It's Official!!!

It's official people, I'm old!!!!!!!

I had a check-up the other day. The nurse couldn't believe I was 45 and didn't take any meds on a regular basis, and seemed to be healthy as a horse. All that would soon change :(

The good news is I lost 10 pounds. The bad news is my cholesterol was NOT GOOD according to my Doctor, and she put me on Simvastatin without letting me try to lower it with diet first. She said that wouldn't be enough for me. What? I'm not good with taking Doctors advice, and I'm really not good with taking meds more than a couple of days in a row, so this is going to be bad!!

THEN, she told me I needed two tests: a stress test and some other kind of test to check calcium deposits. I was so happy that I completed the stress test without having to stop. I couldn't have done that if I hadn't been exercising again. But it did just about kill me.

Today I've paid for that treadmill feat! Just turning around threw my back out of wack this morning. No more treadmill for me, give me my Gazelle anyday!!

Anyhoo, I've taken a break from the computer lately, but eBay sales have still been good. We've been enjoying some family time, but Rob says it's time to get back to eBay (can you believe it, he was against it at first!!), so I guess I'll be working again. I have to pay for my new washing machine.

The old one konked, and Rob, my Dad, and Uncle Don tried their best to fix it, but there was no hope. Don said when they were done it was going to be like having a brand new one, haha. That's exactly what it's like!! I can't wait till Wednesday! I'll have those delivery men roll that machine right past the mountain of laundry in the living room and hook that sucker up just in time for Mom to get here and try it out all evening :) (Sorry Mom, but Wednesday is your late night here!!)

We are trying to find some time to go to the River to open our place for the year. Rob wants to take off next week since Sarah is out of work for spring break, but the weather doesn't seem to be promising, so we'll have to see.

Today my girls will be here from North Carolina, so we can't go off and leave them this week! Last year we were all ready for summer by now, but remodeling has to come first right now, and it sure is looking good!!



I did this Daybook yesterday, but didn't get it posted. Ended up having a breakfast date with hubby, and made goulash for dinner since he had to work on the washer!!

For Today:

Outside My Window: It’s beautiful, but a little chilly.

I am thinking: I’m glad my stress test is over and everything looks good. I'll get the results in a few days.

I am thankful for: My Family

From the Kitchen: Not a thing, having a date with my husband today!

I am wearing: Jeans, Blue Babydoll Shirt, and Blue Jacket. Finally, I match!!!!!

I am reading: 90 Minutes in Heaven, and Devotionals for couples with my hubby. They just keep getting better!!

I am creating: A Happy Home

I am hearing: Rob working on the washer, it konked!!

Around the house: Nanny is straightening up, Sarah is, well never mind, Rob’s working on the washer, and I just shipped out 10 eBay items. Sales were great this weekend!!!!

Here is the picture I am sharing: Our little house, coming right along!!

For Today:



Outside My Window: It’s dark and cold because it’s only 6:15 am.



I am thinking: I miss my husband already, and he just left for work!



I am thankful for: The way God moved in our lives this weekend. He is THE one and only miracle working God!



From the Kitchen: Tuna salad was made and sent to work with hubby, egg sandwich was made & sent for breakfast, and I have no idea what dinner will be today.



I am wearing: Blue nightgown and green slippers. This not matching thing is a habit!



I am reading: 90 Minutes in Heaven, and Devotionals for couples with my hubby. Wow do I recommend that, it’s great!



I am creating: A Christ centered home where we all can feel safe and loved.



I am hearing: The dog licking himself.



Around the house: Everybody is tucked in soundly, and it’s quiet and peaceful.



Here is the picture I am sharing: Little Abby Mitchem, not very happy at this moment!!! But still soooo cute!!!

For Today:

Outside My Window: It’s dark and cold because it’s only 6:15 am.

I am thinking: I miss my husband already, and he just left for work!

I am thankful for: The way God moved in our lives this weekend. He is THE one and only miracle working God!

From the Kitchen: Tuna salad was made and sent to work with hubby, egg sandwich was made & sent for breakfast, and I have no idea what dinner will be today.

I am wearing: Blue nightgown and green slippers. This not matching thing is a habit!

