Miscellaneous Missives

I've decided to "come clean." After all it is Lenten season, so I should be honest and reflect on my many weaknesses. One of these weaknesses (and this is not easy to admit) is watching General Hospital . Today as Dad was forced to mainly rest in his LazyBoy, I made him watch General Hospital with me. He wasn't impressed. It probably didn't make it any better when I explained to Dad that typically I tape it and can watch the hour show in fifteen minutes. To pay me back, Dad made me watch Cramer (Jim Cramer-- stock market guru) and CNBC. I can honestly say I'll watch this show again about the same time Dad watches GH again. Gratitudes: 1) Dad is recovering better than I expected and doing well with pain pills (after getting behind the pain once this morning) and exercises (started today-- five times a day). 2) I was able to help Dad with small errands, filing and hooking up new printer (printer, scanner, and copier). 3) L taking me to get my car this ...

Dad had his surgery today. Although he just told me the day "flew by" for him, I'm not sure that I could say the same. The surgeon originally told Dad that surgery would be three to five hours. Today when I was quizzing the surgeon (good looking and only a little younger than me?), he said it would be two to three hours. I'm fairly sure he told me that to make me feel better about the wait since we had already been at the hospital two hours before the surgery started. Surgery was four hours. Basically I had the waiting area to myself. I was able to finish Infidel , the March Sun Magazine , one-fourth of Atonement , and paint my nails. Wireless internet wasn't available in the waiting room, but it was available when he was taken to a room after surgery. Although I was only waiting, it seems like a long day, I'm tired. The block is still working, but Dad seems to be doing well. We'll see what tomorrow brings when the block is no longer working. Gr...

One of Dad's neighbors is also the receptionist at my acupuncturist in Iowa. Tonight she called to check on Dad. Later she called to see if he saw the fire at the land fill (1/2 mile equidistant between both of their homes). Although I was oblivious to it, Dad said he had noticed it when we were driving home. She asked him to call the com center, and he did. After his conversation with the com center (they didn't know where the county land fill was located), it was evident why she wanted him to call. Later another friend who had called to check on Dad during dinner called to find out if there was a fire near here because she had seen fire trucks. At that point we looked out the window to see flashing red and blue lights. I made Dad get in the pickup, so I could take pictures. The top picture is when we were closer; the bottom picture is from his driveway. The lady at the com center wanted to know if the fire was big. Dad said, "Looking out my living room, it loo...

I saw these deer as I was driving down the county road to Dad's house. They are really close although it's hard to tell with my camera. As I tried to get closer, they had enough and showed me their white tails... rude!

I'm not quite sure why I found this comical, but I did. This morning I stopped to get my hot cocoa. The lady asked me how conferences went and what grade I taught. When I told her seventh grade, she said, "Bless you." She then told me about her and her daughter and how the fight one minute then get along wonderfully the next. This is her quote that I found comical, if fact I wrote it down giggling in my car before I left the parking lot. "She's entering puberty, and I'm exiting puberty." funny stuff... Gratitudes: 1) back up audio book after the first one had a HORRIBLE speaker/reader 2) Today feels like Friday. 3) People here in Iowa are already calling to check on Dad, and his surgery is tomorrow.

I must confess that I love rumors... not the gossipy lie rumors, but the emerging truth rumors. My favorite rumor is Pawlenty as a running mate to McCain. Wouldn't it be grand? Pawlenty would leave his role as governor of our great Democratic state and fade into the sunset taking his veto with him. Ahhhhh... It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling deep inside. Don't get me wrong. I certainly don't want McCain and/or Pawlenty in the White House. I just want them to spend all of their money and make the run. I am almost certain we will have a Democratic in the White House after the elections in November. Gratitudes: 1) finding library card, insurance card, etc. after spending too much time searching 2) only one day of conferences and overbearing, overprotective mama bear stayed home and sent Dad and baby bear 3) the best three students conferenced last... only positive things to say

I saw Gary Busey this summer in a Malibu deli. He might be the poster child for saying no to drugs. BTW- I love Jennifer Garner's necklace. Gratitudes: 1) dinner with friends and being able to eat it 2) two personal days granted for Dad's surgery 3) chocolate chip cookies