tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91787070894150661642024-03-13T08:42:30.393-04:00Meryl's BlogFurry kidz, living with allergies, eating better, career, life in general, etcMerylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-10583793322345153222011-05-07T12:47:00.015-04:002011-05-07T13:20:53.872-04:00"Family Unties aka To Text or Not To Text..."<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Last Saturday, I was </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;">very hurt</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> over the engagement announcement of my sister being broadcast over Facebook at 8 AM, then she sending me a text a few hours later "so I wouldn't see it on Facebook first". Call me old fashioned but I was very, VERY hurt! </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I only stay on Facebook to keep up with my classmates (i.e. job contacts) and out of state relatives and friends. Seems with some people it is the only way they can "keep in touch": unfortunately with most of my family and friends I feel I am always the one chasing them to make plans, etc.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I understand my future BIL being excited and wanting to announce to the whole Facebook world my sister accepted his proposal, I don't understand (and never will!) why family did not get a phone call first... well as far as I can tell the only direct family member who did not get a pre-announcement call (or in person announcement) was me. And yes, it still hurts!</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />My sister and I (I have two) have always been at odds with each other all our lives; I blame my parent's for having us share a bedroom (though there were two available rooms at the time) most of our lives, which added fuel to the fire to start and keep our sibling rivalry alive. I guess that is why a few friends thought I was angry because she was engaged? WTF?</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />If you think/thought that, you don't have a clue about me, THAT is for sure! I can't be happier that after becoming a widow six or so years ago, that my sister was able to find another great guy to fall in love with who truly loves her and makes her extremely happy. I love both my brothers in law and my niece too!</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />The point is text is not appropriate! I had to go to the ER last week to get stitches and I certainly did not text my family about it!</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I thank God I have my BFF and he was around to make me smile and laugh through all those tears: HE is the best, thanks K!</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Technology is great and I love being able to send a quick text update or "I'm running late" to someone but text is not meant for everything. Common sense should tell all that BUT I also know there are too many stupid people out there, one who is probably texting a non-text type message right now while they are driving...</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />The lesson to be learned is be cognizant of the feelings of others and with big, important news, do not text it to your closest loved ones. You don't want them to be as hurt as I am. Not that she even has a clue, but I have forgiven her...after a long week. She did call me that afternoon to talk but I am sure when she called and told mom that day how the news of the engagement was spread that mom convinced her to call me... it is just the next button next to "Send Message" on the contacts list after all...<br /><br />Hopefully, no one else will have to go through this type of pain but, I know I'll get it some other way: I always do! (No, I am not paranoid, unfortunately too experienced in such things...) So much for me treating others as I would like to be treated. I will not change my ways, I will continue to treat others as I would treat myself, but I may be using the delete button more.<br /><br />Things like this make me realize more and more how I have grown apart and am so different from my family... very, very sad: for them!<br /><br />Love, hugs, peace... Meryl xoxo<br /></span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-77085424549538963152011-03-07T20:52:00.023-05:002011-03-07T21:44:45.866-05:00"Illegal Music - Part 2"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes, I am still without my precious tunes at the office, I miss them so much!</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I spoke to the VP of Operations today. I told her that I understood her point of view that she feels </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">headphones</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> are unprofessional looking and wondered if headphones could be allowed if we were not having any special visitors, i.e. it is not a dress up day (we wear casual business attire there, suit up for special occasions and visitors).<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Unknown to me, this was an issue covered in February's monthly staff meeting which was held on a day I was not working. Someone put the idea of banning headphones into the suggestion box! Off with their head I say! The VP also told me they were written up in the minutes... minutes? Someone is keeping minutes at these things? Seems the woman who takes the minutes does not use the group set up in the mail system to send the minutes to all employees; I am now a part of that list.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I wish I would not have missed that meeting because I would have had a few constructive things to say!</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Can you believe someone put the "no headphone rule" in the suggestion box, WTF? It seems certain people thought others using headphones were using them on their phones or other devices for "illegal" during business hour purposes. The people in my area record the minutes of the Board meetings and use the headphones so they can type out the minutes. Listening to the minutes and transferring them to paper is a difficult process that I am lucky enough not to have to do. Most the meetings the Board members all call in, mostly on cell phones, so that makes it more difficult to hear what was said, and to type out the minutes. I am sure when someone is transcribing minutes, they are concentrating so hard they do not hear a phone ring, do not hear someone call out their name. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Due to this "suggestion" a new rule was added to the employee handbook: headphone use is not permitted during business hours however, you can listen to a radio low.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />My "neighborhood" at the office needs silence (at least one person does). I am sure a radio, regardless of tastes in music, will go over real well. If the wifi was working, I could play music on my iPod without my headphones like I do when I am there late and by myself, but I know that won't work; I can not win!</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I get super bored with how slow my computer is, the silence is deafening and whispering distracts me more than normal conversation. I keep my music on low enough so that I can hear everyone around me. I answer to my name as I am taking off the headphones and answer the phone the same way. I was talking enthusiastically to a client on the phone one day and I ended up with my silence needing neighbor knocking on my desk, asking me to cut the call short. She was a tad rude but she was trying to transcribe board minutes and apologized for her approach later; it was a business call after all.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />A group at the other end of the office play an iPod through speakers but no one in that area seems to mind and unfortunately, I have to stay at the desk I am at.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I don't want others who are lucky enough to have neighbors that appreciate a little background music to lose their privileges but I feel I am losing out because of one person, I believe it is only the one person, who needs absolute silence. She has been on vacation this week and I have noticed more talking going on, the volume on the talking a tad louder than usual.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I need my music, I don't know how to get it. What do I need to go on music breaks instead of smoking breaks? That won't cut it for me. Doesn't seem right for me to be penalized when I do my job, do it well and frankly, when I am enjoying my tunes I feel I get more done. The music keeps me awake, alert and happy.<br /><br />Though I know the rule won't be changed, I have a meeting with my supervisor and am going to mention, in a business like way, how I can not have access to music without headphones. I am sure nothing will change, but at least I will have said my peace. Like with one of their other unbelievably stupid office policies that will someday bite them in the butt for sure. They'll be bitten not from or by me, but by their policy that breaks a cardinal rule and why does it break a rule? For convenience. Hmmm, I seem to remember a question on one of their applications that convenience is not a reason to break a different rule: interesting!<br /><br />Well, I am an IT person and health care provider. I learned to keep business secrets long, long ago whatever they may involve to myself, but damn, I can't listen to music: that is sacrilegious!<br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Grrrrr!</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Peace, love, health, hugs and hopefully access to music for you, meryl xoxoxo</span><br /></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-59764203973480288732011-03-04T14:45:00.002-05:002011-03-04T14:47:01.847-05:00"Illegal Music"<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I want to be able to listen to music while I work at the office and found out yesterday my headphones (actually they are ear pods) are illegal as well! I have been working at this office two years in June.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; ">I do my work, I answer my phone, I can hear others call my name without them shouting or disrupting others and take them off when someone is talking to me or I am on the phone, what is the problem? People with private offices play music over their computer speakers. I am in a sea of cubicles!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; ">I got scolded for talking with a customer a decibel too loud, I’d be shot if I tried to listen to music through my PC THOUGH the “scolder” (a manager) plays CDs on her PC with and without headphones and that is ok… and through her iPhone as well; I have an iPod.