The Devil is in the Details!

I don't feel like writing but I am hoping it will cheer me up (that sentence was written about eight hours ago) and now I will continue now at nearly 16:00. I don't even remember why I was down in the dumps so I shall move on. That was even before I went over to donate plasma.

I went over and donated plasma (oh, wait there were complications). I began donating plasma and then some bell went off and they said some blood was getting in with my plasma. The lady "fixed it" and said that "if it happens again you won't be able to donate today." I got hooked-up and the bells and buzzers went off but I did not win the jackpot. So, I wasted my time loading my body with liquids and proteins... If it happens again I may not be able to donate again for like a month or something. I didn't do anything wrong - Now I know how the caped crusader feels. I have to rally and decide on my plan of attack. Do I wait longer  to donate? I still want to save lives so I will probably just go back on my next scheduled day and come what may.

After the plasma I went to Aurora to visit my dad at the place where he is staying for his physical therapy. On the way, I stopped by his house to get his bills and a few other things he requested. I also gave the cat more water and filled the four bowls of food and emptied the three litter pans. Dad also received many cards in the mail from friends... so I took those to him as well. Who doesn't like to get fan mail? We sat and talked for a few hours and politics came up a couple of times and I we didn't get into a row or an argument or a disagreement. I just used my skills of misdirection to do go other directions. We are polar opposites, politically, but this was not that bad, The center where he is says he can go home anytime but they suggested that he stay until Monday so that is what he has decided to do. All-in-all he is doing very well. I guess I will see him again Monday.

They even have Jill's Bombay Sapphire gin - front row!

I think Jill wants to go out for dinner but I just had a banana. I will probably pick a place and we will go have some dinner. I am thinking about Ellwood Streak and Fish House because they have blue cheese olives for the bloody marys and their food is fantastic. Sometimes we just eat in their 1879 Lounge. I am going to stop writing for now so we can do that and I can be back home by sixish to listen to the Cardinals' game.amuse yourself until I get back.

Nevermind - I am already back because she asked, "how about in an hour?" She didn't really ask it like a question so I guess we will leave here at about 17:30 or so. I will probably be asleep by then unless I keep myself busy but I was busy busy busy all day long and I don't want to be busy anymore today! Right before a holiday weekend.  I really hope I get to go back to work soon. Damn you people who were too lazy to coat Achilles' entire body! One more dip of the leg would have changed everything - EVERY THING! The devil is in the details.

I decided that I am not going to wake Cha Cha up if she is sleeping. I make a damn good grilled cheese sandwich. I will, however, be true to my word and grant her the hour she requested. I really do not have much more on my mind though I am afraid that, if I stop writing, I will fall asleep as well. There are less calories and more money in not going out to dinner I guess. Quite a dilemma my over thinking has gotten me into again.

I am going to end and do something or nothings. Thanks for stopping by. I think I can blog tomorrow TTT?...MITM (out) TA!

Blogging Can Wait

It is nearly 15:00 and I am done running-around town for now. I donated plasma, went to my physical therapy session and did some grocery shopping. What else? I threw the Frisbee for Jeff as that requires no use of my legs. I went to the curb to get the new rolling garbage can that was delivered because we are getting a new refuse company beginning September first. We liked the old company and voiced that to the city government but I suppose they get some kind of a payola or a kickback or something? I am not going to hold anything against the new company unless they suck. While I bled and de-plasma'd I watched Heaven Can Wait. I cannot believe that it came out in 1978. I saw it at the theater so I must be really old. I don't think I have ever seen the original from the 1940's. Warren Beatty has done some good movies.

I just checked my calendar and I have to continue physical therapy until September 19th (twice a week). Damn, I want to get back to work though I do want to be 100 % or, at least, 72%ish.

Here's a photo of me in driver's education class

When I was on the way home I passed one of the private drivers education companies in town's driver's eds cars and it was a Mercedes Benz with the stupid letters all over the car. My kids both learned from that company many years ago, because they could do it over summer break, and I think they were driving around in a mini-van. There must be a lot of money in that racket.

If you are in the mood for some entertainment go to Google and search the word "idiot." Check the "all" category, the "images" category, the "news" category, and the "videos" category. Every single one of them will begin with a barrage of the same things. Yes, you may already know what that thing/things is/are but it is still worth the fun. Sorry, if you are not intelligent enough to realize that what you will see is accurate. If you read the blog I am confident that you are smart enough to see the truth here.

Man, we had some wicked storms last night here in the town where barbed wire was invented. It sounded like the siding was coming off of the house. I was happy to go outside this morning that see the siding did survive. Jeff was a nervous wreck most of the night. He is very sensitive to storms and he is more reliable than the television and radio weather broadcasts. He makes the bed shake like magic fingers but he pants like crazy. He is more accurate than any barometer that I have ever seen.

I don't have physical therapy again until next week but I do donate plasma again on Friday. Donating plasma takes about an hour so I will try to find something to watch that is about 45 minutes or so. Maybe a documentary or a television show. I will be there Friday at 10 AM if you want to cash-in on that bounty on me or lie next to so we can bleed together. I need to find some more interesting things to do because, as I write this, I realize that I have some very mundane adventures.

I have to pay the property taxes early next week. I cannot believe how much our taxes are here. I think, if we ever decide to down-size we will get a smaller place with less land. That was supposed to be the American dream (to own land) but I am sure that notion started in the mind of someone who collected the taxes. With just the two of us (and one dog) I would be just as happy with a two-bedroom apartment.

