Go Ravens, Puttin on the feed

Ravens game tomorrow, father in law, brother in law coming to watch. I'm making Limburger and rolled anchovies as one hors devours, open to other more bland dishes, like anyone would want that. We are finished with the Orioles, this by the way is the longest streak of the year they didn't lose a game!

I'm going to count how many dances, how many choreographed belly bumps they do before I switch to just hockey and curling. It will be good to see the whole town wearing their purple and black, dogs spray painted too. It should be a hoot, wish my parents lived here, but they abandoned me as a wee lad of 35, moving many hours away, so I will just hold pictures of the all day. Have a wonderful Sunday, regardless of your plans, or you company.

Direction Change on the Horizon

I'm debating about starting up the old bloggerooni, but changing the direction, and topic. I love things in Baltimore, and I love sports, maybe I will fix all that is ill with the sports scene in the Baltimore-Washington area? We shall see, for now I'm just resting. This was a picture from our 25th wedding party, we renewed our vows, very nice. Notice little Froggy lurking in the corner!

Time For a Break

Time to take a break, things are on a path I don't want to be on. I'm in a funk I can't seem to shake. Seems like everything I touch turns to shit, and everyone around me is miserable. Time to come up with a new plan. Thanks for the support, the comments, and who knows, maybe this is just a temporary thing, time will tell. For now, adios amis!

Jewelry Shopping, Dinner Out, and Buying a New Suit

The wife and I went out ring shopping tonight, oh goody! Imagine my surprise when she told me she had been to 7 jewelry stores, and this was the best? We wanted to see about getting silver rings, silver anniversary, kind of a them. She found one, very pretty, very unique, we bought it tonight. I wasn't crazy about the ones for me, though they were a lot less in cost, nothing reached out and smacked me. I also don't wear the gold band I have now, it drives me crazy with my hands feeling all oogy. I have a feeling she will be getting the only new ring, she deserves it.

We had a great Friday, just like it is in those soup commercials. The kids were busy, the girl worked, then went out to a club, and the boy went out to an all you can eat buffet, then back here to play Wii. After the ring shopping, me and the little lady went to a new Indian place that just opened up down the street, and it was great! We didn't know what the hell we were doing, so the owner ordered for us, well done. It was a lamb and spinach dish, and chicken yogurt one too. We will surely be back for another try, maybe take the girl, she's more adventuresome than her brother.

I have more shopping to do tomorrow, can't wait! The boy and I are going to go for new suits, black ones so we can do our Blues Brothers routine at the comedy place. I need a new suit, last one was 13 years ago and seems to have gotten wet? I say that because it seems to have seriously shrunk. Everybody needs a basic black suit, one you can wear to anything. We both need it for the party, the wife is going through with making us both wear pants! The caterer was only a couple of grand, it's all the peripherals that are adding up quick. I can't wait, who doesn't love a party?

Him, Her, and Her, I'm a Lucky Guy

I am in quarantine, the boy has the flu, he has some nerve! Good news it that it's just the flu, not the swine version, not to say he isn't a swine, but not in this case. I Imagine the bowling alley will have to shut down without him there to run things, and without the money he will spend bowling. Even better news is that he had a flu shot the other day, the doctor says that should help this be quick. This will be the longest stretch he has been home in the past 5 years!

The wife and I sat and watched a movie tonight, she never sits long enough to do that, so it was pretty cool. We watch Mama Mia, we don't have cable since the mulch dudes cut through the line. It's a great movie, especially when you realize it's written around the music, the music isn't written for it. I love sitting here, looking over at her, and watching her smile. Life sucks sometimes, it hurts, it drives me crazy, but I always have her, so I think I'm going to make it.

The girl came down in the dress is she wearing to our anniversary party, she looks great! I think she needs a shawl or something, she can't go out in public like that? What if there are boys there? My little girl isn't a little girl anymore. The party is coming up, it should be a hoot. The girl is going to do the eulogy at the party, I'm sure it will be awesome, she is a published author!

