new and future flat sister, with questions
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Wow M that's quite a story. I can't believe Colin decided to have surgery in a foreign place. When I flew to pick up my daughter, that was one of my main fears... I did not want to have surgery in a 3rd world country tyvm! I bought med-vac insurance to transport us out of there if there was a medical emergency.
Glennie - I grew up in the U.P. It's a beautiful place in the summer time. Winter can be pretty brutal. Lots of snow, but much more sun than the lower peninsula. I grew up 45 miles from the Mackinac Bridge, so yes, I have been over it hundreds of times. There are a lot of people who are afraid to drive over it, and the Bridge authority personnel will drive your car for you if you are afraid. I know this, because my brother worked there and had some pretty humorous stories to tell of people lying down in the back seat afraid to look. I have also walked it several times on Labor Day. It's so neat to walk because on the inside lanes, the pavement (on the suspension part) is not pavement, it's grated metal..so you can see the lakes and support beams beneath you. After awhile your eyes 'adjust' and you don't see the grates anymore (similar to sitting behind home plate at a baseball game and not seeing the net) and it looks like you're going to fall through into the lake with each step you take. Personally, I think the Mackinac Bridge is much more majestic than the Golden Gate bridge. Not sure what all the hoopla is about that bridge when compared to ours. There is a great documentary on the building of the Mackinac Bridge and how workers fell to their death etc. For those who have never heard of it, it's a 5 mile long, 200 foot high suspension bridge over 2 of the Great Lakes. Before the bridge, the only way to get between the peninsulas was to take a ferry. I think it was completed right around the time I was born and we have a few photos of our family (without me) riding the ferry. I love the Mackinac Bridge .. and Mackinac Island is a neat place too. Definitely worth a visit - no cars allowed - only horses and bikes, and the ferry ride over is fun. And while I'm promoting our state - starting right about now the leaves start to change color and 'fall color tours' as they're called are big tourist attractions. Michigan is really a beautiful state...if only it didn't have the harsh winters! I'm so done with the cold.
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I reply to myself. ND, I have to wear a lot of EF because I am (an unofficial, undiagnosed) sensory person. Clothes just drive me crazy! And EF is always comfortable. When I get a hole in something, I move it over to sleepwear!
Finances have been really tight these past months with childcare, mainly, and I also like 'supersoft' things from the Gap. They have supersoft t-shirts and supersoft leggings. With all these sx I have to wear a lot of camis, and I do Gap Pure Body camis -- they are soft. Now that I have supersoft t-shirts, I cannot wear anything else. **picky** Can't buy new things because my sizing is a mess -- in Gap t-shirts I am what as known as a 'small Tall.' (?)
Nothing fits. I'm not going to get any new clothes until I can go to an actual EF store and try it on. Dresses are out because if it fits on bottom it does not fit on top. Zut!
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I was typing my long-ass Michigan promotion and missed Bobo's 17 year anniversary post. Congrats to you and your partner!! I hear you about the no vacations...I've had to save all my vacation time over the last 10 years to accommodate all the school breaks and days off. Now that DD is almost 13 - the times they are a changing. Hopefully you can get a baby sitter and celebrate your anniversary tonight. Just do it!
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Bobo, Happy Anniversary! That's a long time to be together. Do you have anything planned? Give my best to DLLP, please.
Is there a MD update? Has she fallen off the 6 oz meal wagon yet?
Oh yuck, pee pee, not what you want in your bed!
I could never understand how hard you all work over there and you get virtually no vacation time.
Glennie, I forgot to say, you'd be so welcome to eat Figs off my tree!
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PRB, Singapore has a great reputation for both Hospitals and Surgery, and being one of the cleanest countries in the world, it wasn't a difficult choice to make. Considering that it took over a week of me ringing every Ortho in Victoria, while he had a shattered bone loose in his leg, just trying to get someone to operate, when it happened the 2nd time. It shows, how difficult it is to get things done here, in his situation. Even with private health cover, being a quad, means he gets shunted off to a Melbourne public Hospital, which has a spinal unit, far from being one of my favorite places. Many negative experiences there.
I have seen your bridge in the movies, and car ads, but I have never been there, it looks incredible!
Bobo, why don't you do some of those lovely skirts, with the boxy tops from EF if the dresses don't fit well. I understand your leaning toward the super soft clothing. I love my Bamboo fiber clothing, I love linen too and I really like Modal, most of the Amoena clothing pieces, are Modal. I used to wear a lot of pure silk, but it is too high maintenance. I hate ironing!
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Happy anniversary bobo and DLLP! Yay! I wish you could go on a holiday together. I think I may have won about 20 million dollars, or so, in tattslotto tonight, so you shall pick your destination! Or we could all meet you there! We don't usually do lotto, but for some reason today DH bought a ticket. I should go and check. And I need to check out this EF brand.
