Wow, life sure does have a way of keeping us hopping! The last month has been a rollercoaster of family and household hassles, some small and some not so small. Here's my tale of woe:

The day before Thanksgiving I hit a deer with my car, which resulted in the deer bouncing happily away but not before doing $1500 worth of damage to my car. A week in the shop, a week's rental car, and it's nice and shiny again. So two days after the body work was done, the clutch goes out completely. Naturally, this is not related to the deer collision, so won't be covered by insurance. Another week in the shop, another rental, and another $1500. :rolleyes

Early in the months my husband's car has a flat, which he changes and takes to be fixed. Yesterday he's driving along with our 3-year-old, who is home sick from daycare, and hits a pothole at full speed--another flat, a bent rim. He goes to change the tire and lo and behold! The "repaired" tire is also flat! Stranded on Route 80 with a sick child, he waits over an hour for help. :rolleyes

Let's see...Early last week we had no heat in our house as the temperature plummeted well below freezing outside. Two weeks ago my older daughter was diagnosed with ringworm. On Christmas Eve morning both she and I were diagnosed with strep throat. (Oh, the PAIN!!) Yesterday I and my younger daughter woke up with terrible colds. :rolleyes

So it's been quite a month, though there was good news too. My band checkup on the 23rd was excellent! In spite of my worries and my doc's dire description of the possibilities, I have no slippage at all! The doctor was able to re-fill me back to a good level of restriction.

Now we're all on the mend, and I am driving a beautiful NEW car after deciding my broken clutch was the last straw on that vehicle. No more manual transmission for me!

And then we see the devastation caused by tsunamis on the other side of the world, and it puts all my little hassles into perspective. I am PROFOUNDLY grateful to be safe, have my children safe, and my husband healthy to take care of his poor little sick girls. I LOVE my husband!!!

Here's wishing the best to all of you this New Year. Thanks for all of you being here and supporting one another; it brings my heart great joy to know this community is here!!!

Wow, Alex, so glad no one was injured, everyone is on the mend, and you got a new car. Let's hope you got everything behind you and 2005 will be smooth sailing for you and your family! Get well soon!

That is WAY too much to be dealing with in one month! I am glad it is over for you. Just having strep throat would send me into a tailspin. Hope this month is the best -- and all the new year, too!

It's just gotta get better in '05!

Alex,

I have asked the wish fairy to grant me one wish... that you have no drama in the New Year. Hope you have a good one!!!

The only part I saw is that YOUR BAND IS OKAY! The rest is small potatoes (very tiny band-sized potatoes.) Ringworm & Strep are temporary and well, cars break down. That's the rainbow at the end of your storm.

I am so glad that you are okay and you are feeling better about all of the things that have been icky! Happy New Year!

All's well that ends well and your new avatar looks great!

Nancy

Hi Alex,

Sounds like my month!!! I write this as I sit here sniffling with a hellatious head cold and feeling sorry for myself! LOL

Earlier this month I was complaining about the hair loss, (which seems to have stopped since I got my hair cut), lost deals, a house that hasnt sold and numerous other things that have been going wrong in my life.

Now the hair seems to be on the mend, a few deals came through and although it still aint great, its definitely an improvement from before.

Everything is going to be fine and the New Year brings hope. And all of those folks suffering does bring alot into perspective.

Hugs,

Babs in TX

334/188/170

-146

6/23/03

Wow... when it rains... it pours! Hope the new year brings better things and glad that all is well with your band!

Alexandra

Last January when my son was in the hospital, I came home for a shower, to check e-mails and to give an update on his condition. You were right there with support for me , Thanks. That was the first thing I thought of when reading this post.

It's so scary when kids are sick and when you get sick as well it sucks.

My motto has been "Once you fix something...something else brakes, the never ending list of life"

Wishing you the best for 05

Thanks for the support, everyone! Things do seem to be looking up; now I'm just dealing with a regular cold and the strep seems to have escaped the other members of my family. Yesterday I couldn't find my wallet, and then just as I was getting ready to call the credit card companies, there it was on the floor of the car in the back. Thank goodness!

These little hassles really can take it out of us, especially when we're not 100% healthy. I'm looking forward to a long weekend at home with nothing that has to get done except keeping the kids entertained.

Best wishes for a calm and happy 2005 for all!!