Pie is in the oven, jello is made. Now I'm chopping the celery and onions for the dressing.

I'm taking a break because the onions are STRONG!

Not waiting til the last minute this time. The house is pretty clean and I've double checked for all my ingredients. No panicking tomorrow *for a change*

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all my US friends.

Current Mood: content

Today is Joe's birthday.  One he'd rather forget.  Last night he was on his way home from a call and the truck started making strange noises.  Then BANG!  Something exploded out from under it.  Mind you, this was on the interstate at 11 at night.  Well, to make a long story short, the drive shaft had broken loose. 

We had it towed home and then to our mechanic this morning.  We've been trying to locate a drive shaft (it's an old van) and finally found one at a salvage yard across the river at 4:30 this afternoon.  Joe's going to go get it tomorrow.  We'll save about $250.00 by locating it and getting it ourselves.

Meanwhile, we rented an older car and he's working out of the trunk.  Happy birthday, luv.

Current Mood: exhausted

Joe and I finally went to see the new Star Trek movie last night.  We try to wait until a movie gets moved to the cheap theaters.  The tickets cost half the price. 

Anyway, it was wonderful.  My favorite part was when Leonard Nemoy appeared.  Being old enough to have watched the original series I was thrilled.  Spock was always my favorite character.  I sat there and grinned.  Silly, but I loved it.  Then he did the finally narration.  Grinned again.  If you haven't seen it, do so.  You'll love it. 

Only one problem with it.  Nearly all the fight scenes are on EXTREMELY high places with edges that the main characters are doing their best to fall off of.  I think I covered my eyes for a quarter of the movie.  I have trouble going up two steps on a ladder.

Current Mood: bouncy

I have watched the ACLU pull some pretty strange cases out of their collective arses over the years.  I've never said anything. 

HOWEVER!... A lot of you know that both Joe and I served in the Army and Navy respectively.  And this was during the Viet Nam era.  We were disrespected and looked down on.  We both considered it our duty to serve.  I have never regretted that decision. 

Well, it seems that the ACLU has searched out the most remote cross on public land they could find.  It's in the middle of some god forsaken rocky desert era in New Mexico.  It was erected by private citizens in the early thirties to honor our fallen military from World War I.   No government employee has ever had to tend to it.  That was done by two ex military men over the years.  It's high on a craggy bluff where it's difficult to see. 

The ACLU has filed suit to have it removed, claiming that no cross should be in public sight on public land.  If  they succeed this will affect thousands upon thousands of crosses in military cemeteries.  It will affect The Boy Scouts who have mention of God in their oath.  The reason being that they built a camp where all boy scouts can go but it's on land provided to them by a city in California.   Nearly all military monuments will have to be removed. 

The government tried to cure the problem by selling that small portion of land to the man who cares for the cross but some stupid state court agreed with the ACLU.  Stating separation of church and state and saying that it didn't change the problem.  SINCE WHEN IS HONORING OUR FALLEN DEAD A PROBLEM??!!

And if they can force removal of that symbolic cross from private property what is to stop them from using the same decision to make churches remove all signs of religion?

This country was built on freedom.  One of those freedoms is Religion.  You can decide which one you want to believe in or you can decide not to believe at all.  NO ONE has the right to tell me what I can believe in!

I just found out something VERY interesting.  No where in the Constitution itself  is there mention of separation of church and state.  In fact that quote is taken from a letter from Thomas Jefferson to a Baptist group stating that he believes that the government should make NO law regarding religion.  That there should be a permanent separation of the church and the state.  NO LAW!   What the heck is going on?

The ACLU is going to make a LOT of money with this suit and all it is going to do is hurt a lot of people and DISHONOR our deceased veterans.  There is nothing worse that a bunch of greedy people.

Current Mood: angry

I received this in an email from my aunt.  I agree with every word.  If you don't like it, don't read.  Nuff said.

This is from a friend of mine. He asked I forward it to anyone I know who "might give a damm" 
###########################

 Memorial Service: you're invited.

We're hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services.

I want a nationwide memorial service for Darrell "Shifty" Powers.

Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy

Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st  
Airborne Infantry. If you've seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel, you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.

I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the "Screaming Eagle", the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat.

Making conversation, I asked him if he'd been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made.

Quietly and humbly, he said "Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945 . . . " at which point my heart skipped.

