Boy it’s been a couple of crazy weeks here lately. Two weeks ago while Ken was at his Dungeons & Dragons game I was here at the house and I had not spoken to anyone on the phone and when Ken called at about 8:00PM I couldn’t talk. My tongue was like a big gum ball you get at a vending machine! I was like, “What the hell is going on?”. I freaked out for a bit wondering what caused it. The previous Saturday I had been eating pizza when I got a REAL sharp pain in my mouth. I felt around and nothing was there. By Monday I couldn’t swallow because the pain was so bad and my neck and throat were swollen. So I take my skinny butt up to Urgent Care thinking they’ll probably know what’s going on. They sent me to a ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist upstairs. I had three doctors look at me, none of them had a reason of what was going on. So I was sent home with steroids and a strong antibiotic. You never really know how much you can take things for granted when you can speak and communicate with another person. I was a basket case for a good week as I tried to go on as usual, without a voice. Last Sunday my voice did start coming back and now, it’s still a bit sloppy at times but my tongue and speaking is much better now. I am so very grateful to just have my voice back!

This past week has been busy with all the other doctors that I have to see. I saw the hematologist/oncologist on Tuesday of this past week and I was thinking to myself, Buddy if you think you’re getting another bone marrow biopsy out of me anytime soon, you ARE HIGH!!! It isn’t going to happen. Anyway, he reviewed my progress or lack thereof and put me back on Marinol. Marinol is an synthetic cannaboid for appetite that is most often given to people with cancer and anorexia. For me it’s for my stomach. It really stirs the appetite, making you want to eat just about anything you can get your hands on! This time I’m on a lower dose, before when I was on it, I had a hard time doing anything after taking it. Basically, I was stoned without having touched cannabis. Let’s just say it’s REALLY gives you the munchies!

This week I have a couple of appointments. I need to see a cardiologist because my heart rate has been off the charts and my doctors don’t have a clue as to why. Hopefully the cardiologist can get it figured out with the least amount of hassle.

I would like to just have a week that I don’t have to see a doctor, for me …. that would be bliss! :)

I wanted to thank everyone who made my birthday special from Illinois, Australia, to the United Kingdom all the way back home to Ken. I REALLY appreciated all the notes and emails and personal messages wishing me your best!!! :)

Now as far as Ken goes he wins top prize for my birthday. He heard me bitching about how slow my computer was and that I just didn’t want to get on it because all I seemed to do was wait for this or that. It’s mostly because Vista is a resource hog, just as Windows 7 will be. I’m sure someone will correct me on that second part. ;P

My new system’s configuration is generally this:

OS: Microsoft Vista Ultimate x64

Processor: AMD Phenom II, x2 550+

Graphic’s: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT, one gig ram.

Memory: Four gigs DDR3 ram.

New 360Gig HDD – Primary

Storage: Two 500Gig Western Digital HDD

So there it is in a nut shell. I hope it makes sense to most of you. :)

Have a wonderful day!!!

Boy, it sure has been a long week. Last week we dropped the Yukon off with our mechanic Fred and he got started on what was causing the problems with starting the truck. After testing some things everything pointed at the fuel pump. Ken replaced the fuel pump a couple years ago and it just wasn’t doing what it needed to do so it was replaced and so was the gas tank. Fred had everything wrapped up by Friday and we picked it up and everything seems to be working great!

While Fred had the Yukon at his place we were using the Cadillac as the way of getting around. It made me more than a little nervous because there is a idle issue that pops up from time to time and between my brother Dave and Ken … it’s either the O2 sensor or the throttle positioning sensor. Now I just need to get it put on a computer to see what codes the car is throwing out there. My fear is it stalling while at a light or sitting in traffic and then having to get it towed if it doesn’t start. Then again I tend to worry too much as it is so I will try and relax about the situation. At least we have the OEM manual for the Cadillac – that makes things so much easier and it’s quite handy to have provided you don’t take the diagrams as true and factual. I learned that lesson the hard way when I was having light issues with the car.

Let’s see, I have a ton of doctor appointments coming up and my neurologist wrote me a script for physical therapy for three weeks. Not sure when I’m going to be able to fit that in but frankly at this point I’m not sure if I’m going to even bother, this is the same doctor that wants me to take folic acid supplements even though my last folic acid level was too high. Does he read his own labs? I think not, it’s that or he’s got his head up his ass.

