A Clown Like Me Loves Balloons!

I am kind of excited that this is the first weekend (my weekends being Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays) in about six weeks or so that I will not be consumed by: hospitals, assisted living homes, doctors' offices... I feel like an ambulance driver a lot of the time. Hopefully, I will finally get to fix the fence the weekend - knock on wooden fence. I am also in hopes that not having such a stressful weekend will allow my brain to heal and rest a bit rather than being in constant fight mode. I really think my mind needs a break - even mowing the lawn helped with that some. Now, of course, there have been very heavy rains and howling winds. It is supposed to rain for the next three days but, thankfully, the weather doesn't listen to or watch the weather reports and it lives how it deems proper. We humans should be a bit more like the weather and do more of the "want to's" rather than all of the "have to's."I have been coughing quite a bit this week so I am probably working on some kind of a cold or something. It could be the start of throat cancer or something though I have never smoked other than the occasional cigar now and again.

I do wonder where those balloons ended - up

Today is Jill and my 29th wedding anniversary. I am so happy that she finally gave in and agreed to marry me over thirty years ago. She is, without a hint of a doubt, the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me. Interestingly,when I think about that I also think of another of the best things that ever happened to me - getting half of my big toe cut-off in a work accident when I was a 17-year-old kid in high school. I was already sworn-in to become an Army Military Police Officer and get shipped off to Fort McClellan Alabama for basic training. Had I kept all of my phalanges I never would have gone to college and met the person of my dreams and my children would not exist and who knows where I would be today and what I would be doing right now. It is odd that the best thing that ever happened to me was to get my big tow chopped off. I suppose that this is one of the many reason why I love "It's a Wonderful Life" so much. Jill just came downstairs here and had a great idea. On the day, we were married (after the ceremony) everyone at the wedding got a pink (dusty rose to be precise) balloon, wrote messages on them with markers and we all released them. She just said that we should get a couple of pink helium balloons today and write note on them and let them go. She is sad that it took her 29 years to think of that idea. I wonder what my note should say? I am thinking something like: "you are loved" or "make a positive difference today" or "believe in yourself" or "never just settle" or "MAKE your dreams become realities" or "your life begins NOW" or trust your instincts" or "if you don't like where you found me, then move" or "there is ALWAYS hope..." I suppose I could go on forever but I won't. Should we release them in Virgil , IL where we were married and released them 29 years ago or should we release them at The Hotel Baker in Geneva where we had our wedding reception? We are talking about going to lunch at Gen Hoe which is in Geneva so maybe we will do both? Our first date was at a Long John Silver's in DeKalb but we do not have a LJS any longer. I remember that I poured malt vinegar into her Coke while she was not looking and she still agreed to marry after a few years. To me, malt vinegar is the most sincerest love potion. Next year is our 30th and the traditional gift for that one is a pearl. I am really happy that the 29th traditional gift is Cantonese food. Hey, speaking of balloons, I heard they are making a motion picture of Stephen King's IT! I loved the novel and liked the television movie okay so I cannot wait.

The perfect marriage,Take that Rum!

We may go to Rockford again today too to visit Cherryvale Mall. we really like that place and there is a few things that she needs/wants to get. How does a groom deny his bride anything on their wedding anniversary? I bet they have a Long John Silvers up by the mall. I rally do want a Gen Hoe spring roll (egg roll) though. They have the best spring rolls that I have ever had. And, of course, I love sushi these days. That's probably one of the best things that I brought back from our trip to Hawaii several years ago - a love for sushi.I think we will go to the mall first and then to Gen Hoe in case you are keeping score at home.

Sorry, I had to take a break there so Jill and I could meditate. We really miss going up to Woodstock each to the Buddhist temple there so we do it here now and again. They said they would come here (to our town not our house) is we could find a place large enough to host it. We searched the town and made a list but it dropped at that. Never-mind, Jill just looked at they now have meditation at The Blue Lotus in Woodstock on Monday nights now. I am off Mondays and Tuesdays and, maybe, Jill can start working at home on Mondays and we could start going on those nights. They must have just added that because Saturdays during the days were impossible for me as I work on Saturdays. So, maybe we will go tomorrow night? I am excited. See how Buddhism works? Meditate it and it comes true. I do not believe in many of the things that organized religions teach but Buddhism makes total sense to me. That is why there are so many different things that people can practice I suppose.

I watched the new show, The President Show, on Comedy Central last week and I was not too impressed. I think the guy playing 46, Anthony Atamantuikm has the mannerisms and gestures down pretty well but, quite honestly, I think I could do a better job than he is doing. I say that, mainly, because the voice is not quite right. I have vowed to give the show one more week and then will decide whether or not to continue DVRing the show. I also found it odd that Donald Trump did not show up for the White House Correspondents' Dinner last night. I suppose he doesn't have thick enough orange skin to take any jabs, even for comedy's sake. The last President not to attend the Dinner was Ronald Reagan who was recovering from a bullet injury suffered from the gun shot of John Hinkley Jr.. Ronny did, however, call from his bed at Camp David to the Dinner to joke that "when somebody tells you to get in the car quick, do it!"

