My new blog

[golotomer]

Julie,

Why is the Vit D so low?  I have another friend who was having a problem maintaining her Vit D levels.  I never did hear the outcome of her problem (we were kayaking buddies from where I used to live and I haven't seen her) but I too take Vit D to help absorb the calcium I take for my osteo penia.  I haven't been to a doctor in over 3 years because of the insurance...none. 

Gosh I feel so bad that you aren't able to afford some of your meds right now.  There are so many people in the same boat with this economy.  If our lawmakers / government would just see where help is needed!!!!  I've been buying my vitamins online through Swanson Health Products.  As far as I can tell they are pretty competitive with their prices.  That won't help you much though with perscriptions.  I do so understand your problem.  I have to buy four new tires for my Blazer next week.  I have very little tread and there is a distint wobble going on with my front drivers side tire.  They won't pass inspection in the spring and I was going to try to hold off until then but...the wobble is very bad and I don't want to go through a winter on snow and ice with it.  With Bob out of town and not knowing too many people here that can help me out in a pinch I will feel safer with new tires.  I actually tried buying used but nobody has the size I need in a full-set.  It's going to cost me around 560 dollars.  It will take me all of this weeks check and I have to wait for the following week before I'll have the money I need.  Bob's front tires are bald too so I want him to focus on getting new before the bad weather sets in. 

Then we have Christmas coming.  I hate that its so commercialized anyhow and I could gladly forgo gift giving but I feel as though my grandchildren expect a little something so I try to stay in the "spirit" somewhat.  I usually make a lot of things too but my hands and time constraints aren't allowing me to crochet or knit as much as I used to do.  Heck I even used to make enough that I sold matching sets but no more of that. 

Yes Diane is very creative and talented.  She has a knack at marketing her things too. 

The leaves are beautiful.  The ground is covered with them now and when you walk you kick up leaves all around you....that is...when they aren't wet and soggy like they are right now.  This rain has been coming down non-stop now for a couple of days.  The leaves will really fall when this dries out and the temps drop a bit. 

Worked on homework for several hours last night and have a bunch of Word and English modules to get through today and tonight.  This is a race weekend and we'll be at the track both Saturday and Sunday.  This is the weekend of the great Pumpkin race.     Last race of the season though.  This is our track.  http://www.beaverun.com/karting.php

My son is in North Carolina right now at the Nascar races too.  He got to meet with a couple of the drivers and get autographs in a more personal setting.  They got special considerations because they had to move their RV because of the flooding from all the rain so the track tried to pay them kindly for their troubles.   

Well off to get the homework started.  You hang in there honey.  Hope they give you the spacer as it sounds like it might help.  Worth the try! 

Kat

[jcribb16]

Hi Kim,

I first read your note on my Blackberry.  When I got to the end, your "Kat" kind of threw me for a loop!  My middle name is Kathleen aka Kat when I was younger.  My best friend at the time (right next door) and her cousins, who were also my cousins, and I, came up with our "special" names that only we knew about.  A kid's thing back then, but when I saw that this morning, it brought back a lot of fun memories of them.

As far as the Vit. D, one of the biggest reasons she has me on it is that since the asthma "took over" when I got so sick a few years ago, I've not been able to handle the outdoors as much, and so I don't have enough "sunshine" in me.  Just that in turn, can affect many things and so the D is supposed to help, including helping prevent memory issues, regulating the calcium and phosphate to help protect against osteoporosis, and helping my immune system, and I can't remember what else.

I hope you all able to get those tires replaced soon - they are so expensive but so needed, especially with the kind of winter weather you have.  When I was in my 20s, I had bald tires on the car that my dad had let me use to get back and forth to the college.  It had been raining that day.  Another car pulled right out in front of me and when I hit the brakes I went in a complete circle.  I was scared to death and was terrified of being hit from all directions.  No one hit me, thank the Lord.  I was shaking so badly and since I was near my church I pulled in there and went in so I could calm down.  My pastor went out to look at the tires and was appalled that my dad would let me drive a car with tires that bald.  I knew nothing about cars and tires and felt kind of foolish, but he reassured me that I shouldn't feel that way.  He was more upset with my dad at that moment.  My dad was not a very nice man to my mom and I when I was growing up - he didn't worry or didn't seem to care about things like that for us. 

I know what you mean about Christmas.  I don't even want to think about that for this year - I just don't know what we're going to do, but at least our household understands what we are going through. 

I checked out your track link.  That looks like a lot of fun!  That's neat about your son, too.