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; ">Wonder if I can get in paid music breaks like the smokers do? I personally cannot live without music; it relaxes me, helps me to focus and entertains me. For me, this is a much bigger more important issue since the office prefers silence and whispering, which drives me mad! (I am not the only one who feels this way.) I find whispering much more distracting than a little background noise or conversation. If I need a little quiet, I put on my music or take an unpaid break to clear my head.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; ">I have come up with a compromise I am going to bring up to the VP of Operations; she is the one who disapproves of headphones. And no, it will not be I use ear pods and others use headphones OR I have an iPod and others are using iPhones and maybe texting illegally as well… It’s a viable solution, just don’t know if she will allow it or not.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; ">If you don’t try you can’t fail… or succeed either!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; ">I was also recently told all cell phones are supposed to be inside the desk. I have mine out, on silent, not even on vibrate, God forbid my father has an emergency and also I used to have another part time job. I treated each one equally as far as cell phone and email receipt, reading and response. I am a professional after all! Oh yes and an adult too!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; ">Peace, love, hugs, health, music... meryl xoxo</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-46918836348988714522011-03-04T14:36:00.003-05:002011-03-04T14:38:32.494-05:00"Breast Feeding Laws: Federal and State"<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Check Federal and if there is a specific law for your state. It is posted on the National Conference of State Legislatures Website ncsl.org (blogger not cooperating with links). Search for breastfeeding laws.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; ">I should have known NYS puts in an unpaid break clause… I read the Federal, no other state. The only legislation I could find regarding smoking is that smokers must smoke in designated areas only. OK equality that both need designated areas to occur: that’s it!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; ">I am sure the laws were put into affect so a woman is guaranteed the choice to continue breastfeeding. This particular company is mostly women. Every company I have worked at that is mostly women is low on the pay scale but high on the intangibles: we are allowed to eat at our desks, flexible schedules, holidays, monthly bagel breakfast, etc. Many people go out for their hour lunch break to do errands THEN eat lunch at their desk. Maybe this is a solution that would work? Lunch is unpaid time off? Somehow I don’t think mom can eat her lunch and pump milk simultaneously.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; "></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; ">If a woman wants to pump and store breast milk for her child she should be given the facilities and privacy to do this: I agree. Smokers should be allowed to smoke in the designated areas (at our building that is 50 feet from entrances): I agree. (Though where I work, I always choke because they smoke 10 feet from the doors as I walk into work but different issue.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; ">I still do not comprehend how NYS can regulate one type of paid break and not regulate all paid breaks? The issue is not male/female, mom/not mom, nursing/non-nursing, or smoker/non-smoker. The issue is discrimination, plain and simple, over the type of break and how the Law is not treating breaks equally.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; ">Whatever the number of breaks/total time a company allows employees to take (our lunch is unpaid time off, of course) I think that is when all texting, smoking, breast pumping, non-work tasks should take place. Allowing one group of people a paid break whenever they want for one reason while penalizing another group for their reason is discrimination. I guess the mom’s who receive phone calls from a sick child should punch out as well? I am guess this is what the Company policy may come to: punching out for all breaks.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: large; ">I would love to be a mom BUT I am so glad I do not have to deal with this issue. No matter how you look at it, it is not an easy decision to make. Babies are healthier being breast fed their first year of life but this law makes mom have to stay at work longer to nourish her child properly? To breast feed or to not breast feed becomes a harder decision to decide and keep when you need two incomes… as the smokers say goodnight the nursing mom’s are putting in extra time to make up for milking time: does not compute!</span> <!--EndFragment--></div>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-13878345221276998152011-03-03T21:37:00.006-05:002011-03-03T21:53:39.064-05:00"Smoke Breaks and Nursing Mom Breaks Not Treated the Same?!"<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This issue actually has me appalled!<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Let me start off with I am a former smoker (it reeks havoc on my sinuses, allergies and migraines) and I have no children.</span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This is not a bash on smokers; this is not a bash on moms (I <i>wish</i> I had kids). We have at least four pregnant women at the office now and at least three smokers. Our company had its monthly meeting and mentioned some additions to the employee handbook.</span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Women who want to nurse their babies for the first year, which means the whole breast pump thing, storing the milk, etc., have to be provided with accommodations to do so. Fine, I think that is the right thing to do, arrange a private place where they can do this end of subject, right? The moms have to make arrangements to take unpaid time to do this. I am told this can be done during a "normal" 15 minute break. (At a previous job my supervisor would do this two times a day, 30 minutes per session. I do not remember if she was using her lunch hour for this or not, it was ten years ago.)</span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I was led to believe the smokers in the office were punching in and out when they went out for a smoking break but this is not the case. I do not know if anyone abuses the paid smoking breaks or not.</span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">To me, as long as if does not keep me from doing my job, or overly delaying getting my job done, I could care less what others are doing. I take care of myself.</span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">We get an hour lunch break and are allowed to take a reasonable "coffee break" or two to go downstairs to get food, a little fresh air or just stretch our legs. Our office is very warm most days so the extra trips to the restroom are very welcome to get fresh air and to stretch a bit.</span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">When I used to smoke (in high school and college) during a "work/school" day I would smoke at least 6-8 cigarettes let's say 5 minutes each break making 30-40 minutes per day.</span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">According to this law (they say it is law, I have to look it up) if a woman wants to pump breast milk, she has to take unpaid time. Is it just me or does anyone else see a discrepancy? There is a law about time for being a mom but none over smoking breaks? Male dominated government? Tobacco industry lobbying? Other reason(s)? I am no politician but it does not compute for me. (I have to look into the specifics of this law...)<br /></span> </p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">To me, if you are taking extra breaks whatever the reason, they should all be treated equally as unpaid time, should be considered part of your lunch break, or you should put in extra time to make up for the extra break(s).<br /></span> </p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My posts tend to stir up some controversy, which is great actually. I am interested in what others feel about this issue and to reiterate, I am not picking on the smokers or the moms who want to nurse. I am picking on how the law/company is treating extra break time. I know life is not fair but…<br /></span> </p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I got it! This is how unemployment gets “solved”, all the mom’s who want to nurse their children quit their jobs!</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Peace, love, hugs, meryl xoxoxo</span></p>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-8036137356723870502011-02-19T18:32:00.005-05:002011-02-19T18:39:59.966-05:00"Perfect Song"<span style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Just when I think I have found the perfect song, that describes how I feel, what I need, what I want, brings tears to my eyes, I find another: </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Civil Twilight</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" > - "Letters From The Sky"<br /><br />The piano is eerie, mesmerizing, grabs hold of me... then the words! "One day soon I'll hold you like the sun holds the moon"...<br /><br />I put it up there with Foo Fighters - "Everlong" with how it gets me, gets into my heart and doesn't let go. My guy who is the subject /one singing these to me will be here...<br /><br />====================================<br /></span> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Civil Twilight - "Letters From The Sky"</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">One of these days the sky's gonna break, And everything will escape, and I'll know</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">One of these days the mountains are gonna fall Into the sea, and they'll know</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">That you and I were made for this, I was made to taste your kiss, We were made to never fall away... Never fall away</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">One of these days letters are gonna fall From the sky telling us all to go free. But until that day I'll find a way to let everybody know, That you're coming back, you're coming back for me. 'Cause even though you left me here, I have nothing left to fear. These are only walls that hold me here, Hold me here, hold me here</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">One day soon I'll hold you like the sun holds the moon, And we will hear those planes overhead. And we won't have to be scared, We won't have to be, we won't have to be scared</span><span style="font-size:130%;">. You're coming back for me, You're coming back for me, You're coming back to me.