Owwww

I was taking something out of the oven and somehow I managed to get a burn on my left forearm. It doesn't really hurt but it's raised the area under it. It's not peeling or anything but it does ache a little when I run my hand over it. I remember a sharp pain but then I didn't think anything of it. I was baking trader Joes tempura vegetables--- they are awesome by the way and when I pulled the pan out. Ouch.

We are waiting on something to be funded. It's like watching grass grow. The hoops have been jumped through and it's just the waiting. I can't say much else.

No change in the pain with the meds. Just weird odd dreams. I think I wake up more tired from all the activity in my dreams than in real life. Dosage goes up again tonight, I don't know if that will make a difference or now.

I have dutifully called in every day that I have been out. Wonder why they treat you as less than human? The absence is verified and supported. For craps sake, I am what they so wonderfully call light duty and I am there because I have an injury that occured at work and has not been cured and never will be.

I love it when people who have no clue as to what it means to have a tendon cut and attached to a bone that it should not be attached to tell me that I will regain my use and ability to lift. Walk in my shoes a day. I can't even lift a 7 lb bag of ice without severe pain. If you aren't bleeding and don't have any obvious sign of discomfort you are suspect. I met a guy who has 4 pins in his back and whose pain management doctor said no you do not belong at work--- not to mention he takes morphine tablets for his pain. It's a true comedy of errors. As long as I don't overdo hopefully I can return and do okay. But the question is, will they honor the restrictions that the doctor has placed on me? If not I will have to request some other kind of assignment. Like that will work?

Time for some mundane household chores that don't require much thought.

Ciao.

Attack of the sprinkler

Okay-- so we have these inground sprinklers that have a mind of their own. I haven't quite got the knack of getting out of the way because of the way the darn things are situated, I get soaked to the bones just trying to turn it on. Maybe I'll let it go at night and don't worry about it. But if I want to have my lilies look nice I guess it's the price you pay.


I started to watch Take the Lead last night and am finishing it this afternoon. A nice movie. I love to watch dancing. I can't do a simple waltz. God did not give me the gift of rythym. A curse of a white person I guess.



Time for some meds, a quiche from Trader Joes and some meditation for me.

ciao.

Sheesh again

I had to post those graphics so I can save them and send them to my ninja son. He thinks I am a silly mom to tease him like that.

And now I can do things like this!


I love my Packers.

Ignore this burst of energy. It's only temporary.

ciao.

ha?

for my son

Sunday Thinking

I like rainbows. I think it's still the promise that God gave Noah that makes me like them. Of course you need rain to have a rainbow and lately here we have had not a scant trace. I'd like a nice long day or two with rain and maybe a little thunder and lightning mixed in. A wish of course.

I am just in one of those strange moods. The wind is blowing outside, the dogs are trying like mad to get into the house but I don't want them to. Errant husband is downstairs. Exhausted daughter is sound asleep after her adventure at the prom and the son is at work.

Maybe I just need to go downstairs and read a book and not let the world in for a while.
Hmmm.
Sounds like a good idea.

CIao!

2.4 off Manhattan Beach

Just had an earthquake here. Felt like someone hit the house with a car. No shaking, just a bump but a good bump. Kinda odd. Dogs been acting hinky all day, guess they knew. Should pay attention to the dogs, eh?

Ciao!

Prom Day

Today my baby had her hair done up and her face put on, bought some fancy undies and a lovely gown and went to her senior prom. Do I feel old or do I feel old? Most of my friends have kids that are in college or married and my baby is graduating this year. She is so excited. She looked lovely today. She is a great kid though she is a friggin mess when it comes to her room.

Today the errant husband was in a mood. I wish I had somewhere to go and escape to. Even work would have been a relief. Work will come soon enough. I am trying the neurontin, slept like a log last night. Took my motrin and vicodin this afternoon and felt pretty good with that. I am hinky about neurontin but we shall see what the upped dose does tonight.

whoa i think we just had an earthquake. hmmmmmm.

ciao.

Don't make me......

Have you ever wondered what you would do if someone said to you:
" As far as I can tell from your job description, you don't need your arm to do it".
Yeah, I only point to exits, show people how to get places on maps and the like. Where's my can of Whoopass when I really need it?

Finally got some response from the doctor's office
(btw the doctor is the bright bulb who said that to me)
and I saw him again today. He is not happy that the referral to pain management has not been received. He's Rx Neurontin for me and we shall see what happens with that. I don't know at this point. Will try it tonight and see if it does any good. Right now my collarbone hurts like mad. Almost time for more meds.

Last night was the senior recognition concert. Went well. I cried. Tomorrow is prom. Time is flying.

So as it stands now I don't go back to work till the 19th. I hope the pain pills work and the Neurontin works. I am tired of being in pain.

Ciao.
-30-

What is so hard about returning a call from a patient?

OK it's been established that I have a significant problem with my shoulder. The thing hurts and hurts >8 on a scale of 1-10. It's been hurting and I have been off work. I called the doctor's office yesterday because I am supposed to go back today. Well the pain is off the chart. I asked them to return my call yesterday and and no call. I called again and said please call me and let me know if he approved an extra couple of days because I am miserable and I have to let my employer know if I am coming back. No return call. SO I call again today. Well he's out today. He wasn't out yesterday when I called. Do you understand the concept of pain? I am miserable. SO if they don't call by Noon I am going to go down there and holler. It hurts to lift my arm.

Other than that life is going on as normal. Kid goes to the prom this weekend. Sniffile.
Kid goes to Disneyland for senior excursion. Kid is tapping out the bank of Mom and Dad.

I just would like to throttle someone with regards to this shoulder. It is just unreal.

Rant over.
Ciao.

Day 3 of June Gloom

They aren't kidding when they say June Gloom. It got to a whopping 64
degrees here today. Inland it's warmer but who wants to live inland?