I spent most of the week getting about at like 4:30AM so that Ken could get to work. That wasn’t too bad provided I went to bed early enough then I didn’t have to drag my sorry ass out of bed. I don’t know how Ken can stay up late and get up so early, perhaps he’s just used to it. My mono is taking it’s time forgetting about me, still having to take Motrin 800mg for the pain and slight swelling of my neck. It’s been like two months now, go away already! At least the fatigue and tiredness has gone away for the most part, so I guess that’s the good news.

I was surprised by a package I received from a dear friend! It’s for my birthday that’s coming up next weekend. I got some comics and a rather thick card which I won’t open until my birthday and three tins of DELICOUS FUDGE!!! It’s true you know, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and let me assure you, it’s some AWESOME fudge!!! That made my week! I am truly blessed to have some warm, thoughtful and caring friends.

Well, that’s my week in a nutshell … I hope yours was well and that you have a great weekend!  :)

Yesterday, I finally saw the neurologist from Wayne State University that my neurologist wanted me to see. After three appointments later we finally met. She seems pretty intelligent and pleasant from what limited time I spent with her. My neurologist said that after his examination that I am worse than the last time I saw him. No surprise there as he said the same thing the last time I saw him. What puzzles me is he tested my folic acid level and it was high, yet he wants me to take a folic acid supplement daily for the next three months until I see him again. Now am I just thick or does that NOT make any sense at all. Oh well, I will run it by my primary physician and see what he has to say about it. Neither my neurologist nor the one brought in from Wayne State has a clue as to why I have polyneuropathy and I’m getting more than a little frustrated about the situation. He did however write a script for physical therapy to help me improve my walking and gait. I guess I will get on the phone tomorrow and get that set up. Round and round I go … where I stop nobody knows.

So that was yesterday. Today I mainly took it easy, pittering around the house, tanning, grocery store and then popped dinner in the oven. Tenutas makes the best roasted chicken! So we had that for dinner tonight. It’s easy and tasty so I couldn’t go wrong. I talked to Ken about taking the Cadillac up to the parts store to have them put it on the computer and see what codes it spits out. It’s been idling very rough at times, to the point that I think it’s going to stall. Then other times it’s fine and you wouldn’t know there is a problem somewhere. I’ve been told two different things, one is it could be the 02 sensor and then it could be the throttle positioning sensor. We’ll know more once it’s put on the computer. Either way, it’s driving me crazy.

There really isn’t too much going on right now. I’m still thinking it’s Monday because the holiday threw me off somewhat. Hard to believe that tomorrow is Thursday and the week is almost gone. Where does all the time go? Ah, but the good news is the weekend comes a lot faster when your body clock is all screwed up because of having a holiday on a Monday. :)

Hope you are well and that you’re having a great week!

Siblings

together we can make it
if you only give a try
we need to work together
not stay as you and I

together we can make it
I really know we can
just hold on tight and love me
and hold onto my hand

together we can make it
give family ties a try
forget the past, let's share our love
so we won't say goodbye

together we can make it
the love's more than you know
we have to stick together now
as siblings we will grow

together we can make it
I know it in my heart
I love you all, and cherish you
please know we'll never part

© 2009 Belinda Kathleen

Well it’s Labor Day weekend and things are going pretty well. I had some personal insight the other day when checking my phone’s browser and I came to this site and something really struck me. I have been posting mostly when I’m having a rough time and that my health could be much better. Swarming was a lot of negativity. I mean I don’t think a person who’s sick and says something is wrong but when you can’t at the time try and look at something positive and include that as well. Sure I’m sick but it’s never been my intent to bring anyone down at all. You’re my friends who read my rants about life and I appreciate the comments or even if you don’t … I would if nothing else just shared with you. It hasn’t helped that my computer is giving me grief and it’s costly to resolve and I just really don’t want to spend several days getting it back to normal. No virus or anything like that … RAM! I need more memory and I hate that Windows Vista drinks the memory like a crazy person. (No pun intended, sure I'm bipolar but I'm a well adjusted nut!)