Okay, I have to get out of my jammies now to get my mall-gear on. I am going to buy a new baseball cap or two I think. I must say, being a baby-boomer I still like malls. When I watched Fast Times at Ridgemont High back in the day it seemed just like a movie of my life (in many ways). Jill and I both worked in malls for many years and... now I want to watch that movie again. That pretty much launched Sean Penn's ( Jeff Spicoli) career. I love Spicoli! I really have to get dressed because it is almost 10 already. Thank you, so very much, for stopping in and letting me reminisce and wax poetic (very loosely). I hope you have a great day and maybe I will see you in the food court at the mall later today or, of course, we always have Gen Hoe. TTTT (if it is raining and I am not working on the fence or at meditation). TTTT (87.4%)...MITM (out) TA!

Hang-on Mr. Whoopee!

Preface - This entire blog post was supposedly written and posted yesterday (I did write it and hit the "post" button) but it did not show-up on the page. What is the hospital trying to hide? My phone shows that it is posted but it did not show up on the hit the Blogspot page. I will rewrite it now by copying my phone because, for some reason, it is still saved on the phone but not on the Matt In The Middle page. Cha Cha and I are home (for about ten hours now)  I will rewrite it to Matt In The Middle now so, on with the blog!"

It is 0834 and I am in Cha Cha's hospital room but, she is not here. I assume that she is somewhere in the medical complex having tests or something. I could walk down to the nurses' station and ask but there is no evidence that there has been any foul-play so I do not consider this a crime scene yet. I did see some saltine crumbs on the table that I am using as a desk right now bu the wrapper appears to be okay even though appears to be okay even though it was quite certainly a forced entry. I do suspect "a salt" too. Today as. originally, the day that Cha Cha was supposed to go home but yesterday they changed the target day to tomorrow. I hope we stay on target because tomorrow is my last day of my five-day weekend. If she does not get released tomorrow I will have to figure-out whether to: take a sick day or use more vacation time or some incidental time... but, that is two days away and, though I usually do like to borrow trouble so I am prepared no matter what happens, I will keep it in-check until tomorrow.

Evidently, she read the blog too!

Last night I watched a movie here in Jill's hospital room on their movie service on the television system here while she was getting poked and prodded and hauled-off and brought back a few times. The film was called Hello, My Name is Doris. It starred Sally Field and Tyne Daly and Stephen Root and Peter Gallagher... It was released in 2015 but I had never heard of it.  I would say that it was kind of a chick-flick but I am kind of a chick so I really, really liked it. Sally Field still looks amazing. I think of The Flying Nun and Gidgit and then of some of her movie roles in: Forrest Gump, Norma Rae (won Best Actress), Lincoln, (nominated Best Actress), Places In The Heart (won Best Actress), Smokey and the Bandit, the Spiderman movies... I am sure I am missing many but she is very talented and quite charming so whatever she has done is probably pretty damn good.

I have learned, once again, that I seem to be a stress-eater. I have been out of control since Jill has been here over the past few days. I suppose that comes from childproof when we were rewarded or soothed by food back in the 1960's and 1970's. Maybe it is also just that I don't have time to prepare food and it is easy to grab already prepared junk while I back-and-forth to here or I am here in the hospital. There is a really nice grocery store (supermarket, if you prefer) - Hy-Vee right across the street from the hospital and they even have a wonderful salad bar in the store and they even make sushi. There are even plenty of great health choices here in the hospital cafeteria but the poor choices are so much more fun "in the moment." It is already 1000 and I will probably be extra hungry when lunch time arrives because I have not eaten anything yet. Jill and I used to eat breakfast here after we were done working-out at the YMCA next door. I dress like a Native American while working-out back then.

I said "NO Tibetti!!!!!"

I just went down and got Jill two bananas and an orange. I was going to get the salad bar but they were just putting it out and the person assembling the presentation seemed frazzled so I just got the two bananas and the orange and an iced tea for me. This place is also really close to Portillo's so I may go over there and get one of their chopped salads sans bacon and tibetti. It won't be as inexpensive but it will be much more delicious. I will also be able to use giandiniera as my dressing. I think they should change that word to GARDENiera (trademark/patent/copyright pending). It is mainly veggies (with olive oil - a vegetable-based product). I just looked and olives are considered a fruit. Who knew? I do now!

