Monday, Monday...

Got up early this morning cuz Sarah overslept & missed the bus. She's afraid to miss school due to the FCAT exams, even though she's feeling sick.

After I came home I stayed up to try and get a jump on some things but didn't get as far as I would have hoped. I had two telephone interviews today... one of which I decided was more appropriate for my son, and the other was too far for not enough money.

I also had to go to Ft. Lauderdale today to meet with a recruiter for a temp agency. Dunno whether or not that will become anything or not.

Then I went to east Hollywood to pick up a computer monitor for Annette from a Freecycler. I hope it works! Annette is supposed to come and get it tomorrow.

On the way home from there I got a phone call from Ron, who owns the Computer Cafe at FCC. Frankie and I had taken turns tutoring him... and he had also paid another FCC student for tutoring... and now he would like a website. So I'm going to meet with him next week. Since he's on a low budget, he offered me 5% of the website's profits... sounds pretty good. He's a talented chef, and he'll be marketing a food item that he's come up with.

Later I went to work at Telephone Takeout and one of the other employees wants to get/build/buy a computer, as well as get some tutoring to learn how to use one. I can help with that!
: )

Having a pretty good day, all things considered.

Oh... and I found out stuff my boss wanted me to know in order to help him with a project he has... that's always useful.

D'oh! Today IS Sunday!

So I guess it's time I typed up my movie review for the "Pet Peeves" newsletter!

OOPS again!

I was so tired last night I forgot to post my "Fabulous Friday" Pet Peeves newsletter! And yet... my ds talked me into staying up to watch "Fight Club"

Weigh in on Terry Shaivo story...

For those who don't know what it's all about, here is a link to the site: http://www.terrisfight.org/

Just want to know what my readers think about this situation.

Not tonight dear...

I have a headache. Sorry... better luck next time!
; )

Busy bee

Got my pet cages all cleaned today... and typed several more pages of that songwriter's lyrics. Also worked a bit on the website for Annette... but got burnt out on it so decided to start fresh again with that tomorrow. Gotta work tomorrow night at 5:30... it's so strange to have this part-time job. Glad to have some income... drooling over the soon to be deposited tax refund that's going to replace our ailing AC unit...

Getting there is half the battle...

It's amazing to see the diversity between different people and populations in this world. I'm stunned. I don't know if we'll ever reach a point where people with such diametrically opposing beliefs will see each other's points of view.

Buried Alive

I have way too much to do... never gonna get around to it all it seems. Focusing on bringing in $$ above other things...

Timmy's out of clean underwear so I guess it's time to fold what's in all the baskets and wash some more loads of laundry...

Things that make you go "hmmmm"

It's amazing how fragile life can be. In mulling over what's happened to one of the most talented and kind doctors I know... I'm prompted to count my blessings and be glad for all the little things I'd usually take for granted. Just being able to tie my shoes with the fingers of both hands, for instance.

An open letter to Dr. Joseph Becerra F.A.C.O.G.

Dr. Becerra,

I have no way in which to contact you, so I am hoping that by some trick of the Googlebots, you'll someday run a search on your name and find this.

You are my favorite doctor ever, and I am so sad to think of never seeing you again. But what would make me more sad is if you just stop. It is my fervent hope that you will pass along your wisdom and incomparable bedside manner to new generations of OB/GYN practitioners: TEACH!

While I hope and pray that your injury can be healed so that you may return to full practice in the profession I know you love... I am certain that the world needs people like you to instruct others also. There should be many more physicians with your endearing qualities. And if they ever ask for candidates to be cloned, I'd nominate you in a heartbeat.

Stay strong, and know that we, your many MANY patients truly adore you... and hope to one day be graced with your presence again.

Sincerely and with love,
Lydia Glider-Shelley
Your patient since 1988!

Craigslist

Craigslist is awesome. I just picked up another freelance gig, if you will... typing up songs for another songwriter. I'm now checking craigslist every day for more work. One never knows?

