HoHoHo What a Merry Christmas!

Santa came to my house last weekend. I got to enjoy spending time with my parents, my kids and Miss L. My son deep fried a turkey for us and I actually ate solid food for the first time in three weeks. That was a big deal. I gave Miss L the Kissing Elmo among other things and he was a big hit. It did not take her long to figure out how to squeeze one hand for him to talk and put the other hand up to his mouth for kissing sounds. She was so cute hugging him the whole weekend.

Monday I went back to work which was probably too soon but I did it and since it was just a three day work week it was not too bad. The end of the month and end of the year is always a crazy time in a Billing office. And, I have quite a few things to catch up with after taking two weeks off.

My daughter, son in law and the baby have so much family to try and squeeze into the few days they have for the holidays (four additional groups) so I was surprised they wanted to see me again today. They were headed from breakfast with her dad and on their way to East Texas to visit the SIL's side of the family but TenderHeart had to give me one more gift. I decided it was bothering her that I had no specific plans today but I was actually looking forward to sleeping late and not having a schedule to follow. Some friends had even invited me to join them for Christmas dinner but I begged off.

But, I sacrificed and got up and drove out to meet them on the road. I was very pleasantly surprised that my son came out to meet us as well. (He was flying back to Colorado this afternoon and I did not expect to get to see him again.) Sure enough, they had another gift for me. They announced they are having another baby!! It was so funny, all of us standing around and I am hugging the baby and then realized she was wearing a shirt that said "Big Sister". Talk about excited!! Lots of squealing and dancing around in the parking lot.

Yes, it was a very, merry Christmas!

How I know I was in the hospital ...

The following are the Top Ten ways I know I have been in the hospital.


10. I have flower arrangements in various stages of disintegration.

9. My nightstand looks like a full service pharmacy.

8. My bed pillows have become decorative items throughout my home. Wherever I sit, there is at least one extra pillow within arm's reach.

7. I can play connect the dot with the holes left behind when the hospital staff mistook my arms for pincushions.

6. I recognize showers are not for sissies.

5. Velcro is my friend.

4. I do not care what my hair looks like yet.

3. My daily activities revolve around the next pill, elixir, shot, blood test, breathing treatment, walk, liquid intake, liquid output and documentation of the previously mentioned. Yawn!

2. Just when I think I am finally through with the alcohol and cotton balls, I find more adhesive residue in unexpected places. Like spots on the carpet after you have had it cleaned, they just keep rising to the surface.

And, the #1 way I know I have been in the hospital. . .


I did not touch my computer from 12/7 until 12/17.




Yes, I went into the hospital on 12/8 for a relatively simple procedure but my resistance was down and my subsequent symptoms (high fever and low blood pressure) gave everyone a scare. The doctors had to go back in, on 12/9 to make certain everything was okay. It was but instead of getting out on Wednesday, 12/10, I did not get to come home until Saturday and I am just now getting my strength back. I won't dwell on the details in this journal but I am tracking my progress here.



I am glad the rest is behind me and if I can just get the remainder of my Christmas purchases wrapped, I can relax.

A strange twist

The company that bought our pharmacy only wanted three pharmacists and eight technicians to come on board with their new organization. That left quite a few of us updating our resumes and waiting for the doors to close. I was totally okay with this because we were offered a nice severance package and I looked at this as a perfect chance to seek employment closer to my daughter and her family.

Then another opportunity presented itself. The corporation had decided to consolidate its client services and they are starting a new call center several miles closer to my daughter than my current job. I have call center management experience and decided to throw my hat in the ring. At the last minute, my boss, Sheriff decided to interview for the job as well. Her interview lasted over an hour and then it was my turn. The way it went I was very certain I was not being seriously considered for the position. Imagine my shock when the VP returned today and offered me the Manager position. It was a wonderful surprise and I was then able to offer CCR positions to several of the remaining pharmacy staff.

I am thrilled. And, I was able to make several other people happy, including Assistant. Yes, I am taking her with me. Sheriff? She will need to continue to interview.

Can you say, "Karma, boys and girls?"

Starting a new chapter

I feel very energized right now and it is almost 2 AM. I get this way every year when I put up my Christmas decorations. I get so excited and do not want to stop. Last year I had a car accident on November 12 and spent the next six weeks confined to a recliner at my parent's home which had a huge impact on my plans, shopping, decorating, etc. This year I had every intention of starting early and being ready by December 1st. Well, I am close. I am actually enjoying getting out in the middle of things (traffice, malls, etc.) this year and am so grateful for my ability to drive myself, get in and out of the car unaided and walk everywhere I want to go. I took those abilities for granted before and, even now, I have to remind myself how far I have come since last year. I am truly blessed.

I am also taking a huge personal step by adjusting my eating habits and have already lost 16 pounds. I am a grazer and since I am single and live alone I feel little to no pressure to cook anymore. I had an older friend years ago who told me that after her kids were married, she and her husband went out to eat most of the time and she "dusted her stove." Back then I could not imagine that lifestyle but now I can relate.

Life is good and is getting better.

Well, this bundle of energy better call it a night!

What century is this??

If I had not been a witness, I would think someone was making this up. This is unfortunately a very true story. I was in the restroom at work today and was in the handicap stall since the other was occupied when I arrived. (Who am I kidding? I always go for the handicap stall at work if it is available. The other one is so small you practically have to stand on the bowl to open the door to get back out.) A third person came in and when they hit the locked door to the handicap stall I recognized the shoes belonging to my boss. You may remember Sheriff if you follow this journal. Well, she then went into the other stall since it was now vacant but I heard her leave immediately after.

A few seconds later I heard Assistant come in, mumbling under her breath. She went into the other stall and I called out, "Assistant, is that you? Tell me you are not cleaning the toilet for Sheriff?!" Oh, but she was! Sheriff was unhappy with the condition of the stall after the other person had left but she had sent Assistant in to take care of things. I was flabbergasted and strongly expressed my feelings to Assistant!!

Assistant left and as I stepped out of the larger stall Sheriff came in wearing latex surgeon's gloves and began grabbing several paper towels out of the dispenser. She proceeded to tell me how disgusted she had been by the condition of the toilet. I have to assume she was wiping down the commode and I offered her the trash can to dispose of the paper towels. Too late. She had put them in the toilet. I told her I was surprised that she would put all those towels in the toilet, that we were probably going to have plumbing problems now. Sheriff feigned innocence and said she did not realize that. Come on! By the time you are well into your forties you have had enough life experiences to know better, or so I thought. As I turned to leave Sheriff said, "Send Assistant back in here."

I should have ignored the request but I did stop and tell Assistant her presence was once again requested in the ladies room. She had a few choice words regarding actions she was contemplating but she dutifully got up and headed to the bathroom. I have no idea what happened next since I returned to my office.

Shortly, one of the staff came to me to let me know the first stall in the ladies room was not flushing properly. Ya think?? I thanked them and went straight to Sheriff's office. I told her "They just came to me to let me know the toilet is not flushing." (I am the office manager and used to be the facilities point person but remember, Sheriff took over those responsibilities. I no longer have to call the plumber. If there is a potential expense involved, Sheriff is going to handle it. And, certainly this was her issue to resolve!))

When I told her the toilet was stopped up, her response? "Can you get a plunger?"

I said "I don't do plungers. I am just letting you know the toilet is clogged." I turned and left. I heard later she had Assistant use the plunger and unstop the clog. Unbelievable!!

I'm still in a state of shock that (1) she would take advantage of her assistant like that and (2) that the assistant would actually do it!! Does this woman's narcissistic arrogance know no bounds??