Crazy Hypochondriac Co-worker is calling her normal kid "Special Needs"

A co-worker that is prone to drama and hypochondria has taken to calling her beautiful, normal, one year old little girl a "special needs" child. Why you may ask? Because she has had a lot of respiratory infections this winter and actually had to have her adenoids removed. I've read up on this the adenoid removal isn't really a serious surgery and plenty of kids have to have it - and well prone to colds and bronchitis? It seems like this too is fairly common it certainly mirrors how I grew up (croup and chronic bronchitis were part of my life) and I was never labeled as "special needs".

I just hate to hear that term thrown around so lightly in an attempt to garner sympathy for her pathetic mother. To me the term "special needs" kids should be saved for kids with a physical or mental handicap that truly do have special needs and require extraordinary care or assistance.

Every kid gets bad colds, lots of kids have bronchitis, lots have their adenoids out.

This woman is a single mom - tried to trick her ex-boyfriend into marrying her by getting pregnant and he wouldn't be sucked into her drama again. He is out of the picture completely - pays his child support and that is all. He didn't want another child, told her so and refused to be trapped. She went ahead and had this baby on her own and now has used and abused the leniency our office has to the point that much of that is being taken away from all of us and it can be traced to her abuse of the system.

Here are somethings she has done:

• "Worked from home one day a week" to save on childcare - anyone who has ever spent any amount of time with a baby knows she wasn't working on anything work related those days - she checked email and that is that.
• Her hours are 8-5 and she often comes in at 9 and leaves at 4:30 but still takes an hour lunch each day.
• Managed to get the lightest account load of anyone and still whine and complain about being overworked YET has time to make the rounds and go chit chat with everyone for hours of the day.
• Somehow talked her boss into giving her a raise because she needed it for the baby (her story).
• She called in to "work from home" a few weeks ago because it snowed - I live 50 miles away and I made it in ON TIME, she lives 7 miles away and was afraid to drive (call a taxi then).

Add to all this that the girl is just crazy as a loon, batshit crazy, marches to the beat of the music in her own little brain, etc. and that poor baby is going to grow up thinking she's constantly dying of some horrible malady that makes her special needs.

And good news for her the new crazy spending bill that was passed through Congress will open things up for her to get public assistance when she gets fired for her crazy abuse of the system here, so she'll be able to milk the system for everything she can get for her special needs baby.

I know the dad too used to work with him - I wish I knew him well enough to tell him that he should step in now before his daughter's life is ruined beyond repair by her crazy mother. He wouldn't but he should.

What happens in Vegas...

Should definitely stay in Vegas! Unless you are me - then you do crazy things in Vegas while on business trips with co-workers and it becomes the stuff of legends by the time you get back to the office.

Before I start with the story let me tell you that this happened in November 1997 when I was hopelessly young and desperately single.

I worked for the textbook publishing company and was in Las Vegas for some giant trade show that catered to teachers who by the way are insanely crazy people when not torturing little children with said textbooks. I had my own room at the Las Vegas Hilton and was there with approx 10 of my co-workers the majority of whom were also in their mid to late 20's and ready to party for the entire 5 days we were there. Traveling to Vegas on an expense account is great - fabulous dinners, free flowing booze, free room, and only 6 hours a day that I was expected to be "working". We started out strong with about 3 hours of sleep on the first night and it only got worse from there! We stayed up until the wee hours riding roller coasters, watching fountains erupt, pirate ship shows, wandering around picking up random cards from hookers (to see who could get the most) and doing everything but gambling (we were all rather poor and gambled away our spare change on day 1).

By the last night there I think I had a permanent blood alcohol level of WASTED. We went to the Motown Cafe for dinner - a group of about 8 including one single sales rep that I had an amazing crush on. I started out with Top Shelf Long Island Iced Tea in a 23oz Beer Glass (souvenir of course) and things just went downhill from there. The place was HUGE - had to be about 300-400 people packed in there and it was karoke night! I don't know if I've ever mentioned it but when I'm drunk I fancy myself to be quite the diva and it didn't take much for my friends to convince me that I should TOTALLY sign up and sing. After my 2nd 23 oz Top Shelf Long Island I was able to drag my tongue off the table long enough to agree with them but not long enough to pick a song but never fear - my friendly co-workers took care of that for me.

