!! we are a small but mighty group of friends supporting each other through the ups and downs of our lives. You can visit and talk as much or as little as you wish

Our 'winter wonderland' is now looking like regular dreary winter, all the clinging snow was washed off in the hard rain yesterday but we still have a foot on the ground. But no snow on the roofs we shoveled like crazy on Saturday to get it off before the weight was a concern.

I'm trying hard to change my attitude about the new job, I need to just stop stressing about being so clumsy and slow at some things. I haven't been chastised or talked to about my performance..and I am truly trying my best and have a good attitude..so I will just try to chill.

good morning friends!

flower we are so lucky to have you here what a great philosophical way to interpret what I am feeling. I have always known that I do not like change, I like my comfortable ruts, and I am a follower, not a leader, and I want to quit when things get hard. All things that are giving me a little shake and I am adjusting. Thank you for the insight!!!

Your hand made cards sound so beautiful, lucky recipients to receive them!

did you need more hints on how to post pics here?

It is so nice to see some sun here!!! we have't seen it in, oh gosh at least a week. It is pretty darned cold though, well it has *warmed up* to 8 degrees, up from 3.

EddieDog is such a champ about letting us put his booties on, it's the only way he can endure going outside to do his business, when it is around 0 degrees. And he walks around the house in them too, it is especially good to keep him from injuring his skin when he wants to scratch.

Hello to Lisa, Coop, Kathleen, Monica, PandaCupcake!

FINALLY yesterday I had a good session at work on the new station that was driving me crazy. It helped that there was a good supply of backup product for the assembler on the line to use, instead of relying solely on me to produce. So that took so much pressure off. Also I am just getting more 'handy' with attaching the screws. I am not ashamed to say that I use cookies as a bribe and handed a bag of 3 sugar cookies to the guy who has been patient with me and thanked him and said i was trying my best. He was happily surprised!

The tiny bit of snow that accumulated last night is so light and powdery, due to the temperature, it just "poofs" away if you blow on it, too bad it isn't always this light! so light to push off the driveway.

Vermont legalized marijuana for home / private use, you can grow a couple plants and do what you want with it in your own home. Husband and I haven't cared about it since we were teenagers, but because he loves to grow things as much as I, started a few plants because we have the indoor grow lights already. I have gotten so frustrated with my interrupted sleep because of the foot/ankle/leg cramps lately, and the new schedule, that I was desperate. Husband had to youtube 'how to roll a joint' because it's been so long I had half of one last night, and nothing crazy happened, just 'mellow' enough to go to bed and SLEPT SOLID FOR 5 HOURS which I haven't done in forever!!! hooray for cannabis

4 nights ago I slipped down my neighbors steps and dislocated my left knee cap.

Oh no LIsa !! that is terrible!! how are you getting around??

It's taking forever to heal. I sprained it too. I can walk a lot better but its still really swollen. I am needing ibuprofen still.

I might try to take a couple outfits to the laundry mat. I have no clean clothes.

Lisa: I am SO sorry that you fell and really hurt yourself!!! How scary! I hope you will be pain-free soon. I also hope and pray that you will find a way to have the lesion (or whatever it is) removed from Elvira, since ~ as you said ~ it needs to be done. I will pray for a solution. Did you check the resource Pat/Flower mentioned? You have me intrigued about the possible exciting things on the horizon. I hope they come to fruition. Let us know asap!

I had an interesting day. It took me all day to figure out how to reapply for help with my prescription medicine.

Thank goodness I mad enough calls to figure it all out.

The really good news:

Starting on Jan 1st, I have a whole new medical insurance plan that kicks I and which offers me some really exciting benefits. I'LL tell you all about them later but I am so excited.

Lisa - we are hoping you are dealing with the hurt knee alright, and super excited about your good news!!! Everyone deserves some good news once in a while don't we!! and we are still sending our love to Ms. Elvira

Kathleen it is SO good to 'see' you here but with such sobering news!!! how crummy is it that a medicine that helps you so much in one way (defying death!!) can injure your body in other ways and that you have to make decisions like that. It is so unfair that you have to deal with these medical issues my friend!!! we love you and are hoping so much for the best for you. we always like to hear how your dear daughter and son are doing too, hopefully well!! much love and good thoughts to you Kathleen!!

Pat that is so wrong for the chiropractor to promise you what you needed to hear and then to just vacate!! I am so sorry you have to deal with that, plus other financial burdens. Life is SO much easier and joyous when you don't have that constant worry of 'how am I going to afford what we need' or 'is that check gonna bounce' Life should not be like that!! espcially around the holidays when the forced Christmas cheer and merriment and excess is everywhere. I hope so much some kind of miracle occurs for you, in finding another chiropractor's care and sending light and love towards dealing with the other blow.
and we are HERE for each other even when we have crummy news or are feeling crummy. because we ARE the Ups and Downs. I would feel selfish and rude sometimes when I would post when I felt awesome, knowing that others weren't! ..but I would equally post when I was sad and it is always accepted.

She is still healing, Holly. I got her some soft dog food to help her medicine go down. Her incision continues to get smaller but it still has a way to go.

My knee aches so bad. Ibuprofen and Ben Gay does bring some comfort.

How is your job going? Are you settling into your hours?

Kathleen I am so incredibly sorry that things are tough right now.

How is your daughter? Is she like still in school.

I feel like you are between a rock and a hard place.

I wish I could help you. Bring you some comfort in some way. It's hard for me to know that you are struggling.

I don't handle pain well. The longer it goes on my mental health suffers. You sound so down.