Glad that you ranted here and not at DH happy. This is not the time for deep and meaningful discussions at a fast pace.
I'm sorry that you are having such a hard time of it, but try to look at it another way. They were going to cut 2 positions from your team. How many in the team. What odds are you facing? It may not be as bad as perceived. When one is so close to the problem it is not always as easy to see around it. It may well be that because you can work from home, you will be left alone. It is cheaper for the company to have people working from home than from rented premises etc.
Yes you are 49. Nothing can be done to change that, but you can use it to advantage - you have experience that is worth promoting in your cv - resume. Many times I have found that employers have used my experience rather than my educational qualifications. I'm older than you and I haven't had too much trouble finding work and I'm not that qualified believe me. You may have to change direction from time to time, but I'm sure that you will find work - you could become the nutty trainer just like me.
Ditto for Eric.
Oh and by the way, I never quote my age or DOB on my cv. It is illegal to require it over here!
As far as the house goes, try to plan things that will only take you or DH a couple of days to a week at the most to complete. Break all rooms down to components and stick to the plan. Believe me it is the only way I can get anything done. This weekend, I have been concentrating on one wall in the bedroom. That is apart from the cleaning and tidying which needed to be done. I'm on my own with help from Simon for the heavy stuff, however he is a great one for hopping from one thing to another - right now he is thinking about kitchens when I want to concentrate on bathrooms. We come to some interesting 'discussions' from time to time, but I find if I insist on him completing a certain job and not starting another even if there is time in the day, he does better and stays reasonably keen. A nice 'stolly' for him and a wine for me wins me brownie points when the job is done.
Yes I can understand the need for saving every penny and hoarding what you now have. It's never a bad idea to work on a new budget and there are a number of ways to cut the costs. Pain really, because when you get to our age you consider that you have worked long enough and hard enough to be able to have the 'nice' things of life.
Please whatever you do, do not get depressed and distance yourself from us. We need to know you are okay - and DH and that you haven't hit him with the rolling pin or whatever. Stay away from here for long and I will be getting the long distance telephone directory out and not finding out the time differences. Thats a promise not a threat OK.

Time to go clean up the room and make it habitable for tonight for dog and me, shower off the sanding dust and debate what could possibily be for tea tonight. Guess Simon will be home soon as he has to go to work tonight. There is another person with a work grievance right now, though I wont go into it. He must make his own decisions.

Catch up tomorrow.

Thank you Shad for the giggles and the pick me up words. As far as my job goes, I have always known from a practical standpoint, that while I contribute as much as the rest of the team, my job is not business critical. It facilitates the business. So if the difficult decision is to be made between me, the web developer and someone who writes computer programs that keep our business running, well... They said they had 2 names selected should they have to lay off people. I'd like to think it was 2 others, but I have to be honest and say it's possible one could have been me. This will just make me work harder on my studies and I will continue as I always have to take anything they ask me to do, whether I am fit for it or not. It's just the very idea of being out of work again that scares the death of me. And yes, I could follow your footsteps and teach again. My only issue with that is travelling. I can't drive at night and I have no sense of direction. But if push came to shove, I would do whatever I had to.

Mum called tonight. She is upset that someone walked right into the back yard in the middle of the night and stole her BBQ grill. There is a business right across from her house and it is well lighted so her yard is lit like the sun at night and her house is right off the street so it is in full view which means someone was quite bold in their theft. It just means that her area is getting more unsafe and that is another worry on my mind. Mom does not want to move in with either my sister or I which is understandable and she can't afford to move on her own to someplace else. But it is becoming more apparent that we really have to decide on a course of action.

So lots of things on my mind right now. Don't worry, I won't pull away - you folks mean too much to me to just up and dissapear.

And I really like your new tag line at the bottom of your posts Shad. Thanks again for the shoulder to cry on...

Oh Happy darling, don't you EVER apologise for ranting and raving on the post! After all, if you can't do it there, where on earth would you be able to do it
I am SO sorry to read of all your new troubles at work, but as Shad has said, one of those names might not have been yours so please try not panic....and if it was then just perhaps it will be the opening opportunity you need to go up a different path for the next few years. After all it is not you who will have chosen to leave, and I am sure a good reference and c.v. will be a good starting point. Sock it to 'em girl!!!Show them what they will be missing if it ain't you on the pay roll....
Poor old mum having a shock like that! I hope the thief burns all his major bits off...his fingers, of course! what did you think I was meaning
And as for anything else helpful to add, I think Shad has eloquently said it all and I would not dare or know how even to begin to speak!!
It is the neighbour the other side of me that has developed a heart problem. They were on holiday when Shad was visiting. I popped round to see her she was yesterday and she said she felt completely exhausted. She has not told her grown-up family yet as middle daughter is due back from a week in Lanzarote today and she wants to tell them all together.DH knows of course but she has kept the severity of it rather subdued I feel. He already has high blood pressure and has had a couple of nasty turns so I suppose panicking him will do more harm than good helpful support.
Gosh, it was a sort of nice sunny day when I got up...er....not too long ago and we are suddenly in the middle of a downpour.I am so glad Holly was inside at that point

Ta ta for now, let see who can mellow out the fastest this week!