About an hour and a 3rd drink later I heard my name over the speakers - WHAT? Why were they calling me and more importantly how did I get on this stage and were those fuzzy blobs out there really people staring at me? Then the music starts and the words are on the screen in front of me - a microphone is in my hand and I start singing - I Will Always Love You - the Whitney Houston version. I was starting to sober up - I think it was the adreneline - and I was horrified. I stumbled through and finally exited the stage by missing the last step and falling flat on my face, thankfully my co-workers dragged me up and out and thank GOD I didn't have to go back to the table. They all told me I sang beautifully. I'm sure they all lied through their teeth, I could hardly hear the music, I was barely able to stand, and the words kept blurring before my eyes.

As we exited the restaurant there was a vintage convertable behind velvet ropes filled with wax dummies of the Four Tops I think? A nice big sign said "DO NOT TOUCH" and somewhere there is a picture of me laying across the hood holding the sign in my teeth. Unfortunately I am no longer in possession of said picture (I might have burned it?) but it made the rounds at my office along with the entire brutal story once I got back. Sexy sales guy I had a crush on avoided me like the plague after my performance and I have a vague recollection of perhaps dedicating the song to him?

There are reasons why I don't drink like that anymore (other than wanting to keep my liver) and the desire to avoid complete and utter self humiliation is at the top of the list! If you want further proof of why I shouldn't drink - try reading this one.

Thankfully just about 3 weeks after this crazy week in Vegas I met my now husband and my life started to settle down.

If this made you laugh even a little show me some love here --> Humor Blogs

Lunchroom Conversations

Lunchroom conversation between me and my fabulously gay friend B:

B: How are you?
Me: Not good - feeling in a fog today

B: Oh really? Do you know you just put grapes in the freezer then?
Me: Yes! They actually are good frozen

B: I just thought you were nuts
Me: Well that too I guess

For the record - white grapes are fabulous frozen!

Unequally yoked...

Hey ya'll (trying out my southern tone today)!

My title, Unequally yoked, is a phrase I heard a lot as a child/teen/early twenty something because I grew up in the Baptist church and it was considered a crime of the highest degree to date or marry someone who was not the same faith as you. I have to say I searched for a good Baptist boy but they were all dating the wild girls and not interested in the likes of me. I spent a lot of time being single and alone. I did finally meet a nice guy at church and my parents approved and things were going well - we went out on several dates when I was 23 years old and I thought he was super nice. Then he just dropped off the face of my world - no sorry, no call, no nothing, just complete and utter avoidance. He stopped coming to church and ended up with one of them there wild women who "put out" or so I heard! He should have stuck around a year later I was one of those wild women myself! LOL

So I gave up on finding a nice guy at church and the next guy I dated seriously was catholic (just a tiny step up from a heathen of maybe down? in the Baptist world) and my parents were horrified of course. Then when I moved in with him they begged me to marry Mr. Wrong just so I wouldn't be living in sin. I totally ignored that request and threw him back out of my apartment after a few months.

Then I moved to Ohio, again searched churches for nice guys (bigger pool out there) but had no real luck. Made some great friends but no one to date. I met my next boyfriend in a bar (gasp) but surprisingly he was a Baptist too, a divorced baptist with 2 kids and again my parents were horrified. After this good Baptist boy cheated on me with a girl from work and broke my heart I was pretty much done with Baptist boys.

Enter my husband - catholic by upbringing but pretty much free of religion as far as I could tell. We got married in a Methodist church because he didn't want to do all the things necessary to get married catholic and well there wasn't any Baptist minister willing to perform the ceremony to "unequally yoke" me to an unbeliever. The Methodists were fine with marrying us as long as we paid the rental fee for the church! LOL

So fast forward to today - married 8 years, fairly happy much of the time, haven't really attended any church (other than holidays) for 10 years. This past Christmas Eve I suggested to my husband as we were leaving midnight mass that maybe we should start going to mass weekly. I don't want to become catholic BUT I do find the services comforting, meaningful, moving and I can talk to God as easily there as in a Baptist church and there seems to be much less judging there. So he said he'd like that and we started going weekly. Add to this that he has decided after all these years that maybe he'd like to be confirmed and is talking to the priest and doing the studies to make that happen. He'll likely be confirmed at Easter this year. He asks me if I'm going to become catholic and I tell him "no, I don't see the need" but I will attend catholic church and worship with them and I'm fine with that.