I am reading: 90 Minutes in Heaven, and Devotionals for couples with my hubby. Wow do I recommend that, it’s great!

I am creating: A Christ centered home where we all can feel safe and loved.

I am hearing: The dog licking himself.

Around the house: Everybody is tucked in soundly, and it’s quiet and peaceful.

Here is the picture I am sharing: Little Abby Mitchem, not very happy at this moment!!! But still soooo cute!!!

I got my MoJo back!!

Wow, it's been a crazy week! So much going on, no time to finish anything I've started, but that's okay. It ain't goen anywhere!!

First of all, I finally found my Mojo. It's been hiding for quite a while, but things are turning around. Let me explain.

I've been trying to get "back on the wagon", having lost weight and then gaining almost all of it back. I'd stopped exercising and ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. Winter seems to do that to me!!

It's been really nice out a couple of days between the snow and rain, and we even made a trip to the River to check on things, and that got me going again. I want to lose this weight before I have to go sweat it out every weekend in Paradise!!

So I decided not to diet, but just eat better, and I've been walking 2-3 miles a day on my Gazelle. I already wore one out and had to replace it, now I'm gonna work on wearing this one out!!

I also decided to only eat God's candy (fruit) between meals. Yea I totally stole that from the 700 club but it sounds more appealing to me than "fruit". That one hasn't been easy, but I'm still working on it!

I also starting looking at the whole closet full of "new" clothes I would have if I got back down to where I was, and that's always motivating!!

I just have to stay away from my Mom because she has "forced" me to eat Oyster Sandwiches twice in one week! We went to Cocomo's Saturday while we were at the River, then she treated us to RipTides Monday when we took Sarah to the Doctor.


Enough about weight, let's move on.

Bobby got a new job!!!!!!YaY!!!!!!!!!

Well it's only Part time at Wal-Mart, but whatever, it's good enough until he can find full time work. He starts Tuesday. Working in lawn & garden. Can I get a discount on tomato plants now?

Sarah was sick as a dog Tuesday. She went to the doctor Monday for Cellulitis in her leg, and they gave her a med that made her so nauseous she couldn't move. Been there, not fun!!

"Get out and stay out" is what this look told me!!

We finally got a different med and she rebounded quickly, thank the Lord. She's not a happy camper when she feels like yaking!

In the animal world: Mitzi DID yak on Bobby's bed, sending him into a full on freak out! She was banned from his room forever, which lasted about 12 hours, cause she will sit at his door and scratch & meow until he opens it!

Rebels made his ears bleed from scratching. I never knew dogs could have allergies so bad! Between shaking those big old ears and licking his paws to death, he's gonna drive me crazy! I don't know what he's allergic to, I just know I spend more money on his medicines than I ever have on my own!!

The Offenders!!

Sometimes they just kick Bobby out and share his bed!

I'm loving Facebook, and spending way too much time on there. It's addictive, but so much fun. I've been talking to a couple of friends from school lately, and lots of family!

Now, if it would just quit raining, so Rob can work outside on the addition, instead of hanging around in here bugging me to death, all would be right with the world!!

Long Term Care Waiver

Hi Again,

Here's the info Judy & Marilyn requested about the Waivers. Remember, this is Virginia, and your state will be different.
All you have to do is pull up your states Medicaid site and search for waivers. There are a lot of different ones, but only 2 in Virginia apply to Spina Bifida. (I just got back on the Medicaid Website and they have combined the two waivers into one that covers everything, so that must be why there is a waiting list now!!)

I also forgot to mention that if you qualify for the waiver, you will automatically receive Medicaid, which pays for the Long Term Care. The advantage to this is that they also pay for any medical bills not covered by your primary insurance. If you already have Medicaid, then nothing will change since they already cover you.

Some people are opposed to having Medicaid because they think there is some sort of stigma attached to it. Please don't feel that way. We all know how expensive it is to care for a disabled child, and you have to take help where you can get it. For the first 19 years of Sarah's life, we didn't have Medicaid, and the medical bills, especially during her first years, were unbelievable. The copays for just one surgery can set you back for years, not to mention 15-30 surgeries that are normal for our kids!!!!!

