Hi Kathy

Good to hear from you.  My last few years of employment was stressful.  I found myself in a school that was more detention center than educational center.  Funny to say that what really got me to retire was a multitude of hurricanes following me from Florida (Charley) to Louisiana (Katrina) then finally Texas ****) right after that I had knee surgery and developed DVT (blood clot) so my standing in a classroom all day days were over.  Must say I have not missed it.  I enjoyed my early days of teaching when "bad" kids were just mischievous and not malicious.  Hopefully you will get your permanent assignment and get the financial woes behind you.  As far as getting on track whatever you situation, the key is planning.  If I don't plan, I find myself grabbing whatever is easiest...not good.  My exercise is not specific these days.  At home I go to the gym and line dance classes but here I don't have that luxury.  I am walking a lot and almost every day.  I aim for 6,000 steps minimum and strive for 10,000 each day.  Just don't give up.  Set backs happen just keep the momentum going forward.  Best of luck to you.

just wanted to check in real quick.

Been busy taking in the sights.

Went to yellowstone yesterday saw the canyon and the falls.

Has anyone heard from jeannie?

Good Morning OFF,

Sorry I've been AWOL.  Finally finished Lincoln's bedspread, and gave it to him yesterday.  His birthday is Monday.  Can't believe he's gonna be 7.  Took him out for our birthday date.  He chose Chili's, and Toys R Us.  I spent all week finishing it.  It's Green and White, for Michigan State.  He was thrilled.

Food has been okay, minus daily sugar fixes.

I am heading to an annual luau at Colleen's in-laws' this afternoon.  It was raining this morning, but it should be perfect when it starts.  Made pinepple upside down cupcakes for it.  Not WLS friendly.  Got the recipe from Allrecipes.com.  It used a yellow cake mix.  

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/235831/pineapple-upside-down-cu pcakes/

I made a few changes.  Drained the pineapple, and used the juice for the water.  Also, used maraschino cherries instead of canned pie cherries.  I'm also making a cucumber salad.

Must scoot.

Hugs,

Trish

Julia

Thank you so much for the suggestion.  I will see what the doctor says once I have seen him.  The spine doctor and pain management doctor put me on gabapentin and it seemed to help, was on it for several months,  and then out of the blue I started having problems sleeping, mood swings and other things, so seeing as I could not think of any good reason why this was going on, I looked at the side effects of the gabapentin and sure enough I had a lot of them, so I weaned off of it, which leaves me only pain meds, which for many reasons, I would rather not have to take, not the least of which is the fact they are addictive over the long haul, but since alleve and all those other NSAIDs are not allowed for RNY patients, I am left little choice.  So I see the chiropractor 2x a week, try stretching exercises, have my own tens unit that I use in between chiro treatments and take the pain medication only when I feel that I have no other recourse.  But some days it is tough.  Hopefully, over time, we can find a solution, but I am going to keep in mind what you have said about the Cymbalta.  Thanks again.

Have a great day.

Laureen

Eileen,

I understand the emotions with a job ending, try to find something you can do that will keep you occupied and feeling productive once this job ends.  I remember losing my job of 13 years in 2009, I was in my 50s and scared to death that I would not find another job, as my industry was bleeding people with my skill set and I was an older worker which has so many other things that go on around, more knowledge and very often companies don't want to pay for that, then there is the whole age thing.  What I have heard a lot of recently though, is that the workforce is more than willing to have us, as we possess a work ethic that not a lot of the younger generation seems to have.  My one girlfriend, who turns 60 this year, got a job working for an airline as a customer service rep and was asked why doesn't she try to become and airline hostess or whatever they are now referred to. . .  anyway, so last September she graduated and became one!  She loves what she is doing and there's lots of perks to her job.  Moral of the story is, if you want and have the energy to do it, reinvent yourself.  Depression can suck the life out of us, try not to let it, though I know it's easier said then done, but you also know I've had my fair share of knocks that could have got me to give up, I'm just a fighter and somehow I think of you that way, but I also know you are in an industry that is dying, so it has to be frustrating. 

Hugs, Laureen