Would Someone Remind Me Again How This Is Done!

It's been so long since I wrote anything, I doubt I will be able to summarize what has been going on without writing a long blog. But I will try to be brief.

Christmas came quickly for me this year. It seems like the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was only about 2 weeks. Is it me or are days and weeks shorter than they used to be?

I think that given everything that had to be done (gifts, work, life) I pulled everything together pretty well this year. Of course, having a female in my life again really made everything a whole lot easier. Gifts were wrapped a little more neatly. Gifts were actually bought previous to the final shopping day of the season. I was still stressed but that might just have been the sound of my credit card cooling off.

Amanda and Luke were on the receiving end of a literal "ton of gifts." We had the chance to go to Candy Cane Lane in West Frankfort and I got to have one of those moments when you are glad you have kids. At the end of the 20 minute drive through the mega-light display, Santa and Mickey Mouse wished us well. When they both approached our car, Luke's eyes lit up and his mouth curled into a smile as he slowly realized they were coming to him. High Fives later, he was very happy and telling us that he had just seen Santa and Mickey.

I was so glad to have a fun and entertaining Christmas day. I really enjoyed it and for once in a long time had the chance to just take in all the kids enjoyment.

I had one funny item that I have to pass along. The kids, Christy, and I went to Lowe's to get our Christmas tree. After about 5 minutes of looking we found a beautiful tree and had them cut it, wrap it, and place it on top of my SUV. Christy and I put the kids inside the vehicle while the much under-paid Lowe's "associate" put the tree on the roof and tied it down. When I finally got into the truck, Luke started saying, "get the tree off the truck" and "I don't want the tree up there." I teased him by opening the sun roof on the way home to "check" to make sure it was still there. Of course, that led Luke to start over about his displeasure of the tree's location. He also didn't really like the tree in the house later that night, but eventually got over his aversion to the tree inside our house.

(I have already bought a pre-lit, fake tree for next year! I hope Luke approves!)

Counting Chickens

Never count your chickens or make plans to go to Chattanooga too quickly. SIU lost in a horrible game on Saturday. For about 10 minutes all was well. Then that well ran dry! I don't know if it can be proven, but I know when your team begins to lose, you suddenly start feeling weather conditions more acutely.

I am in Illinois - nowhere near Chicago. Therefore, we don't get really cold weather. I don't like cold weather. Why anyone would voluntarily live in a climate colder that what we have here in So. Illinois is beyond the scope of my thinking. Is it the big city life of Chicago? There are big cities down south. Is it the farmlands of central Illinois? Yep, those can be found west of here! Anyway, I froze my keister off on Saturday and the more points the other team put on the scoreboard, the colder that keister got!

Anyway, SIU football was a great time all season long and I can say that we have a really good chance to compete next year.

At least they don't play basketball outside!

Go Dawgs!!!

This fall I have picked up a hobby. It's not really a do-it-yourself in the garage kind of hobby, but it's still a lot of fun and exciting to me. It's SIU football!

You see, SIU has a really good football team this year. Not just really good, but possibly one of the best ever. SIU is ranked 1st in the nation in the NCAA Division I - AA subdivision second tier school blah blah blah. I don't even know anymore what division they are actually in. A couple of years ago it was classified I-AA.

Anyway, Christy and I have made all but a couple of home games this year and I love it. It's fun to be a part of the crowd and to get excited for the home team. (I never root for the home team in anything!) Also, I had no idea that there was such a large party going on prior to every home game! And free food/drinks??? Are you kidding me? Why did I not know about this before this year???

Last week they won their first playoff game and they will play again this Saturday in the quarter finals against William and Mary. It's going to be cold at game time - 37 degrees. I'm going to freeze. It's going to be fun!

I say all this for a reason. First, GO DAWGS! Second, it is refreshing to be having fun. It has truly been a long time since I have had real fun. The funny part of my new-found love of SIU football is that the last time I went to a game was in the '80s. It was so long ago that I don't even remember the exact year except it was the year they won the national championship.

If the Salukis make it to the finals in two weeks, we are tentatively planning on traveling to Chattanooga, TN for the championship game. I hope it's warmer there!

Our Latest

Here's an update on how the Howertons are doing. Amanda's 6th birthday is Saturday, Luke is well into his Terrible Twos and dad is getting grayer by the month.

