The Latest...

Been a while, right... well yes it has, and I am here to tell you the latest, greatest, or may not so great news.

I have been thinking about changing the name of this blog. But I don't think I will... because I am sure no one will be looking at it any way... after all they haven't looked at it yet...

Ok, here is the news. I have been off work since June 26th. Two weeks of that time was spent on vacation, and and the rest of the time has been on medical leave. That Angioma, that I spoke about previously has decided to give me trouble, and to be perfectly honest, I am tired of talking about it and thinking about it. But I will again one more time. Or, a few more times if I need to.

The long and short of the whole thing is that, it grew 2.5 times it size since 2006. Now, what it was in 2006, and what it was last year is not quite clear. I believe last year it was 9 mm., and when I had my last MRI in June it was 15 mm. Not quite double in size in the last year.

I knew it was not right before I went on vacation, hence the request for an MRI. I was having problems before, however, every single time I have looked for assistance or advise when it has come to my Angioma and the medical field, I have been pushed from pillar to post. The fact that the doctor I had finally gotten back in with was no longer available to me didn't help.

But I got the MRI, and found out the results 1 day before leaving for vacation. As I had said before, I was having problems, but couldn't seem to get anyone to listen, so now with a report that shows growth to that degree, I was especially scared. But thanks to cell phones, and a lot of time on my hands, due to the 3 day drive ahead... it showed a little more promise.

I finally was able to get in with my Neurosurgeon, well the PA anyway, so I planned the appointment for last day of my vacation. The PA was able to take me off work for a month. I then went back to the doctor on month later. I told him I was not feeling well enough to drive, and he took me off for another month. However he didn't schedule another appointment so, when I called them to advise that I needed help in the way of a form filled out... and signed by the doctor, they scheduled another appointment, and gave me another 2 weeks off.

The day came for me to see the doctor, and for me to explain to him my situation... by the way which is not really a concern to anyone but myself and my family. I explained that I am required to work at 100% productivity at work. That is a requirement. Not 80% or 85%, but 100%. I am not able to do that right now. And, I am not able to drive either. I can drive, but it is very tiring.

See, what is not obvious is that I have to work very hard, all the time, to see clearly. Most of the time I see double, and not to see double is very tiring. I am fighting my eyes almost non stop. That basically exhausts you by the end of the day, and because you are tired, you aren't at your peak performance. Not to mention, then keeping a house clean, caring for my Mom, who lives with us. Laundry, cooking, all has to be done at the end of the day, and on the weekends.

I guess if I were to compare it to something... I would say, cross your eyes, and keep them crossed all the time, and only let them relax when you are watching TV, or doing something where you keep your eyes focused on one spot for prolonged periods of time. Tell me when you get tired and can't do it anymore. Don't worry, it won't take long.

Well anyway, the doctor then suggested I stay off for 3 months. So that is where we left it. Now my problem is that the form was faxed from the Dr. about a week ago. My employer was supposed to address my advised time off from work last week. I called about it Friday. I e-mailed about it Friday. I e-mailed again about it yesterday, (Monday), both the "time off group/individual" and my immediate supervisor.

I was told not to worry about it, and that it will be approved or addressed Monday or Tuesday. It is Tuesday, at 4:42 eastern time, and so far I haven't heard anything. I am getting nervous. Anything could happen right now. 1) they could approve it. 2) they could deny it. 3) they could tell me I have to see one of their (experts) (tic). I am not sure where they would get him or her from, since I have known about this thing for 10 years, and I still don't have an expert on Angiomas. My doctor is familiar. He seemingly cares. But since these things are so rare, 5% of the population knows they have one or multiples, and only 2% of that 5% have brain stem Angiomas. That is what I have.

Well I better go for now... will be back tomorrow... maybe I will have news, or maybe I won't. I guess we will find out tomorrow. Have to start dinner now. See ya!~

We lost a cousin last night...

George's cousin Joey passed last night, after fighting liver cancer for the past year. I think back over the past year, and think about the Sunday afternoon we recieved a phone call from up north, which of course immediately put me in alert mode. After all it isn't often that we recieve phone calls from up north, with e-mail, and Facebook, giving us instant contact with our loved ones far away.

As soon as I heard who it was on the other side, I became concerned.

Joey and his family did thier due diligence, doing research, seeking opinions, and finally settling on Cancer Centers of America, out of Philadelphia. They did tell him that it would be a tough road to go, but they were willing to try to lengthen his life and work toward getting him well. I think the outcome was about the same...but he did have a good quality of life up until about a week ago. Personally I find that to be comforting.

I am glad we able to see Joey this past July. He went to a Yankee game at the new Yankee Stadium... with one of his daughters, and he really enjoyed that... I mean he really enjoyed it. We saw him that evening, and he told us how great it was. Even though I am a Red Sox Fan, was happy for him... very happy. We have lots of pictures of him too... He looked good!

Joey suffered at the end, between the infection, and his weakened state, the last chemo treatment tore him up. He had all the classic problems that Chemo patients get, but no ability to fight back. For the most part, his last year was not terrible, but the last week or two made up for it...

Now I worry about those he left behind. His daughters, his wife, he brothers and sister, his nieces, and nephews, and his cousins. I think in time they will be fine thinking about the good times and the smiles. I know that helped me when I lost my Dad. I hope they can carry him with them through their life. And live up to his expectations, even though he isn't there to remind us of them. By doing this, they are keeping him alive in their hearts. When he is there, he will always be with them, where ever they go, what ever they do.

I only have 10 minutes...

Well, I did speak to George on Friday, and I told him that I am just tired, and worried about his health, and don't appreciate his "friends" making comments, because when push comes to shove, I will be the one caring for him, taking time off from work to make sure he is OK in the hospital, just like I was before...

And... that I want him to start taking care of himself. Well he has been trying to help me around the house and he made dinner last night, and it was very good... And he is making dinner again tomorrow night... and he even sat and watched The Bachelor with Mom and I... So he is trying...

Mathie had trouble walking and standing last night, and I am guessing and hoping it is arthritis... She is 15 years old this year, in fact next month. So hoping for anything other than something terminal is a plus for me...

George's cousin is very sick, and I am very worried about him. He has liver cancer, and we are hoping that he can pull out of this. The intubated him last night, because he stopped breathing. His blood pressure is extremely low... It is very hard at times like this, because you don't know what would be best... I know that sounds terrible, but his whole family... wife, kids, brothers and sisters and even cousins are suffering so right now... When you hope that the next day will bring good news, but it only brings more discouraging news...

Todays... frustrations...

Ok... well, today... As I am sure everyone is aware, there is a social networking site called Facebook. George is on it regularly, I mean R-E-G-U-L-A-R-L-Y. He has 156 friends... probably almost half he doesn't really know. Just "friended" them, and they friended them back. A few I believe are aquaintances from his Stroke Survivor website.

Anyway... needless to say, I don't know what George is doing about finding a job. For what it is worth, I told him that I would rather he have a job when her retired at the ripe old age of 49. He assured me at the time, that he would... that is almost a year ago. From what I can tell he is sitting home, watching old base ball games, and posting to Facebook. His 'aquaintances', are apparently all fine with that... but why shouldn't they be... they aren't watching him grow bigger, and bigger, while I grow more tired every day. Today's aggravation came in the form of him making a few smart ass remarks, in reference to me or my dog, and his little friends joking and being sure to add they smiley punctuation [ :-) ] and their lol's, telling him to watch out because someone seems to be getting angry, and that I should be more gentle. Well #1, I don't appreciate be addressed by these individuals. And #2, maybe if I were home, hanging out.. I would find it amusing also. However, I am not. I am sitting in 45 minutes of traffic everyday, driving into the office, and home. Not to mention the crap I put up with for 8 or 9 hours once I get here. My weekends are filled with frustration, because I can't seem to get the chores done around the house to have one day to myself. I have to tell you, I cherish the hour or two that I spend on Saturday or Sunday ironing... all alone. Last week I wanted to go to the movies, but we didn't go... this week, I think I will, no matter what time of day it is... He can sit home and trade "quips" with his aquaintances on Facebook.

