Thursday, September 27, 2007

Hallelujah!!

At last, the news I and many of you have been praying for and waiting for. For almost 2½ years I've been fighting with the system to get my disability, and today I finally received a letter with news that I've been approved!

The judge that I testified before in August overturned the appeal board's earlier decision to deny my case and approved my disability.

There's still a cloud looming over my approval, though. It's still possible that a review board with Soc*ial Sec*urity may randomly review my case and overturn the judge's decision to approve my benefits, but it's not likely.

I'm not going to worry about it.I'm just going to keep trusting God to work all this out in my best interests (Romans 8:28).

Even though the judge has approved my disability, I'll still have to wait to hear from *SSI* about any back pay and how much my benefits will be and some other fine details. Assuming the review board doesn't overturn my approval, it may still be 60 days before I hear anything from *SSI*.

The government doesn't get in any hurry about paying US anything, but if we owe THEM money that's a different story!

At this stage any sign of progress is encouraging.

I want to thank each and every one who has offered up prayers on my behalf throughout this ordeal. Mere words and saying "Thank You!" can never express my love and appreciation, but it's all I have to offer. That, and the promise to stand in the gap for you when my prayers are needed on your behalf. I'd be honored to pray for any of you, dear family and friends. You only have to ask.
Now, for my week in review: Monday - Cecil and Sue were here most of the day. They both had fried chicken strip dinners and they brought me some grilled chipotle barbecue chicken wraps from McD's.

I love those things! I like hot and spicy foods and the chipotle barbecue sauce on those wraps is delicious. I wish I had a source for the sauce. I'd make my own wraps here at home.

Tuesday - Cecil and Sue came by and got me and Lamar and we went to Trumann for Chinese. It was great, but then we went to Wal*Mart to do a little shopping and I was a bit uncomfortable for some reason. :-)

I've not been having the best luck with desk chairs lately. I had to throw one out last week because the base broke on it, and my other old faithful antique wooden office chair had a minor emergency but I think I've got it fixed for the moment.

One of my purchases at Wal*Mart was a new office chair. I got a mid-priced cloth task chair. That translates to "no arms" on the chair. I didn't realize how much I use the chair arms until I got a chair without any. I assembled the chair and sat in it about an hour before I decided that I despised that sucker. Soooo.....I took the chair apart and put it back in the box.

Wednesday - I rode the Sr. Citizen's van to Jonesboro and returned the chair and got my money back. I decided I'd just wait and pay a little more for a desk chair with arms on it. Of course those were out of stock. Hopefully next time I'm at Wal*Mart they'll have some desk chairs with arms in stock.

Thursday - My sister DONNA had a doctor's appointment this morning and stopped by here on her way home. We talked and visited for several hours about everything and nothing in particular. She works so much that I don't get to see her nearly as much as I do the other sisters, so it was a welcome change to get to see her during the week.

I've done laundry all afternoon and read blogs and commented in between loading the washer and dryer and folding and hanging clothes. I didn't cook a meal today because Lamar rode the Sr. Citizen van today and had pizza for lunch and wasn't hungry. I warmed up some of BARB'S BREAKFAST BURRITOS for my supper and they really hit the spot.
Other than just normal busy-ness this week I don't have any particular reason for not posting. It just didn't happen on Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday I fully intended to write a post but I never seemed to get in the mood.

I think the main reason I've been kind of lackadaisical about posting the last several days is that Wednesday would have been Daddy's 88th birthday if he were still here. I've not been really sad or upset about it, the awareness has just been lurking in the back of my mind, you know? I miss Daddy and Mama so much, and just the family being all together. Nothing is ever the same after your Mom and Dad are gone, so if yours are still with you, cherish and treasure those times together as a family.
Our church is having our annual homecoming this Sunday so my Sunday Dinner this week will feature the dishes I'm preparing for our noon potluck. I'll be back with my Sunday Dinner Homecoming Edition on Saturday, so be sure to stop by for all the fun-filled details!

How's that for a teaser? ;-)

And there's always the possibility that something will inspire me to post again on Friday, but don't bet the farm on it.

In the meantime, y'all have a great Friday!

22 comments:

Granny said...

Hi there. I was taking a short nap and just checked my email.

There you were.

I'm looking forward to your description of the food for next Sunday.

boomama said...

You know I am tickled to death about your approval. Such a huge answer to prayer.

And I'll tell you what: I would give anything to be at your church for that dinner on the grounds. Because I know SOMEBODY there will have fixed some mighty fine chicken and dumplins, and I bet there's a homemade chicken pie or nine that would make me weep.

I can't even think about the fact that there might be a homemade apple pie there, or I'll cry.

MightyMom said...

well yippy yippy kay-aeyyy!!!

wonderful news dear!

I've gotten Chipolte Sauce from Walmart. Quite spicy.

I'm in a terrible chair where the arms don't fit under the keyboard tray so I've had a stiff/sore back whenever I spend to long at the comp. I actually need one of those without arms... Did you know that you can order things from Walmart.com online, then have them shipped to your local Walmart where they will be held for you without paying for shipping. Might be a good way to garuntee you don't waste a trip.

Happy Birthday to your Daddy! Those we love are never far from us.