</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Hoping you all have or will soon find your everlong sun that will hold you like the moon.<br /></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Peace, love, hugs - meryl xoxo</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:webdings;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-13457991883959054552011-02-19T18:06:00.009-05:002011-02-19T18:31:53.576-05:00"Birthday Dinner Recap"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Went better than I expected. Something was going on before I got there but it was not shared with me of which I was VERY glad. I took my migraine preventative pills before I got there since one is an anxiety pill/anti-depressant, just to be safe.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I stopped at their neighbor's house first since the lady is 92, always remembers my birthday and I hadn't had a chance to return her call. I thought an in person thank you would be appreciated and it really made her night. One of my sisters hadn't arrived yet so it was perfect timing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I could tell by the look on my 14 year old niece that something was going on when I walked in the door with how happy she was to see me. She and I get along great, it was her expression and later comments that told me my father was "being himself".</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Next year I will probably just treat myself to dinner on my own or if I have someone special to share it with, still owe that to myself. I think my attempts at the "tradition" of the family dinner which my father started as his treat to his daughters and wife is, at least for my birthday, a thing of the past. I can not deal with the stupid stress, it boils my blood! The niece is right: dad is old, what do you expect? out of the mouths of babes...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All the dad's out there. Do not belittle your children or treat them like they are your employee. Encourage them to be and do their best.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Should be interesting when I let the parent's in on one of my job's going away, I'll be back to being treated like I'm five, not trying, etc. etc. When I was finally able to get more set hours dad told me he was happy my "attitude" changed... WTF? Does dad really think I have control over the economy? Over people having job openings, calling me for the interview and hiring me? If I did, I would fly directly to Washington and help Obama or whomever was in office fix it. Of the few jobs I find every so often I am one of 300+ applicants. I am usually at the top of the pile but unless you are in that top ten or so, you don't get the call for the appointment. Everyone thinks medicine (and education) are "safe" fields to be in, that is where all the jobs are but no field is safe in this economy or people would be knocking down my door with my PET/CT, Nuclear Medicine, Radiography (x-ray) and computer experience.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Not sure where the PET/CT job is going, all kinds of rumors flying about but I do know I can get at least 4 days out of my office job. That is only 4 extra set hours but 28 hours much better than zero and they are looking for more places to use my expertise to help expedite their processes and increase bring their business back as well.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To think I was ending my blog with a happy note with my "Perfect Song" post... Maybe I can move the order of the posts while I listen to "Letters from the Sky" again.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thank you for all your comments on my birthday dinner post. Family is whom we are supposed to be able to count on but not for stupid stress for love and support... and for them to know when they are belittling you, treating you like dirt, and to stop it. The latter is lost by my father for sure. "I don't mean it like that". I know he loves me, but he really doesn't get it at all!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Peace, love, hugs, meryl xoxo<br /><br />PS: The posts that do funky things with the fonts start in Word and don't "transport" like they should: Grrrr! </span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-91541589908982852042011-02-12T01:08:00.009-05:002011-02-12T01:14:44.704-05:00"Stupid Bizarre People: They are downgrading!<style>@font-face { font-family: "Tahoma"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Ah yes, more stupid people!</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Worked out the conflict with the RN who prompted the original definitions. My now ex-coworker did some wrong things. I think since she had to be inspected with the Geiger counter for radiation on her, which made her vent her anger towards me though I was taking care of another patient at the time…</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I needed her help getting an IV started on a patient last time I was there. I told her I did not understand why my ex-coworker did not have her leave the room when he injected the radioactivity, she is not a radiology nurse, does not have the training, does not have the monitoring badges and most important, was exposed to radiation when it was not necessary. She is not required to know this HE IS! It’s common sense, but I seem to remember rules and regulations on this, but to me it’s just common sense: do not expose anyone to radiation unless it is medically necessary: case closed!</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">My main problem with her is she disrespected me, yelled at me in front of patients and others whom she did not know who they were. In every field but especially medicine, you don’t do that. Now granted if you see a medical professional about to inject a patient with the wrong medicine, for example, you stop it, of course, but you don’t go yelling and screaming. Not with injections, but I had similar cases when I was in school when I would see something that seemed wrong. I would quietly point it out to the technologist and mention oh, I’ve never seen it done that way, point to the screen, motion to something, etc, the error would be seen and corrected: no harm, no foul. It’s really how everyone should treat everyone in his or her jobs, and life in general. Rules, regulations, and procedures do change and can be done differently, but respect and courtesy, always! And if you chew out a colleague in front of the patient, patients may kinda freak out, not a good thing!</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Today’s incident was hysterical, never thought I would keep acquiring more stupid people stories (one more stupid than the next), and why I am still talking about it. This happened at my Friday client’s office. I work on a trailer so I have to walk into and out of the building to get me patients, drop off supplies, and use the rest room, makes sense, right? The trailer is parked outside of the MRI area; it is a low people traffic area and perfect, right?</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Understandably, they keep the door locked until I knock on it sometime after I arrive. My injections are delivered inside the building, I need to check in with the front desk, get my patient list and the book I need to record my QC results in so the client can keep an on-site record; the trailer is mobile after all. So I go in a few times, the MRI tech who sits right there tells me the wind keeps blowing the door open so he is going to keep it locked. I hadn’t noticed the wind, but what do I know, I am just a dumb kid, right?</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Maybe 20 minutes later, I had to go back inside the building to get doses for my expected patients, the door was locked so I knocked 3 times, soft to medium, like always; it is a glass door after all. He opens the door so fast it made my head spin then starts to read me the riot act on being patient, huh? Tells me I had been banging long and hard on the door, he was trying to inject a patient. I get my what the fuck look on my face, told him I knocked 3 times only, light to medium. He tells me no, I was banging the door down, 10 minutes I think the alleged time was. I told him I don’t lie. First time I knocked when I arrived was 3-5 times (it’s not like I keep track of such mundane things) I did not bang door down then or now: I don’t lie, I knocked 3 times. During this tirade, he is almost screaming all this at the top of his lungs, telling me I’m a liar, check with the ladies up front THEY will tell me that I was the banging on the door so hard and long the building was shaking and everyone heard it. What the fuck? This is fuckin bizarre! Is he on drugs? Maybe he NEEDS drugs! He definitely needs a brain scan! Oh and human lessons!</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I went to the front desk with my what the fuck look on; the whole place had to hear him ranting, raving and wondering whom he was yelling at! First I ask the ladies if I can smash his head into the wall. I was totally serious! Why not? His brain is obviously not functioning! They knew something was up! I tell them Sir MRI says I was breaking the door down. They shook their heads, went back and told him it was the radiologist that they let into the building, not me.</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">So Sir MRI “knew” it was me? Huh? He did not see shit, just assumed it had to be me. What a fucking dick! Now how about laying that irate tirade on the lady radiologist? SHE was the impatient one, she was breaking "his" door down.</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">He did apologize to me immediately. I did write an email to my superiors and his as well. They all know and respect me. I deserve to be treated with respect, the same respect I treat all others (even the undeserving like him).</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I do not deserve to be treated like a little shit. I’m sure he thinks I am a young kid and that he has a right to degrade and belittle me. Anyone who knows me knows I am a patient person and give people the benefit of the doubt. There is many the time when he has locked the door, not answered with my short knocks, I cursed, then ran around to the front because I needed the bathroom bad. It was Friday, he assumed it was me and anyone who has seen that Odd Couple episode knows about the word “ass|u|me” only HE was the ass, not me.</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">To me the incident was so stupid I was in shock that I was hearing such stupidity, that he ranted on and on about it, and how I was lying. Stupid things like this make my blood boil!