From the VA Medicaid Website:

Medicaid Waivers were developed to encourage people with disabilities and the elderly to access services in their homes and communities. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program. Medicaid Waivers provide funding to serve people who are eligible for long-term care in institutions such as hospitals, nursing facilities, and intermediate-care facilities. Through Medicaid Waivers, states can “waive” certain requirements including the requirement that individuals live in institutions in order to receive Medicaid funding.

The financial eligibility requirements for waivers are quite different from the financial eligibility requirements for regular Medicaid coverage. Regardless of the age of the person with a disability, financial eligibility for a Medicaid Waiver is based on the individual’s income and assets only. Other sources of income and assets, such as those of the individual’s parents, are disregarded. A person with a disability may have income equal to 300% of the maximum Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment amount, and up to $2,000 in available assets such as savings, stocks, and bonds. If a child’s parents or caregivers have an income that is too high to qualify the family for Medicaid, the child with a disability may still receive a waiver slot. Having a waiver does not affect any other government funds for which a person is eligible.

Individual & Family Developmental Disabilities Support (DD or IFDDS) Waiver

Services available: day support, companion services (agency or consumer directed), supported employment, in-home residential support, therapeutic consultation, personal care services (agency or consumer directed), respite care (agency or consumer directed), supported employment, skilled nursing services, attendant services, family and caregiver training, crisis supervision, environmental modifications, assistive technology, personal emergency response system (PERS), and prevocational services. Support coordination is also provided.

Eligibility: The DD Waiver provides services to individuals 6 years of age and older who have a diagnosis of a developmental disability and do not have a diagnosis of mental retardation. Individuals also must require the level of care provided in an intermediate- care facility for persons with mental retardation or other related conditions (ICF/MR). Children who do not have a diagnosis of mental retardation, and have received services through the MR/ID Waiver, become ineligible for the MR/ID Waiver when they reach the age of 6. At that time, they can be screened for eligibility for the DD Waiver; if found eligible they will receive a DD waiver slot without being placed on the DD waiver waiting list.

I hope that helps explain it a little better. As in Judy's case, Virginia will now have to wait forever before receiving these services because they combined the waivers. Your state may not be that way yet, so check it out as soon as possible to avoid potential delays!!

Blessings,

For Today:

Outside My Window: It’s still dark. I have to get used to this time change.

I am thinking: About everything I have to do today.

I am thankful for: the fact that Bobby didn’t go out with his friends Friday night because they flipped their car 4 times and crushed the back end, where he probably would have been sitting!

From the Kitchen: Chicken Gnocchi Veronese for dinner (a copycat recipe from the Awesome dish at Olive Garden)

I am wearing: Red plaid nightgown and blue slippers. Once again, I don’t match and I don’t care!!

I am reading: through the Bible in a Year, and a hundred (seems like) e-mail newsletters I subscribe to.

I am creating: My Facebook Page. If you Facebook, friend me, I‘’ll accept, lol. If you don't you should. It's fun, and if I can do it, anybody can!!

I am hearing: The microwave cooking my oatmeal.

Around the house: Bobby and Sarah are asleep, and I’m surrounded by packages I have to get ready for shipping out now.

Here is the picture I am sharing: Lunch (Oyster Sandwich) at one of our favorite restaurants at the River, Cocomos. Mom and I went down Saturday just to check things out around our campers and shop!!

Blurry Cell Phone Pic!

Just for Today is from:
The Simple Woman Blog
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Today is Sunday, and I just want to Praise
the Lord for the blessings in my life.  Is that
alright?  (That's my new Pastor's favorite
saying, Is that alright, haha)

Due to some tension between some of the
posters on the Spina Bifida Website, I
thought  this devotion came at the
perfect time for me, and maybe you
would enjoy it!