Despite all of my attempts, Amanda continues to grow up. I thought my cooking would surly stunt her growth, but it's not. Christy's cooking is probably helping with Amanda's growth...and mine too! I think sometimes that Amanda's growth is beyond normal human development. She looks like she is 8... but still occasionally acts like she's her real age. She continues to be well-adjusted to our circumstance. Kids are resilient.

One of the highlights of this week was seeing Amanda on Ch12's "Does It Work Wednesday" segment. They came to her class last week and taped the segment. She was interviewed along with another boy about a toy laptop. She had about 30 seconds of screen time but I firmly believe we have a star in our midst! Check out for yourself: http://www.kfvs12.com/Global/story.asp?S=11519918

Luke is still my blond bruiser. He is so physically strong and strong willed. I just can't believe how sweet and funny he can be. And I can't believe that same boy can be the complete opposite of that!

The kids enjoyed Halloween last month. Amanda was a Southern Belle and Luke was a fire fighter. I went as an over-protective parent. I really had to stretch my mind to come up with that one!

That's a quick update... more later...

Circle the Date

I can't help but notice a certain anniversary is coming in a week. That date, while just another number on the calendar is more than a date to me. It signifies the time my life changed forever. Not only that, my family's future was forever altered because of that date.

10/29 will always signify to me the date that the most significant person in my life left me. I know deep down I will see her another day in the (hopefully, far) distant future and that she is far better off now than she ever was when she was here. Her best day here pales in comparison to any day where she is now!

I have never been one to make major issues out of anniversaries - good or bad ones. I actually had forgotten that my kidney transplant anniversary was this week. Sixteen years ago I went through what I thought then was the most life-altering event I would have to encounter for a long time. I think when you forget an anniversary, you can officially say you have "moved on." For some reason, I don't think 10/29 will ever be forgotten. I am thankful for the 9 years of marriage and 7 years prior to that in which I knew Cindy. I thank God every night for the example she set and the kids she gave me.

I don't believe for an instance that I have "moved on". I do believe that I have "dealt with" what was set before me in a manner that God and Cindy would both approve. Looking back, it is hard to believe it has only been a year. Then again, I can look back and say "where did this year go?"

I am so thankful for everyone who has helped us out this past year. I can't list everyone - but you know who you are! Even this week, I have received help from friends who don't mind a couple of hours of their time to look after the kids.

Everything has not been smooth. (No pink socks yet, though!) I have learned a lot about myself and what I can handle or not. Mostly I learned that God is in control and I don't have to have all the answers.... especially when Luke asks, "but why, daddy?"

Ranting is Cheaper Than Therapy!

I am finally sensing that I am part of a growing and increasingly more disgruntled contingency of Americans. I have never been to a tea party, however, I do drink a lot of Tetley sweet tea. I think those who went to town hall meetings were more like me than not and in many cases were not "organized" beyond being told where the town halls were and what time they started. I also think those who showed up with guns are bigger idiots than the congressmen whose meetings there were protesting.

I know the Democrats have been bussing in "protesters" for many years and received a free pass from the media in every one of those situations.

I am not a 9/11 conspiracy wacko or a member of the fringe "religious right". I do, however, attend church every Sunday, pray, believe abortion is wrong and school prayer is right, personal responsibility should guide, the Golden Rule solves a lot, and there is way too much federal government involvement in way to much of our lives and we are losing ground every day.

I think ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, etc. don't understand what real life is like for 75% of Americans and what we value as truly important. They also don't understand why we are mad. They also think everyone is Catholic...or a snake handler.

I fear the Dollar will be completely worthless within the next 10 years, if not sooner. How many Euros will it take for a Value Meal from McDonalds?

I also don't believe that a few degrees of "recent"climate change should cause alarm or trigger changes in the lives of hundreds of millions of people when there are billions of others who pollute more in total and whose government is not reducing any of the so-called "causes". Exactly how much "green house gasses" do volcanos spew, or are humans responsible for them too? (I guess the original "Cap and Trade" didn't work!)

I think reality TV glamorizes immoral and/or moronic behavior. What other explanation is there for Flavor of Love or Rock of Love. (American Idol probably doesn't after week 2 - but is there really a redeeming quality for it the other weeks either?)

