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Happy Holiday
Dec. 25th, 2013 11:30 amMerry Christmas everyone. Thanks for being faithful readers over the years. Your gift to me. :-)
One step forward
Nov. 29th, 2013 09:47 amJeff and I had a really nice little T-Day together once he got home. The turkey had already been in the oven for a while, so when he came through the door there was that takes-you-back aroma of the holidays in the air. I insisted on helping out with more kitchen duties, using my rollabout tool cart as a mobile mashed potato making station. Dinner was wonderful, the turkey so amazingly good, the simple accompaniments (the aforementioned mashed potatoes that no one makes like I do, a bit of sweet potatoes, fresh asparagus and, of course, homemade stuffing) absolutely perfect for the two of us. This was also the first time in many years that Jeff and I had an actual whole turkey for ourselves. We usually head up to Jeff's parental HQ and have diner with them and varying numbers of auxiliary familial units. We usually bring a whole turkey with us, and if we (more often than not) have a dinner here at home as well, we pick up a turkey breast. When having turkey up north, tradition dictates the bird is fully disassembled into slices before bringing it to table in order to let people grab what they want. Jeff was practically giddy to be able to carve the turkey for us at the dinner table. I honestly can't remember the last time we did this aside from the days when Mom was with us. Though I tend to eat very little these days since the injuries and surgeries, I ate more than I have in one sitting for ages. It was That. Good.
Of course, once dinner was cleared away, the football games came on and Jeff was in his glory. I joined in, naturally. It's almost more fun watching Jeff watch the games than watching them directly. We relaxed and had dessert. More teevee was watched until Jeff started to get tired and headed off to bed for his short work day tomorrow. I was going to have a nice shower and climb into bed with the heady feeling of a nice big meal spent at home with family. As my contemporary luck would have it, a big old spanner was thrown into the machinery as my stitches suddenly let go when I was in the bathroom. That resulted in at least a half pint of blood going all over me but thankfully mostly into the toilet. I called Jeff out of his recently begun slumber to help me out. I bled profusely for a couple minutes at most, then stopped. Once cleaned up I asked Jeff what he saw back there. I could feel the surgi-strips still in place (these look like short pieces of tape criss-crossing the incision, put there to help hold the immediate area together against the normal stress) which Jeff confirmed. The doc had use absorb-able sutures rather than staples or permanent sutures that required later removal for this procedure, and I think they gave out before their time was no longer needed. We put some heavy gauze and stretchy wide rubber tape to hold my insides in, and as of this morning, things seem high and dry. I had stopped taking some of my usual pain killers earlier in the day, and since some of these were either acetaminophen or ibuprofens, I lucked out and didn't have lots of blood thinners running around. I try not to constantly drown myself in pain killers or any other "optional" meds just so I know what it truly feels like, although the anti-inflammatory aspects of those meds are part of the healing process especially early on. Right now I am just achy and sore, but I'll take that over leaking at every gasket for now. A bit of oxycodone sans NSAID took care of the nerve pain I am still beset with.
All I can think right now is I don't know what I did to deserve all this medical hell. At one time I was healthy as a horse and strong as an ox. Those days seem long gone. I have a followup visit with the surgeon on Tuesday. He's getting an earful.
As for those who say "that which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger"...
