Chatterbox Thread-Cmon in and Jabber! Everyone is Welcome!

[funnygarcia]

I think every state is looking at a rough couple of years with budget deficits which leads to tax hikes and cuts to programs that are much needed. It's going to be a long slow battle to recovery, too slow for most people to see a benefit.

Happier news for MN is we finally have a governor that will listen and willing to work with everyone. Pawlenty did some damage to our state by pissing off the teacher union, making HUGE cuts to health care programs but not taking the federal dollars to expand medical aid (thus pissing off the hospitals that are stuck providing care with no hope of payment for the chronic cases - homeless, drug/ alcohol users, severely mental ill), making a budget decision on his own (opting for abstinence only education.. costing us a big pot of money .. versus a comprehensive ed that would get MN a nice bundle of federal dollars) Etc etc etc... Scary thought, he's tossing his hat into the presidential race.

Dayton has vowed he will sign for the federal aid to expand medical assistance as his first act as governor YES! Crossing fingers that this will go through quickly and I won't have a gap in coverage.

Eloy is mending nicely, still hurts but not as bad.
We have another massage on Monday. I will be sad when the therapist goes back to charging full price, I can fit once a month into the budget just for me .. but I feel much better with every other week and it's good for Eloy too.

We survived visiting my family, my dad irritated me only a little bit this time. Happy news, dad decided that YES they will be selling in the spring and he even asked about the property tax in our area.. I would love to have my mom nearby I know she would love it here!

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

Good morning! It's so cold here. We have snow! It snowed all day on Sunday. DBF and I had plans to meet his sister and her husband and their 4 kids at Disneyland yesterday. We thought we might not make it leaving in the morning so we left on Sunday night and got a hotel. It took us over 3 hours to get there with all the snow! The freeway we usually take was closed so he had to go around the other way (which had snow too).

It rained a little bit yesterday morning but stopped with in a few hours. It was so empty. I think we went on alomost everything.

The highlight of my day was Space Mountain breaking down while we were on it and then they turned the lights on and we got to ride the last half of the ride with the lights on. Plus we got a re-ride after right after.

 

[kelmac284]

That is so cool that you guys got snow. Is that rare for your area or no? Glad you had fun once you got there!!

Yesterday was my first day back to work and the girls back to school. It was a crazy day to say the least. I had to closeout all the books for 10 and start the stuff for 11 plus pay bills and I am starting to get the stuff together to do the corp taxes, 1099's, W2's etc but on top of it I have to figure out about doing our payroll tax online (we always just deposited at the bank) and I am not sure if our state tax deposits are going online as well but I have yet to get new coupons for 11 so a bit concerned about that.

Anyway then I think I mentioned we switched phone service. We had verizon and were NOT happy. Before that we had Sprint for like 10 years and were happy with our service but not our phones. We just had the basic phones and wanted to upgrade to smart phones and I really wanted an Iphone but DH wanted to go with Verizon because his boss had them but he wasn't thinking about the fact that if you get unlimited calling it really doesn't matter who you have. So AFTER we got our droids we were kind of stuck and we have had NOTHING but problems with our phones and their customer service has been awful!

So I have been thinking for awhile now about switching when our contract was up but we still had another year. Problem was I really wanted Katy to have a phone when she started middle school next year and our contract wasn't up till dec soooo we have been shopping around and found out that if we went with T mobile we could get smartphones for us and plain old phones for the girls, get unlimited calling and texting for them and everything else for us and only pay 10 bucks more than what we are ALREADY paying with Verizon. So it was worth it to switch. We got one of those buy one get one free deals on our phones and the girls got their free phones since they just got basic ones.

So it was a pretty good deal only problem is they don't have a lot of stores. We bought ours at Best Buy and they didn't have much accessories since our phones are new. So I spent half the day yesterday driving all over trying to get cases for shane and I's phones.

Then I had to take Shelby to piano so it was a LONG day. Shane then went to look at a side job which I HOPE he gets cuz we could DEF use the money!!!

Anyway now today I am just hanging out round here doing all my lovely chores. Laundry, house cleaning. Fun stuff!! The girls start another session of indoor soccer on Friday but this will DEF be the LAST one!!!

