Hey AgedOut! I love when you ask, because we do get so wrapped up in our famlies that we forget about ourselves.

I am doing ok-ish. We have a lot happening all at once and I feel pretty out of control over my own life and I hate that feeling. 

On the bright side, 37 days until my Birthday Cruise!! I am so excited for this trip! My kids, MIL, My Parents, My bro/SIL/Nephew and my Best Friend (since we were 11!) and her family are going with us too! DH and I have our own cabin that ISN'T adjoining to the kids! We have the drink package, we have the excursions booked, new clothes have been purchased for my new skinny body! Ahhhh! I am even more excited now typing it all out!

I'm doing ok but dealing with a whirlwind of emotions on several fronts.

I'm retiring this summer. My job vacancy was just posted. I alternate between being giddy and teary. So much of my identity is wrapped up in my job and profession. I have to get a grip and start figuring out what things look like post-retirement.

DH's health is a roller coaster. Insurance is not approving a high-cost drug that the docs want to use, so we're deep into the appeals process. I don't see what the doc submits to insurance, but it seems to me that DH meets all the criteria. I suspect there is some confusion in the medical record or I just don't understand something, but DH is inexplicably giong with the flow and not asking many questions, unless I tell him the questions to ask. Nothing wrong with his cognitive abilities but this passiveness is a surprise. And a burden.

And it's been a year since he's seen his kids, for a family funeral. And there was drama surrounding all that. We can't travel at the moment due to said health issues. But I don't understand why his kids don't come to see him. Yes, it's inconvenient. Yes, they will have to see their father in this diminished, old-man health condition. But dammit, his heart is breaking. And he won't say anything to them. My life is much more peaceful without them, but they are welcome at our house. SD hasn't been to our house since pre-COVID, and SS hasn't visited in 10+ years. I don't understand it.

First, thanks for asking this question periodically. So refreshing.

As most know, I have not seen DHs kids in over 5 years. That may  be changing next month. One or more will be coming to our area next month (son reached out to DH and asked what was best time to visit). While I have dealt with the past personal damage they did to me and I am in a position where I know my worth, my boundaries and what I will/will not tolerate, it's still nerve wracking to think I'll actually have to SEE them again. They aren't nice people to me and the only reason they're allowed back near me is because of their father. 

So, prepping for that. I can retreat to my studio but with no bathroom in there, it means I'll have to come to the main house, where they will be. If I do come in contact with them, my motto is...civil and superficial, like I'm talking to the cashier in a checkout line. Nothing more.

Other than that, my life is going well. I've added a new past-time. Veggie Gardening. I'e always loved being in the yard, love growing cut flowers and now I'm growing food. So, between quilting, my flower club and now gardening, plus maintaining our home, my life is busy and fun...they way I like it.

Thanks again for asking and letting us reflect on our personal worlds.

Im a bit overwhelmed. It was a crazy week - flooding and traffic and just all the bad news locally. BUT that being said Im ok. Husband had his last day, and is taking his "break", so things are changing. Who knows if for the better or otherwise. But things are better at work, ramping up for an interesting season. Ive not been super social, but this weekend should be interesting as there is a memorial for someone we knew and saw occasionally. She was the person who filed all paperwork for Husbands divorce from Toxic Troll. She also said that Toxic Troll was so bad, she never wants anything to do with her again.

Other than that, I intend to get out there and be social, because Im tired of hanging out at home.

All is well in JRI land.  I'm waiting for spring but its 30ish and windy here today.  It's been quiet on the SD61 front and DS and ailing DIL went home.  I'm getting my mammogram this afternoon then we are going to the casino tonight.  Happy St. Pat's, everybody!

Well anyone reading this knows I have been working on an exit plan. Ironically though as soon as I did, things with DH have gotten so much better! BUT I am still going ahead with plans to ensure I am going to be fine on my own if it comes to that so I finally updated my resume and found what I think would be my dream job and will be sending my resume to them on Monday! Over double my base salary, plus commission plus benefits! 

I'm in a pretty okay place right now. DH's surgery went well. He's still recovering (it will be awhile), but he's in good spirits which helps my mood. I cut back on my availability at the part-time job: no more weekends and only 1-2 shifts a week. Best of all, I'm working on a set of three memory bears. Same pieces of clothing in each bear, but not identical. Sewing by hand is therapeutic for me. *biggrin*

And thank you for asking, AgedOut. Hope all is well with you. *give_rose*

Oddly emotional on a couple of basic crisis elements.

My insulin pump, a new one, less than a year old, developed a fatal software flaw. The pump company immediately a warranty replacement. Even with that I had to go on an MDI (Multiple Daily Injection) insulin dosing method. I have not been on MDI in a very long time, decades.  When the pump took a dump, my CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) shut down so not only did have to go back to 7-12 shots a day, I had to start performating my fingers 8-12 times a day to test my blood glucose.  Fun, fun. 

Then, Friday afternoon my R ear started burning.  Within a few hours my ear had nearly doubled in size, the R side of face and neck were red, swollen and it was all burning like it was on fire.  Thus I welcomed my 4th round of Cellulitis since 2014.  THe first two I was in the hospital on IV antibioties for 5 days each.  The 3rd was about 9mos ago on my nose. Painful but not too bad over all. This scared the hell out of me.

Had my quarterly Endo appt yesterday.  Got my new pump up and running.  My Doc is incredible and we had a T-1 Diabetic geek out consult after she harped on how awesome all of my labs looked.  She is a T-1 as well. My first diabetic Endo in my 42+ year T-1 diabetic career.  She has maybe been alive as long as I have been a sweet kid (T-1).

Then there is work.  My new #2 who is outstanding... has shared with the team that he is on medication for debilitating anxiety.  We had a rough two weeks of organizational change, equipment failures, and panicing bosses.  He imploded. Before coming to work for me, he used to report to my bosses boss.  So, anxiety riddled new #2 started calling his former boss, who called my boss, who called me. So now I am writing a detailed segregation of duties document outlining my role and my #2's role. 

I am tired, but I do enjoy what I do.

That is enough about work.

DW and I are resetting in our relationship after she finally left the toxic work environment she struggled so hard to leave. She really is like a new person blossoming in her new very professional well run company.

I am relieved that day 4.5 /10 on two different horse pill antibiotics has returned my ear to near normal size, put out the fire on my face, and has kept me out of the hospital.

Cycling back toward excited is a good thing.

Thanks for asking.

I love that you ask this. So sweet. *give_rose*

I'm so/so. Some good things and some bad things.

Recently I've been having an internal breakdown about  turning 30 this year in June. I don't want to. I feel like I'm just going to get older older older from here and lose my youthfulness.

I've also been missing my dad a lot lately. He passed Dec 19th 2021 and the bursts of grief are coming randomly now, and sometimes in environments I can't control and at the worst possible time like in the middle of the grocery store or on my way to an appointment with a client. It's so hard.

On a positive note....
I recently started my health journey and have lost about 30 lbs since January 1st. I've got 14 lbs left to go and I'll be back to my high school weight that I maintained for 6 years post HS.

I also won an award in my State's Capital City for best Real Estate Agent and my fiancé got me a billboard to celebrate for Valentines Day that just got put up. 
We are in Miami this week for a spur of the moment vacation so I'm happy to finally have some sunshine.

Sending love to all! *air_kiss*