Speaking of mundane things...

...I had my yearly echo-cardiogram done yesterday. You'd think being behind closed doors with me stripped to the waist with loads of lube at the ready that there'd be some fun somewhere but no, the echo tech just kept so much pressure on my ribcage, I was tempted to ask if she'd ever  broken  anyone's rib(s) whilst doing her job. I instead remained silent, hoping that it would soon be over.

I know y'all are dying to know how I did (j/k).
The echo tech was the same person as I had for last year's test so that's good I think, for consistancy's sake. She didn't remember me, but after I remarked that I thought she was the same echo tech from last year, she glanced at the chart and verified it. She also verified that the results were looking the same as last year--an Ejection Fraction of 40-45%. The "line" where one crosses into heart failure is 40% EF, so my meds. and me are keeping me treading H2O.

I've changed my mind about the SSDisability claim. After 4.5 months ( there is NO stipulated time frame in which they must respond) they still haven't told me if they are saying yay or nay as I try to re-up. When I came home yesterday though, I did some refresher reading on this "benefit" and I think it would behoove me to appeal, if they reject it.
(Because I'm stubborn, I worked at the store for three hours straight ( usually I do about 1.5 hours at a time) the other day. I was completely exhausted when I came home. Three farking hours. Bah.)
Before a judge I'd most likely get a "yes" answer on the claim. So it'll be long and drawn out and a big pain--but it's worth it.

I thought I had to be something or do something that was somehow in line with who I used to be/what I used to do. But I don't. I'm happy with the roles I play now and atm, financially I'm not forced to change beyond what I've done--which is take over the book dept (they now don't let anyone do anything other than straighten--I determine what stays and goes--yay me. It's volunteer in the sense that I don't draw a paycheck, but the few books (and a few other things) I buy and put up for sale are selling well.
It's a part-time salary and I'm not breaking any Disability rules so no fretting there. (The cut-off for SSD is if I can make more than roughly $900 a month, I'm *EDIT* less eligible--bennies decrease). Well, I'm not doing that well, lol.)

Spouse quit his second job (this weekend is his last) and I'm hoping he doesn't take on another. We need to put the time into making the house adorable in under a year so it is market-ready.

His full-time position is at Motorola and they are as harsh a taskmaster as any big corp. Without announcement yesterday, they sent everyone notification of raises and bonuses or lack thereof. Always before, they have had a "town hall" meeting but this year things are different. The newest trend in farking the American middle class worker over is to cut out awarding raises and to slash bonuses.
They had their big guns (attorneys) at the ready yesterday and people were told don't bother with HR--they can't/won't help you.
No union, of course. This is not our grandfather's America.
We were lucky. My spouse is underpaid as he didn't join the company until age 37--so he was one of the few who did qualify for a (reduced) raise and will next year, too. And the bonus, though reduced 40% was still there.
Everyone's being told to work towards promotion but lots of them have hit the pay-scale ceiling (which they arbitrarily changed earlier this year).
And this is what I was fretting about? Going back into corporate bullshit America?
Um, no thanks. Me and my sorta broken ticker are going to continue to live life on "our" own terms.     

I'm feeling pretty good, atm. Chris and I just took the dog for a medium-long walk. It's blustery, drizzling, and the sky has been steely gray all day.
My nose and eyes ran and my face was stinging from the cold but the dog and the kid were quite blissfully unaware. Now I'm home and I'm staying here.

Happy trails to all!
(until we meet again)

--Cyn

Comments

[Cyn]

Thank you, Dan.

I try to stay positive but I'm fighting off crankiness, atm.
This too shall pass. ;)

[Dan]

Stay in good health and good luck with getting the house ready. Summer is coming. Stay positive.

Dan