WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR AUGUST 2105

sjcook23

What a nice group. I'm 51. Starting again. 2 college aged sons and 1 husband 2nd grade sunday school teacher. Full time Gov't desk jockey

I need to lose a lot of weight before a big meeting at the end of Sept. We see each other annually and I hate going there having gained a bunch of weight. Oh well. One lb at a time.

Goals 1200 cals
Exercise 5-6 times a week
Learn some yoga to distress
Dump the junk out of the house and closets

Need some nice friends for encouragement.

Sharron in Washington DC metro area (Burke, VA)

margaretturk

Alison you seem to be waiting around for Tom. Why give him all that power? What do you want? I know it is not easy to set your boundaries and stick to it. I struggle with this everyday myself. It is not selfish to put yourself first. I am praying you are not fighting another bladder infection. Sounds like your kidneys need time to heal.

Lisa love that response to a drama queen wastes your time and annoys the pig. I agree sometimes your non response can be just as effective as a response.

DJ your password joke was especially timely for us seeing that we had to come up with new passwords for almost all of our accounts. Still finding some minor things to address over a week later. (We had some Russians using our account to try and set up porno sites)

Did use my new suit yesterday. First time I had been swimming in a couple of years. Felt good to get back into the water.

I am going try and get some painting chores done today because it is perfect temperature and humidity.

MNMargaret

GRITSandSLUTSandWINOS

@exermom - I'm not sure that I am 'strong'; sometimes I think I must be the absolute meanest damn woman alive. I don't take pushing (or prodding) very well. I like doing things on my own timeline. I worked a very stressful job and had to deal with all sorts of people. Criminals and divorce clients were the worst. They expected you to 'drop whatever you were doing' and 'fix' something for them. Especially, when the boss was not there; but, I couldn't advise them because that would be 'practicing law without a license'. Against the law. Criminals were usually wanting boss to come see them; divorce clients were usually 'bitching' about what their soon-to-be 'ex' was doing (more often what they weren't doing). Sometimes having the 'ex' come to us because of our client's doing or not doing something they were supposed to be doing (or not). Then, 'go talk to YOUR lawyer; you aren't supposed to be talking to US'.

It was always 'scary' to me to watch my son have seizures - I think a seizure scares most people because they really don't know what to do when someone has one. The 2nd time he had one, it was because he had a stomach virus and by the time we got to my 'in-laws' he was noticeable dehydrated. I practically cussed my DMnL out because she would not call the pediatrician who she babysit his children; and then she finally did so when I was about to walk out the door and take him to the ER myself. On the way to his children's pediatrician, his eyes rolled back into his head and he went limp. I told my DMnL to try to get him to open them and I think I blew through a lot of lights (after slowing down for traffic). She said, 'you need to slow down - you're going to get stopped'. I did not care . . . he/she would have had to follow us all the way to the MD's office with his lights and siren going because I was NOT going to stop for any reason. The nurse grabbed him out of my hands and took him back to the MD and one look at him, and he said 'we don't need to wait for an ambulance - get him to the ER at Baptist Children's Hospital now, don't even stop by the house to get anything and you can call your husband from there. Quickest trip through an ER I have ever had. They were expecting us and we did not have to fill out all the paperwork until later - put him in a room and started IVs to get him hydrated. Five days later, he still had not started urinating; and the other Mother in the room with her child admitted at the same time had asked her MD 'what would have happened if she had not started urinating'. I did not like what I was hearing so I ran out of the room and threw myself on the couch in the waiting room and cried and prayed my heart out. When I went back in the room he had peed in his diaper. Just move everything away from them and turn them on their side, talking to them, and wait until it is over, and know what to tell the EMT's who should always be called. "Were they moving, jerking, on one side or the other, or all over, were they biting their tongue (moving or gnashing their teeth in their mouth), did their eyes roll back in their head, and what did they say, if anything, did they soil themselves, and were they foaming at the mouth?" Don't try to put anything in their mouth, that doesn't do anything and you can hurt them more than helping (or get your finger chewed up in the process).

@DJ - copied the password joke and sent it to all my friends to get a 'kick' out of it. I know I have a 'long' password on my desktop; and a very 'strange' one for my laptop. Mainly because my children (grown) who have their own computers so they won't come over and screw mine up. Can't wait until I get my laptop back. Actually, I really hope they will just go ahead and replace the damn thing. I'll probably end up having to buy another wireless mouse because I left the USB port in the laptop and did not realize it until after it was shipped back to them. Oh well. $20 down the drain. Then realized that I had not gotten the head to my vacuum cleaner back when I broke the boar's skull that fell off our TV cabinet when I went to dust it. So I had to use the end of the nozzle. Turned the skull around and you can't see the broken part.