I can't think of another industry where Barney Frank would be considered successful. Or even a respected employee.

I think Barak was not listening during his Inauguration when they said "of the United States of America".

Football is my new favorite sport. (This will come as a HUGE shock for those of you who really know me or have known me since I was younger. Thanks Bud Selig!)

What happened to the initiative to have Hydo-cars on the road by 2015?

My job would be more fun if we had a self-serve, ice-cream machine!

I wish Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson would stop calling themselves Reverends.

And finally, I think punishment by the courts (in nearly all cases) should be much more swiftly carried out than how the current system is set up.

If you don't agree with me, that's fine. We can all have our opinions. It's still America....for now at least.

Counting Pins

Things are going well for the Howertons. Michigan has won 3 straight. The Salukis are playing well. None of the kids are currently sick. I am doing well at work (thanks to an intern doing my job!)

Recently my computer experienced what I would call "playing dead". That is the geeky term I am going to use. It was as dead as dead gets. After consulting my on-call computer dude, we determined it was a power supply issue. I bought the necessary $50 part at Best Buy and installed it myself. And it didn't work. It was still "dead". I contacted another computer geek and he asked if I had changed the 24-pin to a 20-pin. Of course I did... ok, no I didn't. I didn't count the pins. I only count pins in bowling but apparently my "old" computer needed the 20-pin connection. I happened to remember there was a 24-pin to 20-pin adapter-thingy in the package. And so I changed the pins and placed the 20 pin adapter-thingy back into the bowels of the computer. And to my amazement - it was still dead.

I scratched my head. I recounted pins. I re-plugged the power cord into the outlet. I pressed "on" and.... dead. Oh great! Two weeks without a computer and now something is really wrong and it's going to get expensive to fix and I am going to have to get a new computer and I will have to transfer all these programs and pictures over and it won't work with these older programs and my email is all set up the way I like it with the addresses and everything and I really don't like to change things....

Oh, wait! There's a little switch on the back of the box I just installed. It says, "ON". Maybe that's the problem?

IT's ALIVE!!!!

Maybe my computer heard I was looking at buying a laptop and got its feelings hurt. Maybe my computer is jealous from all the attention I am giving those shiny new laptops at the store. Either way, she should be ok.... I will always love her. She was my first lovel!!

After all, we will always have Madden 2007 and Zoo Tycoon!

Would You Kindly Open The Doors, Please?

DISCLAIMER: If you are a teacher or administrator at a school please don't take offense to this blog - unless you are at my daughter's school.

Well, it's official. I now have a kindergartner in the house. Some days I think I have a teenager, but really it's just a 5 year old.

Her first day was emotional but not for the reasons I had expected. You see, her school's administration is apparently void of either planning or intelligence. It was as if they had never had planned on kids arriving for school. Let me explain.

I have about a five minute window to drop Amanda off at school and get back on the road in order to arrive at my job on time. The school supposedly has early drop off at 7:45am. (Or so the sign says.) I have to be at work at 8am. I work 10 minutes away. (Word problem: If Joe is delayed 20 minutes then how late will he be to work, and how much time does he have to request off from work for being late? Show your work. Answer at the bottom of the blog.)

When I arrived at the school at 7:45 there was a horde of parents and antsy K-2nd graders standing outside of every door to the school. Being the first day of school, every kid had over-stuffed knapsacks and looks of anxiety and/or dread. Amanda and I walked up and I asked the person in front of the locked doors what was going on. She responded they were not opening the doors until 7:45. My cell phone said 7:46 and the school clock said 7:43. I told one parent waiting the school really should get a clock that is set to the right time. I was quite ticked off. So, I headed to the main front doors with Amanda in tow to see if there was another way in or at least a clock set to the right time. As we walked down the sidewalk Amanda said, "At least I am getting my exercise in this morning with this running." I forgot her legs are a forth as long as mine. When we got there another horde of parents/kids were standing around looking like sheep headed to slaughter. I saw a former client with his family standing outside the main doors and I asked him what was going on. He told me that they were not opening the doors until 8am. I told him, "that's a problem and I am a problem solver!" I was even more ticked off.

