Hi All,

Vicki, I am just heartbroken watching the news most of the day. I sit here in tears reading your posts, thinking about all those people, especially the babies. I wish I could do more than just pray for them. God bless all of you that work in the hospitals helping these people. And don't you think twice about coming here to vent. :grouphug:

ER, keep up the good work with those small goals...that's the way to go! And don't be a slave to the darn scale!! You're only torturing yourself stepping on it everyday! :lol:

Karen, it's a benefits managment company. They've been around for 14 yrs., started by the 2 VPs, who are probably in their late 30's, early 40's. It's a newly created position that is basically exec. assistant. The last woman they had there, in July, was very sweet he said, but her skills were not there. It's mostly managing their calendars and stuff, but some back up work for the other people at year end when it's busy. The job itself sounds like something I'd be happy doing. And the people in the office were really nice, and it was a casual, laid back atmosphere. My concern in the benefits. The more I think about it, I'm not sure that I want to take a loss on my benefits as well as not having a salary increase....I'm not seeing any pluses, exept that I would probably like the position. Oh, and 401K doesn't kick in until after a year.

Lisa, I'm not superstitious, but I when he said #13, I said, oh, lucky #13, right? :)

Off to call my recruiter and discuss this position... :wave:

Wow - you miss a few days...

RR - I am just speechless - the devistation, the looting, and you are putting your personal life on hold to care for these people - that is wonderful! I know, you are a nurse and it is your job, but it is still a choice. And I totally hear you on your issue with taking your kids to the hospital with you. Even if there is a supervised daycare, do they really need to see all that sorrow? Maybe from a distance on TV just they can learn compassion from it - but not up close - not to mention the medly of germs floating about. It would be hard for me to not want to take a leave of absence, pack up my family and head for the hills until the waters subside.

You go ahead and vent to us as much as you need to - I think it is good for all of us to hear first hand information, makes it harder to tune out the tragedy when you know someone involved. :grouphug:

Lisa - Ah School - I want to go back someday - probably online and get a degree in something - was thinking web design - but am leaning toward graphic design instead - since I can be very creative - although, I would probably have the most success in Business being the analytical type - it is hard to choose and can't afford anyway.

ER - Welcome, the more the merrier. I only WI on Sat AM, before bkfst. If the scale doesnt move, I take my measurements.

LBH - so what did you decide about the job? Benefits are quite the comodity - my employer does group investing and insurance and I know what that coverage costs the Employer per person per month - a lot of people arent aware of the full cost - the employer generally has to pay at least 75% of the premium for the Employee so if they take $100 per month out of your pay for your benefits - the employer is paying another $300 for just you. Double that to add a spouse, and another chunk for kids.

With the rising cost of health insurance (don't get me started) most employers simply cant afford to provide the coverage for dependants. My hubby's new job will pay 100% of his premium, but wont pay any for me. No big - havent had health ins for 5 years and when I did have it - I never used it. So instead I save money every month for emergencies. Eventually we will purchase a high deductible major medical plan that only covers surgery, broken bones and other high end medical needs.

Hello to everyone I missed. It has been a crazy week :dizzy: - bad eating all the way around, probably not bad calorie wise just bad choices, too much sugar, not enough fiber and it has been cooler and hard for me to drink water when not hot out. Hopefully my WI on Sat wont show a gain. :p

Off to get ready for work - later ladies. :D

AJ, check into school and financial aid. Your local bank probably has info along with www.fafsa.edu. That is the federal financial aid website. If that is what you are leaning towards, start checking out local colleges on there websites. Most have one www.(whatever the name).edu. For example my school is www.lourdes.edu. There is alot of financial aid out their and I got alot of help. I even get money back during the semester to help pay for my expenses. Definitly, if you are leaning towards something then look into it. I am sure there are ways of accomplishing your goal. I myself am looking into getting my Masters after graduation.

Lauren, If you are not sure and you have a sinking feeling the longer you think about it, it is probably not the job for you. If possible, hold out there is one just for you.

Hello to everyone else.

Hello all...I got off early today(only 8 hrs) because it is unsafe to leave children at home alone and my SD was home so I am here with her..We have had many carjackings here, a man shot his sister in the head for a bag of ice(Mississippi), 20 people tried to loot the walmart last night, all downtown businesses have closed and locked the doors, robbery at the gas pumps across from the hospital etc etc..The President has declared Marshall Law(sp????) so the military is on the way..New Orleans did have one of the highest crime rates in the US soo now these people have moved here..I am scared to even be outside much less go shopping..
Off to rest in case I go back tonight..Lauren--the NICU kids have been sent to Arkansas, Alabama and some here..We even got 2 kids here being bagged to breathe this AM in the ER..OMG...it is horrible...Childrens in NO had transplant kids, and the sickest ones around..U R correct, the children are the saddest...
RR

Oh geeze Vicky, I'm so sorry to hear that things are getting to that point by you. Please do your best to stay safe. I know you feel like you have to go to work to help, but look out for you too. I've been watching on TV and I can't believe what I am seeing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Lisa - thanks for the info - I will look into it - I think my DH may make too much money for me to qualify - but we have a home to build so money goes that way - but I will definately look into it.

RR/Vicki - OMG! Can you imagine killing your own sister over ice? It is just awful and now that I know someone so close - it really makes my heart ache.

And worse it makes all the pettyness going on in my little town even more revolting - how can people be so absorbed in their own crap? These people here in my town should all be ashamed of themselves considering what is going on in the world.

