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That is awful but it's not necessarily just a pit bull problem...

Posted By: MT Momma on 2006-08-21
In Reply to: Pit bull dogs killed my lab - Angry and devastated

It is awful what happened to your dog but to blame the dogs just because they were pitbulls is not very fair, blame them because they were dogs at large and blame their owners but don't blame the breed.  Pitbulls have a bad reputation but honestly it's not the breed's fault that drug punks and men with big egos and little penises have decided to exploit these dogs. You can visit this site http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/10/09/pomeranian.kills.ap/ to read about a pomeranian who killed a 6-week-old baby. The lady who had the face transplant over seas was mauled by her pet black lab.  Diane Whipple of California was killed by two Presa Canario dogs in her own apartment hallway. Yes pit bulls bite and maul and all those horrible things but so does every other breed of dog, pitbulls are just more newsworthy than the local neighborhood german shephard or rotty or aussie shephards or any of the breeds. My friends son had to have surgery on his face to repair severe lacerations from their neighbor's cocker spaniel and personally I've been bit several times by blue heelers but never by the pitbulls that various friends of mine have. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss but any group of dogs running loose with a pack mentality is capable of the same sort of thing, being a pitbull should just be a sidebar to the story and not the main point, at least in my view.  


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I think we could all stand to learn from the Amish and how they are handling this awful, awful sm

tragedy. I read on a website 2 seperate stories of how the Amish are dealing with this. Yes, they are sad, but they believe that they will (and I do too) see their children again and that they are in a much better place. They have reached out to the gunman's family, visiting the killer's wife and children and offering them forgiveness. I also read that they want to "help" the gunman's family monetarily through a Mennonite fund if they need help! The article contrasted the Amish to other school tragedies where lawsuits were filed and death threats were made against the family members of the ones who committed the murders!


They are such graceful, loving people. Different, yet. Weird? In a way. But you have to admit that without electricity or vehicles to get them around, they obviously live a faith that most of us could only wish we had inside of us. I am a Christian. If a madman entered my children's school and killed them, could I offer forgiveness to their family? I doubt it. Could I weep in peace and silence knowing that I would someday see my children again? Maybe. But I would be a wretched mess and everyone around me would KNOW my suffering.


 


I am learning a great deal about the Amish through this. I used to live near PA where seeing the Amish was a regular occurrence. I thought they were so crazy and weird.....But, it was my own ignorance that made those judgments. They are wonderful, Godly people. I admire them more and more as I continue to read how they are dealing with this awful event!


Bull is right!
He HAS taken enough bull...from people like you...and the liberal press, who are showing us just exactly what they want us to see, and not the good stories: the rescues, the miraculous survival stories, the reunions, the efforts of the volunteers...

I, too, have tears for the people who are suffering, but it could never have been foreseen that this tragedy was going to be so huge, not in enough time to evacuate those who had no transportation and are left behind. Some of whom are making their own and everyone else's situation worse and making their rescue so much more difficult with crime sprees - murder, rape, beatings, burglary. How is all of this Bush's fault?

Yes, it is painfully obvious that he has taken enough bull. This is not Bush's fault, and this person from a red state is still proud to be red. Bush is a good man, as well as a good leader.
That is bull....sm
I am a IC for a company, and I received a pay increase in January without even asking. You should get raises just like an employee. Like in my case I had to start at .065 cpl because I was a newbie. Well after proving myself for 5 months the owner emailed me and said you get a pay increase to .075 cpl. Because I was a good worker.
Is Red Bull safe? sm
Does anyone know exactly how it works chemically? Is it different than caffeine?
If you don't like Red Bull, there are a million others to try.
:+
I guess you wouldn't want to get another dog after this, especially if the pit bull
owners are angry.  Have they apologized to you?  
Bull.... it's not about saving money?
States its not about saving money, its about providing service 24 hours.  There are plenty of people in other careers who work night shifts, why not MTs?  Train people at home!
Taurus the bull. Darn right!
Bull with a gentle forgiving side that is.
Pit bull dogs killed my lab
About 2 a.m. my husband let our two dogs outside to do their business. Our dogs have squeezed out under a spot under the fence before ane we have put big rocks, a pedestal, etc. in the hole and barricaded the gates, etc. My lab, Shadow, is 1.5 years old and 75 pounds. My mixed dog, Flash, is also around 60 pounds. They apparently got out and got separated. Flash found his way back to the front door and my husband woke me up and said Shadow was missing. We proceed to go through the neighborhood for two hours looking for Shadow. Eventually, we go out the back gate (it is very overgrown and wooded) and two pit bulls come up through the woods and attack Flash. My husband and I are throwing rocks everything we can get ahold of and my husband manages to get the dogs off of Flash.