@margaretturk - I love getting in the pool and doing my exercise there - however when it starts getting cooler, I will have to find something else to do and at this point looks like it will mean getting up on the treadmill again. UGH! I can walk in the pool for as long as 2 hours if I want to before I get to the point that I feel like a prune, all wrinkled and white hands and feet.

@DJ - not saying something is often the best solution to a drama queen. If you stop it, then it can't go on, without her really looking the part. Takes 2 people to argue and only 1 to end it.

barbiecat

Alison, years ago I went through a huge crisis in my marriage and my wise friend gave me two suggestions for walking through it and I am offering them to you
Stay in the moment
Write a daily gratitude list

DJ, yes, you remember correctly that I lowered my daily step goal but so far, there have been opportunities for me to walk so the numbers are high....it really helps that I get up early and walk before the day gets started....I have 12,000 steps already and now am headed for the shower to get ready for my day....I have a friend coming for a visit at 8:30.

Sharron, welcome....you have come to the right place...keep coming back

Barbie from NW Washington (state)

pipcd34

morning peeps and new peep-squeaks !

exermom - i've seen those bikes for a lonnnngggg time. i took my time riding home, i wsn't trying to go fast, just get there.

dreamwriter - this isn't funny but i had to laugh..."Feeling a bit guilty. DH and I are going to counselling. One of the aims is to communicate truthfully. I know he won't go if he thinks benefits no longer cover the cost so I lied and said the next one would be covered too." this lie was for a good cause... your marriage. :0) don't beat yourself up over it. now if you lie because you're hiding an affair or something like that, THEN you can beat yourself up.

grandmallie - i wish i was single and i could move you in with me. i've been there with husband number 1 and 2. i feel for you.

csofled = you go on with yo bad self!

damnit - thanks for the compliment :0). i see the bone doc on thurs. i see my regular doc on fri. i have more questions for the bone doc. all i'm doing is spin at the gym and biking outside. no upper body stuff at all :0/

I didn't take any pain pills after the 2nd day. why take something if it's not going to do anything. NOW I COULD SELL THE PILLS FOR CASH!!! just kidding lololol. I thought of more questions to ask the bone doc when I see him Thursday

1- is the bone going to stay this high forever after it heals as much as it's going to?
2-how long before it's considered "healed"
3- I am feeling/hearing some kind of "popping" on my shoulder lately, not all the time, what's that about.
4- is it hurting more because of the brace that I had on and could that have been putting on too much pressure too quick?
5- even though you said because i'm an office worker and not a manual laborer type of person that letting it heal as is w/o surgery was suggested; now that you know, I workout 7 days a week and ride 5 days a week, i'm more active than the typical office worker, does this change the thought about doing surgery now?
6-when can I start running
7-what other kind of exercises can I do now

if you can think of anymore that you think i should ask, lemme know.

type to ya later.

cd_va

Good morning, ladies!!

Hugs to all who are struggling. I admire those of you who reply with each name.

Welcome to everyone new.

Congrats to all who are kicking it this week!

Who here has had their "Welcome to 50" present of a colonoscopy? I'm having one next week. I've heard horror stories about the prep, but I've also heard from a nurse that if I follow the "No residue" (gross) diet for three days prior, it will be much smoother.

Would appreciate hearing about other's experience.

Have a healthy and terrific Tuesday!

Colleen in Virginia

csofled

I have been having colonoscopies regularly for several years as my mother had colon cancer. Prep is so important. If you are not entirely cleaned out then they cannot get a good scope of your colon. Also the prep is the most annoying part. Stay calm, do as you're asked and all will go smoothly. Good luck!

Cheri NE Ohio

Katla49

Yanniejannie: Welcome home! Congratulations on having your computer and ipad again. :flowerforyou:

Janetr: I like Lee jeans, but haven't bought them from Penney's. The store nearest me isn't near at all and requires an unpleasant commute, so I get my Lee jeans elsewhere. :flowerforyou:

Mary from MN: My neighbor bought a paddleboard and offered to let me try. At first I declined, but then I had a burst of courage and decided to give it a try the next time there is an opportunity.