Please take care - with all of what is going on there, I would be sleeping with my gun cocked and loaded - got my gun, got my dogs. That would be me.

I assume the kids are not in school or just cant be left alone after school. How awful - I just cant imagine. It really makes you take stock and be thankful for what we have.

All my prayers are with you.

Thanks for the well wishes..No, schools are out because they are shelters..Dont know when the kids will go back...On a lighter note, Lauren--I thought of U..On Monday after the storm blew through, we found baby squirrels throughout the neighborhood and have been feeding them..I bought squirrel milk replacer and a bottle and these little creatures are just doing great..I remember U and Jims first date :D :D
RR

RR or Lauren, That sounds like a very cute story, one that us "newer" people would like to hear. How about it?

RR, I am glad that you are thinking of the positive things. If you ever need a place to get away to, you are always welcome in Toledo. It doesn't have a lot to do in it, but we also don't get hurricanes. Sometimes tornados, but I don't live in a moble home so you are safe. lol :)

Hello to everyone else. :wave:

Aww, V, how sweet of you! Memories... lalala... Ok, here it is.

Jim & I met through matchmaker.com...we had both done free 2 wk. trials. It was July 15, 1999. It was 2 days before my birthday. I had sent out a few emails to some guys that either didn't respond, or were duds. I sent full page emails. I was browsing and saw him profile. I think we were only a 40-something % match, but reading the essay questions is what got me. His answers were hilarious. I noticed that his b-day was 7/19, 2 days after mine, so I sent him an email that simply said "happy almost birthday from one crab to another". He emailed me back a full page! :) So we emailed a few more times, then spoke on the phone on 7/16 for 3.5 hrs. We made a date for 7/17, my bday! We met in a shopping center parking lot down the road from my house. He left his truck there, and I drove us to play mini-golf, then to a diner, then back to the parking lot. We sat in that lot until 3:30 AM talking! There's a wall that runs along the edge of the lot that we were sitting on. We heard a strange sound and eventually noticed this tiny "thing" on the ledge a little ways down from us. Now, DH is a volunteer firefighter, so he is always prepared! :lol: He got out some gloves and I set up a little "lean-to" type thing with some scrap wood and rocks we found...regular McGuyver's, huh? He picked it up and moved it to the lean-to, onto some napkins that I had placed there for it to lay on. We named him Junior and decided that he was probably a baby squirrel. He was gray, but didn't have any fur. And I think he was about the size of a mouse, like one of those little white mice. I even called the local cops on my cell and asked them if they could do anything! They must've thought I was smokin' something! :lol3: They said only if it was a domestic animal, like a cat or dog. So the next morning I got up and drove back to check on Jr., but he had passed. :( Poor little thing...God, we're pathetic, aren't we? :rofl:

Lauren--My SD has complained becuase they "wake up every 2 hrs to eat!!!"
HELLOO>>>>>>didnt we do that when they were little??? :lol: :lol: :lol: They even hold onto the bottle and suck away...Hopefully, they will go on to living in the trees soon!!!!

If anyone interested---We need kids clothes of all sizes plus undies..Also toys, appropriate DVD movies, bibs etc and I can post an address if anyone has extras to send...There are lots of kids in the shelters that need some things to wear and play with...
RR

Hello Everyone,

Lauren: Oh, what a cute story! I'm sorry to hear about Junior's passing tho. It would have been so cool for him to make it. It's cool to hear about another couple that met online. DH and I met online. At a scuba diving forum actually. We met to go diving and have been together ever since.

RR: My MOMS Club is actually interested in helping. Would you be willing to let us ship stuff to you? We've been looking for a way to help and our group is much better at collecting stuff than collecting money. I hope things are settling down some there.

Karen-that would be wonderful....THe list of much needed items are:
Toothbrushes(kids and adults),mouthwash, diapers(kids and adults), chapstick, wet wipes, diaper rash ointment, underwear(any size), safety pins, shampoos, cream rinse, deodarant, girl products, q-tips, cotton balls,tooth paste, dental floss, bibs, razors, baby powder, soap,combs and brushes, baby lotion, adult lotion, hairspray etc etc..
I am just terribly upset about the renegades that are hindering the rescues, raping the children in shelters, shooting at rescuers, murdering..It is unbelievable...NO was a beautiful city where we took the kids on the weekends...It is just heartbreaking to see the news..Poor K is having fits with all the helicopters day and night flying over...She gets scared of the noice...
Take care...off to take #2 for her post op visit after surgery on Friday..We find out what "bug" is growing in those nasty ears of hers and what to do for treatment...
BTW---Karen--DH and I met online also and lived less than a mile from each other!!! :dizzy: :dizzy:
RR

RR, My mom was just saying last night that she'd love to take all her summer clothes and send them down, because she saw a lot of BIG women on the TV. My mom wears a 26-28. Do you think they could use some clothes in that size? Please post an address, or PM your address to me, if you want the stuff sent to you. I cannot believe there's been rapes and murders. It's just insane. I mean, I can imagine how desperate these people are for looting food and medical supplies, but why guns and why rape?!! What makes people just snap like that? It's not getting them anywhere to rape poor innocent children or adults.

hi all. A blast from the past.

I just wanted to pop in and check up on RR. So glad to hear that you and yours are safe. I thought that you lived in NO, but I guess that you are close. The devastation is so heartbreaking. The horror of what some are doing is more so. I hope that things are getting better. It is good to get your take on the situation.

hello to everyone else. Hope you all are well.

Rabbit