They are planning on playing basketball in March and then swim team starts in April so I am glad we are almost done with soccer. Had we not done indoor we would have been done at Thanksgiving. I am glad at least all we have is the games once a week and no practices. Just ready for a break for a change!!

Anyway that's my excitement for now.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying your time being back to "normal". Take care and talk soon.

 

[funnygarcia]

Good morning! It's so cold here. We have snow! It snowed all day on Sunday. DBF and I had plans to meet his sister and her husband and their 4 kids at Disneyland yesterday. We thought we might not make it leaving in the morning so we left on Sunday night and got a hotel. It took us over 3 hours to get there with all the snow! The freeway we usually take was closed so he had to go around the other way (which had snow too).

It rained a little bit yesterday morning but stopped with in a few hours. It was so empty. I think we went on alomost everything.

The highlight of my day was Space Mountain breaking down while we were on it and then they turned the lights on and we got to ride the last half of the ride with the lights on. Plus we got a re-ride after right after.

Bummer about the snow, glad you got there and back safely. It's the season of weirdness, we had rain before New Year's with 38 for the high. Bizarre as we are typically in the teens or single digits by January. That bit of rain made the highways slick in some spots, on our three hour drive to my folks we came across 4 turn overs and 3 more in the ditch. 3 of the turnovers were grouped together in one stretch of highway, barren stretch with no tree cover, wind comes up and woosh slide off and roll over into the ditch. Scary stuff.

That's so cool to ride Space with lights on! I know DL doesn't like when break downs occur, unhappy guests to soothe.. but for us die hard fans.. we cheer when it breaks when we are on the ride!

There is a Youtube video of the old tracks, lights on and the CMs had to hand push the ride vehicle to get it started. Very different view of the ride.

One time, I was on Splash at the top of the big drop right as the ride broke down. CM had to help us each out and walk thru the scenes to emergency exit, backstage and thru the gate by the Pooh store. They were getting the big Christmas tree ready in the back at the time.. kinda cool to see.

I had my massage yesterday he might continue his $20 deal into February Crossing my fingers, I can afford going every two weeks at that price which brings me the most benefit. After two weeks the muscles in my neck, shoulders and upper back become intensely tight. No amount of stretching brings me relief and I am miserable. Not able to sleep because it hurts, hurting more because I'm not getting enough sleep. It's a vicious cycle. Skip going out to eat, just buy me a massage!

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

That's so cool to ride Space with lights on! I know DL doesn't like when break downs occur, unhappy guests to soothe.. but for us die hard fans.. we cheer when it breaks when we are on the ride!

There is a Youtube video of the old tracks, lights on and the CMs had to hand push the ride vehicle to get it started. Very different view of the ride.

One time, I was on Splash at the top of the big drop right as the ride broke down. CM had to help us each out and walk thru the scenes to emergency exit, backstage and thru the gate by the Pooh store. They were getting the big Christmas tree ready in the back at the time.. kinda cool to see.

The CM's had to hand push us too! I was really hopping for a walk off, but light on was super cool too. I would love to be walked off Haunted Mansion.

 

[Mstaley]

Gosh.. It has been forever since I have been on here. Things have been quiet. Thank goodness. I am loving it! We are planning our trip to Disneyland. We are going with our friends. I was planning it out and dh came to me and asked how much more it would cost to add them on it... Not much turns out! So we brought it to them, we will pay for it, we just want to share this time with them. I was shocked they said yes. can't wait! I cried when we asked them, I think that helped swa y the vote. It's either gonna be crazy fun, or they won't ever speak to us again.

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

Gosh.. It has been forever since I have been on here. Things have been quiet. Thank goodness. I am loving it! We are planning our trip to Disneyland. We are going with our friends. I was planning it out and dh came to me and asked how much more it would cost to add them on it... Not much turns out! So we brought it to them, we will pay for it, we just want to share this time with them. I was shocked they said yes. can't wait! I cried when we asked them, I think that helped swa y the vote. It's either gonna be crazy fun, or they won't ever speak to us again.