Thanks for being there in the good and bad. I really appreciate all the personal sentiment expressed to me both in comments, private messages and emails. I don’t take any of you for granted and I just need to try to focus on good things, maybe this will help me personally too. Sure I’m tired of all the specialists hounding over like like crows over road kill. Let there be no doubt, doctors aren’t always the wizards of medicine as some (like me) tend to place them at when we see them. We look to doctors for answers, we don’t always get an answer. I can deal with whatever is going on, it’s the NOT knowing that slowly chips away at people. Frustrating doesn’t even come close to describing it.

Again, thank you and I will try to lighten up my posts. It’s not my intent to be an emotional freak. Again, this blog is my buddy I jot down what’s been going on. It and the people that read it become part of the experience of blogging itself. :-)

Well, here I am again. Nothing really going on … especially this weekend as Ken and I have sent most of it relaxing and catching up on a chore or two. So I guess it’s good in a couple of ways, it’s not been hectic and we’ve gotten a couple things done.

Tuesday was Sammi Jo’s ‘Celebration of Life’ at the funeral home in Waterford. Ken and I attended but I couldn’t muster myself to go up front and look at pictures and spend time with his ashes that were in some sort of wooden box. Like I said, I didn’t go up so that’s all I know about the box, maybe it was hand carved with something. I think I will ask someone who was there about the box. I’m just used to urns so it just sort of threw me a little. Ken and I talked to Mark and some of his other friends who came up and introduced themselves. Several of his friends didn’t make it not for not knowing the arrangements but I guess they couldn’t show enough guts to pay some respect. Leon was held up at the hospital hooked to IV antibiotics so obviously he couldn’t make it but there were others that knew and just didn’t show up. I guess it puts me off a bit because it’s the last time you have to pay your respects, but everyone mourns differently so I will just keep that in mind.

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful for the most part. I’m still sleeping a lot because of the lingering effects of the mono. Then yesterday I am sitting there in the chair and notice my neck and jaw hurting much like when I had full blown mono! I am thinking, Oh no you don’t! Today it really isn’t bothering me much to my glee. I really didn’t want to go through the whole swollen jaw and neck thing again. I should note I am venting as this blog is healthy for me to get things off my chest. I type what I am thinking about and then it’s done. I sure beats driving Ken crazy with all my zannie ideas and posts. I have been regularly checking in on Facebook and not so much on Twitter. Mainly because I have the apps on my cell phone and can be watching TV and posting at the same time without booting my computer up. Lazy I know, but it’s just what has been working for me lately.

No, I am not abandoning my blog. Scaling back on posts is more like it but if you follow my blog, you already know I’ve been scaling back so this comes as no surprise.

I hope you and yours had a great weekend!!! :)

This afternoon Leon called me with bad news. A friend of ours, “Sammi Jo” passed away yesterday from cancer. He was Sam Ross to every one but his friends. He wasn’t one to drop his ailments on others as not to burden them, it’s just the way he was. He was a great friend of over 23 years and he will be surely missed by me and to those whom he called his friends. Rest with peace Sammi Jo, we love you and will miss you very much!

“…For, in my circle, this dark wood is only a passage, until I re-emerge at the other end. So, any tears shed are only cleansers of your sadness, for there is no other cause to weep for me. I am immortal in your memory and unafraid of the journey.” –Anonymous

Quote courtesy: Melanie

Well, I think it’s been long enough without posting. As some of you know I have been posting to Facebook and sometimes Twitter but that’s really about it. I don’t have an application for my phone for Live Spaces or else I probably would have been posting. Sorry if you feel I deserted anyone, it wasn’t my intent. It’s just there really wasn’t much to post about.

My Mono is all but gone as far as symptoms with is great news for me! I still get the tiredness and fatigue but that is known to linger long after you have the primary symptoms. Adult Mono is no fun and I hope none of you have to deal with it. I’ve been spending time playing on the computer and doing things around the house, so I haven’t been having too much fun in my absence. Ken has shown no signs as yet of Mono, I’m hoping it stays that way. But then his immune system is stronger than mine.

Tony, Ken’s son came over last night and fixed our driveway light – damn is it ever bright. Plus he got on the roof and tarred a couple areas that needed it. I told Tony that, “Ya know, your grandmother puts Ken to work every time he goes over so don’t feel too bad”. Yes, we fed him for his troubles which really weren’t any big deal.

I see the pain specialist tomorrow and a neurologist that specializes in polyneuropathy on Saturday, I’m not used to having doctor appointments during the weekend, but I am curious of what she may or may not come up with. Wish me luck.