I am done boring myself. Thanks for letting me bore you too. Sometimes there isn't enough boredom in the world. TTTT...MITM (out) zzzzzzzzzzz...

If you now what I blog!

Luckily I always put things on my calendar and I then check it regularly. I thought I had scheduled an appointment to donate plasma today but, when I checked the calendar, I see that it isn't until tomorrow. So, tomorrow I donate plasma and then I go to physical therapy right after. They are very close to one another so that is kind of convenient. I mean, it is great that I do check the calendar.

I just wrote that last sentence to say that I am so tired of people saying "I mean" at the beginning of a sentence. If people on the street say it I am not bothered by it but, I mean, to hear news reporters saying it to start most of their sentences that way drives me bonkers. I figure you mean it or you wouldn't be saying it. I do not get furious or anything but I think that their minds may not move fast enough to start a sentence without a jump start or a push. It's okay to slow down and think before you speak. I have been writing for many years after being educated in journalism and radio/television news and, perhaps, I set the bar too high? I know that there are many things about me that drive people crazy. If they're aren't than people aren't paying attention.

My dad just now called and he is not sure when I can pick him up to take home. As we were talking the physical therapist came to his room to, probably, take him to his physical therapy. I have something planned for just about every day this week and I told him to let me know what he finds out and I can rearrange my schedule or cancel an appointment to go over and bust him out.

Jeff just walked in with a Frisbee in his mouth. In case you are new to the blog - Jeff is not my son he is our dog. It was not really a Frisbee, as that is a product name so, I guess be came in with a flying disc that I bought at Petco. He has about ten Frisbees but most of them have quite a few teeth marks in them. I through it for him and he caught every single one while doing half-gainers and fosbury flops and whatever all the cool dogs are doing these days. He rarely misses. He jumps high in the air and brings it back for his trained person to throw it again. Then, when hos fur coat makes it too unbearable to continue he runs right past me with the disc in his mouth and goes right into the air-conditioned house. It worked out well because I need to stretch my Achilles tendon now and again.

I am still tired even though I feel that I slept well last night. Maybe the stuff-up nose is an indication of more fun things to come. I may as well go for the trifecta.

Last week I watched Darkest Hour on Amazon Video. What a great film. Brian Cox was amazing as Winston Churchill. When it was I watched Dunkirk again. what a great double-feature I had made myself. Today will be less exciting as I am going to do the bills. Supposedly, we are going to have very high winds and, perhaps, storms this afternoon and evening. I worry about Cha Cha driving home from hear the lake this afternoon or tonight. The weather people are not always correct so maybe it will miss us entirely. Hawaii was suppose to have been decimated over the past few weeks and they are still there. Earth is angry about how we treat her and I don't blame these temper tantrums at all. We all fight to live every single day in one way or another.

I am going to end now and do the dishes and many more exciting things like that. I hope you have a great day. I would do the same but I have other plans. Thank you for stopping by and if you are going to watch some movies do it before the end-of-the world, as we know it, arrives this afternoon and all of our satellites and such will leave us entertainless (that should be a word). TTTT...MITM (out) TA!

It's Only a Flesh Blog!

 I need to get one of these shirts for plasma donation days 

Kind of lonely today. Jill will be in Evanston for the next two days and it's just Jeff and me. The only excitement for today was the torture of physical therapy. Tomorrow I get the excitement of donating plasma again. I have made $200 over the past two weeks and, today, I cashed some of it in and deposited the cash into the bank account. I still have $15 in the BioLife account and I will have another hundred in by Friday. I will probably wait until the end of next week and transfer another $200 into our the bank account then. The plasma donation I made on Friday was almost a bust. They have been training new people and the person stuck the needle in my left arm and it began to bleed after I got going. I called her over and showed her the blood running down my forearm. They stuck me again in the same arm and more blood. So they decided to try my other arm and all went well. If they were not able to get that one going I was going to walk away with bupkus. Makes no sense that, if they screw it up, I get nothing but some blood-loss and a whole on my arm.

I watched the movie Year One last night. It was kind of ridiculous but I could not believe how many comic actors and such were in the movie. I guess when Harold Ramis and Judd Apatow put something together and they come to you to be in the film you'd kind of be an idiot not to jump on board. I would not even need to see the script to say "yes!" Not a great movie but not an entire waste of time either. I did laugh several times.

I think I mentioned Sharp Objects in yesterday's blog and Cha Cha and I watched the season finale last night. I would say series finale but that may not be the case as you will read as you go on to the next sentences. We were pretty much right about how it was going to end. So, now that this one is over they will start an entire new show. As I understand, the new show will be a total different premise (if that is the right word). It's kind of like a Twilight Zone deal where the next show will be non-related but still creepyish. The Twilight Zone didn't last several weeks though.There have been a lot of show like that; I guess The Outer Limits was that way and there were many others.

I really want to get back to work but I must be 100% before I can return as there is no light duty at my place of employment. I am getting better, with the physical therapy and the natural healing of the body doing it's job, but it is a slow process. Or, as my dad use to say when I was a yute, "a slow row to hoe." Speaking of dad, he is doing pretty well. I was there on Friday and he is performing better than most of the staff thought he would be doing by now. I will head over to see him again on Thursday and see him do his physical therapy. I also have to pay the JEEP registration that day. Perhaps I will do that tomorrow while I am over in that direction for my bloodletting. Cha Cha sent me a message asking me to pick up her medicine. I will do that tomorrow after the vampires are done with me. I just added the medicine thing to my phone's calendar.

