Week of August 28th
 

Hi All! :wave:

Hope everyone's havinga great weekend! Yesterday was a little busy here, Peter had a bday party to go to. He pitched a fit when we got there because he had to take his shoes off...it was at a place called Wiggles & Giggles. It's a gym kind of place. He wasted a good 45 min. or so having a tantrum and then just sitting on the sidelines watching his friends have fun! Eventually he warmed up and had fun.

Robby's feeling much better, but I think he's having a lot of pain in his mouth. He's working on the top two teeth now and he's constantly "chewing his cud", as my mom says! :lol3: He's not eating well either. I have to blow on him to get him to open his mouth! I told him he's gonna end up back in the hospital with a needle in his arm if he doesn't eat! :lol: Likea 7 month old is gonna understand that! I think I'm PMSing. :rofl:

Today we're not doing much. I've got a bunch of laundry to do and I have to clean! Hoping for an interview tomorrow. :crossed:

Just a quickie before I have to go "button down the hatches" with Katrina..We were without internet until today and after tomorrow, no telling..That storm is heading straight towards us..
Will update later--
Lauren--can U delete the other thread start??we were on at the same time!!!
I lost 1/2 lb..I was soo storm worried I forgot the good news!!!
RR

Hey all!

Well I missed my WI, since we have company and my schedule is all out of whack. :dizzy: :dizzy:

But - thinking about what I have been eating the last 2 days :burger: :chockiss: - I am better off not looking :goodscale - so I will wait until next SAT - give me some time to cleanse. :crossed:

hope everyone is having a nice weekend. :D

Hello Everyone!

DH is home! :dance: :dance: :dance: He's having a hard time with the jet lag, but he slept for over 12 hours last night. Hopefully he will get back on track quickly. He has a 9 AM meeting in the morning, so he has to go in. He was going to call off, but now he can't. Oh well! At least next weekend is a three day(er).

I have been doing awful with eating this past week. We've been out of the house SO much. Friday we did Six Flags again and ate lunch there. We don't usually do that, but we wanted to go to the dolphin show.

RR: I hope the hurricane mostly misses you! I haven't checked on it today.

Lauren: Isn't it fun when they tantrum like that? Alex just spent the last half hour crying and I'm not sure why. Those are the ones I really hate. Good luck on the interview tomorrow. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

AJ: Hope weigh-in goes well for you!

:wave: :wave:

Hello all, well today when I weighed myself I had either lost 1.5 or 2 pounds. Last week I stepped on the scale and couldn't believe it, so I tried it again and the reading was 1/2 lb. heavier. Anyways at least it is a loss.

RR, I hope and pray that you don't have any damage done by the storm. If you do, I hope it will be minimal. Like the others I have not been watching it closely.

Well I start school tommorrow, so we will see how that is going to go. I have a feeling that it is going to take a couple weeks to get in the swing of things. (oh joy, oh thrill)

Well that is all for now.

P.S. I would like to get to my goal weight by graduation. (May 20th - and the countdown begins) So my individual goals for each month is to lose 10 lbs. each month until then. I don't think it will be that bad, because if broken down - that's just 2.5 lbs. a week.

I have forbidden my mom to bring in junk food - reminding her that I have no will power. If I buy it at school, there is only a little package. I am trying not to buy at school though, cause they rip you off.

Anyways, just thought I would tell you.

RR, Are you being advised to evacuate?? I read that N.O. is, didn't know if you were that close that you should also? Actually, I guess you'll probably be on call, huh? At any rate, stay safe! Hope you're not w/o internet, but just in case, if it lasts too long, call me and let me know you're all OK! :grouphug:

Lisa, Hope your mom obeys your wishes! Congrats on the loss, whatever it is! :lol: And good luck at school!

Karen, Glad you've got DH home again! Where was he? Germany??

PJ, GL getting back on track this week! It's always hard when company's around.

Well, Robby had a really long nap today, from like, 10:30 or so until around 1:30-2!! :eek: So he's roarin' to go now! And Peter & DH went down for a nap at 2:30! LOL, mom sure would love a nap...

