I'm Freeeeee!

 It's done.... I'm clocked out of work for good, going permanent status 10 - 7, over and out!

(That's emergency services dispatch lingo for "unit out of service.")

I was EXTREMELY touched, and quite surprised, by the accolades, kind words, and gifts from my co- workers, and management, on Thursday.

After years of being ignored, disrespected, and both directly, and passive-aggressively, threatened with job loss (mostly at my weakest moments), it was really nice to have people say how much my skills, knowledge, help, and presence-through thick and thin- had been noticed, and had been important.

They decorated the board room nicely, got me a DELICIOUS cake (Oh my gosh, I need to find out where it came from, because DANG!), beautiful flowers, and there was my favorite kind of party punch, with lime sherbet, ginger ale, and pineapple juice.

There was also the presentation of a glass ... thingie... I am not sure what they're called, HAH.  It's not a plaque, because it stands up, and it's not a "participation trophy," again HAH.... but it commemorates my 12 years of of excellence and dedicated service, and wishes me a happy retirement.

I was doing fine until that was presented to me, in front of everyone. THEN, I cried.  Cried many times, in fact.  I was exhausted, it was hot, I was uncomfortable.... but oh well... the tears flowed.

The CEO (who was hired after me), the director, and the team supervisor all spoke, and a few co-workers did, too.   

My kindness was recognized, too, and that was the best part.

Being kind has been one of my life's daily goals.   Even my business is called Kind Heart. Not that I have any clients anymore....but maybe that will change now.

I got lots of hugs, some lovely, thoughtful gifts, and got to bring home the rest of the cake!

Friday, we got up and took Dave for a blood draw.  He made it through, with me holding his hand, and the phlebotomist was very careful to be sure he was alright before we left.

Then, we went to Costco as soon as it opened.  What a LUXURY to be there on a week day morning!  That will become the norm, now.

A friend came over for a while, and I did some of my chores.

This weekend has been about decompressing, though I have also done all of my usual chores, and made a fantastic dinner last night.  

Yes, I remembered to write it down! 

There's been a BLESSED break from the heat, and it's raining today. LOVELY!

Dave got the ivy cut away from the laundry room windows yesterday, and I made many delicious margaritas for us.

(maybe a few too many, as I woke up in the night with a head ache)

The rest of the replacement windows have been ordered, and paid for via our home equity line of credit.  That will be a major project, when the day comes, but it just needs to be finished.

Fortunately, HELOC interest rates are VERY low, so our monthly payment will be quite manageable.

My doctor's office called and scheduled me for a sooner-than-expected office visit.  The doctor is wanting to go over a new treatment schedule or something.  I'm not really sure, since, initially upon the scan results, she said we would hold for 6 weeks (2 cycles), and I was to see her Sept. 2nd.

So, that's Tuesday.  I will get the chest xray she wants me to have that day, too, since I WAS going to go on Wednesday anyway.  It's nice that I can do that on a walk in basis.

I have been having an awful time with the steroids (especially at the maximum dosage, which is, actually the maximum recommended dosage over all), so she also let me start tapering that off this past week.  

I took 60 mg for the first full week, and now have done 50mg for 5 days.  Today will be my first of five days at 40mg, etc, etc..... 

I finally got a little more sleep the past two nights.  

On the 60mg, I was only sleeping maybe an hour or two a night, and having horrible esophageal pains (even with taking a strong anti-heartburn medication every day in order to AVOID that pain).  

I got 45 minutes of sleep the night (morning, actually) before my party.  It was terrible.  I had to train the manager and supervisor that day, and I was SOOO tired.

Last night, I made it until 3 am!  That's a VAST improvement.  That might have been partially because of the margaritas, though....HAH!

Anyway, Dave has a doctor appointment on Tuesday too, around the same time as mine, but in a different building. He will drop me off for mine, then go to his, and come back and pick me up.

We might get up and go to the woods in the morning, and then on Tuesday morning, we are going to go get pedicures.  

BUT, then we need to stop spending luxury money for a while.... I still have no idea what my income will be, or when it will start, so I am nervous about that kind of thing for now.

My last pay check will be big, though, and I will set it aside.

We are still hoping to hear something SOON about the auto accident case being settled.  We'd really like to have those funds to put toward buying a new vehicle, before heading to Illinois the next time!

I am not willing to take another dangerous highway road trip in a small, silver car that no one can see, apparently.

So that's me for this week.  Have a nice Sunday, and a good week!

Addendum:  Unfortunately, the cake was from Sam's Club.  We have boycotted WalMart/Sam's for over 20 years, and aren't going to stop now.  OH well.  Don't need to eat cake anyway, HAHA!