Of course, once dinner was cleared away, the football games came on and Jeff was in his glory. I joined in, naturally. It's almost more fun watching Jeff watch the games than watching them directly. We relaxed and had dessert. More teevee was watched until Jeff started to get tired and headed off to bed for his short work day tomorrow. I was going to have a nice shower and climb into bed with the heady feeling of a nice big meal spent at home with family. As my contemporary luck would have it, a big old spanner was thrown into the machinery as my stitches suddenly let go when I was in the bathroom. That resulted in at least a half pint of blood going all over me but thankfully mostly into the toilet. I called Jeff out of his recently begun slumber to help me out. I bled profusely for a couple minutes at most, then stopped. Once cleaned up I asked Jeff what he saw back there. I could feel the surgi-strips still in place (these look like short pieces of tape criss-crossing the incision, put there to help hold the immediate area together against the normal stress) which Jeff confirmed. The doc had use absorb-able sutures rather than staples or permanent sutures that required later removal for this procedure, and I think they gave out before their time was no longer needed. We put some heavy gauze and stretchy wide rubber tape to hold my insides in, and as of this morning, things seem high and dry. I had stopped taking some of my usual pain killers earlier in the day, and since some of these were either acetaminophen or ibuprofens, I lucked out and didn't have lots of blood thinners running around. I try not to constantly drown myself in pain killers or any other "optional" meds just so I know what it truly feels like, although the anti-inflammatory aspects of those meds are part of the healing process especially early on. Right now I am just achy and sore, but I'll take that over leaking at every gasket for now. A bit of oxycodone sans NSAID took care of the nerve pain I am still beset with.
All I can think right now is I don't know what I did to deserve all this medical hell. At one time I was healthy as a horse and strong as an ox. Those days seem long gone. I have a followup visit with the surgeon on Tuesday. He's getting an earful.
As for those who say "that which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger"...
Tags:
Happy Thanksgiving
Nov. 28th, 2013 12:50 pmOr as I like to call it, Happy T!
I don't have to reiterate how my life has taken a bad turn lately, I'm trying to plod on regardless. Jeff is at work, this had not been planned, he decided to help out for a portion of today and tomorrow, but home well in time to relax, have dinner and yell at the various football games on teevee. I managed to put the (free-range, natural-fed, solar power processed) turkey we get every year from the farm across the road into the oven. The procedure was about as clumsy as that sentence, as I pulled the heavy Magnaware roasting pot from the fridge that was Mom's favorite onto my rolling toolbox stack, shuffled across the kitchen and tried to think how I was about to put the awkward 20 pound assembly in the oven while trying to steady myself with one arm. I absolutely can't bend over or in any way hold anything in front of me, but I managed to crouch and brace myself as I took the pot and contents off the rolling cart and finagled it into the oven. Success! I was bound and determined to do this as I've been doing lately trying to live an everyday life with the hopefully temporary snafu I'm dealt. I can now make short steps with the cane, and I can navigate the stairs using the railings. I've began tinkering and fixing things again, I can't tell you how much this helps my mental state.
Thanksgiving. Well, despite it all, I am thankful. Though Jeff had to work, it was of his own doing this time, and it really won't mess up0 the holiday. Jeff was given a day off for the two half days he was to put in, I said to tell his boss he should get two days off considering it is a holiday. Guess what? Jeff told his boss, and he agreed. I get Jeff for a nice long weekend the following week. I also have him Tuesday, since he will shuttle me to and from the doc for a followup visit, where I will have an earful to unload. If all goes well, and since the crazy crowds will have died off, Jeff and I might go to the store to get me out of the house. If I can hang off the back of some sort of cart, I can walk anywhere.
I'm thankful to still be around, that I have Jeff to take care of me despite the often cranky moods and intemperate outbursts. I have a few good friends that, despite their distance, really make me feel like people care. And, at the moment, I am thankful for the hugeassed home theater setup with its 17 individual speaker cones blasting Pink Floyd as I mess around the house and play with the pooches.
I hope those in LJ are having a good day too. Without you, I'd be definitely less fortunate.
Thanks.