POTENTIAL GOOD NEWS ALERT!!!! The doctor just came in and said that Jill may be able to go home todaysince her sodium levels are back to normal. He explained to her about how to handle sodium and water-intake while working-out. She has been spending a lot of time at Anytime Fitness and I guess working-out can, in fact, kill you. At least, make you go to the hospital and have countless tests and medicines and IV's... I think I mentioned it here a few days ago that Splenda sent me a text that Jill "has to be the only American with low salt levels." Actually, that was paraphrased so it should not have been in parenthesis but it may be exact but I am too lazy and tired to look at my phone to find and read a text.

I am going to end now because we may get the word any moment that we need to pack and hit the bricks. I need to be a minuteman (TWSS). Thanks for stopping by and for all of the support and kind words about this leg of our life-journey. I may blog tomorrow (as it turns-out now I am blogging "tomorrow" retyping yesterday's blog) but, if I get enough sleep tonight for a change, I may try to fix those two sections of fence before going back to work on Wednesday. I got interrupted a bit and it is now almost 1300. Jill and I went out to The Healing Garden here at the hospital. It is outside of the cafeteria where there is a nice stream that runs down and recycles. There are lots of trees and benches as well as an area to eat outside. We just sat on a bench and talked and enjoyed the sun and the nice weather. Splenda called to check on Jill while we were out there and I walked around a bit while they spoke.

We are waiting for the other two of the three wisemen (doctors) to make their determinations on whether or not Jill can blow this pop stand. It looks good that she will be able to go home today. Now, I am really going to end now and get this posted (ha, that is funny now - the day after). Thanks for stopping by and all of your warm thoughts. I appreciate all of the support fro Cha Cha's journey back to health. I apologize if I slighted anybody on details or anything but it has been crazy and Jill is a private person (unlike her moron husband who blogs everything to the universe). She does not want to be the internet sensation I try to make her.

TTTT? (yes, sort of now that it is tomorrow from yesterday) hopefully not from the hospital! MITM (out) TA!

You Are My Life!

Fabio, Mattgirl and Mattman (Splenda likes to keep her identity super secret)

It is only 20:11 on Saturday night and I am already back in the Mattcave. Mattgirl won't be back here until Monday but she is doing much, much better. My theory is that she has really good insurance and the medical financial experts will milk that as long as they can to compensate (no pun intended) for the citizens that aren't as fortunate with their insurances. Quite frankly, if that is really the case, I do not have much of a problem with that. Isn't that what caring people should do? Help people who are not as fortunate as they are? I stopped at the store on the way home to get some Ricola cough lozenges or drops or, whatever they call themselves, and the guy at the register asked if I would like to donate to help people who cannot afford food. Of course, I said "sure!" He asked "one, two or five dollars?" I went with the five dollar and I walked out feeling better with myself. I am not certain that the money will go to help hungry children but I have trust in most of humanity that they would not grift money away from children and families that need money for food. I did not even get a little piece a paper that said I have to The Human Fund or anything. I usually prefer giving items and cash directly to the people who need a hand-up but I will trust that a national grocery chain would not take money that they supposedly collected for the needy. That's why have the "sucker" tattoo on my forehead - to make it easier for them to target me. I won't change as I believe the great majority of people are honest, caring people too. SUCKER! Why else would they call it The Human Fund?

If I am a sucker at least I will have good karma (that's a grift too?)

It is now 22:02 and Fabio and I just got back from the hospital after visiting Cha Cha. Fabio got off of work at 21:00 and he wanted to see his mom so I went with him over there because I didn't know if he'd be able to get in and I tend to have a way to schmooze my way around things at times. We went in through the emergency entrance and just walked through the dark hospital to her room unmolested. The whole place was dark until we got to the wing where she has been so who knows if we broke rules or not? If I were homeless I know that I would spend cold nights in the hospital in the smaller waiting rooms or something. They also have areas that have free hot tee and coffee so I would live like a hobo king of vagabond ninja or something. 

Reminds me of when I was 17 and was in the hospital after getting my big toe (great toe as it is medically known) chopped-off.  Some of my very close friends at the time (Scott S., Brian O., Mike B., Shawn F? - not really sure who all was part of the covert op) snuck (or sneaked) into the hospital after hours. They were, allegedly, mildly inebriated. That was pretty a cool thing to do for a nine-toed kid all alone minus one phalange).

Here is my Topps trading card from last season

I forgot to mention, in yesterday's blog (two days ago now), that I was signed-up to play on a softball team with a bunch of twentyish fellas. I was kind of excited, kind of nervous at the prospect of breaking a hip but ready to go regardless of whatever would happen. I found my old Mizuno ball glove from my playing and coaching days and I unearthed my Under Armor baseball cleats which still fit and I began to grow excited, BUT (yes, that is a big but) the league got cancelled because only three teams signed up. The word probably got out that I was playing so the other teams all backed-out. I guess my legendary softball prowess still rings through the diamonds across the country. Our first game would have been tomorrow (that seems weird to write about a future even in the past-tense).

