Chapter 5: The Circle of Life (and Dreams) About This Page:

[graygables]

So we are finally home from what feels like a jillion doctor/hospital appointments. I am SO ready to curl up with a cuppa and some chocolate and veg out. Or cry. Either one.

Doctors appointments were just that, follow ups and tweaks to meds and things. I had my initial appt with the therapist and he seems like a good fit. Belief systems align nicely which is always helpful. I don't know how most first visits go, but I didn't leave with much of anything except for a handful of tissues and a next appointment. I knew there wasn't a quick fix, but I'd hoped he could have given me a nugget of some wisdom to work on until next time. Big disconnect between what I know in my head and what really happens. At this point, I'm begging for some uninterrupted sleep. My middle-aged female bladder kicks in about 4 hours in and then when I'm upright, my brain kicks on and will NOT shut off. I've tried all kinds of techniques, but nothing works.

I have some "grass" things coming up in the next few weeks, so I'm trying to keep those big girl pants on, Miss Sheri!

BTW, one of my appointments was with the eye doc as the contacts aren't going well and I asked to try a different kind as well as correct for distance only, sticking with glasses for reading and both she and her assistant came across really snooty for some reason. 16yo was with me and thought the same thing. I'm a bit miffed about it as I am PAYING for this service, right? Believe me, it frustrates me as much as it does you and it's MY eyeballs, after all. I'd like to think I'm not a drama-queen about it, but I hate wearing glasses and the contacts have made everything look watery and pixelated rather than clear, esp at night. Not good.

I will say, though, we had some time to kill between appts yesterday, so youngest suggested a round of mini-golf. Why, yes, let's go to Winter-Summerland, why don't we, to enjoy a few rounds??? 16yo blew us away with her 46 (56 par) and we had a grand time relaxing and not thinking about stupid life stuff. I'm happy to say we still recognize how blessed we are to have that opportunity available to us.

[chezp]

Wow, what a great result at mini-golf! Unfortunately, your photos aren't showing up for me.

[Thomhazel]

Big girl pants Love it!

[taylan1]

So sorry you are having trouble with eye doctor. I would find someone else if their attitude continues. You are paying for it and they should be happy to help you find the right solution. It is very possible that you can not wear the newer materials that have come out. I have not had any luck with those and experience the same problems you seem to have. I have had to stick with Acuvue and while they are more expensive at least I can see with them. I have found that you can find them cheaper online once you have the right prescription. Good luck. Glad you had fun golfing, what a great way to spend the afternoon.

[skateycat]

i cannot see the photos either, dahling. and i agree about the optometrist or ophalmologist...kick them to the curb if they aint earnin' their keep. you are paying and deserve to be treated with respect and get the product YOU want, not the one they THINK is right for you. just keep mowing, girl....keep mowing.....
i am glad the therapist seems a good fit for you. not sure, but judging from what i see in the hospital, the first visit usually does not have much of any kind of resolution. i think if they are a sounding board for you, it will help you feel much better. you know, someone not directly involved in the situations just sitting and listening to you describe what is going on. hmmmm....sometimes, as people listen to their own story, some answers pop out. have you read any of iyanla vanzant? not like you have time, but if you can find any little quotes to help get you through, she is fabulous. i am in the midst of reading one of her books right now. she talks about different valleys in life that we women go through. one of them is "the valley of other people's problems". do not dwell there. sometimes, we keep repeating some "episodes" of our "story" over and over. why? because somehow, we are getting something out of it....your job is to figure out what you get out of the continual repetition. (ie the comfort of familiarity or whatever). until you can figure out your part in the story, you cannot pull yourself out of that particular valley. somehow, the drama others create around you is a valley. it is for you to figure out why it keeps appearing and then perhaps you can figure out how to get out of that danged valley......
(am i close on any of it????? he he he)
know you are loved and valued for the fabulous woman you are.....

[KMB733]

Sounds like a stressful day with all the appointments. I agree, if the eye doctor isn't cutting it, I would find someone else who is willing to help. Glad you were able to fit in a round of mini golf to break up the day.

The pictures aren't showing up for me either!

[Cheriemek]

Dawn - I have always had trouble sleeping, and it has just gotten worse over the years. I am like you - I cannot turn my brain off. This is what I do now - I put on a talk radio station (like the BBC), and pay attention to what they are talking about. So, my brain is not focusing in on my worries, but on something I know little about, and eventually my mind gets bored and falls asleep.

[kdkhopper]

Originally Posted by Cheriemek

Dawn - I have always had trouble sleeping, and it has just gotten worse over the years. I am like you - I cannot turn my brain off. This is what I do now - I put on a talk radio station (like the BBC), and pay attention to what they are talking about. So, my brain is not focusing in on my worries, but on something I know little about, and eventually my mind gets bored and falls asleep.

