Here is the link to the second in a series of two articles about social security disability as being reported on by The Oregonion:
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1217724908140440.xml&coll=7
Not much to report on in the Dahn household this week. Golf is getting better. Weights are helping my arms getting stronger. Now within 12 pounds of my goal. Still single and looking for the love of my life. Mom has definitely decided to move home in September. We are interviewing caregivers today. I am hoping we find enough so that I can have some freedom.
Went to the movie SWING VOTE starring Kevin Costner. It wasn't that great of a movie but kept you entertained for a couple of hours. Hated the ending. Not rating it yet because I just honestly don't know how I feel about it. Probably two footballs. One for child actress Madeline Carroll who was just great in this and one for the secret service agent that protects her. They were really the stars of the movie.
Ok, if you are interested in letting people know who you are I would love it if the posters and/or readers posted a little bio of themselves. You can post whatever you want nothing is required, location where you post from if you want, occupation or ex occupation if you want. Nothing is required, it isn't even required to post anything but I'm guessing everyone would like to get to know each other.
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45 comments:
I know Bill knows me, as do others who post here, but for those who don't, I'm Bev, live in No. California, am a retired medical transcriptionist and current faux theatre critic for a small town newspaper. I also foster dogs for the SPCA. My current foster puppy just decided my cell phone is a chew toy.
I'm MaryZ - live in Chattanooga, TN. I'm a painter, knitter, traveler, photographer, blogger, reader, wife of 52+ years, mother of 4 daughters, grandmother of 6+1 (granddaughter-in-law).
Fascinating article about SS disability, Bill. I had no idea!
I'm a retired film editor (mostly music, but over 30 years, I cut everything at one point or another). Before "show biz", I was a medical secretary and research ass't. I have one daughter and a 102 y/o mother. I live in SoCA and in between visits to my mother and taking care of her financials, I do volunteer work for the library, run one book group and attend another, plus an investment group. I do a lot of reading, and neglect my house shamefully.
Good grief! Are all your correspondents retired medical secretaries/transcriptionists???? I have to plead guilty to that, too.
This blog is just too funny somedays...I love what MaryZ says!
Hello to Bill and all of your friends. Its nice to be able to come here and read all your thoughts and comments. It helps me get through the day.
I am Dona, middle child, mother of one and recent Grand~Nana of one.
I am a retired postal carrier, and have also worked in the mailing/printing/bindery industry and was most recent a utility meter reader.
I love fishing, gardening, cooking, cleaning, sewing, blogging.
I have been happily married for 28 years.
I live in Indiana and am currently living my life through my 81 year old Golfing Addicted Dad. ;)
Hi Bev
A lot of us know each other but I just thought it would be nice if we all got to know one another so everyone would feel comfortable posting to other posters. I like when that happens.
Bill, the only suspected axe murderer on the Womens's Issues Forum on CompuServe
Hi Mary Z
You forget to say you are a great painter not just a painter!
You and John were married quite young obviously.
Bill
Hi Pat
After reading all that you do I'm almost to tired to post this!
I didn't knouw you did other editing besides music. That facinates me.
Wow you have good life genes in your family, 102 is amazing!
Bill
Mary Z
Seems like a lot of medical personnel here. I like you all anyway!
Bill
Hi Dona
I'm so glad that you chimed in and it is nice to know more about you. I love that you come here.
Your grandchild is adorable, saw pictures on your blog.
Wow you have done a lot in your career. I bet you have some utility meter stories to tell!
Maybe I will sponsor a blog cooking contest!
By the way Bev wrote a cookbook based on recipies she got on an issues forum we were all on. I still have it.
Bill
Ok, my turn! I'm Kaye, also a middle child; the mediator. Born and raised in Houston. I've had only two jobs, well, if you don't count babysitting, a little modeling when in my late teens and early 20s and a daycamp counselor around the same time. My real 1st job started as a cashier for a children's corrective shoe store in Houston. I was a Distributive Education student, started that my junior year in HS. I hated HS and was willing to do anything to get out of school early. After graduating, I started working full time, learning the art of correctly fitting shoes on children with problem feet. I did that for 8 years. Then, I made the mistake of marrying my brothers college room mate and moved to Austin. The marriage was the mistake; the move to Austin wasn't. I stayed here after the divorce, had a job with a State agency. They took a chance since I had no office skills, but I think we've both benefited. I celebrated my 34th year with the State this past March. I now manage their computer support help desk.
I've been single since my divorce, surviving a couple LTRs. I've decided that my ability to pick an appropriate partner is not one of my best skills, so I'm not picking anymore. I have no children, only a very loyal pet rock, "Rocky".
