Free Van For The Wheelchair, Skating Show Madness

Have a guy giving us a 1987 Chevy van fully wheelchair accessible, nice to know nice people. I met this guy a few times, he came to the Sheriff's office after I retired. My grandmother used to say never kick a horse turd, you may be related to it, and yes, she was a female Will Rogers! Anyway, I'm not related to this guy, but he remembers me from when I was a little boy, his wife grew up in a house that was down a long dirt road and sat right behind my grandmother's and my house. Nice to get a freebie while you're figuring out what works, just hope he doesn't tell too many stories about what a crybaby I was!

Big weekend at the Brawn household, and yes, that's my last name, a 6'5", 275 lb man that used to be a powerhouse named Brawn. The wife and daughter have the final day of the skating show they are involved with, the daughter is the teacher, the wife is her assistant. Interesting dynamic, the wife was the teacher for 25 years, she's having an issue playing second fiddle and it's hysterical to watch! She tells the daughter what SHE would do then the daughter does what she wants. 180 kids in the program, 4 shows, watching the wife get a smack down from the daughter, priceless!

House Makeover Time, Left Side Entering Limp Noodle Stage

Time to fish or cut bait, isn't that how the saying goes?  The house needs a makeover nearly as badly as I do!  Can't do it all, but I can sit on a chair and do some of it.  I was a good painter once upon a time, big deal the hand and arm I used kind of hangs at my side like a limp noodle, I got another one!  The reason for the fish/bait remark is the left arm is coming on like gangbusters, if I wait too long I'll have to hold the brush in my teeth.  I also have 2 adult children living home, a lot of my sitting will be in a directors chair, time they learn this sort of thing.  Now to add color, tired of white and cream!

Let's talk about the left side of my body for a minute.  I was fortunate to be able to do most things as well or better left handed.  Could hit a ball a mile, shoot a basketball, catch and throw a lacrosse ball, only thing I couldn't do was throw left handed.  I even switched and carried my service weapon left handed the last few years I worked.  Here's my problem, what do I do when the left arm joins the limp noodle team?  I'd be a little more than lying if I said I wasn't just a bit scared, because I am terrified!  By the way, the left leg is doing the same thing, starting to drag, getting that feeling deep inside.  Can't explain it all too well, like a buzzing that goes all the way to the bone?  Buckle up, the ride's about to get bumpy!

The Kids Have Jobs, And Medical Marijuana Law In Maryland A Joke

Both my minions, both the kids, have full time jobs, both with benefits, both excited to leave the house today.  My first job was running numbers when I was 5 with my grandfather, I'd run into the High's store to get a brown paper bag and a cookie, but I digress!  I hope the boy turns this into a career and that the girl sees she needs to finish her education.  A father can hope?

Doctors appointments are on my horizon, making up for not having insurance since January.  Going to ask about medical marijuana for the pain?  MD just past laws reducing the penalty for patients that use it with a doctors blessing, saying it's OK to use and possess it, but if you get caught buying it you are subject to arrest.  Wait, let me read that again... Yep, that what it say!  So it's still not illegal to smoke marijuana in MD, and it's OK to possess it MD, it's just still illegal to buy it!  Wouldn't it be easier to just let me go to Walgreens pick it up with a KitKat bar?

Is This Heat Ever Going To Wane, Piano Moved For Food

Summer is here, yay!  Everyone is so excited, they just don't get it.  It means sweating like a father with 5 daughters in gold rush town, that's sweaty!  Means my vision is hazy almost everyday, like the way it looks in a steam room.  Means what little functionality I have in my limbs will be stressed, making it even harder to walk, rendering the right arm purely ornamental.  Means my energy level will be lower than normal, if that's even possible?  Means we aren't even through June and I am ready for winter.

We moved the piano down into the basement, had the boy and 3 of his larger friends move it, bought them dinner for their effort.  The wife was a nervous wreck, what if they get hurt, what if they drop it?  She seems to forget, I moved it with my friend 5 times, twice to the 3rd floor of an apartment, once up, once down.  Hard to imagine I ever did those things, once was capable of great feats of strength, like carrying my own drink down the steps, or moving a piano, both in the same category as this point.  Anyway, the piano is moved, in one piece, and no blood was shed.

Weight Loss, Exploding Gallbladder, Social Security, Medicare, The Mother In Law, Bioness, Bladder, Wake Apnea, And A Dog

okay, so what's been going on?  I lost almost 90 pounds, have kept it off, as a result of the weight loss my gallbladder exploded New Year's Eve, so I had surgery for that. My health care provider has stopped paying my claims as primary because I'm supposed to be on Medicare. Medicare starts July 1, but I have to pay a $140 a month penalty because I didn't sign up when I was eligible, nice. Just got a letter from Social Security saying that as a result of a random computer audit it was discovered that I was being paid too much so my monthly amount has been adjusted by almost $900. The mother-in-law went into the hospital to have some tests run and they made an error in her medication that put her in a coma that lasted for the better part of month. She is in a rehab facility fighting to get to a point to be able to take care of herself again. So other than that Mrs. Lincoln how did you enjoy the play?

