End of March

Not only is yet another month of 2006 over, but we have to concern ourselves with Saturday being April Fool's Day!
It's bad enough when you are at the office on a workday! I wonder what antics my friends will get into say on the Golf Course tomorrow!

Physical Therapy with the Big Ball

I don't know much about the bill inflated balls that many rave about for exercise, but my Physical Therapist at the VA started me on one today and WOW! What a work out!
I was a bit timid doing them on a hard floor, but once he orders mine and I get it, I'll be doing these exercises at home on a carpeted floor.
Those various exercises not only work you out, you use more muscles and also your brain to help you balance.
My Therapist says he doesn't normally use these for most patience because most patience at the VA are much older and rickety and could hurt themselves. I am so excited I cannot wait until I get my ball!

Spring is Here!

Spring is here. The last early morning freeze has occurred and I have finally set up the bird feeder and bird bath. I also put my out side plants back outside. In fact-it was so warm that yesterday that I even opened some windows for a time!
I only hope that summer isn't a long hot one!

Running an Award from Behind the Scene

I've got a buddy who is Quartermaster in the post in the next town over. His post is also in my District and as Commander of the District AND a friend I have been planning on recommending this guy for the annual award of MR. QUARTERMASTER.
Well I just found out, after reviewing the rules, that only the post Commander can recommend him!
Well I got on the horn and let him know I was writing it and wanted his signature on the bottom.
He is delighted, as he should be; I'm doing all the work!
Today I will be going to his house to get the document signed and then can submit it!
I wish Gene all the luck!

WARRIORS MEDAL OF VALOR

I just attended the Oregon Women Veterans Conference and we all were awarded the Warriors Medal of Valor by The Native American Nations of The United States of America.
It was a moving ceremony even if they had to shorten. These medals have been blessed in Native American tradition and I have to say, with a tear in my eye, that this medal means more to me than all my others I received in the Navy.
Why? Because it was awarded to my by my Native American peers who served too!
There is space on the back to engrave your name and I intend to do so! I will wear it proudly! Many of the women Vets said they intend to wear theirs to work tomorrow! I believe we all feel great emotion to this medal!

I Love the Feeling You Can Help Someone!

I was at a meeting for the Traveling Vietnam Wall last night. This wall is three quarters the size of the real one in D.C. and it travels the US upon three big rigs. All the names are upon it and looks exactly like its big brother. We are proud to be hosting it here in Portland during non other than Memorial Day week!
So there I am with the planning teams and committees and one of my VFW members in a post in my District was there. After the meeting broke up we spoke about his recent notification from the VA on his disability claim. I mentioned that when you submit a claim on say broken bones, you still need to claim say the joints and another on say muscle trouble or tendons. That each and every little thing must be noticed and signified individually! He was so surprised because many things had then not been brought up! I feel good because I learned this all myself and did my own paperwork and processing. I told him I would help him write a draft he could then take to his service officer since he is comfortable using one. I just feel good that I helped him in a way he hadn't known of!
More later on the Traveling Wall!

Liz Loves the Jokes I Send!

To see a smile on a person who was so near death with two strokes, open heart surgery etc... It is nice to know that my sending her and her husband Email jokes and humor brings joy to her.
To find, at a meeting last night, she had printed all of the jokes I had sent so she could show the off! I am delighted to see her smiling!

Spring Day I want To Stay Home!

It is such a beautiful spring looking day out and one of my organizations is responsible for visitation at the VA hospital today and to run Bingo there.
The problem is I am in so many offices in two organizations, many of these offices kinda fell in my lap and I have to say, being disabled and all, I really need my space!
I also have come to the conclusion that I cannot and should not have to always carry the burden of what others should and could do!
But I still feel a bit guilty!

Unbelievable!

Social Security, in error, had taken funds from my Disability Compensation, for Medicare of which I do not need and had filed the form twice for them not to.
Well, after talking to the local office and having them promise they would get back to me the next day to verify the correction was in the system, I see today the money has been deposited into my account! Unbelievable!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It's been a while since I cooked Corned Beef and Cabbage, but I've decided to do all those this that increase my quality of life and Corned Beef and Cabbage certainly will do that!

Social Security Hosed Up Again!

As expected Social Security hosed up on my first monthly payment! They took out for Medicare of which I do not need and twice I have submitted forms stating this! I cannot believe how hosed up this administration is! What's worse is that I had expected it!

A Good Nights Sleep

considering the terrible migraine I experienced Saturday night I feared the worst last night and yet got a good nights sleep and feel almost pecky this morning!
Funny thing about having disabilities like this is that they only affect you periodically, not like my orthopedic issues that are constant reminders.

A Terrible Migraine

It seems the last horrid migraine I experienced was almost two years ago. I've had bad ones, but looking back on the horrid ones, they seemed to be a part of my past and I was glad when I asked my doctor to place me on the pill form of Imitrex (SP?) rather than the injections.
Well I had a bad migraine, a monster of a migraine to beat all others I have experienced! If I could've gotten out of bed, for something other than getting sick, I would've called my brother to take me to the hospital.
It's still bad, I've never awoken and had the migraine still. Now it is just a super bad headache and I've taken more of the Sumatriptin and hope it recedes into oblivion.

It's Not Spring YET!

Though many of my spring bulbs are beginning to grow, there has been plenty of snow fall and ice lately!
I only hope the bulbs don't freeze over.

Coming to the end of my Command

I just finished writing my second to last input for the VFW Post newsletter. I cannot wait until this year is over and my tour is done. Two years as post commander of a bunch of guys who complain and are cantancorous, but won't put any effort into changing!

I LOVED the Oscars last night!

Some fantastic upsets last night!
Philip Seymour Hoffman winning best actor for his role in Capote! WOW! Georg Clooney as supporting actor in Syriana. I DID think Reese Witherspoon would win.
I hoped Crash would win best picture and it did! What a great movie!
It was good to see the people at WETA & Peter Jackson's efforts made 3 Oscars for King Kong. He seems to have gold in all his work now!
It was a fun evening and now it's time to catch up on some of those movies!

My New Meds are Here!

Over seven weeks ago I had gotten a follow-up from the Pain Management Dept. of the VA and at that time they recommended me contacting my Primary Care Physician and having her change my pain meds to another type. So I cnotacted the nurse and also asked if the Dr. could also change my migraine injections to the pill form as that I believe I am better able to handle my migraines now and would like to stop poking myself in the arm.
Well..it took some time because the VA here doesn't utilize the migraine meds and they had to get authorization etc..but yesterday I received both the pain meds and my migraine pills!

Social Security Disability

My Lawyer called yesterday! They received payment from the court appeal. So now I should receive my Social Security back compensation anyday!
It is a shame when you have to fight for something that is fair and deserving, but so goes life!

My New Computer system

Well the system is up and running!
It'll take a bit of time to get all the software I want loaded and others transferred, but the system is great and has increased my quality of life tremendously!
I think everyone should spoil themselves a bit! Life is too short to not enjoy every second you can!