Always something to make me laugh here, PRB long-ass Michigan promotion, wren telling bobo to pee in her drs face (or was that on DP' s thread?) pirate talk .....
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Happy Anniversary Bobo and DLLP!! Woot!! 17 years!! Awesome!!No vacation??? Ever?? **SUCKS*** Still think we need a beach house for the group. That would be fun.
M: everyone gets longer vacation time than Americans. European countries all have 5-6 weeks a year. I have good vacation time now, but I've been here almost 11 years and have accrued a lot of time. The sucky thing at our place is our PTO (paid time off) includes everything,, vacation, sick, funeral, holiday, etc etc. So everyone wants to come in sick, so they don't want a PTO day for being sick. Not a good idea in a hospital. Thankfully, since I work at home now, I can still work sick! So can save all my PTO for real vacation. And I have to use a week of it before my long time sick time kicks in @surgery, but thankfully I got a lot in the bank.
and working for the airlines you get sweet travel perks. I remember from ex-hubby's benefits. We took vacation to Amsterdam,, going stand-by,,, waiting waiting,, then only seats in business class!! Too awesome!! Best flight ever. And then other time, stuck in coach,, separate seats,, and MIDDLE seats, which I hate. That was a long flight back from Israel. **one of the worse flights ever**
We flew only a couple weeks after 9/11,, people thought we were crazy, but did it anyway. I developed a real paranoia about the subways,, cuz I figured if they really wanted to cripple NYC, they would blow up a couple of subway lines. I started taking the bus more.
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Again, I post and miss the next page of posts. **what is wrong with me??**PRB: you are my new Michigan source! I so want to see the UP,,, like in early Sept, before it gets too cold and hopefully when maybe the leaves start changing,, but before all the attractions, etc close for the winter. I am horribly afraid of heights, so the bridge would totally freak me out. I would probably have my eyes closed while someone else drives. And I love that the bridge authority people drive people over.
Bobo: a small tall? I can see that but am amazed that they actually have that size. Splurge on the soft,,, better for your skin. And YES, we need MD update. Is she cheating? How's Dad doing? any updates?
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Glennie, been wanting to ask you a question, but probably a stupid assed one, so have refrained until now
How do you work from home if you are a pharmacist?0 -
Not stupid question,, everyone wonders this. I used to work at one of the local hospitals,, it's owned by a big corporation, HCA. They have 41 hospitals just in my state. The doctors write orders and they get scanned into the computer system. Then we can see them and enter the meds into the system, after checking for allergies and drug interactions, etc. Well, since it's all computerized, it can be done from a remote location (like home) The advantages to being home (corporation line) is that you have fewer distractions than being on site and thus make fewer mistakes. There are still pharmacists still on site,, so when there are issues, and doctors need to be called to clarify orders,, the onsite pharmacists do that. I route it back to their queue for them to do. Also by being home,, we can work more than one facility at a time if need be. I'm trained to work two other places than my primary location, so if they get busy and need help, I can jump over there for a while and help them get caught up.Most of the meds are in med cabinets. Once pharmacist ok's the order, then it is released under the patient's name and nurse will be able to access it. Other things are sent by the pharmacy, like creams, IV solutions, etc so then a label printed in the pharmacy for the staff to deal with.
So it is a lot of routine, really. Same orders over and over again. Tylenol, Zofran, laxatives, pain meds, etc etc. It can get monotonous! Especially since I work 330- midnight,, by 11, I'm usually ready for bed and yawning and just doing my best to stay awake!! I've been doing this from home for 3 years now and it's a good gig. I have a GREAT boss,, way better than the beitch back at the hospital. The stories I could tell you about her,,, grrrrrrrr. And it was really stressful being there. Besides the boss,, many of the coworkers were beitches or lazy, or just otherwise so difficult to work with. I also have a terrible perfume allergy and cant tolerate being around certain perfumes. And even tho boss said no perfume at work,, she didn't enforce it and people did it anyway. So I would get a pounding headache and confusion, and other girl would get asthma attack and end up in the ER,,, but damn it,, people want their perfume!! Some of the people are great,, and still friends with them,,,but others,,, UGH!!
We have a pretty good team (homies, we call ourselves) and being home has a lot of flexibility. My coworker will ask,, my daughter has dance recital,, can you cover me 3 hours here and I make it up to you over there? So we can switch around if we want, as long as we have coverage and the boss knows. But she loves that we make our own switches,, and just tell her about it.
Ooops,, long post,,, hope I didn't bore you!
