Category Archives: Life as we know it

Daily Prompt: 180 degrees

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Tell us about a time you did a 180 — changed your views on something, reversed a decision, or acted in a way you ordinarily don’t.

Right after my divorce, while on the job,  I was introduced to a guy by a friend and we started to date. I was never one to judge a book by it’s cover and to start off this guy appeared to be nice enough.

We dated a few months when I realized he was becoming a bit possessive and discussing our personal business with other employees that were totally inappropriate. I was taking the brunt of all the jokes and did not understand why.

It was approximately 2 days later;  when one employee shared the entire story with me. Later that afternoon, the nonsense started. My pager was going off 50+ times a minute and I actually caught him following me around town.

I turned the pager off and headed to my supervisor’s office. We had a discussion about the trouble I was having. I left my pager with her and went home. The next day, I received a call requesting my presence at a meeting.

When I got to the office, I was met in the conference room by his supervisor, my supervisor, the guy I had been dating and 2 lawyers.. I truly wasn’t sure what to expect.

I was informed that my ex-boyfriend would no longer be a problem, if he valued his job and they wanted to know what my intentions were. Other than being left alone to lead my life, I really did not want anything.

They sounded thrilled, asked me to sign some paperwork and I left. It wasn’t until later that it occurred to me that they were concerned that I was going to sue for sexual harassment. I hate to admit it, it never crossed my mind. I just wanted my privacy.

Not long after this meeting, I decided to make a change in careers. I did a 180 and got away from the nursing end of medicine for a while and went to work for a well known health insurance company.

I continued to have a few issues with my former boyfriend. When I actually caught him and could talk to him, I threatened calling his job. He left quickly and eventually left me alone.

I was enjoying the job I had for the longest time I held a lot of anger toward my ex-boyfriend and my employer. I learned to put everything behind me and get on with my life. I didn’t do anything wrong and I felt forced out of my job, because of the situation. It felt incredible to be able to jump right back into the workplace after basically being stalked.

I did a 180 in my career and didn’t act like I normally do in a relationship. My career would not be where it is today, if I had not made these changes. I thank the Lord for leading me in the right direction. I may have never met Barry, if all of this mess had not happened. Who knows?

Daily Prompt: Ghostwriter

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If you could have any author –living or dead – write your biography, who would you choose?

Jeff Foxworthy

As a fellow Georgian and comedian, if anyone could write my autobiography, it would be him. He would see and instantly connect with my inner redneck and the words would flow onto his computer screen.

Disability aside, I was born in Winder, Georgia and I love everything redneck. The sad thing is, I know how or have done most of those redneck things I am referring too.

I will say, I have NEVER, nor do I ever plan to try chewing tobacco. I’ll admit I have a few cousins that chew daily!

I even participated in the redneck games in Middle Georgia. So, Jeff Foxworthy would be my choice. He could also make the not so funny parts humorous.

Daily Prompt: Playlist of the Week

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Tell us how your week went by putting together a playlist of  five songs that represent it.

Playlist for the week of  March 4-8 for Barry and Jill Baynes

Monday: “Working 9-5”, by Dolly Parten, 1980

*Barry worked all day, I stayed home and did housework.

Tuesday: “On the Road Again”, by Willie Nelson, 1980

*We had several doctor’s appointments scheduled on and off all day. Felt like we had traveled the state before we got home.

Wednesday: “Lazy Hazy Crazy Days Of Summer” by Nat King Cole, 1963

*Not quite summer yet, Barry worked again and I played a lazy bum at home. Did absolutely nothing all day!

Thursday: “Horse with No Name”, America 1972

*We attended a brain tumor support group at Emory. Great group. Great people. Incredible presentation on radiation-oncology.

Friday: “Happy Birthday, to Jonny”, 1893

*Our nephew turned fifteen years old on this date. Big celebration. We can’t believe he’s getting a license. We feel so incredibly old.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_birthday_to_you

Daily Prompt: VIP

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Who’s the most important person in your life — and how would your day-to-day existence be different without them?

Barry, my husband, is the most important person in my life. Unfortunately, at age 47, I have found myself in need of a caregiver.

Barry, not only has the role of the love of my life, but he is legally considered my caregiver. It kills me that my body has done this so early in our marriage, but you deal with what life hands you and take things one day at a time.

The good Lord has his plan for each of us, it is not our place to argue the plan. As a previous teacher I had would say; “you know a plan exists, whether you know the content or not, you work, girl, work it!”

Barry is my helping hand in many daily activities and my own personal engineer. I hold Barry to get out of the tub, but I can get in. He has made sure I have all the proper rails and no-slip gadgets I need around the house.

He treats me like a normal human being. He doesn’t treat me like a baby. I love my mother, but she thinks I’m 10 years old when she helps with anything. I’m glad she is here, because I don’t like being home alone.