Long horrific story short, Shadow was killed by these monsters and was found by my husband and a police officer in the woods not far from our back gate. Flash survived. These could have been someone's children. Animal control had been called three times this week on those dogs. We called the police and animal control and the dogs are to be picked up today. We live in the middle of a city and our dogs spend 90% of their time inside. These were our "children", as we do not have any children.

I just wanted to let you know about these types of "pets". Google "labrador" and Google "pit bull" and tell me which one you think is a better choice. These people breed these monsters and teach them to attack. It is a wonder that my husband or myself did not get attacked in the process. Please do not let your children around these animals. It is not safe.
Pit bull dogs killed my lab nm
x
*ADD is bull* ?? Read inside....sm











































Top 10 Advantages of ADD in a High-Tech Career
Having ADD can be the competitive edge
Pete Quily (addcoach)    
I have Attention Deficit Disorder (which I find is more of a surplus of attention, really). I coach adults with ADD, have an ADD resource website with over 100 pages of information, an ADD blog, and lead the Vancouver Adult ADD support group. So, I'm fairly familiar with ADD. I've been using Mac computers for 20 years, sold them for seven, and have spent thousands of hours on the net. So, I'm fairly familiar with the high-tech world.

I've noticed many similarities between the two worlds.

I believe there are disproportionately many with ADD who work in high-tech. Approximately five percent of the population has ADD and 85 per cent of adults with ADD don't know they have it. It seems to me that ADD and high-tech are natural fits. The constant change in the high-tech world can be stressful and troubling for some people but is often stimulating and energizing for the ADD-er. A great source of Dopamine hits. Although there are no specific statistics, a number of other ADD experts I've talked with agree with my observation.

Many only see the problems associated with ADD, and many, especially men, avoid getting a diagnosis. This avoidance is attributable to ADD's portrayal as an almost totally pathological condition, which causes it to be viewed as just a weakness.

To give some perspective and to help those in the industry recognize and develop their ADD-related strengths as well as manage their ADD challenges, I thought I'd list some advantages of having ADD in the wired world.

I also hope this might help those who may be afraid of getting diagnosed and treated (medication, coaching, therapy etc.) for ADD because of those who condemn ADD as a moral failure with claims like "there's no such thing as ADD, turn off the TV, stop eating sugar, beat your kid more often, and twirl around 3 times and tap your heels and it will go away." ADD is an inherited neurobiological condition. Every medical and psychological association has stated this. As more people see the advantages of having ADD, they will actually be more inclined to seek diagnosis and treatment. Some wrongly believe ADD is negatively related to IQ or that all ADD-ers are slow learners or below average IQ. I have it and made the dean's honors list, and many PhDs have it. MENSA has an ADD special interest group with more than 300 members. It comes down to a difference in brain wiring, and in some fields, such as high-tech, marketing, media and the arts, entrepreneurship, etc., the unique wiring of the ADD brain is a competitive advantage.


Top Ten ADD Advantages in a Hi-Tech Career


1. The Ability to Hyperfocus

This means hours of full engagement and concentration on a task, IF you find it interesting. You can get into the zone and be totally immersed in what you're doing, while the outside world disappears. When I went on the net for the first time in 1993 at an Internet cafe, I got on the machine at 8 p.m. and around 4 a.m. decided it was time to go home.

2. Rapid-fire Mind

Your brain processes information at hyperspeed. You can do things in 30 minutes on a computer that might take other people hours. The downside is if you're stuck with old hardware and not enough RAM you'll be frustrated because it can't keep up with the speed of your brain.

3. Multitasking at Will

You're able to run 14 applications at a time and effortlessly switch among them without breaking into a sweat and are able to do several projects at a time with ease.

4. High Energy Level

You're able to keep going on a project. If it's interesting, an ADD-er will be more into creative and entrepreneurial activities than clerical or repetitive ones. 14-hour days? No problem, adrenaline is my fuel source.

5. Highly Creative

You're able to think beyond the box. This comes naturally to ADD-ers, while others pay handsomely to learn this. Since you take in more information than the average person does, and you're easily distracted, you're more likely to view a problem from more angles than vanilla people (non ADD-ers) and therefore come up with more possible solutions to a problem. Need an idea generator? Find an ADD-er.

