Dad

I have found that I am turning into Dad. Wow, I typed that, didn't I? I only wish I had that good job behind me to make it possible. I walk around and see something that needs work and find myself compelled to fix them or find a way to make that happen.

Thank you Dad for inspiring me and filling me with goodness and an interest making things right. "Hey, that window is busted ... let's fix it." "This chair needs fixing ... I'll get it."

great news

Thomas went to doctor and his PSA went down again. That is just marvelous! Lois went to the doctor for stomach issues and it might be an ulcer, which is a lot easier to treat than many other conditions.

They hired a 2-person team, father and son, to remodel the bathroom. Here are some photos!

I am very thankful that health issues are being addressed.

my forty

or (2^3) * (2+3)

And so ... I am four decades old. Man, and to think I am shooting for four more decades. It has been a long haul to get my reckless insidious hide to this point. To for that I thank family and friends.

I am surprised indeed that I have friends up to this point especially since "Marcus stories" proceed me.

I could not find a good pictures of several people.

I appreciate all the effort and work it took to do this. I truly don't deserve friends like you, but I appreciate you very much!

I would like to thank:

Tawnya

Amy, Andrew, Charles, Charlie, Christopher, Connie, Dave, Dave, Dylan, Heather, Jeff, Jeff, Jeremy, JJ, Josh, Keith, Lisa, Lori, Maddie, Mike, Paula, Scott, Simone, TJ, William

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thanks Keith, Lori, Charlie for hosting.

The bomb cake was the bomb. I also didn't smash anything. How wonderful!

I look forward to the many photos that you all have.
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For my family who was not there ...
Tawnya, dear sweet woman she is, set a surprise party for me. She and Simone, her daughter, met up with me in Fort Wayne claiming that they were stuck in slow traffic on US 30. They were doing last-minute things and waiting for people to show.

We went there and SURPRISE!

Lori made a bomb cake with explosives. After many attempts to light the fuse, we improvised. As it turned out, the moisture of the icing and cake wet the fuse. Keith installed another bomb and blew it into two. He tried to pitch the cake onto me, but I caught it. I leaped at the chance to give it to Tawnya.

In one photo you can see Dave helping me get Tawnya to share the fun with the cake. Tawnya made me wear cake, I made her wear icing. The other cake was of a wine glass on a hand. This goes back to a story when:

Marcus was at Keith's folks' house. I thought that ninja me could use a spinning force so fast that it would remain on my hand. No. It went onto the floor promptly in full view of all. Ninja, graceful, and talented I am not.

The icing on the cake gave me the chance to do it for real.

clearly meddy

"Yesm. But me backin upm mym pcm. It ism maknm mem madm. Som patientm I am. Callm inm minims."

Debbie was a bit off in typing.

They got back

I called Jessica and Diane on progress of their trip when they were there ... I got "we got lost, but are now back on track".

dead round

The front tree makes lots of shade and so too -- the grass dies. Thomas bought about twenty-four bags of soil using Marcus as pack mule. The grass seed might start growing in a week or so.

red

Lois went to Red Hat Ladies meeting and she wore this to go. They went to the Firefighter's Museum then to the genealogy department at the library.

remember when

This one makes me cry

singles shingles

Cripes! I suppose since no one else will post on this, I will.

Lois injured her wrist last Tuesday. She had it X-Rayed and they found nothing. She is going in for more tests on other areas tomorrow. She is taking physical therapy for her hip. Other than that ... she is OK, all things considered.

Thomas has had good reports from the doctor regarding his PSA as it is lowering. He has been able to golf this year at the dome. The courses are still muddy, yucky, unprepared.

Debbie made it back fine from the doctor's with her surgery!

Marcus has tried to help family and friends with little issues. Diane has her share of dumb things happening to her.

A family member was diagnosed with shingles.

I wish that family member very well and a speedy recovery.

Father and I got home and found that there was a possible shingle loose on the roof. Yep, fudge and darn. I will replace that on a solidly dry day.