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Thanks Glennie! Now I get it! Love the homies tag. Why are there so many difficult people in the workplace? Some perfumes affect me, but probably not to the extent they do to you. My Dd asked the other day, why I was holding my breath, as we were walking through the perfume/cosmetics area in a dept store. I seem to be getting worse as I get older.
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It's the floral scents that get me. Going down the aisle with washing detergents and fabric softeners,, I have to hold my breath! Citrus is ok,, but I can't handle the floral stuff.I don't know why so many difficult people at that place. It's like a magnet. Glad to be away. Some people seem to enjoy making drama,, and making other peoples lives miserable. There is no joy in their life, so they want to suck it out of yours. Vampires.
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Al the bridge talk reminds me of the OLD 7 Mile Bridge in the Keys it was really a train tressle that had been paved. Not much on the sides in the way of guard rails, trains don't need that, right? So we are following BIL on bridge. Pouring buckets. Get to Key West, DH asks his bro what he thought of the bridge. Bro says "what bridge"? He was so scared, it didn't sink in!
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I remember that bridge. They saved part of it for a fishing area. You felt like you were just flying over the water when you drove over it.0 -
Yeah, it was storming so bad, and the water was rough, and SO close!! Scarey!
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Smelly people in the workplace... yuck! I had a co-worker who claimed she was allergic to soap from the elbow up. You could smell where she had been for about 5 minutes. Male boss wanted me and another friend to say something to her. No thank you.
Spookie.. I wonder if I was on that bridge on my one and only Florida vacation in the early 80's. All I remember was how breathtaking the turquoise water was. Simply beautiful. And Key West was like being in some fantasy land. People walking around drinking alcohol in plain sight, and saw a cop stop a guy on a motorcycle because he was going the wrong way... he dumped out the guy's beer and didn't give him a ticket! The tight-rope walkers and magicians on the beach at night. So neat. And where were we in Florida that we were on this huge bridge that went round and round going up up up. Now that scared me! You could see it coming up in the distance and I was saying .. 'holy shit we have to go on that thing?'.
Glennie - Late September is the perfect time of year for Michigan if the weather is good. Warm afternoons, chilly nights. I have a friend who moved to Orlando and she said that's one thing she misses...getting a fresh breath of air.. oh and cold water straight out of the faucet. I'll take warm drinking water over snow any day.
Interesting discussion about smell sensitivities though. I am also very sensitive to smells. Things that make you go hmmmmm.
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Glennie, what bridge does she mean? Round and round, up and up?
Maybe she had too much fun and sun in the Keys? LOL!
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Not sure what bridge that is. The highest bridge I can think of is the way that crosses Tampa Bay. I can't think of one that goes round and round.
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I'm so happy to know other people allergic to perfume or smells. I have to hold my breath in the detergent aisle, too. It makes picking out a sponge very difficult. There's one perfume that gives me a one-sided headache in the eyebrow region before I can smell it. The person wearing it can just be passing on the sidewalk. I worked for an HMO that had a no scent rule for all employees. I was so grateful. There are a couple of women at the senior center who wear perfume that I can't be around. They probably think I'm just unfriendly.
I need to go google that bridge.
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Happy Anniversary to Bobo and DLLP!
The bridge across from Hood River, OR to White Salmon, WA is one of those steel grated things and is also a drawbridge. DS has to cross it twice a day to get to work. It was built in 1924 and looks it - it gives me the willies. Those steel grates are very slippery when wet or icy and the area gets snow on a fairly regular basis. The lanes are 9 ft wide, which doesn't give much room for sliding around.
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Maybe I did have too much fun? Could have been a different trip. I've only been on a few vacations where we drove many miles... so maybe my old memory is confused. If only I could see in my mind the people who were in the car with me? I know that I was driving and that's probably why it stood out in my brain.
I could really use a too much fun in the sun vacation.
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You have friends in FL !0 -
Oh I have wanted to go to Mackinac Island for so long, our kids lived in MI but we never got there then.. on the bucket list. I am with you Glennie,, I hate heights with a purple passion, so guess I will have to ferry over. Also would love to visit The Keys as well.
Happy Anniversary Bobo and DLLP, hope you can get away for a little while to just relax... you are the busiest gal I know. Glad you love EF and it is soft for you. Was in the store once and it is too pricey for me, but bet if I found a good sale I would be hooked for sure. Enjoy your special day.
Thanks for the explaining about working at home Glennie... good for you.
Perfume smells brings back horrible memories of high school, seem one gal decided to sell Avon products and I swear every babe had to buy this horrible strong scent, my head would just pound!
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I hate going over the Skyway. The new one is actually better than the old one that got hit, but still scarey.
