The end has come-------------

Another 8 hours, and 2008 will be history, with its electioneering, voting, promises, and everything that goes with it. In a way, it is nice to have most of that behind us, as the long, drawnout campaigning got to be a real pain, after months and months of it. Of real interest is the change in tone between the former opponents, Obama and Billary. She formerly had no experience in foreign relations, during the campaign, and suddenly she is the most qualified person available. Just a good sample of the political lies and stories used when trying to win an office. Time will tell.

Three more weeks, and we will suddenly be living in a world with no problems. I think I saw that as a quote somewhere, probably in a speech back a few months. I have seen on TV, people coming from his rallies, saying "He is going to pay my rent, pay for my SUV, fill the tank with gas"------all kinds of baloney! What a sudden awakening these people are going to have. Sudden, and painful. I am sure that when he decided to run for the office, there was no idea of the economic turmoil that was going to be present, come 1/20/09. It is going to take a very dark-rose colored set of glasses to make things look bright and cheery when he moves into the White House. Good luck.

The end has come--------

Not even $38------------

let alone $38 million! In fact, out of two 6 number lines, Carol's Christmas lotto ticket only had one out of six numbers on each line. Oh well, the thought was there. Actually, there were two winners to split the money, and one of the tickets was purchased quite close to us, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades, right?

Our company all left by yesterday morning, (two of them at 5:30 am, headed for GA,) and the last before noon, so it is quiet around here again. So quiet, in fact, that we both took naps in our recliners in the afternoon. My system is not used to being wide awake in the middle of the night, so having to make a bathroom break, and then visiting with the kids at 5 am, I was up much too early myself. Went back to bed, but not really back to sleep.

Winter weather is not being nice to so much of the country lately. Son in Utah had flown to Oregon last weekend, got snowed in, and was leary of finding his flight cancelled on Tuesday, but managed to get home, ( a bit late, but home.) Kids in Ohio and Michigan had lots of snow and slick roads to contend with, but no big travel plans, as far as I know. Friends in northern Indiana may have had bigger problems, with enough ice to close the TP and an Interstate, I am sure the side roads were a skating rink as well. Maybe fun if they got skates for Christmas, but not great with four rubber tires trying to get traction. Saw a picture in todays paper, of a dump truck hauling snow, and a frontend loader, both in a ditch from icy roads at South Bend. Didn't look like any fun at all. Think we will just keep our warm weather, thanks.

One more big holiday, (New Years, not Kwanza,) and then a dirth of them for a while. I know, Valentines, Easter, May Day---but it always was a bummer when part of the working force---no paid days off until Memorial Day. Being retired, NO paid days off anyhow, but life goes on. Feeling enough better that I need to get back to a couple of small projects for people that have been on hold for a couple of months. Glad they have been so patient. Even the handyman business has been slow, with the economy as it is, and with some unemployed construction people going into handyman things, to make a buck, it probably will continue slow for a while. Guess it will give more time to do projects at church that are waiting, which will not be a bad thing.

The big guy is on the way

It must be official, I just saw the NORAD sighting on AOL. I wonder if he knows of the economy, black Friday, (and bleak days following for retailers.)?? We are getting our south Florida snow, like the rest of the country, except ours is dripping from the awnings and soaking into the ground very quickly. Just makes for messy driving conditions, even for hopefully sober drivers. The police units are not planning on cutting drinkers any slack, so they had better either have a sober driver, or let AAA haul their vehicle/bodies home for them. And that is as it should be!!

Company coming for the holidays are slow to arrive. One had a number of chores to do, before leaving Lakeland, and the other had a supposed 'work' day to contend with. Not sure when they are going to get here.

============================================

Took a break for some food. Can't wait forever for the company to arrive!! Actually, we had a very hard rain for a few minutes, as well. Needed that. Carol will probably stay home with the kids, assuming they get here, but I probably will go to the Christmas Eve service, particularly since we have invited several other people to come by for a visit after the service. (That is the 7:00 service, not the 11:00 service!!) Not sure I could stay awake for the late one.) Sounds like Amanda may be coming for the night, also. Going to be a busy place around here in the morning.

