(no subject)

[P. S. Binkley]

Hi,

I have been receiving your letters for a week or two now and am glad to
be in touch with others who are facing the challenges I am facing.

I had a left leg b/k about 5 years ago and am doing so well!  I just
thank God!  I do get discouraged though...it is a bit much at times to
try to keep smiling when I have the house and the lawn and the shopping
and the kids and grandkids...going back to college part-time and most of
all my job situations.  

I need to work part-time at the very least...LEAST...I never had to work
much while I was married so I do not have a "career" as such to fall
back on...I have been a part-time secretary for 30 years...off and on. 
It is the only skill I have so am trying to go back to college part-time
to get my teaching degree in elementary education.  

Being a secretary requires a lot of leg work...fast leg work...one job I
had required running phone messages all day, one day...over 100 calls
came in...and lots of standing time...filing.  I was hired for 40 hours
a week but when the office was busy it was more often 50 and even
60...so by the time I got home to take care of house and yard...I was
too pooped!

One job was supposed to be a "sitter" but it was never a "sitter" while
I was there...It was 10 hours of standing and after 6 months of trying I
had to leave.  I felt bad b/c I like the people...

My last job was supposed to be able to use an intercom because my boss's
office was upstairs...but it broke shortly after I got the job...and
after a year and four months of climbing stairs ...I just had to
say...enough was enough...I did 12 trips up and down them in 3 hours one
day and was exhausted.  I found out I am allergic to the toner dust in
the copiers anyway...I have to say I am getting a bit discouraged.  I
feel like a quitter but have honestly tried so hard to make things work
and not be discouraged. 

When I read April's letter...inquiring about the chat rooms I thought
....what a great idea!  I would be greatly uplifted hearing about how
other people manage to juggle things and not tire so easily!

Thanks!

P.S.  When I am on my leg a lot...it bleeds...I can't do Wal-Mart for 2
or 3 hours any more!  (Laughing out loud!)  I don't have medical
insurance so cannot see if the fit of the leg can be improved on.  I am
counting on the teaching job!  I may substitute so I can stay home on
days when I really need to.  Are any of you teachers?  How is it as far
as leg work goes?