9andaWiggle
Addicted Member
Was asked where I've been, and honestly the last couple months have been a bit rough. 1st, found out the wife has breast cancer. It was caught real early, so she should be fine. She has surgery next week to remove the cancer via lumpectomy, then a month of radiation and 10 years of taking a pill for hormone therapy (supposed to block the breast tissue from absorbing the hormones cancer was feeding on, or something like that). Fortunately, it is a really small spot and tests have shown chemo won't be necassary. So that was a helluva shock and we have been mostly waiting on test results to see how to best treat the condition and speculating what to do if various situations come up. So it looks like we've been lucky with this one. Her insurance will cover it all (she just had another unrelated procedure done in January, so max out of pocket has been met for this year). I hope this is all, poor girl needs a break - she's been through a lot.
In the middle of all this, I was furloughed from work. They talk like they plan to bring us back, but no definite timeframe. Fortunately we're set financially to ride this out for a while (even without unemployment) but I should get that first check this week. So again, it sucks but we're in a lot better position than most. It's still stressful as hell though - the not knowing is the biggest challenge. The wife and I like to plan for things and know what's going on when and cover our bases, so to speak. Hard to do when nobody knows what may or may not be in the coming weeks / months. Fortunately her job hasn't had any layoffs, but she's in oil/gas and that industry is in a tough spot right now. Just hoping the projects don't totally dry up this summer/fall, but damn... it's not looking good as a whole right now, so keeping fingers crossed.
One bright spot, our neighbors have a huge travel trailer and have invited us on a couple of weekend camping trips. We don't float the rivers, but prefer to take lawn chairs in the shallows and sit where it comes up just over legs. Sitting in the water soaking up sun and drinking some beers helps ease the stress. Thank God for Texas and a governor that hasn't gone total Nazi on everything! While the camps we were at are private and limited capacity/services sue to covid, we are so thankful we were able to get out and relax. It has really helped. After an afternoon in the river we check the smoker and feast on ribs or brisket. A few times we've brought wine and had a small group 'tasting' after dinner which the girls have really enjoyed. In fact, we just got back from camping this evening. Never underestimate the importance if good neighbors and friends!
But yeah, the last couple of months have been stressful at times and awesome/memorable at others. Been a bit of a roller coaster, but I know we're not alone - and again weknow we still have it a lot better than others so every day we give thanks for that.
Anyway, finally got to a place where I felt like sharing. I find this kind if thing is harder to share when there's nothing but uncertainty, but now we have an idea what we're up against... I'm positive we'll come through OK. It's not guaranteed, nothing in life us, but all signs are pointing more in the right direction than not.
In the middle of all this, I was furloughed from work. They talk like they plan to bring us back, but no definite timeframe. Fortunately we're set financially to ride this out for a while (even without unemployment) but I should get that first check this week. So again, it sucks but we're in a lot better position than most. It's still stressful as hell though - the not knowing is the biggest challenge. The wife and I like to plan for things and know what's going on when and cover our bases, so to speak. Hard to do when nobody knows what may or may not be in the coming weeks / months. Fortunately her job hasn't had any layoffs, but she's in oil/gas and that industry is in a tough spot right now. Just hoping the projects don't totally dry up this summer/fall, but damn... it's not looking good as a whole right now, so keeping fingers crossed.
One bright spot, our neighbors have a huge travel trailer and have invited us on a couple of weekend camping trips. We don't float the rivers, but prefer to take lawn chairs in the shallows and sit where it comes up just over legs. Sitting in the water soaking up sun and drinking some beers helps ease the stress. Thank God for Texas and a governor that hasn't gone total Nazi on everything! While the camps we were at are private and limited capacity/services sue to covid, we are so thankful we were able to get out and relax. It has really helped. After an afternoon in the river we check the smoker and feast on ribs or brisket. A few times we've brought wine and had a small group 'tasting' after dinner which the girls have really enjoyed. In fact, we just got back from camping this evening. Never underestimate the importance if good neighbors and friends!
But yeah, the last couple of months have been stressful at times and awesome/memorable at others. Been a bit of a roller coaster, but I know we're not alone - and again weknow we still have it a lot better than others so every day we give thanks for that.
Anyway, finally got to a place where I felt like sharing. I find this kind if thing is harder to share when there's nothing but uncertainty, but now we have an idea what we're up against... I'm positive we'll come through OK. It's not guaranteed, nothing in life us, but all signs are pointing more in the right direction than not.
Even before I worked here, I've never cared for Dick's. They do seem a bit pricier, but something else about their stores just doesn't motivate me to buy from them.
