My husband lost his job yesterday which is pretty much a bummer. Yes, that is an extreme case of minimizing a major tragedy. Right now I am a little temporarily insane like that.
We went through this 2 years ago when he lost the job he'd had for over 17 years. That was our first experience with unemployment. It was frightening but fortunately he got a generous severance package so we didn't have to worry too much about how to survive until he found another job.
It took 3 months to find that replacement job and we thought it would be the one he retired with. We were wrong. He got terminated yesterday because "they decided to go a different direction with supply chain". That was their reason for termination...'we changed our minds'. I think what happened is that he implemented an effective supply chain process, completely revamped the warehouses and put procedures in place to keep things running smoothly so they decided they were done with him. Of course it won't take any time at all for them to work themselves back into the mess they were in before he got there so good luck to 'em!
Since they didn't offer him any kind of severance package (jerks) we are scrambling for ways to make ends meet until the next replacement job can be secured. Hopefully it won't take as long as last time but you never know.
By the way, the first time he was laid off was August 15, 2013. The second lay off was August 20, 2015. We've decided that August has nothing of value to offer us so from now on we will not be doing August anymore. We're just going to skip it.
The upside of all this is that since we've been there-done that I have more of a clue about what needs to be done. First thing...unemployment. I had it taken care of within 20 minutes of getting the news. The next thing I started tackling was health insurance. We were fortunate to have a very good major medical, dental and vision plan through his company but we'll lose that at the end of the month so I got busy trying to find a replacement.
The last layoff was shortly before Obamacare took effect and I have some preexisting conditions that pretty much rendered me uninsurable at that time so we had no choice but to use COBRA. Going without insurance and crossing our fingers wasn't an option because of my prescriptions. I take several each day and without insurance they would cost us well over $1,000 a month.
I had to mortgage a kidney to pay for COBRA last time but I can't do that this time because I'm pretty sure I need at least one kidney. We do have other options...let me weigh them here:
The good news is that I can't be turned down for my preexisting conditions this time.
The bad news is that the open enrollment doesn't start until November 1.
The good news is that since we've had a qualifying life experience we can apply anyway.
The bad news is that we don't qualify for subsidies.
The good news is that we should be able to access some retirement funds to cover the expense.
The bad news is that we will have to pay a penalty for early withdrawal.
The good news is that we can avoid some of the penalties if we reinvest a portion of it.
The bad news is that reinvesting a portion could delay our cash-in-hand by a couple of weeks.
The good news is that we still have my YouTube income.
The bad news is that it isn't enough to cover the rent that's due in 11 days.
The good news is that our property manager is awesome and said to just let her know if it will be late.
The bad news is that I might not know that it will be late until after it already is.
The good news is that I'm still medicated.
For now.
Friday, August 21, 2015
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Dear Emoji Makers
Dear Emoji Makers,
Thank you for your fun little characters that we can use to express ourselves in our Facebook PMs when words fail us. I know that half my friends would have no idea how I was feeling without a couple of dancing minions to demonstrate.
I especially love it when I'm in a group PM with several other people and 2 of them start an emoji war. The notifications make my cell phone sound like someone just rolled triple 7s on a slot machine in my purse.
I check my phone, expecting to see thrilling conversations happening but instead it's a string of sweet little emoji interspersed with seizure-inducing animated GIFs. Oh the joy they bring.
In an effort to maximize that joy, I would like to offer one suggestion if I may. You see the problem is that your emoji are small and on mobile devices they are even smaller. This causes a slight problem for those of us with not quite so young eyeballs. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the emoji I just sent to a friend was not 2 hugging minions but 2 fighting minions. And the emoji I thought was just a happy hotdog was actually a flasher hotdog, holding his bun open to reveal his....hot....dog.
I am aware that there are some options available. The smiley face emoji are usually easy to see but I don't like to use them because those are the ones that old people use. I am not old. I am just slightly visually impaired due to my advanced...maturity.