Circut Court, Senior Picture, Wii Deception, and a Clean Patio

I have to go to court tomorrow, oh joy. It's going to be a trial, I just hope it will be a court trial, not a jury trial, been there, done that. It got to the point that I didn't find triple murder trials interesting, so a simple 2nd degree assault case will be a real yawner. I could always start trouble at the scanners at the main entrance of the courthouse, that has possibilities. I could demand to see Matlock, refuse to stop yelling his name. Or I could do it like I lived my entire life, get in, get out unnoticed, hoping not to run into anyone, except the guys from the sheriff's office. I do like the Matlock scenario. It reminds me of the time a friend flipped over the railing, drunk at the stadium. While waiting to see the doctor, he kept yelling for Quincy, good times!



The boy got his senior pictures, he looks like a man. He looks nothing at all like me, I'm thinking of asking for a blood test. Even if he was the wrong baby at the hospital, at least he's a good looking bloke, couldn't handle ugly kids.

Played the girl in Wii table tennis return challenge. I think I got hustled? I was a whompin and a stompin my way through the game. She was complaining she never did that badly, I told her to suffer, take it like a man, just like when she was 3 and I beat her little ass in shoots and ladders. She says, one more game, champion of all time, and proceeds to knock me back into the 1950's! Game on, I must break her!

Cleaned up the patio today, all the things the mulch dudes picked up from the yard, and we put there from closing the pool. We are shit accumulators, I've decided that, just this afternoon really. We had everything but a one armed monkey and a shot glass out there. Got to work on putting things away when we're finished with them.

Massive HSA Cover-up, Kidney Function Good, and Back Yard Livable Again

11 students, that's what the state of Maryland is claiming to be the number that didn't graduate last year because of the HSA. I wonder if they really believe that? How many kids dropped out last year, I can't seem to find that number? Grasmick needs to retire, or find another personal crusade that doesn't involve destroying our children's education, and making them fodder for Leno bits on the street. It's not working, things never do when you MUST do it, OR do this in it's place. That scenario is written for failure. Time to go back to the 3 R's, teach them the things they taught in the old days, not this damn test.

Went to see the kidney dude today, waste of time #473! First of all went to the wrong place, they have multiple offices, I figured it was the one near my house, wrong. Got to the right office at 10:29 for 10:30 appointment to be told my appointment was at 12:30. Showed my appointment card, she said wow, I wonder how that happened? Saw the doctor dude, nice young guy, said I'm healthy as a horse. I asked him if they still shot horses, he didn't get it. Kidneys are functioning great, level are great, he is the vitamin D expert, his explanation was...are you ready... some people just have low vitamin D, keep up the good work, I'm doing great.

The guys did a beautiful job outside, I'm going to buy my bat house to attack the mosquitoes. Perfect nights for starting a fire in the chimenea and looking at the stars. I have to find one of those blankets with sleeves for the wife, she's cold already. Went to the funeral home last night, it was nice to be there for our friend. Had a lot a people tell me what a nice job my brother did on the landscaping, had to explain it wasn't my brother who did it, life goes on. The important thing is I have my yard back.

NeuphrologistTomorrow, Yard Looks Awesome, and Stop The Violence at Home

Kidney doctor in the AM, hope he slaps me in the back of the head and says, that should do the trick. Does losing vitamin D indicate anything in particular with the kidneys? Is this what the swelling on my side is that no one can explain? Should I be worried? I get scared, but I don't worry. This will workout one way or the other, worrying about it tonight won't fix a damn thing. The boy had a kidney decease when he was a tyke, did he get it from me? Is it the kidneys at all? More to come about the neuphrology front.

The yard dudes did an awesome job, it looks great outside, can't wait to hang my bat house and rid the back 40 of all of its mosquitoes. They took out 2 full truck loads of crap out of our yard. They cut out a Barberry bush on the edge of the patio I tried to have done a year ago, no more waiting. I'll take pictures tomorrow, it looks fantabulous! They also trimmed the bushes along the south side of the house, the solar rays will be able to shine in this winter. I want to do the left side of the yard with native Maryland plants, turning it into a wild acre habitat. Instead of mulch in the walkway I'd like to use cinders, easier to roll on, if you get my drift. Can't wait to get some chimenea wood and sit out there and relax again, thanks yard dudes.