If I need to take a day off, just because I am exhausted, or need to take my mother to appointments, that eats into my vacation days. If I run out of vactation days, which by the way are my sick days, I have to take non paid days. That means there is nothing replacing my salary. His pension brings in about the same amount of money as my first job in Florida, and that was 25 years ago. And even then I worked a full time job during the day, and then 4-5 hours at night, and every other Saturday.

Maybe he doesn't have to tell me what he is doing. Maybe I have it all wrong. Perhaps someone, if anyone reads this, would like to weigh in on that.

Personally, I would think he has an obligation to tell me what the deal is... or at least how he is looking for work, if in fact he is, and he isn't finding any.... I haven't seen him look in the classifieds, or go to one of those employment websites.

Then I hear that he thinks it is all my Mother who is putting the extra burden on me. That, because of my Mom, I have two full time jobs. I guess he isn't in the room when I come home at night and go right to work, fixing dinner, cleaning up, making sure the dogs don't fight over thier food, then make sure my Mom gets the drops in her eyes, before she goes to sleep. Most of the time he is sitting on the couch, with his legs up... and usually the computer on his lap, open to Facebook...

I just get this feeling that I am being taken advantage of big time. I mean big time. Wife or girlfriend, it doesn't really matter. The fact is, I am working a full time job, taking care of a house, my Mom, and my Husband/Partner is sitting on the couch, on the computer, or watching TV, and really contributing very little to the daily responsibilities, and I am about over it. To be perfectly honest.

OK... so I am still tired, still frustrated...

... but I am getting to the point I just don't care anymore. Is that bad... I don't think so... I think it is inevitable. It is kind of a protection mechanism. I believe eventually all people go through it, some just earlier than others.

For me I believe it is a defense mechanism, because I don't think it is humanly possible to go on, and on, and on in life, and constantly fighting, to get where you want to be... or need to be.

My childhood was good.. I mean, other than not being well off... but we had a good family.. strong Father, good Mom, and I believe a healthy relationship with my sister.

Then comes my early adult life. Which could actually be combined with my later teen years. Aside from a few incidents, such as boyfriend issues, I mean pretty substantial boy friend issues...I went right to work, for the most part paying my own way. Bought my first car from my parents for $800, then about a year later purchasing a brand new car.. a 1980 Mustang, ordered it from the factory... paid for it monthly for 2 years. All that doesn't sound like much, but based on what my friends were given. New cars every year (in some cases), or at least their first car, plus college educations, wardrobe, etc. I paid for my own braces, for two years... So I guess you see where I am coming from. But that made me stronger, prouder, etc.

Then I moved to Florida, alone, without a job, no family... A good friend, but that passed to. Moved into my apartment, worked 2 jobs for over two years, so that I could fly home fairly frequently. Then came my own house. More boyfriend issues, and financial problems... My Dad had a stroke, in an attempt to save his property in NC from being taken away from him, I took on a very large... I mean verrrrry large portion of his debt. That turned out OK, because I managed to figure out a way, with Consumer Credit Counseling to get out from under that burden. And it wasn't easy like claiming bankruptcy... Let me tell you... that would have been easy.

I thought about adopting a Ukranian baby, and raising him on my own. It was a pretty expensive propisition, but that isn't what detered me. I learned that it wasn't legal for single parent adoptions in the great (and I use that term very weakly) of Florida. I got involved in politics, on the losing side, over and over. But I still fought, I still believe in the Democratic ideals, but I no longer believe in the people behind the Democratic Party today.

Then I met my husband...and we lived together for 7 years. There were about 5 years that were absolutely wonderful. But then things started to turn sour. My Dad had his 3rd stroke, and then suffered with dementia. And that is when this Blog started.

At one point, I believe in 2006, I suffered from a Cavernous Malformation and Hemangioma on my brain stem. This is something I had from birth, and in some cases it is genetic. I guess in most cases it is... I guess it depends if you carry a gene. Not really sure of that... None the less, I had a very bad episode in August of 2006 that lasted about 3 months. The final prognosis was, well... you will have these episodes more than like for the rest of your life... It will probably happen in clusters, and oh... yes, by the way... it is on your brainstem... that is pretty expensive real estate, so at some point it may become fatal... but, hmmm well if we operated, that could be fatal also... Maybe we should just watch it. So that is where I am at. Also, I have the threat of glaucoma.

So all that being said... I am tired, and from my post yesterday, I do fear that my husband will out live me... heck sometimes I think my 85 year old mother will out live me. And ironically, I would like to live forever. I think that is because at some time between now and forever, I can grab sometime for me.

I would like to be able to take some time every once in a while, when I feel this thing in my head is leaking (that is what it does it leaks, and then it gets bigger, and infringes on the "expensive real estate") and if I had some time off... to get out of the rat race, remove the stress, I can either stop it, or at least control it alittle bit more. But that seems unreasonable by todays standards. You know... the way the mentality goes in todays society... you have to be a productive member of society, if you aren't you are a parasite on society...see... a leach... Better I should be a vegatable huh... or better yet dead.

I really feel this way... I have disability here at work... but try to get a doctor to say that you need a time to recoop... unless of course you are mentally disabled... then oh... by all means... you need take a step back... probably because they think you will get a gun, which in this hell hole of a state, are legal.. so I could go down to Walmart and pick one up... But since my condition doesn't preclude me to moments of insanity... just the possibility of brain damage, to the point that I wouldn't be a threat to anyone else... screw her... Let's just see what happens...

I am so frustrated....

Ok, tell me if I am wrong... Maybe I am, but I am not really a selfish person... but I need to understand something...

This is my situation... I am 51, got married almost 3 year ago for the first time. After... my husband, then boyfriend had a stroke. I had to take off from work 4 weeks before I got married, 10 days of those 4 weeks, we spent in a hospital, with no rights what so ever, except for the good will of a few nurses and doctors, who allowed me to be involved to the extent that I was. The next 3 months of my life were spent, being a Physical Therapist, advocate, chauffeur, cook, maid, and partner to my husband.

Then I went back to work for the only, and I mean only income we were taking into our home for the next 10 months. Needless to say, we went through close to $40,000.00 in savings. My husband then went back to work for about a year, really less because the first month was only part time. After that, he took early retirement, with a pension, but far less income than he brought home before he went to work.

One month before he retired, however 4 months before, we decided to bring my Mother (84 at the time, lived alone) down to live with us. So since April, we have had my Mother living with us. Since June, I have been the the main bread winner, working every day, full time, driving 45 minutes to work and back, then coming home, cooking dinner, cleaning up, and then giving myself about 1 hour of relaxation for the day. My husband who was going to find another income, hasn't. On the weekends, I need to clean the house, which included 3.5 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, laundry, etc. I really for the most part don't get alot of help. On Saturday mornings I take my Mother to get her hair done. I get up at 8:00, and from 9:00 to 10:55 I am coaxing her and helping her to get ready. I kid you not... that is almost 3 hours of nagging, for the most part, helping in and out of the shower, laying out clothes. Mainly because if I didn't, it would take more than 1 hour to get her ready to leave the house.

