- Save more, spend less. Maybe I will get a part-time job.
- Read more books.
- Cut out the bad carbs.
- Complain about the boss less - I will blog about it instead of complain out loud - gotta vent somewhere.
- Volunteer more.
- Stay out of fabric stores - buying fabric is like an addiction. Instead, I will try to use up what I have - and I have plenty.
- Go green in everything I do.
- No regrets.
New Years' Eve is where we think of resolutions. But somehow, for me, it turns to thinking about regrets. Regrets for things I have done, things I left undone, time I've wasted, things I have said and things I should have said. I try not to dwell on things I didn't do, guilt is wasted energy - but I always hope I learn from the experience and do better next time. So with that said, here we go with my 2008 resolutions:
So the boss tells the story of why he dyed his hair and mustache. He says that his sister-in-law has this cat that doesn't like his gray hair. So in order to spend the holiday with the family, he had to dye his hair so that cat wouldn't attack him. Apparently the sister-in-law's neighbor has a gray haired dog that tantalizes the cat creating his hatred for gray hair. Too bad cats are basically colorblind. Hmmm.
So my boss says he wants to take me out to lunch. Actually he took two of my co-workers out to thank them for the great job they did on a project. Funny thing was one of them did do a great job, the other did only what he had to after being prodded, reminded, retrained, then it was still half-assed and a day late. So let's take him to lunch for a job well done! It turns out that the good employee couldn't make it the day he had it scheduled so he planned another lunch for the next day. So he is going out on the company twice in one week.
Besides the boss, there are four employees. So the boss was taking two out, ignoring the other employee totally and planning something for me next week. But at the last minute, he asked the other employee along on the second lunch and she went. So that left everyone but me. He also took an engineer from another department out as well. But that was on a different day.
The boss says that he wants to schedule lunch with me and one of the engineers for next week. He mentions where he wants to go and I say no, but thanks anyway. I told him I don't like that place because they allow smoking at lunch and so I would rather not go but I appreciate the offer. So I thought I was getting out of it until he scheduled it for someplace else.
What I didn't know was that the engineer in question was also trying his best to get out of it. So once I found that out, I offered him a deal that I won't cancel if he won't so we can get through this thing together and he agrees. So sadly, I have to go and it's gonna suck.
Besides the boss, there are four employees. So the boss was taking two out, ignoring the other employee totally and planning something for me next week. But at the last minute, he asked the other employee along on the second lunch and she went. So that left everyone but me. He also took an engineer from another department out as well. But that was on a different day.
The boss says that he wants to schedule lunch with me and one of the engineers for next week. He mentions where he wants to go and I say no, but thanks anyway. I told him I don't like that place because they allow smoking at lunch and so I would rather not go but I appreciate the offer. So I thought I was getting out of it until he scheduled it for someplace else.
What I didn't know was that the engineer in question was also trying his best to get out of it. So once I found that out, I offered him a deal that I won't cancel if he won't so we can get through this thing together and he agrees. So sadly, I have to go and it's gonna suck.
A new director started today. For the first time since I've worked at this company, there's a woman at the senior management level. I think it's great and hope things work out well for her. And for me. This woman will be my boss' boss. Already he is sucking up. And unfortunately, I sit right outside of her door so I have to hear his bs.
My boss is a total poser. He has been at my company for 7 months and he still cannot remember the simple processes that we have in place. He constantly asks for information that he already has. Then he wants to change the processes because he thinks they are inadequate. The problem is he is the inadequate one because he doesn't follow or know the process, so how can he change something that he obviously doesn't even understand?
To top it off he can't remember any of our projects either so he mixes them all up. Today he was explaining a project to the new director but he described parts of two different projects. He had it so messed up it was actually entertaining to listen to him make it up as he spoke. Making things up is his specialty. A few weeks back there was a thank you luncheon for everyone on a successful project. I was missed from the invitation list so I asked him about it - he said I wasn't invited because it was managers only. So I asked then why all the rest of the entire project team was on the invitation list. He agreed that I was missed - so he said he would get me included. But of course, he never did. Not that I really cared about the lunch, it was the principle of the thing. I knew he wouldn't follow up. Follow-through is another thing he doesn't do.
So back to the new boss...my boss was in her office only four times today. That's because she was in meetings some of the time so during the 8 times he looked for her, he could only stalk her four times. I wonder how long it will take her to figure out that he doesn't do anything but hang around. He calls it hovering - the rest of us call it lurking.
To make matters worse, this is not a good-looking man. He is short, overweight, and balding. Today he showed up with the little hair that he has colored! He went from a whiteish-gray to a dark color. Plus he dyed the mustache. It is not an improvement.
Next week for fun, I will have to post a stalking chart and record all his suck-up attempts with his new boss. He does make for some entertainment. It helps relieve the frustration of his ineptness.
New boss, new hope for termination.
Stay tuned...
My boss is a total poser. He has been at my company for 7 months and he still cannot remember the simple processes that we have in place. He constantly asks for information that he already has. Then he wants to change the processes because he thinks they are inadequate. The problem is he is the inadequate one because he doesn't follow or know the process, so how can he change something that he obviously doesn't even understand?
To top it off he can't remember any of our projects either so he mixes them all up. Today he was explaining a project to the new director but he described parts of two different projects. He had it so messed up it was actually entertaining to listen to him make it up as he spoke. Making things up is his specialty. A few weeks back there was a thank you luncheon for everyone on a successful project. I was missed from the invitation list so I asked him about it - he said I wasn't invited because it was managers only. So I asked then why all the rest of the entire project team was on the invitation list. He agreed that I was missed - so he said he would get me included. But of course, he never did. Not that I really cared about the lunch, it was the principle of the thing. I knew he wouldn't follow up. Follow-through is another thing he doesn't do.
So back to the new boss...my boss was in her office only four times today. That's because she was in meetings some of the time so during the 8 times he looked for her, he could only stalk her four times. I wonder how long it will take her to figure out that he doesn't do anything but hang around. He calls it hovering - the rest of us call it lurking.
To make matters worse, this is not a good-looking man. He is short, overweight, and balding. Today he showed up with the little hair that he has colored! He went from a whiteish-gray to a dark color. Plus he dyed the mustache. It is not an improvement.
Next week for fun, I will have to post a stalking chart and record all his suck-up attempts with his new boss. He does make for some entertainment. It helps relieve the frustration of his ineptness.
New boss, new hope for termination.
Stay tuned...
I got a raise today. My boss was proud to announce that on a rating scale of 1 to5 (5 being excellent), I have scored a 5 in all categories. Perfect score! So he says he fought to get me a big 4% increase for 2008. I know I should be grateful for all of this but it's hard to get excited about a guy whose standards are so low, the 5's become meaningless. In my department there are two employees who are underachievers. One should be fired. He spends the workday online on myspace trying to get dates and watching YouTube. The boss sticks up for him all the time. So my perfect score is a way for the boss to rate the bad employees 3's, not at good as some of us but not so bad as to have to take action. As for the raise, I know that the average increase for all employees where I work is 3% so 4 is really good. But he promised me 5% back in September when I found out that the myspace slacker made more money that I did! So it was a shut-me-up kind of a deal. I can't believe that I am so frustrated over a good review and a raise. I guess I would rather be held to a higher standard.
