I’m ready to complain now…
(unenviable job picture found here)
I must say, I am not enjoying 2008 thus far. Can it end now, rather than waiting until December 31st? Please? (BlackBeltMama noted on her blog that Spring is over in just a few weeks…so let’s just start with Summer for the turnaround, k?)
Why the complaining, you may ask? Am I really that crabby about my stupid stove and dishwasher? No. This has been a hard year thus far on our family, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better as of yet. Perhaps the Sickmas we spent in Portland was a portend of things to come.
So. I’ll fill you in.
First, my mom had a heart attack, and the continuing saga involved there is depressing. She went into the hospital in mid-February, and has only spent 10 days out of hospitals and yucky care facilities since then. Her finances are a wreck, she still doesn’t want to eat much (though she’s eating a bit more than she was), she still doesn’t want to exercise (though she claims that she wants to, but some reason always comes up that keeps her from doing it), she’s still suffering from a lot of back pain, she has lost interest in the world around her (no books, no magazines, not even TV really – if you knew my mom, you’d know that 4 months without being interested in a single book is DEPRESSION), and she’s unintentionally (I assume) rude and bossy to everyone around her. She is frustrating the hell out of the staff at the care facility, and the family as well. I spoke to her psychiatrist today, and hopefully he can reassess her depression and get that fixed.
Second, Ted’s brother had a tumble off of his bike, also in February. He broke his collar bone, which took weeks and weeks to heal, and the staff and doctors involved left a lot to be desired. Except maybe for one cute nurse…
Third, Ted’s auntie passed away. She was older, and somewhat ill, so not a shock, but still, really hard.
Fourth, Ted’s other auntie had some health problems that revealed a hole in her heart. Luckily, they were able to handle that with surgery, and she’s feeling much better now.
Fifth, and most recently, Ted was laid off from his job this week. Lovely. He received a severance, and there’s unemployment insurance, so it will be OK. I hope. But it sucks.
So…I’m ready for this to be over, our spell of bad luck. Can it end NOW please? Can the family and job situations just get better, so we don’t have any more worries? Please? If I promise to stop complaining about the fact that we need a new washer and drier, and how do we pay for that?
But I can’t bear to keep this post totally negative, so I’ll add that there are some silver linings to be found. With Ted not working, he’s home for dinner! Yay! (Also breakfast and lunch, but you know…) And, we’re going to Hawaii in July! Already paid for before the job thing, so heck, we’ll go anyway. And there’s Dot’s wedding coming up… 08/08/08! YAY!
I’ve gotta say, I am ready for things to get BETTER. You?
16 Comments
Ted
I am SO ready for this year to be over. It’s been one big bag of Elephant turd.
Rain
It’s got to be tough with your mother and then all those other things. Life does seem to hand people one thing after another for awhile, not sure why that is. It’s good you have the Hawaii trip to enjoy. With your mom, she has to make up her own mind to change things. It’s hard for those who love her but it’s in her hands and maybe a psychologist can help her see things differently. The main thing is you make your own life as good as you can because you are holding the future with Maya.
Linda Atkins
Hi, J. Thanks for the update on your mom–I hope things start to look brighter there soon and that a medication adjustment will help–and the rest. Yep, that’s too much stuff, all right. I’m really sorry about Ted’s job. I hope something great turns up for him very soon. It’s good that he’ll be home for dinner. Is that the same as being home with enough time to COOK dinner? I had to ask. 🙂
J
Linda, you’re funny. 🙂 Yes, Ted likes to cook, so we’re set there.
Autumn's Mom
That pictures is OUTSTANDING as far as how we are feeling this fine day. Bravo! I’m really bummed to hear about Ted’s job, what were they thinking!! I hope bigger and better things are on the horizon for him and for you all J. We are all paddling in this boat together, is all the silver lining I can muster at this point. 🙂 Love you friend.
Liz
Sucky situations. Awesome picture! Hugs!!
Black Belt Mama
I know exactly what you mean. This has not been my year either. The universe can quit crapping on us anytime now.
Nance
I had high hopes for 2008 due to 2007 ending so horribly. So far, it’s not been very good. Sigh. You know my stock comment on that: I BLAME THE REPUBLICANS. 2008 gives us a chance to remedy everything, at least!
Crum
The first thing to load up besides your header was that great picture of the elephant. At least you are keeping a sense of humor about it. I cannot remember who sang it but it seems you might be the perfect candidate to sing it. “If it wasn’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” Has to be a country tune I picked up somewhere.
Anyway, Hawaii sounds like the perfect foil to the recent run of tough times you and yours have been through. Look forward to it and then enjoy it to the hilt.
Amy
Oh! I’m so sorry about Ted’s job. That is HORRIBLE. I am so with you that this year has sucked. HARD. I hate this year. Bleh.
Here’s hoping it turns around soon!
Jimmy
Gosh J
You really do need a break! I hope 2009 brings you and your mom and family some cheer. You deserve it.
I’m holding back on the Republican comments!LOL!!!
lilalia
Sorry, to hear about your mom’s spirit still waning. How are the chances of your husband finding a new job in the next months? Do he have certain people or companies he can approach? I had three months of unemployment at the end of last year and my daughter, at least, thought it heavenly. She liked the fact that I had time to spend at home with her. Even though I work part time, she liked the change of more time. I hope your husband can see this in some way as an opportunity. Of course, financially, it is a very precarious situation to be in, but it is a situation our children will probably experience over and over, so he can be a teacher for her now.
ML
Keeping my fingers crossed that Ted will find another job, one that he enjoys as much as this last one.
This year really has sucked.
V-Grrrl
While I’m glad my year hasn’t included any medical or health dramas, it has sucked in every other way, the most recent being the necessity for a basement/foundation repair that will cost tens of thousands of dollars, a dying heat pump, and a cracked chimney–all in the house that we moved into in March.
starshine
Oh, I’m so sorry for all of the hard stuff you’ve been through! I will say that Hawaii will be a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the balmy breezes!
Suzann
I have been thinking of your mom, you and your family. I will continue to do so. Sorry about all this difficult stuff – over and over and over – Hawaii sounds like a wonderful adventure to look forward to. Hope your Mom is mending and eating and exercising and overall feeling better soon.