Who was it that sang "I will survive"? Anyway, we will, with all of our problems and worries, we will survive. Maybe not as well as we would like, but there you go. Sometimes, as teel said, when one door is slammed in your face, another window of opportunity arises. Certainly that is what happened to me after redundancy - never looked back. But times were different and life was different.
Keep smiling girls.

Wasn't it our very own famous Annie?????

Quite possibly - or did she enquire after the person who sang it. So there is another of our little bunch with a problem or two. Wish she would come back and let us know how she is getting on.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Shad
[B], as teel said, when one door is slammed in your face, another window of opportunity arises.

Goodness me! Did I really say that? It seams rather too sensible for me to even think along those lines...heee heeee!!!
Oh and I think it was Gloria Gaynor who sang "I Will Survive".

Where is Annie?Has anybody heard from her at all recently....

I am now off to town to get weighed...mmmmmn.See you all later!

Dunno, teel, I thought it was Donna Summer, but then music and I should not be thought of in the same sentence. You're the musical bunny among us!

It was Gloria Gaynor who recorded the song "I will survive".

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I was trying to do my Fly Lady thing cleaning up the house, getting laundry done, buying groceries and cooking and then I had homework. I was trying to participate in an online chat to finalize one of our class assignments and DH was rolling his eyes because he's got a new toy and he wanted me to help him. Too bad I didn't have 2 heads and 8 arms.

He found this neat software that allows you to drop your pictures into what looks like a photo album. You can change the background pages, add text and pictures and even play background music. I think you'd really like it Shad. It's very cool. He's arranged the family pictures we brought back when we went out east and wanted help with graphics and music. It really came out nice and he's going to make a CD for each of his siblings and give it to them for Christmas. So I stopped what I was doing and helped him. Then he went to bed and I was up until 2am finishing up my stuff.

Tonight I'm back again doing homework and he rambles in here. He's watching the football game and now he wants me to build him a website so he can start a business scanning photos and arranging them into albums or just providing digital copies from prints. It is no short task to create a website. He's trying to pout with me so I will help him but I told him I just can't right now with all this homework. And with the added pressure of what's going on at work I'm about to explode from stress and lack of sleep. I just can't feel guilty, I can't. Gotta do what I have to do and hope the others understand that I can't be everything to everyone.

Ok, sigh, deep breath. I'm better now. I am sneaking in a few minutes to post and then back to the books again. Can't have DH walking in here when I'm posting after I said I was too busy to help him

I hope you all are having a better day today, especially because at this time, you are all about to start your Tuesday. Lovely charms to all of us today and let me win the $150 million dollar lottery tomorrow, ok? I will share....

Shaker, do hope we have not lost you like Annie and Leuelu. Would love to hear from both of you again. In the words of another disco queen - "Don't leave me this way...."

Poor happy, you really are having a hard time of it aren't you. You are right though, you can not be everything to everyone. You have already taken on more 'children' with the class group. Sounds like you are more than just the leader and the rest are swinging on your drive and knowledge.
The job will do what the job will do. It's a worry but honey it is out of your hands, your stressing and pressuring yourself will not help. Just do your job the very best you can and forget about what lies in the background. Easy for me to say - hard for you to do, but for your own sanity you have to let it be. It is not your decision to make!
I think I have seen a prototype of DH's new program. They do look good when finished and you can put some really yummy music to the slideshow. What a cool idea. However, if he wants a website, do a quick plan and cost it out, that should fix the I want it now bit. He either gets it now and pays for it, or he waits for the discount!!! Life's not fair, get used to it. You can not neglect the paying jobs for the freebies - that's business and if he is going to have his own e-business, he better get used to the idea.
Teel, little buddy, how did the weigh in go?
I'm going to the theatre tomorrow night. I got a couple of freebie tickets to a show which (wait for it) is about a rugby union game between the All Blacks (NZ team) and Bunratty Social Club (Ireland). It is based on a true story about the time (back in '78) that the Irish beat the New Zealanders at rugby. It was a shock defeat let me tell you. Anyway the show should have some good lines in it since the main actors will be playing either an Irishman or a Maori. I do have two tickets so if either of you want to come along, just get on down here!
Best go, I'm trying to upload some Irish pictures onto the website and then will have a go at Canada and US. I'm also trying to do the ironing and file away a stack of papers which should have been filed yonks back. See you later. Chin up.