I helped Thomas get the mower ready for summer.

That kids, is the end of this story.

mouse?

Diane has a small issue. It happens to be a mouse. Maybe, just maybe, it will be caught or leave on its own accord. I suggested a cat, Jessica relished the idea of a kitten. Lilly may not agree.

auf Debbie, health through family from God

Thank you for all the extra prayers and warm well wishes. My surgery on Friday went very well. As always the plea for prayers for Tony and the family as they help me recover. My sister-in-law, sister, and both mothers have been coordinating efforts this weekend and have organized food and groceries for most of the month.

Ana will be home for some of her spring break also.
I will behave and not lift or work or overdo... pinky swear with Megan!

Dave, Jon, Meg and Tony have been angels for months now. I hope soon to be productive and not a burden.

May Christ Bless you this Lent Season as we prepare for Easter.
With Love,
deb o

Great!

Debbie's surgery went fine and this morning I got a call that she was in her recovery room. Yea! God works in great ways and it feels better when it appears God is making miracles for us, personally.

I am so happy! I also hope that she gets the heck out of there soon and also that she "OBEYS the doctor's directions on limited movement, lifting, etc.".

I love you Debbie!

I need to type more but will quickly post this

Good luck to Debbie on her surgery. While the above does not depict gambling, nor shall I believe there is a gamble on her safe recovery. God grant your will with Debbie, please.

Jenny's new friend

Actually, she's Jenny's new roomie.

cold day in ...

My car wouldn't start. Oh, man! I called the shop and they predicted, not seeing the car, that it was the starter and it would be around $200. Ouch! I had to call a tow truck to get it there.

I cannot overstate this: "GET an AAA Chicago Motor Club Membership". I have gone through a lot of miles with two cars breaking down.

The tow driver pulled the car up the ramp and popped my tire. The company, likely later the driver, then is responsible for getting me a new tire. I got to the shop late and the owner had a critical question: "Is that a 2.7 [liter engine]?" He reported that the 2.7L engines were junk and he had lots of them sitting, broken, unusable. Thankfully, I have a 3.2L, which is "less of a problem".

Yoikes!

pampering pooch

There is a dog, while old and need of support sometimes for his weak legs, is granted an unusual diet. He has dinner prepared for him, but not just any meal. He won't eat kibble, oh no. He requires special food. His humans make him food that has to taste like people food. He even gets picky about the spices. It has to smell and taste like people food, so it gets a bit of spices too.

remembering

MR found this in his yearbook and sent it to me. Hmm. I suppose that it was a long time, or rather it seemed like a long time in my youth to get through school. Later, I went again and got a degree. It might be that I get yet another, yet different degree. Hopefully this one will net real money.

Thanks folks, family, friends for encouragement throughout my many years on Earth!

She likes cookies

Now where did those cookies go?

por (and poor) D

It is better to be dead than well read. A family member will not have a contract renewed for teaching. Apparently that family member failed too many students who would otherwise endanger people if allowed to pass. Remember, in some schools, it's OK to be so-so or flunky when finishing your degree in medicine.

hearing loss

Tom took the bold move of losing his hearing aid today. Despite great efforts by a few people, it was not found. It has been a great hearing aid so far, cough. It has lodged in his ear a few times and doesn't work as well as he would like. Now it is lost. Wonderful!

Going Back

I have been requested to do something. . .
My dear, sweet, love of my life has requested that I go back to school, get my credits to renew my license and teach again. "Just when I thought I was out ... they pull me back in again." My sister also thinks it's a good idea.

MR before had suggested that I do it. I suppose that if all the signs point in a direction, then maybe I ought to go in that direction. I don't think I will be teaching at FWCS, but I hope to wipe out the classes in Summer and teach in Fall somewhere.

May God have mercy on my soul.

+ picture composed of 2 scenes from, "We Don't Need No Education", and from Back to School