I have to break now and I will finish this in the morning (Sunday) before posting. Maybe something fun or scary or weird will happen and I can write about that too... Talk to you again in the morning because I have been ridden hard and am going to get put away wet. I would prefer to be properly groomed and brushed but I am too poop to pop. I cannot wait to go back to work (said hardly anyone ever).

Okay, another side note- It is now Sunday morning and, after I wrote all of that above Fabio came home from work and want to go see his mom in the hospital. So, I got redressed and threw on my Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodgers cap and away we went. It really wasn't Jackie Robinson's cap but I bought it because of him (just a stupid side-note in case anybody was looking to break into Stately Helser Manor and try to take it). I did not know the hospital's visiting hours (nor did I care) but I knew that I was going to get him into the hospital no MATTer what. So, we arrived and walked into the hospital through the emergency room entrance and navigated through the darkened hospital and arrived at room 1033 unmolested. I always hope to get molested but I rarely do. It probably helped that I had made many dry-runs throughout the previous few days and nights.The trick to covert ops like this is to look like you are meant to be there and just proceed with total confidence. So, we got to her dorm room and I gave her the bag containing: her flat iron, more socks, more underwear, her bag of medicines, her mini computer, two mouses (I am not sure if they would be called "mice" if  they are computer related or that only applies to the rodent), the power cord for the Mac and a few chargers and cord so she could keep her phone powered. Why do I have the Mission Impossible theme running through my mind now? We did not stay long as Fabio had to work early this morning and I was in super zombie mode by then. I was really happy that he drove. 

Speaking of that, with Jill in the hospital, I opted to not go to the Bulls-Celtics playoff game as previous planned. Fabio got his buddy Adam to go with him (not a tough sell since I gave my ticket to him for free so Fabio would be able to go to the game). Everything went well and he said the seats were great and, though the Bulls lost, they had an awesome time. I am pretty sure that I already wrote that yesterday or the day before but I am on a roll and not going to stop. I was already in full Teddy-mode from Memento but my fingers just keep on going. 

I am not sure what time I am going back up to see Jill this morning but I many stop in the hospital cafeteria and get a quick breakfast though I already has some sushi this morning. That full feeling won't last for long. I will probably finish watching the latest Better Call Saul episode before I get out of my jammies. I really wish I would have been better friends with Bob Odenkirk when we went to college together and worked at the SIU radio station (WIDB) together. If you don't believe me click this link to his Wikipedia page (look under the "early life" section of the page). Just click that red link back there if you think I am a liar, liar, pants on fire. Let that be a lesson to you youngsters out there - BE BEST FRIENDS WITH EVERYONE!!! Even if they are slobby jerks sometimes.

Anyway, I need to finish watching my show, shower and get dressed and head over to see my bestest friend and have a great inexpensive breakfasts at the hospital. Yesterday I got: decaf tea, oatmeal with granola, blueberries and brown sugar, a banana, two hard-boiled eggs and pudding (I assumed the pudding was healthy because it was RICE pudding and most Asian people seem to be very healthy. The whipped cream was my calcium for the day). And, they wouldn't serve anything unhealthy in a hospital, right? They build all of those beautiful buildings and have those expensive gadgets and machines made my Martians due to the charitable donations from the very kind rich people in the world, right? I better not get myself started on politics and the greed and selfishness there. There are some super wealthy that really do help people with their money. Bill and Melinda Gates, Michael Bloomberg, Ted Turner, Mark Zuckerberg, Warren Buffett come immediately to mind

Thanks for stopping by again. My real weekend starts today (typically) and I am so happy that I took those two vacation days for the Bulls game for yesterday and Friday so I was off (paid vacation) to be there for Jill. I would have been there no MATTer what but this made, at least that part of it, a problem that I did not even need to address. Have a great day - it seems like it is going to be a nice one with the birds chirping like crazy already. I do appreciate you so very much and it also warms my heart to know that you have Jill (and my mom) in your thoughts and whatever you do to send out the good vibes. TTT (probably tomorrow)...MITM (out). TA!

Crime Never Sleeps

I am too lazy and tired to proofread today so DEAL WITH IT or stop reading right now! I wasn't planning on blogging at all but you will have to read further to find out why.