The stockings are hung on the mantle, a few wrapped presents under the tree, nothing fancy or expensive this year, for sure. Major discounts available, if you care to spend some cash, (or plastic,) but no real needs for either of us. I did finally get a clue for something, just earlier this week, so did a little shopping yesterday, and have a couple of things under the tree. We used to have stockings for the kids, and usually filled them with some snacks, or fruit, to hold off the ravenous beasts until breakfast could be fixed on Christmas day. Now they usually get some chocolate or candy--but not as eagerly attacked as with the kids. No 'sugar highs' needed. Tim will be coming down in the morning, to join the fun. Got a very nice bouquet delivered this afternoon, from Tim, made in a very pretty (bright red-what can I say,) candy dish. A very nice surprise.

We are rapidly getting closer to inauguration day, and a change of leaders and ideas. Who can really say what the new year is going to bring. Still lots of promises being thrown about, some of which we all know will not make it to fulfillment. Part of the political life, I guess, but wouldn't it be nice if the spoken word, given to obtain votes, support, etc, would really happen? Wouldn't it even be nice if promises were made, only after a lot of thought, and knowing they could happen, instead of just to influence voters and sway the undecided? Oh well, one can always dream.

Oh, by the way, big guy, if you are reading this. I did buy a couple of LOTTO tickets for Carol's stocking--can you arrange for the 38 million $$$ to fall this way?? Still dreaming!

Back again

Made it thru the graduation, just not sure quite how! Glad it was a 'small' mid-year group of graduates--it only took 2 hours for the 'small' group. Not sure how long the summer group might take, but don't think I want to find out, either. This event was held in a rather new arena, used for a lot of sports activities, concerts, etc, and was full. I don't know where they might hold the larger event, maybe in an outside stadium, and pray for a dry day. As is was, each grad only was given 5 tickets, and only because some grads did not need that many, were we able to have 8 family members there. From our seats, the main view of the grads was a 'sea' of mortarboards and tassels, not much else to see, except that on the scoreboard, there were large video screens, and the speakers were televised onto the screens, as well as the grads as they walked across the stage.

Also got to see MUCH MORE of the campus than we wanted, or at least than I did. We parked in a parking garage, the one Amanda uses for getting to work, but then walked clear across the campus to get to the arena. And several of us did not have on hiking shoes! Way too far apart!!! Had I known how far ahead of time, I would have been dressed a bit more casually, and worn better walking shoes, not dress clothes and shoes. It was sort of downhill, slightly, as we walked, and I was not looking forward to the walk back, but a couple of drivers made the walk, and drove back to the arena and picked us up. What a blessing that was. I didn't really realize how much of a walk it had been, until I tried to walk around a mall for a bit on Tuesday morning! Don't even want to think about what a return walk to the cars would have done. Did OK yesterday and today.

It was a good trip, at least until we got to Pt St Lucie, on the way back, and then traffic was a royal MESS. We spent 30-45 minutes trying to cover 1/2 a mile or so. Partially because of IDIOTS ignoring the 'lane closed' ahead signs, and driving right to the point of losing their lane, and then insisting on crowding into the lane of people who belonged there. I hope that in eternity, there is a special place of punishment for drivers like that.

Thought when I mowed last week, that it would do at least thru Christmas, but once again, I miss-guessed. The fertilizer application, along with several showers of rain, and the 70-80 degree weather, of course, has made another cutting, in the next couple of days, an apparent necessity. Could be worse. I spoke to Nate at noon yesterday, his time, and he was shoveling out his driveway as we talked. He claims that the proper system is to use the mower for half a year, and the snow blower for half a year----personally, I can't figure out how you cut grass and make the yard look good, with a snow blower. I must be missing something.

