NOW is the time! It's MINE & I AM WORTH IT! (friends welcome to tag along!!)

[Amy&Dan]

Julie, hang in there my friend!

Dan is going on no raise since 2004 and no bonus for him either. It really stinks when everything but the pay is going up! So I feel your pain on that and wish I had more cheerful, helpful advice on that.

As for walking, I think if you walk in the daylight you will be fine. If your dh doesn't feel safe to walk, well that's his choice. But you have good judgement and you need to do what works. You might tell your husband that watching too much tv is more dangerous to your well being that walking! Walking is great exericise and walking outside is good for the soul and mind. So don't let your dh sway you too much. Maybe just go when he's not home or engrossed with the tv!

No advice on the hamster but I am betting he turns up. Its amazing the resourceful places animals hide. I hope he makes his presence known soon!

Keep hanging in there, you have the amazing ability to take stock of your situation but still keep moving forward and finding joy and fun in the midst of it all. I know you will keep that up!

45 minute shifts? So dumb.

 

[toystoryduo]

Sending a and prayers your way.

Julie, you are one of the strongest women I know! I know that things look bleak at the moment, but I know you will get through this and you will get through it beautifully. Always know that God is with you and your WISH sisters are too!

Sending our love and prayers from Ohio.....

 

[Lesli54]

Sorry to hear that things are so down at that moment. It is unfortunate that things are just not good financially anywhere right now. However, I know that you are very resourceful and will find a way to manage through this.

As for the walking and concealed carry class story.........I am sorry, but that had me . I just couldn't stop thinking of all the paranoia that must be pumping through that class. I can see the signs now......"Caution, walking may be dangerous to your health". Better run and tell Jillian now!

Not completely sure about the hamster. We had the class pet (a hamster) home for the weekend many years ago and it was let loose by DD20 when she was 5. Couldn't find it at all, then when I went to put my shoes on there was the hamster curled up in the toe of the shoe. Think dark, small, cozy areas. You could put a little food out for it (if the other animals won't eat it). Might also want to check if they hibernate as it might have looked for a place to do so.

Sending to get you through the day.

 

[lovinaz]

Hang in there! That really does stink about DH's job, but at least he still has one, right? Could be a lot worse.

I hope you find the hamster! Can't wait to hear where he turns up.

If DH is so concerned, he should walk with you, concealed weapon and all.

 

[goldcupmom]

Wow! How come my time flies by so fast???

Things here about the same. Which, all things considered, is ok. Stress, and I think hormones, have been causing me to have the heart 'flutters' & 'stops' all week, which I know is benign (or was last time I went to a cardiologist), but drives me INSANE! Seems to be slightly better....I'm hoping! Hives are also mostly gone, so that is good.

I seem to be again finding my rhythm with the bugg. WI Friday I was down 1.6, but that was for 2 weeks. Walking, I am still ahead of goal by a tiny bit.

The warranty company is replacing our desktop, & on Friday said 7 - 10 business days. YEAH!!!! Having only 1 computer is hard w/ kids school.

Off to church, but wanted to pop in. Hoping everyone is well & having a good weekend!

 

[toystoryduo]

Congrats on the weight loss, Julie!

I'm glad to hear that they are replacing your computer.

Sending prayers for a peaceful week ahead.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Well done on the weight loss Julie! That is a good loss for two weeks.

So glad you are finding your rhythm with the Bugg again. I know you can do this, heck you already are!

And so glad the computer will be replaced. I am telling you, once the kids are home, I have no chance of getting on my computer.

Have a super week!

 

[lovinaz]

Congrats on the loss and getting the computer fixed!!!

 

[goldcupmom]

Well, we are still sharing 1 computer, but hopefully this week the new will be here. I can't believe I haven't made it on her in over a week. I've popped in & read from time to time, but not had time to post.

Things ok here. I'm still wishing for snow - yes, I'm CRAZY!! But I feel for all of you digging out from too much snow. Some would be nice, tho! but not likely!