I am sitting in the Tiki Room writing this and our chipmunk friend just ran by the patio door. Ha, there he/she went again. Jill and I both love sitting out here. We have rabbits and squirrels and chipmunk(s) and birds galore. I am so happy that we have all of these large trees to offer refuge and food for these critters. We have one bird that regularly comes here that looks like a baby toucan though I doubt that is it's breed. It may just be a female cardinal with a Jimmy Durante beak. Ah Chachachacha...

Man, it is already nearly 18:00. It's weird with no noise in the house at all. I just hear the trees rustling and I did also hear a chirping noise that is either the leaves blowing across the patio or the chipmunk making whatever the noise a chipmunk makes. 

I will wrap this up as it is a blog and not a term paper. Thank you, so very kindly, for coming by. If you're in the area and get bored shoot me a message and see if I am here if you want to stop on by. I am already in my pajamas as I plan on doing just about nothing when I am done writing this blog. I could get into something else if you're en route. I do need to get some protein in me so I am good to go for plasma time tomorrow. I will also do some carbs and hydration in the morning. Thanks again. TTTT...MITM (out)!

How About Salsa On Corn?

  It looks more like luge or bobsledding  

Happy Sunday. It's nice to be writing at 15:30 on a normal weekend day. When I go back to work I will be working Sundays again and probably won't write on those days. I am not sure when that will happen but I think I am getting a better. I have my second physical therapy day tomorrow and I just got done doing my home daily physical therapy that was prescribed. Ironically, the left knee aches while the right Achilles (which was the cause of all of these issues) seems much better.  The left knee, however, is getting better too.

Cornfest wraps-up today and, happily, I did not go. With all of the other places that would much more accommodating to eat corn on the cob they block off our downtown (Route 23). I suppose they do it this way so the students will become familiar with the businesses downtown to try to point some business that way. whatevs!

I am listening to the St. Louis Cardinals game and they are beating the Colorado Rockies 10 - 2 in the fourth inning. I really want to see the Cards make the playoffs and it seems like they will win one of the wild card spots.  I doubt that many of you will be surprised that I want St. Louis to make the playoffs. I will worry about the World Series again.

I already have $200 in the bank from donating plasma. I will have $300 in the account at the end of this week. $100 a week for two hours of work pumping my arm and watching movies on my phone isn't that bad. I am donating Tuesday and Friday this week. I am also doing two days of therapy ans visiting my dad for his physical therapy on my one free day. I will probably go over and visit my dad again Thursday at the place where he is staying for his physical therapy. Maybe I should become a physical therapist or a plasma technician.

There has been time for writing and I have been working on a few things. I think that, many times, these roadblocks that arise in our lives, offer us the chances to take a look around and reevaluate things and I have been doing some more writing besides the blog. I have been writing since I could write.

Just an update - the game is now in the sixth inning and the score is still 10 - 2.  And now back to the blog already in progress. Forget that last scoring update the score is now 12 -2: I hope they can hold on and win this one.

Tonight we will watch the new episode of Sharp Objects. We have to wait until it is done showing on HBO before we can watch it on HBONOW. Jill and I are pretty sure we know how it will end as they seem to telegraph quite a bit if you're paying attention. I pay attention unless I fall asleep. I think we know how it is going to end. Jill and I are like the Holmes and Watson of television series. I think I am Watson.

Matt Carpenter has just hit his fourth double today. That homemade salsa of his helps with home runs and doubles, apparently. Four doubles by one player in one game has not been done since 1930 something. Home runs and doubles are good for me.

I guess I am done for today. Thank you for stopping by. I will probably blog tomorrow after the PT. I know PT usually stands for Physical Training in the military but Physical Therapy is kind of the same thing I suppose. Have a great night. TTTT...MITM (out) TA!

You Get What You Blog For!

Forward - I did  not edit or try to edit today's blog because of what you discover as you read the blog. Hint- I am totally bloggo blotto!

Sorry that I didn't blog yesterday as promised but I spend most of the day with my dad at the nursing home. He is in the therapy part of the facility. Dad is doing very well. On the way there I stopped by his house and packed him" a few more shirts, more underwear, more socks, a deck of cards (he loves to play solitaire to stay sharp).

Leo "Singer's Midgets" 

I just realized that I did start to write the blog yesterday but this is as far as I got "Yesterday after physical therapy I was a bit tired so I decided to turn a feel-good movie on and take a nap. I went to Amazon Prime Video and found one of my all-time favorite films - The Wizard of Oz. That movie was so far ahead of its time considering the effects and such. I bet people were blown-away when the film hit the theaters in 1939. Could you imagine hiring a group of people called Singer's Midgets to play munchkins today? And now munchkins are small donuts I believe. I haven't worked for the police department for a long time so I am, no longer, up on my donut vernacular. Or, is it doughnut? I do not wish to offend the "small round cakes with a hole in their middles" industry. I guess the donut holes do not have holes even though the word hole is right in their name. Is everybody's favorite character in The Wizard of Oz the Scarecrow or am I alone in that one? Maybe I relate to him because of the "only had a brain" deal. I bet that Jack Haley (the tin man) was from Boston or, least

Inexpensive and it does the job

Massachusetts because of the way he says "noive" (nerve).

NOW BACK TO TODAY!