Made a trip to Wal-Mart last night. Planned on just a quick trip, but no such thing with the people and carts all over the place. They could have had more registers open, but guess they are trying to run on minimal help as well. We had been in a small mall in Orlando Tuesday morning, and it was almost deserted, but Wal-Mart made up for it. Just think a week from today, and it will be CHRISTMAS. Hard to believe with weather close to 80 today. May have to go to the beach for Christmas!

Another weekend.

And getting closer. Our church did their cantata today, and once again, I was in the congregation, and enjoying it, not in the choir. I could have made the last couple of rehearsals, but most of the people had been working on it for some weeks--while I was doing all of the fun medical things from the past couple of months. They did not do a specific cantata, but our choir director/organist/music director had compiled a group of songs from several different contatas, and built a program of his own choosing, and it was very well done.

Heading up to Orlando tomorrow, for the UCF graduation. Carol's granddaughter, Amanda, is graduating, having done summer school, etc, and finished her 4 years in 3 1/2, and Summa Cum Laude, at that. Her minor, but really her major interest, is Criminal Justice, and she has been interviewing with several police departments in the general Orlando area, to try and land a job, and get them to sponsor her in the Police Academy, with the promise of a job upon completion of the academy. Her grandmother is less than thrilled with the job choice, but has not been able to convince her to look for other work. (Actually, that may be the most promising job opportunities right at the moment, anyhow.)

Carol wakes up very early in the mornings, particularly on a day like tomorrow, and wants to leave before the sun comes up, as a usual thing. I don't start that early, personally, but will no doubt have to roll out before the normal hour, like it or not. Have to be at the ceremony at 1:40 in the afternoon, but have to meet the grad prior to that to get the tickets, and carpool with her to find our way in. Might never find it otherwise! About a 3 hour drive up there, so I think Carol has a 7:30 start time in mind. Really, I'll try!! And then hope that I-95 thru West Palm is not choked up, with either accidents or just idiots, as there are plenty of them on the road.

Only plan to stay over one night, and come home Tuesday. Had considered going to the Holy Land Experience, since we were going to be there, but in checking, I found that the HLE was closed on Tuesdays. Bummer! Carol is not a 'shopper', just to browse, or we could hit International Drive, and the big discount malls, but I guess we can both survive without the walking, crowds, etc, that would be part of that. I don't mind wandering thru the stores, for a moderate amount of time, but prefer not to have to battle your way thru the malls.

Let you know how we make out, later.

Working on the tree

Not very diligently, I admit, but the tree has been erected, and I have come up with enough lights, (I guess,) and it is ready for ornaments. Lights were something of a mystery. I normally, as they come off of the tree, take each strand, coil it carefully, and band with masking tape to keep it from tangling, and then mark the usage, (tree, etc.), and the year on the tag. Somehow, I cannot find the container with the lights used last year.
I have an abundance of lights, some dating back to living in the mobile home, in the early 90s. I think I had a total of 540 lights strung around the mobile, across the front porch, around the eaves, until they met at the back corner of the house. And that did not count the ones on the tree and various other places I chose to decorate, so there are a number of old sets still around. But they do not always light every bulb, when you check them, maybe a loose bulb, or an empty socket, so it has been a seek and find mission to get working strings located. The plastic bases of the minature bulb/socket sets are also not exactly the same size. Close, but no cigar at times, so considerable time has been spent making usable sets ready for tree hanging.
Now comes the fun of digging into three 16 gallon plastic storage containers, and deciding where to put the house decorations, as well as the tree ornaments, in the same storage boxes. Part of the fun is the memories that come out with certain ornaments, remembering who it was who gave them in the first place, or where they were purchased. Having enough lighthouse ornaments to decorate several fair sized trees, it becomes sort of a game to see how many of them can be hung,
before the tree starts to droop, or lean, or just runs out of hanging space. Doubt I could get away with getting a second tree, to use them all, so think I will pass on that possible option. (Besides, I don't want to find more working lights!)
Not very Christmasy outside today, and it was in the 80s, but another cold front is forecast before the weekend, so should get back in the mood soon. TV last night was at one street in WPB, well known for every house having large and elaborate displays, but with the economy as it is, many houses are less well decorated, and some are not decorated at all this year, to the disappointment of people who were driving by, or on bus trips, coming to see the lights. Could be a quieter celebration than normal this year, from the looks of things. Bummer.

