Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Can Somebody Tell Me...

Why the hell this suprises people?!
Jesus Christ! I deal with this every day! I end up feeling guilty for being depressed, because it just means $20 lost going to the doctor, and $10 on up for the prescription, which may or may not work. God forbid my doctor recommends a therapist (another at least $20 a pop). And that's just me. My husband has Ankylosing Spondylitis, a form of arthritis that causes bone to grow and fuse the spine together (but, no, he doesn't have the associated gene: HLA/B27). Right now he has 5 different prescriptions, starting at $10. He's on disability, so if there's a medical bill (copay, whatever) that I can't pay upfront, yeah, there's a good possibility it's going to be put off.

Tuesday, June 29, 2004

It's a Woman Thing?

I'm having one of those sad and inadequate days. Yes, I did forget to take my antidepressants today. And yes, I maybe in the throes of PMS (one gripe, I'm not going to have anymore children, why am I still having a freakin' period?! Periods suck).
The more I think about it, the more I think it is PMS, because lately I've actually been, if not happy, then also not sad. Depression is basically the one PMS symptom I have that's still reliable. I don't have the zit on my chin anymore. My breasts aren't reliably sore anymore. Cramps are only after I start to flow. Bloating, I don't notice, I'm fat all the time. And I don't really have the undying hunger that I used to.
I am kind of worried that when the meno does pause, will I be depressed all the time (hah! Like I'm not now!)? With no antidepressants that work reliably (or that I can afford)?
Note to the odd person who reads this: I can't take Welbutrin - I have a history of seizures.
I also feel kinda funny about asking my young, male (cute) doctor about menopause, perimenopause, and everything related. Yeah, I know, it's mostly a head thing, he's a really good (cute) doctor.

I wish I could talk to Mama.

Thursday, June 24, 2004

Can't Believe My Eyes!

I was looking at Pandagon today (sorry, I'm new at this and don't know how to link. Also I usually do this at work, and the Help is blocked but posting to my blog isn't - go figure), laughing at The Club for Growth's completely inane add supposedly for W (it just doesn't play that way). Anyway, I'm at their site and the second add is...

Tom Coburn's Baby add!
You know the one says he's delivered all these babies, he's SINGLEHANDEDLY got some legislation or so (I pay so much attention) passed.
Yeah, singlehandedly! That's a riot!
Geez, the thing that really stinks, (although I know it's pretty much a given anymore) is here is an out of state, completely outsider group shilling for Coburn.
What?! Are Anthony and Humphreys not republican enough? Hell, Humphreys (I'm sorry, can't stand him) has all our in state republicans shilling for him. I still say, if you're Republican, there is only one choice - Bob Anthony. As Corporation Commissioner he's been a pretty good watch dog. He actually has done more for Oklahomans than Coburn or Humphreys.


UPDATE I finally paid more attention to that commercial, well, than I usually do. They claim he singlehandedly saved $1 billion in wasted! Sounds like a goddamn superhero to me!
PS I think I've figured that link thing. We'll see.