I marched straight over to the front doors, looked for a sign that said "Opening at 8am" - I didn't find one. I looked around and nearly every parent was on their cell phones saying the same thing - "I'm still at the school and they are not opening the doors until 8am. I'm going to be late at work." With no notice on the door and the feeling that I had about 20 parents cheering me on, I went over to the glassed-in office window, waited until someone walked through the office and banged on the window and motioned with my pointer finger to come outside. The woman who reluctantly looked up was one of the secretaries and, reading her lips, shook her head and told me "8am". I was mad. At that I shook my head and banged again on the window and motioned with my pointer finger again (yes, that finger again!) for her to come outside so we could "talk". As soon as I did that she picked up the phone. My first thought was "Oh, no! She's calling the cops and I am getting arrested! Where's my badge?" (For the record, I would never use my badge in any way to get out of a situation involving law enforcement personnel...at least not blatantly.)

The secretary hung up the phone and reaches for what looked like keys and headed for the doors. At this same time, a woman (administrator/principal?) walked up from the parking lot and said, "Oh, the doors are not opened? Let me go in and get a key." She walked through the main doors and was greeted by the secretary and together they headed back into the office. The two talked for about 30 seconds and then the secretary came and unlocked the main doors without explanation. It's now 7:55am. I was steamed and felt my face turning red. Amanda and I, fresh off our conquest of charging the school building, were the first through the doors. We got to the 2nd set of doors and boom - they were locked. I looked over to the secretary with disgust and she yelled out, "everyone has to come through the office." I yell back, "Yeah, that makes sense!" So we retreated into the office and the secretary asked me, "Are you parent drop-off?" Now remember, she had seen that I was a demonstrably annoyed, red-faced parent carrying a clear, purple-strapped, Wizards of Waverly Place backpack overflowing with school supplies of all sizes with a wide-eyed, nicely dressed 5 year old frantically being drug in my wake. I held my tongue and said "yeah". (My mind said other things.) This secretary then said, "For future reference... parent drop off is at the other door." I said back with gritted teeth, "It...was... not....open."

Anyway, because Amanda had this large backpack that was full of back-to-school items, I thought it best to take this mountain of supplies straight to her cubbie in her classroom and place it there rather than having them strewn from one end of the school to the other. We headed down the darkened hallway to the far end where her classroom is located. Amanda's pig tails were flopping in the air as she said to me, "Dad, why are we running?" I said, "we are NOT running, there's no running in school. We are walking very fast!" She placed her pack in her assigned spot and we quickly retraced our steps down the hallway. No one had told us where the kids were gathering and no official-type person could be found. Another dad and child were talking with someone I assumed was a male teacher and I heard the teacher say, "I don't know what's going on this morning." As I passed by, I piped up and said, "Do you know where we're supposed to drop off the kids?" The teacher said, "I don't know." To that I responded, "Then it's unanimous!" and headed towards the office. As we neared the main entrance again, I saw another parent and asked them if they knew where we were supposed to be. She said that she supposed the gym. Amanda and I turned around again and began searching for the gym. We came upon a woman who seemed teacher-like and I ask where the gym was located. She pointed down the hallway to a sign that I didn't see. She pointed again and then I realized from our distance, you had to be under 5'5" to see the sign. I am 6'2". It was hanging from the ceiling and if I bent down I could see it.

As we entered the gym, there was mass confusion. Luckily, Amanda's former Pre-K teacher was headed our way and told us, "Apparently, the kids are supposed to find their class mascot and gather there for now. We will then take each group to their respective classrooms." Finally, some instructions!!!! It was 8:04.

I put Amanda under her mascot with about 5 other kids - one of which was a girl named Allison who looked like she was scared. I introduced Amanda to her new best friend and left her with a hug, a kiss and our secret "daughter-power" hand shake. It was 8:05.

Every thought in my head said to march back to the office and have an "airing of grievances" with the friendly principal. I was already late to work - and getting later by the minute. I remembered I had specifically left the morning void of scheduled clients so if I were to get too distraught over Amanda's first day of Kindergarten I could take an hour off to compose myself before I had to see clients. Despite what my brain was saying, I left school grounds without "discussing" the situation with the school staff. I wanted to... I really did. Instead I thought it best to get some breakfast and cool off and then return if I still felt the need or head onto work. A McDonald's breakfast and a call into work seemed to do the trick. I decided that I would not start off Amanda's school reputation as having the "Insane Dad". I bet Luke will thank me, too, since that kind of reputation can last a few years!