I haven't been online regularly for quite a while. I can't believe I've stayed away so much so long. I have always found this a great place to vent, report, or just think. But my work life has been so sucky all I seem to do is write documentation. The documentation is about my horrible, incompetent, self-serving boss. I have never met someone who had this many flaws in my entire life and I am to the point where I just have to get out. So I am working on that. In the mean time, I am going to start blogging bad boss stories, so bad no one could make this crap up. But for now, it's Christmas Eve and I wish everyone peace and good will.
But just wait until next week.
But just wait until next week.
Today is round two of life in the cardiac unit. This time it's cardioversion for Jeff. Cardioversion is a fancy way to say the doctor will zap his heart so that it stops and restarts in (hopefully) normal rhythm. The entire procedure takes 10 minutes. But there are considerations going in this morning. First thing being he has to be in atrial fibrillation, which he has been for months so he's pretty sure that won't be an issue. And secondly, he has to have a coumadin level between 2 and 3. Since this requirement has to be attained for a month before the procedure, with level checks weekly, the last 3 weeks were in range so this one should be no different.
The coumadin level was actually the tough part. The drug is given to atrial fibrillation patients to thin their blood so that the irregular heart beats caused by this condition won't create a clot that could potentially be life threatening. But the thinning of the blood has so many complications that I wonder if it would be better to just chance it. I mean, if he were to fall down or bump his head he has to go right to the emergency room. That's some serious side effects.
Even during the two hours of prep for this procedure, it took three different nurses to attempt to find a vein for an IV. The thin blood is making Jeff's veins spasm and blow out the IV lines. Finally when the third nurse succeeded he got some color back in his face. The IV will be necessary because he will need to be anesthetized - or as the doc says - it would hurt. It's very difficult to watch him suffer through this. For the most part he stays pretty quiet and calm, and does not complain or worry - at least not out loud.
The cardiac nurse comes to get Jeff, he gets into the wheelchair and heads out. I wished him the best and waited. I assumed it would be a while before he came back, so I settled in with my laptop. Surprisingly, 25 minutes later, he was back. And he came back in the same wheelchair. I had images of IVs running and a groggy man flat on his back. But apparently anesthesia has come along way-or I just don't know that much about it, he was out only for the 10 minutes during the procedure. I was thrilled to see him sitting up and so alert.
He showed me the mark on his chest, like a sunburn where the paddle was attached. It was a 4-inch by 4-inch square outline. Jeff said it felt like someone had punched him in the chest - he felt a little tender there and that's all. The nurse came in and let him order some food since he hadn't eaten since supper and it was now close to 11 am. The doctor came by to check on him and explained that everything went great and he was back to a normal heart rhythm. His late breakfast came, he ate, then the staff told him he could go home. Just like that. No long post-op after care, no waiting for any other tests. The nurse took out the IV, put on a band-aid, gave us some paperwork with medication changes and he got dressed and we were done.
Jeff was feeling so good, we stopped at National Bakery across the street from the hospital, then we went to Tower Chicken since it was also on our way home. We spent the rest of the afternoon at home relaxing. I can't believe how relatively easy this day turned out. Jen stopped by to see her dad and Bailee left work early. We drove over to Serb Hall and picked up fish frys for dinner and brought them home so Jeff didn't have to go out.
The doctor says this can last up to three years. I was hoping this was a permanent fix but I should just take one day at a time. And this day was a good one.
The coumadin level was actually the tough part. The drug is given to atrial fibrillation patients to thin their blood so that the irregular heart beats caused by this condition won't create a clot that could potentially be life threatening. But the thinning of the blood has so many complications that I wonder if it would be better to just chance it. I mean, if he were to fall down or bump his head he has to go right to the emergency room. That's some serious side effects.
Even during the two hours of prep for this procedure, it took three different nurses to attempt to find a vein for an IV. The thin blood is making Jeff's veins spasm and blow out the IV lines. Finally when the third nurse succeeded he got some color back in his face. The IV will be necessary because he will need to be anesthetized - or as the doc says - it would hurt. It's very difficult to watch him suffer through this. For the most part he stays pretty quiet and calm, and does not complain or worry - at least not out loud.
The cardiac nurse comes to get Jeff, he gets into the wheelchair and heads out. I wished him the best and waited. I assumed it would be a while before he came back, so I settled in with my laptop. Surprisingly, 25 minutes later, he was back. And he came back in the same wheelchair. I had images of IVs running and a groggy man flat on his back. But apparently anesthesia has come along way-or I just don't know that much about it, he was out only for the 10 minutes during the procedure. I was thrilled to see him sitting up and so alert.
He showed me the mark on his chest, like a sunburn where the paddle was attached. It was a 4-inch by 4-inch square outline. Jeff said it felt like someone had punched him in the chest - he felt a little tender there and that's all. The nurse came in and let him order some food since he hadn't eaten since supper and it was now close to 11 am. The doctor came by to check on him and explained that everything went great and he was back to a normal heart rhythm. His late breakfast came, he ate, then the staff told him he could go home. Just like that. No long post-op after care, no waiting for any other tests. The nurse took out the IV, put on a band-aid, gave us some paperwork with medication changes and he got dressed and we were done.
Jeff was feeling so good, we stopped at National Bakery across the street from the hospital, then we went to Tower Chicken since it was also on our way home. We spent the rest of the afternoon at home relaxing. I can't believe how relatively easy this day turned out. Jen stopped by to see her dad and Bailee left work early. We drove over to Serb Hall and picked up fish frys for dinner and brought them home so Jeff didn't have to go out.
The doctor says this can last up to three years. I was hoping this was a permanent fix but I should just take one day at a time. And this day was a good one.
We had a department meeting yesterday. In the middle of the meeting someone from Human Resources interrupts to tell the boss that he has an emergency. He immediately stops the meeting because he has to leave. The weird thing is that he constantly halts or interrupts meetings to answer his cell phone. So why didn't this call come to his cell phone like all the others instead of going through HR? It doesn't make sense.
To preface this, he stated first thing Monday morning that both he and his wife blew out their knees on Thursday and since it was the Thanksgiving holiday, they did not seek medical help. But their holiday weekend was ruined because of it. So we assumed this emergency was something with the wife.
This morning the boss shows up with a cane. He limps occasionally, sometimes he picks up the cane and walks normally. He explains that his emergency yesterday was with his wife. She was in so much pain that she needed immediate medical assistance for the knee she blew out 5 days earlier. He goes on to explain that while he was in the ER, the doc noticed his limp and diagnosed him as having something he called weak knee and thus the cane today.