I have already drank or drinken or drunked a half of a humongous bottle of Moscoto. I am, at the very least, a bit blogo (blotto). For lunch Jill and I had tortellini with pesto and  and grilled cheese on fancy breads sandwiches and lots of booze. Me with the Moscoto and her with the Bombay and tonics. I have been helping her edit some pages for her world-wide company but I am in no condition to do that right now but I know you will forgive my drunken mistakes because you love me as I love you.

I am tried of not being able to work but I have lots of physical therapy to get through before I can be released to go back to work.

I am trying to blog and I can barely see straight. I cannot even see crooked either.

We are still going to start the podcast again soon but I will have to be sober for a few days first. Thanks for stopping by again; you make me feel wanted and loved. TTTT (probably)! TTTT (probably, if I wake up again)...Out. Remember, I went to SIU-Carbondale so I really know how to hold my liquor (that was my minor). TA!

Matt In The Middle - The Sequel!

The stairs at therapy are half as tall

Physical therapy began today and it was okay. My Achilles tendon seems to be getting better without surgery though my other side (left) knee is aching from having to take most of the burden. Mostly going up and down stairs. I have eight more physical therapy sessions scheduled and I just entered them into my phone's calendar. I suppose it is really my calendar because I am not sure if a phone can actually own anything. I also have an appointment with the orthopedist to see how things are going I suppose. I just want to get to about 90% and get back to work. I have eight more physical therapy sessions scheduled and an office visit with the guy who got the ball rolling in the proper direction. My dance card is booked until, at least, September 19th.

I think I wrote about the movie Bad Ass yesterday and now I learn that there is a Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses also on Netflix. I am in the MIDDLE of the sequel and it's pretty good too. There aren't many sequels that quite live up to the first story. Godfather II was pretty good, The Empire Strikes Back was as good as Star Wars, Temple of Doom was pretty much as good, The Dark Knight was great (Heath Ledger was amazing as The Joker), Many of the James Bond movies were as good, or better than, Dr. No. I am sure I am missing quite a few and I, also. am sure than you may disagree with many of my thoughts on this. Movies, like books, are subjective. Oh, what about Silence of the Lambs? That was better than Manhunter! You cannot compete with Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster.

Politics  - UGH! That's all I got to say about that

I really want to get back to work but there is no light duty at my job and my team of doctors will not clear me yet. I have exercises that I learned today that I can work on at home to, maybe, help speed up the rehabilitation or healing... I will diligently do my therapy.

Last night Fabio took Cha Cha and I out for dinner. It was kind of right between our birthdays. Also, Splenda was here last week and she brought me my belated Father's Day gift. Fabio said that it is from both of them. It is an electric foot messager that can vibrate with heat or coolness while the vibrating balls massage the balls of my feet. It is pretty cool. I will use it religiously. I do have to believe in something I suppose?

In addition to the nine therapy sessions that I have scheduled I also have four plasma donations scheduled. Four plasma means another $200 in my pocket. I already have $145.05 on the card. I need to take the money I have and put into our checking account. Maybe I will wait until I have $500. or so. I like that I can watch movies or play poker on my phone while I save the world.

I am going to visit my dad again tomorrow. He is doing his own physical therapy at the nursing home/recover center  where he is now. It sounds like he will be home withing the next few days but nothing is concrete yet. He is a tough old bird. I'll stop at his house and make sure that his cat has enough water and food. I will also clean the several litter boxes around the house.

I suppose that I am done for today. Thank you for slowing down for a few moments. I think I will be able to blog tomorrow between all of the above. Enjoy the nice weather in the MIDDLEwest and, hopefully, the rest of the world will be okay with all of the Earth's anger the last few days for many of us treating her like a dump. TTTT...MITM (out) TA!

One Bad Ass Blog

It is 16:52 and I am going to start the blog. I will probably finish it later because Fabio is coming ti take Cha Cha to dinner for a late birthday celebration deal. I am going to tag along but I will pay for my own food and beverages. I will use my Biolife Plasma MasterCard. I donated plasma again today and I have $150 on that card already. Tomorrow I start my physical therapy for the Achilles and the, now sore, opposing knee. My next plasma donation is Friday at 10:15 if you're looking for something to do; $50/hour is a pretty good payday. While I donated today I watched HBOGO on my phone. I watched Wyatt Earp (the lesser of the OK Corral movies, Tombstone, in my opinion, is much better). I knew I wouldn't be able to watch an entire movie so I picked one that I have seen before. I have been to Tombstone, Boothill and the Ok Corral; our backyard is bigger than where that gun fight took place. I like cemeteries and this, and the one in Key West, are my favorites.

I heard, on the radio, that the Northern Illinois University students will start moving into the dorms tomorrow morning. I should probably leave a bit early to get to my physical therapy over in Sycamore. Students coming back means that BioLife will get busier too. I always schedule my appointments on their APP so I don't waste a trip over there.

Last night I watched a movie called Bad Ass on Netflix. I loved it! It is very violent but I have no problem with that. Danny Trejo plays a guy (nicknamed Bad Ass) who is tired of all of the violence and crime and such and takes matters into his own hands and makes his neighborhood and city a safer place to live. The police seem to like him as he does some ride-alongs with them and they ask for his help on occasion. I think we need more people who care like this but, maybe, without the over-the-top violence. I just saw that there is a Bad Ass 2 on Netflix too and I will probably watch that withing the next day or two while I am still handicapable.

I am not sure if I will do wine or bloody marys or iced tea with dinner. If, wherever we go, they have blue cheese olives I will definitely have iced tea. Iced tea and blue cheese olives are one of my favorites. Okay, you caught me - I like blue cheese olives in bloody marys. 

