Every Which Way But Loose

My pardons to Clint Eastwood. You know, I figured I was handling this TIA incident pretty well, taking it all in stride and all that and then WHAM, I think I had a minor meltdown last night. Well, the good cry was probably healthy for me. I don't know how messed up this thinking is, but I realized that, even though this wasn't life threatening, I wasn't afraid of dying, but of not being in control of my body. I could deal with dying but the thought of not having one side of my body function like the rest of me, scared the living hell out of me. So currently, I am striving to get my center balance back. I got knocked off my feet, taken by surprise and now I have to pull it back together. Since Monday, all the calm, the attitude, has been for family and friends, inside, I have been a mess and now I really do need to get a grip, for myself. I just can not function this way. I find myself struggling to get back into a simple routine. I'll get it. I'll find it again. I just hope it doesn't take too long.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To all of you out there.... Thank you, for your words and your caring. They and you, all mean a lot to me.

Stick In The Mud?

You Are 37% Impulsive

You're a pretty stable and serious person. You don't take things lightly. This doesn't mean you can't have fun - you just have fun responsibly. You definitely have a spontaneous side, but you only let loose when it's appropriate.

Are You Impulsive?

Brief Update

So, I saw the doc and she ordered some further tests, a sonogram for each side of my neck, she wants to check the humma momma of the vein there and one for my heart to see if I have some sort of significant blockage there, cheez, I hope not and she ordered an echocardiogram. She also redid my Plavix prescription and kept me on the baby aspirin, however, if I start having some bleeding or bad bruising, she'll yank the aspirin. She rather have me on more than not enough because she can always take me off it. My blood pressure was still too high when I went in and so I had to have a pill that helps bring it down rather quickly and when my blood pressure was checked again, it had come down, but wasn't quite normal. She was okay with that because she knew I was under a bit of stress...ya think?

I was pretty tired this afternoon (from that extra pill) so after I pulled dinner together for the Grove, I went to bed and woke up a little while ago. I'm fine. I'll head back to bed in a bit. I just wanted to update this thing......

You know, sometimes someone comes along in your life, someone who can make you laugh and smile at the drop of a hat, someone who puts up with your crankiness, your oddball sense of humor, your moods and whims and if you're real lucky you come across someone who thinks you're worth knowing and having in their life and that person is someone who is a really good friend, one of the best. I wouldn't trade someone like that for all the tea in China. Who says Chivalry is dead?

While I was lying there in that hospital bed, I was thinking... a lot, thinking about all the people who love me and for whom, if I were to suddenly disappear, I would leave such a hole in their heart and I realized something... this world we travel through is about people we meet and choose to have in our lives. It's not about what makes the world turn on a daily basis, money, food, clothing because we can always get those things, but people... people who make such a difference in our lives, that impact which affects us as no one or nothing else can, that's something we don't always have the luxury of having. The people we see every day, the ones we live with and have chosen to go through life with, those are the important things. They have to come first, some more than others, simply because there just aren't enough hours in the day and we're all too dang human and we have to see to our bodily demands so we have another day to give and receive. Those people, the ones we have chosen to grace our lives, understand about what's important, they understand what we need to be happy and fulfilled and thereby understand their place in the structure of our lives. There are those we love and those we care about (okay, so we love them too, but it's a different sort of love but love nonetheless)and without them all we are graceless and life without Grace is a lonely place to be.......

Good Night, Good People... count your blessings and kiss each and every one of them, because we never know the long or short of it.

Scariness

I had a TIA last night or a 'mini stroke' if you prefer. I had fallen asleep in my bedroom chair around 5:15 or so watching TV and woke up around 5:45 to take Mr M to his therapy session only, I didn't feel right. I was disoriented, dizzy, off balance, slurring my words and while I could tell I was making sense, I was just having a hard time focusing on making sense. I just couldn't maintain focus. Then I felt like my right eyebrow was sagging down on top of my eye. I went to check my blood sugar (I had eaten lunch really late and to top it off I forgot to take my pills)and it was so difficult to do somethmg I could normally do in my sleep. My blood sugar was at 223 and my blood pressure was something like 200+/90. By the time we got to the ER, I was feeling better. My eyebrow didn't feel like it was drooping anymore, I could focus but I still felt just a little off center, still not quite myself. My blood pressure eventually went down. It was still a little high when I left. After about 7 hours in the ER, a cat scan (the doc said that was good, because there were no cats running around in my brain) blood tests, an EKG, and being totally wired for sound, I was really to be discharged. I have to go see my doctor this afternoon and have her rewrite the prescription for my Plavix so I don't have to pay for it. She'll probably talk to me to just to make sure I'm okay and I am. I'm fine. I just have to recognize that this may happen again. The Plavix should help with this. I kept telling Mr M that this was a switch and I didn't like it, NOT, that I want to be in the hospital at all but if one of us has to be, I rather it was him. Trust me, he sooooo enjoyed pulling those damn sticky thingies off my body *growl*

