RE: Just in case you were wonderring...(long)

[rednekrubbrduck]

 
about how the DW is doing (CatsMeow), she s doing a little better.  Still on dissability, they cann t seem to get her blood levels right.  We have a lawyer now.  Turns out when she first went in for a superficial bloodclot, the idiot doc perscribed a medicine that the American Medical Assoc. said actually made clots worse, and caused them.  They scanned both legs when she went in...and the leg she s had the most problems with was clear at that time.  The old doc did a good job coverring his butt as far as the paperwork goes (think he s screwed up a lot in the past) saying she wasn t going to her scheduled appts (she was), etc, but he cann t hide this cause we have all the original paperwork.  She said last night she felt her strength slowely returning.  Me getting layed off has been actually a blessing in disguise  cause I ve been able to take care of her..DS..and things around the house.  So far...2 actual interviews from applying (one at a Chevy Dealership (no go), and one at a publishing place making deliveries (haven t heard back yet, but don t think I can do anyways cause of the start time (5am...daycare doesn t open till 6), don t think I got it anyways...I was suppose to hear something yesterdday..but tons of people being interviewed when I was).  Did some satellite/internet install for a guy who s trying to start his own busineess, but it took me a month to get my first days wages out of him..and it worked out to 10/hr with no benefits or anything..and half went towards gas to get to that one job.  Post Office hired me..but they said it would only be p/t 1 or 2 days a week, but have to be available for on call.  Didn t take it cause they said it could be years before full time..and what if I have another job?...wouldn t be able to do the oncall thing..and they may not be flexable (I was hoping the satellite thing was gonna work out).  Also met a guy who sold cars at a Subaru dealership who had a PU (good sign?) who said they had a guy who wasn t working out, and needed to fire him.  Met the guy...but everytime I inquired, he said they still need to fire the guy.  Got the impression he was stringing me along.  All the warehousing places have told me basically I m over qualified (they want kids who they can pay 8/hr or less), same thing with HomeDepot they just built near us.  A bunch of us that got layed off have started networking, letting eachother know about possible jobs that aren t advertised.  Some have found work..others, including myself are hoping for Everest.  We also got an investigation going with the police, and SRS, about possible abuse involving DS and the exwife s new husband.  He hasn t seen her since the weekend after turkey day.  When we met so I could pick him up..she admitted to me that he had been abusing her..and showed me the bruises.  He also wrecked her car, and DS told us a week later that he bumped his head and the idiot told him to lie to his mother.  There s other things involved also...but not gonna go into detail.  Last we heard from her was last weekend when she called from a batterred wives shelter.  She has since dissapeared from there, and no word since.  Have to drive 2 hrs down there to meet with police so they can interview DS.  Her hubby has had run ins with the law before (as had the whole family)(which we knew).  We re also doing an admendment to the divorce devorce decree cause she hasn t provided a stable enviroment from the get go, and took money suppose to be used for DS...and blown it on other things, and hasn t payed the agreed 200/month (court said 400/month, but didn t think she could afford that.  said 200, but didn t plan on even getting that).  Lori has been a godsend for Logan..even though he doesn t know it yet.  She is a much better mother then the egg donor could ever hope to be.
      This is more to get this out of my system then anything else, but also to state it made me realize a few things.  All things happen for a reason.  When I was at Lucent...it was tough on Lori to take care Logan, and herself (doc said to stay off her feet).  Since the layoff, even though unemployement is 1/4 less then I was getting at Lucent, and Lori s disability 1/3 less, we re still managing, thru lowerring our mortgage thru refinancing, elemination of daycare, and watching our budget better, and I still have my insurance till April.  Others have lost jobs, and are far much worse off then us.  With all the stuff going on, at least I can take care of things I wouldn t be able to if I was working.  Again...I apoligize for this being so long.  But no worries...something will turn up at the right time..and at least when the weather warms up, and if we re still in the same boat..we can still go camping.

[Ernhrts3n8]

 rednekrubbrduck
Ian,  I sure do hope that things get better for you and Lori and Logan real soon.  It sounds like you definitely have your plate full but it also sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders and are definitely able to handle anything that comes your way.  Here s good wishes going out to you and your family.