All in all, Amanda had a great day, and now a week later, she really loves school (her 3 recesses!) and her teachers. The ironic aspect of this entire fiasco is that after Amanda's second full day of school her backpack had a hand out on "HOW TO DROP OFF YOUR CHILDREN". I think every kid received one - not just the insane, window-pounding, finger-pointing, sarcastic dads!

WORD PROBLEM ANSWER: If I had gone straight to work after dropping Amanda off I would have arrived 15 minutes late. We must take full hours off and can not flex. (Thanks union rules!) Since I took off two weeks of work in July while I was sick/hospitalized, that leaves precious few hours of vacation/sick time that I can take. Every hour I take off I try and make count!

Things with the drop off schedule seems to be improving. The doors are opening nearly on time and people seem to know what they are to do. If they get worse again, you can rest assured there is a window that I will be pounding on!

Every Once in a While

Ok, I am sorry.

I said I would do better and I have failed again. Here's the straight dope. Amanda started Kindergarten. My health is all better. Luke is into the Terrible Two's in full force. And I am busy. Also Amanda, Luke, my girlfriend and I spent a long weekend with some of our friends in Cincinnati. It was my first quasi-vacation in over 2 years.

I am working on a blog entry regarding Amanda's first day (2 hours!) at Kindergarten and the fiaco of trying to drop her off at school.

I should have that entry for you tomorrow... stay tuned...there's even a word problem in the blog. It's worth reading if you have kids, and a good lesson about Government-ineptness in action!

(If congress won't come to you - i.e. town halls - go to them! Call and schedule 15 minutes to tell your congressman, in person, your feelings regarding Health Care "reform".)

Almost But Not Quite

It's been a long time since I wrote on my blog. (Don't be mad, blog. I missed you. I'll try and do better.)

I wanted to give you an update about my health. Like the title of the blog said, I am almost but not quite recovered from my three week illness. I am off the antibiotics and have gotten my energy back. The area where I am now lacking is in strength. Luke, all 37(!) pounds of him, really can wear me out. He is all rough and tumble with Dad and thinks nothing of flopping down on me anytime he sees an opening. The problem is that normally I try and catch him before he completely squishes me...and I really mean "TRY!" Luckily, Amanda is more gentle with her dad, but only slightly. She likes to waller me and snuggle - which is ok - I know it won't last forever!

I really noticed my lack of strength Friday when we moved a couple of desks at work. (Technically, I never should have lifted them - after all I am a union worker! I know what you are thinking... Joe in a union? Yep! Not much choice and no real benefit to me.) I have never been what I would consider a strong man - except for that year in college where I actually lifted weights on a regular schedule - but trying to lift those desks was quite difficult.

I also lost a total of 12 pounds while I was not eating, and I think I have gained a couple of them back. I am going to try and keep the rest off, but several people have told me that I am too skinny. A greater number have said I look "sooo much better". Ok, first of all - THAT'S NOT A COMPLIMENT! I know what you are going for by saying that, but really, did I look that bad before? Since I am a nice guy, I let it go and take it the way they mean it - I am more healthy looking now that I have dropped a couple of pounds. No matter - I think I look better now, too.

Thanks for everyone who prayed, etc., for me and please know that I appreciated it!

Ok, one political note: Are politicians (Illinois and Federal) getting dumber or just caring less about the populace? Illinois is in shambles and can't take care of its citizens (the needy, the children, the addicted, or the afflicted and those state workers who care for those people) because the guys in charge (all of one party) can't stop complaining about how bad the budget is long enough to have a few fresh ideas of how to bring in more money. Here's an idea - make Illinois a state where businesses and people want to go because there's opportunity to make a buck! Really, is it that complicated?