</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">He did eat some shoe polish but he is so arrogant and full of himself, you know except for upsetting his little world for a while it made no impact. I wish the radiologist had gone over to him and told him it was her. That might have belittled him for a moment…and been funny to watch!</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Peace, love, hugs, Meryl</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">PS: Happy Anti Valentines Day! It was my birthday February 7, a much more important holiday being the start of the Chocolate New Year! And I am still a kid... at heart at least! :) ALWAYS!!!<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-86321173677989917022011-01-29T18:08:00.004-05:002011-01-29T18:14:48.612-05:00"It Snows In January, Duh!"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ha ha ha!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">My co-worker... he has a Nissan Murano SUV with AWD. Our snowstorm was Wednesday into Thursday, I've been able to get to work in my FWD 9 year old Toyota and he couldn't get to our job on Friday.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Ha ha ha! His new name is wimp! Yes, I am enjoying this too much! I do have to say it was easier to work without him. One less person on the trailer and I didn't have to waste my time double-checking his work. What am I supposed to just do it all when he is there? To think he has been doing PET/CT exams years more than I. Each time we work together, I see more and more why the guy who trained me said I picked up things so fast. I am far from perfect but I pick things up fast... especially the easy stuff.<br /><br />Peace, love, hugs and more big weekly snow storms! ;) meryl<br /><br />PS: We all know February is the bigger snow month, right?<br /><br /><br /></span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-68990283463049861862011-01-29T17:43:00.010-05:002011-01-29T18:08:09.445-05:00"Happy Birthday to Me?"<span style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >This is actually a great sequel to my last post...</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" > "Life Definitions" which caused controversy when I posted the short versions on my twitter feed.</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />My birthday is February 7. Family tradition is to have a family dinner for birthdays; my dad’s present to the person of honor. You get to choose the place, then we work out the date. Sounds fun, simple... not in my family, or at least for me.<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br />I do my best to pick a place that has at least two dishes that each person can choose from. My mom and one sister have dairy issues (so do I for that matter) Dad is… you can never please him. I pick places where he can get the dishes he always orders, always make sure they are on the menu. (I don’t eat seafood. Others pick seafood only places, hmm!) I try to pick a place located closer to all of them since there is only one of me. I feel I go more than out of my way to please, to accommodate them. Wait, this is for my birthday? Why don't I get the same treatment?</span> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Scheduling is the only part that should be difficult. It’s accounting season so we usually celebrate end of February or in March, fine; sis and her hubby are CPAs, can’t be avoided, I get that. The other sis takes a lot of vacations. When I work Fridays I always get stuck late so that is my only bad night right now.<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Now it is my birthday, I am supposed to pick the place *I* want to go to, end of story, that is the “rule”, it is what everyone else gets to do.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">In the past I picked a steak place for my annual delicious steak; I eat very little red meat and when I do, I want it to be good. It's one of the few places dad would eat everything on the menu! Has chicken, steak, lamb, veal... This place has great fries, other sides and chocolate mousse pudding: complaints from family it’s too expensive, too far away. A) Steak places are expensive. We are being served huge pieces of very good meat and huge side dish servings. B) Restaurant is closer to me but by all main highways. At most a 40 minute trip for the furthest person.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">After a work luncheon, I chose a nice Italian place closer to them. They have more than a few non-cheese dishes and my dad’s standard only things he will order Italian plus seafood dishes he likes. I order the same chicken dish, it is so delish, and the red potatoes with it are great, cooked perfect every time. The desserts, most made in house, are sooo good! Love their tiramisu. Don’t know if it is traditional or not but it tastes great and I get that great rum/espresso buzz from it, sis loves the cannolis. They have a few really great chocolate desserts as well (I hope to introduce K to). Sis and I went there for lunch one time and ordered two desserts: one to eat there and one to bring home! After going there two times for my birthday and for numerous other celebrations and luncheons, sis told me she always gets ill after eating there. I was surprised since I am the one with the sensitive stomach. So we don’t go there anymore, a totally reasonable request; I have no problem with that, disappointed but no problem.<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Two birthdays ago, I re-found a Japanese restaurant I love that we used to frequent at one of my jobs; they have great food, something for everyone, dad’s standard sukiyaki, and the best ginger salad dressing ever! Everyone loves the food. The place is a bit of a trip for me, but so worth the ginger salad. Last year all I hear is complaints about the parking. They have a small lot but lots of parking on the street.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">It’s the stupid stress. It’s boils my blood. Something that is supposed to be my celebration, my evening, something to put a smile on my face and be fun turns into the worst evening ever.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have had my fill, more than my fill, I am sick of it. Why do I have to deal with complaints when I do my best to accommodate everyone else? Why is it OK for dad and one sister to pick a seafood place when they know I do not eat seafood but a place I pick with great food that everyone likes is taboo? They do not get why it angers and frustrates me so. Guess I should pick Tavern on the Green: far away and expensive and that would be ok? I guess I have always been too nice, too accommodating and they expect me to give in to everything. No more, well not exactly.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">This year giving it one more shot. I now know after my conversation with mom, it will be the last family dinner for my birthday. I will just take myself to my Japanese or another place, and celebrate with Madison and Maverick and one day to celebrate mine and K’s birthday, when he is up to it.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">========<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">My Email to my Sisters and their significant others:</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">“Since it's always such a, I don’t know controversy, hard time... whatever you want to call it, to have my family birthday dinner at the restaurant of my choice, I am giving 1 more shot at pleasing everyone.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Please excuse my sarcasm, losing my PET/CT job (happy birthday to me) at end of February has me angry & frustrated; love that job!</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have decided 2 try cold cuts & Fireside/Zorn’s chicken & fries at the rents (not relaxing but...) You all arrange the date thru mom with your vacations, accounting plans, etc. My bad night would be the Fridays I work: 2/11 & 2/25 since I always get stuck there. If I'm lucky I'll get the other Fridays *fingers crossed*</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">PS: not telling the ‘rents bout the job thing yet. I cannot handle the stress. Have a few things in the works but cannot deal with dad's degradation. Then telling me I had a great "attitude change" when the permanent hours finally came thru WTF?!<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Kim bought us lunch 4 getting 2 the office today; <> </span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">J feel better & don’t work too hard & ask Kim about her gift from us.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">M don't work too hard.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">K & K another warm vacation I'm sure, where's my ticket? ; ) Enjoy! E too if she's going.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Been up since 4, need 2 be up at 5:30 I think. Warm, sweet dreams :) meryl</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">...via iPod touch”</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">=======<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">One Sister replies:</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">“Sorry to hear about the job.</span><span style=";font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Fingers crossed that something opens up very soon.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">We are free Friday, Feb. 11th, Sat. Feb. 12th, Sunday, and Feb. 13th, Sunday, Feb. 20th.</span><span style=";font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Let us know what you land on.”</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">=====<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Other sister replies:</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">“Mom and I were discussing days.</span><span style=";font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Sat and Sun nights are good for us.</span><span style=";font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Karen’s weekends below work for me.</span><span style=";font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;color:red;"><b>Mom will follow up when <i>she</i></b></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:red;"><b> decides what day <i>she</i></b></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:red;"><b> wants</b></span><span style="font-size:130%;">.</span><span style=";font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">She was talking about the same weekends.”</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">What is that I have highlighted in red? Yes, it is MY birthday! True I did tell them to work out the scheduling on their own but that line shows what I have known for some time, it isn’t my birthday after all. So I really can stay 25 like K says </span><span style=";font-size:130%;" >:)</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:130%;" >Of course, ultimately it is all my fault... I try!