6. Quick Learner

ADD arises mainly out of boredom - you have no trouble paying attention to something if it's interesting. Most people find it difficult to do boring or repetitive things, but these can often totally shut an ADD-er down. Your rapid-fire brain + highly creative mind + the ability to hyperfocus equals fast absorption of new information. Dr. Ed Hallowell, who has ADD and has written several Delivered from Distraction : Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder, said he stopped teaching psychiatry at Harvard University because the non-ADD-er brains were just to slow. He got tired of being continually frustrated waiting for them to catch up to the ADD students.

7. Stimulus-Seeking Brain


A perfect match for the wired world: an under-stimulated brain and an over-stimulated virtual environment. Being an info junkie can be a good thing. Well, not always.

8. Constantly Scanning your Environment


This allows you to notice more and find information and resources that others miss, to see possible problems before they arise, and discern opportunities that others may not see because they have tunnel vision vs. multiplex vision. An ADD-er invented the electronic ticket.

9. Great in a Crisis


In a high-energy, intense situation, with lots of chaos and change? Sign me up - I thrive on stimulation, change, and chaos. We can create order from chaos effortlessly. We can also create such an environment as well, if needed.

10. Risk Taker

Impulsivity means you're more willing to take risks and have a bias for action, acting now while the opportunity is hot instead of getting into analysis paralysis. Many entrepreneurs have ADD, e.g., Paul Orfalea, who founded Kinko's, JetBlue Founder and CEO David Neeleman, who attributes his creativity to ADD. Both are billionaires. Imagine how successful a high-tech CEO would be if they didn't take many risks.

These are just a start of the advantages of ADD - for more go to the list of 151 positive characteristics of people with ADD at my ADD Resource website.

This is not to say there are no disadvantages or real problems associated with ADD in a high-tech career. There most certainly are, and if you don't learn to manage them they can cause a great deal of trouble and grief to you and those around you, but that's another article.




This has appeared on my ADD website http://www.addcoach4u.com and my ADD Blog http://www.adultaddstrengths.com.

2006-02-18 18:29
©2006 OhmyNews





 












http://english.ohmynews.com/ArticleView/article_view.asp?menu=A11100&no=275115&rel_no=1&back_url=
Running of the bulls? nothing but bull
This is once again an example of senseless slaughter of a poor defenseless animal.  Shame on you Spain, for allowing this as well as bullfighting to to go in this day and age.  Any one who gets thier jollies watching animals suffer is a deeply disturbed individual and I believe this says alot about our society and where we are and where we are going.  And we call ourselves civilized? How different is this from throwing the Christians to the lions in ancient Rome?  ITs just reversed, only the animals are getting thrown to the humans. 
Bull to running of the bulls
This is once again an example of senseless slaughter of a poor defenseless animal. Shame on you Spain, for allowing this as well as bullfighting to to go in this day and age. Any one who gets thier jollies watching animals suffer is a deeply disturbed individual and I believe this says alot about our society and where we are and where we are going. And we call ourselves civilized? How different is this from throwing the Christians to the lions in ancient Rome? ITs just reversed, only the animals are getting thrown to the humans.


Pit bull dogs killed my lab
Thank you for your messages. I have read every one and I can see the point of each. I am trying to deal with this the fairest way I know how, but I am heartbroken and do not want anyone else to have to deal with this kind of thing.

Thank you for responding. I really do appreciate every one of your messages. OP
That's bull; I've seen great MTs take a hit
Particularly with dishonest MTSO, which is why I don't work for him anymore!
Well, I have 3 rambuncious (sp), bull headed boys. sm
Of course, they knew everything then and know everything now. I couldn't pick their friends but boy I sure pounded into their heads that as long as their friends were at my house, they abided by my rules and my boys were responsible for their friends' behaviors. If their friends acted out of line, my boys were responsible for telling them to get the hell out--didn't have much trouble when I gave the kids that responsibility. Sometimes their friends weren't the cream of the crop or came from not very well to do families, but they always acted appropriately at our house, then and now. Have earned a lot of respect from my kids' friends that way. Sometimes, they spent more time at our house than they did their own. My kids weren't angels but they didn't turn out to be felons or junkies or drunks, either.
ADHD is bull. Just maybe try to spend some time
working with her (not pushing her but just introducing new things). I am sick to death of the ADD/ADHD diagnosis of kids. I do not believe in it. Some kids DO have a little harder time adjusting to school and again there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Just talk to them every day, help them in any way you can but most importantly be there for them no matter what. It will all work itself out but DO NOT stress yourself out over what some teacher says. Most of the time they are wrong and can be proven wrong. I am a teacher, although I teach adults/teenagers in college and really..... I truly believe elementary teachers try to make it easier on themselves rather than try to work with a child that needs it.
Usually the one who dies is a bull - not a humane sport
x
Bull Terrier (Target dog), 3 yorkies and a parrot. nm
:+
**snort** statistics, schmastics, what a bunch of bull
x
Sounds like a bunch of BULL to me. I agree, I wouldn't let the kids
stay with her again at ALL.  It's not okay for the kid to get arrested and the parents not be told IMMEDIATELY or at least first thing in the door when you're home.  THAT is total DISHONESTY and I don't see how hubby could feel any different.
Oh, bull. I'm with a large national and those clients whose work is offshored
That one statement is bunk.

