Rayne's Circle of Calm

[Rayne_W]

Drive-By Weigh-In

12/1: 237.4 DD Yesterday's UD dinner didn't sit well or stay long. ugh.
12/2: 237.0 UD
12/3: 238.4 DD
12/4: 238.4 UD Didn't drink enough water yesterday
12/5: 238.4 DD (UD yesterday, which I mistook for All-You-Can-Eat-Falafel-Fest-2012, saved by last-minute water flush)
12/6: 236.6 UD
12/7: 238.2 DD
12/8: 238.2 UD (make that an emotional UUAD with macadamia nut pig-out)
12/9: 239.4 UD TOM -- surprise!
12/10: 239.4 TOM (SPUDDD #1)
12/11: 239.4 TOM (SPUDDD #2 [1/2 day]) >>UD
12/12: 238.6 TOM DD
12/13: 237.2 TOM UD
12/14: 236.4 DD
12/15: 234.8 UD
12/16: 236.2 DD
12/17: 235.8 UD
12/18: 234.0 DD <<How the heck did this happen? The scale is supposed to go UP after an UD.
12/19: 232.4 UD
12/20: 232.8 DD >> major UD (a bit of late-night cheese, a lot of Xmas candy)
12/21: 234.4 UD
12/22: 233.4 DD
12/23: 231.2 UD (had a surprisingly sane UD, for once!)
12/24: 233.0 DD (or possibly a MD...I'm not gonna sweat it)

Merry Christmas, everyone!

[Rayne_W]

Drive-by Weigh-in

12/1: 237.4 DD Yesterday's UD dinner didn't sit well or stay long. ugh.
12/2: 237.0 UD
12/3: 238.4 DD
12/4: 238.4 UD Didn't drink enough water yesterday
12/5: 238.4 DD (UD yesterday, which I mistook for All-You-Can-Eat-Falafel-Fest-2012, saved by last-minute water flush)
12/6: 236.6 UD
12/7: 238.2 DD
12/8: 238.2 UD
12/9: 239.4 UD TOM
12/10: 239.4 TOM SPUDDD #1
12/11: 239.4 TOM SPUDDD #2
12/12: 238.6 DD TOM
12/13: 237.2 UD TOM
12/14: 236.4 DD
12/15: 234.8 UD
12/16: 236.2 DD (and then a late-night snack put me over a bit)
12/17: 235.8 UD
12/18: 234.0 DD <<after an UD??
12/19: 232.4 UD
12/20: 232.8 DD>>UD
12/21: 234.4 UD
12/22: 233.4 DD
12/23: 231.2 UD
12/24: 233.0 DD (or maybe a MD, not sure yet)
12/25: DNW UD -- and sick
12/26: DNW UD -- and sick
12/27: 234.2 DD -- still sick, but better

Don't know how, but DD and I are sick again. Headache, sinus drainage, swollen glands, nausea, intestinal cramps, fatigue, chills, fever, and body aches. Thought of food makes me green.

On the job front, I think I've had 3 out of 7 companies contact me back. Two have already sent coding tests (a prerequisite for any decent coding position), which I'll complete when my body and mind are well enough.

I just want to sleep.

[Z]

Originally Posted by Rayne_W

Drive-by Weigh-in

12/1: 237.4 DD Yesterday's UD dinner didn't sit well or stay long. ugh.
12/2: 237.0 UD
12/3: 238.4 DD
12/4: 238.4 UD Didn't drink enough water yesterday
12/5: 238.4 DD (UD yesterday, which I mistook for All-You-Can-Eat-Falafel-Fest-2012, saved by last-minute water flush)
12/6: 236.6 UD
12/7: 238.2 DD
12/8: 238.2 UD
12/9: 239.4 UD TOM
12/10: 239.4 TOM SPUDDD #1
12/11: 239.4 TOM SPUDDD #2
12/12: 238.6 DD TOM
12/13: 237.2 UD TOM
12/14: 236.4 DD
12/15: 234.8 UD
12/16: 236.2 DD (and then a late-night snack put me over a bit)
12/17: 235.8 UD
12/18: 234.0 DD <<after an UD??
12/19: 232.4 UD
12/20: 232.8 DD>>UD
12/21: 234.4 UD
12/22: 233.4 DD
12/23: 231.2 UD
12/24: 233.0 DD (or maybe a MD, not sure yet)
12/25: DNW UD -- and sick
12/26: DNW UD -- and sick
12/27: 234.2 DD -- still sick, but better

Don't know how, but DD and I are sick again. Headache, sinus drainage, swollen glands, nausea, intestinal cramps, fatigue, chills, fever, and body aches. Thought of food makes me green.