Let me think... Oh, I don't know - freeze state spending increases for three or four years, kick out anyone here illegally, freeze ALL legislator's pay for 8 years, eliminate centralized state purchases and encourage local buys, lower tax rates on all businesses, encourage business incubators through tax credits for start up businesses for five years after incubation ends, eliminate all state taxes on businesses which make less than $50,000 or employ fewer than 4 people, eliminate the Illinois Interstate Compact (a probation thing most of you have no idea what they do - and neither do I - except making coffee for trainings) and lastly, annex Missouri. After all, we sure don't want Indiana!

Don't even get me started on Gate-gate, $ for Clunkers, Health Care, or Honduras.

Home Sweet Home

I came back from Barnes yesterday. I like to say that St. Louis was not big enough for both me and the President - so I had to leave. (Really, was it worth having him throw out the meaningless first pitch for all the trouble he caused with the traffic in St. Louis? I-64 is already partially closed for construction, the roads around Busch Stadium were closed earlier due to the parade and Fan Fest, I-64 from the bridge to 14th street was closed beginning at 5pm through the end of the game. Then you add Pres. Ego and his rolling road blocks to get him from Lambert Airport to the All-Star game 2 hours ahead of game time and it was a traffic nightmare. On a side note: did you hear all the boos when he was announced? Must be those "stimulated" fans!)

Whew... I feel better now in so many ways.
Ok, what was wrong with me was a laundry list of ailments which in non-immune compromised patients would have not happened or would have just been like a bout with the flu. One of the Doctors I saw at Barnes said that I was lucky - often transplanted patients with Erhlictiosis (tick disease) end up in the ICU and are sometimes septic. I guess I was lucky after all.

Today, I played with Luke, went to the pharmacy and ran by my workplace to say "hi" and to turn in my doctor's note. I am off work until Monday which seems far off, but after just doing those few chores, I was exhausted and took a 3 hour nap after lunch. I feel like I just can't catch up on enough sleep. All of my co-workers have commented on how skinny I am now. I guess losing 12 lbs in a 12 day period is kind of dramatic. Now what did I do with those "skinny" pants?!

Thanks to everyone for praying, checking up on me, posting on Facebook, driving me, e-mailing me, babysitting, buying magazines/books, sitting with me, buying subs/milkshakes, and in general being concerned for my well-being. Thanks Christy!

I really do appreciate it and will try and tell you thank you in person when I see you.... if I can stay awake long enough.

This Time I Mean It - I Am Getting Better

Well, I am writing the blog from the 10th Floor of Barnes Hopital. It has been a long 10 day stretch for me and those near me. I believe I can safely say, the worst is behind me. I knew I was sick, but I didn't really grasp it until Thursday when I literally fell into bed after a quick shower saying "I think I am going to die". At that point, I was soon to be headed to the ER for the 3rd time in the week and was determined to not be dicharged home until I was well.

I spent a couple days in the Carbondale hospital until being discharged to Barnes Hospital so my Dr and the Post-Transplant team could watch over me. They are an amazing group of Drs who will research drug interactions to the nth degree before giving us renal patients a drug. That is not something that happens at the local hospital... they just don't think of that stuff.

I was transported to Barnes via ambulance yesterday afternoon. That was not a fun ride - fast - but not fun. Anyway, after another round of tests (many of which C'dale hospital had already done) they determined that my numbers were headed in the right direction. I have had 3 chest xrays, 2 ultrasounds, 2 CT Scans, 4 cultures, and more viles of blood collected from me than I can remember. I am so happy, though. My arm is a pincushion and I finally got a shower and shave. (Think Tom Hanks in Castaway)

My Pancreas is working like is supposed to again, my liver enzymes and kidney functions are returning to normal as well. I am feeling much improved and the fever has been gone now for 41 hours. No they are trying to determine exactly what casused this whole thing and I wonder that too.

I should be coming home in a day or two. And I can't wait to eat a Quatros Pizza with some cold ice cream. I finally started eating late last night for my first real meal in 9 days.

Thanks for your prayers.

I'm Getting Better...I Think

From the title of this blog, you kind of know where I'm headed. It's kind of like Weekend at Bernie's II.... you know the outcome, it's just the middle part that might throw you a curve.