Have been doing the medicine bit but still hurt like a mofo. I am going to call the office tomorrow and see what he wants me to do? I hurt across the collarbone and into the joint. When I pull apart a chicken wing I always say sorry to the chicken because I know how badly the joint can hurt. I can't even stretch it out and pull it because it hurts so bad. I am wearing my Hely & Weber figure 8 brace because it makes me sit up a little straighter. That doesn't stop the pain though. It's actually called a clavicle splint to help with broken collarbones. For me it's to try to correct the posture, slumping and slouching be damned.


Kid #2 is downstairs with her friend, helping him create a power point presentation for his senior project. She told him she wished he had given her his essay before he turned it in because it was pretty bad. They'll come up with something good for the power point though. She's good like that. She did hers on the difference in films over the years--quality, acting, general relationships between characters and the like. A smart kid.

#1 kid came home from work and said there had been a disturbance at the store last night ( and this one that doesn't serve alcohol) and lots of machines were broken. He worked on all that he could and then they said okay, go home, see you Wednesday. So he's in his room with his friend doing gaming or something.

The errant husband, who worked all day yesterday and then came crawling up to bed >0230 because he fell asleep on the couch is out at his friends. He was in a bitching and crappy mood and that is not my fault. My fault is just being here sometimes.

Nothing else exciting or otherwise.

Ciao.
-30-

Action-- yes action

Came home early Tuesday in dire pain. Called doc and finally got a slot today to come in. Saw doc. Doc agreed with me. I said I can go back tomorrow, he said nope, at least a week off. So I go back Tuesday. Being referred to a pain mgmt doctor as soon as the DOL approves. I really need something to be done. Look up thoracic outlet syndrome-traumatic. That's what it is.

Did some shopping at Costco. Wanted to get printer ink but they stopped carrying the Epson cartridges that I need. So I went over to Office Depot, used my Star Teacher card and got their generics for less than it would have cost me at Costco. Good deal.

Used my stepdad's 88 Chevy wagon to get around. What a sled. Drives okay and it's not too bad on the arm. But it smells! Like poop. After I was done with the running around I came home and got the hot water machine going on my arm.

When husband came home we took Chevy back to parents, and then headed out to Walmart, 2 Walgreens and then home with dinner for the big kid. Little kid is at a movie under the stars tonight freezing her tuckus off. Water on sale at Walmart so that is a good thing. I got a sleeveless shirt to wear so I can use my water machine and not have to push up sleeves.

So no terminal observations for a couple of days. I need to get the arm simmered down. It really really hurts. The other night I had 2 glasses of wine and slept like a rock. Probably was a good thing. Today I came home and typed up a fax to the office with my doctors note as a followup, an email to HR with the progress report and doctor's note as information, and a letter to my case worker asking her to intervene with the agency that approves referrals so i can get some help. Funny thing, typing does not bother me. My arms are at my side. Of course I type with all the fingers on my left hand and only 2 on my right. Stranger than fiction, eh?

I am going to go to bed and read. My pooch is waiting for me. The husband is downstairs watching The Military Channel. Must be talking about guns again tonight.

Ciao!
-30-

Been kind of busy

Had an interesting week at work. Wasn't as busy as I would have thought for before a holiday but hey, at least it wasn't terribly dull. Saturday night a guy who was in the well had a full blown grand mal seizure. Scary. And I will bet you dollars to donuts that none of the sups or managers are CPR or first aid trained. Sure didn't seem like it.

Since today is my day off it didn't seem like much of a holiday. The stores were pretty much open, I had to take the kid to Office Depot and then I found out my printer needed a cartridge and I didn't have it in my stash. Crapola. Hopefully the husband will go to Costco tomorrow and buy the 4 pack.

Bought some ribeyes on sale this afternoon and grilled them the right way. After they came off the grill we let them sit for 5 minutes and then plated them. I also sliced 4 Vidalia onions (not nearly enough for this group) and sauteed them and added a touch of brown sugar to make them sweet. They were yummy. Add some corn on the cob and it's near perfection! And some White Zin and life is good.

Tomorrow it's back to work. Hopefully the week will go fast. As long as I am not stuck in the dungeon I will be okay. It gets so boring down there. At least at the bridge you can talk to people.



This is what I had done nearly a year ago. I can do some things which is good, but after a couple of nights of checking wheelchairs I have such pain that I have to take the big gun pain killers. The lump where the biceps was still aches, the top of the shoulder bone throbs and yet the doctor says there is nothing left surgically to do, Well what non surgical things can we do? I watch my posture, do lower body exercises and still hurt like an s-o-b. Nothing like residual pain a year later is there? And yet we have to suck it up and do the "job" we are posted too. Too bad the job irritates the muscles and causes us pain.

I can't think of much else exciting things to share==== Oh we did go see POTC-3 and it was good. Kind of long at 2h45m but it had some good moments.

Ciao.

- 30 -

Working Out a Plan

Well today I worked out. Used a bunch of machines for the lower body and then I rode the bike. I think I will do the bike more than anything else. But of course, without a car how do I get to the gym and home on days that I work? This too will work itself out.

I was so tired this morning. Didn't sleep well at all last night. Swing plays havoc with me. I will take something tonight so I can get to sleep before 0230.

Made brats for dinner tonight. Sauteed some onions in butter and then added some brown sugar. Added the beer and brought it to just below a simmer, and then added the brats. Brought them to just below a simmer and then let them sit and steam. The house smelled so good. Had the bbq lit and then threw them on, and voila, they cooked so fast. We also took the onion pieces out and put them in foil and bbqed them too. Next time I'll let them cook a little longer in the brown sugar before I add the beer. They were good. I did 15 brats and had 2, there are none left. The boys were hungry I guess. Didn't have any potatos so next time I make them I'll make German potato salad and I bet that there won't be any left overs of that either. Potatos and bacon, what more can you ask?

