Not such good news

My dad has taught me a lot of stuff over all these years. But the one thing he could never get me to learn was how NOT to whine about stuff. He never grumbles, whines, sighs heavily or even mentions things that are bugging him or are wrong or anything. I don't know how he ever keeps it all in. This is a rather cool trait, I admire it, cause I thrive on whining. (or could you tell?) It is also something I must whine about. Ya see? Part of his not mentioning anything that is going on that is bad, or slightly irritating, keeps us from knowing what is really going on with him.
The last time I saw him at the hardware store, I saw him coming up the main aisle towards the service counter. My heart jumped a little...hell, a lot, because he looked OLD! Yes, he is 86, but he has never looked old. But in my way, I brushed it off, and ran over to him and gave him a kiss and a hug, like I always do. Then started up a conversation. He said, they (he and his girlfriend) had been to a doctors appointment. I never gave that a second thought, because, well, he is 86 and there are things that need to be checked on. We talked about the lake, and the cars, and what he has growing in his garden at the moment, and then they left. I gave it no further thought.
Last night, I was on the computer for about an hour before bed, and at the last minute decided to look at my email. I kind of quit checking it, because it is always the usual forwards and I am not in the mood for all the jokes my removed from California friends send and political triades that my dad's friend Bill sends. But last night there were two emails from my oldest sister. She does send occasional pictures of her grandson and those are always a welcome sight, cause he is the cutest baby I know (well, him and Hallie's neice) and I love hearing about how my neice is doing, cause she is the best mom I know. But one email was titled Dad, the other was titled Heads up. Of course I opened the Dad one first.
In it my sister told me that Dad had asked her for a ride to the hospital where his doctor worked, because he needs a pace maker put in! He would have never told us! He would have never said a thing! Except that his girlfriend can't drive any great distances and he needed a ride!!!!!
Then, since it was 9:45, I didn't want to call my sister, but I wanted and needed to talk to her. I sent an email, but that didn't satisfy me and I knew she wouldn't get it til tonight. So I talked to my daughter (who is studying to be a nurse) and she kind of made me feel a little better about the whole thing, but then didn't on the other hand. She just finished studying about pace makers, so they are fresh in her mind. and what she told me was great, but not as it applies to my dad. Cause it means that he needs to slow down and that is not an easy feat. I guess ropes and duck tape may be in order.
I did call my sister, but she knows nothing more than Dad needs a ride to the hospital on Thursday. 10 AM is the scheduled time for placement. He says it is only a 45 minute procedure, which in my Dad's head is a slot much the same as a dentist would take, so he is thinking, no biggy, I'll go home, have lunch and finish up replacing that axle on the truck, right after I till the back half of the yard where I will be planting my bean crop this year! Maybe I can redo the roof while I'm at it. GEEZ! I'm not kidding, this Dad is a never sit still kind of guy and we will probably have to pester the crap out of him to STOP for a moment or two.
So planning on the fact that this crud will be completely gone by Thursday, I will be taking the day, or most of it off and sitting my butt down there at the hospital, with a notepad and pen in hand to write down what the doctor says Dad can and cannot do, what he can and cannot eat and what he is allowed to watch on television. (I remember my teen years, dad and payback is a bitch!) He kept me safe from my silliness all those years, I can damn well repay the favor.
Please keep a prayer in your hearts for my Dad on Thursday.

I Apologize...

I sounded like such a bitch in that last post! I am so sorry!

The One about the Crud

I want to thank all you out there on the east side of our fine nation for sharing your crud with us on the west side. Actually, I was wondering just how long it would take to get here. I thought all this stuff went from west to east, but now I believe I was wrong. Yes, I think I have now got the "Crud", hopefully I am wrong again there. I was grumpy yesterday which is a sure sign that something's up. I am usually not like that...okay, well, not if you ask my kids, but I feel like I was grumpier than usual. (How's that?) I did sleep all day Sunday, which I usually don't let myself have the luxury of doing, I could not help myself. So, hint number two there. Today I went to work with all intentions of staying the course. I stopped being able to breath properly and then my energy level dropped considerably. (Probably due to the lack of oxygen getting to my brain). I just said to hell with it and clocked out. It really makes me mad, because we have the grandma's 95th b'day coming up on Saturday. I had taken the day off, but I refuse to go and give this to her for her birthday, or any other day for all that matters.
There is nothing I can take for it due to my blood pressure issues. I am drinking gallons of tea and now that I am home, I will put the couch to good use. I just hope that this will not last as long as the east coast crud did. I don't what makes me think I am so special that I don't get the same length of illness you all had to suffer through. But please, wish me luck. I can't afford this, otherwise, I would just say hey! Days off.....

Yesterday? What Yesterday?

So, I didn't do what I said I wanted to do. I had to call my dad and give him my reasons. They were many and came in the form of ZZZZZZZZZ's. He was fine with it. Turns out he started off his day tinkering with his old '32 Ford Roadster. Which wouldn't start. Then my brother in law went over there on his way to somewhere else and pushed their project truck into the driveway so "they" could work on it easier. The starter won't work on that thing..it has one of those old push in the thingy on the floor starters, and it is not connecting too well. My dad is supposed to climb up under the truck and figure out why it isn't touching where it is supposed to be touching. I have no clue if they got either car running. I got up at 5AM yesterday, lasted until about 8AM and laid down on the couch. I fell asleep until 2:30 yesterday afternoon! From there on out it was snoozing on and off until 10PM, when I gave up and went to bed. Believe it or not I slept clean through the night. I couldn't believe it! I musta needed it.
My oldest daughter and I went on a short shopping trip. I wanted to get some groceries and she was looking for a bowl that is the shape of a clam shell. That is for our project #4 at ceramics. We didn't find that. She looked online when we came home and found several, one of which is the perfect size, but they want $11 for it and shipping is $7.49. I think that's a little steep for a school project mold! We are going to keep looking.
Yesterday what I saw of the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Today it was sunny, then foggy, but now the sun has come out again. It is still a little nippy today though. Yesterday was beach weather. (Or couch potato weather)
I have another day off! It seems weird to have three days off in a row where I am feeling good. The last time I had any substantial time off was on the doctor's orders and it killed me. I am still trying to make up for the bills that were not paid from that pay check!
I'm going to eBay to see if I can find that shell bowl for my daughter at less than what she found it for. She had to go to work and I have time. Besides what is more fun than shopping from the comfort of your living room?