Weight was down 1.8 last week. I"m still struggling with food, but the calorie burn is ok. Today my food has been HORRID! Started out fine with my free Starbucks oatmeal, then had more than 1/2 a bag of cheetos, twix bar, 100 cal pack of cookies....then I had some real food....chicken on a high fiber tortilla with tomatoes & fat free cheese. But, my biggest victory was that I wanted to be a slug today & instead looked at my Bugg monitor & got off my duff & did 7.45 mile walk. I made sure I made my steps & burn despite the calorie fest.

Need to do taxes this weekend, which is always fun, but I think I will likely split it over 2 weekends. DS23 situation is still the same. DS20 managing to keep up with everything & the main youth pastor is hoping to be able to start paying him by summer. DD is getting a few more hours at work, but not many. Still looking.

I'm waiting to hear from Pearson about scoring again. If I can figure out how to manage the car situation, I may even consider scoring the daytime full time shift. But, we ended up having DS20 car towed home from the idiot company who has had it for more than 8 months of the last year & still can't make the custom engine they built even run!! So, next step is to sue them to get our $5k back so we can afford to take it somewhere else to try to get it fixed. Always something.

Hope everyone is having a good week! More later......

 

[toystoryduo]

Congrats on your weight loss, Julie!!!

I can't believe that you guys had to have DS20's car towed home! I would definitely talk to a lawyer about that. They had the car for 8 months!!!! I wish they would do the right thing and refund your money.

Hope the new computer comes soon!

I got an e-mail from Pearson about availability for scoring, but haven't heard back from them. I hope you hear from them soon!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

 

[lovinaz]

Congrats on the loss!

I hope you hear from Pearson, that will be nice for you to have that extra $$!

 

[goldcupmom]

Well, DH called the computer place again last night. First guy said they approved it yesterday & were sending a check....uh, no! Then he checked & said they sent our computer to a company in MD! GRRRRRR!!!!!!!! If it's in MD, we won't get it til the snow thaws about June!! And WHY would they send it the opposite direction???? Hopefully the woman who first did all this will call DH back today.

I'm really trying to get a handle on finances, but it is not working. I'm to the point of not even opening my bank statements or balancing the checkbook. Just paying the bills & knowing that it will come out of savings, to try to avoid some stress. NOT a good plan, but..........Too many unexpected things + Christmas all at once.

Hopefully it's not going to be windy today so I can get out & walk. I'm almost at 100 miles & I NEED the stress relief. But, I just dropped DD & the BF at school, need to pick DD up about 3 hours, bring her home to quickly change & eat while I take her to work . Then I will have about 3 hours before I have to go pick BF up, bring him here to get his car & LaCrosse stuff so he can go back to practice. Then I have 2 hours before I have to pick DD up again. Is it any wonder I don't get things done?

Our 15+ yr old lab(that NEEDS to be put down) has had diarrhea all over the sunporch off the kitchen yesterday & all night. She has a HUGE hanging tumor under her belly....looks like a guy....but when she first got it, the vets said we needed to start removing all of them....she has like 6 - 8, & that they were benign but would grow back...and by the way only about $ 800 each to remove. NOT!!! She is just getting too old to get around, can't squat to pee, can barely stand, but DH will NOT put her down because if you offer her a dog biscuit, she gets excited & looks happy. SAD & VERY Frustrating! And VERY SMELLY!!!!!! I've opened all the windows out there & left her outside today. DH had better get that carpet shampooed soon!!

Still struggling with food. Mainly sodium cravings which are making my weight soar! Fortunately the heart flips & flops have calmed some. I think it was hormonal as they occurred when DD was PMSing & I think my hormones were trying to fire. No TOM since July & the hives started. don't think they can convince me it isn't all related.

Off to try to get something done. Still need to make a CVS trip, Costco trip & some groceries sometime soon. I won't go on weekends as I hate the lines. Plus, Saturday church is painting & cleaning at DD's HS (across the street) as their monthly community mission project....since they use the Performing Arts Center for a satellite service. DS20 & I will be working there most of the day.