I've recently gotten into making jewelry, something I enjoyed doing about 10 years ago. It keeps my hands busy and feeds my desire for pretty things. I'm hoping to start selling some on eBay soon. Wish me luck!
It's been great meeting all of you. You have a wonderful friend in Bill.
Bev.. my sister and her husband are close to retirement and are working towards starting an animal rescue shelter. It takes a big heart to foster and care for these poor pets. My heart goes out to you. Good luck on a new cell phone, lol.
TO deal with the SS issues first and quickly, we're back to my earlier comment that we need to quit sending money to other countries, until we've taken care of our own here at home, from those seeking disability to those receiving it who shouldn't to the uninsured. Take care of our own, so we're in a better position to care for others (any of you who are caretakers are well aware of this philosophy!)
As to who we are... well, some of you will be glad to know I've never worked in the medical field, except for two years as a dental ass't and a brief stint in dental reseasrch at the U of M.
Several of you know me. For those who don't... I'm a free lance writer and editor, doing analysis, rewrites and (God forgive me) ghostwriting for a long time client of ten years. Prior to that, I was an admin asst in the electronics field for a number of years, then a management analyst and space planner for the State of AK. My book, "When Someone You Love Has Cancer" was published by Berkley. My second book, "Making Choices" may never get to an agent at the rate I'm going.
Like many here, I'm primary caregiver for my 89 year old mother, who has myriad health problems and can't drive but is, thank God, able to live in her own apartment without full time assistance. I teach water aerobics two-three times a week, depending on the Furman schedule and Mom's needs, and take line dance classes for my mental and physical health. Love gardening, but have given veggies up as a lost cause with the heat and drought this summer. Spend time in doctor's offices and waiting room knitting or crocheting for the CareWear organization that supplies needed items to neo-natal and cancer patients and families. Pick at the guitar and piano for my mental health and consider an hour of reading the perfect way to end a day. Have learned that a "perfect" life doesn't necessarily mean a perfect house, although that realization was a long time coming and still pokes at me on occasion.
I was 19, John 21 when we married (72 and 73 now).
Kaye, we grew up in Houston - I went to Lamar, John to San Jacinto. We met at Rice, all kids born in Houston. We moved to TN in 1962, and have loved it here ever since. Post a link when you start selling your jewelry.
lady dr - are you in Alaska? Whereabouts? We visited twice, and it's one of the few places we'd go back to any time.
Hi Kaye
Thank you so much for posting your bio. You middle children have no idea how hard it is to be the youngest.
I love your background. Shirley who posts here rarely, she travels a lot, lives in Houston.
I also hated high school. College was so much more fun.
Sorry the marriage didn't workout but I am glad you got out of it. Like you I do a poor job of picking mates.
WOW 34 years. Way to go. As you can see by the post after you Lady Dr also worked for a state agency.
My mood ring might go with your pet rock.
Like Mary said when you get comfortable post a link to your jewelry or email me some pictures of it and I will post them on the blog.
Thanks for letting us know about you.
Bill
Hello Dr
Thanks also for posting your bio there were a couple of things in there I didn't know, like what state agency you worked for in Alaska.
The ghostwriting is it romance novels?
All of us here that have read "When Someone You Love Has Cancer" highly reccomend it and if it is out of print powells.com can order it. It is a great gift to give to families dealing with a relative that has cancer.
Wow like Pat you have one busy schedule.
Thanks Dr.
Bill
Hi again Mary
You and John deserve a lot of congratulations. Most people marrying that young don't make it. It takes a lot love and patience. I love success stories like yours.
Bill
How hard it is to be the youngest. Snort. Youngest children have it so easy. You have no idea.
Mary, oldest of five, with all associated mental problems. Married to the Sometimes Adorable Husband, who is earning his sometimes right now. I live near Seattle, and am mother of boys 18 and 15 and a girl 11. Manager of a tax office. I make earnest efforts to keep my house clean, but lose interest easily. I like reading, traveling, hiking and letterboxing. I've had an online journal since 2001, and would be delighted to give the password to anyone who isn't related to me.
I also secretly suspect Bill enjoys being a suspected axe murderer.
Mary
Nah the oldest child has it the easiest. The get to be first at everything. We get their hand me downs.
Wow I can't believe your youngest i11, time flies.
Being a suspected axe murderer does open up some doors.
Bill
mary (as opposed to maryz), I'm a youngest (but only of 2). What is "letterboxing"?
I normally don't post more than once on a thread... but I can't help it. Several LOL's here!