A rapid approach

Christmas is coming to us very quickly, it seems. Already, not withstanding having had black Friday, and sales ads galore, the local holiday parade happens this afternoon, Santa arrives at the end of it, and things are officially under way. Maybe the good part is taking the spot light off of everyones gloom over the economy, jobs, (or lack thereof,) housing, etc. The news today of 1 in 10 mortgages being in trouble is enough to mess up most anyone's holiday plans.

We try to keep our emphasis on the reason for having Christmas in the first place, celebrating the birth of God's son, Jesus, as God's magnificent gift to us, and not worrying about trying to spend all of next years spendable cash, just to make a large pile of gifts under the tree for Christmas morning. Actually, with no small children to deal with in the family, the adult population has decided to forego most exchanges, or at least keep them to a minimum, since total non-gifting is hardly possible. The new theory is, buy yourself whatever it is that you want, (and can afford,) wrap it for yourself and put it under the tree, if it fits, and then act surprised when you open it! Takes quite an actor to make this happen. Of course, there are sometimes 'gag' gifts show up in this family. Last year there was a rather heavy package under the tree at the last minute, with my name on it. It turned out to be pickled pig's jowls, a delicacy Pat found up in the back woods area of GA that he lives in! Seems I made too much of a fuss about finding packaged chicken feet, in a store up there. Anyhow, the jar was being stored, waiting for 'regifting', and fell from the kitchen cabinet and broke a couple of months ago, and the whole household felt so bad about it. If it was going to come to you, please accept our condolences. We will try not to let it happen again.

My blogger son in Utah, confirms that he has selected his personal Christmas gift, has it in layaway, and is well prepared. I have to say that mine has been selected as well, several weeks ago, but has been residing at home since the selection. It has been amazing, the increase in traffic at gun shows/shops since Obama won the election. If he thinks people are not listening to his speeches, he had better be careful about what he says. Local gun shops have been overwhelmed at the number of people looking, and buying, tight money or not. Nothing like being prepared, and locally, ready to protect yourself as needed.

I was watching TV last Monday, and heard a helo circling close by. Not sure if it was the Sherrif's, or Traumahawk, I stepped out the front door, to see the police spotlight being beamed down just a few blocks away, and patrol cars with flashing lights close by that area. As I was looking, I heard 5 very quick shots fired, and shortly thereafter, the helo left the scene. Seems a car thief had made a sudden move toward his pants/waist, while being ordered to exit the vehicle, and it was the last move he made. Nothing beats being very cooperative with law enforcement, if you wish to make it a pleasant experience. He had enough of a criminal history that he evidently had not figured that fact of life out, but he now has made his final mistake.

Life is exciting, isn't it?

Miserable passwords

Actually, had tried several times, in recent days, to post a new message, but had forgotten the password to get here. This new site does not always work the same each day, and with several passwords for different things, it got lost. Finally went in today and redid the password, and I promise to write it down this time, somewhere!

I got a bit older since the last post--had a birthday last Sunday. My wife surprised me by inviting my son and his lady down for Sunday dinner as my 'party'. We had been to church, my first time since my latest surgery, and I had come home and located my recliner while she was fixing dinner. I was not paying attention to what, or how much, she was fixing, actually expecting leftovers from a birthday supper she had fixed the night before, for a lady friend from church who was turning 94. When the doorbell rang, and Tim was there, it was totally unexpected. We had a good meal and visit to celebrate.

