Saturdays are when Tomas comes over to visit us and spend some time with his mother Linda. Tomas' dad, kennan brought him over early this afternoon so Cassie and I could spend time with him just the three of us, (before his mom came over) Cassie heard about the shindig for the kids the Country Lakes Fire Department was doing and because it was free we were able to take him. Living on a fixed income, (Cassie and I are both disabled and living on our Social Security disability and a the very meager pension I get from my union).
The point is that there are many free things we can do with our grandchildren to build wonderful memories and have fun. One thing you can always be sure of Cassie and I bring our cameras with us to record our wonderful adventures with our grandchildren. Not just for our own memories but for when the kids grow up and want to remember the fun we tried to have with them.
My favorite photo taken today was of Cassie shooting a pic of Tomas. He is always the center of our attention and we are thankful we get to spend so much quality time with him. We have four more grandkids but they live so far away in Tennessee so we seldom get to spend time with them. We miss them so very much.
Anyway here come the pictures:
Tomas is playing with the toys he got here today while Cassie shoots some pics.
Tomas playing with the balloons waiting to see the big guy (Santa)
Mrs. Clause is at the head of the line handing out Candy Canes
Santa and Tomas
Ho, Ho, Ho, When asked by Santa what Tomas wants for Christmas,Tomas said he wants presents!
Snack time is always a good time to pose for a close up!
Special appearances by Frosty the Snowman!
And Rudolf the Ted Nosed Reindeer!
Fantastic Christmas music by Deja-Vu, Robin and Michael. They sounded great!
Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer
Frosty the Snowman
We all had a great time! There were cookies and Hot Chocobelieveor snacks and I believ Burger KIng donatoysome grab bags of touys for the kids.
Psalm 8 God's glory is magnified by His works, and by His love to man
To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.
O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Psalms 8:1 (KJV)
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Psalms 8:3-9 (KJV)
Last September I had carpel tunnel surgery on my right wrist. I had to call the surgery center the day before to confirm the time for the surgery which was to be in the early afternoon. The surgery center nurse said that I should dress in loose comfortable clothing and bring my C-pap machine just in case I needed it, and that I could eat something light for breakfast. So when I got up at 5:30 in the morning to help Cassie get Kristin off to school I had my usual 2 yogurts and coffee.During the pre-surgical interview the nurse asked if I had anything to eat or drink and what it was, I was told that there was no problem with what I ate and then I was then sedated for the procedure. The surgery went flawlessly and my hand is doing very well.
Yesterday I had the same procedure on my left wrist. I went through the same drill; Called the day before, was told the surgery would be at 11:15 AM, don't eat or drink anything after midnight...
I woke up at 5:30 AM to help Cassie get Kristin off to school and completely forgot the "don't eat or drink anything after midnight rule!" I had my usual 2 yogurts and 2 cups of coffee. Then I prepared an Irish beef stew in the crock pot before I got dressed in my "loose comfortable clothing" and packed up my C-pap machine and left the house. When Cassie and I got to the surgery center I went through the same drill. Remove clothes, put on a gown and paper hat, then started to go through the pre-surgical interview with the nurse. Everything came to a screeching halt when I told the nurse I had 2 yogurts and 2 cups of coffee. After consultation with the doctors, the anesthesiologist and nurses, they all agreed that they could not sedate me. I shouldn't eat at least 8 hours before being sedated, for my safety. They gave me two options; reschedule or using a local anesthetic. Well it is a little bit more than an hour to the surgery center from our house and Cassie and I have so many appointments I said to go ahead with the local.
Having the surgery wide awake was a very interesting experience. Not terribly bad, but I was very nervous. The nurses placed a drape over me so I couldn't see what was going on, (they said so that I didn't flinch when the doctor did the cutting, which I'm very glad they did!) Doctor Aita then numbed me up good and went to work! The procedure took about 8 minutes and then another 10 minutes to stitch me up and clean and dress the wound and then I was done. I went back to recovery where they monitored me for another 20 minutes, I then got dressed and walked out to where Cassie was waiting for me and Cassie drove us home. We were about 10 minutes from home when I looked in the back behind the seat and realized that I had left my C-pap machine in the waiting room! Oh no! I called the surgery center to make sure that my C-pap was still there and find out what time they closed, we were both hungry and I had to go to the bathroom, so we continued home. We had lunch and waited for Kristin to get home from school then went back to the surgery center and got my C-pap. It was a long day by the time we were finally home for the day. Cassie and I were so happy that we didn't have to cook. The stew was done and delicious.
