Operation Went Well

Look how cute Dusty is in this picture. He's got his sweetie-face on so people won't think about how much he pees on their shoes when they reach down to pet him. He gets excited. Very. And he's excited today because his 3rd favorite person did just fine in her surgery. The kidney is gone. And Miss Jean is doing well. No complications - and several were expected. We were lucky. And blessed. Miss Jean isn't in very much pain either, as they gave her that push-button thing that releases pain killer immediately in her I.V. when she pushes it. She's been sleeping much of the time, but is very lucid and "with it" when she's awake. Just like Miss Jean always is. So, we are relieved, to say the least. I imagine she'll come home this weekend, and be on the road to recovery by Christmas.

And speaking of Christmas, I almost have my shopping done. Of course, a lot of my "shopping" is now in the form of cash or gift cards, which is wonderful for me. I still have a few things to buy for Jamie and Travis, and I'll be done. Except for Marco. We're not big on gifts anymore. We pretty much have everything we want and/or need. I wouldn't mind an Escalade, but I don't want to pay for it, so that's that. I'm sure he'd like some new wheels, too, as both of our vehicles have over 100,000 on them. But they run just fine, and they're paid for. Maybe next year.

Almost Outta Here...

Here's my pretty Baby bird. She's a Blue Front Amazon. She talks like a little munchkin. Sunny loves her.

Well, the day is finally here. Mom and I leave for the hospital in about an hour and a half. It is fabulous outside. I think it's supposed to be about 65 today. By the time mom gets out of the hospital, it's going to be a bit colder. We're not too nervous. We got a few tips from our cousin Bob who's an RN, and it helps immensely to look them over before hand. My house is fairly clean, and my laundry is done. That kind of stuff helps. I can't stand clutter and mess, and I can sit at the hospital today knowing I'll come home to peace and order. Sort of. Birds and dogs aren't really tidy animals, but who cares. They love me. So, that's about it for today. I need to pack a bag for myself with some magazines, puzzles, snacks and that kind of stuff. Wish us well, and I'll be back in a day or two with the news from the hospital.

Shopping at 4:00 a.m.

What does the picture on the left have to do with shopping at 4:00 a.m.? Nothing really, just a pic of Kelcie and Grandpa chatting at tailgate. Note the bandage still on Marco's left hand from when he tried to saw his index finger off. The bandage is off now, but it still looks horrible. But he's lucky to have it at all. Marco, guards are on saws for a purpose.

Hmmmm, maybe Kelcie in p.j.'s has a little to do with me picking the pic for blogging about shopping at the ungodly hour of 4:00 a.m. on Black Friday. I couldn't believe we actually got up and out by 4:00. But we lucked out. We got a HD TV for the motor home ($475.00 !), and I got a pre-lighted Christmas tree that folds up like an umbrella. I just couldn't face putting that old tree up......it's one of those that have color coded limbs that you have to put together, then wrestle with the lights. No way. I'm done with that crap. I'll put that up tomorrow. In about 1/4 the time. Sweet......

However, after getting 4 hours sleep, I still have to go to work today. Marco's golfing. It's fabulous outside. My ass is dragging. But I gotta get checks cut today, because I won't be there Monday, as Miss Jean's surgery is finally around the corner. I can think of other things to mention, but my eyes are burning from lack of sleep, and I gotta save them for my computer at work. So folks, I'm outta here for now. For those of you who have today as a holiday ~ lucky you!!

Happy Thanksgiving, I'm busy...

Today is Thanksgiving. Marco and I have to start the bird and all our yummy sides, so I'm not going to linger on the computer.
A friend recently told me I need to publish my "100 Things About Me". It's sort of obligatory on a blog. Well, I started to jot down things, and by the time I got to 50, I had brain lag. I'll start with 50, and do the other 50 later. That gets me off the hook for today.