I just learned that the blog has earned a J D Power for blogging. I am not sure if I get a plaque or a certificate or something. I am not sure if that means anything in the blogging community but winning an award is always something good I think? We, in the blogging industry call this "burying the lead." Usually, that is a bad thing as you the lead is called "the lead" because you should lead with the big news. I think the Matt In The Middle staff and I received this award because we are unconventional and aren't worried about the numbers. I am sure you have noticed that since not many people red this drivel. That makes me appreciate YOU more!

Wow, now it is 17:46 and I am still writing which means that I am not out eating. That works out well because, even though I like to eat, I love to write even more. But now I am writing about eating - WINNING! Maybe I should start a food blog though I bet there are millions of those. I base that on nothing except for the fact but, most everybody, eats. Don;t they?

I am going to end now because it feels like time to end. It would be nice if we could always just end when we want to and not be concerned about someone else's feelings because they would understand that "just stopping" is acceptable and not rude. So, BYE!

Gallbladders and Hurricanes - what a week for the Helser boys

Looks more like Club Med or something

Sorry I didn't blog yesterday but I was with my dad in the hospital. Today he is in an assisted nursing home (just temporarily until he is ready to go home) called Alden Gardens of Waterford. The people there are really nice and do care about helping others. Dad is in pretty good shape and making a quick recovery from having the infected gallstones out and then his gallbladder removed. His body was trying to kill itself from inside but that will not happen now that they have removed the instruments of destruction. I stopped by his house and took him the several things on his list. I stayed there for a few hours and left when they took him down for lunch and physical therapy. I guess I was there for a few hours but I know he will need his rest.

My dad and I watched a few old westerns while I was there and now, being in the mood for westerns, I am watching Silverado as I write today's blog. We watched Wagon Train and The Rifleman and a few others. If you want to watch Silverado it is on Netflix.

We talked a little politics as the news was on when I first arrived. We do not agree on many things politically but neither of us offended the other. We just kind of tip-toed around certain parts as he has no problem with the current orange culture and I have different views on how things should be. He did blast the Clintons (primarily Hillary) once or twice but I just let that go other than to say that she did win the popular vote. The Buddhist meditations help me a great deal. I let the small things, and many of the medium and large things, go for the most part. Perhaps I have grown as a huwoman being? How come the word is huMAN? I think the women are the smarter sex percentage-wise though I base that on opinion rather than any data that I have seen. I do, however, know that I am correct.

Tomorrow I am going to donate plasma again and then, on Thursday, I begin my physical therapy for the Achilles tendon. For the most part, the Achilles isn't bothering me. The problem that is more prevalent is the left knee cap. I think the left knee is aggravated for having to carry most of the load for several months now and just wants some attention. Of course, when I go to therapy I will mention that to them. Maybe doing more than it's share with half of a big toe missing on that left foot is aggravating the situation? Time will tell but it does not heal all wounds as they say.

Hurricane Lane not my dad's gallbladder

My brother, who lives in Hawaii, says that some pretty sever storms are coming their way. Volcanic eruptions aren't enough, I guess. Living in paradise comes with a price. Here is his Facebook post "Hurricane Lane (now a category 4 and 500 miles southeast of Big Island) update on the 9'oclock news tonight.. from the sounds of it we will get a lot of wind, rain & humidity, if not a direct hit to one or more Islands.. Hurricane Lane is heading our way, could make land fall within 48 to 72 hours.. Hope everyone is prepared and stays safe!!!" Stay safe little bruddah!

I suppose that I all I have in me for today. Have a great rest of your week though I may blog at ya again tomorrow. TTTT...MITM (out) 

Rivalries (Good and Bad)

I will start with my dad's condition - he had several infected gallstones removed and they discovered that his gallbladder, in fact, was very much infected also so that was removed yesterday as well. I spoke to him this morning and he is going to have go to nursing home for a bit since I cannot stay with him because I am allergic to cats and there has been several cats live there over the years and it gets me as soon as I walk in the door. I have been checking that his one cat (Skeezicks) has enough water and food and I will continue to go there every day or two to keep the sustenance full. Dad sounded very upbeat and optimistic. He has started physical therapy and the person that he is working with told him that he has no problem at all doing stairs and such. I think everything will work out okay. I just looked for the origin of the word/name Skeezicks and it has been around for ever. I will not rob you of your joy of Googling.

With him being out of the hospital I can also call the physical therapist tomorrow to schedule my physical therapy for the Achilles tendon. what they have done so far has helped a great deal but I have a ways to go. I would call them today and get the ball rolling but it is Sunday and I am sure they are not there; I will call and see, however. I want to be a real boy again. I do notice that my left leg hurts behind the knee because, I assume, I have been making that leg do the lion's share of the work. I have warned that the therapy will not be very pleasant. Well, neither is walking like a Mel Brooks character.

Jill and I were just going over the political scene; what a mess we're in right now. I would have said that "we are in a pickle" but pickles do not deserve that abuse. I also have two appointments to donate plasma again this week. It made me happy to hear dad talking about all of the plasma he has been given. I wondered if, by chance, he had received any of the plasma that I have donated. Probably not but that just strengthens my resolve to continuing to donate; I just want to help whomever needs the plasma. Why not save or preserve a life or two here and there?!