I am sad to be blogging right now. It is 15:45 and I should be on the way to the Chicago Bulls' playoff game against the Boston Celtics. I bought tickets for Fabio and I to go but, as life happens regardless of our plans, life decided to make today one of those days to make things happen. It turns out that it was a great thing that I took vacation days from work for today and tomorrow as I was needed to save a life and may be needed further over the next three days or so. I will not go into detail to protect the ailing person's right to privacy but I spent the greater part of today in Kishwaukee Hospital. I think I have been in a medical or convalescent care facility every one of my work weekends for the past six weeks or so. I should have received a degree in some medical field by now. Anyway, I had Fabio find a friend to take to the game in my stead and told him to have the other person pay for the gas and parking. One of his buddies answered the call and they are on the way to The United Center for the playoffs. I believe Fabio is nervous driving in Chicago traffic but I was driving into Chicago when I was 16 so he is already four years behind me. I have faith in him or I wouldn't have let him take our car. I will admit that I will be nervous until he gets home tonight. I will watch the Bulls' game here in the living room and then not have to fight traffic.

I have not been to see my mom for a week or so because of work and life. I speak to my dad every couple of days and he said she seems to be doing a bit better though I do not believe she will ever get to live anywhere other than in a facility similar to the one she is in now. It was where she gave my dad the hardest time of anyone but now she is dealing with him better than she is with the medical staff. Fortunately, their house is close enough to the home where my mom is that they have called him when she is being difficult and he has gotten there in ten minutes or so and been able to get her to calm down enough so the nurses... could do what they need to take care of with mom.

At work I am an ERT (Emergency Response Team) member and soon will be a member of the Safety Team too so I guess it is nice to get all of this extra practice on my weekends too, huh? If that were not a hypothetical question the answer would be NO IT IS NOT NICE! I do not know why I always get drawn toward things that involve helping others but I wouldn't have it any other way. Unless I win the lottery. I think I would just help people with my money rather than my actions. Don't try to find my though because I will disappear and help people who really need it and deserve it anonymously.

So, in addition to the Bulls' game I was going to fix the two sections of our stockade fence today that the wind has beaten the hell out of (Yes. I am ending this sentence with a preposition because I can if I want to even though writing this parenthetical sentence is changing me ending this sentence with a preposition, technically).

I feel better just writing a lot of that down so, I thank you (earlier than usual in the blog) for stopping by so I have a reason to write. I must admit that it is nice to have a five day weekend with not as much packed into it as I had anticipated. I have four more days to get that fence repaired and check in on my patients now and again without being a hoverer (I don't care if hoverer is not a work because it should be a word if it isn't one). But I think that it is.

Ever notice how that are two M's and no B's in the Matt signal?

Okay, that is enough from me today. I felt that writing would make me feel better but it does not today. The thought that you care enough to be here, right now, reading this does, however, help some. I appreciate your time and the knowing that you care enough to see what is rattling around in my old cobwebbed mind. I can also look back, one day, and think to myself, "what the hell was I thinking?" I just now saw that there is free Cinemax on DirecTv. I bet it is also free HBO time right now but we pay for that so we don't get that for free. Based upon what I have seen so far I am also happy that we don;t pay for Cinemax. I am really going to end tonight and, sadly, I will probably fall asleep before the Bulls' game starts or shortly thereafter. I may order Hidden Figures on DirecTv Cinema tonight. I have wanted to see that movie since it was in the theaters. What better way to spend a vacation day than to lie on my couch, in my pajamas, and fall asleep watching a movie before the Bulls' game starts. I just hope the Matt Signal doesn't show in the night sky tonight - I need to rest. I need one weekend to be a weekend but crime and tragedy never sleeps so...

Thanks again for stopping and I will write when time permits (hopefully tomorrow after I paint fix the fence and then "wax on, wax off"). I hope that time is tomorrow. TTTT...MITM (out) TA!

Ob la dee ob la da life goes on blog!

 Yep, that's the herniated area 

I am going to begin by saying that I am exhausted and will not proofread this before I post today's blog. I know I may a have a lot of typos every day but I am expecting even more today so please, forgive me in advance.

So, as I had written that I was going to do in the blog one week ago today, I took my dad for his outpatient hernia surgery. I was lead to believe that my shift would consist of: going to visit another potential place for my mom to get 24-hour care at an adult care center or nursing home with mental health units, go to his surgery and then take him home and be done my about 16:30 or so. So, we went to a place called Alden Courts of Waterford Alzheimer's Assisted Living Residence in Aurora. It was a very nice place but they are all kind of the same to me after seeing so many over the last month or so on my "weekend" days or so. So, after that visit I took dad to his surgery. While he was in surgery I walked over to the hospital and had lunch and then walked back to the building where he was having his wrenched ankle or charlie horse (his name is Charlie, after all) or wish bone... fixed. I took my computer and phone and kept myself busyish. All of a sudden a very good friend of mine (John R) since I was about 10-years-old showed-up. He lives all the way up in Round Lake Beach and he came to the hospital just to see if, and how, he could help with anything. It was a great surprise and made the time so so much faster. He does this sort of thing all of the time with people he knows and goes very far to assist friends in need. I aspire to be as wonderful as he is.