Mary, I SO agree with you on the youngest having it the easiest. I could include all my reasoning here, but Bill would only target me as his next axe victim! (just kidding, Bill!) But I do agree with the oldest getting all new stuff and then the rest of us get their hand-me-downs. I HATED wearing my brothers jeans!! Those patches on the inside of the knees did a number on my soft, subtle, and oh so tender lilly white skin! (is Bill breathing heavy now?)
I'm not much of a book reader, but one I did find interesting was The Birth Order Book. It attempts to define your basic personality based on the order of your birth in the family, i.e. are you the oldest, middle, youngest... or born many years after your siblings. I found it interesting. It pretty much hit the nail on the head when it came to my oldest brother, me and my youngest sister.
Thanks for your interest in my jewlery. I have one more stumbling block that is keeping me from moving forward, and that's comeing up with a business name. I used Designs by Kaye ten years ago, but I'm wanting something different this time. I have a growing list of words and names, but nothing is jumping out at me yet. I'm open to suggestions!
MaryZ.. I went to Jane Long JH and then Bellaire HS, graduated in 1968. Sounds like we missed each other by location and years.
Bill, lol @ mood ring!
Bill, I'm so glad you suggested we all "get acquainted." As you said, we're finding out new things about folks we knew about, as well as "meeting" folks we've only seem post responses.
Congrats to Mary Z on 52+ years of marriage and all the fun stuff you're doing.
Pat, you're really are going every which way and sounds like you enjoy it all. So glad you're able to be out and about again.
Dona, hear you about living your life through your dad. Is he addicted to playing or to watching the tournaments (if the latter, maybe he and Mom could keep company)
Yes, Bill and Bev, I still have the Issues Cookbooks (actually, there were two of them).
Kaye, neat about the jewelry making efforts. Please keep us posted, will you? That's a great creative endeavor.
Mary Z - no longer in AK. Lived in Juneau 9-1/2 years, moved to FL for 12-1/2 (loved living in a little beach town) and am happily settled on an acre on the back side of Paris Mtn, just outside Greenville SC. Loved Alaska while there, but it's changed so much.
Bill - how I wish the ghosting was romances! The project is a five (and growing) volume series on the achievements of mankind, starting with the Big Bang and going through modern days. So far we've done evolution, diaspora from Africa, pre-historic civilizations and are now up to the Greeks, from Dark Ages to Classical at the moment. It's sometime a threat to my sanity and I look forward to making breaks for analysis and critiques.
Now, as to oldest, youngest, middle -- I stand with Mary as an oldest (of four). Not easy. We get to break all the ground. We're allowed to date (approved individuals only) maybe by 16. The rest of you start at 14. Usually, we're the training ground (which means we have a lot more restrictions and oversight) and we break the ground for the rest of you and then, in most cases, when the rubber hits the road in later years, we're supposed to know the route and drive the car. Meantime, depending on the age span, we also leran to change diapers, feed, give bottles and babysit and "act as good examples in all things." Bottom line: each "placement" has its issues and I'm pretty sure none of us see our slot as being the easiest (grin)
Kaye
Post as many times in a thread as you want. I love all the posts in this thread.
The youngest having it the easiest? I'm sharping my axe as I type this.
I didn't like the hand me downs either especially my sisters dresses. It is so hard to type while breathing heavily and sharping an axe at the same time.
I'm really interest in the Birth Order Book and will see if I can find it. That kind of fasicnates me.
Bill
OMG...Bill, you have gotten good responses on this post. I love it.
To Ladydr, if what you say on being the oldest is correct...then someone lied to me as I have done as you describe! My older sister had no boundaries, nor did my younger brother. I seriously wonder if I was adopted? Or is that a middle child thing? :)
Also my dad is addicted to both. I joke that he eats/sleeps/breathes golf.
Yeah, send your mother over and she can join him watching those tournaments. Give me a much needed break. :)
I honestly felt a bit out of place here with all the medical/tax professionals.....:) but was pleasantly surprised to see Kaye r and I have something in common. I agree 100% with her on the youngest issue, and I hated HS as well! I actually hated school altogether but I was fortunate to graduate at 16.
So I hope Kaye r will let us know when she starts her selling on ebay..I would be interested in taking a look.
I would also love to see the recipe book.
I also picked at the piano for years...but since living with my dad there is no room for it. (Only Golf balls) But my better half was able to bring his guitar so he does the picking for me.
And to Mary I would love to read your journal.
I am happy to read all the posts here and be included..I feel I have made a few new friends and Thanks again to Bill.
Hi Dr
I'm glad we are having a get acquainted session too. I am really enjoy this so much that I decided not to do a new post for a couple of days.