[rednekrubbrduck]

 rednekrubbrduck
Thanks.  As I said..this wasn t suppose to sound (and hoping it didn t) like a " poor me"  thread.  Actually, we have it pretty good compared to others in the same boat.  Since I ve been able to stay home more..Lori has been getting stronger.  Logan is doing better in school...and seems happier (even though he sometimes says he misses his mommie) since we ve had himm all the time.  My unemployment seems to be more then a lot of folks make per week, etc.  Just goes to show you...no matter how bad off you may seem to be...others are far much worse off.

[Gamecock Camper]

 rednekrubbrduck
I m glad to see that you are making the best of a different situation.  In the words of Lou Holtz, " Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it" .     Looks like you are doing ok.  Yea, things could be worse.  You can replace an income (sometimes it just takes longer for the right thing to come along), but you can t always replace or fix your health and relationships... and that s what really matters.    A good friend of mine (I ll call him Lee because that is what his name is) was layed off, found a new career and was layed off again in less than one year.  It all happened for a reason that only someone greater than us can explain,....... but now he is truly in a dream job that has more security, a better income, and a happiness that only goes with working in a place that you enjoy (ie - not dread going to on a Monday morning).    
 
 You ll do ok and we have your family in our thoughts and prayers.

[Ab Diver]

 rednekrubbrduck
Ian, with everything going on in your life, the content of your posts displays an enviable strength of character. Here s hoping it all works out for you, Lori, and Logan, and that ex-wife s hubby is dealt with properly. He sounds like a real winner.
 
 Wishing all the best to you and yours...

[Giffster]

 rednekrubbrduck
After running out of breath 3 times just reading your post (guess I should slow down on my smoking []), it seems ya ll are doing fine.  Ups and downs, you re not alone.  Everyone goes through them.  GL finding a job that you want to do, not a job that wants you to do it.
 
 (wanna buy a sub shop in Florida?)
 
 Cheers Mr. and Mrs.
 
 btw......how to you pronounce Olathe?

[rednekrubbrduck]

 rednekrubbrduck
Doug..about the sub shop...can I Buy it on credit..and move it up here?.  Olathe=Oh-lath (like Lay, th sound like bath)-a

[Miller Tyme]

 rednekrubbrduck
Ian-
 Between you and Lori and me and Linda, we have a lot in common.
 Linda just went through three long years of medical problems. She had the same clotting problems, and two minor heart attacks. so far she has had six surgeries and has lost all five toes on her right foot. She s still on blood thinner. Not to mention her colostomy and the $350 a month on supplies for it.
 As far as ex-wives go, I ve got two, and three kids worth of child support. Been paying for 13 yrs now, and have another 3 to go. Don t have a lot of probs with the 2nd, but the 1st(don t get me going). Christopher would love to come live with me, but for now it s just visitation and camping. My two older daughters live with the 1st ex, and my oldest, Sarah, made me a grandpa back in August.
 Sometime, if I get enough vacation time, we ll have to come to one of your rallies. I think we both need a tall, cool one.[]
 Keep your chin up, buddy. Things can only get better.[8D]
 Our prayers are with you, Lori, and Logan.[]

[mrsa1113]

 rednekrubbrduck
I ve never really posted much on this board, but have lurked and read alot for quite a while now so I know some of what you guys have had to deal with.  I ve always felt bad for you, but your upbeat attitude and strength of character that shows through in this post is amazing.  It appears that Lori & Logan are lucky to have you around.  Good luck in the future and I m betting that the perfect job will come along when you and your family are ready for it.  Keep up the positive thoughts.
 
 

[Cadeuses]

 mrsa1113

 

ORIGINAL:  mrsa1113
 
 I ve never really posted much on this board, but have lurked and read alot for quite a while now so I know some of what you guys have had to deal with.  I ve always felt bad for you, but your upbeat attitude and strength of character that shows through in this post is amazing.  It appears that Lori & Logan are lucky to have you around.  Good luck in the future and I m betting that the perfect job will come along when you and your family are ready for it.  Keep up the positive thoughts.
 