Hope all is well with everyone!

 

[lovinaz]

I hope you get your computer soon!

Poor doggie, she shouldn't have to suffer like that.

I think that as women, we can blame hormones for EVERYTHING! It HAS to be true!

Hang in there!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hey Julie,

I am so sorry about your dog. Been there, done that, its such a hard spot to be in.

Congrats on losing the 1.8 pounds! You are really doing well and good job going for that very long walk to burn off the calories. We all have times when we may eat a bit much, but getting back on track with exercise takes care of that very quickly, so good job!

Hope you get that mechanic to do the right thing!

 

[toystoryduo]

Julie,

I'm sorry to hear about your dog. We've been there and done that too. It's such a difficult thing.

I hope your computer arrives soon!

Congratulations on almost 100 miles of walking!!!!!! That is wonderful, Julie!

I know you're super busy, but please be sure and take some time out for you each and every day. You need some Julie time!

Hope you have a great weekend!

 

[Amy&Dan]

All right, you said you want snow and I think I might have sent you some! Hope things are going well and that your dog is feeling better.

Here's to a good week!

 

[goldcupmom]

No snow here, Amy, but I would still like some.. Just not likely as we have been near 60 the last few days.

The dog is still a pain & DH still refuses to do anything. Hopefully she won't keep deteriorating.

Taxes are basically done....I'll finish them tomorrow. And thankfully look better than I thought.

DD & I started to walk to the mall today to go to Auntie Annes for free pretzels. Then a front came thru & it got horribly windy & a bit of mist, so she gave up & called DH to come get us. Still went & got our pretzels, tho.

I start grading for Pearson on 3/8. Just evenings & probably for only 6 -8 wks, but I don't think full-time would have worked very well with 2 cars for 4 of us anyway. I'm thankful for anything. But what I'd really like to do is get to be the 'easter bunny' at the mall!!...Yes, I'm serious! I think it would be fun!! Unfortunately they probably aren't hiring.

I haven't weighed in 2 weeks and I'm not optimistic. I haven't been sleeping well at all & wake up feeling 'puffy' in my hands which is a sure sign of water retention for me. I've also been craving salt & not drinking enough. Walking a bunch, tho! I haven't looked, but I'm somewhere around 130 miles this year so far. Seems the more I walk, the more I want to walk.

I was going to go to the aquatic center, but took a good sized slice off my finger near the cuticle on Wed so I need to wait til it heals a bit more before i go soak in water.

I'm not totally giving up on vacation, but being realistic. I do feel rather cheater, tho.

This week have to make my mammo appt as I'm due late this month. When I called to get the referral I was going to make my appt for my annual & found out that my gyn is leaving the practice. Made me sad as I REALLY liked her....it's an all woman group so hopefully the new one I will like as well.

We still haven't found the hamster & have given up looking. I told DD that she needs to get her room back together & be out of my office by the end of the weekend. At least then I will be able to use the computer to play my exercise dvds. And the new computer is here & up & running. Never know for how long, but so far so good.

Off to finish another load of laundry & try to get some sleep. DH has been at the casino with his DSis for 5 hours, DD & the BF are watching a movie & the pups & I are in bed watching the Olympics. Nice, relaxing time!!

I have to remember to tell y'all about my funny 'sonic' experience during my 10 mile walk on Thursday.....you'll like it!

 

[traceycooper]

i got the snow!!! woke up to 4 inch this morning & more forcast - thx Amy!!!


looking forward to hearing the sonic story
well done for getting all that walking done - i love walking - clears the head

 

[lovinaz]

Great news on Pearson! And wow, the Easter Bunny? That would be fun!

Glad the computer is finally back and working.

I dread to think where you will find the hamster...

Keep up that walking! You are going great on that goal.

 

[toystoryduo]

Great job on walking 130 miles, Julie!

I'm glad to hear that you got the Pearson job! Could any of that money be used for a vacation?

I hope you have a wonderful week ahead!