I've shrunk. They measured me at the gym. I'm 5'2" now. Where did that elusive extra inch go? I do need some decent work out shoes and some pants. I have a good top but I need pants. I will have to plan on that when I get another decent check.

Back to the grind tomorrow. I hope that it goes by fast this week. It certainly was busy on Saturday. But everyday is a new day and we shall see how it goes. I haven't had to work with the 2 women who dislike me. That's okay. Just because they think they have the job down pat. Oh hell, I have to find something else in the realm because sitting at an exit for 8 hours is dulling the brain.

So until the next time... I am outta here.

Ciao.

- 30 -

Random thoughts ---Sunday

I'm just enjoying today. Slept in. Didn't get to sleep till nearly 0200 last night. It was busy. I don't think the wheelchairs had a chance to cool down with all the people that were transported up to the entry area. I spent a lot of time asking people to stand back and keep the exit clear and to stand back and let the passengers get off the elevator before they started to board it.

Saw some good hootch get thrown away...Johnny Walker Blue Label. Can't take it on the airplane even if it's sealed. Gotta be in checked luggage. One guy went back downstairs and took his mescal and tequila that he bought on his cruise and checked the bag after double wrapping it in plastic bags. Hope it got to his location in one piece and no one from the airline decided to remove it when it got through bag check.

Tomorrow is gym day and then I am going to do some checking into other federal careers. Must be something out there for a middle aged woman who can't lift more than 5 lbs. I know there is, just have to be more aggressive about finding it.

ALso have to find out if Blue Cross will cover an eye exam for me. Then I get reimbursed from my Vision carrier. I have to get new glasses and frames.

No haircut this week. Will tough it out till the weekend and then go for it. It's getting ugly and I need it shorter. Quickly.



I am looking forward to next weekend. I AM going to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3. Gotta go, love the movies.

Well that's all for now.
Life goes on.

Ciao.
-30-

Say what? You want proof? I don't think so.

There's a new manager over our department. And let's just say, he's not making the best of impressions with anyone. He's been around but he's got his own ideas and how things are run HIS WAY. I put in for my kids graduation. It's annual leave and it's my privilege to use my annual days any way I please. He sends it back to our admin person saying show proof. I wrote an email to my HR person and said if he's asking for proof that I have the time, no biggie. But if he's asking for me to provide proof of my daughter's graduation he's full of shit....BIG TIME. That's none of his business. I asked the admin if I planned on taking my birthday off would I have to show a copy of my drivers' license? She said the way things are going, probably yes. That's against the law. So hopefully our HR person will set things on the right path.

Today is my Friday. I have a decent attitude but I really would like to stay home and take the dogs to the dog park, walk around the block and not be there. My oldest is sick, so the husband took him to the doctor. I have to be at work at 1430 bright and cheerful. Well at least bright. I bought some new socks for work so I can identify mine...they keep disappearing and the person who wears black socks to work probably has a stash. These have a mark on them so I know they are mine. Socks and underwear seem to wander away from my drawers, 2 different children but they are the culprits. ( I know it's not the dog).

The husband is bitchy. Pure and simple. I don't need or want that aggravation. Have enough at work.

Oh I saw someone semi famous last night. David Hasselhoff. Looked ghastly, came flying out the jetway on a flight from Vegas. He's not that handsome anymore. Maybe he needs to book a German tour to have some ego pumping.

Ciao.

-30-

What is the use of testing if there is nothing to test for?

Did 1 1/2 days of training this week. First 4 hours was interesting and today was a cluster of usual proportions. I am on permanent light duty. I have no hope of ever going back to doing what I did when I was injured. Why then, do I have to, IN EFFECT MUST TAKE a test on what I did 3 1/2 years ago. I passed by the skin of my teeth and a lot of stuff was not what we covered in the review. It seems stupid to continue to test me for things I am not allowed to do. When I went into the training modules after I took this test, most of the modules were for the other type of position. Again I am limited to light duty. But I passed a lot of the modules and have an idea of what would be expected of me. Unfortunately, moving my arms up and down holding an instrument of torture would soon have me in ER begging for meds to stop the pain. Tomorrow I will email the HR person and ask why this is necessary since the agency has decided that I am never ever going back on the line. It's too bad that they can't see the forest for the trees. There are people who have abilities and talents that will never be used by the agency because they are biased and prejudiced against those of us who were injured doing our jobs. Rant over.

My cousin who was in the accident is hanging on. They seem to have stopped most of the intestinal bleeding but haven't been able to get him stable enough for the pelvis to be worked on. I hope that he will be able to tolerate surgery and be able to walk out of that hospital. I hope the asshat who hit him has a lot of insurance and money. All he got was a busted lip. I continue to pray for him.

Woke up wheezing this morning. Have had a dry throat and cough all week. Don't feel crappy but just have to keep drinking to keep my throat lubricated. That means I get up and have to talk a walk during the night. One night I was so tired I nearly fell asleep on the throne.

Not much else to say.
Life goes on.

Ciao.

Blood draws

I had to go to the lab this morning and have my semi annual blood drawing. Just to see if there is any niceness left in my body I guess? The woman who drew the blood was fast and efficient. Got 3 tubes full in a couple of minutes, wrapped me up and sent me on my way. I had to fast so I was kind of hungry when I got home. Bananas awaited! (They were on sale 5 lbs for $1. at the market).

I wish the weather would do something strange and have a good old fashioned thunder storm with lots of rain and lightning and storm. We need the rain so badly. My front yard is brown and I don't want to water it too much because it costs so much. But tonight I will use the sprinkler and give it a drink. The flowers would appreciate it I am sure.

