C
Calgon1
Guest
Posted on the Community Board -
After an absense of WAY TOO LONG ... I'm back!
Has been a tumultous (sp?) few months. Have undergone a slight career shift. Still working in the security field, just changed employers. Went from a full time, "rent-a-cop" company (Wackenhut) to private security for a hospital. Much better hours, higher pay, nicer people, great continuing education and, the kicker .... BENEFITS!!!!
The kids moved to Arizona and put their house on the market, but the way things here in SE Michigan are, we really don't see it selling anytime soon. They're doing "OK" out there, but are talking about returning next summer. Well, if the house doesn't sell, at least they'll have someplace to come home to.
Mom's health has not improved. Moved her from an assisted living facility to her own home down the street from us (She's renting the kid's house). God knows we love her, but she sure has been a challenge. It's such a shame when a person quits trying. We have her fairly well set up now. Meals-on-wheels, twice weekly housekeeper, thrice weekly personal care assistant (bathing), shuttle for the doctor and therapy visits, shopping assistance and shuttle to church. I take her out weekly for her hair appointments and dinner a couple times per month.
I'm still doing the firefighting/rescue thing. Have completed my Emergency Medical Technician - Basic. Now enrolled in EMT - Specialist (the next level), Advanced Cardiac Life Support and an Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course. Scheduled to start EMT-Paramedic in January.
Sunflower has decided to pull the plug at her job and will be retiring the first week of December. Yeeee-Haaaa! We are really looking forward to that. Between her social security and her retirement, her take-home only drops about $100 per month. Against that we balance the lower fuel bills for the van, lunches and other work expenses and she actually comes out ahead!
Cody is coming along with his training. That's about all that can be said. No great guns or anything, but he's doing "ok". Sunflower is starting to work him as a Therapy Dog and he is really comming around to that. Guess it was just a matter of finding what HE wants to do. His sister, Kira, has gone on to another home. She was just too much of a wild child for us to handle (in adddition to Cody and me), and it wasn't fair to her. Went through a GSD rescue outfit (with excellent record and recommendations). Our only stipulations were that she not end up chained out in the back-yard; and that she go to a home where she would be worked. Have received reports to that effect, so know we did the right thing.
We were booked for a Family Cruise in March, taking DD, SIL and 2 GS's for their virgin cruise. About 6 weeks ago, DD anounces that she can't go, as the NEW BABY is due that week! SIL and oldest GS ("The Grub") are still willing to go though. We will be taking "The Grub", but SIL has to stay to do the drive to the hospital thing. Then, Hurricane Dean blasted Costa Maya off the face of the Earth, and I had to find another cruise. Sunflower's agreed, as long as it hit Key West.
Hope you guys are ready for this .... Knowing me and my bias for Holland America ... Costa Cruise Lines - Costa Mediterranea. It's been years since I cruised outside HAL, but hey, ya go with the flow. Right?
Anyway next cruise is on the Mediterranea, March 8th.
Enough from Michigan ... What's been happening in your worlds?
After an absense of WAY TOO LONG ... I'm back!
Has been a tumultous (sp?) few months. Have undergone a slight career shift. Still working in the security field, just changed employers. Went from a full time, "rent-a-cop" company (Wackenhut) to private security for a hospital. Much better hours, higher pay, nicer people, great continuing education and, the kicker .... BENEFITS!!!!
The kids moved to Arizona and put their house on the market, but the way things here in SE Michigan are, we really don't see it selling anytime soon. They're doing "OK" out there, but are talking about returning next summer. Well, if the house doesn't sell, at least they'll have someplace to come home to.
Mom's health has not improved. Moved her from an assisted living facility to her own home down the street from us (She's renting the kid's house). God knows we love her, but she sure has been a challenge. It's such a shame when a person quits trying. We have her fairly well set up now. Meals-on-wheels, twice weekly housekeeper, thrice weekly personal care assistant (bathing), shuttle for the doctor and therapy visits, shopping assistance and shuttle to church. I take her out weekly for her hair appointments and dinner a couple times per month.
I'm still doing the firefighting/rescue thing. Have completed my Emergency Medical Technician - Basic. Now enrolled in EMT - Specialist (the next level), Advanced Cardiac Life Support and an Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course. Scheduled to start EMT-Paramedic in January.
Sunflower has decided to pull the plug at her job and will be retiring the first week of December. Yeeee-Haaaa! We are really looking forward to that. Between her social security and her retirement, her take-home only drops about $100 per month. Against that we balance the lower fuel bills for the van, lunches and other work expenses and she actually comes out ahead!
Cody is coming along with his training. That's about all that can be said. No great guns or anything, but he's doing "ok". Sunflower is starting to work him as a Therapy Dog and he is really comming around to that. Guess it was just a matter of finding what HE wants to do. His sister, Kira, has gone on to another home. She was just too much of a wild child for us to handle (in adddition to Cody and me), and it wasn't fair to her. Went through a GSD rescue outfit (with excellent record and recommendations). Our only stipulations were that she not end up chained out in the back-yard; and that she go to a home where she would be worked. Have received reports to that effect, so know we did the right thing.
We were booked for a Family Cruise in March, taking DD, SIL and 2 GS's for their virgin cruise. About 6 weeks ago, DD anounces that she can't go, as the NEW BABY is due that week! SIL and oldest GS ("The Grub") are still willing to go though. We will be taking "The Grub", but SIL has to stay to do the drive to the hospital thing. Then, Hurricane Dean blasted Costa Maya off the face of the Earth, and I had to find another cruise. Sunflower's agreed, as long as it hit Key West.
Hope you guys are ready for this .... Knowing me and my bias for Holland America ... Costa Cruise Lines - Costa Mediterranea. It's been years since I cruised outside HAL, but hey, ya go with the flow. Right?
Anyway next cruise is on the Mediterranea, March 8th.
Enough from Michigan ... What's been happening in your worlds?
