Well, we have some happy news and some sad news. Happy news: Nick graduates from Basic Training/AIT on November 15th. He and Melissa have decided to get married on the 23rd of November. Yes, that's one day after Thanksgiving. Nick will be home for 24 days after graduation then he ships to S. Korea for 1 year. He will get a mid-tour break to come home. Melissa will continue to stay with us. This will allow them to save money so when they get a domestic assignment they will have some money to get a good start.
I am sad that he will be shipping on an unaccompanied tour so soon after getting married but they don't have small children to have to worry about taking care of. Melissa will have time to begin taking classes while he's gone so that is good.
School started several weeks ago for Daniel. It's been so hot, now he's bogged down with allergies!!! Gotta love our wonderful weather!!!!
Monday, September 3, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Retirement Here I come!
Mom is doing really well. She started physical therapy today, it’s been a week since her replacement. She is still having trouble with things like lifting the leg off the bed and things like that. She will be able to do that, it will just come with time.
I heard from the Retirement Board yesterday that I have been approved for a disability retirement. I am officially retired as of Wednesday the 1st of August. I have 2 Personal Leave days to take so I will take them on Monday and Tuesday, I also have some comp. time I’ll take Friday afternoon, so as of
I leave the Fire Department with a lot of regret and sadness, however I’ve been very fortunate to have had a job that I love and been able to help hundreds of people. Not everyone can say that they have a job they love, love to get up in the morning and go to work. My Dad had a job that he nearly had to hold a gun to his head every morning as he hated to go to work everyday.
I have been asked many times what I’m going to do when I retire. My reply has been not go back to work. “Oh but you’ll be so bored!” I have lots of hobbies and other interests, so I won’t be bored! I figure I’ll be just as busy as ever.
Daniel is still working for Wild River Country. (that’s a local water park in North Little Rock) I’m not sure if he enjoys the money or the girls more! He goes there on his days off occasionally with his harem! LOL He has a number of “friend girls” and they all get together to do things. He really enjoys it. I know that he treats them all so nicely as well. And I have to admit that all his friends seem to be good kids. School starts back for Daniel August 20th,
We hear from our Army son on a regular basis. He’s into week 3 of basic training and having a ball! He’s been through the gas chamber. The following is part of the letter he sent us last week.
“Thursday was the gas chamber. They only let 15 enter at a time, so it took awhile to get everyone through. They made everyone line up in formation on one side of the chamber and made each rank file in. Every time the door opened to let people in or out, the gas would wash over us and we would start coughing and stuff. When it was my turn, we filed into the chamber where they made us say the general orders and the soldier’s creed with the mask on. Half way through the 3rd general order, my skin felt like it was blistering or falling off or something that is really hard to explain. Then they made us do jumping jacks. Then they told us to hold our breath, close our eyes & break the seal on our masks just enough so the Drill Sgt’s could see our noses. After that, we were told to reseal & clear our masks. I got it resealed but not cleared before I took my first breath, so I started coughing like crazy. The girl next to me was crying. Then we took off our masks entirely. We said the General Orders and soldiers creed with the masks off. That was hard. It feels like you’re not getting any air into your lungs at all. All at the same time your lungs burn, your eyes and your skin burns. I’ve been sick for a couple of weeks now, but got most of that crap up out of my throat in 5 minutes. When you come out I had snot everywhere, my eyes were red, it hurt so bad. It was all good & in 5 minutes was laughing at the next group coming out.”
I have to admit that I’m not alarmed or upset about his experience; I am worried that he’s been sick and I can’t do anything to help him!!! I think I should be allowed to go up there and tend to my sick baby!!! LOL Chief McCall keeps saying to me, “No Mom you can’t go to basic with him” I just don’t see why not!
Thursday 26 July 2007
Well, the fat lady has sung!!! I have turned in my SIGNED papers to the retirement board. I can't tell you what a wonderful feeling that is. I woke up this morning and felt like a HUGE weight has been lifted off me. I feel so relieved that it all went smoothly. The way my luck runs I just knew that something would happen and I wouldn't be approved and then have the big, "what now" facing me. In fact the relief is so great I feel like crying.