I don't have to reiterate how my life has taken a bad turn lately, I'm trying to plod on regardless. Jeff is at work, this had not been planned, he decided to help out for a portion of today and tomorrow, but home well in time to relax, have dinner and yell at the various football games on teevee. I managed to put the (free-range, natural-fed, solar power processed) turkey we get every year from the farm across the road into the oven. The procedure was about as clumsy as that sentence, as I pulled the heavy Magnaware roasting pot from the fridge that was Mom's favorite onto my rolling toolbox stack, shuffled across the kitchen and tried to think how I was about to put the awkward 20 pound assembly in the oven while trying to steady myself with one arm. I absolutely can't bend over or in any way hold anything in front of me, but I managed to crouch and brace myself as I took the pot and contents off the rolling cart and finagled it into the oven. Success! I was bound and determined to do this as I've been doing lately trying to live an everyday life with the hopefully temporary snafu I'm dealt. I can now make short steps with the cane, and I can navigate the stairs using the railings. I've began tinkering and fixing things again, I can't tell you how much this helps my mental state.
Thanksgiving. Well, despite it all, I am thankful. Though Jeff had to work, it was of his own doing this time, and it really won't mess up0 the holiday. Jeff was given a day off for the two half days he was to put in, I said to tell his boss he should get two days off considering it is a holiday. Guess what? Jeff told his boss, and he agreed. I get Jeff for a nice long weekend the following week. I also have him Tuesday, since he will shuttle me to and from the doc for a followup visit, where I will have an earful to unload. If all goes well, and since the crazy crowds will have died off, Jeff and I might go to the store to get me out of the house. If I can hang off the back of some sort of cart, I can walk anywhere.
I'm thankful to still be around, that I have Jeff to take care of me despite the often cranky moods and intemperate outbursts. I have a few good friends that, despite their distance, really make me feel like people care. And, at the moment, I am thankful for the hugeassed home theater setup with its 17 individual speaker cones blasting Pink Floyd as I mess around the house and play with the pooches.
I hope those in LJ are having a good day too. Without you, I'd be definitely less fortunate.
Thanks.
Tags:
So, today is Valentine's Day. The day has meant something quite different for me over the years, compared to the traditional meaning that it has for the majority of people. In the case of the latter, most love, loathe or pretty much ignore the holiday. As is typical with "Hallmark Holidays", as they are derisively known, it is when the prices for flowers and chocolates rise to meet the inevitable demand. However, like so many things in life, it is the thought behind the gestures that has the meaning. For me, it was always a day to do something nice for my Mom. Even though her birthday was four days ago, the day had its significance because "Valentine" is my mother's first name. It is pronounced "Valentina", but during her emigration from the Soviet Union during WWII, she had misspelled her name on various documents. Rather than change it to the more common spelling, she kept it as is. It was unique in comparison to so many other names. As a kid, I always said it was "her day" and went out of my way to make it nice for her. These days I think people understand why, like on the day of her birthday, I feel downtrodden and sad, yet another reminder of loss. It's not all bad, though, as I have many fond memories going back four-and-a-half decades.
So, this morning started early, but I was mostly preoccupied in my thoughts and memories. A good friend of mine is currently closing down his auto repair business due to various economic reasons, so I am helping him move his tools, machinery and such from the building to his home, where it will stay until he finds new digs and a place to hang his shingle for business, hopefully with business partners that know how to better run an auto repair business other than into the ground.
Before I left to go help out, I had noticed the latest Google "doodle" on the home page. As much as I often distrust Google as a huge monolithic enterprise bent of taking over the internets, these little bits of date-specific artwork often make my day. Today was definitely one of those times:
This little piece of cuteness really "gets it." Watch carefully at the end for the funny and thought provoking other reasons why this works so well. I had forgotten all about what I searched for, the little distraction made my day as well as choked me up a bit.
I then go and help out my buddy, moving tools, stock and machinery that was far heavier than I should have attempted. I ended up with some of it as my own, the rest taken to his now stacked-to-the-rafters suburban garage. He is having the same, if not worse problems with his back as well as other health issues, where just trying to function normally is oftentimes beset with excruciating pain. The thing that really got me, though, is the look of abject defeat in his expression. A beaten man, the garage and home is also under a dark cloud of foreclosure. I wish I could do more to help. I can't help but feel how unfair life can be, and my faith in humanity turns into a cold stone of contempt for those who have made this poor guy's life so difficult (it's a long, convoluted story I won't delve in to here, mainly out of respect of privacy).