Well, it's time for me to start getting ready to go.  Hope you get a lot of your modules completed today.  "See" ya later!!

Julie     

[golotomer]

Julie,

I understand why they have you on the Vitamin D.  I was just wondering if they can tell you why it stays low when you are taking the supplements.  You are so right about needing good tires.  That's why I'm focusing on getting them for both cars before winter sets in. 

That's funny about the Kat signature.  It's my initials and I sometimes refer to myself as Kat and had friends that called me that.   

As to making inexpensive Christmas gifts here is a great website for ideas.  They have all kinds of gifts in a jar that are really cheap and printable tags to dress them up.  One thing I plan on doing is making bath salts.  You just use Epsom salts, a cotton ball with food coloring and another with some sort of essential oil.  Put them in a container, give them a few shakes and let them set for a couple of days.  Put them in a container, tie them with raffia and you have a gift for less than a couple of dollars.  I thought I would make them in lavendar and eucalyptus.  The one is for relaxation and the other for when you have a cold.  I can buy the salts at the dollar store and probably containers. 

Here is the link to the gifts in a jar on that site.  http://christmas.organizedhome.com/topics/gifts-in-a-jar

It's raining and nasty here this morning.  The little one will be here at 6:30 but I'm going to keep her here at the house until it warms up a bit before we go to the track.  They won't run the first race until about 10 so we'll get there in time for that.  Besides I still have laundry and homework.  Tonight there is a banquet so we'll eat there but tomorrow I'm taking a crockpot of meatballs, hoagie buns, onions, cheese, chips and iced tea to feed us all.  No fuss because I even bought frozen meatballs.  Just no time to cook right now! 

Hope your weekend is great. 

Kat 

[jcribb16]

Hey Kim,

I love the nickname Kat anyway!  That's neat it's your initials.  For me, back then, it was short for Kathleen, but also meant that I was a cat lover!

I guess I didn't read your question right about the Vit. D levels - sorry about that!     All I really know is that I was supposed to be taking 5000 units a day and I was only taking 2000 (at first it was 1000) - I guess I'm just on way too many meds.   

Yesterday my doctor prescribed a spacer for my inhaler.  I've got to alternate between the nebulizer and the inhaler for a few days.  They gave me samples of a couple of the meds I can't afford just yet, and my hubby and son offered to buy my other 2 today.  The doctor said that I am relapsing some because out of the 4 I haven't taken in a couple of weeks, 3 of them are part of my main meds for the allergy/asthma.  Now I can get back on track.  She also said it shows that even though the shots are helping with some things, what's happened lately shows that I can't come off of the other asthma/allergy meds yet.  The utlimate goal for the shots is to be able to back off those other meds.

Thanks for the link.  That's a great site!  I got hung up in there and then remembered I hadn't finished this!  Those are wonderful ideas and very appealing to the craft side of me. 

I hope the rain straightened up before the race.  Little one should enjoy watching that.  Yummmm..... what you are fixing and taking tomorrow sounds delightful and delicious!  I hope the weather is nice!

Enjoy your weekend!

Julie 

[golotomer]

Julie,

We ended up not going to the track yesterday.  It was really blustery here.  She had been sick through the night on Friday and seemed really tired yesterday.  She went back to bed as soon as her mom brought her in and slept until about 9.  At about 11 she went into the bedroom, crawled into the bed by herself and went right back to sleep.  I kept her occupied most of the day by playing Mario Kart.  She had never played it before so there was a learning curve but we had to drag her away from it at about 7 last night so the grownups could watch regular tv.  More of the same I expect today. 

Daughter did real well at the racing yesterday.  She set the fastest lap a couple of times and had good finishes.  She hadn't raced all summer, except for one other day, and was really sore last night from fighting the wheel. 

We went ahead and ate on the meatballs last night because they didn't stay for the banquent.  I think I'll go to the track today for a few hours but I have to be back at the house at 4 for her mother to pick her up then I have to meet my son on his way back through from North Carolina to give him his cat. 

This weekend flew by like crazy.  Bob will be leaving for Florida in ten days and I'd like to see things slow down around this house for the coming week!  Kids, dogs, cats...flurry of activity all the time. 

I'm glad you liked the website.  I've been a fan for years.  Another one I like is http://www.budget101.com/

Well darling I'm off to play a game before the  rest of the house wakes up and wants coffee/breakfast. 