 
 

 
 He said it all!  []

[DiW]

 rednekrubbrduck
I agree that timing s everything. Glad you re available (thru layoff) to take care of Lori & Logan because from your posts, I can tell that s where you d want to be (and they re lucky to have you). It is tough going on less $ so I m glad you re able to get by.
 
 My DH was laid off from IBM Dec  01 for 10 months and it was rough since I have no income myself. I never went back after my son was born coz it s been one medical emergency after another (15 brain/spinal cord/etc surgeries). I loved my computer job but I d rather be around when my son (or any of the kids) needs me. J s last life-threatening crisis (early  01) really scared us. Luckily Chris had lots of vacation time so he could be at the hospital for the several weeks J was in intensive care. It s been hard in the past for him to go to work when he wanted to be at the hospital (one hospitalization at age 5 lasted 4 months)... I m sure Chris was happy to spend this past year at home with us. He was worried about lack of funds and insecure about finding work but eventually he did. The job is high pressure with a long commute and at 70%of his former pay BUT it s a job. We found we can survive on alot less than he was making. I just wish he didn t get home so late. We actually miss him around here.
 
 So as you say, some things happen for a reason. Sometimes it s to make us appreciate what we have right under our noses. I can tell from your posts how much you appreciate your family. You definitely have your priorities right.
 
 Good luck.
 Diane

[MommaMia]

 rednekrubbrduck
Wow.... and here I have been thinking that I have had a rough few months... I know how trying medical issues can be.
  It seems that you are keeping everything in perspective.  Although you may sometimes feel like: " What else could possibly go wrong?" ,  take heart....sometimes, no, many times,  things happen that end up turning out to be blessings in disguise.  Even if you have a hard time finding the good in what is occurring, and most times it is nearly impossible to see how anything good could possibly turn out from such draining events.  Down the road you may find that BECAUSE of those trying moments, something wonderful ended up happening.  Something you never expected or could have imagined or planned.
 
 Keep your chin up and your shoulders strong.... Your family needs you and is lucky to have someone as caring as you.

[jackgoesthepopup]

 rednekrubbrduck
Ian
 I am so happy to hear about Lori. Mine and Linda s prayers are with you both. As far as your ex s new husband. Men like him make me embarresd to be a man .TheyWant to pick on wemon and little kids. Peoplr who are weaker then them. Not someone his own size. He needs a attitude adjustment from some real men. I hope they bring charges againest this guy. And is convected. When he goes to the big house. He ll end up being someones girlfriend. Even prisons inmates don t take kindly to people like him.
 Good luck .Ian

[griffsmom]

 rednekrubbrduck
Hey Ian,
 
 I was laid off twice in 2001, rigth at what seemed like a terrible time because we were going through a contested trial to adopt our son Griffin.  I know how hard it can be, but for me, being laid off also turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  When we had our depositions taken by the attorney for the birthfather (a nineteen year old kid who had never been on the scene until he found out that our birthmom, a 14 year old girl, had placed Griffin with us) I was able to say that I was a stay-at-home-mom instead of some kid who didn t have the slightest plan on how to care for a baby.  At the end of our trial, after the judge had told the birthfather to take a hike (he really didn t love Griffin or want anything to do with him; he just didn t want anyone else telling him he couldn t have him), our attorney put me in touch with the guy who I work for now, and I can t tell you how much I was meant to do what I m doing now.  Sure, it was a huge pay cut from what I used to make, but I love what I m doing.  
 
 Keep the faith, Ian.  Remember that when God closes a door, He always opens a window.   He has somethig in store for you; you just don t know what it is yet, but rest assured, it ll be a doozey when He finally shows it to you!
 
 We ll keep you, Lori and Logan in our hearts and prayers.[]
 

[iwantapopup]

 rednekrubbrduck
Ian,
 
 Through all your trials, you ve kept a positive attitude and looking at your posts, you re right, it s not poor-pity me, it s but look what we do have!  I m glad Lori is getting better and Logan has stability and you re there for them right now.  
 
 Can t wait to go camping again with your family!