Needless to say... I am tired. Very tired. So tired as a matter of fact, I am finding myself close to tears when I think about what I have to do...

I often think that I will not live very long living like this. And needless to say... I don't want to work like a dog, only to find myself in a position of finding myself at the end of my life. If you know what I mean...

Because between you and me...it will all be for naught. My husband is not the type to be on his own. He will find someone else, and then all I worked for will be enjoyed by someone, and all though that might sound selfish.. it is what I feel, and I think part of it is out of resentment.

Busy, Busy, Busy...

...That is what my life is... Not enough hours in the day to get done what I need to get done. Between my house, and my Mom, and George, and the kids, and the court yard... and I wish I had a few hours every week to do some sewing

But this is not the case. For now I have to look forward to mornings when I don't have to pack my lunch, which means I am able to sit down and eat my breakfast... however small that may be, at home.

I wanted to make danish this past weekend. Mom picked bought us some Danish last weekend at Costco. It was called a Danish Pull Apart, and it had Apple, Cheese and Raspberry. Two of each. Mom and I ate the Raspberry, which meant George didn't get any. So I promised George that I would make him some Raspberry Danish this weekend. Well, didn't get to it. I did however pick up the raspberry jam. I can still do it... But.. I wanted to do it this weekend.

Instead on Saturday I worked on our taxes with George. 3 hours it took us to pull everything together, and have it ready for when we bring it to Wendy. Now mind you, there is still a mess of papers on the dining room table to clean up, go through, and either pack up to bring with us, or destroy them. Still have to do that last step...I have the most important work done though. I also worked with George on the Garage. There is now, waiting for garbage day, (which is tomorrow, thank goodness) about 7 garbage bags plus 4 or 5 boxes of stuff that will be picked up. And that is in addition to our one garbage can. We aren't done.. that was just the start. That took 3 hours. Then there is the huge box of ironing I have upstairs. It is the box our vacuum cleaner came it. I can tell you this... I have alot of table cloths, and napkins. As soon as I am done with the box (that seems endless btw) I will have to start using these. For the past month, I have been ironing at least 2 hours every Saturday. That is over 8 hours of ironing, and only now am I starting to feel like I am making progress with this box.

Then there is the weekly food shopping, which by the time I leave, and come back and put everything away...we are working on an hour and a half to two hours.

Saturday mornings include, fixing breakfast, getting Mom going to bring her for her hair appointment, well that starts at ususally 8:30 in the morning, and by the time we get home, it is between 11:30 and 12:00, then it is time to fix some lunch...

Needless to say, the time that I want to spend doing things that I enjoy... which by the way would still be considered work, to most people, like working in the courtyard, sewing etc., I don't have the time to do.

I am just plain tired... plum tuckered out....

Any suggestions...!

I am feeling bad for my actions...

Well, Monday night, George fixed supper for me... He made Lentil Soup, since I had to use the ham that was left over from the week before...

We used dried lentils, and Jacques recipe for Chunky Lentil Soup.

He wanted to fix it, and told me that he would watch the heat... so all the liquid wouldn't boil away.

Well I got home, the ride home was especially bothersome Monday night...and walked in the house and it smelled good... good sign, right. I looked in the pot, and it was refried lentils... I have to give him credit, I don't know how to make refried beans... well I haven't made refried beans, but either did he, and there was a nice big pot of refried beans on the stove...

Well, when I have told the story since, the unanimous response was, "Awwww, he tried...!" However my response was (and I didn't blurt it out, so give me credit for that), now what are we going to eat!?!

George immediately came over to the stove, and said, "I can eat it like that. It tastes good!" I thought, yea, well you can eat anything. I need to serve this to my Mother. I asked him if he used the container of Chicken broth ( 4 cups), then I asked him if he used the water (3 1/2 cups), and to both questions he answered, "yes".

This means that two quarts of water boiled off of this, the heat was so high under that pot. I notice that there was a nice skin of lentils stuck to the bottom of the pot, and there were dried lentils on the side, and even a dried lake of lentil juice , tell tale sign of the soup boiling over. But I didn't bring that up... I didn't feel that stating the obvious was going to solve anything. You have to give me credit for that also. So I went in the fridge and took out another, previously opened container of chicken broth, and poured it into the pot. Then added another cup or two of water. I couldn't eat anything, because I needed to be NPO for the last 4 hours before my MRI. So I called my Mom to taste it. Her first comment to me was... isn't that too thick?

Well, to make a long story a little bit shorter, I had to go upstairs. I was obviously irritable, and I was going to say things that would just be hurtful.

I guess I was just cranky, and needed some time to myself. Our cat Annie came up and laid by my leg on the bed, and just purred, while looking at me. I think she understood, and I am guess that George did too.

But I did over react, and now I am sorry for it.

It is cold here...

It was 38 degrees while I drive into work in Apopka this morning... The little snow flake icon came up on my console display.

I love it when that happens... I wish I could take my little car up to NY one winter.

Does anyone remember when you were a kid, well maybe it is when you are a kid in NY... and you would visit your relatives, usually at holiday time...

Dad would always go out and start the car to get it warm inside, clean the windshield off if you were lucky enough to have gotten snow. Even the Uncle you were visiting would go out to help, even though he didn't have to go anywhere at all. It was just what you did. All while the Mom's and kids would be inside, getting ready to go... pulling all your stuff together... then all at once the Dad's and Uncles would come in with red cheeks, coat collars lifted up around their necks. Out of breath, holding their hands together to warm them up, whether they had gloves on or not... Usually with big smiles on their faces.

Then.... eventually... everyone would be herded out to the cars, the steam floating up from the tailpipes... and jump in the car, and before long the windows would be steamed up.

The ride home on 495/LI Expressway was alway a smooth ride, and quiet because of the snow, it muffled the sound of the tireds on the road, and the occasional car that would pass by. The snow that was falling would be illuminated by the headlights.

That is a memory that I will hold on to, fondly hold on to for the rest of my life.

I find as I get older, I hold those memories close, and smile when ever they cross my mind. Like this morning while I was driving to work, and that little snow flake popped up on my dashboard.

I am not sure if those thoughts are so important to me because I don't have that as an adult. I guess I always pictured myself growing up, and replacing my Mom in the front seat, and my kids being in the back seat. It didn't exactly work out that way. I moved away, got married later in life, didn't have those children to put in the back seat.

Now I have other events in my life that I look forward to every year. And they aren't planned. Just like that trip home on the LIE wasn't totally planned. (Yes, what I mean by that is, the days events were planned, but the circumstances that stand out so vividly, the snow falling, my Dad and the Uncles coming in the house smiling, with red cheeks. Those are still with me. They were not necessarily planned to be memorable... I don't think. It just happened.)

You know what bothers me though... who will carry those fond memories on like I have carried those trips home on the LIE.

I have returned....

It has been almost two years since I have been here, but I am here once again... with lots of updates.

Today is Christmas Eve... 2009. The news of note is hmmm, let's see... In April of this year, Mom (my Mom) came down to live with George and I. We moved out of the master bedroom, and into one of the bedrooms upstairs, and I arranged the master bedroom to be a little suite for Mom... So she has with her all her special stuff, and of course Schatzie. Which means, we now have 3 dogs... Mathie, 15 years old, Wesley, 12 years old, and Schatzie 9 years old.

The move went as smooth as you would expect it to go... We flew up to NC, rented a Penske 12 foot truck, and loaded it with Mom's "stuff" for 3 days and we headed south, followed by my sister and Mom and Schatzie, in my sister's car.