Yesterday I was telling my parents this. They said "so you're going to become catholic?" and I said NO. So my dad suggests that I should let my husband go to mass alone and I should come to church with them instead. REALLY??? I haven't attended ANY church in 10 years - you'd think they'd see this as a good step but instead they'd rather I attend nowhere than go to mass? And that I should let my husband go to church alone and I should do the same just because there are some minor differences in beliefs?

It really did annoy me and I hope they don't plan to continue to suggest this arrangement. AND no way am I telling my husband of their suggestion as he'd freak out.

Honest Scrap...

So earlier this week Verybadcat tagged me for this Honest Scrap award and I promised I'd get to it soon so going to give this a try tonight.

The rules are I must share 10 things about myself and tag some bloggy friends to receive the award and play along, so here goes...

1. I have recently become an honest to god facebook addict and it's a good thing that I can't access it from my office or I'd probably be fired.
   
   
2. One of my more unusual hobbies involves traveling to fairs in the summer where I get paid to judge some animals (livestock) keeping the species a secret for now.
   
   
3. I grew up in pretty sheltered, I went to a Christian school from 2nd grade thru graduation and even went to a Christian college for my undergrad which you wouldn't know to read the foul language I sometimes use in this blog.
   
   
4. Although I tend to present as confident and self assured in public I am desperately insecure at times and worried that no one really likes me.
   
   
5. I'm terrified that the MS is taking away my husband, little by little his personality has changed and someday I fear I may find myself married to a total stranger.
   
   
6. I love my dog far more than I probably should. No I don't "love" my dog - but I do adore him with all my being and will be more than devastated if something happened to him.
   
   
7. I am a snoop. I can't help it. I have found out things I wish I didn't know and yet I'd rather know that be totally blind to the truth.
   
   
8. I read "Chick Lit" and I LOVE it! :) I loved the Shopaholic series but don't think I will like the movie much.
   
   
9. I like silly humor movies - tonight we saw Paul Blart Mall Cop and found it hilarious. Despite this I am not a fan of Will Ferrell or Jim Carey but I love Adam Sandler.
   
   
10. I love singing karoke - I will do this with very little encouragement. I have twice sang karoke in front of co-workers when more than a little drunk. I have sang in bars many times. I'm not that good but I don't care it's fun.

So I'm supposed to tag a few people, so I'm tagging Jen and Shieldmaiden98 and anyone else that would like to play along.

Arrogance is NOT Acceptable from ANYONE!

Today my husband had an appointment with his neurologist. This was not his normal appointment - his doctor's office called him and said that due to the cases of PML having been found more frequently he wants to see all his patients once a month before they get infused. Biogen-Idec is still recommending every 6 months with the neurologist so this is not coming down from the drug manufacturer or the FDA. It is his preference. So we went today to see him and discuss.

Seeing him once a month is a hardship for us, we don't live nearby, also with hubby not working it is a financial hardship to have to pay $25 copay once a month instead of 2x a year. We said as much, the doctor ignored and pushed on. Well if he has to go once a month he may as well have his infusion there too because then he could do it all at once. SURE the light dawns a little more - if the infusion is done there, they can bill it. $$$$ seem to be part of the rationale at least to me. I don't suggest this to the doctor.

Hubby has been having bad headaches since being diagnosed 12 years ago. Every neuro he has seen has said this is normal (including this one in prior visits) and has prescribed neurontin to help alleviate these. But today he told us that MS does NOT cause headaches and that he suggests my husband make an appointment for the headache center that they conveniently run in their office. Of course this can't be done at the same time as a Tysabri infusion because they alternate days using the same space AND it would incurr another $25 copay of course.

Hubby has had good luck with neurontin helping with the headaches and was asking the doctor to give it to him and he basically refused. (FINE - I'm sure his primary care physician would give it if we asked) Hubby was tight lipped but again said that coming out there to see the doctor 1X a month AND another visit for the headache center would be a hardship.

Here is what the doctor said and I am quoting - "It's your MS buddy! If you can convince it to stop being active because the drive is too much of an inconvenience more power to you."

