The beat goes on

Life marches steadily onward, not waiting for me to get my act together. I have really been struggling for a while but just joined a challenge at SparkPeople that I am hoping will get me back on track for good. Here's what I've committed to do for twelve weeks starting August 1st.

* Exercise a minimum of 10 minutes at least 8 times per week.

* No refined sugar or white carbs like potatoes, rice, pasta, breads, and cereal. Whole grains are fine.

* Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily. (Easy as I drink much more than that already!)

* Eat two fruits and four 'green' veggie servings per day.

* No alcohol. (Another easy one for me as I don't drink.)

* No eating within three hours of bedtime. (Gonna be rough as most nights I have a bit of cheese before bed.)

* Posting daily to let everyone know how I'm doing. (This is mainly on Sparkpeople, however, I'll be updating here as well, just may not be daily.)

I have finally busted Leslie out of the box in my trunk. I'm ready for this and feel it is at the very least going to get me going once again.

Other than that, life is moving forward. Work is even crazier and we've now lost three staff this past week. I dread going in every day because I never know what's going to happen. God bless all of you have mundane jobs and know what's going to happen on a daily basis. Yesterday I got to take a bath (a girl threw water on me), see one of the staff totally lose it and pull a girl's hair during an attempted restraint (that staff will likely lose her job but if that girl had hit me, I don't know that my response wouldn't have been the same), and basically be sworn at and threatened more than once. All in a day's work these days!

Updates in my life

I called yesterday about the daycare job and was told I don't have good enough job stability so they passed me over. Huh? You knew my job history before you called me for an interview, yet you interviewed me anyway. What's up with that? I was so upset that I screamed at Tim about how many times I've moved on his doggone whims! Then I went to work angry with him. I hate that crap. Ended up apologizing via text message but still ...

Still waiting to hear from the school. I'm hoping and praying it all works out, especially after last night.

Went in to work and things were okay. Had a good issues group with all the girls. They brought up concerns appropriately and had a great discussion about truth and consequences of not telling the truth. All was good until 8:45 when all hell broke loose!

One of the staff monitoring phone calls overheard an inappropriate conversation. She told the girl to end the call. The girl got angry and started to scream at staff. She then locked herself in the kitchen (she was using the kitchen phone at the time). When staff finally got the door open, this girl went ballistic. Four staff had to take her down. When it was all said and done, all four staff were hurt. She bit two of them, spit on one, body slammed one, and one was wearing sandals and her toenail got ripped off in the struggle. Not pretty! We had to call the police to intervene as this girl was strong and she was not calming down.

Meanwhile, one of our other girls who is bi-polar was cycling (going through bouts of hyperactivity, screaming, hysterical laughter, threatening). We had to call to have her assessed. That took a few hours and she did end up going to the psych hospital. She'll be there for a couple weeks probably.

Another girl stated she might kill herself, so she also had to be assessed. She has tried in the past so we couldn't just ingnore it.

In another home, a boy jumped out of a two story window and broke his leg. Don't know why or how that happened. And in the third home, another girl had major problems and was also sent to the psych hospital. It was such a crazy night! I got out of there at 2 this morning. *sigh* Just one more reason for me to get the heck out of there!

Today's a new day. I dread going to work. When someone is "going off" we call a five second rule. That means all the other girls are supposed to go to their rooms and remain there until staff come to get them. Staff was so involved in keeping the girl safe that no one could be upstairs to monitor the others so no one stayed in their rooms. All of them were dropped to the lowest privilege level and that means a special outing to a water park is cancelled for today. It's going to be H-E- double hockey sticks all day and into the evening, I'm sure. Man, this sucks big time.

So ... enough of my boring life. What's new with all of you? *evil grin*

An NSV is always nice

No more pounds lost since early this past week. I do believe I've been losing inches, though. I put on a nice button down blouse this morning for church and it actually fit me. It used to be really tight across the tummy and hips, even pulling the buttons off some of my tops same style but different colors. I couldn't believe it finally fits the way it should. Good things are happening, just not on the scale.

I also am going up and down the stair at work so much more and easier than ever. Oh, don't get me wrong, I still am huffing and puffing a bit but nothing like I was. I am also walking to the admin building easier. I've decided to get my Leslie DVD out and put it in my computer to do every day. No reason to hook up the DVD player when I can play it on here and see and hear it just fine. Woo hoo! A solution and way to get my butt moving once again.