Well, after last night's blog I was doing pretty well. The fever went down to normal for a few hours and then at 9am this morning it shot up to 101.3 again. I suffered for a few hours and decided it was time to call the big Dr in St Louis. My doctor up there is 1) the head of the renal department at Barnes, and 2) one of the leading renal dr's in the nation. I think the world of him despite never seeing him anymore since I am just a checkup patient. He normally only sees those who have just received a transplant and follows them for about a year. That's when the real doctoring takes place because so many things could go wrong and the meds have to be constantly adjusted to find what works best.

So...I called StL and spoke to the Kidney Transplant Nurse and told her what was going on. I explained that I felt like I was not getting any better and that the current course of action was not helping me. She gave me several options. I explained that I dont want options - just tell me what to do. (I get very stupid when I am sick! Talk to me like I am 5 years old.) She said to return to the ER in Carbondale and get re-evaluated and to have the Carbondale ER doctor to call Dr. Brennan in St. Louis to consult about what course of action to take. And if needed I could be admitted to Carbondale or tranferred to Barnes.

Well, I ended up back in the ER where the nurses and xray techs were wonderful. The Doctor was condescending to me, had not checked out my chart prior to entering the exam room, and actually told me that my local Dr had the same knowledge as my StL doctor - that "knowledge is knowledge". I about fell out of the gurney.

Well, after an IV antibiotic and another bag of fluids - I started perking up. My temp went down to normal and has been that way for 8 hours. I am starting to feel like my normal self and I hope my energy (and balance) returns, too.

One thing popped into my mind this weekend while I was in bed. I was very sick when Elvis died, too. Is it me getting sick that kills the current biggest performer, or them dying makes me sick.... hummmmm.

Im not out of the woods, but the treeline is in view!

Still Sick... Very Sick

It's 2am and I am feeling pretty good for the first time today.

My diagnosis from the "cute" doctor was not exactly right. I ended up going to the ER yesterday when my temperature stayed over 101 and got an IV of fluids and diagnosed with tonsillitis and possibly a tick-borne disease. I am on antibiotics now, but they said I may have one more day of fever before I start feeling better. One of the other things going on is my liver and kidney functions are slightly abnormal. My kidney Dr in Carbondale seems to think those numbers are only due to my dehydration and my body working overtime to fight the disease. I hope he's right. I am getting this whole week off work to recuperate.

Yesterday I got very stir-crazy and frantic when I was feverish (102) and that kind of scared me. I was just sure that I would end up in the hospital for a biopsy or something.

One of the problems is making sure my kids stay away from me - after all - them getting this is the LAST thing I want! Amanda wanted me so badly tonight and it was so hard to not hug her.


I have now been sick 4, going on 5 days. Here's what I have learned.
1)Sickness Sucks!
2)Drinking water nonstop has several bad side effects.
3)My Co-Workers are awesome.
4)My gf has been awesome too.
5)There's only so many ways to lay in a bed.
6)I have a newfound respect for Cindy's 14 months of laying in that bed with nothing to do but worry, stew, flop around and pray.

I will let you know when I get better. I's 2:30 now... starting to get the chills again. Better get back to my wonderful bed.

Still Sick

Still Sick

Why Must I Get Sick Now?

It just goes to reason that if you say you are not sick...Whamo! You get sick. That's what has happened to me. I woke up this morning feeling bad and it never improved with a 3 hour nap and I even started to run a low-grade fever. (Luke was napping too, and Amanda was gone.)

Well, the good news is it is not West Nile, Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever, N1H1, Bird Flu, Cat Flu, Mongoose Flu, or Strep. It's just viral crap. I think that was the cute doctor's diagnosis. (It was a female doctor - just to clarify! I don't want to mistakenly be thought of as gay... like my supervisor was! That's what Richard gets for wearing a "corn-something blue" shirt!)

But this sickness is occurring during my favorite time of the year. I love warm weather. I love summer. I love warm nights and star gazing. My favorite memories are from summers at the lake, trips to the zoo, baseball games all over Southern Illinois, cruising with the radio up and windows down, fireworks (legal and illegal) and outdoor concerts in St. Louis.

I am adding a special time tomorrow to remember what this holiday is all about. It seems that what was fought for... independence from an overly repressive central government...is under attack again. I don't know what's going to happen here in America - "universal" healthcare, energy/banking/automotive mandates, much higher taxes, and weakening of the greatest fighting force in the history of the world - but it seems to me that any of these would NOT be what our founding fathers signed up to get.