Katrina is heading straight at New Orleans soo I will be at work for days I am sure...They evacuate those hospitals to higher ground hopsitals and that is mine...They are saying 175m/hr winds now with gusts to 215...They have evacuated most of New Orleans although many did not leave and are now stuck there...It is soo strange..no gas left, no ice, and the can goods are completely gone..Not even bottled water on the shelves here...
Lauren--we are not advised to evacuate but we are expecting 100 mile/hr winds here so it wont be a nice site..It will hit around the time I leave for work so I am beginning to freak out about driving in that much wind and rain..I did it for Andrew and it was not fun..Please send prayers for the morning....
RR

Hi all, I didn't lose any this week, but thats ok. Not alot going on with me..still looking for work...thats about it.

RR stay safe!!

Tiffany

Oh boy, I sure will be praying! I was watching Fox News after I posted earlier, to hear more details and they showed pics of the cars leaving. They also showed all the people at the Superdome waiting to get in, because they couldn't leave. It was really scary to hear all they were saying was going to happen there! :( Be careful!!

Good Morning..well the storm made that north turn which isnt nice for the Mississippi folks..with these storms it is rough for everyone...I am heading for work early and will sit around until 5am..they said 75-90 m/h winds with heavy rain to hit when I am suppose to leave so I am leaving now to be inside..It is raining and the wind is blowing hard but not really too much at 3 am....My work said we would be fired if we didnt go and that we can bring kids there to sit in the auditorium..I told them, the President said that your family is your first priority but they were not amused, so off I go... :o :o :o
DH is with them since I dont have a clue when I will be home..We have many folks from the N.O. hospitals to care for...

Will post later if I have electricity
RR

Good Morning Everyone,

RR: I'm glad you are going to miss the brunt of the storm. I hope you don't have to stay at work for days and days. Doesn't it suck to work at a hospital when things like this happen. When I worked at the hospital and we had a blizzard we had the same reaction. The governor would call a state of emergency and say stay off the street. The hospital says come to work or be fired. Hmmm. Yep, it's important enough to risk my life to give these people therapy. It wasn't like I was a nurse and could help with the patient care! They said we had to come in "in case they needed us" for pt care. Nope, they could be severely shorthanded, but if we were there, we were treating people. They didn't want to miss the revenue.

Lauren: Good luck with the interview today!

Tiffany: Good luck with your job hunt.

Here's what we did at our house yesterday:
http://mysite.verizon.net/kkossowsky/newbedfour.jpg

Yep, my little boy is in his big boy bed now! Wow, it was so hard to put him to bed last night! He loves it, but that's because he likes jumping on it! :lol:

Have a good day. :wave:

Oh Karen!! He's LOOKS like such a big boy too! *sniff, sniff* I wish I could put up a big bed for Peter. I think he'd sleep soo much better. Does he sleep all night in it?

RR, Glad you all are OK. Haven't had a chance to look at the news this AM, but mom yelled up the stairs that it hit Biloxi instead of N.O. Hope you don't have to spend too much time at work. That really sucks that they "threaten" you that way.

Well, my recruiter called this AM and the interview is Wednesday at 9:00 am. I have to go into her office at 11 this AM to see her. The usual "I haven't placed you in awhile, so I need to see you and go over interviewing techniques" conversation. Really, it will be to show off the kiddos though! :lol:

Have a great day all! :wave:

becoming a member
 

:wave: I don't want to offend anyone by posting in the wrong spot. But after reading some of the postings I am really interested in joining your group. :stress: I am a married mother of 2, full time nurse, going to school to further my nursing career. This group seems right up my alley. I am interesting in losing about 100lbs. :grouphug: Need friends to help. I guess let me know.. Thanks!! :thanks:

Hi ER and welcome! Oh please, we are a hard group to offend! Jump right on in! We are here to support you as well as find support for ourselves. I don't think anyone would care as long as you were finding what you needed. Hope to see you around often.

