So Now What??!!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Greetings To All!!

My, it sure has been a while & I pray that everyone is doing well! Ok, so what's the biz?...

Here goes... I (we) finally finished school & graduated with my Bachelor's in Business Management!!!

What have you all been up to? Let's chat for a while... I'm sad & my heart hurts, but I really can't tell you why!!

Our company is going through some changes & have made the "corporate" decision to close our location...having said that, Thank God the associates will be transferring to other locations, hopefully close to their geographical location. As for me, I have a strong feeling that I will get a pink slip...why? I'm glad you asked... I have a lot of health concerns & I am very strong in my convictions that unless they are willing to keep my schedule the way it is now, with weekends off for Church functions on Saturday & free on Sunday to attend Church, I don't think that the store manager at the other location is willing to bend... I'm not either. Since Nicolas has gone on to glory, this truly has a different meaning entirely & is a huge part of my life.

So, on to the next phase... I was just recently diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis & this stuff is no joke. I kept telling my doctor that my ankles hurt terribly bad & it really felt like my bones were put in backwards & coming through!!! Since it is so advanced, they have put me on Methotrexate & folic acid to lend assistance with a sick tummy & hair loss...
I'm okay with that, except that it just hurts, & I want it to stop...

As I sit here thinking about a LOT of stuff, I have it in my spirit that I want to work from home for a while.... this keeps keeping to me & has been for quite some time... is this possibly a sign that change is in order. The last day for the store is November 17, so we'll see what happens....

I wanted to share this with everyone.... this is a little note that I wrote for Nicolas for graduation...

"Nicolas, when we first started this journey, WE were side by side; however, somewhere along the way, God called you on to Glory; thus making it harder to go it alone. Through many tears, & oftentimes feeling that I just couldn’t go on – I looked up toward the Heavens, knowing in my heart that you had been by my side all along. Our journey is now complete!"

In your honor & precious memory!

I love you!

Mother


As I close, I pray that everyone's spirit is calm, & if it isn't seek God first, then perhaps someone to talk you....

Please, please keep in touch & may everyone have a blessed night!!

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Let's Give Them Something to Talk About...

Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Greetings Everyone!!

I'll start by telling my son, Nicolas HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Today would have been his 27th birthday, but he is in Heaven up above smiling down on me...Why? Because, with the exception of an essay, I have completed my undergrad program & I will be marching to receive my Bachelor's in Business Management.... This I have done in memory of my son, Nicolas!!!

By the grace of God, WE DID IT!!!!

Okay, so when I have completed my essay, what is my next step? Not sure, but I do know that while I am not ungrateful, this part time stuff is killing me financially!!! I feel that now that I am past being a full time student, I want to go back to work full time. I won't lie & say that I am not having concerns with my medical issues, especially now that I am having the dropsies, & dizzy spells, but, such as life...

Antywho....

How is everyone doing? I hope that all is well with everyone!! Life is way too short, so don't be too hard on yourself. Live a little!!

Hugs!!

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At Long Last~~ Who Knew?!

Friday, May 11, 2012

Hello Spark Family!!!

My apologies for the absence of blogging, however, I have NOT been absent from the site...

How is everyone doing?? Fine I hope... How is everyone doing on their weight loss journey?

Okay, so I have some news to share... it is official...I started my LAST class today, & believe me when I tell you that it has not been without challenges, tears, & turmoil... "all along life's' narrow way, HE walks with me, & HE talks with me, HE lives"... GOD has truly been with me on this journey, & as we all know the Devil can really be tricky & nasty at times...

I received a phone call from my academic counselor, advising me that even though I was cleared for part of the last segment of school, I was not cleared financially!!! Seriously people..... why don't you all do YOUR jobs, because whatever is going on in the office, whether it is due to staff shortage or what have you, this should be transparent to the customer... oh, my bad, that's me RIGHT?!

I tried really hard to remain calm, while realizing that the Devil was trying to sabotage my end date, & for anyone who has been keeping up with me, because of the promise I made to Nicolas BEFORE he died, there was no way in hell I was going to allow them to extend my date by 1-2 weeks. This simply was NOT acceptable. Just because someone on your end didn't do what they were supposed to in a timely manner, doesn't mean that I have to "pay" for it.... THAT wasn't happening...OMG I was so upset, I started sobbing, & while the counselor was making efforts to let me know that it was no big deal, I rightfully corrected her by first advising her that she didn't lose a son or daughter, you haven't been on the journey that I have been on for the last 4 years, so please don't sit there & tell me that you understand... you really don't, but believe you me that by the time I was finished, & please keep in mind that I wasn't that hard on her, but really just getting my point across as to how very important it was for me to keep my promise to my son, Nicolas, who I just know was really smiling down on me from Heaven up above!!

The end of this segment came with a phone call & followed up by an email, advising me that the last class I was supposed to take was full, however, I have been added to another class, & even though the class started on Tuesday of this week, I would rather work a little bit harder to not fall behind in the first week, as opposed to pushing my date out to the end of June.... Thank God!!!!

Now for the next segment... I know...It's not that I'm really long-winded, it has truly been a while, okay?!

I'll keep this segment brief, so here goes...

had to have another MRI on my right shoulder, I've been in so much pain, I just can't take it anymore... found the report in my home medical file, from last year, & now I understand a little bit more what is really happening.... while I will admit that I read the report, I will also admit that I was focused on the line that was high-lighted, that there was a slight tear in my rotator cuff, requiring no attention at this time... WELL... I completely missed the next line, that read that there is a spur under my collar bone....seriously!!!!

Ok, so now the next step is to review the new test results & compare, then figure out how we can make the pain a LOT LESS!!!!

