man I am rambling) I am sort of worried about ds. He was playing football with some friends and got hit full on in the nose. It bled like crazy and was all swollen. I took him to our doctor this week and she said if it doesn't get better to take him to an Ear/Nose/Throat doctor this week. Just what I don't need! He also has a sinus infection and some sort of viral thing so the poor kid is just wiped out. And sort of looks like my Greek stepdad with his big nose!

I am just hoping I can get him in before we leave. And then there's the whole "benefits will be changing one way or the other" thing.

Crazy boy.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Well, we didn't get to see Toy Story, ds has a broken nose. He woke up this morning, more swollen and in such pain he literally was about to cry. Which is very unlike him. So we took him to the ER, they cat scanned it and yes its broken and the reason its so much more swollen is because he has some sort of hematoma in there that is getting bigger. They gave him vicodin for the pain and also an IV full of anitibiotics to clear up any possible infection that's up there since his nose can't drain. Then tomorrow I have to take him to an specialist to have it all drained. Luckily its not going to have to be set, its a clean break and will heal on its own.

Why my doctor last week spent only two minutes on this and said "I can see something up there" but its a viral thing and sent me on my way is beyone me. She should have known then and there what was going on. The nurse in the ER said "get a new doctor and I shouldn't even be telling you that". So now I am down hundreds of dollars for her useless prescription of a steroid spray and a visit to the ER that could have been avoided and poor ds has been in pain instead of getting better.

But at least we know what it is now and the doctor at the ER said he'd be okay to travel by the time we are set to leave.

I kinda didn't need this but its all turning out fine in the end and thankfully the pain killer is taking the edge off until they drain this now huge hematomoa.

Poor ds!

 

[DisDee]

Amy, So sorry to hear about DS...poor kid. I hope the meds take the pain and infection away ASAP!!!! Thankfully he'll be OK to travel. When are you leaving for Texas?

I'm glad to hear that Dan's not feeling so down. Unemployment is a scary thing but he's so proactive with his search and networking that I'm sure things will work out. It may take a little while, but things do have a way of falling into place. I know that I learned a lesson over the past couple of years, that its better to focus on the positive and not the negative. I'm not saying that we don't all have our down days but I pray that you and Dan can keep a positive outlook and it sounds like you're going to do just that.

I hope you have a nice week and everything goes well with the memorial service.