One of the best rivalries in all of sports

I know many of you are Chicago Cubs' fans but I am happy that the Cardinals took care of business and are now in second place in the National League Central. It's always fun when two great rivals like the Cubs and the Cards can make a season even more exciting. It is always fun when the Cardinals and the Cubs are battling it out. That, to me, is one of the best rivalries in sports; probably because I am a Cardinals' fan and I have many friends who are Cubs' fans.
I am not going to go into politics today because that is an exhausting topic these days. I follow this circus more than I should, I think. It is entertaining and horrifying all at the same time these days. All I will say is that things HAVE TO change soon.

I am going to end now but I want to say that I am excited, for some odd reason, to watch "The Hunt For The Trump Tapes with Tom Arnold" starting September 18th on Viceland. I just started following The Hunt For The Trump Tapes on Twitter. I have always, kinda, found him funny though his ex-wife is a whacko. She was a pretty good stand-up comic before she became insane. Here is a clip if you're interested. The segment that follows with Arnold on Jimmy Kimmel's show is fascinating and humorous.

Okay, have a great Sunday. Thanks as always for stopping by for whatever I have to offer. TTTT...MITM (out)!

Another Quicky

It is 07:56 on Saturday morning and we are not going to Woodstock today as previously blogged. My dad called from the hospital early this morning and said they are going to remove his gallbladder today. We do not know what time that will be but, of course, we will be go there as soon as we know when we should head to Aurora.

The St. Louis Cardinals are only half-a-game behind the Milwaukee Brewers now for second place standings. The Cards play the Brew Crew again tonight and Sunday and, hopefully, we will have only the Cubs in our way to the play-offs, though, there is always the wild card, Hey, The Cards' name is right in the wild card.

My dad just called and said they are looking to operate about 11:00. The gallstones that they took out were all infected so it is good that they are out. Just think good thoughts for my dad while he gets this thing handled. TTT?...MITM (out) TA!

Abrupt Blog!

My goodness it is already 18:47 and I am just now able to start the blog. I may end and post abruptly so be forewarned.

I did not realize the gallbladder looked like a duck

I went to Rush Copley Hospital in Aurora today as my dad is in there with gallbladder issues. He called me yesterday and said he was there for gallstones. When I arrived he looked and acted great and he was watching old episodes (since there cannot be any new episodes) of The Ed Sullivan Show on the television in his hospital room. I remember watching that when I was just a wee lad. Anyway, getting back to the gallbladder, they were going to remove it today. We sat and talked a bit and he asked me if I would go over to his house to make sure his cat (yes, there is only one cat in that house now though he still feeds the strays on his back porch) had enough water. So, of course, I did and all if fine on the feline front. When I got back to the hospital the procedure was finished but they just removed the gallstones. Within the next day or two they are going to remove the gallbladder. So, tomorrow either Cha Cha and I or Fabio and I are going to go back there and take his car home and put it in his garage. I am not sure why he cannot just leave it in the parking lot at the hospital because they would not and did not say a word about that to him. But I want him to be calm about everything so I will abide.

I have every confidence in Dr. York

I had my appointment at Midwest Orthopedics Institute about my Achilles this morning. These people actually knew something about what is going on; I wish I would have just gone there in the first place. Long story short, I am out from work for, at least, another three weeks though they did not paint as bleak a picture as the other places that I had gone to prior to this stop had. I got a different boot that I am supposed to wear while I am inside the house and I am supposed to wear it while I sleep. So, of course, I will do that. I was also told to get some Salonpas (pain reliever) and will apply it soon. Oh yeah, I also have to do some pretty intensive physical therapy over there for the next three weeks (yikes). After the appointment I went to my work with the paperwork I was given and they sent it to the corporate insurance people. The guy who handled the paperwork had also been to Dr. York and he had nothing but great things to say also. I also got the Salonpas.

I am excited that Splenda is coming here tonight and we are going out to dinner. I am not sure if Fabio is going with us or not because Cha Cha is sleeping and Jeff and I are the only mammals that are not asleep here at the moment.

Oh yeah, I started donating plasma again this week. I donated twice and have two appointments set for this upcoming week. $50 a pop I get for that. I mention that because my dad mentioned how much plasma re received and I wondered if he got my plasma. I am sure there is no way of knowing that so I will say that he did get the plasma that I donated. I am such a life saver. If you are interested in donating plasma let me know and I call fill you in on the procedure...

I am going to end but just felt like I needed to blog. I think Jill and I are going to Woodstock again tomorrow because I need to meditate. I meditate before I donate plasma because he always makes sure that my blood pressure and other vitals are where they need in order to donate.

Okay, Jeff wants me to go out and throw a Frisbee for him so TTTT?...MITM (out)!

Anytime Bloggness

I just looked at how many people have read the blogs and saw that August 12th's blog about Jill's birthday (the shortest blog that I have written) is the most viewed blog (with 22 views) since July 15th. On January first I had 54 views. What makes people want to read the blog or decide not to read a specific blog? August 12th's was really short so, perhaps, I should just write a few paragraphs and wrap it up? I also just learned that this is my 1,731st blog post. Maybe people are just tired of my diatribe? I am not looking for compliments or anything I am just wondering why some are popular and some are not. Maybe I need better pictures on the posts. The fake ads didn't work.

And I can tell you how!

