TGIF

     Oh man! What a busy week! I am so glad today is Friday and I can sleep in tomorrow. Yesterday we had Caleb's IEP meeting at 0800 at his school. It went well. Caleb received a lot of praise from his teachers. He unfortunately threw up before we went to the meeting. Apparently, he ate 15 popsicles the night before because he was hot. Sooo... I took him home after the meeting. I was in a lot of pain yesterday and exhausted to the core. I spent most of the day in bed after the meeting. I was having a fibromyalgia flare up which hurts my entire body. Yesterday afternoon I had a call with Dr. Kent, pharm-D at the VA clinic in Wilmington. I admitted to binging on doughnuts and not taking my glucose readings for some of the time. I told her that I am back on track now though. I am no longer stressing about being in ketosis, although I am trying to live a low-carb lifestyle in order to stay on track with my blood glucose levels so that I can reduce my diabetes medications long-term. 

    Wednesday I had my dental appointment in Wilmington. I was moving slower than normal that morning. I was supposed to be able to take a shower, but I didn't. I refreshed myself before I left for Wilmington. Caleb was worried that I was going alone. It was just a dental cleaning appointment. I told the dental hygienist that the cleaning was painful, so she used numbing cream. I let the staff there know that it is painful to eat my Raisin Bran crunch on the left lower side where I had my root canal. They took an x-ray, and the dentist made a referral to see an endodontist. The idea I got it that I might need to have the root canal crown drilled into and filled. I messaged Caleb when I made it back home safely. I had a meeting with Lakita from another program that should be able to help us. We were referred by Mallory, our social worker. The meeting was an intake meeting and it went well. 

    I could not cook or clean either day. I was exhausted both days. I had my leftover ham n greens with rice n black beans. I am hopeful that I might be able to cook keto chili tonight. I have most of the ingredients already. I need a few more cans of fire roasted tomatoes though. 

    I have spent most this morning in bed already. I am not hurting anymore, but I am very tired. Caleb went back to school on the bus this morning. He was feeling ok. I forgot to write him a note for his absence. 

    I am going to meet with Lakita at Walmart to try to see if we can find a 9-cube organizer for the living room. I asked if I could use the money available to replace my rear 2 tires that have slow leaks, and she said yes. So far, looking good. What a relief! I have only $2 in my checking account today. An automatic payment for my life insurance came out, and that's all that's left. I have $20 cash in my wallet. Nigel was able to Western union me $40 so I could put gas in the Mazda to make it to Caleb's appointment on Thursday morning. I had used most of my gas driving to Wilmington , and did not have enough money to add more gas in to make to Caleb's school and back home. Thank God for Nigel's help! I never would have made it there and back without him. I was able to put $20 gas in the Mazda, and kept the other $20 just in case I needed it. 

    It is now 1112. I need to start getting ready to go. It has been sunny the past few days and I am so grateful for the return of Spring. I generally feel better when the sun is out versus when it is not due to my Seasonal Affective Disorder. 

    I drank quite a few Diet Mountain Dews this morning just trying to wake up fully and not feel so tired. I did a little bit of hape' too. 

    This weekend Caleb and I are going to get his house in order. The challenge will be for Caleb to keep it in order once we achieve the progress we need to achieve. It will be a lot easier once we have the 9-cube organizer here and put together. The one I bought from Amazon is not staying together. 

    It seems about time to let the dogs out too. I still have to do my personal care routine that I normally do once I come back from the bus stop. We took Bubba to the bus stop this morning and Bella wanted to go too. He was watching the traffic go by at the road and sniffing everything in sight. 

    It has been such a jam-packed week. I just want to sleep for a few days, but I can't. I have to maximize the time I have with Caleb home over the weekend. I don't have as many appointments next week yet. I'm sure Lakita will be scheduling some with me today when we meet though. I have to see her at least 3 times a week. 

    I'm trying to maximize what I buy at Walmart today but stay within the $300 budget for the day. I need the tires replaced badly. I need the 9-cube organizer, but I can't cook the chili without having more fire-roasted tomatoes and maybe some sweet onions too. I know I need almond milk and cereal to make it through the weekend. I don't get paid until either Monday or Tuesday. I'm just trying to stretch the resources that I currently have available. 

    I have to come up with almost $200 to pay TurboTax to be able to file my federal and state taxes this year. I have to renew my AAA membership before the end of the month. I need the tires purchased and installed. 

    I made calls yesterday about a program called " Healthy Opportunities Pilots" that is awarded through calling Medicaid. It is supposed to be available to Medicaid recipients. I called Trillium, Caleb's Medicaid insurance company and I should be getting a call from a private number that will be the representative who knows more about the resources available. I called Medicaid directly and they told me that neither Caleb nor I was eligible due to the type of Medicaid we had. What kind of bullshit is that?!? 

    I emailed Volunteers of America to ask how I go about applying for help with them. I have not heard anything from them. I called and left a voicemail some weeks ago already. I do not know if they ever called me back because their number is not the same as the one I called, or they never called me back. I hope they get my email and respond soon. 

    I am still praying that I get a hold of Jamie McCurry and require him by law to submit a DNA test to child support enforcement of Arkansas. I need child support badly and he refuses to take a test voluntarily to prove or disprove he is Caleb's father.

    I called the VA about my compensation claim. It is still in the review phase. I am waiting on a decision letter to be created and mailed to me or an update to be made online at VA.gov. I am praying they decide in my favor for the compensation claims, the  pension, and aid & attendance. I am praying hard too! 

    I am struggling here trying to live off the disability payments I make, and trying to feed and house a family on just that. It's not enough! 

    I am praying that my business takes off and people become more interested in the healing I can offer them with Reiki. I am currently in the Yoga 4 Trauma program. I need to catch up on the training videos and reading that I missed out on this week with all the running around I did. I need to wake up more fully first before I even try.

    I want to put together a book. I need time to sit and take notes and figure it out. 

    I'm running out of time and need to prepare to meet Lakita at Walmart in Southport.

    Thank you for reading. Have a blessed day! Keep us in your prayers!