Becca: You are smart to avoid situations where your trigger foods are there to tempt you. That is one of the things I've done. I've been at this long enough that some things that used to tempt me aren't a problem, but others are as tempting as ever. Ice cream is as tempting as ever, maybe more tempting. You DESERVE to be healthy and happy. You will work things out. :flowerforyou:

Tammy in OR: Did I ask you where you live in Oregon? There are several of us here. I live along the Columbia River west of Portland. Becca lives at the coast. :flowerforyou:

Gayle: I don't understand the system you're talking about at all. What is ED? IOP? :huh:

Alison: Hugs.

Sharon from Burke, VA: Welcome to a great group. :flowerforyou:

Pip: I have one question to add to your list: "Where can I get a second opinion?" I'm not sure whether this question is for you, your insurance provider or your doctor. I hope the visit goes well. It seems to me that the current plan isn't good enough. Hugs.


Spin class today while my neighbor does Zumba. Her DH is helping my DS bring our sailboat down the coast. I hope they have an easy trip. The plan is to meet them in Astoria Wednesday. I'll help DS bring the boat upriver to our house. I'm looking forward to time on the water.

Katla in Beautiful NW Oregon

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison

August Goals:
1. Log every bite and swallow.
2. Cardio exercise at least 3 days a week. Work on flexibility and back strength.
3. Have fun every day.
4. Drink at least three glasses of water daily, preferably more!
5. Eliminate alcohol.
6. Monitor sleep. Try to average 7 or more hours of sleep nightly.

terri_mom

Happy Tuesday ! ! !

DJ, Mary, etc – Yes, walking to and from Big Lots could be a problem, because I sometimes buy a LOT of items. I will be forced to keep that under control. My favorite item from Big Lots is when they have the water enhancer drops. I get bored with plain water, and a few drops in my 50oz bottle makes it a little more exciting for that day. Hopefully I will have mastered listening to Podcasts by that time. // I don’t know all the laws about slander and social media, it is just something that was said by a supervisor at a “big box” store where I worked for awhile.

Joyce – It is not uncommon for DH to walk into the room while I’m watching one of the Criminal Minds repeats and start talking to me. I give him the same evil eye he gives me if I talk during a Professional Minnesota game, and then say “why can’t I watch my third husband in peace?” I know Shemar is gay, I just don’t care, I need to watch him on TV as much as possible. Plus, I enjoy the mystery and problem solving on the shows. // I hope your headache is getting better quickly.

Sharon – I’m so sorry you are in the position to choose between money and your relationship. My DH has done that to me recently (except with my mammogram) and I allowed my first husband to do it to me numerous times, and my health truly suffered. I hope you are able to work through this, and come out the end as whole. I hope you can release yourself from the feeling of guilt. I know you are only doing it for the common good, and I have to continue to believe that good will prevail. Hugs ! ! !

Allison – I just want to wrap my arms around you and hold you forever. Please know that your success and happiness are in my thoughts and prayers. I wish I could stop all your pain, and all of his ambivalence.

Oops. I accidently sent this to my own e-mail, and my "sent" folder won't let me edit or add, so I did a copy/paste, and will get back to reading and typing again soon.

Hugs ! ! ! Terri in Milwaukee

miakoda40

Becca in Oregon – I have many friends who are still in the SCA. Of course, since I am in MI most are in the Middle Kingdom although I do know folks in all the realms. There is a large crossover between SCA and SF fen. Pennsic just ended this past weekend so I am seeing a lot of SCA pictures on my friend’s pages right now. Your trailer pictures fit in quite nicely and made me smile.

Michele in NC – I admit that I found the idea of a video on how to blow your nose amusing. Now I think I may have to go look at one. I had a facial yesterday and was told that I have broken capillaries around my nose which are probably due to blowing my nose! Who’d have thought of that?

Joyce, Indiana – I had never heard of an MS cooling vest. Is it particularly for MS? Do people with MS have more difficulties with getting overheated? How long does it stay cool? I get overheated in the glass studio when it is Summer. I’m wondering if I got a cooling vest and wore it when I am not working directly in front of the glory hole if it might help. This is something I will have to investigate further. I’m so glad you mentioned it.

---

Wedding weight – I was a heavy bride. I am now 15 lbs lighter than my wedding weight. <Huge happy grin>

Mia in MI

August goals:
Continue to honestly log food every day
Continue to meet PT one day a week for strength training
Get at least one hour a week of aerobic exercise
Stop Iced Tea overload. 16 oz. iced tea daily plus 48 oz. water

fanncy0626

Good morning ladies! Today I am at a food show with my husband. We are at the Bemidji school district. I get to sample all sorts of school food!