For those that feel like I have dumped you as friends or feel like I've ignored you I am sorry. I can't describe how I've felt these last 6 months. (In some cases the last 1 1/2 years) I've known from the beginning of January that something went wrong with my knee surgery and I knew deep down in my gut that my career was coming to an end (I actually had an inkling since I had the original injury). I've had allot of depression over it not to mention the chronic pain. I have several friends who have chronic pain and have had for years and I simply with-drew because I just couldn't deal with everything and try not to complain around them because I felt guilty complaining. It's hard to explain. I miss my friends and I have started to reach out to them again. I hope that they accept my apology and hopefully understand a bit. I made allot of phone calls yesterday with my hat in my hand and talked with those that I've with drawn from, most were understanding. I have several more to make, and I'll be making those in the next few days.
On to happier things. Tomorrow will be a really tough day at work. I go in at 8 am and take a 1 hour lunch at 11:30, at 12:30 I take 4 hours of comp. time. Monday and Tuesday I have personal leave days. So tomorrow at 11:30 I will be done working at the North Little Rock Fire Department.Saturday, July 14, 2007
Updates: Knee, Nick & Daniel
Okay, I went and saw the LOPFI (our retirement system) Doctor today. (Yes a Saturday) I had to go to Arkansas Children's Hospital. I was doing pretty good but then I got out of the van! To begin with ACH has grown so much I was unable to park close to the front entrance, but I was able to park fairly close. So I walked to the front entrance, only to find out that on Saturday the door was unlocked at 9 am, my appointment was at 8 am and it was 7:30am. The sign went on to say to use the South entrance. So I trekked back the way I came and then down the side of the hospital, down past the emergency room to the South Entrance. Once inside the the hospital I had to go down a really long hallway turn and walk all the way to the front of the hospital! My knee hurts all the time anyway and by the time I got to the front of the hospital I was REALLY feeling it! I checked in and found a place to sit (that didn't look too low to the ground and I thought I could get up & was close to another seat so I could prop my leg up and help with the pain) I no sooner opened my book when I saw a man walking toward me, he introduced himself as Dr. Blasier. Thankfully we didn't have too far to walk to the orthopedic offices.
After about 1/2 hour of questions about my knee & work/work history he began the exam. I walked from him to the door and back again several times, walked on my tip-toes (sorta), walked on my heels (kinda) and then came the part that I laughed at. He asked me to squat, was unable to do it very well, then he asked me to jump up and down on one foot. Okay, I can do this on my left side; hop, hop, hop. Right leg please, okay....uuuhhhh I don't seem to be able to get much lift. I was unable to that. Then came the part that brought me to tears, several times.
Dr. Blasier asked me to lay on the exam table. He did this part of exam by comparing the bad knee to the good knee. After much twisting (that really made the tears come), pulling, tugging, etc he was done, this part took about 1/2 hour. Then he gave me his opinion. "I believe your problem is that during the original surgery your surgeon took off entirely too much cartilage, and was unwilling to admit his mistake. That would be the reason he seemed to know that you need a knee replacement without looking at new x-rays or an MRI. You need a replacement now" He then told me that he will be putting in his report that I am permanently and totally disabled from the fire department. I came home, talked with Alan about the appointment. Then after a few hours I couldn't stand the pain anymore so I took a heavy duty pain reliever and slept until supper time.
So, now I just wait on Dr. Blaiser's report to get to the LOPFI offices and for them to process it. I was told by the Director of LOPFI that it could take up to 3 weeks to receive the report. From there I will be getting paperwork to sign, which I believe will be my "official retirement" paperwork. So I figure that by this time next month I'll be retired. I am really sad about this but then again I've always said that working gets in the way of my fun. Watch what you ask for you could get it! What are my plans? I don't know.....Clean the house, it needs some serious attention! Then I will get down to some serious scrappin' and cardmaking, just plain creating.