Do your friends have kids too? It was so fun yesterday with DBF's neices and nefew. I actually think it was one of the best days I've ever had at DL. I love watching the kids get excited over everything. They had been once before like 6 years ago but now they are all old enough to enjoy and remember it. We thought it was going to be tough with 8 of us all together all day but it turned out great. Plus we bought the 3 older girls lanyards and I gave them a bunch of pins to trade and they loved it.

 

[sameyeyam]

Odd weather for everybody this year. But our LaNina was predicted last summer, so no surprise for us. Cold weather from up north pushing against the Pineapple Express warm wet rain from Hawaii. Usually equals a wet winter interspersed with periods of freezing rain or snow when the two systems collide.

Headed over to youtube to check out the space mountain videos.

 

[funnygarcia]

Gosh.. It has been forever since I have been on here. Things have been quiet. Thank goodness. I am loving it! We are planning our trip to Disneyland. We are going with our friends. I was planning it out and dh came to me and asked how much more it would cost to add them on it... Not much turns out! So we brought it to them, we will pay for it, we just want to share this time with them. I was shocked they said yes. can't wait! I cried when we asked them, I think that helped swa y the vote. It's either gonna be crazy fun, or they won't ever speak to us again.

You are so sweet to invite your friends.
I've loved the trips when we invited someone else along, sharing that magic and watching the reactions.

Trying to convince sis on a trip, at first she laughed me off and exclaimed there was no way it work out for her. Told her my boys and dh already offered to help watch the kidlets. She got quiet and I could tell she was thinking. But she is not so crazy about Disney.. darn!
She offered up San Diego as a choice, I like that idea too. But but sniffle.. I miss my Disney fix!

Had my followup appt this evening. Ruled out all the potential diseases, officially diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Just as I expected.
I'm not crazy! woohoo!

We discussed treatment options and I held off on adding more meds. I don't see the point of treating now, I am MUCH worse in the summer months. Treating seasonally is an option, so we agreed to meet in May and start up something like Lyrica. Unless of course I have some bad flares before that time. Which is good as I have read the side effects are not something to take lightly. Why medicate if some low tech approaches (like massage, tylenol, pacing my activity) are working?

Oh and the nurse hand carried my pap smear to the lab.

 

[kelmac284]

Morning!

B that is good news that you finally have a diagnosis now hopefully they can find a good treatment plan for you!!

I started back working out yesterday and since it has been FORVER since I worked out I am pretty sore. I am starting out pretty slow so I don't overdo. Also of course trying to cut back on my eating and just plain eat "better" but it is always hard trying to purge myself of the sugar and fat in my diet as well as just plain eat less. I don't eat tons as it is but I don't know if it is the meds I am on or what but I get HUNGRY now. I never really used to before but I know over the last few years my various docs have warned me that different meds I was on would cause weight gain which is a sucky side effect when I was trying to lose to start with.

So we shall see how it goes. I just hope and pray I can lose again. I have done it several times before but this time I am older and on all these meds so it shall be interesting.

Anyway I am off today to go get the girls some new soccer socks as they have worn out all of theirs. Mom and I might meet for lunch and otherwise that's bout it.

Katy was asked to be a peer tutor at school so she is all excited and I am really proud of her. Course it means mom has to get up even earlier to take her as she has to do it before school but that is my life I suppose. Always running here and there LOL.

Anywho that's bout it for me.

Megan that is awesome about you and your friends going on your trip.

Our next trip is planned for June but we have been spending WAY too much lately with christmas and Katy's birthday and soon we have to pay for swim team, soccer and basketball so I don't know WHEN I am going to be able to book it and every time I look online for air deals they are outragous. I have gotten fares to OC for 39 to 59 one way but right now it is 84 one way and that is outrageous. I am hoping that it will go down but since it is for june it might not. UGH. I REALLY don't want to have to drive again!

Anyway I guess it will remain to be seen.

Anyway have a good day all and talk later.

 

[Mstaley]

Do your friends have kids too? It was so fun yesterday with DBF's neices and nefew. I actually think it was one of the best days I've ever had at DL. I love watching the kids get excited over everything. They had been once before like 6 years ago but now they are all old enough to enjoy and remember it. We thought it was going to be tough with 8 of us all together all day but it turned out great. Plus we bought the 3 older girls lanyards and I gave them a bunch of pins to trade and they loved it.