My mom cannot be left alone at all so my dad has a team of nurses and such that watch my mom (rotating the helpers) when he has to do things away from the house like yesterday's surgery. She would have been a handful at his surgery. Anyway, we were expecting a call from Hillside Rehab and Care Center to let us know if they had a bed for her. I never received the call (kind of) on my cell phone so we assumed that they did not have room for her yet. When the surgery was done I went up and pulled the car up and listened to my voicemails and Hillside had called but it did not ring downstairs nor did it register because we were underground I imagine. Anyway, my dad called them back and they said we could bring her over. We went back to their house and prepared her bag and took her over. So. last night, she slept there in her new (hopefully temporary) residence. I will have more on her stay there last night in a moment.

Before I get too far into everything else, my dad and I were told that he could not be alone last night and he could not drive so that meant I had to spend the night over at their house (my house from the time I was in seventh grade until I went off to college) in my old bedroom. Of course, as I thought my shift would be over at 16:30ish, I did not have: a change of clothes, my toothbrush, deodorant, my medicine... But, being a good soldier I woke-up today and stunk, brushed my teeth with my finger with some toothpaste from a tube that was probably in that bathroom since 1976 and I put on the same clothes that I wore the previous day to go back to the same place where I had worn those clothes just about 12 hours prior... I usually have a baseball cap with me but, of course, on this day I did not have a hat. I wrote on Facebook yesterday that I need to pack a bug-out bag and I am seriously going to do that tonight or tomorrow after work. If the Apocalypse arrives I should be able to me immediately mobile to go underground with fresh, minty breath.

I guess I digressed a bit. So, we arrived to see my mom again this morning and we were told by: a few nurses, a doctor and mom's new roommate that she had a very eventful evening. Apparently, while everyone else was tick in their beds fast asleep she was wandering the halls going in-and-out of other people's rooms and just, probably, trying to figure-out where she was or where my dad was or looking for a bathroom or who knows what? We were told that she bit one person, threw a can of soda at another person and was very mischievous (for lack of a kinder word). I had told them to but one of those rails on her bed so she couldn't get out of bed at night without hesitance but, to the point when we left there a few hours ago, she still did not have that barrier. I hope they give her something stronger to help her sleep or she may get expelled. I am not sure what would happen with her being able to go other places once she made that kind of list. I had started to type the many names that  would call that list but I thought better of it and backspaced it away. Maybe I will use my bug-out bag pen and paper and do it when I am on the lamb like Dr. Richard Kimball. I hope that is not offensive to one-armed people.

 I'm a cotton-headed ninny muggins 

For today, I believe, that is the update. I return to work tomorrow and my dad has the emergency number at my work should something catastrophic happen and he needs to reach me. Last night was the first night he has gotten a decent night's sleep in a long time and, with all of his surgeries over the past year, he will only be able to handle so much. I must say that, even though I was only gone from my own bed for one night, I really missed it. I slept very poorly last night but that was mainly that I am allergic to cats and they house is a cat haven and the bed in my old room is exactly as it was in the 1970's. Mattresses don't last that long and, I know that is only a guest room and seldom gets used so I managed to survive roughing it in a very small way. I know there are thousands of people that would kill to have that room and that bed - first world problem I have.

Thanks for stopping by and letting me get a feeling of some small closure so I have more room when other things open-up though I hope things don't open for a week or so. I was gonna fix our fence today (damn cornfield winds) but those planes were postponed due to circumstance beyond my control. Perhaps next week? Maybe on Easter Sunday. I hope you have a great whatever you want or need to be great. Will blog again when I can. TTT?...MITM (out) TA!

Fair Pay is Fair Play!

I am saddened to learn that today is "Equal Pay Day" in the U.S. and A.. I am happy that there is equal pay for women for the rest of the year but I am sad and angry that, until today, men were making more than women doing the exact same jobs (on a whole) for the past four months and three days. Women, on average, make 80 cents per hour while their male counterparts make $1.00 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The Bureau also says that women make, on average, $10,470 less per year than their male equivalent. Over a 40-year career that equates to $418,800.00 over a while doing the exact same job.That is despicable and shameful. I never understood why we always heard that "it is rude to discuss salaries (pay) with other people." I think this is the reason for that saying; I just accepted without question. That saying probably came from a white male. We should ALL be measured by our merits and work ethics and be paid accordingly. In Australia women make 18% less than males, on average. I guess James Brown was correct wen he sang "It's a Man's World." What a shock that he would have been arrested several times for domestic violence.

