Bodacious Boomer

Well, we finally got Blondie home about 7pm. Luckily when we got to the Dr. Parham’s office a specialist, a veterinary surgeon was there. We lucked out. He was there for another surgery so we didn’t have to pay extra to call him in. When he examined her thigh he called it “quite a wound”. It was awful. When they began to explore it before surgery, Doug had to leave the room. However, all’s well that ends well. She’s home now, loaded up with antibiotics. (Of course the rest of her pack wants to come and say hi, but she’s in no mood for that at this point). After we eat something, she and I are going to my room for the rest of the night to chill. Doug’s going back Walgreen’s to get her amoxicillin. It’s only $4 there vs.$32 at the vet. I ‘m hoping she’ll start feeling better by tomorrow. We saw Nate and Amanda on the way home.

Post surgery

I spoke to mom today. She sounded a little better to me. However, she said she still felt bad. Apparently a whole herd of different docs had been in to see her, including an oncologist. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get the straight poop on what’s going on with her from her primary physician tomorrow. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. However I’m afraid it won’t do much good. We’ll see.

Evelyn really stepped up again today to help me out. I cursed, then I cried out of frustration and she just patiently listened. What a fabulous friend! She kept me from whacking Doug in the head with my big cast iron skillet. (He promised me that our fence would be dog-proof, that is dog-escape proof, months ago). He knew I was PO’d this morning. We didn’t even have to speak about it; One of the perks of being together since God was a child I guess.

I’ve had my fill of drama today. I’m exhausted. I’m looking forward to something funny tomorrow. For as Scarlett always says “Tomorrow is another day.” Maybe I’ll go find my hoop skirt, fix a mint julep and sit on the veranda. BTW- I’m planning to be back from my trip to Crazyland in the morning.

My Facebook photo

I think most of us are creatures of habit. My morning routine is pretty much the same 6 days a week. First I check my email, then I go to CNN.com to see what’s been happening in the world. Finally, I read USAtoday.com to see what CNN didn’t deem important enough to cover. After all that, I usually do the USA today crossword and Brainiversity in attempt to keep my ancient neurons talking to each other.

Of course, if I’ve gotten a message from gmail that says I have a Facebook message then I go directly there and check it out.  I’ve been on Facebook for a year or so now. Brett AKA Beef, urged me to set up my page. (Frankly, I hadn’t really felt any pressing need to do so.) I thought that the people in my life had plenty of ways to find me already. However, following his advice I went ahead and set up my page. You only put details on your page that you’re comfy with being made public. You can also post a photo of yourself or anything else if you wish. As you may have surmised, my photo isn’t exactly “current”. (However it is my best photo ever.)

I must say that it’s been interesting. People that I hadn’t thought of in years have “friended” me. “Friended” means that somehow they’ve found/seen you on Facebook and would like to get back in touch. You have to “confirm” them as a friend before they can leave you a message or see your entire page . I’ve read that the average number of “friends” on Facebook is around 100. I have 61. Beef has 861. (Of course I’m not the social butterfly that he is.)

A lot of the baby boomers I know see no reason to do any social networking of any kind. But overall I’d say that it’s been a positive experience for me. I’m just trying to stay at least a little connected to what’s going on with the MTV Generation so I can relate to my kids world. Do you Facebook?

Brett in Austin 2009

I got an email from my friend Kenna today. It was an invitation to join Nancy’s Renal Rangers. It’s a group of folks that are going to be participating in the National Kidney Walk on September 20th. I’ve actually met Nancy, Kenna’s friend. She’s a great woman who has had a kidney transplant. Doug and I will be participating on Sept. 20th. I’ve never been in a “walk” before and although it starts at 7am, I’m looking forward to it.

I spoke to my friend Michelle yesterday who is a flight attendant with Continental. She told me of her friend who is hospitalized with necrotizing fasciitis, the flesh eating bacteria. She developed the infection after some routine dental work. So far she’s lost half her tongue. I’m not even sure if you can talk if you’ve only got half your tongue. Of course she’s fighting for her life, so the ability to speak probably isn’t very important at this juncture.

I listen to the news everyday and keep up with world events at CNN.com. I read about absolutely horrible things everyday. But somehow, they all seem far away even if they’re in Houston. These last two things really gave me a wake-up call. I would say that on the whole, I am a happy person and have a pretty good outlook on life. However, I still tend to let minor things get me down sometimes. I don’t really care about possessions per se.

I’m already done with my “big house” stage thank God, and now live in a one-story half the size. I don’t have to have the latest or great new toy that comes out. I always wanted a flashy sports car. However, in reality, someone else would probably like it more and I’d get jacked for it. (Not to mention extricating myself from one wouldn’t be a pretty site anyway.) Since we got married on the spur of the moment I never even got a wedding ring. I guess people think I’ve been living in sin for over 25 years. I couldn’t care less.

Right after Brett’s stroke in 1985, Doug and I decided to be self-employed, since Brett had to go to therapy 5 days a week, twice a day. Being only 2 yrs. old with his life in front of him, his rehab became our entire world. No employer was going to give us the time we needed to deal with all his medical needs. One of his therapy appointments was over 70 miles away. Our income has looked like an EKG over the years. We’re pushing sixty now and don’t have pensions waiting for us or big 401K’s. Sometimes I get really stressed out bummed about that. Then I have a day like today.

Today was like an invisible slap in the face. One that I have to admit, I’d been needing. I’d been feeling sorry for myself. Then I remembered Nancy, who’d had kidney disease and Michele’s friend with the God-awful infection. Then I spoke to Brett, our son. He was telling me about the DJ gigs he has lined up and how well he is doing. This is the same person that we were told would never walk or talk again 25 years ago. (He left the hospital tied in a wheelchair with his head lolling on his shoulder.) I’ve got a daughter who’s been happy in a relationship for the past four years and who makes straight A’s in college. I got 6 crazy dogs and 1 crazy friend who’s like a sister to me. I’ve got a husband who loves me and sees me through rose colored glasses. Life is good. I was just to stupid to see it.