It is after 3:00 in the morning and I'm wide awake from the throbbing pain in my hand, I am waiting for the percocet I took to kick in so I can get back to sleep. That's what I mean when I say; "It's always something!"
Kseniya Simonova is the amazing winner of "Ukrain's got talent 2009". All she needed was a bit of sand to demonstrate the history of her country during World War 2. You can see how emotional the audience became.
I saw this Youtube Karaoke video on Boing Boing this morning. Very creative, a great way to burn off stress at the office! ( I hope the boss has a great sense of humor!)
Stuck in the house while recovering from man surgeries, pneumonia and stress I've been taking a bun h of photos of the cats. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy taking them.
Space Dog Buddy!
Munchkin looking very prim and proper and ladylike.
Cubby likes to keep an eye on me, so I don't get into any trouble. (and to make sure he's first in line for the treats!)
Kozmo like to cuddle with Cassie's bear, sometimes he does more than just cuddle!
1. You have to be against capital punishment, but support abortion on demand.
2. You have to believe that businesses create oppression and governments create prosperity.
3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding Americans are more of a threat than U.S. Nuclear weapons technology in the hands of Chinese and North Korean communists.
4. You have to believe that there was no art before Federal funding.
5. You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclical documented changes in the earth’s climate and more affected by soccer moms driving SUV’s.
6. You have to believe that the AIDS virus is spread by a lack of federal funding.
7. You have to believe that the same teacher who can’t teach fourth graders how to read is somehow qualified to teach those same kids about sex.
8. You have to believe that hunters don’t care about nature, but loony activists who have never been outside of San Francisco do.
9. You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.
10. You have to believe that Mel Gibson spent $25 million of his own money to make The Passion of the Christ for financial gain only.
11. You have to believe the NRA is bad because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, while the ACLU is good because it supports certain parts of the Constitution.
12. You have to believe that taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.
13. You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, and A.G. Bell.
14. You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are not.
15. You have to believe that Hillary Clinton is normal and is a very nice person.
16. You have to believe that the only reason socialism hasn’t worked anywhere it’s been tried is because the right people haven’t been in charge.
17. You have to believe conservatives telling the truth belong in jail, but a liar and a sex offender belonged in the White House.
18. You have to believe that homosexual parades displaying drag, transvestites, and bestiality should be constitutionally protected, and manger scenes at Christmas should be illegal.
19. You have to believe that illegal Democratic Party funding by the Chinese Government is somehow in the best interest to the United States.
20. You have to believe that this message is a part of a vast, right wing conspiracy.
21. You have to believe that it’s okay to give Federal workers off on Christmas Day but it’s not okay to say “Merry Christmas.”
I had my rotator cuff repaired a few weeks ago by an excellent surgeon, Dr John Grey. The only problem I have had while recovering from the surgery is the wait times every time I go for a follow-up visit. The last time was just too much. I sent my doctor a letter complaining about his office' practice of overbooking appointments. What would you do? Here is what I did, my letter to Dr Grey:
Dear Dr. Grey My follow-up appointment with you was today July 16, 2009 at 9:30AM. I arrived at 9:25 AM and noticed that the sign in sheet was already more than half filled. I signed in and sat in the waiting room for 25 minutes before the staff called me over to copy my insurance cards. I asked the girl behind the counter how long the wait to see you was she said she had no idea. I sat down again and waited until 10:45 AM. That is a total of 75 minutes waiting for what would probably be a 5 minute visit. That is so shameful! I have many disabilities that cause me a tremendous amount of pain if I sit for long periods of time. Not only that but because both my wife and I are disabled, we are on a fixed income and have to schedule as many appointments as close together as we can to save on the cost of gas for our car. I had dropped off my wife, who also is in a great deal of pain, at her doctor’s office on Burr Rd in Westampton. Her appointment was at 9:45 AM but because she is unable to drive I had to drop her off early. Her visit to her doctor finished up at 10:15 AM and she called me then, needing to be picked up. I was unable to get to her until after 11:00 AM. During that time she was in terrible pain. It is obvious that your Lumberton office practices overbooking, which is wrong and extremely frustrating to your patients, many of whom are in excruciating pain or have other just as important things to do throughout their busy lives. Just sit in your waiting room for a few minutes and you will hear