In all my years working in health care, this is the first time I've ever heard of a doctor examining and diagnosing someone who was not a patient at the time. Amazing luck. He also says he has a follow-up appointment tomorrow. Funny coincidence is that the doctor appointment was on his calendar Monday morning before the emergency call from HR.
Hmmm. I bet the limp is gone within a day or two.
To preface this, he stated first thing Monday morning that both he and his wife blew out their knees on Thursday and since it was the Thanksgiving holiday, they did not seek medical help. But their holiday weekend was ruined because of it. So we assumed this emergency was something with the wife.
This morning the boss shows up with a cane. He limps occasionally, sometimes he picks up the cane and walks normally. He explains that his emergency yesterday was with his wife. She was in so much pain that she needed immediate medical assistance for the knee she blew out 5 days earlier. He goes on to explain that while he was in the ER, the doc noticed his limp and diagnosed him as having something he called weak knee and thus the cane today.
In all my years working in health care, this is the first time I've ever heard of a doctor examining and diagnosing someone who was not a patient at the time. Amazing luck. He also says he has a follow-up appointment tomorrow. Funny coincidence is that the doctor appointment was on his calendar Monday morning before the emergency call from HR.
Hmmm. I bet the limp is gone within a day or two.
I am happy to report that I am still running outside. I don't think it's going to last much longer though. I can't believe that the fishermen are still on the lake every morning too. Die hards like me. My face is getting chapped, I worry about ice on my path but the run is still bearable. The temperatures this week were in the low 30's and I am pretty sure that that is my lowest limit because it is tough to start and my fingers and toes are pretty cold when I'm done. Under Armor does help. I am grateful for everyday.
As I drove to work today, in the dark as usual, I saw something white, like a flash, out of the corner of my eye. I instantly took my foot off the gas while getting my bearings on whatever it was that was moving to my left. It's funny how sometimes you just know, like a sixth sense, that you should be wary. It turned out that the little white flash was a cat streaking across the six-lane road I was travelling. I saw it before it got to the road and it was moving so fast that it had crossed the three lanes on the other side and the median before it got to me. As I applied the brakes hard, it was looking right into my right headlight. I could see its eyes clearly. Of course, it kept going at its constant gallop until it disappeared into the bushes on the other side of the road.
I was mad at the cat - if I would have hit it, the experience would have left me traumatized for a very long time. How dare that cat almost ruin my day. And of all days, here we are on Halloween, I have to have a cat run right in front of me! All this happened in the course of a few seconds and I continued on. As I drove on with my heart pounding, I started to think about black cats bringing bad luck when they cross your path. Since the cat that ran in front of me was totally white could that mean it brings good luck?
At that moment I pulled into a gas station and purchased a Power Ball, Mega Bucks, and Super Cash lottery ticket. Couldn't hurt to try.
I was mad at the cat - if I would have hit it, the experience would have left me traumatized for a very long time. How dare that cat almost ruin my day. And of all days, here we are on Halloween, I have to have a cat run right in front of me! All this happened in the course of a few seconds and I continued on. As I drove on with my heart pounding, I started to think about black cats bringing bad luck when they cross your path. Since the cat that ran in front of me was totally white could that mean it brings good luck?
At that moment I pulled into a gas station and purchased a Power Ball, Mega Bucks, and Super Cash lottery ticket. Couldn't hurt to try.
If a cat could have a favorite day of the year, Trick or treat day would be Toby's. I set my old rickety baby gate up in front of the storm door. That way when kids come, I can open the door to hand out candy, and the gate will prevent Toby from trying to sneak out the opening. Since he quickly figures out that he can't walk right out, he'll put his front paws on the top of the gate as if to stand tall to look over it. The kids immediately respond and want to pet him which he adores. It doesn't take him long to figure out how this trick or treat thing works. Kids come, get candy, pet cat, and off they go. Within the first ten minutes, Toby is meowing at the sight of kids walking up to the house; they don't have to ring the doorbell, he's already let me know someone has come.
After the first hour, Toby is struggling with a tough decision. To nap or not to nap.... As to all cats, nap time is extremely important but the thought of missing out on the curiosity of these kids coming to the door it too much to allow a nap. He decides not to nap but he can bearly keep his eyes open. He's a trooper though, he stayed at the door for almost the entire two hours. He finally pooped out 10 minutes before the end of the two-hour limit. He almost made it all the way through.
I bet he sleeps good tonight.
After the first hour, Toby is struggling with a tough decision. To nap or not to nap.... As to all cats, nap time is extremely important but the thought of missing out on the curiosity of these kids coming to the door it too much to allow a nap. He decides not to nap but he can bearly keep his eyes open. He's a trooper though, he stayed at the door for almost the entire two hours. He finally pooped out 10 minutes before the end of the two-hour limit. He almost made it all the way through.
I bet he sleeps good tonight.
Jeff had angioplasty yesterday. It's been a tortuous time since last Wednesday. It all started when Jeff went to see his cardiologist. He told the doctor that he wasn't feeling the greatest. After the doctor's inquisition, he decided to schedule Jeff for a cardiac cath, angioplasty, and a probable stent to clear the blockage he's been living with for the last year. The news was somewhat surprising and yet a relief since the old blockage will finally be fixed.
After the cardiology visit, Jeff headed to the arrhythmia specialist for his yearly exam. The nurse was alarmed after a quick check of his heart. It turns out that Jeff also has atrial fibrillation. His heart is erratic which probably better explains his symptoms than the blockage. With a consultation between the two doctors, it was determined that Jeff will go to the hospital this Friday, he can't wait until next week.
We check in Friday morning and go through the usual pre-procedure check-up. It turns out that Jeff hasn't been off some of his medication long enough to do the procedure without real complication so it's rescheduled for Monday. Here he spent his time emotionally prepping for today and he has to wait. The disappointment is weighing heavily on both of us, moreso on him for sure. We tried to spend the day occupying our time with fun things but the weight of the situation wasn't making it easy.
Monday came and we were packed and ready to go. Hopefully there are no complications this time. We checked in to St. Luke's first thing in the morning and Jeff went through all the pre-procedure examinations including a heart ultrasound. By the time he actually headed out for the cath, it was after noon. Time went on extremely slowly which was OK since it was a sign that the doctors could actually perform the angioplasty. Last year when Jeff was catheterized the team couldn't get to the blockage so he was back from the procedure pretty quickly. The nurse came back to the cath lab to tell me that angioplasty was completed and a stent was placed in one of Jeff's arteries. This meant he wouldn't be returning to the lab, but instead he was admitted to a room somewhere else in the hospital. The nurse took me to his room around 4 pm.
Jeff was happy that it was all over and relieved that the blockage was corrected. All the monitors hooked up to him still proved out the atrial fibrillation, like a little black cloud hanging around. The nurses kicked me out at 6 so they could pull out the catheter lines that were still in his groin. This part of the cath requires constant pressure on the incision for half an hour until they are sure it stops bleeding. During this process his heart rate dropped to 36 beats per minute. Immediately, a team rushed in and atropine was administered. His heart rate raced up to 12o then settled to a regular rhythm. Unfortunately, the process of putting pressure on the wound cut off his blood circulation a little too much.
