Old Timers and Newbies (New Thread)

[Ailuros]

I can't keep up with you when you're on a serial posting roll .

[Lost and Found]

Originally Posted by Ailuros

Hello. Why aren't you asleep?

I've not been around much for the last couple of days, because my parents are here (until tomorrow). We both get on well with them, and haven't seen them since Christmas, so it's been nice to spend some time together. My husbands parents have both died in the last few years (they were quite a bit older than mine) so he doesn't have much family now - so he feels the importance of spending time with the family you do have (in small doses, of course ).

That's nice that you had a wonderful visit with your parents. It's always nice to have them come, but even nicer to see them leave. (For me anyways!!!!)

[Lost and Found]

Originally Posted by Ailuros

I can't keep up with you when you're on a serial posting roll .

[Ailuros]

Originally Posted by Lost and Found

That's nice that you had a wonderful visit with your parents. It's always nice to have them come, but even nicer to see them leave. (For me anyways!!!!)

I'm just enjoying the fact that I get up earlier than they do, so I have an hour of quiet in the morning .

[Lost and Found]

Well it's 2:47am, and I just got home from cleaning the veternarian's office. I wanted to stop in to let everyone know that I will be having a terrible next 3-4 weeks, and may not have the time to post very often.

I was, once again, not accepted to the RN Nursing Program. So, now I must "work" the program half a$$ed backwards. I will for the next 3-4 weeks be taking a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) class...on top of my already full college load. This is required to apply for a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)Program. By spending the next year doing this...I can then, go to any school and go in on their LPN-RN Mobility Program. My advisor told me that this way is much less competitive. The CNA class costs $525. My manager, at the clinic where I clean, is going to pay for the class for me in exchange for me cleaning the bar and grill that she cleans for 9 weekends this summer. I have to get this CNA class done, the State test taken, get CPR certified, and get my blood tested to make sure that I have had all of my shots. Then, apply to the LPN Program. All of this has to be done by the last day in May, as this is when the LPN Program application deadline is. This year, I will be graduating with an AA...which basically amounts to nothing, but I have taken all generals towards a BSN (Bachelors of Science in the field of Nursing), and that is how I will have earned this degree. By going this route...I won't be using any more time up than I would have by waiting a whole year to apply to the RN Program again, as the LPN program takes a year, and then the RN program takes only one summer, and one school year if you're already a LPN. Also, I will be able to work as a CNA while getting my LPN, and then, work as a LPN while getting my RN. Once I'm an RN...I can work as an RN while I keep going for my Bachelor's degree. I can't stop now. I have way too much invested in to this...all of the generals for a Bachelor's Degree are done...not to mention an astronomical student loan amount, and all of the effort and sacraficing that I have done. There.............Now, I feel better!!!

[Lost and Found]

Originally Posted by Ailuros

I'm just enjoying the fact that I get up earlier than they do, so I have an hour of quiet in the morning .

[Ailuros]

L&F, I'm sorry you didn't get onto the program you'd applied for, but it sounds as if you've got your alternative plans all worked out. And it's great that the clinic are helping! You're so determined about this - and working so hard - I have no doubt that you'll make it!

Now go to bed .

[Lost and Found]

Originally Posted by Ailuros

L&F, I'm sorry you didn't get onto the program you'd applied for, but it sounds as if you've got your alternative plans all worked out. And it's great that the clinic are helping! You're so determined about this - and working so hard - I have no doubt that you'll make it!

Now go to bed .

BED...............that sounds like a luzurious treat!!!! I think that I will climb on her, wrap my legs around the blankies, and moan as a snuggle in closer. Then, I will......... Sounds seductive doesn't it? Bed does sound good!!!! So, I think that I will listn to you...Ailuros!!!! 6:30am comes around fast!!!!

[Lost and Found]

Good Night!!!!!

[*Pear*]

Good morning!

Click, I'm sorry you werent accepted into the RN program. It sounds like another door has opened up for you and I'm glad you're able to do it. Nice of your boss to give you a way to earn that extra money to pay for the CNA program. You'll at least be able to earn more money while studying for the next step.

I have full confidence in you that you will one day be the RN you want to be.

I'm sorry that you wont be around much, you will be missed. But you have more important things to do right now. Hopefully you can pop in and give us an update once in awhile.

[Tooter]

Good Morning!