My favorite devotion from last week:

The Bible is loaded with instructions on how
Christians should respond to each other.
These "one another" statements form the framework
for the body of Christ:

Love one another (John 13:34)

Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)

Live in harmony with one another. (Romans 12:16)

Accept one another (Romans 15:7)

Agree with one another (1 Corinthians 1:10)
(Or agree to disagree)  :)

Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)

Be kind and compassionate to one another
(Ephesians 4:32)

Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21)

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances
you may have against one another. (Colossians 3:13)

Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Offer hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)

We've kind of talked about these things on
the Spina Bifida blog, just not in the
"Christian" context.  We are all here to
help each other, not judge or criticize.
But just because your view and my view
are not the same, doesn't mean we are
being mean to each other.  Everybody is
entitled to give their opinion, and we take
the good and leave the rest.

We should love one another and support one
another, and accept that everybody is
different, and we wouldn't all want to be
exactly the same anyway, how boring that
would be :) We are in a unique minority
of people who nobody else can
completely relate to, so we all need each
other.

If you feel like you're being attacked for
your opinions, please don't give up
and leave.  Talk it out.  Everybody should
feel welcome and valued in this group,
and your input IS important to me, and
I'm sure to everyone else.

I personally don't get offended when
someone disagrees with me.  I understand
that not everybody is going to see things
the way I do,  and that's okay.  I have learned
so much from this group!!

I'm not saying that there are never people
here who are impossible to work with, but
I haven't seen any since I've been here.
We can work out our differences and keep
on going, because I dare to say that any of
us are on here just to pass the time.  We
genuinely want to help and be helped, right?

I hope everybody has a wonderful day!!

For Today

Here's a neat little post I found on the Proverbs 31 Ministries Website. You're supposed to do this every Monday, but I found it today, so I'm doing it today. Talk about a Rebel!!!!!



For Today:

Outside My Window: Bright Sunshine and a melting winter wonderland

I am thinking: I can’t wait till it gets warm and I stop freezing, even with 2 sweatshirts on!

I am thankful for: My family, My Coffee Pot, My Friendly Fat Beagle who takes half of whatever I’m eating

From the Kitchen: Homemade Hamburgers and Homemade Fries for dinner tonight

I am wearing: Green sweatpants and Gray “Richard Bland College” sweatshirt. No, they don’t match. No, I don’t care

I am reading: Lot of blogs from the Proverbs 31 Ministries Website

I am hoping: I lose weight, but considering everything I keep cooking, that ain’t gonna happen

I am creating: A jungle in my home with eBay inventory

I am hearing: Kathie Lee & Hoda on the Today Show

Around the house: The Animals and Bobby are sleeping, Sarah & Robert are at work, there's lots that needs to be done so I should get off the computer!

One of my favorite things: My warm bed with my warm electric blanket and my comfy body pillow

A few plans for the rest of the week: Clean House, Plan Dinner Menus, Exercise for a change

The picture I am sharing: My cousin David’s little Girl Gabby playing in her first snow!

Snow Days!!!

Of Course! I blog about how nice the weather is, and missing the River, and we get the biggest snow storm we've had in 9 years!!

It was sooooo pretty though. We don't get that much snow here, so it was great. 3 different people sent me snow pictures. It was a BIG DEAL!!

This is what it looked like when I went to bed

And this is what it looked like the next morning.
Rob shoveled both sidewalks at 5 am before he went to work.
He shouldn't have. You couldn't even tell it an hour later!
Bobby & Katybug (in her PJs!)
That kind of weather calls for stew and Cornbread. Brunswick stew from the Optimist Club, no less.
It's THE BEST!!!!
Bobby and Kate don't do cornbread, so bring on the grilled cheese!
and of course, everybody wanted a different dessert!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pebbles Treats for Sarah, Frosted Brownies for Me, Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats for Bobby, and Robert's Orange Rolls were long gone by the time I took this picture. This snow storms gonna cost me another 10 pounds!!!!

Bobby was nice enough to take me out and about today. We went to the Post Office (I had another great week for eBay, and had to mail 2 international packages today), and the grocery store. They've been out of bread for 2 days now, so we finally got that, and stuff to make Breakfast for dinner, Bobby's request!

So tonights Crappy Dinner will be Homemade Sausage that Mom & Dad gave me, Bacon, Gravy, Biscuits and Eggs.
I won't get any complaints tonight, yay!!!!!!!!!!