How is Everyone?

[Kathy]

As you all know, I have been less active on the forum as of late due to various family matters. However, I notice the Carers section is exceptionally quiet and I am wondering how the rest of you are? If you feel to, please share an update of some sort!

[jolene]

Hello Kathy. Things have been busy on my end. We needed a new vehicle and took a couple weeks decide what we wanted, where to buy, etc. Completed the purchase this last Saturday (2002 Trans am) so, thankfully, that's behind us. I'm not sure if you read in my other thread, but my h is getting deployed again. I'm a little worried about how that will take it's toll but, of course, he's happy about it and I'll try to use the time I have with him to be happy. There will be plenty of time for worry when he's gone. On a positive note, my son has a hockey tournament this weekend and we're all looking forward to it! He's hoping to win the goalie award this time.

I hope all is going well for you Kathy and look forward to hearing more from you when you're able. Thank you for asking:)

[Kathy]

Oh, I am not certain I knew your husband was being deployed again Jolene. It truly creates a number of mixed feelings, doesn't it? My husband Jim is like yours in that he absolutely enjoyed going on operations. I believe he was born to it really. Though I will say, I am happy he is now retired - one less member of the family to worry about!

My boys also loved hockey, much good luck to your son for his tournament! :smile:

[Jen]

Same ol same ol here Kathy! Life goes on we are having a lot of rain here it is the wet season. Mackay which is a city about 4 hours down the highway had 665mms of rain in one night so they have big problems!

[Jim]

Christ that's a lot of rain Jen!

Myself, I am just happy to have my daughter out of hospital. And. To be home with my wife. Mustn't forget that part. ;-)

Jim.

[Kathy]

Thank you for not forgetting me Seamus. :rolleyes:

[Jim]

Hey now. I could never forget you my dear! :-)

[batgirl]

That's for sure!! Mum, Dad talked about you soooo much when we were in St. John's for the 3 days, you have no idea. I got sick of hearing about you. ;)

[Jim]

Well. What else my dear, should one do in St. John's in blustery February? Wasn't it you winging that St. John's was the most boring city on the planet? ;-)

Dad.

[pastrychefarmywife]

hubbys ptsd is stepping up a notch. i posted in my other thread, but its getting weird and crazy. we have been married over 6yrs, and he has been a NCO for almost 3. HE states he has to take care of his soldiers first, then himself. but, there are things here, at the house, that I cant take care of, such as his finiances. I am not allowed to touch them. he says he will take care of them but its been 3 weeks and i just feel like we are getting pushed back further and further.

[batgirl]

Pastry, that's too bad that your husband won't let you help him with his finances. I have PTSD and my parents help me with finances, filling out forms, any kind of stuff like that. I find it extremely stressful otherwise. If I have to do it myself it just doesn't get done. I think it's pretty common to be stressed about those things when you have PTSD. I think there's a good possibility your husband might be stressed too but maybe he's also too proud to admit it? I don't know how to advise you, but I'd thought I'd let you know it might be a stressor for him, and that might be why he's currently avoiding it.

[Frankie]

Hi everyone, I haven't been on for a while. So many changes, "work" wise, our company was bought by a bigger "fish" lol...and we ended up moving and integrating has been a long process !!! And my work "duties" have been increasing and increasing !!! aghhhh lol...but all in all it has been a great move.

On the personal front, my bf and I have been going on stronger then ever, we are getting closer and closer to each other and things are great !!

I will try go get online more often, cause I missed talking here, and missed all the great opinions and helpful thoughts from all of you !

[Kathy]

Lovely to hear from you again Frankie. Work sounds challenging however being busy is good in my opinion! Wonderful to hear things are going so well between you and your boyfriend.

[Frankie]

Thanks Kathy, glad to be able to have the time again !! Yes, how true, with my new position at work, there is no time to think about anything, so that is good lol....and the day flies....I sometimes wish I had more time at work ! but it is a great challenge and I am loving it !

Yea, on the personal front it couldn't be better !

[Jim]

Good on you Frankie. Pleased to hear from you.

Jim.

[Nicolette]

Nice knowing you are back Frankie. I look forward to talking to you.

[wildcritter44]

:hello: Hi,

Hope things are getting better for you & yr family Kathy.
Actually I hope things are getting for everyone on forum & their families.