Saturday was a Beautiful day here. Hubby and I "Pulled" the Jet skis to the lake, launched them and went Jet Sking! We had so much fun. Then we had to pull them back home. Either today or tomorrow, our house boat will be launched and docked for us. Then we will be able to dock the Jet skis with it and leave them there. I am SOOooooooooooooooooo Ready to go boating. I have a feeling that, not only will we be there during the weekends, but...Hubby and I will spend some days and nights there during the week. Hubby can leave there in the morning for work and then meet me there after work.

Saturday there were hardly any people on the lake, except fisherman. I threw on my bathing suit and jumped on the Jet ski. The fisherman waved, smiled and laughed at me. They said "Isn't it a little too cold for that"? HECK NO!! It was 77* and yes, the water was cold, but I wasn't planning on crashing/wrecking and falling in the lake! IT was AWESOME!!!!! Hubby quoted the line from "Top Gun". "I feel the NEED, The NEED for SPEED"!!

Sunday, All the kids came over and we cooked/grilled/prepped the food together as a family. Grazed all day...played games and watched movies.

Damn, life sure is GOOD!

All the kids know that we have gone "Natural" and low carb and they are loving it. No one feels bloated after a meal. It's amazing to them, to eat good food...enjoy it and have energy.

Sunday, is the day that we will eat higher in carb foods that are Natural. Instead of baking a cake or desert (like I would for them) I bought Organic fruit and then made a "dip" with cream cheese, Cream and a little organic Honey. Let's just say... There were no "Left overs" (which there always was with desert). There is a huge difference in taste with the organic.

We also had a tray with organic veggies and home made dip. That was all gone too.

Dinner was "Natural" Hamburgers and Ribs. Also a tossed salad. We made our own BBQ sauce for the ribs. I had seasoned the Ribs and them wrapped them in Aluminum foil and baked them. I "saved" the juices from the meat, added some Tomato paste and more seasonings, etc... and boiled it up on the stove. It thickened, and then we put the ribs on the grill and basted them with the "sauce". It was awesome and we all had added spices to the "Sauce" (as it cooked on the stove) and it was a real "Team" effort. The kids loved doing all that.

As My Oldest son said "Mom, I'm totally DOWN with the Organic/natural stuff because it tastes so much better". He also wants to make sure Irelyn eats like this as she grows.

So, life is busy...but VERY GOOD and I'm not taking it for granted. I am enjoying every moment of it.

My "Workouts" are AWESOME!!! I already see a difference in not only my arms, but the rest of my body. I don't over do it...I have found a "Balance" with it and enjoy how it makes me look and feel. I also have been going to the tanning bed, and just go for 5 minutes a day (to reap the benefits of it without damaging my skin...AGAIN, "Balance"). I feel fantastic and have a "Peaches and Cream" glow to me.

Life is busy, but GOOD!!! I'm enjoying every moment of it.

[Tooter]

Oh, as Hubby and I were going down the lake on the Jet skis, we both said the same thing..."This one is for you, Sandy". Our friend, and my husband's golfing partner who died, also would go boating on the lake (and we would Hook up with him). Anyways, he loved that lake as much as we do. Isn't it funny, that we both (privately) said the same thing to him on our first Jet sking trip.

His name wasn't really "Sandy". He and hubby used to call each other that because of golfing. His name was "Jim". He even used to tease me and call me "Mrs. Sandy". IT was a loving "Joke" we used to do. I couldn't think of a better way to honor him. He loved that lake.
That's how I want to remember him. We found out he died from acute alcoholism. We knew it was "Bad", but didn't realize it was THAT bad.

Hubby and I no longer drink at all, and so had not been around him or our other friends, who party, so we didn't realize it had gotten so bad. I'm sure they all made a "Toast" to him... I like the way we honored him better. That's how I want to remember him.

[Tooter]

Click, Tough times never last, but Tough people do. I KNOW you are going to make it. You truly are a tough lady and a surviver. Remember, this is just a "Season" in your life right now. You can do this. We are going to miss you being here all the time, but you've got to do, what you've got to do. We all are sending your good thoughts and prayers. Remember, Good times come in "Seasons" too, and you are over due for one.

[Ailuros]

Tooter, what a lovely way to remember your friend! The day at the lake sounds like just what you needed .

[Tooter]

Originally Posted by Ailuros

Tooter, what a lovely way to remember your friend! The day at the lake sounds like just what you needed .

It was! It sounds like your visit with your Mom and Dad is going well. I sooooooooooooo know what you mean about needing that "alone time" before everyone else gets up.

[Ailuros]

My parents have just left. It was really nice to spend some time with them. They took me out last night for a belated birthday celebration - we went to an Italian place, where it was pretty easy to eat well, although you always end up eating a lot! I would have done pretty well if I hadn't eaten half of my father's ice cream .

