We Have Bad Luck

My nephew, Dayton, tells people that our family has bad luck. Although, the comment makes me smile, I think I'm beginning to believe him. Everything that we have been through the last couple of years would make a real bad crappy movie-of-the-week on the WE network.

Last you heard, my Dad was getting kicked out of the hospital even though he was obviously not ready. He moved to a Rehab/Nursing home. But, that didn't last long. He went a little....um, "crazy", and tried to bust out (his words). My sister called last night, panicked, that he was going to hurt himself or someone else. Needless to say, he ended up in the ER of the same stupid hospital that kicked him out less than 48 hours earlier. He has a pneumonia and possible kidney failure. Fact of the day: apparently confusion and delirium are signs of a pneumonia. Huh, wasn't he confused when he left the first time? I hope he is not going through all of this because of some type of bad luck. But, really?!! I think we have had enough of the bad stuff for awhile. We're good. So, the powers that be, if you are listening....well, move along and give us a break.

FYI-For those that have been following along for awhile now, I am not making this shit up. I Swear!

Canada is looking better and better

So, my Dad is still a little nutty. So nutty, in fact, that the rehab place will not accept him in his current condition. The hospital, aka the suits at the insurance company, is kicking him out. He is still on 24 hour watch with a nurse in room at all times. But, heart-wise, he is doing good. The only option is a nursing home. The social worker even said something about long term care. WTF? My Dad is no where near the age of a nursing home resident. He would be about about 15-20 years younger than the youngest at that place. We are hoping the hospital will keep him until Thursday giving him a couple more days to get his mind clear. My sister is begging the rehab place to do another consult right before he gets discharged. The rest? Well, a lot of hope.

I freaking hate insurance companies! Damn them!

;0(

Update

My Dad got out of ICU yesterday and is finally breathing on his own. He is still out of it and kinda nutty. But, hopefully, a full recovery is just around the corner. It's going to be a long road ahead, but better things to come.

I'm back in Dallas. Gotta work while he gets better. I brought is dog and kitten back with me. I'm starting my own little animal farm, at least temporarily.

I want to thank the amazing people in my life that sent their well wishes and support. No words to describe the amount of appreciation and gratitude that I feel for each of you. No words. Please know this does not go unnoticed.

That's all I got, people. Exhausted here. Need a little rest to get my head back in the game.

Peace.

;0)

Daddy's Little Girl

My Dad had a heart attack last night and will require open heart surgery on Monday. Six of his arteries are clogged between 90-99%. This is bad. Heading to Kansas City. Sending any kind of prayers, positive thoughts, good karma.....whatever you got will be much appreciated.

;(

A Random Tuesday

I worked at Fidelity then; that random Tuesday. I worked the late shift answering the phones from 4:45pm to 1:15am. That morning, the phone kept ringing, so I woke up way earlier than my 11am wake up call. Frustrated, I finally got out of bed. My dog, Sam wanted to go out since I was already up. I hit the button on the answering machine and my sister's voice came on. "I just want to make sure you were alright with every thing going on in the world", she said. That was weird. But, hey, my whole family is weird. So, I took Sam out for a walk. I kept thinking about my sister's message. What was she talking about, I wondered. I went back in the apartment and grabbed the phone to call her back while turning on the TV. My mind was not comprehending what I was seeing on the on the television. I remember my sister saying "the buildings are gone." What? What is happening? "We are under attack, Kim!," she said. The terrorists were attacking us. I walked backwards slowly in a cloud of confusion dropping down to the couch. Wait. We are the United States of America. We fear no one. We don't get attacked. Other people get attacked. My heart sank. The rest is a faint memory. I remember being glued to the television. I remember the empty Dallas highway on the way to work. I remember the deafening quiet that encased my typically noisy workplace. I remember the first call I got that day. I remember crying in my bed listening to the radio of New Yorkers searching desperately for their loved ones. I remember the heroes that rose from the ashes. I remember the picture of the firefighters pushing the flag up. I remember the stories of courage from the cell phones of the victims. I remember a country united. I remember being proud to be an American. I remember mourning the loss of people I never knew and would never have the chance to know. I remember that I will never forget September 11th.

I REMEMBER.

:(

My Boys

I have three nephews. Correction, three wonderful, amazing nephews. And, they couldn't be more different.

My nephew, Ethan, just started kindergarten. He has been in trouble the last couple of weeks. Apparently, he does not want to do his work. "I know how to draw an H, why should have to draw 10 of them?" Ethan was born three months premature. He was 1 pound, 1 ounce at birth. He fought to live. He fought hard. And, now, he is the most independent, strong willed, intelligent five year old you will ever meet. And, to his question, he did have a point. He also has a way of making you feel like you are the most important person in the whole world. He is always so happy to see you. So, happy, in fact, that he could almost bust out of his skin. That's really happy.

Dayton, my six year old nephew, is a charming, adorable, life of the party. He is very funny and charismatic. I can't talk to Dayton for more than a few minutes before I'm cracking up, either with his pure honesty or his comedic antics. He is going to be a handful. And, his sly little smile will melt your heart each and every time. Once you on under his spell, there is no escaping. You will love him. Everyone does. And, talk, does that boy know how to talk. My sister said he came out of the womb talking. I guess he has a lot to tell the world. I'm all ears, cuz, I can't wait to hear what will come out of his mouth next.