many complaints. This isn’t the first time this has happened to me. It has happened almost every time I have been to the Lumberton office, since I first came to see Dr. Farrell years ago. I could have had the Mercer Bucks Orthopedic surgeons fix my shoulder, but I know and trust you, Dr. Farrell and the rest of the surgeons at Reconstructive Orthopedics. You are all excellent doctors. This is going to be the last time I am going to wait more than 15 minutes for any doctor, unless of course there is an emergency, and then I would understand. I will call and schedule another appointment with you in your Marlton office which is further away but didn’t seem as overbooked. As a result of my pain, expense and waste of my time, I am tendering this attached invoice for my time and gas based on my Union’s present rate of pay. Sincerely,
Theodore W. Hussey
07/16/2009
This is how I figured my expenses. You are located 16 miles from my house, that’s 32 miles of travel round trip @20 MPG (2 gallons of gas @ $2.28 p/g plus 40 minutes of driving time one way for a total of 80 minutes, plus the 75 minutes of wasted time waiting in your office. I make $42.76 an hour as a Union Sheet Metal Worker. I get paid for travel and paid a full hour for partial hours when out on the road. Billed to: Dr. John Grey Reconstructive Orthopedics 737 Main St #6 Lumberton, NJ 08048-3089 Phone: 609-287-9400
2.58 hours total time wasted. 3 hours at my rate of $42.75 P/H = $122.28 2 gallons of gas for car @ 2.28 P/G= $ 4.56 You or your practice owe me: $126.84 You can make your check payable to: Theodore W. Hussey
I went to Walmart the other day to buy a new Bathing suit. Actually it is the first bathing suit I purchased that I don't feel embarrassed about wearing in about 25 years. Before my Bariactric surgery I was wearing a size 54 waist. My new bathing suit is a size 36/38 which in a man's size is a large. No more XXXX, XXX, XX or X/LG for me!
Yeeehaaaaaaaa! Thank you Dr. Greenbaum for doing the surgery and I praise and thank you Lord God for seeing me through it, and working my healing! What a great team!
Cassie and I adopted another kitty! Her name is Munchkin and she is a one year old, Russian Blue. She is a beautiful girl, very sweet, affectionate and curious about her new home. She came to us via Monica of Crossing Paws Pet Rescue. Monica brought Munchkin over this afternoon and spent a bit of time making sure that Munchkin was going to be happy here. Here are some pics of our new arrival:
Heidi holding Munchkin on her towel. Munchkin was a little nervous at first and was shedding.
Munchkin enjoying a good scritch scratch behind the ear!
When my grandson Tomas comes over for a visit I always try to get him to go with me for a walk. I need to walk for my health and Cassie and I have been very worried about his weight. So Cassie and I both try to walk with him every chance we get. Friday we watched the little guy for his dad and took him for a walk. Most of the time we let him lead us and Friday was no exception. Tomas likes to lead the way. I had had surgery on Tuesday so I was a little nervous about falling and went a little slower than usual.
I always take my camera when we walk because Tomas is just so cute, and you never know when a Kodak moment is going to happen. Here are some pictures of our adventure:
Tomas and Cassie entering theforesttprimevall!
Just checking to make sure the photographer is still with us.
Look Nana! We discovered a river! Ewwww, look at all the junk somebody threw in there!
Wandering through the wilderness!
Follow me Nana! I'll lead us out of here! Watch out for that log on the ground!
Yesterday morning I went the Vantage Surgery Center in Medford where my surgeon Dr. Grey (and a host of other's, 'not Losties!') performed a rotator cuff repair. Dr. Grey had to fix two tears, snip one of the two tendons on my attaching my upper bicep and cleaned up all the osteo arthritis in the area (it's actually called a decompression repair) I went in around 9:00AM and was done in two hours then stayed in the recover room until about 2:00 PM. Cassie brought me home and we enjoyed a great lunch. The anesthesiologist injected my neck with a nerve block to stop any pain during and after the surgery and I was told that it should last until tomorrow (which thankfully it is still working!) Last night as I was getting ready for dinner, I happened to walk by the bedroom mirror and got a good look at the contraptions they hooked me up with.
The gray thing on my shoulder is a high tech cooling device that hooks up by hoses to an ice pump to help keep the swelling down. It's very comfortable and works very well! The black sling is high tech too! It has a belt that holds my arm tight to my body with a padded spacer in-between. Also very comfortable. The last time I had a rotator cuff fixed (my right shoulder) I had to 'sleep' sitting up and there was so much pain I got only a few hours of troubled sleep for a week! I slept pretty darn good last night and I have no pain at all! (yet, I'm still prayin' though!) I thought I looked so cool in the mirror I asked Cassie to snap a pic of me in my "Mad Max" getup to share with all my readers. I even have some "battle scars!" This pic may just be TMI(too much information for the very sensitive, young or impressionable. Sorry!)
1. You have to be against capital punishment, but support abortion on demand.