Search Criteria for online networking:

Facebook: Stephen Kent + Clarkston, MI

Twitter: @StephenJKent

MySpace: stephenjk@live.com or Stephen Kent in Clarkston, MI

Hope you all are well and I will try to catch up with everyone. Have a GREAT day!  :)

In my last post I described to you the problems I was having and how frustrated I was having them. Well my doctor gave me a tentative diagnosis (until the labs came back and proved his diagnosis correct) of “infectious mononucleosis” also called “mono”. It’s most often seen in children and their symptoms are often not too troublesome, adults are another story. I had swelling of my neck and jaw last weekend … I looked like I had been hit with a 2x4! And the pain was relentless. Tiredness and fatigue are also symptoms and I have had more than normal but had no idea it was related to my current problem. I have no idea where I picked this nasty virus up at, the only person I kiss is Ken and he’s not sick, but he has a stronger immune system than I do (remember how screwed up my bone marrow is). I’m about half way through the usual time it takes to recover from it and it makes me feel like a walking disease machine. I saw my stomach doctor this morning that not to get close because I have mono and he quickly went to the other side of the room. Can’t say as I blame him. I just wish I wasn’t getting the same thing at home. Maybe I should just go live in a leper colony or something. Other than that, things have been going pretty good.

Thankfully, I can’t give you mono by reading my blog. I know your relieved.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!! :) 

Same sh*t different day. My neck and lower jaw have been swollen for ten days now and the doctor ordered a bunch of labs and that was last Thursday and I emailed him today, he hasn’t seen any of my paper work and will check in the morning. This is frustrating, the amount of pain I’ve had that the pain pills didn’t touch until I started taking Motrin 800mg.

I should hear from my doctor tomorrow sometime. Until then I have no clue as to what I’m dealing with.

Like I said, same sh*t, different day.

I need a HOLIDAY!!! :)

Yesterday, Anthony, Ken’s son stopped over to show us his new haircut and to drop a couple things off for his Dad. Anthony actually got his hair cut – his bangs were down to his shoulders and the rest was down to the middle of his back. So obviously when he stopped over, it was like “Get the camera, QUICK!!! Please forgive our relaxing attire … it was the weekend and we were not going anywhere.

Please click on image to enable a larger view:

This past week in a nut shell has been doctors, new information and plans for more doctors. First off, I saw my neurologist and my polyneuropathy has gotten worse and spread to my hands and arms. I am scheduled to see a neurologist who specializes in neuropathy on 22 August. I am more than a little unnerved (pardon the pun) to the fact the neuropathy has gotten worse and am stuck guessing, what’s next?. The other doctor was my pain specialist. I thought it was a routine refill visit and to update him on the neuropathy and the results from my endoscopy I had on my stomach showing a perforated ulcer, it’s okay … it came out back into my stomach so I won’t need surgery. Weird I know, but hey, I never claimed to be normal. Anyway, he changed my Loratab to Oxycodone and just warned me that it’s stronger than the Loratab. Great, now I have to get used to another medication. Could it be any more hectic getting used to another heavy duty pain killer? Argh … If I never have to see another doctor as long as I live it will be too soon!

So after a long week of doctors and telephone calls I went yesterday and picked up the fixings for potato salad, my mom’s recipe. So I hit Tenutas Market and picked up all the goodies and once I got home I had a call from Leon and was on the phone for about two hours with him so I got a late start on the salad. By 5:30PM or so I was well underway and things were busy in the kitchen. Ken wasn’t in my way because he was at a Dungeons & Dragons game with his gaming buddies and I had room to tear apart the kitchen. The worst part was peeling ten pounds of potatoes! But isn’t that ALWAYS the worst part of making anything with taters in it?!! Anyway, I had a couple servings and it turned out perfect, I just hope the guys appreciate it. It takes about three and a half hours to make it.

I had planned to go to the pool party at Gary & David’s but I woke up with a wrenched neck and was tossing all kinds of stuff down my pie hole to kill the pain, including sitting on the heating pad … no luck, that is until Ken left and I actually feel asleep for a short nap. It’s starting to tense up again but I’m not too worried as it’s easier to control the pain when it’s not consuming your every thought. 

I really needed to vent what I have typed. I hate to drag anyone down by posting my ails but sometimes it helps just to get what frustrates you off your chest and out in the open. Oh, I just remembered I need to call Will tomorrow – still haven’t returned his call from last night. I know, my bad.