</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"></p>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-50305687872362796182011-01-15T16:42:00.016-05:002011-01-29T18:07:30.090-05:00"Life Definitions"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Definition: stupid person - a) person who doesn't think and/or listen and/or use common sense (aka their brain); person with whom you have to repeatedly state the obvious; c) person with superiority complex.</span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Note: a stupid person has NOTHING to do with "book smart", has to do with respect, common sense, listening, and (maybe more important than listening) hearing.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Definition: smart person - a) person who uses their brain, thinks, listens, hears, uses common sense. They treat others as they would like to be treated; b) person who knows there’s something to be learned from everyone, good & bad; c) person who enjoys learning something new everyday from anyone.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Note: a smart person will not belittle you, degrade you, talk down to you or treat you like a child. They will treat you with respect, they will not force their views onto you. If they disagree with you they will not tell you how to think, they will discuss it rationally, not have a heated discussion, listen to and respect your ideas, even understand your point of view, which may change their view, maybe not. Any discussion will be intelligent and respectful always.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I do not discuss politics or religion with most people. Too many tempers flare, too many people think their way is the only way, or they are trying to save you; think the middle ages and the Crusades? We are all human beings sharing the same planet, continent, country…town. We should all treat each other and our individual ideas and beliefs with courtesy, smiles, and manners common sense, duh?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">If you encounter a stupid person who degrades, belittles and/or treats you like a piece of shit, concentrate on that issue and that issue alone, NOT what they told you was wrong. No matter what “issue” instigated them into mistreating you, they are looking for something to supplement their superiority complex, do not help them “get taller”. Be proud by giving yourself the satisfaction that you took the high road, treated them with respect, and did the right thing. These people do not respect themselves. If they did, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I believe I am too nice. Been thinking a lot lately that I should try to be more of a bitch, maybe that is why this week happened, to show me I am doing the right thing? I respect people, give them half a brain to start off with; may need to downgrade to one third after this week. When people push me too far, such as a sales person not understanding after FOUR TIMES <b>no</b> I do not want to buy anything, <b>no</b> I do not need to buy anything, <b>no</b> meant NO the first time I said it, THEN they experience my wraith, tactful but... I’ve been told after story number one below, I am not a person to be messed with… OK.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">When I first finished college I worked at a major company as a computer programmer/analyst/technical specialist/network supervisor and I ran the email system. During a service call, a male engineering technician told a stupid joke which made me turn my eyes, give him my “what the fuck” are you serious look, and see all the other engineers leer at this technician; Engineering had 100% male employees in it. Wish I could remember his first name. Let’s call him Dave for the story.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The more I thought about this, the more it bothered me. I knew if I went to my VP Victor and told him about Dave’s “joke”, Victor would rip out Dave’s eye socket (both of them) and probably give him a free sex change operation. I dealt with the Engineering VP Joe on a regular basis, so I decided to speak to Joe directly. I kept it very professional, adult... (remember I am a kid!)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I called Joe and asked if I could stop by to talk about something privately. Joe apologized, thanked me for coming to him (I didn’t tell him about the Victor part) and told me he would take care of the situation. Later that day “joke” teller Dave, stopped by my desk to apologize. Dave sounded very genuine, polite, and respectful; I accepted his apology. Then Dave proceeded to explain to me why I should have liked the joke… THAT is an example of a stupid person.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I went back to Joe, told him Dave gave me a heart felt apology, Joe smiled. Then I told Joe that Dave then proceeded to tell me why I should have gotten and/or enjoyed the joke, smile disappeared, he started to turn pale. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">One more story when I was at same company, same job… My room was in the basement of my parent’s house and it was my birthday. Walking down to my room I had a fresh cup of hot tea in one hand and the phone in the other talking to a friend, wishing me a happy birthday. The stupid carpet pieces my dad put onto the steps, second to last step came loose when I stepped on it, tea and phone went flying. Because of my height, my butt bounced down at least half the staircase, bouncing on each step, my tea spilled all over everything! The phone and mug made it to the basement floor shortly followed by me. VERY PAINFUL!!!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I was considered an executive (first job out of college!!!) hence I was required to wear a suit everyday. I was in so much pain, I wore very appropriate looking black leggings, blouse, black jacket and comfortable, flat, black leather booties; I looked very professional and I could walk around for the most part. As soon as I got to the office, I told my supervisor and Victor what had happened and they both told me to do what I had to do to take care of myself, heal and feel better. As long as my bosses are happy, that is all that matters. So glad they understood but I knew they would (smart people).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Later that day leaving the ladies room one of the managers, Joann, who was part of our group, caught a glimpse of me. Joann called me over to where she was chatting with another co-worker. Joann: “why are you wearing *looks me up and down then with sarcasm* pants?”. I stopped, looked Joann straight in the eye, totally deadpan: “I fell down stairs last night”. Her mouth fell to the ground, she did not even ask if I was OK... I went back to my desk, and almost fell off my chair laughing. I enjoyed THAT too much BUT I did not treat her with any disrespect, she attempted to belittle and degrade me with her self appointed superiority, ready to throw the book at me, get me in trouble, and she ended up tripping herself up.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The lessons I have learned from dealing with stupid, disrespectful, self-righteous people. Just throw the facts right back at them respectfully, do not stoop to their level. If it is yesterday’s issue, deal with the disrespect only. You can never win but you can keep your dignity and your own self-respect and isn’t that what is most important, knowing YOU handled the situation correctly with dignity and respect?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Take care, peace, hugs, love Meryl (and hopefully no stupid people :)<br /></span></p>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-31927847716562729312010-12-04T18:08:00.005-05:002011-01-15T17:05:25.157-05:00"Pretzels!!!"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Snyder's makes low fat, gluten free, dairy free, casein free, egg free pretzels!!! Only 1 gram of sugar per serving too!</span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-21789644317537386402010-12-04T12:36:00.009-05:002011-01-15T17:05:49.360-05:00"Brrrr"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hi all! Welcome to December!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some places have received snow and/or large amounts of it already, even in November!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I keep my home on the cooler side. I prefer to wear long sleeves even a blanket if I am sitting watching TV than keeping the house too warm. I save money plus I think it helps me to breathe and sleep better. I do have to clean up and crank up the air filters and the humidifier to get used to the windows being closed and the air being drier. I keep the thermostat around 50-55F and use space heaters in the room I am in to bring that room to 60-65. Of course, if I can't shake the chill and my blankets and Maverick are not helping enough, I turn it up. I have been doing this since I returned to school and though the electric bill went up some, the gas/heating bill decreased greatly showing it is helping my wallet.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Since we are on a trailer and have to go into and out of buildings, I wear my long sleeved turtlenecks for my PET/CT job. There is a space heater we put on for the patients since they are supposed to be kept warm for a more effective exam. I'm surprised the AC even kicks in but I guess that is the heat the camera and computers generate. There I tend to feel chilly but I am moving a lot so it usually is not a big deal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The office is about 75F... quite stifling! I have a fan there and wear light clothes and/or layers. And some people are actually piled up with sweaters, always cold? I don't get it! We have windows all around on the south side of the building so that is why it is so warm in there. I guess some of these people keep their homes at 80F? Hate to see those bills!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Stopped at Whole Foods yesterday for supplies. I found a quinoa based pasta I was going to try but when I picked it up out of my cart at the checkout line, the top had popped open, so I put it to the side.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am practically living on quinoa, I really do love it! I mix it with other things but sometimes just have a bunch on its own. On it's own, I may have mentioned, I just add a little extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. This week I have been adding cayenne and a little ginger as well: I have a cold!