On the job front, I think I've had 3 out of 7 companies contact me back. Two have already sent coding tests (a prerequisite for any decent coding position), which I'll complete when my body and mind are well enough.

I just want to sleep.

Congrats! Wherever you end up, I hope it is an upgrade.

[DesertGurl]

Sorry you're sick! Boy, can I relate

Crossing fingers & toes that all goes well with the job stuff!

[Rayne_W]

Originally Posted by Z

Congrats! Wherever you end up, I hope it is an upgrade.

Thanks

Update on my apps/resumé submissions:

#1: May not hear back from them, there was a tech problem with the website (I wound up referencing the position in an email to the webmaster).

#2: Will probably pass on this one, they require travel for training and meetings (2 per year). Hi. I've been trained remotely for 4 hospitals and had several virtual meetings. Not a difficult concept. Get with the program, folks.

#3: Need to schedule a phone interview. Position turns out to be one of many in a national pool of IP coders. Sounds like lots of little contracts with lots of downtime. Meh.

#4: Sent a link for a 2-hour timed coding test. Should be fun. A little unsure of the actual work and if they have a lot of downtime or not.

#5: Worked for these guys before (I traveled as a consultant for a year, this was the first of 3 agencies I used), they sent a non-timed test. Position is remote coding.

#6: Need to schedule a phone interview. Position is for an IP auditor, fully remote. Would love to get into this (coding can burn me out sometimes).

#7: Still waiting on this one, they're out of the office until Jan 2nd. Would be remote IP coding. Keeping fingers crossed it hasn't been filled...and isn't the same position I passed on a while back.

So, 3 out of 7 that I'm interested in, possibly a 4th (#7) once I find out more next week.

DD says I should travel again...I just don't have the energy right now with all this extra weight. Maybe someday.

****

Today is a ginger ale (not sugar-free) and jello DD. Even the thought of tea sounds revolting.

[Rayne_W]

Originally Posted by DesertGurl

Sorry you're sick! Boy, can I relate

Crossing fingers & toes that all goes well with the job stuff!

Thanks, Danielle...gosh, you were sick for quite a while. Are you feeling better now?

I haaaaate trying to find new jobs. I almost left this job 2 years ago, but at the last minute found out the new job was being supervised by someone who didn't exactly have a firm grasp on HIPAA or coding guidelines. I won't code according to someone's ego...I code by the rules.

Worried my #7 in the list might just be that same position. Hope not!

Btw, I won't jump ship unless and until I find something that blows my current job completely away. I've had this blow up in my face before, so I'm being über careful and selective.

[Rayne_W]

Just heard from DS, who sent a card and a letter. More "I miss you" and "I'm going to quit drugs when I'm out"...and yet, from what he wrote, he is still so dependent upon my ex (his dad) and my mother...both of whom are decidedly less than sober people themselves. Amazingly he did not ask/beg for money, but did request some books.

Amazon has a wealth of addiction books. He may glance at them and toss them in the bin, but at this point it will be the only thing I send him. Now I need to check with the jail to see what, if any, monetary/cost restrictions are in place before I order.

Fun, fun, fun.

[Rayne_W]

Today's Damage:

1 mug of tea (still working on it 5 hrs later)
1/2 can ginger ale (looks like I still haven't finished it, either)
egg drop soup (2.5 cups broth, 2 eggs, dash of soy sauce, garlic powder, ginger, sesame oil)

Cals: 278, Net carbs: 21.6

GI tract objected to the soup, so I'll be more than happy to wait til tomorrow to eat. I know I should be taking in more fluids, but I'm still extremely gaggy.

[Lyric's Mom]

Hope you're feeling better Rayne. Seems there's a lot of weird tummy issues & flus going around. Hopefully this is you getting it out of the way for the rest of the season! (Fingers crossed)

[Rayne_W]

Originally Posted by Lyric's Mom

Hope you're feeling better Rayne. Seems there's a lot of weird tummy issues & flus going around. Hopefully this is you getting it out of the way for the rest of the season! (Fingers crossed)

Thanks, Rayne So far, so good...just a few hesitant sips of Earl Grey thus far. It's been a terrible season for illness! Ugh. I cannot wait for January....