At that point, again, very humbly, he said "I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where Normandy is?" At this point my heart stopped.

I told him yes, I know exactly where Normandy was, and I know what D- 
Day was. At that point he said "I also made a second jump into  Holland , into Arnhem ." I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day.

 I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France , and he said "Yes. And it's real sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can't make the trip." My heart was in my throat and I didn't know what to say.

I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in 

Coach, while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I'd take his in coach.

He said "No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and still care is enough to make an old man very happy." His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.

Shifty died on June 17 after fighting cancer.

There was no parade.

No big event in Staples Center .

No wall to wall back to back 24x7 news coverage.

No weeping fans on television.

And that's not right.

Let's give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet way. Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the veterans.

Rest in peace, Shifty.

Current Mood: grateful

I agreed to dog-sit my daughter's pets this week.  So yesterday, after work, I went over to feed them.  They were a bit nervous because their mom and dad were gone but not to bad.  I decided to stay the night to reassure them and boy, was that a mistake!  I got about two hours sleep because they were jumping on and off the bed and barking at nonexisting noises. *Yes, she lets them sleep on the bed*.  These two dogs are NOT small.  They are mixed breeds and fairly large.   This morning I let them out to do their business and then fed them.  I then dressed and headed home to relax.  I hope I can last the week!

Late last night Jennifer *daughter* called her dad and said they had been driving and the rear passenger window exploded.  They have no idea what happened.  Then this morning she called me.  She slipped off a low curb and severely sprained her ankle.  On the first day of their vacation!  She said it was swollen like a balloon and she can't move it or put any weight on it.  I told her to get it checked in case she broke it.  *sigh*  Whether she does it or not is up for question.

Great start to the vacation.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that she doesn't have a working computer.   *tears hair*

Current Mood: gloomy

I was once a fanatic follower of the VC chronicals before their writer went a bit...wellll....shall we say...unusual?  I'm being polite here. 

Anyway, I've always thought that Tom Cruise was terribly miscast as Lestat.  At the time, James Spader was my choice. 

Anyway, take a look at my user pic in this post and tell me what you think.  Anyone who's seen some of his earlier movies knows that Jimmy Spader is QUITE capable of some deliciously evil performances. 

Current Mood: curious

Joe went to see his cardiac surgeon last week.   After his exam the doctor leaned back in his chair and asked, "Why are you wasting my time?  Go away."  Then he grinned.  He said he doesn't want to see him again but if he needs to talk, he has his number.  

Then a few days ago he went to see his pacemaker surgeon and cardiac care physician.  He doesn't have to go back for six months!  Everything is fine.

Finally, the same day, we got the final bill from St Anthony's Hospital.  The total was over $106,000.00!!!!!
BUT, The VA paid all but $21.00.  I think we can afford that.

For all of you who have supported me through the last few months....THANK YOU SO VERY, VERY MUCH!
You've all kept me going when I was so darned scared.  I love you all!

Current Mood: thankful

Soooo very sorry,  xof1013 .  I too thought Adam was a MUCH better singer. 

My darn cable went out.  Had sound but only a black screen.  I called Charter and they reset it electronically.  Now I have a pretty blue screen and NO sound.  *sighs*  And I had a few shows I wanted to watch tonight.   They're sending a technician on FRIDAY!  Crud. 

What makes it worse is that I had recorded  a few movies on the DVR.  If it's bad and needs to be replaced..... *more sighs*

Will someone please let me know who make the final to on AI tonight?  Pretty please?  *Bats eyes sweetly*

Current Mood: aggravated

Sorry it's been so long since I posted.  Been busy tending to Joe at home.  I'm rather paranoid in maintaining my duties.  I keep a record of every single thing!  The doctor was astounded!  Heheh

Anyway he's now back to light work at the shop.  He's driving and walking quite a bit.  It makes me nervous and I tend to hover.  However, I AM getting better at letting him have his space.  And I must say, he's been very patient with me.  He knows how terrified I was. 

Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive. I really, really appreciate it.  I love you all.

Joe is sleeping ..... IN OUR BED!!!

Oh lordy, it's good to have him home.  He still has a long way to go but he's sooo much better than he was.  He's very tired from all the activity today so I'm being very quiet. 

I'm just so damned relieved.

