Farewell 2007 - Hello 2008

I haven't been very good in posting these past two months. I haven't had many positive things to post about so rather than just whining, I settled back to deal with it.

2007 was an awful year on my job. In January, the day after my birthday the company laid off more than 1/3 of its total employees. I dodged that bullet. I worked my butt off retrieving materials and equipment from more than 300 field employees. I believe that physical strain is responsible for my back pain now. In April there was another layoff and another 40 investigators left. I dodged that bullet as I did the next one in July. Seeing my coworkers and friends leave was a very hard thing for me. This past November I was transferred to another contract. I was moved from Project Coordinator to an Administrative Assistant. I had a hissy fit over being demoted, but both my boss and our Vice President assured me that it wasn't a demotion. Just a cost saving effort. They did not cut my pay. After being there for a month now, I can truly say I don't hate it, but I am working hard at liking it. The welcome and support that I received from the supervisors and my coworkers is more than I could have every expected. They have made it very clear that I am one of them now. That makes me feel good.

I've been suffering for five months now with daily back pain. My lovely new doctor, Dr. R believes it is due to advancing arthritis. I think I have to agree with her because its location is sporadic and moves. I don't know what I'd do without the devotion of my dear friend and chiropractor David. He stops by three times a week to give me treatment. My insurance does not pay him and he won't even accept the copayment allotted by the insurance company. He fusses each week when I give him his token check. He feels the majority of my pain is stress related, that I internalize all of the things around me and this causes my muscles to spasm. I'm beginning to believe him. I've been off this past week, doing nothing but following his instructions to rest. I honestly can say, my back is better.

I believe that God has blessed me with the best family of friends. BJ, David who are close by and Donna who is only a phone call or email away, my dear Dennis' daughter Debbie and my cherished niece Sandy. The love and support they give me is worth more than gold.

Next year will be what I make it.

God bless you.