Month: February 2005

Hectic Day… and a Link You Should Click

I went to bed at 1:30AM but had to get up with Alex for an hour because his mouth was hurting terribly. This happens sometimes when braces are removed. I could not find the Anbesol anywhere. So I got back to bed at 2:30AM. Did not get up when the screeching alarm went off, but Mom’s persistence in calling me paid off at 7:15AM. Alex had gotten only an hour or two of sleep and was unable to go to school. I dressed in a jumper and set off for my best friend’s house. With traffic the way it was on Atlanta Motor Speedway it took me over an hour to get there.
 
I talked with she and her husband and watched the frenetic pace that goes on at her home office with amazement. I do not think I could ever manage to do all she does and feel whole at the end of the day. It is exhausting just watching… my nerves are all in a bundle this evening. Anyway she gave me two cases full of Girl Scout Cookies, printed a picture of Mom’s Valentine’s Day flowers which she had given her, all the while handling constant phone calls for technical support. Then she took me to lunch at IHOP where I had cheddar cheese and bacon crepes with hash browns. The food was delicious. I had a coughing fit while I was there and nearly caused a scene. I think I may be coming down with bronchitis yet again. I have chronic bronchitis, but have been lucky not to have an acute outbreak in a while. While I was back in the office I was able to log in and check some other blogs. I zoned out on my drive back to Douglasville and went the long way around… the driving was kinda relaxing though.
 
I stopped in town and looked around Borders awhile. There are some books I would so love to acquire, but it will have to wait. Then I stopped and bought some Anbesol for Alex and picked up a little bunny rabbit for my Mom. I periodically do things like that just to make her smile. I love giving things away, it is a flaw of mine sometimes. When I got home I logged in here and checked Red Kitten’s blog. You should go read what she posted earlier today at Abnormally Normal People. We bloggers as a community need to get involved in prayer and support about this. Maybe we can make a difference.
 
I am not cooking tonight because I am quite exhausted. What with driving, spending time in the frenzy over there, and not getting much sleep last night, I am going to relax a while. I may return here in a little while.
 
Hope you all have had a nice day! Take good care.
 
Always,
Jo Ann

By the Way…

Mom found her glasses in the crease in the chair so we canceled the appointment. I just wonder how they got down there.
 
Always,
Jo Ann

Another busy day…

Went to sleep at 1:30AM woke at 7:00AM. Called Alex, but he chose to stay home because he was getting his braces off today. Went back to bed until 11:30AM.
 
When I got up I had to call the optometrist’s office because Mom had lost her glasses over the weekend and we could not find them anywhere. I set up an appointment so she could get new spectacles. I handle all the appointments for the household because no one else can deal with phone systems and because I manage the calendar.
 
Then I called Social Security to get a copy of Mom’s 1099 so that I can send it to the patient assistance program for two of her most expensive medications. These two prescriptions alone would cost about $600.00 a month were I not able to get aid for her.
 
I took Alex to his appointment and he had his braces removed. His teeth look so nice. Hopefully this preventative step will keep him from having TMJ which both his father and I have suffered with. While I was waiting for him I bought a sandwich with my pocket change at Publix… I was surprised to have enough money.
 
We came home and settled in for the afternoon when mother asked if I had picked up her medicine… ah-ho… I forgot. So Mom and I had to go back to town to pick up her prescriptions at SAM’s Pharmacy. I told the woman who waited on us that I had to check and make sure that all the medications were put on the right discount cards, and sure enough they had not run the Nexium on the right card so it was going to cost $232.00 instead of the $15.00 it was supposed to. I pointed this out. The woman told me I should make a list of which medicines go on which card. I said that they should know by now, especially since they over-charged my mother for her medicine for over two years when they had the cards on file. If I had not started taking care of all her medication they would still be ripping her off. I really feel it is their job to run the medications on all the cards each time, if they are not smart enough to note which meds go on which card, so I don’t have to play watchdog every time we go to pick up her prescriptions. It is not like we are new customers. We have been doing business there for years. The thing is that I have gone in and told them which meds go on which cards on several occasions and they did not take the initiative to take notes, this is not my job to get it right. It happens almost every time I go in there, and what if someone else had to go? Would they then automatically rip my mother off. I wish I knew whose pockets were enriched by the overcharges they gave my mother for two years… this amounted to thousands of dollars… I think I might sue them. This was gross negligence and taking advantage of a little old lady. It still irks me no end. I do not need this stress and it is not right that I have the aggravation. I hope maybe you will think twice about SAM’s and Wal-Mart corporation who supposedly do so much good in our communities and care so much about their customers. I still shop there because I save overall by doing so, but I am not thrilled with their hype.
 
MMM… that’s my rant at the powers that be.
 