Awesome

It has been my pleasure to work with all branches of the armed forces. This passed through my email today and I thought I'd share it. The time and work it took to make this happen so perfectly, is just mind boggling to contemplate. I am sure the other branches also have a ceremonial drill team. if anyone comes across a tape of any of them, please pass it on.

Hmmmm

Here's a good read for ya.

Roll Call

yeah, yeah, yeah... I'm still here but as busy as a one legged man in an arse kicking contest. So, for now (aren't y'all lucky) I'll give you the short of it.

FB: FB, as of last week, has full custody of his daughter, Shel. There is much rejoicing but at the same time, apprehension. No one is fooled into believing that raising Shel is going to be a joy ride, even with the best of upbringings, in the best scenerios, it's not a joyride and Shel can't even begin to lay claim to any of that. However, now, she has a chance to grow up like a normal little girl should be allowed to. FB and Daughter are still cautious, it was just too easy and they don't trust the mother. The woman has a way of dropping into people's lives and making it chaotic. One day at a time, I keep reminding them.

Mr M: Well, we got notification yesterday that Mr M's liver enzymes are still elevated. A couple of things are way over what they should be. His doctor has ordered additional testing and requested an ultra sound of his liver and gall bladder. Then, we'll go from there. We're not sure what to expect, but we hope it's merely the statin he takes for his cholesterol. All good thoughts and prayers welcomed.

Sprout: Sprout started college and is doing okay. It's still early times, but I'm really impressed. He has handled the majority of the things he needs to do all by himself and with such maturity, that I can't tell you how proud of him I am.

Troll: He's the same just a year older now. It just kills me that my baby brother is 34. Has time really slipped by me that fast???

As for me, I have been super busy trying to help get this VFW/Auxiliary newsletter together and get it to the post office. We had a function to attend last night down there that went really well. Mr M and I both enjoyed our time down at the Post.

Mr Butthead and I had a little talk, because, I swear, that post is like being in a soap opera and I really have no time for that crap. What it all boiled down to was that some little songbird whispered in Mr B's ear something I supposedly said and when it got back to me.. it was like.. oh hell no... so I sought out Mr B and we talked. I told him if I was going to say something like that, I'd say it to his face. My complaint was that I NEVER said what got back to Mr B and where the hell it came from is beyond me. According to Mr B, two people said I said it and I looked Mr B straight in the eyes and said, " Well, I don't know who your little songbirds are, but I'd appreciate it if they have this need to repeat something, at least repeat something I said. I never said those words and where the hell they came from just floors me." If I said it, I'll own it. Mr B doesn't scare me and he knows it. We rather understand each other on the unspoken level but now, we also understand each other on the spoken level. I kinda have an idea who was singing. We'll see if what I asked for comes to fruitation. I'm not worrying over it, it's pissant stuff and I have bigger fish to fry.

Speaking of which... ya know.. it's a helluva a thing to wake up and find yerself painted with war paint so that you resemble an Amazon warrior.... when I get the chance to get my hands on that sneaky so-and-so.......

It's all good and brings a smile to my face when I least expect it and I get through my day so much lighter. It's rather nice.. kinda like... french vanilla in my coffee.

On A Saturday

What's going on in the Grove? Cookie baking. Pookie and I are making oatmeal cookies, Mr M is out doing a funeral, Sprout is in his room playing online and Troll is working. It's a nice day today, not even really hot yet. It probably won't get that way until later this afternoon. I probably should get the grocery shopping done, but I think we'll do that tomorrow. I just don't have the energy to face it today. The kiddos have worn me out. Damn, I use to last longer than this.