I live in the Kansas City area and this summer we have had a rash of pit bull attacks especially

in the Independence, MO area.  The city governments have passed laws banning pit bulls and last week something like 100+ pitbulls were picked up by animal control or dropped off at the city pound and all were destroyed.


Personally, I think the owners of these animals should be held just as accountable as the dog.  Well, I guess maybe putting the owner to sleep is a bit extreme.


I'm so sorry about your lab.


Not necessarily! If she's an IC, she's just like SM
the electric company - no "payday" but waiting for the bills to be paid that they mailed out.
Not necessarily
Let's say the MT types 200 lines per hour at 8 cpl, that would be 16.00 an hour. If you can do VR at 400 lines per hour (I currently edit at 500 lph), at 4 cpl, you would make the exact same thing without the wear and tear on the hands.

I was mainly curious as to why so many openings and if people were leaving.
Not necessarily. (see m)
This only counts if you deduct a portion of the mortgage or monthly maintenance or common charge payment. If you are just buying equipment like computers and office supplies it has nothing to do with your house. Even deducting a portion of the utilities has nothing to do with selling your house.

Please consult an accountant for the most accurate information for your situation!
not necessarily
A lot of us use those types of emails because spammers cruise the hiring sites as do the foreign MT companies. Every time I place an ad, even though I put continental US only, I get loaded up with emails from India, Pakistan, etc. I don't want that mess in my regular email so I use yahoo or hotmail.
Not necessarily

Gross lines are not a good way to go if everything is typed in - say - Times New Roman 12, and the client wants the left and right margins set at - say - one inch each.  You would have a LOT of characters per line, so if that is the case, you might come out ahead and better by charging for a 50 or 55 character line instead of a gross line.  What do you think?


Not necessarily.
I have been job hunting recently. I have now accepted a position, but I was offered better pay as an employee than what I was offered as an IC. I obviously took the employee position because of the better pay and the tax advantage, not to mention the benefits and continuing education that was offered. I love the flexibility that being a subcontractor gives me, but not at 6.5 cpl!
But.... are they getting what they pay for??? not necessarily

I would take an MT with 20 plus years of hard and fast experience over a paper tested MT any day.


not necessarily....
I had a 3-doctor specialty practice on the west coast and I was the only one that did them. I only charged 12 cents a line for 7 years and just lost the account two months ago to women that underbid me by 2 cents. depends on what clinic or hospital... im struggling right now with my hospital account to get enough lines during the day.... What may be the case is they wont give her that much.
Not necessarily. - sm
I know that if you use ADP for your payroll for lack of a better word, depending on how many people ICs you have an opportunity to be included in their benefits program. At least this was how it was a couple of years ago.
that's not necessarily true
My mother told me I had a bottomless pit for a stomach when I was growing up. I was constantly eating, especially junk food. That was pretty much the way it was straight through high school. Then again, I was kind hyper as a kid. I wouldn't sit still for anything.

I think weight problems are rooted more in lack of exercise than food intake. In my day, we were always outside playing. Now, kids spend their lives vegetating in front of TVs and video games.

It has always been and will always be an issue of burning more calories than you consume.
'Tain't necessarily so

If the docs spoke clearly and in orderly fashion, it would still require an extensive knowledge of medical language, procedures, and of course grammar, to do this job.  It would just make that knowledge more important.


P.S.  I would suggest kindergarten, not high school, for most of them.