Therefore I would like to request that you make some emoji that are large enough for not old people like myself to see and use correctly. If it was just about the size of my mobile device's screen that would be great. It would certainly save me future embarrassment brought on by something called a HamCat.
I don't know if you are also the people responsible for the inflatable thumbs up on our mobile devices but just in case I will share my thoughts about that with you as well. First of all, I didn't even know the feature existed until a friend showed me and explained to me how it works. She told me to just touch it and hold until it starts growing then let go when it gets to the size I want. That's a concept I'm familiar with so I gave it a try. My friend warned that if I hold it for too long it will explode and go back to small. Again...familiar territory.
I don't know if you are also the people responsible for the inflatable thumbs up on our mobile devices but just in case I will share my thoughts about that with you as well. First of all, I didn't even know the feature existed until a friend showed me and explained to me how it works. She told me to just touch it and hold until it starts growing then let go when it gets to the size I want. That's a concept I'm familiar with so I gave it a try. My friend warned that if I hold it for too long it will explode and go back to small. Again...familiar territory.
I touched the icon and watched it grow and grow, then just at that moment when it was almost where I wanted it the dang thing went small again. Story. Of. My. Life. It took several tries before I got the hang of it but finally discovered that mine prefers a light touch. Now I find it easy to apply just the right amount of pressure to get that little satisfying "pop" at the end.
The only problem is that now I can't stop touching it. I touch it four, maybe five times a day just to watch it grow. I'm even touching it in public. Now it's to the point where I don't even have to look at it, I know precisely the point at which it will "pop" just by the sound it makes.
Surely it's a harmless habit, right? Although...I am having trouble seeing all those little emoji and I seem to recall my mother saying something about going blind....
Surely it's a harmless habit, right? Although...I am having trouble seeing all those little emoji and I seem to recall my mother saying something about going blind....
Sunday, July 12, 2015
My Favorite YouTube Comments
And before you complain that they're hard to read...I know, I know. I wasn't about to manually retype them so this is the best I could do. Just go ahead and leave me a comment complaining about it. I have lots of experience with that sort of thing!
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Four on The Pelvic Floor
Sometimes I run across stuff on the internet that I just can't ignore. I know I should ignore it but I just don't have the strength.
Today I was browsing through the opportunities on a couple of the sponsorship websites I belong to. These sites match brands with influencers. In other words, they pimp out social media addicts such as myself. They're legit, I've actually done a couple of promotional videos through them but it's not my main focus so I don't do them often.
The offer that caught my eye today is from a company called Intimina. They are offering $100-$250 through Famebit for a YouTube review of their product. The product is called the Laselle Exercise Routine. It's not a craft product nor is it something that I think my viewers would be interested in so I won't be doing a video review.
However, I can certainly do a review here on my blog and I will even do it for free. You're welcome, Intimina.
Does your pelvic floor have loose boards or creaky joists? Have I got a solution for you! Introducing the Laselle Exercise Routine by Intimina.
I didn't realize there was a chance that my pelvic floor training could reach a plateau. Who knew?!
Are you still wondering just exactly what this is? Let me explain:
It's not what you're thinking. This is legitimate exercise equipment to help tone your floppy Kegels. The vibrations are subtle and necessary to confirm proper placement. If you're concerned that the vibration might be TOO subtle you could always just attach your exerciser to one of these:
That would leave no doubt as to your exerciser's placement. And you would likely finish your routine much quicker.
Ahem.
Are you wondering exactly how this works? I will tell you and then I will demonstrate for you.
Sounds reasonable. Let's give this a try. Here's me doing my first set with the Light Resistance Exercisers.
Here's me doing my second set with the Moderate Resistance Exercisers.
Here's me doing my third set with the Higher Resistance Exercisers.
Clearly I'm in better shape than I thought. Fortunately the Laselle Exercise Routine is fully customizable, even for those of us who clearly qualify for the Kegel Olympics.
Here's me doing my first set with my exercisers linked together.