When they left, Tim and Rhonda forgot their digital camera, and we did not find it for about an hour, and they were almost home by then. So Tim and I made arrangements to meet sort of midway, after he left work on Monday. I drove across WPB, and he came down from Ft Pierce, and we met at Gander Mountain sporting goods in NPB. (Hey, had to meet somewhere!) Of course, we wandered around for an hour+ when we met, so as not to waste the trip. I was pretty tired by that much walking/browsing, but the driving was not a problem, other than not being able to get onto Northlake Blvd, due to traffic. Thought it must have been practice for Black Friday! So I went the other way, and took a side street all the way back home.

Overall, I am doing pretty well. We had Thanksgiving with friends, a total of 12 people, and we also had a couple over Friday night and played bridge for a while. I am taking it pretty easy, lots of sitting and reading. I did get started with Christmas lights on Friday, got them out, untangled, and a couple of strings put up around the front door. Still will do some more, in the next day or so. Rain forecast for today, which we need, so not likely to get to do any today. Also, cooler temps forecast for a couple of days. Most of the tree decorations, etc, are stored rather deeply in the storage shed, not sure how soon I may feel like digging to them, and getting them out. Maybe a little each day will make it. Let you know later.

Time to catch up

Guess it probably is past time, actually, but the last week has been a royal "pain". I had rather extensive hemmoroid surgery last Thursday, and they wound not let me blog from the hospital. (No sense of humor.) It has not been a fun week, to put it mildly. While I was in the hospital, I had the luxury of a bedside pump, (morphine?), that was at the command of a push button pinned to my gown, and relief was just a touch away, but part of being released to go home, was getting off the pump, and handling the discomfort with pills. I have been getting by, but the pills are not as easy as a touch of a button.

There have been some other problems, which I will not go into here and now, but I am feeling better, and hope to have all of this 'behind' me shortly!!

I found Tuesday's missing lines--------------

and I am sure they were a direct result of the voting earlier in the week. Tim and I went to the local gun show today, and there was a mob there like never before. And not just looking or browsing, either. They were BUYING, big time. I never saw so many cases of ammo being carried out the door, and practically every booth had buyers working with the sellers, doing the paperwork and getting cleared by the state. I think the prices were showing a bit of an increase as well, and people with assault weapons, or anything that even resembled an assault weapons, were pushing them as an investment, claiming they would be worth MUCH more, once Obama managed to get them banned.

I managed to get there 10 minutes before the doors opened this morning, and there was a line probably 150 feet long at the ticket windows, and probably 200 feet long, of people with tickets, waiting for the doors to open. By the time Tim got there, just a couple of minutes after 9, the line at the door was minimal, but the wait at the tickets windows was more like 300 feet long, (and 3-5 people wide, as well.) It was shoulder to shoulder inside, and hard to get down the aisles and see things. We wandered around until about 12:30, making a couple of purchases on the way, and most amazing of all, when we left, there was STILL a line of people buying tickets to get in, that was probably 150-200 feet long! Not that the ticket people were dragging their feet, the lines were moving quite smoothly, but the crowd was unbelieveable!

There is another show yet this year, (and pre-inauguration!,) on Dec 20th, and I'll bet it will be just as well attended, Christmas week or not. And I am sure the prices will not be falling any in the meantime, either. Told Tim I thought we needed to look into reloading equipment, in order to be able to keep shooting at a reasonable $$$ amount. Unless we can get 'big brother' to keep a supply coming, via Fed Ex, or Pony Express, or something. We would be glad to pick up our brass and return it to him for recycling, just to do ur part. OK, big brother???

Thank you, early voters--------

for standing in line for up to 4-6 hours, to get done early.Carol and I just got back, and had to spend 12 minutes, from parking to being back at the car! And it took longer for her to get signed in and vote--I was done in 8 minutes. Poll worker said they had about a 30 minute rush when the doors opened, but there was NO line when we got there. Walked right to the lady waiting for us to sign in, and right on thru.