They have one kiddo, he is about 6months younger then the twins. And she is pregnant with# 2. I think he is going to love it. He is a really outgoing kiddo, so I think he will do great.

You are so sweet to invite your friends.
I've loved the trips when we invited someone else along, sharing that magic and watching the reactions.

Trying to convince sis on a trip, at first she laughed me off and exclaimed there was no way it work out for her. Told her my boys and dh already offered to help watch the kidlets. She got quiet and I could tell she was thinking. But she is not so crazy about Disney.. darn!
She offered up San Diego as a choice, I like that idea too. But but sniffle.. I miss my Disney fix!

Had my followup appt this evening. Ruled out all the potential diseases, officially diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Just as I expected.
I'm not crazy! woohoo!

We discussed treatment options and I held off on adding more meds. I don't see the point of treating now, I am MUCH worse in the summer months. Treating seasonally is an option, so we agreed to meet in May and start up something like Lyrica. Unless of course I have some bad flares before that time. Which is good as I have read the side effects are not something to take lightly. Why medicate if some low tech approaches (like massage, tylenol, pacing my activity) are working?

Oh and the nurse hand carried my pap smear to the lab.

 

[Mstaley]

Alright it won't let me answer your quote on here B. My mom has fibro, I zdont know much about what she has going on because honestly..... She is alway complaining about something, and it gets old and tiring. Not just the fibro, everything. Anyways, it's good you at least know what is up.

I had to have the birth control talk with Julie last night. Her mom had only mentioned BCPs to her, and I don't think that is the best choice for her so I told her what her options were, made sure she knew she could come to me always and there won't be any judgements on anything she asks me. I gave her some condoms, told her that she always has to be prepared, don't trust the guy.... Blah, blah, blah. That was a fun talk. but she appreciated it. I know because afterwards she posted on facebook how cool I was and that she loved me. gah. I shouldn't be having this talk for a few more years!

 

[funnygarcia]

I had to have the birth control talk with Julie last night. Her mom had only mentioned BCPs to her, and I don't think that is the best choice for her so I told her what her options were, made sure she knew she could come to me always and there won't be any judgements on anything she asks me. I gave her some condoms, told her that she always has to be prepared, don't trust the guy.... Blah, blah, blah. That was a fun talk. but she appreciated it. I know because afterwards she posted on facebook how cool I was and that she loved me. gah. I shouldn't be having this talk for a few more years!

Think of it as practice for later. I'm glad you told her more options, I know lots of young women just automatically choose the pill and don't even think about the side effects. We're lucky to have many options, heck more options now than when I was a teen! Gah, I feel old!

I try not to complain too much, you are right if someone is whining and complaining all the time people tend to tune out. Or if they have a bad attitude about their condition, you don't have empathy.. ask my dad how he is feeling/doing he sarcastically replies "EXPLETIVE-ing wonderful!" To which you reply, "ohhh uhh okay??"

The odd reaction I'm getting from family, when I tell them it is fibro, they look at me odd.. and then tell me which of their body parts hurt. (are they trying to compete? Who has the most reason to complain?)


Overall I am very lucky, I read support boards and a Facebook support page, I cringe at the stories they share. My symptoms are very mild in comparison.
The facebook page seems to be post after post of "why me" and complaining about how others treat them. I am all for getting support, having someone listen to your worries. But it truly does not help to sink down so low and let the symptoms become your identity.
And then there is the other extreme, I also feel I don't have to be a "fighter" and "lick this thing".

I don't need to fight with my condition, I prefer to listen to my body and adapt as needed to be at peace. It's part of me, but not ALL of me.

Okay, babbling done. Thanks for reading my own therapy session.

 

[Mstaley]

Babble away girlfriend! I am here for you!

 

[funnygarcia]

Babble away girlfriend! I am here for you!

Thanks sweetie!

 

[Mstaley]

My wrist hurts and I feel Barfy...... Just in case anyone was wondering. I also saw a plaid car yesterday. And no.... I am not high right now.