And, finally, there is Dalton. Dalton was my first nephew. He is the oldest of the three and both boys look up to him as a hero. Dalton is the cool, quiet, sweetheart. He does not want to create any attention on himself. He wants to excel at everything, and honestly, usually does. He's the all American boy. He loves music, theater, sports and learning. He has a natural ability for all these things. He has a very kind soul and wants to make everyone happy. At my Mom's funeral, he courageously got up in front of everyone and talked about his MeMe. I think it was that moment that I realized, that he might be my hero too.

Sometimes when I watch my boys, I think about how lucky I am to have each one of them to call my nephew. Each with their own special, unique personalities, I look forward to watching them grow into the little guys they are meant to be. And, whatever path they take, I hope they know what a fan they have in Dallas cheering him on.

;0)

And these are the Days of our Lives

I wish I could come up with something witty today, but, I'm just too tired. I don't know if it's the weather (sporadic raining and all around nastiness) or just lack of sleep. I think I'm going to head to bed early tonight, snuggle up with Riley and Claire and finish reading Twilight. Speaking of that book, I guess I'm just too old to get excited about teen aged angst. Cuz, I'm not loving the book. My co-worker loaned me all four books. And, I really haven't decided if I want to read the rest. I'll keep you posted.

I'm off to walk to the dog and well, yawnnnn......maybe tomorrow I'll be witty. Night all.

Little Wonders

Last night, I was walking my dog around the courtyard and I dropped his leash. It is one of those retractable leashes and when I dropped it, it flew right towards him. Of course, he is terrified and starts to run away from it. But, then "it" starts chasing him. So, he runs faster. It is still chasing him. The faster he runs, the faster the leash chases him. A couple of my neighbors try to catch him. The dog has gone mad at this point with three crazy people joining in the chase. What a sight that must have been! The leash got caught on something and I finally caught him. Happily, he's doing much better today.

Yesterday, I also chatted with a friend from college. Ed moved out to California a few years ago and we lost touch. However, we found each other again on Facebook. It is very cool when life takes you in a different direction away from friends and then brings your paths back together again. Really, how cool is that? Speaking of Facebook, I've also reacquainted with a lot of friends from the past. My super sweet friend, Liz, sent me a message today. I cannot tell you how truly amazing it was to come home from a long day at the office to find such a touching email in my Inbox. I think there is a reason that life brings people back into your life, your story is not done. And, I can't wait to find out what happens in the next chapter!

So, what does Riley's terrifying chase and finding old friends have to do with each other? Ahh, I have no idea. Really. None. And, you thought I was going to say something profound, right? There is no real connection, except, these are my moments. The little moments that string together to what I like to call my life. And, the exciting thing? You never know what will happen in that next moment.

There is a song that I like called "Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas. And, as you all know, or will soon find out, I love me some lyrical music. Take a look at this verse:

"our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain"

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away"--- Anonymous

ENJOY THE MOMENTS, PEOPLE!

;0)

Are you ready for some football?

I'm going to hang out today watching football, even though I can't watch my favorite team the Chiefs (maybe that is a good thing!). I just got done watching Brett Farve play and win for the first time as a NY Jet. I love Brett, but towards the end of that game I was wishing Chad Pennington would come back and stuff the football down the Jets throat. Chad was released as the Quarterback in place of Brett Farve. Chad went on to Miami and played pretty good. There is something about standing behind the underdog. I wanted Chad to win and show the team that fired him that they made a mistake. It is probably because I've been in that position. No, I haven't played football. But, you know when you don't get a promotion or a job that you know you would've done a way better job than the people they picked over you. There is a little part of me that wants that newly hired or newly promoted person to fail. Come on, you know you do too! I know, it only creates bad karma and negativity. But, it is human nature. The competetiveness comes out. I still love Brett Farve. And, after today, I truly hope he succeeds and continues to get to do what he loves to do. Play football. Are you ready?

All Apologies

Today was one of those days that you wish you would have called in sick to work. I have a co worker that I did not think lived up to the other teammates. Now, that is my perspective and I know I'm right. Cuz, I'm never wrong. Ok, I'm sometimes wrong, but it's rare. Too make peace and to be a 'real' team player, I apologized for any misconceptions I may have had about him. And, he also apologized for any behavior that may have caused me any pain. Now, we try again. And, us not so perfect humans, caged together in a concrete jungle, will try to show the animal kingdom that having opposable thumbs does make us smarter. Or, does it?

Oh, and, to top it all off.....I came home to my stuffing all over my living room. My sweet, separation anxiety filled dog made a hole in my middle cushion of the couch and started digging. And, no, the cushions are not the type that can be flipped. Happy, happy, joy, joy.

I'm surfing for slip covers right now........wish me luck.

;0)

Stand Up

When Cancer takes your best friend, who is going to be there?
When Cancer takes your heart, who is going to care?

When Cancer takes your number one fan, who is going to cheer?
When Cancer takes your strength, who will take away your fear?

When Cancer makes the world go dark, who will smile and bring the light?
When Cancer takes your hero, who will help you fight the fight?

When Cancer takes your partner, who will hold you when you feel alone?
When Cancer takes your Mom, who is going to make you feel home?

Stand up to Cancer. Please.

This is where the END of CANCER begins.

www.standup2cancer.org/