I wrote my case worker. I wonder if she will give a damn or just throw the letter in the circular file. Since I have successfully completed 2 months of work that is acceptable to my level of disability, they have terminated my benefits. That is in complete opposition to what the HR person told those of us who returned. If it was related to our work injury DOL was to cover that. According to DOL, sorry, you're screwed. You can sit in front of an escalator for 8 hours and breathe so we don't care about you anymore. Point in case, I took 800 mgs of Ibuprofen and guess what, it hasn't put a dent in the pain.

Can we say pissed off? YES WE CAN!

The Spector trial is dragging on. Piffle.

Well kiddos, life goes on. What can I say?

Ciao!

Don't take a sleeping pill and a vicodin

You'll sleep like a log and not wake up till the day is half over. Not that it's a bad thing, but when the alarm went off for church it sounded way far away. Glad I could sleep in today.

Got bad news last night. My cousin, who I seemed to get into trouble with when we were kids, was severely injured in a head on car accident yesterday near his home in Lone Rock, WI. His wife and son were not with him. His wife is pretty fragile and I don't know how she is going to handle this. I hope she will be surrounded by people to help her and him deal with this.

Sat at another exciting exit last night. Not much going on.

I got a letter from the DOL proclaiming to me that my benefits have stopped since I successfully worked for 2 months. That means if I have to take time off because of my shoulder, I don't get paid for it. Thanks a whole hell of a lot. I am writing the DOL tomorrow and giving them a piece of my tiny little mind about a whole rash of stuff. Least being the fact that I have still have constant pain and that isn't going away, nor is the fact that there a few things in my non work life that I can't do.

I have a whole list of things that I need to do. Write a bunch of letters.

Had tritip burritos tonight. The kid who had the party yesterday wanted ribs. Tough, it's mother's day and thank you very much I get to have what I want.

The party wasn't happy. Remember that old Leslie Gore song about "It's My Party"? Kinda turned out like that. At least there were some people who cared for her. As I told her life will go on. And the person who caused the trouble will only have herself to blame when her life spirals into a sewer. I had problems with that girl, can't stand her father who is a drunk, and now she has caused my kid grief.

Well tomorrow is another day, have to go to lab and have bloodwork done, write my letters and then hope that I can find the chicken for dinner. Have a good salad for lunch and enjoy my clean family room. They need to do the great room next.

Ciao.

Ach ja

It's all about keeping your eyes open and watching for the bad guys! Sometimes I think it's locking the barn door after the horse has gotten out and gotten into the daffodils. Not much sense in some of it. But I know seriously that if I don't toe the party line I could really be in trouble. That's sad isn't it. What happened to 1st amendment freedom of speech and all that? Not really applicable anymore. I love my country, I just don't like the government much at all.

This is my Friday. I had an interesting afternoon/evening in class yesterday. It was okay until the last video which was BORING. Got home and relaxed though. Slept in today so I should be wide awake for the rest of the afternoon evening.

I don't know if I will go to church tomorrow. I know, I know it's Mother's Day, and my Mom doesn't want to sit all by herself in church.

I am going to have a good day. I will. I will. I have to convince myself of that. At least I hope so.

Kiddo's having her 18th birthday party today and I will miss it. That's okay. I have to work.

Ciao babies.

Not today.....

Today is one of those days that I wish I could stay home. But I won't because I get to go to a class on booooombs tonight. And tomorrow I get to do online training for 8 hours. So I'll only be in the terminal for a few hours today. That's good.

Saw someone famous yesterday. I told my husband I saw Zephram Cochrane. Dang he's tall. I know, I know that's not his name.
He's got a pony tail. I guess eccentricity is rampant in entertainment, but to me he'll always be ZC as opposed to the farmer in Babe. LOL.

Car is in the shop for at least 5 days. They have to take the bumper off and replace all the innards because that is what took the brunt when the impact hit. Thank God for insurance. They only pay 15$ a day for a rental car so we have to ante up 8$ more. But at least we will have transport.

Fog really came in last night. Dropped the temps too. 2 days ago it was 86 and today it's 63.

Not much else. Later.
Ciao.

changed my mind . i am gonna go play in a new truck

Not saying goodbye to a friend

Okay so this post is going to be about 1 thing.

Saying goodbye.

Yesterday I found out that a woman who I knew from a message board, quite well, we'd emailed and snail mailed each other a bit, died. She was young. Mid 30's. 2 kids. Loving husband. Lived in TX. Had lymphoma. Fought it for over 6 years. In the end it got into her liver and there was nothing left to do. She had chemo, radiation, alternative therapies. God wanted her in heaven so she is there. I will miss her dearly. We both had GSP's and loved them. God speed dear Paula.

The other good bye is someone who I thought was a close friend. We went on excursions and adventures. We laughed and cried. He quit a job somewhere I used to be quite involved in. He didn't tell me. He just said this is it, I'm gone, after 12 years. No nothing.

At this point it's don't let the door hit y0u on the way out. I hope you find what you are looking for. I am not going to enable you to make me the villian because I told you I felt pretty darn hurt that you talked to me the night before and didn't tell me anything. You hurt my Mom and my kid, not physically but emotionally. You've been a part of this family for 9 years and you just walk and not say anything? You've done this before to other people but I thought since you were sober now it might be different. So now you'll be somewhere else and people will stroke you and tell you how wonderful you are but you will be lonely and you will be missing something that you can't put your hands on. Friendship. You burned the bridge bucko. It's done and over. And I am glad that it is. I have my family , my friends and my dogs. And someone who is as flawed as I am but loves me none the less. Later dude. I hope you and your dogs are happy in your house on the hill. My phone is off.

So I got that off my chest. I guess you never know people do you?

Tomorrow will be my day off. I think I am going to swim till I turn into a prune just to get this anger out of me.

Ciao.

A Quick Chuckle

Karma does come around.