I collect my share of the pickings along with my now overworked body and come home, smelling of stale racing gas and other garage odors. Jeff is home, of course. I start to go off to the bathroom to clean up and wash the stink off, and I notice the beautiful bouquet of roses, the chocolates, and the card. Once again my hardened heart cracks, I become a gushing sop, I go back to Jeff, give him a nice long hug, and appreciate the reminder that I do indeed have someone still in my life who cares a lot for me. Outside of this house, those who do are few and far between, making them that more precious to me. I'm including those of you here on LJ that have shown me kindness and love through the years. So, today might be a dubious holiday for some, but it still has a special meaning to me, even if it's not like it had started out all those years ago.
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.
So, this morning started early, but I was mostly preoccupied in my thoughts and memories. A good friend of mine is currently closing down his auto repair business due to various economic reasons, so I am helping him move his tools, machinery and such from the building to his home, where it will stay until he finds new digs and a place to hang his shingle for business, hopefully with business partners that know how to better run an auto repair business other than into the ground.
Before I left to go help out, I had noticed the latest Google "doodle" on the home page. As much as I often distrust Google as a huge monolithic enterprise bent of taking over the internets, these little bits of date-specific artwork often make my day. Today was definitely one of those times:
This little piece of cuteness really "gets it." Watch carefully at the end for the funny and thought provoking other reasons why this works so well. I had forgotten all about what I searched for, the little distraction made my day as well as choked me up a bit.
I then go and help out my buddy, moving tools, stock and machinery that was far heavier than I should have attempted. I ended up with some of it as my own, the rest taken to his now stacked-to-the-rafters suburban garage. He is having the same, if not worse problems with his back as well as other health issues, where just trying to function normally is oftentimes beset with excruciating pain. The thing that really got me, though, is the look of abject defeat in his expression. A beaten man, the garage and home is also under a dark cloud of foreclosure. I wish I could do more to help. I can't help but feel how unfair life can be, and my faith in humanity turns into a cold stone of contempt for those who have made this poor guy's life so difficult (it's a long, convoluted story I won't delve in to here, mainly out of respect of privacy).
I collect my share of the pickings along with my now overworked body and come home, smelling of stale racing gas and other garage odors. Jeff is home, of course. I start to go off to the bathroom to clean up and wash the stink off, and I notice the beautiful bouquet of roses, the chocolates, and the card. Once again my hardened heart cracks, I become a gushing sop, I go back to Jeff, give him a nice long hug, and appreciate the reminder that I do indeed have someone still in my life who cares a lot for me. Outside of this house, those who do are few and far between, making them that more precious to me. I'm including those of you here on LJ that have shown me kindness and love through the years. So, today might be a dubious holiday for some, but it still has a special meaning to me, even if it's not like it had started out all those years ago.
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.
Seasons Greetings
Dec. 25th, 2009 04:54 pmMerry Christmas to all, and to all, the best of days, from Phil and Jeff.
Happy Xmas
Dec. 26th, 2008 01:02 amIt was indeed a merry little Xmas here at the GoM. While Jeff was off at work, I was working both in the garage and in the basement. I needed to make up some spacer blocks for the safety sensors on the new garage door opener, So I rummaged through the scrap lumber and found a suitable piece, cutting and working on the stationary sander and table saw. The wood was southern yellow pine, and few wood odors come close to making the entire area smell like a 'real' workshop. I called it Santa's Workshop for the day. The smell still lingers, and reminds me of days gone by for some reason.