Anytime Fitness is a terrible place. I would say that it is just the facility nearest our house but I am pretty sure that it is the chain (simply based on my spidey senses). I, as Cha Cha's co-council, am battling to try to end the membership. I am fairly certain that each franchisee must get bonuses for the membership numbers they have. I will not divulge my next step though I will say that I have consulted an expert in this kind of field and, if they will not grant Jill her dismissal, I know a 100%, legal and non-violent, way to end the membership. Here is what I found on their website  - "Your membership is managed by your home gym (usually the location where you joined). As each gym is independently owned and operated, and each state has different cancellation policies, please review your Membership Agreement prior to contacting your home gym. Your specific cancellation policy will be outlined on that agreement." That tells me that the local people are the issue and not Anytime Fitness itself. That makes me even more determined to end this madness. If you do find yourself in this situation message me and I will tell you how to dissolve your agreement. Boy, that was a tangent.

Tomorrow I go to the Orthopedist to see if the top portion of my Achilles tendon will ever be rejoined with its (his or her) family. I assume that, since Achilles (the god of war) was a fella that the Achilles tendon is usually a fella even if it is in the back of a lady's ankle? You'd think that they'd be more thorough with dipping the God of War's ENTIRE body into the River Styx. And who shoots a dude in the back of the ankle? Backssabbers!!! Nobody was even sure if it was Paris or Apollo that sent the arrow into Achilles' heel. Maybe that is one of the reasons for the sayings about shooting someone in the back comes from? I am just guessing on that one.  

I am going to end so as to not be too windy again. Thank your for stopping by; I always appreciate you. Depending on what happens at the Orthopedist joint I may write again tomorrow. If I do not perhaps they couldn't dip my ankle in the River Styx and I will see you in the hear-after (though I am not so sure there is a hereafter). TTT????...MITM (ouch)!

Maybe Jeff is Allergic to the Blog?

I did blog two days ago though you did not see it because I tried to do some stuff that caused everything to disappear to be found nowhere so, I took my ball and just went home. I will try to remember some of what I wrote about and replicate it now. If you do not see it you will know it didn't work but, then again, you will never know I tried to make it work then either.

On Saturday Jill and I went up to Rockford for the Blue Wave rally to support the state Democratic candidates. We, specifically went up to see Sara Dady but were surprised when Governor-hopeful J B Pritzker's campaign bus pulled-up and he and Lieutenant Governor running mate, Julianna Stratton got out of the bus and both spoke. I believe that current Governor Bruce Rauner needs to go. So, now we have a J B Pritzker sign in our front yard. I am not sure how many people will see it in our cul-de-sac it is there. I was impressed by Pritzker but I was more impressed by Stratton.

Jeff, our Border Collie roommate, sees to have allergies. I imagine that we are feeding him too many things that are not made for dogs. He was getting gunk in his eyes and we would wipe it out and then Cha Cha web on line and saw that dogs can take Benadryl. If you find that you want to try this investigate for your own pet because it depends on the weight of the animal that dictates how often and how many you can give to your pet. It seems to work pretty well with Jeff.

I just got back from donating plasma at BioLife here in town. It was the second time I donated this week so I have $100 on my new BioLife MasterCard debit/credit card. I have two more appointments scheduled for next week. If you decide you want to do this let me know because I can get a bonus for referring people. I will split the bonus with you 50/50 so we both get a little more ching. It only takes about 45 minutes or so, though the first time takes a bit longer because their doctor has to give you a partial physical. There's no nudity or most of the embarrassing parts of physicals. And look, a free physical!  I have the APP on my phone and it has my schedules appointments and such on the APP. When I got to the car in the parking lot I looked at the APP and the $50 for today was already on there, meaning, it available for me immediately.

The cards we get don't have our names on them

While I was headed to donate plasma I saw a dude sleeping, in the grass, next to a stop sign. He appeared to be homeless. I took a photo because I thought it was ironic that he took the stop sign. literally, and just stopped. On the way home from BioLife I saw him at another stop sign with a sign reading "homeless, any help is appreciated." I did not have any cash on me (just credit on my MasterCard) but I did have an unopened bottle of water that I took with me, in case I was not hydrated enough to donate plasma, so I gave him that bottle of water. He thanked me and I saw him open the bottle immediately and took a long drink. I am not going to post the photo I took because it wasn't as humorous when I knew that he was, in fact, homeless. Even if it was all bogus, helping someone else who asks for help is never a bad thing.

Looks expensive! I hope my insurance covers 100%

I have another doctor's appointment for my severed Achilles tendon on Friday at M.O.I. (Midwest Orthopedic Institute) to find out what the other people could not figure out. Surgery or no surgery? I certainly don't know how a severed tendon can just grow back together which is why I am headed to the third place for this. The Orthopedist said I should just go back to work yes, all he did, was sell me that giant boot so I stick-out like a sore ankle wherever I go. I did call them and got over there to pick up the imaging disk of my Achilles to take to M.O.I.. I am still not cleared to go back to work until after we find out what he will/can/cannot do.

Okay, I am going to try to post this one and see if it works. If it does not appear please let me know though, if that happens, you probably already read it telepathically and I am very impressed. Thank you very much for stopping by either telepathically or world wide webethy. TTTT...MITM (out)!

Shortest blog ever?

Out of respect of Jill's birthday today I will not blog until tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding though I guess this is a blog of sorts.