I hope everyone is having a super weekend and that you have a chance to just kick back and enjoy the weekend. :-)

Would you eat a live hamster for $1,000,000?: Oh hell no! They are too cute.
Would you go to a Manson concert if you had a free ticket?: Yes.
If you were stuck on an island, what people would you want with : Nobody, I like solitude.
Do you admire anyone?: I admire many people, I find people interesting.
Who is the last person that called you: My partner in sin.
What makes you laugh the most: The stunts people pull off and get away with.
What makes you smile: Just about anything, as long as it means well.
Do you wear contacts or glasses?: Just reading glasses when I decide to wear them.
Do you like yourself: For the most part, then I can be a real pain in the ass too.
Do you get along with your family: Most of them.
Do you have piercings below the waist: No
Have you stolen anything over $30?: No
Are you obsessive?: Can be.
Are you compulsive?: Can be.
Want to have children?: No
Do you enjoy seafood?: Well not really, I prefer fish. I really don’t like much anything else.
What are you listening to right now? Silence, our Sony HDTV when on the blink.
What makes you happy: Being pain free and enjoying good company.
What did you do yesterday: Errands mostly, nothing to get excited about.
If you could change anything about yourself, what would you chan: My lack of self-esteem.
Good dancer: LMAO, are you kidding me … that would be a No.
Good Singer: No, but turn up the radio to drown me out would be a good thing.
Have a lava lamp: No
How many remote controls are in your house: Tons, it’s sad really.
Are you double jointed: Yes, it can be a hassle sometimes but I can do things others cannot.
What do you dream about: Mum is the word.
Last time you showered: This morning.
The last movie you saw at the theatres: I can’t remember, we mostly watch DVD’s.
Scary or happy movies: Scary by far!
Root beer or Dr. Pepper: Dr. Pepper
Mud or Jell-O wrestling: Mud!
Vanilla or chocolate: Chocolate, but Vanilla is pretty good too.
Summer or winter: Summer
Silver or Gold: Gold
Diamond or pearl: Diamond
Sunset or Sunrise: Sunset
Sprite or 7up: 7Up
Orange juice or apple juice: Orange juice.
Cats or dogs: Dogs by far!
Coffee or tea: Coffee
Phone or in person: In person but a text message can be fun too.
Oldest, middle, youngest or only child: Youngest
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor, even though I am no stranger to the tanning salon.
Describe Yourself In One Word: Weird

Well, yet another week has passed and I was away from Tuesday to Saturday. My uncle called on Monday and begged me to come up and help him get to where he needed to be (his van isn’t in running) and I said I would but he would have to pick up the gas costs because I can’t afford a two hundred dollar gasoline coming out of my budget right now. He offered to pay me for my time and I was like, “We are family, you don’t need to pay me to for my time”.

I arrived about 3:00PM on Tuesday and rested up for a busy day on Wednesday as he had dialysis and had to be in Sault Saint Marie at the War Memorial Hospital. He has dialysis three days a week so far. The procedure takes a little over four hours to clean out his blood and dehydrate him, as he’s holding a lot of water throughout his body. Then on Thursday, we headed to Newberry to find another vehicle as his van is no longer running or worth fixing, he found a Ford Escort that was in his price range and I followed him home back to Paradise. Mind you that the Soo is 75 miles from Paradise and Newberry about 45 miles from Paradise. So when you go anywhere even to get groceries it’s at least 45 miles! Being the Cadillac requires I put premium gas in it, it gets expensive to do major running around to get anywhere. Of course there was the cost of getting there which takes about a tank, perhaps a little less. It’s 350 miles one way to my aunt and uncles place. So yeah, it’s something I needed help covering. Then while running around I get a message on the LED screen stating: “Service Vehicle Soon”. Could it be any more cryptic! I checked all the fluids and they were all fine. The car so far has been running fine so what the problem is Fred, our mechanic will hook up to the computer and see what error codes come up. As far as “servicing” the car, isn’t that what we’ve been doing for the last month and a half! ARGH!!! I made it home yesterday in record time. It took 4.5 hours to get home, 5 if you count me waiting in line at the drive through car wash to get all the bugs off my car. I got home in time that I wasn’t dragging ass all day and that Ken and I could at least see each other. I really missed him when I was gone. I brought my computer with me but found it easier just to update Twitter and Facebook via my cell phone. So my laptop stayed in the trunk. I did try and get Ken some fudge yesterday when I left to come home, but they didn’t open until 10:00AM and it was only 8:45AM when I was at Whitefish Point so I didn’t want to wait. We’ll just make some ourselves.