Once we got home, we proceeded to empty the truck into the garage, and slowly sift through everything, and find a new home for it in my Mom's suite.

About a month and a half later, George retired from the Postal Service. Now he has a pension, but of course, it isn't as much as he made when he worked. He is now trying to find work writing, or managing campaigns (political). Not sure where that will lead him... but until it starts to become a reality, the belt is going to be alittle bit tighter than usual.

I cut my hair in June. And yes I think that is noteworthy...! I am not sure how long this will last, but I know it will be this way for at least a year.

All the kids (pets) are getting bigger and older. Mathie is the oldest, and I do what ever I can to make her feel as special, and in control that I can, without letting her hurt herself.

Lars is now a big handsome, character, who loves his Mom (me!) very obviously.

Tonight Christmas Eve, we go to Janet and Jimmy's house. We aren't exchanging any gifts this year... mainly because money is pretty tight this year for us. And actually, I don't think I will miss it... I have to tell you I miss the shopping, Mom and I talked about that last week. But what goes with the shopping, the fretting, the brain picking, the financial figuring... what should I spend... will that be enough, is that too much... not to mention will they like it... is it clever enough, yada, yada, yada.

Tomorrow we go to Tony and John's house. I am bringing a side dish, glazed carrots and turnips, and I am looking forward to seeing Massey again... Massey is their Pit Bull rescue, who is the sweetest dog I have ever met. He was rescue by Pet Rescue by Judy, which is a local rescue organization in Central Florida.

Saturday we go to Audrey and Al's place for a Christmas Party. Hmmm, did I ever tell you who Audrey is? Audrey and I were best friends in NY, and I actually came down here after she moved down here. I helped her get her job with the phone company (I was looking for a job, and brought her an application, when I applied for a job there), and she got the job. I didn't... so I guess you could say I helped her get the job. Then, she helped me when I applied a second time 9 years later. Audrey was married to Artie, I always thought he looked like Ernest Borgnine... well Artie passed away a few years ago, and about 12 to 18 months later, Audrey married Al.

So that is all I have to say for now. I promise to be back more, and post more pictures.

Went to a friends wedding yesterday....

Yesterday I went to my friends wedding... That is him with Mamta, after they tied the knot...

I had known Randy, not in person, but over the phone since 2000. We worked together at Embarg, well... I was at Embarq, he was at Network Tallahassee.... I was his service representative... We talked about everything... Politics, his love life, my love life, his pets, my pets... other departments at Sprint (that is who we were then..., not Embarq), and then in 2007 my job was sent to Indiana, and I had to take another position at Embarq (previously known as

Sprint) About 3 months later George and I got married... I had told Randy if he ever got married, I would come to his wedding... sooooo, I kept my word...

So a friend, of 7 years, I met for the first time at his wedding... I also met some other friends, Josh Hillman and Krishna Singh...(they work at Network Tallahassee as well). They were all shocked that I would make the trip, but I figured that a couple of hundred miles was not too far to travel for a friend, and besides, I was happy for him... He was happy, and even though we did speak on the phone anymore, almost everyday... I was still happy for him...

He and Mamta had a beautiful wedding... I was a day long event...It was at the Steinhatchee Resort, in Steinhatchee, Florida. Steinhatchee is on the west coast of Florida, and if you went to Gainesville, and made a left (if you were coming from the south) and then go as far as you can, without driving into the gulf... (which George and I almost did) you would be in Steinhatchee...

At 11:00 was the conventional American ceremony, then at 2:30 was the Indian (I am thinking Hindu) ceremony... In between was lunch, and last was the formal reception...

George and I drove up the night before, and stayed at the Steinhatchee Inn, and went to the wedding from there... The priest for the Indian Ceremony had car trouble and arrive late, about 4 or 5 hours late... but George and I enjoyed the area...visited with people, and had a very enjoyable day...

So... let me tell you about Steinhatchee Florida... first... we have an Obama/Biden bumper sticker on the back of my car, and at one point I had to ask directions at a convenience store... (one of many, right along with Dollar Generals between Ocala and Steinhatchee) I have a confession to make... I was afraid that if I "loitered" or made my presence or car more known... unspeakable things could happen to me... I think we were the 0nly car or better yet Obama/Biden sign, within 200 miles of where we were... Not to say it wasn't a safe area... it was very safe...just not for Obama supporters...if yo know what I mean... It is truly amazing to me that there are places like that in the United States....

The care takers of the Inn or Motel we stayed at, were very funny, and very nice... I didn't get their names, but they were of the same political, or social persuasion as George and I.... It was funny, I truly felt like an alien there, and you had to have a secret hand shake, or talk in code with people so as not to give up your cover... The bumper sticker pretty much blew that cover for us, very quickly... So when they started talking to us openly about "things", boy was I relieved...

Anyway... it was a nice weekend... we left there at 10:30 PM, and were home by 1:30 AM. Very happy to pull into our garage, and crawl into our bed.

I left the wedding wishing Mamta and Randy congratulations, and much happiness, and have another Christmas Card to add to my list... We will let each other know about cool computer games, and hopefully be able to remain friends... It isn't often you find someone you feel comfertable with. I hope he feels the same way....

Hello Again..

Well, it has been a while, but non the less here I am...

I did a search for my name on a German search engine, and it came up with this blog...

Anyway.. thought that was pretty cool, since all the searches I have done on domestic search engines and this never came up, which is odd to me...

Last weekend we drove to NC to surprise Mom for her birthday... She was really surprised...never expected to see George and I

Then Sunday night I twisted my ankle, real bad... ended up spending 4 hours in the hospital in Smithfield NC... It was a pretty amazing thing... My foot swelled up twice it's size, I sat in a wheel chair, but it didn't have a apparatus, so that my leg could be elevated, they never gave me ice for my leg... It wasn't broken, but those two things would have helped tremendously... to make me more comfertable for 4 hours... At the time that I was there I am not sure who else was there, except for a baby... but 4 hours... I was in the minor care part... which makes sense, but I guess that means they don't have to make you comfertable.... All I know is there were alot of people taking information, and directing you... and not one of them was concerned with what they could do to make you more comfertable... Of course they knew when they sent you home... Elevate your leg... (ya think), Ice (ya think) and rest and compression... which they sent me home with my foot in an ace bandage... But maybe alittle Ice applied right away would have helped... or a wheel chair that would have my foot in an elevated position, rather than me having to hold it up in the air...

And... we brought home a new kitty, his name is Lars... Here is his picture...

Isn't he a looker.... tomorrow I will post a picture of our other little one... Annie

It's Friday, Friday!!!

Ok, well it is Friday, a girl at work had a baby, and my weekend will be spent sewing... I have quite a few projects cut and in various stages of completion... so I will get two more out of the way... shouldn't take me more than a day...

Mom is here, we brought her back with us on the 13th... I think she had a good time, except for the spill she took in the garage... she didn't break anything though, a little bruised up...

This weekend we are going to try to pick something up for Melissa's confirmation, have Grandpa's ring sized from the size 6 that I have to the size 11 that my nephew wears.. won't be much of the original ring left, but oh well...

Went to Mr. Pita today for lunch... it was very good...I really like it. Did some research and found out that it is a franchise out of Michigan... I think this is the first one in Florida... The Very Veggie pita is delicious... I hope he makes it, because it really is very good, and has neat options... the Pita Bar, if I had more time, seems like it would be neat to try...