Tom Ridge, who was the first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security came through the checkpoint I was near yesterday. He got the dreaded SSSS on his boarding pass. Perhaps his name is on the no fly list? Perhaps he's whatever. Anyway, he got the full 5¢ patdown. Too bad.

In other news, people still ask where the baggage claim is for the airline they came in on, where the closest area is they can smoke, where can they take their dog inside security to take a whiz, and are you sure my baggage is here. I felt sorry for one lady whose flight was delayed then cancelled. I directed her to baggage services and told her they could help her.
There were several people who thanked me profusely for telling them that yes there are restrooms by baggage services. And they walked by 2 sets of restrooms after they left the plane.

Another person came up to a group of people who work for the organization and asked them( mind you these are guvmint employeees here) if they could call Thai Airways and tell them a group was delayed? Um no. You need to contact them yourself. Not connected to airlines at all. Just a thorn in the side.

Another news item, someone at DIA dropped the ball and a jungle jet had to get reverse screened when it landed here. Isn't that locking the barn door after the horse is out? Did they check the RJ after it landed for secreted knives or weapons? Or tell people after they had already landed they couldn't take their 15 oz shampoos with them?

::insert head pounding genie here::

And a certain airline changed the code to the ops center downstairs and some of the flight crews didn't have it. But we did. I have gone into the area once to get a bottle of water from the vending machine in the lunchroom. I have actually been in the ops center, years ago when I was taking a class in travel management. It was cool. But then I had been in the TWA ops center and comm center at LAX a few times in my wasted youth.

Oh well. Another exciting day in the life of a drone.

Ciao babies.

-30-

still coughing, etc

Well I went to see my doctor today and she wants me to pump myself full of antibiotics before I go back to work. Hence, one more day at home drinking liquids and swallowing pills. Also gave me an inhaler so I can work on the wheezing at night. Fun.

There's going to be a march in downtown LA tomorrow. May Day, Immigration, the like. Wonder if all the people who are being inconvenienced by the thousands of people who are downtown will protest. Nah. Wouldn't get any coverage. I bet the husband will have to find a new route home if the onramps he uses are blocked.

I think BICE/DHS should be there too with a bunch of vans. Imagine how many people they could deport tomorrow night if they wanted to. I've seen deportees, don't look much different than the people you see at Food 4 Less or any other store. Jeans and sweatshirts and tennis shoes. But they are guarded by 2 BICE officers who stay till they are on the plane and the jetway has pulled away and the plane taxis away from the gate. Not much luck there.

Tomorrow I have to do a fasting blood test and pee test. Just to check to see that all my systems are working okay and the drugs that I have taken over the last 18 months ( ie meds for the shoulder) haven't done anything strange to my systems.

Being sick was okay. I lost 6 lbs in 7 days. I can stand to lose a lot more. That is the next project. Walking dogs and all that.

Time to think about dinner.

Ciao.
-30-

Peeeeeza, bring on da peeeeeza

Ahhhh the joys of pizza. I was craving breadsticks but settled for pizza because I didn't want to get dressed and go to the Olive Garden to settle my craving. That's the thing with this bug, I get hungry about dinner time and that's it for the day. I have a couple of 100 calorie snacks during the afternoon and that's it. OF course I am filling myself with water. So we got Papa Johns and are sitting upstairs watching science programs on disasters that could affect the world. Do you realize that a super Tsnumani would wipe out the airport because of it's location on the coast? Bye Bye El Segundo Blue Butterfly too. That coastal area would be under da water. We, by the grace of being in the hills, would have several areas of deep water before we'd actually get hit. Of course I am not planning on that happening at least in this incarnation.



I am unusually cheery this evening. And have no idea why.

My good friend or so I thought, quit his job of 10+ years today and said later to everyone who cared about him. I had talked to him yesterday and he didn't even have the courtesy to tell me. I was not there for the announcement as I am under the weather. I called and said I must really rate pretty low for you not to tell me the news. Life will go on. It always does.


Finished an interesting book called Hollywood Car Wash and it was pretty good. A fictionalized story about a small town girl who comes to Hollywood by accident and how things change for her overnight. Supposed to be pretty close to Katie Holmes' story. I wonder if "all the money in the world" makes up for living a lie.

So I am going to curl up and read another book and just relax, tomorrow I see the doctor and I am not going to take any meds so I can cough my glorious cough.

Ciao Babies!
-30-

Friday Cough Update

Well let's just say the throat isn't as raw as it was but the cough is still as nasty azz as ever. I just took some more Phenergan with codeine and I hope that it will calm it down. I forgot to take my other meds this morning, just plain forgot. Guess I'll have to mark the calendar again. Oh yeah, Lidocaine solution for sore throats just plain sucks eggs. I should have asked them to flavor the stuff if they could. God, it makes you pray to get better just so you could not have to take the crap.

I am sure work is thrilled over my absence. Better coughing and hacking here than hoping someone will come relieve me so I can run to the john and hack this crap up. That's a problem at some of the exits, no one pays attention to you. They are too busy doing their prescribed work that they forget to even look at you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tomorrow is going to be lay low again. But the husband will be home. He's glad, it's been a long week. Has to get some estimates for the car, and then take it in. He can't wait to get the police report from the CHP and find out about the guy who hit him. Wonder if they found him.

Am having vegetable rolls and beef teriyaki for dinner tonight. SOunds good to me. The rest are having sushi and sashimi.

Gonna be an early night again tonight.

Ciao Babies.

-30-

Damn

I woke up with a really sore throat. Think I got it from the husband.
Just what I don't need.
Nice day outside. Dogs are quiet.
Politics suck. Unless the prospective candidates give me more to go on, I don't think I'll be happy with any of them.
9 more dead. 30 ton truck bombs. 3333 dead. And we're winning?
Too sad. This administration has been nothing but stone cold liars from day one. And my TX inlaws think he's the best thing since sliced toast. Who knows what this country will be like in 2008. We have kabuki theater for security. Safety is a joke.
Time to go and rest.
Ciao.