Cincinnati has one of those steel grate bridges. It's like the one in NYC, the Brooklyn Bridge your tires make a high pitch whine on it. Wierd. My dad kept his boat on the Ohio river and we went under it frequently. Strange to be looking UP at a bridge.
A woman at our dog park wore so much perfume you could smell her coming. I'm not allergic, but it gagged even me. Somebody finally told her!
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I remember when the Skyway was hit,, OMG,, that was just awful. I'm pretty sure it added to my height phobia.I love the Keys,,, one of my favorite places. Volunteer to go with you.
Seriously thinking about UP Michigan in fall 2016,, gives me time to plan and get surgeries out of the way. Would really like to get the excess skin removed next year. *surgery bucket list*
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Morning ladies. I can't breathe in the laundry aisle either and all my years in the cosmetics department have made me very perfume sensitive too, but for me, it has gotten better over the years, not worse. I have always worn 1 fave perfume, Paloma Picasso, it has never bothered me, thank goodness. Avon has always been a bad one, but for me Estee Lauder was worse, wow, I always avoided walking near that counter.
I also find that using essential oils for cleaning and massage and even burning in an oil burner don't have any negative effects, but a whiff of an artificial fragrance can cause a pain in my head immediately. It is definitely the man made chemicals that are the issue. I watch those ads for fabric softener and the like with little kids wrapped in towels that supposedly smell like apples or sunshine, for goodness sake, and I wonder how many of those little tots are sick from the exposure.
I had wondered about how you did your job from home too Glennie, not boring, very interesting.
I was just like you, didn't want more surgery, but figured another year and I will get that excess removed. It's a good plan, no pressure and if you feel like it, it is an option. Pain in the butt that you have to consider it, though and it should be free.
I wonder if Bobo and DLLP got to have any alone time? She is the busiest gal. I thought it was going to get better after the school change.
Well it's Sunday and very dreary and gray. Dex is still not well, I believe it is the bloody steroids for him too and maybe the antibiotics, but he isn't himself and he's drinking and peeing heaps. Perhaps Cushings from the drugs. I will take hime for a walk and see how he goes.
Catch you all later....M x
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Poor little Dex,,, Ava has Cushings,,, it sucks. I hope he feels better soon.
I would really like to get the excess skin removed,, but I worry about affecting the LE. And I bet the PS would say,, oh, no problem without really knowing. **I'm so cynical** So I really need to research and think about it.
I found a doctor down in Orlando,, 2 hr drive south of me, that seems to specialize in LE. So it might be worth a consult,, it's too far to be a regular thing,, and I doubt she is on my insurance either.
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Glennie, that was my fear too, but I only had 1 node removed and my Surgeon said the odds were so low, but like everything, it has to be considered. I know you already have LE, so I don't know what I'd have done in your situation. My Mother had LE after her radical Mx, so I have always feared it too. I think I would have to have a consult, with the expert to find out, what the likelihood would be.
I had to get rid of mine, because of the constant zinging that I could feel from the nerves in it. I hated how it looked, but the sensation was worse. I put up with that sucker as long as I could, but the feeling wasn't going away. I have none of that, any more, just total numbness and I didn't have an issue with LE, for me, a win, win, but not for everyone, I know.
What do you do for Ava's Cushings? I have the classic signs of it too, after all these years of steroids.
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Happy anniversary bobo. Hope kids go to bed early and sleep late!
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Zills: that would be the perfect gift for Bobo, me thinks,,,,Ava has meds for the Cushings, to keep her cortisol level down. It's a balancing act cuz if it drops too low, it can become an Addison's crisis! She's on Vectoryl 60 mg / day,, it's supposed to be dosed 1 mg / pound and she weighs more than that,, but this dose drops her right to the bottom of normal,,and that's where she has been ever since we started it. It is a canine only med,, and has a huge list of SE's of course. Supposed to cause appetite suppression,, hahahaha,, NOPE! She seems to tolerate it well,, who knows about the long term effects, but we just have to live week to week and hope for the best. Since she is a rescue, I don't even know how old she is,, and I fear she will have a shortened life span due to the Cushings,, cuz it usually happens in older dogs,,, definitely older than we estimate she is. But she is a delight and I'll enjoy her company for as long as I can. She is very low energy and sleeps a lot, but that's OK, cuz I'm low energy too. HOpefully when the weather cools off, we can start to enjoy some longer walks again.
Strangely enough,, my last dog had an adrenal tumor which was cancer. And it caused the same symptoms that Ava had before starting the med,,, excessive drinking and urinating. So I was used to these symptoms! She can really drain a bowl of water, I'll tell ya. My vet thinks it is quite strange that I had 2 dogs in a row with such similar problems,,but that's life.
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