Oh meant to ask you if you have ever heard of Rainbow sweepers?  They are great to have around the house if you have allergies.  They are not only the best sweeper but they also clean the air if you just let them sit and run.  They are a water vac so they wet all of the airborne dust, and what you've collected from sweeping, down and you empty it out into the toilet (or out of doors).  The water usually looks like mud by the time you've finished.  I want one so bad but they are extremely expensive.  I used to own one but it got ruined by someone that borrowed it!  I'm looking at buying a refurbished though for about 400....(yeah right as soon as I have 4oo to spare).  But anyhow...they are great for people with allergies and they really suck.   

[jcribb16]

I'm sorry she's not feeling well.  For a child to go back to bed on their own shows how bad they feel.  I hope she's more up to par today.  Did you get to go to the track today (Sunday?)  That's great about your daughter!  As well as she did with that one other day of practice, tells me she's good at this!  How often are these races for her?

I love playing Mario Kart - especially the older one from Nintendo 64.  Hubby and I and the kids had so much fun with racing each other.  I like today's okay, but that other one is my favorite. 

Thanks for the other site, too.  My daughter likes that one, too.  She has always enjoyed helping me decorate through the years, and now I let her take the rein on decorating for fall and Halloween - it's one of her favorites to do.

I haven't heard of the Rainbow Sweepers.  It sounds like something I could use.  Lol, I chuckled at your remark about as soon as you have 400 to spare.  That's me, too. 

We heard from Randal today, through an email.  He's going to be flying back to the U.S. from the ship within the next few days (that's all he can say because of security reasons.)  He'll be flown to an undetermined base to be "debriefed" like they always do when coming back from deployment.  After that they will fly him home.  So we may not hear from him until after he's back and settled.  I'm just thankful he is still staying in touch with us.

Yes, you do have a flurry of activity around your house!  Maybe things will slow down now - it would be nice for you and Bob to be able to spend some quality time together before he leaves for FL.  Roddy is off tomorrow and Tuesday for "fall break" - we don't get too many days when we are both here and daughter and son are both still working. 

We watched Zookeeper (movie) last night.  It was hilarious!  Kevin James is good for the part, and the animals are funny.

Okay, now...I want you to have a great Monday at home and at school!!  Find a few minutes to pamper you!! 

{{Hugs}}

Julie    

[golotomer]

Good morning,

The races for the daughter have declined this past two years.  She was going to school to be an LPN and then after graduation she went to work and also back to school to further her education as an RN so her time is limited.  This was the last race of the year and a fun race called the Pumpkin Race where they go one direction on the track then they race in the opposite direction.  She came in second in one of the heats and everyone was real impressed at how well she did with only having raced twice this year.  Bob also did a relay race as a partner to one of the younger girls because it's usually a father/daughter race and her daddy wasn't up to racing yesterday.  They came in second too.  She promised Bob a quarter of her Halloween candy for his efforts.   

We didn't stay at the track more than a couple of hours.  It was windy, wet and cold and the little begged to come home to play Mario Kart again.  Grandpa will be putting her in her own kart next race season.  They start them really young in karting.  He let her steer the maintenance cart the other day just to give her the feel of the steering wheel.  With that being said I can tell that I better pack my bags for next summer and get used to being a gypsy as my second home will be at the track.  We do have the motor home and I'm thinking we might just set up permanent residence at the track for the weekends. 

I'm so glad your son is on his way home and you'll soon be able to see him.  I'm sure he will need to spend time with his own family first before he can get with you and hear all of what has transpired and make efforts toward repairing the situation.  Hopefully by the time the holidays roll around you will be seeing your grandchildren again.  It will be hard being around the DIL but sometimes a bitter pill is what we take for a cure. 

We went to meet my son last night to return his cat and were eating dinner when the daughter called to tell us that Dan Wheldon had been killed in the race at Las Vegas.  Such a tragedy.  Racing is never safe but they need to make changes to the tracks on which they are racing for more safety. 

I'll have to check out Zookeeper.  I don't know how old of a movie it is.  We go to maybe two or three newer movies a year then we have Netflix.  We went to maybe five last year and two of those were kids movies so we could take the little one.  We saw Rio and Tangled.  Loved Tangle.   

Yes I'm hoping for some quality time this week before Bob leaves for Fl.   Hopefully you and Roddy can have some quality time these next couple of days too. 

I have a Medical abbreviations test this afternoon so I need a bit more study.  We will start to learn to draw blood today too.  First on an artificial arm then the real thing.  I don't know how I'm going to like this but I'll have to suck it up, no pun intended, in order to get through the class but I may never do it in the workaday world.  It just doesn't seem like something I'll enjoy doing full-time. 