Hope your day is as productive, and 'goodbye' TV commercials!!!

I'm here-----------

just glad we are getting to the end of this political harrassment. I still think they need to drastically restrict the length of the process, AND the amount of $$$ that they are allowed to expend in the process as well. It is obscene to be spending the amount of money, both for traveling, and TV/print/mail advertising that is being done. And every other pollster needs to be either shot on sight, or deported--or inducted into the armed forces and sent to do something productive for their country.

The lines, and the time being spent in them, for early voting, are unbelieveable! People spending up to 6 hours yesterday, and 4-5 hours rather common. They only had 10-2 to vote yesterday, but people were showing up at 2, and then waiting 4++ hours to finally get inside. Seems like another lost opportunity---go down the lines giving away free coffee, and then come by later with 'pay-to-use' jiffy-johns! I wouldn't want to stand in line that long, with or without free coffee. They are figuring that about 35-40% of the votoers have either voted at early spots, 11 in the county, or used absentee ballots, and that the lines tomorrow should be short and manageable, or virtually non-existent. Hope so.

Missed a few days of blogging last week. Our modem for the DSL went away, sometime on Tuesady. It had worked in the morning, but had failed by afternoon. After thinking AT&T may have been doing something, on Wednesday, Carol spent an hour or so on the phone with the Tech Support people, doing and redoing the steps they suggested, and they finally decided to send us a replacement modem, (3-5 days shipping time,) which arrived by Friday noon. I was able to use, the enclosed CD, walk thru the installation, and get us back on line again. Now just have to close up the box and return the old modem. Glad it was relatively simple redoing the modem installation. Did the initial rework while bypassing our router, which meant Carol's laptop was not online, but once we determined that the new modem was OK, I plugged the router back into the system, and everything is working again.

Hope everyone gets out to vote tomorrow, and hope MY candidate wins!!!

My b/f left me------------

Yes, boo hoo, I lost my fanny pack this morning. Still have the PICC line in my arm, but no tubing attaching me to a pump/IV supply. Have to see a doctor tomorrow am, and probably will lose the PICC line then, or soon after. I am a bit lop-sided, not having to lean into the extra attachment, but I will get used to that.

Feeling well, and hopefully the medical problems are behind me, for the moment, at least.

Tried to post earlier this weekend, but the DSL would not cooperate. The connection kept going away, whenever it felt like it. Not sure what the problem was. I had intended to report on the initial outing, on Saturday. Went to a gun show, with Tim, up in Ft Pierce. I had never been the that fair grounds, or gun show. Turned out the parking was in what seemed to be a neighboring county!! Heck of a hike from car to gate, and then from there to the buildings (3) where the show was. We had a good time wandering around. Met up with one of Tim's co-workers and his dad, browsing as we were. No major purchases--
couple of accessory items, and some well-priced reloaded ammo. Not that we didn't drool over a few of the many items on sale, and laugh or scoff at quite a few offerings as well. (People have some WIERD ideas about what weapons should look like, it seems.) Also, about the size of handguns in particular. I always thought cannons were supposed to come with a set of wheels under them, but no longer. Just take someone along to help hold up the end of the barrel, I guess. And that was among the handguns!! Lots of walking, but did OK, and still was able to get up and around the next day, so all is well.

My new B/F????????

My fanny pack/drugs/pump, that is. Like a large lump or growth to contend with. No, not a major problem, just that if not belted on, i.e., while sleeping, showering, etc, it requires the use of one of my two hands to carry it along. It does have enough tubing that I can place the pack in the bedside drawer at night, and just have to be a little careful about the tubing as I move around. Showering, the fanny pack gets belted around the shower rod, at one end of the curtain, and stays dry. A newspaper bag is just the right size to slide up over the PICC line and dressings on my arm, and some tape seals it so that I can shower. Had some blood drawn this morning when I went in to get a fresh bag of antibiotics loaded into my pack. Guess they want to check my progress.