DJ - I'm glad you were able to spend time with your sick friend. It will be so fun to spend some time with your nephew and his children.

Sylvia-I am so glad that you are feeling better!

Lillian-I hope you get better so that you could have a great time with your DGS.

Cheri- Great news about your DH interview going well. Very nice compliment!

MNMargaret- yay! For the new swimsuit!

Allison-I agree with Margaret, you need to think about what is right for you. From what you have written about Tom it appears that he is a controller. It seems like you are giving all of the control over to him. Even with comments that you say that you make to him. Example when you were talking about the car and you said to him are you doing that because you are going to ditch me. Remember it is community property you have A say in everything. I agree with the two things that Barbie did. I also really enjoyed the marriage seminars that my DH and I go to yearly.

Pip - I just have to say that with as active as you are if it was me I would definitely have them put pins in my bone and bring that bone down to where it should be because in the long run I think you are 10 times more active than the normal person. I also think that would cut down on the downtime and Pain.

Have a great day everyone!

Mary from Minnesota

janetr7476

DJ - "Janetr, so glad your sis is doing better and BIL is hanging in there."
Thank you

DJ - Are you referring to Japanese Maples in your post to Joyce? I love them.

Katla - I too like Lee jeans and have some that I wear for everyday in the cool weather. I thot I would try these with a little elastic inset on each side of waist band (belt would cover) cuz I have no waist. If I have to buy them large enough for my waist they are kind of baggy in the hips and thighs. So these were very comfortable in the waist but VERY baggy in the hips. I did see on the tags on the jeans they said relaxed fit. I probably would not have ordered them had I realized that. Guess I'll stick to my tried and true Lees.

Janetr OKC

Peacefultoo

Just joined MFP yesterday and found this group. I'm Lori and am about to turn 52. I love in the Chicago and area. I already feel inspired by this group. I have come to the realization that although I have been getting healthier over the past couple of years, I am struggling with depression. I know the things to do to get and stay healthy but the past several months it has been a struggle. So, with support from a community like this, my goals for this month are: 1) assess my depression and find a natural supplement to boost my mood, 2) walk every day, 3) Drink 80 - 100 oz. Water each day, 4) Yoga 3X per week, 5) Read bible/meditations each day. Thank you to all the women here whom I know I will receive encouragement from.. I really am blessed and just need to clear away don't of the mental and emotional junk that wants to hang around.

pipcd34

dc_va - i have had some colonoscopies done. no horror story from me though, not because of turning 50 but because of my sister having had colon cancer. i even asked to watch, it was cool! i would suggest that you chug the stuff that you will have to drink. if you have a bathroom in your bedroom and a tv, you're golden. i the first one done and i had an 80 mile bike ride the next day. no issues, no "dripping" of any kind.

fanncy - that's what i am thinking about too... i'm not the average office worker

katla - if i get a 2nd opinion and he sugggests surgery and gives me good reasons why to do it, i am going to have him QUICKLY do it AFTER the MS bike ride because i've met my deductible already.

janemartin02

Have a great tues.Back is feeling better,follow-up with dr tomorrow.
hugs jane

janemartin02

Welcome Lori,I live in one of the suburbs of Chicgao,near Joliet

fiddletime

At work and just skimming.
@Lisa. Management can be a bear. Don't respond to FB. I'd defriend so you don't stress out reading her posts. The worse she sounds the better you look anyway.

Gayle- interesting about your approach. Keep us updated.

GRITSandSLUTSandWINOS

@fiddletime and @Lisa - FB is a 'killer' of a lot of things, marriages, friendships, businesses, and even getting into some colleges . . . people do not seem to realize that what they post there is there for all time and most employers or college entry people are also. As the old saying goes "loose lips, sink ships." I deleted my FB account after first defriending all my friends so that if someone got to my account it would look like I did not have friends. So much 'drama' and 'rumors' started there; sometimes with no way to respond even 'if' you wanted to.