My Bioness leg stimulator has been replaced through the extended warranty that was bought for $500. The straps that hold tight to my leg are the last thing I'm waiting for, seems they are on backorder. Curious what else the straps are used for that they don't have them in stock at all times, and are they going to replace the contact pads that are being ruined because they are out of stock? The body is pretty much shot, not too many things working the way they should, if working at all. A lot of the places that have been numb for years suddenly are extremely painful. Bladder issues seem to be the order of the day, when the urge hits you'd better get out of my way! I've developed this little thing that the neurologist calls wake apnea, a rather bothersome new edition to my old repertoire. Other than that it has been business as usual, the wife still hasn't tossed me out of the house, the kids still hate me, but we did get a dog, Rosie is a great addition to the family.

Still Wahls/Paleo Diet, Go Orioles

3 months, about 10 days into my Wahls/paleo diet, have dropped 75 lbs, have about the same amount to go.  The rate of fall is starting to slow, sure it will go slower from here on, but it's worth it.  Had started to give in, was giving up on things, decided it wasn't time yet.  Completely off of the Baclofen now, good news-bad news effect.  Having the leg cramps every 30 seconds or so, last for 10-15 seconds, but my right hand is the most use in years, tough choice.

O-R-I-O-L-E-S!  We are making a run baby, yes final week and we are still playing!   The boy, like many Baltimore folk are fair weather fans, loving them now, hating them the last 15.  I on the other hand have been loyal, even through the worst of times, and man, have we had our share of those.  So to the O's, good luck, and thanks for 162 days of something to do!

Mother In Law Surgery, Moving Command Central Upstairs

The mother in law has a rather large surgery on Monday, one all of us are looking forward to, including her.  She went to a geriatric doctor for answers to a sudden onset of dementia symptoms.  It was like the life had been sucked right out of her, no energy, no short term memory.  The doctor ordered an MRI and low and behold, she has an angiogenic brain tumor the size of a golf ball!  The tumor is the pressing on the part of the brain that controls, you got it, short term memory.  My aunt had this years ago, recovered beautifully, but she was a young woman, compared to the mother in law, who is 80.  Wish her luck, both that she comes through it ok, and has a vast improvement in her quality of life!

Thinking of kicking the boy out of his room, the smallest of the 3, would make a perfect den.  Before you call social services, I'm talking about moving from 12' x 12' bedroom, to a 24' x 15' family room with a big screen tv and private bath.  The plan is to  move the sofa bed up into my lair, buy a lazyboy swivel rocker, put command central up there with my 32" monitor!  This isn't  just whimsy, puts me on the same level as the bathrooms, eliminates the 3 steps down to the living room, kitchen, or the 8 or so more down to the family room.  Only one thing left to do, ask the wife if it's ok!

MS Drug Gilenya A Bust, Skating Show Weekend Has Arrived

Started two months ago taking the new drug Gilenya, a drug design for relapsing remitting forms of multiple sclerosis.  I really didn't anticipate getting any benefit from the drug, but decided to give it a try anyway. Turns out my status as boy genius is still intact, I saw no benefits at all. The plan is to stop the drug as soon as possible, have to make an appointment to go in and be "monitored", like I was when I first started it. In this case monitor means sitting in a room by myself for six hours and having them come in once an hour and take my blood pressure. Seems like a waste of a day, but I will do what I need to do.

Big weekend at the old Brawn house, the daughters skating show starts tonight. This is the first year that she is the big enchilada, running the whole show, and boy is she excited!  She and her mother are actually skating together in an alumni number, which I can't wait to see.  This is the culmination of months of hard work, and years of waiting to be the head honcho. The mother and I are very proud of her. Also, the boyfriend is very involved, and I am the voice of the master of ceremonies again this year, which I think is year number 25?

No Jobs To Be Found, MS Eyes Slowing My Driving

What a horrible time it is to be looking for work, any kind of work. The girl had a fit of a time finding a part time job, and the boy has worn himself out looking for full time work. Both have something, looks like the boy has found work at a retirement community, and the girl is queen cupcake at Cake Cottage. I'm trying to talk them both into buying a small spread and raising meat rabbits, not having much luck?

Not sure if I drive anymore, probably as much a question of confidence as anything else? My eyes are all messed, visual acuity almost gone. Been to neuros, been to eye doctors, even neuro eye doctors, and they all say the same thing, good question! The question being why does it feel like I'm looking through chocolate milk? Chocolate milk was a nice touch, right, made it much worse that regular. Gave my truck to the boy, so currently have no dedicated wheels, probably won't soup up my tricycle either? A small world has gotten smaller.