My exercise regime has been shot for about 3 weeks now and I am determined to get it back. Here's a pretty neat way to help you keep track of your exercise time. I think Troll is in Mo. I'm still in Il. somewhere. We egg each other on. That's okay though, I'll be passing him up one of these days soon.

And for that certain person who dumped the kitties on my sleeping form.... I will get even... I swear, it's getting to the point where a woman can't even sleep undisturbed without someone dumping kitties or threatening to use a paint kit... sheesh... all fun and games and I truly appreciate the laughter it's meant to invoke.

Are We There Yet?

Oh my stars, what a week and if I were a drinking woman, which I can be upon occasion but the moon isn't full yet... I'd want a tequila shot, like, yesterday. it is only by the Lady's Grace that I have any sanity left and that's just my take on my sanity. I could be walking around here crazy as a loon and not even know it. Getting Sprout's financial aid stuff done has had me growling all week in some fashion. I have to finish up his Pell grant application but I'm doing that online so it should go fairly quickly. I just finished up his Chapter 35 paperwork so he can get it back to the college in the morning and that dang dyslexic monkey, he thought he had purchased his book for $162.00 and it turns out that he paid $126.00. I asked him if he even checked the paperwork he signed for doing a MC charge/debit. Answer, "No." *growl* That young man is going to be responsible for all my recent white hairs. I shall satisfy my being by having Mexican food for lunch with a bunch of really good women. There will be much food and laughter, just what I need to soothe this savage interior. My whole day from morning to evening is pretty well spoken for. I'm also getting the grandbabies tonight until Saturday morning/afternoon sometime.

Lots of stuff is going on outside the Grove but at the moment, I lack the time to throw in my two cents worth. Aren't you all just lucky? *grin*

Later alligators

Whirlwinds and Headaches

College starts next Monday and I've been in the process of helping Sprout to get all his financial aid stuff done. We were quite lucky to find out that we don't need to depend on Sprout's father to get Sprout some educational benefits. Sprout qualifies for a Chapter 35 because of Mr M. Can I get a resounding Huzzah?! You have no idea how much I dreaded having Sprout to depend on his father to get this stuff done, because more than likely, it would take forever and Sprout needs it done ASAP so he can get some financial help with his monetary needs for school, namely books. So, at this time Sprout is gamely on his way to being prepared for the first day of college. There's still the shopping trip for school supplies and no, I don't count on Sprout to get everything he needs, hence the shopping trip with his mama on Saturday.

In other news, yours truly has been having a showdown with the editor of the Post newsletter, that's a rant mode on thing and right now, I'm just too dang tired to relate it. My energy will return and I promise you, I'll warn you ahead of time.

Last Friday night I came down with some sort of 'bug' that apparently is making the rounds and it pretty well drained me. I've only started to feel like my normal self yesterday. I'll have the grandkids Friday evening until Saturday since it will the last free weekend before school starts for all of them.

Friday's dance card is full. Friday morning I have stuff to see to at the Post, then meet the Ladies for lunch and then a couple of more hours back at the post with the Ladies where we can continue to enjoy each other's company. Then it's home before the babies show up.

My online time has been practically non-exisitant. That seems to be my status of being of late, dang it. I think my nick is starting to gather dust and cobwebs. I haven't had time to write either as my time and writing talents have been elsewhere, like putting the newsletter to bed. Now I have to work in time to get the newly acquired account/project in gear, football season demands it! *grin* It's for a booster's club. I should have it up and running by the end of the month.

So, that's the short of it for the moment...

Oh My!

'What will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Friday's Tibits

Sprout lost his job today. I think they let him go because they found out he wanted to go to college this fall. He had a schedule to work all week until this Saturday but after he asked the owner about getting one day off to attend to his college matters, they gave him three days and let him go today. he was polite abut it too. He told her if she couldn't give him a day off this week, then, he'd manage something. Actually, it saved him from having to quit because he plans to go to school all week and look for a weekend job just to keep working.

I'm rather proud of Sprout. The fact he wants to go to college is a huge step forward for him. He went and took his math assessment test yeasterday and it's not all that great but we knew it wouldn't be high or average.He knows he has a learning disability and is going to talk to his counselor about it and hopefully be tested. For him to openly admit he has a learning disability is another big step for him. It's something he would not have done before without an attitude. He was pretty hard on himself in high school, now he takes it in stride and realizes there are a lot of grown-ups out there that have a learning disability worse than his.

