Airline Food

When I used to fly (can't anymore due to vertigo) I got airsick every time. To tell you the absolute truth I stopped eating on flights, drank only ginger ale, and I did stop getting sick; I still felt sick but never actually got sick. So, today's cartoon, while funny, is true.

Have been dealing with the fact that I will not be able to appeal the Long Term Disability insurance denial of benefits. If this had gone through I would have received 70% of my former income until Social Security age - a few more years. But now I am appealing the denial of my Social Security Disability insurance denial of benefits; I wonder if it is worth it as I would receive only $700 per month until Social Security kicks in. I would be allowed to earn up to an additional $1000 per month (if I could find something I could do at home and not on the computer) which would be a total (if I could actually earn up to $1000) of $20, 400 annually. Now this would be fine for me as we would have two incomes but I'm trying to figure out how they expect a single parent to live on this if, indeed, they could even find a job to earn the additional $1000. I really don't want to take this SSDI benefit but I am appealing whilst I look, diligently, for a way to make an income at home and not take the SSDI at all. Wish me luck!

Cartoon provided by: Reader's Digest

Shredders

Shredders, especially cross-cut, are very cool. We have one in our office and I love to shred old receipts after reconciling a credit card statement or old bank statements (I only keep 2 years of statements) or other documents mailed to us with our name, address, etc... to keep people from getting our personal info. The only thing I don't like is the tiny bits of paper that inevitably end up on the office carpet after emptying the shredder - a real pain to pick up one at a time. They are very valuable in the age of identification theft.

Cartoon provided by: Reader's Digest

Starbucks

My husband and both daughters love to go to Starbucks and buy all kinds of cool (although they may be hot) coffee drinks. I have never been into coffee except, a long time ago, I used to enjoy Kalhua (sp?) Coffee after dinner at a great restaurant. However, one of my favorite fragrances is the smell of freshly ground coffee; John grinds his own.

Lawyer has said that I do not have a case to appeal the denial of my Long Term Disability benefits. Not because my case is invalid but because no one knows what caused the second vertigo that prevents me from working - my neurologist does not know but says he sees many people with the same thing with no verifiable cause. So, we have to set aside the appeal and move on. I trust God, completely. He knows what He's doing.

Cartoon provided by: Reader's Digest

Camera Phones

I am so happy there are such things as camera phones. If it weren't for that we would miss so many special moments in the life of our dear, youngest granddaughter. Misha is always posting cute photos or videos taken on her Blackberry - we are so grateful. Little Marcelle is very precious to us and so is every photo and video of her. Only 15 more days until Misha and Marcelle arrive for a visit!

Cartoon provided by: Reader's Digest

Regrets, I have a few...

The title of my blog today is from a song written by Paul Anka and made famous by Frank Sinatra: "My Way". This song has no real reference to my life except for that phrase, "Regrets, I have a few..." - Don't we all. Because of my circumstances now: I wish I had been a better mother and wife; I wish I had done more for others; I wish I were a better person, in general - one that my Lord and Savior would be happy with. All of us have things we have done that we regret and things we haven't done that we regret. We all must live with the decisions we have made.

Cartoon provided by: Reader's Digest

Happiness is...

Humans never seem to be happy enough: they have a job - but they want a better one. They have a home to live in - but they want a bigger and better one. They have happy children who contribute to society - but they want them to be more successful. They are happy in their marriage - but shouldn't there be more? True happiness is what you make of your life. I have a very different life than I had nine months ago; for a long time I was depressed about the changes my medical condition had made in my life but over time I have come to terms with it and I am just so happy to be alive and have my wonderful husband by my side and the love of my lovely daughters and their families and , most importantly, I know God loves me and is with me and is giving me strength, endurance, and patience. I try to be a better person, less grumpy, each day so that I can truly enjoy being alive. What more could I ask for; this is happiness.

Cartoon provided by: Reader's Digest

Love At First Sight

Most people believe that "love at first sight" is a myth or that it's really "passion at first sight" and won't last. Well, John and I are proof that both are real and do last. We have been together a little over 32 years and we knew we loved each other from the first time we met and that passion for one another would always be a part of our lives. As we get older the love deepens and the passion matures; they are both still with us. We are truly blessed.

Cartoon provided by: Reader's Digest