Love,
Matt In The Middle

Gunna Go Watch Me Some Stump Thumpin'

Today is Saturday the eve of Cha Cha's birthday. At midnight tonight we will be the same age for 32 days and then I will be one day older than her again and then and add one day every subsequent day until August 12th in 2019. If you're near Rockford (though we are not that close) you can see Cha Cha and I in person Sara Dady's political rally at Irish Rose Saloon at 519 East State Street. She is a Democratic candidate running for Congress. From what I have learned about her she is a really good candidate and I hope to learn more this evening before making my final decision. If I find her worthy of my vote I will reach out to President Obama to, maybe, throw his support her way. Yes, I loved Obama as President and voted for him a few times. You can learn more about Dady on her Facebook page Sara Dady for Congress or on her website Sara Dady for Congress on Facebook.

There is a live duel between Omarosa and 45. I think that they are both full of shit and a case of sour grapes and wanting to sell books. They are both selling bullshit. I just find it humorous that two morons are arguing about something that doesn't really even matter; they both are just trying to be centers of attention. I guess they have accomplished that.

I am sorry that I was gone so long. I decided to mow the front yard; I did not take into account all of the grass clippings that would end-up in my stabilization boot or whatever it is really called. Then, I sprayed the weeds between the sidewalk cracks and so-forth.

Now I am back in the air-conditioning, debooted, watching The X-Files on HULU with Cha Cha. We watched this every week without fail. I learned a new word while watching this episode. I learned a new word watching this episode and I know that Exsanguinate means to lose blood to the degree to cause death. We didn't have Google and such when we watched  it 90's. I am enjoying it as much now as I did then.

I am going to end now because it is a bit past 3 PM and we are going to leave around 4 even though it doesn't start until 5:30 but it will take us close to an hour to get there and then to find parking and all. Maybe we'll see you there? I WANT TO BELIEVE that I will see someone that I know there. Thanks for stopping by. TTTT...MITM (out there with the truth) nanu nanu!

Welcome to America Vlad and Amalija

Today Jill is going to take me over urgent care to try to get to the bottom of my severed Achilles tendon. If you read yesterday you already know that Dr. Hypocritic (not Hippocratic apparently) Oath did nothing for me other than taking some X-rays to see that the tendon was severed and sold me one Herman Munster boot for $250.00. They took some casts of my feet at the office  and are having some shoes made especially for me but I will never see these shoes. Oh yeah, he did file down the callouses on the bottom of my stub (formerly a big toe). I am in the exact same condition now as I was when I first (and last) visited his office. Well, not exactly the same condition as my left knee hurts when I walk now because of the overcompensating for the bad drumstick. My good foot doesn't consist of five complete toes so I have walked on the outside of my left foot for almost 40 years. If he was going to send me back in the same condition wearing my same shoes why did he even go further with the illusion of trying to help me? I am interested what they will say about my injury at the hospital. I am prepared for anything. So, maybe I will go back to work in worse shape than I was in before or I will be fixed or they will have to schedule a surgery (I imagine it would be an outpatient thing).

Thank you for letting me vent a bit and, who knows, maybe there will be more venting before TTTT time?

Welcome to the craziest show on Earth Mr. and Mrs. Knavs

I saw on the news this morning that we have two new naturalized American citizens that were immigrants just a few days ago. Melania Trump's mum and dad were granted citizenship and are now citizens. Are we friendly with Slovenia? I am not sure if they climbed over the invisible wall on the Mexican border or if they flew to Canada and crossed the border there because our Commander and Cheese would not let immigrants into this country. They are not even separated from their child. I wonder if they will live in the White House. Is this the "chain migration" that the dimwit in chief was talking about? Even if you like Trump you have to know he is not bright, correct? I wish the Knavs a great life in America and want them to know that we do like their daughter even though she has horrid taste on a spouse.

Tomorrow Cha Cha and I are planning to go to Rockford for a political rally unless she has to go alone because I am having surgery or something. I would prefer to get my flat tire repaired but who knows what will happen with that at this point?  Anyway, it is a Sara Dady for Congress. It is a blue-wave kickoff party. I believable I mentioned it here before.

I am watching Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri for the third time. Jill and I fist watched it on a pay-per-view deal and then, about a week or so after that, it showed-up on HBONOW that we already pay for - it was money well spent though because it is a great movie.

I guess I will see if Cha Cha can take me over to the hospital now. If not, as she is working from home, I can ask Fabio to take me or, very last resort, I could drive myself. The last one is a bad idea because if they do a mini outpatient surgery or something I would have no way to get home. I would just hang-out in the cafeteria or something. Fabio was kind enough to take me over to my our place of employment.

I am back from the Physicians Immediate Care in Sycamore. They gave me the once-over and said, given my injury, I should see an Orthopedist and they gave me information for two that they recommend. If you know anything about Fox Valley Orthopedics or Midwest Orthopedics Institute please let me know.  I am leaning toward MOI as they are closer. They also gave me a note for my employer to say that I need to see an Orthopedist before they will release me. They did agree that it would not get better by itself. I am still thinking that there will have to be surgery at one time or another. However, I am not a doctor so I am just guessing. It is after 17:00 now so I will call these places in the morning and try to set-up an appointment. All I know is that this is a total pain in the ankle. It is weird how much we take driving for granted at times like this.

For dinner tonight I am thinking salads and musk melon. I am going finally cut the musk melon. Jill wanted musk melon and one store said that it was the same as cantaloupe but it is not. Jewel had musk melons so she gets to enjoy her musk melon. I think I may have a few more bloody marys again tonight; I noticed that my ankle didn't ache as much after three vodka drinks and I do love bloodys. I just now wish that we had gotten some wasabi peas for the drinks. Damn!

I am going to end now because my brain is babbling to itself. I hope you have a great evening and sleep well. TTTT...MITM (out) ;)