Drive-by Weigh-in

12/1: 237.4 DD Yesterday's UD dinner didn't sit well or stay long. ugh.
12/2: 237.0 UD
12/3: 238.4 DD
12/4: 238.4 UD Didn't drink enough water yesterday
12/5: 238.4 DD (UD yesterday, which I mistook for All-You-Can-Eat-Falafel-Fest-2012, saved by last-minute water flush)
12/6: 236.6 UD
12/7: 238.2 DD
12/8: 238.2 UD
12/9: 239.4 UD TOM
12/10: 239.4 TOM SPUDDD #1
12/11: 239.4 TOM SPUDDD #2
12/12: 238.6 DD TOM
12/13: 237.2 UD TOM
12/14: 236.4 DD
12/15: 234.8 UD
12/16: 236.2 DD (and then a late-night snack put me over a bit)
12/17: 235.8 UD
12/18: 234.0 DD <<after an UD??
12/19: 232.4 UD
12/20: 232.8 DD>>UD
12/21: 234.4 UD
12/22: 233.4 DD
12/23: 231.2 UD
12/24: 233.0 DD (or maybe a MD, not sure yet)
12/25: DNW UD -- and sick
12/26: DNW UD -- and sick
12/27: 234.2 DD -- still sick, but better (uh, wrong!)
12/28: 234.2 UD

Less myalgia (muscle pain) today, so that's a positive sign.

[Rayne_W]

Originally Posted by Rayne_W

Thanks, Rayne So far, so good...just a few hesitant sips of Earl Grey thus far.

<snip>

Less myalgia (muscle pain) today, so that's a positive sign.

Well, I'm getting gut cramps from the tea (have only drank 1/3 of a mug), so this darn bug is still lingering. It's supposed to be an UD, but there is no possible way I'm going to reach it. Several MDs (and illness) have meant a recent gain...but there's nothing I can really do about it.

I *may* eat some jello, or try stuff on the BRAT diet (bananas/rice/applesauce/toast)...I have everything but the nanners.

ETA: I believe I'll be taking phenergan (for nausea) and belladonna (for cramps) with Mio water chasers. Can't believe I'm feeling worse than yesterday, but it's progressing as the day goes on.

[Lyric's Mom]

Aww, so sorry to hear that. Hoping for a speedy recovery. Try & get some good rest as well.

[LoCarbGal]

Hi Rayne! I decided to explore some journals today for the first time and I'm really enjoying yours. So sorry about the job situation and the illness(es). I sure hope one of the jobs is the right fit for you. Feel better soon and take care!

[Rayne_W]

Rayne - I spent most of the weekend sleeping, and so glad I did! Still not feeling 100%, but considerably better today.

LCG - Welcome! And thank you, I'm still weighing options, still hesitant to make a decisive move until I know more. Today is my last official day working for my boss.

Last-day-of-the-year Weigh-in

Goal for December: 233

12/1: 237.4 DD Yesterday's UD dinner didn't sit well or stay long. ugh.
12/2: 237.0 UD
12/3: 238.4 DD
12/4: 238.4 UD Didn't drink enough water yesterday
12/5: 238.4 DD (UD yesterday, which I mistook for All-You-Can-Eat-Falafel-Fest-2012, saved by last-minute water flush)
12/6: 236.6 UD
12/7: 238.2 DD
12/8: 238.2 UD
12/9: 239.4 UD TOM
12/10: 239.4 TOM SPUDDD #1
12/11: 239.4 TOM SPUDDD #2
12/12: 238.6 DD TOM
12/13: 237.2 UD TOM
12/14: 236.4 DD
12/15: 234.8 UD
12/16: 236.2 DD (and then a late-night snack put me over a bit)
12/17: 235.8 UD
12/18: 234.0 DD <<after an UD??
12/19: 232.4 UD
12/20: 232.8 DD>>UD
12/21: 234.4 UD
12/22: 233.4 DD
12/23: 231.2 UD
12/24: 233.0 DD (or maybe a MD, not sure yet)
12/25: DNW MD -- and sick
12/26: DNW MD -- and sick
12/27: 234.2 MD - sick
12/28: 234.2 MD - sick
12/29: 234.2 UD - sick
12/30: 235.2 DD - better
12/31: 232.6 UD

Highest weight (summer 2012): 255
Official starting weight (10/2): 250
Atkins official loss (to 240.8): 9.2 # in 47 days
JUDDD official loss (to 232.6): 8.2# in 43 days

^Not too shabby, considering those last 43 days included two food-centric holidays.