But the best news of all is that it is Friday and I have two days off from this place... Isn't that terrible... wishing my life away... it will get worse before it gets better, you can count on that...

A friend called me and asked if I wanted to car pool to work, she works in a near by building, next door or something... I have to think about it... I like having my car, I don't know...

It is beautiful outside today, and Mom and George should sit outside and enjoy the pleasant weather... I know if I were home... that is where I would be...

Had an appointment with Dr. Mcgee.. and for the 3rd time (that I have tried to see him) I was turned down.... The first time was January 23rd, I had strep, and he didn't have any appointments, so I said, OK, no problem, will go to a Centra Care... ends up I did have Strep throat... The next was the following Friday, January 25th, I woke up with a splitting headache, called to see if I could get in on a last minute, just like they had told me to do two days earlier, was told he was out of town..., suffered with my headache, and did without any medication... Also called the Neurosurgeon, and she had her nurse call me at 3:00, and then never called me back again... Then had an appointment on May 14th, called and asked to get an earlier appointment, so the receptionist offered April 22nd at 3:40, I said ok. but she put my name down on May 22nd. And this is after the Neurosurgeon sent him my medical records that said I had carcinoma, which of course I don't, his transcriptionist typed them incorrectly, however, when Dr. Mcgee was asked if I could be seen, he said, sorry, just don't have the time... sooooo, on the road again for me, looking for a new Dr.

I can't win for losing... and I swear it is because I am a woman. Anyway...have my plans for another doctor, but I have to call them after 6-1 08... and I will, you can be sure... right now my appointment is for 5-22, what is another week or two...

And George, don't get mad because I typed his name... I didn't say anything disparaging... besides, no one but you reads this...

Ok, well, 3.5 hours to go... Making Puttanesca for dinner, without the capers, tuna or anchovies.

Disney Flower Power-Epcot Flower and Garden Show

Yesterday we went to the Epcot Flower and Garden Show... It was pretty neat, and if you were to go any weekend as a Florida Resident... this would be the weekend to go...

We potted a plant, and saw Jay Black... he was pretty good... he is a Republican though..., as were most of the people in the audience... but the show was good even though Disney cancelled the first one for good reason, there was a pretty severe thunder and lightening storm, although the worst of it was while the show was on, there rest was just rain, but it did blow real hard, and the stage got wet...

George and I got to sit in on a demonstration ( as simplistic as it was for me, and boring for George... ) to make a dish garden... They gave us a pot with potting soil and 3 plants, a Dusty Miller, a Creeping Fig, and a Jacobs Coat... They gave us pebbles to put on top to keep the soil down, and little bags to bring the pots home in, it was really quite cute...

Then we went on to eat lunch and then the Jay Black Concert... It was neat, and we waited most of the time to see Jay Black then we actually saw him...

The first concert he say Pretty Woman, and there was a strike

of lightening, and they cancelled the show... that was at 5:45, then the next show was at 7:00, and that one he sang 3 songs, and they said the show was over, because they needed time to set up for the 9:00 show... that was at 7:30... so he sang one more song and everyone left... It was pretty sad, really...But no one faulted Jay Black, he was really good about it...It was Disney.. and they might have had good reason to do it... who knows... probably in their mind...

Anyway.. the Red Sox lost yesterday, and they said it was something about them being tired from traveling... which is probably so...

We are going to Boston for Memorial Day... and Mom is coming down the week after next...we are going up to get her, and we will bring her down and then drive back up with her for Melissa Confirmation... It is going to be a pretty busy summer until middle of July...Alot planned for the next 3 months...

hey I got a comment...

Ok, so once in a blue moon someone comments on my blog.. and it has to be kinda almost negative... Although I bet there was some humor meant... I hope so at least...

The whole Earth Hour was symbolic... sure it would have a big impact if everyone would do it.. but the e-mails were sent before 8:00, and it didn't take any more power for them to be sent or read than some of those dumb chain letters.

Anyway... I am glad someone is reading the blog, other than George or I...

And if you are reading it... I will try to make it more interesting...

Helloooooo!!!!

Hey did you know that today is black out day... yup... learned that from the home page of blogger... we are all asked to turn our lights out from 8:00 to 9:00 tonight... so... if you read this, then do like I will do... spread the word...send out an e-mail...You can send it out like you would send anything out... and we all know we send lots of garbage.... and turn out your lights from 8:00 to 9:00. For those of my friends and family that don't have e-mail... I will call them...

Ok, so what else is new... well we moved from Apopka to Maitland... and I am happier working where I am... but I still hate my job and hate most of the people I work with directly.... Ok, hate is a harsh word... I do hate my job..., but I don't enjoy workining with the people I work with directly...

Hmm.. what else... Oh yea... The Red Sox...we went to Ft. Myers... and guess what... by the time I hit Thononatsassa (spelling?) I realized I forgot the tickets...So I frantically called around and found out that I could get in if we went to the office... so we did, and they reprinted my tickets and we got in... THANK GOD!!!

So the picture is of our good friends Al & Linda Gross at the stadium... We went out to dinner afterwards, and had a nice dinner which Al would not let us pay for... but he did let us put a tank of gas in his car... since they drove to Ft. Myers, and then also took us out to lunch when we got home...

I have another picture to send my cousin... I will post it another day, and I got a picture of Youklis playing first base... it is at a distance... but it is a good picture... and oh yea... the Red Sox beat the Mets that afternoon... Not by much, but they beat them...

It was a great trip, and we have great memories from the trip...

More tomorrow... lots to talk about... and remember... turn your lights off from 8:00 to 9:00... I think it is a great idea.... I plan on sitting outside on the Patio, and lighting the laterns I bought last week at Ikea!!!

One more day in Apopka

Well there is a flurry of activity around me with people packing... I have most of my stuff done... and only the last minute stuff...

I will pack all my pictures tomorrow... (the important stuff), and the last minuted stuff tomorrow afternoon... I am also going to buy some extra alchohol this weekend...

And... this weekend it will be the Indians and the Phillies in Winterhaven, and the Dodgers and Red Sox in Vero... In Vero we are sitting on the Berm.

We also ordered 4 stadium seats for the bleachers this past weekend... and I would really like to get them today or tomorrow......

We are sitting in the bleachers in Winter Haven... and in Ft. Myers on Tuesday...

Anyway... better go... I promise to have pictures this weekend... always makes it more interesting...

Better go my break is up... the jailer is coming to put the shackles back on my ankles...

Another Day in the Salt Mines...

So this morning I had a training class in Altamonte Springs, for LD and of course as would be expected, we didn't have a sign on... Had to use another persons sign on... and of course when I got back to the office, it was a big surprise... and I was asked how I was doing my work? What kind of a stupid question is that... You wonder why I hate my job...

Anyway... they are going to get me one now... in the mean time "How am I going to do my work?"

Well I don't know, and I don't care, and when the issue comes up, I will ask what I am supposed to do.. but you know what... bet ya dollars to donuts it won't come up...

So... on to another more pleasant topic... this weekend, Saturday, we are going to Winter Haven to see the Indian and the Phillies, and Sunday we are going to Vero to see the Dodgers and Red Sox, and then Tuesday, we are leaving early for Ft. Myers to see the Red Sox and the Mets...

So... I have a nice week or two ahead of me... well, it will actually start on Friday at 5:00.... until then I will be torturous... but I will survive...

Next week I have my appointment with the Neurosurgeon on Tuesday... Hopefully I will get home early and will be able to relax...

Anyway... it is supposed to rain today and tomorrow, I think, and be nice all weekend... Hopefully I will be posting pictures of Baseball this weekend...