I will also be launching my new business as an Independent Consultant for Arbonne International. I have been getting all my business tools together, going to meetings and have had several business planning meetings so I am anxious to get started. Here's to success!!!
Nick finally made it to Basic Training!!!! It was a real ordeal!! He had a number of roadblocks along the way as far as medical paperwork that should have been filed by his original recruiter that retired. He has called several times and written. He is having a blast! He is on a weight gaining program, he has to get twice the amount of food and eat it! (he obviously didn't get my weight problem! LOL he can have some of mine!) He will graduate from Basic Training and AIT November the 14th. I know that he will do really well and I'm very proud of him. He asked his girlfriend to marry him before he left for basic. She said yes of course! I think that once he gets a duty station then they will talk wedding plans. She will be coming over tomorrow to visit. I'm really glad as I miss having her around.
Daniel is working at a popular local water park this summer. He is really enjoying it! With one of his paychecks he's bought a Nano iPod. He's currently saving the rest of his checks for "something big", what that could be Daniel hasn't said. He's also working on learning to drive. Nick said he could practice with his truck. Daniel doesn't do too bad, he just needs some practice. (And when I get home after a practice drive I need a really stiff drink! LOL) He's looking forward to school starting. I believe the part he's looking forward to is ROTC, he takes it so seriously and enjoys it so much.
My Mom is having her second knee replacement on Tuesday. She is looking forward to as she did so well with her other knee. If you think about it please keep her in your thoughts and prayers Tuesday.
I think that gets you caught up with everything in my life. Till next time.
After about 1/2 hour of questions about my knee & work/work history he began the exam. I walked from him to the door and back again several times, walked on my tip-toes (sorta), walked on my heels (kinda) and then came the part that I laughed at. He asked me to squat, was unable to do it very well, then he asked me to jump up and down on one foot. Okay, I can do this on my left side; hop, hop, hop. Right leg please, okay....uuuhhhh I don't seem to be able to get much lift. I was unable to that. Then came the part that brought me to tears, several times.
Dr. Blasier asked me to lay on the exam table. He did this part of exam by comparing the bad knee to the good knee. After much twisting (that really made the tears come), pulling, tugging, etc he was done, this part took about 1/2 hour. Then he gave me his opinion. "I believe your problem is that during the original surgery your surgeon took off entirely too much cartilage, and was unwilling to admit his mistake. That would be the reason he seemed to know that you need a knee replacement without looking at new x-rays or an MRI. You need a replacement now" He then told me that he will be putting in his report that I am permanently and totally disabled from the fire department. I came home, talked with Alan about the appointment. Then after a few hours I couldn't stand the pain anymore so I took a heavy duty pain reliever and slept until supper time.
So, now I just wait on Dr. Blaiser's report to get to the LOPFI offices and for them to process it. I was told by the Director of LOPFI that it could take up to 3 weeks to receive the report. From there I will be getting paperwork to sign, which I believe will be my "official retirement" paperwork. So I figure that by this time next month I'll be retired. I am really sad about this but then again I've always said that working gets in the way of my fun. Watch what you ask for you could get it! What are my plans? I don't know.....Clean the house, it needs some serious attention! Then I will get down to some serious scrappin' and cardmaking, just plain creating.
I will also be launching my new business as an Independent Consultant for Arbonne International. I have been getting all my business tools together, going to meetings and have had several business planning meetings so I am anxious to get started. Here's to success!!!
Nick finally made it to Basic Training!!!! It was a real ordeal!! He had a number of roadblocks along the way as far as medical paperwork that should have been filed by his original recruiter that retired. He has called several times and written. He is having a blast! He is on a weight gaining program, he has to get twice the amount of food and eat it! (he obviously didn't get my weight problem! LOL he can have some of mine!) He will graduate from Basic Training and AIT November the 14th. I know that he will do really well and I'm very proud of him. He asked his girlfriend to marry him before he left for basic. She said yes of course! I think that once he gets a duty station then they will talk wedding plans. She will be coming over tomorrow to visit. I'm really glad as I miss having her around.