That's similar to what my husband does - he found a science-type podcast that's done by a guy with a very soothing voice. Something about the voice puts DH to sleep a few minutes into the podcast (which are only 15 minutes long anyway.)

[goofy4clareandkeller]

I get up and watch "Homeland" on demand. It doesn't always help me fall asleep but it makes me realize there are way more stressful lives out there. Plus it's just a great show, and worth missing sleep for.

[tinker_me_happy]

I have to say that the husband bashing doesn't bother me at all! As a matter of fact it makes me appreciate my DH all the more ! (He can be a bit of a nudge from time to time, but he's a good guy!)

It was great to meet you when I was there!! I have to say we had the best night safari views I've ever had while there! I'm wondering if that is part of the "new" goings on? I don't remember seeing animals out that late after dark before.

[ilovedisney0_0]

Nope, no pictures for me either.

[chyanne0]

Dawn, it was so great to meet you while we were there!! You are the epitome of awesome customer service! I hope they know what a gem they have in you

[graygables]

Originally Posted by chyanne0

Dawn, it was so great to meet you while we were there!! You are the epitome of awesome customer service! I hope they know what a gem they have in you

I'm so glad I got to meet you, too! (sorry about the darned Blackberries not shutting up!) And, THANK YOU for the wonderful gifts from Alaska! The girls and I have been enjoying them bunches!

[graygables]

OK, wow, lots going on.

First, TARDIS party (since I seem to fail at putting them on PP): Dr Who Tardis Party by graygables | Photobucket

Hopefully that will work!

So, lots of craziness at my house. My mother is in a bad way and has been to the ER via ambulance a few times in the last week. Lots of drama and it is BAD on my Dad and 24yo DD. You know when he says "worst night since Viet Nam" it's horrific. I think they need to put her in a facility as does DD, but no one else is willing to go there. Lots of distress around the whole situation.

14yo got a boot on her ankle last week due to some cartilage issues. She has to have an MRI, so we are waiting for that to be scheduled. She also had oral surgery to have all 4 wisdom teeth removed last week, poor kid. Surgeon said they were the most developed roots he'd seen on a 14yo; "those were more like a 25-30yo"

16yo has her own set of challenges with new meds and such, none of that is fun. Her 17th b-day is around the corner (HOW did THAT happen??? ), but since I did a dumb thing and gave birth to a "Spring Break Baby", I don't think we have any big plans. I'm taking a few days off work just so we can hang out and have a nice birthday dinner outing without exhaustion, plus I just need a little time away.

Things at work have been interesting. I am basically overhauling some things and change is generally unwelcome even if it's necesary. I certainly am learning a lot about the operations side of things where before I was all about just being the duty manager, so that's been good growth for me, if difficult. I am VERY excited to be here during this time, though, with the My Magic+, the new Fantasyland expansion (and have you SEEN the new restrooms by Rapunzel's tower?!? Who thought I'd get excited over potties??? ), and now the Disney Springs announcement. Lots of really good stuff going on and I'm so happy to get to be a part of it.

We were hoping to get out to the F&G/mini F&WF this week, but we had a day at the Florida Mall/Ikea/Michael's/Grocery that wiped us out yesterday, so we may try again next week. I've been hearing really good things about it. BTW, Ikea fans who are GF, while I miss the meatballs terribly, the ribs w/ veggies on the side are YUMMY and a shrimp cocktail made for an unusual, but refreshing dessert when spritzed with lemon juice.

Oh, and I now have WHITE covers on my Ikea dining room chairs. I know, what am I thinking??? I'm thinking this is MY house and I can do what I wanna, thankyouverymuch. We are trying to update the dining room for the seasons and just cleared out the red from Christmas/Valentine's Day. We are now in Easter mode, but couldn't settle on a good chair color, so decided to give white a try. We'll see... I am still IN LOVE with our home. Every once in awhile, we'll be piled on the couch and just sigh and say, "I love home". It's awesome.

[Beautiful Mother]

Gray-I'm sorry to hear about your mom. It's hard to realize we are the grown-ups with our parents, isn't it. The day is coming too soon when I have to face the similar issues with my folks, and I dread it. You are in my thoughts and prayers. It sounds like there are many opportunities lurking in the changes taking place at Disney. Good luck be with you.

Enjoy your time with your DD's. Sometimes less is more, especially when she is so close to leaving the nest as it were. So enjoy! I'd love to have that time with my DD again. Life gets complicated too quickly and tends to stay complicated.