Good Morning all...We have electricity and were very lucky...There are houses in my neighborhood down the street with trees through them so I am happy just to clean up the mess in the yard..Lauren--.New Orleans was hit very hard and the pics are unbelievable. Biloxi and Mobile got the east side which has the hard winds so they were devastated also..All the malls, stores subdivisons etc are completley underwater..We only got 50m/h winds here and rain but now the flooding is starting with the rivers cresting in a few days..Continue sending prayers to the poor folks affected who cant even get back to their homes..
I am off to work since N.O. hospitals/nursing homes have air lifted patients to us and every where else..
Welcome ER...
Off to work..my 17 hr lifting, turning pulling day yesterday helped me to sleep good last night...
RR

ergirl, hello and welcome! I am sure you will find the support that you need and encouragement too.

RR, I am so glad that your house wasn't badly damaged and will continue to send prayers your way.

Well the first day of classes are over for me. I don't think I will like my first class (ART 100) of course I was told there would be no drawing. The person that told me was wrong. My Second class is awsome - of course it is a business class. My teacher is a guy and we most likely be getting out early for Monday Night Football. (The class is suppose to run from 5:45 - 9:45)

Anyways I need to get ready for work. Talk at ya'll later.

Hello all..this is the first time in my life I have ever been faced with this much tragedy..I am working 17 hrs/day and seeing people that have lossed everything..We are getting transfers from NO hospitals that have to evacuate everyone...Today..we were on "decontam" duty which meant, we had to wash people that were rescued after 2 days of sitting in water with dead bodies and chemicals..New Orleans is devastated as is Biloxi, MS..They are reporting that bodies are seen floating in the streets of people that didnt leave or couldnt leave..Please keep all in your prayers.. Thanks...
RR

RR, I am still praying for not only the people in NO, but also those that are helping, the rescuers, those that are doing what you are doing. Praying that you would have the strength to continue what you are doing and grace not to "flip out".

Hi All,

I've had a hard time getting on here today. :(

Lisa, glad school seems to be going good soo far.

RR, I feel soo horrible for all those people. I'm glad you didn't get hit too bad, and I hope you don't get flooded in the next couple days. I'll continue praying for everyone.

ER, Welcome! Jump right in!

Tomorrow AM is the big day! 9:00 interview...positive thoughts and prayers please!!

Hello Everyone,

RR: You and all those involved are certainly in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you remain safe through the next couple of days.

Lauren: Good luck on the interview!

Hello to everyone!

Thank you all for the welcoming notes. I look forward to getting to know everyone.

LBH- :goodluck: good luck with your interview, I'm sure you'll do great!!

LP - I started classes yesturday also. :cheer: I am going back for RN degree. I am currently an LPN doing the work of an RN but just not getting the same pay. Good luck in school, whats your major?? Let me know if you need any help.. this is my second time around for college.

RR - You wrote that you work in a hospital, what do you do? Sorry about all that is going on around you. I am just glad that you and your family are safe, please stay that way!! :angel: My prayers are with you and those you come across. Wow 17hrs. Long hours!! I thought my 12hr shift was long!!

Karen- what day does everyone weigh in on?? :goodscale is it a specific day??

Talk to you all soon. :grouphug:

Good Morning...Well..now that the levee system is breaking, NO is completely going underwater...What a mess..they are still cutting people out of attics and rescuing them from rooftops...Now there is so much looting, robbing and carjacking going on that the military has been called in..Even the interstate is washed away so U cant even drive in places..THe prisoners have been evacuated to a dry place on the freeway...Unbelievable...

ER--I have been an RN for almost 20yrs...(I started at 10 y/o :lol: :lol: :lol: )Welcome to our group and good luck in your studies..It is well worth it and I couldn't think of anything else I would want to be when I grow up.. ;) ;) ;)
Take care!
RR
PS..I think the diet is on hold...some hospital somewhere in the USA sent us pizza in the ER sooo I ate on the run...
Here is a pic of downtown NO http://www.foxnews.com/

RR, I think in a situation that intense it is okay not to stick to your diet - as long as you get back on it. Our prayers are still with you.