-30-

Sheesh

So my husband is driving home from work yesterday. I am already on my shift watching the exit when I get a text message. My husband has been involved in a car accident. The details are bizarre. Here we go:

He's on the 10 east fwy headed towards the 405 south. Traffic backs up at the offramp due to congestion. He stops. Someone behind him does not stop. Slams into him. The car behind them slams into them and he gets hit again. He and #3 car pull off the freeway. Guy 2 tries to start his car, but no luck. Guy 2 exits his car with the keys and his backpack. 1&3 say hey we need your info, guy 2 says in a minute I've got to pee in the bushes. GUY 2 BAILS AND RUNS INTO THE BUSHES AND DISAPPEARS LEAVING HIS CAR IN THE #2 LANE ABANDONED AND SMASHED. The CHP comes and does the report, the EMT's come and check out my husband. I leave the terminal and he picks me up. I call our medical group and they want him to go to the hospital. So we go to the hospital and he gets checked out. They say whiplash and take an NSAID. He's okay though my baby car has some bumps. I can't believe the guy bailed and left his car. CHP will check and chase. Just another day in LA.

My ortho prescibed Celebrex. The ER doctor said throw it out. I have an appt with my PCP tomorrow and will talk to her about the meds. You'd think the ortho would ask about other meds, I guess they dont' care. If I didn't take the time to check out the meds and read the contra's I could be doing myself great damage.

After I see my PCP I am going to fax my ortho and ask him to refer me to a neurologist because my PT person said it's not bones it's nerves that are acting up.

#1 child got a Wiiiiii today. What fun for him.
#2 child forgot her cel phone at church, good thing I got a call from the finder and picked it up.

Enough good news for today.

Ciao.
-30-

tales from airside, part III

I was in the dungeon again yesterday. During my first break I walked up to one of the locked exit doors in the terminal and took this picture looking eastward from the airport. The sky was that black and the clouds were just hanging. We had rain from 0300 till about 1200 and then it stopped but east of us there was a lot of precip. The flight pattern had just changed from taking off to the east back to normal ops when I went to work. Kind of cool to see a fully loaded 747 lift off into the sky over the heavily populated areas. It just lumbers along till the air relaxes and it can get the power to fly off.

Things at home are normal. All are gone this Saturday. 2 to work, one to a choir festival and then an afternoon and evening at Magic Mountain. Due to my lack of transport I am at the mercy of others so I have to leave in about an hour. Oh well I will take my book and read it hopefully I can find a quiet corner to make myself invisible.

This is my Friday and I am glad of it. We are treated like 2nd class citizens. What else is new? Nothing.

Ciao babies.
-30-

Still stunned

I don't know what to think about the shootings at VT. All I can think of is the families whose lives will never be the same. And how do you go back to school and walk into a classroom and wonder if you will be safe?

Too much.
bye

Days off go by too fast

Especially when you sleep late and then go to your favorite beach hangout for a late breakfast. Except I think the eggs or the ham weren't fresh and I got sulfur emissions and then the runs, sorry but I think Scottie's is to blame this time.

<----- Big Dog and Big Guy. Just came back from a walk and big dog wanted to go after the cats who had been sunning themselves on the warm asphalt of the driveway. He may end up being trained yet. Ha.

------> I was told that I am the kind of person who will make lemonade out of the lemons I have been handed. Yeah, and eventually I will get them sweetened and things changed for everyone who has the same situation. Squeaky wheel gets greased you know. It just just takes time and patience. Lord knows I have patience, I JUST WANT IT NOW..... ::: runs and ducks:::::

I took a muscle relaxant about an hour ago and the tightness that was in my neck has dissapated a bunch. The only problem is that I can't take it all the time. But now it's okay for the time being.

I have been busy reading The Alexandria Link and I really like it. I am reading a different book at work, because I can do it in bits and pieces. In the throne room I have a book on pirate history. Not a room in the house without a book is the motto here. I lent my Mom the non fiction book by John Grisham, An Innocent Man. Won't see it back for a while because she is re-reading The Robe.

Big kid is getting a package from Singapore. Ooooooh. It's a pocket watch. I can't wait to see it. It's going to be at the post office tomorrow morning. He is excited. Little kid goes back to school tomorrow. Back to a routine.

Tomorrow I do taxes. Will take about 3 hours and then we sign them and mail them in. I hope we have good news. I had no income for the year so we should be okay.

Here's to a nice quiet night.

Ciao.
- 30 -

Yum, 4 new books to read

I like the cat but it's not that I am so bored. I have a bunch of things to do before I go to work. Like sort out my change so I have bus fare and all that.
I don't know where I will be today, but chances are it's the dungeon for me. Oh well. At least I have a job and I am getting paid. Whee.

Bought some books yesterday and I am so glad that I went to the bookstore. I bought Steve Berry's The Alexandria Link, and on the buy 2 get one 1 free display I bought Eats, Shoots, and Leaves which is wonderful, Santa Montefiore's book
The Gypsy Madonna, and John Krakauer's book Into The Wild. These will occupy me for a while. I am going to take the thinnest one with me to work. Maybe I can get a few pages looked at if I am in the dungeon.

My MIL is having surgery today. I hope that it goes well. She's a nice person. She did give birth to my husband so I guess she's not all bad.

Postage is going up again. Joy. I guess I'll have to get some forever stamps for .41¢
I do mail a lot of stuff to my casework since the fax number I have is bad. I wish I could email her but it doesn't seem like federal workers like to get email from their constituents.