I'm looking so forward to 2013!

[Lyric's Mom]

You made goal!!! That's so great! Some good news amid your illness and work woes. Yes, bring on 2013!

[Rayne_W]

I was so surprised! I had to go back into my online tracker to track my calories since Xmas Eve, and how weird is it that I was gaining on MDs? I really pushed myself to eat close to UD cals on the 29th, and even though my GI tract wasn't happy about it, it really seems to have gotten my metabolism going again, along with yesterday's DD.

I have a long road in 2013, and my biggest challenge is to actually stick to this more than any particular number goal.

Glad the holidays are (almost) over! I'll be trying to keep tonight from being an UUAD...need to check and see how many cals the drinks are going to be!

[Rayne_W]

One last statistic...measurements:

................11/5.........12/31

Neck .........15........... 14.5
Bicep ......16.5.......... 14.5
Forearm ....11........... 10
Chest ........44.......... 41.25
Waist ......46.25......... 44
Hips ..........51........... 49
Thigh ......28.75....... 27.75
Calf ..........17............ 16

Total: 12.5" lost

[Rayne_W]

Originally Posted by Lyric's Mom

You made goal!!! That's so great! Some good news amid your illness and work woes. Yes, bring on 2013!

I forgot a happy dance to celebrate!

Amazing Tron Dance performed by Wrecking Orchestra [Better...

[Z]

Originally Posted by Rayne_W

I forgot a happy dance to celebrate!

Amazing Tron Dance performed by Wrecking Orchestra [Better Quality] - YouTube

[Lyric's Mom]

Hi Rayne,
Just wanted to check in on you and see how you are doing. I hope the holidays were enjoyable and not stressful for you. Are you feeling better health wise? Also, was it you that was remodeling a new house or something? If so, how's that going? Sorry for all the questions...guess I just miss your posting & updates. Sincerely hope all is well.

[DesertGurl]

Checkin in, how are you feeling? Hopefully better!

[Rayne_W]

Hiya, everyone

Today was my first day working for them. The company that is already making my flesh crawl. ::shuddering:: Woke up to two delightful emails from Mr. Corporate CPA:

--The first was a new contract and, while similar to the one I signed for my old boss in 2008, this one had a little nugget o' fun...it's a one-year contract with the "option" for them to renew, pending the annual review. Just like I thought...they want an easy way to show us the door. Putz.

--The second one said, in part, that all employees are REQUIRED to participate in direct deposit....yep, the same direct deposit I absolutely cannot have. My old boss (who is now working for them) was apparently unaware of this and said he "didn't remember reading that".

What wannabe corporate dude doesn't read the fine print??

I really don't know if/how I'm getting paid.

Soooooo, I took my anger out by dually working while aggressively job hunting. And interviewing. One of them impressed me with the pay rate (and the bennies), but they're also another one that requires on-site training. Possibly two weeks' worth.

I wound up working a bit extra tonight so I can hopefully complete at least one of the (now) 4 coding tests that are waiting for me. They used to freak me out (especially back in the days I was applying for on-site hospital work), but now it's no big deal for the most part. One of the recruiters tried to scare me off by saying theirs is timed and they "only allow up to 4 hours" to complete it.

Bwahahahahahahahaha

The hardest coding test I've ever taken was for my present job, and it took 3 hours only because I had to use a book and not an encoder/coding program.

Aced it.

***

Z - Glad you liked the vid!

Rayne - No, not remodeling a house...merely coping with a decrepit 90-year-old rental house with bad plumbing, badly messed up electrical wiring, dry rot, and an ongoing squirrel infestation. If my credit was better, and if the selection of available dwellings was better, we'd be out of here in a flash! Alas, it is not to be...at least not for the time being.

Danielle - Yes, feeling almost back to normal, thank goodness. Just a little lingering muscle/skin sensitivity and some new sneezing attacks that come out of nowhere.

I think the sneezing might be from the weather...and the fact that our house temperature keeps dropping into the mid-50s at night (super cold, something around the 20s outside right now). Had DH pick me up some long johns when he went to the store today.

I'd be lying if I said I'm any warmer.