Interview in the morning. After, I'm going to a local community college to pick up a transcript for one class taken many years ago. The daycare I interviewed at last week may need it to qualify me for the position. I've been slow in getting it and dropping it off. I'm hoping if I drop it off tomorrow, then I can find out if I made the cut to interview with the Senior Vice President of the board. At least with the aide interview, as far as I know, it's only one interview. Yea!

I'll check in tomorrow to let you all know how it goes but it may be late.

Out of Luck

Thanks, Paul! I did go back and read that post. Gosh ...

So I just checked the employee manual and I'm pretty much SOL. The policies in there cover hourly employees only and they make sure to state that "hourly employees" and "non-supervisory" staff get paid overtime. Nothing at all about salaried or supervisory staff. This sucks and I'm going to contact HR for a copy of employee policies that cover salaried employees. They HAVE to have one somewhere, right? I am so very angry right now. I can't even file a grievance because you have to cite the policy being broken and I can't because there isn't one.

I'm definitely NOT going to give them even one day's notice I'm leaving. When I have a job to go to, I'm going to go in, turn in my keys, ID, and pager to the person who hired me and say, "Now I understand why this company can't keep good employees. I quit." I will say it with such pleasure. If they ask for an explanation, I'll advise them to read my letter of resignation which I'll have in my hand. What a horrible way they treat the staff. It certainly wasn't like this years ago or I'd never have returned.

Lord, I need one of those jobs to come through for me. At this point I don't value one more than the other. They both have their good points and both beat this place hands down, no question about it. I'll know more after the interview for the aide position on Monday. I'm praying ... oh yes, I am!

A few pounds gone

Stepped on the scale today and was pleasantly surprised. I'm down another four pounds and sitting at 394. Looks like I finally have things going in the right direction. Yea!

I also just got off the phone and have another interview set for Monday morning. I'm not going to put all my eggs in one basket. This one is for a teacher aide position in the public schools. It will be on the school calendar with weekends, holidays, and summers off. I can live with that for sure! *grins* It also has paid health, life, and disability insurance and sick and personal days. They include a retirement plan. (Hmmm ... maybe I could roll over what I've done the last few months into that one. That would be a good thing.) Funny thing is Tim just faxed that resume for me yesterday late afternoon and they called first thing this morning to set up the interview. I take that as a good sign. They have more than one position open, so I have a pretty good chance, I think. Gosh, it would be neat to have to choose jobs. I'm pretty excited about both and will not be sorry to say good-bye to where I'm at.

It's sounding like they are going to dock my pay for the time I was gone with Tim at the hospital. I am really ticked about it. They want me to work extra and not pay me, but when I miss a few days (okay a whole week but it was an emergency and I really didn't have a choice) they don't want to pay me for it. What the heck does being salaried mean, then? It's great for the company but sucks for the employee, at least in this instance. I've never had to deal with this before.

I get paid tomorrow. If my check is short, I'm going to file a grievance and see what happens. I'm betting I'll be told I'm just SOL but I have to try. After all, it isn't like I hadn't already worked those hours. I just added them up and I've worked 39.75 hours over my regular hours. I am going to fight for my money!

Just another day

So today was not unlike any other day. Spent some time with Tim and then off to work. Happy, happy; joy, joy! We only had five girls in the home and still it was chaotic. I tell you, those girls decide to act like fools and there's just no turning them around!

We had two on the phone for the entire evening, literally. It was so darn frustrating. Lately, no consequence is enough of a deterrent. The staff morale is low and the girls feel they are running the home. They're pretty much right and it sucks! Calgon, take me away!!!

I sure hope my transcripts hold up and I'm deemed qualified for this job. I feel like that's about all that stands in my way. I hate having to wait until next week. The suspense is going to be the death of me.

Eating is still not under control. Money has been a bit of an issue but things are getting better. Little by little we're making it and little by little I'll be back in the swing of things again.

The Interview

Went to the interview and it was a long one! First I interviewed with the current assistant director. They have created a second asst director position and that's the job I interviewed for. After that interview, I went upstairs (it's a two-story building) and met with two of the three master teachers. Then I did a tour of the second floor and met the teachers in each classroom. In the last one, I was left to observe for a short time. I interacted with some of the children doing puzzles. Finally, the director came for me. We talked about a few things and she said she has to have my transcripts evaluated to be sure I'm qualified to be a director. (Well, duh! I only did this job for at least five years previously, but go ahead.) I'm supposed to call her on Tues or Weds next week and see if I made it to the final cut of two who will interview with the vice president of the board. She said she has the ultimate power of hiring but he likes to interview as well. No biggie. The benefits are four weeks of paid vacation after one year, health and dental insurance, seven major paid holidays, paid time off (used as sick or personal days) at the rate of two per quarter. Salary is pretty good. Not as good as where I'm at but so much less stressful so well worth the cut in pay. The hours would be 9-5:30 Mon thru Fri. So ... now I wait.