1. My birthday is December 3rd
2. I was born on my paternal grandmother's 50th birthday
3. My zodiac sign is Sagittarius
4. My husband's name is Marco
5. I have 4 kids
6. I have 9 grandkids
7. My mother, Jean, lives next door to me
8. My favorite color is brick red
9. I am a registered Democrat
10. I drive a Lexus
11. I don't wear a watch
12. My blood type is O+
13. I adore campfires
14. Ditto for snowstorms
15. I've never lived alone
16. I've never been arrested
17. I love my animals
18. I don't have a favorite movie, but if I did, it would probably be "Titanic"
19. I'm always hot, even when other people are cold
20. My favorite author is Stephen King
21. I am pro-choice
22. I have naturally long nails
23. I don't have any desire to get an iPod
24. I can't drink beer without feeling like I'm going to explode
25. My favorite author is Mary Oliver
26. I have a tattoo on my left shoulder
27. I don't let people see me cry
28. I love to read
29. I share a birthday with Ozzy Osbourne and Andy Williams
30. My favorite song is "These are the Days" by Van Morrison
31. I have trouble being in messy environments
32. My favorite drink is Coke
33. I like the sheets to be cool when I get in bed
34. My favorite time of the day is sunrise
35. My favorite time of the year is fall
36. My favorite holiday is Christmas
37. I have a pretty good sense of time and direction
38. I have low blood pressure
39. I could watch the birds at my feeder for hours
40. I'm not really what you'd call a great friend
41. I'm something of a loner
42. I would sell my soul for good hair
43. I'm coulrophobic
44. I prefer to leave the cooking to my husband
45. I haven't had a moving violation since 1982
46. I'm a privacy nut
47. I believe in ghosts
48. Maybe even vampires
49. I think the earth already has too many people
50. I admire the people who work with groups like PETA and Greenpeace

Turkey Eve

Surprise, it's Brad's pic on this post. No particular reason, he was just near the top of one of my folders of pics. Another tailgating picture. Brad and Amie and family will be in Portsmouth for Thanksgiving. Scott and Jackie and kids are a little up in the air about tomorrow's plans, due to Jackie's dad being in the hospital. We hope all is well with him. Todd and Aubrey will host some of Aubrey's family in Raleigh. And Amy and James and kids will be spending the day with Amy's grandmother and family. And Marco and I are hosting Miss Jean and Aunt Bobbie. We're all cooking something, and we'll be like everyone else.....eating like pigs. It was 60 degrees outside today, and the next few days look like the same. Marco is golfing Friday. But we've had Novembers like this before, and as I recall, he's even golfed in early December. Global warming is a serious issue, but the golfers will take what they can get.

I am almost completely finished with my Christmas shopping. I'll have to try to finish up Sunday, as Miss Jean goes into the hospital Monday at 10:15 to have her kidney removed. Even with that looming, she and Bobbie are having a good visit, and I'm thankful that Bobbie was able to come up and keep Miss Jean company. It's been good for both of them. They're sweeties. We had pepperoni pizze, wine and carrot cake for dinner. Yum yum.

Gotta run, everyone have a great Thanksgiving!!

The Big Game

Wheew......the big game is over and Ohio State came through like the champs they are. Great game! It was a chilly day for tailgating, but Marco bought one of those carport-type canvas thingys, and set it up by the motor home. That kept the television dry, and there was room for plenty of chairs. Some of us, though, watched the game on the small television in the motor home. Guess which group I fell in to?? Nice and warm in the coach, that's me. Along with a pillow and blankie. I'm a built-for-comfort tailgater. And it's my motor home, so I'll do what I want.

I finally got the picture uploaded of Marco with the Neutron Man, even though it IS from last season. Don't ask me who the Neutron Man is.......I don't have a clue. He just wanders around the tailgating lots and poses with anyone who wants to take pictures. He has on this gold makeup or paint or whatever, and I can't imagine keeping something like that on my face for very long. It's like in the movie "Goldfinger". And didn't the girl who was painted gold all over die of suffocation or something? And most of the people in that movie had weird suggestive names??? Well, I digress......I think this pic of Marco with the Neutron man is very cool. He does, too. It's the desktop background on his computer. :-)

Aunt Bobbie is up here in Columbus from Milton visiting with Miss Jean, and having Thanksgiving with us. Most of the Milton contingent will be taking a turn with out of town family members, and we were happy that Aunt Bobbie could come up with us. Marco is cooking turkey and mashies, I'm making my scalloped oyster casserole and green beans, Miss Jean is making cranberry salad and chocolate triffle. Yum yum. Did I mention I'm thinking about joining a gym again????? After Thursday, I'll really need one.......

Quickie

Today's post will be a super-quickie. We're busy with doctor and dentist appointments, lunch with the kids today, and getting ready for the big Ohio State/Michigan game. We're tailgating Saturday, and the game promises to be the biggest one in O.S.U. history. We have some other friends who will be bringing their motor coaches up and we're all looking forward to it. I tried to upload a picture of Marco and the "Neutron Man" on today's blog, but for some reason (probably the rain) it wouldn't upload. So here's Logan. He always wears his hair Scarlet and Gray for the game; here he has all kinds of color in his hair, but you get the general idea. Isn't he darling? He's 5 and papaw's boy. He'll be at the tailgate. He brings his scooter in case the game gets a little boring. Plus he brings friends. That's what tailgating is all about.