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Dear Mama,

I know it's been awhile since I've wrote. I don't really have much of an excuse, life just kinda gets in the way.
I'm having one of those "I really need to talk to you" days. I can't seem to shake off this depression. I'm not dreadfully unhappy, and certianly not suicidal (right now), I'm, well, in Purgatory. I am on Zoloft, but it's not working real well. I'm sure you've heard my rants on my health insurance. I don't want to be this way forever, but everything costs so much. And I still have to think about RW. I know, I know, I have to think of myself. Yes, I remember Grandmother taking care of not one, but two elderly relatives, who outlived her. But, he's not getting better, Mama, although he might be getting worse at a slower pace than before. That maybe my wishful thinking. His arthritis (ankylosing spondylitis, DISH, whatever) pretty much covers his entire skeleton. So shoot me, I worry.
I don't worry about JW, though! Can you believe he's a Senior now?! I'm not sure he'll make it to the 5'7" I always told him he'll be, but he is taller than me (barely). And very handsome. Yeah, still shy. He's working at Braum's now. Soon we'll get Daddy's van for him. It's big, it's old, but that's just too damn bad, it's free. RW might be getting him interested in the Navy. I can see his point. He doesn't really know what he wants to do, or where he wants to do it (aside from out of Oklahoma). It would give him structure and a guaranteed, pretty good paying job. I'm pretty out of the loop on this. I want him to go to college. It can be the Naval Academy, it can be ROTC at a regular college. Like I said, I'm out of the loop, and it's driving me crazy.
JW's quit band, but is on the yearbook staff, and is Vice-President of the Senior class. He'll be taking AP English, Honors Calculus, Honors Physics, Yearbook staff is one of the classes, and I forget the others. The band director tried to get him to stay, but Jw said he wanted to have time to do other things. This is the person you'd swear was glued to the couch, his Gameboy fused to his hands. I think he wants to enjoy his Senior year.
He maybe joining the Navy, I don't have enough info now, though. RW says they're pretty taken with JW. If it's what he wants, I'm all for it, but I need to learn more.
My life is pretty boring. It's mostly between home and work. I work in Moore and live in Guthrie, it's time consuming. It gets old. I'm getting weird signals at work. They say they're not closing the center, but the underlying vibe says something different. If not closing altogether, then a big shakeup. That scares the crap out of me. I hate looking for a job. I still wish I hadn't of screwed myself out of Hertz. Yeah, I know, I hated Hertz. I wish I could make a living at this blog. You always thought I should be a writer. I know it's little more than an online diary (or therapy), but I'm published for everyone to see (or not)! You would be so proud! But then, you're proud of me already.
I love you, Mama.
I miss you.


I have to put a little addendum here. My mother died in February 1999. The year was hard, my grief unending, my depression deepening. On Thanksgiving, well it was bad. My husband, RW, said "Why don't you go outside and talk to your Mom?"
Well, I'm not a talker. So I started writing letters. I write when I need to talk to my Mom.

Monday, June 21, 2004

Stream of (Semi-)Consciousness

I've been thinking (and yes, it is hard work). I think I need to throw a party. I know what you're thinking, "But you're Ms. Not Together, how does a not together person throw a party?"
Yeah, that's crossed my mind, too. It gets worse. Outside of the blogiverse, I'm very shy, very introverted. Suppose I actually (which is kind of unlikely, since thinking and doing are two different things), throw said party, would I actually talk to people? But, if I'm inviting the people I know, the people I'm comfortable with, theoretically, I could talk my ass off (which would be a good thing, you should see my ass).
Ok, here's what I see: I would have it at my mother-in-law's house. That's because I live in a crappy mobile home in Meth-Lab Estates. Put citronella candles around the yard, maybe a string or two of lights in the big elm tree in the back. Randy would cook (certainly not me!).
Good music, good drink, good food, good friends.

I Don't Need No Stinkin' Antidepressants!

I just need to go to parties and get drunk!
A co-worker had a party on Saturday, a bunch of us from work, and a few of his friends. Since I did bring my husband, I was able to drink.
And I did.
A rum punch (plastic Coca-Cola glass)- too much rum, not enough punch.
A Bacardi raspberry thing (basically flavored beer) - really good.
A shot of whiskey. - ehh, not a whiskey person (my mother made cough syrup out of it.)
A shot of tequila. I still say tequila would be good in a Sonic Cherry Limeade, but Sherri swears vodka (I've never drank vodka). Oh, the Sonic Sunrise (which is a Cherry Limeade made with orange juice), too.
Another shot of tequila (because Kory didn't see me do the first one).
and half of a margarita (in my same Coca-Cola glass).
I laughed, I talked, I had a damn good time! I didn't have a sad or worthless thought all weekend!
And it was worth being nauseous all the next day!

Friday, June 18, 2004

Zionists, Riiiight!