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have been bouncing back and forth between saying this affliction is a cold/sinus thing or my allergies. It did kick in when I closed all the windows so that leaned me towards allergies. I have be drinking lots of steamy liquids, adding cayenne for it's clearing powers. I am much better but still feel very tired (though I am getting sleep, maybe THAT is the problem ;), did get overtired running up and down the stairs the other day, and I felt a woozy last night before I ate my dinner; might have been low blood sugar, I do that sometimes. I am resting up, kinda want to clean but that always makes the nose unhappy so I have another excuse to avoid that :). I do have a lot to do around here to get ready for the holidays. No I'm not having the family here but someone who is almost like family so I want to place to look as perfect as it can. Madison and Maverick never make that easy!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hot cocoa this time of year is excellent! I heat up chocolate almond milk with a cinnamon stick inside. After it is heated I add vanilla extract, dash of nutmeg, and coconut milk french vanilla creamer. I also add a dash of cayenne to give it a bite, today I added a little extra cayenne to kick my sinuses! I would prefer to add Baileys Irish cream instead of the creamer but that's milk, and I will pay for that. I may pick up some Irish whiskey if that is gluten free/dairy free/soy free and try that. Used to be 1-2 ounces of Baileys I added depending on the size of the mug. That would warm me up, give me a little buzz, and definitely help me fall off to sleep! :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have to get back to exercising since my weight has basically plateaued. I did "start up" a new program on "Lose It" to consider this phase I completed. Phase II has to include adding more exercise and dropping more carbs. It is great I have found a few replacements for bread especially for the quick breakfasts I tend to need, but I need to drop the last of this weight so I can be a happier girl! When I see how huge some people are, it reminds me how much I need to stick to this, and I thank my lucky stars I was not like that.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I also thank my lucky stars for having my jobs, good health, family that is a pain in the butt but loves me, and my special friends.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Love, peace, hugs, meryl</span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-76574573561492951692010-11-27T13:20:00.017-05:002011-01-15T17:16:44.395-05:00"Post Thanksgiving"<span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >There's a pun in THAT title! ;)<br /><br />Think I am the only person who ate Thanksgiving dinner (or dinners) and lost weight!<br /><br />There were many items for dinner and dessert to tempt me to giving in and bearing the consequences but I was strong! I did have a teaspoonful of stuffing. I only ate the non-wheat, non-dairy food. I made a three bean salad which tasted excellent if I do say so myself! Since all were more interested in eating the naughty food, as I usually am, I got to bring home a lot of the salad for myself. (I will post my recipe below.)<br /><br />Being a chocoholic and lover of tiramisu I did have to try a little of that and blackout cake. Both I have had better but it was a nice little treat. Usually I get a great expresso/rum buzz from tiramisu, this version was severely lacking but still tasty. The blackout cake, good, not overly sweet.<br /><br />Yes, and I lost a pound! Then again, I did take a nap yesterday and sleep through dinner until breakfast this morning but when I weighed in yesterday, nothing gained!<br /><br />So Delicious makes a French Vanilla creamer for tea and coffee which I like a lot! It has a great creaminess to it most of the non-dairy creamers do not, plus not all the fake God only knows what is in it chemicals and casein (part of my milk allergy).<br /><br />My local Stop n Shop was re-vamped so I finally found the health food section. They have lots of gluten free items there. I found pretzels which are good but have a little soy lecithin but no gluten, dairy, casein, or eggs; I think eggs get to me too but maybe only when I have peaked past my systems limits.<br /><br />My Christmas shopping is complete except for baking. I will be baking biscuits for the dogs again since they loved them so much. I believe I covered everyone on my list but if I end up adding anyone, I will take care of that present after Chanukah starts when the stores will be less crowded. Me and K talked about chipping in for something but that will be a shared fun gift and probably bought after Christmas when funds are back to normal, maybe for our birthdays since I am an Aquarius and he a Pisces. We already decided the need for a case of Godiva's when we meet... now you know why I love having him as my friend!<br /><br />Enjoy the weekend, back soon with more status updates, new food trials, etc.<br /><br />Peace, love, meryl<br /><br />3 Bean Salad<br />1 – 1 1/2 cups cooked Quinoa (per package directions)<br />1 can each (15 ounce cans):<br />Garbanzo (chick peas), Pinto and Small Red beans; rinsed<br />1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil<br />1-2 tsp lemon juice<br />1/2 – 1 cup honey Dijon salad dressing (I used Maple Grove Farms<br />fat free, gluten free)<br />dash of Ginger<br /><br />I cooked my Quinoa, mixed and served salad in a 2.5 quart microwaveable glass dish with cover. Add rinsed, raw beans to cooked Quinoa. Add remaining ingredients and chill. Enjoy!<br /><br />I think adding almonds or walnuts would add a nice, tasty crunch to this salad but I didn’t have any. Of course, you can always swap in more and/or different beans. When I ate this on Thanksgiving, the corn got mixed in and tasted nice so next time I am adding some to the mix.</span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-69020162665654123792010-11-14T18:05:00.004-05:002011-01-15T17:06:45.396-05:00"Is The Crisis Over?"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Been a while since I wrote a post...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">My diet changes have been going well, the "crisis" seems to be over as I can eat some wheat. But the plan is still to remove all hidden wheat, gluten and soy from the diet so I can enjoy the few things I know I will not find a replacement for.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I tried quinoa. It's a grain, a complete protein! To me it tastes a lot like brown rice. I follow package directions cooking it in water with a little salt. I season it with some extra virgin olive oil and salt and eat it for any meal of the day on it's own or as a side dish/supplement to other food.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ginger ale has been a God send during the bad days. I tried Schweppes Raspberry flavored Ginger Ale which is quite good; haven't been able to find a sugar free version. I tried the store brand sugar free and it was too sweet! Canada Dry is a better unflavored sugar free ginger ale in my opinion but the sugar free raspberry seems a bit too sweet as well. I mostly drink water, plain seltzer and coconut milk anyway, but it is nice to have a change.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I found a brown rice based individual pizza crust. Mostly I have been toasting it up, adding olive oil and sea salt and having it as an on the go breakfast, like toast or a pop tart I suppose. I did make one pizza but that is hard for me because I love lots of cheese on my pizza and I would rather have pizza from a good local parlor.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Weight has dropped down more, yay! Now that I have been able to advance from the liquid only diet I am hoping to get back to exercising and expanding my diet into more vegetables. I have been hesitant since vegetables can be hard to digest.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I tried coconut milk yogurt. After getting used to the thick Greek yogurt, coconut milk yogurt is like a smoothie. I am not sure if there is a limit to how much coconut milk I can have in a day or if there is something I missed in the yogurt but it does upset my stomach a little bit, unless I missed something else which is very possible.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Been tracking all my food, symptoms, where I am in a free iPod app called "Lose It". You can also access it online at http://www.loseit.com/</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Had a fiasco of a job possibility this week but on the plus side, my part time computer job is giving me set 30 hours per week which means a steady 30 hour paycheck every week AND benefits as well. I can still work my Friday PET/CT job and some additional shifts here and there; the office job requires me to be in the office at least 3 days a week. It is not going to be easy especially this week since I will have a long day on Monday doing PET/CT, then work 3 ten hour days at office, and finish up with another PET/CT shift on Friday BUT at least I know I am getting at least 30 hours of pay each week.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 less stresser, I got my Christmas shopping completed this week. It was not planned, I was off Friday and getting a few things and ended up getting gifts for all the humans. Saturday I needed a break so I went to Petsmart and took care of my kidz and my sister's cat. The plan is to bake biscuits like I did last year for the dogs.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The only problem I am finding with my Monday through Friday work week being so busy is that I am so overly bored on the weekends with nothing fun to do. I hope I don't drive my only local, unattached friend away, that would be truly sad on so many levels. I am hoping our plans to chip in for something are still on and will occur around our birthdays beginning of next year... and that our friendship will grow in leaps and bounds! That would ultimately make me the happiest!</span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-87439734207628808272010-10-20T18:39:00.005-04:002011-01-15T17:07:02.051-05:00"Confusion"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Had a big interview today for a full time job (finally). I believe it went well, I impressed them, etc. hopefully they make me an offer; they are interviewing at least three other people that I know of. I was the first one called from the pile of 300+ resumes... Resume was sent in over two months ago!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last night, all of a sudden my stomach exploded on me three times! I did not eat anything remotely bad. In fact all I had yesterday was filtered water from home, home made iced caffe mocha with almond milk, and a little natural peanut butter. These are things I eat regularly and have had no problem with.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I immediately thought it was my nerves. I am very anxious about getting this job. It is the first full time position I have applied for in my medical field (all positions open have been per diem, part time so far... or too far away). My parents, specifically my father, is on my case even more....