It took some trial and error but I was finally able to get some results after linking my exercisers together in a configuration that resembled a cluster of grapes.
Since my pelvic floor has never felt better, I want to help you get yours toned and creak-free too. I'm all about cheaper alternatives so here is my solution for a DIY Laselle Exercise Routine. My system is better because it has 4 different levels, not just 3. That gives you more options for a more complete pelvic floor workout. I call it Four on The Pelvic Floor. Here's what you get in the complete set:
Genius, right?! I know. After my routine I was able to unlink my exercisers then neatly weave each cord into an intricate Celtic knot before removing them. Thanks Intimina!
Today I was browsing through the opportunities on a couple of the sponsorship websites I belong to. These sites match brands with influencers. In other words, they pimp out social media addicts such as myself. They're legit, I've actually done a couple of promotional videos through them but it's not my main focus so I don't do them often.
The offer that caught my eye today is from a company called Intimina. They are offering $100-$250 through Famebit for a YouTube review of their product. The product is called the Laselle Exercise Routine. It's not a craft product nor is it something that I think my viewers would be interested in so I won't be doing a video review.
However, I can certainly do a review here on my blog and I will even do it for free. You're welcome, Intimina.
--------------------too lazy to look for a cute separator----------------------
With the Laselle Routine, a 3 pack that gives you the full benefits of Laselle Exercisers in one simple package, you can take your pelvic floor training to new heights.
I didn't realize there was a chance that my pelvic floor training could reach a plateau. Who knew?!
Nudge, nudge...wink, wink.Easy-to-use, discreet and completely body-safe, the Laselle Routine will help you to reach the peak of your intimate health.
Are you still wondering just exactly what this is? Let me explain:
This complete workout set includes 3 exercisers of varying weights that can be used individually or combined to effectively build strength and tone. Worn internally, the spherical shaped weight provides a solid object to flex your muscles around and emits subtle vibrations during movement to confirm that it is correctly placed.
It's not what you're thinking. This is legitimate exercise equipment to help tone your floppy Kegels. The vibrations are subtle and necessary to confirm proper placement. If you're concerned that the vibration might be TOO subtle you could always just attach your exerciser to one of these:
Ahem.
Are you wondering exactly how this works? I will tell you and then I will demonstrate for you.
Laselle™ Exercisers allow you to start with a weight that best suits your current level of strength and progress from there.
• Light Resistance (28g/1oz) is ideal for women who have a weaker pelvic floor or for beginners.
• Moderate Resistance (38g/1.3oz) is perfect for those experienced in weight-free exercising.
• Higher Resistance (48g/1.7oz) is best for women experienced in weighted exercising for the most advanced training.
Sounds reasonable. Let's give this a try. Here's me doing my first set with the Light Resistance Exercisers.
Here's me doing my second set with the Moderate Resistance Exercisers.
Here's me doing my third set with the Higher Resistance Exercisers.
Clearly I'm in better shape than I thought. Fortunately the Laselle Exercise Routine is fully customizable, even for those of us who clearly qualify for the Kegel Olympics.
With this complete workout set you have the option to either use your exercisers individually or combined to effectively build pelvic floor strength and tone.
Here's me doing my first set with my exercisers linked together.
It took some trial and error but I was finally able to get some results after linking my exercisers together in a configuration that resembled a cluster of grapes.
Since my pelvic floor has never felt better, I want to help you get yours toned and creak-free too. I'm all about cheaper alternatives so here is my solution for a DIY Laselle Exercise Routine. My system is better because it has 4 different levels, not just 3. That gives you more options for a more complete pelvic floor workout. I call it Four on The Pelvic Floor. Here's what you get in the complete set:
 |
| For the Beginner. Don't forget to breathe. |
 |
| Intermediate Level 1 includes a charging station for your not at all inappropriate subtle placement confirmation vibration. |
 |
| Intermediate Level 2 can even be used outdoors. Who's gonna know, right? |
 |
| This is for advanced exercisers only. Clearly this girl is an amateur. |
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
This is how I shop for groceries.