My jaw dropped. Hubby's jaw clenched. We walked out, we made the appointment he required at the end of Feb for another follow up and left. I had to go back to work so I told hubby we would talk tonight. But he called me when he got home and I just went off on how sarcastic and rude the doctor was and how I figured that the only way I would consider staying is if the doctor realized he was an ass and called TODAY to apologize.

My carpooling friend's wife has MS too, she see's a different neurology group, she is also on Tysabri and gets her infusion where my husband does. Her doctor is not recommending monthly visits and so I am going to get the info for her doctor and schedule a consultation to consider changing.

His neurologist is a specialist, he's well known, he's published, no doubt the man knows his stuff. But today he was arrogant and overbearing and I find that uncalled for and unacceptable. I will find my husband a new doctor that can do all he can with a better attitude and then I will let him know why he's losing a patient.

When will people learn not to cross me? GRRRR

I am absolutely LIVID

Because of THIS!

In 2008 I made improvments to my home. I installed a new high efficiency gas furnace. I put an additional layer of energy saving insulation in my attic. I replaced drafty doors with new energy star rated doors.

I knew that the tax deduction for this ended in 2007 BUT was assured that it would be extended by several people who seemed to be in the know.

They were wrong! Here is what the energystar.gov site says:

"On October 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law the “Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.” This bill extended tax credits for energy efficient home improvements (windows, doors, roofs, insulation, HVAC, and non-solar water heaters). Tax credits for these residential products, which had expired at the end of 2007, will now be available for improvements made during 2009. However, improvements made during 2008 are not eligible for a tax credit."

My response to this is YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FUCKING KIDDING? I'm just wondering why I have a black cloud over me these days - can nothing go right? Last year I spent $10,000 improving my home and NONE of it is tax deductible -so sorry for your shitty luck.

Rest in Peace Sweet Anni

Anni died today, she has been my sweet friend and confidant since October 1995 when I plucked her out of a cardboard box full of "free kittens" in front of Kroger in Loveland, Ohio.

She had lost some weight lately but we attributed that to a change in diet when we went to an all canned food diet for our diabetic kitty - Mike. Anni preferred her crunchies and she was not thrilled with the food change. She was still spunky and had some cattitude but she had become a little more clingy the last week.

Today something happened. She started to cry around noon as if she had a hairball to pass but she didn't puke. She went back to sleep on top of the heating grate behind the loveseat and I thought nothing of it. But then she stood up and peed on the floor - she NEVER did this -she was fastidious and I knew something was wrong. I went and got a laundry basket and made her a nest and then I called the vet and left a message on th emergency voice mail. She tried to jump out of the basket and fell and just laid there and cried.

When the vet called back we were on our way - going to meet him at the office. As I feared there was nothing to be done - he said it felt as if her abdomen was filled with fluid - likely blood from a ruptured tumor. The only humane thing was to end her suffering and my husband and I both cried as we said goodbye. I held her as she took her last few breaths.

Goodbye Anni - You have been my friend for 13 years and I will miss you.

Focusing on the Positives...

1. Gas is still under $2 a gallon - I never paid more than $25 to fill my tank during the entire trip to OH and back. It's such a relief.
   
   
2. My husband is still a non-smoker! He spent 4 days with his chain smoking relatives and not only did he not smoke a single cig - he turned into the non-smoker who lectures the smokers on how if he can quit anyone can! :) I'm sure it annoyed them a bit but I LOVED it.
   
   
3. I won $225 in a football pool and can really use the cash so this is good.
   
   
4. I should have my sign-up for Home Interiors Consultant completed today and I can start trying to make a bit of extra cash that way and hopefully be an outlet for my creativity because - really - that side of me is dying in this job.
   
   
5. My husband's class starts in 2 weeks - he is taking Java Programming at a local community college on Monday nights. I hope that he does well. It also means I will have Monday nights to myself which hopefully will be a welcome relief.
   
   
6. Also in 2 weeks - LOST comes back. How I <3 that show! (hey it's the little things)
   
   

I guess that is enough for one day - wouldn't want to overwhelm you all with my cheeriness! ;-)

2009 - Ready or Not It's Here!

I'm hoping that 2009 might be a good year for us - better than 2008 turned out. I guess I'm still an optimist at heart. Optimistic that this might be the year it all turns around.

I won't say things can't get worse - cause we know what happens when someone gets brave enough to utter that phrase. I sure hope the worst is past though.

So here's to 2009 - bring it on!