When I came home yesterday, Ken was cleaning out his dressers and closet. I was shocked! So today he had a Dungeons & Dragons game to go to and I did my part of the closet but haven’t got to my dressers yet. I don’t have much there to go through, but I am pooped so I stopped for the day. At least I got some laundry and the closet done.

I hope everyone had a great week and weekend. I missed reading everyone while I was gone. :-)

Gee, it’s been a while since I posted anything and we’ve been occupied with various things, some fun and some not so much. First, I would like to send a cheer out for everyone in hopes they are having a safe and festive Independence Day weekend.

We had plans but they fell through because Ken’s grandmother is in the hospital recovering from a blood clot in her elbow. They did surgery and started her on blood thinners and she can’t be released until her medication level comes up. We had plans to go to a friends place this weekend but instead it’s all been sitting … and waiting for the call to come and take her home.

Yesterday was a very productive day! Ken managed to find the cause of the lighting issues I had with the Cadillac. Apparently, the hinge from the trunk lid crossed with one of the wire harness in the trunk and it killed my back up lights, trunk dome light and the plate lights. I am VERY happy he took all the time he did to fix the problem with the wire harness. I can’t remember the last time the back up lights worked or frankly any of them working, but Ken said it was fixed before, at least the back up lights were. I’m still left scratching my head over it. He also spliced in a new running light for the drivers rear quarter panel which I had already picked up sockets and plenty of bulbs that I needed. I never really knew just how light happy that Cadillac is. I mean there are lights everywhere on it. Alas, we survived that mess and Ken went out to decompress. After doing all he did, I think I would need to decompress myself.

Later last evening at about 11:30PM (EST) Ken started playing with the explosives he picked up when we were coming back from Charleston. He basically had some fire crackers and something a little louder to play with. He started and then the neighbors started blowing up with what they had. So yeah, you can imagine it was a wee-bit noisy for a while last night.

Today hasn’t been real great. My stomach really went on a tangent and giving me more pain than I’m used to getting. So I’ve been taking Lortabs most of the day just to keep it under control. I saw my gastroenterologist this past Friday and he wants me to call on Monday and get an endoscopy scheduled with his nurse. I’m hoping it’s my stomach being difficult and not an ulcer(s) which I’m prone too. At any rate, the scope should provide some insight.

I really appreciate the few regulars I have coming by to read the blog. This Spring and Summer I haven’t been too talkative online, perhaps I’m just burned out on computers … Man are they high maintenance appliances! I hope you all are doing well and are having a great weekend!!! :-)

My brother lost Zeus this week. He passed away totally unexpected and before his time. He was and always will be the sweetest Rottweiler I have ever come across. He was Dave’s buddy and friend. May his special way always be remembered. Zeus passed away with Dave there, June 16th, 2009. We are all going to miss him greatly.

A Dog’s Eulogy

Gentlemen of the jury:

The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. A son or daughter he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those who we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors.

The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it the most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in moment off ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may the first to throw in the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolute, devoted friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that will never abandon him, the one that will never prove ungrateful is his dog.

Gentlemen of the jury, a man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground where the wintery windows blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master’s side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that result from encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince.

When all other friends desert he remains. When riches take wing and reputation falls to pieces he is as constant in his love as the sun in it’s journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless. the faithful dog ask no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against enemies.

And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in his embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all his friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will be the noble dog be found., his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in the alert watchfulness, faithful and true to death.

Author: Senator George Graham Vest of Missouri ©

For the most part it’s been a hum-drum week all in all. Basically, it’s consisted of car repair and several trips to the auto parts store and doctors appointments. Sure I’ve had worse weeks so I’m not complaining at all.