***

No weigh-in today or yesterday, I didn't want to risk hypothermia and shock by stripping down to my usual amount of clothes in order to step on the scale. I've been wearing two sets of socks, fuzzy slipper boots, long johns, shirt, pants, and a heavy pullover -- day and night. (If anyone's ever seen Whoopie Goldberg in Jumpin' Jack Flash, you'll have a rough idea of what it's like in my house -- and yes, I slept with gloves on last winter)

So, even though I knew I wasn't going to weigh, I was very good on New Year's Eve (UD), slightly over on New Year's (2nd UD), and a little under today (DD).

If I'm brave enough in the morning, I'll risk a little frostbite and chattering teeth to hit the scales.

Beautiful Wood-burning Fireplace Yule Log Video - YouTube

^^WANT.

[Z]

Originally Posted by Rayne_W

Aced it.

That doesn't surprise me at all. I'm sure you'll crush the next ones as well.

[Rayne_W]

Originally Posted by Z

That doesn't surprise me at all. I'm sure you'll crush the next ones as well.

Aw, thanks Z I just have to remember to READ the questions fully, since some of them try to trick the coders.



Drive-By Weigh-In

Goal for January: 227

1/1: UD DNW
1/2: DD DNW
1/3: UD 232.6 << with clothes + longjohns, without the sweater and fuzzy slipper boots

Today's morning house temperature: 55 F (up to 59 now - woohoo, we're smokin'!! )
Outside temperature: 14 F

[Rayne_W]

The Good: Had three preliminary interviews today. Have either tests lined up next, or additional interviews first.

The Bad: I'm still working! So many interruptions.

The Good: Have even more leads, thanks to a current coworker and a past one.

The Bad: Financing company (responsible for my garnishment) made yet another settlement offer I can't accept (not enough available cash on hand)...would be a miracle if we could in March, though.

Another Bad: Between the Doritos (lunch) and the ham (dinner), I'm going to weigh near a ton tomorrow LOL.

[LoCarbGal]

I'm glad there's some significant good there Rayne. Sounds like you are going to have some options with the job situation, which is always good. The garnishment situation must be a real pain for you to deal with, in many different ways. Good luck with the leads and interviews. I know you'll find just the right thing!

[Rayne_W]

Originally Posted by LoCarbGal

I'm glad there's some significant good there Rayne. Sounds like you are going to have some options with the job situation, which is always good.

Me too! Only now my problem (if you can call it that) is I'm fielding so many offers I can't keep all of them straight. I also need to schedule time for 8 coding tests in the next week, which amounts to probably 14-17 hrs.

The garnishment situation must be a real pain for you to deal with, in many different ways. Good luck with the leads and interviews. I know you'll find just the right thing!

Now that I'm starting to get more ballpark pay rate offers from my interviews, I think we really might be able to get to settlement by March, if not sooner. Keeping fingers and toes crossed.

The last interviewer this afternoon still had my assessment and previous test scores from the last time I looked for work a few years ago...and their coding manager has already pre-approved me to work in any sized facility, for any and all inpatient specialties (neuro, transplant, NICU, severe/multi-trauma, cardio, etc). She asked what I was making per hour now -- when I told her, she said "Don't take this the wrong way, but that's so low I'm not even going to write it down. You're worth much more." She told me what they'd start me out at for the first few months, and I almost fell out of my chair.

So...the plan is to a) complete as many coding tests as I possibly can, and b) try to make the best decision. The second part always makes me nervous, because I've made the wrong decision before, then regretted it soon after.

***

Drive-By Weigh-In

Goal for January: 227

1/1: UD DNW
1/2: DD DNW
1/3: UD 232.6 << with clothes + longjohns, without the sweater and fuzzy slipper boots
1/4: DD 232.6 Weird, seeing as I consumed a ridiculously high amount of sodium yesterday, with very little in the way of fluids.

[DesertGurl]

Crossing my fingers for you! I know you'll pick what's right, have faith!

[LoCarbGal]

Wonderful news that you're getting some really good offers! I'm sure you'll make a good decision. Try to relax and listen to your heart about the best fit for you.

[Rayne_W]

Drive-By Weigh-In

January Goal: 227

1/1: UD DNW
1/2: DD DNW
1/3: UD 232.6
1/4: DD 232.6
1/5: UD 232.6
1/6: DD DNW
1/7: UD 232.0