Jeff was exhausted after the whole incident. Jen and Matt were there as well so we hung out and chatted while Jeff slept. They left around 8 and I went home a little after 9. It was a tough day but it was over and things could only get better now.
I got to the hospital first thing this morning. He was excited at the news that he could go home. The cardiologist's new PA came in and decided he needed an ultrasound; she didn't like something she heard when listening at the wound site. Jeff was pretty antsy after that. We sat around for the next 4 hours still waiting for the ultrasound. His anticipation was turning into anger so he got to the point where he just told them forget it, he wants to go home, there will be no ultrasound. I'm certain I was no help; I told him that I had a dentist appointment at 3 so if we didn't go soon, he would have to wait until after 4 when I was done with the dentist.
So we left with a new batch of prescriptions and instructions in tow. I headed to the dentist then the pharmacy. There are so many medications, I can't keep up. I just hope he can. Hopefully this will be the beginning of recovery, although the atrial fibrillation is still an issue. In a few weeks we will be back to the arrhythmia specialist and hopefully things will be better.
After the cardiology visit, Jeff headed to the arrhythmia specialist for his yearly exam. The nurse was alarmed after a quick check of his heart. It turns out that Jeff also has atrial fibrillation. His heart is erratic which probably better explains his symptoms than the blockage. With a consultation between the two doctors, it was determined that Jeff will go to the hospital this Friday, he can't wait until next week.
We check in Friday morning and go through the usual pre-procedure check-up. It turns out that Jeff hasn't been off some of his medication long enough to do the procedure without real complication so it's rescheduled for Monday. Here he spent his time emotionally prepping for today and he has to wait. The disappointment is weighing heavily on both of us, moreso on him for sure. We tried to spend the day occupying our time with fun things but the weight of the situation wasn't making it easy.
Monday came and we were packed and ready to go. Hopefully there are no complications this time. We checked in to St. Luke's first thing in the morning and Jeff went through all the pre-procedure examinations including a heart ultrasound. By the time he actually headed out for the cath, it was after noon. Time went on extremely slowly which was OK since it was a sign that the doctors could actually perform the angioplasty. Last year when Jeff was catheterized the team couldn't get to the blockage so he was back from the procedure pretty quickly. The nurse came back to the cath lab to tell me that angioplasty was completed and a stent was placed in one of Jeff's arteries. This meant he wouldn't be returning to the lab, but instead he was admitted to a room somewhere else in the hospital. The nurse took me to his room around 4 pm.
Jeff was happy that it was all over and relieved that the blockage was corrected. All the monitors hooked up to him still proved out the atrial fibrillation, like a little black cloud hanging around. The nurses kicked me out at 6 so they could pull out the catheter lines that were still in his groin. This part of the cath requires constant pressure on the incision for half an hour until they are sure it stops bleeding. During this process his heart rate dropped to 36 beats per minute. Immediately, a team rushed in and atropine was administered. His heart rate raced up to 12o then settled to a regular rhythm. Unfortunately, the process of putting pressure on the wound cut off his blood circulation a little too much.
Jeff was exhausted after the whole incident. Jen and Matt were there as well so we hung out and chatted while Jeff slept. They left around 8 and I went home a little after 9. It was a tough day but it was over and things could only get better now.
I got to the hospital first thing this morning. He was excited at the news that he could go home. The cardiologist's new PA came in and decided he needed an ultrasound; she didn't like something she heard when listening at the wound site. Jeff was pretty antsy after that. We sat around for the next 4 hours still waiting for the ultrasound. His anticipation was turning into anger so he got to the point where he just told them forget it, he wants to go home, there will be no ultrasound. I'm certain I was no help; I told him that I had a dentist appointment at 3 so if we didn't go soon, he would have to wait until after 4 when I was done with the dentist.
So we left with a new batch of prescriptions and instructions in tow. I headed to the dentist then the pharmacy. There are so many medications, I can't keep up. I just hope he can. Hopefully this will be the beginning of recovery, although the atrial fibrillation is still an issue. In a few weeks we will be back to the arrhythmia specialist and hopefully things will be better.
Yesterday Jeff went to the cardiologist and the arrhythmia specialist. I decided not to go this time. Sometimes I think I interfere with the visits. The docs will ask pointed questions and I will chime in when he doesn't answer as honestly as I think he should. He wanted me to attend but I made an appointment to donate blood around the same time and I didn't have the energy to totally re-arrange my day to acommodate him. Besides, it was just his quarterly follow-up so it should be uneventful, maybe a prescription dosage change or two. With the many medications he takes, I don't really keep up with it all anyway so there was no need for me to go with him.
Then he calls just as I am heading down to my donor appointment. His cardiologist decided that it was time for him to have angioplasty. A year ago when this 70% blockage was found, the doctors determined that it was in a place where the vein was too delicate to chance blowing it out with a stent placement. Besides that, his veins were twisted and turned to where getting to it was troublesome. The plan was to treat him with medication. The strange coincidence is that this blockage is where his original heart attack occurred so that part of the heart is damaged and doesn't work well so the blockage isn't creating great stress on the heart. Apparently two wrongs can make a right. So we have a trip to the cath lab in store for us sometime next week.
It seems that my absence from the visit was a good thing. Jeff told him how tired he's been and that he hasn't been feeling well. He even told the doc he's been having shortness of breath, which he never told me. He's never been so forthright with the doctors in the past when I go along. I wonder if he was trying to protect me from his problems. It wouldn't surprise me if that's what he was doing since he is constantly apologizing to me for being so much trouble. From now on I think I will stay out of the doctor's office.
I went to donate the pint of blood and hung out with some of my co-workers afterward. When I got back to my desk, Jeff's message was frantic. I called him back immediately; the arrhythmia visit didn't go so well, Jeff has atrial fibrillation which means he could easily end up with blood clots so the doctor wants him on coumadin as soon as possible. The angioplasty is moved up to the day after tomorrow because he can't start on the drug until after the procedure. With little time to digest all the information from earlier this morning, this news is a little much to bear.
From now on I will go to the doctor's visits anyway.
Then he calls just as I am heading down to my donor appointment. His cardiologist decided that it was time for him to have angioplasty. A year ago when this 70% blockage was found, the doctors determined that it was in a place where the vein was too delicate to chance blowing it out with a stent placement. Besides that, his veins were twisted and turned to where getting to it was troublesome. The plan was to treat him with medication. The strange coincidence is that this blockage is where his original heart attack occurred so that part of the heart is damaged and doesn't work well so the blockage isn't creating great stress on the heart. Apparently two wrongs can make a right. So we have a trip to the cath lab in store for us sometime next week.