When Jeff got home from work (yeah, I know), we had our exchange of gifts. He got me an L.L. Bean three-in-one parka that I actually had been needing, along with some nice gloves and earmuffs. Since we will be taking a trip up to the Poconos soon to frolic in the snow, he thought this would be the perfect gift. And it was. I needed everything, including the earmuffs, which until now I didnt own. I usually rely of knit caps or tuques to keep my big flappy ears from freezing off. I got Jeff a Chef's Choice meat/food slicer, which he was pretty happy to get. I mean, what do you get a chef for xmas? lol
Jeff is home tomorrow and we plan on being mostly domestic. I might shove the Dart out of the garage and install the second opener. The second time is always much easier. ;)
I hope all of you had a great Xmas day.
When Jeff got home from work (yeah, I know), we had our exchange of gifts. He got me an L.L. Bean three-in-one parka that I actually had been needing, along with some nice gloves and earmuffs. Since we will be taking a trip up to the Poconos soon to frolic in the snow, he thought this would be the perfect gift. And it was. I needed everything, including the earmuffs, which until now I didnt own. I usually rely of knit caps or tuques to keep my big flappy ears from freezing off. I got Jeff a Chef's Choice meat/food slicer, which he was pretty happy to get. I mean, what do you get a chef for xmas? lol
Jeff is home tomorrow and we plan on being mostly domestic. I might shove the Dart out of the garage and install the second opener. The second time is always much easier. ;)
I hope all of you had a great Xmas day.
(no subject)
Nov. 26th, 2008 10:38 pmFour day weekend! Yay!
Jeff has to work tomorrow and Friday (who didnt see that coming?), but I dont. Tomorrow I have to shoot some pictures to go with an article I have written for an online magazine directed to Mini Cooper enthusiasts. I kept putting it off, forgetting and falling ill, so just like anyone else who writes copy, I ran it up to the deadline. This should be interesting.
In about 15 minutes I will take my domain server offline to stuff it's guts into a new case. I got my multi-bay drive racks in today that actually fit the case. Now no more computer stuff except for a gigabit switch. This crap will put me in the poor house.
After the photo session I have some car/truck maintenance to do as well as installing the new garage door opener. That's one less box sitting in the living room that should be in the garage to start with.
Jeff and I will have our own little T-Day dinner tomorrow night. Yesterday afternoon I picked up a turkey breast from the farm across the way. At nine and a half pounds for the breast alone, this must have been the Dolly Parton of turkeys. We are making just one half of it, and it still looks huge.
If all goes as planned, we will be up in PA for the weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving with Jeff's folks. We are taking up two huge pies, and three cases of soda. I gotta bring back my carpet shampooer, the shower door that didnt fit and Jeff's sister. The truck gets a nice workout once again. Let's hope Kodi doesnt toss his doggie biscuits in it.
I hope you and yours have a great Thanksgiving holiday!
Jeff has to work tomorrow and Friday (who didnt see that coming?), but I dont. Tomorrow I have to shoot some pictures to go with an article I have written for an online magazine directed to Mini Cooper enthusiasts. I kept putting it off, forgetting and falling ill, so just like anyone else who writes copy, I ran it up to the deadline. This should be interesting.
In about 15 minutes I will take my domain server offline to stuff it's guts into a new case. I got my multi-bay drive racks in today that actually fit the case. Now no more computer stuff except for a gigabit switch. This crap will put me in the poor house.
After the photo session I have some car/truck maintenance to do as well as installing the new garage door opener. That's one less box sitting in the living room that should be in the garage to start with.
Jeff and I will have our own little T-Day dinner tomorrow night. Yesterday afternoon I picked up a turkey breast from the farm across the way. At nine and a half pounds for the breast alone, this must have been the Dolly Parton of turkeys. We are making just one half of it, and it still looks huge.
If all goes as planned, we will be up in PA for the weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving with Jeff's folks. We are taking up two huge pies, and three cases of soda. I gotta bring back my carpet shampooer, the shower door that didnt fit and Jeff's sister. The truck gets a nice workout once again. Let's hope Kodi doesnt toss his doggie biscuits in it.
I hope you and yours have a great Thanksgiving holiday!
