December 23, 2012 How Cold Was It?

I have spent the last 30 minutes trying to download a photo onto this stupid page.  Damn it.  Either something is wrong with the website or there is a measure of operator error.

My vote is "operator error".  What do you think?

So, I decided to go ahead and write the entry and add the photos later. 

Way back in the summer, I bought Luke 2 tickets to two Kansas City Chiefs games for his birthday.  He has a buddy who always goes to the games with him and they have brilliant day cheering on the Chiefs.  As you may know, the Chiefs needed a great deal of cheering on this season what with being the worst team in the NFL and all.

The first game was probably the hottest of the year but Luke and his pal soldiered through it.

The second game was on the coldest day known to man.  I know this because Luke's friend called last night and told Luke that he had a sinus infection and was not going to be able to go.  Trying to find a replacement was tough for two reasons:  the Chiefs are the worst team in the universe and it's 2 days before Christmas.

Luke asked me to go with him - or maybe I volunteered, I am not quite sure, but however it happened I ended up at Arrowhead Stadium and spending the day with Luke.  IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!!

I have a big winter coat that would keep me warm on a tour of the Artic Circle so I was pretty comfortable.  I was a bit taken aback when we got to our seats and had to scrape the frost off of them before we sat down!  We didn't have to worry about paying $8 for a beer, that's for sure.

It was a great game and the Chiefs almost won.  I lasted through the 3rd quarter and had to go to the car.  Here's the big news about leaving the stadium:  we were on the 7th row and had to go up many, many stairs to get to the exit (and the bathroom).  I was able to go up the steps, foot over foot, like a regular person, without stopping!  Thanks to Heartland Physical Therapy. 

Spending the day with Luke doing something he loves was the best.  Even as our children grow older (Luke will never grow up, you heard it here first), we need to make time to spend with them, engaging in an activity that they love.  

The only way the day could have been better would have been if the Chiefs had won.

Thanks to planning ahead, I came home to homemade chicken and noodles!  Better than a Chiefs victory. 

December 14-18, 2012 Wamego City Hospital

Don't judge me.  Just don't.  Mistakes were made.  I made them.  Every thing's fine now. 

On Friday, December 14, Momma called me first thing in the morning.  I had not yet left for work so that was good.  She said that she didn't feel well and thought she was too weak to drive herself to the doctor and would I take her.  It's important to note that in Wamego, you can CRAWL to any point in town so saying that you are too weak to drive somewhere is either an exaggeration or a gigantic red flag.

Yes.  My first reaction was exaggeration.  This was also my first mistake.  Actually, my only mistake, but it was a really big one.

So, I picked Momma up and took her to the doctor.  The doctor took a few moments, literally, diagnosed her with pneumonia and admitted her to Wamego City Hospital.

Wasn't my face red when she turned out to be very sick and very weak?

For 3 days, Baby and I took turns managing Momma at the hospital, cleaning Mom's house and getting it ready for Christmas.

Side note:  if you are every just sort of sick and need medical care but not in a life threatening situation, ask to be admitted to Wamego City Hospital.  There were 3 patients, 3 RNs, various nurse's aides and support people.  It was awesome!  Momma got great care.  Unfortunately, she also got a bowl of beef stew, which she hates. 

On Tuesday, Momma was was dismissed, feeling much better.  Baby and I (and Emily, the Wonder Nurse) took turns staying with Momma at night. 

Oh, and in the midst of all this, I got bronchitis and was coughing like a fool.  There were times when Momma was in the hospital that the nurses weren't sure which one of us was the patient!

Bottom line, no one saw Momma from the time I dropped her off at home after the Dodge City trip until I took her to the doctor.  Had someone seen her, she would have been hauled to the doctor much, much sooner.  The lesson has been learned. 

December 12, 2012 Where Were You in '72?

I dare you to find a Nixon bumper sticker in a state other than Kansas. 

As a public service, I left a note under the windshield wiper of this car reminding the driver that Richard Nixon was a liar, a cheat, the second worst president of all time (of course Dubya Bush was the worst. Ever.) and resigned in disgrace. 

Maybe they either didn't know or had forgotten.  Since I work at a university I am first and foremost a teacher.

It was the least I could do.

December 6 - 8, 2012 Where Have You Been?

You know how I'm originally from Dodge City?  That means that my parents lived there with me.  For a long, long time.

Sixty years ago, back when my mom was a young 'un, she and some other young women formed a study club.  The dues were $5.00 a year (I am not kidding), there were only to be 24 members at a time, and you had to pay a dime if you missed a meeting.   The club is still going and are having a 60th anniversary luncheon.  Which Momma wants to attend. 

So, off she and went to Dodge City for a long weekend.  The weather was beautiful; warm and sunny, just like the first of December should be.  We packed for snow and summer because we know how fickle the weather in western Kansas can be.

We stayed in the local Best Western that had quite an Old Dodge City feel.  In fact, they had light fixtures that promoted the Dodge City Posse Comitatus.  Take a moment and google "posse comitatus".  You will find that they are a crazy vigilante group who believe that the local sheriff is the highest valid government official and that other officials, district judges for example, should be hung.  Oh yeah.  You read that right.  The Posse was big when my dad was on the bench and they caused him more than one sleepless night. 

My hometown. 

We headed home on Saturday no worse for the wear.  Except that Mom had lost her voice and felt like she was getting a cold.  Keep this in mind.  And don't blame me for not taking it more seriously.

 

December 1, 2012 Christmas is Coming

Luke and I had a great time decorating for Christmas.   Lots of fun unwrapping the ornaments and reminiscing about Christmas' past.  The Christmas tree skirt and DecemBear wall hanging are 31 years old.  My mom made then for Luke on his first Christmas and they are as much a part of our tradition as putting cookies out for Santa.

My stepmother made the Nativity scene for me.  Luke hasn't taken the Baby Jesus from the manger, but he will soon.  The baby will appear on Christmas morning as if by magic!

It was a perfect day - capped by pizza and a Kansas State football victory.

I love Saturdays.

November 30, 2012 30 Days

This morning I spent in the office of an orthopedic doctor in Manhattan. 

Good news, there is a plan for my ankle.

Bad news, the plan includes soaking my ankle in ice water three times a day for ten minutes a pop.

Can I just say that ice water is freaking cold?  Shit.  Guess that's why it's called ice water, what with the ice cubes and all.

Can I also say that if you scream a swear word at the top of your lungs at the moment of immersion, the shock is not quite as bad? 

I'm thinking that my next injury - and you know there will be one - is going to be one that requires only heat.  Lots and lots of heat.  And alcohol. 

Other elements of the new plan include a new prescription, more physical therapy (Christmas guaranteed for Heartland Physical Therapy - except that they have to listen to me whine), and continuing with the walking boot.

I go back in 30 days.  If I am better, then we stay the course.  If not, then we schedule a surgery I can't pronouce. 

At least we have a plan.  And I love a good plan.

November 29, 2012 Spell Check

 Carved into the paint in the trunk of this car is the following:

I'm not spedding 

I'm quallfing

My first thought?  Before you engrave something permanently on your car or you body, make sure you have the correct spelling.  Spedding?  Are you kidding me?

My second thought?  I wonder how long I can follow this car before it has to stop at a stoplight so I can snap a photo.

My third thought?  I hope the driver is not armed.