It seems that my absence from the visit was a good thing. Jeff told him how tired he's been and that he hasn't been feeling well. He even told the doc he's been having shortness of breath, which he never told me. He's never been so forthright with the doctors in the past when I go along. I wonder if he was trying to protect me from his problems. It wouldn't surprise me if that's what he was doing since he is constantly apologizing to me for being so much trouble. From now on I think I will stay out of the doctor's office.
I went to donate the pint of blood and hung out with some of my co-workers afterward. When I got back to my desk, Jeff's message was frantic. I called him back immediately; the arrhythmia visit didn't go so well, Jeff has atrial fibrillation which means he could easily end up with blood clots so the doctor wants him on coumadin as soon as possible. The angioplasty is moved up to the day after tomorrow because he can't start on the drug until after the procedure. With little time to digest all the information from earlier this morning, this news is a little much to bear.
From now on I will go to the doctor's visits anyway.
The to-do list got one shorter today. BJ and I did the Pewaukee Triathlon. I've been training for a long time and through the experience I learned alot about how I really should have trained. I took the swimming for granted. I did go to the pool and swim laps, lots of laps thinking that I was ready since I could swim in the pool twice as far as the race required. I did not anticipate how different it would be in a lake. The waves and the other swimmers were two major factors. All I worked on was the endurance. For a moment, I thought I was going to drown before I would get to the end. The resistance of the waves made a quarter-mile lake swim tougher than a three-quarter mile pool swim. Lesson learned.
Changing out of my swimsuit was a little challenging since there were no changing rooms. So I just stood in the middle of the parking lot wrapped in a towel and removed my suit. I needed to be comfortable to finish this race and I was not going to do it in a wet swimsuit.
The biking was easy for the most part, I've never had a problem with it except that I don't like doing it. I headed out on my bike while eating a granola bar, easing my way down the road. As soon as I turned the corner out of the chute, I hit a big hill. Right off the bat, I started to feel tired. I actually thought 'forget this-just turn around and quit'. But once the granola bar was gone and I could concentrate on my riding and it was going well. The countryside was pretty and the area was hilly but nothing really major, just at the beginning. That is, until mile 13 when my chain decided to jump off the sprocket making it extremely difficult to climb the next hill. And the next hill was a doozy. I heard some people discussing it before the triathlon started, the comments were to pace yourself to be ready for the big hill at mile 14. So amazingly, I climbed it stuck in a low gear thinking how glad I was that I never had to leave my clips through the whole ride.
Running is my thing. I am not fast, I like a nice and easy pace. So I completed the run without mental or physical anguish. I did feel a tightness in my calves from biking, but I stretched my calves while running on the hills.
I'm not certain of my time, but I hope I was close to the 2 hour 15 minute mark. My goal was originally under 2 hours, but the swim really did me in. This was definitely a fantastic experience but I'm not so sure I would do it again. So for now, I'll just stratch the triathlon of my life time achievement list.
Changing out of my swimsuit was a little challenging since there were no changing rooms. So I just stood in the middle of the parking lot wrapped in a towel and removed my suit. I needed to be comfortable to finish this race and I was not going to do it in a wet swimsuit.
The biking was easy for the most part, I've never had a problem with it except that I don't like doing it. I headed out on my bike while eating a granola bar, easing my way down the road. As soon as I turned the corner out of the chute, I hit a big hill. Right off the bat, I started to feel tired. I actually thought 'forget this-just turn around and quit'. But once the granola bar was gone and I could concentrate on my riding and it was going well. The countryside was pretty and the area was hilly but nothing really major, just at the beginning. That is, until mile 13 when my chain decided to jump off the sprocket making it extremely difficult to climb the next hill. And the next hill was a doozy. I heard some people discussing it before the triathlon started, the comments were to pace yourself to be ready for the big hill at mile 14. So amazingly, I climbed it stuck in a low gear thinking how glad I was that I never had to leave my clips through the whole ride.
Running is my thing. I am not fast, I like a nice and easy pace. So I completed the run without mental or physical anguish. I did feel a tightness in my calves from biking, but I stretched my calves while running on the hills.
I'm not certain of my time, but I hope I was close to the 2 hour 15 minute mark. My goal was originally under 2 hours, but the swim really did me in. This was definitely a fantastic experience but I'm not so sure I would do it again. So for now, I'll just stratch the triathlon of my life time achievement list.
Having off yesterday for the 4th of July holiday and for the rest of the week, my usual run is interrupted. I really like running the lakefront downtown, but when I'm off work I'm not driving downtown just for that. So my path goes around my neighborhood and through an industrial park just on the other side of the main street that separates my subdivision from the factories. The benefits of the industrial park include a flat, well-paved road, little traffic, and the knowledge of exactly the number of miles from one end to the other.
I headed out this morning in my usual way, iPod in check, sweatband to hold back the short ends of my hair, and that's about it. I got through the neighborhood uninterrupted since it was 7AM. The only traffic I had to deal with were the employees heading into the parking lots of the factories, but since it was a little after 7, that was rare. There were a few semi-trucks heading out which seemed to suck the air out of my path as they passed by. The sun was getting hot and I was glad I got out of the house to get this done early.
I had run a half mile through the neighborhood and had a mile and a half done through the industrial park when I came across this tiny little pile of fur. I've run past road-kill before and even though it is difficult to look at, I usually view the dead creature and say a little prayer for the animal (yes, I believe that even the vermin road-kill do not deserve to die at the hands of man in this way). This time was so different. I looked down at the little pile of fur and it moved! By this point, I was one step passed the fur-ball so I had to stop in my tracks and look back. These sad little green eyes were staring up at me. I bent down to get a good look and this tiny little kitten was covered in grass clippings, leaning against the curb for support. It could barely walk from what I could tell.
I stood there in disbelief. What do I do? I had nothing with me to handle a little creature. I instantly thought to myself just leave it there and go get help. I memorized the spot in the road where I left the little critter and headed home. I never ran a mile so fast and never has a mile been so long in my entire running career. I whimpered all the way home, mind racing, I had it all planned out by the time I got to my front door. I ran into the house, grabbed Toby's kitty carrier, an old beach towel from the laundry room, and the car keys. In tears, I only stopped long enough to tell Jeff I had to go back and get an abandoned kitten.
I drove back to the spot where I found the kitty praying that it was still there and that no one had run over it. I grabbed the beach towel and walked towards the kitten. As soon as I bent down it tried to run. Weakly it only took three steps before it stopped. I threw the towel over it and pick it up wrapping it in the towel. The little thing squealed and showed me it's claws. It was a fighter. I gently put the towel and kitten the the cat carrier and headed home. By this time I was bawling uncontrollably. I tried to compose myself before I got into the house. I thought Jeff and his sister would think I was crazy.