You do not necessarily need to take coding....
courses, although they would be helpful.  I have been a Cancer Registrar as well as a Coder and am now doing transcription at home.  I have an RHIT (certification after two-year degree in Health Information) from AHIMA.  I actually have a hospital pursuing me to take a Cancer Registry position and am trying to decide what to do.  You do not have to have a degree to be a Cancer Registrar, although it does seem that most places aren't as willing to train as they used to be, but some do.  It does help to have a background in Coding, but again it is not necessary.  AHIMA (American Health Information Association) just started an online Cancer Registry self-study program that will most certainly get you going in the right direction.  Also, Santa Barbara Community College in CA has an online degree and certificate program for Cancer Registry as well.  I hear it is an excellent program. You will take the necessary basic courses like pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology, oh and computer basics before beginning the core courses.  I would definitely look into that.  Also, study the NCRA website (National Cancer Registry Association).  You will find tons of information on the profession there, as well as credentialing information.  (www.ncra-usa.org).  Cancer Registry is an extremely rewarding profession in my opinion, although the salaries have not caught up to the complexity of the position.  Registrars may start as low as 30k in some areas, with an average being in the high 30-mid 40k.  Of course, managers and program coordinator will make more.  I don't know where the other poster got 100k from, but that is totally off the map for working in hospitals.  Now maybe doing consulting after getting many years under your belt, but still that is a stretch...maybe 70-80k.  I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you have to the best of my ability.  Blessings!
You won't necessarily lose your job,
but you will get the absolute worst dictators and dictation possible. All the good stuff goes offshore and we get what's left. And make sure the account you're offered pays for headers and footers to make up for them not paying for spaces. No all accounts pay for headers and footers, and that really makes a difference.
It's not necessarily being a martyr (sm)
The way I see it, it's payback time for the ones who brought you into the world. My mother was there for me as a child, of course. She was also there for me as an adult. There were several times when I went to her for help and she was always there. I saw the sacrifices she made for me, to help me without batting an eye. In her dying months, she needed help getting to appointments 3 times a week. She was afraid to stay in the hospital at night by herself -- me and some of my siblings took turns being there for her, holding her hand and trying to sooth her when she was in so much pain. I cringe to think of the lack of TLC she would have received had we said she belonged in a nursing home. I couldn't imagine letting her lie in agony alone, nor die alone. As much stress as I went through at the time, in looking back, I would have done it all again. You do that for the ones you love, unconditionally.
Not necessarily true
I have been doing medical transcription officially for 18 years, and unofficially much longer than that - I'm second-generation, with a mother who taught me as a teenager to transcribe for her at-home business.

I have managed several departments in hospitals with 600+ beds; managed small MTSOs, much of that in my 20s with less than 10 yrs of experience. I now own my own company - I'm 36.

My experience with most seasoned MTs was positive - never once did anyone question if I had enough experience to be the manager or do their QA. I made mistakes sometimes, which they didn't hesitate to point out to me. The difference is how the manager deals with that - I am one who happily admits that I am not all-knowing or all-seeing, and certainly not perfect.

The reality is that sometimes a "superstar" MT makes a terrible manager. The manager's job is to keep the big picture in view, not be the most knowledgeable MT in the department.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion - but sm, by having such a narrow view of who is "qualified" to be your supervisor, you could miss out on a truly inspired and empowering leader/supervisor.

At least you've got your own business and don't have to worry about that at this point in your life....


Not necessarily true. (see m)
It is possible to get student loans discharged in a Chapter 7 filing. It is not the norm, they say it is very difficult, but it is not impossible. It can be done.
not related necessarily
but I need a part-time job and would love to find one in DQS.  Actually, at this point, would like to find anything I can do.  Would it be too much to ask to e-mail me with any leads?  TIA.
that's no necessarily true....
I just started here with this impending pay rate change. You can't honestly say that you are satisfied with these new issues. I've enjoyed being with the Q for the last 12 years, and have rolled with the changes, but honestly this pay adjustment is too much. They are going to lose a lot of quality MT/MEs over this.
It doesn't have to be necessarily
It has to do with being flexible and knowing that one client prefers things one way and another client prefers things another way.  Not all clients follow BOS and not all clients follow by the book format.  I have a physician that likes Tinel sign instead of Tinel's sign, so that's how he gets it.  I think when you've been at one place for so long, you tend to get used to dictators, but you also can gain experience with new dictators as they come about.  I had new dictators any given time and have been through many systems from a typewriter to digital to now online.  You have to be flexible that is what I have learned. 
I don't think this was necessarily the reason sm

It sounds like they expect you to sit around all day and wait for a job or dare I say TWO to come in.  I think they wanted you at the beck and call.  Not funny and isn't like you work solely for the joy.


