Where's Waldo? errrrrr jolie

Hey guys

I hope not too many of you have dropped me off your list. I have been a sick little puppy. I went in for my medical 'procedure' (alien probing) and have received the news that I have colitis. Not the best of news but not the worst either. It's a chronic, forever condition so I have a lot of learning to do about this new change in my life. I am on forever meds now as well as some temporary ones to try to clear up the inflammation and infection. It's good to have answers but sad to have a 'something' I have to worry about all the time now. The condition itself has been accompanied by it's usual symptoms as well as dizziness, massive back pain and utter and complete exhaustion.  It's the exhaustion that is doing me in currently. I took a few days off work to try to rest. I haven't any energy to do anything around the house. Needing a lay down after taking a shower or walking up the stairs is just sad.

I haven't watched over any money or spending.I haven't even been online. It's taken every ounce of my energy just to get the must do list done. I am so grateful for such a great staff who helped out and was so understanding (or tolerant :-)

I am glad I took care of my shopping and wrapping a couple weekends ago. I wouldn't have what it takes to get it done now. I am glad I am not hosting anything. My parents have been so good to me over this time, especially my mom. She has colitis too and knows what I am going through. My kids are tired of me being sick so they have some adjusting to do. I am hoping that I can gain some level of energy and normalcy soon. I miss being normal :-)  (as normal as I can be)

sick of being sick of being sick

Hiya all. been awol away. Haven't been well, still. Went to dr twice last week ( a record for me).  Did the blood samples and urine and ....stuff....samples.....twice. Might I say I sure do appreciate our medical system. No bill for any of those visits. I go for a lil 'procedure' next week to explore possibilities. Hopefully I will have some answers soon.

I have a lot of blog reading to catch up on and some writing I need to do for mine.

I spent most of the weekend in bed. Sunday I had some energy so I dragged DS2 with me to finish my shopping. Too fatigued to do it on my own. I came home, had a wee nap and then proceded to wrap all my gifts. I've never been ready this early before. Even the stockings are stuffed. I have two sets that are identical. Makes it easy to swap during the night without a whole lot of whispered stuffing.  Tonight I am writing out my to do list for school so I can get everything ready tomorrow night for the last few days before the break. Christmas concert on this week too.  I will be out of commission for Sunday and Monday and we shall see how spry I am after that :-) We go til Thursday next week.

Where the money stands

as of December 6th

Debts
Mortgage - $32 298.33
Vehicle Loan - $7 757.06
Total Debt - $40 055.39

Savings
RESP - $8700
RRSP - $2550
Christmas 2011 - $1200
EF - $2000

Gold party

I went on a short 45 minute adventure this afternoon to a gold party.

I hadn't heard of them before October. I'd seen a few invites on my facebook from various people. I wasn't even sure what they were, to be honest.  My only visual of selling gold was that annoying man on a TV ad (from Ontario, I think) that danced around and looked beyond ridiculous - and also the ad that said just send your gold in an envelope and mail it away and voila, they would send you some money back. Ohhhh yes and the girl on a TV ad that traded in her gold from an old boyfriend and made derogatory comments about his........and bought new boots for herself. Classy.

I am not sending things to a strange place in an envelope and I doubt I would give anything to the sad man dancing around in the ads. We don't have anyplace around here to take things like that to.

After about the fourth invite I decided I would go to one. I am fully aware that selling gold at a party like this would only get me 50% of what it was worth (if that) but I was  curious.

The lady hosting received 10% of the net made at the party (plus potential bonuses and % if others book a party). The lady grading the gold got 10% and I am guessing the rest goes to the boss of the party hosting business.

I really don't have much of anything, but found in a box downstairs a couple tangled chains I  hadn't worn for 20 years, a bracelet and a ring I think I bought myself in high school. Funny....I had totally forgotten I had that ring, yet I have purchased for myself (5 years ago and 3, I think) two rings that are the same style. I guess I must really like it.

It was interesting to watch. You get so much per gram, depending on the carat of gold. I watched 2 go before me so I could observe.

I came away with $100 in cash. Two pretty little $50 bills. I know if I knew of other places to go to I could have made more, but I went in understanding that, and was fine with it.

I tucked the money into the envelope where I am saving up for spending money for DS1's trip to Europe. He is contributing to the envelope as well. 

Was interesting, to say the least.

Happiness Is...

I have had a rotten two weeks since I posted. I was bogged down at work with report cards, parent teacher interviews and a lunch my class hosted for the entire school. DS2 has been sick. My dad was in ER/hospital, DH was in ER for extreme chest pains, DS1 was in ER with a sports injury and I have an undetermined illness that I have been waiting for 2 weeks to get into the dr for a 'short visit'. Let's just say I will end up needing a colonoscopy. Why have I been waiting? There have been no subs/supply teachers available due to so many activities happening in the district. They are all booked already. It's been hell *smiles sweetly*
I go this week to Dr. (yeah and omg scared)

So I figured I needed some recalibrating and refocus.

Happiness is...

• soft overnights which mean I don't have to scrape the windows in the morning
• the smell of fresh perked coffee in the morning
• the unconditional love of two cats who push their way into the bathroom in the mornings (I don't kid myself...they are there for the warmth :-)
• ppl who were in the hospital are out
• snuggled time with one of the new babies of the family.
• a possible job offer for DH
• backpay from the contract arrived though most of it was eaten up by deductions
• some warm days for end of Nov/beginning of Dec
• a wonderful staff who make it such a great place to go to work
• falling in love again with the jars and keeping better track of my money
• the support of my mom and dad
• scraping together money to make a  one month lump sum payment on my vehicle

sorry for being away for so long.