Weight Loss Update

I never got around to confessing it here, but if you took a glance at the chart to the left, you'll see that the month of June was pretty much a bust. I gained and lost the same pounds several times only to end the month weighing the same as when I started. It has frustrated me and made me angry with myself, but I guess not angry enough to get with it and stay there.

As of this morning, I am once again down to 398 and I really hope to keep it that way. It seems that since I got under 400 pounds I've been stuck. It's been one thing after another, new job, move, adjusting to working, Tim's stroke ... always something. Though I figure I'm making excuses, I also feel each is a quite plausible reason for the yo-yo effect of late.

I also wonder if some of it isn't due to stress and the feeling of not really settling into our new place yet. Though we have all our stuff here, I don't have everything put away where I want them. I feel like this is just a temporary place and don't know that it will ever feel differently. I'm doing some self-examination in an effort to figure it all out so I can continue to lose the weight. I just don't want to let myself down or any of the friends who have been here supporting me through it all.

One day at a time ... I have the interview in the morning. We'll see how it goes. I really hope I don't get the "Well, I have a few more intervies and I'll call you" at the end of the interview. It's been my experience that if that is said, I generally have not gotten the job. Fingers crossed, prayers said and we'll see how it goes. Seems I say that a lot lately but it's all I got!

It's a hot one

Today is a hot one. While we were out, one temperature sign said it was already 99 outside. I can certainly believe it. The city of Chicago is on alert for a heat index of over 100 today and tomorrow. It is pretty brutal.

The appointment with Tim's new neurologist went really well yesterday. Both of us really liked his demeanor. He asked a ton of questions and really listened to the answers, asking for clarification if needed. He let us talk and express our concerns. He did his best to reassure us and told us what he thinks and how he intends to proceed. He took a lot of time assessing Tim and did it with respect and dignity. He also showed concern when a few things were pretty uncomfortable for Tim. He's definitely a "keeper".

Went to my old college and got a copy of my transcript in preparation for the interview on Monday. I really want to put my best foot forward on this one. It's not a job that will pay more than what I make now, but Tim and I can still live quite decently on the salary. The plus side is it's with children and I love that. It's a more normal work day (day shift). It's only a few minutes farther than the drive I make now. I'll have weekends off like "regular" people. I'm thinking I'll wear a dress to the interview. It will keep the focus off of my lymphedema. I'm sure my size will come into play a bit. I mean, a person my size can be quite intimidating to younger children. It's never been an issue when I worked in daycare before and I don't want it to be one now. I'm wondering if I should comment about all the things I can do, that many may think I can't ... like getting down to and back up off of the floor, walking, etc. ... because of pre-supposed notions about 'fat' people. It's such a touchy subject for some. I really want to be given the same consideration anyone else will be given.

Going into work shortly. I sure hope everyone behaves tonight. It's just too doggone hot to deal with attitudes and tempers today. I believe the activity for the evening is rollerskating at the local rink. I generally don't go, but we'll see who has privileges and who stays back. I definitely won't be skating. Last time I tried that my center of balance had shifted so drastically I ended up on the floor and had a really difficult time getting back up again. That was it for me.

Back to work

I went back to work last night and it was a long one. I had a meeting to learn how to make me a better supervisor. It's a weekly meeting. Oh goody!

Anyway, after the meeting I go to the home and am greeted enthusiastically by a couple of the eight girls we have right now. Then, we have one girl visiting who might be joining our program. And, to make matters worse, we have observers in the home. UGH! I hate when people come in to watch and evaluate us and tell us what we're doing wrong. The good thing was it was the man who hired me to work for this company in the first place many years ago, so at least he knows how things really are!

One of the girls decided to act a fool and playfully hit another girl. This is not allowed as it can turn ugly very quickly. The girl who did the hitting was called on it and dropped a level, which is basically like grounding her. She said she didn't care, however she stormed out of the house. Three staff with me being one, so guess who got to go track the little imp? Yep, your's truly! Off I go, all the way to the other side of campus which is likely about half a mile. (I really should clock that at some point to be sure. Still haven't replaced the batteries in my pedometer. One of these days I'll remember.) Anyway, when she finally caught sight of me, she turned and ran around one of the homes. I figured she had headed back home, so I head back as well. Yes, she was back there when I stumbled back.