So, Saudi Arabia says Al Qaida is in league with "Zionists". I guess that's as believeable as Saddam/Al Qaida/911 connections.

Thursday, June 17, 2004

Customer Service Bites

And I'm the CS Rep! I really, really HATE Ch*******ets!! I also hate people who say, "well, aren't you my travel agent?!"
Well, aren't you the person who doesn't look at their itinerary until the day before travel, only to discover some "mistake" we made?
Or maybe you're the person who can't read a car rental agreement to save your life (the rate we give is after discounts, but not including any fees or taxes). And, no, god damn it, we can't confirm a specific make of car! And if you don't have a major credit card with your name on it, most likely you're not getting a car. And, yes, we did tell you that, you chose not to listen.
People, be proactive. Don't trust us. Double check everything we do. We're human, we can make mistakes. The quicker you catch a mistake, the easier (and cheaper) it is to fix.
Oh, and when you need to call customer service, drop the 'tude. If you have a 'tude, we get a 'tude. Besides, you're getting to travel, I don't have that luxury, so shut up!

I'm Trying

Okay, I'm back. Well, trying to get back. This depression is really kicking my ass. Not to mention, my crappy prescription coverage at work. And that I hate to go to the doctor. I hate to spend money on myself. Compared to my husbands health problems, my puny depression isn't shit. AAAAnd I don't a real good opinion of myself.
Now here I am spouting off in my cheap (re: free) form of psychotherapy. I've said it before, right now I want to be sitting in front of the tv, my mind numb.

Monday, June 14, 2004

I'm Just A Little Down

Pretty much same ol', same ol'. I'd like to be happy. At least, not unhappy. It is so hard to write when I feel this way. God! I hate this! Is this the rest of my life?!
I've asked this time and again, Why is it that my head was screwed on the tighted, I was happy, I was positive, during my first (abusive) marriage? Are the one or two people who've read this out there? Can you tell me?

Friday, June 11, 2004

Bubba Dumb!

Well, that's what my son says when he's petting our basset hound, Bubba. I would always protest. Bubba's not dumb, I would say. But I'm not so sure.
When I was walking him (and our entourage: Whiskers & Midnight the cats, and Rogue the dachshund) this morning, he got scared of a rock. Yes, a rock! A red sandstone rock about the size of a high-top sneaker. We come almost up to it, he stops, "WOOOOOOF!"
I kick it over with my foot and say, "Bubba, it's only a rock!" As I kicked it over he jumped back, then, very slowly, very carefully, got closer to it, and sniffed it.
Bubba is the sweetest dog, but maybe "Bubba Dumb."

Bob Anthony

I just noticed he's running for senate, too. At least you know he's someone who hasn't just bent over for big business. As corporation commissioner, he's made sure our utilies have been fair to us. That's way more than I can say of Humpreys.

Wednesday, June 09, 2004

New Kirk Humphreys Ad

Again, he acts like he's anointed by God, sent directly from heaven to Oklahoma. Hopefully that'll work as well for him as it did for Steve Largent (Who? HA HA HA HA HA!)
Again he spouts off about all he's done for OKC. Excuse me?! He didn't do SQUAT! MAPS & MAPS For Kids were Ron Norick's babies. All Humphreys did was shove Bass Pro down our throats! And now THEY'RE building an equal-sized store in Broken Arrow, and Broken Arrow isn't paying a dime. 13 million in taxpayer money for a store that was supposed to be exclusive. Assurances that the city was going to make that up in sales tax and more. Didn't matter that it was a huge slap in the face to the sporting goods/hunting/boating stores (Academy, Great Outdoors, etc.) already here. They didn't get anything at the city trough. I'm sure they'd have built in Bricktown if the city had paid them to do it.

OT - Why is it good for the country for rich people and big giant corporations to get thrown money and crap from the government, but people in need - it's bad? Just Curious.

One thing I DO have to thank Kirk Humphreys for, if I wanted to go to Bricktown I don't have to pay for parking - I can just park at Bass Pro!