Gosh what your ghosting seems really boring.
Dating at 14? Are you kidding after you oldest children ruined it for us with your antics we were lucky if they let us date by forty.
Bill
Mary Z
The youngest? Another reason I like you.
Bill
Hi Dona
I'm not really a tax professional more like an educated bum.
I'm really enjoying reading about all of you. This is really both informative and entertaining.
By the way I used to think I was adopted too. I just didn't fit in like my siblings. So thinking you are adopted is a youngest child thing too.
Wow you really must have had one heck of an iq to graduate from high school at 16.
I will go through my old books and see if I can find the recipe book and post some pictures from it with Bev's permission.
Wow if we have an offline get together you and DR can play the guitar together!
We are lucky to have made you for a friend.
Bill
I can see this is going to get out of hand (grin).
KayeR and Bill -- the oldest don't get all knew. Everything I had was either homemade by Mom or, in most cases, was handed down from my older cousin for years and years.
Kaye, what kind of jewelry are you making and from what? It might job someone's creative juices on a name suggestion. There are a number of creative folks here, obviously.
Dona, sounds like there was a big age gap maybe? My sibs are 5, 7 and 11 years younger than me. Boundaries -- they were pretty strict in provincial mid-western America and so were the expectations.My foks were a lot more kicked back with the younger ones. Gee, do you live close enough I could send Mom over? We could let them take turns hosting gold tournament watches...
Bill, the ghosting -- boring, it's not. Frustrating as *$(% at times, because the guy is totally unorganized. Tedious for the same reason. At the same time, much I'd like to fire him on a regular basis (like twice a week), I'm learning a lot, from facts to off-the-wall theories and some pretty wierd speculation!
DR
I hope this gets out of hand. lol
I'm glad the ghosting isn't boring but sorry about it being frustrating.
Bill
I didn't post about me so it is time for my turn.
I'm semi-retired after over twenty years in the CPA business. I've built and sold two accounting practices. The last one December 31,2007. I make my money by working per-diem for the firm that bought my business, my doing consulting assignments, from royalties, etc.
Jobs that I have held in my life include weeding onions, box boy at a grocery store, showing movies in college, as a clerk in my parents hardware store, and once appeared with my brother as a really young child actor in Lineup. I've also been a caregiver since 2001, first for my dad, and now for my Mom.
My hobbies include writing, reading, and collecting music boxes. I will try pretty much anything that doesn't get me arrested.
I started this blog to meet people and to share stories. I feel a very treasured person to know all of you. I also feel very fortunate to have met Pat, Bev, DR, Mary and others that post her from time to time. I would also treasure it if I were lucky enough to meet all that post here.
Billl
There were 19 posts when I left for dinner... and I return and now there are 29! And all so informative and funny!
Thanks to all for the interest in the jewelry. I'll get some pictures uploaded and send to Bill this weekend. They're primarily beads, gems and metals. Sounds pretty generic, huh? I'll send pics.
Dating at 16? Dang. Want to know what my eligible-to-date criteria was? Once I could cook a full meal from scratch for our family of 5, THEN Mom would consider me having a BF over to visit. So, I took Home Ed in HS. LOL... I still can't cook!! I'd starve if I didn't have my little George Foreman grill!
LadyDr... I hear what you're saying about the oldest breaking all the ground for the others. Even tho I am the middle child, I was the first girl. I was not allowed to start shaving arm pits or legs until I was in HS, and THEN only after my parents found out that baby sis was already doing it. She did the "ask forgiveness later" trick. Dang. Do you know how it feels to wear knee high socks over hairy legs? Ewwww! (Sorry Bill)
Bill... music boxes? Whodathought? I have a necklace an aunt gave me maybe 30 years ago where the pendant is a music box. I have a few token others, but my prize is one I had The Music Box company put together for me. It's simple, just an acrylic box, but the tune is the love theme from Somewhere In Time... the one movie that can make my eyes water. (sigh) Did you see that movie with Jane Seymore and Christopher Reeve? If you haven't, go rent it.
We'll see how many more posts tomorrow! Bill... you get an A+!
This is funny, I went off to teach a class and come home to find a new bulletin board going in here!
I completely agree with what Lady DR says. My oldest son even says, he's my practice child. I freak out about everything he does, and am much more relaxed about it when the younger kids get there. Fortunately he has a great sense of humor and can laugh about it.
The stuff my youngest brother got away with, routinely, would have gotten me executed!