The moment I left Jeff thought we were keeping another cat. What he didn't know until he saw it was that this little guy was too small to keep; it needed the kind of care I knew I couldn't give it. (Not that I didn't think about keeping it.) I know a few people who work for the Humane Society so I didn't have any qualms about calling them for help. I knew this little creature would be in good hands there. The woman who answered the phone explained that all animals in this situation must go through animal control. She could sense the stress in my voice and she explained that after they take it in, they will give it the care it needs then send it to the shelter for adoption. I felt relieved and called animal control. They explained the same thing to me and gave me three options for turning the little guy in. They could send a truck (I could picture the little thing riding in a truck all day), I could take it to my local police department (same thing, I envisioned it sitting there all day till someone got to it), or I could drive it over to 38th & Burnham and drop it off. I chose the latter of the three.
I put the kitten in the car but not before taking his picture. When I got to animal control I felt instant relief. The place looked new, clean, and inviting. The pleasant woman behind the counter said that she would come around and take a look. She reached into the cat carrier and took out the little kitten by the scruff of the neck. She inspected it, lifted its tail and announced that it was a little girl. I instantly had this crazy thought that I wanted to name her Abby (like some sort of shortened version of abandoned). Like I said, crazy. The woman placed the kitten in one of her cages and proceeded to ask me questions to complete her paperwork. My name, address for verification that I'm a Milwaukee County resident, and the location where I found the kitten. As I told my story of how I found her I started with the sobbing again. Uncontrollably, I just balled as I tried to say 'How could someone do something this terrible?' The police officer who sat next to the desk clerk behind the counter was struggling to keep her composure; apparently I was having an emotional effect on her as well.
The clerk explained that their veterinarian would look the little girl over to make sure she's OK, then they would keep her there for a week in case someone would claim her as lost (fat chance), then she would be sent to a shelter for adoption. She thanked me and I left. I finally regained my composure as I pulled into my driveway. Jeff reassured me that I was a hero. He knew I was traumatized and he tried to make me feel better. He told me that God put that kitten there just when I was going by because he knew I would be the one to do the right thing. So it was all good. So why don't I feel good about it? I just feel sad that it happened in the first place.
I wish I would have petted her before I left.
I just don't think I will ever think of this as heroic.
I've been running on the lakefront every morning and there are definitely constants that I see every day:
There are two women walking a dog.
A bus will cut me off.
There is this blackbird that always dives at my pony tail.
I will always have to stop on Lake Drive and Michigan.
The ducks look headless in the water as they bob for food.
There is puke in front of The Swinging Door so I have to watch my step.
There are two women walking a dog.
A bus will cut me off.
There is this blackbird that always dives at my pony tail.
I will always have to stop on Lake Drive and Michigan.
The ducks look headless in the water as they bob for food.
There is puke in front of The Swinging Door so I have to watch my step.
I've been writing for community.myfoxmilwaukee. com. I never thought I would be linked to such a facist organization. At least I have an audience, even if it's full of redneck, religious fanatic, country music listening republicans with no brains.
The search for intelligent life continues as I sell my soul to the devil.
The search for intelligent life continues as I sell my soul to the devil.
The HOG meeting was filled with activities. Rides are starting to come together and there's more to do than we all have time for. I love when we can pick and choose where we want to go. What I don't understand is why it's so difficult for some people to do things in advance. Maybe it's just me, but I want to be able to pencil in the fun things as far in advance as possible. So these Chapter events drive me crazy. I have to wait for the newsletter to find out what's going on so I can post it to the web. And lately I feel like I'm becoming more like them. I usually have trips planned way in advance and I have none for this year yet. I need some motivation and I have none.
Working on the HOG web is fun but sometimes frustrating. I love the creativity that goes along with it, but I'm frustrated because I don't have enough spare time to make it what it really could be. I want to add more buttons, links, and make the pages better but it requires lots of time. After working all day on a computer I find myself fizzling out quickly when I turn my computer on at home. Maybe I need to take a day off and just do the HOG web.
There is a board member that makes these really cute flyers for the web. The problem is that they are graphic intensive so they take forever to load even on my high powered machine. Plus he gives me the files in PDF format so they are not editable. And he has plenty of grammatical and spelling issues that need correcting. He is proud of his work and that is really cool but sometimes I cringe because I have to post his documents as they are. Being a QA person, I have this irrational fear that the work will be thought of as a reflection on me. Hopefully the reflection will be one of acceptance and approval not of criticizm.
There is a board member that makes these really cute flyers for the web. The problem is that they are graphic intensive so they take forever to load even on my high powered machine. Plus he gives me the files in PDF format so they are not editable. And he has plenty of grammatical and spelling issues that need correcting. He is proud of his work and that is really cool but sometimes I cringe because I have to post his documents as they are. Being a QA person, I have this irrational fear that the work will be thought of as a reflection on me. Hopefully the reflection will be one of acceptance and approval not of criticizm.
After a gorgeous weekend, here we are with a cold and rainy day. But that's OK. I have to work anyway so I really don't care.
The weekend was filled with many activities. Jeff pouted Saturday morning as I started to wash the windows and throw the curtains into the wash machine. It was a perfect opportunity to remove the windows and clean them allowing the fresh warm breeze through the house and hang the curtains outside to dry in the spring air. But he was a sport and scrubbed the floors while I did the windows. During the process I wiped down all the furniture and rearranged the living room. So the first floor spring cleaning is now done, too bad there's a whole other floors to do. I won't remind Jeff, I hate to see him pout.
His day brightened when we got on the motorcycle. We took the long way to Johnson Creek. I like to buy my pantyhose at the Hanes, Leggs, Bali store so I purchased my standard 6-month supply. One trip to the outlet mall every spring and fall is more than enough for me. So Jeff got his long ride in and it served a purpose.
Sunday was spent weeding the gardening, cutting the grass, and removing the winter cover from the pool. It was a good start on getting ready for summer. I thought for sure Jeff would want to go for a ride so I suggested a stop at Trader Joe's but by the afternoon we were all too tired to go anywhere. The fresh air really knocked us out.
So it's back to bleak for the workweek and I think that makes going to work easier. If it were nice out I would rather stay home.
The weekend was filled with many activities. Jeff pouted Saturday morning as I started to wash the windows and throw the curtains into the wash machine. It was a perfect opportunity to remove the windows and clean them allowing the fresh warm breeze through the house and hang the curtains outside to dry in the spring air. But he was a sport and scrubbed the floors while I did the windows. During the process I wiped down all the furniture and rearranged the living room. So the first floor spring cleaning is now done, too bad there's a whole other floors to do. I won't remind Jeff, I hate to see him pout.
His day brightened when we got on the motorcycle. We took the long way to Johnson Creek. I like to buy my pantyhose at the Hanes, Leggs, Bali store so I purchased my standard 6-month supply. One trip to the outlet mall every spring and fall is more than enough for me. So Jeff got his long ride in and it served a purpose.
Sunday was spent weeding the gardening, cutting the grass, and removing the winter cover from the pool. It was a good start on getting ready for summer. I thought for sure Jeff would want to go for a ride so I suggested a stop at Trader Joe's but by the afternoon we were all too tired to go anywhere. The fresh air really knocked us out.