Not much else going on.
Need to do some stuff with my withholding etc.
CHeers!
Ciao.
-30-

Unplanned day off

So I have to take some of my stored hours and take the oldest kid to the doctor. Joy. At least I have them to use.
The kid smashed his fingers this morning so I get to go to the doctor with him.

HE can't tell them he did it at work because they don't accept workers compensation claims at the medical group any longer. Probably lack of funding from the insurers. Thank God I was able to have it there when I got hurt. Lord only knows what kind of mess I would have had to endure had I seen the company doctors....wait, I've already had to endure a mess. What's the difference?

Big news.

The kid who went to Disneyland got stuck on the ride. IT stopped on a curve for her. They were evacuated out. What fun. So she has a story to tell. They were given fast passes to use at the park in lieu of riding the Matterhorn. Lucked out. They will use it on Space Mountain.

I am going to treat myself to 2 new books today. I need something new to read instead of thrice read Nora Roberts bodice rippers. Borders, here I come!

Flights have been full this week. Lots and lots of people coming off of them and moaning about the long walk from the gate to baggage claim. Why doesn't this airport have moving sidewalks? Good question, it certainly would make a difference. Why doesn't this airport have a single entry point and have all the terminals interconnected? The planners didn't anticipate the need for stringent security measures and each terminal has a different layout, ownership and needs. Why are the terminals so shoddy. NO major rehabs in over 20 years. TBIT was build in 1984 and is just now getting some needed work. OF course adding more airplanes to the mix makes it just that much more crowded. Wait till Qantas flies the A380 into here. Want to see a mess????? Betcha there will be gate checks then and people will be royally pissed off.

The wind is picking up and there are a lot more clouds in the sky. Fun. Wonder if any of that wet stuff will fall from the sky?

Nuff said for now. Need to get showered and ready to go to the docs!

Ciao. Babies.
=30=

Monday ---...---...---

Made it through the weekend. Got through work on Friday and only worked 1/2 a shift on Saturday. I got my shopping done after that and got a decent night's sleep. I got up at 545 on Sunday and got to 630 service. Read my lessons and listened to the sermon that was preached in Korean and translated into English. Then I came home and went to sleep till I had to get up and go to 2nd service. Again a joint service and the added bonus of a soprano saxophone solo. Not good. Oh well, it's only once a year.

Did the dinner about 5pm at my Mothers house. I brought all the food and had precooked most everything so all we had to do was bbq the brats and dish up the rest of the goodies. I had parboiled the brats at home, cut up 2 lbs of onions for grilled onions, brought chips and dips, and an antipasto salad as well as a fruit salad. All Mom had to do was make the baked beans. We had a nice time, everyone sat and talked and shared stories. I was exhausted when I got home and went to bed at 8PM. The white Zin helped that.

Both kids are still asleep. I am supposed to take the younger one to the social security office this afternoon. She's sacked out. Now she's up. I have to get the son up and will bribe him with food to drive us there. Older one when to a party and came home and is still asleep.

Didn't go to the gym today. I was pooped. Suppose I should have gone.

Not much else to report. I am going to read for a while and then see what gives.

Ciao. Babies.
- 30 -

I'm angry, tired and hurting

Yeah this is so true. No return beyond this point. I had a nice happy post running around in my mind and then the pain started. I've stood under a hot shower for 10 minutes and it's not helping one little bit. I hurt like an SOB.

I will go to work and do what I can for the 8 hours. If they insist I go to TBIT and count bodies, so be it. If they tell me to go to the dungeon so be it. I have to get through today and tomorrow. Then 2 blessed days without people asking me where the baggage claim is or how to get to UAL. Ugh. It's not the people, it's the pain. I can legally lift my arm over my head for 2 hours a shift. What kind of suck ass instruction is that? I have a <5>

My goal for this weekend is to get through tomorrow, I will get off early and get to bed at a decent hour. Going to church on Sunday. Having dinner with the family Sunday night.
Monday:
Do the taxes. Get the taxes signed and mailed.
Write my case worker and see if I can go to another orthopedist and get a 2nd opinion that is not weighted to the employer.
Clean my family room. Have my son help me do that.
Scream out loud.
I just can't articulate my frustration at the way this department is handled. I see things and I wonder how these people can manipulate this system and get away with it. I have no one to share my frustration with at work. It's like the scarlet letter on the chest. Instead of A it's an L. The depression is just getting to me I think.

Nothing else. I doubt if anyone will read this anyway.

Ciao.

-30-

Ouch Ouch Ouch

I had my 9th steroid injection into my shoulder today. And even with the cold spray it hurt like an SOB. This was a 3/3/1 injection. 3 of Marcaine, 3 of Lidocaine and 1 of corticosteroid. Hopefully it will do something. I am tired of hurting. But since I've had a bunch of others, and the result wasn't smashing I don't have a lot of faith that this one will be any different. But when you see the syringe and it's filled up with 7ml of liquid you feel just a little queasy. At least I do. I've got the bandage still on.

On brighter notes. I went to the gym this morning and after speaking with the doc, I can do the breast stroke but nothing over head. I can also use machines but do no lifting overhead. I can row to my hearts delight. I will have to figure out a way to get to the gym since I wont' have a car. ::insert not happy face here :::

The chupathingy is now legal and registered. It needs an oil and transmission fluid change desperately. Next paycheck goes to that I think.

Can't think of much else to write now.
Ciao, babies.
-30-

Saturday Ipod Musings

Let's see what the Ipod shuffle has up for us today? It's Saturday afternoon, the muscle relaxant is doing it's job, the pain pill I haven't taken yet but I will lay down in a few and take a nice nap.

Have some plans for this evening.
The chupathingy passed it's smog test. Hopefully the boys who are working on it can fix the turn signals by finding the wires. Someone hid the wires good. Needs some little things but it's running. No a/c though. 55MPH a/c only.