I am now driving myself around. Went to the infusion center by myself yesterday and today, so Carol can set her own schedule without having to do chauffeur duties as well. I did go to bridge Friday evening, for my first outing. (But with the score I got, I might as well have stayed home.) And to church on Sunday, then got my drug supply, and had Sunday dinner out before retiring to the TV and NASCAR. Who knows, I might get to normal one of these times.

Getting more than a little tired of all of the political ads, lies, insinuations, etc! This presidential thing has gone on for WAY too long. They need to set new rules, and make it such that ANYONE who even mentions running, prior to Jan 1, is automatically out of the running! And even that seems a bit long. And pollsters should be banned to Siberia, Lower Slobovia, or some other undersirable location during the process! The continual, repeated, TV commercials are disgusting and repulsive, trying to cater to uninformed groups of voters, and the amounts of money being spent for air-time could better be spent for economic repair, feeding the homeless, fixing bad roads, paying school teachers-------pick your favorite! Millions of $$$$ spent to buy votes is lousy spending.

Of course, Florida is right in the midst of another scandal. Having bumped Mark Foley out just two years ago, now his replacement is in the middle of an election, a scandal, a divorce-----and some of the voters want to keep him, just to avoid the possibility of a Republican getting back in office. Mahoney's wife was at the press conference just a couple of days ago, when he admitted having an affair with a staff member, (which now turns out to be 'multiple' affairs,) but must have been on her way to her attorney's office when she left the press conference, as he was served with papers just about two days later, and she wants a bundle of $$$ in the process. How he can continue to run for office, and expect to win, is hard to believe, but then again, look at Marion Barry's record in DC. Who knows??? Anyhow glad it will be over in a couple of weeks, just holding my breath, afraid of where we will be if the wrong person wins.

Their pump---my fanny-pack

Beats not having a pump at all, I guess. Not sure just how organized the Infusion Office really is. The injected drug has changed, now that I have the pump, with no adverse effects so far. I had to stay at the office for a while, at the start of injection, to be sure I did not react to it, but all's well so far. The nurse did say that this could produce some nauseu, and/or tiredness, so now if I feel like having a nap, I have an excuse! Not all bad.

Another crazy day on Wall Street. I hope someone out there understands what is happening. Not able to control it, but some understanding would be nice. I don't have any major investments to lose sleep over, so I am certainly not looking for any ledge to jump from, but between the election coming, and the market doing cartwheels, it certainly keeps the country in an uproar. The debate last night, (the final one, Thank God,) did not settle much either, other than bring sudden fame to 'Joe the plumber.' Guess he gets 15 minutes in the spotlight, to share with the candidates.

We went to a BCBS insurance seminar this morning before I got my pump. Not a lot of information, other than the fact that our co-pays will be going up in 2009. They had dropped any co-pay at the primary doctor, in 2008, but it is coming back for 2009. Just $15 a visit, which is liveable. Specialist visits, however, which had been $15 this past year, will be going to $35 a visit, so my eye checks will be a bit more. Normally, our Dr visits are not nearly as frequent as some of our friends, except the last few weeks have seemed like doing little else. Maybe getting past this kidney stone/infection thing will let us get back to normal, whatever that might be. Life goes on, at least for now. Won't make any promises about after Nov 4th, or at least Jan 20th!! Maybe there will be some MAJOR changes for some of us after that. I am ready, hope you are too.