@terri_mom - Shemer is 'gay'? I never knew that and usually I scope my hero/actors through Wikipedia. DAMN, that is one good-looking 'gay' guy. Maybe that is the problem, he was just so DAMN good-looking! LOL! But, I will still 'like' him a lot. I just don't particularly 'like' the 'gay' guys/gals that throw it in your face by their public displays of affection. Guess I am 'old-fashioned' in that sense. Displays of affection should be private (unless it is a quick kiss on the check) when greeting or leaving someone like a husband. I had a couple that were friends while I was in 'art school' that were 'gay' . . . great couple; but, they 'tried' not to flaunt it. They also would change out who was the husband and who was the wife. One did all the decorating and the other had a lot of parties so that he could decorate for the season. At Christmas . . . he had boxes that he had measured and found the right paper to wrap them so they did not have any noticeable seams. It would take him from Thanksgiving until Christmas to decorate the apartment and wrap presents for friends. No two were the same wrapping paper and some of them were just empty wrapped boxes (for show). But, for the most part the better looking one of the two was the husband. They both had good jobs and they did not even flaunt their sexual preferences to most of their friends. Not that they were 'in the closet' . . . they just did not think it was necessary to 'announce' what was 'private between the two of them'.

When I was in Catechism classes the priest who was teaching it, said that we should love our spouses as we love Jesus - literally and figuratively. Love-making is something God had intended for us to do and if, for some reason, we could not envision our husbands then we needed to 'think' about how much Jesus/God loves our spouse and that we, too, should do the same. He did not mean for it to be sacrilegious at all; it was more of WWJD? He would love us, too.

Lying is never a good thing to do because one lie begets another until you no longer know what is the truth and you can't remember which lies you have told. There are just some things that neither my husband nor I tell the other - either because it would hurt them or more likely it really isn't their business. My DDnL calls my DOS several times an hour with 'where are you and what are you doing'? WORKING and you don't know the people anyway - would be a good response. She is just immature and naïve and wants verification (even after 16 years of marriage); but, he is not supposed to ask what she does from 5:30pm when she gets off and then drags herself home around 7:00pm, sometimes later (because it would only start an argument) If she was coming straight home it would take her less that 30 minutes. I think she is giving him time to start or finish cooking supper for them. LOL! I'm just happy when I see my husband coming in the door safely. It doesn't matter what time it is. He cleans up his work tools and then takes a shower; and I let him rest for a while before asking him 'how was your day'? Usually, I can tell just by looking at him. The heat we have been getting is 'awful' on him; but, he is 73 and can't be expected to work as hard as he did when he was 37 although he tries and my son says he is a 'slave driver'. He's getting either 'hard of hearing' or he has 'selective hearing' - I'm not sure of which one; but, he is 'sharp' otherwise.

ydailey

Annr - Oh, yes, is there any better snack in the summer than tomatoes straight from the vine? We moved too late to get any in, and I miss them so much! Last summer one of our most frequent dinners was cherry and pear tomatoes and basil from our garden with fresh mozzarella, a drizzle of olive oil, and some fresh ground pepper. Delicious!

Melinda - Congratulations on the job at Whole Foods! That's pretty exciting... if I worked there I'd probably never take any of my paycheck home. I'd literally be working for Whole Paycheck.

Sylvia - That's a beautiful dog in your user photo. I love all the sighthounds, and they really have a different personality from most other dogs. I've been a foster mom for greyhounds for many years, and we've shared our lives with a ton of greyhounds and an Irish wolfhound but we've never had whippets. I tell people the smaller the dog, the more energetic. Our greyhounds have all been couch potatoes.

Colleen - Yep, you won't remember the colonoscopy but you'll never forget the prep. Just don't get too far from home... it's disgusting and uncomfortable and generally not pleasant, but it's over with soon enough. Be sure and invest in a tube of Desitin.

-Yvonne in TX

August goals:
1. Track on MFP every day.
2. Cardio at least four times a week.
3. Start and finish a sewing project.
4. Clear up the back patio so it's ready for guests
5. Clear out the storage unit

pipcd34

.

megblair1

Howdy gang. Long day again and tomorrow will be worse! Then it settles down a bit. I had my employee health screen today at 7, then in my annual tradition, took myself out to village inn for breakfast! This time I split it in half and brought it home. I did get a 20” walk in before leaving for a 4 hour work retreat….groan. I HATE meetings and long ones even more so. Nothing much new here; just slogging along as usual. The sun feels different though…I noticed it 3 days ago. It’s still hot (90s), but it just doesn’t feel the same. Autumn is on it’s way!

Pip: sounds like you are feeling much better these days!