Lauren, good luck with the interview. You're in my prayers too.

ergirl, I am going for a duel major in Business Administration and Marketing. Even though this is my Bacholor Degree, this is my third time around. And I only have 262 days until graduation. I am attending a small private Catholic college.
I weigh in on either Sat. or Sundays depending on if I remember or not. I just recently started doing that again. I think we all have different days, you just pick one and stick with it. Try not to do it every day, cause that can get depressing - seeing the flux.

Well time to get ready for school. Catch ya'll later.

Hi All,

Interview went well! Spoke with one VP, who said he thought I was a good fit, but he wants me to sit with the other VP also. He's going to try and arrange it for this week. It's a really small office, I would be employee #13...which is nice, except that the benefits aren't that great. They pay most for a basic plan for me, which I can upgrade, but they don't pay for dependents. There are a few plans to choose from, and I can pay for the family. It's just a matter of seeing if DH's plan is cheaper...his is pretty expensive. Thanks for the prayers!

RR, the pics are just devastating. :( I cannot imagine what those families are going through.

:wave: to everyone! Have a great day!

LP - I definatley see what you mean about seeing the scale everyday. I hopped on it last night and saw a two lb weight gain and was soooo upset :( but then I woke up this morning and saw the scale at the same weight its been :?: . which was confusing cause i've been pretty good. But then my monthly friend came upon me :devil: So now it all makes sense!!! :D

ergirl, Yes I tend to weigh myself as soon as I wake up, but after going to the bathroom. That is my ideal time to weigh in. I also try not to eat before hand, cause I figure the calories won't help. (Again silly)

Lauren, congrats on the good news. I hope that it works out. Do you think that you would like this job? Do you think that you would be a good fit? Not that I am superstitious, but employee 13? yikes - :)

RR, how are you holding up? That has to be horrible. I am praying for your strength to hold up, as you take care of all those people. There is no way that I would want to do what you do. It takes a special kind of person to do that. You are certainly one of those. Hang in there!

Hello everyone,

RR: I hope you are making it through the day OK. Those pictures are heart breaking. I've been listening to it all day. It's amazing what people are doing to help, but it's also amazing what others are doing as far as the looting and all.

ergirl: Yep, just weigh in on whatever day works the best for you. It's really best to try to resist the temptation to weigh every day. It's easier to get discouraged that way.

Lisa: Hello! Hope school is going well.

Lauren: Cool on the interview. Hope things go well with the other VP. What kind of work is it?

Hello to everyone else! :wave:

.I think I have cried the entire 2 hour drive home(8 miles)but soo many cars, people etc etc..There is no gasoline...We were getting 100 ambulances bringing people in...I transported handicappped CP kids today..with vents and trachs..the babies are out of formula in the shelters, they need diapers..pregnant women ready to deliver and no where to go..Now the crime is hitting here..people lost their drug supplier and now are carjacking and robbing here and withdrawing in our ER...The poor people that lossed everything.....Work wants us to be on call 24 hr a day..and ready to go in at any moment day or night..soo if DH gets called in to work also...does my ******ed stepchild watch my babyat night??? I do have daycare in the morning hours.....I am getting frustrated and at my wits end....My job says to dress them and bring them into the auditorium at 1am????I guess I am being selfish..but I just cant do that..my kids come first....

Lauren--Keep us posted about the job..Glad the interview went well..Where are the jobs with the good pay and the great benefits..It seems like it is one or the other??
Thanks for the well wishes..I will try to quit my verbal aggrivation in my posts...
Thanks soo much to the folks of Texas for offering the Astrodome as a temporary "City" for the refugees..
RR

RR, no that is definitly okay to vent to us. If you don't vent to us then who will get your frustration and anger. We understand that it terribly, terribly rough. We all share our joys and frusterations. It just happens that yours, at this time is more than anyone could possible expect. I dont mind at all. It also helps me in how I pray. (Knowing someone who is in it first hand) If taking the babies in is what is required, I don't know - they need you there. That is absolutely a rough call. Be careful with all the looters.

Karen, thanks for asking so far (1 week down) everything is fine. We have gotten out early each class. - That's not going to happen again.

Lauren, keep us posted.

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