Monday: I really needed to get groceries today but I had to film a quick video for Daddy Van's since it's already overdue. I thought I might get groceries afterwards but it ended up taking all dang day. I'll make the grocery list so I can get them tomorrow after my doctor's appointment.
(Didn't make the list.)
Tuesday: I had to fast for bloodwork this morning so naturally I got a headache. By the afternoon it had turned into a migraine so I laid down for a few minutes then fell asleep. I woke up 3 hours later and still had the migraine. Since I won't be going to bed early I'll make the grocery list so that I'll be ready to get groceries tomorrow morning.
(Didn't make the list. Again.)
Wednesday: I need to get groceries today but I should pay bills first. That didn't take long. I noticed that my Tom's were looking pretty yucky so I decided to wash them. I promised myself I would NOT use the excuse of wet shoes to get out of grocery shopping, that would be immature. I could just wear tennis shoes. Then I saw it was awfully cloudy outside and sure enough, there's 80% chance of rain. I am NOT buying groceries in the rain. Been there, done that, it's miserable. I'll make the list and get groceries tomorrow for sure.
(Still didn't make the list.)
Thursday: Okay, Thursday isn't even here yet but I just remembered it's mine and Jayson's anniversary. I can't possibly buy groceries on our anniversary. We don't have any big anniversary plans but still, it's a day to celebrate, not buy groceries. I'll get them on Friday so that we'll have a full fridge for the weekend.
Friday: Friday isn't here yet but Friday is Funday. It sets the tone for the whole weekend. Grocery shopping isn't fun so I shouldn't ruin my Funday, and potentially my entire weekend, with it. We'll just order pizza and get groceries sometime over the weekend.
Saturday and Sunday: Since we don't pay for electricity on the weekends I've got to get all the laundry done before Monday. If I go to the grocery store I'll get distracted and lose my laundry momentum. I'll just start the week off right and get groceries on Monday. We can make do one more day with stuff we have on hand. I think I saw a can of pork and beans and I'm pretty sure the flour canister is full.
Monday: Rinse and repeat.
(Didn't make the list.)
Tuesday: I had to fast for bloodwork this morning so naturally I got a headache. By the afternoon it had turned into a migraine so I laid down for a few minutes then fell asleep. I woke up 3 hours later and still had the migraine. Since I won't be going to bed early I'll make the grocery list so that I'll be ready to get groceries tomorrow morning.
(Didn't make the list. Again.)
Wednesday: I need to get groceries today but I should pay bills first. That didn't take long. I noticed that my Tom's were looking pretty yucky so I decided to wash them. I promised myself I would NOT use the excuse of wet shoes to get out of grocery shopping, that would be immature. I could just wear tennis shoes. Then I saw it was awfully cloudy outside and sure enough, there's 80% chance of rain. I am NOT buying groceries in the rain. Been there, done that, it's miserable. I'll make the list and get groceries tomorrow for sure.
(Still didn't make the list.)
Thursday: Okay, Thursday isn't even here yet but I just remembered it's mine and Jayson's anniversary. I can't possibly buy groceries on our anniversary. We don't have any big anniversary plans but still, it's a day to celebrate, not buy groceries. I'll get them on Friday so that we'll have a full fridge for the weekend.
Friday: Friday isn't here yet but Friday is Funday. It sets the tone for the whole weekend. Grocery shopping isn't fun so I shouldn't ruin my Funday, and potentially my entire weekend, with it. We'll just order pizza and get groceries sometime over the weekend.
Saturday and Sunday: Since we don't pay for electricity on the weekends I've got to get all the laundry done before Monday. If I go to the grocery store I'll get distracted and lose my laundry momentum. I'll just start the week off right and get groceries on Monday. We can make do one more day with stuff we have on hand. I think I saw a can of pork and beans and I'm pretty sure the flour canister is full.
Monday: Rinse and repeat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)