Well someone else won the $150 million dollar lottery so I guess God wants me to figure out my own problems. But I did wake up alive and kicking this morning and that's always a good sign.

I have been released from my podiatrist and physical therapy. Foot is 90% better, just a tender spot and I know the things I have to do to get things to 100%.

Had a talk with one of my teammates at work today. She said some nice things about me, made me feel good and I had quite a productive day. Also tonight I picked up the phone and called a dear friend I haven't heard from in months. She had some good news and we had a nice long chat. I really enjoyed it. To heck with the homework for one night. And I was able to sort out some papers and put some things into the mail that needed sending out while I was chatting. 2 tasks at once.

DH's new program crashed so that buys me some time to avoid having to build him a website. (thank you Lord for small favors)

Shad, hope you have a great time at the movie tonight. It sounds like the exciting, feel good kind of movie that is just what you need for relaxation and entertainment. Hope you cheer along with the crowd!

Hope you did well at the weigh in Teel. If not, consider it the upcoming week's personal challenge. I will try to be good also and we can all cheer each other on.

The theatre was excellent even if I did go by myself because the friend I thought would go with me decided not to go at the last moment. Oh well I still enjoyed it. Fairly thin sort of a story line but some of the gags were funny and the exaggerated Kiwi and Irish accents were hilarious and even funnier once you worked out what they said. Only 4 actors in it in all and they all did very well. Well worth going to and even better for being free. However you could have knocked me down with feather when the man said $7 for parking!!!! 3 hours??? Still I would rather pay that and be able to walk to and from the carpark in safety than park in some dark alley and have to be prepared to run and/or defend myself from some jerk on the street.
Gee you sound happier happy. It's so good to ring and chat with old friends from time to time. They are always such a blessing. Ooooh what happened to the DH program. Was this his new one for photos???? Oooooh bet he is stomping around saying the odd thing or two? He might have been right when he said that he would send me a cd when he got it all today (if we are both still alive at that time)!!!!
Well it is now way past my bedtime. The dog is coming and going out the door. Always happens when I sit at the computer. Doesn't matter that the door at the other end of the house is open of course - uh huh Mum get up, open the door. Cat is good at it too!!!
So I had best go see if I can stay awake long enough for a short journal entry. Journalling my food for the day seems to help me I think.

Hi girls!!!Sorry to have been awol for a few days...I seem to be having a lot of problems getting onto the net. I wanted to get on after my weigh-in on Monday, to rant and rave and send you a non-too cryptic message that went something like this:



Yes you have guessed it. After being very good and even feeling thinner...I have not lost a single pound of the 5 I put on after my steroid injection.I am gutted but someone reminded me that I have had to snack in the middle of the night for 5 nights in 14 'cos of hypo-ing.I am gutted all the same. I hope things are better in that direction for you guys, although Happy dear, you seem to be going through a really rough time at the moment. I think a good old should be booked in for everyone's welfare.
Mum and dad are coming on Sunday for a few days...until Wednesday.....quite long enough.....I haven't seen them for a couple of months and I sincerely hope I don't have a "discussion" with father like I did last time!!! Better get the sellotape out ready!!!
Glad you enjoyed the theatre, Shad.Strange sort of story line, as you say. I just can't imagine a maori/Irish accent though!!

Well I had better keep this short and sweet tonight. Besides having nothing to say, I have used up my smilie allocation on sumo stomps and you know I cannot possibly post without a couple of dozen little things running up and down the page!!
Ta ta for now....take care and be safe everyone.
Love from Teel xx

Hello again. Sorry Shad, you did say Theatre, didn't you. As in play not movie. Sounds entertaining none the less. Glad you had a good time. I really have to get back to your site and check on your pictures.

I had a pretty decent day today. Drummed myself up some more work, got my performance review today. Raises are on hold for the time being but my review was good. I am loved.
Not a bad thing.

Teel, so it's time for a visit with the parents again? Hope this exceeds your expectations and is a sunny enjoyable visit lasting just the right amount of time. Were you able to work with your dietician and find some happy medium for keeping the blood sugar stable?

I'm off to bed now, keep smiling - makes people wonder what you're up to

Hi all!Happy thank you for your last sentance,it mad me laugh!
How are things going in your neck of the woods now? I hope things are calming down a lot

I heard my first Christmas song in a shop yesterday....bleh!!Coo its only just October for goodness sake.
Today is a really gray Autumnal day and does not inspire anyone to go anywhere or do anything. Besides which I didn't get to sleep till about 02:30 so I feel like a flagging lettuce leaf that has been left in the bunny rabbit cage for a fortnight....I never did take to lettuce .Yeugh!
well done on your appraisal, pity no pay rise but perhaps your fears of being made redundant are much less to the fore after your good praises.Hang on in there.....