Monday, June 07, 2004

In Memoram

Ronald Reagan has died. Of course, he'd had alzheimers for God knows how long, so actually death was a relief.
I really have no positive feelings, memories of the man. He wasn't 1/10th the man my dad was!
My dad, William Jesse McAbee, born in Clinton, OK, January 3rd(or 4th), 1919. Loved swing music. He told me he wanted a Zoot Suit when he was in high school (when I was a kid, his high school was a junior high, but I haven't been back in 20 years), but his mother said no.
His mother, Lib, was the original SuperMom, divorced, raised 2 kids, worked so long for the City of Clinton, when she died, the city declared a holiday. Had a spotless (sterile) house, and cared for everyone but herself.
Daddy was the first to go to college, Southwestern State in Weatherford. He learned to fly. He was in the Army Air Corps, later the Air Force. He told me he was at a movie in San Antonio on Pearl Harbor Day, and was called back to base. He fixed airplanes in the South Pacific in WWII, and then at Tinker AFB until he retired (bleeding ulsers and hemophilia don't really go together). I can't tell you much about his first marriage, except it was short and childless.
When I was little, I had Mama retell how she and Daddy met all the time. It's a great story. Even if it is only one paragraph.
Me: Mama how did you meet Daddy?
Mama: Well, your Uncle David worked at Tinker then. One day he came home and said, "I've met the Man for you!" He kept pestering me and pestering me until I just gave up and agreed to go out with him. Darned if he wasn't right!
Me: (grins)
And no, Mama wasn't as good as Grandmother at keeping house, but as I understand it, she kinda lost her temper, and asked him if he liked living in a sterile house. He had to admit, no, he didn't actually like a house so spotless as to be sterile (I know Grandmother's house was hell for me- you know, the one dirt jumps on). And while this was Mama's first and only marriage, that doesn't mean she didn't have baggage. Mama's family. You know there is not one picture, in Mama's wedding album, of Grandma (Mama's Grandmother) smiling. Mama said Grandma was afraid she wasn't going to be taken care of anymore. Daddy got a lifelong partner, Mama got the man of her dreams, Mama's family got the responsible man who may have wanted to run far away, but didn't.
I had a fantastic Daddy. Not perfect. Not touchy-feely. But fantastic - a real renaissance man. He was into radio-controlled models, first airplanes, then boats. He painted beautiful landscapes as a kid. He could build. He was okay at fixing cars, but usually took it to a mechanic.
Late in life, Daddy told me he regretted not hugging us enough.
Oh, Daddy!!

Thursday, June 03, 2004

I'm Going Insane!

I'm bored. I'm depressed. I want to go home. And it's only Thursday. Make me wish I had Friday and Saturday off again. I want to sit in my chair and watch tv. period.
I read my regular blogs: Atrios, Kevin Drum, Kos, Pandagon, etc. I end up thinking, "I'm not worthy to even read the comments, much less make one."
They're so smart! I'm so...not.

Wednesday, June 02, 2004

Hey, I have learned, the characters that run around in my head, are plausible!! The stories in my head may not be good (but I like them), but they are actually realistic. Maybe, one day, I get them out of my head.

Happy Anniversary!

To me and Randy! 10 years today! And I actually remembered! Well, sort of. Yesterday, I realized it was June and our anniversary was soon. So, I whipped out the ol' marriage liscense (yes, it's been in a succession of purses for 10 years) to verify the date. TODAY!!

Tuesday, June 01, 2004

I Should've Worked

I had Monday off. Too bad I spent the day crying. I mean, I CRASHED!! I know I've gone off before how I don't think Zoloft is completely working, but I think yesterday was PMS. Today, I've leveled off, while I'm not happy, I'm not unduly sad, either. So, that's why I was thinking I should've worked. At least then I'd have a reason to be cranky.

Randy spent the weekend fishing. And he wondered why I didn't.