Shuffle away:

1. My Back Pages The Traveling Wilbury's
2. Heaven's Bright Shore Alison Krauss & Union Station
3. Hot Rod Lincoln Asleep at the Wheel
4. For All the Saints Trinity College Choir, Cambridge
5. Hard Time Killing Floor Chris Thomas King
6. Virgin Born, We Bow Before Trinity College Choir, Cambridge
7. Sonata, op.2/1 Aria Amarosa Red Priest
8. Funky Town Lipps Inc
9. Eine Kleine Nachmusik'Rondo Academy of St Martin in the Fields
10. The Well Tempered Clavier, Bk 1 Friedrich Gulda

Lots of interesting stuff in the little pink machine.

Not much else to say. I am going to rest my neck and head.

Ciao. Babies.
-30-

Better living through Chemistry

Yep, back to the doc again today. Neck is so stiff that I can hardly stand it. Have vicodin and flexeril to work with it. She asked me why I didn't have something to work with the Ibuprofen? I said my ortho doesn't like to give me pain pills even if I need them.

So I will sleep well tonight. The Flexeril is doing it's job and I am less in pain. Haven't taken the other yet.

Guarded the escalator last night. Support for the mission you know.

Tonight I can go to bed at a decent hour. And wake up refreshed. I usually get home by 2330 and then I can't get to sleep till nearly 0100. I can read a while but I am so tired I don't sleep well. Last night I coughed and coughed. Go figure.

Got the big dog a used soccer ball to chase around the back yard. Also bought a Chilton's Guide to the Chupathingy. Need wiring diagrams. Joy.

Ciao. Babies.

-30-

That whole Kabuki thing...

I realize I am biting the hand that feeds me, but you have to wonder how a 2 year old who is being given a full pat down is a threat to you and me? In the meantime I will guard the exit with all the zeal for the mission that I can muster (which isn't a whole hell of a lot).

Errant husband is thrilled with his new job. He's doing a bunch of work at home right now and next week he'll be up there daily. He passed his pee test, passed the safety meeting and got his badge. I am jazzed for him. Plus he can take me to work and I don't have to ride the damn train.

Today is my hump day. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

Cheers.
Ciao. Babies.

-30-

No more sleeping on Mondays

Nope. No. Nada.
I'm going to the gym on Mondays, hopefully will go a few more days, but that will depend on if I have a car or not. But while my mom does her water exercises I do aqua aerobics. I'll pay for the exercise tomorrow but I do feel pretty good today. The pool is warm, the jacuzzi is hot and there are lots of things to do at the gym. So perhaps at almost 54 I am on my way to a better lifestyle. Need to bring my water bottle though. Water dehydrates you awfully fast. And I need to get a different swim suit bottom, without that oh so lovely skirt that keeps flying up. I think a boy short bottom would be best. We shall see.

Back to work tomorrow. More of the same.

Time for lunch and some reading.
Ciao.

-30-

Is this the way to ????

This is my every other day office. Isn't it lovely? You don't know if it's daytime or nighttime, what the weather is and whether or not the sky is falling. There are no contingency plans for emergencies down here, if there is an earthquake do we head for the nearest exit, save our own skin, or what? Might be nice to know wouldn't it? I love organizations that are prepared for things. Ficticious alerts to keep people on their toes. That's kind of fun, barring the escalator from all people. As if. Again the appearance of a Kabuki theater.

Damn I am tired. Last night I was in a better outpost but still it gets to be long. Whenever an aircraft pulls in, I mentally contemplate how many people are going to ask me questions and how many are going to confuse the police officer and I for airline employees. Don't laugh. It happens. At one point last night there were no aircraft parked at the gates on the east side of the terminal. Then in short order 5 large people bearing aluminum cans pulled in. There was one extremely large group of high school students heading down the corridor. The noise level was raised quite a bit. I imagine the FA's had a fun time with them.

Last night while I was observing and doing my job, I saw some interesting things. A young man with 2 prosthetic (state of the art) legs and a prosthetic arm. I am wondering if he was the young man profiled on a Discovery special. I saw an actor, known for his performance on a show on Monday nights, who was killed off I believe 2 seasons ago. He pitches insurance now. I saw a young woman who's sense of style was interesting. Black leggings, a white satin slip over them, and over that a shirt. Lots of families, lots of tourists ( spring break is here) and just it seems masses of people being disgorged from those blue tubes.

I saw flight attendants that have been flying since propellors drove the aircraft. They make pilots retire at 60 but there aren't such rules for flight attendants. I guess they love their jobs. And you know they bid for the best routes and best stations on the aircraft. But if they are cheerful and do a good job then bully for them.

So today and tomorrow I rest and recuperate. Tomorrow morning I am going to start with swim aeorbics. Probably a very good thing. And since I have a gym membership maybe I can go more often and use the treadmill and work on my legs and abs. And have some energy to boot.

That's about it for now.
Ciao. Babies.

-30-

How do you put a spin on negative information?

Okay
So I went to a meeting yesterday and we were presented with some information regarding a survey taken in 2006 regarding job satisfaction and all that. For the most part all the responses ( 551 people out of approximately 2000 took the time to respond) were overwhelming negative. But the powers that be insisted that the positive be pushed. Now if I can read a color chart and the bright red is higher than the bright blue ,I think I can tell that there is great dissatisfaction among the ranks. Me included but that's a different story for a later time.

I couldn't fully participate so I did some online courses to catch up with things I have missed over the last few years. It was okay. They are trying but they aren't where they should be.

Today is my Friday and I will hopefully have some new uniform pieces to bring home and wash and wear. One pair of work pants is not cutting it.

Husband may be working closer to home. That's a good thing but he will be using my car. That means I am back to train and bussing it. I'll have to leave at 115 now instead of 145 to get to work. Joy.

Ciao. Babies.

-30-