Off we go to bowling, minus the little hiker. No privs for her. I ended up sitting outside with one of our older clients who didn't want to go bowling in the first place, but went to keep from losing her attendance points. It was hot as blazes and not much fun. The other staff did bring me a cup of ice water which was nice.

Back to the home and it's dinner time. Only three girls eating. The one who didn't want to go bowling decided to walk off because we wouldn't let her use the phone. One girl had eaten earlier and two others got to go out to eat because they were on the highest level for privileges.

The little hiker acted a fool all evening. She figured since she has no privileges she'll just act up as she has nothing to lose today. No matter that she could have earned privileges for today. By the time it was bedtime, she refused to follow the bedtime rules. ARGH! Then at 10 pm, she decided to 'run away' leaving the building with a backpack. Damn! Almost time to go home, the program manager had me buried in paperwork and now I had to deal with this mess.

One staff left in a van to track her. Ended up sending a second staff to assist after the girl let air out of one of the tires on the first van. Then they had to track her on foot for a bit as she was throwing large rocks at them. Eventually, a police officer happened on them and ended up bringing the girl back to the home. Finally at 11:15 pm I was out of there! A quick stop for gasoline as the tank was on empty and home I arrive at just past midnight. Off to bed immediately and there you have it. The intimate details of my first night back at work.

I left out the part about being called to the home next door as one of their girls had four staff trapped in the staff office in the staff bathroom and was trying to break the door in. She almost succeeded. The evening supervisor in that home had her cell phone with her and called the police who arrived in the nick of time. This girl was angry and wanted to kill those four staff, a racial incident. She ended up being hauled off in handcuffs to cool off but was returned to the home a bit later. Never a dull moment, that's for sure!

Oh, and my knees are killing me today. All that pounding on the pavement as I did all that walking. Thirty minutes straight walking and I was so tired. On a positive note, over a year ago, I'd never have been able to make that walk at all. Woo hoo for me!

Great news now though. I have a job interview on Monday morning for an assistant director position in a daycare center. I was shocked at how much they may be willing pay me! I'm excited about this. Early childhood has been a first love for me for a very long time and I would love to go back to it. It would definitely be a LOT less stressful and the hours would be much better for Tim and I as well.

I'll be missing tomorrow. We have to leave at 6 am to get down to Tim's neurologist appointment. After that, on the way back home, I have to stop by Illinois State University to get a copy of my transcripts for the director to see so she can make certain I'm director qualified. I pray this all comes together and I can move on asap.

I think I'll give the current job one week notice. They deserve some notice but I don't really feel I owe them anything. They were not honest when they hired me saying they rarely restrain girls in the home I was hired for. They didn't tell me I'd be working over 100 hours per pay period but my salary is figured on 80 hours. All in all, I don't think I owe them anything at all but I also don't want to look bad at the new job.

Progress is slow

I did not return to work today as planned. Tim was confused and speech is very halted. He is having to really concentrate to communicate today. He had a few really good days but I noticed yesterday the decline again. NO way am I going to leave him home alone with no one to check him. The job and money mean nothing without him so here I am.

I called work and asked if my job is in jeopardy and was given a 'song and dance' basically. I was told my job isn't in jeopardy but I am putting them in a difficult spot being off so much. The home is understaffed (really NOT my problem) and they count on me to be there. Again, I will not leave Tim home alone if I think he can't manage to make it through the evening. I'm looking into getting him some assistance so I can go to work with a clear mind, but it's going to take a while. Until then, one day at a time and I'll see what happens.

On a side note, finally, after three weeks of phone calls and empty promises, Dish network pulled through and returned our $400 to our checking account. That was just in the nick of time! We had to get Tim's meds for the month of July and with insurance that was $150. Without insurance we'd most certainly be screwed as everyone else is who has none. (I remember a time not all that long ago when we had none and were paying $600 a month for his meds so this wasn't so bad.) The rest went to pay bounce fees (thanks to Dish network) and a bill that had been left because of the money going missing. Whew!

I sent out six resumes today. Two were for teaching positions, ironically back down where the family is. The other four were for assistant director in daycare centers. I did that job for a really long time a while back and loved it! Now I get to wait and see. I'm going to keep all my options open and we'll just see how things go.