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">He enlightened me that a full time job is the goal, uh duh! Oh yes, and not to have my cell phone turned on during the interview. Unless I need to access reference numbers from it, which I have listed on paper now, it is off when I walk into the building. I am not stupid dad! He has such a way to belittle his adult children like this...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Anyway, that is why I thought my "illness" was from my nerves, then again, I have never been that gravely ill from nerves. Sure I think we all have had a time or two when we were nervous or anxious, felt a bit queasy, had butterflies but I had a platoon of butterflies in my belly, then the revolution!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">After all episodes were completed, I could tell I had a slight fever so I think this time, it was one of those stupid stomach flus. Of course this occurring and needing to get to my interview today...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am just so confused with what my body is doing to me. I wish my body would tell me specifically what the problem is. Some things can be fixed like diet, other things like jobs I am not in control over that.</span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-44221798077683709022010-10-17T13:04:00.007-04:002011-01-15T17:07:19.084-05:00Coconut or Almond Milk II"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Interesting how each Stop n Shop I go to around me, has a different selection of what they sell.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had tried vanilla flavored almond milk and found it too sweet, tried the unsweetened and didn't like that either, preferring the vanilla coconut milk. This Stop n Shop did not have the coconut milk but did have the frozen products from the same company, So Delicious. (Frozen taste test will be its own post.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Today I mixed 5 ounces of original (unflavored) almond milk with 3 ounces of vanilla (both of the sweetened variety) and I like it!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I will probably use the unsweetened version in my caffe mochas. I am considering trying the unsweetened version and adding store brand Splenda to it too see if that would work as well.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I feel like Goldilocks!</span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-73133031136899067642010-10-12T17:52:00.004-04:002011-01-15T17:07:33.845-05:00"Wheatless not Witless"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Been doing well avoiding the wheat products. I use this link from Gluten Free Living http://www.glutenfreeliving.com/ingredient.php to help out. Like with all allergens/food intolerances, it is the hidden ingredients or the almost invisibly printed "processed on equipment with you allergen/intolerance" that are the most troublesome.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm still drinking a lot: coconut milk (finished off the almond milk), seltzer, water, tea, and having a few homemade caffe mochas. Solid food mostly apples, sweet potatoes, natural peanut butter (on its own or on apple slices, yum!), dill pickles, tomato soup, other non-wheat vegetable soups, and turkey. And of course some Dove Dark Chocolate. So I haven't been low sugar but definitely keeping the white foods (except safe milk) out of the picture. I think, and the results tend to be supporting, the wheat/gluten is a problem.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last night as an experiment, I had a fun pack of M&M's. Granted, there are maybe 20-30 M&M's in the bag but they are milk chocolate. They did not bother me a bit. This is not concrete proof for me, however, than I can have milk. In the past when my system was "clean" I was able to get away with a super sized Friendly Hot Fudge Sundae, i.e. about 4 scoops of vanilla ice cream, 1/2 Hot Fudge Sauce, 1/2 Caramel sauce, at least 1/2 of whipped cream, and walnuts *daydreams of HF sundae for a moment* I do know that the real ice cream like Breyer's would not attack me like other brands that had very unreal ingredients to make them creamier.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had a icy, crisp, Blue Moon Ale Friday after another long night at work and it did not bother me, yay! And may I say how great it tasted so icy cold! It was also after another session of my father raking me over the coals and not eating anything solid all day; I had an apple & coconut milk before the ale. I did get my post trauma coal raking headache last night but part of that was also the nasty storm. Since I have had virtually zero headaches since my migraine medication was increased, I blame it on the excess, inane stress of Friday.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I felt like a treat last night so I cut up an apple, sprinkled ground cinnamon, a tablespoon or two of grated sweetened coconut, 30 or so semi-sweet morsels and microwaved it to heat it up. Had I remembered, I would have added walnuts; next time! I did not add sugar because the Empire apples are great and the chocolate & coconut have sugar in them (though I would have added stevia or splenda type if I had). It was delicious! Not lot sugar but no dairy and no wheat, tasty, sweet, and filling maybe being the most important since this was a large apple. All calculated out the total calories was not too bad for a tasty, chocolaty dessert: about 307 calorie.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I think that covers it. Take care & peace, meryl</span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-6244476420217161152010-10-06T17:59:00.004-04:002011-01-15T17:07:49.906-05:00"Coconut or Almond Milk"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For me as far as drinking it straight, I prefer the Vanilla Coconut milk. I like the taste and creamy-ness much better.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The sweetened vanilla almond milk, even the chocolate flavor are too sweet for me. The unsweetened non-flavored almond milk is bland. I do mix that into my iced coffees or to de-sweeten the chocolate version. I may add a yellow packet and some gluten free vanilla extract to the unsweetened almond milk to see which would make it better tasting for me. After that, if there is such a thing, I will try unsweetened Vanilla and Chocolate almond milk. I will also see if there is an unsweetened vanilla coconut milk.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The almond milk I tried was Silk brand and claims 45% of daily requirement of calcium so I am hoping that can be the milk of choice. Both are on the pricey side, seem to be the same $ in my store, but pricey.</span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-75781895595316336532010-10-06T17:47:00.005-04:002011-01-15T17:08:11.306-05:00"Headache"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's just about three weeks since I first felt ill. It started off as a head cold thing, then a day or so later BOOM: my belly attacked. I've lost a bit of weight, haven't been exercising except for housecleaning and walking around a flea market since we have had so much rain but most important now is feeling well, being healthy so I can function, get myself to work, and get more shifts to cover.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Today I woke up with a stuffy head. It could be the weather, the rain finally cleared, the sun was out; change in weather sometimes gets me. It could be that I slept until 2 pm Tuesday (yesterday); change in sleep habits... It could be the cleaning since I always start of without a mask on; dust can get me very bad. Most likely? It's the soup I had last night.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was Progresso Lite Vegetable soup: very tasty! Has wheat and eggs in it. My stomach did not rebel but headaches can mean allergies as well especially since my sinuses are much clearer than when I was still in bed, with all the fluids and hot peppermint tea I drank.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back to the soup! As I said it was very tasty. I did not eat the pasta or the corn in it and added my standard cayenne pepper and ginger to it. I am guessing there was also some wheat or other allergen in it as well. It just has been so damp and chilly, I needed soup to warm me up. Though I do have another can of that soup, I will skip it for now, or give it to my mom to have.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Today total avoidance of anything with wheat though I got a little sugar in the coconut and almond milk I drank today.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yesterday, I brought into the office crackers and cookies I won as part of a picnic basket at the flea market. Both looked really tasty and people at the office were rushing to get their last tastes, especially of the cookies, so that worked out nicely.</span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-72009196656397676092010-10-01T18:31:00.009-04:002011-01-15T17:08:28.364-05:00"Two Weeks In"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Update: My stomach seems to be behaving. It's been just about two weeks since eating any wheat.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tried the Blue Diamond Vanilla Almond Milk today, it was so sweet! and the only version my Stop and Shop has. They do have Silk's Almond Milk so I got the unsweetened (unflavored I assume) and the chocolate version. Silk's label states it has 45% of daily requirement of calcium per glass, so that is an an extra bonus! I'll finish up the super sweet almond milk in my homemade caffe mochas and I am sure that Maverick will help out as well; he tried the Coconut milk and liked it a lot!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I took a look at rice cakes and they had milk products in them and I was not looking at the cheese flavor. I don't understand that but so be it. I did pick up some sweet potato chips so I can crunch something besides dill pickles and apples. I wonder how sweet potato chips taste with peanut butter on them?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I wanted to try almond butter but it was so expensive! Almost three times the price of natural peanut butter! I picked up a jar of cashew butter to try; same price as the peanut butter. Cashew butter has less of some nutrients but around the same fat and calories. I just wanted to be able to have another choice.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another surprise to me? Chicken broth has wheat in it: WTF? Don't understand why it is needed to thicken chicken broth but so be it. I will have to make my own next time I buy chicken. It is getting to be soup season!