An update on my trials and tribulations

[sasvermont]

Hi kids,

I am doing ok, thank you. My life is still somewhat of a mess, and I am growing used to it.

I went to visit a residence for women, on Saturday, and really liked the place. I hope to move my Mom there within the next few months. I filled out an application and now it is the sit and wait thing. It will be furnished - only 10 women, old victorian home....only about 30 minutes from my house. I have my fingers crossed.

My estimated time for leaving my current job is still 3/1/08. I have contacted a couple of companies, chatting to the appropriate persons, but it is still too early. I have lots of work to catch up on before I leave. It is the busiest time of the year for me right now. I am enjoying knowing that this is the last time for many of the things I have been doing for years.

I keep getting messages and pointers from people trying to direct me to jobs much like I have now. I don't want that...I want something different. I am not after more money or better this or that. I am totally burned out from my job. I cannot imagine doing this any longer than a couple of months. Maybe I just need a serious break.

The cats are fine. Lucy loves spending time with my Mom, downstairs. Lucy will miss her when she moves. Oh, the place where my Mom will most likely go to live, has a resident cat and two dogs visit nearly daily. Lucy has been my Mom's only companionship except for me. She isn't very friendly of a person and also, using a walker doesn't make it much fun to drag her out, especially in bad weather.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and in general, a very loving and heartfelt wish for your good health and happiness forever.

There are some great people here - day in and day out and boy do we all appreciate it. Thank you Karen and Paul, for making it all possible.

Love to all,

Sas and her campers

[Killearn Kitties]

I have my fingers crossed that you will be able to get a place in this home for your mum. It sounds ideal.

I am sure that just knowing you are on the last stretch at work is making things easier to cope with. You truly do sound as though you need a complete break. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and that something good turns up for you very soon.

[Medusa]

I wish you only the best, in your working life and in your personal life and I hope that all goes well w/your Mom. Best of everything to you both. Have a wonderful and blessed holiday.

[kimlovescats]

SAS, it's nice to see you on the post but I'm sorry you are having a tough time right now!

I hope that your mom gets this new place, it sounds wonderful!!! Prayers coming for you!

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hugs,
Kim

[Freedom]

Why even look for work just now? We all know you need a break! You must be getting that message, as you are GIVING it, he hee. Anyway, just enjoy the Spring and then start looking. Of course, this assumes you bank book can stand taking a 4 to 6 week break.

You DO sound better, just knowing as you say, this is the last time thouh so many of the tasks at work!

Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas!

[Karen]

That place sounds ideal - would it mean waiting for a room to become available, or does she just need approval?

Hmm, have you done "what color is your parachute" to get ideas on what you want to do next?

Thanks for the update, you'll be in our prayers still.

[ChrisH]

Sas, it's good to hear you are doing ok, even if your life is still messy.

The residence you wrote about sounds ideal for your Mum, sending positive thoughts and fingers crossed it works out.

I can understand the enjoyment of knowing it's the last time you'll work at something that has become a heavy burden you wake to and dread each day. I've gone on a wing and a prayer to something else before now and survived, maybe not wealthier in monetary terms but certainly wealthier in spirit. You will too I'm sure.

Special lady, I wish you a Happy & Peaceful Christmas and a wonderful new life in the new year.

Love & hugs
Chris

[sasvermont]

Thanks kids. I don't know what I would do without the support and positive vibes from so many kind people. It is truly appreciated.....and at this point in my life, needed to get me through.

I haven't heard any word from the residence for my Mom. They have two slots available but need to do the paperwork necessary to qualify her. I am fairly sure she will get to be one of the residents. The lady who runs the show is from the town I live in and knows the house I live in.....the old Tressler house....she remembered old Mrs. Tressler sitting on my porch, years ago. I think she, the manager, will be easy to work with, although I don't think she will do anything inappropriate application wise. Fingers crossed.

Along the same lines, I spoke with my Mom's only living sister. My Aunt Carolyn is a neat lady and is a few years younger than my Mom. She knows my Mom and has NO interest in talking with my Mom or coming to see her. My Mom is and has always been an odd duck - and doesn't enjoy friends and relationships like most people do. Anyway, my Aunt was so sweet on the phone with me and kept being SO supportive to my making the arrangements for the residential care. When we went to hang up - my Aunt, for the first time in my life, and I am 59, told me that she loved me. Gosh, it felt so good. I think some people take "love" for granted. I surely do not. I have one sister who does not talk with me...and one Aunt....and that is it....no more relatives beyond a neice and nephew living in Florida and Pennsylvania. I know I am not the only one in this spot, but it sure can feel lonely at times.

I decided not to have children some years ago, knowing that I would escape the responsibility of raising kids....but also gave up the potential relationship for later years. I shall end this sob story.

Thank you again everyone.....

Lots of love and furry hugs from Camp Vermont, including Cinnamon, living in the guest room this winter! A bunny with her own room. Go figure.

Hey, Santa is coming tomorrow night.....

[lizbud]

(((HUGS)))

Merry Christmas SAS.

[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.