Still waiting

Here it is, Wednesday, and still no pump! Not sure how much difference it makes, I have gotten an IV at the doctors office each morning, while waiting for the pump (B/O) to arrive. The good feature of the pump is supposed to be a 24 hour, gradual injection of the antibiotics, but at the office, they act like they could care less about the difference of getting it all at once, under their care, or having the pump do it. In fact, this morning, my dosage was dripped in very quickly, much more so than the first two days. Hope it will work as well as a slow drip. I did not mind getting in and out so quickly, just that Carol assumed it would be longer, and went to do some other errands while I was in the chair, rather than set in the lobby, and I had to call her and let her know I was ready much sooner than expected.
Well. another debate tonight. Not that I expect any radical changes in people's attitudes or choices. Seems hard to believe people might still be making up their minds. Mine was made up a looooong time ago, and it doesn't include Obama! I see all of the info coming thru the news media, newspapers, the internet, and just can't see how the masses are following him so devoutly. No record, no experience, but lots of promises and big ideas. I hate the idea of a totally inexperienced person as commander-in-chief of our armed forces, as well. And the list of advisors I see is real scary, with former CEOs of Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac at the top of the list. I am afraid our country is in real deep do-do if he wins.
There have been upsets before, where the polls and pollsters were very wrong about the outcomes, (like when Truman beat Dewey, many years ago,) and we can certainly hope that happens again. Yes, I am old enough to remember that happening. With age comes----------wrinkles. And if not wisdom, at least hihd-sight!
I have been doing very little, which rather bugs me. Just trying to let the meds do their very best, and get rid of this episode of life.

Not a great start

Seems my activities got interrupted, just as this was getting started. Wednesday evening I developed a severe fever, (102.4), as was taken by my wife to the emergency room. I just got out yesterday evening.

Somehow, having the laser procedure for the kidney stone removal, prompted a staph infection, primarily in my blood. They kept pumping me full of antibiotics, poking holes in my hide for blood tests, and waking me every two hours, (to see if I was sleeping, I guess.) Once they got an idea of the problem, and pumped enough drugs into my system, I got sent home yesterday. Not out of the woods yet, I had a PICC line inserted into my upper right arm, and have to get more drugs for at least two weeks. I am supposed to be getting a fanny-pack type pump system, to infuse the drug sort of constantly all day, but have to go in every day, to get the pump reloaded. Pumps were on short supply today, but promised for tomorrow.

At least I got to sleep in my own bed last night, with a proper pillow. What a wonderful change. I am feeling better, getting to eat Carol's cooking again, and not some food that seems not to have survived some kind of past droughts/taste mutations/cost analysis, or whatever. I had some very nice nurses and helpers, but was not thrilled with the lab tech coming in every morning at 5am to draw blood samples, and the followup at 6 am, etc, and not being able to get a cup of coffee until the 'breakfast' tray came at 9:10 or later. Now that I think of it, I should have had Carol smuggle in a small coffee maker, and then I could have made my own as needed. I'll bet the smell of fresh-made coffee would have gotten the nurses attention.

My main daily activity will be to get to the Infusion Center, but I also need to make follow-up visits to several Drs, probably adjust or cancel a couple of Dr visits that I had scheduled prior to this, and try to remember when each has to be done. Also need to go out and start my truck, to make sure it will start. It has been parked for several weeks now. I am feeling well enough to probably make some of the Dr visits on my own, (if I can get an OK from Dr. Carol!!) And perhaps get some blogging done as well.

Good morning.

My first blog on a new site. Have had a blog for several years on another site, but got word that it will be closed, as of Oct. 31. Must be part of the cutbacks occurring in all parts of the country at this time. Sure would hate to be looking for a job at this time! Foreclosures are already scary, and going to get worse, I fear.
One of the things that really irritates me as part of this, is the obscene amounts of $$$ that some of the 'executives' of failed companys have been paid, and even worse is the 'golden parachute' settlements they get when they leave, after taking the company down the tubes. Just saw today, that several people leaving Lehman just days before filing for bankruptcy, got payments in the millions! Someone else is at fault for making the settlements, and others will be at fault if they do not go back after that money that they 'stole'. Certainly did not earn it.
I will have to get acquainted with this blogspot myself. My son uses it, however, and may have to walk me thru it as things go along. My old blog at journals.aol.com/lhmaker2/RogersRamblings/ will soon be gone! Boo Hoo! Guess I can still keep my closing---------Maybe-----------Not this time!!!