Mary Z, letter boxing is a bit like geocaching, but without the GPS. Since I never figured out how to work the GPS well, I like it better. Clues are posted on the internet (the site I like is atlasquest.com) You follow the clues and find a box. In the box is a (usually) hand carved stamp, and a log book. You stamp your own stamp into the logbook, and stamp the stamp from the box into your own book. Many of the stamps are really beautiful. It's a great way to get out and find new parks and trails.
Hi Kay
My music box collection is declining because to downsize I've been giving my music boxes as gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
I loved the movie Somewhere In Time and love the idea of your music box. Would love to see it.
I have one that has a scene from Dr. Zhivago and plays Lara's Theme.
Bill
Mary
Letterboxing sounds fascinating.
Bill
kaye, I lived in Bellaire, but the BHS didn't open until I was at Rice. I went to Lanier JH. Then, Lanier and Pershing were the only JHs in that part of town.
lady dr, our oldest lives near Abbeville, SC, and works in Greenwood. Small world!
mary, the letter boxing sounds like fun - at least it gets you outside.
Our four girls came within 5 years, so when they were little, they were more of a "group". They quickly began to manifest some of the birth order personalities. Our #3 is the one who always says that SHE is the "neglected middle child". And the three older ones complain about how the youngest got away with everything.
In fairness to the parents, I think when we're playing that role, we have to learn almost as quickly as the kids (at least we do for our own survival), and learn that some things are important, and some aren't. Plus ours were born from 1956-1961, and LIFE was changing so fast during their growing-up years. I love the comment about doing all the driving. That was my emancipation day - when the oldest got her driver's license - and I was unchained from the wheel of that damned car!
Kudos to you, Bill. This has been, and still IS, fun!
Mary Z
Thanks for being part of this discussion! I am having a really good time with it. Learning more about all of you is a real treat.
Bill
Wow, 35 comments today! I wasn't going to post any more because this is clearly becoming a way of life, but I have to chime in (no pun intended) on Kaye R's music box. I love that theme from "Somewhere in Time", and have the score on tape somewhere around here. Composed by John Barry, who also did "Dances With Wolves", "Out of Africa", and the 1976 "King Kong" (the one with Jessica Lange), among many other movie scores. A copyist once told me that they love doing his scores because he doesn't write "too many notes". True, but the ones he does write are good ones.
Bill, this is great fun. Your post reminded me I didn't give a past history of "jobs." Painting the walls of the high school (still can't stand that shade of institutional green!), serving at DQ, cocktail waitress, insurance agent, tupperware dealer and manager.
Kaye R - Oh, yes, I DO remember wearing knee sox over hairy legs until, as a senior, I followed your younger sister's example. For you jewelry, what about "Jewelry Gems" or "Kaye's Creations." (I know there are those who would spell creations with a K, but as an editor I just can't bring myself to do it.)
Mary Z - Small world indeed. Your oldest is within an hour of us.
Dona - Sorry to hear you couldn't fit your piano into your dad's house. There have been/are times when the piano is my best therapist. Kudos to you and Hubby for moving in to care for you dad, which means you're on duty 24/7, one way or another.
Lady DR... I actually considered Kaye's Kreations, but with the double K thing. It looked funny. Seeing Kaye's Creations in type... I actually like it that way.
So, Bill... what's our next topic?
Hi Pat
Yes it is going to be hard to come up with a subject to match the response to this one. The only other subject that came close was when I asked every
I love it when you give us background on composers!
Bill
Hi Dr
I could never be a painter I hate the smell of paint. I never new about the cocktail waitress job or the DQ before
Now the pressure is on, I have to think of a good topic for tomorrow!
Bill
Hi Kaye
I like Kaye's Creations. And at the risk of driving DR nuts, Caye's Creations.
I am thinking on the next topic. Maybe suggestions for topics will be my next topic.
Bill
Hi Bill,
Bill and Dona know who I am but for those who don't:
I am a 46 yr old mother of a 20 yr old mentally challenged daughter. I quit dating about 7 years ago and although I'm not I want a man in my life, I wouldn't mind having one to talk to occasionally. I am currently working as a call center rep for ATT (not quite sure I like it yet) and going to school online for my Bachelor's in Business Administration. I recently found out I will be a Grandma again for the third time and this one is rather special. They've been trying to two years. I have three daughters total but see two on a regular basis as the third lives six hrs from me. I live in TX where it is HOT! HOT! HOT!
Waving to Kaye!!! I know you!!! hahahaha
Hi Symply
Welcome to the fray.
I admire and respect you for raising your daughter. I know it can't be easy.
You schedule is exhausting but I know when you get that second degree it will be well worth it.
Bill
lol Symply!! Waving back!
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