I'm having a problem understanding something, I'd like someone to explain it to me, seriously. There have been 167 this year, so far. We had 234 last year, and 282 in 2007. I watch things, I see things, and I want to understand things. Riddle me this? I have asked the Mayors office, I've asked the NAACP, I've asked the television news shows, shouldn't this be a priority? I've yet to get an answer back. The Mayor of Baltimore sent me back a note saying she was sorry I was scared to visit the city. I sent her back a card saying I was a 47 year old white disabled father of 2, I felt perfectly safe in the city. It is the 20 year old black guys that are dropping like flies! 143 of the 167 to date. According to the FBI there were over 14,000 murders in the US last year. I thought we were supposed to be afraid of terrorists? We killed over 126,000 of each other since 9/11. Time to start worrying about our own backyard.

Trash TV, Foul Language, and a Good Fight

I realized how little TV I watch today. I bring it up because I didn't know cable was out until I was told. I do listen to the radio a lot, all day long most of the time. There doesn't seem to be much on for an old fart like me. I can't stomach these vote me off reality shows. Most are made up of, at least to me, the people who I wouldn't miss if they abducted by aliens. Shock value has lost most of it's value with me. Don't get me wrong, a like a good dirty joke, but what made them funny was their bawdy, look what I said attitude. I was flipping the channels the other day and stopped at the Disney channel in time for a 10 year old to tell her mother she sucked! It ain't easy bein me.

I like a good curse word now and then, they make an excellent point, or add extra umpf to certain statements. The problem is, people use the big ones, you know the ones I mean, George Carlin's 7 good ones, too much in casual conversation. I know them all, I've used them all, and used them well, when appropriate. I don't use them at home, don't see the point. I used them at work, used them often. The people I dealt with didn't understand it when you asked if they thought it was best to sit quietly and please stop throwing things at the judge. I want the world to play by rules, is that too much to ask?

I also haven't been in a fight in years. The wife has a hard time understanding the concept of a good roundhouse punch to jaw to make you feel alive. There was a time that I did the whole fight thing pretty well. I loved contact sports, was pretty good at them too. I miss the physical part of me, it is long gone. I probably can still take a good knock, but I doubt I could do much more than wear them down by hoping they get tired of hitting me! I actually had someone tell me, very recently, they didn't want to meet with me to talk over a problem, they were afraid I was going to beat them up. I'm sure I could find a rather long list of people willing to smack the shit out of me, good friends, huh?

A Death, Possible Kidney Issues, and Paid is Easier

One of our neighbors passed away yesterday, she was 65. She was one the original owners when the development was new, and I used to cut their grass when I was about 14 or so. I was thinking of the time in my life that 65 was an ancient age. It doesn't seem as old, especially as I close in on 50. I feel so sorry for her husband, he was pitiful yesterday. He was so upset he didn't realize she was still upstairs, he thought the paramedics had taken her. Viewings Sunday, funeral on Monday. We have gone to way to many funerals lately.

I have an appointment with a kidney specialist on Monday, they want to figure out why my vitamin D level is still going down. I am so open to suggestion, the place where I think my kidneys are has hurt for a few days. I'll probably be on bed rest by Sunday, what a wuss! I can not put into words just how pissed I'm going to be if it turns out something is wrong with my kidneys. I will write a very strongly worded letter to someone, only one thing allowed, per person. Of course I would take anything if it protected the people around me, but it doesn't work that way.

We have a couple of guys coming tomorrow to do some work in the yard, it needs it! I have finally given in to the idea that I can no longer do the yard work. The boy is old enough, but I've never showed him how to do the fine things, like what's a weed, what's a flower. This is all part of my new if I can pay to have it done I will attitude. I had a family member coming to put the new screen door on, no show. Paying $700 to have the yard work done, no more begging. Can't wait to explain the yard sign with another landscaper's name on it, but such is life. I'm looking forward to being sit out there without getting depressed!

Short Legs, Eye Doctor Needed, and Visiting the Folks

I need my legs to be 1/2 inch longer, need to figure out how to make that happen. I'm almost 7 feet tall, but I have very short legs, built kind of like a penguin. I need to have my shoes on to keep my feet from dangling off the end of the chair. The shoes are just enough to make contact with the floor, keeping my knees from killing me. I am still pissing and moaning about my chair, can't figure out what to get. If the chair is low enough for my feet to touch the floor in my support hose, it kills me trying to stand up. I won't even tell the story of the time we went Davenport shopping and the salesperson looked at the wife, and said, you obviously need a wide seat! It was weeks before that particular sales clerk ate solid food again.