Mtown: welcome aboard. What’s your name or nickname? And yes, just hit reply. 

Sylvia: I hope you feel better soon. We are visiting my brother in Nashville right after Labor day. Say,,, have you considered that your problem may be another bowel issue?

Michele: just how do you play rummikub?

Joyce: I hope you got over that headache

Sharon: sounds like you are enjoying the grands. I hope the counseling works out for you? One of our local hospital offers free community counseling; anything like that where you live?

Lisa: you sound very wise!!!

Alison: I’m sending you hugs and telling you I am very proud of you and putting your needs first

Lilian: hope you feel better soon!

DJ: I’m excited to hear about your trip!

Sharron: welcome aboard!

Grits: your job sounds stressful…you must have a lot of patience

Colleen: I am 56 and still fighting the colonoscopy, so good for you to get it done. I’m sure you’ll be glad you did. Now if I can only convince myself. LOL

Well I suppose I should get something accomplished here! Take care all, Meg from Omaha

terri_mom

Yvonne – Desitin. Good advice. I will get some before my procedure in September.

Melinda – I think a job at Whole Foods sounds wonderful. Exposure to healthy food, working with people who are health-conscious . . . I hope it is in a safe neighborhood, so you can walk before or after work or during lunch and breaks. Keep us informed; I really want to hear some great and uplifting stories.

I’ve been really good about my eating at work, but now I’m SO bored, and my phone isn’t ringing, and I’m tired of scanning and importing medical records, and I really LOVE cherries. Plus, we had a meeting during lunch, so I didn’t get a chance to work-out on the handbike. I’m just going to log and eat the cherries, because they are not going to be around forever, and I would rather eat a smaller supper than waste these cherries.

Hugs for Everyone ! ! !

Terri in Milwaukee

peachstategal

Just checking in!

barbiecat

cd_va wrote: »

Who here has had their "Welcome to 50" present of a colonoscopy? I'm having one next week. I've heard horror stories about the prep, but I've also heard from a nurse that if I follow the "No residue" (gross) diet for three days prior, it will be much smoother.


Colleen in Virginia

Colleen, I had my first and only (so far) colonoscopy at age 64.....health care professionals and my husband had been trying to scare me into getting one for years but I avoided it because my fear of the procedure far overshadowed my fear of having colon cancer or any related problems.....the reason I finally agreed to get one was because of the women on this thread who shared about how they got through the prep and the procedure with no ill effects and their sharing helped me get over the fear.....as it turned out, it wasn't all that bad.....I followed all the directions exactly and on the clear liquid day I consumed a ton of apple juice and clear chicken broth and then later stayed close to the bathroom....I don't remember anything about the procedure itself

Barbie

cityjaneLondon

Back from Portsmouth. Lovely day. Walked around the shops and then along the waterfront with the old walls. Watched all the ferries going in and out.
Had a great seafood meal. Some wine.
On the train home we saw a stunning sunset - all red and purple.
Then at home we had a heated discussion about Church and State. :ohwell:

Generally a good day. Off to the New Forest tomorrow for lunch and a walk. Hope the traffic is ok.

Love Heather in Hampshire UK

pipcd34

.

nccarolb

Thanks for asking about me and a special thanks to Barbie for checking on me. I am in a really dark place right now. I've been reading posts but haven't had the gumption to write. PT is going well, I think. I discovered Monday that I can not lift my arm off the mat--that was a really yucky feeling. Nothing earth shattering is going on. Let me see if I can remember this quote...

"Depression is when you don't really care about anything.

Anxiety is when you care too much about everything.

Having both is just like hell."

Carol in NC

MIgranny61

Jeanie from SW, Michigan

Returning MFP member after 2.5 yrs.
Goals for August:
Eat my recommended calories
Walk more
Drink more water
Don't be so hard on myself.

GRITSandSLUTSandWINOS

@megblair1 - actually I am retired/disabled and have been for over 15 years. Yes, my job was 'stressful'; but, it was NEVER boring. Great boss, and most of the time 'great' co-workers. Other than one who was the "Head B****" and she never allowed me (low woman on the totem pole) forget it. Thankfully, she finally got 'fired' over this issue. I laughed all the way to becoming my boss's (R.I.P.) secretary when he was a Federal Magistrate. Sort of a 'she who cries first, laughs last'. Did not want to retire; but, had no choice - my Bipolar Disorder (along with a near fatal automobile accident) was making it hard for me to do my job as effectively as I had been doing for 20 years. We had fun at work and he was never was 'stiff shirt' and never had a case of "Judge-I-tist".