So it's back to bleak for the workweek and I think that makes going to work easier. If it were nice out I would rather stay home.
I woke up with a belly ache that wouldn't go away. I went through my usual routine, getting my gym clothes on, making the bed, brushing my teeth all the while thinking that if I keep moving I will be able to work things out. I wasn't sure it would be a good idea to get on a treadmill and run feeling this bad but I don't make excuses so I was going to run no matter what. Just as I was ready to head out the door, I knew I would feel better. I ran to the bathroom and while in there, I was staring at the magazine basket across from me.
I was thinking about the magazines in the basket and about how many years have gone by with that basket being there. As I perused the Diabetes Forecasts, the AARP issues, the HOGtales, and the Runner's Worlds I was thinking about how the types of magazines have changed over the years. It was like a part of family history. 20 years ago that basket had Parents magazine, Family Circle, and Woodworkers issues. As the years went by those were replaced with Country craft and quilting magazines as well as Umpire and Referee magazines.
As the times change and our lives change I find it kind of funny how some of our life can be defined within the contents of that magazine rack.
I was thinking about the magazines in the basket and about how many years have gone by with that basket being there. As I perused the Diabetes Forecasts, the AARP issues, the HOGtales, and the Runner's Worlds I was thinking about how the types of magazines have changed over the years. It was like a part of family history. 20 years ago that basket had Parents magazine, Family Circle, and Woodworkers issues. As the years went by those were replaced with Country craft and quilting magazines as well as Umpire and Referee magazines.
As the times change and our lives change I find it kind of funny how some of our life can be defined within the contents of that magazine rack.
We had to go to yet another funeral today. All day I tried to think up a reason not to go, but I knew there was no getting out of it. This time it was the funeral for a friend's father. It was somewhat a celebration of long life, considering he was 89, but the family understandibly can't see it that way. Maybe thinking that way comes from the experience with Jeff's boss dying at 48 last week.
So the funeral was actually a nice opportunity to see the friends that we spent so much time with years ago. But as things go, our lives taking care of our kids and involving ourselves in their lives took our time away from friends. This felt a little like a reunion. We did promise each other that we would get together this summer and I really will try to make that happen.
Between Jeff and I, this was our 5th funeral this year. Three months completed in the year and five funerals. It's too much. Hopefully that's it for the year.
So the funeral was actually a nice opportunity to see the friends that we spent so much time with years ago. But as things go, our lives taking care of our kids and involving ourselves in their lives took our time away from friends. This felt a little like a reunion. We did promise each other that we would get together this summer and I really will try to make that happen.
Between Jeff and I, this was our 5th funeral this year. Three months completed in the year and five funerals. It's too much. Hopefully that's it for the year.
Taking over the HOG webmaster duties has been a pleasant surprise. I feel a sense of being a part of something that being just a member of the chapter didn't do for me. I think part of those feelings are the clickiness of the group. They claim they are trying to open up to others but the reality is that it doesn' work that way. And it's not that they are different from any other group, it's just part of human nature.
I do think that even if I didn't get involved with the web stuff eventually I would have worked my way in but it would have taken longer. They are nice people. The thing is I don't want to get too involved. I like that my opinion gets heard and that I provide a valuable service, but I don't want to end up spending my summer afternoons in the House of Harley parking lot selling hot dogs.
I like the challenge of doing the web although it can be frustrating. I wish I had more time so I could really jazz it up. It is definitely a work in progress. I would totally re-do the thing if I didn't have to work all day. The whole involvement thing doesn't make sense to me. I don't understand why it's so important for me to fit into this group. I prefer doing everything alone. It must be some sort of ying-yang thing where this gives me my group-belonging fix.
I do think that even if I didn't get involved with the web stuff eventually I would have worked my way in but it would have taken longer. They are nice people. The thing is I don't want to get too involved. I like that my opinion gets heard and that I provide a valuable service, but I don't want to end up spending my summer afternoons in the House of Harley parking lot selling hot dogs.
I like the challenge of doing the web although it can be frustrating. I wish I had more time so I could really jazz it up. It is definitely a work in progress. I would totally re-do the thing if I didn't have to work all day. The whole involvement thing doesn't make sense to me. I don't understand why it's so important for me to fit into this group. I prefer doing everything alone. It must be some sort of ying-yang thing where this gives me my group-belonging fix.
I can't stop thinking about Jeff's boss. He died yesterday of leukemia. His diagnosis came on November 16th so he didn't last very long. He always asked for people to pray for him, his updates on his situation were positive but between the lines there was a sense of acceptance that he could not be cured.
He was coughing and listless for a month before he finally went to the doctor. As soon as he went, they put him in the hospital thinking he had pneumonia. It wasn't until the next day that the results were in, leukemia.
He started treatment right away and it was brutal. He lost 50 pounds and all his energy was gone. He had a little reprieve, started feeling good, but he knew it was temporary until the next round of treatment. He had a long, hard road ahead of him but he was thinking about how he would get back to work by May.
As the treatment went on, it was working. A month-long hospital stay was nearing its end and his blood cells were improving when it happened. His kidneys failed. They couldn't handle all the brutality of the treatments.
He was only 48.
He was coughing and listless for a month before he finally went to the doctor. As soon as he went, they put him in the hospital thinking he had pneumonia. It wasn't until the next day that the results were in, leukemia.
He started treatment right away and it was brutal. He lost 50 pounds and all his energy was gone. He had a little reprieve, started feeling good, but he knew it was temporary until the next round of treatment. He had a long, hard road ahead of him but he was thinking about how he would get back to work by May.
As the treatment went on, it was working. A month-long hospital stay was nearing its end and his blood cells were improving when it happened. His kidneys failed. They couldn't handle all the brutality of the treatments.
He was only 48.
All of a sudden running got really easy, almost boring. I wish the weather would get better so I could run outside, that would make things more challenging. This treadmill crap isn't helping since the timer only allows you to go for no more than 30 minutes. The view from the treadmill sucks too since it's still dark in the morning. Plus I really need to update my iPod. The playlists are getting old.
I'm signing up for a half marathon. It's time to take the next step, to challenge myself to a higher level than ever before. Maybe that will help relieve the boredom. But why does that scare me? I'm sure I can do it if I just apply myself. I mean I got to 18 miles a few years back. Unfortunately that's as far as I got. I wish I could get that drive back. Only I seem to have lost my mojo over the last few years.
Maybe I need to go back on the zoloft. I just don't know...I do know I have to stop rambling.
I'm signing up for a half marathon. It's time to take the next step, to challenge myself to a higher level than ever before. Maybe that will help relieve the boredom. But why does that scare me? I'm sure I can do it if I just apply myself. I mean I got to 18 miles a few years back. Unfortunately that's as far as I got. I wish I could get that drive back. Only I seem to have lost my mojo over the last few years.
Maybe I need to go back on the zoloft. I just don't know...I do know I have to stop rambling.