Oh yeah, one last thing, I am DOWN 3 pounds this week.... for my last few trips to see my Doctor, he typically starts off by saying, "what's up boss lady, are you okay?" My reply is simple, "why do you ask, is that not why I'm here" LOL!!! You're losing weight.... I say really?? stop it with all of the steroids & stuff.... I know that I have been back & forth with the prednisone dose packs & life with that crap is a total trip, but my lungs, the inflammation, & all that other B.S. is too much without IT!!

Ok, I'm finished for the moment, & I can tell you that I have really missed my extended family & friends at SP!!

Continued blessings to ALL, & I will surely let you know when I have signed out of my class for the last time!!!

This is for you, Nicolas!!! I am so very proud to be your Mother, & I am honored that God loaned you to me for as long as he did, until He called you back home!!!

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Foot Stompin' Sunday!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Heeeyyyyy Sparklers!!!

Woo Hoo!!!

How is everyone doing? I know, it's only been a day, but guess what?? Church was a BLAST!!! I won't lie, between doing homework, & getting my "assignment" together for Sunday School, my plate was really running over, but I couldn't wait to get to Church this morning. My soul was not at rest last night, kept fidgeting & fumbling all night long!!

Antywhooo...

FINISHED my homework on last night, & for the first time in a very long time, I have actually completed my homework for TOMORROW & have already submitted it!! Woo Hoo!! Go Monie!!

The only thing I have left for the school week is to answer my DQs' x 4 & that's a wrap for week 4 - hot dog...on to the last week of this class!!!! Yeah me!!!!!

I am the Lay Organization Assistant Secretary & typed up all of the documents needed for this morning, & when I was told that I couldn't use the copier at the Church, I used my own & printed off maybe 100 copies of two documents needed for the class.

It was awesome, it went off without a hitch & as you may or may not know, my son used to tell me that I had OCD issues... but let me tell you, they worked in our favor this morning. Each Lay member had a part to speak on, but I had the notes typed up so you really couldn't miss, & names assigned beside each one in a large font!!

Before Church service started, they were playing gospel songs by Whitney Houston, & I just found myself singing & foot stomping in the aisle!! Go figure!!! You couldn't tell that the foot in which I had surgery was bothering me, because it just wouldn't stop movin'!!!

The choir set the place on fire & couldn't be still, then to follow up with an awesome sermon. The topic was "REMEMBER" - leading up to the excellent finale, Pastor took us back down memory lane to cartoons such as Speed Racer, Bonanza, Good Times. And then how we made up simple games such as hop scotch, hide & seek, & we were completely satisfied in doing so...unlike the kids of today, with all of their high tech gadgets!!

This week, my work hours have been doubled... all in the name of lending assistance to a co-worker who wants to spend time with her new grand baby & son & his new wife home from the Marines. I was a bit skeptical, but I know all too well that life is way too short & not promised to anyone at any given time. So when asked if I could pick up two additional days @ 16 hours or so, I couldn't say no!!!

If I had one more day to spend with Nicolas, I would give a million dollars, but it wasn't meant to be....

Hugs to you all!!!! Keep those good vibes & good wishes coming in, WE will be in week 5 on Tuesday!!! After that, one more class that I can say "kick rocks"!!! I have my eye on the prize!!

I wish everyone a great & blessed night!!

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Beyond Tired!!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Hi Sparklers!!!

I know it's been quite a while, but there's way too much going on, & I'm wondering if I can even keep up!!!

Antywhoooo!!!! How is everyone doing??? I hope that all is well with thee & they journey....

Me, ok, let's see what's going on.....
* I've gained back a few pounds - had to get back on steroids AGAIN, & my cardiologist has changed two of my blood pressure meds!!! go figure....
* work is killing me.... is it me, or does there seem to be an outrageously high number of people that are NOT so smart?? Come on people, this is exhausting....talk about creating work, cut it out already!!
* Here we go again, I had two weeks to see if the new meds (yeah ok), would hopefully drop my pressure, since my cardiologist was threatening to put me in the hospital!! Not claiming that one, ok?!
* Oh yeah, & did I tell you where I am with school?? After next week, I will have 3 (count them) classes left!!! YES, indeed!!!
* I'm finding myself struggling with my classes right now, but I do realize that I have come way too far to NOT finish what I've started. I had a mini-meltdown the other day - ok, so it was on Valentine's Day - used to be one of my favorite days of recognition, because every year I always bought Nicolas a card & gift...this year was no exception... I was perusing the internet a few weeks ago, & came across this website: personalizationmall.com & saw this heart shaped acrylic memento, to which I wrote Nic a letter & they etched my letter into this acrylic heart shaped block & I received it a couple of days before Valentine's Day!! When I opened it, the only thing I could do was to have a "me" moment & think about Nic with tears in my eyes!! It may be corny, but I thought that it was so beautiful!!! I have it sitting on my "Nic Shelf" - if you get a chance, go to the website & check out what they have to offer. So you see, after all, I did get Nicolas a very special Valentine's Day gift!!

Ok, so enough rambling...

I had to sit down & read the side effects (again) from the new meds & make some serious adjustments, so hopefully, I can lose what I picked up (ton of fluid) !!! I accept what I didn't accomplish, but there is really no way around it, simply because I am NOT going in the hospital & even if I have to gain a little bit of weight until I get finished with my school, it's ok. As the saying goes, trouble doesn't last always!

I love all of you & ask that you send me those positive vibes & well wishes as I trudge onward in hopes of completing my school work!! Afterwards, I will recapture & put adequate focus on my weight loss journey! The good news is that I have not gained back all that has been lost up until now!! Whew!!!!

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