Things r so-so, last month the transmission barfed up chunks of metal. Needless to say, it is very dead... lol. No it's really not funny, but if I don't laugh, I might cry !!! :rolleyes:
This month my daughter's truck, (that we are borrowing) decided that my husband did not need to see his Psych. The problem occurred "after" we checked in & got on base. The radius arm bushing bracket (that is attached to the axle) broke loose. Soooo we had to get a piggy-back ride home -- all 92 miles worth... Thankfully we have good insurance (3A) & we didn't have to pay for the tow...BUT we also didn't get to see the DR. or get the blood test he needed. :wall:
$250. later for just parts we did the repair work because we can't afford the repair bill it would have been over a $1,000. We put the brackets on, took it in to have the front end alignment done and we told we needed U-joints and a pivot arm bushing. So we limped the truck home, after buying new U-joints ranger & I proceeded to put new U-joints on. Needless to say, with that expense the credit card is now very full.
It was a lot of pain for ranger...he always takes several days to recover after doing any kind of work on a vehicle. His mood needless to say -- he's been hurting a lot, depressed as a result of the pain, bored, stressed.:crazy:

We r still "waiting" on the VA to come through for us, we called them, sent in more paperwork, etc... According to the VA rep we are getting closer to the 100% disability...The process is sooo long and drawn out that I feel sorry for all those vets that don't have anyone to help them through the "CRAP" and STRESS of dealing with the government red tape... dealing with them is enough to give anyone PTSD.. lol (I am in NO WAY saying PTSD is funny!)

We r merrily hamesters on a wheel & around & around we go... Some days the wheel is slow others it's turning to fast...stress either way !!! I guess that is life in general. I seem to be doing ok as long as ranger is not overly stressed out yelling etc... He spends a lot of time on the computer since we don't have TV.
NO $$, to get the Jeep transmission repaired, NO $$ to go anywhere or do anything...I think that sucks the most...

You all take Care & Hugs :Hug_emoticon: to u

Donna

[Kathy]

Lovely to hear from you again Donna. Money troubles are never fun and I am sorry to hear you are still waiting for the VA! It seems to me it has been a very long wait for you. It hope it all comes through for you soon. Thank you for your wishes for my family as well. We have our challenges however I believe things are falling into place for the most part. I wish the same for you and yours.

[Sairadance]

Hi Kathy. It's nice that you take the time to check how everyone is doing.
I haven't heard from my Boyfriend in 5 days now. The court situation for his job occurred on Thursday last week. My Boyfriends' father told me that they are holding out on the decision until Monday (tomorrow). I haven't heard anything from him and I know from what all of you have told me, that he needs his space to deal with this. It's really hard when you know someone you love is "Numb" and "feels nothing" right now, to the point of not being able to even send a text to say he's hanging in there. In my heart I know he's ok. and will come through this. I just wonder at what point do I say "hey you need to decide if you want contact with me or not"? He's an honourable man who would never just leave me hanging out there forever, but I know I need to take care of myself and will have to draw the line at some point. This is very difficult and long distance makes it worse. How long does one wait when you haven't heard from your partner??? Help!? I'm not contacting him so he can have his space. I'm really just having a bad day.

[Kathy]

Could you send him a non-intrusive message such as an email or text message, and do so without placing any expectations upon him? That way the decision to respond can be his entirely. One brief message in 5 days is still respecting his space in my opinion, unless he specifically requested no contact until he reinitiates. If the latter is the case, I would leave him be, difficult as it is.

[Sairadance]

Thanks so much Kathy.
He has never said "do not contact me". I asked him last weekend when I was there and witnessed the "numbing part" if he minded that I send the odd text message. he replied that it didn't bother him. He says, "I just ignore the phone and my cell when I don't feel like talking. Taking your advice, I left a brief mesage on his answering machine saying "just wanted to say hi, and if you don't feel like talking that's ok". No response of course, but I expected that. What a roller coaster...lol. Thank you very much for your support!:wink:

[jods]

Hello world!

We have been busy with that crazy thing we call life. Good days & bad days but overall just plain old busy days.

On a positive note hubby will be picking up his very own "new" car tomorrow. He took it for a spin today & felt comfortable driving it so I am over the moon & proud of him for taking this big step.