Tomorrow is my birthday. As a gift to myself I'm going to get my finances in order. Since going back to school, I've been struggling to pay back the student loans and actually save any cash. I get greedy and weak and end up charging up my credit cards. Well today I am cutting them up making it impossible to use anymore. It's time to do the right thing and get rid of my debt.
It's been a long time since I've done anything spontaneous. I'm way overdue. But today I'm going to go out after work on a last minute impulse. Maybe it's not so impetuous, more like necessary.
Yesterday a co-worker got fired. Someone I liked and thought of as an expert in her field. At first she scared me. She was impatient and terse. After a few months I realized it was just a reflection of her own insecurities and frustration. In the end her personality did her in. Or maybe she wasn't such an expert after all.
I don't think I will ever know for sure. And frankly, I really don't care. We'll have a few drinks and say good-bye and best wishes for a better future. And off she will go into the future leaving us all behind, as it should be.
Yesterday a co-worker got fired. Someone I liked and thought of as an expert in her field. At first she scared me. She was impatient and terse. After a few months I realized it was just a reflection of her own insecurities and frustration. In the end her personality did her in. Or maybe she wasn't such an expert after all.
I don't think I will ever know for sure. And frankly, I really don't care. We'll have a few drinks and say good-bye and best wishes for a better future. And off she will go into the future leaving us all behind, as it should be.
I realized today that there are many ways to define friends. There are work friends, gym friends, neighbor friends, childhood friends, and so many others we call our friends. I'm not sure what I would call Arlen, my first thought is aquaintence. He was everyone's friend. Even if you didn't know him he would treat you that way. He was famous, at least he was to me, or maybe it would be better to describe him as the person I knew who was closest to fame. He even impressed Tom Hanks once. Arlen was resting at a wayside on one of his many motorcycle trips when Tom Hanks' bus went by. Tom took one look and turned the bus around, he had to meet this guy. This wasn't one of those urban legends, there are pictures to prove it. Arlen called me sweetheart. I always thought it was because he didn't know my name. He knew so many people I'm sure I didn't really matter. Even though I talked to him at motorcycle events, we volunteered at the same charity events which is where I really got to know him better. It turned out he really did know my name, and he didn't call everyone sweetheart so that made me feel special.
When I left the board meeting Saturday morning I made a note to call Arlen. He was going to work on a fun summer motorcycle event, the pictorial pursuit and I wanted to help. Little did I know that by the time I left that meeting Arlen would be dead. Call Arlen. I still have the note.
The funeral was on Thursday. I went to the doctor in hopes of getting better medicine for the damn bronchitis that has been torturing me since before new year's eve to no avail. Since I left work early I figured it best to head over to the funeral home early. It didn't matter, there were so many people, it took an hour just to get through the line. Funny thing was that I wasn't wearing Harley gear, one of the few, so I was mistaken as a relative. At the funeral, I didn't even notice that his motorcycle was by the casket. There were so many flowers from all his friends and the groups of people he helped. He helped lots. It was certainly apparent how much he helped. His helmet with the horns were set on top of the casket encircled with flowers. It was quite touching.
Arlen will be missed, I know I will miss his charm and kindness. And I know I can truly call him friend.
My aunt died yesterday. I am sad that she has passed. When I saw her in August, I knew it wouldn't be long. She said she had cancer and she was done with treatment. She didn't want it anymore or it wouldn't work anymore, it was all a little unclear. Not that it mattered. The end result would still be the same. Sadness for those left behind. My aunt was married to my uncle for 63 years. I find that amazing, and my hope is that since my uncle died a few years back that they are now together again, only this time forever.
This new years eve is no fun for either of us. Unfortunately, I'm in the middle of a doozy of a cold. Between the headache, body aches, sniffles, and sore throat, I can hardly function. I feel bad for Jeff but I can't do any better than I am. It's really that bad.
I did decide that we should continue some traditions. Usually we have a nice dinner, scallops and steak, wine and nice desserts, candles and romance. But tonight he will do the cooking, probably chicken on the grill. The kids will probably join us, and that will be that. So what's left in the tradition department? The hot tub. We go soak at midnight and ring in the new year with a toast. We enjoy the bubbles of the tub under the stars with the chill in the air.
To add something good to the night (since I've been so ill), I thought we should open a bottle of champagne. We've had a bottle in the fridge for 25 years now. I don't know why I hung on to it for so long. I won it at my company Christmas party the first year I was employed there.
As we opened the bottle, the top sort of flopped off to the ground. No big pop, no overflow of bubbly. A little anti-climatic if you ask me. So we sat in the water sipping the champagne. It was quite a surprise after all. It was delicious. I am not a big fan of the bubbly but this was very yummy. As we sat there watching the stars, feeling the fresh air chill on our faces. thoughts of the years that passed while this bottle sat in the fridge went through my mind. Flashes of things that happened in that time crossed my mind like a slide-show in fast motion. From winning that bottle of wine to losing that job, from the birth of my third child to the death of my brother, from the fat me to the slimmed down me. There was so much that happened during that time, so much happiness and so much sadness. It was getting harder to finish the champagne. There seemed to be so much time value in that bottle that I regretted opening it and opening all those memories. I felt a pang of sorrow for the time that has passed as well as the loss of this bottle in my fridge.
Time marches on, the new year is upon us and it's time to continue making those memories. Hopefully there will be more good than bad. Here's a toast to the next bottle I open in another 25 years.
I did decide that we should continue some traditions. Usually we have a nice dinner, scallops and steak, wine and nice desserts, candles and romance. But tonight he will do the cooking, probably chicken on the grill. The kids will probably join us, and that will be that. So what's left in the tradition department? The hot tub. We go soak at midnight and ring in the new year with a toast. We enjoy the bubbles of the tub under the stars with the chill in the air.
To add something good to the night (since I've been so ill), I thought we should open a bottle of champagne. We've had a bottle in the fridge for 25 years now. I don't know why I hung on to it for so long. I won it at my company Christmas party the first year I was employed there.
As we opened the bottle, the top sort of flopped off to the ground. No big pop, no overflow of bubbly. A little anti-climatic if you ask me. So we sat in the water sipping the champagne. It was quite a surprise after all. It was delicious. I am not a big fan of the bubbly but this was very yummy. As we sat there watching the stars, feeling the fresh air chill on our faces. thoughts of the years that passed while this bottle sat in the fridge went through my mind. Flashes of things that happened in that time crossed my mind like a slide-show in fast motion. From winning that bottle of wine to losing that job, from the birth of my third child to the death of my brother, from the fat me to the slimmed down me. There was so much that happened during that time, so much happiness and so much sadness. It was getting harder to finish the champagne. There seemed to be so much time value in that bottle that I regretted opening it and opening all those memories. I felt a pang of sorrow for the time that has passed as well as the loss of this bottle in my fridge.
Time marches on, the new year is upon us and it's time to continue making those memories. Hopefully there will be more good than bad. Here's a toast to the next bottle I open in another 25 years.
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