Daniel is working at a popular local water park this summer. He is really enjoying it! With one of his paychecks he's bought a Nano iPod. He's currently saving the rest of his checks for "something big", what that could be Daniel hasn't said. He's also working on learning to drive. Nick said he could practice with his truck. Daniel doesn't do too bad, he just needs some practice. (And when I get home after a practice drive I need a really stiff drink! LOL) He's looking forward to school starting. I believe the part he's looking forward to is ROTC, he takes it so seriously and enjoys it so much.
My Mom is having her second knee replacement on Tuesday. She is looking forward to as she did so well with her other knee. If you think about it please keep her in your thoughts and prayers Tuesday.
I think that gets you caught up with everything in my life. Till next time.
Friday, June 15, 2007
The results are in & they're not good
I went to see the new Worker's Comp. Dr. yesterday to get the results of the MRI I had on Tuesday. He confirmed what I knew all along, I won't be returning to work as a Firefighter/EMT. I have cartilage damage that is rapidly deteriorating. I have areas on the inside and outside parts of the knee that is considered a class3 almost a class4. A class4 is shiny bone on shiny bone and a knee replacement is in the near future. This explains all the pain I've been having.....
I stopped by work to let the power's that be know; and of course they weren't in. But Cindy (the Chief's secretary) notified the assistant Chief so she was able to start the process of medically retiring me. It could take anywhere from 1 month to a year to out process me. With my luck it will be closer to a year! LOL You know how my luck runs!
I can't express how I feel about having to leave a job that I dearly love. Being able to help people when they truly need it is so rewarding and such a great feeling. BUT, I have been very blessed (and I don't say that lightly) in that I have been able to have a job that I LOVE for the past 13 years. I don't know very many people who can truly say that, aside from those that I work with. I will miss the job however it is time to move on to something else....not sure what that is but when God closes one door he opens another.
On a brighter note my oldest son has asked his girlfriend to marry him!! She said yes of course! He leaves for basic training in less than a week. I think they will get married after he's done with all his training. I really like Melissa, they've been together all through high school. You can tell they really are in love, I just hope it works out for them.
I'll post again, when I know something.
I stopped by work to let the power's that be know; and of course they weren't in. But Cindy (the Chief's secretary) notified the assistant Chief so she was able to start the process of medically retiring me. It could take anywhere from 1 month to a year to out process me. With my luck it will be closer to a year! LOL You know how my luck runs!
I can't express how I feel about having to leave a job that I dearly love. Being able to help people when they truly need it is so rewarding and such a great feeling. BUT, I have been very blessed (and I don't say that lightly) in that I have been able to have a job that I LOVE for the past 13 years. I don't know very many people who can truly say that, aside from those that I work with. I will miss the job however it is time to move on to something else....not sure what that is but when God closes one door he opens another.
On a brighter note my oldest son has asked his girlfriend to marry him!! She said yes of course! He leaves for basic training in less than a week. I think they will get married after he's done with all his training. I really like Melissa, they've been together all through high school. You can tell they really are in love, I just hope it works out for them.
I'll post again, when I know something.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
A Big Thanks To My Friends
I just wanted to thank all my friends for being there while I've been laid up, so to speak, with my knee. Mom, you've been great! I know you have your own knee problem to deal with and have had severe knee pain for years yet, you let me whine about mine. Deb, you've been a wonderful friend for listening to my worries and letting me cry on your shoulder many times. M-C, for the emails you've sent, they've really been appreciated! Dave, you've been really sweet. I know you've got your own worries going on, I hope things are smoothing out for you. April, wow!! For those that don't know, April sent me a Cricut as an early birthday/possible retirement gift. How generous can one get?! Again April thank you so much!!! Cindy, heehee you've sent me so many email funnies that have kept my spirits up, thank you.
