Monday Monday

Coffee's cold.  Be right back.

Good Morning,

I missed an early appointment this morning.  Overslept.  I see my therapist and then have some shopping to do.  After I get home, I have to blitz my house.  I'm afraid I didn't get much done yesterday.

Must scoot.

Love,

Trish

Good morning Trish and my sistas,

I'm afraid I didn't get much done yesterday either.  After Carrie left, I just sort of moped around the house.  It's funny: I was too busy to be sad on Butch's birthday, but now I feel more depressed than ever.  I have things I could be doing, but I have no will to do them.  

I'll be leaving for Waco around noonish.  I always try to time it so I hit Austin at a non-peak traffic hour.  The traffic there is unbelievable.  I might just take the toll road around the city again.  It's a long way around--adds about 10 miles to the trip--but the speed limit is 85 and there're no traffic jams.  

I am dreading the trip to Nacogdoches later this week.  I just don't want to even think about it, and I must.  I need to pack tomorrow and I have so many things to remember to take with me (documents, etc) for these meetings with the lawyer and the investments guy, etc., on Thursday.  And then there's the day at the cemetery on Friday.  One of Butch's cousins has offered to make lunch for everyone at her house that day, which is a lovely thing to do, but I have a feeling I'm just going to want to run and hide.  Several of Butch's siblings and cousins are going to be there at the cemetery when they set the headstone, which again is lovely gesture and show of support, but I know I will be so emotional that day.  I just can't imagine how I'm going to get through it all.

We decided that when we leave Nacogdoches on Saturday, we're going straight over to Waco, rather than drive all the way back to San Antonio.  I have to be there the following Monday night for Carrie's childbirth class anyway.  So I'll be away from home for 6 full days this trip.  I will take my laptop with me.  I will also have Mom and the dogs travelling with me.  It's going to be intense.  Y'all pray for me, okay?

What are everyone's plans for Thanksgiving this year?  I will have all my chicks under my roof for the holiday, which makes me happy.  My girls are arguing over what all I should cook for them this year.  One likes ham, the other likes chicken or turkey, and everybody wants dressing and all the traditional sides.  Plus they always want me to make a cheese ball, and sausage balls, and a chip and dip tray, and a veggie tray . . .   I said, Girls!  We cannot eat that much food!  Carrie and I both have had WLS, Mom eats like a bird, the boys don't eat much yet, so that just leaves Christie and Mike with "normal" appetites.  Oh, and everyone has a favorite dessert that they just HAVE to have.  I said I will make 2 desserts and that's it!  

Food, food, food.  It's crazy, huh?

Well, I need to close.  Got to get moving for the day.  So much to do, I feel overwhelmed.  Love you all!

Dearest Vicki,

Just reading about the driving you will be doing is giving me anxiety. You will be in my heart and prayers during your trip this coming week, and during the placing of Butch's headstone. I so wish that we could take your pain away.

I didn't know Carrie had WLS, good for her too.

We are headed to my former SIL daughter's house for Thanksgiving. They have a beautiful home and my former SIL Carla and her daughters, grandchildren, her Daughter Kim (will be her home) we will all bring something. I feel like the great unwashed going to her home because her husband and she are monied and I am, for a better word, poor.

Love you much.

Arlene.

Hi Trish and Vickie and my OFF family to come:

It's raining and chilly out today. I got up early because my service file online with my car said I had a recall notice. So I went over there, plus I had a warning light on my tire pressure (it always goes on when it gets cooler; I go through this every year). But there was no recall notice. So they checked the pressure in my tires and took off the warning light.

While I was there, I checked my work email; we got a message about a voluntary separation program. I have to seriously consider this. I don't know if I can afford to do this. I do know I struggle each night at work because I'm in pain. I'd get one week of salary for every six months of service. I've been there nearly four years. Just thinking about it makes think no, because there's not much severance there. Plus then I'd have to get health insurance. There's a lot to consider. 

Vickie, I hope you can get through the next few days. Do you have someone going with you to Nacadoches (sorry about the spelling ... wasn't sure how to spell)? Don't overdo ... it will be an emotional time. Thanksgiving will be fun. My Thanksgiving is going to be low-key. I have a three-day break but won't be going home because I have to work Friday and it's a seven-hour drive. Gary and I are going to have turkey dinner on Tuesday, then he's going to the family gathering Thanksgiving and I'm staying home and eating leftovers and watching football all day. Since I seldom get to watch football all day, that'll be fun. 

Anyway, that's what is going on with me. Have a good day.

Eileen,

I do hope you do what is right for you. Sorry you are in so much pain. I hope whatever you decide about your severance to your company is a benefit financially and emotionally to you.

Take it easy, dear.

Hey Eileen, I just read what Mary suggested about Social Security Disability, and wanted to add to it. I was approved on my first attempt, without a lawyer. I was 53 at the time, and would have had a 25% penalty for my pension, except that I was eligible for a disability pension from my retirement system. PA didn't tax my pension, but Michigan does. Don't know if you have an IRA or not. 

I I had to wait two years to get Medicare, so I took COBRA from work which was still a lot of money  I know I would have paid a lot more on my own.

When you apply, you're asked a ton of questions  if they determine you are eligible for SSI, you could be eligible for Medicaid and Food Stamps.  I have a friend on SSI.

I can tell you more privately, if you'd like to have me email you, or you want to call me.  Just message me here, or on Facebook.  I can give you my number, or email address.

I  H A T E  M O N D A Y S !!!!!!!!!!!!! Found out we lost another good tenant!!! Then just after lunch found out we lost another one!!!!! Why is it we are losing the good ones?? This IS the year for DEATH!!!!!!!!!! I swear!!!!!!!! So this now makes for what 3 this weekend alone!!!! Or is it 4?? I am a basket case for sure!!!!!!

On a happy note I did get my new tenant moved in today!!!!! She is happy to have anew home!!

Last night while skimming thru my FB page I came across my dad's grave Headstone!!!!! OMG!!! Talk about a heart stopper!!!!!!!! My nephew posted it!!!! Said he went to visit grandpa...I was in tears!!!!! I never in a million years expected to see that!!!!!!!

Nothing exciting planned for Thanksgiving...just cooking turkey and eating and playing on PC same as usual when I am off work...Rick will cook and watch football!!! LOL

Thoughts and Prayers for ALL that need them!!!

HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Hi Ladies...tough to get on-line at OH today, tried several times without luck.

For Thanksgiving, I'm going over to Maura's for the day.  We'll both do the cooking - she has problems with the dressing so I'll do that, and I'm going to make some stuffed cherry tomatoes and maybe some sweet and sour meatballs, and a yogurt parfait.  Other than that, it's in Maura's hands.

Eileen, I had to stop working due to health problems around seven years ago - I got Social Security disability, plus money from a long-term disability policy at work.  Do you have such a policy??  If so, you should arrange to pay for it yourself at work - they will deduct it from your check.  If you do that, the income is not taxable - which makes a big difference.  My policy expires next year at 65 - but not all policies are the same.  So, I get my Social Security check, and the other check that brings my total income to 60% of what my salary was.  Next year, I'll have to get a part-time job to make up the difference.  If I get a job now, I'd lose the long-term disability.

Vickie - you sure have your hands full during the next few weeks.  A lot of driving.  And Mom and the dogs on top of that?  Yikes!!!

Arlene, sounds like you'll have an "interesting" Thanksgiving.  Being "monied" doesn't make a person any better than you.  Sound like an ignorant person.  Hold your head up high and be proud because you are a good, strong woman - you should look down your nose at her!  You should make it into a game, making faces at everything as though you're offended.  lol.  I hope you have a nice day.

Mary