Today is election day for our local politicians. As is often the case, it will be a game-time decision for me. We have four candidates running for mayor in my town and I know two that I am not voting for because I have had personal interactions with them over the years with kids' sports and such and I know their characters and they are not fit to serve, in my opinion. Character is a big thing for me.

I don't know why but, I really like the word "redacted."

I think a White Sox - Cardinals World Series would be great this season. It would double my chances to get World Series tickets with great proximity. Fabio and I went to see the Cardinals play the Tigers in St. Louis for the 2006 World Series and I would love to go again one more time before I die. Why does the Cardinals-Cubs game have to be tomorrow at 12:30? Most of us will be at work! I know a lot of the charm about Wrigley Field is day games but they do have lights now. I get off at 16:00 so, because they are calling for rain tomorrow, I may see some of the game after work if they play it at all. I will DVR the game so please do not tell me what happens. I will be able to watch most of tonight's game though. Before I fall asleep, of course. Perhaps I should not even turn my phone on at all tomorrow. Maybe the game will start later due to weather! I will definitely get to St. Louis for at least one game this season before I go back for a World Series game this coming October.

Speaking of something as American as baseball Cherry Coke has a new person depicted on their cans. Coke is very American but, the cans I am speaking about, are being produced and distributed in "Gina" (China). Warren Buffet is on new cans of Cherry Coke in China. Apparently, the Chinese people love Warren Buffet and the Coca-Cola Company wants to capitalize on their biggest investor. Chinese investors have tried to mimic Buffet's investing skills for decades. Buffet has said his love for drinking Coke outweighs the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. He said that he has not seen evidence that he is "not more likely to reach 100 if I suddenly switch to water and broccoli."

 Coke and baseball makes me thing that I am starting to become worried about our freedoms in America. The government, I have heard, is looking into making our freedoms less free if available at all. They will be trolling our internet posts and followings... I am just speaking about what I have heard in passing and, since this mainly an opinion blog, I think I am allowed to write what I feel and what I believe and what I "have heard." I have never hidden that  the blog is mainly fun for me to write and get things off my mind and my chest. I am not really sure what "getting things off your chest" really means now that I think about it. "Getting things off of your mind," however, does make sense. I would love if you would "follow" the blog on blogger in case I, eventually, feel like I have to abort Facebook as Cha Cha has already done. I have been thinking rereading Nineteen Eight-Four soon as it seems very prolific right now (always did I guess). Yes, the novel is actually Nineteen Eighty-Four rather than 1984. George Orwell (real name Eric Arthur Blair) seems to be even more prolific than we even thought before (at least in my case). He was a damn great writer.

I think I am going to end now. I have to do my laundry, finish the taxes (ugh), take Fabio to get a money order for his new apartment (security deposit I presume), do more grocery shopping. Cha Cha is working from home today so, perhaps, we can do lunch or dinner together?  Don't tell her, but, I am still pretty damn crazy about her after all of these years. Ha, that reminds me, April 30th will be our 29th wedding anniversary. If my math is correct, which it seldom is, next year will, then. be our 30th anniversary. 30 on 30? I only have ten fingers and, even if I include my toes, I can only count to 29 1/2. We're going to Chicago for the one this year but we have to do a bigger one for 30, right? In May we are going to Massachusetts (just as a side note so I can refer back here in case I forget). I have to start working on a gift idea for the 30th, right? Oh yeah, Sunday night we are going to Wheaton to one of those places to try to escape from a inescapable room. We'll see about that. Have a great rest of today and whatever time is in between now and when I am able to tell you continue having greatness! TTT? (back to work in the morning)...MITM (out) TA!

Orange is the New Blog

I will call him "The Hillside Peeper" (or Popeye)

Today my dad and I went to visit another potential place for my mother to live to receive the proper around-the-clock care that she needs. I really liked the place that we visited last week but this one is closer to their home which would make it easier for him to visit her more often. Next Monday I will spend most of the day with them as my dad is having hernia surgery. I am not certain what my entire role will encompass that day but that will depend on whether my dad will get one of my mom's many visiting caregivers to stay with her while I take him to, and wait for him to get done with, his surgery. If she has to come with us I will have to watch her at the doctor's office while he is getting de-herniated. I just looked for a photo of the place (Hillside Rehabilitation and Care center) to add to the blog, as I usually do, and I found a photo of some dude that was arrested for banging on the windows and making kissing noises to a female employee. Fortunately, the place is really close to the police department. It is my father's decision to make though I offer my more than two-cents worth. I figure he wouldn't keep asking me to go if he didn't want my opinion so I offer much more than two-cents worth most of the time. He can never say he isn't getting his money's worth from me.