I found the following paragraphs in a Glenn Beck letter to America posted today... I want to share a short page from it. It's what got me to thinking about tomorrow. Please read it despite what you think of that goofball Glenn. (I have an affection for guys who are goofballs!)

Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence:

Five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes burned to the ground. Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and two more had sons captured. Nine fought and died in the Revolutionary War.

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, and nine were farmers and large plantation owners. They were well educated, smart enough to know that by signing the Declaration of Independence, they were signing their own death warrants. They did it anyway, and God bless them for it.

As we enjoy our liberty on this 4th of July, or any day of any month, we must never take that liberty for granted. Too many have given too much. In the words of the Signers themselves, "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

~Glenn Beck

Have a Happy Independence Day! Now let's go to Reeve's Boomland!

Too Much Celebrity Info!

So much that's going on in life right now (irresponsible congress, pitbull attacks, continual heat wave, increasing gas prices, clueless clients, etc) have gotten my goat so much lately I just had to write a light-hearted blog before I blew my brains out. I am doing very well lately.... it's just been too hectic to write.


I am glad I am not a celebrity.

I have been in a couple of "celebrity" events but my level of celebrity-ness was actually quite lame. I once played on the TV3 softball team because I was a weather-watcher for them before they moved to Crainville and the weatherman offered his at bat to me. This was pre-Jim Rasor. My second round of celebritocity (I like making up words) was playing on a celebrity basketball team in a fund-raiser. It was during my WGGH radio days and I am sure I was the least known player on the "celebrity" team. (Like I said... pretty lame.)

I did get a certain "following" of senior citizens and home schoolers during my radio career but they were mostly well-behaved when I was out doing a remote broadcast or concert appearance. There was a time when I was backed into a corner by a lady in a walker, but I think that was purely accidental!

I can't imagine the lack of privacy stars of today have to deal with, but then again, they make enough money to jettison to a location where they are unknown. Or, they can hole up in one of their houses behind the large gate guarded by a guy named "Tiny".

Then your family has to deal with the speculation of your possible sordid hidden life once you die. I know more about Michael Jackson, Ed McMahon, Farrah Faucet, and now the Oxyclean guy than I ever thought possible. And I am not even trying to find out the dirt. (I leave that stuff to my 8-4 job!)

Although, I have to admit, the limelight is kinda fun.... even if that light is dim.

What's the Score, Dad?

Aren't doctor offices great? I used to always get sick after going to my doctor for a checkup. That really makes you want to go! Recently, I thought I had kicked that pattern, but guess what? I had my yearly checkup in St. Louis with my kidney doctor yesterday. Everything is where it is supposed to be number-wise with my blood work. But the downside of the trip was that I came back sick. UGH!!! There should be a "never sick in summer" rule. Even Amanda said that you can't get a cold in the summer. She said it - so now it's a rule. Luckily this "non-cold" has only a low grade fever, runny nose, watery eyes, aches... you know, typical Swine Flu stuff. Just kidding. Just sick enough to not go to work, but not too sick to have to be in bed all day. I am never going to the doctor when I am well again! Only kidding.

Amanda's softball playing is improving with each game. I am helping to coach her team. I have resigned myself to the fact that she won't take instructions from me on the field. And that is ok. She actually caught (let roll into her glove correctly) three balls that were hit to her in her last game. You really can't call them games, though. In my mind, games have winner/losers, runs, outs, and a certain amount of competition. This is coach pitch/tee ball. Everyone bats, everyone plays the field, everyone gets to run all the bases, there are no outs, and no strikeouts. I'm old school... you play to win... at all ages.

The upside is that there's no yelling/fighting by the parents!

I Can Hear You Now

First I want to clarify. Verizon is now giving a break to those of us who lost phone service after the May 8th storm. My land line phone service was restored on May 28th. My neighbor called and after punching through several prompts was able to speak with a live, human being who worked for Verizon customer relations. Their first question was "did you call in the outage?" Are you kidding me? He said to Verizon "We kind of had a big storm go though, so I thought you were aware of our problems."

He said his "break" amounts to $8. Wow... that's like what - $ .40 per day? Yeah, that's fair.


Our church celebrated its 50th Anniversary today. I love my church. I wish I could do more for it.