I have not had a contract terminated for getting another job.  I have had a company insist that I put them first, which for a full time, I think goes without saying.  Moonlighting is moonlighting.  I did have someone refuse to offer me a contract part time because of the people I was working for full time, saying they were a direct competitor.  The full time has about 400 MTs and this small company who refused me had about 35 MTs.  I don't think they were in serious competition, but I suppose that is their call.


I think you are better off without them, but you didn't deserve to be treated that way.  They sound unprofessional and inconsiderate.  I wish you better luck with your new company.  Change can be good...sometimes VERY good.


May not necessarily be outsourcing.
I know of one company that is offering 4 cpl for transcription and 2 cpl for editing to new grads of CS. There was naother company that hired new grads only paying 1.25 cpl editing. So if the companies are getting 7 cpl then use a VR Editor and then get an MT editor to work for 1 or 2 cpl, they are still making a nice profit with US MTs.
it's not necessarily a bad idea, but...(sm)
I think anything identifying the MT should be removed before sending the fax out. Everyone can potentially benefit from seeing others' mistakes from an FYI standpoint, but intentionally identifying the MT who made the mistake serves no purpose at all.
not necessarily tips but...

I do use IT as my Expander - love it.  I'm not one who briefs everything, but it save me a ton of time and worth every penny 10 fold.  Another must have is the Stedman's spellchecker dictionary. 


I wish I had the secret to staying focused.  Like many, I lollygag, waste time on the internet surfing, get distracted by household obligations, etc.  Honestly, if I would do a straight 8 hours of working, I'd probably make 20-30k more a year.  I tend to work a chunk in the morning to mid afternoon and then a few hours at night. 


The main thing is to find a company that gives you the opportunity to make money.  Find a couple specialties you like and are good at.  Find work in those areas.  Best if you can find work where you don't have more than a moderate handful of doctors where you can really build speed.  If a company isn't paying you for every keystroke you type - get out.  


Go beyond what everybody else does to look for opportunities.  As it's been said before, the best companies don't advertise.  There are a lot of people happy with several companies that do advertise on these boards, but I believe that the smaller companies are the best.  


Track your lines.  You should be able to type 250-300 lines an hour without too much problem if you are working in a productive environment.  If you can only do 150 lines in an hour, then stop and say what is slowing me down.  Is it constantly looking up words?  It is the platform?  Is it extra things you do other than typing that your company requires?  If the problem is something you can't alter, i.e. company requirements or platform, start seeking other work. 


I don't know that you necessarily HAVE to have a master's. sm
I had never heard of the existence of such a major the first time I went to college 15 years ago or I would have gone for it then, but I have since come across schools that offer it as a bachelor's degree. The prgoram I'm in is an online degree program from a university in another state than I live.
I don't have a straight answer for you on what the demand is for someone with this training. A lot of jobs ask for broad qualifications...like, "a degree in English, communications, or related field," so I figure that's me, LOL. It's probably something where you have to have an idea of WHAT you want to do and then find a way to get there, rather than to wait for an opening to appear.
36 hits doesn't necessarily mean anything.
If there were 30,000 hits on Google, I'd think it legitimate.  However, 30 hits could mean that there are 30 misspellings or 30 idiots out there making up words.  Or it could be a real word.  Normo is a combining form; however, reflexic is not in any of my dictionaries.  (Merriam, Taber's, Dorland's, Stedman's)  If the account's verbatim, use it.  Otherwise, tag it.
Not necessarily...metabolism slowing...
as we get older is a much more likely culprit.  At 50, our metabolism is on average 50% lower than at age 16.  That is why when we are young we can lose weight easily and rapidly, but as we age it's a tremendous struggle.  Exercise is the key, as it not only burns calories but revs up the metabolism for hours following. 
Not necessarily - I make 12 cpl for a company. nm
x
This doesn't necessarily work for others, but ...

when I feel upset, overwhelmed, or down about my situation, I try to think of how worse others may have it.  For instance, maybe your husband is facing 6 weeks of recovery from surgery... but somewhere out there somebody's husband has been delivered a grim prognosis and would give anything for a 6 week "recovery." 


You say you're an orphan... But looking on the positive side you do have a husband and children (however trying they may be at times), and someday they will have spouses and children and your family will be ever larger.  That's a good thing. 


Again, not to diminish your problems in any way, just trying to share how I sometimes help myself through tough times, by reminding myself that things can actually be much much worse.