Then Thanksgiving next week, and on our way to Christmas. Unbelieveable to me; time is flying.

Cousins

The picture on the left was taken at my parents 60th Wedding Anniversary party on Feb. 6th, 2004. Left to right: my cousin John, me with a beer bottle, my cousin Mary Elizabeth, and my brother Jeff. It was a totally fun party; one I'll never forget. Little did I know that we'd be losing several family members in the 2 following years. My dad passed away on July 15th, 2005. I will write more about him soon. I mentioned in my last post that I don't have many photos on my computer yet, and I need to both scan and upload some pictures of dad and mom before writing about them.

I do have pictures of my cousin John. Sadly, he passed away on August 25th of this year. I love the picture of him on the right; that's "John" to me. T-shirt and baseball cap.

It was one of those early morning phone calls that you know has to be bad news. Heart attack. John was just 56. He was totally unique. He lived "more life" in his 56 years than most people do in a lifetime. He was an editor with the New York Times, he had traveled the world, had lived in Paris, he loved the theater, and he was a super host of many New York-style parties. I knew he had many, many friends, but after his death, the outpouring of sympathy and the memorials from his friends was amazing. A large number of his friends came from out of town to his memorial in Charleston. His mother received many floral tributes, and from what I hear, is still receiving cards and letters. The New York Times held a memorial later, attended by a great many friends. A memorial book was published, and a website created, The John Wilson Times.com. The pictures and remembrances are in the hundreds. You've got to be a special person to be remembered like he was.

It's still hard to believe he's gone. He made a point of attending all of our family events. It won't be the same without him. John was sweet and funny and smart and kind. I miss him.

"Miss Jean"

This is a picture of "Miss Jean", a name the greatgrandkids came up with for my mother, Jean Williams.

She looks a little lonely sitting here in the picture, but there were a lot of us around. It was Jared and Jessica's birthday, but all the kids were busy running around, just out of camera range. Also, this is the only picture I currently have of Miss Jean in my picture folder, and heaven knows when I'll have the time to add more, as my schedule the next few weeks is hectic.

It's hard to believe Miss Jean is 84. She looks much younger, and acts much younger, although she's slowed down some since daddy died almost 16 months ago. It's funny, but dad was just "grandpa". Not Mr. Jack or anything. I think it was Jessica that came up with the Miss Jean moniker.

Unfortunately, Miss Jean has to have a bothersome kidney removed on the 27th of this month. Somehow, it stopped working, and has gotten infected, and the infection won't go away. It will be laparoscopy surgery, but still..... kidneys seem kinda buried in the body, and it seems like you'd have to dig fairly deep to get one out. No one is looking forward to it. I'm pretty confidant that Miss Jean won't read this blog, as she doesn't currently have internet access. I don't think she'd want to read about herself in regard to the upcoming surgery. However, that event is coloring our lives for the next 2 months; getting ready for it and recuping from it. I'm mentioning it tonight as it will affect my online stuff. If you don't hear from me from time to time, I'm busy with real life. Wish us well.

Campfires and Koi

This weekend was really nice. November 3rd & 4th, but it seemed more like the October we missed. Marco and I hauled the last of the water hyacinth and lily pads out of the koi pond and cleaned out the leaves that had fallen from the ash tree. The koi are all sitting quietly at the bottom of the pond, starting their winter sleep. I miss them in the winter, although I can still see them slowly drifting around from time to time. It's just hard to believe that any kind of animals, even cold blooded ones, can sleep for months, and not eat but still survive.

After cleaning out the pond, we started a nice fire in the fire pit with all the branches we had cut back from the trees and bushes a few weeks ago. They had dried out quite nicely, and made a great fire. We keep plenty of firewood handy for fire-pit fires, and we threw some logs on the yard waste and really got it cookin'. It smells so wonderful in the fall. I had gone out to Chestnut Ridge Sunday morning to take a short hike, and there were quite a few deer, both at the park, and a few in the fields along Carroll-Winchester Road. I imagine this will be the last good week before it really starts turning cold. There are still some leaves on the trees, and it's fun scuffing thru what's on the ground. I'm sitting here at my computer at work today, wishing I was able to be outside, but maybe I'll get home from work before it gets totally dark. I hope so.