I picked up another web site to design and maintain. I'm stoked. I just finished designing and making up business cards for local Marine Corps Det. here. While I was at it I did some for the Ladies Auxiliary too. I ran out of business cards so I need to get more before I finish up the auxiliary.

Dinner last night was BBQ pork ribs, colesaw, baked beans and cornbread. I am not cooking tonight. They get to forage. LOL. There's plenty of leftovers in the frig so they won't starve. I'm beat.

That's ot for today from the Grove

Time To Retreat

Have you ever had a day that when you wake up, you just feel off your game? That's how today has been. Usually, I'm on the phone with one person or another and today, I just did not want to talk to anyone. It took every ounce of will I had to get my most simple, routine tasks done. I have felt disassociated, disconnected from everyone and I do mean everyone.

The last straw for me tonight is that while getting dinner in the oven and cleaning up the kitchen, every time I turned around I was spilling something and making a mess and that frustrates me to no end. The cuss level around here rose dramatically. Okay, that's it, I've had it... this shroom is going to go hibernate for the rest of evening and maybe, just maybe, have a damn good cry for no reason whatsoever other than I probably am overdue for one.... naw, that isn't happening, but it sure would be nice....maybe.

Around and Around

Well, let's see.....

I've been away doing the Ladies Auxiliary web site. I've almost gotten it completed or as much as I can do for now. I've also come to the conclusion that I am not a sales person. I attempted, along with a friend of mine, to go out and solicit sponsors for the VFW newsletter. Hm, maybe I'm just not good at soliciting. *chuckle* I think I'll just stick to what I am decent at doing.

The temps around and in the Grove are tolerable. The highest seems to be about 100 degrees and the nights are even cooler, thank the Lady for her small mercies. I'm ready for Fall however.

Mr M got his stitches out today. The bottom of his foot has healed up nicely. He goes in on Thursday for his lab work in regards to his liver enzymes. I'm pretty sure it was the scotch that elevated it in the first place.

I spent Sunday afternoon down at the Post helping to clean out the attic as the Post is having the attic insulated. Now there was a dirty, dusty job. Got it done though and now the ladies don't have to listen to how most of the crap up there belongs to the Auxiliary, because it doesn't. I haven't seen any of the men up there doing what they need to.

Daughter took up smoking again. Apparently living with a pre-teen who hasn't got an idea of what a family dynamic is or what she is responsible for, does that to a person. Daughter just doesn't want to be correcting and punishing Shel all the time. I told Daughter again, that having Shel is going to require so much more out of her and FB than she can even begin to realize, but by the same token, I believe the best place for Shel is with them if the girl is to have any chance at a decent life and outlook. Daughter thinks so too. She has always believed it to be so, but oh, Daughter has no idea what kind of work there is to accomplish and Shel is going to drive them to the end of their patience while they try to undo the years of damage. If anyone has the fortitude to accomplish it, it's them. Although it also means more phone calls to me for a sanity break. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes for anything. It must mean I'm getting old.

My role-playing as well as my writing has once again taken a back seat until I can get the Auxiliary's stuff on the burner and simmering. Once all that is put in gear, all I have to do is update stuff. It's the designing that takes up so much of my time. Now with the web site pretty much completed, I need to turn my attention to getting the newsletter done so it will be ready to go to print by the 15th. The Post editor usually is requesting all his articles in by the 15th, but I want to have the master copy for the Ladies one done by then. I've also promised the men's editor help in putting both newsletters to bed and getting them mailed out. With all this going on, my mind still finds time to turn with endless possibilities for the storyline and I have something in mind for October. Now, if only I can get it out of my head and posted to my website.

BEYOND THE GROVE:

Partner: I see you've done some work on your site. I like how you recounted the history to bring it up to date. Man, at least LX got a mention. LOL. I'll take it to heart that the best is last. Catch up with you later when both our lives will allow for it. My best to the Lady and the Princess.

Em: Thanks for the cool pics. Just looking at them makes me feel cooler and thanks for the laughs.