I fell once in the garage, while home alone, I just happened to be on the phone when it happened. Help was as phone call away. Thank the Good Lord above. I fell into a box of framed pictures, shattered glass and broken frames all around. Terrified, I froze until help arrived.

To be honest with you, I cannot imagine life without Barry. You know, I can’t even get a bra on straight without him. Trust me, I’ve tried, you can find yourself in some serious pickles, trying that alone with one hand. Wheewww…..I could tell you some stories. I refuse to start wearing those pull-on things. They are too hot.

Without Barry, I would need someone to do any driving further than 20 miles away. Yes, mom lives with me, but I refuse to get in a car with her driving. My heart can’t take it.

I’d need someone to manage the yard work, pay the bills, go to the grocery store and make sure I take my medication correctly. There are days, that my brain tumor rules, and it is close to impossible to even get out of bed. On those days, I’d need someone to cook, make sure I eat and clean up.

I cannot do laundry any longer, so that is another thing I’d need help with. Someone would have to walk and feed the dog as well. I can’t leave the fish out, but I believe I could manage the fish food and watering the plants.

In December of 2011, Barry had a massive stroke and I almost lost him. The doctors actually tried to prepare me for the fact he would not make it through the night. Losing him, I think would have killed me. I hate to sound selfish, but God wasn’t finished with him yet. He knew we needed each other.

To date, other than a few deficits, Barry whipped that stroke in the butt and is back to helping me whip this brain tumors butt. We work together, to make sure everything gets done; with mom quietly tagging along. We all take care of each other and it works.

To answer this prompt, I know everything Barry does for me daily and I do not want to even think about my day-to-day existence without him.

Life would be hard and I’d have to let too many strangers into very personal parts of my life.

Yes, mom could help more, but she isn’t as strong as she used to be and I do not want to be the cause of her getting hurt.

Bear bear says, Yeah!

Bear bear says, Yeah!

Crazy Email

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Barry and I have forwarded our email attached to the blog, to another address. There is a message attached with the forwarding. Please have patience with us as we work an issue out. If you need a valid email address, just ask. We will be more than happy to give one out.

Thanks for your patience! We love you all!

Barry and Jill

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More Knee News

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After seeing the doctor, she wants to try some crazy injections under my patella, to relieve pain and possibly regenerate some cartilage in the knee. The strange/funny thing about these injections is they are chicken cartilage.

My classmates in school were a bit cruel calling me,”chicken legs”. I grew to take the teasing and learned to ignore them. The ironic thing in this story is, after all that teasing, I’m actually going to have chicken parts in my knees.

To be totally honest, in school, I was so scrawny and my legs were so thin; especially around the ankles, I truly looked like I had chicken legs. I’ll admit it.

I sent our Pastor an email tonight to explain our absence. I told him about the doctors suggestions. His response is below. I love our church. The Pastor and everyone there are just great. They have made Barry, Mom and I feel welcome since the day we walked in the front door. Just a wonderful place.

Email from Pastor:

Sure will…chicken legs! Haha!

Committed for Him,
Pastor L.

Victory Baptist Church

Time for Myself

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For the first time in ages, I have time for myself.

I’ve loaded the dishwasher, washed two loads of clothes, fed the fish, fed the dog, made lunch, supper is in the crock pot, and I actually made my bed.

All I have left to do is exercise. I don’t start that till 2pm. I was going to hit the gym, but it is crazy windy and bitter cold outdoors. Maggie is refusing to go outside. I do not walk well in the wind and sitting at the fireplace sounds like a better option to me.

Maybe I’ll get Epic Mickey out.  That will kill some time.  Video games usually make me sleepy.  I should probably get more laundry going, too. It’s been raining so much, we’ve been afraid to over load the septic tank. I am behind with the laundry. 

Knee Business! Happy Dance!!!!! woooohooo……

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I love seeing a doctor and leaving with a smile on my face. With my fall, I  did not cause any permanent damage, because there isn’t any cartilage there to tear.

She has an idea to try before talking about major surgery, so we’ll give that a shot and talk new knee when we have to. I’m game. I’ll rather get an injection under the patella, than go under the knife.

Again, the good Lord has watched over me and showed me flipping out about this is not always the answer. My Faith gets stronger daily. It is really hard not to stress over your health, when you have so many things to stress over. Barry and I are learning to let God take the lead on health issues. The better we get at it, we are honestly feeling less stress over things.

It has gotten to the point that I actually leave my cane or walker in the car, because I don’t want to feel like a little old woman or have anyone laughing at me. Pure silliness. I’m learning to leave my pride in the car, not my walker.

I just got a new walker. Barry says he’ll pimp it out for me if I want him to. A few things might be cute, but I wouldn’t want him to go overboard. The kids will love it! 

I got permission to get my exercise program going again. I’m hoping to start in the morning. I’ve missed the gym.

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