The doctor visit

Just a few things about the trip to the doctor for the hubby today. It was very uneventful. My brother and his wife saw us on the way to the doctor office and followed us just to say hi! That was a nice surprise and today was their 7th wedding anninversary.

The doctor said Tim is at high risk for another stroke over the next three months. It is critical that we keep his blood sugars under control and be aware of changes similar to what he felt before this stroke occurred. He said from the MRI that the stroke was an acute one and Tim had fun playing with that one. He said to me, "Did you hear that honey? Doc says I had a cute stroke!" Of course the doctor laughed when he realized Tim was joking around. He also said the the stroke was caused by a blood clot though evidence of one was never discovered. He put Tim on a blood thinner called Plavix and said to continue the asprin therapy as well. Tim goes back for a follow up in a month unless there is some other reason for him to go in. Also, he goes to see a neurologist for evalutaion in October. That's the earliest a doc who takes our insurance will be available. Of course, he may end up going to a different one earlier if my insurance here kicks in before then and it should.

It was a pretty good day. The trip down and back seemed to go quickly each way. I'm glad it's over and look forward to not going down there this next weekend.

Thankful and Ranting

First, let me just say that I am so very thankful for all of you who read and comment here. It has brought me comfort the last couple days to have you all checking in to see how things are going.

We've both done a lot of sleeping. I'm doing a lot of crying. I think it's more like a delayed reaction. I had to keep it together before because my hysteria was scaring Tim and I didn't want to distract him from getting better. I'm afraid of something like this happening again and me not being here and well ... the end result of that. Tim said last night he doesn't want either of us to live in fear of what might happen but I'm not sure I can get past that right now.

I'm also thankful for Mike and Barb. Had Mike not been there, I don't know if I would have made it to the hospital. I was so hysterical when I called them I couldn't even tell him what was going on at first. As Barb said in my comments from a couple days ago his paramedic/dispatcher calmness prevailed and he was able to get out of me what was going on. He also got right online, found a hospital, called them for directions on his cell, and passed them on to me. I don't know how I remembered it all but I did. It still seemed to take forever to get there, but I did. I know the crazy hours he works at the firestation and all I could do while dialing their number was pray he was home. Had he not been, I definitely would have been trying his cell. Bless him for helping me in my desperate time of need.

Tim is doing okay. He's a bit upset by his speech pattern. He said he sounds like he's retarded. Not to offend anyone, but his speech is slow and disjointed much the way someone who is mentally retarded or delayed would be. It seemed a bit improved last night but that could be me wishing it to be so. He's still sleeping so I'll have to wait and see how it is when he gets up this morning.

The hospital was wonderful. They bent all the rules, letting me stay in Tim's room from the time we went into the ER until discharge. They offered to get things for me and made sure Tim never needed anything. One nurse in particular was wonderful in the ER and one on the floor he was on. I'm going to write a letter to the hospital thanking them and acknowledging their awesome care.

Now for the rant ... This has been going on since May when we moved. We had Dish Network down south. When we moved, I called them and they said they'd ship boxes for me to send the equipment (receivers, remotes, and a part off the dish itself) back to them. I gave them our new address but the dumb person who took my call sent the boxes to our old address. HELLO! No one lives there anymore!

I called when the boxes didn't arrive and they said they'd send new ones. They arrived and I was told I'd have 15 days from the time I got the boxes to get them back or I'd be charged $400 for the equipment. On the 7th day, they took $400 out of our checking account, causing overdraft fees and then bounce fees for things that were now not covered. ARGH!

I called when we figured out what was going on. I was told to call back with the tracking numbers and they would credit the money back to me. Okay ... I did that and low and behold no money showed. I called again a few days later and was told that only one box had arrived (for some reason one went to Georgia and one went to Texas) and that credit would be given for one box that would hit our account by the end of that day.

This all happened with Tim and the holiday hit so I had to wait to call until Wednesday. The supervisor I spoke with this time said both boxes had been received. She said the person who did the first credit didn't do it right so that's why the money never got to our account. She apologized (know what she can do with that?) and assured me that the money would be given back. She promised it would hit our account no later than today. I tell you, that money needs to be back in our account. I cannot believe all the time I've wasted on the phone with these people. Their customer service is horrible. I just want my money and I want it right NOW!