[Tooter]

Originally Posted by Ailuros

My parents have just left. It was really nice to spend some time with them. They took me out last night for a belated birthday celebration - we went to an Italian place, where it was pretty easy to eat well, although you always end up eating a lot! I would have done pretty well if I hadn't eaten half of my father's ice cream .

I am so glad you had a nice visit with them.

[Tooter]

Ailuros, you are so "Blessed" with your parents. My Father died when I was 28. I still miss him. My Mother? She doesn't "Speak" to me and isn't in my life at all.
Don't feel bad, those were just the "Cards" I was dealt. I do happen to be very blessed with wonderful In-laws who I adore. My MIL "Mothers" me.

[Ailuros]

I do have lovely parents, Tooter. Not perfect, and we can all get irritated with one another, but we enjoy spending time together too, and there's never any doubt that any of us would be there if we were needed. When my MIL was taken into hospital, I rang my parents (they live closer to where she was than we do) and asked if it was OK for us to stay the night with them. We stayed for two months, apart from coming home for a few days to set things up a bit better for a lengthy absence. My parents were brilliant. My father let my husband use his computer to keep up with his work from there. I evicted my mother from the kitchen because I like to cook - but then some days dropped her straight back in it when we needed to stay at the hospital. They were completely relaxed about having us move in for an indefinite period. And staying with them made the whole thing much more bearable than if we'd had to be in MIL's tiny flat, just staring at the walls all the time we weren't at the hospital.

[Tooter]

Oh, I totally understand they are not perfect. No one is. Human and unconditional Love. That's what I am "hearing" from your posts. Of coarse there will be times that family members get on each others nerves. That's normal. That's a part of life. My "Mother" issue is something completely different... I guess I'm trying to say, it's not a case of getting my feelings hurt or anything like that. It's a very LONG story and Has taken years for me to come to "terms" with it and let go of. I guess I am saying, I understand a "healthy" relationship and have no delusions of it being "Perfect". In Fact, if something "Looked" Perfect, I would run from it! It would send major "red Flags" to me.

[jeanran]

OKOKOKOK, I know I've been bad! I have tried several times to catch up but decided if I waited til then I wouldn't post for awhile longer so here goes. I haven't read most of the new posts but will try to do that after I post here. I just want to make sure I get this in before something else comes up.

I am doing great. I can't tell you how busy I have been and it's all good. With church, exercise and local friends it has cut into my puter time.

David will be arriving on May 15th. We are going to stay local this time except for a drive up the coast to San Clemente to visit our old neighborhood and beach, then off to Palm Springs and the San Jacinto mt. that overlooks PS. There is a tram that takes you up the mountain, hopefully the link in the tram will take you to a neat website.

I hope to catch up and keep up, it sure is good to see you are still plugging away. I have missed y'all.

[jeanran]

Tooter, I'm so sorry to hear that you have been going through some emotional times with the losses in your life. I'm sure Sandy would have loved your thoughts at the lake.

Click, I know it is disappointing to miss out on the nursing program this time round, but everything happens in it's own time. You will achieve your goals because that's just how you are. We are always here rooting for you.

Pear, David said he saw snow flakes on Sunday...Brrr, we have been wearing shorts for weeks now. In almost every conversation he mentions how lonely he is, *but he could always move here, right!!!* He did say he would be spending more time here.

Ailuros, you are so blessed to have your parents visit. You are very fortunate.

I had a surprise birthday party for my Sr. friend, Bud, who turned 89 on Monday. He was so pleased and we all enjoyed ourselves.

[Tooter]

Originally Posted by jeanran

OKOKOKOK, I know I've been bad! I have tried several times to catch up but decided if I waited til then I wouldn't post for awhile longer so here goes. I haven't read most of the new posts but will try to do that after I post here. I just want to make sure I get this in before something else comes up.

I am doing great. I can't tell you how busy I have been and it's all good. With church, exercise and local friends it has cut into my puter time.

David will be arriving on May 15th. We are going to stay local this time except for a drive up the coast to San Clemente to visit our old neighborhood and beach, then off to Palm Springs and the San Jacinto mt. that overlooks PS. There is a tram that takes you up the mountain, hopefully the link in the tram will take you to a neat website.

I hope to catch up and keep up, it sure is good to see you are still plugging away. I have missed y'all.

OH. THANK. GOD. I was worried about ya. Now I won't give you a second thought.












I KID!! I'm so glad things are going so well for ya. That's what I like to hear.