Current Mood: ecstatic

I based my knowledge of Joe's surgery on what the surgeon told me 'before' the operation. Last night we were chatting with his visiting cousin and her told her he'd had a 'triple' by-pass.  I mumbled 'double'. 

'No' he said.  Apparently the plan was changed and no one told me!  After all, who am I, just the wife!  Sheesh!
No wonder it's taking him a while to recover. 

*Pouts and grumbles*

Current Mood: aggravated

I knew I should have kept my mouth shut!  As I said in my last post, the surgery went wonderfully.
However it took four days before they took him out of intensive care.  His heart rate was extremely erratic.
I was there almost constantly. 

About 4AM Saturday morning, it suddenly settled down into a nice steady and respectable rhythm.  After close monitoring for several hours, the doctor cleared him and he was sent up to a normal room.  Lordy, I've never felt such relief. 

He's doing much better.  Being his normal pain in the butt self.  LOL

Current Mood: exhausted

The surgery is over.  It was supposed to take a minimum of 4 hours.  The doctor walked in after three and a half hours!  He was all grins.  Said everything went smoothly and without a hitch.  I'm now cautiously optimistic. 

When asked when we could see him, he replied, "I don't know.  Ask the nurses.  They run things around here."  Then he giggled and walked out. 

Joe is still sedated and the nurse said they do absolutely nothing to wake him.  The want him to come out of it slowly and naturally.  So I took the opportunity to run back to the shop and get things in order. 

Thank you so much to all of you who have sent prayers and best wishes. 

Current Mood: grateful

I walked into the hospital this morning almost two hours before the planned procedure.  Greeted the nurses and walked to Joe's room.  He Wasn't There!!!  Instead there was a complete stranger in the bed.

I walked back out and asked the nurses, "What did you do with my husband?"  They had to look him up on the computer! 

I was advised that he had been transferred to another room.  THEY DIDN'T BOTHER TO TELL ME THAT IT WAS INTENSIVE CARE!!!

Apparently, the medicine they were using to slow his heart rate worked too well.  The rate had dropped into the 20's and he 'coded'.  Ever watch TV hospital shows?  Coded means crash carts and 30 people in your room.   This is a wonderful hospital but I'm just so angry right now.  NO ONE BOTHERED TO CALL ME!

Their excuse was that everything was under control and his heart rate was back to normal.  My God!  Did they even think to consider how terrified I would be when I walked in that room?

Anyway, the procedure is over and he is comfortably back in his bed in ICU.  They would only let me see him for 15 minutes every hour so I'm back at the shop, trying to get everything taken care of; then I'll go back.

The test results?  He needs a bypass, a double bypass.  The cardiac surgeon called and told me that it will be done tomorrow morning as an emergency procedure.  He says that it's very common operation now; but to tell the truth I'm terrified.  If my kids hadn't been there this morning, I don't think I could have handled it.

So please, please pray for my Joe or have good thoughts for him.  Thanks.

Current Mood: scared

Yesterday wasn't the best day. The diabetes specialist came in and told Joe that he wouldn't need injections, just medication and as far as he (the doctor) was concerned, Joe could go home as soon as the heart specialist cleared him.  He was feeling good after that.

However...and there's always a 'however', isn't there?  The heart specialist wasn't so encouraging.  They'd been trying to get his heart back into a sinus rhythm, (regularly beats, no murmur) but they hadn't succeeded.  He was told that they'd have to do an exploratory and see what the problem was.  That couldn't be done until Monday.   

Last night he was very discouraged.  He's not a young man anymore and he was quite frightened.  I stayed until they very nicely told me I should leave so he could sleep.  Didn't sleep well myself.

BUT, TODAY is another day.

I was on the phone with him, taking about when I'd be going to see him when his nurse walked in the room.  I could hear her almost yelling, she was so pleased.  It seems that during the night, his heart had settled back into a normal rhythm.  They've been monitoring it just to make sure but it seems to be holding steady!   I don't know if they still plan the procedure but that is such good news! 

When she left, Joe and I were chatting and I could hear him beginning to relax and get drowsy.  I told him to hang up and take a nap.  I could hear him grin as he agreed. 

I hung up and felt tears running down my face.  When you've all been with your soul mate as long as I've been with Joe, you'll understand.  I simply can't imagine life without him.   So now I'm cautiously optimistic.

Thank you so much to all of you who have been so supportive.  It means the world to us.

Current Mood: grateful