It's been a while in In the Kingdom of Suzu

I have thought so many times of writing an entry and then just never do it but I am finally going to do it!

My daughter lost her job two weeks before Christmas. She knew it was coming because it was a family run company and during the summer the father sold it to the son who seems to be running it into the ground. A lot of employees either left or were fired. She knew it was coming because they were putting unreasonable demands on her and she was planning on looking for something in the new year, unfortunately that did not happen. She picked up some free-lance work for another photographer and has some photo shoots coming up. She also picked up a job shooting a wilderness documentary in Maine (we live in PA) which will last til March and then she has a lead on a local job in April which will have bennies so hopefully that works out. She is excited about the Maine job and is learning a lot, unfortunately, she hasn’t been able to get home to have her weekends with the princesses because of the erratic schedule. I am trying to get an overnight with the princesses—still waiting on her ex to agree to it.

December was a tough work month for me. I felt very overworked (actually we all felt that way) and was looking forward to the new year things getting better. So far it hasn’t happened because just as I think I am getting caught up, something else comes along to push me further back but my immediate supervisor is very supportive so hoping against hope that by February I will see some relief.

Finally scheduled knee replacement surgery for the beginning of April. I applied for FML and am going to take 6 weeks. I had gone for a second opinion and feel really comfortable with the surgeon. I will be an out-patient—could hardly believe that but my son’s MIL had him and was the same way (he is very cutting edge)—and said f I had no sick time, I could probably go back to work in 2 weeks but if I had the time to take a month or two. I am planning on the next knee later in the year–hopefully no later than October.

Started doing a program, Whole 30, which is not a diet but more of a way to reset your body (simplistic way to explain it) with eliminating sugar, dairy, wheat, alcohol and then reintroducing. I am on day 19 and cannot believe I haven’t had any cravings for pasta, cheese or a glass of wine! My face looks a bit thinner and my clothes fit better so we will see what happens at the end of the 30th day.