With the Cadillac I thought my side marker and plate lights were working when they weren’t. All but one side light needed to replace, easy fix. I HAD to fix the turn signal flasher that’s buried under the steering column and the OEM manual that we paid a lot of money for was worthless because in the diagrams they had the hazard flasher module and turn signal module transposed and I couldn’t figure out why when I replaced the turn signal flasher wasn’t working after replacing it. Trust me, you never what to drive a car that doesn’t have working turn signals. I hate it when someone doesn’t signal and I became one of those people, ARGH. So I contacted our mechanic, Fred, and he quickly diagnosed the problem, so I quickly ran the the auto parts store to get a new turn signal flasher. Presto, I had turn signals once again. It a was a lot of headaches for a $10.00 part. Silly me trusted the manual as fact when in reality, Fred said, “You can never trust these diagrams in the manuals”. That’s no shit. We still haven’t figured out the issue with the plate light, but will get it fixed soon as it’s a ticketable offense not to have working plate lights.

Yesterday morning I went to see my gastroenterologist at the new medical building here in Clarkston. I had seen him and talked with him and made it home by a little after 9:00AM EST and that was even after stopping by the pharmacy and getting a ton of my meds refilled. Can’t beat that with a stick! :)

I stayed home last night and listened to the storms move over head and it was kinda cool because we had the air going, still do infact and I just laid in bed and listened to the thunder and the hail and rain pummel the house outside. I don’t have anything major planned this weekend, today I am dragging ass and cannot get motivated but I did want to at least check in.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!!  :)

Alas, it’s the weekend and it’s Spring and everyone is out buying flowers and such to pretty up their homes. It’s always my favorite time of year with all the planting and the well manicured lawns.

Yesterday I set out to try and find some paint and some flowers for our place. Ken had went to Bordines on Friday and picked up the plants for our box garden. I have yet to weed, hoe and plant the plants, but it’s on my agenda to get done this weekend, most likely today once it warms up a bit outside. No luck so far on the paint. They only have limited retailers but I haven’t exhausted my search yet … I still have to try True Value hardware, WalMart and Meijer. I only need two gallons and have no ambition or money to repaint the entire deck because I can’t find the color and type of paint I need.

Below is a sample of the spidering geraniums that I picked up for the deck. I thought the color would look great with the gray house as it sorta “pops”. I don’t know the name of it but nevertheless it’s a geranium of some sort. Also I included a road view of the front of the house. It looks so much better with the flowers! Plus, the Cadillac is pictured and you should know I like showing off my baby. Still haven’t figured out when we are going to fix the turn signal. It’s one of two parts, I’m half tempted to replace both and just get it fixed so I don’t look like an idiot without any turn signals.

I hope everyone is having an excellent weekend. Wish me luck in finding the deck and porch paint I need, I could use it. :P

LATER:

Well it’s been a very productive day! I was able to get the box garden weeded and I planted marigolds and tomatoes. We have six tomato plants, I am hoping they all make it through the season. They are small plants and yes, it’s getting a little late to start planting things, but alas … the garden is done.

I also ran to the auto parts store and picked up a new turn signal flasher and some bulbs. I had no idea I had so many body lights out, I’m like … “What the f_ck…”. Every one I’ve installed is now working except one. I think the socket is shot so I have to stop at a junk yard for another one that way all the lights are working. I was pretty happy with myself getting so much completed! I suppose it wasn’t a typical Sunday but it was a beautiful day to get a couple things off my mind. :)

Have a GREAT week everyone. :)

All I can think to say this morning is “thank heaven it’s Friday”! It’s been a fudged up weeks as weeks go. But I know I am not alone in my feeling that things have been tough lately, not just for me but for many others as well. All I can do is hope and pray that your “stuff” gets resolved to some extent soon for your sake and your sanity. If you’ve had a great week, then please pass the joy around … there are a couple of us who need it. ::chuckle::

Last evening while I was updating the computers, I decided to go through my contacts and network people I had. In total I had somewhere around 400 members. So knowing that all those people don’t keep track or talk in messenger I deleted them, especially if I didn’t recognize the name or email address. If you were taken out by accident, PLEASE let me know and send me a request. It was NOT my intention to delete anyone who currently visits my blog, but soon I will be going private and didn’t want all these extra people in my contacts and profile when I don’t even chat with them … just didn’t make sense.

So I woke up at 6:00AM this morning and had some cereal, Lucky Charms to be exact and hopped into my robe and got on the computer to play more catch up. I have a couple things to get down today, namely weed the box garden in case we plant anything this year. I have plenty of micro-projects I could be doing but I sorta just feel like kicking back today.

Until next time, Peace!