Still got the cough... but I think I'm winning, LOL

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Now I can post photos directly to this blog, in addition to my moblog... and Hello!
: )

Up & Down

Well, I thought I was doing good because I got paid for 15 hours of work last week... but this week... I've only been scheduled for 2 days, unless I'm supposed to add Sunday's pay into this week, in which case it's 3. But I'll be lucky if that makes 10 hours... maybe 11. Well, on the positive side, maybe I can get a little rest and shake this cough!

Not so bad...

Well, I was up half the night coughing... but I took Alka Seltzer Plus before going to work and managed to keep from coughing TOO awful much while I was there.

Since I'm not scheduled to work tomorrow, I got paid early, and stopped to get pizza for the kids. Only two of them were home and awake, but I'm sure they appreciated it. They are in the bedroom playing video games, and getting along well for once, so I'm happy.

Tomorrow I'm going to go buy some Advantage flea control stuff for the bunnies, and clean some cages... joy oh joy... but it has to be done.

The newest bunny we obtained... the one that just "popped up" one day in the neighborhood, has grown to be so dear to us. He is really a sweetheart. I still miss my old Rocky boy, though. I don't think that will ever change. When you grow to love an animal, 20 years can pass by but a tear still come to your eye when you think of them.

I am SO glad to have some income trickling in... and to STOP having to hold out my hand to my husband or son for favors.

Soon our tax refund will arrive, and we can replace our ailing AC unit. That will be AWESOME! I also plan on making sure dh finally replaces his FAR outdated glasses. I need new lenses... but it has been twice as long for him since he got new ones.

I would love to have surgery to eliminate the need for glasses... if I could be sure it would work... and if my insurance would pay for it!

Did the fat lady sing yet?

Some of you may recall this post or this post from last fall... about my resigning from the Freecycle Network as moderator. I did not leave altogether, just stepped down to become a regular member. I believe in Freecycle and what they're trying to do.

Well... the latest blitz is that the two moderators who were giving me so much grief have renamed their groups to "Freesource" and have gone independent. Wow. In doing so, they basically hijacked thousands of unsuspecting members... who may not be upset about it, but in the opinions of many, should have been asked first. This is the problem I had with those moderators to begin with: they decide for other people what is best without asking, or being diplomatic/democratic about it. IMHO a group should be polled to ask what everyone thinks before drastic changes are made... and these ladies never wanted to do that. I suspect that it's possible neither one of them has children, and that both are accustomed to dealing only with animals. With animals, you MUST order them around, and can NOT give them choices. But if you treat children that way, they will rebel... hate you... and in general, it's not a good way to obtain HUMAN cooperation.

It's sad that some people feel the need to control others... but we can't dictate what they do or we'd be just as bad. All we can do is accept that there are folks who truly do NOT believe in a democratic process... and hope to God they don't harm anyone with their behavior.

Work & Wait

Spent all day yesterday revising freelance work... dunno when I'll actually get paid for any of it. At least with the night time job I know exactly when to expect money...

Didn't go to the doc's office for the breathing treatment today. Had a hard enough time dragging myself out of bed before ten without trying to go somewhere. Hope I won't be sorry.

Going to work at 5 today, but THIS TIME I'm going to take Alka-Seltzer Plus cold medicine first as well as remembering to bring my cough drops. I hope between the two I can avoid coughing up a lung!

My butt hurts!

I've been sitting here all day working like the devil on a job I'm only getting $30 for... but I'm such a perfectionist I can't stop!

I spent hours scouring the web for free fonts to match the font in the client's logo... then my partner kept asking me to make tedious changes. Ugh.

I've been so sick I should be in bed resting, but that ain't gonna happen. The doc's office called me in a new 'script for a stronger antibiotic... and I'm gonna go there at 10am tomorrow for a breathing treatment. ($20 co-pay to go there as opposed to $50 for the ER!)

If I stay sick much longer I'm going to have to borrow my neighbor's nebulizer. I can't keep paying $20 for treatments...