E: figment this! *hehehe*

GQS: Glad to read that the process has begun. My prayers that it is something easily seen to and taken care of. Keep us posted.

WESM: Thanks for the invite, that was sweet of you. It's too bad I got it the day of the shower. Just thinking of you as a granny has me grinning.

Lunacy: A lot of water over the bridge between us, but I do think of you and hope all is well.

PoD: Where the heck are you?

D: That hand healed up yet?

Just Something Fun

You Are Pumpkin Pie

You're the perfect combo of uniqueness and quality Those who like you are looking for something (someone!) special

What Kind of Pie Are You?

Dance A Little, Play A Little Shuffleboard....

...that's the plans for Mr M and I tonight, after the meeting and the pot luck. The Ladies are supplying the pot luck goodies and some of the menu consists of: Sweet and Sour Meatballs, BBQ beef English short ribs, coleslaw, potato salad, hogie buns (for those meatballs if desired) and birthday cake for Mr Butthead. It's his birthday and one of the ladies wanted to give him a little pot luck dinner.

I was awake until 4:30 am this morning and got up at 7:00 am and I have been going ninety miles an hour ever since. My phone hasn't quit ringing today. If it's not my home phone it's my cell phone. These days that thing always seems to be on and I always seem to be on it. What have I gotten myself into?

Tomorrow is grocery shopping AFTER I get up at a leisurely pace. Then the rest of the weekend is dedicated to being online and working on the newsletter and designing the Auxiliary web site. Boy, a vacation sure does sound nice right about now, but that's going to have to wait until September. I thought we'd hit Vegas for a week, but now, maybe it'll be Hawaii instead. I'm not sure of anything at this point. I'd love to do another cruise, even to Mexico but we don't have our passports done yet.. it's just something we keep putting off and the credit card could use its own vacation so maybe next year.

Okay, so if you catch me online this weekend, knock really loudly because I'm probably working on other things or I just forgot to log off *grin*

Everyone have a great weekend and Take Care

Who? Moi?

You Are 48% Open Minded

You aren't exactly open minded, but you have been known to occasionally change your mind. You're tolerant enough to get along with others who are very different... But you may be quietly judgmental of things or people you think are wrong. You take your own values pretty seriously, and it would take a lot to change them.

How Open Minded Are You?

Wheeeee

Where has the week flown to? I can't believe we're looking at another Friday and a new month to boot!

I'm still behind in what I need to accomplish by the 15th but I'm getting there. Friday brings an evening meeting and a pot luck dinner to follow. I'm looking forward to both. I'm hoping I am not the one elected to speak at the meeting. Maybe one of the other two ladies will do so *grin*

The weather has cooled down and thank the Lady for small favors, my electric bill for July was $730.00. Yeah. I double blinked too. Damn Calif and their PUC. Captiol Hill screws up and the us peons get to pay for it. There was a time my electric bills were running in the 800.00 region but back then we were running three companies and now were down to one. I have to get Mr M on target and get after our companies. We haven't seen any invoices as yet. No invoices, no billings, no billings no cash flow. Not good. Watch it all come in at the end of the season and will send us scrambling to meet the demand. Sigh. Then again, it depends on how backed up our contractors are.

Mr M's foot is on the mend. He did a funeral today and we had planned on getting the grocery shopping done but I could tell his foot was bothering him so shopping can wait until Saturday. His stitches come out next week.

FB got his temp custody orders! Huzzah. He has to go to court in two weeks. Hopefully, having a lawyer means that FB will get a fair shake at things. I hope so. Shel deserves to be able to be a kid. She's far too grown up for her age as it is. If that one isn't pregnant by 16, we'll all count ourselves lucky. No kidding. I truly believe that if Shel stayed with her mother, she would be pregnant by 16. Daughter is a bit more strict on clothes and boyfriends, so we'll see what happens. I do know Shel craves attention and discipline and she longs to be just a kid. Being just a kid might be too late for Shel already but I hope.

Sprout went to the junior college yesterday and got some stuff done, now he has to go take a placement test for Reading and Math. Sprout amd Daughter are going next week to take those.

A full moon must be on the way, what else would explain my dreams of late? The troops are definitly on the march. I just wish I had been able to stay asleep to find out what happened. Dammit.

On that note...

I bid thee all a fair eve and the sweetest of dreams