Stop Buying Congress Breakfast, and Kid Cleaning Crew

Saw a piece on the news tonight, department of defense spent $12 for bran muffins, $10 brownies, even coffee that was something like a billion dollars an ounce, crazy! I imagine there are arguments, things are expensive, it's a hard job, you name it. Answer me this, why are we buying them anything at all? Who bought breakfast for you this morning? They want to cut costs, let them eat their grape nuts before they go to work! Write your congressional representative and tell them you want the free start breakfast stopped.

Kids covered the pool today, we are slugs, always late doing it. It took them longer to blow up the float than it did to put the cover on. Scared me to watch them try and figure out the best way to blow it up, but they did it! Since they were so quick with it, and I had captive minions, we did a little fall cleaning to knock down the dust. Kids ask great questions. Told the boy to take the picture off the wall and dust behind it, he said why? The girl came in, said why is he cleaning behind the pictures? I am actually scared to tell the wife this story!

Bowling In Reno, Laundry For The Homeless

The boy leaves for Reno tomorrow for a bowling tournament, all by his lonesome. The wife said she hopes he has a good time. Hopes he has a good time, really? He's 19 years old, going to Reno, to do something he loves. His little ass better have a good time! When I was 19 I didn't have any direction at all, or any money to do anything like a trip. He's going with a bunch of old guys, some almost my age, and not all of them drinkers, so he's in good hands. Drinking is the wife's big concern, I told her he'll be fine, Wednesdays are known more for hookers!

Got the OK at an outreach meeting at church today, doing a laundry day for the homeless dudes this coming Monday. Found out whilst talking to them, a lot of ties they wear things until they either fall apart, or are so dirty it's easier to just throw them away. When they are to the point of being worn out, they get new, but that's all easier said than done. Like us, homeless people feel better when they are clean, and when their things are clean. This is just a small thing I can do, hope it helps them.

Church Garden Tilled, And A Spring Cold Thanks To The Boy

Got the church garden underway, got the 20x20 plot tilled, composted and tilled again. That being said it will still be like trying to grow something on a parking lot! I forget sometimes that Perry Hall was settled because of its clay and gravel, at least I think why that's why it was settled? Church is having an outdoor cleanup tomorrow, and a few of the garden people are going to start putting plants in the ground. It will be a matter of time before we are cursing the lack of rain, and trying to figure out how to get rid of the bunnies, can't wait!

I remember thinking what germ factories little kids are, spreading their pathogens all over the place. The boy, now 19, still has a knack for it. He developed an upper respiratory thing, sending out mushroom clouds of death all over the house, and yes I got it too. Don't think I actually caught it from him, but I'm certainly not taking the blame for it. I avoided being sick all winter, hand washing, avoiding human contact, and using my Neti pot. I did that while volunteering all winter at the homeless shelter. I guess the combination of the spring allergy season, the boy sounding like he belonged in the TB ward, and bad luck all joined in a perfect storm type of thing, I need to be institutionalized!

Mini Eye Exacerbation, Minions In The Garden

The right eye is acting up, that blurry, fuzzy, fade out type of acting up. This weather is killing me! Don't know about anyone else but I need it to get warm and stay warm, or stay cool, I don't care, but this warm one day, cold the next is tearing me apart! Teaming up with the eye is the usual slow motion of things, like an out of body experience, though I really don't know what one of those is like. Not too hard to deal with, as long as it's only in one eye, so keep your fingers crossed.

Had both my minions out in the yard helping me today, would be funny if they didn't come from my gene pool! The girl panics if she doesn't get it right away, and the boy figures he didn't know it yesterday, won't scar him if he doesn't know it today. They laid a layer of cardboard down to kill the grass, then filled the 6x8' raised bed with compost. The girl did the cardboard and left for school, while the boy got to hump the compost from the truck to the bed. He was all proud of himself, said all finished. Wish you could have seen the look on his face when I said, good job, cut the grass and you're all finished!

Can't Always Make Your Kids Feel Better

Had a tough couple of days here at the casa, the boy's best friend since kindergarten lost his mother. The boy has known her all his life, she was a couple years younger than us, so it really hit home. His friend withdrew over the last couple of weeks, the boy didn't even find out until after her funeral. Odd circumstance, but it must have been the way they wanted to handle it. It was sudden and it was quick, and the boy doesn't know what to make of it, or how to help his friend. Tough lesson to learn, not always anything you can do.

