Posts (page 2)

The Missus yesterday had her gall bladder removed.  About 2 weeks ago she had sever abdominal pain prompting us to go to the ER.  A CT Scan showed that she had gall bladder stones and she would continue to get attacks.  So surgery was scheduled.  Of course we tried to get it in before the end of the year because we already met our deductible for health insurance.

Surgery yesterday went well.  She was given the good stuff around 11:45 and the doc came to see me (Fully dressed in street clothes since she was the last of the day) around 12:40.  He said it went well and he also cleaned up some adhesions around the site...Whatever that means.

Recovery in post-op was about an hour and then another 4 hours in a recovery room and home we went.

It's amazing how routine these types of surgeries have become for the most part.

For your viewing pleasure I found the whole procedure outlined on You Tube.  Of course....

I've talked about this before but I still think this is a good site to share.  The Encyclopedia of Life is a Web 2.0 collaboration that intends to be THE resource for all living things.  Pretty ambitious, but I think they have a good start.

http://www.eol.org/index

Big changes in the weather over the weekend.  Friday was cold when we drove to Oregon, IL for a stay in a cabin with our friends.  Woke up Saturday morning and the wind was blowing, there was a little freezing rain and it was warming up.
After BDog's game at 1:00 we decided we better get our Christmas Tree because Sunday was to have rain.  Of course we had freezing rain while cutting down our tree. 
Sunday was warm, in the high 40's and windy.  I went for a good run but the path wasn't completely clear.  I ended up walking parts due to the ice cover that hadn't completely melted.  It's amazing the different muscles you use when you start and stop as well as slip and slide.  I did fall once but nothing like last January where I twisted my knee as was out of action for 3 months.
Then there was Sunday night.  It started raining in the evening and along with the heavy winds made for a miserable night.  A cold front came through dropped the temp almost 40 degrees creating a nice ice slick.  My drive in was all ice and slow going. 
Today again was quite cold with a high of 12 I believe.  What a swing up and down in the temps.

Bdog went to the Ortho yesterday to get the first stage of braces in.  I guess some type of spacer needs to be put in his mouth to slowly push it apart.  Well the XRay from a few weeks ago didn't give quite the correct angle and the mold of his mouth was bad.  So they had to do it all again.

Of course this means his mouth won't be sore during Christmas...

Our missy gradutated from Gymnastics level 2 to level 3 on Tuesday.  This is big stuff because she had been in level 2 for a number of sessions and was really ready to move on.  So after a year of gymnastics (Thanks Uncle Kevin for starting her out) she is ready to move on.

MJ has stated that gymnastics is the only thing for her now and no more softball but we'll see.  I thought she really liked softball last year.
Level three also means adding an additional night of practice a week.  So Mondays and Wednesdays.  Of course MJ had piano practice on Mondays so we'll have to figure out where it all fits in.
Anyway, we're excited that she is moving on.  Next session begins in January.

Last night we went to watch the Geneva Vikings play in the State Championship in Champaign.  Long trip for a game but it was worth it to support our team and see them play one more time.  They played East St. Louis who knocked them out of the playoffs last year.
At the half Geneva was up 7-6 but ESL came out strong in the second half and ran all over Geneva.  It was pretty but what upset me was they way the did it.  I've never see a more talented team play down so much.  ESL had the speed and talent but they also had 5 or 6 holding calls (3 called back long TD's), 4 Unsportsmanlike Conducts and 19 penalties total for 166 yards.  Geneva's total offense was 189 yards.  BTW - the previous high for penalties in an Illinois State Championship game was 8.  ESL played rough.
For their part, Geneva stayed above it and played with class.  It was hard to see an undefeated season end this way but someone had to lose.
With only one JR on the starting roster, the next few years are going to be interesting.  It was fun to follow and watch the team.  Knowing the coach and the excitement generated in the town, they'll  continue to play well.  But another shot at State?  Who knows. 

Some of you may remember me talking of my friend Trin who is in the Army.  He has had a few tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.  He is now stationed at the Pentagon and just made Sergent First Class.  Way to go Trin!

From his email:  Attached in this email and following emails are pics of my promotion ceremony.  Heidi and Ryan were able to attend and it was held in the Sergeant Major of the Army's office.  Sergeant Major of the Army SGM Preston hosted the ceremony and even recited my military history after a short meeting beforehand.  We were quite impressed.  Anyway, enjoy.

I went for a run the other night (Thursday) after getting home from work.  It was a cool evening after some light rain so there was no one on the trail.  I felt pretty good so a longer 6 mile run was in order.
As I was getting to the turn around I noticed a little grey shape moving along on the trail.  Scuttling along was more like it.  I couldn't figure out what it was.  At first I thought it might be a skunk but there were no contrasting black and white stripes.  Remember, it was dark and my only light was my headlamp.  Shadows were about all I saw.
When I got closer to the thing, it started moving faster, but along the trail in the direction I was going.  I thought Ok, if you want to race, I'll give you a race.  It was at this point that he turned and looked at me and I recognized the possum face.  Cool, this was fun.  I slowed down a bit so that for a time we were running side by side.  He turned a looked at me again and then skedadled off the trail to the left.
I know, not much to talk about but I thought it was pretty neat.  Gave me something to think about for a while on the run.  Of course, he didn't feel like racing when I came back that way.  Actually he didn't even come out to cheer me on.  My feelings were hurt...

Now that the election is over, this is what our our President Elect has to face:  Warnings from Russia.  I hope he's up to the task.

Somehow Bdog heard that Obama (I guess I should say President Elect Obama) wants to extend the school day to 9 hours.  When it became clear that he would win tonight, our Missy began to cry.  She like school, but not that much!  :-)
I pray for the new president and for our county.