One Step at a Time - December 2015

[mama bear]

We had our final mediation today and we are giving up the house. The lender refuses to mediate or make any modifications to the loan. But....b/c we have an attorney and are paying for it...we get to determine when we will leave. I need 6 to 8 months to get rid of stuff, find a place to rent, pack and move. I cried this morning, but it will be such a relief. We will be empty nesters soon enough and it will time to downsize....at least that's what I am telling myself.
Love and hugs to all and I am glad you are safe Rusty. I am glad the cops are carrying assault rifles, sorry to say. I am enjoying working from home....thanks!
Fen - sorry about your mother's cousin.
Nora - glad you got all your gadgets!
I hope I don't sound ugly talking about money. Ya'll are my family and I blab everything here.
Lizz- you sound great!
Ya'll might find this interesting.....my soon to be 40-year old boss had to quit drinking about a year ago because he had destroyed kis kidneys. Not liver...kidneys. He travelled and spent a lot of time on the road and finally collapsed and after many, many tests, the doctors told him if he ever drank again it would kill him.

[fennel]

I'm so sorry about the house, mama. :hug: I'm glad you at least get some time to get rid of stuff for your downsizing. I'm surprised about your boss' kidneys going instead of his liver...I thought the majority of the breaking down of alcohol was done by the liver. How are his kidneys now? I worked in dialysis for all those years- end stage renal disease is no picnic!

Nora, I will be watching for entertaining posts!

I am going to be a pallbearer for mom's cousin...she wanted all female pallbearers. I have never done that before.

[paulywogg]

Sorry about the house Mama it'll all be ok,I'mnot ssurprised about the kidneys mine used to hurt really bad when drinking,hope everyone is well

[mama bear]

I was surprised too, but evidently his kidneys could not break down some type of protein.
Hey Fenny and Pauly.
Fen - I think it's sweet that you are going to be a pallbearer. How is your mom doing?

[NoraC]

Things have seemed to be really quiet on the threads lately or maybe it's because I haven't been able to sit down & catch up.

Fen - I am sorry to hear about your Mom's cousin but it is good she is not suffering anymore. I was confused with the funeral you recently attended and thought that it was this cousin. That is a great honor to be asked.
How are you doing? Is everything taken care of with the divorce so that you can start looking for a place?

Mama - I'm glad that there is finally a decision about the house. I'm sure it's hard but at least it is settled.
I had never heard that about kidneys. Scary how young he is.

I'm going to finish reading back & catch up with everyone. I've just been speed reading the posts and I want to go back & absorb. I miss you all so much. I am feeling like I'm losing my connection.

Pauly, Rusty, Liz, SK, Dottie, Red, Cowboy and all visitors - thanks for being here. It helps me so much.

[mama bear]

Nora - you are loved and thought of by all of us. Just feel and know that even if you can't read back.
Off to the saltmines

[Rusty]

Good Morning, dear friends, and TGIF!

Nora:hug: I think of you every day because our mother requires my sister's and my help more than ever. Mom still has her own condo, but my sister spends at least 35 hours a week taking her to all her appointments, running errands for her, helping around the house, and when I am not working, that is where I usually am...with my mom. I'll keep you on my shoulder and in my step, ok? Big hugs!

Fenny-big hugs going out to you, too. Wow, you have A LOT on your plate. I can't believe your mom abandoned you at the hospital for 5 days because she couldn't deal with you ill. I was terrified every time I went to the hospital....no wonder you were traumatized, you poor dear.

Mama-sorry to hear about the house, and I am so proud that you are making all the right decisions with a clear, AF head!

Waves of hellos and love to Liz, Pauly, Skendall, Red67, ABC, Techie, Samstone, Mr. G, and other beloved lurkers.

I ended up finishing my work early so I am off today but will be frantically getting ready for my annual Christmas brunch on Sunday. Lots to do so I better get going. Happy Friday, everyone!

[paulywogg]

Hey all,Fen,that is a sad memory amazing how our mothers did such horrible things to us but yet we still love them so much,I won't get into how my mom was so crazy,some of it was unbelievable behavior but in the end I know she loves me,its just different from other mothers, Rusty,a Christmas brunch sounds nice Nora,I hope my daughters take care of me if I need them to like you do,you never complain,love you tons! It just doesn't seem christmasy to me,anyone else feel like that?maybe it came too soon,this whole holiday stuff,hello to all,hope we all have an excellent Friday

[fennel]

Oh, geez...I deleted my posts due to drama. Truthfully, though, my hospital experience was my first memory. And my mom is darned lucky that I am there for her all the time.

I do have some good news...after my post office exam yesterday, I received notice tonight that they want permission for both background checks and a drug check...both of which I will pass! It seems like I may finally have some gainful employment in my future...keep your fingers crossed, my peeps.

[paulywogg]

Fingers crossed Fen!

[Lizann]

Yay fen! Keep us posted! I was trying to find the post about the hospital. Sorry that happened to you. It is traumatic. I remember when I had my tonsils out in 1st grade, my sisters and I all shared a room. Mom and dad were only allowed to visit certain hours. We cried for three days in the hospital. I truly believe I suffered from separation anxiety because of that!

Mama, so sorry about the house. Like my mom always says to me "chin up". This will all work out. Do the boys still live at home? I see an empty nest in my not too distant future too.

Rusty, have fun with the brunch. What are you making? I am looking for ideas for our Christmas morning brunch. If you don't mind sharing, I'd love to hear about it!
Nora, how are you managing? It's ok not to read back. You do what you need to get through your day. You've got a lot going on! :hug:

Pauly, I'm a lot more into the holidays this year, I think. Honestly, I do better when I'm crazy busy. I do t know how long I can keep up at this pace though.

Dottie, how are you? Let us know you're ok?

Going to catch up on everything around the house that I didn't do all week. Fingers crossed, I may be able to take Monday off! Have a good one guys!

[abcowboy]

Aw Fen, congrats on the possible new job! In my experience from my hiring days when I was at the College, we only did reference and criminal background checks on the people we were hiring! Thinking you'll be off skid row in the not too distant future! :hug:

Now I'm going to give you sh*t! You had me thinking I was dreaming about you or seeing things! I searched high and low through your posts as I wanted to comment on the posts you deleted! Mighty sneaky my friend, thanks for fessing up and letting me know I'm not as crazy as I think I am lol

[mama bear]

Yeah Fen...I was looking back too. I am so sorry for that episode. Our parents all did wacky things at some time I assume.
I am working a little bit today to prep for the takeover of our new property next week.
Speaking of Christmas, I just had a little hissy cause I asked the boys to put up the tree and they gave me attitude. Spoiled brats!
We are going to start looking for a rental house after the first of the year....it's all going to be good!
Off to work a bit

[abcowboy]

mama, you too are an inspiration to everyone! Keeping your positive attitude and your spirits up with everything happening in your life is fantastic! :hug:

[mama bear]

Awwwww AB....thanks! I really am trying not to have a meltdown....it is what it is and I have a job and family to take care of.....
Fen - I was working on the tree and it popped into my head that you have a call back and I did not say anything....BRAVO!!!