 

[sameyeyam]

Think of it as practice for later. I'm glad you told her more options, I know lots of young women just automatically choose the pill and don't even think about the side effects. We're lucky to have many options, heck more options now than when I was a teen! Gah, I feel old!

I try not to complain too much, you are right if someone is whining and complaining all the time people tend to tune out. Or if they have a bad attitude about their condition, you don't have empathy.. ask my dad how he is feeling/doing he sarcastically replies "EXPLETIVE-ing wonderful!" To which you reply, "ohhh uhh okay??"

The odd reaction I'm getting from family, when I tell them it is fibro, they look at me odd.. and then tell me which of their body parts hurt. (are they trying to compete? Who has the most reason to complain?)


Overall I am very lucky, I read support boards and a Facebook support page, I cringe at the stories they share. My symptoms are very mild in comparison.
The facebook page seems to be post after post of "why me" and complaining about how others treat them. I am all for getting support, having someone listen to your worries. But it truly does not help to sink down so low and let the symptoms become your identity.
And then there is the other extreme, I also feel I don't have to be a "fighter" and "lick this thing".

I don't need to fight with my condition, I prefer to listen to my body and adapt as needed to be at peace. It's part of me, but not ALL of me.

Okay, babbling done. Thanks for reading my own therapy session.

I'm cracking up right now about everybody competing over there aches & pains! It's the equivalent of when people found out I had cancer...they just couldn't wait to tell me about their Aunt Betty that died from breast cancer or their Grandpa that had a horrible painful slow death from lung cancer. It was all I could do to keep a straight face and not start laughing.

B. sometimes I think some of the other self-help measures help more then whatever medication the doctors can prescribe. I'm actually thinking of seeing a naturopath. I'm not giving up western medicine, but I think going a different route with some of my long lasting side effects of cancer treatment might be the way to go.

My wrist hurts and I feel Barfy...... Just in case anyone was wondering. I also saw a plaid car yesterday. And no.... I am not high right now.

I think we need the Tag Fairy! I'm not quite sure which one is better..."my wrist hurts & I feel Barfy" or "I also saw a plaid car yesterday"

 

[funnygarcia]

My wrist hurts and I feel Barfy...... Just in case anyone was wondering. I also saw a plaid car yesterday. And no.... I am not high right now.

Wrist injury
barfy
plaid car
not high

hmmmmmmmm, so how much DID you drink?


Hope all is well soon!
I know, not an easy task with kidlets under foot. Or under wrist I guess??

 

[funnygarcia]

I like the idea of using alternative medicine too.
Some of the meds used for fibro have harsh side effects and can really mess you up as you taper off. The meds don't treat the pain, they treat the nervous system which makes sense that it causes weirdness in bodies that are already sensitive.

I've been contemplating acupuncture, suggested by a former co-wroker who swears her sessions have stopped all of her flares/symptoms.

There are a few community acupuncture clinics in my area. Some you pay what you can, others are as low as $20- $40 a session. Typically it's two practitioners renting a room, lounge chairs in one big room instead of separate exam rooms. Low overhead, no insurance to file, no extra staff. But I'm a little creeped out.

I also read of a local clinic that serves in the city, they have a free clinic to train U of MN students in alternative/complementary care.

I'm fortunate to live in a big city with many clinics and colleges, tons of choices! Not so easy to find in a smaller city, it's not like they go out advertising in mainstream news media or in established clinics (that may sneer at a holistic approach).

 

[funnygarcia]

Oh yes, I am officially OLD



Decided I better start wearing my glasses as I am frequently dizzy (doc says it's benign positional vertigo.. tiny crystals in the inner ear get caught and stuck, causing sensation of spinning (vertigo). When it's bad I lay on my side, flip quickly to another, wait for the dizzy to stop, flip again.. so on and so forth.. trying to move the crystals).

My vision has changed, one is near sighted, the other is far sighted..
gee great!

AND he recommended BIFOCALS !!!!






wahhhhhhhhhh, this turning 40 thing has been the pits this year!
Okay, which part of my body is set to fall apart now?