An update on my trials and tribulations

[gini]

It seems as though Pet Talk has become a haven for all of us and how lucky we are.

In our love for animals we also have plenty of love to share with their
humans. Allow us to shower you with it.

Hugs to you Sallyanne and many blessings are wished for you this
Christmas and in the New Year.

[Felicia's Mom]

I wish you mother well. I know what she is going through - moving to a nursing home that is.

[sasvermont]

Hi kids.

Here is the latest.

1. I met with the assisted living person where my Mom is going....not too far from where I live right now....We met yesterday, with my Mom being here....and we discussed moving my Mom soon. Soon= this coming week. It is a matter of packing her suitcase. There has still not be a 100% approval from the licensing folks, so I am not moving my Mom until that has been accomplished/completed. It has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the facility. My Mom will not and does not remember having ever talked about this, so she will have to go through the surprise of this conversation all over again, when I do the actual move. I hope for this to be done with by Friday, at the latest.

2. Work is work. They have begun advertising for my position and have had meetings galore. They even asked if I would sit in on the interviews. I said thanks but no thanks. My office is cleared of all my personal effects, since I know they will not hesitate to fire my butt at any point. I have seen this happen earlier in the year.....just not with someone holding as many cards as I hold....I am not holding them ransome either. I have documented all my work product for the last few weeks, trying to make it a bit easier on the person coming in. I feel sorry for the person, but hey, what can I say. It is not the first time someone has left a horrible position, only to have a new body arrive - totally prepared to take on a crew of nut-cases. I am over it.

3. I have applied for a couple of jobs within my community. It is still a bit early for applications, as I want a position in the middle or toward the bottom of the ladder, not management etc. Most of these folks do not give 3 months notice...like I did. I have heard back from one that is promising but was told to check back when I get closer to the end of my current employmet....2/29/08.

So, life is still stressed for me, just not quite as overwhelming as it was. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I am not worry free by any means, just not as worried. I do have lots of concerns about how to make ends meet without taking money from my retirement accounts. I am old, just not that old quite yet, to start drawing on social security or retirement. Oh well. Life has a way of working out regardless of how hard you try or not try. I am trying to think this through before it even happens. Not possible.

I trust that everyone else has gone through rough times and made it to the other side. Life is like that. (((((((((((((((Pet Talk People)))))))))))))))

Love,
Sas and her brats...aka...The Campers

[Karen]

Sounds like things are moving in the right direction.

Can you write a note with your mom and put it some place where she will see it every day about the upcoming move? I did that with Aunt Bertha, and to my surprise, moving day went without a hitch. I was stunned. But we had written that note together, and looked at it every day and read it aloud - maybe we somehow moved it into longer-term memory, I will never know.

[sasvermont]

Karen, the suggestion you made sounds right but you have to know my Mom to know that her memory loss is a bit of a blessing in many cases. The last time we moved her from assisted living to my house, I wrote her a note and all she did was worry and write note after note to me about what she thought she should have me do. I am a highly organized person and I think it just added more stress for me, to an already stressful sitatuation. She will have little stress until the move, if she just doesn't know about it or remember it..... I know I cannot have it both ways.....but actually would prefer her stress be kept down, day wise. She has already had three strokes....among other things.....I am hoping this will be her last move.

My Mom is tough in many ways. She is very lucky to have someone still caring for her health and welfare. I will not be so lucky, as I have no children and few relatives. I will most likely be a ward of the state when I am her age. I am trying to hang on to my health, both physical and mental, long enough to get her through to the other side. She may just out live me!

Thanks for your thoughtfulness Karen. It is always appreciated.

[Freedom]

Well, that is a huge step. I've not been through this particular one but I suspect, don't expect a feeling of relief the day after Mom moves. More a bit of a low, I expect.

It is good that youa re taking steps to improve your life. And caring for your Mom in the bargain. Hang in there.

[Barbara]

Sallyanne I send {{{{{warmest hugs}}}}}.
Just like you I believe you have incredible hard times sometimes and somehow they will work themselves out if you do your best- and you do!
You are just such a good reliable person- I would hire you for any job here anytime and I know there will be people who recognize that and you will have a better job again.
Not to talk about your mom- we have been through that in detail last summer when we came to see you.

[Pam]

her memory loss is a bit of a blessing

I know very well what you mean when you say that. Although my Mom knows me most of the time when I visit (or at least a portion of the time while I am there) she doesn't get upset when I leave like she used to when she had her complete memory. The thing that matters most to me is that she is in no pain and is treated with respect. She says she is pain free (thank God) and I have come to know the caregivers there, and they are all very compassionate and loving.

It seems to me, and those of us here who know you, that you have gone the extra mile to check out this facility and the fact that you live so close will give you an advantage to be able to check in on her frequently.

Sallyanne I completely agree with Barbara's remarks. You are a good person and you have a good head on your shoulders and lots of smarts. There is something out there for you I just know it.

In the meantime just rest in knowing that you have finally taken the steps to a better life - steps that have worried and scared you for so long. I love your comments in point #2. Soon someone else will be dealing with the nutcases! Please do keep us updated as to how your mom adjusts to the move this week.

((((hugs))))

[sasvermont]

I am moving my Mom to the assisted living place at 1PM this Thursday. Then the dismantling of her apartment begins. It seems as though I just finished putting it all together for her. Oh well.

Five more weeks here at the job. Things are ok. They are struggling with the change, but hey, I don't give a (*&^ anymore and find it rather humorous. I will begin looking for a new livelyhood soon. I am planning a minor vacation between jobs.

Life goes on....just not as smoothly as I had hoped. I am fine though.

Peace.

SAS and her campers

[Randi]

Sallyanne, I'm glad to hear you managed to get that place for your mom, that's one problem solved. Hope the move goes smoothly!

A vacation in between jobs sounds like an excellent idea, and I bet you need it too! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you find the perfect job.

[ChrisH]

Sas, glad to hear your Mum got in, hope the move goes well.


Prayers & good thoughts continuing.

[Barbara]

Sallyanne- that is good to hear- even when it has been less than a year you put that lovely apartment for your mom together.
You know what I would recommend for a short vacation between jobs

[Felicia's Mom]

Glad you found an assisted living place for your mom.

[Freedom]

Oooh, a vacation! Some of my BEST vacations have been between jobs. You don't worry about that return to a desk piled high with a week's worth of stuff. Ha haa. And yes, I have taken several with no job lined up to return to at all.

Best wishes with the moving on Thursday.

[lizbud]

Life goes on....just not as smoothly as I had hoped. I am fine though.

Peace.

SAS and her campers

You are doing a whole lot. This all can be physically & emotionaly
demanding, so give youtself credit for that. I's good to know things
are starting to fall into place for you.