Feeling pretty good today, all things considered. I just decided that my eye issues are either an allergy, or some type of exotic infection. Asked the wife if I should go to WalMart to have someone look at my eyes, she thinks maybe another choice would be better. I had an issue with infection and steroids once before. The first time I took prednisone, I also had impacted wisdom teeth, but didn't know it. We were at the beach, that knob under my tongue, it swelled like a basketball, really gross. Is it happening again, just in my face? Maybe my face isn't fat, it's just swollen, now don't you feel bad for making fun of me?

Thinking I'll go down the parents house for a few days later this month? The wife has to go to the beach for a week on business, I don't want to stay here and interfere with the kegger the kids are planning. She was already staying with the parents, so they are expecting company. They like the wife better than they like me, don't blame them, she's pretty special, just glad they let me stay there too. Like I said, missed going down for the sister's 50th birthday, so it would be nice to see everyone. I do better with 3 or 4 days on a trip than I do with the quick overnighters. It would be nice to see the family.

Bioness Electrode Issues Continue, Juice Time, and Steroid Infusion Didn't Last

We are getting in touch with the Bioness people, having problems with the stimulator that I don't think I should be having. One of the head people came for one of the fittings, moved everything around, I think they are too high. The electrodes do not last, and I have to pay for them. The electrodes, and the placement of the electrodes I have had issue with. The last, and the final appointment with Dankmeyer, they changed a setting, and I don't think it's working properly. Let's see how eager they are to help me out, now that the unit is paid for!

I got my new Jack Lalanne juicer today, can't wait to use it tomorrow. Had one of these before and wore it out. We made all kinds of juice, all kinds of colors, fruits, veggies, they were great. I even used the pulp to make muffins, I am just that good! I have to tell ya though, I'm going to scan the one picture from the manual that came with the juicer, it may be the most unappealing picture ever to be put in a cookbook! Tomorrow morning will be apple, grape and carrot juice. I need a pumpkin juice recipe so I can get my Harry Potter on, I just love the robes.

The steroids seem to be gone out of my system? I have as much weakness in my right hand as I did last week. I feel like I'm looking through cheesecloth, never passed out, but it feels like what I saw when I knocked people out? I've got a couple of people I'd like to knock out, but that's another story. For those of you that don't actually know me, I have a strange way about me, but you have to understand, I have a mother that wants a taser for Christmas and a dumbass father that's considering buying her one! Anyway, need to figure out a new game plan, steroids may not be an option anymore.

Tivo Problems, Still Not Over Exacerbation, and House Refinance Tomorrow

I am in Tivo hell! We have Comcast for our cable, they sent out a note telling us we needed to upgrade all of our equipment to receive the new digital signal. Having a hard time getting everything back in step. I can Tivo things if the TV is off, but if it's on, I have to watch that channel. I got the wife all excited to watch a movie the other night, told her I would Tivo it until she was ready. She finished what she was doing, got all her things ready, came into the home theater room, or as some call it, the living room. I fired up the Tivo, started the movie, and it was the Orioles getting beat by someone. I need to do some research.

My eyes are still on strike, along with my blood pressure. The eyes have a chance of being my glasses, though I don't think so, the blood pressure is probably related to the steroids, or it's my fat ass, who knows? I'm on my step down dose of oral prednisone, so I'm hoping I'm still coming out of this thing. My eyes are bothering me, not use to this whole aging thing, at least the numbness feels better right now. I'm trying to not make plans for this to fail, but I'm nervous what it means if it does, and more than a little scared. I'm using my upbeat attitude to conquer this, even if it kills me!

We go to settlement on the house tomorrow, we refinanced to 4.75, good for us. We are switching away from scary old Mr. Potters big bank and putting our money into that warm Bailey savings and loan. Trying our best to stay local, stay small, stay smart. OK, me staying smart is way past due, but we can try. Working towards living long enough to pay the house off in my lifetime, without having to live to 138! 15 years and this place is mine, just in time to retire! It's nice to have options, glad to be able to take some control of something in my life, and be thankful for it.