I want to thank those who have been around ie: RCS members, and for those that haven't been around. I know there are those that have been unable to call or email have a life and that life gets in the way sometimes. Being a true friend is knowing that someone is going through something/a tough time and even if you can't be there physically for them you can be there for them in spirit and not getting your feeling hurt or your panties in a wad if you don't get a phone call from a friend when you think they should be calling. Perhaps they need you to call them, maybe they are so down and depressed they just can't muster up the energy to call. Call them up, even if you think they've slighted you, that's being a friend.
And now for my soapbox. If you don't want to read my rant, that's okay just skip it. I am so tired of hearing the put downs of Southerners and Arkansasans. I hear on a regular basis people putting us down. I have lived in 4 other states and visited many others; I have to tell you red-necks live in every state of the union, Arkansas hasn't cornered the market. While you are busy talking to me and putting down my state/county/city/school districts you are also putting me down. I don't appreciate it. Remember, I, for the most part, grew up here. If you don't like it here MOVE!!!! I'll bet you aren't happy anywhere you live. Just remember that you are putting down not just me but your husband/wife. Okay, stepping down off my soapbox now.
I will start posting the updates on my knee here, if you are interested. I'll also be posting some pictures of my family, furbabies, and hobbies. I also hope to learn how to customize this blog so I can make it mine and not a "cookie cutter" blog site. Have a great day!!!!
I want to thank those who have been around ie: RCS members, and for those that haven't been around. I know there are those that have been unable to call or email have a life and that life gets in the way sometimes. Being a true friend is knowing that someone is going through something/a tough time and even if you can't be there physically for them you can be there for them in spirit and not getting your feeling hurt or your panties in a wad if you don't get a phone call from a friend when you think they should be calling. Perhaps they need you to call them, maybe they are so down and depressed they just can't muster up the energy to call. Call them up, even if you think they've slighted you, that's being a friend.
And now for my soapbox. If you don't want to read my rant, that's okay just skip it. I am so tired of hearing the put downs of Southerners and Arkansasans. I hear on a regular basis people putting us down. I have lived in 4 other states and visited many others; I have to tell you red-necks live in every state of the union, Arkansas hasn't cornered the market. While you are busy talking to me and putting down my state/county/city/school districts you are also putting me down. I don't appreciate it. Remember, I, for the most part, grew up here. If you don't like it here MOVE!!!! I'll bet you aren't happy anywhere you live. Just remember that you are putting down not just me but your husband/wife. Okay, stepping down off my soapbox now.
I will start posting the updates on my knee here, if you are interested. I'll also be posting some pictures of my family, furbabies, and hobbies. I also hope to learn how to customize this blog so I can make it mine and not a "cookie cutter" blog site. Have a great day!!!!
Friday, June 1, 2007
Graduation Day
My darling little boy is all grown up! Nick graduates tonight. I am saddened as he will be leaving home soon. I am excited for him as this starts a new chapter in his life. He leaves for basic training in 20 days now. It is such an exciting time in his life!!
Life will be different around the house. I am so used to him being here that I'm sure that it will be very odd without him. Daniel I know will miss him, but not his haircuts!! (Nick gave him a quick hair cut this morning before he left for school and gouged out a spot on the top of his head! LOL Daniel wasn't very happy)
Daniel is the color guard commander for graduation. He worked hard to get the position and I think that Nick put in a good word with the Chief and Major. I do know the Major told me that Daniel was the most qualified.
We will be headed off to graduation soon, 751 seniors! It will be aloooong graduation!
Life will be different around the house. I am so used to him being here that I'm sure that it will be very odd without him. Daniel I know will miss him, but not his haircuts!! (Nick gave him a quick hair cut this morning before he left for school and gouged out a spot on the top of his head! LOL Daniel wasn't very happy)
Daniel is the color guard commander for graduation. He worked hard to get the position and I think that Nick put in a good word with the Chief and Major. I do know the Major told me that Daniel was the most qualified.
We will be headed off to graduation soon, 751 seniors! It will be aloooong graduation!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