Oh yea, and we ordered stadium seats on e-bay this weekend, hope they come before Saturday... Hope they come before Tuesday!!!

Ok, going now...

Very Sad Weekend...

This weekend we lost our Putzen... I have mentioned her and posted pictures of her frequently through out my blog... http://heidispot.blogspot.com/2006/05/i-would-like-to-introduce-putzen.html

She went quietly, like she did everything in her life... She asked for little but what she did expect she expected adamantly...

She was tiny, and did not damage anything... but left a very big hole in my heart and our home...

I would love to have her back sitting on my lap...

When I used to come home early with a migraine, she and all my other kids would stay real close... she would lay on my back or my hip, and purr, believe me, I think she was part of the reason my migraines went away...

Mathie, who you have met on this blog, stayed right by herside if George or I were not by her... so... I guess you could say that we stayed real close to her until her heart stopped beating, and our tears started flowing...

Saturday afternoon, when I would go outside and the world kept going, and no one else seemed upset, I found myself resenting the fact that everyone and everything didn't stop or pause to remember her, and how she was.

I am starting to get over that feeling..., starting to, because as I am writing this I have that lump in my throat, and the heavy heart I had all weekend...

Well Putzen, where ever you are, I hope that you found my Dad... because that is the only way I will ever get any peace. There better be a "Rainbow Bridge".. that is all I have to say...

It is Thursday....

You know what.... I am approximately 5 working days closer to retirement than the last time I mentioned it... I can't say it has been painless, but I guess it could have been worse... It could get worse, but I am going to do the best I can to make sure it doesn't...


So.. next week I go to the Galloway Building for training on Tuesday, and Friday is the last day in Apopka, and Monday we are in Maitland.... Will take some time off my commute... so I am happy.... Plus I think I will like working in that building.... this place is plain depressing... truly... I am sure Maitland will have it's moments, but for the most part, this place is full of people who think they are alittle bit better than the next... they also think they are alittle bit closer to royalty than others...

George just e-mailed me to let me know that our friend Leesa had 4 tickets to see the Braves vs the Mets, I think out at Disney... I feel bad for her... 1) they were expensive tickets and 2) she was denied time off

I told George if he wanted to go, he should find someone and go... if not, then he could call Tony... although he will probably not do either... I am working, and can't take off, but that is no reason why he shouldn't go...

Well, lunch I am going to Economy Heath Store, in Apopka...

Other than that... nothing else is new...

Today is Wednesday February 27th

Today is the 27th, and it is hump day... This weekend we are supposed to go see Vantage Point, and vote for our delegate to the national convention... I do want to get out in the court yard too, and refresh my bulbs in the screen porch...

It is supposed to go down to 36 degrees tomorrow night... That is the way it is here in February and March...

Then.... next month, should be a good month... Spring Training, we are going to 3 games within the first 2 weeks of March... 2 Red Sox games and one Phillies game... and... the first Red Sox game on TV will be Friday night... (2-29) The Red Sox are going to Japan on the 21st or something like that, and will not be back (understandably) until the regular season starts...

Then Mom comes, and we go to a regular season game, that is in April... I am going to try to get off early that day, so that we get there nice and early so we can get to our seats easily for Mom.

So hopefully I will get some good pictures to post of players when we go the games. One game we are sitting on the Berm, in Vero at Dodgerland... that should be fun.... Have to look up what we can bring... you know like food...! George has to go look for stadium seats... for the games we will be sitting in the bleachers...

Ok, other than that nothing else is new...

Good Morning?

Well it is around 3 AM, and I can't sleep....

I woke up around 2:30 with another headache, and took Excedrin Migraine this time... even though I was told not to, because the addiction to the caffeine was not a good thing, and now the Aspirin that is in it is not a good thing as well, but the headache was not a good thing either... So you have to weigh out the pros and cons... and since non or the medical experts have decided to help me... or let's say their staffs, well you are kind of left on your own...

But I am hoping that will all change...

Speaking of medical doctors.... let me mention one that I would like to add my opinion of to the Internet...in case anybody out there happens to want to do a search on him....

His name is Dawkins, and he is from Benson, North Carolina... and if anyone is considering going to him, hope that you aren't a senior citizen, or you don't have more than the run of the mill flu or cold... My Mother and Father went to him... thankfully he is now going to a practice that has it's "limit" of Senior Citizens or Medicare patients, so lucky for the ones that haven't gotten in yet are going to see Dr. Dawkins...

The guy will not diagnose anyone with something, unless he can have a hard cold diagnostic test to back him up... and if he doesn't, well the ailment of complaint goes unaddressed..... That isn't to say that he doesn't attempt it... oh yes he does, but if he doesn't get "that" positive diagnostic test, and the patient doesn't want to look further...well, all the better for him... Let's just drop it... Now, I can say, albeit weakly, in his defense... he is in a rural, very conservative area of North Carolina... you know one of those areas that are left ignored by modern medicine, yet sings the praises of having an institution like DUKE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL at their disposal... but fails to realize that a lot of the residents don't have the means or financial fortitude to get to that hallowed institution, a mere 60 miles away, for treatment... especially if they are elderly, except for the grand old people that have the big Chevy's and some left over riches from the glory days of tobacco.... But I digress, but rest assured, I will get back to that...

Let me give you an example of maybe two or three of his habits.... My Mother was having headaches and pains in her eyes... Now my Mother suffered from migraine headaches a good portion of her life, so she could tell one headache from another....they weren't migraines.... and her eyes definitely were a part of the problem....his suggestion.... he wanted to have her get a biopsy of a blood vessel in her temple... My mother called me rather concerned about this, asked me to call him, and get more details of this procedure... so I did, got the name of it...and looked it up to do more research for her....I believe it was GCA that he was looking to diagnose this time.... I spoke to her, spoke to him, did some research, and well told her not to jump to any conclusions... I did then refer her to an opthamologist who diagnosed, shingles in her eye. Of course first he had to scare her with GCA, and I have to tell you, I spoke to the man, and he wanted her to have this biopsy done... he did not say to, that he wanted to rule out other things first... Well thankfully, because we said no way to the biopsy right now... he had no other choice... The next was when she was diagnosed with an over active thyroid... Did the very thorough and efficient Dr. Robert Dawkins find this condition with a simple blood test... no of course not, it was picked up by an oncologist, who did the prelim nary blood work because of weight loss, (mind you, my Mom was never on Chemotherapy, and her treatment from the Oncologist was not really needed, but he did take on her case, out of Duke University Hospital... Amazingly, he finished his time with Duke and went home....unfortunately rural Eastern North Carolina, in need of good doctors lost another one....But they still have Dr. Dawkins... get my drift...) Again I digress... anyway, the preliminary blood work was sent to Dr. Dawkins who didn't get it... (imagine that!) and he by way his trusty assistant Nina, proceeded to tell my Mom that she was losing weight due to stress in having to deal with my bed ridden Dad, who was suffering from dementia and loss of his left side from stroke. I might also add that Dr. Dawkins was ready at any moment to put my Dad in a nursing home, so that he wasn't such a strain on the family... but I think I went through that back at the beginning of my Blog... In fact, even after they received the lab report stating that Mom did in fact have an over active thyroid... they wanted to do their own blood work first, and made he make an appointment to come in for the blood work...!!! No mind you, my Mom had Rheumatic fever as a child, which can leave that person with a weakened heart, as can an over active thyroid... but, never fear, Nina and Dr. Dawkins are here.... Lest I remind you...there were blood tests done to confirm that she had an over active Thyroid...not to mention the 40 pound weight loss of an elderly woman in her late 70's...the next step was to refer her to an Endocrinologist, which of course she had to travel over 40 miles to go to... because in this great country of ours... people who live in rural areas such as Johnston County North Carolina, do not have access to specialists... the elderly who do not drive, have to travel a minimum of 30-40 miles to see specialists... but after all they have one of the greatest teaching, medical institutions in the world at their disposal. And not to carry on this entry too long... most recently... my sister and I have both noticed that my Mom has aged, physically very fast over the last couple of years... We look at pictures that were taken less than 3 years ago, and she is a completely different person.... She has become rigid, frail, she can't seem to make herself move, she is weak, shuffles, when she does get going, she can't always get herself to stop, and most recently I have noticed tremors... Mind you this is what I have picked up when I get to see her, since she live over 500 miles away. What does the oh so astute Dr. Dawkins tell her... that she needs to do more walking, that if she doesn't use it, she will lose it... (what a diagnosis, sounds like a sneaker or athletic drink commercial... I bet they got that from Robert Dawkins in Benson, North Carolina!!!! What a guy!!!!!) I think she has Parkinson's... now mind you, my Mom is going on 84 years old... So you say, well, she is old, come on...what can they do for her... the treatment is with medicine.... and side effects stink.. yea you are right, and surprisingly Dr. Dawkins didn't jump on this one... see then he could be pushing for admitting her to a nursing home...which I swear he must have a financial interest in...but that is another story, for another day... Remind me to tell you about Britthaven in Smithfield NC. One word... or is it two....HELL HOLE.... Ok, back to Mom... so she gets herself (with our coxing.....) a launch chair..., which she could have insurance reimburse her a substantial amount, maybe not substantial for the likes of Robert Dawkins... after all I am sure he is in a tax bracket my mother couldn't think of...and he probably doesn't have a lien against his house because of his spouse being in the HELL HOLE, I referred to earlier, but a lot of money for my Mom.... So, we ask him for an Rx for the chair, in an attempt to get some reimbursement... what does he give her an Rx for... "fatigue and weakness". This is a doctor, or so that piece of paper on his wall says he is...