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">So I am feeling good, very tired/sleeping a lot but I am sure that is adjusting to less toxins/sugar/wheat in my diet. I do remember that from last time but it was worse since I ate more processed foods back then. Maybe another few days to a week I expect to get to not wanting to sleep until noon each day. Hope so, since I am hoping to have a shift in Pennsylvania on alternating Saturdays, I need to be awake for that!</span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-27757550113490169612010-09-27T18:43:00.008-04:002011-01-15T17:08:46.174-05:00"More Calcium"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Finally found almond milk in the store. It has 30% calcium just like regular milk so as long as I like the taste and it's not overpriced (on sale this week PLUS had $1 off coupon) I will drink this regularly. I add Hershey's Chocolate Syrup with Calcium to it when I need a chocolate milk, not labeled gluten free but I do not see any dairy or gluten ingredients in it. I am surprised almond milk does not have the high level of B12 like most "milk substitutes" do. I am not vegetarian/vegan so this should not be a problem. I have been wanting to try almond butter as well but forgot, oops! It is weird eating peanut butter from a spoon, you know not putting it on bread. Peanut butter tastes great on apple wedges! so does cheese I am told but I can't have that.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I will be skipping all fruit but apples and the very occasional dried cranberries since I have a lot in the house. Had a couple of delicious Cortlandt apples the other day so I picked up some more of them, bagged. Stop and Shop claims they are not waxed so we will see. I'm not a big salad eater. I have to find a wheat free dressing I like and I'll sneak in some salad as a side dish. One of my favorite restaurants instead of serving a tossed salad gives each person 1/4 head of iceberg lettuce with other vegetables as a salad. It is so fresh that way, maybe I can cut mine into 6 or 8 pieces and add my carrots, peppers and almonds or walnuts to it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Boar's Head makes Lite Beef Hot Dogs that are dairy and gluten free so for a quick protein meal I picked some of those up. Was looking for some Boar's Head pre-cooked turkey to slice up until I am back into full cooking mode but they didn't have any. I know Boar's Head cold cuts do not use fillers so hoping the pre-cooked turkey breast I have gotten from them in the past is also wheat free.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am still kinda paranoid to eat but eating. Tonight along with the coconut milk and hot dogs I cooked up a sweet potato. They have a lower sugar content than white potatoes and I like them much better; I add a little healthy butter substitute and cinnamon, mmm!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have a Dunkin Hines brownie mix box sitting on my refrigerator staring at me but I really am not craving any bread or pasta... well except for my pizza cravings!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last time I did the Meryl Diet I ate oatmeal every morning, last week homemade oatmeal made me so ill so I will be looking for gluten free hot/cold cereal substitutes. I know they are out there but I am not in a rush since I am trying to low carb it for a while to knock off the last pounds I need to get rid of.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Well back for more seltzer. I tried a couple of store brand "flavored" seltzers and they were only tainted with flavor. My new friend told me he loves raspberry flavored ginger ale which I tried and it was pretty good; he gets another plus mark. :)</span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-18198313339534409182010-09-25T16:09:00.004-04:002011-01-15T17:09:03.569-05:00"Back To Business"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Been a while...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I created this blog to chronicle changing my diet and got way off, though blogging about the furr kidz is always fun! Now back to business.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">About a week ago my stomach rebelled on me: intestinal episodes and head spins! The episode was not as bad as it sometimes can be but as usual came from out of nowhere, unexpected.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have in the past had food problems during allergy season, usually Spring is BAD! A few years ago the pollen was so bad that all my safe foods became toxic to my body. I am feeling like that so it is time to get serious and get back to the Meryl Diet.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Meryl Diet was "created" about 15 years ago, for some reason I always think 10. I was having major stomach problems and due to sinus infections was regularly on antibiotics from September/October through March. From my reading and the boyfriend at the time, I learned a lot about candida overgrowth. With my "overuse" of antibiotics I knew this was a main part of the problem.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">What did I do? I deleted all breads, pasta, sugar and fruit from my diet. It is kinda a cross between Atkins, South Beach, Mediterranean and other "diets". The only carbs I ate were homemade oatmeal with apples flavored with honey and cinnamon, everything else was vegetables, chicken and turkey. My vegetables include carrots and sweet potatoes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">So after a few days of "episodes" I started off drinking some water then added coconut milk for the protein, vitamins and to get filled up. Yesterday I added my homemade iced caffe mocha and a hot soy caffe mocha from Starbucks and still OK. Last night: cole slaw, turkey and a little roast beef!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">So this will clear out my system and help me to lose those last pounds I need too. My goal is when I am all better and back to the weight I want to be at, if I feel wheat/gluten is a problem part time or not, to keep it to a minimum and find delicious replacements for it. I want to save my wheat/gluten allowance to the occasional to die for chocolate dessert and some Molsons and maybe pizza if I can't come up with a viable substitute for the crust.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care, peace, love meryl xo</span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-28444351275761064362010-06-14T17:29:00.007-04:002011-01-15T17:09:20.927-05:00"Long Time"<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Been a long time since I rock and rolled..." is what I think of when I see how long its been since I posted a blog entry. So many things have been happening!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have a new part time job that I am so excited about doing PET/CT exams. During the arduous and lengthy pre-employment process I got a new friend whom I speak to regularly; he is the best! The kidz... Maverick is 11 months old today! which makes Madison 2 years 11 months. Also interviewed for job number 4, another part time job but with two specific days of the week scheduled so I would have threes days a week with guaranteed hours. If this last job comes through I will probably resign from the other hospital job. The prospective place has a great reputation and they tell me "salary is not a problem".</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnwBkXsEM-Mwgxtl7w9nnlcIue4e-ANHiPEisvlUgPLZ5DsfQcn5TMyMFCZuI0UuGbkkWm1NAprO9wozkA2gD3-WlUmvgByUpnVV7PqaNMq5pfVLEWUakdWQ9ZoVC8UoUh3TMFFoKiiZn/s1600/My+Office1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnwBkXsEM-Mwgxtl7w9nnlcIue4e-ANHiPEisvlUgPLZ5DsfQcn5TMyMFCZuI0UuGbkkWm1NAprO9wozkA2gD3-WlUmvgByUpnVV7PqaNMq5pfVLEWUakdWQ9ZoVC8UoUh3TMFFoKiiZn/s320/My+Office1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482750038484390930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">My new job is PET/CT on a mobile trailer. The trailer travels to the different site locations in multiple states. I will be working locally on Long Island however I went for training in Pennsylvania for a long weekend. That meant putting Madison and Maverick somewhere to be looked after so I went to our local pet hotel.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMX7Kz6dQ-inqU-IHc7VvsHXFEIR0R8dqnYei9tK60Ht76caeAfAkaRpmSEFBs6acQSnsK5srtWXcdAvIgR_oO0EYtBWDaUiqTbZ2DIdK1Aq8bmm7t6TBFlW9WLVvkuR7coluXwKy5MmqR/s1600/MyOffice2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMX7Kz6dQ-inqU-IHc7VvsHXFEIR0R8dqnYei9tK60Ht76caeAfAkaRpmSEFBs6acQSnsK5srtWXcdAvIgR_oO0EYtBWDaUiqTbZ2DIdK1Aq8bmm7t6TBFlW9WLVvkuR7coluXwKy5MmqR/s320/MyOffice2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482756006503984898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Layne always loved the pet hotel. They walk dogs 5-7 times a day, bring them out for playtime, give them toys and blankets in the spacious 8x10 ft (I think) crate the dogs sleep in. First time Layne was there they asked me if I knew Layne loved to play fetch... she's a Lab, duh? They have rooms you can select for your dog as well with couches, I think even TV, but my pups are crate trained so it works fine for them. Madison did ask about wifi. :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">For cats they have the cattery which is a room with large crates for each cat. They get their own litter box, toys and pillow bed. The staff plays with the cats at least two times a day. Sounds like a sweet deal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Seems Maverick was kinda shy and did not want to come out of his carrier until one of the staff brought Madison to see him after a walk. As soon as he saw his sister, he came out of his hiding place. The staff did put a blanket in the carrier so he would be comfy in case he decided it was safer to sleep in there. Madison would not do her business in their back yard play area, she would only take care of things on walks. Its supposed to be a big yard, my guess is that Madison did not want to dirty it up so she would continue to get to play there. Both my Labs have been funny that way.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I guess this is all for this post. Maybe my next post will be of the gardens I visited on my day off in PA... they were beautiful!</span></span>Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9178707089415066164.post-43676867461513069162010-01-03T19:59:00.004-05:002010-01-08T17:38:10.468-05:00"Happy 2010"Wishing you all a Happy 2010 for health, happiness, love and prosperity!<br /><br />I hope first thing to find a full-time job, especially one I will enjoy, learn from, etc. It has been much too long!<br /><br />I also hope to get back to my diet changes & exercising a lot more.Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10006285268571527261noreply@blogger.com0