This Man's Castle Has Lost Its Keep, I've Been Overrun

Ever feel like you've been relegated to odd man out status, that's where I am right now, don't like it. I used to get kind of riled up, could be the left over of my profession, I was a dress maker, but when things got hinky I could explain in a loud voice how it was going to go, the language was both loud and choice word were used. At home I have to try to tone it down, talk it out, which by the way does absolutely nuttin! I have to decide if I want to pursue this as a problem, or eat another one? I think I may be in pursuit mode this time, all depends on the answer I get to my first question, who paid for your haircut!

My Lifes Mantra, Or How To Navigate Past The MS

Decided I need a mantra, all cool people have one, I want to be cool. The kids told me I'm too old to be cool, told them being cool had nothing to do with age, told them to kiss my nose! Thought of stealing a famous mantra, life's a bitch and then you die, or something similar, but decided it has to be unique to me. Did find a list, lists are good, so for now I am going to follow this list until I find my mantra.

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day, and while you walk, smile.
It is the ultimate anti-depressant. For me it will be ride my bike.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God (or to your higher power or meditate) about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,
' My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________ '

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that
is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires,
issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control
Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life is not fair, but it is still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don ' t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument.
Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it will not spoil the present.

14. Don ' t compare your life to others. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ' In five
years, will this matter? '

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD (depending on your beliefs) heals everything - but you have to ask Him (translate to your religion).

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job will not take care of you when you are sick.
Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night, before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings.
You will be smiling before you know it.

I'll adjust it to me, but it's a good list. I'll be substituting sardines for salmon, only like it smoked.

Boy Bowls 2 800 Series In One Day, and Weight Reaching Critical Mass

The boy had a great day bowling today, was in 2 different leagues. We got a message as we were leaving church, he bowled another 800 series this morning, a 816. We sent him a text, you don't talk to your kids anymore, you text, told him how proud we were. Came home ate lunch, watched the Ravens play, go Ravens! The boy called a few hours later, he did it again, a 805! 2 800+ series in one day, he is the man.

Been having oogy feelings lately, feel kind of like I'm going to pass out, get real flushed, turn blood red, blood pressure soars. I need to do something, I know it, but it's gotten so hard to do, losing weight is no fun. I'm a big guy, always have been, but I'm too big, have to drop some tonnage. Have to start pushing myself away from the table, sitting on my exercise bike and watch the news, something. Always thought I'd get shot by a jealous husband on my 100th birthday, not explode in my chair before my 50th.

Idiot at Walmart, and The Boy Got His Lerners Permit

Almost got hit by a car today, subsequently almost got in a fight. Leaving Walmart today, I know, destroying the local small business community, but their toiletries are cheap, in the cross walk, a guy passes all the cars blowing his horn just missing me. Thanks, I'm fine, but I was pissed, what a jerk. Went down and told him so, kind of had his van blocked in so he had to listen, that and I'm still a rather imposing figure, scared the hell out of him! Felt good, forgot for a minute a 9 year old girl could probably beat me up.

The boy is riding the wave right now, 300 game, 800 series last night, got his learners permit today, happy guy, things are looking good. Took him out to drive tonight, he does a real nice job. Keep with the insurance people how that will all work, and we are off! I may never drive again, all of the chauffeurs at my disposal.

The Boy Bowls 300 Game and 800 series!

Back is killing me, so this will be short. The boy bowled his first sanctioned 300 game tonight and his second 800 series too, an 836! The wife was bowling with him, and her parents were there as well t see. I missed it, was home trying to fix his iphone, no luck. He has bowled 20 or so 300 games, but this was the first during a league. Very proud of him, he is very pumped!

Swimming Pool Closed For Another Year, Cell Phone Tragedy, and Somebody Needs To Kick AJ Burnett's Ass

Always a bitter sweet day when we cover the pool, and that day was today. It's amazing that in Maryland you can set your watch by Labor Day being the target for closing it up. The wife was swimming just the other day, Labor Day hit and bottom feel out of the temperature readings. It's nice having it, but I am always ready to shut it down when the time comes and can't imagine living in a place that doesn't have 4 seasons.

I was vacuuming the other day and knelt down on my cell phone. Needless to say I am in need of a new phone! I bout a go phone, plugged my sim card in and was ready to go, except the buttons are so small I can't use it. The boy has a phone here someplace, but if it's in his room it's gone the way of the Donner party, consumed! He didn't get that from me, at his age I was meticulous with my room, everything went on the floor. He has stuff on all levels, somebody should make him do something about that so he can find his old phone.

The Orioles lost a heart breaker yesterday to the Yankees in the bottom of the 9th inning. It was a well played game all the way to the end, but we buckled and gave up a walk off homerun. The one Yankee pitcher thinks it's great fun to run out on the field and smear shaving cream all over the face of the hero whilst he gives an interview. Somebody on the Yankees team desperately needs to kick this guys ass! How about they charge him with assault and battery, they have it on film. Nah, I like the kick his ass solution, ya know they want to.