So there you have it, and hopefully, if anyone does a search for Robert Dawkins, MD, they will find this.... I can only hope, because, this is the only way I have of letting others know, not to make the same mistake my family did.....

It is Friday

I have to tell you... it is Friday, and the way I feel today, it will be tough to make it to the end of the day...

I pretty much had a headache all night... not a bad one, but a bothersome one none the least... I woke up with it, and it was one of those things where you say... is it worth getting up to take something, and the answer was no, since, I took something before I went to bed.

I am trying to stay away from aspirin products, because from everything I have read, they aren't good for me... I have called the doctor"s" when I have been sick with a headache, only not to get any answer... Oh yes you get a response, but you get ignored when you expect an answer...

This poor guy in Tampa, will get an ear full from me if I see him in the right frame of mind... The problem is... he is a second opnion, so he really doesn't have to tell me anything...the other problem is... if he suggests surgery, and I don't go along with it... he can theoretically throw his hands up and say... I don't have anything else to offer you...

Medicine in the United States can be the best or it can be the absolute worst... When it is reacting to emergencies, start emergencies... they are good, when it comes to care and "treatment" it sucks...

Well anyway, off to a frustrating day at work, and I will try to let it slide... as best I can, but I find myself just getting frustrated and angry... God I wish I could just let all this go, and just exist here...

Anyway... George is taking care of me the best he can... and it would be enough, if I weren't so damn frustrated with this place, and dependent on it...

Example... I had to charge my phone last night... so I said it out loud to try to remind myself so that I would get up and do it.... it takes all I have to get up off the couch after I get home, and finally sit down after eatting dinner, and he is always there to make sure that I don't have to... anyway, back to my story...he got up, plugged in my cell phone, then took it and put it back in my purse when it was charged... How do I know this... when I got here today... I thought I left it at home, and he told me that he did this...

Those are the little things that make you smile... then you snap right back to reality and realize you are sitting in this place and try to get by...

You know... I am just tired...

Another Day... Another 50 cents

Ok, here I am another day, closer to the weekend, vacation, next year, retirement... beyond that I don't want to talk about...

So the latest... since I haven't e-mailed in a while...George is recovering... it has been 10 months since his stroke. He isn't back to work, but does chores for me around the house... This is great although, the stuff that I need to do still is not getting done...

I don't have the energy... not sure what the problem is, other than it is probably a combination of alot of things...

Last year some time, I think it was in October went to the opthamologist, and told her that I was having problems with my eyes...not wanting to stay on one thing, not being able to move slowly or scan... she did a quick test, and said I was having scanning issues... she told me to go to a neurologist, so I mentioned it to my family doctor, he said he didn't see any issues, but he had no problem referring me... on 12-10, I had an appointment with the Neurologist, she said that I should see the Neurosurgeon again... That appointment was set for the end of January... He told me to see another Neurosurgeon, that appointment was set for March 18th...

See, I have a CA, or cavernous Angioma, other wise known as a hemangioma...

I have known about this since 1996, however, it gave me trouble, noticeably in 2005, I think it may have oozed or bled before that, but not with to give me any subjective complaints. In 2005, I woke up very dizzy, double vision, and numbness on the left side of my mouth (gums and tongue)

After George's stroke, I went back to work in August... approximately 1 month later, I started finding that the left side of my mouth was numb again. The dizziness came back not as bad as before, but was worse than it had been previously since I had gotten better...

So the trip on March 18th to Tampa, is to see if this doctor thinks he could do surgery... I can tell you now, that I don't think surgery is a realist option for me right now....

Oh I forgot to mention, I am suppose to have at least 3 of these things... two that seem to be stable, and the other and one they are watching is in my brainstem... Not a good place to have one of these.... Well actually, nowhere in your brain is a good place to have one of these things, but the brainstem is control central for everything, you know the body functions that you can't be trusted to do on your own, like breath...

I have decided that I am going to make this a passion of mine... used to be politics..., now it is this... See, I think this is what killed my Dad.... I think that most Doctors, because these things are not something they like to deal with, will just ignore them, as far as acting proactively... In fact when I tried to ask them about it in 1998, they ignored me, or didn't address it at all...

There is a website, that I look at daily... http://www.angiomaalliance.org/index.html

So if anyone has one of these and feels the same frustration I am, this is an outlet for you...

I am going to hold this doctor to task, the one in Tampa... I am going to ask alot of questions, and then I want too get a feel for how he feels about this stuff....

See what happens is you get blown off by one doctor, and then you are basically get grave looks from other doctors... Your family and co-workers don't want to think about it...so you are pretty much left alone to deal with it...

Well that is fine... I will deal with it however I have to, but it will be dealt with, and I will not let this kind of stuff get me upset or exacerbate my condition... or ignore it because everyone else tends to, or it is not easy to deal with....

So that is my story....

Home from Fort Wilderness

Hi, we are back, and we had fun... only funny thing... We ended up spending $92.00 for the weekend. It wasn't supposed to cost anything... Long story. She reserved 3 sites, they only gave her two, there was just 3 of us, and we only needed 2 sites... so, our site was used for the screen house... so... they credited her for one night, at $42.16 and that happened to be out site... Their bill came to $135.00 approximately... so that means the credit came to us... But the sites coming to around 225.00 or so should be split 3 ways correct.. 3 parties camping, so that would be about $75.00 a couple... but... nothing was mentioned about that.. instead she was going back to see if she could get a credit on her bill as well, reducing it to only $185.00 for the weekend, which would make the fair share between couples even less... And... on top of all that, we laid the money out for the Major League Devil Rays game at Disney in May, and the Red Sox game in Tampa, all of which came to about $150.00... And when she was going to pay us back for them, I told her no because of the trip to Disney... Needless to say at a time when money is tight for.. I will remember this the next time we go are going to lay the money out for any games or anything... Needless to say, we are always patient, and willing to lay the money out... Well, those days are over...