Later gator. 

Kim

[jcribb16]

Good evening,

That's great about your daughter.  It's also neat that she is studying to be an RN - they are much needed.  That's also very sweet of Bob to help the girl whose daddy couldn't come.  As far as the candy winnings - sounds good to me, too! 

Sounds like someone is hooked on Mario Kart, lol!  Yep, I can see you in the near future as a "permanent motor home gypsy" on the weekends!  I guess she's hooked on the real thing, too, which really sounds like something unique and different to learn to do.

Yes, I agree about not getting to see Randal or the girls for awhile.  However, I doubt DIL will be coming to any of his family's get-togethers, at least until things calm down and get straightened out. 

That's tragic and sad about Dan Wheldon.  I heard on the news (while I am writing this) that there was concern about there being too many cars this year.  Did I hear that right?  I'm not very familiar with him but I feel for his family. 

My sister-in-law's dad died last week and they had a memorial service today.  Our niece and nephew (his grands) had a hard time today. 

Then this afternoon, a friend of mine, who has cancer, developed pneumonia in her lung and was admitted to the hospital.  She has lost so much weight in the last couple of years, while battling cancer.  Right before her cancer was diagnosed, her dad had died, and while at the funeral, she had a heart attack.  She and her husband are also parents/grandparents to their granddaughter since both of her parents died (one from drugs and the other from a car accident.)

I spent all afternoon an hour away, with a good friend at the hospital where her mom is dying.  The doctors and nurses say it could be tonight or tomorrow.  She has cancer, emphesyma, and pneumonia.  There are several of my friend's family members who don't get along with others and she's tired of the bickering.  While I sat and talked with her, those family members kind of split off into their own little groups around the waiting room.  They didn't know me - she said they were on their "best behavior."  Once her hubby, and both teen daughters came in with her supper and clothes, etc., I felt like it was time to slip out.

Tomorrow through Friday, I'm watching the little fella again.  He's a sweet little boy.  He turned 2 this past weekend.  I refused to let his mom pay me the last time, because I know how hard off they are, too.  But this time she said she was paying me and I had better accept it, lol.  She's a bus driver friend of my daughter's and my hubby's.  They both told me that I should accept this time so as not to hurt her pride. 

Zookeeper recently came out on dvd.  Roddy asked me if Rio is good, but I have no idea.  Did you like it?  Daughter and I would like to see Tangled.  Before we moved up here, I used to go to more movies than I do up here.  I had a movie buddy down there and I miss her not being up here.  However, I don't mind going alone, at all.  Sometimes Roddy will go but he's more picky about what he likes than I am.  Veronica wants to go with me, but she gets that carsick feeling sometimes when in the theater, so she doesn't go too often.

I hope you did well on your Medical abbreviations.  I'm with you - I don't think I would do too well if I had to learn to draw blood from others.  But you've come this far, lol, and so you will go in boldness and pass with flying colors!!  Just think of me on the sidelines cheering you on!!   

While crocodile,

Julie   

[golotomer]

Julie,

My goodness there are so many people suffering and it makes me really sad.  I get to complaining and feeling sorry for myself, then I hear or see what other people are going through and it makes me feel guilty as my problems seem so small in comparison.

I hope I have the stamina to make it through school too.  I also hope I have the same to make it through this relationship.  I have good moments and bad...the last couple of days have been pretty bad.  Not that anything in particular is happening but there are things that are constant reminders, for instance things said or done on television.  I have big trust issues. 

My abbreviation test didn't go well.  I didn't spend near enough time studying over the weekend.  Memorization is something that used to come easy for me but now it's very difficult and I really have to work at it.  I was bogged down babysitting, running around doing for everyone this weekend and I just can't study when I'm constantly interrupted. 

I also had a couple of things happen over the weekend, not big things, that are bothering me regarding the deceased wife.  One was a phone call from one of her old friends, wanting computer assistance from Bob, but telling me in depth what a wonderful person she was and how badly she felt about her dying.  Believe me I understand how tragic it was that she suffered so long and died so young but it's hard living up to a legend.  Then I had a return phone call where the caller id was picked up and the phone is still in her name and this person asked for her by name when it was me that placed the call.  Some of the bills still come in her name, the phone being one, and it would be a simple change online to make the change but has never been done.  I'm still dealing with having some of her personal things around the house too and am not able to place my own wall decorations in certain areas because her collectibles are still in place.  I don't feel as though I fit in except as a poor substitute.  It's hard being the next in line when someone passes away.  Not like when there has been a divorce because there are usually feelings of animosity and the new person in your life is able to give you some comfort.  Then to have to deal with the "big problem" too adds to the emotional turmoil.  She also dealt with the same and I don't know how she did it with the compounded problem of being sick and knowing she was dying.  I get so angry that life is do darn unfair!!!!  Faith and trust get really difficult to muster at times. 