I cooked barbequed chicken, ramen, and sugar snap peas for supper. The chicken was really good.
 
Well I better post this so it shows up on the right day. You all take care…
 
Always,
Jo Ann

Getting Political…

You might want to read this even if you support Mr. Bush, Bush To Poor. My son, my mother and I are some of the people these cuts hurt. That is not to say we are overly important, just meaning we already struggle and things look to get worse. There are lots of people who really need social programs who are likely to lose with these cuts. This one is worth a read as well The $200 Million Disinformation Campaign. When so much power is given to the super-rich and business conglomerates everyone loses.
 
Always,
Jo Ann

Always Try This…

Say "I Love You" often.

It costs nothing and has great benefits.

 

To tell someone you love them is to open yourself to their emotions. You reveal what is often hidden in the busyness of daily life. Showing love to others involves more than only words. It is done in caring actions which brighten ordinary days. However, the words are important because communication is integral to human existence and relationships. Love and the phrase "I Love You" can act as tonics to those you care about. When situations go out of control expressing love can ground you and help center the problem in manageable terms. It can end an argument or help calm frustration.

 

Love is active and becomes involved in all facets of the beloved’s life. It soothes hurt feelings and shows an interest in what happens. Love never ends. Even though a relationship may break up the ties never completely dissolve.

 

"I Love You" is not a phrase to be used lightly. It signifies a depth of involvement that is intimate and precious. Consideration should be given as to the appropriateness of its expression. It is an almost sacred phrase and to be treasured.

 

Life is short so express your love in words to those you hold dear, but never forget the privilege in hearing the response, "I Love You, too."

 

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Thursday, October 17, 2002

My Day…

Went to bed at 1:00AM and woke up at 7:00AM. Took Alex to the bus. It was raining this morning, so the bus was a little late. When I got back here I logged in to the computer and started checking out sites. Found some good things I linked to on here.
 
Spent an hour and a half searching for Mom’s 1099 form so I could make a copy to send to one of her pharmaceutical aid programs. Never found it because she apparently threw it away… she loses all kinds of things now and will not leave things in locations where I know where they are. 
 
I dressed in a dress and headed to my appointment with my counselor at 2:00PM. Atlanta Motor Speedway was particularly busy and racing fast today. My counselor and I discussed my coming off medication today because sometimes I feel I would be more "normal" if I did not have to take meds. I think we got to the issue that I really want a better quality of life, and that the medication is not the real issue. We talked about how I feel like a loser a lot of the time and how I could reframe that reaction. The thing is that I am basically an over-achiever and this disease wrecks havoc on my ability to accomplish anything I feel matters. I crave a moderate level of success and I don’t feel successful at all.
 
But anyway, I did not get home until after 5:00PM. Traffic was a trial on the way home. The blind spot on the right side of my car almost caused me to have an accident. Seems I would be well aware of this defect by now… sometimes I just do not think about it.
 
I came in and changed clothes and started computing. Mom came to my room and started complaining about my computer usage which irritated me no end. My lack of privacy here is a thing that annoys me a great deal.
 
I cooked pork chops, broccoli rice au gratin and peas. I was in the kitchen doing that when Mom asked me a question which I answered in what to her was the wrong tone of voice. She told me that I have gotten to where I come back from counseling in a worse mood than when I leave. I responded that my mood had nothing to do with counseling, it had to do with her complaining about my using the computer. I do not think she believed me, but it is okay. I know what I am thinking and feeling.
 
My counselor asked me last week to write about what it would be like to live somewhere-else. I think I may do that here some other day.
 
Overall, the day was good and I am glad it ended well…
 
Always,
Jo Ann

Do We Own Anything?

Here is another link you might want to click: Is Your Stuff Yours?. This gets to a basic question I often ask… do we really, really own anything. I tend to think the policy is definitely leaning to less ownership for the common citizen. Any one have an opinion?
 
Always,
Jo Ann

A Link…

This is another interesting link:The Soul of Science. I think it makes a lot of sense…
 
Always,
Jo Ann

Inspiration for Your Day…

This is an inspirational link that you might want to click:The Goodness of Life. I found it while reading on one of my bookmarked sites.
 
Hope you enjoy!
 
Always,
Jo Ann

Another Poem

Becoming

Make it, break it
Going to take it
Higher now.
Careful, watch
Your step, upon
The fragile stair.
Climbing, flying,
Opening doors
That are yours,
Constructed by
Your own hand
Like you planned.
You have vision
You have dreams
Making truth
Out of naught
But your dear
Held thoughts.
You have magic
You have power
Do it now
Make this your
Crowning hour
Shine brilliant free.
The world is
Breathless waiting
For you to be.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan
February, 04, 1995