Anyway, it was a nice weekend... cool at night, damp too, which is not the best circumstances.. and I think we need a new air mattress. Al and Linda came out, and Al said he wants to go to a Red Sox Spring training game is we can get tickets.

Here is a picture from the weekend...

It is Sunday...

DAY LIGHT SAVINGS TIME... that means we turn the clocks back, and get an extra hour of sleep, which to me is no big deal, although I love it when it gets dark early, but that doesn't last for ever...

Table clothes are on sale at Kohls... I need to get one...

Will go down stairs and cut my pattern...

I am going to do what ever it takes to clean the bathroom....

Have to make the scrap book for Linda and Al...

Started Laundry...

Maybe we should do a fire in the Chiminea

...and we are going to walk to Publix..

Camping next weekend...

So that is my day... hope to post more when the time comes...

Have a good one to who ever is reading this...

Oh, and take this personality test... it is pretty good!

http: //memoriter.net/flash/test.html

and the picture for today is.....sitting out side at Meta's house, having a beer, and relaxing...that was real nice...

Oh... and I have a question.....

I was wondering... if anyone happens to read this blog.... (maybe)... I was told that the was a spot on some of my wedding pictures... and I don't remember where they came from... it might have been my cousins pictures.. anyway it was pointed out to me that the spot might have been my Dad's aura... anybody who knows about this stuff... Could that be...? Here is one of the pictures that has the "aura". If you are reading this, and care to comment... let me know... I may never hear anything... but in the event... let me know...



See, when Dad was at Duke, they had a fountain in the lobby, and when Melissa and I would be leaving the hospital (Melissa is my niece) we would stop in front of the fountain, and make a wish and throw in a piece of change.... My wish is that Daddy would walk again, and walk me down the isle at First Methodist Church of Oviedo... Well he never walked again... and almost a year after he passed away, George and I got married at that church, and we didn't walk down the isle, specifically, but I carried a picture of Daddy with me, and it was a picture taken of both of us at the alter with the pastor that has this spot... Do you think it is my Dad...?

Boston Red Sox won the 2007 World Series!!!!

Well we did it... Now in a week or so I am going to call the Spring Training camp and see if I can jump and get some gooooooood Spring Training tickets... I would like to find a campground in Lee County, and go down there to their home field... I know we have to take advantage of Fort DeSoto since we missed the weekend in September, and we have a credit...

Today it is in the 60's, I got up at 7:30, walked the dogs and watered the plants... My grapefruit trees are suffering alittle, and don't quite know what to do for them...

Next weekend we go camping out at Fort Wilderness.

Talked to Meta last night and she said that the trip to Germany is on for sure since Jon passed up a trip to Boston that same time next year... so George and I will have to save our wedding money for Germany, and start saving (if that is possible right now) for our cruise to Alaska... I do want to do that... So it will have to happen...

I really want my new car... and I wish I could get George to drive... The first appointment that he has that I can't take him to is November 28th, so it will be either him or Richie...

I think Dr. Freed is going to push him to go back to work next visit... which is 11-14... A day after Daddy's birthday....

Busy month coming up.... Next weekend is camping... the following week we have appointments all day on Wednesday... then the weekend to clean and get ready for Thanksgiving, and then Thanksgiving weekend, Meta and Rich and the kids will be down...with Mom...

I invited Janet and Jimmy to come over as well..... So I will get a Turkey Breast, and a fake Turkey Breast, and acorn squash, rutebaga, corn, green beans, red cabbage, potatoes, sweet potatoes, gravy. Maybe peas... don't want to get too much that will tempt George..., Oh yea and some rolls. I have to start putting out rolls...

For dessert will be pumpkin pie, and apple pie.

You know I realized I never posted a picture of our wedding... Well here goes... Hopefully more tomorrow...

We have one more to go!!!!

One more to go....

Won last night, 1 more to win, and 4 more games to go.. and then... we won it baby.....

Today we go to Kevin and Kim DePaolo, and I will bring the camera...

Yesterday when I checked out my window boxes, I found a snail on my beach sunflowers, or dune daisies... Love those flowers. Bought 5 but 2 died, which has left me with 3. I have done some research and they are supposed to be very prolific, so hopefully I will have some babies come from dead heading the spent flowers. They look nice, and would love to have them in all the boxes. And I can't find them anywhere..

Planted a pineapple top too, so hopefully that will spring into a plant, although being in a pot, I highly doubt it will amount to a pineapple...

Making a barbecue chicken thigh for Al and Linda when we go to Disney.. hope they come out for dinner... Will also do Portabella mushrooms for George and I. I think I will make a mixed salad for dinner as well. Was going to do corn on the cob, but we will see... Can still do the mixed salad...

Well better go... the litter box is not making me comfortable. Need to clean the fish tank and do some ironing....

You know what else? I went on Ebay to sell some books, and they ended my sale... what is with that... I have to look into this...!

In the mean time... here is a picture of my snail....

Checking in...

Well, since I was last here, the Red Sox won the ALCS, and so far the are winning the World

Championship series 2 games to nothing. They play the 3rd game tonight in Colorado...

Keep your fingers crossed.

Last weekend we were in North Carolina, visiting Al and Linda in Brevard... The picture was taken at the Pisgah Inn, where we had lunch... it was very good.

We had a wonderful time, and we invited Al and Linda to have dinner with us out at Disney on the 11th. I picked up a scrap book kit to make up a scrap book for Linda from the pictues we took while with them... There is nothing like the mountains in NC in October. We also saw 2 deer right behind the house before we left. All in all it was short but a perfect weekend.

Tomorrow we are going to Kevin and Kim DePaolo's for dinner. She is having a little get together for Audrey and Al, kind of a surprise. That should be fun, and I will bring picture back to share on my blog.

Haven't bought a new car yet... which isn't bad since we really don't need a new one yet. When we do, I will be ready...

Heard from Ingrid, and Pete was not affected by the fires in CA., except for smoke. Which you would expect, since the Santa Ana winds are so strong...

Went with George to Adaptive Mobility this week...Was not impressed... I have to tell you, so far physical therapists do not impress me.... As a matter of fact, most that I have met are lacking, and there is alot that they sould need to do to make me take that back.... The ones that I have met at bossy, pompous, condescending, negative, over bearing... if I think of more descriptives... I will add them...

You know a funny thing happened to me today... I put some books on E-bay, to try to sell them, and they closed me down...? What was that all about.... they think that I am trying to scam me..or something like that... I can't win for losing...

Going to Whole Foods today, Publix, Michaels, JoAnnes, and maybe Target.

Also went to Smokey Bones this week with Linda... It was very good. Also got to see her new kitchen... It was nice, and she is verrrry happy. Granite counter tops are nice, but in a way, I don't know that I would like them in my kitchen... oh well, what ever...

Oh and I am the proud owner of an AFLAC policy... We are both going to get a policy, as soon as George is back to work....Not sure when that will be... Well let's put it this way... until we supplement my income.... Personally, I don't think George needs to be rushing back to work before January 1st.

Well better go, get in the shower, and get ready to go...