One day when he had a huge arraignment (about 30 defendants) after the Bailiff had said, "All Rise" . . . he walked up the 3 steps to his chair and caught his toe of his loafers in the chair mat; and fell - every attorney in the place grabbed and forced their clients down in their chairs and guns of the Marshals and Bailiff were drawn. He pulled himself up and said, "Smile, it's Saturday Night!" The court deputy and I raced to his chamber's bathroom practically knocking each over to get there first. Needless to say, he took a 15-minute recess. When he came back he told the courtroom that he wanted to just 'break the ice' and not have them feel intimidated by him.

Another time, he was bad about putting his glasses in his mouth and talking, so I figured I would 'fix' him (because it was hard to transcribe the hearings) and turning around and looking at him only got a . . . "What????"; and painted "No Bite" on the ends of his glasses frame stems. Then the arraignment started getting larger and larger, so I called his courtroom deputy and told her what I had done and that I wanted her to somehow get his glasses away from him (to clean with soapy water) or I might just get 'fired'. She did so (surprisingly) and when he got back to the office, he told me . . . "OK, hand it over". I acted like I did not know what he was talking about and then burst into laughter when he said that even though they had been washed . . . they still tasted AWFUL. He thought something was 'up' because she had 'insisted' on washing them to get the smudges off. So I gave it up. Things like that made it fun to work for him.

He had a client one time in his office, and the other secretary working there called me into the hallway; there was a HUGE spider on the wall (I have a serious case of arachnophobia) and I 'screamed' like I was getting killed. He came running out of his office to find out what was happening. All I could do was 'point' at the spider and go 'uh, uh, uh - KILL IT'! He said he thought I was being held at gunpoint or something.

He was always joking and only once in nearly 20 years did he sort of 'embarrass' me in front of a client. I told him that I did not appreciate it at all; and he apologized to me and never did it ever again.

I am so glad that I waited and went on the interview with him and his Senior partners, even though I had been offered a job at another law firm that AM. I asked if I could 'sleep on it' about giving them an answer and was told, 'sure'. I called my Daddy, who was an attorney, and asked him his thoughts on which job to take. One in the AM was for a insurance defense firm and I'd be doing real estate work; his firm was a plaintiff law firm and my Dad told me that 'if' I really wanted to learn a lot about law, I should take the job (PM). I did and rarely ever regretted doing so. The Senior partners were 2 of the best medical malpractice/malfeasance attorneys in the State at the time. I really learned a whole lot, too. The first week they had gotten their first $1,000,000 fee and they threw a large party serving Champaign and it was catered. I don't handle Champaign very well and got quite tipsy - they had given the other 2 secretaries bonuses and I was standing between them - practically rubbing them on the @$$-es (they are really tall and I 'thought' I had my hand at their waists; and said, 'well you ought to give me a bonus, too, I stood at the copier the entire week, 8 hours a day, copying things for court. The next day I was called into the office of the 'big' boss and he told me that they had decided to give me a bonus; and he wanted to know, 'do you want it straight up now, or as a raise'. "Let me 'think' about it and I will let you know in a few minutes" . . . I came back and said, 'as a raise, that way I won't spend it in one place and the extra $$$ would come in handy every week'. His remark was "Good choice". The 'only' time that I sort of regretted it was when the 'big' boss fired everybody in the firm but me (I handed my boss my resignation) and he asked me why and I told him that I did not know how to do payroll checks and taxes. He told me that his secretary would come in the next day and act like nothing had happened. She did. The 'next' time she blew up at me, while he was in the office, he called me into his office, telling me to close the door; and, I was 'sure' that he was going to fire me. Instead he pulled out a carbon copy of a letter she had typed in his absence and told me to open the door and read it 'out loud' (so she could hear me). It had one sentence and started with the date, there were seven typos. She even got his name backwards. She NEVER bothered me again about anything. The day she was 'fired' for the final time . . . I did a little 'happy dance'.

We all took the PLS (Professional Legal Secretary) test which is a two day test (much like the Bar Exam for attorneys) and the secretary that was teaching the class said that out of the 6 of us that would be taking the test; probably only 2 of us would pass it the first time. I did, she didn't. I couldn't help but 'smile' a little/BIG!

GRITSandSLUTSandWINOS

@PIP34 - how and why do you put an 'empty' post here?