I was coughing so badly at work last night, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if one or more of the customers called back to ask Barry why the hell someone so sick was working for him!

Stacey? Are you still around?

I never did hear from Allison again after her blog disappeared... now Stacey's is gone, too. It makes me sad when they vanish without a trace... it's like someone died without my having gotten to say goodbye.

I know Allison and Stacey are probably both alive and well, and just got tired of blogging (or whatever) but I do hope that any of you who grace my blogroll don't drop out of sight. I may not have time to make the rounds and visit your sites as often as I'd like, but I would miss you if you were gone!

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do...

Apparently I've caught another cold on top of the one I already had. Fortunately, it came on my day off... so I am past the itchy, burning sinuses stage today... since I have to work at 5. Can't call in sick... only my second week on the job and the other new girl will end up getting all my hours. I like her, but I need money too badly to give up even ONE hour of work.

I did some more freelance work yesterday... and she says she has more for me. Every little bit will help... but I don't know when I'll stop feeling so godawful desperate.

Yesterday was my youngest son Timmy's 11th birthday, and today is my oldest son Frankie's 19th birthday. Frank says he doesn't want anything for his birthday, and Timmy wants cash. I told Timmy he'd have to wait 'til I collect my pay from the night job tonight... and I'm buying something for Frank whether he likes it or not. But I'm not going to get him something I just THINK he MIGHT like, like his dad did. I'm going to get him something I'm sure he'll use. Probably a pair of blue jeans or a gift certificate to Quicksilver, whose jeans I know he likes. Not sure.

For now, I'm just glad I have income. It's a trickle, but the flow is starting to improve. Sure hope I can replace my car before it bites the dust, though!

Good day/bad day...

I've had a pretty good day in some respects... did some more graphics work and got some errands run with the money I got paid from the previous one... but I'm not feeling very well. My sinuses are burning... even though I'm on an antibiotic. I think I have a sinus infection that may require a different antibiotic... but only time will tell.

Keep Praying!

Whoever's praying for me... don't stop! My new boss called last night and offered me some extra hours today (my day off) and the lady I've been doing freelance work for has a whole bunch of stuff for me to do, too. Seems the tide is finally turning!

But I know better than to take it for granted: thank you to all who have had me in their prayers, and most of all thanks to God!
: )

Another day in the life...

Great. The doctor's office did NOT call in the inhaler yesterday, because the doc wanted me to come in and see her. Did they tell me this? NO! I didn't find out 'til dh went to pick up the 'script and found that it hadn't been ordered. So now I have to go see her at 3, which means dh will have to pick Timmy up from school for me... and I have to get to work at 5:30. Knowing how long it will probably take me at the doctor's office, I'll probably have to scoot straight from there to work, so I won't be able to drop of any scripts she gives me 'til TOMORROW morning. Ugh. This sux. I already had a major coughing fit at work last night, scaring the hell out of my coworkers. I am so damn pissed off right now! And that's probably only making me sicker. I wish I could calm down... but if I try to take a deep breath, I'll cough up a lung!

Lung Transplant?

Ugh. My head cold has now moved into my chest, and I'm wheezing. I called to have my doc call in an inhaler for me... but can't have it 'til tomorrow when dh gets paid. I have tried using my daughter's, but I suspect all that's left in hers is propellant because I'm not feeling any improvement. If I'm not better by the weekend, I'm going to have to see doc on Monday for an antibiotic. In the meantime, I can't work out, I'm not sleeping well... and my appetite is nearly nonexistent. (I'm hungry, but nothing tastes good...)

Carpal Tunnel

I've been having problems with my carpal tunnels... especially in the right hand, so I wore my brace to bed last night. I sure hope it eases up by the time I get over my cough so I can get my ass back to the gym quickly.

I was tested to see if I was a candidate for the surgery a year or two ago, and they told me no... it wasn't bad enough. So I just have to press on the best that I can. Ugh.