Okay, ranting over. I'm trying to believe the money will be here today. Lord knows with all that's going one, we need it. Tim has a follow-up appointment with his primary care physician down south on Monday. I'll likely not post unless it's late in the day. Our biggest problem right now is living outside the network coverage area so most services (like home health care, therapies, etc) won't be covered right now. This all makes me want to just pack up and go back home. Tim doesn't want to. The money wasn't there before and going back won't make it any better. If we can hold out until the first of August, providing I still have a job when I go back on Tuesday, we should have good insurance and there is no pre-existing clause to worry about. One day at a time is the best we can do. I'm thankful Tim is still here with me, though. After 21 years, I don't know what I'd do without him!

A rough week

This last week has been a rough one and not one I care to repeat any time soon. My last post, I told about going south to put the car in our daughter's name. That went okay, with a bit of attitude when she realized the ramifications of it all. She's since decided to sell the car, go figure! Any way ...

Tim had not felt well all day. Off and on he complained of nausea. I didn't think a lot of it because he has that quite a bit with his diabetes and the ups and downs of his blood glucose readings. On the way home, he said he didn't feel good and reclined his seat to sleep. He slept for about an hour and sat up. He talked with me for a very short time and again, laid back and went to sleep. When he sat up next and started to talk, it was obvious that something was seriously wrong.

He was talking in sentences, but they made no sense. At first I thought he was playing with me as only a word or two were wrong. Soon, it became evident that something more was wrong. With the help of Tim's friend and paramedic Mike, I found a hospital as we were driving through Joliet. Straight to the ER on Mike's advice and I'm so thankful he was home and could advise me. If not, Tim probably wouldn't be alive right now!

His blood pressure was 246/144 and his blood sugar was 465. They rushed him through a CT scan and it was normal. He forgot my name and the names of our girls. His sentences became more and more confused and eventually were like gibberish. He was having an acute stroke. Had I not gotten him to the ER when I did, I was advised he probably would have died in the car of a heart attack. Whew!

So from Monday through Thursday (today) we were in Joliet at the hospital. This is about an hour south of our apartment and two and a half hours north of our old home. I slept on a chair that folded out into a twin bed on Monday night in the ICU. Well, I tried to sleep. They were in and out, checking on him every 90 minutes. Though it was annoying, it was also very reassuring. Tuesday and Wednesday I slept sitting up on a plastic 'recliner' of sorts. The footrest came up but the chair itself did not recline. I got about three hours of sleep per night. I did a ton of walking to the cafeteria and back. I ate as best I could with hospital food. I'm sure damage was done but right now, all that matters is that Tim's okay.

I want to thank my Sparkfriends, who knew about this as I was able to call one of them and advise of the situation who then posted about my absence there. The prayers and my email inbox (which I've not addressed yet) have shown me how much I have touched others lives.

Tim is okay but for a slight speech problem and memory problem. His short term memory is pretty bad right now. When he talks, if he tries to talk too fast, words he uses make no sense. His speech is slow and makes him sound a bit confused. No ideas yet if this is going to be forever or will reverse itself with time and some therapy. We'll see how it goes.

For now, I'm thankful to be back home again. I'm thankful for good friends and heartfelt prayers. It's been a rough week!

A little update

I had to work until 3 AM this morning and it totally threw off my entire day. One of our overnight staff didn't bother to show up or call. I stayed (oh the joys of being management) but the Program Manager popped in to make sure that the overnight staff weren't sleeping on the job and sent me home.

Tim and I went to see the movie "Click" this evening. I was good and avoided the popcorn, but it sure smelled good! The movie was wonderful and one I highly recommend. Tim thought it was one of the best Adam Sandler has made. It made us laugh a lot and I cried like a baby near the end. It's kind of like a "Mr. Destiny" with Belushi or "Family Man" with Nicholas Cage. Definitely a two thumbs up event and worth the $20 it cost us! Dang ...

Mandi and her Tim have gone back south. I honestly think he hated it here. He's a country boy born and raised. We go down tomorrow to pay off a loan on her car (not that we have the money but it has to be done now for our own sanity and legal purposes) and sign the title over to her. Then we will cancel the insurance and she's on her own. She'll have to do new license plates but that can't be helped. They're due now anyway, but I don't want that car registered in my name anymore. Right now she's driving without her license (she lost it and never got a new one) and the tags on the car expired. I don't need to worry about legal issues with that darn car so into her name and her responsibility it goes.

We also have a person who wants to see our trailer down there. It sure would be nice if they decide to buy it so we can have that behind us, too. I'm so ready to not have to worry about anything down there anymore.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and enjoy the 4th!

(I didn't weigh in this morning given the circumstances. I'll try to remember to do it in the morning.)