I have a constant electronic buzz in my head/ears even when having earplugs stuffed in my ears. Cha Cha said that she had heard that people have been able to harness or fine-tune this affliction or super-power so as to hear alien messages. The extraterrestrial kind not the ones that Clockwork Orange Trump has tried to ban from travelling and visiting our country. I sure would like to talk to people from other worlds though I am not sure that we'd communicate the same way but I am not afraid to find out if we could work that out. Speaking of  Orange Julius Caesar, my dad still thinks that he is the right man for the position that he has for now. That just baffles me but that's what democracy is partially about - having differing opinions and views and principles and still remaining families and friends and having some common goals and core beliefs and principles while being polar-opposites in other areas.

The Major League Baseball season began yesterday though all of the media is saying that today is officially Opening Day of the season. That makes zero sense as the three games played yesterday still count and my favorite team is still undefeated after beating the defending MLB champions. Only 161 more games to go to become the first team in history to go an entire baseball season while being undefeated. I am fairly certain that feat will never be accomplished.

Jill and I are less than four months away from becoming empty-nesters. We will still have Jeff, of course, but it will be odd having no two-legged mammals besides us here. Fabio will still live in town and, as a college student, I am guessing we will still see him on laundry day or when he needs to raid a refrigerator. Our house is way too big for only two people and a quadruped. I remember going off to college after junior college and it was very exciting. Splenda lives in Chicago and she loves the vibrant breath of the second city. I cannot help but wonder where Fabio will go after his two more years of college. We raise our chicks to fly the coop and nest but they will always have a landing pad if obstacles arise. I say that but I could never imagine living with my parents ever again. We did live with Jill's parents for a bit when we hit some rocky roads twenty five+ years ago. As the mafiosos might say,"do not confuse the loyalty of friendship with the bond of blood." I do, however, have many friends that I consider blood! I bet you are even one of those friends.

Orange you  glad I stuck with the color theme today?

I am going to do some laundry now. I haven't even thought about what to do for dinner and it is almost 18:00 already. I did some grocery shopping on the way back from my parents' house so that is out of the way. However, I do not feel like cooking and then cleaning the kitchen again. Thanks a lot for letting me spout-off again today. I wish there were another Cardinals-Cubs game on tonight. They do play again tomorrow night but I will probably be asleep by the fourth inning since I have to get up early to wake the birds who, in turn, wake-up the sun. Thanks a lot for stopping by and letting me get things out of my head before they leave on their own. I am fairly certain I will blog again tomorrow. I hope you have a great rest of your day/night. I plan on blogging again tomorrow but blogging plans often change. TTTT...MITM (out) TA!

What a Fowler Day

FAKE NEWS

It is Sunday and Cha Cha and I are watching some of the political news shows. We watched CNN then HLN and now we are watching Meet The Press on NBC. Obviously, I am blogging too at this point. I am kind of tired of politics but I am mesmerized at the same time. Mesmerized that so much craziness is happening in our national government. I know MUCH MORE will be coming soon and the vehicles will probably change and then the drama will just shift. Curiouser and curiouser.

I am somewhat concerned with the forthcoming internet privacy laws. The government will, potentially, be able to look at all of your emails, view which sites you've viewed - basically. Your digital footprint will be out there for anyone to see. You can get a personal VPN (virtual private network) if you choose to remain under the radar, if that is possible. Nobody even wanted or requested this bill (Executive Order, actually) but it was put into place anyway.

Tomorrow the tour to find a place for my mom to convalesce (if that is the proper term) continues. I am not sure, at this point, whether I will be part of the touring group (my dad and I) or I will the person staying with my mom at their home while my dad goes it alone. I really liked The Groves of Fox Valley that we looked at last week but he is looking at one closer to his home so that it is more convenient for him to visit my mom. the place is called Hillside Rehab and Care Center. I won't know my roll for tomorrow until I get to their home and learn if the lady next door will be able to sit with my mom. My mom cannot be alone for even a short period of time and I do not think that will ever change.

The Major League Baseball regular season begins today. The first game of the season will be the Yankees vs. the Rays and then the Giants vs. the Diamondbacks and then Dexter Fowler looks to begin his march toward two World Series rings in a row when the Cubs and the Cardinals meet tonight in The Gateway City.

I have been working on the taxes for a few hours. Why does our country still require us to do this in this age and time? I suppose the same reason that we have something as archaic as the electoral college. Why haven't computers made it so we don't have to waste our time on tings like these idiocies?

On Tuesday I think I can finally fix those two sections of fence that the wind (and time with the aging of the concrete supporting the posts) has beaten-up. I was waiting for the weather to get warmer so I can dig down to where the concrete has eroded and put new posts in the ground with new concrete. I am not looking forward to the job but it needs to be done and I won't pay $700 to have a fence company come in and do what I can do.

I am going to end now because I have more chores to get done. Have a great day and maybe I will get another blog in before Wednesday? TTT?...MITM (out) TA!