Will try to get back on more when I can. Hugs to all!

[Kathy]

You are most welcome Sairadance. I hope you do hear from him soon.

Lovely to hear from you again Jodee! Busy is a good thing in my books. Well done with Rob's new car! It is quite exciting that he is able to drive again! Jim and I, and Evie, Maggie & Plats all miss you on the forum and wish you well!

[Sairadance]

Well Kathy, day 9 and still no word from my boyfriend. I know he's alive and working and functioning to some degree...I looked up his coffee card account that I pre-pay for him from here, and noticed that he has at least been buying coffee for himself and co-workers (I assume). That's a good sign. He has just not resumed contact with me or his parents. I'm thinking that he hasn't heard from the hearring re: job discipline. He hasn't been on the computer either. I tell myself over and over..."I have no control over anyone else, I can only control my own thoughts and emotions". It's tough though. I know 9 days doesn't seem like much, but I'm actually forgetting what it feels like to be with him. Anyone been down that road? I could use a little help here. Thanks.

[Sairadance]

I got up the courage and called my BF's cell today. he actually answered. He sounds good. Whew......10 days felt like a million. The conversation was short because he was driving, but i think he's coming around. He used my nickname, that felt good. Said he'd call on Sun. night. I don't really know how to feel right now. Such a mixture of emotions... Yikes. Definately relieved.

[Nicolette]

Very happy for you Sairdance. I hope things continue to improve for you and your boyfriend.

[Nicolette]

On a positive note hubby will be picking up his very own "new" car tomorrow. He took it for a spin today & felt comfortable driving it so I am over the moon & proud of him for taking this big step.

Yeah for Nugget! :occasion:

[jods]

Yeah I'm rather proud of nugget, it's nice to see him taking this step. Mind you it does make things easier now that we have a car each.

Good stress & bad stress for him but I think it's a long term win for him.

Just makes me love him more!

[Nicolette]

Just makes me love him more!

Awesome.... for both of you :smile:

[jods]

Just popping my head back in to let you know that I will be a bit busy for the next few weeks.

As of tomorrow we will be moving during Adelaide's glorious heatwave (39c). Lucky its a long weekend for us & we are only moving around the corner.

Then the following weekend I'm in a wedding 2hrs from where we live.

Good stress & bad stress for our family but overall it is all going to be positive things for us. Has anyone got beroccas, lol!

[Nicolette]

Great to hear things are moving along nicely for you Jodee....Rob with a new car, you all having a new home and nice things like weddings to go too.

I hope the move goes well, despite the forecasts of hot weather it hasn't hit us yet and we are usually a day behind your weather so I am hoping moving wasn't too hot.

Lets hope that all the good and bad stress pans out to a more positive future. I'd send you some berocca's but I think they would arrive too late. :rolleyes:

Good luck!

[Nicolette]

Just heard on the news that it is a heat wave in Adelaide :rolleyes:. Hope the move is still ok Jodee.

[Frankie]

Things have been extremely busy for me. My bf and I are still going strong. But he is going through a rough spot right now, last week he had an argument with a coworker and he quit his job. He feels very down about it...mostly cause I think that he feels he let me down. I don't think he let me down...he is trying very hard and I know he will find something else and will do very well at it.

On a sadder note, my mom passed away last week. She had alzheimer's (for the past 8 years). As much as I know she is in a better place and is now in peace, it is hard to lose a parent, no matter how old they are. And no matter that she didn't recognize us, it is still very hard. My bf is a great comfort to me, he gives me strength.

She was the best mother and grandmother, she lived for her kids and grandkids. She touched everyone she met, young and old ! She always had a smile on her face, she loved to laugh and loved life, that is what everyone remembers about her.

If I am 1/3 the mother she was, I will have succeeded in being a mother myself.

My regret was she couldn't spend her last years enjoying her grandkids. But this is life, with its ups and downs. We should all enjoy life to the fullest.

[Nicolette]

Hi Frankie I am sorry for your loss - sincere condolences Nicolette

[Cowgirl]

So sorry for your loss, Frankie! My Dad has cancer and Alzheimer's and isn't doing well. I know that each moment I spend with him is precious. And you are so right, life is precious and we need to appreciate and enjoy it while we can!