Rio was a colorful movie with good music and enjoyable but not as good as Tangled.  You really have to see Tangled. 

I know that it's going to be akward with the DIL for a long time to come but the important thing is for you to see those little girls and that they understand that your not seeing them was not your intentions.  It's hard to have to lay the blame on their mother but truth is truth.  I just pray that you get this resolved by the holidays so you have some peace of mind. 

Off to study.  I have another memorization type of test on Wednesday.  The sad thing is that most of what I'm memorizing won't be things we need in the work a day world.  It should be sufficient enough to be familiar with the terminology and then you learn what is needed on a daily basis anyhow. 

TTYL,

Kim

[kayfran48]

I am new to this, and trying to get the hang of things here, This seems to be  a good way for me to make some extra cash,boy I sure need it. I am so glad I sign up fusion cash.

[magicbus]

Hi, I am 63, forced into early retirement, after exhausting my 99 weeks of unemployment benefits, and sending out many,many resumes, with very
very few results, I have alot of years left in me to get out there and work, but there doesn't seem to be any place for me, I sometimes think that
some age discrimination has to be part of my problem, I worked in a hospital for 17 years, as an PSR, applied at various hospitals, with no offers, it's
depressing to know I have the experience, but no one takes a chance, anyway, I try to stay upbeat, and think positive, this economy sucks, but hey,
why sulk in misery right? ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, that felt good!!!!

[jcribb16]

I am new to this, and trying to get the hang of things here, This seems to be  a good way for me to make some extra cash,boy I sure need it. I am so glad I sign up fusion cash.

Hi there and welcome!  I think it's great you used your first post on here!  It seems like a lot of us need cash in today's economy.  I'm glad I signed up as well!!  Hope to see you again! 

[jcribb16]

Hi, I am 63, forced into early retirement, after exhausting my 99 weeks of unemployment benefits, and sending out many,many resumes, with very
very few results, I have alot of years left in me to get out there and work, but there doesn't seem to be any place for me, I sometimes think that
some age discrimination has to be part of my problem, I worked in a hospital for 17 years, as an PSR, applied at various hospitals, with no offers, it's
depressing to know I have the experience, but no one takes a chance, anyway, I try to stay upbeat, and think positive, this economy sucks, but hey,
why sulk in misery right? ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, that felt good!!!!

Hi and I'm glad you've come in here!  That's got to be very frustrating for you.  Especially since you have experience and the willingness to get out there and still work.  It does seem, in today's time, that the older experienced workers are pushed out more and more.  The companies don't have to pay these new younger workers as much.  Seems a bit obvious and unfair.  Like you said, staying upbeat and thinking positive anyway, is the best way to handle it.  I'm glad you were able to vent!!!  Hope to chat with you again! 

[jcribb16]

Hi Dianna!

Just saying Hi! and hope you are doing well.  I just haven't been able to catch up on some of my FB games lately, and frankly - I was getting frustrated with some game issues.  I'll try this week and catch up some.  I have tried to keep updated on your craft page - I do enjoy seeing what else is coming.  I'm still financially tight, too, but hopefully it will change soon.  Take care - "see" you soon!

Julie

P.S.  I'm the one having the migraine today.   Including the nausea and sensitivity to everything.  But I was determined to catch up with my friends!  Have a great week! 

[ButterflyWings]

Good Morning Girls....

Sorry been super busy and then I had issues with my teeth..My teeth need to be fixed so i get pain and sick them..I have the cosmetic ones to cover my teeth til I get them fixed in Feb,but still have issues with pain from them ugh..

Kim congrats on the Deans List!!Way to go girl!!

Thank you both for the sweet comments on my crafts..I know they are not perfect but they are me lol..It really brightened my day to read what you both thought..It means a lot to me..

I miss the leaves changing colors so much here in Florida they do not change very much at all so I miss it..Maybe I will move back to Michigan and see them change again..Well gonna take my antibiotic and pain pill for my teeth and fall alseep I am no good on pain meds lol.. Love ya girls xoxoxoxo