Whoa!! Wait!! Did I read that right???? Let me go read it again!!.....

YUP!! It says you ARE GOING TO COOK this Sunday!!!!!!

Wow!!

Have a good night, dear, funny friend o' mine!

Myrna said...

I'm doing a happy dance for you! What wonderful news. I certainly understand aobut the diaability routine. Lee's went through fairly easily--a little hard to deny someone on a ventilator, I guess. But, I have heard so many stories like yours--such a shame! Now we'll jusst pray for that back pay!

Thanks for your comment about cute little Lila on my post today. Those boys are in love with that dog already--and I hear she cries when they leave. Boys and their dogs1

Susie said...

Can you hear me cheering for you all the way from CA? What wonderful news.
Too bad about the office chair, but perhaps one with arms will go on sale soon.
Have a wonderful weekend!
love and ((hugs))

Anonymous said...

YAYE praying it wont be too much longer

Have a wonderful weekend Diane :)

Judith said...

Praise God it's approved this far, and God doesn't do anything
part ways. Please know I understand what you're going through, with all the uncertainty and waiting, and that I and many more are still praying for our Lord to complete it.

Anonymous said...

Diane - That's great news about the disability! I know that will relieve your mind a lot.

mombo said...

YAY! I'm so happy for you! I'm believing everything the enemy has stolen will be paid back sevenfold!

Rachel said...

Congratulations on the approval!!! I know that is a big relief off your mind!

I like my chair with arms too. I would miss them if they weren't here!!

You are so right about parents. I still miss mine very much.

Have a wonderful Friday and weekend Diane!!

Lyndy said...

Oh I am rejoicing with you. Wonderful news and I know you are glad this ordeal is almost behind. I was honored to pray for you and always know that I can count on you to be there praying for me too. You are a blessing indeed.

I have not tried the wraps from McD’s yet; I love chipotle though so that sounds yummy. I may try that for my lunch today. I too have looked for a recipe for the chipotle sauce because they also have this sauce at Moe’s and I love, love, love it.

This must be the week for Chinese. I have been craving it this week and have had it twice. So yummy!

Since I have moved I am going to have to get a different desk chair as I am using a different desk now than I was before and boy is it not comfortable.

I know what you mean about family. I can’t imagine how I will feel after my mom is gone since we are so close. It was horrible when my grandmother died but oh those sweet memories that God blesses us with sustains us.

Can’t wait to see the dishes you are making for Sunday. I pray y’all have a wonderful homecoming.

Have a great day my friend.

Love and Hugs, Lyndy

Dawn said...

WOO-HOO!! That is such great news. I just know the rest is going to work out.

Thanks for the reminder to enjoy having both of my parents .7 mile from my house and in my church!

Linda said...

What great new Diane!!! Every once in a while the "system" does the right thing.
We will just trust that all will continue to go well.
Have a great time saturday.

Andrea said...

YIPEE! I am SO happy to hear about your good news!!! I will continue praying that the good stuff (you know, the actual moolah) shows up soon! :)

Tammy said...

As I told you in my email "I be doin' the Happy Dance!" I'm so happy for you about your disabilty!!

Loved catching up with ya!!

Love & Hugs to you today!
:)

Mountain Mama said...

Congratulations on getting the disability thing straightened out. I remember going through H-e-double toothpicks to get mine. I had a virus that left me with vertigo, severe at times. Apparently because they couldn't see it in an X-ray they didn't think I was disabled. God forgive me, but sometimes I hoped they would get vertigo like I had so they would understand. It was a very frustrating time so I can really understand.
I hope you have a lovely week-end Diane. Rest easy now, it's over.
Love & Hugs

Cheryl said...

Good news...hey BTW just order online from Wal*mart!

Smiles...

Greeneyes said...

YEHHAW! Yiphee!!! Fantastic !! I am so happy I am typing and doing a happy dance the same timeLOL
That is terrific news , I prayed it would go through and fast , I couldnt see how they could say no but who knows with things like that , I am cheering for ya girl , Bout time they got it right .

BSH
SISTER FRIEND
Love you
(P)

Anonymous said...

So happy to hear that you recieved some good news on your disability.

Take care,
Connie

kansasrose said...

Praise Jesus! Oh Diane I am clapping and so happy for you on this good news! You have been on my mind the last week...:) Now it will all fall into place hon. Love the new look of your blog too! It's warm and fallish. Going to go visit your sis Donna now and see how she is doin'...again that is such sweet new hon. Have a beautiful weekend! Love, Jenxxxooo

MightyMom said...

YOU WON!

Barb said...

Well that's the news we were all hoping to hear, Diane. My gosh, what a huge relief that has to be for you. This means health insurance, too, right? Hooray!

I spent Thursday evening making those burritos again. The girls in Krissy's office take turns bringing breakfast in for everyone on Fridays and it was her turn. For some reason, she wanted to make three dozen of them down here, in my spotlessly clean kitchen. I actually missed Survivor to help that girl. Geez.

I'm blessed to still have both my parents and both of them are still in pretty good health. I can only imagine how the whole family dynamic changes when your parents are both gone. So my heart goes out to you. I know you miss them.

Hope you're having a nice weekend. Mine's a little nuts but that seems to have become my new normal. :-)